one last Christmas chuckle...

today's verse

as we enter 2017...

today's verse...

i like this tradition...!!

always remember...

Christmas Truth

Reflections...

photos taken by our front door/front yard
during my high school days

"Describe your childhood bedroom. What was the view from your window?"

My family was poor when I was little. My parents -- your great-grandparents -- were church planters in the mountains on the island of Cebu and the homes back then were one-bedroom affairs. So, we probably slept, ate, entertained all in the same little room.

I didn't have my own bedroom until I was in high school, specifically when my Dad became president of FEBIAS College of Bible in 1972. So, for 2 years -- until I left for college in the States -- I had my own bedroom, a sanctuary during those critical teen years...

What I loved best about having my own bedroom was that I could decorate it in a way that expressed my personality. Case in point -- my bedroom door...

The view out of that bedroom window was our front yard which was full of plants and flowers since my Mom had an awesome "green thumb." I also could see the back of Vision Chapel and this huge mango tree that provided great shade to the music rooms that were located at the back of the Chapel. Couples would also meet at the back of Vision Chapel because they could stay hidden from prying eyes by large trunk of the mango tree. During the summer, that mango tree would bear LOTS of fruit and they were SO sweet. We always looked forward to getting the fruit from that tree.

a good reminder for this time of the year...

oh yes...

verse for today...

ABSOLUTELY!!!

clever acronyms

I think that people who can come up
with these clever acronyms are very smart...

CHRISTMAS TREE

good reminder...

10 PROMISES...

thoughts on Christmas...

Psalm 46:10-11

NEVER FORGET...

just in case you needed to be reminded...

still on Etiquette

25 ETIQUETTE RULES EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

Unfortunately, many people consider respect for the rules of etiquette as something shameful, considering it a feature of classy aesthetes who are removed from real life.
In fact, the basic rules of etiquette are pretty simple. It’s a culture of speech, common courtesy, neat appearance, and control over your emotions.
Here are the etiquette rules which every self-respecting person should know:

• If you say, ’I invite you,’ that means you pay. You may say, ’Let’s go to a restaurant,’ and in this case, everyone pays for themselves. If a man offers to pay for a woman, she can agree.
• Never pay a visit without a calling first. If someone came to see you without warning, you might be wearing a bathrobe and hair curlers! One British lady liked to say that when uninvited guests showed up on her doorstep, she always put shoes on, and grabbed a hat and an umbrella. If she liked the person, she exclaimed, ’I just got home!’ If not, she sighed and said, ’Ah, what a pity, I was just on my way out.’
• Don’t put your phone on the table in public. By doing so, you show how important a role this device plays in your life, how bored you are of what’s happening, and that at any moment you’re ready to stop a useless conversation and once again check your Instagram feed, answer an important call, or try new levels in Angry Birds.
• Nine things should be kept secret: age, wealth, family quarrels, religion, medical problems, love affairs, gifts, honor, and disgrace. Drivers should remember that puddle-splashing of passers-by is an amoral behavior.
• A man should always walk on a woman’s left-hand side. Military men are the only exception, because they should be ready to salute.
• If someone offends you, you shouldn’t return the favor or raise your voice to the person who insulted you. Don’t sink to their level. Just smile and leave the ill-mannered company.
• Avoid meaningless talk on the phone. If you need someone to talk to, it’s better to meet with them in person.
• Your shoes should always be clean.
• Most people believe that the only proper way of eating sushi is using chopsticks. However, this really depends. Men, unlike women, can eat sushi with their hands.
• If you’re walking along with someone and your companion greets a person you don’t know, you should also greet them.
• A man never carries a woman’s handbag. However, he can take her coat to carry it to the cloakroom.
• Don’t invite a girl on a date if you’re going to be texting all the evening.
• In the cinema, theatre, or concert hall, you should move to your seat facing those sitting. A man goes first.
• A man should never touch a woman without her permission. This means that it is unacceptable to: hold her hand, touch her during a conversation, and push her or take her hand above the elbow (unless a man is helping her to get into or out of a car, or cross the street).
• If someone calls to you rudely (’You there!’), you shouldn’t answer. Be a model of good etiquette and polite social manners.
• The golden rule when using perfume is moderation. If you can still smell your perfume in the evening, everyone else is already tired of it.
• A well-bred man will always show proper respect to a woman.
• In a woman’s presence, men may only smoke with her permission.
• Whoever you are — a company director, an academician, an elderly woman, or a student — when you enter a room you should be the first person to greet everyone there.
• Respect the privacy of correspondence. Parents shouldn’t read their children’s letters. Couples should show the same respect for each other. Сhecking someone’s pockets in search of love notes, letters, and other things is extremely rude.
• Don’t try to chase fashion. It’s better to wear nice, even if not fashionable, things than look awful in a brand-new suit.
• If you’re forgiven after you’ve apologized, don’t touch the offensive subject again just to say you’re sorry. You should try to avoid such mistakes in the future.
• Avoid laughing and talking too loudly, as well as staring at people — it’s insulting.
• Don’t forget to thank your loved ones, relatives, and friends. They help you not because they have to. It’s their desire. Appreciate them.

As Jack Nicholson, an American actor, said:
’I think much of decency. How to pass a plate. Not to shout from one room to another. Not to open a closed door without knocking. Let a lady pass. The aim of these endless simple rules is to make life better. I pay close attention to my manners. Etiquette matters. It’s a simple and comprehensible language of mutual respect.’
Let’s respect each other!

Matthew 6:33

Your great-grandfather's (Dr Gadiel T. Isidro) annotation explains this verse like this:

This is the proven principle of having all our needs provided by God. Let us put God first in our lives. He should be our priority. Then our legitimate needs will be provided.

Good advice...

The 12 Days of Christmas

The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church.

The "True Love" one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because truly Love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

According to Ann Ball in her book, HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS:

The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments

The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

Original Source: Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, Nebraska

oh yeah...

This is SO important to remember...

Dec 16, 2016

Verse for today...

COMING HOME

I heard this song for the first time today and
instantly fell in love with it!!

COMING HOME by John Legend

A father waits upon a son

A mother prays for his return

I just called to see

If you still have a place for me

We know that life took us apart

But you're still within my heart

I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me

I'll make it home again

I pray you'll fall in love again

Just say you'll entertain the possibility

I learned enough from my mistakes

Learned from all I didn't say

Won't you wait for me?

It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home.

We fight to stay alive

But somebody's got to die

It's so strange to me

A new year, a new enemy

Another soldier gone to war

Another story told before

Not it's told again

It seems the wars will never end

But we'll make it home again

Back where we belong again

We're holding on to when

We used to dare to dream

We pray we live to see

Another day in history

Yes, we still believe.

It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home.

I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming

You know that I'll be coming home.

It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3owa7c-eFM0

Published on Jul 27, 2012

Today's verse...

i pray that you will have a few good friends...

i like this...

verse for today...

Different?

Verse for the Day...

Limits?

Failure?

How do you feel when you fail at something? What about when you fail over and over and over again?

Number of failed Dyson vacuum cleaners James Dyson created before he made the one that worked:  5,126

Number of failed storyboards Pixar throws in the garbage in order to produce a 90 minute film: about 113,0005,126fore he made the one that worked: 5,126Number of failed storyboards Pixar throws in the garbage in order to produce a 90-minute film:  about 113,000

Number of failures Thomas Edison estimated he'd experienced on his way to developing the light bulb:  10,000

The main way we process failure is by feeling shame. It often doesn't matter how or why we failed, the shame is still there. But, in many cases, failure is merely a symptom of action that you took to get a result. Would you be ashamed if you accomplished a goal? Then, why should you feel shame about trying to achieve that goal?

Failure can be a creative force, a motivating force, a source of positive change. There are many different types of failure, and it can be pretty tough to rationalize some of the ones that really hurt. But, the main thing is to make it count every time that you fail.

Failing fast and failing often is a sign that you're on the right course to produce great results. Don't be ashamed to be working hard and experience a setback. Keep pushing through.

Cheers,

Dr Henry Cloud

Our family tree...

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence [is] fullness of joy;
at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

this is another of my favorite verses in the Psalms.
According to your Great-Gramps' annotation,

"The path of life leads to God’s presence and right hand where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever."
This should serve as a comfort for the present
and exciting assurance for the future with God that is promised to us who have a placed our faith and trust in the
Lord Jesus Christ.

because i won't be here when the next SUPERMOON comes around in 2034...

Norway

Breathtaking!

Garden of the Gods, Colorado

practical advice...

This is my go-to remedy for almost
all physical problems...

Happiness...

now that we're getting closer to Thanksgiving...

Because the 2016 elections was MIRACULOUS and EPIC!!!

Bethel Church (Redding, CA) Pastor Bill Johnson:  Why I Voted for Donald Trump
Posted November 10, 2016

I was told if I voted for Trump, I needed to open my Bible to find out why it was morally wrong. So I did, and this is what I found.

I found that murder/abortion was wrong, which Clinton approves of even up to the point of delivery. Changing the name from baby to fetus doesn't change reality. It's a baby. A woman has a right to decide what happens to her own body. But, all of our rights stop when they violate the rights of another - in this case the unborn. I also found that one of the main biblical purposes of authority is to speak on behalf of those who have no voice. The unborn qualify. They wait silently for someone to stand up and speak. Clinton has refused to do so.

I found that one of the primary responsibilities of the government to protect its citizens. Clinton pulled the protection back from our representatives who were crying out for help at Benghazi. She then deceptively blamed a video on YouTube, knowing it wasn't true.

I found that compassion for aliens (visitors to a nation) is vital, but here again the responsibility to provide safety for its citizens comes first. Open boarders violates such a responsibility, creating an impossible task for our law enforcement officers who already live in the daily challenge of risking their lives to provide safety for all enter our borders, citizens or not. We also have a great need to demonstrate compassion to those who are here illegally to come to a redemptive solution where possible. On the other hand, what right do our leaders have of choosing what laws they want to enforce or ignore. By implication, that places governmental officials above the law itself. "Illegal alien" speaks for itself. If it's a bad law, change it.

I found that honesty is a core value of God's kingdom and that Clinton violated that value when she deleted hundreds of thousands of emails, some of them classified, and then lied about it to congress and tried to destroy the evidence. Some of the classified emails were given to unclassified people, putting our safety as a nation in jeopardy.

I found that God gives us the ability to make wealth, and that merely giving people money without work can create a lifestyle of dependency that is dangerous for them and our government. The failed liberal agenda espoused by Clinton actually creates the problems they claim to fix. I also found that often times the welfare system masquerades as compassionate when it actually robs people of their much needed self esteem gained in their ability to work. Each person has the right to work to create wealth for their families in order to break the cycle of systemic poverty. This is the heart God for every household of every race. The problem won't be fixed by merely throwing money at the problem. But neither will it be fixed without throwing money at the problem. People compassionately helping people is desperately needed. It is also the privileged responsibility of any society to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

I found that redefining the family according to the latest immoral code is in fact cursed by God. Tragically this is a primary focus and value of the Clinton candidacy.

I found that socialism is contrary to Jesus and His teachings. He strongly taught of the importance of giving to the poor. But when he talked about taking from the one person who had one talent (a sum of money) and gave it to the one who had the most, He disqualified himself from being a socialist. Socialism robs people of personal identity and liberty at the expense of national control and power. The liberal agenda, of which Clinton takes center stage, embraces this theme proudly. When government takes from the rich to give to the poor they rob the wealthy of the self esteem gained from being a part of the solution through compassion. I cannot call it compassion if I take your money and give to someone in need. It's only compassion when I give my own.

I found that the accusations of racism to be serious enough for all Americans to stop and take notice that we might be a part of the solution and not add to the problem. When I looked at Trumps personal staff and the workers in his businesses and I found happy minority workers who were very thankful for their boss. I also found that accusation is a trick of the devil to create fear, thus manipulating peoples decision making process. I found that the devil himself is called the accuser, and that often times good people fall into that trap thinking they are doing the rest of us a good service by creating an evil image of someone when their perception is in itself wrong. Trump was never called a racist until he ran against Clinton.

I found that he who blesses Israel is blessed of the Lord, and that the present liberal agenda has put at risk decades of success with this important ally.

I found that political correctness is nothing new, and that Jesus Himself faced these challenges. He refused to be governed by popular opinion. I found that the fear of man, which is the goal of political correctness, is a stench in the nostrils of God for it removes freedom to think for oneself.

I found that God values each nation uniquely, and that the present move towards globalization is nothing more than a modern Tower of Babel. It is mans efforts towards creating unity through uniformity instead of being free to celebrate diversity both with individuals and nations.

I found that speaking of women in a sexually demeaning way is wrong, as is treating any other human being as a piece of property. It is inexcusable, but not unforgivable. I also found that it is important to forgive people who have asked for forgiveness. Trump acknowledged his error of ten years ago and publicly apologized. I hope that those who judge him for that sin are not also judged for what they did wrong that they have confessed. For what it's worth, I often look at the children of an individual to be able to measure what kind of person they really are. Trump's children adore their dad and work for and with him honorably. I want the same for all who read this.

All elections are tough. This one more so than any other I can remember. And, there are very legitimate reasons for voting for or against any given candidate. Unfortunately, neither Billy Graham or Mother Theresa were running for office. That leaves us with the responsibility to do our best with what we have. And I have done that, with a good conscience. I believe the outcome is from the Lord. At the same time I realize that many people I care for don't see it that way at all. Regardless, my love for God and people remains the same. And as I did for Clinton, Bush, and Obama, I pray for protection for President Trump and his family, that he would have great wisdom for his near impossible assignment, and that he would always listen to godly counsel. I pray that he would increase in favor with God and man. I pray for those who are in despair because of the outcome of this election, that God Himself would give them peace and a hope filled promise. And, finally, I pray that each of us would have a life of realizing the fulfillment of dreams, with great health and blessing in every area of life.

http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/67882/20161110/bethel-churchs-bill-johnson-why-i-voted-for-donald-trump.htm

Donald Trump, President of the United States by the Sovereign Intervention of God

As the political pundits weigh in on the many sociological and ideological factors that contributed to Donald Trump's stunning victory, allow me to weigh in on the spiritual side of things.

I believe Trump has been elected president by divine intervention.

I'm aware, of course, that some people believe that everything happens by the will of God, which means that whoever wins the presidency wins by God's express will.

Yet there are times when there are so many odds against something happening, when it so greatly defies logic, that it is easier to recognize God's involvement.

That, I believe, is the case with Donald Trump winning—and remember, this comes from someone who endorsed Ted Cruz and was one of Trump's stronger conservative critics during the primaries.

Just think of the obstacles Trump overcame, including:  1) The massive baggage of his past, including the release of a vulgar video with his tremendously offensive sexual comments, along with numerous women accusing him of sexual assault (as reported by no less than the New York Times); 2) his myriad campaign errors, with enough misstatements and inappropriate remarks to sink several candidates; 3) a very strong Republican field, including governors like Bush, Christie, Kasich, Huckabee and Walker, senators like Cruz, Rubio and Santorum, and outsiders like Carson and Fiorina; 4) the massive power of the Clinton political machine; and, 5) the overwhelming collusion of the mainstream media.

To be sure, some will say, "Yes, God has raised up Donald Trump, but it is to judge America, not bless America. He has given us what we deserve, and it is not good."

That is certainly a possibility and, either way, Trump's many negative qualities are still glaring and our nation remains terribly divided.

But, if, indeed, God has raised Trump up for certain divine purposes, it behooves us to ask what those purposes are.

First, consider this post from Pastor Jeremiah Johnson, now just 28 years old, dating to July of last year. Jeremiah knew very little about Trump when he wrote these words: "I was in a time of prayer several weeks ago when God began to speak to me concerning the destiny of Donald Trump in America. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, 'Trump shall become My trumpet to the American people, for he possesses qualities that are even hard to find in My people these days. Trump does not fear man nor will he allow deception and lies to go unnoticed. I am going to use him to expose darkness and perversion in America like never before, but you must understand that he is like a bull in a china closet. Many will want to throw him away because he will disturb their sense of peace and tranquility, but you must listen through the bantering to discover the truth that I will speak through him. I will use the wealth that I have given him to expose and launch investigations searching for the truth. Just as I raised up Cyrus to fulfill My purposes and plans, so have I raised up Trump to fulfill my purposes and plans prior to the 2016 election. You must listen to the trumpet very closely for he will sound the alarm, and many will be blessed because of his compassion and mercy. Though many see the outward pride and arrogance, I have given him the tender heart of a father that wants to lend a helping hand to the poor and the needy, to the foreigner and the stranger.'"

Obviously, Trump's policies regarding immigration would seem to contradict the final sentence here, but if the rest of this proclamation is true, then, perhaps this part will prove true as well.

Second, consider the perspective of Dr. Lance Wallnau, a Christian speaker and leadership coach who often thinks outside the box. He, too, felt that God was raising up Trump to be a Cyrus-type leader—someone used by God to help the nation, even though he himself was not a believer—feeling directed to read a passage from Isaiah 45 to Trump (this passage speaks of Cyrus) and say that Trump was called to be the 45th president of the United States.

Wallnau believes that God is using Trump as a "wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness," claiming, "His emergence is such a destabilizing threat to the vast deal-making machinery embedded in both parties that he has the unique distinction of being rejected by both liberal Democrats and establishment Republicans at the same time."

In Wallnau's words, Trump is God's "chaos candidate."

But here is the major caveat, even if all (or most of these things) are true:  If Trump, indeed, is a divine wrecking ball, then he could do as much harm as good, and to the extent that he is appealing to the fears, frustrations and anger of a nation, he is channeling some potentially dangerous emotions.

That means that we should pray that: 1) he will continue to surround himself with solid men like Mike Pence, his Vice President, or Rudy Giuliani, possibly his Attorney General; 2) he will listen to the godly leaders who have been speaking into his life, like James Robison and Tony Perkins; 3) he will humble himself, recognizing that the pride that has brought him this far is the pride that could destroy him; 4) he will keep his word about the Supreme Court justices he will nominate; 5) he will not compromise the Republican Platform in some misguided effort to prove his moderation; 6) he will do his best not to alienate those who are horrified by his presidency, instead pledging to be the president of all Americans (that would mean, for example, declaring war on radical Islam without declaring war on all Muslims); 7) he will demonstrate that he will ultimately help our nation as a whole (for example, with good economic policies or by proposing something better than Obamacare); and, 8) he will learn to act presidential (rather than vengeful and impetuous) on both a national and international level.

In short, if Trump indeed is president by divine intervention, we should pray for divine restraint on his life as well, lest this divine wrecking ball wreak havoc on the nation while tearing down what is wrong. May he be a divinely guided wrecking ball!

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Breaking the Stronghold of Food. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.