THOUGHTS AT THREE A.M.

WHY ASK IF 3 A.M. IS DEMON TIME??

A referrer just asked if three a.m. is demon time, or if that is the time for demonic activity. I have no idea where anyone would get such a notion.I like it because I'm a night owl, and am at my most productive at this hour.If you are asking because you are having some strange manifestations at that time, I would suggest to you that (A)I don't think demons have any concept of time, but that since it is dark at that time, perhaps that is the best time to creep you out. or (B) perhaps it would be best if you avoided Ouija boards, seances, fortune tellers and tarot cards altogether...(C) and don't go any further with these thoughts, because you could be inviting "demonic" activity by focusing on them to this extent. There is enough evil in the world already, without you going out and looking for it.If your questioning is borne of idle curiosity, then you have way too much time on your hands,and should be looking up and thanking God for all your blessings, instead of looking down, and asking for way more trouble than you can handle.

However! If your question was a subtle way of trying to insult me...go ahead! I don't care. God knows my heart, and he will deal with you.

OUI?

ORCHESTRATED AND STIRRED BY THE HAND OF GOD!!

In the furor and bustle of getting dinner and getting me up and getting ready to go to work tonight, yon son was running quite late, which set me back a bit getting to church, so I was a minute or two late.But when it was all buffered and tuned in,the first thing I heard was Donnie saying, "...we need to back off now, and let the experts take care of this situation." Obviously some sort of drama had taken place, and I had missed it.Things went on as normal.Donnie continued to choose volunteers out of the congregation to go up and help to answer phones for  those calling in donations, or asking for prayer, and then Jimmy came up, prayed for everyone not only in the sanctuary, but listening by Sonlife Radio,   and also watching by the Internet,that we would be blessed, and announced that they would now accept the tithes and offerings, and as usual  the congregation offered a handclap of praise knowing that this was just yet another way we can show our love for the Lord, to give to his work, so that he can bless it,and give it back to us...as they say, you can't out give God.So they surged forward as Jimmy sang, and then he called Lester forward to sing" I surrender all" while the tithes and offerings were brought up, and then Donnie came back up and said," True peace comes, where there is complete surrender. Open up your Bibles tonight to second Timothy... The dear Sister looks like she might have had a heart attack...But they've got her on the way, and they've got everything under control,so let's give the Lord a hand of Praise for that! Can you imagine? Just look at everything that's going on...to show you the providence of the Lord that, it was this Sunday night when we have no telling how many ambulances parked in the parking lot, and how many EMT workers, instead of having to call 911 and waiting no telling how long for an ambulance, we've got them right out the front door, Dr. Jean is here, Erica and Jarred, who will be doctors in a few days are here, and the devil didn't know what he was messing with tonight! The Lord was in control, Okay? Amen! And you know, the providence of God, I never cease to be amazed. Things can happen, and things can happen on God's time, when he has things in place to be there just when he need him!....Second Timothy, Chapter 1, one verse,verse 12: For the which cause, I also suffer these things, Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know In whom I have believed,and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, against that day!" Then he said I want to call your attention to Paul's phrase,"For I know!"Meaning he knew Jesus Christ, for he knew not only the person Jesus Christ, after his great road to Damascus Experience, but he also knew the word of God.Paul was one of the most learned men of his time. He had studied under Gamaleo,and in fact had been looked at as the next great teacher who would soon take over, the very one the Pharisees were looking to to take the mantle of leadership,when suddenly he came face to face, so to speak with Christ, and the light went on! He knew the law, as probably no other Israelite in the country knew.So, when he got saved, and knew Jesus Christ was the son of God, his Revelation was only partial, meaning that now he knew Christ and was therefore saved, and he knew the law, and now he makes the assumption, that he could keep the law, as no other Jew had ever lived it.And the moment he decides he can keep the law, that's when the trouble started.In trying to keep the law, that's when the sin came,that's when the struggle came, and you'll read in in Roman's 7, " that which I hate, that I do!"

Why? because if you are saved by grace,it is unnecessary for you to try to keep the law, because you have taken on the righteousness of Christ, who was the only man who ever kept the law.It's already been done for you...all you have to do is accept it...and then the Holy spirit takes over, and cleans up your life for you, and all you have to do it get out of his way. Praise God, what a glorious day,and what a wonderful preacher Donnie is turning out to be!

OUI?

BIBLE STUDY LAST NIGHT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING, AND COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED!

We began, by praying for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.Not terribly unusual. But what Jimmy said after that, surprised me.I know we all saw the casinos that were "picked up and slammed down" in that terrific storm, and If you, like me, thought that was an indication of the wrath of God, then you might be surprised too. What Jimmy said, was that there are going to be a lot of preachers, getting up in the pulpit Sunday morning, saying that's what happens when you allow sin in your town, but really, that should not be the attitude of Christians.Why? Because there is sin in every city and town in America...and all over the world. The rain falls on the just and the unjust.And, strangely, he used Exodus 12:13 as his scriptural basis for this talk. It wasn't the Bible study he had planned, but he felt led of the Lord to preach on this subject instead. He focused on the phrase, " When I see the BLOOD I will pass over you." He read the whole verse, but he kept coming back to this phrase. He was speaking, of course, of the mighty first Passover, when the angel of death visited Egypt, Taking out the firstborn of every house that did not have the lambs blood on the doorposts and lintel of the house. Of course, this lambs blood was a type of Christ, leading us to the understanding that if you don't have the blood of Christ on the doorposts of your heart, "the lamb of God" then you will experience the wrath of God  in the final judgement. Okay.But then he reminded us that the god of this present world, is lucifer.He is the "Prince of the Power of the Air"...True! No,no,no...don't go back now and tell people that Jimmy says you are worshipping Lucifer.If you are a Christian, you still Worship the one true God, and his son Jesus Christ. What he was saying, is that bad things happen to good people, as well as bad people, and that to attribute a natural disastar to the hand of God is not always correct. For instance, in the New Testament, more than once, Christ was approuched by different ones, asking did the parents of this man who was born blind sin,and is that the reason for his affliction? Or, were these lepers being punished for their sins? In each case, Christ said no, and he healed them,according to their faith. And that, of course, was the whole point. Faith.Hold on to your faith, no matter  what your going through, your faith in God will get you through it. There are some tough times ahead...we all know this now. It is becoming more and more clear to anyone with the wit to see it, and hear it all over the news that it is coming very very soon, and only your faith is going to see you through! Remember what God said.

"WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU!"

OUI? 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE, AND HOW YOU CAN TELL WHETHER YOUR GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

Spiritual warfare is nothing new.It has been around for eons! Ever since the war in heaven, when Lucifer decided he was just as beautiful as God, and he and the angels he wooed to be on his side fell, and lost their heavenly estate.Some may try to say that Lucifer is God's arch enemy, but that is silly.God doesn't have any enemies.He's God!He is the most powerful being in the universe, so who could possibly be his enemy? We humans, on the other hand, are Lucifer's enemies.He is ours.He wants nothing more than to steal from us, kill and destroy not only us, but our love for God, our faith in God, and ruin our testimony...and the more we try to live for God, the more he is going to come against us so that we fail. So, when we take steps to live a more godly, holy life, it is a given that there is going to be resistance.You will encounter rumors.False accusations.Testing and trials. And oh, boy, the temptations.Someone whom I love dearly has recently made the decision to quit drinking, and you talk about problems.The sudden onset of new pains alone tells us that this dear soul is on the right track! What would a persons reaction be, having just quit drinking, to experience pain? Hey! If I had a couple of beers, I wouldn't be feeling this pain! RIGHT? Right! Two weeks without a drop, and every time this person turns around there is another " real good reason" to take a drink! Yet, they persevere! This morning, right off the bat, I get a frantic call!  It's the kind of call that from the first word, you sit right straight up in bed!  "I am going to die! I have the worst toothache! You wouldn't believe how close I came to buying a beer on my way home!" I got right up,and said," Come on over! I ply-ed them with hot coffee, and Tylenol, and ambosol, and lots of THERE, THERE, POOR THING, MUMMIES SO SORRY YOU HURT! and PRAYER!  In a little over an hour, the pain was gone, and I sent 'em off to bed!  Two days ago, after dinner, a coughing spell caused the dinner to be expelled, but that wasn't the end of it! It just went on and on, until finally, they had to call in and skip work for the night! As you might expect, two different co-workers, the next day said, what  did you do, drink too much the night before? You see?  Unfair Accusations! Now, there was no call for anyone to say such a thing. This has never been this persons modus operandi, but yet, because they experienced sudden illness and had to call off of work for one night, rumors start flying! But yet, I can say Praise God! Obviously this is a work of the Holy spirit, to clean up this dear ones life, and THAT is why they are going through such opposition, which we are forewarned about in scripture, so it is not a big surprise.When this is all over, and the Holy spirit has brought this loved one through, they will be closer to the Lord than ever, firmly grounded in THE faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that much stronger to resist temptation! I am not worried about this person.Here is what I would worry about. Everything going along as smooth as glass, with no opposition, because that would mean that the battle had been lost, and I just wasn't being told about it.See, when you see someone just sailing along as though they haven't a care in the world, then it's a pretty good indication that they are just playing at church, haven't reached that point where they have gotten down on their knees and got serious with God,and therefore, fallen angels have no reason to come against them.They don't care if people go to church, as long as there is no opposition to the powers of darkness.Why should they come against you, if you are no threat to their domain? It is no threat to the powers of darkness, for you to help out at church, walk or run for a cure, contribute to a fund drive for needy children or organize some sort of charity event! BUT! If you are actively involved in cleaning up your act, to make an impact on carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, THAT is when you become a target! So, if you're  experiencing opposition to your work for the Lord, be joyous, for you are on the right track!

OUI?

TESTAMENT TO THE EXPOSITOR'S NEW TESTAMENT, AND THE POWER OF GOD!!!

When I say God was moving in our lives tonight, you might think I am overstating the case, but after I tell you all about it, you just might consider I understated it.If you read me regularly, then you know that for some time now, my friend Sherry has been coming over on Wed. nights for dinner and Bible study, sometimes with games afterward,sometimes a movie, or sometimes we just talk. Yon son joins us, because we always have a wonderful time with Sherry, and also because it has been some time since I have been able to stand and cook a meal...so he makes homemade pizza, and I chop the peppers and whatever, and make the salad.We talk, we laugh, we sing, but no matter what else is going on, at 7p.m., we drop everything and tune in for Bible study.Well, tonight, we had our salad and pizza before Seven. We even revved up the old DVD player and started a movie,but we had to stop it several times to refresh our ice for our diet caffeine-free pop, and one more comment on this thing or that thing that happened while she was in the hospitals.She really had a terrible time.Plus her next door neighbor lady had told her before she went to the hospital that she could not use her car to come visit anymore, for some strange reason, and this all took place before the first of August.( Naturally, we were all sort of let down over that, but I just kept believing that God would make a way,and made plans for her next visit.A couple months ago, Sherry said she really liked my Expositor's New Testament, and right then and there I decided to save up and send for one, and wouldn't you just know it, I got it Saturday !)The funny thing is, When sherry called me Tuesday morning, and left a message, she told me that out of the blue, her neighbor lady relented,and said she could use the Car! Well! I called right back, and invited her for dinner!...So! During one of those pauses, I gave her a card, saying welcome home, and on the inside it says, YOU ROCK! It's very cute...and a nicely wrapped box.Sherry goes, why am I getting presents? It's your birthday coming up! At that point, she hadn't the slightest idea what was in it, until Yon son opened up his mouth and said...something. I can't even recall what it was he said, but all of a sudden, she said, Oh, I know what this is! It's that Expositor's New Testament I wanted!  Okay, I admit it, I was a little miffed. I wanted to see that expression of shock and surprise on her face when she opened it up and saw what it was.But, she was and is very pleased,and instantly took it into the dinning room so it would be there for Bible study, and wouldn't get smuched up.I mean, this lady knows how to treat a brand new, precious expensive book. No, by the worlds standards, I would guess that most wouldn't consider it expensive, until you compare it in price alone to others of the same size, but, most wouldn't even consider paying it, unless they loved the word of God.And without being told, Sherry knew I had to save up for it.So, by the time 7 P.M. rolled around, we were all happily stuffed with pizza and salad and pop, and sallied forth to the dinning room, for Bible study.Well, with the new format, JSM live t.v.is a little trickier to find, but find it we did, and it was very rewarding, and was speaking to all of us, on certain levels.Loren Larson preached, but I have to back up here, because the music was So orchestrated by God, you just...it took our breaths away when Loren pointed out that he had no idea what the songs were going to be, and they were the perfect introduction to his message. The whole evening was like that. Everything dove-tailed..which is as it should be when the singers and the preachers and those assembled, as we were, are being led and listening to the holy spirit!  The song that I recall, stunningly, is" Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there" and Loren Preached on The message of the cross, as brought out in First Peter 5:5-11, which in part says vs. 7, Casting all your care upon him , for he careth for you! I cannot possibly recount all that he said, because this blog is huge already, but it was a wonderful enlightening evening, and Praise God for it! I was starting to wonder what was going on, but last night, I began to understand the spiritual warfare that I have been going through.When I am weak, then I turn to the Lord,and getting out of his way, and HE'S supplying his strength in my weakness! Oh! What a blessing! I could go on and on, but I am not going to, because we examined each and every verse,and I could write a small book, just on last night, and of all the new and marvelous things we found out not only from Loren, but from the Expositor's New Testament!

OUI?

THE EXPOSITOR'S STUDY BIBLE AND CONCORDANCE!!!

I GOT IT!    I got it, I got it, I got it!!! Oh! I am so happy! It is everything I expected, and so much more! I opened it right away, and started reading, and WOW! It is  nothing but FABULOUS! I am so giddy, I feel like it's christmas! And why not? From the very first page, the very first word,I learned something new and fascinating. FOR EXAMPLE: In Genesis 1:3, we all know that GOD said, let there be light: and there was light. Right? Well, in my new Bible, it also says: GOD is the essence of light(john1:4-9): GOD'S word is of such magnitude that light continues to expand in the universe at the rate of 186,000 miles a second! WOW! That puts it into perspective, does it not? Oh, it is wonderful. The most unique aid to Bible study and understanding today, and honey, I know Bibles.In this one, Virtually every Scripture is self-explained. With the Biblical text in black, Expositor's notes in red( ahem) red.Expositor's notes are positioned immediately following the Scripture, phrase, or even word, as I have shown you. Genuine black leather cover, fine,  high quality, gilt edged paper, with Smythsewn binding.Large print! Concordance , Maps, Assorted Bible helps...Bible dictionary, Bible encyclopedia, Bible commentary...Utilizing some of the best Hebrew and Greek scholars...and no less than FIVE contributors acknowledged in the front, all of them with PH.D.'s after their names,all of the professors at this collage and that theological seminary from collages all around the country...(and I looked. Not a one of them from Baton Rouge). Beautiful detailed full color maps you can actually read! But, now I have to back up, and say there is one exception to that, and that is the map of Jerusalem of Jesus Time, which they have rendered in gray and white, so they could outline points of interest in red, such as the temple, the city walls at that time, The Upper city and the lower city, the Gihon spring, Hezakiah's conduit, Solomon's porch, the upper room, and even Gethsemane! It is amazing the detail they have been able to construct from Archealogical digs. Why even in ancient times, Jerusalem was huge! I had no idea....I could go on and on with what this map points out, but it would just bore you, because you can't see it too, unless you get your own.

OUI?

WHAT A BLESSING!! WHAT A JOY!!

Well, Sherry is home from the hospital! As I understand it, it was touch and go there for a while, for as you know Sherry has a really bad heart condition, and was rushed to the hospital last Sunday...but that turned out to be a blessing because she has been given fits because the doctors can't seem to get her blood thinned out enough, even with high-powered blood thinners, but at last they seem to have hit on at least part of the problem. It's caused by some sort of infection.Now she has been treated all week, and is well on her way to recovery,At last! What a week this has been!Praise the Lord. It has been a mixture of blessings and surprises and shocks. First, the surprises. Yon son's father called,  mid- week,and they are finally in contact, and I can only call that a good thing, because every young man needs to know his father, and to be told by that father that he loves him, and Yon son's father did that this week.A broken heart is healing now. Then, my sister called me, but more about that later. Suffice it to say that I was busy with Mrs.Murphy, and Yon son took the call, and she wished him a happy belated birthday, and they spoke amicably until I finished washing  my hands, and then I took the rest of the call...and then another surprise came when I tried to call Sherry in the hospital, and she didn't answer the phone, even after I let it ring ever so long, so I hung up and called the info desk,and they couldn't find her on the patient list, but instead of telling me she had been discharged, I was informed that she wasn't on the list. Usually, this is an indication that  some misadventure has occured, and I, not being a family member, cannot be told anything. Well, praise God, I did not panic, but I did call her home phone,and she didn't answer there either, so I grew concerned, but left a message on her answering machine, and late last night, she finally called.

um...OH! More later! It's time for church! WELL! PRAISE THE LORD! inside all of that were the blessings, and then, came the shocks. We lost two family members, which I just found out about this week. My Mother-in-law passed some time ago, and this shock was multiplied by the fact that I wasn't notified at the time.But this week, we also lost my Uncle Ivan. Oh, thank God for the comfort of the Lord! This one hit me like a ton of bricks.My sister told me about it, and she always lets us know in a timely way, and yes, he had a good long life, he was getting up there, at 94, I guess you shouldn't be too shocked, but I was, and I burst into tears.

And how was your week?

OUI?

HE TOOK THE CUP AND DRANK OF IT, AND THEN ASKED US TO DRINK TOO!

In ancient Hebrew tradition, when a man saw a woman he wanted to marry, he would go to her home, and as part of his proposal, he would pour a cup of wine.Of course, there would have been talk with her Father first, but once he was given the opportunity to ask her to marry him, they would sit at the table together. She could leave that cup of wine sitting there as long as she wanted to.She would think. She could ask questions, and he must answer her.I can imagine the young man in love, sitting there, looking at his beloved, sweat popping out on his brow, while her family sat around watching, or went about their business, while she thought. Now, if she accepted, she didn't have to say anything. All  she had to do, was to pick up that cup, put it to her lips, and drink. If the answer was no, she would push the cup of wine from her, leave it sitting on the table, and get up and leave. This in effect left all the work for the man to do, and all the bride needed to do was accept what he had put in place.  If she accepted by drinking of the wine, the future BRIDEGROOM then went away, to his home, to prepare a place for them to live.He and his GROOMSMEN would erect either a wing in addition to the family home, or build their own house, on land his Father would give to him, as his inheritance, for he and his bride. How long it would take for him to go for his BRIDE depended on the young man's Father.He would oversee the building, and when the structure reached the place, where the Father was satisfied, he would tell his son, "GO GET YOUR BRIDE". The whole household would then fly into a flurry of activity.While the place was being prepared, the grooms family would be stockpiling wine and food and fine robes for the wedding feast. Once the signal was given, all preparations must be started immediately! The clothing laid out for the Groom and his men for the trek back to fetch the bride, all the food started cooking and wine casks readied to be tapped,and all the eating utensils shined up and ready.The groom and his men would wash up,and dress in their robes, and set out with lanterns for the journey, for they must arrive at night, to call out the Bride and her ladies. For the BRIDE'S  part, she must have ladies to attend her,ready and waiting for that call. She had no idea how long it would take, so they must move in with her, and help her to begin packing everything she wanted to take with her.This would involve perhaps months of sorting and packing on their parts, because she would be taking with her things she had saved up since childhood all those items she would need to set up housekeeping.All of her clothes, and cosmetics, to make her beautiful for her husband, as well as two full sets of dishes, linens she had woven and sewn, for bedding and cloaks, and shoes, for years to come. Jewelry,spices, cook-pots and candlesticks,goblets and even earthen pots. All of these things, her ladies must carry, as they followed her and her bridegroom to the wedding feast, for once she left her mother and father's house, she would not be coming back. In addition, it was up to each of her ladies to fill and trim the wicks of each of their lanterns, so that they would have lamps to light their way.

When the big moment came, they must be ready to leave, instantly, for it was not unheard of that an impatient BRIDEGROOM made that call, and if she did not appear, with her ladies, or as scripture puts it, "virgins", it was perfectly legal for the BRIDEGROOM to break into the house,and take her in his arms,and carry her off, with nothing but the clothes she wore, if her ladies hadn't heard the call.So, the Virgins were to carry all her things, and I suspect, the Groomsmen were there to keep the whole wedding party from being set upon by robbers as they made that somewhat sudden and dangerous trip to the BRIDEGROOMS home, and the huge wedding feast that awaited them. Isn't that beautiful? It's so romantic!

Oh, by the way. It is also the story of Man's redemption.Jesus Christ is the BRIDEGROOM. The CHURCH is the BRIDE.AND THE CALL? That's the Midnight cry we sing about,when we will be Raptured out of this world, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Once HE  was resurrected, he said,"behold, I go to prepare a place for you!" And he's coming back to get us, very, very soon. Oh, and the oil lamps and the trimming of the wicks? That's the Holy Spirit we are to be filled with. And, that is why Jesus did what he did at the Last Supper, and why we today take the Lord's Supper.And that is also why some of you shy brides are still sitting at the table, not sure whether to drink that cup, and accept Jesus or not, and why he just sits there and lets you decide.Of course, if you reject him, he will be saddened, and you won't be going to the marriage supper!

OUI?

A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

At the risk of repeating myself, today was another beautiful, wonderful, blessed Sunday.It started out as any normal day. I had worked on my writing all night, so I was caught up in that, lost track of the time, and was taken by surprise when I heard the kitchen door open, and Yon son called, Good morning, honey! He came into the dinning room, laden with goodies and all sorts of interesting news. He had been top dog again last night! Praise God! Not only that. but his tips were good too. How wonderful! He had my cocoa, and the Sunday paper, and something I haven't  had for ever so long. An enormous Blueberry muffin. Oh! Well, I wound up what I was working on, and wheeled away from the desk quite speedily then, and we adjourned to the kitchen, where he made my coffee, and I ran my blood sugar. It was LOW! I gave him my biggest grin, and he said, does that mean you can have the muffin? I didn't need to answer. He knows me so well. I began decanting my medications, and he began cooking breakfast,  sausages (which is also something I haven't had for a while)  eggs, toast, and set out the creamer for my coffee, and the almost butter, for my toast and muffin.I have found out that my medication works best if I begin my breakfast with protein, so I controlled myself, took a couple bites of eggs and sausage, before the downing of all those pills, and lots of water.We chatted while I ate as much as I could of the protein, and then I unwrapped the muffin, and the aroma was amazing! He had a couple of really bad trips overnight, one was a runoff, which he has to pay for, but, the Lord is not caught by surprise, even if we are, and the very next trip was an extra good tipper,and such a blessing.If I remember correctly, they had church in the cab...situation normal, and they sang gospel songs and praised the Lord,and as is not uncommon, he was told, " this is the best cab ride I have ever had!" Long story short...(too late!)..I kept thinking I would have to say all I could think of that I wanted to say to him, because he would be leaving soon, and then...he told me that his wife has already left for her next run.So, he stayed with me today, but I knew he wouldn't be awake long. He worked 18 hours yesterday, dispatching the first half, and driving the second half, after only five hours sleep. Thank God the joy of the Lord is his strength! Anyway, we watched a video that depicted the Crucifixion, and it brought us both to happy /sad tears, then he kissed me, and went to bed, and I logged on to have church. Church today was Fabulous! The music was just another little piece of heaven on earth,and I was reminded that today was the first Sunday of the month, so I had to scramble to get my bread and "wine"...which, since I had no grape juice in the house, turned out to be a bottle of black cherry soda...I don't  think the Lord minded that...do you? But, I got it all together, and was back in plenty of time to take my time to pour the soda, and then as Jimmy said the blessing, I broke my bread(just a corner of a donut son had brought me) along with everyone else, and sipped my "wine". I had an indescribable feeling of peace and comfort and love come over me,because I was one with that congregation, and I didn't look upon the Lord's supper as a piece of donut and a sip of soda, it WAS the humble bread and wine, the body of Christ,and the blood of Christ, shed for me on Calvary in the new and everlasting covenant.What a holy moment. I was there, and yet, I was here.And God was there, and was here. I could feel his presence,and it did not leave.Then Jimmy prayed for us who needed healing, and I felt the Holy Spirit working in me. My pain was lessened, and I was filled with an incredible lightness of being,and that did not leave me either! As the resurrection choir got up to sing, it only intensified.All the songs spoke to my heart,and I wanted it to go on and on! But then, Jimmy got up to preach, and OH! What a joy! What a delight! What a blessing! I saw Jesus! No, not in the flesh, but Jimmy opens up the word of God in such a way, that if you Love God, it thrills your soul! It never fails. When he says, "If you have your Bibles with you today, turn with me please to the book of Genesis 28 verse 11",and he reads the scriptural basis  for his message, it is music to my ears.

Now, I had been up all night. Church didn't even start until 10 a.m. and by this time, I should have been nodding off, but NO! I was shouting and praising God, being blessed and encouraged and thrilled and invigorated, and I was wide awake, and loving every minute of it! He preached until right at 12 o'clock. When he gave the altar call, I wanted to go right through that computer screen! That was my morning. As soon as the service was over, I sent them an email, and then shut down the computer,and went to nest...or to bed..if you insist. Slept like a baby,until Yon son woke me, and said, It's 5 o'clock. I have to leave in an hour...and church will be starting then too. I'm cooking the squash and the chicken. I thought you might want to get up and run your blood sugar and stuff..." He helped me out of bed, and into my chair, and whizzed me right in to see Mrs. Murphy. By the time I got done with that, My blood sugar kit was at my place at the table, and I ran it thinking about the muffin, and the pop,and the bite of donut....but it was nice and low! Praise God.And we talked while son cooked, and he sang "the midnight cry" for me,and then I think he did some of " God on the Mountain" too, or perhaps, I was just thinking of that wonderful song while considering all the blessings my day had been filled with so far.Dinner was delicious, and of course, I had another gang of pills to take with that. And then son had to go, and I had church again, and this time Donnie preached, and it was wonderful too. In fact, I think he preached the best he ever has. By the time he was done, he was in tears, I was in tears,and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, but it was all because of the moving and operation of the Holy Spirit.

At roughly Eight p.m.church was ended, and I went into the kitchen to see if my British mystery was on PBS.I watched that, and the two Brit Com's that come on after it, and then went back to the computer. I've been here ever since, and it's just 5:11 a.m. Yon son should be here in about an hour,and then we'll have breakfast, and then it will be time for lights out. Yeah! It's been a beautiful Sunday! I hope your Sunday was half as fulfilling and wonderful and blessed as mine. God bless you!

OUI?

WHY AM I SO HAPPY?

Go ahead, ask me why I'm so happy! Because in the natural, I don't have that much to be happy about,and yet I AM SO BLESSED,  I can't help it! I mean, so much has gone wrong lately, and still, in my heart, there is such joy! Last night and today the music I have heard and taped has been so glorious, and so filling in my spirit, that it's all I can do to keep from breaking into song! It's all I can do to keep from sitting here and typing lyrics like" I'VE NEVER HEARD A MAN SPEAK LIKE THIS MAN BEFORE" and "I'VE JUST SEEN JESUS!" and "OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!" and how about" THERE'S A SWEET SWEET SPIRIT IN THIS PLACE!"  Yes, part of it is the music, which is very blessed, and helps to lighten my burdens, but it is so much more than that! There was such joy and laughter in church this morning, and the spirit of GOD was all over that service, to the point that I forgot all about my pain, and was able to relax and completely enjoy every moment. And then, when Jimmy prayed for anyone who needed healing, you won't believe what happened! YES! I felt the presence of the LORD, but that is nothing new, praise GOD! There is such an annointing on that ministry, that I have GOT TO BE THERE EVERY TIME THEY GO ONLINE! HIS amazing spirit draws me back every time! I've just got to be there to see what the LORD is doing NOW! But what happened next is nothing short of fantastic! I am there, all excited, all interested, and ready with my Bible open, and then those wonderful words I wait for with baited breath" IF you have your Bibles with you this morning, please open with me to the book of GENESIS 25:27..." AND  he read the passage, and began to preach.I had my highlighter out, and was busy covering the passages he read with bright yellow ink, and something had told me to tape the program,and I reached over, and checked, and sure enough, it was time to turn the tape over,and set it taping the preaching, and then I went back to the preaching,and  making notes...and the next thing I new, I woke up, and the service was over, and all I saw on the monitor was the blank screen, and the tape player was still taping.And I have NEVER  fallen asleep in church! It's just not something that I would be inclined to do...so how can I explain it? I CAN'T! That is why I have to say it must have been a part of the moving and operation of the spirit of the Lord, I believe,  because there is no other way to justify what happened. It's not like the devil came and shut me down to interfere with my hearing the word of God.  I checked the tape, and I got every word, so I didn't miss out on anything, but watching Jimmy preach, which is too bad, but oh well! But God DID SOMETHING. I'm not saying what, because I don't know yet, but HE did something! Praise the Lord? When I find out what happened , I'll let you know. Right now, though, I need to go take a nap. I just stopped by to dash this off while it was still fresh in my mind.( AS If I could forget it!) God bless you!

OUI?