Daily Nugget

Sunday, July 31st, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

During the early days of the Civil War, a Union soldier was arrested on charges of desertion. Unable to prove his innocence, he was condemned and sentenced to die a deserter’s death. His appeal found its way to the desk of Abraham Lincoln. The President felt mercy for the soldier and signed a pardon. The soldier returned to service, fought the entirety of the war, and was killed in the last battle. Found within his breast pocket was the signed letter of the President. Close to the heart of the soldier were his leader’s words of pardon. This soldier found courage in the grace he had received.

Many of us find the courage to serve in the King of Kings army as the result of the grace we received on the old rugged cross. The apostle Paul voiced it this way in I Corinthians 15:10:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

"God, Your grace is sufficient to lead me on.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

"Marriage is so Gay"

Do you think the title of this post just might be "offensive" to some married people?

Well, according to the "gay" couple wearing the message .... "That's just too bad ... my desire to change your moral world-view is more important than your feelings!" Or something to that effect.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A lesbian couple is asking for changes at Dollywood after an employee asked one of the women to turn her T-shirt reading "marriage is so gay" inside-out to avoid offending others on a recent visit to the Tennessee theme park complex.

Olivier Odom and Jennifer Tipton said Tuesday they want the park to be more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families after Odom was asked to reverse her shirt when they visited Dollywood Splash Country next to the Pigeon Forge amusement park. The story was first reported by WBIR-TV in Knoxville.

Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens said on Tuesday that Dollywood is open to all families, but their dress code policy is to ask people with clothing or tattoos that could be considered offensive to change clothes or cover up....

report in AP

Oh ... it should be OK for this gay couple to be obnoxious and offensive ... on purpose ... but the whole world better make sure that it is willing to accept their offensive behavior without even a whisper ... or they'll scream to high heaven.

Sissies.

xtnyoda, shalomed

N/T Jeremy

The pain goes with you

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Kelly speaks today about the futility of trying to ... leave the pain ...

"Dont make any changes for 2 years" - Because we tend to run away, sell our homes, leave our jobs, move away.... and those are all irrational decisions when we need to go through the motions in our current situation. The pain goes with you - you cant leave it behind."
Kelly

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Kelly, and all who have lost a child. Grant courage to face the pain of loss ... in spite of the pain.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Lily sings the National Anthem

Lily Anderson, a 10 year old with stage 4 cancer, wows the Atlanta Braves stadium ... and rightfully so!

Something tells me there are going to be a lot of people in a lot of places talking about Lily Anderson this weekend. Watch as the brave 10-year-old sings the national anthem before Thursday's Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field — and then receive what Braves reliever Peter Moylan(notes) describes as "the longest standing ovation I've witnessed."

Anderson was singing the anthem as part of Thursday's "Rally Night" at the ballpark. Before the game, catcher Brian McCann(notes) met with "Rally Kids," children who are battling cancer, and funds were raised in the fight against the disease.

According to PrayforLilyAnderson.com, Lily was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2009 and has had to go through difficult rounds of chemotherapy and surgery.

But as is apparent from the video, there's much more to Lily Anderson:

[Lily] thinks peace signs are really cool, loves turtles and playing with her friends. She loves to ride dirt bikes with her Dad, and looks forward to the weekly Sunday visits with her Grandma and Grandpa. Lime green is her very favorite color and as with most girls her age, clothes are really special; in fact she is often known by her nickname "Style Anderson."

Yahoo news report

God Bless you Lily ... xtnyoda is praying for you today ... courageous young lady.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Saturday, July 30th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The fact is that creation and cultivation, nature and culture, raw materials and craftsmanship belong together. As Luther put it, 'God even milks the cow through you.' This concept of divine-human collaboration applies to all honorable work. God has so ordered life on earth as to depend on us.”
(John R.W. Stott)

We are created for a purpose that starts with praising God and ends wherever we allow Him to take us. In all that we do, we are to bring Glory to God. The writer of Isaiah 43:7 says,

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

"God, let all I am and all I do bring glory to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

1 minute at a time

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Carmela speaks today about ... the focus of ... "now" ... that comes with grief ...

"Live 1 minute at a time. I love you David."
Carmela

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Carmela, and all who have lost a child. May Your Spirit of comfort guide them day by day ... minute by minute.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, July 29th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

The life story of Willie Mays is shown on television from time to time. He is one of the greatest athletes baseball has ever produced, but he wasn’t always like that. He idolized Joe DiMaggio. He watched how DiMaggio stood, how he walked, how he swung the bat, how he ran; he tried his best to be another DiMaggio. Finally, some wise coach said to him, “Willie, you have great ability. Don’t be like anybody else. Be yourself.” As a result, he became Willie Mays. If you were to name the greatest baseball players in the history of baseball, no list would be complete without the name of this man who became himself.

It is difficult to try to be someone else, or to try to act like someone else wants us to. On the other hand, for us to become what God wants us to be, we just have to be ourselves. He each one of us uniquely and with a special purpose. The writer of Jeremiah 1:5 records these words of God:

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.”

"God, thank You for letting me be me and loving me anyway.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Just pray, talk, and cry

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Angie speaks today about personal expectations and the common experience of grief ...

"Not to expect so much from myself. There are no "normal" feelings to this abnormal situation. That all the feelings that I was having other people have them too. Just pray, talk, and cry."
Angie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Angie, and all who have lost a child. Help them to realize that in their grief that they are not alone.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Returned Census

Received this today from Phillip ... lot of truth ...

They sent my Census form back! AGAIN!!! In response to the question: "Do you have any dependents?" I replied - "12 million illegal immigrants; 3 million crack heads; 42 million unemployable people, 2 million people in over 243 prisons; Half of Mexico; and 535 more in the U.S. House and Senate. Apparently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I can't decide though whether I should laugh or cry!
.....
OK .... I'll laugh!

xtnyoda, shalom

NASA Destroys Global Warming Myth...with the truth

The Scietific debunking of "man made global warming" is coming from NASA.

This is ... fun.

NASA satellite data from the years 2000 through 2011 show the Earth's atmosphere is allowing far more heat to be released into space than alarmist computer models have predicted, reports a new study in the peer-reviewed science journal Remote Sensing. The study indicates far less future global warming will occur than United Nations computer models have predicted, and supports prior studies indicating increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide trap far less heat than alarmists have claimed.

Study co-author Dr. Roy Spencer, a principal research scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and U.S. Science Team Leader for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer flying on NASA's Aqua satellite, reports that real-world data from NASA's Terra satellite contradict multiple assumptions fed into alarmist computer models.

"The satellite observations suggest there is much more energy lost to space during and after warming than the climate models show," Spencer said in a July 26 University of Alabama press release. "There is a huge discrepancy between the data and the forecasts that is especially big over the oceans."

In addition to finding that far less heat is being trapped than alarmist computer models have predicted, the NASA satellite data show the atmosphere begins shedding heat into space long before United Nations computer models predicted.

The new findings are extremely important and should dramatically alter the global warming debate.

Scientists on all sides of the global warming debate are in general agreement about how much heat is being directly trapped by human emissions of carbon dioxide (the answer is "not much"). However, the single most important issue in the global warming debate is whether carbon dioxide emissions will indirectly trap far more heat by causing large increases in atmospheric humidity and cirrus clouds. Alarmist computer models assume human carbon dioxide emissions indirectly cause substantial increases in atmospheric humidity and cirrus clouds (each of which are very effective at trapping heat), but real-world data have long shown that carbon dioxide emissions are not causing as much atmospheric humidity and cirrus clouds as the alarmist computer models have predicted.
.....
In short, the central premise of alarmist global warming theory is that carbon dioxide emissions should be directly and indirectly trapping a certain amount of heat in the earth's atmosphere and preventing it from escaping into space. Real-world measurements, however, show far less heat is being trapped in the earth's atmosphere than the alarmist computer models predict, and far more heat is escaping into space than the alarmist computer models predict.

When objective NASA satellite data, reported in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, show a "huge discrepancy" between alarmist climate models and real-world facts, climate scientists, the media and our elected officials would be wise to take notice. Whether or not they do so will tell us a great deal about how honest the purveyors of global warming alarmism truly are.

Yahoo News story

Also ... as I mentioned over at Brutally Honest ... perhaps this is NASA's way of striking back at the "powers that be" for trashing their space shuttle program? Anybody hear, "We call your bluff!"

:-)

Yahweh will not allow man to claim that man can do what only God can do ... such as control earth's climate. In chess this would be called "check mate." It will be fun to see how the global warming alarmists react to this devastating announcement. You can bet that they will try to ignore it.

Follow the dollar ...and get ready for another cold winter.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, July 28th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The artist takes these little pieces, and polishing and arranging them, he forms them into a grand and beautiful picture. Each individual part of the picture may be a little worthless piece of glass or marble or shell; but, with each in its place, the whole constitutes a masterpiece of art. So I think it will be with humanity in the hands of the great Artist. God is picking up the little worthless pieces of stone and brass that might be trodden underfoot unnoticed, and is making of them His great masterpiece.”
(Matthew Simpson, reflecting on mosaics he saw while touring Europe—pictures made up of small pieces of stone, glass, metal, and shell)

All our struggles, trials, and imperfections are pieces in God’s hands to form us into the product that is useful to us, to others, and to Him. The writer of Deuteronomy 14:2 expresses it with these words:

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

"God, thank You for Your hand in our lives.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

You can "get through it"

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Lori speaks today about wisdom shared from an elderly couple that had lost a child over 40 years earlier ...

"An elderly couple made a point to ask their son-in-law to bring them to our daughter's visitation. This 80+ year old couple held our hands and looked us in the eye and said, our son died over 40 years ago. When people say, "you'll get over it", they lie. You won't ever "get over" loosing a child but we want you to know you can "get through" it. I think of that comment almost every day and it's been a year and a half now!"
Lori

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Lori, and all who have lost a child. Grant them this word of hope ... you can.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it."
(Robert Heinlein 1907-1988)

Much of the crisis we are facing as a country is due to the fact we have trusted others to have goals that would bring us along albeit at a lesser level. Our complacency to let things just ride assigns us to a fate not necessarily of our choosing. The writer of Habakkuk gives us this advice:

“The LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

"God, help me to learn the vision You have for me.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

All the Love ... is Worth the Grief

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Sarah speaks today about the value of love and grief ...

"It came in the form of a question: knowing now that she would die, would you still do it? (Get pregnant that is. Katherine died at 35.5 weeks). Answer was an easy yes. All the love one very short life created is worth the grief."
Sarah

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Sarah. I thank you for her determination to give so much value to her lost child. I pray that many will realize how wonderful and precious each life truly is .... regardless of how long ... or ... short ... their days.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Most people have heard of the exploits of Sir Isaac Newton, who introduced the law of gravity and revolutionized the study of astronomy. According to science historians, however, if it had not been for Edmund Halley, the world may never have heard of Isaac Newton. Halley challenged Newton to think through his original theories and corrected his mathematical errors. Halley also coaxed Newton to write his great work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy; even though Newton was wealthier, it was Halley who supervised and financed its publication. If Edmund Halley had been one of the Twelve, he probably would have been like Andrew or Phillip. These two men were definitely on the “second tier” of disciples, behind the “inner circle” of Peter, James, and John. Even in that stance, they were content to serve the Lord where they were, and He used them effectively.

We may never know many of the backups to those who are more well known, but God does. Jesus Himself did not try to steal God’s glory (as did Lucifer), but was willing to take on the form of a servant obedient even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:7-8). In Mark 9:35, Jesus sat His disciples down and told them (and us),

“If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

What better way for us to follow Christ than being obedient to God and serving others?

"God, let my be that man You need for whatever task You put before me.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Going Green? Snuggle with your dog ... under the rug

Ummmm .... are they serious ....

from down under

AUSTRALIANS are being urged to play board games and snuggle up under a rug with a pet or their families to help cut power bills.
.....
"Improving energy efficiency is a way households can help lower carbon pollution while saving money..."

The further this goes ... the more absurd it becomes.

xtnyoda, shalomed

H/T Climate Depot!

Could you do this?

Don't ask me ... just know that it's a good thing that I'm not God ... and I am thankful for that.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Monday, July 25th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"A group of Christian laymen involved in missionary work approached a small village near an Amish settlement. Seeking a possible convert, they confronted an Amish farmer and asked him, 'Brother, are you a Christian?' The farmer thought for a moment and then said, 'Wait just a few minutes.' He wrote down a list of names on a tablet and handed it to the lay evangelist. 'Here is a list of people who know me best. Please ask them if I am a Christian.' The evidence of faith is fruit."
(Phillip Gunter)

Who should answer that question more than our friends, family, and acquaintances? The writer of Acts 11:26 tells us,

“The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.”

They were called Christians because they modeled the actions of Jesus Christ, not because they just said they were followers of Christ.

"God, let my actions point others to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

The Borg Conspiracy on Oslo

I hoped that the Borg Conspiracy would speak to the Oslo slaughter ... and he has.

Columbine revisited
There will be more than enough analysis of the shootings and death in Oslo to last a life time in the coming weeks. Look to see a book within weeks and a movie by this time next year. Of course the main focus right now? Is hey! Look! It wasn't a Muslim! It was one of those nasty Christians that we have been warning you about!

The cries of Christian radicalism will soar while the realities of Islamic radicalism will continue to be looked at in the same passe manner that they always have, but meanwhile the media will entertain us with their analysis of this massacre by a non Muslim.

The bottom line this time, we have a supposed Christian radical and a Mason on top of that and all these other hater designations rolled into one by the media. The one thing for certain will be this, The media will have a field day with this guy. But will the realities of what happened and what could have been prevented and the lives that could have been saved be addressed at all by the media? I don't think so. Have a look at this report in the morning Telegraph.

Latest on the Norway Terror attacks via the UK Telegraph
15.36 More reports of the horrific scene that greeted local civilians who sailed to the rescue of people swimming in the waters around Utoya Island.
AFP quote a woman who made seven trips in her small motorboat despite warnings from police not to approach.

"I saw three heads in the water, swimming, but then there was only one, only one got on my boat."

I will stop there to make my point. You are welcome to read the entire piece and all the others that will be posted by media today and all those that will follow in the coming weeks. But already a fact is surfacing in this massacre that will once again be overlooked by the media et al. They will overlook it again because they always do.

In the media haste to point fingers and assign blame to everything and everyone from Christians, to the evils of allowing guns to exist in free societies, (maybe that's why they are called free societies) the main point of what has truly happened will be lost once again.

Does anyone remember Columbine? Sure you do. Do you remember how two demented killers stalked the halls of that school for hours wounding and killing their classmates and teachers? While no one did anything? Not a damn thing for hours? One teacher lay there bleeding to death for three hours before he finally died and no rescue was ever even attempted.

I see a parallel here. I see a parallel between Columbine and Oslo. While the talking heads and the pundits want to draw the parallels between this lunatic and Timothy McVeigh, one glaring reality conveniently escapes their analysis in my opinion.

The man killed seven people with his bomb in downtown Oslo on Friday. He then killed at least eighty five people with one or more firearms while he wandered at will (dressed as a police officer) on an island resort and shot his victims at will. Apparently killing until he literally ran out of ammunition.

We know this based upon three realities. Firstly those surviving his murderous attack have told of their account first hand. Secondly, the media has photos of the rampage, some apparently either taken from aircraft or adjacent high rise buildings, showing the killer stalking then killing his victims in plain view.

And thirdly and far more telling in my opinion, we have the reports that it took the police in Norway over and hour and a half to respond to his rampage. I personally have a fourth and perhaps less meaningful observation at this point. "Why is this bastard still alive?" But I will come back to that.

You see people, the fact that we have lunatics amongst us is nothing new. They have always been there. Throughout history they have always been there. It's how society has chosen to deal with them that makes the difference on a wide range of levels of how they appear in our society. Not the least of which being how we deal with them during their episodes of violence and afterward.

I believe that it was the English who first envisioned the need for the Shire Reeve, to become the Sheriff and ultimately they determined need for a 'constabulary' and ultimately police forces.
Here in America, we adopted the same principles and more times than not, justice was administered at the end of a Marshal's pistol or by a rope. A simpler time perhaps that called for simpler approaches, but the bottom line was, the people knew the consequences of evil vileness. Where as today? I submit that they don't care about consequences. The media of the day makes them famous.

What should have happened to this lunatic in Oslo on Friday, is the same thing that should of happened to Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold in Columbine. Police officers should have responded immediately and with a vengeance. Police officers armed and responsible to the public for their safety, had and do have a responsibility to place themselves on the line and between this lunatic and his victims. They had a responsibility to take him out, to kill him, to stop him as soon as humanly possible and to do so at the cost and loss of their own lives if need be!

This is the point being missed people! And it has been being missed for so long that there are few if any of us who still remember it.

When I became a US Marine, I swore and oath to defend this nation, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I have never forgotten that oath and I consider it to still be in effect. When I swore and oath thirty eight years ago as a police officer, I swore an oath to protect the citizens of the city and state and to intercede and intervene when required to protect them. I swore an oath to disregard my own personal safety or threats of death or injury. I swore an oath to protect and serve and protecting meant putting my own ass on the line and in between those who would intentionally hurt others if need be. And I have done just that on more occasions than I can remember since then.

In service to my country, I was never called upon to openly and directly face any threat or enemy, but as a police officer, I was called upon more times than I can remember. I was called upon to the extent that I was shot and almost killed and subsequently injured in a duty related accident years later that also came very close to killing me.

But never once when called upon, did I back away or stop and consider my own safety before that of those who were depending upon me to be the difference between their surviving or not. I swore an oath and even though I had never met any of these people before that moment, I had made them a vow and a promise. To lay down my life if need be to protect theirs.

Think about that. Do you see why I am so angry about this? Do you see why I was so angry and hurt by Columbine and the dozens of other incidents that I have seen played out over the years before and since? I swore the day of Columbine alright, but it wasn't an oath peeling from my lips. It was anger at the horror that I and millions of others were witnessing. But mostly it was the thoughts down deep inside myself that told me that I would have never stood idly by 'awaiting orders' while kids were being hunted down like vermin and murdered in that school.

Had that happened in my community, I could not have lived with myself if I failed to react and address the threat that those two animals represented. The bottom line at Columbine that day? You didn't need the convergence of opinion of a command structure. You didn't need a SWAT TEAM or an Emergency Response Team. What was needed were men who knew how to act like men and were willing to utilize their training and their commitment to the citizens of that town to protect those kids. Even if it meant that they were to die too in the effort.

Now, have a look at Oslo on Friday and tell me what you think about all that has been reported and the official statements of police and their commanders and why it will take weeks and months to sort out the diabolical mind of this crazed gunman.

As I said earlier, his mind should have already been sorted out. It should have been sorted out by a "double tap" by a pistol or an assault rifle in the capable hands of a police officer willing and committed to saving lives. This jerk should have suffered the same fate as Osama Bin Ladin. Forget about surrender, Double tap his ass into the next life and then count your blessings on the lives you were able to save by doing so.

But instead of brave police officers in Norway on Friday? We had brave citizens who were ordered not to approach that island by none other than the police, but did so anyway. They went in and rescued people whom otherwise would have died. Why? Because is was for damn sure that the police weren't going to do anything about it and something had to be done. Something called human decency prevailed over official police protocols and thank God that it did.

I am sickened by this tragedy and by the senseless loss of life, but I am inspired to read of common people who knew what to do and that they did it. Men and women, young and old. And you know what? They weren't armed and they hadn't sworn any oaths, They just knew what had to be done and they did it.

God bless them......

Yes ... God Bless them ... and wake up a nation to the evil reality in which we happen to live.

Thank you Borg Conspiracy.

xtnyoda, shalomed

I should be happy for him

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Connie speaks today of what her child might want ...

"That he would not want me to feel sad cry all the time because he is in such a beautiful and better place now. I should be happy for him."
Connie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Connie. I pray that in her sorrow and loss that she will find the comfort she needs in imagining what her lost child might be thinking. Bless her Father.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Sunday, July 24th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spine of others are often stiffened."
(Billy Graham)

Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. When we are willing to stand for righteousness, it often gives others who are watching the wherewithal to get up and try one more day themselves. The writer of Psalms 29:11 tells us,

“The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

We really do not walk alone, and walking with God brings peace.

"God, thanks for being with us daily. Help my walk to encourage others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Language of the Heart

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Melinda speaks today about finding and losing friends after the death of a child ...

Another advice from another grieving mom was "you will lose a lot of friends and you will find new ones.." I call it "Language of the heart"(taken from a 12 step program) when one heart can understand another because of the situation....
Melinda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Melinda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that their grief will lead them to others who can truly share and support their sorrow ... out of their common sorrow. I also ask that they would not isolate themselves from the rest of the world ... as they discover that they truly have much to share on the outside of their sorrows.

xtnyoda, shalomed

The Chaplains Corner

The Chaplains Corner

Guest blogger, Chaplain Paul, is one of the most effective chaplains in America today. He is an emergency responder to every situation.

Hey, this is the Chaplain again.

Friday afternoon I did something I should do more often - I took a couple hours off from my usual routine and spent a little time out in the shed working on my motorcycle.

I had recently ordered a new 'thing-a-ma-jig' and wanted to install it. in order to do that I needed to remove a couple of bolts. The bolts were a little difficult to remove; they were tight and hard to turn as I backed them out. I installed the new piece and did a little more tinkering with the bike, and then it was time to put it back together, and of course take it for a ride.

Before I put the bolts back in, the ones that were so hard to get out, I decided to put a little oil on them. Boy what a difference. Those bolts screwed in so easy. A little oil made a big difference. My spirit was quickened and I started thinking about how oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit.

Many times in our lives everything seems so tight, nothing goes easy. We're like those dry bolts - we need a little oil; we need a little Holy Spirit greasing. The Holy Spirit will turn everything around if we give Him the opportunity. He turns our sorrow into joy (Isaiah 61:3) and just makes things work easier - it's part of His job.

Are things a little tight in your life? Maybe you need the lubrication of the Holy Spirit. When was the last time you invited Him to be in charge?

Daily Nugget

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

On our way to school one morning, my two sons, Logan (age five) and Devin (age four), were talking about what heaven will be like. Devin looked at me with wide eyes and said, "Mommy, right now Jesus lives in my heart, but when we get to heaven he’s going to get to come out and play with me!"
(Angela Rogers)

The writer of Deuteronomy 29:45 records these words of God:

“I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.”

What a blessing to be able to dwell with God knowing He wants to spend time with us.

"God, help us when we try to choose death either for us or others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Do what you have to do ... then forgive yourself

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Judy speaks today about the shear expressions of agony ...

"If I got advice in the early days, I didn't hear it. Later, though, the best piece of advice was what I pass on to others. Do whatever you have to do to get through. Cry, scream, break things, focus on yourself. There is no right and wrong, no time line, no normal. And later, forgive yourself for the things you did or didn't do."
Judy

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Judy, and all who have lost a child. I pray that their grief will be freely expressed ... in whatever form it might require.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, July 22nd, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Together, nine physically handicapped persons conquered Mount Rainier. One of the mountain climbers had an artificial leg. Another was an epileptic. Two were deaf, and five were blind. Despite these handicaps, the nine successfully negotiated the 14,000 foot climb and got back down again. Asked how they managed to perform this amazing feat, one of the blind members of the party said simply, 'We had a lot of help from each other on the trip.' There is no way, the Gospels tell us, that we can successfully negotiate our life’s journey without a lot of help from each other. And the reason is, we are all handicapped. We are all emotionally and spiritually flawed in some way."
(James F. Colaianni)

What a truth! We all do need each other to lean on. Jesus encourages us with these words in John 13:34-35:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

"God, let me be the stabilizing force to my friends, families, and acquaintances.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

"the best card I received"

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Gina speaks today about receiving a card from a Mother that had lost a child ...

"I cant remember any advice. The best thing that a lot of people did for me was to give me books on grieving. The best card i recieved was from a lady who had lost a child near the age of mine, she knew exactly how i was feeling."
Gina

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Gina, and all who have lost a child. I pray that in their grief they will one day be able to share with others who have lost a child ... to share their common sorrow.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, July 21st, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The government is concerned about the population explosion, and the population is concerned about the government explosion.”
(Ruth Rankin)

When a nation begins to eliminate population at the inception of life, the natural progression is to try to control it by eliminating the elderly. Both projects are just symptoms of lack of respect for life. The writer of Deuteronomy 30:19 says,

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

"God, help us when we try to choose death either for us or others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

For a new day

Yes ... there is a mighty Spirit moving ... for those who have eyes to see.

For those who can't yet see ... you will ... for all will see it.

xtnyoda, shalomed

H/T Jeremy

burried under 6 feet of snow

The MSM can't seem to get over the fact that the northern hemisphere of planet earth is in her summer season ... and not a very hot one at that ... compared to others in my life time.

What the MSM doesn't seem to want to talk about is the brutal winter taking place in the southern hemisphere of planet earth ... for instance reported in the above video. And this is not isolated to just southern Chili.

And then there is this warning coming out of England about our coming 4th brutal winter in the northern hemisphere. He's been right about the other three ... and he says this one will be worse.

Are you preparing?

xtnyoda, shalomed

begetting wolves

Here is a little political food for thought

"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."
Edward Murrow

wikiquotes

I sort of think Mr. Murrow knew what he was talking about. History seems to have been his instructor, as well it should be ours.

xtnyoda, shalomed

H/T Phillip

"be prepared for the holidays"

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Brenda speaks today to about the coming holidays ... be ready ..."

"The best advice I got or learned was be prepared for the holidays. Thanksgiving was always a special day for my son and I. The 2nd Thanksgiving I didn't cook like I normally do. I had no plans to do anything. That gave me way too much time to think about my son and how much I miss him. Not that I don't like to think about my son, but thinking too much hurts too much and won't bring him back."
Brenda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Brenda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that in their hearts ... the sorrow of holidays without their child ... can be faced with your granted grace ... and embraced.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“If we all tried to make other people’s paths easy, our own feet would have a smooth, even place to walk on.”
(Myrtle Reed, American author, 19th century)

The world today tries to trip up the competition. Jesus told us in Luke 6:3:

“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

The world has reversed these wise words to say, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” The truth is when we help others, our service builds co-operation and actually decreases the total load.

"God, let me help make others day better.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

"there was nothing more you could have done"

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Kelly speaks today to the accusing voice of "you could have/would have/should have..."

A friend who lost a child 20 years ago told me, "For some reason, women think that they should be able to fix everything & keep everyone happy. But we can't & we aren't supposed to. Nick made his choice to end his life, & there was nothing more you could have done."
Kelly

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Kelly, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the relentless self-accusations would lose their voices to ... truth ... as Jesus said to the raging torrents ... "Peace, be still."

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“In what you say of another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and let nothing pass your lips without a 2/3 majority.”
(Liz Armbruster)

Our words affect us more than we think. For example, what we say reflects to others who or what we are. To put it another way, if we do not watch our words, we might even start to believe them. The writer of Psalms 15:1 gives this wise council:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

"God, let my words agree with Your words that I might bring joy and not anger to others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Remember, he is in your future

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Barbara shares today about developing a hope in the future ...

"The best advice was to not get 'stuck' to keep moving, one step at a time, one moment, take each breath knowing that each step, breath, moment brings you closer to Jordan, remember your faith tells you, he is not in your past, he is in your future!"
Barbara

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Barbara, and all who have lost a child. I pray for a firm hope that the future will bring joy and solace.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Monday, July 18th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.”
(Allison Gappa Bottke)

Choices we make every day can lead us down the wrong path. God wants to allow us back into the right relationship with Him. The writer of 1 John 1:9 reminds us:

“if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Repentance and confession of our sin makes leads us to a u-turn back to a right relationship with God.

"God, thank You for accepting us with our challenges and restoring us to Yourself. Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

The Chaplains Corner

The Chaplains Corner

Guest blogger, Chaplain Paul, is one of the most effective chaplains in America today. He is an emergency responder to every situation.

Hey, this is the Chaplain again.

I have a question; what do the letters T.G.I.F. mean to you? Some of you might say: Thank God It's Friday. But I want to give you a new definition so you can tell others, T.G.I.F. every day of the week.

To me T.G.I.F. means: Today God Is First. I have started a new routine, every morning when my feet hit the floor I pause and say, T.G.I.F. (Today God Is First). That's my way of acknowledging the Lord, and reminding myself, that at least for today my intentions are to put Him first. His agenda comes before mine. His priorities are more urgent than mine. Loving people is important to me because it's important to Him.

When I stop at the convenience store on the corner for a coke I say to the clerk, "Well, T.G.I.F." Sometimes it just slips by - but sometimes, especially on Monday or Tuesday or . . . I'll get a funny look and they say, it's not Friday. Then I explain what T.G.I.F. means to me. And then I can ask, "Is God first in your life today?"

If you have been looking for a new way to witness - why don't you try using, "T.G.I.F." If you do let me know how it works out. I would love to hear how God uses you to touch others.

And while we're talking about it, let me ask YOU; is God first in your life today?

Daily Nugget

Sunday, July 17th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there.”
(Author Unknown)

What is behind the door can cause apprehension growing into worry. The truth is that about 90% of what we worry about will never come to pass. We must face the world with the faith of knowing God has us on His mind and our best interests at heart. The apostle Paul challenged us with these words in 2 Timothy 2:17:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

"God, thank You for the peace You give is each day. Please bring healing and recovery to Whitney Atkinson and Hope Young the two young ladies involved in the four-wheeler accident. Minister to their families as well.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time!

What Global Warmers want in a nutshell

Steven Goddard sums it up pretty well.

They Want To Control Every Aspect Of Your Life

What you eat, what you drive, where you drive, what you believe, what you say, what you can own, how many children you can have, how much you can travel, how much money you have, what your kids are taught, how big your house is, the temperature of your house, how your house is heated, how far you live from your work, what kind of light bulbs and other appliances you have ………

Global warmers make Lenin’s Bolsheviks look like libertarians....

Real Science

Rest well little flock.

xtnyoda, shalomed

I was lost and still am lost

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Twila shares today about the chasm of ... lostness....

"I really don't think anyone gave me any advice I had to find it all on my own...I was lost and still am lost so I look for advice on my own and read to much information just to find how I feel and explain to my self what the feelings are for how I am feeling... because I think there is no advice anyone can give unless they have walked in our shoes of losing a child..then from other that have I get some advice from their feelings and heartache it explains a lot to me..and has helped me so much on my journey of grief so much..."
Twila

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Twila, and all who have lost a child ... and with the loss ... often find themselves lost. Father, be the Rock ... that is found ... and follows them on their journey.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Lawsuit: Prayer rally promotes 'rabid Christian agenda'

You just had to know that the Governor's call to fasting and prayer would not go unchallenged ...

An atheist organization is suing Texas Governor Rick Perry, a possible presidential candidate, for initiating a private prayer event scheduled for August 6 in Houston.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation is suing in federal court over Perry's upcoming prayer event ....

One News Now article

Gets to be kind of fun after a while doesn't it!

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Saturday, July 16th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Man is born with his face turned away from God. When he truly repents, he is turned right round toward God; he leaves his old life."
(Dwight Lyman Moody 1837–1899)

To truly repent means to turn around, to stop the way we are going and turn 180 degrees back to God. Because our nature wants to recoil from the pain of getting "caught," too many times we turn toward God just enough to quit hurting inside. It has to be more than turning over a new leaf; it must be a complete turning that results in a new relationship with God. Jesus tells us in John 3:7:

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

"God, thank You for Your unconditional acceptance of us as we turn to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Texas Governor calls on Americans to pray like Jesus did

Gov. Perry's Invitation to The Response from The Response USA on Vimeo.

Really never thought I'd hear an American Governor call on Americans to gather, fast, and pray ... as he says ... "like Jesus did."

Kudos to Gov. Perry.

August 6th in Houston, Texas. If we can't be there ... we can fast and pray with them ... all across this nation.

xtnyoda, shalomed

"help each other through this nightmare"

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Bonnie shares today about the difficult journey of keeping a marriage together after the death of a child ....

"I think the best advice came from myself. Within days after his death, I took my husband aside... locked away from the hustle and bustle...and we had the most open talk of our lives. We had watched a couple that were very close to us, shat...ter after the death of their daughter. We talked and cried for hours. We vowed to make a conscience effort to help each other through this nightmare. There have still been those times that we have felt disconnected but for the most part, we have worked hard to validate the others feelings and to accept that we were both grieving differently. He is such a wonderful man and I love him with all of my being. 1980-2006"
Bonnie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Bonnie and her husband. I thank you for this powerful testimony ... that couples can make it ... as couples ... after the death of their child. Bless them, and all that have lost a child.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, July 16th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“A rainbow is heaven’s promise in Technicolor.”
(Unknown)

God puts a rainbow in the sky at just the times we need them. He puts them there in the middle and/or the end of our storms. This week after the thundershowers, I was able to see a rainbow that I really needed at that time. We are blessed that God not only gives us promises, but confirms them in ways we can comprehend. Remember these comforting words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20:

“I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

"God, thank You for all Your daily confirmations of Your love toward us.
Amen"

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time.

I have to learn to live differently

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Jennifer shares today about the difficult awakening that takes place ... life ... is never the same ....

"That grieving the loss of a child is best compared to learning to live similar to an amputee patient. Meaning that after a Terrible accident where you can completely recover, it may take time but you do get better and can live the rest of your life. But after a terrible accident, where say you live but lose a arm or leg, it may take time, you do get better, your life is just never the same. You're alive, but you have to learn to live differently. It made so much sense to me. I am alive, I will get better, I'll never be the same, and now I have to learn to live differently. Without my oldest son, as a faimly of 4 not 5, with sadness that is always there just sometimes less visible. Make sense? I hope this can help someone like it helped me? God bless us all."
Jennifer

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Jennifer, and all who have lost a child. Help them to realize that life will never be the same ... and that they can live ... they can.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, July 14th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Life in Poland was difficult during the transition from a Communist government to a free government led by Solidarity. Goods were scarce but one Polish man remarked, “There are so many more possibilities for happiness here than in the USA. You look out the window in the morning and your car still has four wheels and you’re happy. You see a gas line and you know there is gas. You are happy. You stand in line for an hour and it’s your turn to buy, you buy the last one of that particular item. If you had been one place back in line you wouldn’t have got it and would have wasted your time. You’re happy.”

We must remember to enjoy the simple things and to give thanks for the mini-blessings God puts in our path each day. The writer of Psalms 68:3 says,

“But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.”

"God, thank You for all your blessings to us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

Emotions have no logic

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Linda shares today the powerful reality of emotions ....

"The best advice always came from other bereaved parents. Others just did not get it!!! fortunately, I had a wonderful grief counselor...he told me, "emotions have no logic." That has been with me ever since the death of my first son and most recently, my eldest son."
Linda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Linda, and all who have lost a child. Help them to realize that sometimes the reality of dealing with their emotions during such grief ... is past dealing with.

Keep them safe though.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“A Christian who walks by faith accepts all circumstances from God. He thanks God when everything goes good, when everything goes bad, and for the “blues” somewhere in-between. He thanks God whether he feels like it or not.”
( Erwin W. Lutzer)

Many want the "goodies" of God without the trials that come with it. God never promised us a bed of roses or smooth sailing. In fact, Jesus said to the disciples (and to us):

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Hang on, enjoy the ride, and learn from the experience of the writer of Psalms 30:12:

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

"God, thank You in all things good, bad and in between.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

I didn't listen

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ... all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.



Marcie shares today how struggling with the symptoms of depression for months finally convinced her to consider ... herself again ...

"Probably just to take care of myself. I didn't listen for the first 90 days but after suffering from debilitating fatigue and depression symptoms, I'm trying to exercise and eat better. I just haven't really cared if I lived or died but I'm starting to. We miss you sweet Jared."
Marcie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Marcie, and all who have lost a child. Help them to wake up to their own needs ... and to realize that You are there to help in their great sorrow.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so. If you find yourself so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to him, and mind the present.”
(George Macdonald 1824–1905)

As hard as it is to let go we must have faith that the Master and sustainer of the universe can handle our tomorrows. Jesus in Matthew 6:34 said,

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

"God, Thank You for handling our tomorrow.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time

The Chaplains Corner

The Chaplains Corner

Guest blogger, Chaplain Paul, is one of the most effective chaplains in America today. He is an emergency responder to every situation.

Hey, this is the Chaplain again.

The great technicians at Arkansas Valley Communications are very gracious to me; they help our ministry a lot. Recently they were putting lights on my new trailer. Everything seemed to be hooked up, but - no lights. They checked and found the problem; there was a loose connection - the lights weren't grounded, so they didn't work. It's essential that lights be grounded or they just don't burn. If there's no ground, there's no light.

You know, as Christians we also have to be grounded; not with a wire but with The Word of God. We have to be firmly connected to God by reading and applying His Word in our lives. Without it we lose our grounding and we won't work - won't have any light either. Listen to what the Bible tells us in Joshua 23,

"Now, stay strong and steady. Obediently do everything written in the Book. Hold tight to God, your God, just as you've done up to now."
Vs. 6-8 (The Msg.)

Are you feeling a little disconnected? Is your light a little weak or sporadic? Maybe you're not as well-grounded as you should be. The answer is simple - tighten up the connection. Spend time with the Lord in His Word.

Daily Nugget

Monday, July 11th, 2011.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together.”
(Corrie ten Boom, 1892–1983)

Together each gift of each believer brings strength and unity to God’s church. The apostle Paul in Hebrews 10:25 encourages believers:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

He knew in tough times we not only need each other, but also we need the gifts God gives to each of us for the purpose of edifying the church and furthering His Kingdom.

"God, thank You for the gifts You give to each of us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...all the time