Matthew 15 and Mark 7, Divorce Agreement, and EYE OPENING

Matthew 15 and Mark 7

In John 6, we learned about the feeding of the five thousand. Today we read about the feeding of 4000 plus women and children, only this time Jesus distributed seven loaves and a few small fish and there were seven large baskets of leftover food. Considering this and the healing he was doing, it’s easy to see why people were following Jesus wherever he went.

In Mark 7, Jesus takes the Pharisees and teachers of the law to task for their complaints about the disciples not following “our age-old tradition.” Jesus points out their hypocrisy. Unfortunately, there are always people around who think everyone should live according to their interpretations and rules. For Jesus, it is what is in your heart that is important. His example of the way the Pharisees treated their parents made this very clear. “And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition.”

I love the story of the Gentile woman who came to Jesus to ask if he would cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus tests her faith by telling her he should feed the Jews, that it wasn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.Her answer that even the dogs are allowed to eat thescraps from the children’s plates. He was so pleased with her answer and said, “Good answer.” When she got home, the demon was gone from the little girl.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 16, Mark 8. and Luke 9:18-27.

DIVORCE AGREEMENT-

WRITTEN BY YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT
The person who wrote this is a college student. Perhaps there is hope for us after all.

DIVORCE AGREEMENT
THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY WELL PUT AND I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT'S BY A YOUNG PERSON, A STUDENT!!! WHATEVER HE RUNS FOR, I'LL VOTE FOR HIM.
Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al: We have stuck together since the late 1950's for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.
Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.
Here is a our separation agreement:
--Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.
--We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.
--You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.
--Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military.
--We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and the coal mines, and you can go with wind, solar and biodiesel.
--You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them.
--We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street.
--You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless, homeboys, hippies, druggies and illegal aliens.
--We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks.
--We'll keep Bill O?Reilly, and Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood .
--You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.
--You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.
--We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.
--You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N. but we will no longer be paying the bill.
--We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Volt and Leaf you can find.
--You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors.
--We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right.
--We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."
--I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine", "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", "Kum Ba Ya" or "We Are the World".
--We'll practice trickle-down economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.
--Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.
Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you might think about which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.
Sincerely,
John J. Wall
Law Student and an American
P.S. Also, please take Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin & Charlie Sheen, Barbara Streisand, & ( Hanoi ) Jane Fonda with you.
P.S.S. And you won't have to press 1 for English when you call our country.
Forward This Every Time You Get It ! Let's Keep This Going, Maybe Some Of It Will Start Sinking In!!

 

EYE OPENING

EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT CATHOLIC, THIS IS EYE OPENING..............

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The Catholic Church is the oldest Christian religion in the world.

When the Catholic Church was founded, there were no hospitals.  Today, one out of five people in this country receive their medical care at a Catholic hospital.

When the Catholic Church was founded, there were no schools.  Today, the Catholic Church teaches 3 million students a day, in its more than 250 Catholic Colleges and Universities, in its more than 1200 Catholic High Schools and its more than 5000 Catholic grade schools.

Every day, the Catholic Church feeds, clothes, shelters and educates more people than any other organization in the world.

The new Obama Health Mandate could end all this and the tax payers would have to make up the loss.

Also, all Catholic adoption services would come to an end.  A human disaster.

There are more than 77 million Catholics in this country.  It takes an estimated 50 million Catholic votes to elect a president.  I am asking all of you to go to the polls and be united in replacing our present president with a president

that will respect the Catholic Church, all Christians, and all Religions besides Islam.

Mr. President, you said, "The USA is not a Christian Nation".

Obama is wrong.   We are a Christian Nation founded on Judeo-Christian values allowing all religions in America to Worship & Practice Freely.

Oh, by the way:

MUSLIM HERITAGE IN America:

Have you ever been to a Muslim hospital ?

Have you heard a Muslim orchestra?

Have you seen a Muslim band march in a parade?

Have you witnessed a Muslim charity?

Have you seen Muslims, shaken hands with a Muslim Girl Scouts?

Have you  seen a Muslim Candy Striper?

Have your seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life ????

Until next time…

John 6 and Lunch at Quaker Steak & Lube

John 6

In John 1, we read about Jesus: “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” In addition to Jesus being the light of the world, we learn in John 6 that Jesus is also the bread of life. This discussion came about as a result of Jesus feeding the five thousand (plus women and children). It was a major miracle. Jesus distributed five barley loaves and two small fishes to all of these people. And, when he was done and everyone had eaten to their heart’s content, there were more leftovers than the food they had started with.

The miraculous feeding of people was a familiar part of Jewish heritage. After the Jews left Egypt, God fed them with manna from heaven. All they had to do was gather it. Here was a man who fed so many people with a little bread and fish. The people were astounded and made the statement, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting. Jesus perceived they were ready to make him king and slipped away by himself.

Eventually, the crowd found him – wouldn’t you have searched until you found him? Here was a man who could heal the sick, raise the dead, cure leprosy, and feed them.

Jesus saw right through them. He knew why they followed him and that they didn’t understand the miraculous signs they were seeing. He uses this as an opportunity to make a spiritual point: “Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.” Of course, they reply that they want to perform God’s works also.

Jesus is so clear with his answer: “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

They then have the nerve to ask him to show them a miraculous sign. When they say, “What can you do?” you can almost hear a sneer in their voice. He straightens them out, telling them about the true bread from heaven, that he is the bread of life. They then start murmuring and talking about who Jesus is. They refer to his father Joseph and wonder how he came down from heaven.

Jesus gives them something else to complain about when he tells them that unless they eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, they cannot have eternal life within them. At this point, many of his disciples left him. Jesus asks the twelve if they are also going to leave. Can’t you imagine the expression on Peter’s face when he said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus talks about choosing the twelve and says that one is a devil. John, as he often does, explains what will happen in the future.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 15 and Mark 7.

Lunch at Quaker Steak and Lube

Today, Richard and I met Vivienne and Irene at Quaker Steak and Lube. We had a great lunch and a lot of fun talking. Here are some pictures from our lunch:

Irene and Vivienne

 

Richard

 

Irene

Vivienne

Until next time…

Matthew 14 and Mark 6 and Luke 9:1 – 17, Moving Day, and A Well-Dressed Walmart Shopper

Matthew 14 and Mark 6 and Luke 9:1 – 17

Have you ever made sweeping statements that later got you into trouble? Maybe, you made promises so that you would appear powerful and generous to your friends and associates.

In today’s reading, we get a little more insight into Herod and his relationship with John the Baptist. He liked John. He respected John. He liked to listen to John. He knew John was a good and holy man. He protected John, even though he was “greatly disturbed whenever he talked with” him.

Well, Herod was a big deal and, to let his friends know how much, told Herodias’ daughter to ask him for anything she liked. Her mother, who hated John, told her daughter, also called Herodias, to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod had backed himself into a corner and sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head.

How important it is for us to watch our words and not to make outrageous statements in case someone wants to take us up on them.

Tomorrow, we’ll read John 6.

Moving Day

 

 

Finally, A well dressed Walmart shopper

What a BRAVE and well-dressed lady!!

The per person Medicare insurance premium will increase from the present monthly fee of $96.40, rising to: $104.20 in 2012; $120.20 in 2013; And $247.00 in 2014. These are provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to 'CONFUSE' the 2012 re-election campaigns. Send this to all seniors that you know, so they will know who's throwing them under the bus.

Until next time…

Matthew 9 – 10 and A Suppressed Fox News Video

Matthew 9 – 10

When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles, he told them to:

· Not go to the Gentiles or Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel
· Announce that the Kingdom of Heaven is near
· Heal the sick
· Raise the dead
· Cure those with leprosy
· Cast out demons
· Give as freely as you have received
· Don’t take any money or carry a traveler’s bag or even a walking stick
· Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality
· Whenever you enter a city, find a worthy person and stay in his home
· When you enter the home, give it your blessing
· If it turns out not to be worthy, take back your blessing
· If a household or town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust off your feet; the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off on judgment day

Then, Jesus gives them incentive to go out and minister:

· They were being sent out as sheep among wolves
· They would be handed over to the courts
· They will be flogged with whips in the synagogues
· They will stand trial before governors and kings, which will be their opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Jesus
· When (not if) you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say
· God will give you the right words at the right time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father

Wow, that is some incentive, isn’t it? It’s a wonder they didn’t all run away, but they had faith in their Savior. They had seen the miracles Jesus performed every day. They had seen the sick healed and lepers cured.
Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 14 and Mark 6 and Luke 9:1 – 17.

A Suppressed Fox News Video

Remember when we were told to watch Fox News on a Sunday night that was going to air something about Obama and we watched but never saw anything!  Well, read below and click on the video to see why it got pulled before it could air.
Now we know why Fox News never broadcast it as  they had originally planned to. This piece was pulled.
I encourage you to please send this to everyone on your email list ASAP.
Remember all the notices we kept getting to watch Fox News on Sunday at 9PM?  What Happened?
This is the clip that got pulled due to pressure from the Administration.
Obama Puts Heat on Fox News to Prevent Sean Hannity from airing this piece.
This is a video that Sean Hannity of FOX News has been trying to show that we are told has consistently been blocked by the Obama Administration for several weeks. It was a matter of time until the Internet picked it up.
Watch it now before it gets pulled from the Internet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28

Until next time…

Matthew 8:14 – 34 and Mark 4 – 5

As we have read about Jesus these last 15 days, we have so many times seen where he was “moved with compassion” or “overcome with compassion.” I don’t think it was ever God’s intention for mankind to suffer from illness of any kind, but as a result of sin, we now suffer from all kinds of diseases and illnesses. Have you ever thought about how people’s lives are affected by health issues, both physical and mental? The stress and uncertainty, the financial costs, and the sorrow of seeing a loved one suffer and, perhaps, die is impossible to measure.

However, Jesus looks at people who suffer from sickness with compassion. He healed people everywhere he went. Look at the leper in today’s reading. Leprosy wasn’t just a disease. Lepers were required to shout ‘Unclean’ when they walked through the streets. They were outcasts because leprosy was contagious.

This reminds me of a song – as so many things do – Then Jesus Came (Music by Homer Rodeheaver and Words by Oswald J. Smith):

VERSE 1:
One sat alone beside the highway begging
His eyes were blind the light he could not see.
He clutched his rags, and shivered in the shadows.
Then Jesus came and bade His darkness flee.
VERSE 2:
Unclean, Unclean the leper cried in torment,
The deaf, the dumb in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim
Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.

CHORUS:
When Jesus comes the tempter’s power is broken.
When Jesus comes the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
VERSE 3:
And so today we find the Savior able
We can not conquer passion, lust, or sin.
Our broken hearts have left us sad and lonely,
But Jesus comes to dwell Himself within.
CHORUS:
When Jesus comes the tempters power is broken.
When Jesus comes the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
CHORUS:
When Jesus comes the tempters power is broken.
When Jesus comes the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

We should also remember that according to Isaiah 53:4 – “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Based on this verse, it cost Jesus whenever he healed anyone because “he was whipped so we could be healed.” Wow! Our Lord really loves us, not only enough to die for us, but also enough to be whipped so we can be healed.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 9 – 10.

Until next time…

Matthew 13 and Luke 8

Matthew 13 and Luke 8

Why did Jesus use parables? He tells the disciples that they “are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.” Why is that? Those people don’t understand because they are not listening. In fact, he tells them that “even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

This morning, I listened Pastor Matthew Hagee from Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX. He preached from Proverbs 1 about the importance of listening. In verse 23, God says, “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.” I think this is the type of listening to which Jesus referred here in Matthew -- listening and putting what you hear into action.

Jesus makes reference to the prophecy of Isaiah about people whose hearts are hardened, whose ears cannot hear, and whose eyes cannot see. Have you ever known anyone with a hardened heart? When confronted with truth, they deny it. They are not willing to step away from the wall they have built around themselves and even entertain any other ideas but their own. Only God can soften those hearts through his Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ parable of the seed-sower talks about where the seed falls. If you have ever gardened, you can easily see the truth in this parable.

It seems that in this time in which we live, it is very hard to get away from all of the noise, whether it people electronic devices, people, regular duties, etc. These can all keep us from sitting in quiet before the Lord and listening to what he has to say. Let’s try more listening and less frantic activity.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 8:14 – 34 and Mark 4 - 5.

Until next time…

Matthew 12:22 - 50 and Luke 11 and Enjoy the Ride

Matthew 12:22 - 50 and Luke 11

There is a lot of meat in what we read today, but in view of the call to pray for the forty days preceding the election, I would like to focus on the Luke 11 passage on prayer. Jesus teaches what we call The Lord’s Prayer and then gives some examples that encourage us to pray with “shameless persistence.” His exact statement is: “But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” I urge you to be shamelessly persistence. He continues by urging us to “keep on asking,” keep on seeking,” and “keep on knocking”.

Jesus also talks about how the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

Please pray daily for our nations, that people will turn to God, that we will be a nation of prayer and morality, that God will bless us. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for your family and friends. Remember II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 13 and Luke 8.

Enjoy the ride! Click here -> enjoytheride

Until next time…