An Article Worth Reading

I check my blog traffic counter each morning and noticed a hit from a Australian blogger.  I visited his blog and would like to share with you the last article he posted in June of 2009. entitled "The Church: Lover Or Prostitute?"  I believe that, contained within the article, there is a question posed that each and every Christian should consider.

I pray it blesses you!

http://www.kevinbartonsmith.blogspot.com/

My Ineptness Shines Through!

I recently added or, should I say tried to add, a very useful tool called RefTagger to the blog.  It is offered by logos.com, a Bible reference website.  The advantage it has over Biblegateway is that when you hover your mouse on the highlighted Bible verse I have added, instead of opening a new page, a box pops up containing the referenced chapter and verse.  It provides immediate reference and the ability to continue to read additional Scripture verses, if desired, by clicking "more" in the bottom of the box .

The problem I had was with the "control panel" that was also offered.  This option allows the reader to modify his Bible preference - such as changing the translation from the New International Version to the King James, etc., and to use more information tools from logos.com.   However, there was a separate code that was provided, a "Step 2", if you will, that I have been unable to figure out and determine the proper place to put it. 

The main tool was easy.  Simply choose your preferred translation and add it as a page element to the bottom of the layout.  The second step involved adding the control panel, if you wished.  They provide a code to copy where you want the control panel to appear, then comes the dreaded "Step 2".  They instruct you to "add it to the head section of your page's HTML."  That's where I run into a wall.  When the first code is applied in layout where I want it to be, I don't get the control panel, only a box with part of the information.  AND, not fully understanding where the "head section" of my "page's HTML" is, I guess the wall I have run into is impenetrable at this point!  At least until someone with much more knowledge on the ins and outs of the layout comes to my rescue and helps me place the second code where it belongs!  The box that shows up in the right-hand column does not reflect the image it should.  However, the tool is useable.

So, for now, if you wish to read the highlighted Bible verses in your preferred version, look above "Labels" (inserted between my introduction and "Labels") in the right-hand column.  It will have the heading "Bible Options". Simply click on the version tab to bring up a drop-down box, select your version and click "save".  You are then able to hover your mouse on any Scripture verse that is added to the articles you read here to bring up the referenced verse.  Either that, or go to Biblegateway found in the right-hand column and look up the verse in your preferred version.  Both are valuable tools for referencing Scripture.

If you have any suggestions to offer or know where the "head section" of my "page's HTML" is and where within that section I am to place the code, I would sure appreciate the help.   I am the first to admit I can often be terribly inept when it comes to things like this.  In the meantime, I will keep trying to make your visit a more enjoyable one!

I Will Look To the Heavens

If I cannot comprehend the majesty of God…

If I cannot fathom the mystery of His being…

If I am unable to embrace His infinite wisdom, the height, the depth, or the magnitude of His creation…
  

Then I will take hold of His unwavering affections and wrap them around my heart.  I will  bathe in His Word, His works, and all that encompasses His holiness.  And like a child, I will look to the heavens and marvel at His royal beauty, be in awe of His unrivaled power and might, and faithfully return His divine, eternal love.

Isaiah 40:18-31

Lift Your Eyes

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Hebrews 12:2-3

When the weight of the world bears upon you,
    When trouble and despair overcome;
When weariness falls from temptations and trials,
    Lift your eyes to God’s glorious Son.

When it feels there is no one to turn to,
    Who will share in your aching release;
If you find no shoulder on which to recline,
    Lift your eyes to the God of great peace.

Cast your burdens upon His mighty shoulders;
    Run to Him, and do not delay.
Lift your eyes and your heart to your Maker,
    And look into His beautiful face.

For it’s there that your solace awaits you;
    It’s there where relief can be found.
When you look upon your Savior,
   His peace will forever abound.



Copyright 2006 Karen L. Brahs

Haiti Relief

I just received this as an email from my Pastor and would like to encourage those who are looking for a worthy and legitimate charity to donate money to for the Haiti relief efforts to consider the Heartline Ministries.  100% of your donated dollars goes directly to  the needs of the Haitian people.  Please visit the website listed below.  

"Those of you that know me are aware that I have 4 adopted children from Haiti .  You may not know that I am also on the board of directors for the Heartline Ministries, an orphanage in Port-Au-Prince .  Our people in Haiti are scrambling to get basics like food and water to take care of the children and our workers.  The earthquake has been devastating for them and they need help.  Money is the number one need.   Funds are needed to buy materials and supplies for recovery and rebuilding.  If you are inclined to donate to Haiti ’s need and are not aware of an organization that needs help, you can donate to our organization at www.heartlineministries.org or www.haiti-relief.com.  I can guarantee the funds will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti .  Please keep Haiti in your thoughts and Prayers."

 

Thanks. 

 

Thomas White, CFP, CPA, PFS

White & Company, PC

PO Box 898, Sunnyside , WA   98944

Phone:  509-837-6700

Fax:  509-837-8151

A Simple Song Of Faith

We are unable to turn on the television, the radio, or our computers without seeing horrible images or hearing heart-wrenching stores of the devastation in Haiti.

As the days following the earthquake increase, it seems the suffering and hopelessness grows even greater.  According to the reports, the people of Haiti wait for rescue, for relief from hunger and thirst, or wait for death.  And as time becomes more precious as they cling to a bare thread of life, the desperation is growing into frustration and anger, and lawlessness is beginning to threaten the rubble-strewn streets.  But for every one hundred stories of grief or unrest, there comes a story of hope and joy.  A few nights ago I watched as one such story unfolded.

Just two miles from the Haiti airport, where thousands of United Nation relief workers and American troops unload millions of critical tons of aid, the House of the Children of God  orphanage lay in rubble.  It had housed infants from a mere few days old to dozens of older children who had been abandoned there.  The orphanage director and his handful of workers had managed to gather what was salvageable from the wreckage.  Their protection from the elements consisted of a truck van to house the infants and a crudely built open-air tent for the older children.  Although they had managed to receive some water from a water truck, it was not clean and had added dysentery to the already worsening situation.  They had a two-day supply of unclean water, food was not mentioned, no medical supplies, and had twice been forced to fight off looters who attempted to steal what little they had.

As I looked at the faces of the beautiful, bright-eyed babies, this story of helplessness could have overwhelmed me and caused me to ask God why He would allow such suffering to be brought to such small and innocent victims.  But instead, it brought another reaction.  It revealed to me miracle after miracle and the powerful and providential hand of God upon it.

Not one child was injured or killed in the earthquake.

The lives of the orphanage director and the workers were spared and the children left with shepherds to tend them.

A wall of divine protection had been placed around them and those who would bring harm to them had been driven back.

But the most powerful miracle to watch was these small people’s witness to the world.  They sang.  They continued to lift their voices in praise and worship to Almighty God.  And God heard them and responded.

A truck was brought in to their location by the Fox News crew, delivering cases of clean, bottled water and promises of other supplies and support to come.  Their report was broadcast world-wide to millions of viewers, engendering an overwhelming response.  And because of Fox reporter Geraldo Rivera’s dogged determination, I have no doubt they will receive everything necessary to sustain them through this tragedy.

You may ask yourself how the workers and the children are able to sing joyful praise while so much pain and misery surrounds them.  The secular media pondered the Haitian’s ability to continue in worship of God in a similar gathering that was reported.  They are unable to comprehend the existence of God’s presence amidst so much destruction and sorrow.  They wonder how, and even why, there are those who continue to believe in an omniscient and omnipresent God while so much pain and grief and an uncertain future has enveloped them.  Their doubt-filled hearts and unopened eyes question the sanity of anyone who believes in and places their hope in the Unseen God.  

But it is in situations just like this where God is most evident.  The children have been taught that Jesus loves them and will continue to provide for and protect them, even if it means waiting.  And they do so patiently.  With an innocence and trust many who are watching question, the children know there is only One to turn to in their hour of need.  Their tiny voices singing to Him Who holds the balance of all things in His hand were carried on angel’s wings to His throne.  His ear heard their cry and in response, He joined alongside those who work tirelessly to bring relief.  He has poured out upon them His love, His comfort, His protection, His joy, and is sending them the help for which they prayed.

“For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;  He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22:24

As the efforts to bring aid and comfort to the nation of Haiti continue, please keep them lifted up in your own prayers.  He will not forsake His children who remain faithful to Him.  We have seen the evidence with our own eyes through a simple song of faith.

How marvelous it is to meditate on this vital truth:

Jesus is both the Teacher and the Lesson!

Yep, you're in the right place!  

I got tired of the old look and decided to change the blog's background but, BOY, was that a challenge!  For all you bloggers out there who want to create a welcoming and warm blog for your visitors, I sure hope you had an easier time than I did!

After choosing a new background template from Cutest Blog On The Net, trying to eliminate the old one that kept showing back up, seeking help from my brilliant and beautiful nieces who have been blogging longer than me, reading and re-reading Blogger's and Cutest Blog's instructions, finally giving up on the new one and selecting one of Blogger's boring backgrounds, I had a headache and it was past my bedtime.  I would tackle the mess I had created in the morning and, hopefully, visitors wouldn't wonder who sneaked in while they weren't looking and made a royal mess of things.

I was just about ready to give up when, lo and behold, instead of Blogger's blah background, the template from Cutest Blog mysteriously appeared!  I still haven't figured out what happened to Blogger's background, or the old background you were accustomed to, or how the new one over-rode them.  I'm just glad it's there!  Somewhere along the path of attempting to freshen up the look of the blog and from my perspective, failing miserably, all seems to be well...for now!  Who knows what will happen when I take my eyes off it for a moment!  It seems to have a mind of its own!

So, I hope you like it...because, at this point, it will just have to stay there!  Maybe a few months from now, after my nieces finish educating me on the do's and don't's of background changes, I'll take another stab at it.  I'm still receiving new and useful tips from them as I write this!  Until then, I hope you come back often to visit me.

Oh, and by the way, I love to hear comments, so please leave a note after your visit...and be sure to mention your own blog so I can visit yours! 

Have a great week, everyone!

Angel Flight

I had never heard of Radney Foster until my son posted this on Facebook.  It is a beautiful reminder of the unwavering bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fight for freedom, and their journey back home.  

Thank you for your service, Buddy.  And to your son, and my grandson, Stephen, may the Lord bless you and keep you safe.

Molly

 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness!'

Matthew 25:23

As I do every morning, I came to the blog to see if there were comments left and to check the traffic counter.  The reason I look at the counter is because, often, I  can see the URL's of my visitors and by opening a new page, type it in and visit their own.  As I moved through the visitors, the last one showed the name, "525,600 Minutes: How Do You Measure A Year?", but the actual URL of the blog is what nearly knocked me from my chair:  "mollyinhaiti.blogspot.com".

Quickly opening a new tab, I typed in the blog name as the internet moved me at incredible speed to a page full of smiling, laughing children surrounding a beautiful young woman.  

Molly is her name.  And at 9:23 AM this morning, it was reported her body was recovered from among the devastation in Haiti.

Molly's profile states she was 22 years old, from Port Orchard, Washington, had completed her multi-degrees and was not ready to rush into the world and begin working.  But what is evident from her blog is that she had devoted her life to work that was far more rewarding than that of using her education to bring home a paycheck.  

Molly had devoted a year as a missionary for Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos International (NPH) who, according to their website, have been "Caring for orphaned and abandoned children in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1954".  The photos she posted on her blog reveal a compassion that speaks multitudes for those who are less fortunate.  The smiles on the faces of the children who surround her tell us of a heart full of great love and a desire to provide them with what they so sadly were denied by their own parents: someone to hold them and let them know that all would be well.

As I sit here wondering how Molly came to my blog, who it was that revealed her to me, I could easily pass it off as just coincidence.  After all, MSNBC did profile Molly's life and death this morning and revealed her blog address.  However, because I never turn the television on until the evening for the news, I was completely unaware of whom she was, what she did, and how she died.  Perhaps a grieving relative went to her blog to read the (at last count) 128 comments left there by many expressing their condolences and clicked on "next blog", inadvertently taking them to mine.  My prayer to God was that He would keep fresh in my mind and heart the sudden destruction and sorrow that came upon the people of Haiti.  Maybe this was His way of answering that prayer.  I will never know the true answer.

But what I do know and  believe is that God wanted the world to know just how much He loved Molly, and also His love for the people of Haiti.  In the midst of all the devastation, the tragedy of so many deaths, and the chaos that will continue to plague Haiti for a long time to come, God reminds us He is still with us and knows the sorrow that fills so many.  His eye has not failed to see.  His grace continues to pour out upon this world through people like Molly.  And His hand of mercy will not forsake us or leave us helpless.

Molly's "525,600 Minutes" may have been cut short, but they were full.  We see the evidence of that in her few blog posts.  The measurement of them will last her an eternity.

I pray that Molly's family and friends rest in the comforting knowledge that she was a faithful servant and is now at peace with her Lord.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.