Make Up Monday - Psalm 119:52

"When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O Lord."

We ought to take comfort in knowing that God has shown us what pleases Him. He didn't have to give us this

Bible, or give us a savior, but His love for His creation is so great that He freely gives us this grace. Just think

about this for a minute; that we don't have to guess. He tells us what is good, and what is bad. We don't have

to feel our way through life, hoping that the scales will tip in our favor. Can you see what a blessing this is?
All we have to do is look in His word, and it will show us the right thing to do. What a gracious God we have! Yet, even greater than this, He has given us the way of salvation in His Son. Let us praise Him every day for His
mercy and provision!

(I know we haven't put up a new song in a while, but here's something to tide you over)

Done Driving!

Yes, I finished my last day of driving yesterday, and I now have my Driver Education Certificate, which I need to
be able to get a learner's permit. Monday went very well; we went over to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock where there are very curvy roads. I actually like curves far better than intersections and parking lots! B)
  Yesterday was good too, but more challenging, as I drove on I-40 over to Waynesville at high speed, with large
trucks aplenty! Once in Waynesville, I was charged with a task: go to Walmart and find (and park in) a parking
space at the "Outdoor Living" entrance. Well, I got in the parking lot alright, but getting in a space was another matter entirely. All in all, I had to pull in and out two times before, on the third try, I finally got it! I say again, I like curves far, far better than parking lots at this point. But of course I'll try and navigate whatever comes!

Scripture Sunday - Psalm 103:2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits"

We bless God by speaking of His glory and His mercy, His power and strength. We bless Him by singing His

praises (even if your voice is not-so-angelic). We bless Him by recalling the many mercies He has shown us,

and the many blessings that He gives us daily. The very act of breathing is a testimony to His mercy and grace, because we do not deserve to breathe the air that He has made; we do not deserve to see the morning day

after day. And this is because of the guilt that we all, as descendants of Adam, are born with. Yet how richly

has He shown "His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"!

  Therefore, let us remember all the benefits that He has given, and still gives, to us. Let us go to His Word

and see what He has done in times past, and look forward in faith, blessing His holy name. 

PS: Yesterday, I was able to drive with an instructor, and actually managed to drive on the interstate! That right

there is proof positive that God still works miracles! B) Anyway, I'll be going again tomorrow and Tuesday, so

I would covet everyone's prayers for safety, calm nerves, and especially that I don't make any stupid mistakes!

Try-Again Tuesday - Acts 4:12

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved."

There are lots of nice people out there. Lots of people who do good things. And lots of "Spiritual" people.
The (perhaps) inevitable question is, how can God send all of these nice people to hell? Even though I know
that's the wrong question to ask, it still pops up in my mind every now and then.
  The key in responding to this "dilemma" is to then ask the question:

What do they do with Jesus?

  What, indeed? Do they believe Him to be just a good moral teacher? Or better yet, a prophet? Do they believe
Him to be a created being, or Lucifer's half-brother? I will not attempt to refute any of these beliefs here, but
this I will say; that Jesus is God, He is the judge of all people, He has standards, and nobody can satisfy them
completely. And I mean nobody. So, in conclusion:

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that by believing you may have life in his name."

We're Back

Yes, we survived the trip! And it was a good one, with lots of good food and fellowship. The memorial service
went very well, with an excellent sermon by our cousin Mark, who is a pastor up in St. Louis. The whole event
was a fitting tribute to a woman who loved and served God.
  This has been just a quick post to say that everything's peachy, God is good, and I am tired.  B)