I have wanted to do this for a long time. Write a timely discourse on what is happening to us as we go about our daily lives during such a wrong feeling world. What I hope to cover are such things as follows:

1. Where did this time we're presently living in come from?

2. Why are we so stupid about how to manage  it?

3. What can be done to better manage it?

4. What is the position God has taken during this time?

First I want you to understand this discourse will be written from a biblical perspective. 

Lets begin with the story of creation. First we see God in action. He can do anything he wishes and so he creates millions of universes, which move about the heavens. Then in one of them he makes a perfect planet, in a perfect solar system. All of which is covered by His care and concern. After making something beyond our imagination, he puts people on the perfect planet. Then he gives them the responsibility to care for this perfect creation. And he gave them full charge over what I will call paradise. Then He gave them this one rule. Do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for if you do you will die. And what did they do? They automatically did what he said not to do. Isn't that just like us, tell someone not to touch something or not to do something and what happens? That is the very next thing they do. Why is that? Because we think this. God does not tell me what I can and cannot do. And what God promised them actually happened. They were going to live forever when it all began, but now they would have a limit on how long they would live. And now since this was no longer paradise, everything on the planet has a life expectancy. God made it such, because one person (me, you, and them) failed to pay attention, we were too busy thinking that we are the sole controllers of our own lives. (who does God think he is? ...God or something?) There are days like that now because we think it so. Now we are fully susceptible to anything that threatens this fragile life that we have.  

I want to explain something here about this tree of life:  The tree of life, mentioned in the books of Genesis and Revelation, is a life-giving tree created to enhance and perpetually sustain the physical life of humanity. The tree was planted by God in the Garden of Eden: “The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). The centrally located tree of life would have been easily accessible to Adam and Eve from any point in the garden.

More details concerning the tree of life come after Adam and Eve’s sin: “The LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever’” (Genesis 3:22). In his disobedience, Adam lost his eternal life. The tree of life in Eden must have had some role to play in maintaining the life of Adam and Eve (and possibly the animals). Adam would “live forever,” even in his fallen condition, if he had eaten from the tree of life after his sin. God placed a sword-wielding cherub at the entrance to the garden specifically “to guard the way to the tree of life” (verse 24). It seems access to the tree of life would have prolonged Adam’s physical life indefinitely, dooming him to an eternity in a cursed world.

It was a mercy that God kept us from the tree of life. By barring access to the tree of life, God showed compassion in His omniscience. Knowing that, because of sin, earthly life would be filled with sorrow and toil, God graciously limited the number of years men would live. To live eternally in a sinful state would mean endless agony for humanity, with no hope of the relief that comes with death. By limiting our lifespan, God gives us enough time to come to know Him and His provision for eternal life through Christ but spares us the misery of an endless existence in a sinful condition.

In His great love, God provided One who would redeem fallen mankind. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, but through another Man, Jesus Christ, redemption through the forgiveness of sin is available to all (Romans 5:17). Those who avail themselves of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will be resurrected to see the tree of life again, for it stands in the middle of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, where it bears “twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). In the eternal state, the curse will be no more (verse 3), access to the tree of life will be reinstated, and darkness will be forever banished (verse 5). Eden will be restored. So Now we know where this time we're living in came from. God set it up in the very beginning. and we failed Him. 

Now we go to Moses and the matter of his freeing his race of people from pharaoh. The Pharaoh that controlled the lives of the Jews for four hundred years in Egypt. What that describes is this; The Jews became captives of Pharaoh. According to the Book of Exodus, there was a famine in the land of Canaan (later known as Israel). Because of this famine, the Hebrew patriarch Jacob traveled with his extended family of 70 to Egypt to both live inbetter conditions and be with his son Joseph. Joseph’s wisdom had impressed the Pharaoh of Egypt to the point that he was appointed Viceroy of Egypt, which was second in power only to the Pharaoh.

The next 430 years in Egypt saw the Israelites prosper and rapidly multiply to about 3 million people. These numbers were so great, the Pharaoh became nervous that the Israelites were becoming too many in number to control and thought they might side with Egypt’s enemies in case of war. The Pharaoh decreed that the Israelites should be enslaved to build cities and roads for him so that they would be too tired and also would not have time to have children. The Israelites were then confined to the land area of Goshen (Hebrew meaning of Goshen: “approaching” or “drawing near,” meaning the Israelites were possibly drawn closer to God during this period of time in Goshen, hence the essence of the Passover story occurred here), which was the fertile land that was east of the Nile delta and west of the border of Canaan. Then enters Moses. 

How To Grow Old Gracefully

 A List For Aging Wisely

Many of you are between 65 and death, in other words, you’re old. I have a few more years before I reach 65 and join you but I still found this List For Aging that a friend sent me full of words of wisdom. I hope you like it.

1. It’s time to use the money you have saved. Spend it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no idea of the sacrifices you made to earn it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a relative with big plans for your hard-earned money. This stage of life is also a bad time for new investments, even if it seems risk-free. Investments this late in life only bring problems and worries.

2. Stop worrying about the finances of your kids and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad about spending money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter, and support. It is now their responsibility to earn their own money and provide for themselves. They will be OK on their own.

3. Stay healthy without a lot of physical effort. Do moderate exercise, like going for walks every day, eat well and get plenty of sleep. It’s easy to become ill, and it gets harder to remain healthy.

4. Always buy the best and most beautiful items for your significant other. The reward of enjoying your money with your partner is priceless. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, so enjoy it together while you can.

5. Don’t stress over the little things in life. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the present day. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

6. Regardless of your age, always keep love and romance alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor, love your cat or dog. Always remember this quote: “A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.”

7. Be strong and proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong. ”

8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear what the youngsters are wearing. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, surf the Internet, and watch the news. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use one of the social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with the people you know is important.

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. Hopefully, they will return the respect. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

11. Never use the phrase: “In my day.” Your day is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you. Have fun and enjoy life. You have a lifetime of experiences and knowledge that can be shared with anyone that is willing to listen and learn.

13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children if you have a financial choice. Being with family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (my deepest condolences), and don’t want to live alone, then find a person to move in with you and help out.

15. Accept invitations, even if you don’t feel like it. Try to go to baptisms, parties, graduations, birthdays, weddings, and conferences. Experience something new or something old, but don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums or go walk through a park. Get out there.

17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on it but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize the pain and discomfort in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

12. Embrace your golden years, don’t become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, your days will be much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.

14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make some new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, and dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some time having fun with it.

16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.

18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone – apologize. Don’t be resentful. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.

19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.

21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!

Join Us

I do not do this often, but something is making this seem appropriate today. Last night Wednesday the 19th we had a really good Bible study on the fifth chapter of Esther. We had a few less participants than normal because some of us are quarantined from Covid. But we all wear our masks and some who have missed for that reason as well, have returned. God is doing something here and it's out of the ordinary. I can't explain it. It is a fellowship of like minded believers, older adults who are into God's word like never before. No books, no speakers, no video sermons, no sponsors Just Bible study and bible commentary, Q&A. If you would like to invest some time in the study of God's messages to us straight from the word of God, no books to buy, no commitments to sign up for, and no fees. Come join us on any Wednesday night between 6:30 to 7:30. No refreshments no coffee or any other sides, but if you want, it, bring it, that's OK too. We furnish the scripture study and the materials, all we need is you. And we are a coed group, we have singles and couples. We are not a men's study, or a women's study, We meet at Advent Church In the gym, in the Fireside Room. We do not do gossip, we do not discuss religion, nor do we discuss politics. We study God's word only. Sometimes it gets really serious, sometimes it gets really funny, but all the time it is God's word we discuss and study. We really would welcome anyone who may find an in depth study of the Word of God of some life changing value.

JUST BIBLE STUDY, No books, to buy, no speakers, no video sermons, no sponsors. Just Bible study and bible commentary, Q&A. No sign up comitments , and no fees. We furnish the scripture study and the materials, all you need is you and a willing spirit for biblical adventure. We are an adult coed group, we have singles and couples. We are not a men's study, or a women's study, We do not do gossip, we do not discuss other religions, or politics. We study God's word only. Just show up any Wednesday night 6:30 to 7:30 pm. We meet at Advent Church In the gym, in the Fireside Room, every Wednesday year round, (weather permitting), we do not meet on snow days, holidays, or during the thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and time off is any time you may need. The study is emailed on the preceeding Saturday or Sunday If you are interested email me, miller5163@bellsouth.net.

A NEW RESOLUTION FOR 2022

 

A Christians resolution for 2022 

It is a new year, and a time when about 45% of the population make new years resolutions....and about 25% of those are not successful.

It calls to question….what do we want from life? Many people do not make new years resolutions….What is the Christian concept of new years resolutions….

God’s word does not speak for or against..... the concept of New Year’s resolutions.....

But the concept started about 4000 years ago.....With the Babalonians..... as a 12 day pagan event....where people made resolutions.... to please their various gods....to gain their favor

I personally do not make new years resolutions....mainly because I have tried..... and it never seemed to work out for me....

From John 1:35-38 we read this from God’s word....The next day John was there again with two of his disciples..... When he saw Jesus passing by,.... he said,.....

Look, the Lamb of God!..... When the two disciples heard him say this....., they followed Jesus...... Turning around....., Jesus saw them following and asked,...... What do you want?.....

So reading this scripture...Jesus asks these two men what they wanted....Gives me pause to ask myself....what do I want from following Jesus....Certainly a Christian needs no resolution to answer that question...

Isaiah 55:8-9 puts it this way “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,.... neither are your ways my ways,... saith the LORD.....

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,.... so are my ways higher than your ways,.... and my thoughts than your thoughts.” –

There are three things in life that determine our happiness or our unhappiness.... one is not getting what we want,.... the second is getting what we want.....Sometimes what we want is not what is best for us...

The third thing is getting what we deserve.... The question is if we got what we deserve,.....What response would we have?....Jesus has our answer....in fact Jesus is the answer....the Christian should aspire to be like him...

From Matthew 7:7-8....Jesus speaks these words....Ask and it will be given to you;..... seek and you will find;..... knock and the door will be opened to you.....

For everyone who asks receives.....; the one who seeks finds.....; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.......

There was a young office manager.....Chuck was his name and at his work he kept a legal pad....a to do list...It was a perpetual list.... of what needed to be done....

One day at lunch Chuck was in the park... when he was bitten by a dog that belonged to one of his co workers......the bite was not severe but it concerned Chuck and he asked that the dog be quarantined...

Then about three weeks later....during the office Christmas party....the co worker informed Chuck.... that the dog had developed rabies...Chuck immediately made a doctors appointment...

And was informed by the doctor...that he had rabies.... and there was nothing to be done to save him... Chuck then decided to prepare himself for the enevitable....

He went back to work the next day.....and was busy with his to do list ....when the boss came to him....and asked.....

What are you writing..... shouldn’t you be at home”?...“It’s my new years resolution” Chuck answered ..It’s a list of the people.....I am going to bite....before I die....Not a good resolution.....

What are we to consider.... when making resolution?....First.... it should be something that improves our knowledge...our health….or our station in life...something we want

Second it should be realistic.....something we are able to accomplish.... Then again..... it may be something in life....

that we are struggling with...or a fault that with God’s help.....can be overcome....something we do not want

And in Pauls letter to the Phillipians, chapter 2: 13-15.... For it is God which worketh in you..... both to will and to do of his good pleasure...... Do all things without murmurings and disputings:....

That ye may be blameless and harmless...., the sons of God...., without rebuke....., in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation...., among whom ye shine as lights in the world;.....

 a resolution is not about perfect....it’s about effort....and if you give that effort every day....success will follow.....

That is who we are....As Christians our goal is to brighten the corner where we are...Not only is Jesus our Savior...He is also out mentor...., our teacher...our leader.... the one we want to follow...The one we want to emmulate...

As a Christian we really do want to make a difference in this world.....That is why we follow Jesus.... So be resolved...let your light shine.... It is a good resolution....

And from Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,..... and glorify your Father which is in heaven..

A Valentines Surprise

Good morning Adventurers….It’s good to see you here….Thank you for coming…..We have entered God's house …. Thursday the 10 th of February, 2022…., the day the Lord has made let us rejoice….and be glad  in it. 

Spring is now only 38 days away but Valentines day is next Monday only 4 days away. Are we ready for that? Valentines day is a day of great expectations. What might that be like you may ask? 

Surely we have not forgotten the romance that brought us together as young aspiring adventurers with our harmones raging and us seeking a life companion. 

Valentine's day is the day set aside as the day when prospective mates give flowers, and romantic notes and cards expressing their feelings for one another

                                                        Let us pray

We thank you Lord for this day of fellowship…..join us we pray as we rejoice in it…..lead us through it ….and keep us safe in  it….And we pray that everything we say and do on this day…. will be pleasing to You….. 

We Thank You now Lord …..for the salvation You have given us….  in your Son our Lord Jesus...and we thank you Lord .... not just for who he is..... but for what he means to us.... day by day...and in His name we pray….Amen 

From God's word we read this from 1 corinthians 13:1 thru 7.....If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels...., but do not have love.... I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal...... 

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,.... but do not have love, I am nothing....... 

3 If I give all I possess to the poor......and give over my body to hardship.... that I may boast, but do not have love...., I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud..... 5 It does not dishonor others....., it is not self-seeking...., it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs...... 

6 Love does not delight in evil..... but rejoices with the truth..... 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.....

and this from John 3:16....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.

Who was  “Saint Valentine....,”The official Roman account points to a man who died about 270 AD....., a temple priest beheaded by the Roman emperor Claudius II.... February 14—today’s “Valentine’s Day”—is said to be the day on which he was killed. 

This famous saint,.... an Italian doctor who later became a priest...., inspired the creation of the holiday of Valentine's Day...... He was sent to jail for performing weddings for couples

during a time.... when new marriages were outlawed in the ancient Rome...... Before he was killed for refusing to renounce his faith....., 

he sent a loving note to a child he had been teaching....., the daughter of his jailer.....Unrequieted love...., and that note eventually led to the tradition of sending Valentine's cards.

                                         A short story about love unrequited

John Houston was a bachelor living by himself..... And John had an ageing father..... Clark Houston...who was in failing  health...,and...he had a poor prognosis.....he would not live much longer 

John’s mother had passed years ago....and John visited his father several times a week....John’s Father was a very wealthy man,,.... worth some 20 million dollars....and John stood to inherit his fortune....

It was on new years day.....when John began to think about his future.... He was tired of the bachelor’s life.... and he made a new years resolution.... He would find a wife.....Someone with whom he could share his inheritance....

It did not take long.... one day as John went to lunch.....a beautiful woman caught his eye......she looked about John’s age.....and she wore no ring.....She was elegant...and poised.....and  John thought she might be the ideal answer to his resolution....So he decided to pursue her.....

John introduced himself...... and met this beautiful woman,...her name was Lenore.....He asked her to lunch.....She accepted and right away.....they hit it off....and they began to date.... and the romance began...John was pleased.... 

This woman was a delight to be with and John began to think of a future with her ....So it was not long..... before John took her to meet his father....both John and Lenore knew what this visit meant....The meeting went very well....

John’s father was impressed with Lenore....and she seemed to like him as well.....and valentine's day was just a month away.....So John thought he was ready to pop the question... He decided to buy the ring and ask for her hand in marriage on Valentine's day....

And three weeks later..... John’s beautiful prospective bride Lenore.......became Mrs Clark Houston  ..... John’s beautiful new....... step mother.....

But the real meaning of Valentine's day started with a pagan holiday around 

As Christians, we are called to love another. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Christians can use Valentine’s Day to show their love for one another.

Rom 15:5-7 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 

so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God

Admittedly, this is hardly the case among most who celebrate the day, for the standards of the world are not the standards of our Lord. Whatever we decide about Valentine's Day, we must remember Jesus' words. We may be in the world, but we are not to be of the world John 17:13 - 20" tells us this. I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14  I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20  "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 

When we seek love, earthly love can fail us. When we love imperfect broken people, the love is also imperfect and broken. But when we seek and find love with the creator of the universe, then we find a perfect selfless love that is eternal. The God that created us, is also that God that saved us from all of our sin and pain. And that love is available to us today.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Psalm 143:8 has these words for us.  let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,for to you I entrust my life.

The Timing is Perfect

 A young 19 year old man with his pants hanging low, and with the knees worn out, and a tee shirt with graphic pictures of violence, and  a ring in his nose and ear piercing studs, and ear rings , and a half inch thick gold chain around his neck; walked into the local welfare office to pick up his check.He marched up to the counter and said, "Hi. You know me, is my check ready? You know... ,I just hate drawing welfare. I'd really rather have a job. I don't like taking advantage of the system, getting something for nothing. It make me feel that the system is using me." The social worker behind the counter said "Your timing is excellent.  We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You will have to drive around in his 2021 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of your clothes." "Because of the long hours, meals will be provided.  You'll also be expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips.  This is rather awkward to say but you will also have, as part of your job, the assignment to satisfy her desire to party into the night. So there will be many late night forays, since she has just turned eighteen, and loves to party. The guy, just plain wide-eyed, said, "that is unbelievable, you must be kidding' me!"The social worker said, "Yeah, well... you started it." .....

 

Some Covid Reasoning

 Some Covid 19 reasoning:

If you don't want the shot, or don't want the mask, make your choice and live or die with it, but learn this before you make the choice. Your choice will affect the rest of your life. As a comparison consider this:

If one wants to go into or cross the Okefenokee swamp and combat the mosquitoes there, one must make choices. Those choices include;

1. Go rogue; that is bare skin and damn the Mosquitoes, the choice of which makes one extremely vulnerable to being stabbed by millions of mosquitoes, and possible death before you come out again. (No one in their right mind would do this)

2. Put on all the mosquito repellant you can, and take your chances. (some people are willing to take chances with their life)

3. Wear protective clothing, which covers every inch of exposed skin, and a mosquito net face protector, and a hat. ( with a possible chance of skin exposure at meals and at other risky times)

Any one these three choices will establish the chance you have of surviving a trip through this swamp. The mosquitoes are there and they will do what mosquitoes do.

Similarly, to live in a world now flooded with Covid 19 virus you have three choices.

1. You can go rogue, no mask, no shot, and damn the virus. You will almost certainly at some point in time, get the virus. It is everywhere and it will do what viruses do. (many people are doing this and many regret doing so)

2. Wear the mask and be careful where you go, and with whom you associate. Be careful where you assemble, and take your chances.(some people are risking their lives doing this. It is an unwise choice.)

3. Get the shot, wear the mask and you will have the best protection available. That gives one the best chance of survival. (many people are choosing to live with the best possible chance of survival, it is a wise choice.)

None of these methods are fool proof, none are designed to control you. These are all choices that each individual is free to make.

Remember this though, unlike a trip through the swamp, You have the responsibility of keeping safe, those with whom you live and with whom you associate. Your choice is a moral choice, it is not a civil choice.

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