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?

Weekly Bible Verse?

Hello, sorry I have not done the weekly Bible verse, I have been to busy. Speaking of which, I think that a weekly Bible verse is too much. How about monthly or bi-weekly. What do you think?

HERE is this weeks Bible verse-
A false [1] balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct [2] his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void [3] of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearer [4] revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [5] for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without [6] discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal [7] soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth [8] souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Christmas

Aaaaahhhh Christmas, My favorite time of year. The family and friends and God. I cannot believe that is has come so fast. I Love Christmas and I have been counting down the days till Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all who read this.

-Alex

Christmas or mas?

Ah, only a few more days until Christmas. Just the thought of the food, the presents, and the fun is making me happy. But too often -far too often- we forget what the season is really about. And what I have been wondering lately, is that if someone doesn't believe in God, then why do they celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is the day where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. All Christians know that. Christmas = Christ + mas. The most simple way to say it is this:
If you take away Christ from Christmas, what do you have? Christmas - Christ = mas. And what, now, exactly, is a mas? I don't know either. So if all of these people -people who don't believe in God- aren't celebrating Christmas, what are they celebrating?

I truly just don't get it. Christmas has become too commercial, too material. It's too much about 'Santa Clause' and presents. And worse- it's not even enough about giving. So many times this year, I have been asked what I want. I don't really want any stuff. I want to become a better Christian, but that is not a gift one can give. People are forgetting what the season is truly about- the birth of Jesus.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 6-7)

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2: 16-18)

So all of you, please remember the story behind the holiday. And I would appreciate comments; I love hearing other's points of view. Thanks!

My favorite Bible chapter.

This is my personal favorite Bible chapter. It helps a lot when I'm scared, and need to trust in God.

Psalm 27 (NIV version)

Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Now, in an easy-to-understand version- New Century

A Song of Trust in God

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and the one who saves me.
So why should I fear anyone?
The Lord protects my life.
So why should I be afraid?
2 Evil people may try to destroy my body.
My enemies and those who hate me attack me,
but they are overwhelmed and defeated.
3 If an army surrounds me,
I will not be afraid.
If war breaks out,
I will trust the Lord.

4 I ask only one thing from the Lord.
This is what I want:
Let me live in the Lord's house
all my life.
Let me see the Lord's beauty
and look with my own eyes at his Temple.
5 During danger he will keep me safe in his shelter.
He will hide me in his Holy Tent,
or he will keep me safe on a high mountain.
6 My head is higher than my enemies around me.
I will offer joyful sacrifices in his Holy Tent.
I will sing and praise the Lord.

7 Lord, hear me when I call;
have mercy and answer me.
8 My heart said of you, "Go, worship him."
So I come to worship you, Lord.
9 Do not turn away from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have helped me.
Do not push me away or leave me alone,
God, my Savior.
10 If my father and mother leave me,
the Lord will take me in.
11 Lord, teach me your ways,
and guide me to do what is right
because I have enemies.
12 Do not hand me over to my enemies,
because they tell lies about me
and say they will hurt me.

13 I truly believe
I will live to see the Lord's goodness.
14 Wait for the Lord's help.
Be strong and brave,
and wait for the Lord's help.