Good Friday

As you know, today is Good Friday. The day we celebrate Jesus' death, which seems rather weird to say. But we do celebrate. Not like other holidays, where there's food and fun, but in a more solemn way. And, although it's sad that Jesus died, he came back to life. That He thought us worthy of dying for is in itself a thing to celebrate.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and for a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(Matthew 27:45-50)

A kept person

I got this from my church newsletter

There were a few time when I thought I would lose my mind.

But God kept me sane.
(Isiah 26:3)


There were times when I thought I could go on no longer.

But the Lord kept me moving.
(Genesis 28:15)


At times, I wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong.

But the Lord kept my mouth closed.
(Psalms 13)


Sometimes I feel that the money just isn't enough.

But God has helped me keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, ect.
(Matthew 6:25-34)


When I thought I would fall, He kept me up.


When I thought I was weak, He kept me strong.
(Matthew 11:28-30)


I could go on and on, but I'm sure you know what I mean.


I'm blessed to be kept.


Do you know a kept person?


If so, pass this on to them to let them know they are kept.


I'm kept by the Love and Grace of God.


I hope you are too!

Read your Bible-see John 3:16


-From the Ira Star, February, 2009

When it comes to music...

...there are a lot of choices. Genres, artists, albums, songs.... And then there's the choice of whether you want to listen to music that is glorifying to God, or stuff that doesn't.
Personally, I'm fine with listening to music that doesn't glorify Him. As long as it doesn't have any cussing, or is suggestive, that is. I'm not saying that I don't listen to music that doesn't praise God; I do. Most of the time what I'm listening to is Christian music. But I don't think that it's wrong to listen to other stuff too. Why would it be? Of course, song is a great way to praise God, one of my favorites. Whether it's in a band or chorus, making up your own songs, or just singing along to music, it really brings you closer to Him.
Some of my favorite Christian bands/singers are Vicky Beeching and Laura Story. I highly recommend them. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. I'd also love to hear your opinions on whether or not you think it's wrong to listen to non-Christian music. So please leave a comment!

Psalm 13

I'd like to share another of my favorite psalms with you.

Psalm 13 (New International Version)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13 (New Century Version)

A Prayer for God to Be Near

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?
How long will you hide from me?
2 How long must I worry
and feel sad in my heart all day?
How long will my enemy win over me?

3 Lord, look at me.
Answer me, my God;
tell me, or I will die.
4 Otherwise my enemy will say, "I have won!"
Those against me will rejoice that I've been defeated.

5 I trust in your love.
My heart is happy because you saved me.
6 I sing to the Lord
because he has taken care of me.

Finding Jesus, but He was never lost.

LOLcats never usually give me anything more than a laugh, but I have been pondering this one for a few days. It's so true, when it seems like nobody is near, Jesus is really just on top of the bookcase waiting for us to find him. He is always there, he was never lost, we were.

Version's of the Bible

I thought that I'd tell a little bit about a few different versions of the Bible.

The King James Version:

John 3:16 (King James Version)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The KJV Bible was first published in 1611. It has been revised several time and the 1762 revision is what we now know as the King James Version. It has been the bestselling book for four centuries and is the most used Bible. It is probably the most accurate modern version available. I love it because of it's beautiful, poetic wording. It is also my favorite version. But, many people don't like it because it can be harder to understand that newer versions and uses out-of-date words like thou and hast.


The New King James Version:

John 3:16 (New King James Version)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Also very used The New King James Version was written in 1982. It is very much like the King James Version, but it doesn't have words like thou and hast. I would say it us the most accurate yet understandable version available.

The New International Version: (This is the version I use)

John 3:16 (New International Version)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Yet another very used version, the New International Version was written in 1973. It is very understandable, but still flows nicely. Most study Bible are the NIV version and many churches use it during service and in the pews.

International Children's Bible:

John 3:16 ICB
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "

The International Children's Bible was written in 1986. It uses small words and simple language that is easy for children to understand.

The New Century Version:

John 3:16 (New Century Version)
16 "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "

The New Century Version was written in 1987. It is very easy to understand, yet somehow, it retains the beautiful wording like the older versions. I find it to be the most enjoyable version to read and a the best version since the King James.

The Message:

John 3:16-18 (The Message)
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

The Message was published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It's wording is almost like a Bible study, it speaks directly to the reader. It is by far, the easiest version to understand, but the poetic beauty is lost. Despite that, I think it is a remarkable version.

What is your favorite version, which one do you use and why?