Values

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Are YOU a "whosoever?"



Saturday, December 31, 2011

LOVE MUCH AND FORGIVE ALL!!

As the ball drops to ring in the New Year there will be an empty chair around our extended family’s hearth. On December 30th a sweet lady’s soul winged its way to heaven to forever be with the Lord.

She was called Goldie, but I knew her as Ruth. My children called her Grammy. She was my “Second Mother.” (I always hated the word “step” in bonus families.) She had seven children, and when she married my Dad, they became brothers and sisters to me.

This sweet lady taught me so much about life – and LOVE. And she taught me the importance of forgiveness.


When parents decide to divorce there is excess baggage of anger and bitterness that gets dumped on the children. And if a parent isn’t kind or forgiving, it’s hard for the children to forgive the parents’ faults and mistakes. And my Mom had made a bunch of biggies. And she had a way of repeating them. By the time my husband and I were about to marry Mom was in a “not so nice” stage, and this showed in MY attitude.


One day Ruth told me the most important part of marriage was forgiveness. I said, “He hasn’t done anything wrong yet.” Ruth said, “Not him – your mother. You can’t love and hate at the same time.” I answered back, “But, she won’t even know if I forgive her. She doesn’t think she’s doing anything wrong.” Ruth, the wise sage, said, “Your heart will know. And God will know. And He will bless you if you forgive.”


I prayed hard about this, and told God I wanted to forgive my mother. And He gave me the grace to do it. (I had to forgive her many times after this.) And God did bless me and my marriage.


As the ball drops tonight in Time Square, and glasses clink for a toast to the New Year, my mind and heart will be remembering the years past, and the sage advice of a sweet lady: LOVE MUCH AND FORGIVE ALL!! Good words from the past to the future.


Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas: It’s All About Jesus, From Beginning to End

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1, 5.

“And in the six month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the Angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that are highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying. And cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou has found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end….therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 2: 30-32, 35.


“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.


“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the Angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:4-14

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:6-9

“Annas and Caiphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John, the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. …AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.” …Luke 3:2-6


“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22


“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him. 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. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:1-7


“For God so lived the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18.


“Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise….For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son, even as the honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 4: 18-23.


“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23


“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30.


“And it came to pass that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?...And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” Matthew 11:53-55, 57.


“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He has saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-17.


“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.” Matthews 26:1-2


“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified…When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” Matthew 27:22-24.


“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots….And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise…And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT, and having said this, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:33-34, 38-43.

“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and this third day rise again.” Luke 24:6-7.

“And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I, myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Luke 24:38-39.


“For the Lord himself shall descend form heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thess. 4:16-18.


“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Rev. 3:20-22.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war….And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God….And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS….” Rev. 19: 11, 13, 16.


“And whosoever was not found written the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15.

“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last….Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22: 16, 20.