A Country Drive in Tennessee

 I was able to take a ride today with some family to see the country that isn't far from where we live. It was beautiful day. You can see grassy fields, lots of trees, some cows and a bit of other animals, mountains, dilapidated buildings, barns, interesting decor, graveyards, small churches, as well as some nice-looking homes. There was a river and streams, a couple of ponds I think at least, and woods, and a rocky cliff as well as a lot of countryside with open spaces. There were purple irises and yellow flowers in the grass, a flowering tree, etc. I hadn't been on a ride like that for a long time.

Although I feel tired out from the trip with no exercise, I enjoyed it. Rural Tennessee is gorgeous. It doesn't come without problems though. An open window let in a strange looking flying bug for a bit, but thankfully with some help it exited. Windows were then closed. People who lived in the area probably were watching us like we were the scenery, and I imagine we could have made them nervous ... stopping and turning around even to get photos. It was a pleasant interlude during a time in life that is often stressful. God's creation is often peaceful, even though the hurricane Helene came through the region a number of months ago and affected a lot of people in a life altering way.

Suffering - Don Green Q & A Plus Encouraging Music

Christians, Are You Suffering?

Don Green & Nathaniel Pringle of Truth Community Church did a Q & A on suffering recently.  A lot of us are going through difficult times (my family included), and so I wanted to share this with you.

He Will Hold Me Fast 

I thought I'd share an encouraging song sung by Phil Webb and Grace Community Church that goes along with the theme of suffering.

 

Shepherds' Conference, Strong Warning Message, & Sitting with Dogs

Shepherds' Conference

March 5-7, 2025, is when The Shepherds' Conference is scheduled this year.

Pastors and church leaders come from lots of different places in the world to be encouraged and encourage each other and to be taught by others (as they often are the ones preaching).

This year's focus is Proclaiming Christ to the ends of the earth.

You can see more information and the schedule HERE.

Strong Message

Don Green of Truth Community Church gave a strong message entitled "In Light of Christ's Warning" on Sunday. I thought I'd share with you.  You can listen to it HERE.

Sitting with Dogs

I'm not a big dog person, but I don't mind watching a show where a guy tries to help shelter dogs that are in sad shape so that they might get adopted.  I don't vouch for everything he says, but you might enjoy watching some of the videos HERE.

Sunday Christmas Concert, The First Noel, & Merry Christmas!

Sunday Concert

Yes, it's time.

Grace Community Church is having their Christmas concerts for this year already, but the Sunday night one is scheduled to be livestreamed.   It starts at 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern U.S. time.

You can find the links HERE off of the church site.

Update: You can watch the entire concert in replay HERE.

The First Noel

I don't really know the people of this group, but they do an excellent job of singing this well-known Christmas carol.

Merry Christmas!

This has been a difficult year, but God has His good purposes.  I can still celebrate remembering the Savior's birth - God with us.

John MacArthur On The 2024 Election, Don Green About Trusting God, & Things God Is Doing Through Trials (Bryan Murphy)

 It's been some time since I posted, but I decided there are some things I especially wanted to share on here. One of them will have to be added later, as it isn't currently online yet that I can see.  So, check back later for another message about trials given by Bryan Murphy.

Q & A with John MacArthur 

John MacArthur did a Q & A with Nathan Busenitz last Sunday night.  There was a lot of things I found of interest.  Israel and the election and new books, etc.  The part about the U.S. elections this year is about 39 minutes into it.  It is up on the GTY site HERE.  You can watch the video version HERE.

Trusting God in Changing Times

Also, at Grace Community Church in GraceLife, Don Green gave a message about how to trust God.  His focus was directing us toward God.  I highly recommend it.  You can find it HERE.

Things God Does Through Trials

The TMS chapel on October 22, 2024 had a good message about things that God is doing when He brings us through trials. Bryan Murphy's family has been having quite a bit of trials recently. 

The Goodness of God in Trials by Bryan Murphy

A Story About an Orphan & A Castle in Dover

 When I was young, I used to read a book called Crispin's Castle by Kathleen M. Duncan.  Since we still have it, I read it again even though it is supposed to be for kids.  I still found it to be very interesting. 

It's about a boy who was an orphan who was being sent to boarding schools by a lady who didn't spend a lot of time with him.  "Crispin" goes to stay with some relatives of the lady for a time, and that family has just moved to Dover (Kent, England, U.K.).  There is a castle nearby that "Crispin" admires.  So, I looked up a castle in Dover and found a video where you can not only watch the video about the castle which tells some of its history, but you can also scroll around for different angles to viewing it and its surroundings.  It seems to fit the description of the castle in the book.  The boy has one thing that was found on him when he was discovered that had some letters/initials on it, and so those initials along with an interesting new elderly neighbor lead to a discovery about his identity.

Comfort in Christ & Flower Photos to Enjoy

 Comfort in Christ

It's been a really long time since I've posted it seems, but I'm still alive.  

Life is difficult both with family health troubles ongoing (including my own issues) and what is going on in the U.S. and around the world (and my sympathy toward others).   I know others have been having a lot of hardships.

 Last night, I heard a message that Don Green gave which was encouraging for Christians going through trials.  God brings all of His children through trials or chastening.  We can't avoid them, but God is with us through them.  Side note:  Poor Don Green was sick while preaching, so I'm sure it made him even more sympathetic to the subject.

OUR COMFORT IN CHRIST - Don Green (Truth Community Church)

Photos to Enjoy

I was going to share some flower pictures in the past here and put it off, so some of these are belated.

The tulips are gone and some of the azaleas, etc., but the blue hydrangeas are currently in bloom.

A Message on Suffering, Free Streaming Session for Pastors & Elders, & Audio LSB

 Are you suffering illness or trials in your life?  

We generally want to escape suffering and pain and difficulty, but God may be using it to turn you to Him.

Don Green gave a message on January 16, 2024, that I recommend for you and those you want to share it with.  It's called, "What If Suffering Is a Gift?"

Free streaming session for newer elders and pastors on February 9, 2024, at 6 AM Pacific (9 AM Eastern and 2 PM GMT)!

Don Green is planning to share things that weren't taught to him in pastoral ministries classes. The streaming should be on the church site HERE (and you can see alternative sites to stream from on that page as well).

An audio version of the Legacy Standard Bible:

If you like the LSB translation and would like to listen to someone else's reading, it is available HERE.

Grace Community Church Christmas Concert, Christmas Music, and a Song of Christian Encouragement

Grace Community Church Concert & Christmas Music MP3 Album

Grace Community Church in Southern California has Christmas concerts every year, and this year they are scheduled to stream the one on December 17th.  I look forward to watching the stream online each year.  

The time it is scheduled for is: 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern (U.S.) / 2 AM on the 18th GMT.  Don't miss it!  Look for the choice of Livestream links on the Concert Page Here.

I also discovered a Christmas album on the church's site called A Church Notes Christmas that has a few Christmas songs available.   

Music to Encourage Christians in Troubling Times

The following music has lyrics, so you may be able to sing along!

A Timely Message on Israel by John MacArthur, Natalie's Story, Psalms of Grace MP3 Files, & Christmas Carols

God Will Keep His Promises to Israel - Don't Miss This!

There was a timely message John MacArthur gave on November 19th of this year that Christians should listen to.   God's keeping His promises to Israel in the future should encourage all believers.  It's on the GTY website:  In God We Trust (sermon by John MacArthur).

Natalie's Story

I have been following the story of Natalie (a child) for quite some time, and God has used what could have seemed tragic for His purposes.  It's amazing to be reminded again about how God made the body in a wonderful way.  Watch Here.

Free Psalms of Grace MP3 Files (available at the time of this post)

I saw that these files are still free which are good for those who want to use them.  There are also ones available in Spanish!  You can find them HERE. 

Celebrating the Incarnation with Music

I often have shared music on here around Christmas, and here are some carols with violin and guitar for you to listen to.

Don't Look Away

 What Hamas did in Israel on October 7, 2023, was horrific.  I did not watch everything, but I saw some still photos that were gruesome.  I've read and heard accounts.  I know it happened.  Deniers are liars...just like those who deny the Holocaust of Hitler's time.  Some recently have said things like, "Do not look away."   I understand, as some want to deny the truth.... deny reality.... pretend like there is a good excuse.  They are deluded and blind to the truth.

I was thinking today about how I feel sometimes when I read the account of the crucifixion in the Gospels.  I feel like I don't want to read that part even though I should want to.  I don't like to think of the suffering and humiliation and the injustice.  Yet I know that what Christ suffered...physically and also the wrath of God (which he willingly suffered for others as He was sinless) ...well, that was the only way that my sins could be properly atoned for.  He was my substitute.  

So, while I can't see the physical blood of Christ, or know the depth of His suffering of the wrath of God against my sins and the sins of all who would ever believe, it is necessary to remember and to see the reality with the spiritual eyes He has given me.

Have you seen Christ on the cross in that way?  Have you seen the depth of your sins?  Turn to Christ.  Read His Word, and don't look away from the cross.  Look to Jesus.  Only in Him is forgiveness and eternal life. 

The Bible

Fall Colors of 2023

 

The Wind Does God's Word

Praise Yahweh from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, doing His word;
Psalm 148:7-8 LSB

Doing His word.
They are to praise Yahweh.
This is a good reminder that God is in control.
A lot of people are trying to stir up panic today over the climate, and there are those who want to use that panic to gain control over the world and do crazy things (and waste a lot of money, resources, and effort, etc.).
But as I was reminded on another site, the wind and the seas obeyed Jesus.

There really is no need to fear, because all of the efforts of the climate alarmists will not change what God's plans are for the future.  I don't believe there is any climate crisis, but sadly some people want to shut down opposing viewpoints.  

For now, I can be content with knowing this:

While all the days of the earth remain, 

Seedtime and harvest,

 And cold and heat, And summer and winter, 

And day and night Shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22 LSB

God sets up and throws down governments and determines boundaries.  

Even though the world is going crazy and evil governments are gaining control and there is corruption all over the place (even in the U.S.), I again can go to the Bible to remember that God is still sovereign even over governments.

And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
Daniel 2:21 LSB


and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
Acts 17:26 LSB

I've been reading Job again lately, and it's a reminder that while Job suffered the loss of family, possessions, livestock, and health (boils and misery) that God was still sovereign even over Satan's evil schemes. 

God has purposes that we might not see now.  

Job is quite the example of blessing the Lord even though he did want the day of his birth cursed in chapter 3. 

Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.

Looking to the Lord & His Word in Crazy Times

Trusting in the Lord in these times is the anchor I have to know that despite all of the evil in this nation and world, and despite of the threats to our health and lives (chemicals, illnesses, weapons of war) I know that God's good purposes won't be thwarted.

My health already isn't good, but God has continued to care for us one way or another. He will help us through each trial until we are safely Home with Him. Without this knowledge, I would have no hope to cling to. Hoping in deliverance by man or man's weaponry is useless. In the Bible, it is made clear that people must turn to the Lord. It is not always His will to deliver us out of trials, but we must learn to look to Him in our trials here on earth.

When anxious thoughts come, I can go back to what I know and have learned from Scriptures and from others who teach the Scripture. 

Even if my brain stops functioning well enough to do much of anything one day, He will still care for me.
It isn't based on my worthiness, because I'm not.
My hope is in Christ and His righteousness and mercy and love and faithfulness.
When I doubt His kindness, when I fail in my sinfulness, He brings me back to looking to Him.

After someone at a store was telling about a supposed vision she had, a part of a song came to my mind.  I trust in the already finished canon of Scripture.  It is complete. 

I don't need anything else to verify what is in it apart from what God has already given.

Nothing new is needed to trust in Christ.  (She doesn't realize we are cessationists.)

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The written Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior’s name,

Salvation through His blood.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

it is enough that Jesus died,

and that he died for me.

        (Author: E. E. Hewitt - Public Domain)

The "My Truth" Fallacy

I've been quiet on here awhile again.

I often think I don't have much to say, but I do want to encourage people somehow today.

The world seems to be going downhill fast in many ways, and people are becoming more aware of all of the lies and corruption they have been fed.

The encouragement is this.  God and His Word (the 66 books of the Bible) do not change.  

The Triune God is unchanging.  His words are true (Psalm 119:160).

The truth of God is objective.  It doesn't change with the times.

Your feelings can and do change...sometimes daily.

Often what people call "my truth" is just a statement of their feelings.  

Feelings are not truth.  They often lie to us.  They send us into depression or unreality.

They will not satisfy us.

Reality is not based on what you feel or what you want.  

You cannot be whatever you feel like.

God created you, and whatever you do to paste on another identity...your facade does no good before Him.

So, the Bible may hurt feelings, but the Spirit saves eternal souls and transforms lives through God's Word.  The Word of God pierces through, and all of our thoughts and motives are visible to God (based on Hebrews 4:12-13).

Absolute truth cannot be found apart from God and His Word.

What is right and what is wrong are based on the character of God and that is revealed in the Scriptures.

Have you read the Bible through?

Jesus is the truth.  (See John 14:6 for full verse.)

For the Christian, we can be encouraged knowing that God is true/truth, and His words are true, and we know that His death for our many sins was enough.  His righteousness imputed.  His resurrection.  We can trust Him that He will sanctify us, provide our needs, and that He will bring about His good purposes through our many trials (and those trials are there to bring about perseverance, proven character, and hope...See Romans 5).  We can trust Him that we will be resurrected and glorified.  We can trust that He really is faithful, and His lovingkindness is everlasting.  We can know that His future Kingdom will come, and that there will be an eternity with Him for those who are His.  

We can trust that He is just and that evil will not be unpunished.

We need to look to the Word of God, listen to preaching, and examine everything from the lens of Scripture (as there is a lot of heresy and false teaching out there).

God will never leave the believer even when homebound, disabled, or in distress.

I hope this will encourage you, because in composing this I am encouraging myself by reminding myself of what the Bible says.

As my mind is a fog so often, I don't know how clear this will be to anyone else.

Without Christ, there is no truth.

But God is real, and He is absolutely true and trustworthy, and so is His Gospel.

So, please read His Word, and let me know if you would like me to pray for you.

Read the Legacy Standard Bible.  Here is the book of John.

Nostalgia & Christmas Concert

Nostalgia

There was a place that my family went in December occasionally to look at the seasonal displays of lights and decorations.  I'm pretty sure I was singing Christmas carols on the way at least one of the times I went.

One of last times (perhaps not the very last) I went, we took my Grandma out of a nursing home to go see them.  We couldn't get her out of the car I'm sure, but...

It's kind of sad to see from a search that Mr. Balian of that house died a few years back, and things were being sold off from the estate (including the decorations). We also have visited another street with lights (probably Christmas Tree Lane), but it wasn't to the level of the Balian house. The lights and decorations of the Balians were quite something spectacular to look at.  They also often had audio music going on.  I'm wondering if one of the last times they had that silenced.  I wasn't a fan of the Santa parts of the decorations, but they had a section for the nativity and other things that were of interest to me.  

I've seen people (more than one source) sharing some of the luxuriousness they saw at the estate for the sale (including the inside).  Art, architecture, carpets, light fixtures, fancy windows, furniture, swimming pool, a grandfather clock, and expensive looking (and probably older) doodads.  There was a painting or art of the couple which looked like it depicted their wedding.   I know they were supposed to be known for their ice cream, but I don't remember ever having Balian ice cream.  Perhaps some of you do.  I don't know what has become of the house since the estate sale, but perhaps someone else can do more research. 

BALIAN HOUSE DISPLAY someone else took perhaps 7 years ago (date on video upload).

BALIAN HOUSE ESTATE photos.

I realize that Christmas is more than about decorations for Christians.  The mythology about Santa was always a distraction from remembering the Incarnation of Christ.  My parents didn't teach me to believe the myth (though reportedly the myth was based on a real person or two from history).

Christmas Concert

Grace Community Church in California usually streams their Sunday Christmas concert in December (not the other ones), so if you live a long way off like I do you probably will be able to watch on December 18, 2022, on the church live-stream site.  If I learn differently, I'll try to update this post.  The concert starts at 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern / 2 AM Monday for GMT.  It's a 2-hour concert.  Look HERE about the concert & HERE.

Bible Basics, Truth Moment, & Music for Your Day

Bible Basics

The Scriptures are to be trusted as God's Word.  Grace Community Church had a Sunday night series on "The Wonder of the Word" not long ago.  They highlighted the inspiration, preservation, sufficiency, canonicity, and the clarity of Scripture.

You can check it out HERE.

Truth Moment

There is a newer set of videos called "A Moment of Truth" featuring short clips from Pastor Don Green of Truth Community Church in the Cincinatti area.

I watched the video clip I'm sharing today and listened to another portion of his "Trusting God in Trying Times" audio series today.  I had heard and shared the series in the past, but I need to be reminded of these things.

I need to rehearse truth about God and often feel like a flop being majorly stressed out with things that are going on for us (on top of other things).

God's purposes are good and right, and He is faithful still.  He will help us through what He has for us even if we can't see how and are weak physically and in faith.  He won't leave us or forsake us.

Christians, please continue to pray for us.

I'm also excited for others that a book on Trusting God in Trying Times is scheduled to come out at some point as well.  

Music for Your Day (The Itzels):

Cessationist Movie, Psalm 142 ("My Lonely Cry") Message, Hymn of the Day

Cessationist - There is a new documentary being worked on that will examine the gifts of the Spirit and how the Spirit actually works today.  Much of what people attribute to the Spirit isn't of Him.  The makers of the film (who also did Calvinist and some other documentaries) have been fundraising for it on Kickstarter, and it did reach its goal.  Some of the people I follow online have given toward this, so I look forward to what comes from it.  Phil Johnson is on the video clip they shared, so I suspect it will be good.  Learn more HERE.

My Lonely Cry (Sermon by Don Green) - Tuesday night, Don Green gave a very encouraging message for Christians going through trouble.  He is going through the Psalms, and this one is from Psalm 142.  David was in a cave calling for help from God.  This is one that I believe people will want to share!  You can listen HERE.

Jesus is Lord (Hymn for your day):

Rejoicing Roe Rejected and Reaction to Rage

Roe v. Wade was overturned today, and I'm thankful to God!

Sadly, it won't make the murder of babies in the womb illegal nationwide.  

Abortion is wrong, because mankind was created in God's image, and God's moral law makes it plain that we are not to murder.  Babies in the womb have their own DNA, and they are not the body of the mother.  Rape and incest do not give the right to take the life of another person either, as that life is given by God no matter the criminal action of one of the parents.  Each person will answer to God for the taking of a human life.  Justice will be done.  Sin was either punished on the cross when Jesus died for sinners that He redeemed and mercifully saved, or it will be paid for by the unrepentant sinner.

TEXT of Dobbs decision by SCOTUS

In Tennessee, here are links on what this means:

Guttmacher on TN

Candidate Rightfully Rejoices

TN AG Seeks Immediate Ban (Hooray!)

What This Means in Other States

Interactive Map of the U.S. and what this may mean in each state (Guttmacher)

Response of President Trump who chose Justices who rightly realized that Roe vs Wade was not Constitutional.  (Babies in the womb aren't the property of the mother due to location.)

View response: President Trump responds, and it is true that God is sovereign.

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14 LSB

Warning of Danger

Pregnancy Centers and Clinics and other pro-life people have been threatened, and SCOTUS families need protection as well. A number of Pregnancy places that support life have been damaged. There was even fire-bombing. This is terrorism, and sadly some well-known politicians are not being helpful by standing against our third branch of government's decision. Even "Attorney General" Merrick Garland is not being helpful.

Attorney General Merrick Garland called the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade “a devastating blow to reproductive freedom,” and he vowed to use the Justice Department’s authority to protect the right to abortions. https://t.co/FPF3Tspnv1 pic.twitter.com/7Vv6frMdS7

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 24, 2022

(Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of the NY Times and don't recommend them.) 

Christians, please pray for the safety of the people and properties threatened and for the safety of those who share the Gospel with people at places still doing abortions.

Window to God's Creation

There are so many things going on that are stressful in life and evil in this world, but today I saw something of God's Creation that cheered me up a little.  Two deer were walking through our yard.  It took me so long to get my camera flash off that the best picture I got was of only one of them, and it wasn't nearly as good as seeing them up close.  I'm also sharing one of the blurred photos as well for you.

We see rabbits in our yard, sometimes a snake, and other creatures occasionally in the past, but it's been especially rare to see deer.  Seeing God's creation can be a blessing and a reminder that some things are continuing the same.