T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON… & ON…& ON…& ON…& ON.
JULY9, 2004
SUBJECT: "GRANDMA GRACE AND MERCY" THE SECOND STORY.
WE LEFT GRANDMA GRACE AND MERCY LAST TIME ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR PASTURE. WOULD MERCY SUFFER ANY RECOMPENSE FOR THE DISOBEDIENCE THAT SHE OPENLY DISPLAYED? HOW ABOUT GRANDMA GRACE? AFTER ALL SHE ALSO STRAYED FROM THE FOLD . . .OR DID SHE? READ ON . . .
NOTEWORTHY: QUOTES FROM BMCC
FRIDAY'S WORD: SHEPHERD (SOME REALLY INTERESTING FACTS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.)
IN THE MIRROR: LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT CRUCIFIXION THAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN FOR CENTURIES…IT'S REAL GOOD.
O TASTE AND SEE! CHERRY CONGEALED SALAD… AT LONG LAST. HERE IT IS. PLEASE ENJOY! . . .SUBMITTED BY BMCC
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER
T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON… & ON…& ON…& ON…& ON.
JULY9, 2004
SUBJECT: "GRANDMA GRACE AND MERCY" THE SECOND STORY.
WE LEFT GRANDMA GRACE AND MERCY LAST TIME ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR PASTURE. WOULD MERCY SUFFER ANY RECOMPENSE FOR THE DISOBEDIENCE THAT SHE OPENLY DISPLAYED? HOW ABOUT GRANDMA GRACE? AFTER ALL SHE ALSO STRAYED FROM THE FOLD . . .OR DID SHE? READ ON . . .
NOTEWORTHY: QUOTES FROM BMCC
FRIDAY'S WORD: SHEPHERD (SOME REALLY INTERESTING FACTS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.)
IN THE MIRROR: LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT CRUCIFIXION THAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN FOR CENTURIES…IT'S REAL GOOD.
O TASTE AND SEE! CHERRY CONGEALED SALAD… AT LONG LAST. HERE IT IS. PLEASE ENJOY! . . .SUBMITTED BY BMCC
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER
"GRANDMA GRACE AND MERCY"
(Story #II)
Proverbs 24:14 "Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, you will have a future ,and your hope will not be cut off."
Grandma Grace hoped that she had eliminated the pain that Mercy was bound to encounter by having her own way and running away from the flock. Grandma Grace talked honestly to Mercy as they walked back to their own pasture. Mercy was so glad to get out of the slaughters' yard, that she giddily skipped along with the crippled Grandma. Grandma began to talk seriously to the young rebellious sheep. "Mercy, you have much to learn. Do you see the Shepherd ahead of us? And do you wonder why he is walking so slowly?" Mercy noticed that he wasn't walking as fast as he usually moved through the pasture, but she took no thought for anyone or anything, but herself. She flaunted her answer over her shoulder to Grandma Grace. She was now walking alongside the Shepherd and quickly achieving ground. Her obvious motive was to get ahead of the Shepherd, and to ignore the cautious wisdom emanating from the old crippled grandma sheep.
When the young sheep's nose and front leg touched ground ahead of the Shepherd, as fast as a lightening strike, the left sided Border Collie angrily barked, growled and snapped too close for comfort. Mercy jumped back, startled at the aggression of the Border Collie. The Shepherd never said a word, but continued soberly and quietly across the meadow.
Grandma Grace spoke again. "Mercy, you are never to be ahead of the Shepherd. The Border Collies aren't your friends; they are here to enforce the desire of the Shepherd. The Shepherd will lead you. You will follow him. If you choose not to be obedient you will reap the consequences." Mercy couldn't believe what she was hearing. She thought, maybe the Border Collie from the left side just doesn't know her. She attempted to do on the right side of the Shepherd, what she had previously done on the left side of him. The Border Collie from the right side was even more advancing in offensive aggression than the other. The Border Collie from the right, whom Mercy was supposed to have known, jumped down in front of Mercy and began crawling toward her with teeth showing and the look of destruction in his fighting warlike eyes. Mercy quickly jumped behind the Shepherd next to Grandma. "Grandma, I thought that he knew me. Why is he doing that to me?" Mercy cried. Grandma Grace patiently explained, "You have betrayed his trust. You feigned sickness, and he went for help. While he was getting you help, you deserted. Your disobedience put the rest of the flock, the Shepherd, and the Border Collies at risk.
Your unwillingness to heed wise counsel has branded you a ‘rebel.' (Prov. 24: ) Remember Mercy, a Rebel's destruction comes upon him suddenly. (24:20) Because you delight yourself in evil plans, you'll be known as a schemer. (Prov. 24:8.) Your foolish schemes are sin. (24:9) The evil person has no future (24:20)".
Grandma Grace continued counseling Mercy. "Your escapade has cost the Shepherd a great deal. You are blessed that he didn't break your leg before we had to come across this great meadow. We have a very good Shepherd. He's not like the hirelings of the farm next door. Our Shepherd is kind and generous. The hirelings next door weren't kind to us. They stole our wool and would have slaughtered us, if it had not been for the other good man. Our Shepherd would never leave us in harm's way. He'll lay his life down for anyone of us. Mercy, I fear that this ordeal has not been a good teacher for you. I fear that one day, your rebellion will take you straight to the arms of the enemy. But, no matter what happens, I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I told and rebuked you in your guilt and didn't pretend your innocence BEFORE your calamity. (24:24). My love for you drew and compelled me to go after you into the slaughter's field; but, I will never do that again.
They were now only a few yards from the other sheep, who had been corralled for the night. The Shepherd isolated Grandma and Mercy, he then, took Mercy; even farther from the rest of the sheep. Grandma Grace began that longing bleating as Mercy walked away with the somber Shepherd. Mercy felt special. She had never gone inside and alone with the Shepherd. She walked pass the gazing flock with pride. (It may be that Mercy had forgotten that she was sheared down to the skin and was, therefore, a spectacle).
The next morning the Shepherd carried Mercy out and placed her in the isolation area with Grandma. Mercy was crying and wondering why she couldn't walk. Every time she tried to walk the pain was so great that she'd give up. "Grandma, what has happened to me?" cried Mercy. ? Mercy asked Grandma. Grandma Grace explained to the now recovering sheep; "When a sheep wanders, the Shepherd has the right to break the leg, so that the sheep learns to be a part of the flock instead of a loner." As if awakened suddenly, Mercy cried loudly, "Why didn't he hurt YOUR leg?" Grandma Grace understandingly answered. "Mercy, that's why the Shepherd was so somber, I am old. If he breaks my leg, I may not recover. I had two good years left to give wool, but now I have no wool, and it will take many years to grow the wool that was stolen from me. He may just turn me out for glue. I'm not worth feeding. He must get the best possible plan for my existence. But, I'm not afraid. If I were a pet, I could live until I died a natural death, but, I don't think I'd like playing all day. I've always worked. My life is in the hands of "THE GOOD SHEPHERD."
Mercy now cried for Grandma Grace. Now, she understood the old crippled sheep. She understood that her hope in Mercy's future was wrapped up in love and the wisdom of her own past. Evidently the young sheep had sparked recollection of mistakes, rebellion and ignorance in her younger days.
What a friend! Grandma Grace actually stood in the slaughter's line with her. How could she have been so selfish? She struggled to get to her feet, and then fell. The Shepherd opened the gate and lead Grandma Grace away. Mercy screamed. "Where are you going? Where are you going?"
The old sheep looked over her naked shoulder at Mercy . . . And never said a word.
"Where are you going?"
Looking Forward
See Ya Next Time
TER
NOTEWORTHY:
"Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully".
"And so I am giving a new commandment to you now…love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are My disciples." John 13:34. TLB
"The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay."
"Lord as the rays of Your sun shine down on me, help me choose to soften into love instead of hardening into bitterness. AMEN."
"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Unknown – Hallmark Card.
From: "Bless Your Heart" Series 2.
Submitted by: BMCC.
FRIDAY'S WORD: Shepherd;
The term is used in its natural sense in a number of biblical passages to refer to persons engaged in the tending of sheep. Sometimes the owner cared for his own sheep; others committed their flocks to sons; others used servants or hirelings. In general, shepherds fell into three classes: (1) the nomads who wandered with their sheep wherever they could find grass and water; (2) the settled shepherds who always grazed their sheep in the same general area; and (3) the shepherds who drove the flocks of a wealthy owner from pasture to pasture. It was the duty of the sheepherder to lead his flock to pasture and fresh water. In some instances this necessitated long treks across the countryside. In Bible lands it was the custom for the shepherd to lead his sheep rather than to drive them. Another necessary task was that of protecting the flock from wild animals and robbers. At night the shepherd led his sheep to a place of shelter and protection, such as a fold or a natural enclosure where he counted them to see that none had strayed. At lambing time the shepherd gave special care to the ewes and the lambs.
The equipment ordinarily needed for the work of the shepherd included a rod or club to smite predators, and a staff with a crook at one end. The latter cane-like instrument served a number of purposes from supporting himself to managing the flock. A sling was also a standard weapon for the shepherd. Other items were a bag to carry smaller possessions, a cloak and sometimes a musical instrument with which the shepherd passed the time. In many instances one or more dogs accompanied the flock.
Inasmuch as shepherd life in so many aspects is parallel to spiritual relationships, biblical writers use it repeatedly as an apt illustration of experiences in the spiritual realm. Throughout the ancient Near East rulers were accustomed to picturing themselves as the shepherd of their people. The earliest known use of the term in this sense was by Kudur-Mabug, king of Elam (c. 1900 BC). After recounting a military exploit he ended with the prayer that he might become a "dear shepherd."
In the O T the Lord is the Shepherd of His people. Faithless shepherds ("pastors" KJV) have scattered the Lord's flock, but when Christ returns He will gather them again from the ends of the earth and set faithful shepherds over them. In that day Israel and Judah shall be united under one Shepherd, The Messiah. The unscrupulous shepherds who led GOD'S people astray fall under His condemnation.
In the New Testament Christ declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, who is known by His sheep, and who will someday be Shepherd over the united fold of all GOD'S redeemed. Like their master, the leaders of NT churches are to do the work of a shepherd, to feed and to protect the flock. The same commission is repeated by Peter, who is referring to Christ as the Chief Shepherd suggests that elders are under-shepherds. The same idea is preserved in the English term pastor, which means shepherd.
Taken from: Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (Scriptures rf. removed for the purpose of condensing, but can be found in your Concordance.)
IN THE MIRROR:
In Vinoth Ramachandra's Booklet; "The Scandal of Jesus" he writes: "No Roman citizen could be crucified. Romans didn't even discuss the subject: they pretended it never existed. The great senator and orator Cicero declared that "the very word ‘cross' should be far removed not only from the presence of a Roman citizen but from his thoughts, his eyes and his ears." Crucifixion was a way of liberating not only victims but the memory of them. A crucified person had never existed. As a result, not a single ancient historian pays serious attention to any crucifixion. It is in this world that we meet a group of men and women announcing throughout the Roman Empire that among its forgotten crucified nobodies had been the Son of GOD, the Savior of the world.
This message, if true, subverted the world of religion. It claimed that if you wanted to know what GOD was like and understand His purposes for this world, you had to go not to the lofty speculations of the philosophers or the countless religious temples and sacred groves that dotted the Empire but to a cross outside the walls of Jerusalem. For the Jews had crucified Messiah (Savior) was a contradiction in terms, expressing not GOD's power but His inability to liberate Israel from Roman rule. For the pagans, the idea that a god or the son of a god could die as a state criminal and that human salvation should depend on that particular historical event, was not merely offensive--- it was madness."
This was something I had to read a few times to absorb its real impact and the potential effect it could, and should have on the Christian life. The idea that "a crucified person never existed," only reminded me of how very real and with what I have to call ‘Sovereign Power'; the Gospel came to us in such a way that all the Roman rule and authority, and no-one else for that matter, could stop this message from reaching you and me.
Everything we read should be an encouragement to strengthen our faith in what life is really supposed to mean for us as Christians. What I want to say to you today is, if the crucifixion not only didn't efface the record, but aided in the proliferation of the gospel, then that also can mean to us that all other truth from God cannot be kept or hid from us either.
I hope today by using this one illustrative point about the crucifixion, that you in your own life, and in your own time will take out the time to stop, look, and listen long enough to realize just how many things there are to discover about the life of Jesus and the only message that can radically change your life now, and continue to affect you throughout Eternity.
Paul said it like this in Gal.2:20:"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." . . . What about you today? It's never too late!!! S.L.C.
O TASTE AND SEE!
CHERRY COLA CONGEALED SALAD
INGREDIENTS:
1 (3 OZ.) PKG. CHERRY JELLO
1 SMALL PKG. STRAWBERRY JELLO
1 3 OZ. PKG. CREAM CHEESE (CUT IN VERY SMALL PIECES – PREFERABLY SQUARED.)
1 LARGE CAN SWEET DARK CHERRIES, HALVED
1 LARGE CAN CRUSHED PINEAPPLE
2 CUPS COCA COLA
1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS
DIRECTIONS:
DRAIN PINEAPPLE AND CHERRY JUICE AND BRING TO A BOIL.
ADD BOTH PACKAGES OF JELLO AND STIR UNTIL DISSOLVED.
STIR IN CREAM CHEESE WHILE JELLO IS STILL HOT.
ADD CHERRIES, PINEAPPLE, AND NUTS.
STIR IN 2 CUPS COCA COLA REFRIGERATE UNTIL CONGEALED.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL COOL DESSERT FOR THE HOT DAYS OF SUMMER.
THANKS AND ENJOY!
SUBMITTED BY BMCC.