12/21/13

Rev. Billy Graham Messages of Awakening

Billy Graham influenced my life as a child.  He still has impact on a hurting world that is seeking answers in the midst of great turmoil. 

Have a Blessed Christmas Rev. Graham.   <3

credit: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Charlene’s Source: youtube

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12/11/13

Isaiah 7 (New International Version)

 

The Sign of Immanuel

 

 

7 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.

 

 

2 Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with[a] Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

 

 

3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub,[b] to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. 4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

 

“‘It will not take place,
it will not happen,
8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

 

If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’”

 

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

 

 

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

 

 

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.[f] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”

 

 

Assyria, the Lord’s Instrument

 

 

18 In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. 19 They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes. 20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and private parts, and to cut off your beard also. 21 In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and two goats. 22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels,[g] there will be only briers and thorns. 24 Hunters will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. 25 As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run.

 

 

Footnotes:

 

 

 

Isaiah 7:2 Or has set up camp in
Isaiah 7:3 Shear-Jashub means a remnant will return.
Isaiah 7:14 The Hebrew is plural.
Isaiah 7:14 Or young woman
Isaiah 7:14 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls son, and he or son, and they
Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means G od with us.
Isaiah 7:23 That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms

 

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

12/6/13

December of 2012: Baby Jesus Stolen from Nativity Scene

By Kelly Schlicht, FOX 11 News

Updated: Friday, December 14, 2012, 5:33 PM CST

Published: Friday, December 14, 2012, 2:01 PM CST

 

5PM_FRI__Baby_Jesus_stolen_in_Menominee_378700000_JPG_24686927 (Photo courtesy: WLUK)

 

 MENOMINEE, Mich. – Christians around the world are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But, the baby Jesus from a Nativity scene in Menominee, Michigan is missing.

 

 

People in Menominee say a very important baby has been missing for a week, and no one knows who took him.

 

 

“How sad at this time of the year, eleven days from Christmas,” said Lisa Fernstrum of Menominee, as she ate lunch with her family at the Serving Spoon Café.

 

 

At the Nativity scene in Great Lakes Memorial Marina Park, the cattle are lowing.

 

 

But Mary and Joseph stare at a blank pile of hay, instead of baby Jesus in the manger.

 

 

“I am pleading with the public if they do have any information that will assist us in the recovery of baby Jesus, it would be greatly appreciated,” said Menominee Police Chief Brett Botbyl.

 

 

 

The police chief says a passerby reported the statue stolen last Saturday. The posters have gone up around town, but there are no leads yet.

 

 

 

“There was a vulgarity-laden ransom letter in the manger and I must say it’s quite disturbing to me what was said with respect to baby Jesus,” said Botbyl, who declined to show FOX 11 News the letter.

 

 

Police say this isn’t the first time the baby Jesus figurine has been taken from the Nativity scene. It was stolen a few years ago and then replaced. Police aren’t sure if it’s a prank or a religious demonstration.

 

 

“Regardless of your religious beliefs or affiliation, the Nativity scene means a lot to many members of our community,” said Botbyl.

 

 

Folks having lunch across the street from the Nativity scene say it feels empty without the Christ child.

 

 

“I think it’s special. I know the women’s club sponsors it locally there and it’s been a part of this community for years and years. It’s the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations,” said Fernstrum.

 

 

The women’s club member in charge of the Nativity told FOX 11 News over the phone Friday that a baby doll will take Jesus’ place in the meantime.

 

 

But she says they hope he’s returned to the manger, no questions asked, by Christmas.

 

 

If you have any information about the missing statue, you’re asked to call the Menominee Police Department. Or, return the figurine to its place.

 

 

WUHW’s Source: Fox 11

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12/4/13

Birth As Life: Luke 2: 1-19 NIV

Luke 2: 11,12 NIV  Christmas  2013/2014

 

 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the LORD. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

 

The Birth of Christ is a scriptural truth known by most but not embraced by many. The Christmas Holiday has degraded over time into a pursuit of new technologies or toys. Many do not know that Christmas means “Christ’s Mass”– a covenant between Jesus and ourselves. He is “The Gift”. The world’s traditional gifts such as scarves, sweaters, and mittens still hang in there but have taken a back seat to tablets and smartphones. A desirable gift to me is still a book filled with treasures and truths. The ultimate book is The Holy Bible. Within its pages rests the history and spirit of a people and their GOD. Let us give praise for the birth of our Savior who came to repair the breach forged in the Garden of Eden–to bring GOD’s people back to Himself.

 

 

Let us rededicate ourselves to the fight for souls, and the filling of spirits. We know not the day nor the hour when Jesus the Christ will come back to earth to gather His Bride the Church unto Himself–but this we do know beyond earthly knowledge, for God’s Spirit dwells in us, that Jesus is coming back for those of us who have put ourselves in His ever loving care. This church lives in the hearts of men, women, and children all over the world, and is not exclusive to traditional four walled buildings.

 

 

There are some truths that speak for themselves. Mankind is trying to forget the birth of the baby Jesus in the manger, but truth will always exert over falsehood. This Christmas season should be a time for giving of ourselves and our Blessings. It is not about the commercialism, it is about the sacrifice.

 

 

Have A Wonderful Holiday Season.

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

 

Charlene

 

 

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version©

 

 

Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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