I'm Gonna Love You Through It

H/T to Brutally Honest!

For my birthed Sister and all our Sisters that have been through it.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Everything

Sunday, before our 1st worship service, one of my WW2 vets started sharing with me as I was greeting folks. He started telling me about dodging German subs on their way to England and the European theater. He shared how he and his Army battalion crossed the Rhine River into Germany on his 19th birthday. How he and another 19 year old were the 2 forward observers for their battalion ... point men ... for an entire battalion ... advancing through Germany.

He then started to share about being involved in the liberation of a couple of concentration camps that held the Jews. How they came out ... starving ... emaciated ... fearful. He shared about seeing the gas chamber ... and the ovens ... and the mass graves discovered. He shared that the surviving prisoners had nothing ... barely alive.

I asked him in honest wonder, "What did you do?"

He looked down to the floor ... and then after a brief pause ... he raised his head ... and looked me in the eyes ... and simply said, "We gave them everything we had."

I became very quiet.

I asked his Grandson later if he had ever shared any of that with the family. He said that his Grandfather had never shared a word about it with anyone. I thought you might like to know.

That's all, I just wanted to share it.

God Bless.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Yahweh, Day 245

Day 245

Yahweh

... Is There ...

"... The name of the city from that day on will be: Yahweh Is There."
Ezekiel 48:35 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's Presence. There is no greater blessing or reality.

Israel would have rather endured the direct chastening of Yahweh than to endure the scorn and plundering of man. And, why would that be?

Israel knew that there was an end to Yahweh's anger ... not so with man's arrogance and rage. With man ... rage and anger only leads to more of the same. Israel knew that Yahweh was a compassionate and forgiving God ... and God is not man ... nor is man a god.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Technology is so far ahead of human relations! As for the latter, we are still in the Stone Age. Why do we human beings learn so much, so soon, about technology, and so little, so late, about loving one another?”
(Henri Nouwen in New Oxford Review June 1987)

The wisdom of the above quotation is as pertinent today as it was decades ago. From centuries ago, the wisdom of the following quotation comes from the writer of Ecclesiastes 4:10,

“For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

"God, let our walk with You strengthen our relationships with others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

Grieve out loud

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


Lisa speaks today about ... right and wrong ...

"The best advice i have received is to that there there is no right or wrong way. No time limits, and to grieve out loud."
Lisa

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Lisa, and all who have lost a child. I pray that their grief can be freely shared ... without restriction ... and without guilt for their deep expressions of loss.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
(Will Rogers)

In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul gives us these words as an encouragement to move forward in our relationship with God:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

"God, let us release yesterday and its shortcomings so that we can live in the present and seek a closer walk with You each day.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

I found Compassionate Friends

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


Valerie speaks today about ... discovering compassion ...

"The best advice came from my nieces/nephew to get a face book page so I could read all of the wonderful things people were writing about my Daughter Samantha on facebook and by doing that a wonderful woman named Pam asked to be my friend, she had lost her son also and thru her I found Compassionate Friends. Thank you Pam Thank you TCF (The Compassionate Friends) God Bless."
Valerie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Valerie, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the ministry of Compassionate Friends will expand and reach many others in Your Name .... until the day there is no longer the need.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Monday, February 27th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only—namely, by showing us more of his Son.”
(Watchman Nee)

In receiving the correct answer, the apostle John the Baptist gives this advice in John 3:30,

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

"God, let us be still and see You more fully.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

Daily Nugget

Sunday, February 26th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“We shouldn’t use God to solve our problems. We should see our problems as an opportunity to find God.”
(Larry Crabb)

God is not our bank or super store, but He desires to be our close companion, not only in the good times but also through our trials. The writer of Deuteronomy 4:29 encourages us to spend time God with these words:

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

"God, let us remember You are with us in every situation whether it be a trial or a triumph.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

Yahweh, Day 244

Day 244

Yahweh

... Is There ...

"... The name of the city from that day on will be: Yahweh Is There."
Ezekiel 48:35 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's Presence. There is no greater blessing or reality.

This ... Presence ... and the value of it ... is set up in the first chapters of Ezekiel. In chapter 1 Ezekiel sees the great and awesome vision of the presence of Yahweh over Israel. Then in chapter 11 a horror is witnessed by Ezekiel ... the Glory of Yahweh lifts Itself from within the Temple .... and leaves Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 11:23)

This to Israel was her greatest fear. More than invading armies, famine, storm, pestilence, drought, earthquakes, or any other tragedy ... Israel feared the departure of God ... for Yahweh to ... desert the chosen.

The opening of Ezekiel's message was the terrifying message of God's ... rejection.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Let them out

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


Karen speaks today about ... expressions ...

"Feel your feelings.....and let them out."
Karen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Karen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the love they have the freedom to be real ... with themselves ... and with others.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Saturday, February 25th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The other morning my son announced, “Mom, I really think I’m going to be just like Dad when I grow up.” “Why is that?” I asked. “Well, because I think my eyebrows will grow into one like his. And, whenever somebody speaks to me, I'll never hear them.”
(Ginny Dow)

It is interesting to see what our heirs choose to emulate, whether what we are trying to convey, or what they perceive we are trying to portray. The writer of 2 Chronicles 26:4 said,

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.”

"God, let my message to others be pure and point them to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

"The Last Six Seconds"

This is a must read for those that love our country ... and respect those that defend her.

One can hardly conceive of the enormous grief held quietly within General Kelly as he spoke. On Nov 13, 2010, Lt General John Kelly, USMC, gave a speech to the Semper Fi Society of St. Louis, MO. This was four days after his son, Lt Robert Kelly, USMC, was killed by an IED while on his 3rd Combat tour. During his speech, General Kelly spoke about the dedication and valor of our young men and women who step forward each and every day to protect us.

During the speech, he never mentioned the loss of his own son. He closed the speech with the moving account of the last six seconds in the lives of two young Marines who died with rifles blazing to protect their brother Marines.

I will leave you with a story about the kind of people they are…about the quality of the steel in their backs…about the kind of dedication they bring to our country while they serve in uniform and forever after as veterans. Two years ago when I was the Commander of all U.S. and Iraqi forces, in fact, the 22nd of April 2008, two Marine infantry battalions, 1/9 “The Walking Dead,” and 2/8 were switching out in Ramadi. One battalion in the closing days of their deployment going home very soon, the other just starting its seven-month combat tour. Two Marines, Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, 22 and 20 years old respectively, one from each battalion, were assuming the watch together at the entrance gate of an outpost that contained a makeshift barracks housing 50 Marines. The same broken down ramshackle building was also home to 100 Iraqi police, also my men and our allies in the fight against the terrorists in Ramadi, a city until recently the most dangerous city on earth and owned by Al Qaeda. Yale was a dirt poor mixed-race kid from Virginia with a wife and daughter, and a mother and sister who lived with him and he supported as well. He did this on a yearly salary of less than $23,000. Haerter, on the other hand, was a middle class white kid from Long Island. They were from two completely different worlds. Had they not joined the Marines they would never have met each other, or understood that multiple America’s exist simultaneously depending on one’s race, education level, economic status, and where you might have been born. But they were Marines, combat Marines, forged in the same crucible of Marine training, and because of this bond they were brothers as close, or closer, than if they were born of the same woman.

The mission orders they received from the sergeant squad leader I am sure went something like: “Okay you two clowns, stand this post and let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass.” “You clear?” I am also sure Yale and Haerter then rolled their eyes and said in unison something like: “Yes Sergeant,” with just enough attitude that made the point without saying the words, “No kidding sweetheart, we know what we’re doing.” They then relieved two other Marines on watch and took up their post at the entry control point of Joint Security Station Nasser, in the Sophia section of Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq.

A few minutes later a large blue truck turned down the alley way-perhaps 60-70 yards in length-and sped its way through the serpentine of concrete jersey walls. The truck stopped just short of where the two were posted and detonated, killing them both catastrophically. Twenty-four brick masonry houses were damaged or destroyed. A mosque 100 yards away collapsed. The truck’s engine came to rest two hundred yards away knocking most of a house down before it stopped. Our explosive experts reckoned the blast was made of 2,000 pounds of explosives. Two died, and because these two young infantrymen didn’t have it in their DNA to run from danger, they saved 150 of their Iraqi and American brothers-in-arms.

When I read the situation report about the incident a few hours after it happened I called the regimental commander for details as something about this struck me as different. Marines dying or being seriously wounded is commonplace in combat. We expect Marines regardless of rank or MOS to stand their ground and do their duty, and even die in the process, if that is what the mission takes. But this just seemed different. The regimental commander had just returned from the site and he agreed, but reported that there were no American witnesses to the event-just Iraqi police. I figured if there was any chance of finding out what actually happened and then to decorate the two Marines to acknowledge their bravery, I’d have to do it as a combat award that requires two eye-witnesses and we figured the bureaucrats back in Washington would never buy Iraqi statements. If it had any chance at all, it had to come under the signature of a general officer.

I traveled to Ramadi the next day and spoke individually to a half-dozen Iraqi police all of whom told the same story. The blue truck turned down into the alley and immediately sped up as it made its way through the serpentine. They all said, “We knew immediately what was going on as soon as the two Marines began firing.” The Iraqi police then related that some of them also fired, and then to a man, ran for safety just prior to the explosion. All survived. Many were injured…some seriously. One of the Iraqis elaborated and with tears welling up said, “They’d run like any normal man would to save his life.” “What he didn’t know until then,” he said, “and what he learned that very instant, was that Marines are not normal.” Choking past the emotion he said, “Sir, in the name of God no sane man would have stood there and done what they did.” “No sane man.” “They saved us all.”

What we didn’t know at the time, and only learned a couple of days later after I wrote a summary and submitted both Yale and Haerter for posthumous Navy Crosses, was that one of our security cameras, damaged initially in the blast, recorded some of the suicide attack. It happened exactly as the Iraqis had described it. It took exactly six seconds from when the truck entered the alley until it detonated.

You can watch the last six seconds of their young lives. Putting myself in their heads I supposed it took about a second for the two Marines to separately come to the same conclusion about what was going on once the truck came into their view at the far end of the alley. Exactly no time to talk it over, or call the sergeant to ask what they should do. Only enough time to take half an instant and think about what the sergeant told them to do only a few minutes before: “…let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass.” The two Marines had about five seconds left to live.

It took maybe another two seconds for them to present their weapons, take aim, and open up. By this time the truck was half-way through the barriers and gaining speed the whole time. Here, the recording shows a number of Iraqi police, some of whom had fired their AKs, now scattering like the normal and rational men they were-some running right past the Marines. They had three seconds left to live.

For about two seconds more, the recording shows the Marines’ weapons firing non-stop…the truck’s windshield exploding into shards of glass as their rounds take it apart and tore in to the body of the son-of-a-bitch who is trying to get past them to kill their brothers-American and Iraqi-bedded down in the barracks totally unaware of the fact that their lives at that moment depended entirely on two Marines standing their ground. If they had been aware, they would have known they were safe…because two Marines stood between them and a crazed suicide bomber. The recording shows the truck careening to a stop immediately in front of the two Marines. In all of the instantaneous violence Yale and Haerter never hesitated. By all reports and by the recording, they never stepped back. They never even started to step aside. They never even shifted their weight. With their feet spread shoulder width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing as fast as they could work their weapons. They had only one second left to live.

The truck explodes. The camera goes blank. Two young men go to their God. Six seconds. Not enough time to think about their families, their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty…into eternity. That is the kind of people who are on watch all over the world tonight-for you.

We Marines believe that God gave America the greatest gift he could bestow to man while he lived on this earth-freedom. We also believe he gave us another gift nearly as precious-our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines-to safeguard that gift and guarantee no force on this earth can every steal it away. It has been my distinct honor to have been with you here today. Rest assured our America, this experiment in democracy started over two centuries ago, will forever remain the “land of the free and home of the brave” so long as we never run out of tough young Americans who are willing to look beyond their own self-interest and comfortable lives, and go into the darkest and most dangerous places on earth to hunt down, and kill, those who would do us harm.

God Bless America, and….SEMPER FIDELIS!

Slow hand salute.

Semper Fidelis!

xtnyoda, shalomed

H/T Roger!

Love remains the same

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


Pat speaks today about ... remaining love ...

"My fellow Parish Nurse friend said my son, Mike, took my love for him with him to heaven and that time passes but love remains the same."
Pat

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Pat, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the love they know for their child ... though it causes their grief at their loss ... that that same love ... will be known also as a comfort ... cherished and embraced.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, February 24th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Remember, the truest end of life is to know the life that never ends.”
(William Penn)

Jesus reminded us in John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only be gotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

To choose to believe in Jesus is to have life in heaven. Not to choose to believe in Jesus is to reject Him and spend eternity in hell where, as Jesus tells us in Mark 9:44,

“The worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

"God, thank You that we can have eternal life with You through Your Son Jesus.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

"Warmingistas" by Joe Bastardi!

Wow!!!

Joe Bastardi (formerly of the "AccuWeather channel" until he couldn't stomach the global warming mantra they are pushing any longer!) is weighing in on the "global warming alarmists over at Real Science ... and he is naming names and exposing agendas! Amazing work Joe and Steve! (Mr. Bastardi's comments are in the "comments" section of Steve's post.)

Thanks for the kind words, but most of us ( Steve included) know where this is going overall the next 20-30 years. N America has been the warm heart of a cooling planet. For the record, I expect a weak to perhaps moderate el nino to evolve this summer into winter, and while that will push global temps up a bit, double la ninas followed by el ninos with a cold PDO means the break we had this year in N America is not likely to repeat next year. Europe is likely to have another severe stretch, which would make it 4 winters in a row year to deal with a cold extreme. While I officially have forecasted global temps , as measured by objective satellites, to return to the temps of the late 70s by 2030, I must confess that some of the more extreme forecasts due to solar cycle theory certainly have reason to have a seat at the table.

The real shame is that we are now handcuffed by out of control warmingistas that have choked the lifeblood of our nations economy and find ourselves in a real bind as far as energy because of a ghost that never existed, and a reality that has a good chance of proving the opposite. Its amazing how many problems would be solved if we were just drilling without the paranoia about global warming. A more prosperous economy, less unemployment, more national security, and right on down the line. Years from now, people will marvel at how all this actually went on, perhaps with the same morbid fascination we look at what happened at Europe in the 30s. Tell a big enough lie loud enough , and people believe it.

.... One more thing, sorry I forgot.. A Hansen Super Nino watch is in effect. Once he realizes that the Nino is coming on (I posted last year when he was screaming about one for this past winter to wait till the following winter.. the one coming up in 12-13, though it would be weak) he will yell from the roof tops about a super nino, oblivious to the fact that we have a cold PDO and ninos are shorter lived and weaker.

I guess the 1 million or so he gets on the side of his government job by doing all this consoles him, but the watch is in effect anyway

The global warming house of cards is falling. The unfortunate thing, as Joe points out, is that millions, alas billions of humans will suffer due to the charade of "global warming" by governments and "global warming scientists."

And who will hold them accountable for the misery and loss of life so they can line their pockets?

Yahweh will hold them accountable.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The way we respond to criticism pretty much depends on the way we respond to praise. If praise humbles us, then criticism will build us up. But if praise inflates us, then criticism will crush us; and both responses lead to our defeat.”
(Warren Wiersbe)

Let us join the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:14 as he prays,

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

"God, thanks for this reminder to divert all praise to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

How ever difficult the road

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


Karen speaks today about ... two ways ...

"My mum said to me at the time, there only two ways to go up or down. I've chosen up, because i know my daughter never would of wanted me to give up, and it's all about her. how ever difficult the road is.."
Karen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Karen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the thoughts of "giving up" will be but brief thoughts ... and that they will each one find strength to carry on.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety.”
(A.W. Tozier)

Don’t you just love the days when the sun is shining? Aren't those the days you are feeling well and just want to praise God without restraint? The writer of Psalms 9:1-2 expresses it well with these words:

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

"God, teach us to lose ourselves in worship and praise to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Find the laughter with the tears

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


Vonda speaks today about ... laughter ...

"That my desire to still parent her goes beyond the grave and to spend time with her each day. For the record the advice I give is to at some point find the laughter with the tears..we laugh still so much about Brittany 5 years later, it save me somedays :) !"
Vonda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Vonda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the joy that each child brought would often sooth the loss ... great as it is.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Global Warming Crashing

Desperate measures for the desperate days of the Global Warming Alarmists are here ... and the pressure to find a "flaw" in the skeptics armor is frantic ... and causing the mighty to fall.

Peter Gleick Admits to Deception in Obtaining Heartland Climate Files
By ANDREW C. REVKIN

Peter H. Gleick, a water and climate analyst who has been studying aspects of global warming for more than two decades, in recent years became an aggressive critic of organizations and individuals casting doubt on the seriousness of greenhouse-driven climate change. He used blogs, congressional testimony, group letters and other means to make his case.

Now, Gleick has admitted to an act that leaves his reputation in ruins and threatens to undercut the cause he spent so much time pursuing. His summary, just published on his blog at Huffington Post, speaks for itself.....

Andrew Revkin is lamenting the admissions by Gleick, who had been one of the world wide stars of the Global Warming Alarmist movement.

Follow the link to Revkin's painful acknowledgment to Gleick's acknowledgments and the other links.

The Global Warming house of cards is falling.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“I learned a remarkable fact about the cocklebur: its sticky seed pod contains several seeds, not just one. And these seeds germinate in different years. Thus, if seed A fails to sprout next year because of a drought, seed B will be there waiting for year after next, and seed C the year after that, waiting until the right conditions for germination arrive.”
(Graham R. Hodges)

God has created everything and made each with special attributes. The writer of Hebrews 10:36 says,

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

What we plant today will come up in due season.

"God, use this day in our growth for Your kingdom.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

At least I had early warning

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


Elaine speaks today about ... changes ...

"I remember being advised by the CF to be prepared for all of your relationships to change. Some people will be there and a lot will go away .. it helped to gear up for that. It`s difficult to deal with, but, at least I had early warning so it was not unexpected."
Elaine

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Elaine, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the changes in support and friendships will be understood, and the new friendships cherished ... with a touch of compassion for those that do not understand.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Monday, February 20th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter.”
(Richard Hendrix)

In this instant of the micro-wave society in which we live, waiting is one of the hardest things we have to do. We have become so spoiled in having what we want when we want it that not to get what we want instantaneously is perceived as unacceptable. The writer of Psalms 40:1 tells us:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

His words give us the encouragement to be willing to wait for the benefit of being with Him.

"God, give us the patience to wait for You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Daily Nugget

Sunday, February 19th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“When men stop worshipping God, they promptly start worshipping man, with disastrous results.”
(George Orwell)

Hmmm....It seems as though we may have arrived at that point in history. The writer of Deuteronomy 11:16 says,

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them.”

"God, forgive us when our thoughts and hearts in turn are removed from You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Daily Nugget

Saturday, February 18th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
(Edmund Burke)

Some sit on the sidelines and wonder what if. Others jump up and down begging, “Put me in coach!” The writer of Ecclesiastes 9:10 says,

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

"God, Let us make the most of the abilities You gifted us with.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Just your way

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


Vickie speaks today about ... your kind of grieving ...

"There is no right or wrong way to grieve, just your way."
Vickie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Vickie, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will grow to acknowledge and embrace their own unique and personal way to grieve ... without guilt.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, February 17th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.


In the early days of the automobile a man’s Model-T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. He couldn’t get it started no matter how hard he cranked nor how much he tried to advance the spark or adjust things under the hood. Just then a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him, and a wiry, energetic man stepped out from the back seat and offered his assistance. After tinkering for a few moments the stranger said, “Now try it!” Immediately the engine leaped to life. The well-dressed individual then identified himself as Henry Ford. “I designed and built these cars,” he said, “so I know what to do when something goes wrong.”

God, as our creator knows how to “fix” us when our lives are broken by sin. The writer of Psalms 100:3 reminds us,

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

"God, Forgive us when we fail to ask our creator and try to fix ourselves."

Bro. Bill

Simple belief

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


Tina speaks today about ... future hope ...

"You will see her again."
Tina

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Tina, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the hope for a future will carry them through each current day.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, February 16th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else.”
(Bette Davis)

Not only did the apostle Paul know what it was like to be blessed, but also he knew to what it was like to be challenged. Here is what he said in Philippians 4:11,

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

"God, Help us to seek You that our happiness might last.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Hundreds dead – MSN enthuses about “Wacky and Wonderful Weather Phenomena”

The growing weather tragedy in Europe is being reported as "Wacky & Wonderful" weather? Seriously?!

Villages buried under 4-5 meters of snow . … and MSN writes of “Wacky & Wonderful Weather Phenomena.” 140,000 trapped by snow – Death toll rises past 550, people tunneling through 15 feet of snow to get out of their homes, hundreds of barns collapse in Italy … and MSN writes of “Wacky & Wonderful Weather Phenomena.” Unbelievable.

You will just have to go to Robert's site for the full story.

Amazing.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved, and people are being used.” (Anonymous)

The writer of 1 John 2:15 says,

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

"God, help us to remember to hold things loosely and hold people closely.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Ultimate Justice

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


Linda speaks today about ... Justice ...

"If Justice doesn't come from the court system it will come when that person stands before God."
Linda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Linda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the reality that one day all will stand before You ... will be a sense of comfort ... especially when a child has been the victim of some human crime. You will hold each accountable.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Happy Valentines Day!

“Assumptions are the termites of relationships.”
(Henry Winkler)

It is not enough to assume someone knows you love him or her; we must remind that one often--daily if possible. It is not enough to assume someone knows you appreciate what that one has have done for you. Again, you must be consistent in your appreciation.

In the same manner, it is a sin not to worship God, telling Him daily how much you love Him and appreciate His love for you. Jesus reminded us in John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"God, thank You for Your love for us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Tragedy unfolding in Europe – Is U.S. media trying to ignore it?

Perhaps the MSM will not be able to ignore the tragedy growing in Europe and Asia much longer? Heart breaking.

“The cold snap in Europe, which began in late January, has killed hundreds and brought deep snow where it hasn’t been seen in decades,” says this article in the Seattle Times.

This should be front page news. Instead, the article doesn’t appear until page eight. And the title, “At least 3 killed in avalanche in Kosovo,” belies the seriousness of the situation. (The print version carries a different headline: “Cold snap, snow lock down Europe.”)

How about a headline that tells it like it is?

140,000 trapped by snow – Death toll rises past 550.

That headline would give readers a glimpse of what’s really happening in Europe, where snow drifts reaching above the rooftops have kept tens of thousands of villagers prisoners in their own homes.....

Go to Robert's site, Ice Age Now, to read the whole story and follow the links.

Lord, have mercy.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Yahweh, Day 243

Day 243

Yahweh

... you will be My people ...

"I will honor the holiness of My great name ... The nations will know that I am Yahweh ... Then you will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God."
Ezekiel 36:23-28 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's patience is remarkable. Just to ponder for a moment.

The Great I Am ... Creator of all there is ... having to somehow look and long for a people out of all His creation ... that He can call His own.

No credit to us here ... only wonder and awe.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

No Time Limits

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


Alisa speaks today about ... time ...

"To take all the time I need. Don't let someone else put time limits on how long you should grieve...before it is considered abnormal."
Jane

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Jane, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the time of grieving will take on a whole sacred value to these dear souls ... knowing that their grief is actually a reflection of Your Presence in their hearts.

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.

I remember when I was in elementary school there was a pretty girl whose desk was two rows over from mine. She had long blond hair that she wore in a ponytail.

On Valentine’s Day we all exchanged cards. I spent hours looking through all the cards to find just the right one to put her name on. On the card it said, Be My Valentine Always! I signed my name and put lots of X’s and O’s on the card. The next day when she opened the card she looked at me and smiled. Even with a missing front tooth – she was beautiful!

For the next two weeks we were in love. We sat together in lunch and even held hands. It was wonderful. But, then she decided she liked Tommy better, and my heart was broken. I thought I would die.

Sometimes human love doesn’t last. But I’m so glad that God’s love does - it is eternal. The LORD said,

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jer. 32:3)

And in Romans we read,

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:35-39)

I want you to know that God will never change His mind about loving you. He wants to be your Valentine forever. Will you accept His love today?

Daily Nugget

Monday, February 13th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"I don't pray for God to take my problems away, I pray only for God to give me the strength to go through them."
(Jose Lozno)

It is through our challenges that we grow. What we have gone through makes us who we are. Jesus reminds us in Matthews 27:20,

“Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.”

"God, thank You for our challenges and your presence through them.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Daily Nugget

Sunday, February 12th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
(Winston Churchill)

We enjoy the company of optimists. They lift our spirits and challenge us to greater heights. The apostle Paul looked at his challengers and responded with these words in Philippians 4:13,

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

"God, help us to see and claim the power we have in You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Yahweh, Day 242

Day 242

Yahweh

... demonstration ...

".... The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight .... I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances."
Ezekiel 36:23-27 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's desire is to demonstrate His Holiness through His people ... pretty sobering desire when compared to our experience ... as His people. Could this be our accusation? "I see the holiness of God in you people!"

This was in fact the first accusation of the early followers of Christ ... thus the derisive title, "Christian," spoken through pursed lips of ridicule. The word meaning "little Christ" because that is what they saw in His followers. (Acts 11:26)

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Snow in Europe cuts off tens of thousands

The MSM is finally having to report what is taking place in Europe, and perhaps soon they will begin reporting what is going on in Asia as well where it is even worse.

Snow drifts reaching up to rooftops kept tens of thousands of villagers prisoners in their own homes Saturday as the death toll from Europe's big freeze rose past 550.

More heavy snow fell on the Balkans and in Italy, while the Danube river, already closed to shipping for hundreds of kilometres (miles) because of thick ice, froze over in Bulgaria for the first time in 27 years.

Montenegro's capital of Podgorica was brought to a standstill by snow 50 centimetres (20 inches) deep, a 50-year record, closing the city's airport and halting rail services to Serbia because of an avalanche.

Eight more people were reported to have died in Romania, taking the toll for the country to 65, three in Serbia, one in the Czech Republic and one in Austria.

Polish fire brigade spokesman Pawel Fratcak said Saturday that defective heating had triggered a spate of deadly blazes in houses and apartments, with eight people killed on Friday night and three the night before.

New Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu and his defence and interior ministers, who were sworn in only on Thursday, flew by helicopter to the eastern Buzau region, one of the worst hit, on Saturday.

He called on the authorities to work hard to beat the challenges facing them, as food threatened to run out in some villages in spite of air drops.

At Carligul Mic firemen and volunteers helped people dig tunnels and trenches in the snow reaching to the house roofs in some places.

"I've never seen as much snow in my whole life," resident Aneta Dumitrache, 78, told an AFP photographer.

Authorities said an estimated 30,000 people were still cut off in Romania, and more than 110,000 in the Balkan countries, including 60,000 in Montenegro, nearly 10 percent of the population......

And the global warming alarmists continue to push for their grant money from our pockets ... while many thousand more prepare to die from the cold and the next tragedy of lack of food from failed crops because of the cold.

God, have mercy.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Be Gentle

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


Alisa speaks today about ... gentleness ...

"Be gentle with yourself and those around you."
Alisa

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Alisa, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the gentleness of Your Presence will fill each heart ... and Your Grace will wrap them in Your arms of understanding.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Saturday, February 11th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God; it whets our appetite.”
(Eugene H. Peterson)

When we draw nearer to God, He draws nearer to us, for as we spend time with Him, we want to spend more time with Him. The writer of Psalms 73:25-26 says,

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”

"God, let us fall in love with You all over…every day.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good...All the time!

Villages buried under 4-5 meters of snow

“23.000 people are isolated, how many people and animals have died we don’t know since nobody can reach there.”

Snow above the roof tops. All you see are the chimneys.

People have to climb down through trenches to get into their homes.

H/T Ice Age Now! You’ve GOT to watch these videos! .....

You really need to go see the videos, then ask yourself why we are not being told about this tragedy in our news?

God, have mercy.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Rash decisions

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


Bobbie speaks today about ... time and decisions ...

"To take one breath at a time and make no rash decisions."
Bobbie

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Bobbie, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the decisions that are faced each day will be made with the right sense of time and levity, and never out of frustration or pain. Your help is needed for this, without You, they would fail.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Friday, February 10th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“God had nothing to do with it!” the scientist insisted. Birds are able to navigate when they migrate because they have a compass inside their head. That’s all. But then somebody asks these scientists writing in the current issue of the journal Nature who sets the compass to adjust for the earth’s rotation. “Well, that,” the scientist said, “that remains a mystery.”
(Associated Press, 8-5-93)

Genesis 1:1 starts out, “In the beginning, God….” When we get that "beginning" wrong, our whole perspective is wrong. The apostle Paul in Colossians 1:16-17 says,

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

"God, thank You for the mysteries that confuse the wise.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good... All the time!

Lorax, the Anti-Industrialist for kids

Who knew that Dr. Seuss was an anti-industrialist and a global warming alarmist?

Evidently Universal Pictures knows ...

LOS ANGELES – The Lorax, perhaps the most famous anti-industrial crusader from children's literature, is about to become a big-time corporate spokesman.

With a host of commercial tie-ins — albeit for eco-friendly products —Universal Pictures will begin promoting "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" this month. The animated movie, set for release March 2 in North America, is about a creature who "speaks for the trees" and fights rampant industrialism in a retelling of the Dr. Seuss children's book first published in 1971.

The studio's nearly 70 launch partners — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Whole Foods Market (WFM)— are seeking to latch onto the Lorax's nature-friendly message. ......

USA Today article

And all the while Europe and northern Asia are freezing to death under extreme cold weather conditions, as well as other parts of our world.

God, have mercy.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Thursday, February 9th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Heaven's delight will far outweigh earth's difficulties."
(Anonymous)

There is much truth in the comment above. Several times in the past several years, that statement has been widely quoted by many. Centuries ago, the apostle Paul said it this way in Romans 8:18,

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

"God, thank You for being with us here on earth as we go through each trial.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Good ... All the time

An inch at a time

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


Kay speaks today about ... inches ...

One day - I just felt I couldn't do the day - - it was so painful - - a dear friend who also had lost a son years earlier told me - - an inch at a time - - just get thru an inch - - amazing - - because forever is such long time, there are days I just need to get thru an inch - - almost 16 years later, I'm still here & I still take his advice.
Kay

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Kay, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the strength to simply put one foot in front of another will be theirs .... with Your grace and strength.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012.



Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“There’s one thing we need above everything else: It’s something we don’t talk about these days. We need a mighty avalanche of conviction of sin.”
(Leonard Ravenhill)

We live in a "do it my way" world where almost anything goes and we rationalize anything that might be close. The wise writer of Proverbs 14:12 puts it this way:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

"God, forgive us of our sins and help us to return to being a nation that seeks and follows You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.