XtnYoda

Yahweh, Day 238

2012-02-01T13:56:00.000-06:00

Day 238

Yahweh

... A Heart of Flesh ...

"I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. 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 give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:23-26 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"I will give" says Yahweh.

A stone is hard and cold, thus the heart of one without Christ. Now we may be tempted to think of those we might know that are without Christ that seem kind, caring, warm, gently, loving, or a host of other great character qualities but ... how responsive can they be toward Yahweh ... personally? They can not ... their spiritual hearts are stone cold dead. They can not hear God nor know God ... until ... Yahweh gives them a new heart ... a heart of flesh.

This represents a heart that is responsive, submissive to the Holy Spirit. We must know that the "righteousness" of man cannot work the righteousness of God ... no matter how meaningful or earnest their lives appear to others. Only God can open the heart of stone ... and create a heart of flesh.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

I didn't take it

2012-02-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

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

Megan speaks today about ... not remembering ...

"I don't remember being given any advice. I think I am the only one in my family and within my friends who has lost a child. If advice was given I don't remember and I didn't take it."
Megan

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Megan, and all who have lost a child. I pray that even though they may not remember any advice, that they will always know that there were and are those who really do care.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-02-01T08:12:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
(John Wooden)

Our character is who we are when no one is looking. Our character, therefore, is infinitely more important because it is who we are to self and to God. The writer of Hebrews 12:28 tells us:

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

"God, teach us to live pleasing to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 237

2012-01-31T18:22:00.000-06:00

Day 237

Yahweh

... Gives a new spirit ...

"I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. 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 give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:23-26 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"I will give" says Yahweh.

In the Genesis account of creation, Yahweh forms man from the dust of the ground, then ... breaths ... into the man the breath of life. The Hebrew word for "breath" is the same as the Hebrew word of "spirit" ... Yahweh breathed into the man ... spirit.

Warning the man of the consequence of sin was a powerful two pronged warning. The Hebrew literally says, "Dying thou shalt die." 2 deaths.

Dying, in the incomplete verb form, man would begin the physical process of dying.

Die, in the complete form of the Hebrew, man would die immediately, completed action.

At the fall, man began dying physically, and thus we all die. At the fall, man died spiritually, the spirit of man died that day. Separated from Yahweh pictured in the expulsion from the garden. And ... a person is dead spiritually until Yahweh once again breaths into that person the breath of life.

A person without Christ is spiritually dead.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Keeper of my daughter's memory

2012-01-31T18:10:00.000-06:00

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

Mickey speaks today about ... preserving memories ...

"The best advice I received is from another angel mom who reached out to me on a grief forum site that I found about two weeks after Marti died. She told me I was the keeper of my daughter's memory and it was up to me to go on each day in order to make sure she is never forgotten. That has been the thought I remember whenever I feel like I can't go on another day without her and it lifts me right back up to my feet again."
Mickey

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Mickey, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day of keeping those precious memories alive ... will heal and bring meaning to the life of these grieving parents.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-31T11:33:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“It is too bad that anything so obvious should need to be said at this late date, but from all appearances, we Christians have about forgotten the lesson so carefully taught by Paul: God’s servants are not to be competitors, but co-workers.”
(A.W. Tozer)

The apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians and us with these words in 1 Corinthians 1:10,

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

"God, teach us to dwell together as brothers and sisters without jealousy in our service to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

Everything

2012-01-30T21:16:00.002-06:00

Daily Nugget

2012-01-30T07:51:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 30th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“If you think you are too small to have an impact, try to go to sleep with a mosquito in the room.”
(unknown)

Each of us has limitations, but each also has a purpose. We must be what we can be for the glory of God. The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:27 reminds us:

“God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

"God, use what we have to bring honor to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Daily Nugget

2012-01-29T07:20:00.000-06:00

Sunday, January 29th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."
(C. S. Lewis)

The average person says (either verbally or by lifestyle), “I’ve got this.... I am going to do it my way.” The wise person relinquishes self-control and prays as Jesus did as He prayed in Matthew 26:42,

“Thy will be done.”

"God, let my will conform to Yours.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 236

2012-01-28T17:57:00.003-06:00

Day 236

Yahweh

... Gives ...

"I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. 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 give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:23-26 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"I will give" says Yahweh.

What has the world given us? For that matter, what have we given ourselves?

In this passage we find that our God is the only giver that can give that which is not only new ... but ... that which will eternally remain new. In the world we find the principle of aging. All that we know and experience grows old. Not so with this great 'new' work of Yahweh. There is nothing of more value than that which will never grow old ... that which will never tarnish.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Best Advice

2012-01-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

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

Marisa speaks today about ... never ...

Best advice .. that life will NEVER, EVER BE THE SAME!!!
Marisa

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Marisa, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each one will gently come to understand that with the loss of their child that their lives are changed forever. I know this is very difficult ... but necessary. And, that life will go on ... though never the same.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-28T09:02:00.000-06:00

Saturday, January 28th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Were we to permit to remain even the tiniest little sin which we know our conscience has condemned, we instantly would lose that perfect fellowship with God.”
(Watchman Nee)

Not only does God dislike the break-in fellowship with us, He provides the wherewithal for us to be back in perfect fellowship and harmony with Him. The apostle John tells us,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1John 1:9)

"God, cleanse our hearts from all sin, even the secret sin that causes us to be separated from You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 235

2012-01-27T21:46:00.000-06:00

Day 235

Yahweh

... idols ...

"The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols."
Ezekiel 36:23-25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Idols.

It is very easy to sit in amazement at Israel's constant tendency to give in to idolatry. However, what would you think that we might have as idols in our day and time ... even though not made of wood or stone?

Yahweh considers anything an idol that might compete for one aspect in our lives ... security.

What are the things that you might look to for security as opposed to trusting in Yahweh first and foremost? A person? A group? A government? An investment?

What is your hope for tomorrow? If it is to be found in anything other than Yahweh ... it is an idol ... and beware ... God is determined to tear down all idols.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

There's no time limit

2012-01-27T21:34:00.000-06:00

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

Teena speaks today about ... time ...

The best advice was given to my by one of my counselors at The Life Center of Tampa. There's no time limit to grieving. Every person is different. We grieve in our own way, in our own time.
Teena

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Teena, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each one will realize that time can never erase their memories of the children they have given life to.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-27T07:57:00.000-06:00

Friday, January 27th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Let thy words be few.”
(Ecclesiastes 5:2)

At first glance, this is good advice for today’s politicians; however, most of us need that same advice. May our conversation be true, encouraging, and a blessing to those with whom we communicate.

"God, let our communication be a blessing to You and to our acquaintances.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

A turning point for me

2012-01-26T09:40:00.000-06:00

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

Karen speaks today about ... belief systems ...

To concentrate on where my son was ... Heaven, with God ... and within all the glories surrounding the belief system of life thereafter ... and to not dwell on where he was not. My friend wrote a very beautiful poem in memory of him that became ... a turning point for me. The poem spoke of these thoughts and how his Spirit is everywhere and surrounded in everything of existence, including me. Her profound words carved the stepping stones toward my pathway to peace and acceptance and were a gentle reminder of my Faith ... of which I heavily lean on to make it through ... God's Blessings to all of you.
Karen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Karen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each one will have that 'special' friend that will shed a glimmer of radiant light ... into the grieving darkness.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-26T06:43:00.000-06:00

Thursday, January 26th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be—not what you nag them to be.”
(Scudder Parker)

I have a friend who can find a way not to do what you try to make him do unless encouraged in the proper way. If you try to force him to do something, he will rebel in every way possible. It has been said, ”Trying to make him do something is like trying to push a chain.” On the other hand, if you properly exploit his proper form of motivation, he can and will perform the task as he should.

The apostle Paul in Romans 12:6-8 tells us,

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

"God, help us to encourage one another in the gifts You give us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 234

2012-01-25T13:17:00.000-06:00

Day 234

Yahweh

... accepted ...

"The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols."
Ezekiel 36:23-25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

On this day we will simply observe ... included in the meaning of being made clean ... and that by the work of Yahweh ... is the understanding of being made 'ceremonially' clean.

The Old Testament makes great efforts to prescribe/describe the human ceremonies/rituals/obligations necessary to make ourselves ... presentable ... to come before ... to enter the presence ... of Yahweh. Without exception ... we each and every one ... failed.

That presented us with a problem. Yahweh solved our problem.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-25T09:13:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“If there are a thousand steps between us and God, he will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.”
(Max Lucado)

As with the prodigal son when we chose to come to God we find He runs to us. He will not force us, we make the choice and find He was there all the time. “The writer of Joshua 24:15 says,

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve.”

"God, thank You for waiting for us, and wanting us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

One statement anchored me

2012-01-24T17:53:00.000-06:00

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

Barbara speaks today about ... an anchor ...

It wasn't exactly advice, but a statement that really lodged in my heart. I lost my son, my only child, when he was 18. After an annual remembrance Mass for him, my priest and I were talking, and he said, "You're still a mother." ... Somehow that one quiet sentence has lived in my heart. I don't know how it is for others, but losing my only child left me feeling adrift; I'd been a mom, but now my child was dead ... so who was I? In some way known only to God, that one statement anchored me back in myself.
Barbara

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Barbara, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each one will find their anchor ... that reminds them of their worth ... and privilege.
xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-24T06:54:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Communion is strength; solitude is weakness. Alone, the free old beech yields to the blast and lies prone on the meadow. In the forest, supporting each other, the trees laugh at the hurricane. The sheep of Jesus flock together. The social element is the genius of Christianity.”
(Charles Spurgeon)

The blood line of the family of God is stronger and healthier than human DNA can ever create. The writer of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us:

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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, thank You for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Good again

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-06:00

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

Kim speaks today about ... future days ...

"Life will never be the same but it can be good again!!!"
Kim

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Kim, and all who have lost a child. I pray that there will be a hope for the future that includes joy again.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-23T07:15:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 23rd, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“You must live with people to know their problems, and live with God in order to solve them.”
(P. T. Forsyth)

Our trials give us experience to encourage others in their situations, but walking with God gives us the compassion to reach out to others in His Love. The writer of 1John 2:6 puts it this way:

“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

"God, let our walk with You lead others to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Know God is with me always

2012-01-22T22:14:00.000-06:00

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

Susan speaks today about ... trusting ...

"Grieve in my own way, not how others say I should. Others don't know my pain. Take one day, hour, minute at a time to work through this. Know that God is with me always. Kevin, March 26, 1979 - August 14, 2006"
Susan

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Susan, and all who have lost a child. I ask that their trust in You will become more real and vibrant with each passing day.

xtnyoda, shalomed

The Chaplains Corner

2012-01-22T22:03:00.000-06:00

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.

Sometimes I get in trouble for being - short and to the point. But sometimes people like that, especially when I’m preaching a sermon. I like the word ‘concise’. It means “expressing or covering much in few words; brief in form but comprehensive in scope”. When I ask my Assistant Chaplains to do reports I tell them to be concise.

There are a lot of Bible verses that are concise. Most everyone knows that the shortest verse in the Bible is

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

But, do you know the second shortest verse in the Bible? It’s one that certainly fits the definition for concise. First Thessalonians 5:17 says,

“Pray continually.”

That’s a good reminder for us today; ‘Pray all the time.’ If you’re too busy to pray – then you’re too busy!

Someone has said ‘A day without prayer is a day without blessing; and a life without prayer is a life without power.’ Prayer is our connection to God. Prayer helps keep our spiritual battery charged. Prayer helps us focus on the eternal.

May I ask – how much time do you spend in prayer? Now you don’t have to be on your knees; but you have to be consciously connected to the Lord. Are you there?

Daily Nugget

2012-01-22T07:15:00.000-06:00

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
(C. S. Lewis)

Christianity is the following of Christ. God loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to bring salvation to us. Jesus tells 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.”

Following Him is infinitely important.

"God, thank You for sending Your son to make a difference in our eternal destination.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

This is as good as it gets

2012-01-21T10:57:00.000-06:00

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

Gill speaks today about ... hearing the breaking news ...

"The Police officer who stood with me in the garden shortly after breaking the news of my 16 year old son's death and as I was rambling in shock said 'make the most of this time (he meant time in shock) this is as good as it gets'.........he was so so right for many years"
Gill

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Gill, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day will provide some small measure of ... distance ... from the first shock.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Joe Bastardi hammering Warming Alarmists

2012-01-21T08:56:00.001-06:00

Joe Bastardi, of Weatherbell Analytices, formerly of The Weather Channel, has had a belly full of the lies and coverup by the global warming alarmists.

I strongly suspected that Joe's growing concerns over the lying alarmists was a major reason for his departing The Weather Channel a year or so ago, and this new release by Joe adds to that feeling. He gets pretty down right explicit in his revelations about what is going on with the economy and the mess coming out of the EPA and Washington, and the tremendous negative economic impact on our nation and the world.

Of course the poorest people are the ones that are being most severely hurt by all of this, the least of these, as Christ would say.

Global temps in a Crash as AGW proponents Crash the Economy
By Joe Bastardi, Weatherbell Analytics

When the PDO turned cold, most of the meteorological and climate community understood that the pattern was turning very similar the last time of the PDO reversal, the 1950s, and it was a matter of time before the global temperatures, which have leveled off, would start falling in the same herby jerky fashion they had risen when the PDO turned warm at the end of the 1970s. I am not going to rehash the sordid details of how the AGW crowd simply ignores the major drivers of a cyclical nature. We all know that. Nor am I going to question them as to why they believe a trace gas like co2 (needed for life on the planet) with a specific gravity of 1.5 as compared to the atmospheres 1.0, was going to mix with air in a way to affect the earth’s temperatures. Instead I am going to drive home points I have been making since 2007 and are now dramatically validating.
....
Currently, with gas so high because we are being handcuffed by an administration that won’t drill (if gas was a 1.50 lower, it would be worth a half trillion dollars to the economy) and an EPA that is causing untold economic damage (I would conservatively etiolate a half trillion dollars, from jobs lost to burdensome regulations) along with a 100 billion dollar subsidy to fight global warming world wide, it is costing each ACTUAL TAX PAYER close to 7000 dollars (1.1 trillion divided by 150 million tax payers).

One has to wonder, how even the most dogmatic of them don't look at the actual facts, how they can continue to carry on their denial while the results of such things handcuff the American economy and cause untold misery for many as our wealth is not only redistributed, but dwindles. One can only conclude this is being done on purpose, and with purpose.

Go read the full PDF by Mr. Bastardi, complete with graphs ... then ponder the evil madness of the global warming alarmists, and the damage they are committing to those least able to help themselves.

H/T Mr Bastardi!!!

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-21T07:57:00.000-06:00

Saturday, January 21st, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15 tells us,

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

It is not as easy for us humans as Jesus makes it sound. That gives credence to the expression by Alexander Pope, “To err is human, to forgive divine.”

"God, help us to learn to forgive as You forgive us who have sinned against You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 233

2012-01-20T12:44:00.000-06:00

Day 233

Yahweh

... clean ...

"The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols."
Ezekiel 36:23-25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Not only does Yahweh maintain the right to locate who He wishes ... to where ever He wishes (this is work on the outward circumstances of humans) notice here the first work of God on individuals. He cleanses us.

All the efforts of any of us would never cleanse us nor prepare us ... to walk in The Glory ... with The Holy One. This is the exclusive work of Yahweh alone.

What a relief to be ... clean.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Never stay

2012-01-20T12:27:00.000-06:00

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

Denise speaks today about ... never staying ...

"My therapist said it was okay to grieve, it's okay if you go, BUT never "stay" there. I try to remember that, because my son is in my heart and on my mind every second of everyday. I Love you baby!"
Denise

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Denise, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day will carry it's own burdens ... and at the end of the day we will be able to close the door ... and open tomorrow.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-20T06:53:00.000-06:00

Friday, January 20th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Habitat for Humanity started officially in 1976, but it began unofficially when founder Millard Fuller went to Zaire with a church group to build not-for-profit houses in 1968. With a beginning undergirded with little except prayer and vision for what God could do, Habitat has grown into one of the nation’s largest home builders. Fuller describes Habitat as an “alive, dynamic, Christ-centered movement” that welcomes Christians and non-Christians to participate in building houses for the poor. Fuller takes special delight when people listen to the message behind the sweat, nails, and saws. Recently, he returned to the sight of a Jimmy Carter Work Project in Charlotte, N.C. He spotted a five-year-old boy playing in the yard of the house that Carter had helped build. After Fuller complimented the boy on his beautiful home, he asked him who built it, expecting to hear the boy say, “Jimmy Carter.” Instead, the boy said, “Jesus built my house.”
—The Columbus Dispatch, 6-20-92

The young man "got it." The most important thing is not who we are, but whose we are. The apostle Paul give us this advice in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3,

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

"God, let others see You in all we do.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Good advice

2012-01-19T16:11:00.000-06:00

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

Anne speaks today about ... good counsel ...

"The best thing that I was told was to join compassionate friends and go to their meetings."
Anne Liddell

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Anne, and all who have lost a child. I pray that will step out and find the support that is available, and thank you for those who give of their time to give.
xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-19T05:52:00.000-06:00

Thursday, January 19th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"If a man is at variance with his fellow men, if he is a quarrelsome, competitive, argumentative, trouble-making creature; he may be a diligent church attender, he may even be a church office-bearer; but he is not a man of God. But if a man is at one with his fellow men, if his relations with his fellow men are marked by love and unity and concord then that man is on the way to being a man of God."
(William Barclay)

The apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 says,

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

May our walk be reflective of our time spent with God.

"God, let us walk with You lead others to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

You'll never hear him complain

2012-01-18T15:29:00.011-06:00

You'll never hear him complain

Semper Fi! Marine!

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-18T05:56:00.003-06:00

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”
(Thomas Morell)

The greatest example to walk the earth challenges us with these words in John 13:15,

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

"God, let our walk with You teach others to follow You, also.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Everybody wants to "fix" it

2012-01-17T23:43:00.000-06:00

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

Tami speaks today about ... appreciation ...

My husband said to me one day shortly after my daughter's death..."I know I can't fix it for you but if there is anything I can do to help you please just tell me." I really did appreciate those words. Everybody always wants to "fix" it but they can't!
Tami

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Tami, and all who have lost a child. I pray that those around them will be willing to help, for often the willingness ... is more important than what might be done.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-17T08:23:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“No man ever listened himself out of a job.”
(Calvin Coolidge)

The ability to listen effectively is a gift in itself. The wise man who wrote Proverbs 1:5 gives us this advice:

“A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance.”

"God, teach me to listen for Your words of wisdom.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 232

2012-01-16T21:39:00.000-06:00

Day 232

Yahweh

demonstrating holiness

"The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land."
Ezekiel 36:23-24 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Notice here how God reserves the right and power to relocate entire people groups. When He does, as in this case, it will always have a spiritual purpose, and that purpose is to convince all nations that Yahweh alone is The Living God. And He is good.

Ultimately in this we see the purpose of Yahweh for all of humanity, and that is to demonstrate His love, provision, protection, and compassion.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Always with a hole in your heart

2012-01-16T21:24:00.000-06:00

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

Peg speaks today about ... leaning ...

"The best advice I got was to seek counseling, lean on others when you need to, and that this grief process is gonna be a life-long process. It is nothing you get over, or get through - it is learning to COPE, each and every day, and though the grief gets "softer" in time, it will never go away, but you are eventually able to smile, even able to enjoy life again, though always with a hole in your heart that never goes away..."
Peg

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Peg, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day brings them a little more joy, a little more healing, and a lot more love.

xtnyoda, shalomed

"Pretty is cherished. Hotness, on the other hand, is a commodity."

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000-06:00

This thoughtful rendering taken from Brutally Honest

Pat Archbold laments the loss of pretty:

Once upon a time, women wanted to project an innocence. I am not idealizing another age and I have no illusions about the virtues of our grandparents, concupiscence being what it is. But some things were different in the back then. First and foremost, many beautiful women, whatever the state of their souls, still wished to project a public innocence and virtue. And that combination of beauty and innocence is what I define as pretty.

By nature, generally when men see this combination in women it brings out their better qualities, their best in fact. That special combination of beauty and innocence, the pretty inspires men to protect and defend it.

Young women today do not seem to aspire to pretty, they prefer to be regarded as hot. Hotness is something altogether different. When women want to be hot instead of pretty, they must view themselves in a certain way and consequently men view them differently as well.

As I said, pretty inspires men’s nobler instincts to protect and defend. Pretty is cherished. Hotness, on the other hand, is a commodity. Its value is temporary and must be used. It is a consumable.

Nowhere is this pretty deficit more obvious than in our “stars,” the people we elevate as the “ideal.” The stars of the fifties surely suffered from the same sin as do stars of today. Stars of the fifties weren’t ideal but they pursued a public ideal different from today.

The merits of hotness over pretty is easy enough to understand, they made an entire musical about it. Who can forget how pretty Olivia Newton John was at the beginning of Grease. Beautiful and innocent. But her desire to be desired leads her to throw away all that is valuable in herself in the vain hopes of getting the attention of a boy. In the process, she destroys her innocence and thus destroys the pretty. What we are left with is hotness.

Hotness is a consumable. A consumable that consumes as it is consumed but brings no warmth.

Most girls don’t want to be pretty anymore even if they understand what it is. It is ironic that 40 years of women’s liberation has succeeded only in turning women into a commodity. Something to be used up and thrown out.

Of course men play a role in this as well, but women should know better and they once did. Once upon a time you would hear girls talk about kind of women men date and the kind they marry. You don’t hear things like that anymore

But here is the real truth. Most men prefer pretty over hot.

I can't help but think that a piece like this would be seen by most as prudish and puritanical. It's sad but true. I found it to hit the nail on the head though maybe I need to come to grips with the fact that I'm simply an old prude. Not sure. I really do however think that most men prefer pretty over hot, at least those men who are looking for life long mates.

The piece finishes with a plea for girls to bring back pretty.

To that I give a hearty amen.

H/T Brutally Honest

The Chaplains Corner

2012-01-16T06:59:00.000-06:00

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.

Say, do you remember this; “Plop Plop Fizz Fizz oh what a relief it is.” If you’re over fifty then you probably know I’m talking about, Alka Seltzer; it brings relief.

Relief, that’s a great word and an even better feeling. Webster defines relief as, ‘the removal or lightening of something oppressive, painful, or distressing.’

The Bible says,

“In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

And then it says,

“Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins.”
(Eph. 1:7-8 & 2:4-5)

Talk about Relief with a capital R – that’s what Redemption is. There are two kinds of heart burn; physical and spiritual. Alka Seltzer can make your belly feel better – but only having Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord will relieve the pain in your heart. That’s Divine Relief; ‘the removal of something oppressive.’; your sins are gone!

Do you know what I’m talking about?

Daily Nugget

2012-01-16T05:41:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 16th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
(William Carey)

Our God is an awesome God. He is able to do greater things than we are able to begin to comprehend. The writer of Micah 7:7 said it this way:

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.”

"God, You are Holy and dependable and able to do all we can ask or dream.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Daily Nugget

2012-01-15T07:00:00.003-06:00

Sunday, January 15th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Opposition is a fact: the Christian who is not conscious of being opposed had better watch himself for he is in danger.”
(J. I. Packer)

The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12,

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

When we think we have no enemy, we should check to see if we might be walking hand-in-hand with the opposition.

"God, help us to see and know the ways of the enemy so our ways might be pleasing to You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

A little humor for today

2012-01-14T14:16:00.000-06:00

Tebow has elevated himself to a rare level of interest ... now the witches are after him!

Enjoy!

(By the way, xtnyoda, is still pulling for the Saints!

Salem witches plan to give Tom Brady a spiritual lift for Tebow rematch
By Doug Farrar

God may be Tim Tebow's co-pilot, but it seems that Tom Brady, the quarterback Tebow's going up against this Saturday in the divisional round of the playoffs, has some otherworldly support from an unexpected source. A group of witches (Wicca? We want to be politically correct around here) in Salem, Massachusetts (yes, that Salem, Massachusetts), planned to gather on Friday the 13th (spooky!) to try and beat the Sports Illustrated cover curse for the New England Patriots quarterback, and give him the most supernatural force possible when going up against Tebow's Denver Broncos.

We're pretty sure we're not making this up.

Sorceress Laurie "Lorelei" Stathopoulos said that her coven wasn't quite as successful when planning a recent spiritual intervention for Charlie Sheen (for which Mr. Sheen was not actually present), but there are better hopes this time.

"You know, we had a hard time getting all the girls [fellow witches] to come," Lorelei told the Boston Herald of the Sheen attempt. "But when we told them this Circle was for Tom Brady, oh, everybody will be there!"

Ah — so attendance is key. According to the Herald, this is how it goes:

At the 10-minute ceremony at Crow Haven Corner, the city's first witch shop, there will be an altar set up with a Brady puppet — sewn for the occasion by another local sorceress — and mojo bags filled with herbs and stones for every Patriots player.

Lorelei said she will use the Tebow gesture and chant the following: "Tom Brady will see what he needs to see, be where he needs to be and will take the Patriots to another victory."

The nice part is that the coven will not actually be trying to put any sort of bad juju on Tebow himself — these Magical Mystery Tourists are staying positive with this action and just helping out their main man. But to actually Tebow while doing so? Isn't that playing both ends against the middle?

"We want the true champion to come out on Saturday night," fellow broom-rider Lori Bruno told the Herald. "But since we live in Patriot Land, it's red, white and blue and make the dream come true!"

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who may want to talk to these folks about a consultancy (he is an outside-the-box strategic thinker, after all) could not have said it better himself.

All in good humor I'm sure!

Too funny! At least they will not be burned in a pile of rubbish!

God Bless and protect both the Patriots and the Broncos!

xtnyoda, shalomed

She was part of me

2012-01-14T13:54:00.000-06:00

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

Angelique speaks today about ... advice ...

"No best advice... most said to move on... and that after I've lost my 19 year old daughter... It made me angry and still does... she was part of me and will always be..."
Angelique

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Angelique, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will understand that when one loses someone that is a part of their very fiber ... then that relationship never ceases ... the one lost will always be a part of who they are. And may there be some peace in that truth.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-14T09:15:00.000-06:00

Saturday, January 14th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and say, why not?.”
(George Bernard Shaw)

God gives us the wisdom to see a finished solution before we begin. We just need to follow the advice of the writer of James 1:5 who says,

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given Him."

"God, remind us to ask for Your wisdom and then to walk in it.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Daily Nugget

2012-01-13T06:59:00.000-06:00

Friday, January 13th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.”
(Solomon Ibn Gabirol)

Our words can make or break us. With our words, we have the power to make others smile or crush their spirits.

The writer of James 3:7-8 says,

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

"God, help us choose and use the words You give us wisely.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Grieving is never ending

2012-01-12T22:51:00.000-06:00

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

Sandra speaks today about ... receiving ...

"After the loss of my son I was given two bits of advice. 1) allow people to help and become comfortable and gracious with receiving; 2) when asked how many children you have respond with the total number you had not how many are surviving. Best advice aside from that fact that grieving is a never ending lifelong emotional state just like never forgetting my loved one."
Sandra

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Sandra, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will receive help from others with Your Grace ... and that they will realize that their grief will last as long as their love for their child.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-12T08:13:00.000-06:00

Thursday, January 12th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece—by thought, choice, courage, and determination.”
(John Luther)

As we walk in a world where deceit and wickedness runs rampant, let us build and guard our character to make a difference in the realm wherein we dwell. Let us join the writer of Psalms 116:9 by following this advice:

“I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”

"God, let us walk before You in such a way as to influence our world.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Awesome

2012-01-11T09:39:00.000-06:00

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

Brenda speaks succinctly today about ... the power of release ...

Brenda to Nancy: "Bawling...******Awesome!!!"

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Brenda, Nancy ... and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will never feel ashamed at the healing power of expressing their grief.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-11T08:36:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Let us keep our mouths shut and our pens dry until we know the facts.”
(Anton J. Carlson)

This is timely advice also for our computers. How many times have rumors burned across the Internet only to be retracted because not all the facts have been told. The apostle Paul gives this good and positive advice in Philippians 4:8,

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

When we follow either (or both) of these words of wisdom, we will find and keep peace.

"God, keep our hearts from secret sin.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 231

2012-01-10T21:23:00.001-06:00

Day 231

Yahweh

to 'profane' The Name

"Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. "Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight."
Ezekiel 36:18-23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

To 'profane' God's name is the equivalent of treating Yahweh with contempt. This is really rather simple to accomplish ... simply live as though there is no God. Ignore Him, deny Him, avoid Him, speak ill of Him, try to live without Him ... all examples of profaning The Name.

Then ... make no mistake ... you will find one day that Yahweh will use you to demonstrate the consequences. You will become a living illustration for all to see.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

All that keeps me going

2012-01-10T21:12:00.000-06:00

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

Char speaks today about ... trust ...

"Memories of my beloved Grandson & trust in the Lord is all that keeps me going. My love for him keeps growing. I will never "get over it", but faith allows me to know I will be reunited with him again."
Char

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Char, and all who have lost a child/grandchild. I pray that their trust in You will grow each day ... and that their faith will be rewarded.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-10T11:36:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“If you can’t win, make the fellow ahead of you break the record.”
(Anonymous)

Even as we strive for excellence, we challenge others to do their best. The writer of Proverbs 27:17 says,

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Let us encourage one another to be the best we can be for God’s glory.

"God, let us encourage others and celebrate their victories as well as ours.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

Words of their memories

2012-01-09T07:55:00.000-06:00

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

Patsy speaks today about ... sharing memories ...

Advice ... I did not need or want. A hug & "I'm sorry" and especially a remembrance of Randy was what I needed and still need 2 years later. People who have not experienced the loss of their child have no idea how much words of their memories mean to a grieving parent.
Patsy

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Patsy, and all who have lost a child. I pray that their friends will support them with some of the most valuable things they can share ... memories of their child.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-09T07:47:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 9th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Sleep with clean hands, either kept clean all day by integrity or washed clean at night by repentance.”
(John Donne)

The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:1 says,

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

"God, thank You for washing me whiter than snow.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 230

2012-01-08T22:36:00.001-06:00

Day 230

Yahweh

Not for your sake ...

"Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. "Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight."
Ezekiel 36:18-23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Have you come to the place that you realize that Yahweh will act in a way that is to the benefit of His Name ... will act for His sake ... even though that might not fit into what we might think is best for our own sake?

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

The Chaplain's Corner

2012-01-08T22:22:00.000-06:00

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.

This week I have been studying John chapter 15 again; there is so much meat there. In verses 4-10, that’s seven verses, Jesus uses the word ‘abide’ or ‘remain’ 9 times. As you read that scripture you can’t help but sense that the Lord really wants to have an intimate relationship with us.

In verse 4 He says, ‘Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you.’ Verse 7 reads, ‘But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.’ And listen to verse 9, ‘I've loved you the way my Father (Almighty God) has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.’

Did you hear that? Jesus said make yourself at home in His love. Do you feel at home in the love of Jesus? Are you comfortable there? Or is it un-familiar territory?

In verse 15 of that chapter Jesus says, ‘I have called you my friend.’ If Jesus had a Facebook page He would invite you to be His friend. Actually He did that and so much more when He died on the cross for your sins. Have you accepted His invitation to be BFF?

Daily Nugget

2012-01-08T09:38:00.000-06:00

Sunday, January 8th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

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

The writer of Deuteronomy 11:16 gives us this warning:

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

As we go to The Lord’s house today, we must not just attend, but we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

"God, let me lose myself as I worship You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Screw what others tell you

2012-01-07T19:12:00.000-06:00

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

Brenda speaks today about ... doing what you need to ...

"From a friend who also lost a child. Do what you need to get through this. Do what works for you and screw what others tell you to do. That's working for me."
Brenda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Brenda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will search and find that which works for them in their grief ... and that You are right in the middle of what they find!

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-07T08:02:00.000-06:00

Saturday, January 7th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Testing the acoustics in the vast Agricultural Hall, Spurgeon shouted, 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.’ A worker high in the rafters of the building heard this and became converted to Christ as a result.”
(Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

God’s word will find a way to complete its mission. The writer of Isaiah 55:11 says it like this,

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Just another reminder that every word we speak counts.

"God, let our words convey Your love to others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

My Christmas Eve

2012-01-06T07:05:00.000-06:00

Shared from the Borg Conspiracy

My Christmas Eve

Something that needs to be shared. Please take the time to watch and listen to the entire presentation.

I had no idea the depth of that pain

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

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

Judy speaks today about ... not judging ...

I worked for a non-profit agency and a fellow staff member lost her son the year before I lost Jason. At Jason's funeral she told me I was one of the few people who seemed to know how she felt when she lost her son. I had no idea the depth ...of that pain. I learned that no one can understand the depth of your pain. Understanding that I have learned not to pass judgement. "All we need is love"
Judy

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Judy, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will be able to focus on their love and support for others who have endured the same loss.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-06T06:50:00.000-06:00

Friday, January 6th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions. And one of the world’s greatest tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little besides ourselves.”
(A.W. Tozer)

The apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 2:4,

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Let us open our hearts, exposing the love God has placed there for others.

"God, let others see Your love through us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

Never stop talking

2012-01-05T10:40:00.000-06:00

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

Stephen speaks today about ... talking ...

"Never stop talking about your lost child. He is just as much a part of your family as ever and always will be."
Stephen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Stephen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will be able to freely speak about their lost child, and that they will be free to do so ... often ... and in their speaking, that they may remember the fond memories that are there.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-05T06:28:00.000-06:00

Thursday, January 5th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The devil tempts us to bring us down, but God tests us to bring us up.”
(Jerry W. Mixon)

When God teaches us something in Sunday school, in sermons, or in our daily quiet time, we can bet we will be given a test. The test is not to see us fail, but to allow us to see how our faith has grown and is carrying us through the trial. Moses shared this informationwith the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 8:2:

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”

Let us learn well the lessons God puts before us.

"God, thank You for being with us in the tests we face and for helping us make the passing grade.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Yahweh, Day 229

2012-01-04T12:57:00.001-06:00

Day 229

Yahweh

The Holy Name

"Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. "Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight."
Ezekiel 36:18-23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's name is referred to by Him as the Holy name. The Hebrew word for holy simply means separate. For example, God being Holy is pointing out that God is separate from sin. The Christian's call to holy living is a call to live separate kinds of lives from the world around us ... in the world, but not of the world.

Yahweh referring to His name as Holy, is pointing out that The Name is totally distinct/separate from any other name. This is why the name Yahweh is above every other name.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

When ... to not listen

2012-01-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

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

Mary speaks today about ... not listening ...

"Don't let anyone tell you how to grieve."
Mary

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Mary, and all who have lost a child. I pray that Your grace will fill their hearts with the wisdom to know when to ... and when not to ... listen to the advise of others.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-04T08:12:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“What we do in the crisis always depends on whether we see the difficulties in the light of God, or God in the shadow of the difficulties.”
(G. Campbell Morgan)

The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6 give us this advice:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

"God, thank You for being there for us in all the trials we face.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

Daily Nugget

2012-01-03T08:29:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Silence does not always mark wisdom.”
(Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

The wise writer of Proverbs 17:28 says it this way:

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

May our speech be sprinkled with wisdom and our silence come at the appropriate time.

"God, give us the wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily.

The Chaplains Corner

2012-01-02T21:19:00.000-06:00

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 was wondering, have you picked out your verse for the New Year yet. At the start of every year I like to pick a verse that I can focus on. Now I may change it, or add another, but it’s a place to start. My verse to start 2012 is Ephesians 4:15,

“Speak the truth with love. So we will grow to be like Christ in every way.”
(ERV)

‘Speak the truth with love’. Do you know what that means?

If I don’t ‘speak the truth’; I’m disobeying God. I’m sinning.

If I do ‘speak the truth’ - but without love; I’m disobeying God. I’m sinning.

Sometimes, in fact many times, it’s easier to not speak the truth. Not actually lie (or so we think), but just not say what actually needs to be said – ‘the truth’.

Sometimes telling someone the truth will make them mad, or hurt their feelings. But does that give me permission to disobey God’s word? I don’t think so. (Luke 6:41-42)

So, ‘speak the truth’ but always ‘With Love’.

If you cannot ‘speak the truth with love’ then you need to repent. Ask God to break your heart and forgive your sin, then go to the one that needs to hear the truth and say it, WITH LOVE! Then and only then can we, “grow to be like Christ in every way.”

Daily Nugget

2012-01-02T21:09:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 2nd, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”
(Edith Lovejoy Pierce)

Life is short; therefore, we must make the most of what God Gives us. The writer of Psalms 90:12 tells us:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

"God, guide our steps this year.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

Let it out

2012-01-01T07:05:00.000-06:00

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

Karen speaks today about ... pain ...

"My aunt, who had lost her grown daughter just a few years before I lost my daughter, Tanela, @ 18, told me the pain never goes away & that crying is therapeutic, healing & no shame...cry alone if it feels better - let it out."
Karen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Karen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that You would grant them each one the freedom to express their pain and sorrow ... without shame.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2012-01-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

Sunday, January 1st, 2012.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”
(W.M. Lewis)

The writer of James 4:14 reminds us how short life is with these words:

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Make every day in 2012 count for God’s glory.

"God, thank You for Your protection through 2011 and for the gift of a New Year in which to serve You.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

Give Him glory daily

Yahweh, Day 228

2011-12-31T10:12:00.005-06:00

Day 228

Yahweh

Concern for The Name

"Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. "Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations-the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh"-the declaration of the Lord God -"when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight."
Ezekiel 36:18-23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh's concern for His Name is paramount in His decisions. His reputation in the world is borne on the shoulders of His people.

Take a moment today and consider your life and the choices you have made. How have your choices and actions presented Yahweh to your world? What do people that know you ... know of Yahweh ... because of your life?

You may not be aware, but Yahweh is.

This is in The Name.

xtnyoda, shalomed

It doesn't happen overnight

2011-12-31T09:59:00.003-06:00

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

Lauretta speaks today about ... being weak ...

"After my sons suicide, I sought some counseling from a priest in my faith. I was told that it would be easier to grieve if I would turn my sorrow for my loss, my anger because I didn't know why my son would do this to me, over to Jesus and... ask him to carry my burdens for me. I did not have the strength to do so. He would carry them on his shoulders enabling me to heal and I would not carry the burden with me. After doing this for some time (it doesn't happen overnight), it was easier to function. I continue to ask Jesus to carry my burdens when life gets a little tough."
Lauretta

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Lauretta, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day will greet them with a new portion of Your strength .... joined with a resolve to roll their burdens onto Your shoulders.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-31T09:52:00.000-06:00

Saturday, December 31st, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

God did not give us a taproot, but gave us two of several things. He gave us two ears to hear what we need to join, and to hear what to avoid. He gave us two eyes to see beauty and to discern danger. He gave us two feet to run to that which is good and to run away from that which is dangerous or evil. He gave us two arms to embrace Him and our fellow man in love.

The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 challenges us with these words:

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

Use all God has given you for His glory.

"God, thank You for creating us as You did. Help us to be what you intended.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Grief is a personal journey

2011-12-30T08:02:00.000-06:00

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

Karen speaks today about ... reason ...

"It's been 6 and 1/2 years and I'm still waiting for the 'best' advice, from the outside anyway... from myself my own best advice from inside my head is to learn how to live my life for 'me' and not for anyone else such as my other kids o...r my husband, etc. And I don't live it a certain way because that is what "Steve" would have wanted. If I can't find a reason for myself, then I can't move forward on my own path. But it took me awhile to come to that conclusion and that is what is working for me now, anyway. Grief is a personal journey, but listening to others that are going through this helps me a great deal too."
Karen

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Karen, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day will greet them with a new resolve ... within themselves ... discovering for themselves ... their life.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-30T07:53:00.000-06:00

Friday, December 30th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“I am glad there are things in the Bible I do not understand. If I could take that book up and read it as I would any other book, I might think I could write a book like that.”
(D.L. Moody)

The apostle Paul says it this way in 1 Corinthians 2:13-14:

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Isn’t it great that God’s ways are higher than our ways?

"God, thank You for the depth of Your love that reaches even to us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Daily Nugget

2011-12-29T12:51:00.000-06:00

Thursday, December 29th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child’s home.”
(William Temple)

Most young children are by nature and nurture fairly pleasant. Sometimes, however, one comes along that is angry, bitter, and even cynical at a very young age. My wife, a teacher, asks herself, “What has this child seen and/or heard at this tender age to make him (or her) act this way?” It is sad that so many children face the abuse and neglect that influences their lives in such negative ways.

Let us take the advice of the writer of 1 Peter 3:8-10, who says,

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

"God, help us to make a difference in others we meet today for Your sake.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is love!

Daily Nugget

2011-12-28T06:09:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
(Unknown)

The apostle Paul gave us this advice in 1Timothy 6:6-8,

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

"God, thank You for the challenges that teach us to look beyond the superficial to the eternal.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Climate Research Shakedown

2011-12-27T09:50:00.000-06:00

The cat is escaping out of the global warming bag ... and the money shake-down of the American tax-payer is coming to light ... and the ruse of Frankensteinian scientists gone bad is becoming more and more apparent to even casual observers.

Climate research,” the New York Times confidently assures us, “stands at a crossroads.” This means that a lot of research scientists are standing at the crossroads, holding out paper bags like trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, standing in line for taxpayer largesse to fill ‘em up.

These specialists in shakedown “science,” who speak only in hyperbole, are calling the weather of 2011 the worst in history, or at least in memory, or maybe a decade, and say they could have found useful links between disasters and global-warming “science” by now if only they could shake down tightwad taxpayers for a few more millions.
.......
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that 70 percent of the various species on the planet will be wiped out if global warming continues at the predicted rate. Floods, droughts, hurricanes, blizzards and other bad stuff will do us in.

The solution, the panel says, lies in either mitigation, to finally do something about the weather, or adaptation, to make the best of the bad news.

Mitigation relies on regulation, and naturally the worthies of shakedown science prescribe mitigation first. Regulation will require many studies, written in the language of academics that no one else can understand, to be read at elaborate conferences, always held at luxury resorts that a shakedown scientist could never afford on his own dime. The conclusion of the learned shakedown artists is invariably about how to milk the governments of the West for more handouts.

The director of NOAA tells the New York Times that with the pressure on the U.S. government to cut expenses and save taxpayers money, “it’s going to be more and more challenging to devote resources to many of our research programs.”

Science, which has replaced religion as the source of faith in certain circles, has otherwise always been skeptical of certitude. Science has always held that nothing is so settled as to be beyond questioning. This held until the propagation of the gospel of global warming. Skeptics are called “deniers,” their arguments mocked, and held up to public ridicule.

It’s a particular conceit of man to imagine that he is both the author and the center of the universe, that whatever happens to the stars is the work of his hand. “We are changing the large-scale properties of the atmosphere,” declares Benjamin D. Santer, a climate scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. “You can’t engage in this vast planetary experiment — warming the surface, warming the atmosphere, moistening the atmosphere — and have no impact on the frequency and duration of extreme events.”

Or not. “Everybody talks about the weather,” Mark Twain said, “but nobody does anything about it.”

Follow the dollar.

xtnyoda, shalomed

May you never have to walk in my shoes

2011-12-27T08:49:00.000-06:00

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

Maria speaks today about ... responding ...

To the get over comments I simply say "May you never have to walk in my shoes" with a smile.
Maria

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Maria, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day ... Your Grace will be a refreshing stream of support ... when others challenge out of ignorance.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-27T08:42:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The universe is wider than our views of it.”
(Henry David Thoreau)

To many people their universe is only a few feet around themselves. Some even say (vocally or by actions), “If it does not directly affect ‘me’ it is not important.” The truth is we can’t begin to comprehend the corner of the universe we live in, much less the totality of God’s creation.

The good news is I don’t have to understand it to enjoy the beauty of what God lets us see. God reminds us how limited our thoughts and views are with these words in Isaiah 55:9,

“For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

"God, Thank You that I can enjoy Your work even when I don’t understand it all. Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Daily Nugget

2011-12-26T08:26:00.000-06:00

Monday, December 26th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"There has been only one CHRISTmas- the rest are anniversaries."
(William J. Cameron)

We must remember that the celebrations must continue not only from year to year but also throughout the year. Jesus in John 10:10 reminds us:

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Let us keep the celebration going.

"God, thank You for the gift You gave us that keeps on giving.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Its still hard to comprehend what happened

2011-12-25T23:23:00.000-06:00

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

Frieda speaks today about ... being torn ...

"My older sister lost two of her children one 4 and the other 9 - different years. I lost my son 21 to cancer and watched him slowly leave me and my family. My sister described my heart as "torn into shreds" and that crying and praying helped her and trying to keep busy - this helped me too. I pray that all those who have lost their child or children will be comforted to know that one day there will be no more sorrow and no more pain as long as you have faith and hope in the coming of our Lord Jesus. What keeps me going after one year and a month is that one day I will see my son again. Some days its still hard to comprehend what happened to my family and our loss but it does get easier than before. Never goes away but gets easier."
Frieda

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Frieda, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day ... a new portion of faith ... will find it's way into each and every heart.

xtnyoda, shalomed

The Chaplain's Corner

2011-12-25T12:31:00.000-06:00

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.

Did you know that the day after Christmas is the biggest trash day of the year; there will be tons of empty boxes and discarded wrapping paper.

There is a story about a family that had a very expensive Nativity set. It was an heirloom that had been handed down thru the generations. Every year they carefully unpacked each piece and set it up next to the Christmas tree. Then after the holidays they would put it away for another year.

On this particular Christmas morning after all the presents were opened, and while they were picking up the mess, somehow the figure of the baby Jesus got mixed in with the discarded bows and wrapping paper and was thrown away. But the missing Jesus went unnoticed for a week until they started to put away the decorations. By then it was too late. The trash had been picked up and Jesus was gone.

May I ask you, is Jesus something that you unwrap and use as decoration once a year, or maybe just on certain days, and then put Him back in His little box until you need Him again? How can we be sure that Jesus doesn’t get thrown out after Christmas? The best way, in fact the only way, is to have Him living on the inside. Jesus said,

“I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in…”
(Rev. 3:20)

Have you ever opened the door of your life to Jesus? Does He really live inside you?

Daily Nugget

2011-12-25T12:27:00.000-06:00

Sunday, December 25th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:10-11)

Now that is good, nay...Great news! Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family.

"God, thank You for the gift of love you sent to us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Daily Nugget

2011-12-24T08:27:00.000-06:00

Saturday, December 24th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Children and adults alike share an air of anticipation as they wait for Christmas. Children will want to go to sleep early in preparation for the awaited morning, but more than likely, sleep not come.

Can you imagine the night the shepherds had after they made the trip to Bethlehem? I am sure they could hardly sleep from the excitement. The writer of Luke 2:20 records the recollection of the trip with these words:

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

"God, help us to keep that childlike sense of wonder and awe every day as we rejoice in Your love."
Amen.

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

I'm pretty much on my own for this.

2011-12-23T22:42:00.000-06:00

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

Judith speaks today about ... feeling alone ...

"Nobody has given me advice. I'm pretty much on my own for this. It's not even been 5 months since my son Eric's death. It seems like everyone else has moved on and they think I should too."
Judith

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Judith, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each day will bring a little more light ... in their sorrow.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-23T08:57:00.000-06:00

Friday, December 23rd, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Some businessmen are saying that this could be the greatest Christmas ever. I always thought the first one was.”
(Art Fettig)

Let us not lose the perspective of the true meaning of Christmas. The good news was not about the money made, but about the baby born in Bethlehem. In the familiar story found in Luke 2:10-11, we find these words of cheer:

“I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

The good news is because of that day each day can be a good day for us.

"God, thank You for the greatest gift of all.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

That much I can manage

2011-12-23T00:44:00.000-06:00

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

Valery speaks today about ... minutes ...

"When my son died in December, the best advice I received came from the funeral director's wife, who also had a son the same age as mine. She said, "Take it one minute at a time, one breath at a time." That much I can manage."
Valery

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Valery, and all who have lost a child. I pray that each will know their limits ... and manage them carefully.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-22T09:01:00.000-06:00

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"I was proud that my 3-year-old daughter seemed to pick up the Christmas carols I was teaching her. Then, a few days after Christmas, she asked me to sing the 'whale song.' When I questioned her, she told me the song was about angels, whales, and sheepkeepers. Still confused, I asked her to sing it. In an off-key voice she sang, 'The first no whale, the angels did say. Was to certain poor sheepkeeps in fields with the hay!'”
(Lisa Jachimiec, Muskego, WI, Christian Parenting Today, “Life in Our House.”)

In the CHRISTmas story in Luke 2:17-18, the writer tells us,

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Just as God used the lowly shepherds to share the Good News, He still uses imperfect people to continue to tell others.

"God, thank You that we can be Your messengers today.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Cronyism in America?

2011-12-22T00:15:00.000-06:00

The Chevy "Volt" ... a pretty expensive taxpayer adventure ... mandated by the federal government.

Analyst: 'This might be the most government-supported car since the Trabant'

Each Chevy Volt sold thus far may have as much as $250,000 in state and federal dollars in incentives behind it – a total of $3 billion altogether, according to an analysis by James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Hohman looked at total state and federal assistance offered for the development and production of the Chevy Volt, General Motors’ plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. His analysis included 18 government deals that included loans, rebates, grants and tax credits. The amount of government assistance does not include the fact that General Motors is currently 26 percent owned by the federal government.

The Volt subsidies flow through multiple companies involved in production. The analysis includes adding up the amount of government subsidies via tax credits and direct funding for not only General Motors, but other companies supplying parts for the vehicle. For example, the Department of Energy awarded a $105.9 million grant to the GM Brownstown plant that assembles the batteries. The company was also awarded approximately $106 million for its Hamtramck assembly plant in state credits to retain jobs. The company that supplies the Volt’s batteries, Compact Power, was awarded up to $100 million in refundable battery credits (combination tax breaks and cash subsidies). These are among many of the subsidies and tax credits for the vehicle......

I thought you might want to know.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Otherwise I would not be here

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

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

Risa speaks today about ... being tired ...

"It's going to be 7 years on the loss of our 19 year old son come June from a drowning accident due to a riptide he got caught up in. The best advice that I just recently received was to get up every morning and live each day with the memori...es of him. There really is no good advice, time has not healed my pain ... it's only made it worse. I have to keep living for my other son who just turned 19, my spouse, and my very precious grand daughter that my deceased son left us, and by God's grace are the only things that have kept me going - otherwise I would not be here. Now dealing with the pain of losing so many other loved ones that were taken way too early only increases the pain. I am tired .... life will never be "normal" again. Tired of some people telling me it's time to get over it, I will not get over it - I will grieve his loss until the day we are re-united. I know they all mean well - but they have no idea how much pain and suffering a parent goes through, we don't get over it we learn to live one moment at a time. I pray to God that they never have to experience this overwhelming grief. God Bless us all .... my heart hurts for every single one of you that have also lost a child."
Risa

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Risa, and all who have lost a child. I pray that the courage and strength that they need to face each day ... will be granted by Your all sufficient hand ... and they they will each one ... reach out ... and take Your hand.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-21T08:35:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

In his portrayal of the nativity scene, Rembrandt focused attention entirely on the Babe in the manger. He did this by painting a shaft of light so that it falls exclusively on the Christ-child. Although he included other figures, they are shrouded in shadows. Rembrandt wanted nothing to detract from the significance of that baby—who was God in the flesh. He wanted Christ to be the sole object of adoration.

Luke 2:17 tells us this about the shepherds' visit,

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

When they came back sharing the good news, it wasn’t about the angels, or the stable, or the star; it was about God’s only Son sent to redeem us from our sin.

"God, thank You for your love to us.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

A new normal

2011-12-20T18:48:00.000-06:00

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

Penelope speaks today about ... being changed ...

"I lost my son 9 months ago and i was told to take one day at a time and that my normal wasn't any more and that i would have a new normal. Does that make sense? I know I've changed and my outlook on life is different. Some days are harder than others. His Birthday is April 9th so I think I'm going to celebrate his life with a candle and his favorite cake. One thing I know for sure...He is at peace and he's not hurting any more. I am so thankful for the compassionate friends!"
Penelope

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Penelope and all who have lost a child. I pray that they will come to realize that their lives will never be the same ... ever ... and that their new lives will be filled with Your strength and direction.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

2011-12-20T07:15:00.003-06:00

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011.

Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"A little girl was asked why she was working so very hard. She replied, 'My candle is almost burned out; and I have not got another.' Life is as a candle burning out. Sometimes there is a thief in it, a disease consuming it more quickly; or it may be blown out, suddenly extinguished: and we have not got another."
(Dr. Wise)

In John 4:35 Jesus said,

“Say not ye, 'There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?' behold, I say unto you, 'Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest'.”

Time is always shorter than we think. Give someone a smile and/or an encouraging word while there is time.

"God, keep our eyes open to ways to bless others.
Amen."

Bro. Bill

God is Love! Let us reflect that love.

Taking "Grief Breaks"

2011-12-19T08:21:00.000-06:00

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

Rachel speaks today about ... taking breaks ...

"Eat something!" because I couldn't even eat a crumb for about a month after. I lived on nutritional drinks. After I got into TCF, one of the senior members gave the advice of taking "grief breaks." Watching a movie or doing something to give a reprieve for even a few minutes was great advice and I found the length of time in taking the breaks was able to be increased with the passing months/years.
Rachel

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Rachel, and all who have lost a child. I pray that they learn to schedule moments of escape.

xtnyoda, shalomed