__________________________________________________
Why is it always so hard to answer when opportunity knocks? Why would we rather pursue the mundane familiarity of the comfortable assuming it is secure instead of the exciting potential of the unknown? Why do we naturally assume risk means failure? Or is it just me?
__________________________________________________
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Divine Delays
__________________________________________________
Divine Delays
A Word With You
Ron Hutchcraft
You pay a lot more attention to a story on the news when it may involve someone you love. It was that way the night we saw a story about a major rockslide that closed a stretch of Interstate 70 in Colorado. Our son and daughter-in-law and little granddaughter were driving that very day through that part of Colorado. The rockslide had shattered pavement, and it embedded boulders as deep as six feet into the highway and created craters in the road. Some of the boulders were said to be as big as a van. Obviously, it was going to take some time to get that stretch of the highway open again, which meant a 200-mile plus detour around the closure. That was okay with our family. In fact, my son said they saw some spectacular scenery they would have never seen any other way. Not long before the rockslide, a semi had jack-knifed just west of that area and the interstate was closed because of it. I've been in those miles-long traffic jams, and you can really get frustrated, aggravated, and just ugly. But because of that frustrating delay, there was no traffic on the road when that avalanche of rocks came crashing down. You've got to figure that that may very well have saved lives. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Divine Delays." If you're like me, patience is one of those areas in which you are, to say it nicely, under construction. We don't like to wait. Our lives are busy, they’re full, and we hate delays. Many times the delay is actually part of the plan to protect you from something that could hurt you if you stayed "on schedule"; on your schedule, that is. You can see God's protective delays at work in our word for today from the Word of God. While it's a chapter out of the lives of God's ancient people, it may shed light on why God seems to be taking you the long way around right now. The story is in Exodus 13:17-18. The Jews have just been miraculously delivered from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt, and they're ready to be on the interstate to the Promised Land. Here's what happened and why. "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led the people around the desert road toward the Red Sea." So, God's people are purposely slowed down by God, and then that longer road leads to what appears to be a disaster. They’re trapped at the Red Sea with the Egyptian Army bearing down on them. Now it may be that God is taking you the longer, slower way right now. You were, like those people on the interstate that was suddenly closed, speeding full speed ahead. Suddenly, all you can see is an ocean of red brake lights in front of you. You're waiting, and you don't know why. It's because God knows what's up ahead and you don't. And He's protecting you from a battle up there that you're not ready to fight, from danger that might hurt you, from a temptation or a test for which you’re just not yet strong enough. Remember, He's promised not to let you face more than He knows you can bear. Maybe you have prayed these words many times, "Lord, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" And the reason you're waiting or taking what seems to be a detour is because your Father, who art in heaven, is answering that prayer! And if the delay and the detour bring you to a Red Sea, not to worry! He's leading you, not into a mess, but into a miracle you'll never forget! So learn to relax when God closes the road or suddenly slows you down. It's all about His love for you, a love that knows what's best for you, a love that knows what's going to happen if you keep going the same direction at the same speed. So don't sit there, pounding the steering wheel and fuming. You aren't late. In fact, you're right on time - God's time. And this isn't Plan B. This is what God's Plan A has been all the time. So trust the One who plans the trip and who protects those who belong to Him. If you could see what's up ahead, you'd be so grateful that God has made you wait.
__________________________________________________
Divine Delays
A Word With You
Ron Hutchcraft
You pay a lot more attention to a story on the news when it may involve someone you love. It was that way the night we saw a story about a major rockslide that closed a stretch of Interstate 70 in Colorado. Our son and daughter-in-law and little granddaughter were driving that very day through that part of Colorado. The rockslide had shattered pavement, and it embedded boulders as deep as six feet into the highway and created craters in the road. Some of the boulders were said to be as big as a van. Obviously, it was going to take some time to get that stretch of the highway open again, which meant a 200-mile plus detour around the closure. That was okay with our family. In fact, my son said they saw some spectacular scenery they would have never seen any other way. Not long before the rockslide, a semi had jack-knifed just west of that area and the interstate was closed because of it. I've been in those miles-long traffic jams, and you can really get frustrated, aggravated, and just ugly. But because of that frustrating delay, there was no traffic on the road when that avalanche of rocks came crashing down. You've got to figure that that may very well have saved lives. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Divine Delays." If you're like me, patience is one of those areas in which you are, to say it nicely, under construction. We don't like to wait. Our lives are busy, they’re full, and we hate delays. Many times the delay is actually part of the plan to protect you from something that could hurt you if you stayed "on schedule"; on your schedule, that is. You can see God's protective delays at work in our word for today from the Word of God. While it's a chapter out of the lives of God's ancient people, it may shed light on why God seems to be taking you the long way around right now. The story is in Exodus 13:17-18. The Jews have just been miraculously delivered from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt, and they're ready to be on the interstate to the Promised Land. Here's what happened and why. "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led the people around the desert road toward the Red Sea." So, God's people are purposely slowed down by God, and then that longer road leads to what appears to be a disaster. They’re trapped at the Red Sea with the Egyptian Army bearing down on them. Now it may be that God is taking you the longer, slower way right now. You were, like those people on the interstate that was suddenly closed, speeding full speed ahead. Suddenly, all you can see is an ocean of red brake lights in front of you. You're waiting, and you don't know why. It's because God knows what's up ahead and you don't. And He's protecting you from a battle up there that you're not ready to fight, from danger that might hurt you, from a temptation or a test for which you’re just not yet strong enough. Remember, He's promised not to let you face more than He knows you can bear. Maybe you have prayed these words many times, "Lord, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" And the reason you're waiting or taking what seems to be a detour is because your Father, who art in heaven, is answering that prayer! And if the delay and the detour bring you to a Red Sea, not to worry! He's leading you, not into a mess, but into a miracle you'll never forget! So learn to relax when God closes the road or suddenly slows you down. It's all about His love for you, a love that knows what's best for you, a love that knows what's going to happen if you keep going the same direction at the same speed. So don't sit there, pounding the steering wheel and fuming. You aren't late. In fact, you're right on time - God's time. And this isn't Plan B. This is what God's Plan A has been all the time. So trust the One who plans the trip and who protects those who belong to Him. If you could see what's up ahead, you'd be so grateful that God has made you wait.
__________________________________________________
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
According to HIS mercy
__________________________________________________
1 Peter 1:3a Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again...
Titus 3:5a He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy...
__________________________________________________
1 Peter 1:3a Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again...
Titus 3:5a He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy...
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Called for THIS purpose
__________________________________________________
Keep your behavior excellent among the [unbelievers], so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God...Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every [secular] institution...for such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men...honor all people, love [all] the [other believers], fear God, honor the emperor....be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example for you to follow in His steps....To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing...For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right....!!
__________________________________________________
Keep your behavior excellent among the [unbelievers], so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God...Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every [secular] institution...for such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men...honor all people, love [all] the [other believers], fear God, honor the emperor....be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example for you to follow in His steps....To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing...For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right....!!
__________________________________________________
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Are You Vain
__________________________________________________
The Emporer's New Clothes
by Hans Christian Andersen
Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, "he is sitting in council," it was always said of him, "The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe."
Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character. "These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!" thought the Emperor. "Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately." And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.
So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.
"I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth," said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.
"I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers," said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, "he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than be is."
So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. "What can be the meaning of this?" thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide. "I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms." However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.
The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there. "What!" thought he again. "Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never confess that I could not see the stuff."
"Well, Sir Minister!" said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. "You do not say whether the stuff pleases you."
"Oh, it is excellent!" replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. "This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them."
"We shall be much obliged to you," said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.
The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.
"Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?" asked the impostors of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.
"I certainly am not stupid!" thought the messenger. "It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitable office! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it." And accordingly he praised the stuff he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both colors and patterns. "Indeed, please your Imperial Majesty," said he to his sovereign when he returned, "the cloth which the weavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent."
The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.
And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom. Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.
"Is not the work absolutely magnificent?" said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. "If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!" and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.
"How is this?" said the Emperor to himself. "I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen--Oh! the cloth is charming," said he, aloud. "It has my complete approbation." And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much. All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all exclaimed, "Oh, how beautiful!" and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession. "Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!" resounded on all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes, and the title of "Gentlemen Weavers."
The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the Emperor's new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms; cut the air with their scissors; and sewed with needles without any thread in them. "See!" cried they, at last. "The Emperor's new clothes are ready!"
And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, "Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth."
"Yes indeed!" said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite manufacture.
"If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit, in front of the looking glass."
The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.
"How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!" everyone cried out. "What a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!"
"The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting," announced the chief master of the ceremonies.
"I am quite ready," answered the Emperor. "Do my new clothes fit well?" asked he, turning himself round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome suit.
The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.
So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, "Oh! How beautiful are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the scarf hangs!" in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office. Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.
"But the Emperor has nothing at all on!" said a little child.
"Listen to the voice of innocence!" exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered from one to another.
"But he has nothing at all on!" at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was no train to hold.
Oh the vanity and depravity of man!
__________________________________________________
The Emporer's New Clothes
by Hans Christian Andersen
Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, "he is sitting in council," it was always said of him, "The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe."
Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character. "These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!" thought the Emperor. "Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately." And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.
So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.
"I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth," said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.
"I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers," said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, "he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than be is."
So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. "What can be the meaning of this?" thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide. "I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms." However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.
The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there. "What!" thought he again. "Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never confess that I could not see the stuff."
"Well, Sir Minister!" said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. "You do not say whether the stuff pleases you."
"Oh, it is excellent!" replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. "This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them."
"We shall be much obliged to you," said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.
The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.
"Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?" asked the impostors of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.
"I certainly am not stupid!" thought the messenger. "It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitable office! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it." And accordingly he praised the stuff he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both colors and patterns. "Indeed, please your Imperial Majesty," said he to his sovereign when he returned, "the cloth which the weavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent."
The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.
And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom. Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.
"Is not the work absolutely magnificent?" said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. "If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!" and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.
"How is this?" said the Emperor to himself. "I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen--Oh! the cloth is charming," said he, aloud. "It has my complete approbation." And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much. All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all exclaimed, "Oh, how beautiful!" and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession. "Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!" resounded on all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes, and the title of "Gentlemen Weavers."
The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the Emperor's new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms; cut the air with their scissors; and sewed with needles without any thread in them. "See!" cried they, at last. "The Emperor's new clothes are ready!"
And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, "Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth."
"Yes indeed!" said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite manufacture.
"If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit, in front of the looking glass."
The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.
"How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!" everyone cried out. "What a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!"
"The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting," announced the chief master of the ceremonies.
"I am quite ready," answered the Emperor. "Do my new clothes fit well?" asked he, turning himself round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome suit.
The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.
So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, "Oh! How beautiful are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the scarf hangs!" in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office. Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.
"But the Emperor has nothing at all on!" said a little child.
"Listen to the voice of innocence!" exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered from one to another.
"But he has nothing at all on!" at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was no train to hold.
Oh the vanity and depravity of man!
__________________________________________________
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
S O L D
__________________________________________________
Some days I'm convinced I could sell ice to eskimo's or eyeglasses to the blind or automobiles to Amish.
__________________________________________________
Some days I'm convinced I could sell ice to eskimo's or eyeglasses to the blind or automobiles to Amish.
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hymns Of The Day
__________________________________________________
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
As in thy presence humbly I bow.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
coupled with:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
__________________________________________________
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
As in thy presence humbly I bow.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
coupled with:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
__________________________________________________
Ecclesiastes 2:18-21
__________________________________________________
I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I labored under the sun. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them.
__________________________________________________
I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I labored under the sun. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them.
__________________________________________________
Monday, November 19, 2007
My Source
__________________________________________________
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every single thing
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
__________________________________________________
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Significance of the Three-fold Communion
_________________________________________________________
I have been asked to teach on The Significance of the Three-fold Communion this morning in Sunday school. This is the outline I will use for my teaching corresponding the three sections of the service with the three tenses of salvation (past, present, future).
The Significance of the ‘Three-fold Communion’
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
1) Eucharist-
a. Justification
i. In Remembrance
ii. Past Tense
1. ‘delivered’ from the guilt of sin
iii. Justify – To prove or show to be just; to defend or maintain; to excuse
1. Luke 22:1-23
2. Matthew 26:26-29
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
2) Feet-washing
a. Sanctification
i. For Reminder
ii. Present Tense
1. ‘will deliver’ or ‘doth deliver’ (KJV) from the power of sin
iii. Sanctify – To make holy; to hallow; to make pure from sin; to consecrate
1. John 13:1-17
2. 1 Peter 3:21
3) Lord’s Supper
a. Glorification
i. For Realization
ii. Future Tense
1. ‘will yet deliver’ from the presence of sin
iii. Glorify – To make full of glory; renowned; celebrated; grand; brilliant
1. Mark 14:22-25
2. John 17:20-24
3. Revelation 19:7-9
_________________________________________________________
I have been asked to teach on The Significance of the Three-fold Communion this morning in Sunday school. This is the outline I will use for my teaching corresponding the three sections of the service with the three tenses of salvation (past, present, future).
The Significance of the ‘Three-fold Communion’
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
1) Eucharist-
a. Justification
i. In Remembrance
ii. Past Tense
1. ‘delivered’ from the guilt of sin
iii. Justify – To prove or show to be just; to defend or maintain; to excuse
1. Luke 22:1-23
2. Matthew 26:26-29
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
2) Feet-washing
a. Sanctification
i. For Reminder
ii. Present Tense
1. ‘will deliver’ or ‘doth deliver’ (KJV) from the power of sin
iii. Sanctify – To make holy; to hallow; to make pure from sin; to consecrate
1. John 13:1-17
2. 1 Peter 3:21
3) Lord’s Supper
a. Glorification
i. For Realization
ii. Future Tense
1. ‘will yet deliver’ from the presence of sin
iii. Glorify – To make full of glory; renowned; celebrated; grand; brilliant
1. Mark 14:22-25
2. John 17:20-24
3. Revelation 19:7-9
_________________________________________________________
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Attn: YOU!!
__________________________________________________
There may be more than one of you, but you know who you are. You are the one(s) who read this blog and hate everything you see here. You are the one(s) who are more than willing to slander me behind my back but lack the courage to approach me like a man. You are the one(s) who believe that I am a heretic but are unwilling to interact with an open face. You are the one(s) who will sit in restaurants and criticize this blog but aren’t able to state any specific area of wrong doctrine.
You, you know who you are, I invite you to interact with me. I invite you to point out to me my error. I invite you to use the scripture to show me my heresy. I invite you to put your identity where your criticism is and stand up like a man. I invite you to be willing to stand up for what you believe and if you must stand against me, stand against me to my face. And if you can’t, then know that any credibility you wish to have has been lost in anonymity!
You aren’t required to like what you read here. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t like what you read then quit reading. If, however, you choose to continue referencing and reading this blog, then expect to read my opinion, my beliefs, my struggles and my position.
__________________________________________________
There may be more than one of you, but you know who you are. You are the one(s) who read this blog and hate everything you see here. You are the one(s) who are more than willing to slander me behind my back but lack the courage to approach me like a man. You are the one(s) who believe that I am a heretic but are unwilling to interact with an open face. You are the one(s) who will sit in restaurants and criticize this blog but aren’t able to state any specific area of wrong doctrine.
You, you know who you are, I invite you to interact with me. I invite you to point out to me my error. I invite you to use the scripture to show me my heresy. I invite you to put your identity where your criticism is and stand up like a man. I invite you to be willing to stand up for what you believe and if you must stand against me, stand against me to my face. And if you can’t, then know that any credibility you wish to have has been lost in anonymity!
You aren’t required to like what you read here. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t like what you read then quit reading. If, however, you choose to continue referencing and reading this blog, then expect to read my opinion, my beliefs, my struggles and my position.
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Easy Street
__________________________________________________
Apparently I wasn't aware of how nice I've had it all this time. It seems that a typical day in the life of Aaron Hoblit consists of the following (from my employers perspective):
8:00-10:00 - breakfast appointment with 'buddies'
10:00 - 11:30 - farm calls to more 'buddies' who happen to have animals
11:30 - 2:00 - lunch with still more 'buddies'
2:00 - call office to pretend to be working
2:00 - 3:30 - more farm calls, mostly to buddies, but some legitimate
3:30 - home early to go to prison
....and yet I have the audacity to say I'm committed to the team effort!
Sheesh! I thot I could keep this gig up indefinitely, but I guess they figured me out, eh?
__________________________________________________
Apparently I wasn't aware of how nice I've had it all this time. It seems that a typical day in the life of Aaron Hoblit consists of the following (from my employers perspective):
8:00-10:00 - breakfast appointment with 'buddies'
10:00 - 11:30 - farm calls to more 'buddies' who happen to have animals
11:30 - 2:00 - lunch with still more 'buddies'
2:00 - call office to pretend to be working
2:00 - 3:30 - more farm calls, mostly to buddies, but some legitimate
3:30 - home early to go to prison
....and yet I have the audacity to say I'm committed to the team effort!
Sheesh! I thot I could keep this gig up indefinitely, but I guess they figured me out, eh?
__________________________________________________
Saturday, November 10, 2007
It Happened
__________________________________________________
Our van left Renita and the children sitting along I-70 at Brookville this evening. Consequently, we are without a family vehicle.
__________________________________________________
Our van left Renita and the children sitting along I-70 at Brookville this evening. Consequently, we are without a family vehicle.
__________________________________________________
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Asking
__________________________________________________
This is hard.
I was praying through a specific need this morning when I clearly heard an answer. You don't have because you haven't asked. Upon further prayer I felt like I was supposed to expose for all in my little cyberworld my need. It goes against every fiber of integrity in my body, but.....
We need a family vehicle. Our 1998 Astro has over 200,000 miles on it. During the last year we have had multiple mechanical/electrical problems with it. Investigation into the problem has netted absolutely no solution. As a matter of fact, there can be no problem found; however, anytime it rains or there is moisture on the roadway our van shorts out letting the passengers sit until the 'short' dries. We have 5 children (that my company didn't require us to have), and Renita takes our three oldest to school and picks them up from school. Simply put, I need the peace of mind that comes with knowing that she has reliable transportation, and she deserves that reliability.
I trust that I am not asking with wrong motives, so that [I] may spent it on my [own] pleasures.
__________________________________________________
This is hard.
I was praying through a specific need this morning when I clearly heard an answer. You don't have because you haven't asked. Upon further prayer I felt like I was supposed to expose for all in my little cyberworld my need. It goes against every fiber of integrity in my body, but.....
We need a family vehicle. Our 1998 Astro has over 200,000 miles on it. During the last year we have had multiple mechanical/electrical problems with it. Investigation into the problem has netted absolutely no solution. As a matter of fact, there can be no problem found; however, anytime it rains or there is moisture on the roadway our van shorts out letting the passengers sit until the 'short' dries. We have 5 children (that my company didn't require us to have), and Renita takes our three oldest to school and picks them up from school. Simply put, I need the peace of mind that comes with knowing that she has reliable transportation, and she deserves that reliability.
I trust that I am not asking with wrong motives, so that [I] may spent it on my [own] pleasures.
__________________________________________________
Monday, November 5, 2007
Won't Rant
__________________________________________________
I really wanted to launch into a passionate, petulant, polemical, pugnacious rant about the unfairness of my employer for changing my phone plan, not informing me and then holding me responsible for overage. I also wanted to become quite vicious, vinegary, violent and vituperrious about their suggestion that my wife get a job to address my increased monetary need due to our responsibility of raising 5 children that they didn't tell us to have.
But I won't!
__________________________________________________
I really wanted to launch into a passionate, petulant, polemical, pugnacious rant about the unfairness of my employer for changing my phone plan, not informing me and then holding me responsible for overage. I also wanted to become quite vicious, vinegary, violent and vituperrious about their suggestion that my wife get a job to address my increased monetary need due to our responsibility of raising 5 children that they didn't tell us to have.
But I won't!
__________________________________________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
