T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT’S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON…& ON…& ON…& ON!
FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2011
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL FATHERS, and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY. DAD, WE’RE COMING IN and GOING OUT WITH A BIG BANG.
MAIN ARTICLE: ‘FATHER’S…DAY’ IF NO ONE HAS TOLD YOU, THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO WITHOUT AUDIENCE.
NOTEWORTHY: THE SECRET OF GOD – BY: OSWALD CHAMBERS
RIDING THROUGH GENESIS (A FEW QUESTIONS)
REVELATION? GENESIS – IN THE BEGINNING
QUICK QUOTES: VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS.
MILLSTONE…FORBID THEM NOT! JUST LIKE DADDY! TER
THINK ON THESE THINGS: ‘THE BLUE ROSE’ BY NEW CONTRIBUTOR MC
TESTIMONY TIME: WHAT WAS THE FIRST FROZEN VEGETABLE?
FRIDAY’S WORD: ‘FATHERLESS’
IN THE MIRROR: IS THE BIBLE THE ‘WORD OF GOD?’
O TASTE and SEE! YOGURT, FRUIT SMOOTHIE (MAYBE THE CHILDREN CAN JOIN WITH MOM and MAKE FOR DAD) and LEMON, ALMOND SOUR CREAM CAKE – WHAT? VI SENT THIS
RECIPE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. WE’VE MADE JUST A MINOR CHANGE. VI.
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER & TJIFA STAFF
FATHER’S…DAY
“What can I give Him, as poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I’d give Him a lamb.
If I were a rich man, I’d give Him a part.
But what can I give Him? I’ll give Him my heart.”
Unknown
Father’s Day is happily observed in some American households, and in some, it is a matter of ritualistic formality without cakes, cookies, potato chips
or popcorn. It barely carries with it a Hallmark card, or even a present of good intent…Why?
What is a Father? According to our modernistic society he is MIA and barely, if ever sighted. According to our American tradition, he is one who can
easily be excused from the course of his children’s life. According to American tradition, he is the first member of the family to be set aside, and called
a ‘homeless vagabond.’ According to American tradition, he is easily given the title of shiftless wanderer, even though he may have served his country
in a foreign land, or helped and assisted others when he was ‘on his feet.’ It seems that a father is the most common of criminals; because every state’s
jail is full to capacity with homeless, jobless, shiftless, drop out of society fathers, who don’t deserve to see their children, or, heaven forbid, speak
into their own children’s lives.
In place of the Male Father, society has manifested a law guaranteeing that same gender parents can marry, and raise the children that only a male and
female human could have brought forth. Many times this exclusion is aimed at the Father of the family. (This article is not bashing Fathers; but attempting
to open eyes to Truth.)
Father’s have had to stand by as they are called ‘unfit’ to raise their own children. They listen to other Father’s who, otherwise seem like good men.
Either forgiveness or hatred reigns in the hearts of men left alone in jail cells to ponder the fate of, not only themselves, but their own flesh and blood.
They listen to well meaning professionals who pour out the benefits of relinquishing their rights to their children.
How did they get into this mess? Did they miss too many paychecks? Were they too gruff when they scolded their child or the mother?
Looking back is too bleak, and the solution seems to be to give in to the system. The black ink signs away the only futuristic hope for him and his children.
The lawyer shakes his hand as he reports, “You won’t be sorry. Now you don’t have that child support hanging over your head, and you can get your driver’s
license back. Start a new life, Pal.”
The first step into this Father’s new life plummets him into a hole, deeper, and darker than any he has ever experienced. It is not an empty hole; but
filled with alcohol, drugs, filthy communications, inordinate sexual encounters, and worse than any loneliness.
GOD has chosen and ordained a people, He calls these people ‘His Children.’ He has picked a Bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. GOD’S people have turned
their backs on Him. They have decided that He isn’t here; but MIA (missing in action), therefore they have chosen a false god, one who will allow them
to have fun, and not to be entangled with old rules. Their god says that if they are having fun doing whatever…just do it! What and who does it hurt?
After all, you only live once. GOD’S Kingdom is not disturbed by earthly foolishness. GOD’S promise will supersede all that man concocts. He cannot be
fired or discharged. His position is immutable, and does not depend on any law that man has enacted.
GOD is our Father. However, there are some who have decided to dismiss Him, according to their own will. They have declared that ‘there is no GOD,’ and
therefore they have become their own gods. You are now deceived.
Your deception has removed your authoritative covering or protection. You are subject to the wiles of the enemy. First fun – followed by fear, and destruction.
You can’t hear your Father’s voice anymore. It has been drowned out by clamorous lustful desires and addictions. Father? What Father? I am in love with
the good life. The life of ‘get all you can get before it gets you.’
A day comes into view. You’re alone, in a heap, smelly, soiled, worthless, and nameless, crying you whisper His Name…Daddy? Daddy, can I come home?
I love you Daddy. All under your breath, where no one can hear your impossible prayer. You fall off to sleep, and awaken to a most beautiful place, and
a familiar voice, calling your real name. It’s your Father! He found you. You began to cry and apologize; He hushes your blabbering tongue which is
saying, “Daddy, I turned my back, my life on You. I don’t deserve to be Your Child. I denied You, and cursed You. I thought that I would never see You
again. Why, Daddy, why?”
“My Child, you left Me; But I never left you. I carried you in My Hand, and many times in My Heart. I waited for your slightest whisper, and when I heard
you, I brought you home. Welcome back…welcome Home.”
NOTE: Our feeble means of dismissing that which GOD has ordained is as useless as the paper on which it is written. Every child has a Father, a human
seed; and no matter how many laws are passed, [A FATHER IS A MALE, RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANTING and PROTECTING A CHILD].
Aren’t you glad about that?
LOOKING FORWARD…
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER
NOTEWORTHY:
June 3
“The Secret of the Lord”
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him …” (Psalm 25:14).
What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret
sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually
telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that
God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself—to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea
of prayer—“Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)—that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but
the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us—He knows every detail of each of our individual lives.
“Him shall He teach in the way He chooses” (Psalm 25:12). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live
so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved
and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint,
which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, “I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?”
God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder
His Spirit by continually asking, “Now, Lord, what is Your will?”
From: “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers
TJIFA’S BOOKSHELF: WE’RE RIDING THROUGH THE BOOK OF GENESIS
THE HOLY BIBLE
Dear Readers,
Yes, we’re still in the Book of Genesis on the Bible Bus, and enjoying every minute of our teaching by Dr. J. Vernon McGee. By the time that you receive
this Newsletter, we’ll be about finished with this wonderful book. So I am going to include as part of your study this year, a few questions that I believe
you will find quite helpful. Be very honest with yourself as you try to answer every one of them.
If you feel that these questions are too hard, write to me, and we’ll see what we can eliminate. You know, however, that elimination does not readily
educate.
STUDY #17 Genesis 24: 1-60
1. What can we learn from the attitude of Abraham's servant in his relation to (a) his master, and (b) the task given to him? What were his confidence
and concern? Cf. Col. 3: 22-24.
2. Examine the manner in which the servant made his choice, and the test he employed. Of what did he become particularly conscious? Can we learn from
this about choosing a life-partner?
3. What picture do we get of Rebekah?
STUDY #18 Genesis 24: 61 — 25: 34
1. What light do we get from this portion on the kind of man Isaac was? See 24: 63-67; 25: 28.
2. Contrast Jacob and Esau, as described in 25: 27-34, in their habits, character and spiritual outlook. What lesson is drawn in Heb. 12: 14-17; from
Esau's conduct in regard to his birthright?
3. Review Abraham's life. What gives him an outstanding place in world history and makes him a conspicuous example to us all? Cf. Is. 41:8; Gal. 3:9,
29.”
These questions are taken from: Search the Scriptures — Inter-Varsity Press
Note: You have grown a lot. Don’t be afraid to chew a little longer on His Precious Word. TER
REVELATION? THE ORIGIN OF GENESIS – THE BEGINNING…
GENESIS 1 - 26
Introduction:
The title Genesis comes from the Septuagint Greek translation of the Old Testament and means 'origin' or 'beginning'. The book justifies its title in three
ways.
(a) As history it tells the story of the creation, of the earliest civilization, of the Flood, and of the origins of the chosen people of God.
(b) As revelation it teaches primary truths about God and man: and with regard to the way of salvation it tells first of the coming of sin into the world
through the Fall; then of the utter failure of early man to save himself, culminating in the Flood; and finally of God's choice of one family in which
all families of the earth should be blessed. The fact of God's redemptive purpose, first foreshadowed in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3: 15), shines out from
time to time with increasing clearness as the book proceeds. Genesis is thus the story first of man's need of salvation, and then of the early stages in
the unfolding of God's wonderful plan of redemption.
(c) As practical teaching it introduces us to personalities of profound and universal religious significance, such as Abel and Cain, Noah, Abraham, Jacob
and Esau and Joseph, and by its unforgettable stories teaches lessons of abiding value, showing God at work in human life.
Authorship
The Pentateuch, or Five Books, of which Genesis is the first, was attributed to Moses by universal tradition of the Jews, which our Lord takes for granted,
and endorses with His own authority (e.g., Mk. 12: 26 ; 5: 46, 47). This is not the place to attempt to discuss the questions raised by modern criticism,
but the following remarks may be made here.
(a) To put the composition of the Pentateuch centuries after the time of Moses means much more than a judgment on its authorship; it inevitably involves
surrendering its claim to be reliable history, and, moreover, it involves the unreliability of a great part of Bible history outside the Pentateuch, as
the course of modem criticism shows.
(b) There is an important external check on the claim of the Pentateuch to be historical, namely, its representation of the customs of the ancient Near
East. Archaeology has shown that these were just such as they are represented in Genesis to be in the period referred to, but that in many respects they
had become quite different long before the exile.
Analysis
1-11 Primeval history.
12 - 50 The ancestors of the chosen people. There is some overlapping, but each patriarch is the leading figure within the section to which his name
is attached below:
12:1 — 25:18 Abraham
25:19 — 26:35 Isaac
27 — 36 Jacob
37— 50 Joseph
STUDY 1– Genesis 1 and 2
1. What truths stand out regarding (a) the character of the whole creation, (b) the character of man and his relation to God?
2. 'And God said' is found ten times. Cf Ps. 33: 6, 9; Heb. II: 3. What does this suggest concerning the mode of creation? What further light is provided
by Jn. I: 1-3; Col. I: 15-17?
3. Why did God make men 'male and female'? What pattern for marriage is here divinely ordained? Cf. Mt. 19:3-6.
Note. Interest should be concentrated on theological truths not to be learned from text-books of natural science.

STUDY 2 Genesis 3
1. What does Genesis 3 teach about (a) Satan's methods, (b) the first false steps which lead to sin in act, (c) the results of sin?
2. What simple positive principles of action, if acted on, would have given Adam and Eve victory over temptation?
3. What is the significance of Gen. 3:15? ”
From: Search the Scriptures — Inter-Varsity Press
NOTE: Readers, even now, there is controversy regarding the origin of matter, the importance of significantly identifying male and female, and Creation,
itself. Our intolerance was ridiculed until we finally gave in to tolerating deviant behavior, erasing of the once GODLY Morals, clashing genders until
their differences were no longer recognizable, looking but not seeing; listening but not hearing; and existing without living. Man works feverishly seeking
the ancient man who accidentally threw this planet together; but for some reason his own rationale will not allow this ingrate to actualize the morphologic
(def. the branch of biology that deals with form and structure of organisms.) plot. The whole problem with fallen man is that he does not know he is
fallen, and so he continues to grope around looking for tangible beginnings instead of Our Intangible, Eternal, Awesome, Ever Abiding, Loving, Creator,
Spirit GOD. (Who is Patient and Long-suffering toward all of us; everyone of us!)
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Loving-Kindness toward us, and for Your Tender Mercies that none of us deserve. Thank You Dear Heavenly Father that
Your Patience has allowed many of us to become Your Believing Children, who otherwise would not have been. How can I Thank You enough? Thank You Dear
Lord, in Jesus Christ’s Precious Name. AMEN
TER
QUICK QUOTES:
“So goes Israel… So goes the rest of the world.” Unknown.
“GOD’S rejection is your protection.” L. Lewis
“He is looking into Eternity as He is comforting the grieving heart on earth.” TER
“History will speak kindly of me, for I will write it.”
Winston Churchill
“Your practice should compliment your position in Christianity.”
Dr. D. Jeremiah – Turning Point Ministries
“When GOD makes a promise, disobedience leads away from the place where obedience would have gained His Best.” TER

MILLSTONE…FORBID THEM NOT! JUST LIKE DADDY
The young boy scrambled hard to pull out his objects of play. He found his little blue tool box, his red lunch bucket, and finally his work hat. Now
he was ready for work. Oops! He almost forgot his work boots; but first he had to fill his canteen, and get something to eat for lunch, so down into the
kitchen he traveled, running as fast as his short quick little legs could carry him.
“Mommy, can I have my lunch?” Unaware of his programmed play, she answered him without looking up. “It’s not time for lunch, but you can have breakfast.
Sit down, I’ll get you a bowl of cereal.” Frustrated, the little boy answered, through held back tears and emotions. “I’m going to be late, Mommy, I’ve
got to go to work.” That received all of the mother’s attention. She pointedly looked at her four year old son. He was standing there holding his toy
lunch pail, dressed as much like his Daddy as was possible. The seriousness of this moment was to be handled sacredly. She observed the concentration
on his young, small, still baby looking face. Immediately the mother was engaged in the world of her four year old.
She moved, without hesitation, to the refrigerator and plucked out a red apple, a peanut butter sandwich, already made and a small bottle of juice. She
reached for the toy lunch box, quickly wiping it out, and lining it with napkins. She worked with such accuracy that her little son watched in amazement.
His mother had prepared his lunch box, in less than 3 minutes. Softly he reminded her. “What about the cookie, Mommy?” She maintained the spirit, quickly
she dashed to the cookie jar taking out one cookie, wrapping it with a glad bag, and ker- plunk, and it was in the lunch pail with its predecessors. She
grabbed her little toddler, kissed him on the forehead, and said. “Have a nice day, honey.” He hurriedly picked up his little lunch pail, and up the
stairs he flew. Calling after him, she reminded him. “Don’t eat up stairs.” He confirmed her request. “I won’t Mommy.”
She sat quietly sipping her coffee, thinking about the little man whom she just sent off to work. One day she’ll have to let him go to a little girl,
who was probably playing Mommy today. A clamor interrupted her fuzzy thoughts. She sat paralyzed, and then the little voice called. “Don’t worry, Mommy
those were my shoes, I had to throw them down first.” She went to the bottom of the stairs, and there laid a pair of her husband’s old work boots, which
had sustained the toss from the upper floor. Right behind the boots came her toddler, rushing to complete his work ensemble as if he had a real job awaiting
him.
In his hands were his tool box, his lunch pail, and his plastic keys. He sat down on the floor, and put his tiny feet, with his shoes on, into the large
boots of his Father. Slowly he walked to the kitchen table, placed his lunch box on the table, his tool box beside his chair, with his work hat on top,
and requested. “Mommy, I’m a little hungry. Maybe I’ll eat some cereal before I go to work, is that ok?” She answered. “Are you sure that you have
time? Sure you can.”
He sat eating his cereal, with a few questions. “Mommy, where is work? When is lunch? Do I go everyday to work? I’m going to pray, now, Mommy before
I leave, ok?”
They held hands and prayed; and then off he clobbered in his enormous boots, work hat, and tool box. He said that when it was time for lunch he would
be back.
She watched him as he gathered his keys, and headed for the back porch.
She felt honored to be the Mother of this little man who was…
Just Like His Daddy.
NOTE: Readers, we have a Daddy whose boots are too large to fill; but He knows that we can’t possibly fill His shoes. He desires for us to do just like
this little boy-man, who, even though he couldn’t do as his father right now…he practiced doing what he observed. Our position in this life is that of
a child of GOD. Our practice, as close as possible is to match that position.
“Sanctification is matching practice with position.” Dr. David Jeremiah.
TER

THE BLUE ROSE
“Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy. So, I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs,
paper towels, trash bags, detergent, and bleach. Off I went. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only
to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about 16 years old. I wasn't in a hurry so I patiently waited for the boy to realize
that I was there. After several minutes, he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here." It was obvious now
that he was mentally challenged. He was also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise
exploded on his face as I said, "Hi Buddy, what's your name?" "My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother; "he proudly responded. "Wow," I said,
"that's a cool name. I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve." "Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you, Denny?" "How
old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. "You're fifteen years old, Denny. Now be a good boy and let the
man pass by." I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance
with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section. Denny's mom had a puzzled
look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.
I told her that it was my pleasure. Then I said something and I still have no idea where the words came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden. However, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their
beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a "Blue Rose" and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their
kindness, then they have missed a blessing from God. She was silent for a second. Then with tears in her eyes she asked, "Who are you?" Without thinking,
I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a Dandelion but I sure love living in God's Garden." She reached out, squeezed my hand, and said, "God bless you!" Then
I had tears in my eyes! May I suggest that the next time you see a "Blue Rose" that you don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say
"Hello." Why? Because, that mother or father could be you. That could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment of kindness
can mean to that person and/or their family. Just a few thoughts from an old Dandelion!”
Source – Unknown.
Contributed by MC, a new TJIFA Reader. Welcome aboard MC, and keep sending the interesting, and informative articles. Our hearts were touched!
TESTIMONY TIME: THE FIRST FROZEN VEGETABLE SOLD
On Wednesday, June 8, 2011 the program, Duke and the Doctor asked this question: What was the first frozen vegetable sold, was it (A) peas, (B) carrots,
(C) corn, or (D) spinach? The answer is a vegetable rich in nutritional value, and should be generously consumed.
Every one of the above vegetables has benefits for helping you with weight loss. All are a part of the vegetable kingdom, all have some degree of protein
in them; but more importantly all of those have fiber in them, and fiber is in credibly beneficial in helping stabilize blood sugar. Fiber also reduces
your risk of cancer, specifically colon cancer. Fiber is like a little brillo pad that goes in and scrubs out your intestinal tract and keeps it nice
and clean for you. When you don’t have fiber in your diet, when your diet is rich in animal products, like meat, and chicken, and beef and dairy, and
cheese and eggs, that is all from the animal kingdom. None of those foods have any fiber in them whatsoever, so they tend to mat down your intestinal
tract, that fecal matter sticks to the sides of your intestinal tract and you don’t have a clean inside lining to your intestinal tract. When you eat
fiber, such as is found in these four vegetables, you keep the inside lining of your intestinal tract clean, moving and decrease your risk of colon cancer.
ANSWER: D. Spinach.
One of the most nutritional foods is spinach…Popeye was right! It is one of the world’s healthiest vegetables, and it is rich in vitamins, rich in minerals,
it is also concentrated in health promoting nutrients and they all provide you with powerful antioxidant protection. Omega three. Here are some of the
other nutrients found in spinach: vitamin A; some of the B vitamins; some of the minerals; and great source of iron, manganese, and magnesium, excellent
source of vitamin C, tryptophan, vitamin E; excellent source of fiber, copper, a good source of protein, good source of zinc, and good source of omega
three fatty acids, and the powerful mineral called selenium. Dr. Mc Barren said, “On a scale of 1-10, I’d put spinach up at 10, it is a very nutritious
food for us to eat.”
From: Duke and the Doctor Radio program: Wednesday June 8, 2011

FRIDAY’S WORD:
FATHERLESS A person without a male parent, often rendered orphan by modern translations. Orphans are often mentioned with widows as representatives of
the most helpless members of society (Ex. 22:22; Deut. 10:18; Ps. 146:9). In societies where the basic social unit was the clan headed by a father (the
eldest male relative, perhaps a grandfather or uncle), those without a father or husband were social misfits without one to provide for their material
needs and represent their interests in the court (Job 31:21). Life for the fatherless was harsh. Orphans were often forced to beg for food (Ps. 109:9-10).
They suffered loss of their homes (Ps. 109:10), land rights (Prov. 23:10), and livestock (Job 24:3). The fatherless were subject to acts of violence (Job
22:9), were treated as property to be gambled for (6:27, TEV, NRSV, NASB, NIV), and were even murdered (Ps. 94:6).
God, however, has a special concern for orphans and widows (Deut. 10:18; Pss. 10:14-18; 146:9; Hos. 14:3) evidenced in the title “a father of the fatherless”
(Ps. 68:5). Old Testament law provided for the material needs of orphans and widows who were to be fed from the third year’s tithe (Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13),
from sheaves left forgotten in the fields (24:19), and from fruit God commanded to be left on the trees and vines (24:20-21). Orphans and widows were to
be included in the celebrations of the worshiping community (Deut. 16:11, 14). God’s people were repeatedly warned not to take advantage of orphans and
widows (Ex. 22:22; Deut. 24:17; 27:19; Ps. 82:3; Isa. 1:17). In the New Testament, James defined worship acceptable to God as meeting the needs of orphans
and widows (1:27).
God’s exiled people were described as orphans without home or inheritance (Lam. 5:2-3). The Old Testament image of the orphan without a helper at the court
perhaps forms the background for Jesus’ promise that His disciples would not be left orphans (John 14:18, NASB, NIV, NRSV; “comfortless”, KJV; “bereft”,
REB). They would not be defenseless since the Holy Spirit would act as their advocate (14:16). Paul described his painful separation from the Thessalonian
Christians as being orphaned (1 Thess. 2:17, NRSV).
Chris Church
From: Holman’s Bible Dictionary
IN THE MIRROR:
This article is taken from; Christianity Without the Religion Journal volume 2 – number 2 Second Quarter 2011 (May– July)
Is the Bible the Word of God?
If you ask a professing Christian if the Bible is the Word of God, chances are they will say “Yes! Absolutely— the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and
is entirely error free!” They believe the Word of God is synonymous with the Bible.
At the same time, many people have trouble with the Bible because they are looking for something they won’t find. That is, they have been told that the
Bible is an infallible book, it is inspired by God and therefore holy and perfect. After all, doesn’t it say on many Bible covers, “Holy Bible”? In many
faith traditions within Christendom, the term “Word of God” is a synonym for the Bible.
But those expectations are flawed. The Bible is one of the ways God reveals himself to us. The Bible is the product of human beings who were inspired
by God, and therefore, unless we believe that those people became infallible, the Bible is both a human and divine document.
Nothing humans produce is holy. If God wanted the Bible to be absolutely holy and perfect, then he would have printed it in heaven, and had angels drop
it out of heaven. But he didn’t do that, did he?
In fact, the Bible is not the Word of God. It is a book made out of paper and ink. The Word of God is Jesus, and he is not completely contained in the
Bible or any other part of his creation. We may come to know Jesus through the Bible, and we may come to know him in other ways. But lets be sure and know
that he and he alone is the Word of God.
Just because someone has given us erroneous ideas about what the Bible actually is and how we should understand it is no reason for us to remain with
such misunderstanding.
We must be careful about pouring a contemporary/religious meaning into a biblical word or term and then concluding that the Bible mandates a belief/behavior/practice
that flows out of such an action. This is a big mistake many folks make today.
Not long after the Protestant Reformation, some Catholics claimed that Protestants, with their motto of sola scriptura, (Scripture alone) were simply
transferring the authority they declined to afford a Catholic pope to a book composed of paper and ink. Catholics often claim that Protestants reject the
authority of a pope while, without appropriate literary analysis, accepting a “paper pope.”
Bibliolatry— making a virtual idol of the Bible (or rather, someone’s specific interpretation and methodology of interpreting the Bible) is still alive
and well— and represents just another way of being in bondage to religion.

The worship of a book can be seen in fundamentalist Protestants, who proof-text the Bible, ripping it out of context, over-literalizing and therefore distorting
metaphorical passages.
We can also see this abuse in Islam, with its extremists who interpret the Koran in a way that moderate Muslims don’t and never did.
Ironically, many such folks will characterize themselves as being “the people of the book,” when they re in fact the slaves of someone who has decided
to impose his or her legalistic interpretation on a book, be it the Bible or the Koran.
The Bible does not point us toward itself. Rather, it points us to God. The sole way (as some within Christ-less religion seem to infer) of communication
with God is not via academic study of a document.
God the Holy Spirit works within us. God can and does communicate with us via experiences and other humans, so that our journey, our experience of God,
does not solely take place in a hushed, library-like environment, but rather in the dynamic life we all experience.
For example, the 23rd Psalm seems to infer such a dynamic— it does not speak of us studying a book for one hour every day as part of the Shepherd’s direction.
It speaks of our guidance coming directly from the Shepherd.
In the New Testament, the term “Word” specifically identifies the second person of the triune Godhead, Jesus, rather then what eventually became a collection
of books that God inspired, through a variety of human authors.
British author and scholar N. T. Wright comments, in his book Simply Christian: “. . . scripture is not designed to be authoritative in the sense of having
a textbook on the shelf so that you can go look up the right answer to you questions . . .According to the Bible itself, God is the one with authority.
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t say ‘all authority in heaven and earth is given to the book you chaps are going to write.’ Jesus says, ‘All
authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.’”
The Bible has its place. We should read it. We should be aware, and beyond that, skilled in understanding its contents. But the Bible is not God. It is,
and the end of the day, a book— divinely inspired to be sure, but it’s just a divinely– inspired tool, certainly not deserving of reverence as its divine
Source.”One of the things I hope you’ll see in the above article is that the writer recognizes the different ways we view the Bible, and how we relate
to the various written ways that it comes to us. As I read this article in the Plain Truth Journal, I saw it as God, still being faithful in putting out
a clear message to us that will assure us the ability to know Him as God, Creator, Lord, and most of all Father.
This article on the Bible is something that we should be careful not to just take on the surface, but to allow it to be absorbed into our hearts in order
to stimulate the necessary spiritual growth that is so desperately needed today.
If I were allowed to amplify one point to hopefully stand out in the lives of every Christian generation, it would be to acknowledge that, “The Bible does
not point us toward itself. Rather, it points us to God.” I am more than willing to recognize something, and I hope you are too, that there are so many
(knowingly or unknowingly, I cannot say), people who are just willing to use the Bible to promote what they want, how they desire to think in terms of,
etc., and have no visible evidence of loving God, or determination to walk in obedience to what He says in the Book that He has obviously provided for
us.
Two things I would like to admit to you in my personal life and testimony;
One, I have taken time to learn through reading and listening to the written words in the Bible that I cannot go outside the will of God and feel in any
way safe or comfortable, because in doing so I am in an ‘unknown territory.’ Everything I read in the Word of God, I understand it is because I don’t have
the knowledge to go it alone, and therefore when I read old passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, I just conclude – ‘Okay!’ and then I direct my whole prayer life
in accord to what God has taught me through the work of the Holy Spirit that I know resides within me. I have prayed with all my heart that God would teach
me how to love Him, and God has answered that prayer. Once you learn how to love, obedience flows as a result of that Love.
But moreover, please take time and slowly read what I have shaped my life by for a good many years. If you’ve read his book, you know C. S. Lewis is responding
to the long and controversial issue of ‘Who is Jesus?’
C. S. Lewis in a familiar passage from Mere Christianity:
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him:
‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely
a man and said the sorts of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is
a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something
worse. You can shut Him up for a fool; you can spit on Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not
come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The fact that we don’t accept Jesus as God is where the real problem lies. That’s the answer to why we think obedience is a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ issue.
In my own estimation, that’s synonymous to a child establishing grounds with their parent saying something like, “When you’re pleasing me, I’ll decide
to obey you, but when you’re not, just go and sit down somewhere. I’ll handle this part of my life for now.” Strong language, but if it is effective in
communicating a necessary point, then I trust that you’ll understand my reasoning for putting it in such a blatant context.
As a result of last month being the month for Mother’s Day, and this month we have Father’s Day, I wondered if it would be nice to share a very special
portion of the Bible that might generate and exalt a measure of Love toward Our Heavenly Father, and we’re also at the same time comforted in His great
Love for us as His Children.
This was taken from: The Believers Bible Commentary; William MacDonald
Psalm 119: All About the Bible:
This has been called the golden alphabet of the Bible. The reason is that it is divided into twenty-two sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Each section has eight verses and every verse in a section begins with a corresponding Hebrew letter. Thus in the Hebrew, every verse in the first section
begins with Aleph; in the second section every verse begins with Beth; and so on.
In the NKJV, all but four verses in the longest Psalm contains some title or description of the Word of God. The four exceptions are verses 84, 121,122,
and 132. The names uses to describe God’s Word are: law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances, word(s), promise, judgments,
faithfulness, appointment, justice and commands.
By using the alphabet in this acrostic form, Ridout feels that the writer may have been suggesting that ‘all the possibilities of human language are exhausted
in setting forth the fullness and perfection of he Word of God.’ 80 We have a similar suggestion in the NT. Our Lord speaks of Himself and the Alpha and
Omega (Rev.1:8). These are, of course, the first and last words of the Greek alphabet. The thought is that He is everything of goodness and perfection
that can be expressed by every letter of the alphabet, arranged in every possible combination.
No two verses in the Psalm say exactly the same thing. There is some different shade of meaning in every one.
Concerning the 119th Psalm, C. S. Lewis said:
“The poem is not, and does not pretend to be, a sudden outpouring of the heart like, say Psalm 18. It is a pattern, a thing done like embroidery, stitch
by stitch, through long, quiet hours, for love of the subject and for the delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship. 81
[80] Samuel Ridout, How to study the Bible, p.73; [81] Lewis, Reflections, p.52
These are all ‘selected verses’ from this one chapter, and I like what is said about the 119th Psalm, that ‘everything of goodness and perfection that
can be expressed by every letter of the alphabet, was arranged in every possible combination.’
Psalms 119:2 (KJV) 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:10 (KJV) 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psalms 119:19 - 20 (KJV) 19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy
judgments at all times.
Psalms 119:40 (KJV) 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Psalms 119:77 (KJV) 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Psalms 119:88 (KJV) 88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:107 (KJV) 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Psalms 119:116 - 117 (KJV) 116 Uphold me according unto
thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.



Psalms 119:125 (KJV) 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:133 (KJV) 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalms 119:149 (KJV) 149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
Psalms 119:154 (KJV) 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Psalms 119:159 (KJV) 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

In closing:
Jeremiah 9:23 - 24 (KJV) 23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich
man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

You have a chance today to experience God’s best, not so much in the ‘here-and-now’ but in the eternal life that He has promised you through His Son. If
you are one of those who are waiting to get the whole story by “reading the Bible alone,” you are surely going to be very disappointed in that day. But
if you’ll pick up that Bible, and pray an all-out sincere prayer to the God who made it all possible, He will not only make it possible for you to know
him intimately, but I believe you’ll spend eternity thanking Him for it.
Remember – He only left us with two clear choices: To accept Him as Lord; or to reject Him and lose all that He has ever intended for us. I trust you will
make the right choice.
John 14:6 (KJV) 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
God Bless, SLC

O TASTE and SEE!

YOGURT FRUIT SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS: (MAKES 5 CUPS)
2 CUPS MILK (FAT FREE)
1 8 OZ. CONTAINER VANILLA YOGURT (LOW FAT)
½ CUP THAWED PINEAPPLE ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE
2 CUPS FROZEN STRAWBERRIES
1 BANANA COARSELY CHOPPED

DIRECTIONS: PROCESS ALL INGREDIENTS IN A BLENDER UNTIL SMOOTH, STOPPING TO SCRAPE DOWN THE SIDES.
SERVE IMMEDIATELY.
THIS COOL DRINK IS A GREAT SOURCE OF CALCIUM and IS QUICK and EASY TO ENJOY EN ROUTE TO WORK OR SCHOOL. BLEND IN OTHER FRUITS FOR A TASTY VARIETY, and
IT CAN EASILY BE MADE WITH FEWER CALORIES, AS INDICATED.
PAGE 150. FROM: “SOUTHERN LIVING COOK BOOK”

O TASTE and SEE!

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 CUPS BUTTER ROOM TEMPERATURE
2 ½ CUPS GRANULATED SUGAR
6 LARGE EGGS
3 CUPS SIFTED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
½ TSP. SALT; ¼ TSP. BAKING SODA
1 8 OZ. CONTAINER SOUR CREAM
1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT; 1 TSP. LEMON EXTRACT
¼ TSP ALMOND EXTRACT; 1 TBLSP ORANGE ZEST GRATED FINELY OR LEMON ZEST THE SAME.
1 CUP POWDERED SUGAR (SET ASIDE)

DIRECTIONS:
PREHEAT OVEN 325 DEGREES F. GREASE and FLOUR TUBE PAN.
BEAT BUTTER MEDIUM SPEED UNTIL CREAMY; GRADUALLY ADD SUGAR UNTIL LIGHT and FLUFFY.
ADD EGGS 1 AT A TIME ONLY BEAT UNTIL YOLK DISAPPEARS. SIFT TOG. FLOUR, SALT, and BAKING SODA; ADD TO BUTTER ALTERNATING WITH SOUR CREAM. END WITH FLOUR
MIXTURE.
BEAT BATTER JUST UNTIL BLENDED AFTER EACH ADDITION; STIR IN FLAVORINGS and ZEST.
POUR INTO GREASED and FLOURED TUBE PAN.
BAKE 1 ½ HOURS OR UNTIL LONG WOODEN SPOON INSERTED COMES OUT CLEAN.
ON A PLATE SPRINKLE POWDERED SUGAR, INVERT CAKE WHILE WARM, and SPREAD THE REMAINING POWDERED SUGAR OVER SURFACE OF CAKE, WHILE WARM.
NOW YOU’VE GOT A CAKE FOR THE HOLIDAY…ENJOY!
THIS CAKE WAS PUBLISHED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO IN TJIFA CONTRIBUTED BY VI, THANKS AGAIN VI.
NOTE: CONFESSION…I TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE SUGAR, and ADDED THE ZEST and THE POWDERED SUGAR. TER