his anointed

Psalms 28

6  Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:  therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

8  The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

9  Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance:  feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

teach ALL nations

Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Matthew 28.19

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second eggs and in the last coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the stove.

She took the carrots and placed them in a bowl.  She took the eggs and put them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee and poured it into a bowl.  Turning to her daughter she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee," she said.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did, and noted they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.  After pulling off the shell she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled as she enjoyed its rich aroma and taste.  The daughter asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity:  boiling water.  But each reacted differently.

The carrots went in strong, hard and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, softened and became weak.

At first, the eggs were fragile and the thin outer shell protected the liquid interior.  However, after being in the boiling water the inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans, however, were unique.  After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter.  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?  Are you like a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

*            *            *            *            *       

Think on this:  Which am I like?
Am I like the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I like the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?  Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean?  The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.  When the water gets hot, it releases its fragrance and flavor. 

If you are like the coffee bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
*            *            *            *            *

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity?  Are you like the carrot, egg or coffee bean?

*            *            *            *            *   Don't get bitter.  Get better.

Put gratitude in your attitude.

Change your attitude and you'll change your altitude. 

Life can be sweeter as the years go by.  It's up to you.

pleasures for evermore

Psalms 16

8  I have set the Lord always before me:  because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:  my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11  Thou wilt show me the path of life:  in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Acts 2

25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26  therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27  because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 

preach the word

2 Timothy 4

1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2  preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;

thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

write the vision

here i am Lord. i will hold your people in my heart.

write the vision

(Habakkuk 2.2,3)

2  And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that they may run that readeth it.

3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:  though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

a beautiful school narthex

sammie l turner jr - president of new life Christian education and ministries - school of divinity

school theme - newness of life

Basic Dining Etiquette - Introduction, video 1 of 16

Jesus removed our transgressions far from us

(Psalms 103.1-22)

Praise for the Lord's Benefits

A Psalm of David.

1  Bless the Lord, O my soul:  and ALL that is within me, bless his holy name.

2  who forgiveth ALL thine iniquities; and forget not ALL his benefits:

3  who forgiveth ALL thine iniquities; who healeth ALL thy diseases;

4  who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;

5  who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6  The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for ALL that are oppressed.

7  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8  The Lord is merciful and gracious, (Jas. 5.11) slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9  He will not always chide:  neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15  As for man and woman, their days are as grass:  as a flower of the field, so they flourisheth.

16  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17  But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18  to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19  The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over ALL.

20  Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21  Bless ye the Lord, ALL ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22  Bless the Lord, ALL his works in ALL places of his dominion:  bless the Lord, O my soul.

talebearer

MYOB - Mind Your Own Business

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19.16) 

A talebearer revealeth secrets:  but they that are of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.  (Proverbs 11.13)

(Proverbs 18.7,8,13,20,21)

7  A fool's mouth is their destruction, and their lips are the snare of their  soul.

8  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 

13  They that answereth a matter [assumes, gossips, etc] before they heareth it, it is folly and shame unto them.

20  A person's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of their mouth; and with the increase of their lips shall they be filled.

21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue:  and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

(Proverbs 20.15,17,19,20)

15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies:  but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

17  Bread of deceit is sweet to men and women; but afterward their mouth shall be filled with gravel.

19  They that goeth about as talebearers revealeth secrets:  therefore meddle not with them that flattereth with their lips.

20  Whoso curseth father or mother, their lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Proverbs 26

17  Anyone that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to them, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

20  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:  so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24  Anyone who hateth dissembleths with their lips, and layeth up deceit within their self;

25  when they speaketh fair, believe them not:  for there are seven abominations in their heart.

26  Whosoever’s hatred is covered by deceit, their wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:  and they that rolleth a stone, it will return upon them.

28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

elementary school student enjoying meal

elementary school students enjoying a meal

junior high students enjoying meal

high school student enjoying meal

lay aside

Hebrews 12

1  Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2  looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

i will pay my vows unto the Lord

(Psalms 116.12-19)

12  What shall I render unto the Lord for ALL his benefits toward me?

13  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

14  I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of ALL his people.

15  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

16  O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the child of thine handmaid:  thou hast loosed my bonds.

17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

18  I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of ALL his people,

19  . . .  Praise ye the Lord.

Psalms 50

14  Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High:

15  and call upon me in the day of trouble:  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

 Psalms 61

5  For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:  thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

8  So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

see also, Psalms 66

songs

i made, a vow to the Lord

i made a vow to the Lord,

and i won’t take it back