Month: January 2009

  • Psalm 19

    Psalms 19:1-14 KJV  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  (5)  Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  (6)  His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.  (7)  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  (8)  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  (9)  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  (10)  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  (11)  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.  (12)  Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  (13)  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  (14)  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

    Look up at the sky and all the stars…that alone is enough proof of the glory of G-d.

    Romans 1:18-25 KJV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; {19} Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. {20} For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {21} Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. {24} Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

    Several years ago a scientist wrote an article entitled, “Seven Reasons Why I Believe in God.” He said, “Consider the rotation of the earth. Our globe spins on its axis at the rate of one thousand miles an hour. If it were just a hundred miles an hour, our days and nights would be ten times as long. The vegetation would freeze in the long night or it would burn in the long day; and there could be no life.”
    He said, “Consider the heat of the sun. Twelve thousand degrees at surface temperature, and we’re just far enough away to be blessed by that terrific heat. If the sun gave off half its radiation, we would freeze to death. If it gave off one half more, we would all be crispy critters.”
    He said, “Consider the slant of the earth.” I think he said twenty-three degrees. “If it were different than that, the vapors from the oceans would ice over the continents. There could be no life.”
    He said, “Consider the moon. If the moon were fifty thousand miles away rather than its present distance, twice each day giant tides would inundate every bit of land mass on this earth.”
    He said, “Think of the crust of the earth. Just a little bit thicker and there could be no life because there would be no oxygen. Or the thinness of the atmosphere. If our atmosphere was just a little thinner, the millions of meteors now burning themselves out in space would plummet this earth into oblivion. These are reasons,” he said, “why I believe in God.”
    – Frank Pollard, “Our Greatest Victory,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 175.

    The sun actually travels across the galaxy at 64,000 miles per hour.
    The earth spins on its axis 1,000 miles per hour.
    The earth travels around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour.
    The galaxy moves 481,000 miles per hour across the universe.
    That means that right now you are moving at over 630,000 miles per hour through the universe.

    Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    Notice that it is not entertainment that builds our faith, but the teaching of the Word of G-d. I wish more pastors would understand that fact.

    I Peter 1:23. Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

    Many reject Christianity because they want their freedom. The thing they don’t realize is what joy we have walking down His path. For those that reject His way, they are the ones who fined themselves in bondage and not at peace.

    The more time you spend with G-d, the more people will be able to see Him in you.

    Shalom

  • Hallelujah Chorus

    Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute’s (smbi.org) choir of 4th term 2008 performing Hallelujah Chorus at the Martindale Mennonite Fellowship Center in Ephrata, PA. (we sang this every year at Terre Hill Mennonite High School)

  • If I disappear tomorrow….

    If I disappear tomorrow….it may mean that someone hit a pole driving in a way that they shouldn’t considering the forecast. Below is what is being said for Here for tomorrow. What is your weather supposed to be like tomorrow?

    Winter storm warning in effect from 6 pm this evening to 8 pm est Wednesday,
    The NWS has issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow and mixed precipitation, which is in effect from 6 pm this evening to 8 pm est Wednesday.
    Developing low pressure, over the lower Mississippi valley will move northeast toward Pennsylvania tonight and Wednesday.
    Snow will overspread all of central Pennsylvania and the western mountains of the state early this evening. The start of the snow may be as early as 5 pm across the laurel highlands, but as late at 9 or 10 pm across mountains to the northeast of Williamsport.
    The snow will fall heavy at times late tonight until around daybreak Wednesday across much of central Pennsylvania, and will have a high impact on the morning commute when precipitation rates are expected to be the greatest.
    Similar to several previous storms this winter season that have taken a nearly identical track, a shallow layer of above freezing air located at several thousand feet above the ground will surge north as far as interstate 80 during the late morning hours Wednesday.
    A changeover from snow, to mainly sleet and freezing rain will occur across the southern half of the state between 4 and 8 am, with significant icing from freezing rain possible Wednesday morning. Storm total snowfall prior to the changeover in places such as Altoona, Chambersburg Harrisburg and Lancaster will range from 2 to 4 inches. Across the central mountains and middle Susquehanna valley, 4 or 5 inches of snow will likely be followed by a 6 to 8 hour period of sleet with some freezing rain mixed in.
    The region near and to the north of interstate 80 will see a total of 5 to 9 inches of snow from late tonight through late Wednesday.
    A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, or ice are expected or occurring.

    Those with travel plans in the warned area are advised to take an alternative route, or should use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.

    Carry extra supplies, including blankets, food and a cellular phone in case your car becomes stranded. Stay tuned to noaa weather radio or your favorite source of weather information for the latest updates. Additional details can also be found at, weather.gov/statecollege.

  • Psalm 18

    Shalom aleichem

    Psalms 18:1-50 KJV  <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  (2)  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  (3)  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  (4)  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.  (5)  The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.  (6)  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.  (7)  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.  (8)  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.  (9)  He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.  (10)  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.  (11)  He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.  (12)  At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.  (13)  The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.  (14)  Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.  (15)  Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.  (16)  He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.  (17)  He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.  (18)  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.  (19)  He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.  (20)  The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.  (21)  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  (22)  For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.  (23)  I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.  (24)  Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.  (25)  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;  (26)  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.  (27)  For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.  (28)  For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.  (29)  For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.  (30)  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.  (31)  For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?  (32)  It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.  (33)  He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.  (34)  He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  (35)  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.  (36)  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.  (37)  I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.  (38)  I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.  (39)  For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.  (40)  Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.  (41)  They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.  (42)  Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.  (43)  Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.  (44)  As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.  (45)  The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.  (46)  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.  (47)  It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.  (48)  He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.  (49)  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.  (50)  Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

    This Psalm is also found in 2Sam. 22:1-51 with only a few changes.

    Why do we worship G-d? Is it fun? Is it to get something in return? Is it because we just feel like it? All those reasons are obviously wrong. We are to worship G-d because He is worthy to be praised, He deserves our praise. The word “worship” comes from an old Anglo Saxon word, “worth”, and thus, worship is extended to one who is worthy – THE L-RD!

    Sometimes we may wonder why G-d would ever bother paying attention to us.  But He does. The Bible says that our prayers are like incense rising before G-d’s throne.

    Rev 8:3-4 KJV  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. {4} And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

    As incense burns, the smoke rises, filling the room.  Our prayers rise before G-d and are pleasing to Him.

    David was empowered by G-d to go up against many enemies, in seemingly impossible situations. Remember in I Samuel, that as Saul had come upon David in the wilderness, that at night, David went right down into the camp of Saul, and took from him his spear and jug of water while Saul was asleep, surrounded by his army. He trusted in the L-rd to save him, and the L-rd did!

    People come up with all kinds of strange theology. There is some really bizarre stuff that people are placing their trust in today. G-d’s Word is proven, it is tried, it is perfect, and if we use it in our life it will be a shield of protection for us.

    Proverbs 30:5-6 says “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

    Rom 15:8-9 KJV  Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: {9} And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

  • Happy Mommy has to share.

    I am very happy with Christian writing his name. I took pictures of two of the times he has written it today and I had to share it :) He hasn’t had any interest in witting his name before this and He is doing really good….I think…for just starting to write it today. I write it and he copied off the one I wrote. Then I erase it and he writes it again and we continue. Right now He is coloring.

  • Psalm 17

    Psalms 17:1-15 KJV  <A Prayer of David.> Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.  (2)  Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.  (3)  Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.  (4)  Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.  (5)  Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.  (6)  I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.  (7)  Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.  (8)  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,  (9)  From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.  (10)  They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.  (11)  They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;  (12)  Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.  (13)  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:  (14)  From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.  (15)  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

    David is crying out to Adonai. He’s asking Adonai to judge him fairly.

    How did David keep himself on the right path? He compared everything into the light of the Word, and that kept him on the right path. Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” Psalm 23 David said “…He leads me in the paths of righteousness…” which again is done through His Word. And it is the Word that we can use to take our stand against the enemy, as Yeshua (Jesus) did as He said to Satan, “It is written!”

    apple of the eye – refers to the pupil of the eye.

    The eye is the most sensitive part of our body, the pupil the most sensitive of the eye.

    We are told that the reflex that has the eyelid covering the eye is the quickest reflex in your body, 1/10,000th of a second.

    As people gorge themselves on the things of this world, they become self-sufficient and proud. There is no room for El-Shaddai in their life.

    Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

  • Blessed are You Adonai our G-d

    Baruch ata adonai elohenu melech ha olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

    Blessed are You Adonai our G-d, Ruler of the Universe who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day.

  • Hear O Israel

    Sh’Ma Yisrael

    Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

    Blessed be the name, of His glorious Kingdom for all eternity – a prayer from the Siddur, the Jewish Prayer Book.

    Hebrew:
    Sh’ma Yisra’el Adonai Eloheinu,
    Adonai echad.
    Baruch shem k’vod mal’chuto
    L’olam va’ed

    Translation:
    Hear, oh Israel:
    Adonai is our God
    Adonai is One
    Blessed is God’s glorious name forever!


  • School called…please continue to pray

    Well, the school called me today. Well to be totally accurate the district Guidance Counselor called me today.

    He gave me the “low down” of what they can do for “W”

    He said first they will do some testing. Then we will set up a plan for him. Then we will meet weekly to talk about how he is doing and what all needs to be done.

    Please continue to keep W and I in your prayers. I am so not good at dealing with this stuff. I was shaking the whole time I was talking to the guy on the phone, but like I told him, my only concern is for W and doing what ever can be done to help him.

    He said I will be hearing back from him again after he talks to W’s two tutors and the other people at W’s school that he needs to talk to.

    (do you think they are trying to scare me away with weekly meetings LOL)

    So just an update on how the stuff is going.

    I have tagged a few of you because either a. I wanted you to see this because I know as a fact that you are praying about the situation or B. I know that you know stuff about this kind of stuff and may have advice.
    Feel free to give me tips and pointers on this whole process.

    Thanks.

    Shalom

  • Psalm 16

    Psalms 16:1-11 KJV  <Michtam of David.> Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.  (2)  O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;  (3)  But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.  (4)  Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.  (5)  The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.  (6)  The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.  (7)  I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.  (8)  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  (9)  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.  (10)  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  (11)  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

    Here we see two contrasting people, those that put their trust in El-Shaddai, and those who put their trust in other gods. Now David lived in a society that was polytheistic, a society that served many gods, some even drank the blood of animals in the worship of their gods. And Adonai is forbidding that kind of activity for His people, they were to be separate.

    David was satisfied in Adonai, that was his portion. If everything else was taken away, he still had Adonai and that is all he needed. Tragically, many today are not satisfied in Adonai, they want more. Let us learn from Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

    I think there is a sense that G-d can teach us even while we sleep. Have you ever gone to bed worrying about something and woke up with the answer?

    Starting at verse 8 we move to prophecy.

    David is speaking prophetically of Yeshua Hammashiach (Jesus the Messiah). You can go to Israel today and see the tomb of David, where his bones still remain. Yeshua Hammashiach rose on the third day, before His body saw corruption. (Jews believe the body becomes corrupt after being dead over 3 days)  Peter, on the day of Pentecost, quoted these verses and said that David was not speaking of himself, but of Yeshua. Paul, in Acts chapter 13, said to the people of Antioch, “Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

    II Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Even as these bodies go back to the dust of the earth, we will be present with Adonai.

    Our fullness of joy is found in Adonai. Now let me ask you, “What is the path of life?” It is not works that we walk in but a person we trust in – Yeshua is the path to eternal life where true joy is found in. Spend time in His presence and you will be full of joy in your heart that will overflow in your life.