LIFE WITHOUT BLACK PEOPLE

This is a story of a little boy name Theo who woke up one morning and asked his mother, "Mom, what if there were no Black people in the world?" 

Well his mother thought about that for a moment, and then said "Son, follow me around today and lets just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world." 

Mom said, "Now go get dressed and we will get started." Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. His mother took one look at him and said "Theo, where are your shoes, and those clothes are all wrinkled son, I must iron them." 

But when she reached for the ironing board it was no longer there. You see Sarah Boone, a black woman, invented the ironing board and Jan E. Matzelinger, a black man, invented the shoe lasting machine. 

"Oh well," she said, "please go and do something to your hair." Theo ran in his room to comb his hair, but the comb was not there. You see, Walter Sammons, a black man, invented the comb. Theo decided to just brush his hair, but the brush was gone. You see Lydia O. Newman, a black female, invented the brush. 

Well this was a sight, no shoes, wrinkled clothes, hair a mess, even Moms hair, without the hair care inventions of Madam C.J. Walker, well you get the picture. 

Mom told Theo, "lets do our chores around the house and then take a trip to the grocery store." Theo's job was to sweep the floor. He swept and swept and swept. When he reached for the dust pan, it was not there. You see, Lloyd P.Ray, a black man, invented the dust pan. So he swept his pile of dirt over in the corner and left it there. 

He then decided to mop the floor, but the mop was gone. You see, Thomas W.Stewart, a black man, invented the mop. 

Theo yelled to his Mom, "Mom, I'm not having any luck." "Well son," she said, "let me finish washing these clothes and we will prepare a list for the grocery store." When the wash finished, she went to place the clothes in the dryer but it was not there. You see, George T. Samon, a black man, invented the clothes dryer. 

Mom asked Theo to go get a pencil and some paper to prepare their list for the market. So Theo ran for the paper and pencil but noticed the pencil lead was broken. Well he was out of luck because John Love, a black man, invented the pencil sharpener. 

Mom reached for a pen, but it was not there because William Purvis, a black man, invented the fountain pen. As a matter of fact, Lee Burridge invented the type writing machine, and W. A. Lovette the advanced printing press. 

Theo and his mother decided to head out to the market. Well when Theo opened the door he noticed the grass was as high as he was tall. You see, the lawn mower was invented by John Burr, a black man. 

They made their way over to the car and found that it just wouldn't go. You see, Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gear shift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for internal combustion engines. They noticed that the few cars that were moving were running into each other and having wrecks because there were no traffic signals. You see, Garrett A.Morgan, a black man invented the traffic light. 

Well, it was getting late, so they walked to the market, got their groceries and returned home. Just when they were about to put away the milk, eggs and butter, they noticed the refrigerator was gone. You see John Standard, a black man, invented the refrigerator. So they just left the food on the counter. 

By this time, Theo noticed he was getting mighty cold. Mom went to turn up the heat, and what do you know. Alice Parker, a black female, invented the heating furnace. Even in the summer time they would have been out of luck because Frederick Jones, a black man, invented the air conditioner. It was almost time for Theo's father to arrive home. He takes the bus. But there was no bus, because it's precursor was the electric trolley, invented by another black man, Elbert R.Robinson. 

He usually takes the elevator from his office on the 20th floor, but there was no elevator because Alexander Miles, a black man, invented the elevator. He also usually dropped off the office mail at a near by mailbox, but it was no longer there because Philip Downing, a black man, invented the letter drop mailbox and William Barry invented the postmarking and canceling machine. 

Theo and his mother sat at the kitchen table with their heads in their hands. When the father arrived he asked, "Why are you sitting in the dark?" Why? Because Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man, invented the filament within the light bulb. Theo quickly learned what it would be like if there were no black people in the world. Not to mention if he were ever sick and needed blood. Charles Drew, a black scientist, found a way to preserve and store blood, which led to his starting the worlds first blood bank. And what if a family member had to have heart surgery? This would not have been possible without Dr. DanielHale Williams, a black doctor, who performed the first open heart surgery. 

So if you ever wonder, like Theo, where would we be without black people? Well, it's pretty plain to see. We would still be in the DARK!!!! 

IF YOU GAINED ANY INSIGHT FROM THIS PLEASE PASS IT ON

Seven Cardinal Rules in Life:

1. Make peace with your past, so it doesn’t spoil your present. Your past does not define your future – your actions and beliefs do.
2. What others think of you is none of your business. It’s how much you value yourself and how important you think you are.
3. Time heals almost everything, give time, time. Pain will be less hurting. Scars make us who we are; they explain our life and why we are the way we are. They challenge us and force us to be stronger.
4. No one is the reason for your own happiness, except you yourself. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.
5. Don’t compare your life with others’, you have no idea what their journey is all about. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we would grab ours back as fast as we could.
6. Stop thinking too much, it’s alright not to know all the answers. Sometime there is no answer, not going to be any answer, never has been an answer. That’s the answer! Just accept it, move on, NEXT!
7. Smile, you don’t own all the problems in the world. A smile can brighten the darkest day and make life more beautiful. It is a potential curve to turn a life around and set everything straight.

How to know a godly lady that truly loves you

In some couple of days back, we have been looking by the Spirit of God at how to know a godly man that truly loves you. Today, we want to delve into ‘How to know a godly lady that truly loves you.

You see, you need to know that you cannot marry anybody and everybody. Marriage is a life determiner! Marriage is not a game. It is not like a Ludo game where you can afford to lose and then play again, walk away, scatter the game and play different antics. This is because God sees a marriage as a covenant.

It is imperative therefore to understand that marriage is very important and can often determine how your life turns out eventually.

Who is a godly woman that truly loves you?

1. She will truly be a God lover.
Dear young man, make sure your wife is God lover. It is the foundation of all things and it determines a lot and how your life will turn out. It determines how your home will look like. It determines what ambience will be found in your home. It determines what kind of children you are going to raise. It determines how they will turn out.

Don’t even get into a relationship with a lady who has no regard for God! It is not going to last.

How will you know whether she truly loves God?

It is indicated in her daily habits, words and actions. A lady that loves God will love you. A lady that loves God will love her children. There is a scripture that says a woman shall compass a man. It means she will determine a lot of things.

2. She will be a lady that truly has passion for the things of God
The things of God are spiritual things. There is a difference between a spiritual person and a natural person. The scripture says that the natural man understandeth not the things of the spirit.

Does she read her Bible regularly? Oh, you think that it doesn’t matter as long as she has hot legs? Well, it matters a lot. Is she a worker in her local assembly or she attends church only when it is convenient? Does she have a relationship with her Pastor? Can her Pastor vouch for her? What about tithing and giving? All these are yardsticks through which you are able to see some things. I am not saying that anybody that does these is okay as there could be religious people, but I am saying a lady ought to have passion for the things of God.

Her passion for the things of God will often determine her intention and actions as it relates to loving you and raising a family. It will determine how your children will turn out. It will determine whether you have somebody covering you in prayers when you are at the lowest ebbs in your life or you are just on your own! God helped me to get married to a woman that has passion for God, and that solves a lot of problems for me. That is the way it is. Your choice of marriage partner will often determine whether you will fight battles alone or you have a helper indeed!

Thank you Kokoette for sharing the knowledge to empower people.

Elder Dre

Reason, Season, Lifetime (Poem)

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend, and they are.  They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.  Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.  The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;  things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.  It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

 

— Unknown

BUT GOD...

“BUT GOD” really says it all, doesn’t it? 

Somehow or another when life gets turned upside and you can’t see your way clearly, . . . 

BUT GOD!  Hurts, troubles and turmoil knock on your door and you didn’t think that you would make it, . …. . 

BUT GOD!  Love, loss and disappointment with people left your heart broken and in shattered pieces, . . . 

BUT GOD!

God is our answer for everything that life can throw at us.  

God is our solution for every attack of the enemy.  

God is our peace when chaos seems to invade every crevice of our being. 

No matter what you face today, trust God to compassionately love and care for you and see you through to the other side because life can look a little crazy sometimes,  . . . 

BUT GOD!

A Black Woman’s Smile

Do you know how strong you have to be to make a black woman smile?

Do you have any idea what an accomplishment that is?

She has borne the weight of this country on her back for 400 years.

She has suffered the agony of unassisted, husband-less childrearing since the 1600’s.

Have you any idea how much strength it takes to put a smile on her face?

You need the strength of Sampson, the nerve of Joshua and the courage of David facing Goliath.

Cause she has cultivated in her womb the marvel of the universe, only to have her hopes and dreams aborted and her aspirations show up dead on arrival.

She has given birth to kings and queens and delivered on her majestic promise only to have her children kidnapped and sold to a criminal with no respect for her royalty.

If you can make a black woman smile, you are a miracle worker.

Imagine breastfeeding your child in Virginia and having snatched from your arms, branded; hijacked to Louisiana and publicly fondled on a New Orleans auction block.

If the memory of that pain was locked-bound in your DNA, would you be smiling?

If you breast-fed someone else’s child only to watch her grow old enough to call you Darky, Pickaninny and Nappy-headed Jigaboo, you wouldn’t be smiling either.

If you can make a black woman smile you have DONE something.

If you can make her smile you are stronger than Atlas, cause God knows she has been.

She’s been raped and ravaged and scorned and nearly annihilated.

She’s been pimped and pummeled and stoned and deliberately depreciated.

She has cooked and cleaned and sewn...and never been compensated.

She’s been forced to watch the offspring of her loins mangled and maligned across centuries.

Her character has been continuously smeared, assassinated over and over and over; again and again and again.

You ever thought about how strong you have to be, just to BE a black woman?

She’s had to make brick without straw after being stripped of all her customs, stripped of all her culture, stripped of all her traditions.

No other woman in the history of the civilized world has gone what she has gone through.

No other beings on the planet have endured what she has endured.

She’s been chastised, criticized, demonized and terrorized.

She’s had to stand when her man was bull-whipped for trying to stand.

She’s had to stand when her man was castrated for trying to stand.

She’s had to stand when her man was hung by his neck for trying to stand.

She’s had to carry her man, cause every time he tried to carry himself, he was murdered for trying to do so.

Ask Betty Shabazz about Malcolm; ask Corretta Scott King about Martin; ask Emmett Till’s mother.

If you can make a black woman smile you have achieved something.

Since 1619 when we came in chains, the entire world’s been messing with her brain, disrespecting her, calling her out of her name, and she’s tired, just plain Fanny-Lou-Hamer-tired.

Tired of being called B-words, and H-words and N-words and other-words and everything except the child of God that she is.

But the one thing in this world that will make a black woman smile is her man.

A real man!

If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do she will smile she will smile regularly and gladly.

So, man up my brother.

Man up and make your woman smile.

Treat her like the Queen that she is.

She deserves it.

And recognize this:

In all of God’s Creation there is nothing more alluring, more appealing, or attractive; nothing more beautiful, more charismatic, more charming or captivating; nothing more delightful, more elegant, or exquisite; nothing more fascinating, more gorgeous, more inspiring, or intoxicating; nothing more magnificent or lovely than a Black Woman’s Smile.

My dear brothers and sisters, I was moved by this poem by Ty Gray-EL and so much so that I just had to post it on my blog out of full appreciation.  Read, enjoy, be moved, and inspired.

God bless you all ~ Elder Dre

An Atheist’s View On Life vs A Christian’s View On Life

An Atheist’s View On Life

I will live my life according to these beliefs

God does not exist

It is just foolish to think

That there is a God with a cosmic plan

That an all-powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

It’s a comforting thought however

Is only wishful...thinking

People can do as they please without eternal consequences

The idea that

 I am deserving of Hell

Because of sin

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

The more you have the happier you will be

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

In a world with no God

There is freedom to be who I want to be

But with God

Everything is fine

It is ridiculous to think

I am lost and in need of saving

 

Versus A Christian’s View On Life

(Now…read from bottom to top to see a different view.)

 

I am lost and in need of saving

It is ridiculous to think

Everything is fine

But with God

There is freedom to be who I want to be

In a world with no God

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

The more you have the happier you will be

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

Because of sin

I am deserving of Hell

The idea that

People can do as they please without eternal consequences

Is only wishful thinking

Is a comforting thought, however

That an all-powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

That there is a God with a cosmic plan

It is just foolish to think

God does not exist

I will live my life according to these beliefs

 

~ Author Unknown but the person whom inspired me to post this does - thank you JáNet.

• p

A Beautiful Soul

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Scott family, friends, and church members of Bishop William Darryl Scott Sr. - Senior Pastor Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia on his untimely passing today.

May GOD place you all on eagle’s wings, and continue to strengthen you, as you face this perilous passage of pain. Please know that your Faith is being tested, but this should be a time for celebration, not of sadness, as Pastor Scott.’s life was a celebration of agape love, because he brought Peace and Joy to the congregation and members of his beloved church, as well as thousands of others, who had the privilege to come into contact with this humble servant of GOD, over his 33 years of GOD ordained Ministry.

My friends, you will be undoubtedly experiencing the agony of deep grief, as part of your emotional state for some time to come, so make no attempt to hide it or avoid it. You need to express it openly, and face it bravely, as we bid farewell to our beloved Pastor's Blessed Soul. Embracing grief, would be the only way to purge the pain from your system.

Pastor Scott has now gone home to be with our Majestic Creator, and our LORD and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. He is now free of the distractions, and encumbrances of this dirt suit that retards us all. so let’s celebrate his sending home in a manner never seen before, his life has just begun.

Stay strong, and remain focused my friends. May GOD Bless you all richly, as you continue to administer his legacy of Love at PGBC…..To GOD Be The Glory!!!!

Who is Jesus?

Let me describe Him to you...

A

He is Alpha and Omega, the Anointed One, Author and Finisher of our faith, Author of life, the Altogether lovely One, All in all, the Advocate, Ancient of Days, Anchor of my soul, Almighty God, the Amen, Apostle and high priest of my confession, the Arm of the Lord.

B

He is the Blessed and only Potentate, Bright and morning star, Beginning and the End, the Brightness of the Father’s glory, He’s my Brother, my Bridegroom, my Beloved, my Banner, He’s the Bread of life, the Branch of the Lord, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit and my Blessed hope of a coming kingdom.

C

He’s Creator of all things, Commander and Captain of the Lord’s host, the Chief corner stone, Chosen of God and precious; He’s my Confidence, Counsellor and Comforter. He’s the Consolation of Israel. The Chief Shepherd, Circumciser of the heart, He is Christ.

D

He’s the Desire of all nations, the Door into everlasting life, Diadem of beauty, my Dwelling place, my Defence, and Deliverer. He’s David’s seed the Destroyer of demons and He’s my Doctor.

E

He is the Express Image of God, the Everlasting Father, the End of the law to everyone that believes, Eternal Light, the Exceeding great reward. He is Emmanuel - 'God with us'.

F

He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother, the First born, First Begotten from the dead, the First fruit, Faithful and true witness, our Forerunner into heaven for us. He’s the Fairest of all, Former of all things, Fountain of living waters, Fortress of salvation and the Foundation that no one else can lay. He is the Forgiveness and Forgiver of my sin.

G

He is God, Governor of the nations, my Guide, the Glory of God, Giver of Salvation, the Gate and the Gift of God. He’s the Good Shepherd and Guarantee of our salvation. He is the Glory and the Lifter of my head. He is the Giver of the Grace of God.

H

He is the Head of all principality and power, the Holy One, Heir of all things, High Priest. Head of the Body, the Church. He my Hope, my Hiding place, my Holiness, the Horn of my salvation and the Hope of Glory.

I

He is the great I AM, the Image of the invisible God, Immortal, Invincible, Incorruptible. He is my Intercessor who ever lives for me.

J

He is Jesus the Just and Justifier of all who believe in Him. The Judge of all, and the Joy of the Lord who gives me strength.

K

He is the King of kings, King of glory, King of Ages, King of Israel, King of Zion. He’s the Kindness and love of God toward man appeared.

L

He’s the Light of the world; He is Love, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God that was slain to take away the sin of the world. He is the Lamp of God, Leader of the Church, the Life giving Spirit, and Lily of the valley. The Last Adam, the Living One, Lord of lords, Lord of Hosts, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of the living and the dead, Lord of the harvest and Lord of all.

M

He the Messiah, the Man at God’s right hand, Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The Maker, Mighty to save, Most holy, Mediator of a better covenant and the Messenger of God. He is the Minister of the truth. Manner from heaven, Mighty God the Morning Star and Most exalted One. He is my Master.

N

He is the Nazarene, Near not far, the Name above all names.

O

Offspring of David, One who was and is and is to come, Only wise God, Only Begotten Son, Overseer of our souls and Offering for my sin.

P

He is the Passover sacrificed for us, Prince of Peace, Perfecter of faith, the Power of God, and a Prophet like unto Moses. He is Priest and Purifier, the Pearl of great price, Precious, my great Physician. My Provider and Provision.

Q

He is the Quickening Spirit and Quencher of darkness.

R

He is the Resurrection and the Life, Root and offspring of David, Ruler of God’s creation, the kings of the earth and Israel. He is my Rabbi, Rock of Ages, Radiance of God’s glory, my Redeemer. He’s the Righteousness of God, a Refuge in a time of storm, a River of the water of life, Rose of Sharon, Renewer of my mind and Restorer of my Soul.

S

He is our Salvation, Saviour and Servant, the Seed of the woman who bruised the serpent’s head, Seed of Abraham through which all nations will be blessed. Shiloh, Son of God, Son of David, Shepherd and the Stone rejected. A Stumbling block to those who do not believe in Him, Sun of Righteousness who rises with healing in His wings, He’s my Shield, my Strength, my Sword and Soon coming King. He is the SAME yesterday, today and forever.

T

He’s the Tested Stone, Teacher, the Truth, True Light, True Witness and the True God. He is my Thanksgiving to God.

U-Z

He is the Vine, the Way, the Wisdom of God; He is Wonderful Counsellor, Word of God made flesh who lived amongst us, Word of Life.

He is all this and more! He is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!  “Which if all that Jesus has done were written of Him; there would not be enough books in the world to contain them.” (John 21:25)

By acknowledging Jesus as Lord and inviting Him to take care of you, opens the door to the wonderful partnership with Him and you.

Thank you  Pastor Jim Garlick of Full Gospel Church, Tasmania for blessing us with this wonderful work.  God bless you always.

WHOLE Bible verses deleted in the NIV

The following WHOLE verses have been removed in the NIV--whether in the text or footnotes...over 40 IN ALL!!!

Matthew 12:47 -- removed in the footnotes

Matthew 17:21 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." 

Matthew 18:11 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." 

Matthew 21:44 -- removed in the footnotes 

Matthew 23:14 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." 

Mark 7:16 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." 

Mark 9:44 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." 

Mark 9:46 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." 

Mark 11:26 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." 

Mark 15:28 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors." 

Mark 16:9-20 (all 12 verses) -- There is a line separating the last 12 verses of Mark from the main text. Right under the line it says: [The two most reliable early manuscripts do not have Mark 16:9-20] (NIV, 1978 ed.) The Jehovah's Witness "Bible" also places the last 12 verses of Mark as an appendix of sorts.

Luke 17:36 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." 

Luke 22:44 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 22:43 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 23:17 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)" 

John 5:4 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." 

John 7:53-8:11 -- removed in the footnotes

Acts 8:37 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. It's deletion makes one think that people can be baptized and saved without believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Sounds Catholic. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 

Acts 15:34 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still." 

Acts 24:7 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands," 

Acts 28:29 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves." 

Romans 16:24 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." 

I John 5:7 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. In the NIV it says,

"For there are three that testify:"

Compare the NIV reading with the following Jehovah's Witness reading--

"For there are three witness bearers,"

What are you NIV readers missing? What does the real Bible say?

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

This is one of the GREATEST verses testifying of the trinity. The Jehovah's Witnesses leave it out. They do not believe in the trinity and they do not believe that Jesus is God. Why does the NIV leave it out...? Whole books have been written on the manuscript evidence that supports inclusion of this verse in the Bible. Reader, do you believe in the triunity of God? If so, then this deletion should offend you. People are wresting and perverting the scriptures to their own destruction.

---

NIV Reader: Do you have enough confidence in the NIV to... 

tell God, OUT LOUD, that these verses do not belong in the Bible?

If not, you need to get an Authorized King James Bible so that you can have some confidence.

Is Suffering Inevitable?

There’s no getting around it, pain and suffering are inevitable. Our parents did not escape it, you and I will not escape it, and neither will our children. According to Philippians 1:29, suffering is here to stay: For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

“There are some today who say, ‘All suffering is wrong. All who suffer are out of the will of God. If you suffer, you are in sin. And since you are in sin, if you will deal correctly and sufficiently with your sin, your suffering will go away.’
That is simply not the truth.

Scripture does not support such teaching. To be sure, all suffering is rooted in the fact that sin has entered the human race; however, not only has it been granted that we believe in Christ, but it has also been planned that we suffer.

Here's what works and what doesn't work

When we suffer, our problem solving skills seem to escape us like an evaporating mist on a spring-fed lake. We know the solution lies within the cleansing waters of Christ being poured into us from the depths of our souls.

But the surface is turbulent. We struggle to overcome, and we find ourselves fighting to take our next breath. While everyone is different, a few strategies help us to respond well in times of trial, and some simply leave us gasping for air.

What works …
1. An honest assessment of the trials and suffering in your life
2. Absolute trust in God’s sovereignty
3. Patience, perseverance, and persistence in the face of great difficulty
4. Confidence in God’s ultimate plan for your life
5. Prayer

What doesn’t work …
1. Quick fixes with one-size-fits-all solutions
2. Denial
3. Avoidance
4. Rejecting people who genuinely have our best interests at heart
5. Becoming angry with God

Thank you brother Chuck Swindoll for such wonderful biblical insight.

—————————————————————————————
Insight for Living. (2007). Counseling Insights: A Biblical Perspective on Caring for People (565). Plano, TX: Insight for Living.

OR SO THEY THOUGHT

"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" cried Jesus-signifying to all in attendance that He was the fulfillment of Psalm 22.

"Today you will be with Me in paradise," He said to the thief-setting the precedent for salvation by faith alone.

"Behold thy mother," He said to John, thereby establishing a new order of family. Redemption and sanctification, justification and propitiation-questions of eternal import were being settled on the Cross.

Toward the end of his crucifixion, having become our sin bearer, Jesus also declared, "I thirst"-reminding us of the personal agony He endured through it all. Even the small gratification of a drink of water was denied Him as they filled a sponge with vinegar and offered it to Him.

After this He said, “It is finished”, bowed His head and gave up the ghost.

After He was dead and placed in the tomb, Pilate gave permission to roll a large stone to seal the tomb and to set a Roman guard to make sure that He STAYED in the tomb; and that was the end of the matter……………

OR SO THEY THOUGHT.

Inspired by John 19:28-41 KJV
And the commentaries of John Courson & Francis L. Harris

God sends Valentines? Why not!

Valentines are messages of love, aren't they? And lovers send Valentines to their beloved. God is the greatest Lover of them all, and each one of us is His beloved. So why wouldn't God send us Valentines, not just on Valentine's Day but all year long!

But how does God send us Valentines? Lots of ways! One is through the sacred Scriptures, the holy Word of the Lord, so full of examples of God's goodness and mercy, love and compassion. What Scriptural Valentines have you collected and treasured over the years? Here are some of my favorites.

But how does God send us Valentines? Lots of ways! One is through the sacred Scriptures, the holy Word of the Lord, so full of examples of God's goodness and mercy, love and compassion. What Scriptural Valentines have you collected and treasured over the years? Here are some of my favorites.

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jer. 31:3

His banner over me is love. Song 2:4

The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love as on a day of festival. Zeph. 3:17

I have called you by name: you are mine....I will be with you.... Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you. Is. 43:1, 2, 4

Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love will never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Is. 54:10

O Lord, how precious is your love. My God, the children of the earth find refuge in the shelter of your wings. Ps. 36:8

Your merciful love and your truth will always guard me. Ps. 40:12

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23

I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love.... Hos. 11:4

But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Ps. 13:5-6

I love you, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God; my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Ps. 18:1-3

The Lord came to my support. He set me free in the open, and rescued me, because He loves me. Ps. 19:20

I will trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad for Your steadfast love.... Ps. 31:6-7

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. Ps. 52:8

God will send forth His steadfast love and his faithfulness! Ps. 57:3

For Your love is better than life; my lips will praise You. Ps. 63:3

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Ps. 86:15

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures for ever! Ps. 106:1

For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jn. 3:16

I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Jn. 14:31

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jn. 15:12-13

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love. Jn. 15:19

Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Mt. 12:28

The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Rom. 5:5

My dear friends, let us love one another, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 Jn. 4:7

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph.3:17-10

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor 2:9

The love of Christ impels us. 2 Cor 5:14

I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you...for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim 1:6-7

Although you have never seen Him, you love Him, and without seeing you now believe in Him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's goal, your salvation. 1 Pet. 1:8-9

See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are. 1 Jn. 3:1

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 Jn. 4:16-17

We, for our part, love because He first loved us. 1 Jn. 4:19

The Lord disciplines him whom He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. Heb. 12:6

1 Cor. 13 -- Every line of St. Paul's glorious hymn on the "Excellence of the Gift of Love" is a Valentine from God and worthy of deep reflection and prolonged contemplation for "there is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Love never fails." (vs.7-8)

The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory; the glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love. Jn. 1:14

Of His fullness we have all had a share -- love following upon love. Jn 1:16

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else is all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:35, 37-39

How dearly God loves us! How much He yearns to fill our hearts to overflowing with His enduring, abiding love! What special Scriptural Valentine is He sending you and you alone as a sign of His love for you? Whatever it is, may you receive it with renewed gratitude and rejoice greatly in the wondrous love of our gracious God!

Giving honor to Alice Claire Mansfield, for Writing this message of Gods love, compiling the scriptures of His love, and also submitting each one of them to Catholic Prayers. Thank you and God bless you.

Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Speech

Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's second inauguration address, courtesy of the White House:

"Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names.

What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

For more than two hundred years, we have.

Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are constants in our character.

But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.

This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.
That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope.
You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.
You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.
Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.

The Dream Is Yet Alive

Martin Luther King Jr. did not say "I had a dream". he said "I Have a Dream". Pres. Barack Obama is not the "Dream", nor the answer to that dream, he is part of that dream. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Dream" is (present tense) not about a race, it is about the (human) race. Until we fulfill racial equality throughout the entire world, let alone the Unites States of America, that dream is yet to be fulfilled. .

Until we live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.

"The Dream" is yet alive.

Until every valley be exalted, every hill and mountain be made low, the rough places made straight and the glory of the Lord be revealed and all flesh see it together.

"The Dream" is yet alive.

Until the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

"The Dream" is yet alive.

Until we as a people will get to the promised land!

"The Dream" is yet alive.

"The Dream" starts with God as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through a relationship with Him, we can be agents of healing in a world that is sick with racial and ethnic conflict.

Elder J. A. Vázquez

What is your "ONLY GOD"?

Without actually quoting scripture, we all have an "Only God" faith, trust, reliance, confidence, credence or belief that we live by. Tupac Shakur once penned the phrase, "Only God Can Judge Me Now". My personal faith, trust, reliance, confidence, credence or belief is "Only God can turn a Mess into a Message, a Test into a Testimony, a Trial into a Triumph, a Victim into a Victory. What is your mantra? Better yet... What is your personal "Only God" faith, trust, reliance, confidence, credence or belief?

Think on these things...

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The theme of Paul's epistle to the Philippians is that the key to experiencing joy in your heart is to have the right thoughts in your mind. So how are we to think? Here's how: Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.

Even spiritual men and women become discouraged. You can see it in their eyes. And they wonder why. It's because they've been thinking thoughts that are not true and honest and lovely and good and pure. They stared at David Letterman before they went to bed, and they wonder why they wake up grumpy. If you are prone to depression, do not watch late-night TV. You'll wake up with a cynicism about life, a tainted twisted perspective on life. Instead, fill your mind with the goodness of God and the wealth of His Word, and, like Paul, you'll awake with a song in your soul.