Sunday, May 11, 2014

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Inexcusable

Inexcusable 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

The second chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a dark, sad passage, but it opens the door to the richest blessing the human heart can contain: salvation by grace.

The opening words: “Therefore thou art inexcusable,” are blunt indeed, but God exposes our sinful condition only so as to save us from it.

This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to the sinful nature of man. They argue, generally, that man is inherently good, while overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is inherently bad. Therefore human philosophy offers no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only the Bible does this with its “gospel [good news] of the grace of God.”

In Paul’s day the Greek philosophers condemned the uncivilized pagans for their open immorality and wickedness. But while preaching virtue these moralizers themselves practiced vice, and God said:
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Rom. 2:1).
It is the same today. Multitudes of self-righteous people are outwardly cultured and moral, but they forget that God looks upon the heart and sees hate as murder, jealousy as theft and the lustful look as adultery. He considers, not what we do, outwardly, but what we desire to do or wish we dared to do. He sees the desires and motives of the heart.

But thank God, “Christ died for sinners” — guilty sinners, and all who come to God by faith in Christ are “justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

“Inexcusable,” or “justified freely by His grace,” through faith in the Christ who died for our sins? Which will it be?


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.
Comments are turned off so we may all enjoy a day of rest.
Have a very happy day!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Throw Back Thursday: 1962-1963 First Grade #tbt #florida



This week for Throwback Thursday, I'm featuring my First Grade group photo from Whispering Hills Elementary School in Titusville, Florida. I'm not sure if the school is still in operation but there may be some history listed here.

I don't remember any of my classmates or, sadly, where they are. Their names are not listed on the back. And I won't ask if you can guess which one is me since for most of my dear viewers, my face is a mystery. Ok, I'm the one grinning like someone said "Anyone want chocolate?!" [extreme right row, third grin back]

Isn't it nice to see children all clean and not wearing offensive t-shirts or torn jeans? *sigh* And notice the little sailor suit imitation with shoes and socks?! One thing I remember of my first year in Junior High (7th grade) is I was warned to not wear socks or I would be kidded unmercifully. So I was sans socks from Day One in Junior High. That was about 1969.

By the way, all this reminiscing got me to thinking about the old home I grew up in. So, I researched the address on the Brevard County Property Appraiser website. It's in foreclosure! Poor things. I am grieved to hear of their misfortune. And, no, I don't want to live there again. Not ever. No way. Nuh huh! I like where I'm at. However, it was interesting to look up the old place. It looks neglected now. [If the link doesn't work, I can post a captured photo later or search for 55 North Holiday Lane.] When Myra and Dad owned it, our home was a show place.

Have a happy day everyone!

Ride Safe,

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Great Vegetable Massacre


Caution! This post is not for the faint of heart. Or the humorless. *smile*

I have done something so epically stupid, so incredibly dumb, that it should go down in the annuals of DUMBNESS. What I did is so historically legendary brainless that it should be passed down by oral or written tradition as something one should not do. Moi deserves a picture in Websters next to the word DUMB.

dumb
/dem/
NORTH AMERICANinformal
stupid.
"a dumb question"
synonyms: stupid, unintelligen, ignorant, dense, brainless, mindless, foolish, slow, dull, simple, empty-headed, stunned, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, half-baked, imbecilic, bovine; see Sparky


What have a done to warrant such self deprecating abuse? Well, you may ask.

Our first attempt at home gardening in eight or nine years had been progressing very nicely. The little seeds so lovingly planted, prayed for, watched daily, and monitored unceasingly where flourishing with all the gentle care. They had even survived the over watering from the Spring rains. But oh Bright One Wannabe here, noticed the plants needed a little fertilizer. All they needed was a little boost. A little artificial nourishment lovingly administered by it's hungry caregivers. It was also determined that our lush centipede grass needs attention. The grass has been assaulted by an odious little weed called Spurge. A nasty small weed that's slowly choking out the grass. So, after a trip to the local Ace, and purchasing the proper fertilizers for each necessity, Hubby and I set about taking care of the beloved plants. He carefully weeded between all the rows in the Springtime swelter, fighting off the bugs and the dizziness­­ from lack of exercise. I carefully set about laying the fertilizer beside each plant, making sure to not touch the stems or leaves. It was tedious, nauseating, fatiguing work which my body is loudly rebelling against. I'm not accustomed to forced labor anymore. But, I wasn't complaining as my mouth was anxiously awaiting the yummy food yet to come.

This afternoon, my husband went out and checked the plants. He came rushing in with his face all ashen white. I ask, what's wrong??! He replied, "They're dieing!" WHAT!? Horrors of horrors, he's right. The vegetables are all wilted and burnt! What happened?!

I did a little investigating of the packages and guess who picked up the wrong fertilizer and proceeded to destroy the vegetables? Yep. Me. The epically DUMB blond woman. I am hanging my head in shame. Now all the beautiful little seedlings are withering away in a slow and premature death.

I am dutifully ashamed.

I think I even heard their little voices whispering last night.

"Why did they DO this to US!!??"

"I don't feel so good ..."

"They seemed so nice too ..."

"Don't they LOVE us?!"

"MURDERER!"
[That had to be the Green Beans. I've never trusted something with strings in it anyway. *lol*]

Kinda creepy when the plants trash talk. But I've betrayed them.

I'm such a coward that I can't even bring myself to go out there and look the little guys in the face. I am so ashamed!

This is not ending well. *sigh* And not only is spreading the wrong fertilizer killing the existing seedlings, it's pretty much salted the earth for the rest of the season. Unless, that is, I want to get out there in the heat and bugs and scrape the ground free of said debauchery.

Hubby said that possibly we can replant in a couple of weeks but I feel discouraged. After all that hard work. Ruined! The weeks of waiting and loving care. We no longer can look forward to enjoying the homegrown fare. No more looking forward to our own mouthwatering Ford Hook Limas, Green Beans, Cucumbers, Zucchini, or Yellow Squash. I think the Tomatoes survived the massacre but only because Hubby fertilized them with the CORRECT package marked "Tomatoes And Vegetables". Everything else seems to be a wash out.

So, while every one else is enjoying their homegrown vegetables this summer, I will still be humbly skulking through the produce section at Kroger. I just hope I don't have to hide in humiliation by wearing a paper bag over my head. Even though I deserve it. *lol*






Ride Safe,


Blogger Help Website: Southern Speakers v3.0

Briefly, I found what I think is a very useful website for help with blogger. It's strangely titled "Southern Speakers v3.0".

Recently, while rearranging gadgets on my blog, I must have accidentally deleted the Followers gadget, and for the life of me, couldn't find it again! It was so aggravating. Blogger's alleged "Help" is clueless. I found the answer I needed at Southern Speakers.

Seems like I'm always running into some kind of problem or question here at Blogger. I've clicked on the 'follow' it feature at his blog in case anything unusual happens like this again. Judging by the past, I'm sure it will.

Ride Safe,

Monday, May 5, 2014

Thistle Cove Farm Is For Sale #SouthwesternVirginia #WorkingFarm


I would like to share with all my blogging buddy's that a fantastic working farm is For Sale in Southwestern Virginia. The 5500 sf almost completely renovated (80%) home is nestled on 27 acres of take your breathe away land. It's a working farm but can just as easily be a nice place to relax and enjoy the countryside. I know the person who has this farm, and I hope it can make a new owner as happy as it has made the current owner.

If interested, pop on over to her blog to read more about it.

http://thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com/2014/05/thistle-cove-farm-for-sale.html

These are the advertisements:
http://southwestva.blogspot.com/
http://realestate.wsj.com/item/5342901#


Thanks for stopping by!


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Paul's Claims

Paul's Claims 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Paul’s Spirit-inspired claims for the distinctive character of his apostleship leave no room for doubt. Consider a sampling of these.
Romans 11:13: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE”.
Galatians 1:11,12: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is NOT AFTER MAN.
“FOR I NEITHER RECEIVED IT OF MAN, NEITHER WAS I TAUGHT IT, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.”
Ephesians 3:1-3: “For this cause, I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES,
“If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD:
“How that BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY….”
Colossians 1:25: “…I am made a minister, according to THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, to fulfill [fill full, or complete] the Word of God”.
I Timothy 2:5-7: “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus;
“Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
“WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED A PREACHER, AND AN APOSTLE (I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, AND LIE NOT); A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND VERITY.” 
Titus 1:2,3: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie; promised before the world began; 
“But hath in due times manifested His Word THROUGH PREACHING WHICH IS COMMITTED UNTO ME, according to the commandment of God our Saviour.”


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.

Comments are turned off today.
Have a blessed day folks.