June 30, 2008

"Fear thou not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 4:10

His name is Tom Whisnant. He is the bravest man I know. He was my instructor who taught me to fly. The first three times we went up together, Tom was so calm and collected as he sat in the right seat beside me. I was so nervous I threw up. He was patient and soon I was enjoying the lessons, no nervousness and fear. The reason? If Tom was not nervous, I had no need to be nervous. Tom had flown for decades and he was not alarmed or rattled, even when I over banked the plane or bounced on the landing. The reason I could relax and not be nervous was because Tom was beside me and I knew that he was ultimately in control of the airplane. Guess what? Did you know that when you get into situations that make you jumpy and nervous, that if you are a Christian, Jesus Christ is right beside you and NOTHING rattles Him. He is in absolute control of your circumstances. If He is not nervous, He can certainly help you to not be nervous. Keep your eyes on Him and you will learn to relax and trust the master pilot of your life.

Thought for the week: The question is not so much what the hand is doing (passing over some cash or a check) but what the heart is thinking while the hand is doing it. John R. W. Stott

Funny for the week: "Sorting Letters"

Myrddin had gotten a part time job at the Post Office and the supervisor there had been warned that he was somewhat of a dullard, but the supervisor took a liking to him and agreed to let Myrddin help him. If nothing else, he would be an extra set of hands.

The supervisor gives Myrddin the job of sorting, and much to everyone's surprise, Myrddin separated the letters so fast that his motions were literally a blur.

Extremely pleased by this, the supervisor approached Myrddin at the end of the day. "I just want you to know," he said, "that we're all very proud of you. You're one of the fastest workers we have ever had."

"Thank you," said Myrddin, "and tomorrow I'll try to do even better."

"Better?" the supervisor asked with astonishment. "How can you possibly do better?"

Myrddin replied, "Tomorrow I am going to read the addresses."

The truth at last………………. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What fraction of the earth’s creatures and ships are destroyed in Revelation 8? One-third (Rev 8:9)

This week’s question: How many epistles of Peter are included in the NT?

June 23, 2008

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6

I heard a saying long ago that is so true. "Hind sight is 20\20". It's so easy to get a case of the what ifs when we think about the future. It is easy to frighten ourselves with imagined disasters and problems that might happen. One way the Lord encourages us when it comes to the future is to remind us of the past. How He has helped us when we were discouraged and in despair. Those times when He picked us up when we had given up. Sometimes we let a terrifying future disaster torment us only to feel so stupid when it doesn't happen. The next time you get a case of the 'What ifs", stop and remember that hind sight is 20\20 and remember God's faithfulness and past help. He will surely do it again if we just trust Him. That is called, faith.

Thought for the week: Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene McCarthy

Funny for the week: "Baby Talk"

What your baby would tell you if he could talk:

1. I have my blankie, you have your caffeine. Enough said.

2. Don't be jealous, but I think I'm in love with the ceiling fan.

3. I know where the remote control is, but it'll cost you.

4. To you, it's just an empty egg carton; to me it's PlayStation 2.

5. Actually, I don't mind sitting in a bathtub that I've peed in.

6. Bang a screwdriver slowly and steadily into your gums. That's what teething feels like.

7. Two words I'd rather not hear from you: rectal thermometer.

8. There's no point in teaching me to say "mama" or "dada." My first word is going to be "hat."

9. I've told you five times what cow says. If you can't remember, I'm not telling you again.

10. There is no question that I can cry longer than you can listen.

11. I'm not just wildly throwing my food. I'm exploring the laws of gravity, estimating mass, and testing wind velocity.

12. If you wanted a good sleeper, you should have gotten a cat.

13. Who that baby in the mirror you keep asking me about?

14. If my bottom is so darn cute, why is someone always trying to cover it up?

15. Who are you two to tell me how important it is to sleep alone?

16. What you secretly believe is true: I am much smarter than other babies.

Now you know…………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: How does the book of Numbers get its name? From a census of the Israelite people.

This week’s question: What fraction of the earth’s creatures and ships are destroyed in Revelation 8?

June 16, 2008

Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

Many of you may have been fans of the TV show, 'M.A.S.H." Crazy as it might have been it was supposed to be a first stop hospital for men wounded in battle before they were sent on to a hospital for extended care. What a picture of the church - or is it? Could we actually be guilty of shooting our own wounded instead of applying healing? One of the more wonderful ways you can show God's forgiveness is to love a person who has failed miserably. A person who has sinned is usually struggling with some wrong attitudes about God's forgiveness and may also be experiencing harsh criticism from other "Christians". Why not go to them and show them that God still loves them because you still love them? Show them that God will forgive them because you have forgiven them and give them another chance, and another, and another (70X7) even. It's always easier to practice a false religion and "look down your nose" at others who fail. But to gently and kindly encourage a person to return to God...now you are showing the perfect love of Jesus.

Thought for the week: "My father invented the burglar alarm - which unfortunately was stolen from him." - Victor Borge

Funny for the week: "Southern Hospitality"

A very gentle southern lady was driving across the Savannah River Bridge in Georgia one day. As she neared the top of the bridge, she noticed a young man fixin' to jump. She stopped her car, rolled down the window and said, "Please sir, don't jump, think of your dear mother and father."

He replied, "Mom and Dad are both dead; I'm going to jump."

She said, "Well, think of your wife and children."

He replied, "I'm not married and I don't have any kids."

Grasping for any opportunity, she cried, "Think of your job, the work still to be done."

"I was fired today and have no prospect of another job."

Running out of ideas, she appealed to his patriotism and said, "Well, think of Robert E. Lee."

He replied, ''Who's Robert E. Lee?''

She replied, ''Well bless your heart sugar, just go ahead and jump."

Now there’s a true Southern Bell……..Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Name the wife of Isaac. Rebekah (Gen 24:67)

This week’s question: How does the book of Numbers get its name?