Things to Remember on Memorial Day

It is the VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN,

not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN,

not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN,

not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN,

not the politician,

who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN,

who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
 AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the military service no matter where they serve.

Father God let us always remember these young men and women who serve our county so that we can be FREE. Heavenly Father, be with those families this Memorial Day weekend who's loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Lord, it is my prayer that You give all of these folks the peace and comfort that only You can bring. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen

Homosexualist Activist Priest Arrested for Sex Abuse of Teen

By Hilary White
MILAN, May 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – One of Italy’s most outspokenly dissenting Catholic priests, Domenico Pezzini, has been arrested for abuse of a male teenaged victim. Pezzini, a 73 year-old priest of the diocese of Lodi, was arrested Monday in Milan. Police also revealed that a large quantity of child pornography had been found after a search of Pezzini’s residence.

Click on the title to read the complete news article.

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When we sin against God, the devil gets a foot-hold into our life which leads to damnation. A few days ago, I got into a conversation with a guy from the church I attend about how the Word of God condemns homosexuality and that it was an "Abomination to God". This church friend told me that he was offended with what I had to say because "Jesus loves everyone".

I attempted to explain to him that Christians should follow Jesus and love everyone, but we should hate sin. The only defense that my friend could come up with was that "some people" are "born homosexuals" and that God had created them. I explained that God never created anyone into "SIN" that we all have a sin nature and that our Holy and Almighty God had nothing to do with someone who made the choice to become a homosexual. The devil is the master of lies and the “Great Deceiver” who plants doubt in the minds of God’s people to question His Word. My church friend did not agree with me.

We all need to get down on our knees and pray for our churches. Today's Christians have chased Jesus out of their churches and allowed the devil to become the head. Some of our Christian churches have watering down the Word of God, making it fit into the lifestyles of those who are still walking in darkness and who only come to church to feel "Warm and Fuzzy" These people do not want to hear what God has to say about Damnation and the place called Hell.

The time has never been so great for all “Born again” Christians to step up and defend their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Is Jesus still the head of your local church?


God's blessings. Lloyd

God's Saving Grace

Sometimes while we set and meditate on God’s Word, we may come across difficult passages that are hard to understand. That is why it is so important to let the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) assist us in understanding what God wants us to know about His Word. When we come upon a single scripture that is not clear to us, it is only because we have not allowed God to speak to us. God is not the author of confusion and He certainly does not contradict Himself. So when we come across a scripture that is not clear to us, then we must go further into God’s Word to find the “Truth”.

Let me show you what I mean. The following scripture out of the Book of Acts, Chapter two, seems to be very confusing and appears to be in conflict with scriptures that clearly show that God's free gift of Salvation is by grace alone and we can do nothing to earn it. But remember, God is not the author of confusion, so if we are confused we must continue to pray and meditate on the Word of God to come to the “Truth”.

Peaceful Pro-Lifers Threatened With Violence

(This video contains offensive language)

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

VANCOUVER, May 19, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On the day after Canada's National March for Life drew unprecedented crowds and national media coverage, an enraged young man threatened a group of pro-lifers peacefully witnessing to the tragedy of abortion at a busy Vancouver intersection.


Click on the title for complete story.

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This seems to be the trend now-a-days on the streets all over the world.  The young man in this video was very aggressive and threatening to these peaceful demonstrators.  Let us pray for people that feel that they have to resort to violence in order to make their point regarding moral values and religious beliefs.  God's blessings, Lloyd

Jesus is my ROCK!

Is your life built upon SINKING SAND or is it built upon the SOLID ROCK?

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (Matthew 7:24-25)

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27)

The key difference in the two houses is not their external appearance. The Pharisees and scribes may seem to be as righteous as the heirs of the kingdom. The key in the story is the foundations. The house on the rock pictures a life founded on a proper relationship to Christ (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Pet. 2:4–8). It will stand the test of Christ’s judgment, but the house on the sand will fail the test (1 Cor. 3:12–15).

To build “on the rock” means to be a hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one. Practicing obedience becomes the solid foundation to weather the storms of life. See James 1:22-27 for more on putting into practice what we hear.

Like a house of cards, the fool’s life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness, but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ’s message.

Father God, it is my prayer this morning that I concentrate more on being like Your Son and make Him the Rock that I build the foundation of my life on.  Heavenly Father, I pray for the wisdom needed to discern what Your will is for my life and the courage to follow You wherever You lead me. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reference: NKJV Bible, Nelson Study Bible and the Life Application Bible (NIV).

Episcopal Church Ordains Practicing Lesbian as Bishop of Los Angeles

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – On May 15 the Episcopal Church ordained a practicing lesbian, Mary Glasspool, as bishop of the Los Angeles diocese.

Glasspool, 56, has been living with her lesbian partner since 1988. She is the second practicing homosexual to be named a bishop by the Episcopalians. The first was Gene Robinson, appointed in 2003, who also lives with his gay lover.

Click on the title for the full story.

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The world view is working its way into the Christian churches.  I just had to post this because there are a lot of Christians out there that are sheltered from the outside world who really need a dose of reality.  We are living in the end-times folks.  God bless, Lloyd

Charges Dropped against UK Preacher

By Hilary White

WORKINGTON, UK, May 17, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Charges have been dropped against Dale Mcalpine, an evangelical street preacher from Workington in Cumbria, who was arrested April 20 after he was denounced to police by a homosexualist police community support officer (PCSO). Mcalpine had, in a private conversation with a passer-by during his day of preaching, said that homosexual activity is a sin, in accordance with Biblical teaching.

To read the complete news article click on title.

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I am not surprised that the charges against this street preacher were dropped.  It is interesting to view the video of the actual arrest by the police.   God bless, Lloyd

Our Good Shepherd

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Can you hear the good Shepherd calling you this morning? Listen closely and He will call you by your name because He loves you so much and knows everything about you. Listen as the good Shepherd calls you to follow Him into green pastures where you can lay down and rest with Him. We have no worries or burdens so strong that our good Shepherd can not handle for us. When we begin to drift off course, our good Shepherd takes His staff and gentle pulls us back to Him. Our good Shepherd would even lay down His life for us. What a loving and caring good Shepherd we have that died on the cross for you and me.

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” What a wonderful promise our good Shepherd has given us who faithfully follow Him. Just the thought of eternal life in heaven should make our hearts melt like wax in the sight of the Lord. Our good Shepherd has such a loving and firm hold on us that nothing can tear us away from Him. The world (devil) will try its best to make us stumble and fall, but our good Shepherd will never let go of us. We are His forever and ever. Amen.

“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Our good Shepherd is our Lord of Lords, our King of Kings and our God Almighty. Our good Shepherd is the great I AM who will never leave us nor forsaken us. Our good Shepherd gives us who faithfully follow Him this BLESSED ASSURANCE. Amen.

Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects His people from eternal harm. While believers can expect to suffer on earth, Satan cannot harm their souls or take away their eternal life with God. There are many reasons to be afraid here on earth because this is the devil’s domain (1 Peter 5:8).  But if you choose to follow Jesus, He will give you everlasting safety.

Laura Bush: "It's Good that Gay Marriage is Coming"

While claiming that she could "understand totally" those who disagreed with her, the former first lady said that same-sex "marriage" is "a generational thing” to which older people feel more resistance, and will therefore come with time. Click here for the complete story.
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I found this article somewhat surprising because of the strong faith that George W. Bush expressed through out his presidency. Just goes to show us "fellows" that our wives may have a totally different opinion on social and moral issues then we do.  God bless, Lloyd

God Protects His Children

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalms 18:2)

God’s protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God’s care with five military symbols in this Psalm:

1. God is like a rock that can’t be moved by any who would harm us.
2. God is like a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can’t follow.
3. God is like a shield that comes between us and harm.
4. God is like a horn of salvation, a symbol of light and power.
5. God is like a stronghold high above our enemies. 

The Hebrew word for my rock is balanced by its parallel Hebrew word my strength, meaning also “my rock.” References to God as a mountain fortress that protects the believer are found many times in the Psalms (91:1–3; 144:1). This is a particularly apt image for David, who many times had to hide in the mountains for security (1 Sam. 26:1, 20). The words strength and stronghold reinforce the image of God as Protector. The horn symbolized strength.

It is such an awesome feeling to know that our Lord is there with us whether we are walking high on the mountains of life or walking through the valley of death. If you need protection, look to the only true God of all creation and He will get you through all of the raging storms in life.

Heavenly Father, it is my prayer this morning that I surrender all my heart, soul and mind to You. You are my Rock, my Fortress, my Shield, my Stronghold, and my Horn of Salvation. I will always remember to give You all the glory that You so richly deserve. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

References: NKJV Bible, Nelson Study Bible and NLT Bible

The Oracles of God

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

While setting here meditating on the Word of God this morning, I began to think of the awesome responsibility that we, as Christian bloggers, have when we witness to the world about our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us that if we speak, let us speak as the oracles of God. What is the meaning to the “oracles of God”? Well, I did a little research into the meaning on how Peter was using the word “oracles of God”. Those who teach God’s truth to others should teach it in a reverent manner so that their hearers will respect the Word of God.

Those who teach God’s truth to others must use the ability which God supplies them: Not relying on their own strength, Christians should use the power God gives them to do His will on earth. How is God praised when we use our abilities? When we use them as He directs, to help others, they will see Jesus in us and praise Him for the help they have received.

Peter may have been thinking of Jesus’ words in the following scriptures when he was writing verse 11:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. (Matthew 5:13)

Father, it is my prayer that I will always seek your wisdom when I witness to the lost world about your Son and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that I will always be the light that shines and the salt of the earth when I witness to others about the Gospel. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Obama to Pick Pro-Abort Elena Kagan for Supreme Court

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 7, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Top White House aides expect President Obama to select Solicitor General Elena Kagan on Monday as the Supreme Court justice to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, reports Mike Allen of Politico Friday.

Kagan is known for strongly favoring taxpayer funded abortion, and is a critic of the 1991 Supreme Court decision Rust v. Sullivan, which upheld federal regulations prohibiting Title X family planning fund recipients from counseling on or referring for abortion.

To read the complete news article click on title.

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I just knew this was going to happen! This anti-Christian movement that the Obama administration has been gearing up and rolling over us like a steamroller since he got into office. Can you just imagine the impact that Ms. Kagan will have on the Supreme Court. It will not be long my friends when your taxes will be paying for state funded abortions. We need to really get down on our knees and pray. May God have mercy on the United States of America!  God bless, Lloyd

It’s Getting Dangerous Out There — A Preacher Is Arrested in Britain

We are witnessing the constriction of Christian speech and the criminalizing of Christian ministry. The Bible clearly condemns homosexual behaviors, and the Christian church has been clear about this teaching for twenty centuries. But now, the statement that homosexuality is a sin can land a preacher in jail.

To read the complete news article click on title.

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This is not the first article regarding Christian rights to free speech being violated by the government. Each year, we as believers, loose more and more freedoms when it comes to expressing our love for our Lord Jesus Christ. This incident where the preacher was explaining that homosexuality was a sin before God's eyes is just the tip of the iceberg. The government has banned us from praying in pubic, now we can't even witness to the unsaved world without the fear of arrest.

Now is the time for all Christians to come together and start voicing their opinions regarding the politicians and judges that are put into public office. Let us all pray to the Almighty and most Powerful and only True God there is...the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God bless, Lloyd 

Grandchildren -- God's Blessings!

I just have to show off my two little grandchildren, Sammy and Jack. They are setting in front of the viewing area of the fish ladder located on the Umpqua River, Roseburg, Oregon. I praise the Lord daily for His gift of these precious souls.

"Freedom Through Forgiveness"

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:30-32)

...do not 'grieve' the Holy Spirit = to make sorrowful, sad...you were 'sealed' = idea of ownership, securityLet all 'bitterness' be put away from you = to cut, to stab
Let all... 'wrath' be put away from you = rage
Let all... 'anger' be put away from you = temper
Let all...'clamor' be put away from you = yelling, shoutingLet all...'evil speaking' be put away from you = verbal attacks
Let all...'malice' be put away from you = evil, meanness
...be 'kind' to one another = kindred, like a family member
...be 'tenderhearted' to one another = compassionate...be 'forgiving' to one another = unconditional favor released
...even as God in Christ forgave you = Biblical idea of a 'release', 'sending away', or 'letting go'; a cancellation of a debt or the release of an 'offense'

"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny." (Matthew 5:23-26)
Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Luke 17:1-4)

Father God, it is my prayer that I be more like your Son when it comes to forgiveness and showing patients with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord forgive me if I have become a stumbling block to a weaker believer by causing them to sin. Father God, I pray that the light of Jesus shines through me and that I will always remember to give You all the glory that You so richly deserve. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen

Is Jesus Knocking at Your Church's Door?

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Re 3:19-20)

As I was meditating on the Word of God this Sunday morning, I began to think of all the different Christian churches there are in the world. In the Book of Revelations in chapter 3, Jesus rebukes and disciplines the Laodicea church because they were “lukewarm” in their faith.

The believers in the Laodicea church began to worship material things more then our Lord. “I stand at the door and knock” pictures the Lord Jesus seeking entrance into His own church (Re. 3:14) for the purpose of renewed fellowship. Though it is often understood as Christ knocking at the door of an individual unbeliever’s heart, the context makes that improbable.

God would discipline this lukewarm church unless it turned from its indifference toward Him. God’s purpose in discipline is not to punish, but to bring people back to Him. Are you lukewarm in your devotion to God? God may discipline you to help you out of your uncaring attitude, but He uses only loving discipline. You can avoid God’s discipline by drawing near to Him again through confession, service, worship, and studying His Word. Just as the spark of love can be rekindled in marriage, so the Holy Spirit can reignite our zeal for God when we allow Him to work in our hearts.

The Laodicea church was complacent and rich. They felt self-satisfied, but they didn’t have Christ’s presence among them. Christ knocked at the door of their hearts, but they were so busy enjoying worldly pleasures that they didn’t notice that He was trying to enter. The pleasures of this world – money, security, material possessions – can be dangerous, because their temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to God’s offer of lasting satisfaction. If you find yourself feeling indifferent to church, to God, or to the Bible, you have begun to shut God out of your life. Leave the door of your heart constantly open to God, and you won’t need to worry about hearing His knock. Letting Him in is your only hope for lasting fulfillment.

Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts every time we sense we should turn to Him. Jesus wants to have fellowship with us – not breaking and entering, but knocking. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to Him. Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door?

Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning and ask forgiveness for not always making You the top priority in my life. This morning Lord, I open the door so You can come in and shine through me so I will become a blessing for someone today. Father God, I give all the glory for everything that happens in my life to You. I pray this in Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.

References: NKJV Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), Nelson Study Bible.