Spinless Politicians

I have been thinking recently why is it our elected officials can not get it together and truly lead our nation. This may be redundant and tiresome to many, but I believe these outrageous gas prices are the result of spineless Politicians that are more concerned with their being re-elected than actually improving lives. Hiding behind environmental concerns that when examined closely look to be half-full/half-empty. Wither it is looked at negatively or positively the glass is still only holding half of its capacity. Think about it. With the modern advancements in technology, let us get off foreign oil and become independent. Honestly, when was the last time we had an environmental catastrophe involving an oil-rig? Let us use the resources (oil) that are most readily available to us here at home. Think of the jobs created! Let us send the message to those we purchase oil from over seas that their willingness to gouge American pocketbooks will soon come to an end. This is simply a rant from one who is tired of spending a day or more of wages each week on a tank of gas.

Saturday Night Bible Trivia # 2

Saturday Night Bible Trivia (Answer Next Saturday)

Who was the first of God's chosen people (Hebrew) to have a God inspired dream?

Accept Jesus

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:8-10

I was asked the question this evening, “How does someone accept Jesus as Lord and Savior?” To accept Jesus is to believe in Him as God. Belief implies trust, so therefore to accept Jesus is to put trust, faith, and confidence in Him. To completely trust Him with your life and acknowledge Him before others (1 John 2:23). It also means to submit your will to his will and allow Him to govern your life.

The Bible tells us to have a heart for God. When the word heart is used in the Bible, a combination of mind, emotion and will is often implied. To accept Jesus is to commit your mind, emotion and will to Him. Hence, the phrase most commonly used, “Give your heart to Jesus.” Just a thought…

Christmas Coffee

Do you enjoy coffee? I mean truly enjoy coffee? I do. As I was thinking of what creative and yet affordable gift I could give friends and family this year for Christmas I thought of a gift I personally benefit/enjoy as well. Why not share with your loved ones a fresh cup of coffee.

I purchased a small coffee roaster and green coffee beans with some stay fresh (coffee ready) bags. A friend of ours created the personal logo (She is a graphic designer by trade. Click the logo to check out her website.) you see and with a little effort our Christmas gifts will be ready to ship within the week. If you’ve never had a cup of freshly roasted coffee, you are missing out. Unlike store bought or burnt café coffee the taste is smooth without the bitter aftertaste.

The green coffee beans are surprisingly affordable and have a long shelf life. My wife enjoys the café like aroma that fills the kitchen while I roast. To all those that receive some freshly roasted coffee from us, enjoy and have a Christ filled Christmas. Caution: Coffee is Hot.

“A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.” - Anonymous

True Peace

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” - Ephesians 2:13-18

Upon concluding a study on the above portion of scripture I thought it most interesting that people are looking for peace with their fellow man, and or between nations but don’t really know how to obtain it. Treaty’s are ignored or ratified and promises are constantly broken.

My thinking on obtaining peace is first vertical and then horizontal. Vertical in reference to relationship with God. Horizontal in reference to relationship with our fellow man. If one doesn’t have true peace with God, they can not expect to have true peace with their fellow man.

Noticing that in Christ the wall of division between Jew and Gentile has been broken down and the enmity has been abolished is comforting. While their still exists some animosity between them (largely due to a lack of understanding), the Messianic believing Jew and Gentile are now family! Through Christ, God has made a new man! Just a thought…

Saturday Night Bible Triva #1

Saturday Night Bible Trivia (Answer Next Saturday)

Cushi was the father of which Old Testament prophet?

Answer: Zephaniah

"The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." - Zephaniah 1:1

We Three Kings..

This afternoon while running a few errands I heard the Christmas carol "We Three Kings". (Just quite yourself in any public marketplace during this season and you will hear a Christmas carol.) Throughout the rest of the day I found myself humming/whistling the chorus. Taking a few minutes to read the scriptures I turned to Matthew 2 to read of these wise men that came to worship Christ as King. I noticed that the number of wise men that came from the east is not mentioned. While we sing of three we truthfully do not know how many wise men came to worship the new born King?

Many are quick to point to the number three because three gifts were given, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The significance of his gifts point to his three-fold office as King, Priest, and Prophet. Gold for King, frankincense for a Priest, and myrrh for burial as a martyred Prophet. I wonder how many wise men actually came to worship Christ? Will you be counted as one of the wise who worship Him? Just a thought...