Majesty

Majesty!

He Is Risen

He Is Risen

It Is Finished...

It is finished, and just think, someday we will be able to sing with the Gaithers in heaven, along with all the other wonderful singers of the past, present, and future!

It is finished: GVB

Good Friday

It all leads to the Cross.....

"...only a small portion"

Two teenagers asked their father if they could go the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the Internet, he denied their request.

"Aw dad, why not?" they complained. "It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"

Dad replied: "Because that movie contains nudity and portrays immorality as being normal and acceptable behavior."

"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film! It's based on a true story and good triumphs over evil, and there are other redeeming themes like courage and self-sacrifice. Even the movie review websites say that!"

"My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion."

The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their Father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other,

"Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."

The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies, which he offered to his kids. They each took one. Then their father said, "Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much. That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium Vanilla and chocolate."

The brownies looked mouthwatering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech.

"But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think."

"Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"

"Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."

"Come on, dad; just tell us what that ingredient is."

"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients. "

"Dad!"

"Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is fresh organic...dog manure."

Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror. "DAD! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog manure! We can't eat these brownies!"

"Why not? The amount of dog manure is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!"

"No, Dad...NEVER! "

"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog manure in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies? We pray that God will not lead us unto temptation, so how can we in good conscience entertain ourselves with something that will imprint a sinful image in our minds that will lead us into temptation long after we first see it?

What a good lesson about purity! Why do we tolerate any sin? On the day of the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to remove every bit of leaven from their homes. Sin is like leaven - a little bit leavens the whole lump; faith and sin, don't mix. (1Corinthians 5:6, 7)

Bless the Broken Road

I just came home from our last Bible study session: "Stepping Up: a journey through the Psalms of Ascent" by Beth Moore, and what a blessing this was. I have to admit that I didn't spend the time required to make the most out of the study, but tonight's video was so good. Travis Cottrell sang a beautiful song that I had never heard before, because I just don't listen to Country Western music, and this song is supposed to be in that genre.

When you listen to it, when you hear the word "YOU" think of Jesus. There is so much truth in it.

Bless the Broken Road

Holy Week

This is the week that Christians realize their salvation...through the death of our Lord on the Cross. This song is one that I have cherished for many years; one that brings us to the brink of the Cross. Please give it time to load, close your eyes, and listen to this beautiful rendition by Sandi Patti.