Blessings Award

My dear sister Audrey has received the Blessings Award and I can think of few as deserving as she is. Audrey shows the love of Christ in so many ways and is a true blessing to us. Audrey thank you for sharing this award with me.




While there are so many here that I know are deserving of this award there is one person who I know makes extreme sacrifices in order to be a blessing to all she encounters, Mrs. Zeke. I cannot tell you how many people have told me of her exhaustive efforts on their behalf and I myself am aware of how often she "puts it all on the line" in order to be a blessing to others. Lady Z, may you be loved as you love.

Be The Blog

One of our dearest blogger buddies, Missy of Texas Chilly, has recently received the “Be The Blog” Award which is granted to “those bloggers that are showing time and time again that they are true to themselves and that they ARE their blog”. If you’ve ever read Missy’s articles then you know this award is most appropriate. Not only is Missy true to herself but she has also been blessed with the wonderful ability to relate her deepest thoughts and feelings in her writing. If you’ve never read her thoughts then I think you’re missing out on a blessing.

Missy shared some wonderful thoughts in her article on this award that truly warmed my heart and has kindly bestowed the honor on several others including myself. Upon reading her article I was also moved to consider the many bloggers that God has blessed to know here and my great gratitude for each of you. Missy has already awarded several of my favorites and though I find a great many deserving I have chosen to highlight a few more that I consider to well represent the spirit of this award. I do, however, reserve the right to award even more over time. ;-)
I have to begin with Joe whose Jottings never fail to reflect the person behind them. Joe has been a great blessing to me and to many others here over the years and continues to highlight the obscured obvious for those of us who are obviously obscured.

Jeff at demerging never fails to fully share his current reflections and considerations and always been an encouragement and a blessing to me. Jeff always goes straight to the heart of a matter and exposes his deepest self on some of the toughest and touchiest issues that we’re confronted with in the Church today.

What can I say about Pastor Timothy that you wouldn’t know from reading His Own Private Possession? He is always up-front and forthright in all his communications. If you don’t know him from reading his blog then I assure you that he’s not at fault! I have grown to love both he and his family through his writing and our exchanges on here.

Ms. Susan has wonderfully shared both herself and her many blessings with us even in spite of the fact that she’s a Penless Writer! Her warm, kind and generous spirit shines through every offering she makes on her blog. God has blessed me so many times through her words.

Finally I have to award my dear brother Ron (AKA Grandpaw) who has not only shared God’s Love and Stories of the Past with us here but also a loving fellowship with me and my family. We love you Grandpaw! ;-)

Thanks so much for your kindness Missy and I hope to be able to pass it on many more times in the future. ;-)

A few things…and many request

Missy has received and kindly shared a wonderful award with me and Rose has asked me to reveal some unknowns about myself. I plan to address both of these things soon but as much as I dislike it I’ve had to set blogging aside in order to see to more pressing needs. I would really appreciate your prayers in these things.

My father’s doctor suspects he may have had a slight stroke and though his vitals are all good at present he’s been scheduled for testing the day after Christmas. Please ask for God’s blessing in this.

Our youngest has developed some complications in her pregnancy and last week she and her family moved in here so that Corry and I could help to take care of her and her family. There have been visits to the ER for both her and our grandson who’s also been ill but thankfully both seem better for now. Our daughter has a friend staying with her for the next two weeks so they’ve returned home for that time but unless her condition improves we expect they’ll be back and they may need our help until the end of February when our next grandson is due. Please ask God’s blessing in this as well.

A few weeks ago I was asked to help a client (who is a friend) on a long-term contract. Most of my consulting work is “as-needed” and doesn’t require a regular commitment of my time. While the regular income is a financial blessing the time requirement is something I’m not comfortable with and especially in light of the circumstances above. Please ask wisdom for me in this to know and do what is best and pleasing to God.

By way of introduction…

I am always blessed when one of our brilliant theologians here in the blog-sphere presents the practical implications of their perspectives. With this in mind I would like to present a new blogger who, by way of introduction, I “inter-met” at Bobby Grow’s “The Stumbling Block”. Sadly Bobby has had to retire his site once again due to the strain on his arms and the demands on his time but as always we hope and pray for both his recovery and return. Fortunately for us the Grow family is still well represented in the blog-sphere by Angela, Bobby’s wife, at “To Live is Christ”. Also fortunate for us was Bobby’s influence in persuading our new friend to offer his perspectives to the blog-sphere.

I think this “About” page from his new blog provides a good place to begin…

“My name’s Glen Scrivener. 29 years old. I’m married to Emma and am a minister in the Church of England here in Eastbourne, UK. My website is www.christthetruth.org.uk where you can find papers, sermons and the like. I intend to dabble in this blog here and there. I love Jesus and think He should be the beginning and end of all our thinking, praying, praising and practice.”

and I would be remiss if I failed to pass on the insights first granted by Bobby at his place…

“Glen is an Aussie, but, as I understand, has resided in the UK for some time now. He is a Minister in the Church of England (All Souls Eastborne), we won’t hold that against him ;-) , and he has a real heart and love for the Lord. Glen is very well read, theologically, and has a degree in theology; many of his papers, and quite substantive articles can be found at Christ The Truth (his formal web-site) . . . I would encourage you to visit, he has an excellent paper on Karl Barth and Evangelical preaching (a bit lengthy, but worth it).”

Bobby also had this to say…

“Glen is quite the theologian, and I just wanted to point you all to him as an excellent resource, but more than that, a mature brother in Christ, whom I believe you will be edified by, as I have been. Oh one more point . . . Glen is also an amillenialist, and covenanter, but hey nobody is perfect :-D, what did you expect he’s Anglican ;-)! Now go visit his site . . .”

and so why not hop over to the new “Christ The Truth” blog and welcome Glen while taking advantage of another great opportunity afforded to us here in bloggerville? ;-)

Okay gang, set back and get comfortable...

Update 11/05/07: The new link to "Between Salvation and Eternity" is http://historyofsalvation.wordpress.com/

Kick off your shoes (preferably at the door, says Matthew), take a deep cleansing breath and clear your minds...Comfy?

Now click on this link and prepare to read, re-read and read again as much as you need to make sure you understand the concepts presented here.

A Well Balanced Perspective

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

In an age in which global warming, climate change and concerns about the viability of our planet's environment are seemingly on the forefront of everyone's mind, it is often difficult to find peace and clarity. Everyone wants to blame someone else for the planet's troubles, and the ones who are blamed want to disavow that a problem exists…and all the while a nascent despair settles in as we seriously doubt the kind of future that our children and grandchildren will inherit from us.

Read more...

Awards

I would like to apologize to those sweet and generous souls who were kind enough to nominate me for these awards. While I truly appreciate the concept behind awards I have personally struggled with accepting them. I finally resolved that any virtue you might find in me is only a reflection of our Lord and these awards are only a testament to Him and not me. Please forgive my slow response and accept my gratitude for your kindness.

Three deep-thinking bloggers have nominated me for the Thinking Blogger Award. Gayla at Journey of the Heart, Kitty the Peregrine Sojo and Missy who serves up Texas Chilly all consider that I consider as well. Thank you all so much!

As a receipient I am obliged to nominate five other bloggers for this award and while I consider that each of you also consider, I will take this opportunity to consider some I consider to consider deeply who may not have yet been considered.

My dear brother Adam over at the Pub thinks so deeply that sometimes it scares me! While Brandon claims to be Running from God his deep thoughts betray the title of his blog. My close friend Pecheur constantly reveals the depth of his thinking over at Crushed Leviathan. It would be nothing short of remiss to omit Exist~Dissolve as his thinker is so very highly tuned and last, but not least, the genius behind Dorsism, the Dorsmeister himself, Dorsey of Head First fame.

My congratulations to each of you for all of your thoughts well thunk!

My next award is so dear to me, not because of the award, but because the person who nominated me is beyond a doubt one of the nicest bloggers in the world. It is because of this that receiving the Nice Matters Award from Audrey is so special. Thank you so much lieve zus!

I now have the priviledge of extending this award to seven others who really are nice. Gordon and Amy are both most deserving. Then there’s Missy and Lady Zeke as well as Rose and her hubby John who are all such very nice people. My final nominee, I can say with some authority is a really nice person and although she has already received it, my dear sweet wife Corry deserves a nomination from me. Her being so nice matters so much in my life.

Finally my dear sister Kitty has honored me with yet another nomination that is very affirming and clearly reflects my feelings toward her as well as each of you. She really deserves this award.

For that reason I will now extend this award to all of you. You’re all so totally fabulous!

Hi there!

Friends and brethren I have fallen so far behind here I’m afraid I’ll never catch up but try I must! Life at 90 accelerated to 110 almost overnight and I’ve had to keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road, so to speak. ;-) I apologize to those who have been so kind to continue to check in and especially to those who have commented. Please forgive me for failing to respond. Cole, I’m especially sorry for having failed to respond to your thoughtful commentary. You are truly blessed with wisdom beyond your years. Thanks so much to all of you who have sent E-mails and called to check on us. Your prayers and support are invaluable and greatly appreciated. May God bless you.

And now to the task at hand...where to begin???


I think it best to start by wishing my sweet bride a wonderful birthday and add to that my prayer to share many more with her.

I love you so much.

Happy birthday Corry!

What I’ve learned

It’s been difficult for me to accept this but after these years of reading the theoblogs I’ve finally had to accept the sad fact that I’m the only person who is saved because, according to everyone else but me, everyone else but me does or does not do or believes or does not believe something that makes it impossible for everyone else but me to be saved!

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

My mind is so full it’s about to explode and as usual those of you that read here are likely to get splattered. I read a great many great blogs and have been cursed/blessed with a tendency to find/see the relation/progression to the cycles of our linear thought processes. No, I don’t expect you to understand that last sentence. It’s only meant to serve as a warning.

My life long (his life, not mine, I’m a wee bit older) friend Pecheur has opened a discussion on Universalism that I can somehow relate to an article by another of my favorite authors, JP. This leads me to believe that our brilliant young theologian, Exist~Dissolve, is dead on the money and that Rose is on to some of the scriptures that are pivotal and key to deciphering what can be known but is often overlooked concerning these issues.

As for myself, life at 90 (mph) is good but has left little time for blogging and much less time to fight for those titles that are rightfully mine. There are many who would aspire to my lofty position but I truly am the Ultimate Fish Slayer. I’m equally certain that several here would agree there are few more deserving of this award than myself, though Deviant Monk has yet to agree, which also reminds me that my dear brother Adam has yet to make good on his promise to be more visible. I am still somewhat hopeful that publishing at the Pub will resume shortly after the reconstruction is complete.

I would love to have time to continue with those discussing Judgmentalism in the previous post but for now in support of my abstract perception on the cycles of our linear thought processes I will offer, without prejudice, this article from Matthew concerning Jonathan Edward’s perspective on current events along with a doctrinal statement that is clearly Dorseist.

“If it were true [that we have a right and/or responsibility to condemn others where we perceive the scripture to condemn them], then a thief would have no need to appear before a judge, since thievery has already been adjudicated a crime. The arresting officer could simply call his act stealing and put him in prison. Yet, thieves and murderers, etc. are each still judged individually, by judges.

It isn't the judge's job to determine whether an act is illegal. The law does that. The judge determines whether an individual has broken that law. And scripture still prohibits it [Judgmentalism] among believers.”

Prayer Request

Dear Friends
Please pray for my child Bel.
She had been diagnosed with dengue fever.
Her fever was at 40.3C and dropped to 38.9C this morning.
Her blood count is low.Her migraine and body aches are gone.
Bel has to go for daily blood test which is painful.
She had been hospitalised since 11 May.
She wants to be discharged.
Her blood count and temperature must be normal first.
Please pray for complete and speedy healing from our Heavenly Father.
Thank you.

Yours gratefully
Audrey

Update: 05/16

Dear Brethren, thank you so much for your prayers and support. Audrey has posted to the Prayer List

My child had been discharged from hospital. Really praise our good Lord that Bel's blood count rose as her fever subsided. Thank you so much for all your prayers, care and concern.

To God Be The Glory!

For all Good Dorsiest

Much has been written here concerning Dorsiesm and I hope to offer several articles in the future that will detail the Dorsiest movement. While there is yet some contention concerning the particulars of this growing grass-roots movement there can be no argument that today, cinco de mayo, is the birthday of the founder of Dorseism. You may offer your tribute here.

Happy Birthday Bro! ;-)

Another PSA from JSYK

Blogger is moving Corry's blog to the new blogger but for some reason the process is in limbo and her blog is currently unavailable. The Prayer blog is also unavailable, however If you would like to send out a prayer, prayer request or praise report simply send an e-mail to neededprayers@bellsouth.net with the exact phrase [Prayer List] as the SUBJECT. Be certain to include the brackets. All the people on the mailing list will receive your request. If you would like to become a Prayer Partner just ask! ;-)

Corry says:
Forced To Move

My apologies to everyone who would like to visit my blog. You can't. My Blogger-"Landlord" shut me down and (inspite of having paid my rent on time) forces me to move to the new blogger, or rather, it's being done for me. Which means I can't get into my blog and you can't visit untill tomorrow. I trust my "new home" will be put together just as it was before and my new appliances are all working. I can't think of a better way than to wait in the enjoyable company of good friends. So... feel free to grab whatever you can find to sit on, bring your own coffee cause they took my coffee-maker too, and practice patience with me.

Patience... I can't wait to have it! :-)

Revelation 2:19“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

Update: Both sites are available again for viewing and commenting but not posting yet.

Prayer Request

Please remember these request from two of our dear prayer partners.

Update: Pia has posted here.

Pia said...
Got a call from my sister yesterday morning. My mom was rushed to the ICU for kidney failure and heart attack. I called my dad this morning and asked how my mom was doing. He said she's stable and responding positively to the dialysis. Please pray for my mom's fast and complete recovery. Please do continue to pray for Jeric and our marriage too. I just don't know how much more I can take.
April 01, 2007 12:22 AM

Ryan S. said...
My mom has been giving a bleak prognosis with her advancing cancer (non-hodgkins lymphoma), as it has spread to her windpipe.I lift up the burdens of everyone on this forum.
April 01, 2007 12:32 AM

Pia said...
Father, have mercy on us all.
April 01, 2007 12:39 AM

A wonderful time indeed!

Corry and I were blessed to spend a couple of hours today with our fellow blogger and brother in the Lord, Kris and his beautiful family. I think that was about twice as long as they had intended to stay but the truth is if we could have kept them here with us always we would. Kris and his sweet wife are truly two of the most wonderful people you could ever hope to know in this life and the three lovely ladies (out of 5 children) that accompanied them are the most pleasant, articulate, well mannered …let’s just face it, they’re simply adorable. I won’t mention their names here because Kris never has but if all will go as it seems it might, then we could be hearing from his dear wife on here in the very near future. ;-)

Kris and his family were passing through on their way back home to Oklahoma. They had arranged to stop by so we could finally meet face-to-face after nearly two years of study and prayer together here in Bloggerville. I was certain that Kris and I would be blessed in our meeting but I had no idea of how much like family he would be. We immediately began catching up while the ladies went to work on Little Casey. Kris’ wife is not just a nurse, she’s a very loving and caring nurse with many years of delivery and childcare. My daughter April soaked up such a wealth of knowledge from her that I felt I should pay Kris tuition. Kris’ youngest held and coddled Casey until her arm was hurting and before leaving even helped with a diaper change! Kris’ wife took care of Casey for the rest of their visit. The love this dear lady has for these children is so evident in all she says and does and it’s clearly reflected in her daughters. She and Corry carried on like sisters and I admit I enjoyed teasing the girls every chance I got. I’m also convinced that given just a few more hours that Kris and I could easily solve all the worlds’ ills. Perhaps we’ll take care of that soon if Corry and I can get away to see the Arbuckle Wilderness; at least that’s my present excuse for another chance to visit with Kris and his family but just having the opportunity to go to our Father in prayer together already means the world to me. ;-)

DST and your PC

We interrupt our normal programming to bring you an important message.
(Okay, maybe it's not all that critical. Well, it may be depending on who you are and what you do. I suppose it affects all of us in some way. Hmmm... I suppose it is important after all! Well, maybe...) anyway;

With Daylight Savings Time (DST) coming three weeks early and lasting one week longer it will be necessary to upgrade your personal computer (PC) to accommodate the new time change calendar. Here are some helpful links for those with Windows operating systems.

The official Microsoft upgrade covers versions after 98.

For 98 go here.

You might want to look here for some unofficial help on all versions.

Please stay tuned to this broadcast station for updates and continuing silliness as needed.
We will resume normal programming after the time change.

This has been a PSA from the JSYK support team regarding DST and your PC. We're sorry but we have no information regarding your MAC and DST. That doesn't concern ME. (HE HE)

Time Out

Lesser gods

Having been ejected from “Surfdom” I decided to set out on a journey to discover why this misfortune had befallen me and perhaps to recover what rightfully had been mine. I knew that my answers could only come from those most high keepers of the Web, Tech Support, but I also knew that in my quest for truth I would have to prove myself worthy of any and all discourse with such important persons as these. Patiently I proved myself as their minions tested my ability and understanding in an attempt to prove me silly or stupid thereby sparing the exalted ones of the task. There were a few close calls where, had I been left to their subjection, I would have found place in such class but I persevered and pressed my point until finally on day two I found myself voice to voice with the Most Exalted Grand Wizard of the Technical Support Staff. He listened quietly as once more I related all I had seen and done both prior to and after my fall from their favor. Once again I was called on to prove my worthiness to surf in his kingdom and he tried me on all points. I tried this, I tried that, and I booted and was booted. I was even made privileged to see things no mortal surfer had ever seen but still my answer eluded me. Was all this for naught? Was this to be my fate? My heart sank at the prospect of returning to those lesser means of access than that which I considered myself worthy of. Even now his words burn in my ears as I recall his final judgment on my person, my system and even me.

“You’ve probably got a problem with your modem. We can send a repair person to check it or send you a new one.” How could this be? Had my own system turned itself against me leaving me less than a blogger, nay even less than a surfer? I retraced my journey examining every step I had taken and, though knowing my place, the flames of indignation burned bright within my heart. Was it pride than fanned these flames or was my vision clear in all of this? Could it really be that once the curtain is drawn and the light shines within that those most exalted ones are only mere mortals as you and I and prone to such foolishness as blame? My world began to crumble about me. “I don’t think that’s the problem. If it were then…” I pleaded. Please let this be only a flaw, and the only flaw, to be found in such a wise one as this. “I’m afraid we’ll have to send…” he continued and slowly I relented. I was tired. I was beaten. He must be right, after all, who was I to question him? Perhaps I had missed something. Yes, that was it. There’s something unknown to me and in his glory and wisdom he’s lead me to my need for their services.

I waited for the repairman as a condemned man waits for the executioner. In my mind the repair bill kept growing but I knew I would pay. I would pay anything to rejoin my fellow bloggers and friends. No price, no sacrifice was too great. The minutes ticked by and my anxiety reached epic proportions. The appointed hour came and went with not so much as a call explaining why I had waited without hope. In silent desperation I decided to make one last attempt to run freely the fruited fields of the blogsphere and then to woefully accept my fate as a castaway. I clicked the little blue “E” like I had done so many times before, taking for granted that it would always be there to fling open my electronic window on the world. My heart jumped in my chest as one by one the images began to appear. I thought for a moment that I must be dreaming then it hit me this could be a mere cache of days gone by, only a ghost of what once was but would never be again. I clicked the refresh button and my despair turned to joy as once more the page fully appeared. All of this without even a visit! No calls! Not even a configuration change and best of all, no charges!

It seems, upon reflection, that when all is said and done that we’re all at the mercy of those with more knowledge and power than ourselves. Even the guru’s of Tech support are subject to the higher powers that manage ebb and flow of the Web. I still click the blue “E” with anticipation but these days I’m not as assuming as before. My confidence in those I once trusted with all my electronic existence has been replaced with a healthy skepticism in all. I will never again subject myself to their determinations against my better judgment.

;-)

Proving a point

The previous article on controversy found it’s way to the number one spot at Yahoo for all searching “Just so you know”. Take a look at the snippet they’ve posted and see if you can determine why this article floated to the top. MSN closely agreed and placed it number 7 on their list but it seems Google is much more discriminating.

The best for last

There’s so much more to come, I’m sure, but for now I can’t even begin to describe how this one little person is impacting my life. May God bless him to be raised in the way he should go. To Him be the glory in all things.

Prayer Request

Please join with us in prayer for this little one and for Nan's family in their struggle.

Catching up - Tagged!

Jeff (Danny Kaye) of www.Nothing Important To .us fame (what a deceptive name for his blog!) tagged me nearly a month or so ago and I wanted the response to be one of my first steps toward getting caught up with my blogging. I’m going to try and have a little fun with this one. ;-)

1. If you could pick your own theme song, what would it be?
“Dazed and Confused”

2. Now be honest…if others had to pick a song that described you, what would they choose?
“Crazy”

3. What song would be/was the first dance at your wedding?
Dancing at a wedding????!!!? What kind of a Baptist would do that?????!!!? Do you have any idea what that might lead to?????!!!?
;-)

4. What song gets stuck in your head most often?
Okay, honest answer, “Farther Along” (we’ll know all about it, farther along we’ll understand why). I sing it constantly! I think Corry has it stuck in her head now too!

5. What song would you want played at your funeral?
Again honesty, I have two, “How great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace”. Not very original but both so very true!

I noticed that Jeff has taken to the idea of the voluntary tag and I’ve seen many bloggers respond accordingly. I really like the idea so I’ll offer it here. Please feel free to consider yourself tagged (or not).
;-)

A Few Things - Signs of Life

Yes, it’s been a while. The Preacher said he was glad to see signs of life coming from here and I appreciate his sentiment. The truth is that these days life here in LA is moving at the speed of light! Corry was kind enough to post a couple of pictures and give a few details so I’ll refer you to her site if you’d like a little more information.

The Preacher’s comment caused me to reflect on a number of things that have been stirring around in the recesses (voids?) of my mind. I love blogging, not writing, but blogging. I love it because of the wonderful relationships we developed during the discussions we enjoy together. In most cases we’ve yet to even meet our new friends face to face but the joy, sadness, burdens, hope and love we share with them is no different from what we share with those we do see nearly every day. This means that when I have to set blogging aside to meet the challenges of the day it feels somewhat like leaving home to go on a business trip. I check in and keep up to date and even make myself available to the extent possible, but still I’m not here and I can only wait for the opportunity to catch up. In the mean time things happen. They happen fast too.

It seemed that all at once God opened up the mission field with a number of our friends heading off to foreign lands. I’m so thankful for the wonderful reports from all of them. Antonio has posted some pictures from their recent trip and Cinder has a new blog detailing theirs.

Then there are those who are back to blogging with a renewed zeal and a look to match. Jodie has some really salty warnings from H.K. and our Hero, Herobill, has an excellent new blog that chronicles the early Church from 6 BC to 70 AD. Now I know this might be a shock but Bobby Grow has moved again. ;-)

Sadly during my absence two of my favorite bloggers closed the door on their sites. I don’t know when or if they’ll start back up. Not1jot and Jeff at Demerging are both offline at present and I can only hope they will be back. I’m thankful That Jeff is checking in (señor jefe) and I hope Not1jot is doing well. One of our new favorites (we’ll be adding a link soon. I don’t know how I overlooked it!) is taking a break. Please remember Jel in your prayers.

Finally there are many here, like us, who need your prayers and God’s continued blessings. Pastor Timothy and Beth as well as John and Rose are both expecting a new family member and there are many we love and hope for listed on the Prayer List. Please remember each one.