Funny Friday

Throwback Thursday: Early 1980's

Sparky and  the original Sam

Early 1980's

Yep, that's me hamming it up on my parent's sofa in Titusville, Florida. The original Sam (Miniature Schnauzer) sleeps beneath the coffee table. He was a sweet dog. The photo was snapped by then new husband. This past August 11th we've been together for 36 years. Bless him, he always is my biggest fan.

In the beginning it seemed like we where broke most of the time. Thank goodness we where young and full of energy! And thanks to a booming economy with President Reagan, hard work, frugal living and God's blessings, prosperity graced our home. Even with all the work the world was still fun though. I have memories of dinner parties with friends, SCUBA diving, motorcycling, dancing, traveling, fishing, hunting, and so forth. Life is quieter now but I wouldn't trade a day of any of it for all the money in Fort Knox.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Paul, the Pattern -- His Conversion

Paul, the Pattern -- His Conversion 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

No conversion in sacred history is given so much attention as that of St. Paul. Besides the many references to it, we find three detailed accounts of it in the book of Acts. As Saul of Tarsus, the learned Pharisee, he had led his nation and the world in rebellion against God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Luke says: “As for Saul, he made havock of the church” (Acts 8:3). The believers at Damascus feared Saul’s presence among them, saying: “Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem?” (Acts 9:21). Paul himself later testified: “Many of the saints did I shut up in prison…and when they were put to death, I gave my voice [vote] against them” (Acts 26:10). “…beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it [laid it waste]” (Gal.1:13).

There must have been an important reason why God saved this rebel leader. Clearly it was that He might make Paul, not only the herald, but the living example of “the exceeding riches of His grace” to sinners. Paul himself said:

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord…for…putting me into the ministry; who was before A BLASPHEMER, AND A PERSECUTOR, AND INJURIOUS: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT….This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF. HOWBEIT FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING” (I Tim.1:12-16).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

A Week Of Vicissitudes

This week has been a roller coaster ride for me personally and financially for the country. The Dow Jones fell almost 1,000 points. Since I do watch the markets pretty closely, and listen to the real experts, this was not unexpected, but startling nonetheless. Thank Heavens we’re not in the market anymore. However, I am aware that whether by accident or design many millions of ordinary citizens have their 401K’s tied to the market. My heart-felt prayers are with them all. Oil is almost $40 a gallon. A plus for the Average Joe but it’s devastating for the American Oil Industry. This is not a good thing as there are many, many jobs tied to the oil industry. It’s kind of a Catch 22 situation for the world in general.

In personal matters this was a week of high’s and low’s. High because I'm excited about finally finishing the house remodel started last year. And low because this part of the remodel has gone from simple to complex. I’ve learned to never, ever, in-no-way use our local Lowe’s for installations. This is the third attempt at using them for various installations and each time the subcontractors have either been inept, scary or unreliable. I cancelled the whole deal. Then on the return trip from Waycross, we stopped at a carpet installation store in Blackshear and contracted with them. The new carpeting should arrive in about a week or so. The only down side is before they can install it, we have to remove all the furniture, old carpeting, padding and clean the floor. That’s going to be a job! I pray my body and patience holds out.

And I pray your week has been a happy one.

*h/t to Cormus at the CB 1100 Forum for the $64 word this week. :)

Mid-August Musing

The day started out cool and clear for mid-August Southeast Georgia. After the blessing of seasonal rains, it rendered the once terrifying one mile of sandy lane ride able. 

The road beckoned. 

Mindful of the approaching heat, I hurriedly donned summer riding gear. The sleeping motor roared to life, then I eased the purring “Vee” down the grassy driveway.

“I wonder what the peasants are doing today?”, I jest to myself. For I truly feel like Royalty sometimes, one of the fortunate few who love where they live and can still do what is enjoyable. I will try to always treasure that privilege as the daylight lasts so that when God calls me to the Big Garage in the sky, I can say again “Thank you”. Not only for the eternal salvation He so graciously offers to all mankind, but thank you for allowing me to be happy while still inhabiting this earthly cage.

God truly is good.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ How to Get to Heaven from Your Current Location

How to Get to Heaven from Your Current Location 

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

MapQuest^® is an ingenious website that many have probably used at one time or another.  Simply type in where you live and where you want to go and, voila!  It gives you step-by-step directions to your final destination.  Of course, it cannot give you directions on How to Get to Heaven from Your Current Location.  Only the Word of God can give us these instructions.

The year leading up to the conversion of George Whitefield, the famous English Evangelist, is a good example of how God will have nothing to do with good works or acts of self-denial for the salvation of a lost soul.  Both are repulsive in His sight.  Shortly after entering his third year at Oxford, young Whitefield underwent a spiritual crisis.  It was said of him:

“The life of God in his own soul was what he craved and must have—but how to obtain it!  The thought of his sins caused him to sweat and groan.  He shunned all company, wandering the fields and woods, deep in prayer—sometimes lying all night upon the freezing ground.  He wore the shabbiest of clothing; his only fare [meals], dry bread and tea.  In time even his prayers seemed to become sinful.”  (George Whitefield and the Great Evangelical Awakening by Anthony Beaurepaire, The Protestant Truth Society, London, England, Pg. 13).

It wasn’t until Mr. Whitefield came to the end of himself that he began to reflect on his reading of Christian literature, how it was “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”  With the burden of his sin greater than he could bear, he turned to Christ, the great Sin-Bearer, and was gloriously saved by the grace of God.  In his own words, he gave this touching account of his conversion:

“God was pleased at length to remove the heavy load, to enable me to lay hold on His dear Son by living faith…Oh, with what joy, joy unspeakable, even joy that was full of, and great with glory, and my soul was filled when the weight of sin went off, and an abiding sense of the pardoning love of God and a full assurance of faith broke upon my disconsolate soul!”¹

Perhaps you are like Mr. Whitefield prior to his conversion, trying to find acceptance with God apart from Christ.  Your defense may be, “I’m not so bad.  After all, I’ve never murdered anyone,” as if God will accept you because you never committed the act of murder.  But which sin is worse, murder or lying?  According to Proverbs 6:16,17, lying is the greater violation of the two in the sight of God—because lying leads to murder!  We need to remember and remember well, all sin has eternal consequences for those who reject Christ as their Savior.

Perhaps your pursuit of God has taken you down the path of religious rituals.  Surely here you will find favor with God!  Interestingly, it is in this area that Satan has done his most effective work to blind men to the light of the glorious gospel.  He uses religion!  If men think their religious service will gain them acceptance with God, he has accomplished his purpose to keep them eternally damned.

Here is a short list of religious practices that men do, hoping to earn their way to heaven: church attendance, water baptism, first communion, confirmation, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, responsive readings, doing the sign of the Cross, confessing and receiving forgiveness of their sins from a priest, etc.  Before his conversion to Christ, Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church, visited Rome, where he climbed the steps of Scala Santa on his knees.  The Scala Santa is believed to be the stairway the Lord ascended to reach Pilate’s Judgment Hall on the day of His crucifixion.  The Catholic Church supposedly had it brought from Jerusalem to Rome.

As a Roman Catholic, at the time, Luther believed such acts of self-sacrifice would increase his chances of entering heaven.  But it wasn’t long thereafter, in a monastery at Wittenberg, he saw things in a whole new light.  As Luther was reading Romans 1:17, where it states, “The just shall live by faith,” he paused a moment, and then it suddenly dawned on him that salvation was by faith.  Up to that point he had tried to earn his salvation through religious observances, but never felt he had done enough.  Now, for the first time, he saw that a lost soul is declared eternally righteous by God through faith on the basis of the finished work of Christ.  He was delivered from the bondage of his sins and indescribable joy flooded his heart.  So dramatic was the change in his life that Luther went on to be the spark that ignited the great Reformation.

If you would like to get to heaven from your current location, simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  We want you to know that God loves you and Christ died for your sins (Rom. 5:8).  You see, the day Christ died at Calvary, He wasn’t dying for His sins.  He knew no sin.  Instead, He was dying for the sins of the world—my sins and your sins.  God has made a provision for all, but to receive the benefit of this provision you must believe that Christ died personally for you and rose again (I Cor. 15:3,4; I Thes. 4:14).  Salvation is in a person, and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ!  He alone can save you from your sins!

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Adblock Plus Saves Lives

This is just a quick FYI for all my blogging buddies or anyone using Google Chrome browser. Are you sick and tired of flashing, annoying advertisements? I know I am. Some of the sites I visit where getting so maddening they where causing me to harbor violent thoughts towards advertisers ... *lol* FindAGrave in particular had become an exercise in mental torture. Last night I found a great FREE program for eliminating those annoying man-made pestilence.

Go to the Chrome Web Store, type in Adblock Plus, install the program, and you're done! No more wanting to cause bodily harm to any pencil necked geeks who perpetuate that irritating ill treatment for monetary gain.

Ahhhhh. Urge to kill fading ... fading ... gone.

That was as easy as falling off a blog.

Anniversary Memories

Today we celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss. And it has been blissful, for the most part, and I give God the credit for that. In honor of this auspicious occasion, we journeyed to a far off land called Amelia Island. Lunch was at Timoti's Seafood Shak. On the way out of town, we stopped off at a little dog bakery called RedBones. Bought several treats for Jack and Sam III, the Jack Russell Terrierists.

The Restaurant was not much to look at, is it?!

The natives where friendly and offered us food

in return for common currency.

There's nothing more dangerous, than a hungry Sparky. 

Keep all fingers and toes at least 10 feet away.

Who is that good looking guy that keeps following me around? *lol*

The way we learned of Timoti's Seaford Shak's existence is in the latest issue of RoadRUNNER Magazine. I believe it was last Fall, the author of the story, and a riding companion, rode their Dual Sports from Folkston, Georgia, to our area, and back again. For anyone who rides, RoadRUNNER monthly supplies informative and well written works.

Anyway, the food was good and the company better.

My husband likes to say a photo refocuses a memory. For a good laugh, go to this link at Shutterfly and see what we looked like in 1979. Fresh faced, much slimmer, didn't ache anywhere and still unaware of the perils ahead. I'm thankful the Lord has let me make this long journey together. He gave me a wonderful life companion that has daily filled my heart with joy. I know I'm a much better person for having stuck to the course.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Law Misunderstood

The Law Misunderstood 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

There are three misconceptions that most people entertain about the law of God and its Ten Commandments:

1. Most people have a vague notion that the law always was in existence and that it must have been given to the first man, Adam, or soon after. Actually, God gave the law to Moses for Israel about 1500 B.C., after about 2500 years of human history had elapsed (John 1:17). So mankind lived on earth for about 2500 years without the law or the Ten Commandments.
2. Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to mankind in general, while, in fact, it was given to Israel alone (Deuteronomy 5:2,3).
3. Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to help us to do right. Even some clergymen teach this, although the Bible clearly teaches that they were given to show us that we are guilty sinners.

It is true that the law, while given to Israel, also shows the Gentile that he is a sinner. This is why Romans 3:19 says:

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God.”

But most important of all: Few people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to deliver us from the just condemnation of the law. This is taught in the following Scriptures:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…” (Gal.3:13). 

“For God hath made Him to be sin for us, [Christ] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor.5:21). 

“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” (Rom.6:14).

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Wordless Wednesday And A Joke

Yellow Scallop Moth (Anomis erosa)
Thanks Wiregrass Steve!

Not much going on here thus the cop out. :) Hope your day is blessed.

Sunday Post: Studying God's Word

[Sorry about the video size. I can't figure out how to squish it down.]

I enjoy the traditional hymns best, don’t you?

My memory is getting atrocious. It was someone else’s pearls of wisdom that prompted this post otherwise there would be first a credit for this inspiration.

Paraphrasing, I’m sure, but here goes: “It is better to listen to God first before prayer.”

I know that’s rather simplistic but truth usually is.

In other words, it is better to READ God's Word than to talk excessively AT Him making requests, therefore ignoring His voice. Reading His Word faithfully is one of my many failings. I’m too busy, too tired, too bored, too distracted, too hungry and plethora of other excuses. I am proficient at submitting requests to our tolerant Lord or to pray for others. That’s easy. Make no mistake, though, prayer is key to one of our many wondrous, privileged communications with our loving Saviour. I hope I’m learning that it’s equally, maybe more so, important to listen to Him speak to me first before making my wishes known. Especially since I tend to get the wrong end of the stick in many situations.

So since there are no more burning bushes or pillars of smoke or tablets of stone to guide us, in this “present evil age” [Galatians 1:4] He has chosen to speak to us through His written Word. And the Word was “made flesh” [John 1:14] in our Lord Jesus Christ. Reading His Word is to listen to Jesus talk to us, and therein lays peace. This truth is revealed numerous times in His Holy Word.

Be as the Bereans and “search the Word daily to see if it is so”. [Acts 17:11]

I hope that makes sense. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of reading to do. :)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

[II Timothy 2:15] NKJV

Mischievous Country Wickedness

We suffered a mild vandalism last night. Our house sits 350' from the dirt road on almost 7 acres of tranquility. Many years ago, I had an electric gate, lights, etc. installed at the entrance to insure privacy. And because I try to always exhibit community pride, there are pretty decorations and flowers meant to please all who pass by.

It’s my little Corner of Zen and a friendly wave to all.

Last evening someone on a UTV (like a 4 wheeler but can seat 2 or more) tore my husband’s hand painted bird gourd down, flinging it with great force at the gate entrance. Then proceeded to leave 3 beer cans and container. Thank heavens the Carolina Wren's are done nesting or I would have went ballistic in every Irish sense of the word and sought the villains out to do unspeakable things to their body parts. I still was SO ANGRY at first but have pretty much calmed down since. I don't think we were singled out but still feel a little violated. 

I get asked sometimes as to why we're not friends with many of the neighbors. This is why. I dislike saying it, but my impression of the reason many that live in the country are here because they're losers. These fish eyed mental midgets can't cut it in a neighborhood where one must be civil or suffer the consequences. I pick up the leavings of their dull, zero purpose lives almost daily on our walks.

This event has helped me to finally decide to call Mr. B. to install security cameras that has been discussed in days past. I dislike going this route but it looks like this may be our only option. Catch the perp’ on camera. Call the police. Let them handle it. Well, I call them police, in the loosest sense of the word. Just between you, me and the fence post, the local law force is more like the Keystone Cops. Good luck with that, right?!

If we go that route, I'll be sure to share a post that guarantees to be imbued with snarky comments and all. Right now, I pray that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Throw Back Thursday: 1973 Titusville Florida

May 1973

Astronaut High School Junior-Senior Prom

This is a scanned image of an old, worn polaroid of your's truly and my first boyfriend, Bill Anderson, in Titusville, Florida. I don't remember the dance but I'm sure it was enjoyable. The early '70s where still a time of innocence for America. It was also a time of fantastic music that still lives on today. Anyway, I remember Bill as a gentle, kind hearted, jolly, generous fellow. The following year we went our separate ways but I always think fondly of our time together. Time has obscured the reasons for the split. We both went on to marry good, loving people and have productive happy lives.

My step-mom, Myra, made the dress. She made almost all my clothes. Myra was so talented, she could have been a professional seamstress. I learned a lot about sewing from her for which I am eternally grateful.

Hope your day is blessed.

What Dreams May Come

It was in the ethereal world of sensations, ideals and memories when I dreamed about her last night.

I was back in the town where I grew up. In the succession of confused, smokey images, I was running from yard to yard yelling her name, “Maxie! Maaaaxxxxiiiiiiieeeee!” Then mumbling in my snarky way, “Where are you you stupid little dog!” Hunting everywhere for my little girl. Getting more and more frantic. A sudden, overpowering fear. Alas, she was nowhere to be found! I lost her. I awoke teary eyed with the realization that she is gone. Never to return to this Earthly plane.

It’s been almost two years since she succumbed to the ravages of Cushings Disease. Why dream about her now? Perhaps it’s because the family is in turmoil. Or because we daily learn that blameless babies are being chopped up and body parts sold with a sanction by the government. Could be the ear infection I have right now. Or how the food prices keep going up, and our tiny annuity keeps going down. It seems to never end. In my heart I must be searching for that little security blanket wrapped in grey fur that would sit in my lap, to make that caused discomfiture go away. That’s what Maxie did. She had that gift. Whenever I felt unhappy, unloved, frightened, or unsettled, she would make the bad evaporate. Her joyful innocence for life brought contentment that would always affect my countenance positively. She was a ray of sunshine on four legs. I really miss fuzzy britches.

Well, because I know that life is important, I must soldier on.  This is not a single human incident embedded in a sea of souls with perfect lives. Everyone has their sack of rocks to carry. It’s time to pick up the pieces, build new memories with The Boys, and strive to be happy.

And just trust God.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all the earth; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

Psalms 98:4

Wordless Wednesday

Antlion (Glenurus gratus)

From Treehouse To Tiny House

Since the advent of Treehouse Masters (Fridays, 10 pm, Animal Planet) about two or three years ago, I have desired a house high above the ground. Hubby and I know how to construct things. We have put in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, telephones, etc. How hard could it be, right? Famous Last Words. But time has been unkind and taken a toll on the frail shells we walk around in. So, with a heavy heart, that idea was laid aside. Now, thanks to watching Tiny House Nation the plan is to take a different tack. As soon as we’re able, a local distributor will supply the tiny pre-constructed building (8' x 16') with a porch and convert it to an extra bedroom with 1/2 bath. The buildings are surprisingly affordable and the manufacturer will finish them nearly anyway one desires. The new 8,000 BTU unit from the Great Air Conditioner Debacle purchased during the 4th of July weekend will be more than ample for comfort. 

Being a nature girl, I might even order the building with two windows placed together to make a small picture window facing the woods. We also plan to complete all our own electrical, plumbing, flooring, walls. It will save money going this route. 

Ok, I admit it, I’m also a bit of a control freak. *grin*

[click to enlarge]

The concrete block and solids (left) have been purchased to build the footers. This morning we began clearing the area of low limbs (middle & right), and were going to complete it, but the heat and humidity prematurely ran us inside. It is so bad right now I almost succumbed to heat prostration. Good thing there is lots of time.

[click to enlarge]

The inside decorations will be mostly Mason Jars (light fixtures, toothbrush holder, liquid soap holder, etc.) or anything that looks “country”. This is the plan, anyway, but as many know, the best laid plans may go awry.

Then I was racking my brain trying to come with a clever name for the shed. (I have to name everything.) A dear blogging friend came to the rescue! Cattales supplied an appropriate name for the new cabin: The Bird House. Clever, huh?! Why didn’t I think of that.

So that's been our week so far. What have y'all been up to?

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ A Watchman For Israel And The Apostle Of Grace

A Watchman For Israel And The Apostle Of Grace 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

“…I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me” (Ezek. 33:7).

The Prophet Ezekiel was appointed by God as a “watchman” over the house of Israel. He was held responsible to warn the wicked from their way, for while God must deal justly with sin, He had declared: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Verse 11).

If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked they would die in their sins, but their blood would be required at his hand. If he faithfully warned them, however, and they refused to heed the warning, they would die in their sins, but he would be absolved of all responsibility (See Verses 8 and 9).

Would some Christian reader remind us that we are living under another dispensation and that our message is one of grace? True enough, but this does not diminish, it increases our responsibility toward the lost.

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (I Cor.14:8).

If we believers carelessly allow the lost to go to Christless graves, are we not morally responsible for their doom? Will we not be held accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (See II Corinthians 5:10,11). This is why we find Paul reminding the Ephesian elders that he had not ceased to “warn” men “night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31).

As the apostle looked back over his ministry among the Ephesians he could say: “I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men” (Verse 26). And this had been so of his ministry in general. Indeed, it was now his desire that whatever the cost, he “might finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Verse 24).

May Ezekiel, and the Apostle Paul, that great warrior for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be memorials to us — of our great responsibility toward the lost!

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Funny Friday

Have a blessed day.

Happy Birthday To Jack And Sam III

I was contemplating participating in Wordless Wednesday, then a quick glance at the calendar changed the post's direction. My chicken scratch scribblings noted that today is Jack and Sam III's Second birthday. It seems like only yesterday I was still inconsolable over losing my dear little Miniature Schnauzer of 15 years, Maxie. Where has the time gone?

Above is when they where first settling in (do JRT's ever settle?!) and a rare moment of being sedate. At first they seemed to view us with distrust, as if these strange giants (us) where going to eat them or something equally disagreeable.

I wouldn't do that.

Too stringy.

*lol*

Here they are in a life-or-death tussle over a stick. I buy them nice, healthy toys and what do they do? Play with debris. Go figure.

Now they're sparing over who can stretch the longest.

I've noticed that in many ways Jack Russell Terriers act like cats. As many know, JRT's do not like anything of the feline persuasion. We where warned vehemently about that before bringing them home. "Do not own a cat ..." "Ok, ok," I remember thinking, "I won't own a cat." Well, I finally figured out why. It's because they don't like the competition. JRT's are fastidious, stealthy, alert, love to stretch and never seem to sit still for long. They really are wonderful dogs if one can get past the first year or so. During that time either stay medicated or get a hobby that requires multiple hours away from home. They almost drove us to distraction with their hyper activity those first few months. Now, of course, I couldn't imagine my life without them.

Happy Birthday little guys. I look forward to many years of enjoying your antics.

And if I could just teach them how to ride on the handlebars ... (wouldn't that be a hoot!?).

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Simple As Can Be

Simple As Can Be 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

Have you ever heard some preacher say: “There are many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but, thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be.”

Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey II Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Otherwise it is far from simple.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom.3:28). Yet James wrote: “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: “If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people …” (Ex. 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to witness for Him that, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… and these signs shall follow them that believe: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues…” etc. (Mark 16:16-18). Thus, according to their “great commission” water baptism was required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evidences of salvation.

Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we “rightly divide the Word of truth.” It was after “the law was given by Moses,” after our Lord’s earthly ministry, after the commission to the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and sent him forth with “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

It was Paul who was sent to declare: “But NOW, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…” (Rom. 3:21). “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). “Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.