HARVEST PARTY
Friday night and last night friends came over and we had fun sitting around the bonfire, toasting marshmallows, going on hayrides, listening to music, drinking hot chocolate and much more! (more pics)

Psalm 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

DEUTSCH
ERNTE-FEIER
Freitag und gestern abend kamen Freunde und wir hatten Spaß dabei, um das Lagerfeuer zu sitzten, Marshmallows zu grillen, Heufahrten zu machen, Musik zu hören, heiße Schokolade zu trinken und vieles mehr! (mehr Bilder)

Psalm 133
Siehe, wie gut und wie lieblich ist es, wenn Brüder einträchtig beieinander wohnen. Wie das köstliche Öl auf dem Haupt, das herabfließt auf den Bart, auf den Bart Aarons, der herabfließt auf den Halssaum seiner Kleider. Wie der Tau des Hermon, der herabfließt auf die Berge Zions. Denn dorthin hat der HERR den Segen befohlen, Leben bis in Ewigkeit.

INDICTMENT DAY?
Third Bush Administration Insider Indicted This Month on Criminal Charges
Noe indicted: GOP backer is accused of laundering cash
Constable indicted for tampering with record charge
Shenandoah officers indicted by grand jury

Definition of indict: to accuse of wrongdoing; charge; to make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury

Psalm 37
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - The Lord Jesus Christ in John 16:33
SUPERSTORM 2005
"The first major storm of the 2005-06 winter is underway. The storm have been produce winds 40-50 mph along the coast, heavy, wet snow in southwest Pennsylvania and a renewed flooding threat across New England fueled by deep Atlantic moisture, partially thanks to passing Hurricane Wilma. More importantly, a deep upper-level trough of low pressure slowly pushing through the Ohio Valley will provide the energy and cold air for this strengthening storm. Along the coast, fierce winds will gust up to 60 mph with heavy rain in coastal New England. Well inland, heavy, wet snow will fall, mainly at elevations above 1000 feet, bringing the first snowstorm fo the season to many areas." (acuweather.com) MAY WE EACH PUT OUR TRUST AND HOPE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TODAY AND EVERYDAY!
Check out the Weather Wars website: http://www.weatherwars.info

WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST
Today while walking in my new neighborhood which is in a little country community of southeast Alabama, I was thrilled when I came to a large field of cotton, so white! I picked a small branch of it to bring back home and prayed for the Lord to speak to me. When I got back, I thought about what Jesus said in John 4: "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." Then I thought about a new friend I met at work who told me that she had an encounter with God while reading the Bible during hurricane Ivan last year. She got excited when I told her that I read the Bible too and was a Christian. Then we had lunch in the park last week, prayed together, and talked about doing a Bible study. BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!

DEUTSCH
WEIß, BEREIT ZUR ERNTE
Heute war ich, während ich durch meine neue Nachbarschaft lief, die in einer kleinen Landgemeinde im Südosten von Alabama ist, begeistert, als ich zu einem großen Baumwollfeld kam, es war so weiß! Ich nahm einen kleinen Zweig davon mit nach Hause und betete, daß der Herr zu mir sprach. Als ich zurück kam, dachte ich darüber nach, was Jesus in Johannes 4 sagte: "Sagt ihr nicht: Es sind noch vier Monate, und die Ernte kommt? Siehe, ich sage euch: Hebt eure Augen auf und schaut die Felder an! Denn sie sind schon weiß zur Ernte." Dann dachte ich über eine neue Freundin nach, die ich auf der Arbeit kennengelernt habe, sie hatte mir erzählt, daß sie eine Begegnung mit Gott hatte, während sie die Bibel, während dem Hurrikan Ivan letztes Jahr, las. Sie wurde begeistert als ich ihr erzählte, daß ich auch die Bibel lese und Christ bin. Dann machten wir letzte Woche Mittagbrot im Park, beteten zusammen und sprachen darüber, ein Bibelstudium zu machen. SIEHE, JETZT IST DIE WOHLANGENEHME ZEIT; SIEHE, JETZT IST DER TAG DER RETTUNG!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
This morning I was reminded of this truth: I belong to Jesus and He is my Shepherd, so I need not fear but trust Him with child-like faith in spite of what I see in the natural world around me.

Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

DEUTSCH
DER HERR IST MEIN HIRTE
Heute morgen wurde ich an folgende Wahrheit erinnert: Ich gehöre zu Jesus und Er ist mein Hirte, deshalb muß ich mich nicht fürchten, sondern kann Ihm mit kindlichem Glauben vertrauen, trotz dem, was ich um mich herum in der natürlichen Welt sehe.

Psalm 23
1Der HERR ist mein Hirte, mir wird nichts mangeln.
2Er lagert mich auf grünen Auen, er führt mich zu stillen Wassern.
3Er erquickt meine Seele. Er leitet mich in Pfaden der Gerechtigkeit um seines Namens willen.
4Auch wenn ich wandere im Tal des Todesschattens , fürchte ich kein Unheil, denn du bist bei mir; dein Stecken und dein Stab, sie trösten mich.
5Du bereitest vor mir einen Tisch angesichts meiner Feinde; du hast mein Haupt mit Öl gesalbt, mein Becher fließt über.
6Nur Güte und Gnade werden mir folgen alle Tage meines Lebens; und ich kehre zurück ins Haus des HERRN lebenslang.

Pensacola Sunset
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS!
The mainstream news media is distorted but the more accurate alternative news is disturbing - what do we do? Well, first off, we REJOICE! And we are not to worry but we are to pray to the Lord with thankful hearts. I like Philippians 4 which says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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." AMEN!

DEUTSCH
Sonnenuntergang in Pensacola
FREUT EUCH IM HERRN ALLEZEIT!
Die Haupt-Nachrichtenmedien sind verdreht, aber die korrekteren alternativen Nachrichten sind beunruhigend - was tun wir? Zuallererst FREUEN wir uns! Und wir machen uns keine Sorgen, sondern beten mit dankbaren Herzen zum Herrn. Ich mag Philipper 4, wo es heißt: "Freut euch im Herrn allezeit! Wiederum will ich sagen: Freut euch! Eure Milde soll allen Menschen bekannt werden; der Herr ist nahe. Seid um nichts besorgt, sondern in allem sollen durch Gebet und Flehen mit Danksagung eure Anliegen vor Gott kundwerden; und der Friede Gottes, der allen Verstand übersteigt, wird eure Herzen und eure Gedanken bewahren in Christus Jesus. Übrigens, Brüder, alles, was wahr, alles, was ehrbar, alles, was gerecht, alles, was rein, alles, was liebenswert, alles, was wohllautend ist, wenn es irgendeine Tugend und wenn es irgendein Lob gibt, das erwägt!" AMEN!

Path along a Pensacola bayou
THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE; WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! (Psalm 118:24)
This morning while walking along a nearby bayou, I took a deep breath of cool, refreshing air, gazed into the beautifully clear blue sky to worship God and out of my lips came the above verse. What, you may ask, you weren't in church on Sunday morning? Oh yes, today I had church with the Lord outdoors. Of course I must confess that I have church everyday - sometimes with Jesus alone and other times with friends. In fact, every Saturday & Wednesday night I join friends in a home for worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship, fun, and sometimes food! But really, we who believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ are the church, we are the body of Christ, we are His bride who are looking for His return. Sometimes we meet in a home, in a large building, on the beach, or elsewhere. Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 18:20? "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." WE ARE THE CHURCH!

DEUTSCH
Weg entlang einer Bucht in Pensacola
DIES IST DER TAG, DEN DER HERR GEMACHT HAT! SEIEN WIR FRÖHLICH UND FREUEN WIR UNS IN IHM! (Psalm 118,24)
Heute morgen, als ich eine nahegelegene Bucht entlang lief, nahm ich einen tiefen Atemzug kühler, erfrischender Luft, blickte in den wunderschönen blauen Himmel, um Gott anzubeten und von meinen Lippen kam der obige Vers. Was, fragst du vielleicht, du warst am Sonntag morgen nicht in der Gemeinde? Oh ja, heute hatte ich mit dem Herr draussen Gemeinde. Natürlich muß ich sagen, daß ich jeden Tag Gemeinde habe - manchmal mit Jesus allein und zu anderen Zeiten mit Freunden. Tatsächlich treffe ich mich jeden Samstag und Mittwoch abend mit Freunden in einem Heim, um Lobpreis zu machen, zu beten, die Bibel zu studieren, Gemeinschaft zu haben, Spaß zu haben und manchmal gemeinsam zu essen! Aber im Ernst, wir, die wir dem Herrn Jesus Christus glauben und folgen, sind die Gemeinde, wir sind der Leib Christi, wir sind Seine Braut, die nach Seiner Rückkehr ausschaut. Manchmal treffen wir uns in einem Heim, in einem großen Gebäude, am Strand, oder sonstwo. Erinnerst du dich daran, was Jesus in Matthäus 18,20 sagte? "Denn wo zwei oder drei versammelt sind in meinem Namen , da bin ich in ihrer Mitte." WIR SIND DIE GEMEINDE!

NEW BOOK: Revolution by George Barna
Worldrenowned pollster George Barna has the numbers, and they indicate a revolution is already taking place within the Church; one that will impact every believer in America. Committed, born again Christians are exiting the established church in massive numbers. Why are they leaving? Where are they going? And what does this mean for the future of the Church? Using years' worth of research data, and adhering to an unwavering biblical perspective, Barna predicts how this revolution will impact the organized church, how Christ's body of believers should react, and how individuals who are considering leaving (or those who have already left) can respond. For leaders working for positive change in the church and for believers struggling to find a spiritual community and worship experience that resonates, Revolution is here. Are you ready?

DEUTSCH
NEUES BUCH: Revolution von George Barna
Der weltberühmte Meinungsforscher George Barna hat die Statistiken, und sie zeigen, daß in der Kirche schon eine Revolution stattfindet; eine, die jeden Gläubigen in Amerika beeinflussen wird. Hingegebene, wiedergeborene Christen verlassen die etablierte Kirche in großer Zahl. Warum verlassen sie sie? Wohin gehen sie? Und was bedeutet das für die Zukunft der Kirche? Indem er die Daten jahrelanger Forschung benutzt, und an einer standhaften biblischen Perspektive festhält, sagt Barna vorher, wie diese Revolution die organisierte Kirche beeinflussen wird, wie der Leib Christi reagieren sollte und wie Einzelne, die in Betracht ziehen, die Kirche zu verlassen (oder solche, die sie schon verlassen haben) reagieren können. Für Leiter, die für eine gute Veränderung in der Kirche arbeiten und für Gläubige, die damit kämpfen, eine geistliche Gemeinschaft und Lobpreiserfahrung, die nachhallt, zu finden, ist die Revolution da. Bist du bereit?

PSALM 118 (listen)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

DEUTSCH
Psalm 118
Preist den HERRN, denn er ist gut, denn seine Gnade währt ewig! Es sage Israel : Ja, seine Gnade währt ewig! Es sage das Haus Aaron: Ja, seine Gnade währt ewig! Es sagen, die den HERRN fürchten: Ja, seine Gnade währt ewig! Aus der Bedrängnis rief ich zu Jah. Jah antwortete mir in der Weite. Der HERR ist für mich, ich werde mich nicht fürchten. Was könnte ein Mensch mir tun? Der HERR ist für mich unter denen, die mir helfen. Ich werde herabsehen auf meine Hasser. Es ist besser, sich bei dem HERRN zu bergen, als sich auf Menschen zu verlassen. Es ist besser, sich bei dem HERRN zu bergen, als sich auf Edle zu verlassen. Alle Nationen hatten mich umringt. Im Namen des HERRN - ja, ich wehrte sie ab. Sie hatten mich umringt, ja, mich eingeschlossen. Im Namen des HERRN - ja, ich wehrte sie ab. Sie hatten mich umringt wie Bienen. Sie sind erloschen wie Dornenfeuer. Im Namen des HERRN - ja, ich wehrte sie ab. Hart hat man mich gestoßen, um mich zu Fall zu bringen. Aber der HERR hat mir geholfen. Meine Stärke und mein Gesang ist Jah. Er ist mir zur Rettung geworden. Klang von Jubel und Heil ist in den Zelten der Gerechten. Die Rechte des HERRN tut Gewaltiges. Die Rechte des HERRN ist erhoben, die Rechte des HERRN tut Gewaltiges. Ich werde nicht sterben, sondern leben und die Taten Jahs erzählen. Hart hat mich Jah gezüchtigt, aber dem Tod hat er mich nicht übergeben. Öffnet mir die Tore der Gerechtigkeit! Ich will durch sie eingehen, Jah will ich preisen. Dies ist das Tor des HERRN. Gerechte ziehen hier ein. Ich will dich preisen, denn du hast mich erhört und bist mir zur Rettung geworden. Der Stein, den die Bauleute verworfen haben, ist zum Eckstein geworden. Vom HERRN ist dies geschehen, es ist ein Wunder vor unseren Augen. Dies ist der Tag, den der HERR gemacht hat! Seien wir fröhlich und freuen wir uns in ihm! Ach, HERR, hilf doch! Ach, HERR, gib doch Gelingen! Gesegnet sei, der kommt im Namen des HERRN. Vom Haus des HERRN aus haben wir euch gesegnet. Der HERR ist Gott. Er hat uns Licht gegeben. Bindet das Festopfer mit Stricken bis an die Hörner des Altars! Du bist mein Gott, ich will dich preisen! Mein Gott, ich will dich erheben. Preist den HERRN, denn er ist gut! Ja, seine Gnade währt ewig!

IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?
In Philippians 4:3 Paul wrote, "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." While studying the book of Revelation, the "book of life" is mentioned several times. In Revelation 3:5 it says, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." In Revelation 13:8 it says, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Revelation 17:8 says, "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." In Revelation 20:12 it says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:15 says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Then in Revelation 21:27 it says, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." And lastly, Revelation 22:19 says, "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." These are all sobering scriptures which we need to take seriously as time is short.

DEUTSCH
STEHT DEIN NAME IM BUCH DES LEBENS?
In Philipper 4,3 schrieb Paulus: "Ja, ich bitte auch dich, mein rechter Gefährte , stehe ihnen bei , die in dem Evangelium zusammen mit mir gekämpft haben, auch mit Klemens und meinen übrigen Mitarbeitern, deren Namen im Buch des Lebens sind." Wenn man das Buch der Offenbarung liest, wird das "Buch des Lebens" mehrmals erwähnt. In Offenbarung 3,5 heißt es: "Wer überwindet, der wird so mit weißen Kleidern bekleidet werden, und ich werde seinen Namen aus dem Buch des Lebens nicht auslöschen und seinen Namen bekennen vor meinem Vater und vor seinen Engeln." In Offenbarung 13,8 heißt es: "Und alle, die auf der Erde wohnen, werden ihn anbeten, jeder, dessen Name nicht geschrieben ist im Buch des Lebens des geschlachteten Lammes von Grundlegung der Welt an." In Offenbarung 17,8 steht: "Das Tier, das du gesehen hast, war und ist nicht und wird aus dem Abgrund heraufsteigen und geht ins Verderben; und die Bewohner der Erde, deren Namen nicht im Buch des Lebens geschrieben sind von Grundlegung der Welt an, werden sich wundern, wenn sie das Tier sehen, daß es war und nicht ist und da sein wird." In Offenbarung 20,12 heißt es: "Und ich sah die Toten, die Großen und die Kleinen, vor dem Thron stehen, und Bücher wurden geöffnet; und ein anderes Buch wurde geöffnet, welches das Buch des Lebens ist. Und die Toten wurden gerichtet nach dem, was in den Büchern geschrieben war, nach ihren Werken." In Offenbarung 20,15 steht: "Und wenn jemand nicht geschrieben gefunden wurde in dem Buch des Lebens, so wurde er in den Feuersee geworfen." Dann, in Offenbarung 21,27 heißt es: "Und alles Unreine wird nicht in sie hineinkommen, noch derjenige, der Greuel und Lüge tut, sondern nur die, welche geschrieben sind im Buch des Lebens des Lammes." Und schließlich steht in Offenbarung 22,19: "Und wenn jemand von den Worten des Buches dieser Weissagung wegnimmt, so wird Gott seinen Teil wegnehmen aus dem Buch des Lebens, und aus der heiligen Stadt, und von den Dingen, die in diesem Buch geschrieben sind." Dies alles sind ernüchternde Bibelstellen, die wir ernst nehmen müssen, weil die Zeit kurz ist.

DO YOU HAVE OIL FOR YOUR LAMP?
Jesus often spoke in parables to explain what the kingdom of heaven will be like and lately I've been thinking of the story of the ten virgins, five of them wise and five of them foolish. All ten took their lamps to meet the bridegroom but the foolish virgins took no oil with them. As a result these same five missed the bridegroom and he later told them that he didn't know them. Then Jesus ends the parable by saying, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." May we each be watching for His coming with oil for our lamps!

Matthew 25:1-13
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

DEUTSCH
HAST DU ÖL FÜR DEINE LAMPE?
Jesus sprach oft in Gleichnissen, um zu erklären, wie das Königreich der Himmel sein wird, und vor kurzem habe ich über die Geschichte mit den zehn Jungfrauen nachgedacht, fünf von ihnen klug und fünf von ihnen töricht. Alle zehn nahmen ihre Lampen, um den Bräutigam zu treffen, aber die törichten Jungfrauen nahmen kein Öl mit. Demzufolge verpassten eben diese fünf den Bräutigam und er sagte ihnen später, daß er sie nicht kannte. Dann beendet Jesus das Gleichnis indem er sagt: "Deshalb schlaft nicht ein und haltet euch bereit, denn ihr kennt weder den Tag noch die Stunde meiner Wiederkehr." Möge jeder von uns, mit Öl für unsere Lampen, nach Seinem Kommen Ausschau halten!

Matthäus 25,1-13:
Man kann das Himmelreich auch am Beispiel der zehn Brautjungfern erklären, die ihre Lampen nahmen und dem Bräutigam entgegengingen. Fünf von ihnen waren töricht, und fünf waren klug. Die fünf törichten nahmen kein Öl für ihre Lampen mit, doch die fünf anderen waren so umsichtig, zusätzliches Öl mitzunehmen. Als sich der Bräutigam verspätete, legten sie sich alle hin und schliefen. Um Mitternacht wurden sie von dem Ruf aus dem Schlaf gerissen: 'Seht, da kommt der Bräutigam! Geht und begrüßt ihn!' Rasch standen alle Brautjungfern auf und machten ihre Lampen zurecht. Da baten die fünf törichten die anderen: 'Gebt uns doch ein wenig von eurem Öl ab, sonst erlöschen unsere Lampen.' Doch diese erwiderten: 'Wir haben nicht genügend Öl für uns alle. Geht und kauft euch welches.' Aber während sie noch unterwegs waren, um Öl zu kaufen, traf der Bräutigam ein. Die, die zu seinem Empfang bereit waren, gingen mit ihm zur Hochzeitsfeier, und die Tür wurde zugeschlossen. Als die anderen fünf Brautjungfern schließlich kamen, standen sie draußen und riefen: 'Herr, mach uns auf!' Aber er antwortete: 'Ich kenne euch nicht!' Deshalb schlaft nicht ein und haltet euch bereit, denn ihr kennt weder den Tag noch die Stunde meiner Wiederkehr.

Altar of Pergamon in Berlin, Germany
THE SPIRIT IS SPEAKING TO THE CHURCHES
While studying the Bible last night, I was reading in chapter 2 of Revelation and thought about the Pergamon Museum which I visited a few times while living in Berlin. On the steps of the Altar of Pergamon, described as "Satan's Seat" or the Throne of Satan in Revelation 2:12-13, early Christians were martyred for the Faith. In the late 1800's, it was excavated from present day Turkey and carefully shipped to Germany. There it was reconstructed in Berlin by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1902 and was celebrated with an extravagant festival to the pagan gods. Later it became a powerful symbol in Germany under Hitler, who had a grand reproduction built at Nuremberg for his Nazi rallies. Although the Russians removed the Altar to Leningrad in 1945, they returned it after 13 years where it was re-erected in the Pergamon Museum in 1959. In 1999 Berlin again became the capital and the German Government moved back to the Reichstag and to the city where the Seat of Satan is displayed. (read more)

Interesting article: Patriot Act vs. Hitler's Enabling Act

The Lord Jesus Christ says, "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:12-17)

DEUTSCH
Pergamon-Altar in Berlin, Deutschland
DER GEIST REDET ZU DEN GEMEINDEN
Während ich gestern abend die Bibel studierte, las ich im zweiten Kapitel der Offenbarung, und dachte über das Pergamon Museum nach, das ich ein paar Mal besucht habe, während ich in Berlin lebte. Auf den Stufen des Pergamon-Altars, der in Offenbarung 2,12-13 als "Sitz des Satan" oder Thron Satans beschrieben ist, wurden frühe Christen für ihren Glauben gemartert. In den späten 1800ern wurde er in der heutigen Türkei ausgegraben und vorsichtig nach Deutschland verschifft. Dort wurde er in Berlin von Kaiser Wilhelm II 1902 wiederaufgebaut und mit einem extravaganten Fest den heidnischen Göttern Ehre erwiesen. Später wurde es ein machtvolles Symbol in Deutschland unter Hitler, der in Nürnberg eine große Nachbildung für seine Nazi-Treffen aufbaute. Obwohl die Russen den Altar 1945 nach Leningrad brachten, brachten sie ihn nach 13 Jahren zurück und er wurde 1959 im Pergamon Museum wieder aufgerichtet. 1999 wurde Berlin wieder die Hauptstadt und die Deutsche Regierung zog zurück in den Reichstag und in die Stadt, in der der Sitz Satans ausgestellt ist. (lies mehr (auf englisch))

Interesanter Artikel: Patriotischs Gesetz versus Hitlers Ermächtigungsgesetz (englisch)

Der Herr jesus Christus sagte: "Und dem Engel der Gemeinde in Pergamon schreibe: Dies sagt der, der das zweischneidige, scharfe Schwert hat: Ich weiß, wo du wohnst: wo der Thron des Satans ist; und du hältst meinen Namen fest und hast den Glauben an mich nicht verleugnet, auch in den Tagen des Antipas, meines treuen Zeugen, der bei euch, wo der Satan wohnt, ermordet worden ist. Aber ich habe ein weniges gegen dich, daß du solche dort hast, welche die Lehre Bileams festhalten, der den Balak lehrte, eine Falle vor die Söhne Israels hinzustellen, so daß sie Götzenopfer aßen und Unzucht trieben. So hast auch du solche, die in gleicher Weise die Lehre der Nikolaiten festhalten. Tu nun Buße! Wenn aber nicht, so komme ich dir bald und werde Krieg mit ihnen führen mit dem Schwert meines Mundes. Wer ein Ohr hat, höre, was der Geist den Gemeinden sagt! Wer überwindet, dem werde ich von dem verborgenen Manna geben; und ich werde ihm einen weißen Stein geben und, auf den Stein geschrieben, einen neuen Namen, den niemand kennt, als wer ihn empfängt." (Offenbarung 2,12-17)

Book: Inside Job by Jim Marrs
THE 9/11 TRAGEDY: OFFICIAL STORY... OR INSIDE JOB?
Were the horrific events of September 11, 2001 truly an inside job? Jim Marrs makes a compelling case that 9/11 marks the intersection of several conspiracies at once, each based on overlapping political agendas. Support for his thesis comes from this sampling of the many disturbing anomalies cited by Marrs:
• Standard air defense mechanisms systematically failed, simultaneously.
• Interceptor jets were scrambled too late, too slowly, and from the wrong locations.
• President Bush proceeded with a "photo op" long after he knew we were under attack.
• Fires could not have caused the free-fall collapse of the World Trade Center towers.
• The collapse of Building 7 in the complex was later admitted to be a demolition.
• Vital physical evidence was either removed or has never been released to investigators.
• Key officials claimed warnings never came, despite massive evidence to the contrary.
MAY THE LIES BE EXPOSED AND THE TRUTH BE REVEALED IN JESUS NAME.

Book: Facing Terror by Carrie McDonnall
GOD IS FAITHUL
Carrie McDonnall went to Israel, Jordan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries to serve in 1999. During that time, she met and married David McDonnall, a fellow missionary in the Islamic world. They served together in Iraq doing humanitarian work until the attack in March 2004, which claimed David's life and three missionary friends. Carrie writes, "I live my life without David, but am grateful for the time I had with him. The world is not our place of rest; it is a time to work and follow hard after Jesus. When we get home, we can rest. But for now, God is calling his children to share the gospel of the cross, the power of our Holy Father; it's time we obediently follow Him. May we all live our lives in a manner worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. May we live lives we will never regret."

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
This week I received a response to a post written August 30, 2004, and am reposting it today along with the response by Sara and my reply:
MY POST
Today, I am going to tell you a story. It is not a pleasant story but an important story. All over the world everyday, innocent lives are being killed through all forms of abortion & I want to help STOP ABORTION. So, I am going to tell you about my PRO-CHOICE DECISION in hopes that you will be provoked to help stop abortion too.

First let me ask, who reading this message has been personally touched by abortion? Or maybe the question should be, who HASN'T been touched in some way by abortion? Whether you have had an abortion or if you drove your girl friend to the clinic, we all at least know someone who has had an abortion. This is not some minor surgical procedure that protects the health of the mother. No, this is outright murder of a human life and it is TOTALLY GRUESOME & inhumane however or whenever it is done.

I know, I had an abortion many years ago BEFORE the Roe vs. Wade court decision legalized abortion across America.

In a southern California university medical center, I convinced them that I needed to have this abortion for my own mental health. They didn't argue much with me and so shortly thereafter, I was admitted. There were 6 beds in the room filled with women of various ages. The tone was somber and we didn't talk much to one another - we were all there for the same reason - abortion for our late-term pregnancy.

The nurse took me into a small room where they did "the procedure" (saline abortion involves replacing some of the fluid in the uterus with a salt solution using a long needle. I discovered years later that this actually burns the living baby alive in the womb). We were located in the burn unit of the hospital and in the next room you could heard loud, bone-chilling screaming. I was told this was a patient being put into a bath where the bandages were being removed and pulling off the skin - I should have left then.

So for me, something went wrong with "the procedure" and they said they would have to do "it" again tomorrow. Later in the wee hours of the night, I was suddenly woken up to screaming from one of the girls in the room. A nurse came in, pulled the curtain around her and eventually, she stopped and I fell back asleep.

The next moring the girl was gone and I was taken again for "the procedure" which proved to be "sucessful". Later that night, I suddenly went into heavy labor. In great pain, I called the nurse who came but could not do much. She left and I kept ringing the bell because the pain was so great. She got irritated with me, saying she was very busy and left again.

Then it happened. I gave birth to a purple colored dead baby in my bed. One more time, I rang the nurse and she came. With a disgusted look on her face, she said the next shift was coming and they would clean up "this mess". So for about 1/2 hour, I lay on my side with a dead baby and placenta (after-birth) behind me. (Jesus I know you have forgiven me of this horrible sin, but it still hurts when I think about it - I am so sorry, LORD.)

Finally, the next nurse came, cleaned up "the mess" and I left, returning to my life, never the same again...

SARA'S RESPONSE
Ms Cathy,

I'm sure your experience was indeed tramatic. Just from reading your entry here I can tell it has had a profound effect on your life. So please let me say how sorry I am you had to go through that alone.

Ma'am, I am pro-choice for very similar reasons you are pro-life.

I would wager your experience at the California university has altered your opinion of all abortion procedures. But you should consider that abortion is a much more common practice than it was then. The procedure has changed from what you experienced.

The Roe vs Wade decision changed the entire approach to abortions. Now that the procedure has been legalized and physicians allowed to specialize in it, the procedure is more humane. People don't look down their noses at women who have had abortions as much either. A big problem you had was the indifference or disgust of the nursing staff. You are right though, it is a horrible thing to have to go through, especially by yourself.

Another thing you should think about is you had a late-term abortion. While it happens on occasion, most physicians will not take a late-term abortion case. The mother already has a bond with the child, the child is too developed, and it is so hard on the mother.

Please do not misinterpret my intentions, ma'am. I, in no way, mean to belittle your experience or pass judgement on you in any way. As I stated above, I am very sorry for your loss and that you had to do it alone. I also know, you probably will read this and think no more about it thinking I am a horrible person because I am pro-choice. Maybe I am, but you followed your heart to Jesus so I must follow mine where it leads me. I kept in mind that you and I are of different generations. What you and I have lived through are entirely different things. But there is something that makes us the same. We both have the mother instinct. I, not being a mother, place all of it in looking after my friends. So we are very different, ma'am. Please consider this post and your position on abortion again. I know I won't be able to change your mind that abortion is wrong, but I hope you might change your mind about crusading against it.

Sara

MY REPLY
Dear Sara,
Thank you for your honest thoughts on your pro-choice stance and for taking the time to respond to my post written in August 2004. I am reposting my story, your response and this reply today so others can read it too.

Even though you don't say it outright, it sounds like you had an abortion? For me, when I made that decision, I didn't see anything wrong with abortion. Then years later after I began to follow Jesus and read the Bible, I had to come to terms with my actions. David writes in Psalm 139 that we are, "fearfully and wonderfully made" by God in our mother's womb and that His thoughts towards us are precious and more than all the grains of sand! We are made in His image and likeness and He loves us. However, our sin separates us from Him. Out of His love for us, God sent His one and only Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus, Who never sinned, became sin and died on the cross so I could be forgiven and have new life. His blood was shed for us and it wasn't until after I gave my life to Jesus that I understood this. And because I am forgiven, I can now forgive others.

My prayer is that the lies be exposed and the truth be revealed so that we can have an honest and loving relationship with our heavenly Father.

You, Sara, are a blessing and the Lord created you with destiny. The only way to discover your destiny is through a personal relationship with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who loves you dearly and is returning one day soon - now is the day of salvation, Sara.

His forever,
Cathy

Corrie and her home in Holland where she hid Jewish people in WWII
FORGIVENESS
Over the years I have loved reading about Corrie Ten Boom and I was blessed to visit her former Holland home a couple of times. Today I am reminded of one of her powerful stories about forgiveness:
The true story as told by Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983): It was in a church in Munich where I was speaking in 1947 that I saw him--a balding heavyset man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat, the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones. Memories of the concentration camp came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights, the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor, the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister's frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment of skin. Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland. This man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent. Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: "A fine message, fraulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!" It was the first time since my release that I had been face to face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze. "You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk," he was saying. "I was a guard there. But since that time," he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein--" again the hand came out--"will you forgive me?" And I stood there--and could not. Betsie had died in that place--could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. For I had to do it--I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses." Still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.

How many parrots lie on their back?
HEMMINGWAY
Today while sitting on the couch, my daughter's 3-month-old calico McCaw, Hemmingway, left her arm and reached to mine which kind of freaked me out because I only held him once before. Anyway, he walked close to my face, put his head under my chin and rested on my shoulder to snuggle for about 10 minutes - what a sweet birdie!

HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
What kind of a day are you having? The choice is yours, you know. Paul wrote in Philippians 4: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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.

ROSH HASHANAH
The Jewish High Holidays (or High Holy Days), the 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, are known as the Days of Awe or the Days of Repentance. This is an introspective time, when Jews consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts today at sunset and is the beginning of the new year on the Hebrew calendar. While it is a festive holiday (one common celebration is a treat of apples dipped in honey "for a sweet New Year"), no work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Observant Jews spend the day at synagogue, attending religious services and contemplating the past and upcoming year. Tradition holds that on Rosh Hashanah, God makes inscriptions in the Book of Life for the coming year. The origin of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the Shofar) and Yom Zikaron Teruah (the day of remembering the sounding of the Shofar). HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR JEWISH FRIENDS!