A Final Message From Pastor Bulldog's Blog Network

Hello to all of the many friends of Bob Adams' ministry. On October 16, 2009, Pastor Bulldog slipped quietly and peacefully from this world. He had many health issues in his later life, but he proved that "bulldogs are survivors" by not only working through them, but working within them to help others.

His son, Dr. Jeff Adams, wrote a post about him on his blog, http://www.drjeffadams.com./

Please send cards with your thoughts to Helen, who adored Bob and always was enthusiastic in her support of his work.

Helen Adams
c/o Del Mar Gardens
12100 West 109th St.
Overland Park, KS
66210

Bob wrote a wonderful book, "Off My Chest, From My Heart", which contained Blessays with memories of his life and work. It is entertaining and inspirational and well worth reading and sharing. If you would like an e-file copy of that book, write to pastorbulldog@gmail.com. It will be free and with no further emails to bother you.

(If you print out the hard copy, it would make a wonderful gift to a friend or for sharing with your Sunday School class.)

The mailbox will be kept open for another few weeks, so act soon for your free copy.

Pastor Bulldog kept the faith and finished the race with valor. You keep the faith too.

Survivor Chronicles #4

"What Are You Trusting God To Do For You?"

I never forget that greeting made famous by Evangelist Manley Beasley. He preached it, he lived it, and he would look one directly in the face and challenge them with it.

Trust is just that – it’s TRUST: not a shred of doubt or dust of wavering, no shades of gray – it’s just plain downright ((( TRUST! ))). I know this, but if you are a new or are an undiscipled believer, you can learn from the Bible how to “trust in the Lord” with all your heart, soul, strength … in EVERYTHING in ALL THINGS, TRUST in the “ALL IN ALL.” Am I clear?

I have learned through many trials that we learn how to trust God by steps: some by large steps, others by smaller steps, but always faith is a gift from God that comes by hearing and hearing or reading is from the word of God. The Lord knows what each of us can take and will not let us fall when the Devil attacks, but will provide a way to escape – believe it. Having cancer is so much easier for me since I learned to trust.

I would hate it if, at some juncture of my pilgrimage, I should say, "Enough Lord, the enemy is too much," and find myself wandering in the wilderness for forty years as the untrusting tribal heads of Israel did at Kadesh. God sent to spy out the land that they were promised.

However, my present trial has reasonably good news to report. Before my fourth chemotherapy treatment this week, the PA reviewed the results of my recent PET scan. The tumor on my lung has been significantly reduced in size and the mass that was close to my spine and that appeared on my neck was completely gone.

I say "reasonably good news because it is not over, but I am grateful and I am waiting on the Lord for the next move, trusting wholly in the Lord, as did Caleb, I am like a gear shift, ready to be moved into "Drive."

I do not mean to imply that I have not had moments of concern. When we hurt, we register concern, which in turn is a trigger to get going on a plan. But I have also learned to “be vigilant; because [my] adversary the devil … “, seeks to ruin as many testimonies as possible and to destroy the cause of Christ (1Peter 5:8).

My Oncologists at the Kansas City Cancer Center must be pleased with my PET scan report: I have two more treatments spaced about two to three weeks apart. But I would not tell you that chemotherapy is a "walk in the park." It takes a good two weeks for my system to get back to a reasonable status before the next treatment,

This time it was a bit rough. I sat for six hours of IV intake as usual; a pleasant experience, but it hit me when I got home: flu-like aches and pains in every muscle and joint and even my hair hurt. I hate to take heavy pain pills, but this time I took the big pain pill. But it is survivable to those who have the survivor attitude of Caleb … and other bulldogs: Bulldogs are survivors! Grrrrr!

Some patients come for 30 minutes, others are there for various other amounts of time. It is not my intention to say that what I do is what you will experience. I only want to instill a lack of fear in that I went through difficult life-threatening illnesses, which are peculiar to me, only, and I survived and am surviving, because I am a survivor in His name.

I am presently at peace in the midst of probably the most severe trial, and Jesus is present and handling all of the controls and dosage amounts. Fear not, He is with us always and never leaves nor forsakes us - unless we allow fear to take over and the Bible records that “…whatsoever is not of faith is not of God” (Romans 14:23).

Please Note: Written on the night of President Obama's address to Congress on Health Care and I'm saying to myself, if this American Health Coverage is the best in the world, make repairs, but don’t chop it up in order to manufacture problems - fix it. That’s a vacuum salesman’s trick to get a sale. Once more: Don’t sell the Cadillac because the ash tray is full.

Helen and I thank you for your card, visits, and most of all for holding us up before the Throne of Grace.

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Blessay #229, September 1, 2009

Note: SURVIVOR CHRONICLES are journals of our treatments for a tumor and are posted on “The Topic of Cancer”, a separate blog of this blog network. Go to http://bulldogs-are-survivors.blogspot.com , Click on the “The Topic of Cancer” text Icon on the left sidebar menu.

Tower Building, #101
by Pastor Bulldog

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish" (Luke 14:28-30).

"You have been advised," is the tone of the Master's voice as he teaches his disciples with this kingdom parable in Luke. He is illustrating that whoever would be His disciple must be prepared with a tower-building mentality; able to visualize the cost of building stone upon stone.
You may be saying, “What has a tower got to do with my affliction? I'm sick!” And the answer is ... believers should understsnd that accepting Christ as saviour is only the beginning of a glorious lifetime of spiritual growth, illustrated by tower-building.

In ancient Palestine towers were built to protect vineyards, sheep, and for vineyard keepers and shepherds. They were built tall in high places, sometimes as parts of city walls, or separately, for observation, protection, and defense against predators; man or beast.

When the Lord had delivered him from his enemies, the sweet Psalmist of Israel called the Lord, ”[my] goodness, my fortress; my high tower, my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust… (Psalm 144:2).”
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Building a spiritual tower costs dearly. Studying to know God from the word of instruction that he left us, calls for a cost of absolute love, unfeigned faith, obedience and time. The cost could be too severe for today’s average church member; more than someone is willing to pay.

A tower must be on a sure foundation: “... Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16).”

Many want to know how to attain eternal life and ask to be placed on that foundation. But like the rich man that Jesus told to sell everything he had and give it to the poor, the influence of the world system makes the cost was too much for him.

He turned aside preferring the tarnished relics of a world system of sin and pleasure. I feel sorry for that poor rich idiot. He was blinded to the simple concept of “love God with all heart, mind, soul, and body.” The Lord wanted all of him: experience, fortune, and loyalty.

If he had shown willingness to follow Jesus, he could have become a valuable disciple and a faithful steward of his own possessions, washed and restored. And … maybe he would have had his name in the Bible, instead of just “rich man.”

The Cost:

• Surrender All to Jesus:
• to love Jesus more than family members;
• to love Jesus more than his own life,
• to love Jesus more than any or all of his possessions,
• to deny oneself,
• to pick up one’s cross and follow Jesus,
• to expect to be hated of all men for “His name's sake.”

”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” ”And: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).”

Towers are actually made of lofty goals and implemented by disciples, which make for easy attitude measurements of how sincere one is when singing, “Oh, How I Love Jesus.” Building your spiritual tower is to snap “living” stones in place, one on top of the other, on the sure foundation.

These new hopeful disciples are “lively [living building] stones,“ as Peter calls them, ”built up a spiritual [tower], an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:5).

“Foundation stone,” then, calls for another tower to build; the Church of God, which has merged together in one, Gentiles and Jews who have decided to follow Jesus. ”For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 3:11).”

Does God Have A Plan?
Does God Intervene Into the Affairs of Men?
Do Policemen Like Coffee and Donuts?

Ananias, a humble church member in Damascus, a common man of no significant reputation, except that the Bible refers to him as a “certain disciple,” was a faithful believer, growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. He was ready when Jesus spoke to him in a vision to receive Paul, “… a chosen vessel to the Lord, to bear his name before the Gentiles ….” The Lord placed him exactly where he was for a reason, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”

Paul built his tower on the foundation of the LAW as given to Moses. He received a Rabbinical education, a zealous defender of the LAW, persecuting believers of “that way,” consenting to the martyrdom of Stephen, when he was blinded by a heavenly light so that he fell off his “high horse.” He met Jesus, the fulfillment of the LAW, who told him to go to a certain disciple in Damascus where he would get his sight back and receive inner light form the whole counsel of God. “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

A common man, Ananias, discipled the acclaimed and powerful persecutor of believers, so that Paul built a new tower on the Church’s one foundation, which is Jesus Christ, the Lord. His tower protected much fruit, a hundred-fold, for he was a church planter as well, to all they in Asia and to the Gentiles through Europe.

Is your tower a refuge, an escape, an armory for putting on the whole armor of God, and for a place to worship and to heal. Have you started to build your tower since having believed? Or did you consider the cost too much and decided to suffer the shame of not completing your growth in Christ?

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is (1Corinthians 3:13)."

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New and hopefully permanent email addresses for Pastor Bulldog:

pastorbulldog@gmail.com and
omc.fmh@gmail.com : Both email addresses are sent to the same Inbox. =====================================

Survivor Chronicles #3

“GIVE ATTENDANCE...”

” to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee … Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all …[in the chemo treatment room]” (1Timorhy 4:13).

I suppose that some can read, exhort, and study while chemicals course through their bodies, but not me. My dosage is heavy and it takes four to six hours each treatment. I spend that time in a comfy recliner, close my eyes, and get some peaceful rest.

The treatment room is pleasant: It is large with three walls of windows on the ground floor overlooking a garden landscape. The room is filled with recliners and lots of cheerful daylight. It is peaceful and the caregivers, of compassionate Kansas and Missouri women, have a gift of making one feel special.

It’s amusing to me; the nurse holds a couple of chemical bags for me to read while she reads to me: my name, chemical name, potency and date; this before hooking them up to the IV tower. It’s like a waitress in a fine restaurant, showing a couple of wines for approval: “good choice.” But this treatment is a bit bizarre in the first place.

Extreme fatigue is the side effects of my treatments with flu-like aches and pains, which takes about two weeks to subside. I have a strong pain pill, but I have only taken it three times during these three treatments. But we are all different and what happens to me may not happen to others, but be prepared.

Chemotherapy has some positive effects. After losing my bale of frosty white hair, I discovered my ears: large pointed wings like Dr. Spock on “Star Wars,” and I don’t have to shave, whiskers just won’t grow – maybe slow-growing fuzz.

Just before the third treatment, the Oncologist showed the CTscan results, which was to determine the next step; to go ahead with the third treatment, to include some radiation, or to have further chemo treatments; the latter being the most encouraging option.

The scan showed a slight reduction in the tumor on my right lung and it also showed that the original visible cyst on my neck had disappeared. He prescribed three more treatments spaced every two or three weeks apart and to include another scan.

However, I am cautious. elation can be stressful and stress is stress. I am just praising God, but understanding that I still need to trust Him continually, because it is not yet over. I maintain a neutral mode to let the immune systems do what the Creator ordained them to do. Negative thoughts are from the Devil and will minimize healing.

However, Paul told Timothy to “Neglect Not the Gift that is in Thee.“ Being comfy-cozy in a recliner and taking a huge dose of chemicals does not mean that one should temporarily toss off the gifts that the embedded Holy Spirit of Jesus gives to believers. "… the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29).

I never did fret about what gift I have, as many do. I believe every believer has many gifts that the Holy Spirit will engage for appropriate action for an auspicious event. The main thing is to do something when the Lord says, “Get up: Go.”

A chicken farmer I knew who was so proud of his money selling chickens to restaurants occupied a pew on Sunday, but not much else. He told me that his gift was giving money to support the church and that’s all he needed to do… well, we wish him lots of “cluck.”

This is the perfect place to meditate on those things that come to me from giving attention to the great doctrines of the Bible. It is a time of peace, rest, and healing. I’m good for six hours of rest and meditation, even if I can’t read – but I will exhort if given opportunity.

Chemo and cancer are survivable. This is the perfect place to meditate on those things that come to me from giving attention to the doctrine of the Bible. It is a time of peace, rest, and healing. But do not let one negative thought from the Devil enter in.

”Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable [positive] in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
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Survivor Chronicles #2

Medical Science or Alternative Medicine?
Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

What to do: What to do… Who is right, who is wrong? That is often the dilemma that comes on with the battle of cancer. I have heard this often as a medical center chaplain on the Oncology Ward. I have also experienced it personally. Every answer was standard: Consult your Pastor and confide your feelings to your Oncologist and I will pray with you for comfort and direction.

I learned the truth of 1Corinthians 10:13: Each affliction may be different, but is as intense as everyone else; and God will “also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” He does not give you an aspirin or does not always heal directly, but He knows how much you can take before breaking.

Our main consultation should be with the Master Physician, the Lord. He does not dispense confusion and the answer He gives to all who come to Him is, ”Fear not!” I have found Him to be a very personal Oncologist and easy to talk to. While the members of His flock are sheep, each sheep is different and unique… yet, all are stamped with the earmark of the Lamb of God.

I must go back to my first bout with colorectal cancer in order to describe how it affected my present battle with invading forces. I was told that it was “dire”. The operation was reasonably successful, but a little had invaded a lymph node, so the treatment was a protocol of chemotherapy and radiation.

However, I admit that I had concern about my mode of treatment. If I chose a mixture of both medical and alternative methods, my oncologists would not abide by that. Then as now, I sought divine guidance, not franticly: hysteria blocks investigative thought and solutions. My immediate goal was to acquire peace so that intermediate and long term goals could emerge with clarity.

The Psalmist’ prayed; “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust:” and I wondered “How does one hear lovingkindness?” It came to me that I have actually been listening to the voice of the Lord, the personification of Wisdom, Justice, and Love, and Lovingkindness. There He was; every morning as I was ready to start the day: “Lord, ‘in thee do I trust, cause me to know the way wherein I should walk (Psalm 143:8);”

Lovingkindness showed me the way. I was very aware of His presence and unafraid, just peaceful: perfect peace that passes all understanding. So; at 11:00 A.M. every day, I was face down on a lab table in the “sci-fi” room where the radiation would come out from somewhere and go into my body someplace: the technicians had retreated behind a lead shield in another room. I was all alone and serenaded from beeps and buzzes before I heard the extended humm of the juice being applied. But I was ready… here’s why:

Is the Creator of heavens and earth able to still the waves of radiation? All powers are subject to him: in His nail punctured hand is “power and might; to give strength unto all; upholding all things by the word of his power. He laid the foundation of the earth: set the North over an open place, stretched out the heavens like a garment, “according to the working of his mighty power,” which He employed when he raised Christ from the dead. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made“ (John 1:3).

That must have been quite a blast of divine power that raised Jesus from the dead, power that scientists may call radiation today: the same power from the image of the invisible God, who spoke and the light separated the darkness. With His fingers, He decorated the heavens with sprinklings of heavenly bodies, on course and in their places. Radiation? Nothing to it for the Lord Jesus Christ. He invented it

When I heard the hum of the radioactivity, it was the right nail-punctured hand of the Master Physician on the control, measuring the exact amount needed. The same is true for chemotherapy. The right hand of my salvation measured the amount of chemo that should drip slowly into my veins.

I can hear some of you draw in your breaths; “But what happens if you are not cured? What you are saying is false hope!” Not at all: I cannot find “false hope” in the Bible: various types, yes, but it is all hope. When I underwent the procedure, I had hope: others were there in silent witness to my reactions. If I should make one move of doubt, it could affect a lot of people. So, I am like the gear shift on a car; in neutral until the Master engages me. I would not frustrate the plan of God for my life.

If the invading forces prevail, God has a way for me to escape, which is far better than anything produced by avoiding false hope. I did not care, for He would get the glory in my body by life or by death, as Paul taught the Philippian church.

Update: I have had two treatments of chemotherapy and this coming Tuesday I will have the third usual six-hour infusion and then an evaluation. Don’t worry about me: Jesus and I will get caught up on a few things and I may need an attitude adjustment. I’m just going to spill over onto Him.

Thank you for your prayers, and to God be the glory.

Robert N. Adams (Helen says “Hey”)
We are Pastor and Mrs. Bulldog
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Survivor Chronicles #3 will have a more complete description of the treatments, consultations, and of the Kansas City Cancer Center.

The Healthcare Gap

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"The house of representatives ... can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as the great mass of society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together. It creates between them that communion of interest, and sympathy of sentiments, of which few governments have furnished examples; but without which every government degenerates into tyranny." --Federalist No. 57, February 19, 1788
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"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:27): "... there is no respect of persons with God" (Romans 2:11).

CHANGE? I Did Not Expect This!

THE OLD ORDER YIELDS TO THE NEW -

Not without a few well-chosen "barks" from Pastor Bulldog. I have begun chemotherapy treatments to eradicate a tumor on my right lung. I have also begun a series on the treatments, The "Big C" Chronicles: the process, the progress, my thoughts, the effects, and results. I will add an account each week until whatever. I recognize this "sting" as the Lord permitting it to happen that He might prove me for even greater service to the Lord, "whether by life or by death". At the same time, Helen is going through a battle of pnuemonia on top of the after effects of her second pacemaker/defribulator implant. To make the treatments for both of us easier and to keep our boys from "tearing their hair out" in extra work, worry and concern, the family in a concerted effort has helped us close up house-keeping and move to a beautiful long-term care faciltiy, Del Mar Gardens of Overland Park (Metro Kansas City, MO), Kansas, just nine miles from our former home. The Bulldog will continue to bark by God's grace through faith. Keep checking in, there's more to come.

Thank you for your prayers.Click on "THE TOPIC OF CANCER" link on the side bar to the left for The "Big C" Chronicles. Thank you for your love and loyalty. "To God be the glory, Great things He has done."

Salute Those Who Are Brave Enough To Defend Our Liberty

July 4, 1776: If these farmers, merchants, and scholars were not ready, they got ready ,,,in a minute!

From the Revolution agaist tyrany, to the Surge that made a nation free. To ridding godless terrorists in Afghanistan; after having helped to save Europe and the world from a massive global holocaust while losing our loved who did not survive our own holocaust at Omaha Beach, the Americam soldier, sailor, coast guardsman, Air Force airman and fighter/bomber pilot, and including the Merchant Seaman, is ready in a minute to take arms to keep our country safe from those who have no conscence and would just as soon shoot, stab, skewer, hang, or saw us in half, as look at us ...after laughing at attempts to negotiate.

Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775, delivered a speech to Colonial delegtes to vote on being independent colonies. Only the last part is presented here.

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

Thank God for the spirit of '76 ...still alive through all of our mistakes and controversies. Pray without ceasing for our brave professional troops who are giving all they have - and for their families.

Celebrating Our Nation's Independence since July 4, 1776.

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"Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:" (Job 22:15-16)

Blessay #226

(A revision of a much earlier Blessay by Pastor Bulldog)

FORGET NOT HIS BENEFITS
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his BENEFITS:” (Psalm 103:2)

One of the sweetest sights I have seen in our 62 years of marriage is that of Helen reading her large print Bible: in the dining area with her cup of coffee; in her recliner until she drops off to sleep; or on the side of her bed in the middle of the night when she can't sleep.

Often something she reads brings tears to her eyes. "This is so beautiful, I can’t get over it. God gives us BENEFITS. Just think of this – BENEFITS like you get from your employer. It’s just too wonderful.” But that's my girl: the word of God bows across her heart strings, playing them like a cello.

Meditation on the word of God gives cause to reflect on the differences of God’s ways to the ways of the world. Every decade or so, employers deal with employees in different ways. It wasn’t so long ago that human relations people camped on college campuses on recruiting missions, competing for the best brains. Benefits were the carrots of competition to lure them in. College seniors actually made career decisions based on benefits.

And the worst of it is that the whole process of benefits backfired. A recruited “shooting star” got all the benefits possible and some asked for more. Then they were lured away by another company – hop-scotching to mega bonuses and salary increases like the benefit game corporation heads, city managers and school superintendents in moving from job to job; each one giving larger severance bonuses.

How temporal are man’s benefits. As we write, corporations are actually planning to drop health plans and benefits. But with God, His benefits are permanent, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

It is still fresh in my mind that benefits in my day were simple: If you did a good job today, you got to come back tomorrow. It was not unusual for a person to be told not to bring their lunch on Friday: they might be sent home early because they would not be back on Monday.

Experts say that benefits or the lack of them can cause job related stresses, which can result in angst, depression, poor diet, and lack of exercise: known factors in developing a life-threatening disease. It is important at this time to remember and meditate on all His benefits, some of which are clearly stated in Psalm 103:3-5:

• Verse 3: “Who FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES ...:" The most beautiful words to me are "… thy sins be forgiven thee (Matt 9:2);” “… come unto me … and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28)”. What better BENEFIT? Are you hanging on to guilt, knowing that God turns His head and cannot look on iniquity?

If you have accepted God's free salvation through Jesus, you are saved from the penalty of your sins, according to the word of our immutable God. God has already turned His head away from your sins; they were judged in the body of His only begotten Son as He spoke in agony, “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” It's over – forget it, God has, why can’t you?! Now, go on! (Accept peace and get rid of stress)

• Verse 3: "... who HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES: (Caveat ... if we let Him) Some people just accept diseases, drifting into stress and bewilderment. They pray and hope for healing, but do not see in their mind’s eye that their request is placed at the foot of the throne of grace. God’s gift of faith is a super charged BENEFIT: On numerous occasions Jesus said, “They faith has made thee whole. Faith is a gift of grace through faith and it comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God. It’s okay to say, “Lord, I believe, but help me in my unbelief.” Who can find a better health care plan that makes a person whole?

The administration believes the people’s cry for change to mean, "We have no health insurance but from 'Caesar' (John 19:19)". However, we can trust Jesus: He never sees too many patients, never has waiting lines, is ready to see you 24/7, no price increases; Jesus paid it for you, and He has promised never to drop you. In addition, America has the best health care system and the most skilful and professionally trained health care professionals - IN THE WORLD.

Politicians and humanists who say the government is more capable of seeing to the needs of the people do not understand people or they hope for total control of the people, because the people do not know what they need and the government does.

• Verse 4: “Who REDEEMETH THY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION ...: Another BENEFIT is sanctification: instant and on-going. New believers are separated from the world at their new spiritual birth, but a discipled believer belongs to the Lord and keeps himself separated from the entanglements of the world, yet having a good report from those without.. Any deviation from the path of being conformed to the image of Christ can and will result in physical destruction and/or spiritual destruction: fellowship with the Lord.

God had a church full of sanctified sheep at Corinth, but they felt so secure that they engaged in all sorts of fornication. The Apostle Paul severely scolded them in his first epistle, telling them to get their act together and to kick out a “black sheep” from the flock, who engaged in incest, to let the Devil's wolves deal with him. But in his second epistle he applauded their repentance and restoration. The sheep of the good shepherd, know His voice and he saves them from destruction of body and soul, and He will rescue them, even if there is only one ... you.

• Verse 4: " ... who CROWNETH THEE WITH LOVING KINDNESS and TENDER MERCIES:” The good life does not exist outside of being a believer in the LORD Jesus Christ. Worldly pleasures are only "the high life," and don't reach any higher than the moon.

Therefore, worldly pleasure seekers have shallow ambitions, temporal at best, and we all are like ants on this small planet, which Almighty God hung upon absolutely nothing and placed His throne in the north over "the empty place (Job 26:7)." Kindness and mercy are from Mount Zion above, on the sides of the north, the place of the throne of God.

The BENEFIT is a crown of kindness and mercy from God the Father, who is spirit, and Jesus Christ, " ... the image of the invisible God … (Col 1:15),” and from the Holy Spirit, "… the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive … but [we] know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:17)." Wear your crown with the grace and love for which it was given (Three benefits for the cost of one).

• Verse 4: “Who SATISFIETH THY MOUTH with good things ... ; When we look at the disciples Jesus picked, we have to wonder at the diversity of occupations and standing in the world: tax collector, physician, fisherman, and others, making a group of future apostles. Good words are good BENEFITS for use at the right time to the right people: those who hearts are prepared to seek the Lord.

The Master told His disciples that He would give them a mouth; the right things to say to the house of Israel that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. The "good things" the Psalmist mentions are those things that are spoken from the mouth that sprung from the heart. Much later, the Apostle Paul gave good news with the gospel message of Christ, dead, buried, and risen. Then he gave an invitation: " ... if you confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Rom 10:9).

• Verse 5: " ... so that THY YOUTH IS RENEWED like the eagle's.” But when? Israel is waiting for that, "Next year in Jerusalem," and so am I. Here, then, is the BENEFIT tested, in that there is a time of affliction and a time for healing and relief. But, Is it soon or do we wait and wait and wait to feel the Lord's healing touch? Isaiah’s poetic prophecy concerns Israel, but at the same time God gives us the same advice:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isa 40:31).

Are you waiting? So are we; waiting to run and not faint; my dear wife will run and not stagger or reel or faint ... so we ask when we shall see God? Call me crazy, but the thought of soaring like an eagle gives me quite a lift, and although it refers to Israel’s future, but it thrills me to pieces. I am also lifted when I read Isaiah’s words to Israel, "Thy youth is renewed,." I claim that verse.

Let's see, I am 82 years old, and when I think of Helen and I bursting through the ether in eternity to a never ending adventure of service to the Lord my heart skips a beat. The Bible says that when we see Him we will be like Him, and we shall see Him as He is (1John 3:2-3). He was about 33 ½ years old. My goodness, it will be so good to be 33 ½ again. What a BENEFIT, what a Savior!

What sayest thou? Comments, please!

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Blessay #225

Are You Cast Down? Well, Praise Up!
From Off My Chest, From My Heart: the eMail, By Pastor Bulldog

(Psalm 42:5; 11; 43: 5) “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

Who is this that writes with such flip-flop authority about the downcast and the hopeful; all in one short paragraph? Not David this time, but the sons of Korah, probably descendants of the insurgent of (Numbers 18:8-9): musicians in the temple in charge of the worship services.

Their music is mournful, and their beds at night are soaked with their tears of remorse as they remember life as it was in Jerusalem, the holy city of Zion. No more will they be coursing up the steps to the temple, singing and praising Jehovah God, for His grace and mercy to Israel.

The disobedience and spiritual adultery of the sons of Jacob (Israel) caused God to execute His justice as a holy and righteous God and to carry through on His promises of blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-15) and cursings (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Knowing that Jehovah "inhabits the praises of Israel", their praises became empty phrases of hypocrisy and they were exiled: Israel in the north to Assyria and Judah to Babylon.

Perhaps there is no worse tortured remembrance than that of remembering how it was "when” and how their days could have remained pleasant as a nation IF they had not drifted away from their foundational moral Law of God in obeying His ordinances, judgments, and commandments.

But now they are in Babylon, a strange country, with an even stranger God who sanctions the worst of hedonistic practices and inhuman treatment. They were a nation that forgot God. Having been entrusted with the oracles of Jehovah that were given to Moses on top of old Sinai. They agreed that all Jehovah commanded, they will do, but it did not take long for them to backslide and lose favor with God.

Yet, today we can praise Him as they did: There are millions around the world, Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God, who hungrily seek to know more about God and beg for Bibles and teachers.

All men are sin contaminated from birth by inheritance, and all who reject the notion of original sin are the best proof of its truth. Yet... You don't have to remain in your inherited sin, IF you are a new creation in Christ.

• You can live free of sin and can overcome its temptation.
• You can be in the company of sinners saved by God’s grace through faith; faith that comes through hearing and reading the word of God.
• You can be among a new people, a spiritual newly born people who will see Him as He is and will gaze upon His countenance.
• You are forgiven IF you accept that Jesus' pure blood of God was shed for the remission of your sins.
• You are free to know the mysteries of God in His dealing with the world. How great is this new world of investigation.
  
  "YET" the Psalmist remembers his calling of God and advises, "Hope thou in God": and "I shall YET praise him for the help of his... countenance?" In the midst of depression the leaders of worship, the godly sons of Korah, wash their faces, put on clean garments, count to ten and say "I will YET . . .".
  
  An interesting word is "countenance": from Webster 1828 Ed. in online "eSword", "Literally, the contents of the body; the outline and extent which constitutes the whole figure or external appearance. [But more appropriately, the human face; the whole form of the face, or system of features; visage."
  
  This first definition not only refers to "face”, but also it describes explicit delineation of the body, or the image of the invisible God, whose punctured nail-scarred hands are stretched out to receive your petition and to give you grace, peace and comfort.
  
  So, why do I get so down and depressed? There is no reason to, when His countenance comes to our aid, eliminating killer stress and setting us upon a rock in peace as we gaze upon His countenance. And we hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
  
  The theme text is repeated almost verbatim in two other passages: The three passages are in two Psalms that could have been meant to be only one. The changes in each passage are made in the last part of each.
  
  (Psalm 42:5) "... for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance".
  
  The reference is to HIS countenance which, after the horrors and heart-sick melancholy of a nation in exile, the Psalmist will be satisfied with God’s face in righteousness: God is righteous, but the Psalmist must have righteousness accounted to him. Then his search to see His face is rewarded and we are embraced with the warmth of His everlasting love in eternity. Jesus sticks closer than a brother, and His Holy Spirit is our advocate and teacher… “Love so amazing, Love so divine.”
  
  (Psalm 42:11) "... for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God".
  
  Again, it's no wonder you feel cast down: STRESS is the Devil's fiery dart of choice, and he does not have to work to hard to hurl it at us. Natural man is naturally sinful and will naturally drift away from God. We let ourselves be exposed to the enemy: We cease from letting God be the Captain of the hosts of the Lord, who LEADS us into battle. "Faithful is He who also will do it."
  
  (Psalm 43:5) "... for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God".
  
  The singers of Israel sang a sad song even after a remnant was restored back to Jerusalem. Life never was the same as in the victorious days of King David and the glorious years under King Solomon. God’s people, Israel, serve to give us warning that God blesses that nation whose God is the Lord, but brings justice on that nation that forgets God and says, “We have no God but Caesar.”
  
  ”The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young” (Deuteronomy 28:49-50). And… that was Israel and every nation in history that forgot God. Who is next?
  
  I look forward to His pleasant countenance in eternity and His intercession for me today. He is my God. Is He your God? "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23).

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News About OFF MY CHEST, FROM MY HEART: the eMail

We will cease posting the weekly devotion, Off My Chest, From My Heart: the eMail, because of unknown hindrances, until we can research and restructure and explore our many options.

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We have tried three times to post Blessay #224, and for some reason, it (and others) have been blocked. Our List Distributor is as puzzled as we are. In checking with other newsletter owners, we find that others have had the same difficulty: This all began with our List Distributor's problem with Yahoo.
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I don't know who is at fault or for what reasons caused this, nor do I care at this point. I do know that the List Distributor is exhausted for all he has been through in trying to unscramble this mess, and that he has had us list owners at heart. He is a good man and could use an extra bushell of prayers.
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But I am tired and recently developed a serious illness, for which we will be going though some procedures. Our concern is for the messages we feel that the Lord has given us to pass on to "whosoever will" read them. I cannot be bothered with chasing down problems and eating up time and energy on computer stuff.

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When I die, it is my request that our two sons will find me sitting in front of this desk top H.P. with my last Blessay on the monitor, keyboard on my lap and right hand on the mouse.

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BUT THAT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON. I have many themes in folders for future blessays until they run out your eyes.
My progress will be posted on the "Cancer" blog,

http://omcfmh-6.blogspot.com/ -

as a teaching tool for your benefit. Isn't that what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth?"

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And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation (2Corinthians 1:6).
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In the meantime, all future Blessays will be posted on the Main Blog of the Fifteen Blog Network, http://bulldogs-are-survivors.blogspot/.
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To God be the glory,Great things He has done.
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Robert and Helen Adams

pastorbulldog@kc.rr.com

omc.fmy@gmail.com

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Please Note: In addition to the above, I have found that a large group of subscribers are missing from the list. If you have not received your Blessays for some time, please let me know and I will re-subscribe you.

Little Anti-Christs around the world are doing everything they can to destroy the Bible, discredit the Lord Jesus Christ, and ruin a Christian's testimony. But I would hate to think that they would target my subscribers . . . yeah?

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (1John 2:18).

Blessay #224

Note: Our weekly Blessays are posted on this blog for Yahoo subscribers who cannot receive it.

WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD by Pastor Bulldog
Text: Ephesians 5:26; “That He might sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

There was an ignoble ritual in the Army in the 40s decade called a GI bath (General Issue). I would assume it is still being done, except that it may not be necessary in this day and age of designer fragrances.

There was a young GI in my barracks who was not hindered by cleanliness. He went for extraordinary lengths of time without so much as a wash rag to his face - UNTIL: the emanation from him formed a different aura, so thick that it was hurting our eyes. So, it was necessary to put together a *committee*. He was captured and carried, kicking and screaming, into the latrine where he was deluged with water from a hose and with G.I. soap. The poor guy was scoured, scrubbed, and rubbed until he was spic and span, mad, and left to drip-dry.

OUR COUNTRY NEEDS A G.I. (God Inspired) BATH

There is a stench of rottenness that has caused a smog of smut over our country and it is like an incoming tide, washing up flotsam and jetsam and ugly little sea creatures. Media people, bloggers, entertainment Novas, super ambitious politicos, and just plain downright mean, cantankerous, ignorant, disappointed, envious, greedy, filthy mouth no talent ... (you fill in the rest), are wasting their time and ours on trying to destroy careers and to topple those in the spotlight. They do the work of Huns and Visigoths

Their main target is Jesus Christ, the Bible, and Christians. Nominal Christians don't bother them, because Nominal Christians have no sense of solid doctrine and "fold" easily and join in with them.

We need outraged up-holders of Judeo/Christian moral values to form committees to backwash this flood with GI baths of decency, purification, high level thoughts and deeds; to saturate the air with stinging rebukes of scripture, and prayer vigils in non-public places: non-violent, but visible, prayer warrior sessions.

Avoid noisy demonstrations: they are what give godless humanists, fuel to ridicule with nasty, degrading terms from filthy mouths and polluted hearts. The offenders have no shame and to respond in kind is to give them what they want. Let them ridicule believers for praying and reading our Bibles. Heap coals of fire on them with pity and kindness and let God deal with them. Isn't that what Paul instructed the Corinthian church to do in regard to incest?

In my years of observing Presidents, administrations, Congress, lobbyists and the court system, I have never witnessed such falsification, blaming, name calling, manipulation, hypocrisy, political game playing, skull-duggary and blatant in-your-face, white-washed larceny . . . and it's only May.

Congress is such an amusing place, Will Rogers found most of his irony in Congressional malarkey. It is where every mean and nasty barb and dart that is aimed at another is followed by ‘. . . My good friend and colleague the honorable [ Representative/Senator] from the great state of . . . ‘.

"These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots (Jude 1:12)".

(No disrespect to the good law makers with right motives; may their tribe increase, God bless them.)

The Culture of Corruption and
the Culture of Concupiscence

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, boasted about cleaning out the culture of corruption within 100 days. That was when Republicans handed over and just gave Congress to the DNC. Her goal was noble, indeed: corruption she knows something about, But a larger phenomenon is growing like yeast in bread dough. It's the Culture of Concupiscence (def: No holds barred ) The Psalmist heard it in his day, Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Sometimes I feel like Elijah. Am I the only one who is sick of it? Are there others who are as outraged as me?

School kids have always been savvy about adult stuff, but their daytime domains are now infected with low life lures. The culture of concupiscence is loaded with Socialists and Secular Humanists, whose manifestos denounce God, the worship of God. and they explode from emotional internal combustion and rage at those who do worship God - we are a threat to them and their ugly lifestyles. *How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? (Job
15:16) .* (Gee, I wish I had said that!)

WE NEED TO FORM G.I. COMMITTEES
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

From heaven, Jesus selected a committee of 40 holy men of old: prophets, judges, kings, business men, and priests, and breathed His testimonies, ordinances, and commandments into their personalities and considered backgrounds to form a guide book of 60 books, unchanging and absolute. It's called THE BIBLE, one book; no need to call it anything else; it is the ONE BOOK by which men may find God and be guided by Him in peace, grace and safety.

This committee of “washers"; members of a spiritual spa of sorts, where you are rubbed down with oil, lifted up spiritually, and given peace, mercy, forgiveness, and access into God's grace, and are inwardly clean and refreshed. They recorded God's infallible words as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. By them you can know that all the wrong things you ever did in your lifetime have been washed away.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit (1Thessalonians 4:7-8)”

The greatest benefit of all for believers is that we can be washed daily, morning, noon, and night. The sign on God's door says, "OPEN 24/7" Our privilege is a walk with the Lord who listens anytime to anything we need to say, and washes away the guilt of sin by His word and enables you to be a beacon in a world gone mad.

A TIME OF MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
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In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

A TIME TO REMEMBER AND PRAY for Our Military Units around the world, for our Government Officials, and for our President and God-given right decisions in these times of global indecision.

O God, our Father, Strong to save: Consider this Nation, our issues are grave. Bless our young folks who willingly serve, Your grace in service, they strongly deserve. For the parents of the fallen, we ernestly pray, that we'll see loved ones again, in that great peaceful day. We pause this day in order to say, 'Dear Lord, their memories we keep sweet, 'till someday we'll meet, with a hug and kiss, on a great golden street! Amen.

BLESSAY #223 (Weekly email)

GOOD QUESTION!
by Pastor Bulldog
"LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Psalm 15:1)"

My mind can do crazy, but interesting things, at times, when I meditate on a Bible passage like, "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” I'm sure of my salvation, but there are others who are not. So upon reading it again and again, I was reminded of that old gospel song we used to sing at church camps and youth meetings.

"Do Lord, O do Lord, O do remember me,
Do Lord, O do Lord, O do remember me,
Do Lord, O do Lord, O do remember me,
Way beyond the blue."

And the reply that I hear in my mind's eye is, "My child, how could I forget you. You are a special creation and I have had a plan for your life since you were first formed in the womb. No, my child . . . I remembered you when I descended to earth as the only begotten Son of the Father, and I bought your redemption . . . all I ask is that you remember me . . . 'way beyond the blue!'"

So, there are two ways of regarding this Psalm of David.

The First Way: it causes believers in Christ, and non-believers, to pause in the midst of dozens of duties and packs of projects to allow the Holy Spirit to inspect their hearts. Then, we ponder, "Have I allowed presumptive sins to become obsessive sins? Or have I truly been forgiven for my sins?" "Will I dwell in your tabernacle on your holy hill Lord? I have assumed that I am saved, but there are times when I wonder."

The time I spent 45 days in the hospital for a very serious internal difficulty that almost cost me my life. I had no problem answering the Psalmist's question. Like the Apostle Paul, he was "cool" either way: if at last his trophies he would lay down, he knew what was ahead with certainty, an eternity of blessing and praise to God was to be his lot. If God chose to leave him here, then he knew he had a ministry and a purpose - a "win, win" situation. Who could do better than that?

As for me, my mental gear shift was in neutral, a "win/win" situation. Not to appear to be pharisaical, but I had my Bible on my side table and doctors and nurses who came into my room every morning saw it open and being used on my lap. Some stopped to make an appreciative comment.

It made me realize that we cannot allow sin to ruin our testimony. There is a world that is "white unto harvest" and it is watching what we Christians do and say. They may just want to stick their toes in to test the water, but we never know how the Holy Spirit works on individuals who hear what we say, watch what we do, and make a judgment call. They cry out, "Lord, what must I do to have eternal life. Who can live with you in the heavenlies?"

The Second Way: to think of this Psalm as a joyful reminder that, because of Jesus, we have access into God's matchless and unending grace, and the capacity to live what God requires of us – through Jesus, and to know the depth of the riches of His wisdom and knowledge for His unsearchable ways and judgments “past finding out!” This makes utopian fantasies; dark dreams from man-made religions, seem shallow and spiritually impotent. Moreover, thinking about the throne of God in Zion on the sides of the North in the heavenlies expands our souls.

We look forward to His second coming to set up His kingdom of heaven in Zion on the sides of the North in Jerusalem. It is not fiction or fantasies, but an actual place waiting to be occupied by those who have completed their pilgrimage with and in the Lord Jesus Christ. It makes one want to shout "Abba Father and - "YES!" Halellujah!

A soul-winning woman and children’s Bible teacher in our ministry was asked if she planned on taking the tour to Jerusalem with a group from our church. She replied, “Thank you, no; I plan to be going there by and by with the Lord.”

Do you think it's easy? Here is what God requires:

”He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15:2-5).

When Israel was delivered out of Egypt, walked across the parted Red Sea, and gathered at the base of Mount Sinai, the Lord came down in smoke and fire and dictated the LAW to Moses. He promptly went down and read it to the people. The people shouted, "All that the Lord requires, we will do." But they didn't. No mortal man can live up to the requirements of God, because it takes the power and strength of the Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the LAW, to enable us to do it. One must abide in Jesus and He in them.

The Old Testament LAW is quite a load of requirements. It takes a lot of hard implementation to achieve everything that is required from God and no man can keep it. THAT'S THE POINT. The Old Testament Jew was bound by the Law and could not implement it into their life-styles. When they forgot God and struggled to live by their own efforts and worshipped the gods of their neighbors, they got weaker and weaker as a people until God sent them into exile.

Paul wrote Titus that it is "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5); "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1Thessalonians 5:24).

Those who will dwell in His Holy Hill are they which dwell (abide) in Him – and He must abide in you!

Robert N. and Helen Adams
(aka Pastor & Mrs. Bulldog)
"Beloved, wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3John 1:2)

A Proud Time for US

Thank God for Answered Prayer ... the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates, wich involved the greatest Navy in the world and a squad of Navy super hero SEALS.

While the administration and liberals are giving this country away to the world and apologizing for our way of life, for our high ideals and morals based on the Judeo/Christian moral value system, God answered prayer and set the scene for a display that the God of the Bible is the one true God over all ... believe it or not or believe anything you want, HE IS GOD ... NO MAN CAN CHANGE THAT! He is for life and they are for death. And He looks down on the sons of men and intervenes into the affairs of man.
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And one brave man of high ideals sacrificially faced death at the hands of godless pirates and cut throats in order to take the place of his crew, to free his crew members ... a great simile of John 3:16, "God so loving the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosover believe on Him shall not die, but shall have everlasting life."
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This country is still in the business of dispensing compassion to our neighbors and providing rescue from their destructions. We may be tested by those who want to destory our way of life and success, but they use their militaary for murder and extortion; we use ours for our security and offer the lives of our young men and women for their security and relief.

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I am so proud to have been a merchant seaman in WWII, a part of the crew of the SS Robert L. Hague, a Liberty Ship in the service of the US Merchant Marine, a ship which was armed, by the way and prepared to defend itself.

I swell with thankfulness and pride in hearing the accounts of the rescue of this brave captain who offered himself to save his crew ... a fantastic Easter story.

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(Photos: The American stars and stripes, which is higher than the Gadsden flag, yet the Gadsden flag stands for unity and independence. Developed by Benjamin Franklin in 1775, features a rattle snake on a yellow background with the words, "Don't Tread On Me."
Captain Phillips with the destroyer, USS Bainbridge Captain, Commander Frank Castellano.

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Have A Blessed Easter Observance!

It is good to rise up on Easter morning and rejoice over the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. "HE IS RISEN!" is the shout from the tomb, and echoing from the hills of Judea, "HE IS RISEN INDEED?, and as Paul wrote twice in the passage, 1Corinthians 15:1-8, "according to the scriptures".
He is very God and very man, whose life split time in two, from BC to AD.

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But foolish men and women in high government porisitions and with self gain as their motivation, and greedy and godless wealth-seekers of all ilks and sorts, foolishly attack Jesus and the word of God he left us to guide us in civil matters and in our love to God, ourselves and to our neighbors. How foolish they are "spots in . . . feasts of charity . . . feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds . . . " (Jude 1:12). "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest ... " (2Peter 2:17).

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God has a management system: He tells man what it takes to please God and then lets the evil ones whose hearts are set on destroying the knowledge of God, set their own course and ultimately destroy themselves and innocents along with them. But when His cup is full, He dispenses judgement against unrighteousness. Have you read about Job? The man that was severly tested when God let the Devil have his way with his life, family and fortunes, but Job never cursed God; he asked for a hearing.

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"The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations ... The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity ... It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors." --George Washington

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

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  Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
  
  We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
  
  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
  We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
  We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare..
  We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
  We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
  We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
  We have abused power and called it politics.
  We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
  We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
  Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'
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  With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God..'

What Manner Of Love . . .

From BLESSAY, Number 210, December 6, 2008

Denial is setting in like concrete in the minds of millions who are sick and tired of . . . they don't know what. I believe it is because world events that affect our lives are happening so fast that it is confusing and frightening. The world is out of control and there is no force of a gyrocompass to keep it on course. And . . . I need a hug!

Denial is a “cop out.” It is a naive cover-up for issues that won't go away. Denial cannot stop the spread of cancer or killer stress build-up. The most dangerous result of denial is refusal to prepare sensibly to fight . . . whatever it is that's bothersome. The initial sting of bad news is useful in making one take action to prevent more killer stress, and to keep a clear head to find reasonable remedies.

The world does not know what it means to be “connected” to the God of all creation and to feel the warmth of His love, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to receive His mercy and grace. I cannot imagine a world without Almighty God looking down on the sons of men and hearing our pleas.

I come from a railroad family and when I think of connection I look back at the images of long freight trains standing in the yards ready to take their load of materials to Texas. I see the conductor at the back wave his lantern to the engineer and off they go . . . that is, just the engine and the first ten cars. The last 75 cars don't move an inch while the front end goes speedily away. Whoops! The brakeman assumed every car was connected.

There are many gods men worship, but there is only one God, the Lord God, and Jesus is His name, who is connected in a personal way in the hearts of believers. Men make assumptions in regard to their eternal state, but an assumption is a form of denial. It keeps them from having God in all their thoughts so that they cannot visualize the truth of the Bible in regard to eternal life. Without God in his thoughts and the Holy Spirit of Christ in his heart, man cannot think beyond his Day Planner.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not (1John 3:1).”

Who can describe the love of God that exists in the hearts of believers? Does "joy unspeakable" or "peace that passes all understanding" do it? Well, it is adequate for right now until we see Him face to face.

It is a love the world does not have nor does it know how to get, because it comes by faith through grace and it cannot be manufactured by our own efforts. Yet the Bible says “For God so loved the world . . . just think of the price He paid to redeem us to Himself.

Whoever assumes the love of God without accepting it is not connected and when the promise that we will be caught up to meet Him in the air occurs, they will be left behind on the tracks. Better check those lynch pins. Assumption is without knowledge and brings on denial.

There is a remnant of the world's population that the Bible calls "sons of God", and sets us apart from "the sons of men." The “sons of men” find deep faith in the one true God, whose name is Jesus, to be revolting. They resent believers for what we have that that they say they have. They have faith, they say. But to what and to whom is their faith aimed? A positive outlook assumes faith, but there is no connection through grace by faith, and they are left standing on the tracks.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." Herm Albright (Illustrator, 1876-1944)

What they do not have is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. They see no reason for their atonement. The Christian faith is the only belief system that is based on grace through faith, not of works of righteousness. All other religions are require some form of works for purification and atonement. But faith is a gift from God and it comes by hearing the gospel and the gospel comes by the word of God. "Aye, there's the rub."

The sons of God live by faith in and from God (Romans 1:17), but the sons of men live by their faith (works, Titus 3:5), which is self-righteousness, not the righteousness of God. They live in denial with no connection.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1John 3:2).”

Lorica of Saint Patricck

Lorica, fr. Latin meaning "body armor (of Roman soldiers)," describes the evangelist priest and Bishop, who was born of Scottish and English parents. His early life in the 14th century was hard, having been kidnapped by raiders, when in his teens, twice, and sold and made a keeper of sheep. During his first escape from slavery, he was sold back into slavery in Ireland, escaped again and spent seven years in Europe. Having found Christ as his master during his sheep-herding days, he wanted to further his education and study the Christianity at the Lerin Monastery in France.

After becoming a priest and returning to England, he had a dream that the Irish people called out to him to return to Ireland to minister to them. He did and by his deep faith that the Lord was ordering his steps, he preached “Christ and Him crucified, buried and risen from the dead,” to pagan Druids. This fiery priest was made a Bishop in 432 AD. The term "lorica" or breastplate is similar to the Apostle Paul's admonition in Ephesians.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11-17). "

Patrick and his band of dedicated followers, were responsible for many conversions. His zeal to drive paganism, symbolic of snakes, from Ireland, motivated him to write many breastplate prayers, like this one from the 4th century, attributed to St. Patrick.

I bind myself today
The power of God to hold and lead
His eye to watch, His might to stay
His ear to hearken to my need
The wisdom of my God to teach
His hand to guide
His shield to ward
The word of God to give me speech
His Heavenly Host to be my guard.

Patrick tried hard to see to the conversion of the King of Tara, who gave him freedom to spread the gospel throughout the land. He plucked a Shamrock from the ground and told him that there was but one stem, but three branches representing the Holy Trinity. It impressed the king greatly, but there is no evidence of his conversion, much like Paul preaching to King Agrippa, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (Acts 26:28)."

Nevertheless, Patrick and his followers were free to spread their faith throughout Ireland and did so to great effect. He drove paganism (symbolized by the snake) from the lands of Eireann.

"Patrick died on March 17th in the year 461 at the age of 76."
Source: Ireland Information
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Chuckle: When we think of Ireland, we also think of Limericks. My favorite is as follows:

The Reverend Fiddle from Tralee,
Received an honorary degree,
But he reeled in dismay,
When he heard people say,
Here comes The Reverend Fiddle, D.D.
(Author: don't know, don't ask)

Happy 100th Mr. Shea

George Beverly Shea turns 100
Associated Press - 2/1/2009 4:10:00 AM
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George Beverly SheaOn the ladder of life, George Beverly Shea says he's almost reached the 100th rung.
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Shea says he will be honored Monday evening with a birthday party at The Cove, a North Carolina facility of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Graham is among some 270 invited guests.
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The long-time Christian singer says he had a wonderful career singing at Billy Graham crusades. "I overwork the word 'privilege,' but I can't find anything better," he tells Associated Press. "It's been a great privilege to be associated with Billy and his son and his whole organization."
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He and Rev. Billy Graham have been friends for almost 70 years. "He's been a wonderful man to be with all these years," Shea shares. "I met him when he was 21 and I was 31. I was an announcer and singer at a radio station in Chicago."
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In the meantime, Shea has been receiving congratulations, including a birthday card that came in the mail from England's Queen Elizabeth.
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Shea is in remarkably good health and spirits as he completes his first century. When asked if there has been any secret to his long life, he recited a hymn about God's love and then broke into song.
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Article posted Feb. 1, 2009, by ONE NEW NOW.COM

Antoehr Article on George Beverly Shea by the Associated Press, Click link or paste in browser.
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Photo image of George Beverly Shea talks at his home in Montreat, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. Even at age 100, the songs that defined his career just seem to burst out of Shea, booming in a signature bass-baritone voice that can still quiet a room in an instant. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Note: Robert and Helen Adams had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Shea sing the night we both accepted Christ as our Saviour after the preaching of Mr. Billy Graham: the 1968 Kansas City Crusade . . . Singing, Preaching, Accepting, the route to eternity.