September 26, 2011

“For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.” Proverbs 6:34

The most dangerous call a police officer responds to must be domestic violence. While alcohol is most often involved, so is jealousy. Anger and violence fueled by jealousy explode and people get hurt. How do you handle jealousy? When someone else gets the promotion, the raise, the attention, the lottery, the clean bill of health; do you ever feel jealous? Joyce Meyer in her book, “Battlefield of the Mind” gives some good advice. Joyce writes, “When you recognize wrong thought patters beginning to flow into your mind, talk to yourself a little. Say to yourself, ‘What good will it do me to be jealous of others? It won’t get me blessed. God has an individual plan for each of us, and I am going to trust Him to do the best thing for me. It isn’t any of my business what he chooses to do for other people.’ Then deliberately and purposely pray for them to be blessed more.” (p.267) Now that my friend takes spiritual maturity. She goes on to say, “Examine what is in your mind. If it does not agree with God’s thoughts (the Bible), then cast down your own thoughts and think on His.” (p.278)

Thought for the week: “You're getting old when you enjoy remembering things more than doing them.”

Funny for the week: Knowledge Pills

A somewhat advanced society has figured how to package basic knowledge in pill form.

A student, needing some learning, goes to the pharmacy and asks what kind of knowledge pills are available.

The pharmacist says, "Here's a pill for English literature."

The student takes the pill and swallows it and has new knowledge about English literature! "What else do you have?" asks the student.

"Well, I have pills for art history, biology, and world history," replies the pharmacist.

The student asks for these, swallows them, and has new knowledge about those subjects. Then the student asks, "Do you have a pill for math?"

The pharmacist says, "Wait just a moment," and goes back into the storeroom. He brings back a whopper of a pill and plunks it on the counter.

"I have to take that huge pill for math?" inquires the student.

The pharmacist replies, "Well, you know... math always was a little hard to swallow."

AMEN …… Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Which book of the New Testament says, “All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient”? (1 Corinthians 6:12)

This week’s question: Who was the father of Abimelech?

September 19, 2011

Question first, passage last. Are you an Idolater? That ought to get your attention. Most of us would say, ‘I don’t worship idols. I don’t bow down before a statute or something like that.” Well, that may be true, but consider the definition of idolatry. Idolatry in its simplest definition is placing your affection, loyalty or attention on anything other than God. Ok, some of us are getting a little uncomfortable. But how about this found in Ephesians 5:5. Paul says, “For this you know with certainty that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Italics mine) Wow! Did you know that desiring and longing for things that belong to someone else; not being satisfied with what you have is idolatry? Only Jesus fills our desires and when we try to fill them with other things and think other things we don’t have will meet our needs, we place those things before God and they receive our affection. That then becomes idol worship and God abhors and despises it because it separates us from him and becomes sin in our lives. Check-up on yourself and see if you are covetous. If so, confess it as sin and ask Jesus to meet the true needs in your heart that only he can meet

Thought for the week: “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.”
~ Goethe

Funny for the week: "Lit Match"

On my first day working at the gas station, I watched a senior co-worker measure the level of gasoline in the under-ground tanks by lowering a giant measuring stick down into them.

"What would happen if I threw a lit match into the hole?" I joked.

"It would go out," he replied very matter-of-factly.

"Really?" I asked, surprised to hear that. "Is there a lack of oxygen down there or some safety device that would extinguish it before the fumes ignited?"

"No," my co-worker continued. "The force from the explosion would blow out the match."

Yes and they vote……… Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What did John say that God would do to anyone who adds to the things prophesied in Revelation? (God shall add unto him the plagues written of in Revelation. Rev. 22:18)

This weeks question: Which book of the New Testament says, “All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient”?

September 12, 2011

“Never the less, I am continually with thee…” Psalm 73:23 ff

Psalm 73:23-24 has an interesting development. The first part of verse 23 says, Never the less, I am continually with thee. Continually means “I will never leave thee or forsake thee.” Jesus is always present. He will never be parted from us even if we wonder from him. He is faithful when we are unfaithful. Then the verse goes on to say, “Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.” Ever notice that most people are right handed? They do things for themselves with their right hand. If someone is holding that dominate hand, they are unable to do for themselves. Jesus then has to supply for us. Verse 24 continues, “With thy counsel thou wilt guide me.” He will instruct (from his Word) us in how we should live while he is providing and protecting us. His counsel will always be best and right. Finally, verse 24 concludes with, “And afterward receive me to glory.” A promise of eternal life. The one who is walking continually with Jesus, being provided for and counseled by him will be received or led into heaven by him. So what am I saying? The Christian life begins with the new birth, not death. It must be totally Jesus controlled, Jesus powered and Jesus directed. Otherwise it is a self controlled life and Jesus is not Lord. Where is your right hand today? Held in His or doing your will?

Thought for the week: “Confidence is what you feel before you comprehend the situation.”

Funny for the week: To Whom It May Concern,

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year old again. I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money, because you can eat them. I want to play kickball during recess and paint with watercolors in art.

I want to lie under a big Oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer’s day. I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, addition tables and simple nursery rhymes. But that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. When all you knew was to be happy because you didn’t know all the things that should make you worried and upset. I want to think that the world is fair. That everyone in it is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. When we thought the worst thing in the world was if someone took your jump rope from you or picked you last for kickball.

I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life and be overly excited by little things once again. I want to return to the days when reading was fun and music was clean. When television was used to report the news or for family entertainment I would walk on the beach and only think of the sand between my toes and the prettiest seashell I could find. I would spend my afternoon climbing trees and riding my bike. I want to live simply again.

I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, or how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones. I want to believe in the power of smiles, ball hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, the advancement of mankind and making angels in the snow.

So….here is my checkbook, my car-keys and my credit cards. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, cause………….

“Tag! You’re it.”................Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What phenomenon occurred during the crucifixion of Christ from the sixth to the ninth hour? (Darkness. Matthew 27:45)

This week’s question: What did John say that God would do to anyone who adds to the things prophesied in Revelation?

September 5, 2011

“Cease striving and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

One of the things that makes Jesus Christ so special is that he relates to each person individually. Let me explain what I mean. In the Bible, when Paul met Jesus he had a blinding light experience on the road that left him blind for three days. Others like James and John simply got up and left with him when he said, “follow me.” Jesus matched each person with his personality. I love to hear how Christ saved people. Some today fight him nail and tooth until his gentle wooing breaks into their heart and they surrender. They usually have an experience like Paul. Others as little children simply accept his salvation and begin following him like James and John. I was like the latter. Jesus Christ entered my life in an undramatic way. I was seven. No tears, no brand-new feeling, no cleaned-out feeling. I simply in my heart chose to follow Jesus Christ. I confessed my sin and began making him Lord of my life. Doubts? Lots! But each time I came back to the claims of scripture and trusted God to do what he said he would do. I guess when one is not expecting to find something great and it crashes in on them, things get pretty dramatic. But when one is seeking and looking for something and finds it, did not God simply do what he was wanting to do all the time? Throw a party and get up and follow him. After all, he relates to our personalities individually, even in our salvation.

Thought for the week: “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” ~Henry Ford

Funny for the week: "Exam Assistance"

In the examination paper, the professor wanted us to sign a form stating that we had not received any outside assistance. Unsure of whether he should sign the form, a student stated that he had prayed for the assistance of God.

The professor carefully studied the answer script and then said, "You can sign it with a clear conscience. God did not assist you."

Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who said the following to whom: “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years but according to my word.”? (Elijah to Ahab 1 Kings 17:1)

This week’s question: What phenomenon occurred during the crucifixion of Christ from the sixth to the ninth hour?