FIRE

One dark night outside a small town in Minnesota, a fire started inside the local chemical plant and in the blink of an eye it exploded into massive flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around. When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact." But the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company's secret files.  

From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby Norwegian rural township volunteer fire company comprised mainly of Norwegians over the age of 65. To everyone's amazement, that little run-down fire engine roared right past all the newer sleek engines that were parked outside the plant. Without even slowing down it drove straight into the middle of the inferno. Outside, the other firemen watched in amazement as the Norwegian old timers jumped off right in the middle of the fire and bravely fought it back on all sides. It was a performance and effort never seen before. Within a short time, the Norske old timers had extinguished the fire and had saved the secret formulas. The grateful chemical company president announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave fire fighters. The local TV news reporter rushed in to capture the event on film, asking their chief, "What are you going to do with all that money?" "Vell," said Ole Larsen, the 70-year-old fire chief, "Da first thing ve gonna do is fix da brakes on dat old truck!"  

A pearl to string: Fun little story that reminded me we all have faulty breaks at times.  Life is about choices and we choose our behavior.  We need to keep our breaks in check and be aware that the mixing "truths" of man with God's Word is dangerously weakening Christianity. Today's airwaves are filled with information, programs and commercials that move us toward the profane and dark side of mankind.   If we do not allow God to conform us then the world will.  Thoughts generate direction, and direction determines destination. "For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is…" (Proverbs 23:7)  Be encouraged by the "break fix" in Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed (Don’t allow peer pressure and trends to be the model to follow) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit) - that you may prove (by testing the truth of Scripture) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  

Know you are loved,

                          Lyndi

It's Over.....

"Oh, No!" she gasped as she surveyed the disaster before her. Never in her many years of life had she seen anything like it. How anyone could have survived she did not know.  She could only hope that somewhere amid the overwhelming destruction she would find her 18-year-old son. Only the slim hope of finding him kept her from turning and fleeing the scene. Walking was virtually impossible with so many things strewn across her path. She stepped gingerly through - tripping and nearly falling several times.  She heard someone, or something, move. At least she thought she did. Perhaps, she was just hoping she did. Her heart raced and her stomach churned and her breathing was gripped with fear. She could not understand how this could have happened.  With tear rimmed eyes she struggled to see in the dim light of morning what just brushed against her hand. In desperation, she took another step then cried out, "Derek!".  From a nearby pile of unidentified material, she heard her son. "Yes, Mom," he said, in a voice so weak it could hardly be heard. "It's time to get up and get ready for graduation," she sighed, "and, for heaven's sake, clean up this room." 

A pearl to string: Congratulations graduates!  You've made it and we are all so proud of you.  Just know it's over! No more mom waking you up mornings. Next thing you know it will be your room-mate pounding you in the back or leaving you like road kill for some professor to devour at a later date.  Ahh the thrill of adult life ...... booyah! 

A Prayer for the Graduate

Each family prays blessings on each new graduate as they begin their new journey ~ Lord may you lead their way ~ Upholding each one & sustaining  their faith with every passing day. While each graduate walks this new road, may they trust in You and not lean on their own understanding.  May their eyes be on You Lord. May their minds be in Your Word and may their hearts be continually wrapped in Your love. Amen & amen. 

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".

(Psalm 119:105) 

Know you are loved,

                              Lyndi

Busy, busy, been.....

"We are all busy, and it seems like between work, end of the school year and extracurricular activities, and all of the other commitments we try and cram into each day, we are only getting busier. Our busy lifestyles have shocked our diets, forcing us to grab whatever is easy for a quick meal.  The result of eating on the run is a poor diet that is making us sick. The average American's diet is made up of over-processed, high-fat, high-sugar and chemical laden foods. These foods are modifying the balance of our intestinal flora, which is vital to proper digestion, while protecting us from cancers and helping us absorb needed vitamins. Just changing your diet to eliminate fast food and processed food can help protect your body's gut flora" 

That's part of a message that arrived in my email on health.  It made me want to ask what about our soul flora?  Do we have soul flora? I googled it.  Not happening so I'm inventing it now. Our busy lifestyles are wrecking havoc with our soul flora too. Going to church on Sunday, being a good person, leading a moral life just doesn't cut it.  Why because we live in a fallen world. How do you even know what's right?  Right and wrong is constantly changing ..... in God's Word (Bible) you find God's truth not man's truth.  It is God's truth that will renew your mind and give your soul flora the strength to understand and fend off evil in these dark days. 

A pearl to string: There are many different symbols used to describe the Bible. In Psalm 119 it is the Light and the Way, in Jeremiah it is a Fire and a Hammer, in Ecclesiastes it is a Nail and a Goad, in Deuteronomy it is Food, in Luke it the Seed,  in Ephesians it is our Sword and in Psalm 91 it is our Shield of protection.  God has blessed us with His Word. It is our shield of protection throughout this life and for eternity.  

His Word will bless you, guide you, and will never fail you. Trust Him and His Word.

And know you are loved,

                                  Lyndi 

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  -- Psalm 5:11

On The Island

Once upon a time, in the middle of the ocean, there was the Island of Trid.  It seems that most of the Island of Trid was covered by a large mountain. On this mountain lived a Giant. The Giant did not allow Trids on his mountain. If a Trid dared to climb onto the mountain, the Giant would kick him into the ocean. Trids are notoriously bad swimmers, and frequently drowned when kicked into the ocean.  Every square inch of the island, except the mountain, was crowded with Trids. The Trids spent their days dreaming of the open space available on the ever visible mountain. Every few days, a Trid would decide he couldn't stand the crowds any more. He would start to climb the mountain, and the Giant would kick the Trid into the ocean. The Trids were a very depressed people. One day a traveling Rabbi visited the Island of Trid. Despite their overcrowded conditions, the Trids were extremely generous to this man of God.  The Rabbi decided to return the favor, and to go plead the Trid's case to the Giant. "Surely the Giant can be convinced to share some of the mountain with you," the Rabbi explained.  The Trids were horrified. "Please don't go, Rabbi", the Trids implored. "The Giant will kick you into the ocean, and you will surely drown." The Rabbi knew how to swim and therefore insisted that he talk to the Giant. The Trids sent out every boat they had. They formed a ring around the island, so that they would be able to rescue the Rabbi.  The Rabbi started walking towards the mountain. No sign of the Giant. He walked through the foothills, and there was no sign of the Giant.  He started up the slopes of the mountain, further than any Trid had ever been. Still no sign of the Giant.  Finally he reached the summit of the mountain. There the Giant was waiting for him. The Rabbi asked "Tell me Giant, why have you allowed me to climb to the top of the mountain, without kicking me off the moment I started climbing?"  And the Giant replied, "Silly Rabbi, kicks are for Trids!" 

A pearl to string: Groan.... sorry just could not resist!  We've got a giant right here on earth. He is the major influence on the mind-set expressed by the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His areas of influence also encompass the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.  According to 2 Corinthians 4:4; the "god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."  Yikes that is bad news! But there is good news: Man does not have to work to earn God's favor; eternal life is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). And that free gift is available through Jesus Christ and Him alone (John 3:16; 14:6). 

We have an awesome God

and He loves you,

                         Lyndi

Terror Cells in Church

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.  

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ, to return.  NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT!  (However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.) Author unknown 

It's not some terrorist across the sea that we need to fear.  We're doing a fine imploding job right here at home.  The statistics on people leaving church and the teachings of their youth are heart wrenching.  Oz Hilman writes: "In the early Hebraic church, wisdom was gained by obedience. Hebrews learned that wisdom was gained by knowing and doing the will of God and that it often did not line up with logic. However, as the church became impacted by the Greek culture through the influence of scholars like Socrates and Aristotle, knowledge-based systems became more influential in the way education was taught and applied. Greeks believed that the way to gain knowledge was based on reason and analysis. When Joshua walked around the city of Jericho seven times blowing his trumpets, he was exhibiting a Hebraic model of decision-making - pure obedience. Logic and reason played no part in this decision. When Elisha instructed the army general to go wash in a lake in order to be healed of leprosy, it confronted his intellect. This was Hebraic thought rooted in obedience.  The Church has moved into a more knowledge-based and programmatic system of operation over the centuries, rather than obedience-based methods that are motivated by a heart fully devoted to following God. We've replaced obedience with reason, logic, and slick marketing for attractive programs to entice people into our churches".  

A pearl to string:  When things run amuck it's always the same answer.... back to the fundamentals.  Seems we need to return to yesteryear and the Hebraic model of decision-making - pure obedience.  “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) 

Know you are loved,

                            Lyndi