Psalms 112.1 ► Pursuit of Happiness…

… is the phrase that is stated as one of the goals of American men and women in the Declaration Of Independence. What does this phrase mean? Is it a catch all for, “if it feels good, makes you happy, then do it?”

I propose that given the deep spiritual convictions of the writers of the Declaration, that Psalms 112.1 be considered as an answer to what it means to pursue happiness, to  “be endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Ps 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

So, there you have it. Blessing (happiness) starts and comes from fearing the LORD.

Ps 115: 11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he [is] their help and their shield.
12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless [us] ; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, [both] small and great.

Psalms 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Saw this millepede that looks just like an earthworm, crawling across the sidewalk at work last Monday, Nov 9, 2009

It was amazing seeing this thing move. Per a website that I looked at about them, they say that this thing secretes cyanide? Whoa! or Wow!

 

 

Adrian Rogers, and I quote

Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults] .

Actually, I quote rather paraphrasically!

Some people have moral earthquakes because the secret faults. A spiritually unprotected life +  undetected weakness + unexpected temptation = great fall into sin. ¶ God’s Holy Spirit must work subterranean cleansing within.

Wacky Church Bulletins!

2 Funny Not to share. Some of these are retreads, some are new. Received via email from Steve Hays, Nov 2009.

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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals..
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The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS

Even if I worked for the Federal, state or local government, I would have to say: MERRY CHRISTMAS. Not that CHRISTmas has much to do with CHRIST, except what CHRISTians make of it, but to be ashamed or worried about offending someone? Nope, not me.

So, if I don’t write anymore b4 the end of the year, lemme say, again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

image from: http://jhoyimperial.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/merry_christmas-1.jpg?w=402&h=400

Judas Chose The Wrong Tree

James Kennedy radio show on 9 April 2009, re: Judas the Betrayer

Judas' last, final, wrong decision is that he "went to the wrong tree." He went to the tree of death. He could've gone, instead, to the Tree of Life, hanging on a tree already. Already willing to save any sinner, no matter how unclean and vile. Yet, Judas chose the tree of death.

Which tree do you choose? I choose the Tree of Life, that is, JESUS CHRIST Himself! Only HE can save. It is what HE came to do. It was His purpose for leaving Heaven and coming to live among us in the 1st place. All the miracles HE performed were not to show us that we can acheive miracle performing status but the miracles pointed to who HE is: the promised Messiah/Christ of the Old Testament. He fulfilled the promise completely, dying on our behalf. He became sin for us, even though HE never knew sin. His death was NOT the end, though. He arose out of the grave 3 days later, early on the 1st day of the week (Sunday), and proved that 4ever is banished death and hell for all who will believe on HIM.

Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

THE LORD'S PRAYER 4 Today

Rather cleverly done.
This is in two parts, the prayer (in blue type) and GOD (in red type) in response.
It is very, very good.

  *********
Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But -- you called ME!
Called you?
No, I didn't call you.
I'm praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
There -- you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.
You said,
"Our Father who art in Heaven"
Well, here I am.
What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord's Prayer.
It makes me feel good,
kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right.
Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name .
Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name"?
It means, it means . . good grief,
I don't know what it means.
How in the world should I know?
It's just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense.
I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control,
of everything down here like you have up there.
We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know;
but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You've really got a problem there, you know.
And then there's the way you spend your money --
all on yourself.
And what about the kind of books you read ?
Now hold on just a minute!
Stop picking on me!
I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME.
I thought you were praying
for my will to be done.
If that is to happen,
it will have to start with the ones
who are praying for it.
Like you -- for example ..
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.Now that you mention it,
I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it very much until now,
but I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good.
Now we're getting somewhere.We'll work together -- You and ME.
I'm proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don't mind,
I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread.
You're overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! at is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty,
and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember,
you called ME -- and here I am.
It's too late to stop now.
Keep praying.  ( . pause . . )
Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it!
I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.
She never paid back the money she owes me.
I've sworn to get even with her!
But -- your prayer --
What about your prayer?
I didn't -- mean it.
Well, at least you're honest.
But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness
and resentment isn't it?
Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her.
She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better.
You'll feel worse.
Revenge isn't sweet.
You know how unhappy you are --
Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann.
Then, I'll forgive you;
And the hate and the sin,
will be Ann's problem -- not yours.
You will have settled the problem
as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you're right.
You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right all right . .
I forgive her.
There now!
Wonderful!
How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad.
Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight.
I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.
But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that.
Just don't put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory --
What would really make me happy?
No, but I'd like to know.
I want to please you now.
I've really made a mess of things.
I want to truly follow you.
I can see now how great that would be.
So, tell me . . .
How do I make you happy?
YOU  just did.

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