Christianity started as a beautiful thing! It was something the world had never experienced before. An amazing selfless, like-mindedness that brought glory to God.
But, just like everything in this world, it eventually turned sour.
Romans 14:14-15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably, Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
When I was in Bible school, there was this couple who were also attending that were vegan. I felt so ashamed, and embarrassed for them, when the teacher publicly called them out and told them that they were sinning because they didn't eat meat. I guess that teacher never read the verse above.
To make a long story short, that couple started to eat meat and within 6 months were back living in the world. You see, they weren't strong Christians. They were weak. They needed the herbs. It was almost as if there were better able to withstand other temptations by denying themselves that one thing. And, once they gave in to that one thing their determination wore away until they gave in to everything the world, flesh, and devil could tempt them with.
Destructive Christianity professes to love God, but they hate the brethren.
I John 4:20- If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
You may think that the professor above cared about his students, but that wasn't the case. If he actually cared, he would have let God deal with them and not tried to be the Holy Spirit in a matter in which he didn't know all the details.
But, that's what destructive Christianity does- it's more concerned with self than it is with others. It's quick to accuse those who it thinks are doing wrong, but rarely does it try to restore them in the Christian faith.
Romans 15:1-2- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Galatians 6:1- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Perhaps, God had a plan for those vegan Christians to serve Him on a field where the people didn't eat meat. It certainly would have helped the natives listen to them! God could have gotten so much glory!
But, now, there are two less Christians fighting the fight.
Another aspect of destructive Christianity is people who live in the world without even trying to witness to those around them. They not only don't witness, they won't read their Bibles or pray because the world's distractions are more important to them.
Psalm 142:4- I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
There's a new movie to go see. My children have their extracurricular activities. And, little Johnny on the team, or Suzie at the show will never hear that their soul is on its way to eternal damnation in hell.
The same so-called Christians will go to church and sing the songs and listen to the preaching, but it never hits their heart. It goes in one ear and out the other- they're really just pew warmers.
Mark 7:6- He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
The most destructive part of this lip service is that it's usually followed by a bunch of talk about how you should follow the rules while they do their own thing. It's the Pharisees putting burdens on others that they themselves won't carry.
Matthew 23:4- For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
These Christians have lost their vision for heaven. They believe the truth, but they don't obey it.
Ephesians 4:21-24- If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
You are suppose to be a new creature who is conformed to the image of Christ! But, destructive Christianity is full of sentiment and devoid of sacrifice.
One night during a campaign, Alexander the Great couldn't sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds. As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty.
The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him and recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life.
"Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?" Alexander the Great asked the soldier.
"Yes, sir," the soldier responded in a quivering voice.
"Soldier, what's your name?" demanded Alexander the Great.
"Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great repeated the question: "What is your name?"
"My name is Alexander, sir," the soldier repeated.
A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, "What is your name?"
A third time the soldier meekly said, "My name is Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great then looked the young soldier straight in the eye. "Soldier," he said with intensity, "either change your name or change your conduct."
I wonder if Christ says the same to us as He looks down from heaven- Either quit calling yourself a Christian or start acting like one!
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Healthy Minute- First Aid Kit for Mom
As a mom, I constantly find myself playing doctor or nurse with one of my little ones. It's amazing how many times there's a cut or a scrape, a fever or a sore throat. It seems every time I turn around there's a need for a bandaid or medicine.
As a wife and woman, I sometimes need to get my husband an antacid or find myself some headache medicine. And, we're not always at home when it's needed- my purse has never been one of those small clutches!
The most aggravating thing is trying to find a med-kit that supplies all my needs for on-the-go care.
So, I've had to build my own over the years. It changes as the years go by and the children grow, but some things remain constant.
If you have a specific health problem, then always pack some of those medicines for emergency purposes- inhalers for asthma, insulin and glucose for diabetes, blood pressure or heart medicines, etc.
I thought I'd share with you the things that I find most important to keep on hand in my "Mommy Med-Kit":
Many times you can find small travel containers or packets of most of these items. Keeping them all together in an easily organizable bag really helps. If you don't carry a large purse or diaper bag, you may want to keep something in your car- just make sure your materials won't melt in the heat.
As a wife and woman, I sometimes need to get my husband an antacid or find myself some headache medicine. And, we're not always at home when it's needed- my purse has never been one of those small clutches!
The most aggravating thing is trying to find a med-kit that supplies all my needs for on-the-go care.
So, I've had to build my own over the years. It changes as the years go by and the children grow, but some things remain constant.
If you have a specific health problem, then always pack some of those medicines for emergency purposes- inhalers for asthma, insulin and glucose for diabetes, blood pressure or heart medicines, etc.
I thought I'd share with you the things that I find most important to keep on hand in my "Mommy Med-Kit":
- Pepto Bismol
- Pepcid Complete or Tums
- Gas X
- Benadryl
- Dramamine
- Sudafed PE Day and Night (or some day/ night version of cold medicine)
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Excedrin
- Midol or other Menstrual Cramp medicine
- Allergy Eye Drops
- Cough Drops
- Inhaler
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent wipes
- Antiseptic (usually hydrocortizone cream and triple antibiotic ointment)
- Burn Cream (usually something with silver in it)
- Bandaids of various sizes and purposes
- Gauze Pads and/ or Roll
- Medical tape
- Elastic Bandage Wrap
- Instant cold pack compress (if I can fit it in)
- Safety Pins (big ones that you'd use for cloth diapers)
- Scissors
- Good metal tweezers
- Tissue travel pack
- A couple female pads and liners (tampons if you use those)
Many times you can find small travel containers or packets of most of these items. Keeping them all together in an easily organizable bag really helps. If you don't carry a large purse or diaper bag, you may want to keep something in your car- just make sure your materials won't melt in the heat.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Cajun Crawfish Boil recipe
NOTE: This must be cooked outside!
3 containers of non-iodized salt
40 lbs crawfish (shrimp or crabs could also be substituted)
1 container Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil powder
6 packages of Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil bags
1/4 cup Zatarain's Concentrated Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil liquid
2 (16 oz) bottles Worchestershire Sauce
2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
Cayenne pepper- if you dare!
1 bag lemons
1 bag garlic
1 bunch celery
4 lbs small red potatoes
2 (16 oz) containers button mushrooms
2 (16 oz) packages of Kielbasa Sausage
24 Frozen Corn on the Cob
You will also need:
tanks of butane
Burner with a large pot
wooden oar
large ice chests
outside table
lots of newspapers
paper plates or crawfish platters
butter
"Purge" the crawfish with salt three times. Dump the crawfish out of their bags and into a large tub. These guys are suppose to be alive; if you come across any dead ones throw them out. Pour one container of salt on top of the crawfish and fill the tub with water. They will be fighting and pinching whatever gets near them, and they will begin to look like they're foaming at the mouth. Strain water out after about 20 minutes. Repeat two more times. This helps to clear anything out of the "mud vein".
Place pot on burner and fill with water. Your pot should come with a "colander" basket inside it- you need this! You will use this to gently lower and lift the crawfish in and out of the water without having to dump the entire pot. You will need this seasoned water to cook the veggies after you cook the crawfish. Turn your burner on high.
Add seasoning. All of the above mentioned Zatarains, the worchestershire sauce, and the vinegar (which makes the shells easier to get off). Also add the lemons, cut in half, the whole heads of garlic with the bottoms chopped off, and the celery to the pot.
After the water is at a good rolling boiling, throw the crawfish into the "colander basket" and slowly lower it into the water. The water will stop boiling when you lower the crawfish in. You need to bring it back to a boil, stirring with the oar to get them all cooked evenly. Allow them to cook until a bright red color and floating at the top. Turn burner off.
Gently, remove the colander basket with the oar. Set the basket on the pavement until you can dump the crawfish into a large ice chest, or you can dump them onto the table covered with newspapers.
Now, put the potatoes into the empty "colander basket" and lower them into the liquid that the crawfish were cooked in. Turn burner back on. Allow the to cook for about 5 minutes at a boil. Put mushrooms and sausage in and continue to cook for a few minutes. Turn off your burner and drop the frozen corn in there. You want to stir with your oar and allow the corn to heat up while simultaneously bringing the temperature of the pot down.
Remove the veggies and place in another ice chest or on the table with the crawfish. Enjoy!
3 containers of non-iodized salt
40 lbs crawfish (shrimp or crabs could also be substituted)
1 container Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil powder
6 packages of Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil bags
1/4 cup Zatarain's Concentrated Crawfish, Shrimp, and Crab boil liquid
2 (16 oz) bottles Worchestershire Sauce
2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
Cayenne pepper- if you dare!
1 bag lemons
1 bag garlic
1 bunch celery
4 lbs small red potatoes
2 (16 oz) containers button mushrooms
2 (16 oz) packages of Kielbasa Sausage
24 Frozen Corn on the Cob
You will also need:
tanks of butane
Burner with a large pot
wooden oar
large ice chests
outside table
lots of newspapers
paper plates or crawfish platters
butter
"Purge" the crawfish with salt three times. Dump the crawfish out of their bags and into a large tub. These guys are suppose to be alive; if you come across any dead ones throw them out. Pour one container of salt on top of the crawfish and fill the tub with water. They will be fighting and pinching whatever gets near them, and they will begin to look like they're foaming at the mouth. Strain water out after about 20 minutes. Repeat two more times. This helps to clear anything out of the "mud vein".
Place pot on burner and fill with water. Your pot should come with a "colander" basket inside it- you need this! You will use this to gently lower and lift the crawfish in and out of the water without having to dump the entire pot. You will need this seasoned water to cook the veggies after you cook the crawfish. Turn your burner on high.
Add seasoning. All of the above mentioned Zatarains, the worchestershire sauce, and the vinegar (which makes the shells easier to get off). Also add the lemons, cut in half, the whole heads of garlic with the bottoms chopped off, and the celery to the pot.
After the water is at a good rolling boiling, throw the crawfish into the "colander basket" and slowly lower it into the water. The water will stop boiling when you lower the crawfish in. You need to bring it back to a boil, stirring with the oar to get them all cooked evenly. Allow them to cook until a bright red color and floating at the top. Turn burner off.
Gently, remove the colander basket with the oar. Set the basket on the pavement until you can dump the crawfish into a large ice chest, or you can dump them onto the table covered with newspapers.
Now, put the potatoes into the empty "colander basket" and lower them into the liquid that the crawfish were cooked in. Turn burner back on. Allow the to cook for about 5 minutes at a boil. Put mushrooms and sausage in and continue to cook for a few minutes. Turn off your burner and drop the frozen corn in there. You want to stir with your oar and allow the corn to heat up while simultaneously bringing the temperature of the pot down.
Remove the veggies and place in another ice chest or on the table with the crawfish. Enjoy!
Friday, January 3, 2020
Blessed Homeland (poem)
Gliding o'er life's fitful waters,
Heavy surges sometimes roll;
And we sigh for yonder haven,
For the homeland of the soul.
Blessed homeland, ever fair!
Sin can never enter there;
But the soul, to life awaking,
Everlasting bloom shall wear.
Oft we catch a faint reflection,
Of its bright and vernal hills;
And, though distant, how we hail it!
How each heart with rapture thrills!
To our Father, and our Savior,
To the Spirit, Three in One,
We shall sing glad songs of triumph
When our harvest work is done.
'Tis the weary pilgrim's homeland,
Where each throbbing care shall cease,
And our longings and our yearnings,
Like a wave, be hushed to peace.
—Fanny Crosby
Heavy surges sometimes roll;
And we sigh for yonder haven,
For the homeland of the soul.
Blessed homeland, ever fair!
Sin can never enter there;
But the soul, to life awaking,
Everlasting bloom shall wear.
Oft we catch a faint reflection,
Of its bright and vernal hills;
And, though distant, how we hail it!
How each heart with rapture thrills!
To our Father, and our Savior,
To the Spirit, Three in One,
We shall sing glad songs of triumph
When our harvest work is done.
'Tis the weary pilgrim's homeland,
Where each throbbing care shall cease,
And our longings and our yearnings,
Like a wave, be hushed to peace.
—Fanny Crosby
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
The Curse Of Blood
A curse is a scary thing. Many people were worried about being cursed by a dead pharaoh when their tombs were excavated. Some people fear the hex of a wizard or a witch. But, the greatest and most deadly curse was placed about 2,000 years ago.
If you're familiar with your bible, you know the story of Christ's crucifixion. There was a point where Pilate was trying to free Jesus, but the people wouldn't have it.
Matthew 27:24-25- When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Bad move! These people put a blood curse on not only themselves, but their posterity. And, for almost 2,000 years no one has been as hunted, persecuted, murdered, etc. as the Jewish people. It's because of this curse.
Now, you may say that you don't believe this, but they were warned almost 3,000 years before Christ was killed.
Numbers 35:30-34- Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
A murderer's blood must be spilled in judgement for the land to be cleansed of the blood that was shed through murder. When these people put the blood on themselves and their children they cursed their entire race to have to be killed for the innocent blood that was shed in their land.
The same blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that washed away our sin and enables us an eternity in heaven with Christ is the blood that dooms the Jewish people to pay for it's shedding by their own blood being spilled.
That's terrifying!
Can they ever remove this curse? Yes. They were told how to remove the curse around the same time they were told about the curse.
Deuteronomy 21:1-9- If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
If it's so easy then why haven't they done it yet? Well, it's not as easy as you would think.
The elders and judges of the Jewish people first have to acknowledge that Jesus was their Messiah and that their religious leaders in times past were the ones to murder Him.
Next, they have to have a priest. The Jewish priesthood hasn't existed for over 1,900 years. They are just now getting to the place where they can find sons of Levi to learn the role of the priesthood and perform it.
And, probably the most difficult will be that when they finally realize that Jesus Christ was their Messiah and they need to remove this blood curse, it will be during the Tribulation when the Anti-Christ is sitting in the third temple of Jerusalem claiming that he is their Messiah.
The leaders will have to brave the armies of the Anti-Christ with Levitical priests and a heifer and make it to the valley outside the walls of Jerusalem and accomplish this while engaged in battle for their very existence.
A curse is not an easy thing to break when the most powerful force in the entire universe is the very thing that has hexed you!
The only good thing is that the blood of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to save you from a curse that has been placed on you. The curse of sin. And, the end of that curse is outer darkness. This curse can only be broken while you are alive, and it can only be broken through accepting Christ's gift of Salvation that He provided when He shed His blood on Calvary to save your soul.
If you're familiar with your bible, you know the story of Christ's crucifixion. There was a point where Pilate was trying to free Jesus, but the people wouldn't have it.
Matthew 27:24-25- When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Bad move! These people put a blood curse on not only themselves, but their posterity. And, for almost 2,000 years no one has been as hunted, persecuted, murdered, etc. as the Jewish people. It's because of this curse.
Now, you may say that you don't believe this, but they were warned almost 3,000 years before Christ was killed.
Numbers 35:30-34- Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
A murderer's blood must be spilled in judgement for the land to be cleansed of the blood that was shed through murder. When these people put the blood on themselves and their children they cursed their entire race to have to be killed for the innocent blood that was shed in their land.
The same blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that washed away our sin and enables us an eternity in heaven with Christ is the blood that dooms the Jewish people to pay for it's shedding by their own blood being spilled.
That's terrifying!
Can they ever remove this curse? Yes. They were told how to remove the curse around the same time they were told about the curse.
Deuteronomy 21:1-9- If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
If it's so easy then why haven't they done it yet? Well, it's not as easy as you would think.
The elders and judges of the Jewish people first have to acknowledge that Jesus was their Messiah and that their religious leaders in times past were the ones to murder Him.
Next, they have to have a priest. The Jewish priesthood hasn't existed for over 1,900 years. They are just now getting to the place where they can find sons of Levi to learn the role of the priesthood and perform it.
And, probably the most difficult will be that when they finally realize that Jesus Christ was their Messiah and they need to remove this blood curse, it will be during the Tribulation when the Anti-Christ is sitting in the third temple of Jerusalem claiming that he is their Messiah.
The leaders will have to brave the armies of the Anti-Christ with Levitical priests and a heifer and make it to the valley outside the walls of Jerusalem and accomplish this while engaged in battle for their very existence.
A curse is not an easy thing to break when the most powerful force in the entire universe is the very thing that has hexed you!
The only good thing is that the blood of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to save you from a curse that has been placed on you. The curse of sin. And, the end of that curse is outer darkness. This curse can only be broken while you are alive, and it can only be broken through accepting Christ's gift of Salvation that He provided when He shed His blood on Calvary to save your soul.
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