WITHOUT ESCAPE

WITHOUT ESCAPE

Friday, February 28, 2020



  John [ESV] 10:24-30 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

  2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.



  There is no escaping the fact of physical death stated in Hebrews 9:27 and shown from Adam onward.

  In the 12 month period from autumn to autumn 1918-1919 50 to 100 million globally died from what was deemed “the Spanish flu”. At least 675, 000 in the USA, plus an unknown number of American doughboys (soldiers) overseas.

  And now we have the coronavirus.

  I do not write of this to add to the panic some are already experiencing, but in God’s eternal redemption I too don’t want anyone to die without life eternal by and through Jesus Christ. Please pray with me for those without His blessed assurance. (Jn. Chap. 3; 1Jn.5:11-13)

EBB4

THE ABCs OF UNDERSTANDING

THE ABCs OF UNDERSTANDING

Thursday, February 27, 2020



Ephesians chap. 2



  Decades ago my younger pal, Fred G., taught me that much understanding of God’s will is found in the Genesis story. One foundational fact is that having God-given free will we are responsible persons; as was Adam. This being unchanged.

  Indeed there are ambient factors that do adversely effect us if we affect them. For the serpent is with validity in this world we live in.

  And he still speaks.

  And we alone still individually decide who to listen to.

  Though this truth can be vainly denied, it is nonetheless eternal.

EBB4

WHAT CHANGED?

WHAT CHANGED?

Wednesday, February 26, 2020



  1Corinthians [ESV] 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

  2Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.



  Recently someone told me they had changed their mind in some things. Which left me thinking what have I changed a position on? I know I’ve matured, this effecting all areas of my life . . . spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically for the better, something that should be normal for John 1:12 members of God’s family. It being one of the themes throughout His Word. But this is a generality. What of some specific area?

  Awoke thinking about this. While cranking up this PC I thought of one particular item centered around two words, “I do.”

  In what seems like an eon ago, revival or evangelistic meetings lasted 2 weeks, every evening for 14 days, both Sunday mornings. We, as a family, were faithful attenders. They were held in buildings or sawdust floored tents large or small. Oliver B. Greene used a 3 ring circus tent. One time Ann and I participated sitting on logs at a sawmill lot with the preachers on the machinery platform. Another time we attended open air on a hillside pasture with Ian Paisley on a hay wagon with one wit commenting on how well the cows behaved.

  Some preachers taught that you had to have had a definite as in marriage “I do” moment to really be saved. This I believed was necessary. Though I cannot pin down an exact moment when I changed my mind, I did. How so?

  I realized that as in marriage the “I do” is not a decision made then, but the declaration of previous commitment that we may, or may not, know when that moment occurred. Additionally, Biblical public baptisms were and still are declarations of the decision made prior.

  What are one or more areas you’ve changed your mind due to Acts 17:11 Berean study and thinking?

EBB4

INFANT BAPTISM. IS IT BIBLICAL?

INFANT BAPTISM, IS IT BIBLICAL?



GotQuestions.org: "What does the Bible say about infant baptism / paedobaptism?"

  There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.
  With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
  Many Christians who practice infant baptism do so because they understand infant baptism as the new covenant equivalent of circumcision. In this view, just as circumcision joined a Hebrew to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, so baptism joined a person to the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. This view is unbiblical. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as the New Covenant replacement for Old Covenant circumcision. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as a sign of the New Covenant. It is faith in Jesus Christ that enables a person to enjoy the blessings of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15).
  Baptism does not save a person. It does not matter if you were baptized by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling - if you have not first trusted in Christ for salvation, baptism (no matter the method) is meaningless and useless. Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience to be done after salvation as a public profession of faith in Christ and identification with Him. Infant baptism does not fit the Biblical definition of baptism or the Biblical method of baptism. If Christian parents wish to dedicate their child to Christ, then a baby dedication service is entirely appropriate. However, even if infants are dedicated to the Lord, when they grow up they will still have to make a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.

ARE WE THERE YET?

ARE WE THERE YET?

Monday, February 24, 2020



2Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.



  Does anybody remember being receiver or perpetrator of “Are we there yet?!” on family vacation trip? I do in both pilot and back seat perpetrator. Our Dad, wise man (Or maybe “Wisenheimer”?), always answered “Just 5 more minutes.” and if you ask our now adult children, they heard the same from Ann and I. (I’ve never asked them if echoed with their children. Have you?)

  One afternoon our friendly mailman (Neither female or “person”.) quoted 2Timothy 3:1-7 to me and asked if we, the USA, were there yet. To answer his question I reminded him that he would be in serious trouble if I reported him for talking to me as he had. At that, we laughed together at work-place restrictions – and proceeded to discuss the Bible passage.

  Then not long after a lady that has done chaplaincy ministry for 30+ years in a hospital that was founded in the name of Jesus Christ told me she was ordered by the payrolled senior hospital chaplain and administrator to no longer speak to dying patients of Jesus and His redemption. Then there’s the suppression, even persecution for some, of USA military chaplains that openly volunteer the gospel to enlistees living or dying.

  In 2013 two different groups applied for rally permits for Washington DC demonstrations for the same day, September 11^th: One group for religious/civil rights demonstration, the other group wanting to rally in remembrance of 9/11. The Muslims were granted permit. The bikers were denied a permit, but rallied anyway. http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/09/2-million-bikers-invade-d-c-remind-us-911-still-means-something-real-americans/  (Denied permit, it’s illegal, also meant no police escort or assigned protection. Watch video and note sirens and road workers urging them down the interstate.)

  Are we there yet? I don’t pretend to see His clock, but do suspect we may soon be within 5 minutes of arrival. 

EBB4

SHE IS NOT DEAD

SHE IS NOT DEAD



Luke [CEV] 8:49-56 While Jesus was speaking, someone came from Jairus' home and said, "Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?" When Jesus heard this, he told Jairus, "Don't worry! Have faith, and your daughter will get well." Jesus went into the house, but he did not let anyone else go with him, except Peter, John, James, and the girl's father and mother. Everyone was crying and weeping for the girl. But Jesus said, "The child isn't dead. She is just asleep." The people laughed at him because they knew she was dead. Jesus took hold of the girl's hand and said, "Child, get up!" She came back to life and got right up. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were surprised, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.



  My mother was desperately ill with pneumonia and the doctor had finally been called. He did what he could, but it was too late and he pronounced my mother dead.

  She was only 26 and had two little girls, one three and one two. My father asked everyone to leave and closed the door so he could be alone. They left and no one but God and my father ever knew what happened in that room, but sometime later he opened the door and asked the doctor to examine my mother. She was alive! And lived to the ripe old age of 82.

  I praise God for this miracle worked by my father’s faith.

Leslie Nivens

THE GOLDEN BOWL

ACTING BEFORE THE GOLDEN BOWL IS BROKEN

Friday, February 21, 2020



Ecclesiastes [GW] 12:1-14 Remember your Creator when you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, "I have found no pleasure in them." Remember your Creator before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars turn dark, and the clouds come back with rain. Remember your Creator when those who guard the house tremble, strong men are stooped over, the women at the mill stop grinding because there are so few of them, and those who look out of the windows see a dim light. Remember your Creator when the doors to the street are closed, the sound of the mill is muffled, you are startled at the sound of a bird, and those who sing songs become quiet. Remember your Creator when someone is afraid of heights and of dangers along the road, the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper bush has no fruit. Mortals go to their eternal rest, and mourners go out in the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is snapped, the golden bowl is broken, the pitcher is smashed near the spring, and the water wheel is broken at the cistern. Then the dust of mortals goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it. "Absolutely pointless!" says the spokesman. "Everything is pointless!" Besides being wise, the spokesman also taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about it, studied it, and arranged it in many proverbs. The spokesman tried to find just the right words. He wrote the words of truth very carefully. Words from wise people are like spurs. Their collected sayings are like nails that have been driven in firmly. They come from one shepherd. Be warned, my children, against anything more than these. People never stop writing books. Too much studying will wear out your body. After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad.



  Life includes problems, some writ in our past, presently active, others yet to come. Was this not so for God Incarnate, the holiday celebrated babe that became the cruelly Crucified Savior? Should we expect a different Gethsemane that He?

  Family life involves discomfiting diverse point-of-view when it comes to solving problems. And it is very easy to fall prey to letting emotions dominate and thereby subjectively react in kind or just as bad – to shut eyes and ears, close mind, harden heart, and/or be totally non-confrontational. Emotional stress should not, must not dominate our thinking, for as followers of Christ ours is the utmost purpose. We are called to serve Him all our days in all our ways, a task that cannot be accomplished apart from combined vertical and horizontal love: “… when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." “ (ESV Mt.22:34-40)

  The Apostle Paul’s life embodied this point well; His story as a religiously righteous destroyer. He afterward often dealt with destroyers within families and churches. His life involved much persecution ending with death by execution. Peopled hues on his canvas, but by submissive determination none framed his life picture.

  I pray this be so in my life and yours in subjection to our Lord . . . never forgetting that once the silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks, the old pitcher is shattered before the fountain of youth, our spokes support no longer . . . the opportunity for godly resolution to obtain things of everlasting value will cease. 

EBB4 

LIFE AT 10

LIFE AT 10

Thursday, February 20, 2020



John 14:27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.



  I am blessed in that my grandson and greatgrandchildren live locally. I very much enjoy them. Observing them however has at times set my mind to recall, and wondering if they’re having the same age-related thoughts I did.

  My family nickname was Sunny. It was not a front. I was a happy boy interested in many things. But beneath the surface at about age 10 was a recurring weighty thought and fear of death. The thought being the question of why was I here? The fear of death involved incurring imagery at times day and night. One nightmare was my awakening in a buried coffin in total darkness and silence. Possibly fed by Saturday horror movies?

  I suppose my playmates had the same issues, but, like a lot of things back there then, they weren’t discussed. We did however meet the foe with bravado. One way was loudly singing a darkly humorous song about a Baltimore area mortician that violated the then cultural social mores. He advertised!

  For the life of me I cannot remember but a few of the multitude of verses of that song. I do recall “The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out. They play pinochle on your snout!” Sometimes sung when sneaking into a dark cemetery. (If a grave was left open awaiting the burial the news spread like wildfire and boys gathered from numerous neighborhoods by the pit.)

  It was not until after I trusted Christ as Redeemer at age 27, and then began finding answers in God’s Word that I came to peace on these matters. Jesus’s provided serenity displaced bravado! First of all through the Genesis creation account, then Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, then Philippians 3:9-10, and through Titus 2:14; through the overall themes of Scripture.

  GotQuestions.org sums up the answer, stating “Our purpose in life, as God originally created man, is 1) glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him, 2) have good relationships with others, 3) work, and 4) have dominion over the earth. But with man’s fall into sin, fellowship with God is broken, relationships with others are strained, work seems to always be frustrating, and man struggles to maintain any semblance of dominion over nature. Only by restoring fellowship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, can purpose in life be rediscovered.
  The purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We glorify God by fearing and obeying Him, keeping our eyes on our future home in heaven, and knowing Him intimately. We enjoy God by following His purpose for our lives, which enables us to experience true and lasting joy—the abundant life that He desires for us”

  At what age did you discover our real reason for existence?

EBB4

NOT MY FAULT!

NOT MY FAULT!

Wednesday, February 19, 2020



  Again I’ve been hearing a lot of “Not my fault!”; sometimes an accurate analysis, but for the most part it is shifting blame to others present or past. Which brings us to the old question “How much of the fall of man is God’s fault?” Wasn’t it Him that tempted man by His locating the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil and of blessing and calamity” (AB Gen.3:17) conveniently in the midst of Adam and Eve’s garden home? And then there’s the business of God allowing their being exposed to “the serpent more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord had made.” (Gen.3:1)?

  Shouldn’t God have made the garden in Eden a place apart without opportunity for transgression?

  Reading and pondering: The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The Choice of Life and Death “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”  (ESV Deut.30:9-20)

  Adam and Eve, and all since, have choice for truly embracing God’s agape love, or not! (Ex.20:6: Deut.5:10; 7:9; 11:1, 22; 19:9; 30:16; Joshua 22:5; Dan.9:4; Jn.14:15; 15:10; 1Jn.5:2-3)

  God’s John 1:12 children are to be emulating godly counsel by word and example, clearly explaining blessing and benefit versus calamity and consequence dire. (Garden exposure ours, this I labor at, explaining tree/serpent versus blessing/benefit. For instance, without demanding, I warn and provide Bible-centered reasoning upon request about THE SHACK, THE SECRET, and JESUS IS CALLING.) Thank God that He loves us so much that He grants us unequivocal option! 

  “Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (MKJV Eph.6:10-18)  EBB4

AVAILABILITY OF DELIVERANCE

AVAILABILITY OF DELIVERANCE

Tuesday, February 18, 2020



  John 14:27 [Jesus declared] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

  1Corinthians chapter 2 … as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. … [underling mine)



  God’s deliverance is freely available for all persons. Initially deliverance from eternal condemnation when trusting Jesus. (Jn.1:12 & chap. 3) Then deliverance from the onus of personal life burdens as we increasingly study and apply the Word living (Jn.1:1) and written (2Tim.3:16; 2Pet.1:20). I testify of this Truth on both counts: I trusted Jesus for deliverance to eternal life when I was 27. Then the deliverance from life burdens. This an ongoing work.

  One of my greatest struggles was being angry. But I could not argue with God explaining that as I thought, I was. The responsibility being mine alone, having nothing to do with blaming events or circumstances unless I made it so. (Pr.23:7) It was then that I trusted, am still trusting daily, deliverance from my overarching passive-aggressive anger that would permeate my life mentally, emotionally, and physically. I know definitely that deliverance cannot be accomplished by my will power; It was by studying peace and anger in God’s Word . . . and submitting self to His Way. Philippians 4:4-9 applied playing a central role in my deliverance. (Also note Jn.8:36; 14:27; 1Cor. Chap 13, especially verse 11; Phil.3:13)

  I hope and pray for those needing deliverance. I rejoice in hearing personal deliverance stories realized through the study and application of the Word of God. I pray for those awaiting deliverance to fall upon them from heaven or trying every which way but God’

EBB4

Missionary died thinking he was a failure

Missionary died thinking he was a failure; 84 years later thriving churches found hidden in the jungle

May 19, 2014      By Mark Ellis —

After crossing the Kwilu

In 1912, medical missionary Dr. William Leslie went to live and minister to tribal people in a remote corner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After 17 years he returned to the U.S. a discouraged man – believing he failed to make an impact for Christ. He died nine years after his return.

But in 2010, a team led by Eric Ramsey with Tom Cox World Ministries made a shocking and sensational discovery. They found a network of reproducing churches hidden like glittering diamonds in the dense jungle across the Kwilu River from Vanga, where Dr. Leslie was stationed.

Loading Cessna Caravan

With the help of a Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot, Ramsey and his team flew east from Kinshasa to Vanga, a two and a half hour flight in a Cessna Caravan. After they reached Vanga, they hiked a mile to the Kwilu River and used dugout canoes to cross the half-mile-wide expanse. Then they hiked with backpacks another 10 miles into the jungle before they reached the first village of the Yansi people.

Based on his previous research, Ramsey thought the Yansi in this remote area might have some exposure to the name of Jesus, but no real understanding of who He is. They were unprepared for their remarkable find.

“When we got in there, we found a network of reproducing churches throughout the jungle,” Ramsey reports. “Each village had its own gospel choir, although they wouldn’t call it that,” he notes. “They wrote their own songs and would have sing-offs from village to village.”

They found a church in each of the eight

The Yansi jungle “cathedral”

villages they visited scattered across 34 miles. Ramsey and his team even found a 1000-seat stone “cathedral” in one of the villages. He learned that this church got so crowded in the 1980s – with many walking miles to attend — that a church planting movement began in the surrounding villages.

“There is no Bible in the Yansi language,” Ramsey says. “They used a French Bible, so those who taught had to be fluent in French.”

Apparently, Dr. Leslie crossed the Kwilu River once a year from Vanga and spent a month traveling through the jungle, carried by servants in a sedan chair.

Yansi men and boys

“He would teach the Bible, taught the tribal children how to read and write, talked about the importance of education, and told Bible stories,” Ramsey notes. Dr. Leslie started the first organized educational system in these villages, Ramsey learned.

It took some digging for Ramsey to uncover Leslie’s identity. “The tribal people only knew him by one name and I didn’t know if that was a first or last name. They knew he was a Baptist and he was based in that one city and they knew the years.”

When Ramsey returned home he did some additional investigation and discovered Dr. Leslie was affiliated with the American Baptist Missionary Union. The American Baptist Missionary Union was founded in 1814 by Adoniram Judson, who led a pioneering work in Burma.

Born in Ontario, Canada, William H. Leslie followed his intended profession as a pharmacist until his conversion

Dr. William H. Leslie, M.D.

in 1888. He moved to the Chicago area, where God began to grip his heart with the desire to become a medical missionary.

Dr. Leslie initiated his Congo service in 1893 at Banza-Manteke. Two years later he developed a serious illness. A young missionary named Clara Hill took care of him until he recovered. Their budding friendship ripened into love and a marriage proposal. They were wed in 1896.

In 1905 William and Clara pioneered a work in Cuilo, Anglola, where they overcame a hurricane that struck the night before one of their children was born, and more mundane obstacles like charging buffaloes and armies of ants.

Seven years later they cleared enough of the leopard-infested jungle along the Kwilu River at Vanga for a new

mission station perched on a small plateau. Some of the villages surrounding Vanga were still practicing cannibalism at that time.

They spent 17 years at Vanga, but their service ended on a rocky note. “Dr. Leslie had a relational falling out with some of the tribal leaders and was asked not to come back,” Ramsey says. “They reconciled later; there were apologies and forgiveness, but it didn’t end like he hoped.”

“His goal was to spread Christianity. He felt like he was there for 17 years and he never really made a big impact, but the legacy he left is huge.”

STEADFAST LOVE

STEADFAST LOVE

Sunday, February 16, 2020



  I identify with Hannah’s grief and longing for a child. When I was a little girl and someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always say “A mamma.”

  Hugh and I were married just after my 25^th birthday and I looked forward to starting a family, but the months and years went by until I was 30. That summer God sent us a beautiful baby boy, then 2 years later He blessed us with a precious baby girl. Those were happy, happy, wonderful years; caring for our babies and watching them grow and mature. When I read 1Samuel 1:10-18; 2:19 I picture Hannah trudging along year after year with the little coat made for her firstborn son.

  How I did pray for the steadfast faith and love that sustained Hannah through those years.

Leslie Nivens

RUNES

RUNES

The two paragraphs below are from a five-part article on the runes. The other four parts are:

Part II: The Origins of the Runes
Part III: Runic Philosophy and Magic
Part IV: The Meanings of the Runes
Part V: The 10 Best Books on the Runes

  The first systems of writing developed and used by the Norse and other Germanic peoples were runic alphabets. The runes functioned as letters, but they were much more than just letters in the sense in which we today understand the term. Each rune was an ideographic or pictographic symbol of some cosmological principle or power, and to write a rune was to invoke and direct the force for which it stood. Indeed, in every Germanic language, the word “rune” (from Proto-Germanic *runo) means both “letter” and “secret” or “mystery,” and its original meaning, which likely predated the adoption of the runic alphabet, may have been simply “(hushed) message.”^[1]

  Each rune had a name that hinted at the philosophical and magical significance of its visual form and the sound for which it stands, which was almost always the first sound of the rune’s name. For example, the T-rune, called *Tiwaz in the Proto-Germanic language, is named after the god Tiwaz (known as Tyr in the Viking Age). Tiwaz was perceived to dwell within the daytime sky, and, accordingly, the visual form of the T-rune is an arrow pointed upward (which surely also hints at the god’s prominent role in war). The T-rune was often carved as a standalone ideograph, apart from the writing of any particular word, as part of spells cast to ensure victory in battle.^[2][3] (See Part IV for more examples.)

(To continue this study go to: https://norse-mythology.org/runes/ )

QUESTION: Is it pleasing God when a professing follower of Christ mixes their Biblical beliefs with mythology? Romans 12:1-3

QUAKERS

QUAKERS



GotQuestions.org: "Who are the Quakers, and what does the Friends Church believe?"

  The Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, began when people within the Church of England saw corruption and false doctrine rise in that body in the 1650s. With Puritanism also came a type of Phariseeism driven by personal pride and doctrinal divisiveness. A non-conformist movement was started by those who sought to distance themselves from Puritanism. The earliest dissenters went about seeking others of like mind and practice and were thus called “Seekers.” When they met together, it was not to formally pray or preach, but simply to wait together for God to speak to them. Other dissenters, such as the Ranters, embraced extreme doctrines. The Ranters believed that whatever might have been sinful before faith in Christ was no longer sinful because of the grace of God. The Ranter’s antinomianism contradicts the clear teaching of Romans 6:1–2.
  Seeing the problems among the Ranters, other dissenters sought “the right way to peace with God” and turned to “the light of Jesus Christ within them,” according to William Penn. The Quakers viewed the traditional Christian as “conceited of himself, and strong in his own will and righteousness, overcome with blind zeal and passion.” George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, said the name “Quaker” was first used as a derogatory term in court, “because we bid them tremble at the Word of God.” Quakers were persecuted widely in England and the American Colonies and were often imprisoned or put to death for their beliefs. Because of this widespread persecution, William Penn founded the Pennsylvania Colony to provide a safe haven for Quakers.
  The practical emphases of Quaker doctrine have always been 1) reliance on the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit, 2) love for one another, 3) love for enemies (pacifism), and 4) the sufficiency of truth-speaking (not taking any oaths). With their emphasis on “the inner light” and the movement of the Spirit, Quakers typically shun systematic theology and doctrinal creeds. Most Quakers hold to evangelical doctrines, but a small minority holds to liberal theology and universalism. Some support a traditional view of marriage, while others affirm and support gay marriage.
  One of the distinctives of Quakerism is the practice of “group spiritual discernment,” whereby the Friends wait on God to lead them in whatever business is at hand. This sensitivity to the Spirit’s moving is indeed valuable and often lacking in other churches. On the other hand, if the people in the group have not sufficiently studied the Scriptures for God’s revealed will, the group may “feel led” to something that violates Scripture. This is why the apostle John commanded us to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). Historically, the Quakers have always tried to emphasize the social aspects of the gospel. They were involved in ending slavery and increasing the rights of women and minorities. One of Amnesty International’s founders was a Quaker, and the Quakers have been strong supporters of that organization ever since.

CLEAR EYED?

CLEAR EYED?

Monday, February 10, 2020



  Paul Tells of His Conversion: "I was carrying out these activities when I went to the city of Damascus. I had the power and authority of the chief priests. Your Majesty [Agrippa], at noon, while I was traveling, I saw a light that was brighter than the sun. The light came from the sky and shined around me and those who were with me. All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It's hard for a mortal like you to resist God.' "I asked, 'Who are you, sir?' "The Lord answered, 'I am Jesus, the one you're persecuting. Stand up! I have appeared to you for a reason. I'm appointing you to be a servant and witness of what you have seen and of what I will show you. I will rescue you from the Jewish people and from the non-Jewish people to whom I am sending you. You will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God's. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and a share among God's people who are made holy by believing in me.' "At that point I did not disobey the vision I saw from heaven, King Agrippa. Instead, I spread the message that I first told to the Jewish people in Damascus and Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea. I spread the same message to non-Jewish people. Both groups were expected to change the way they thought and acted and to turn to God. I told them to do things that prove they had changed their lives. For this reason the Jews took me prisoner in the temple courtyard and tried to murder me. "God has been helping me to this day so that I can stand and testify to important and unimportant people. I tell them only what the prophets and Moses said would happen. They said that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to come back to life and would spread light to Jewish and non-Jewish people." As Paul was defending himself in this way, Festus shouted, "Paul, you're crazy! Too much education is driving you crazy!" Paul replied, "I'm not crazy, Your Excellency Festus. What I'm saying is true and sane. I can easily speak to a king who knows about these things. I'm sure that none of these things has escaped his attention. None of this was done secretly. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe them!" Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think you can quickly persuade me to become a Christian?" Paul replied, "I wish to God that you and everyone listening to me today would quickly and completely become as I am (except for being a prisoner)." (Acts26:12-29, also note Acts 9:1-18)

  1Corinthians [KJV] 2:9-13 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.



  I’ve experienced impaired vision physically due to light, chemicals, injury and deterioration. The worst was when my right eye imploded in the rear. Wonderfully, surgery thru my eyeball regained much of my vision.

  Physical visual impairment pales in comparison to not seeing God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, self, people, things, with Biblical clarity. Something Saul of Tarsus experienced both ways as he was traveling to persecute yet more Christians.

  For professing followers of the Word living (Jn.1:1) and written (2Tim.3:16; 2Pet.1:20) non-Biblical vision displeasing God (Note Rom.12:1-3) results from mis-categorizing. (I’ll not enumerate as the list is long and dark.) If we do not think of people lost or saved (John chap. 3), spiritual or natural, we stumble with impaired vision.  

  Hopefully these truths I’ve learned and strive to apply will, if need be, help clarify your vision.

EBB4

MY POWER SOURCE

MY POWER SOURCE



Ephesians [GW] 1:17-23 I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that he calls you to have and the glorious wealth that God's people will inherit. You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers. He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the highest position in heaven. He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come. God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ's body and completes him as he fills everything in every way.



 I lived the first 7 years of my life in a home that had electricity. Granted, all we had was bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling, but when we pulled the chain there was light! Then the Great depression hit and my parents lost everything. For the next several years we moved from place to place, none of which having electricity. Then we moved to town and how wonderful it was to flip a switch and have light!

  We sometimes take our modern conveniences for granted, but then one day we flip the switch and nothing happens.  The power is not there! We check the appliance, the plug, the circuit breaker, and even contact the power company.

  God is the source of spiritual power. A wonderful thing to know. He never fails! We, however, sometimes move away.

Leslie Nivens

CHURCH

CHURCH

Friday, February 7, 2020



Ephesians [GW] 5:20-30 Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Place yourselves under each other's authority out of respect for Christ. Wives, place yourselves under your husbands' authority as you have placed yourselves under the Lord's authority. The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. As the church is under Christ's authority, so wives are under their husbands' authority in everything. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water along with spoken words. Then he could present it to himself as a glorious church, without any kind of stain or wrinkle-holy and without faults. So husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. No one ever hated his own body. Instead, he feeds and takes care of it, as Christ takes care of the church. We are parts of his body. 



  “church” is first mentioned by Jesus as recorded by Matthew (16:18), then from there by other of God’s penmen on through Revelation totaling 80 times in 79 verses. It is never ever about a physically constructed edifice. It is always about people, not a go-to building or meeting place. The church is the body of Christ. As John 1:12 family we congregate as Christian community members, saints on earth. We never meet at church. We meet as the church.

  The church is believers trusting in Lord Jesus Christ that live in love as kinfolk.

  This is another important point to understand and think for it should be part of how we see Jesus, ourselves, and others within and without the family of God.

EBB4

TWO AIMS: ONE TARGET

TWO AIMS: ONE TARGET

Thursday, February 6, 2020



  Matthew [ESV] 9:14-17 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” [Mk.2:19-22; Lk.5:37)

  Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.



  Jesus’s ministry while among men had, continues to have, two purposes with one target. Just as medical professional does; practicing both prevention and cure toward good health. Police do the same. At times you and I do this.

  Jesus demonstrated the true purpose of the Law, all 613 of them – describing and demonstrating the new way of grace.

EBB4

COMMUNION

COMMUNION



GotQuestions.org: "Why is there so much disagreement about holy communion?"
  Holy communion or the Lord’s Supper (also known in some churches as the Lord’s Table or the Eucharist) is a source of significant disagreement within the church as a whole. What’s agreed upon is found clearly in Scripture: communion was instituted by Jesus during His last supper with His disciples. During that time, He served them bread and “the cup.” He told them that these elements were His body and blood (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24). He also instructed them to repeat the ceremony in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19).
  Disagreements over holy communion stem from many questions: Was Jesus speaking of His body and blood figuratively or literally, or were His words a mystical combination of the figurative and literal? How often is the church to observe communion? Is the Eucharist a means of grace or simply a memorial? What was in the cup—fermented wine or unfermented grape juice?
  Because Jesus did not give specific, step-by-step instructions regarding the ritual, naturally, there is some conflict about the hows and wheres and whens, and what exactly the bread and wine represent. There are arguments about whether or not the elements actually become the blood and body of Christ (the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation), whether they somehow contain His Spirit (Luther’s doctrine of consubstantiation), or whether the wine and bread are simply symbols of His body and blood. There are differing opinions about the liturgy that should be spoken and whether or not confession should be part of the ritual. Denominations differ on the frequency of the communion, how it should be performed, and by whom.
  There are four biblical accounts of Jesus’ last supper with His disciples, three in the Synoptic Gospels and one in 1 Corinthians 11:23–34. When we look at these accounts in combination, we know the following:
  1. During the Passover meal, Jesus blessed, broke, and offered bread to His disciples, saying, “Take eat, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
  2. He also passed around a cup, telling them to divide it among them: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins.” He also instructed all of them to drink it.
  3. It was during this last meal that Jesus mentions that one of His disciples would betray Him.
  4. Jesus says He will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until He drinks it anew with His followers in the Father’s kingdom.
  As He instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus was focused on the spiritual relationship between Himself and His disciples. He did not provide particulars of how or when or where or by whom the elements should be served, and, therefore, different churches have some freedom to decide those details for themselves. For example, whether a church observes communion once a week or once a month is not really important.
  However, other disagreements over communion are theologically significant. For example, if partaking of the Lord’s Table is necessary in order to receive grace, then grace is not really free and must be earned by deeds we perform, in contradiction of Titus 3:5. And, if the bread is actually the body of Christ, then the Lord is being sacrificed again and again, in contradiction of Romans 6:9–10. These matters are significant enough to have divided the church through the years and actually became an issue of contention during the Protestant Reformation.
  Understanding that we are saved by grace, through faith, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9) and considering Jesus’ words concerning the elements of communion to be figurative, we focus on the beauty of the new covenant (Matthew 26:28) brought into effect by Jesus’ own blood. We remember His sacrifice for us as often as we partake of the Lord’s Table (Luke 22:19). And we look forward to once again sharing the cup with Christ in the kingdom of God (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18).

SANS REJECTION

SANS REJECTION

Tuesday, February 4, 2020



  Matthew [ESV] 7:21-27 [Jesus explained] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” [Also note 1Cor.3:11]

  1Corinthians 1:18 [Paul explained] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 



  God is love, rejecting no one: 2Pe 3:8-9 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (Also note Jn.12:32)

  There are however many that reject God’s love: 2Peter 2:1-22 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 

and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam [Num.22:5], the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (Also note Mt.7:21-27; Rom. Chap. 1; 1Cor.1:18)

EBB4

THE PLACE AND PURPOSE OF THE BIG 10 TODAY

THE PLACE AND PURPOSE OF THE BIG 10 TODAY

Monday, February 3, 2020



Galatians [ESV] chapter 5 … you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [Mt.22:34-40] But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [Rom. Chap. 7; 2Cor.3:7-10]



  Friday’s DT question was “Are the Ten Commandments our source of morality?”

  The place of the 10 Commandments is in and under the old blood covenant. As John 3:3 born-again John 1:12 sons and daughters of God’s family the 10 Commandments, nor any of the other 603 Old Testament laws have any place or purpose for us. The Commandments were prior to the new blood covenant. They are not our source of morality. For the followers of Christ the reliance break from the Old to the New is definite and absolute. Andrew Farley* correctly explains “So, it’s not Jesus plus Moses. It’s not Jesus plus tablets of stone. For the [New Testament] believer, it’s Jesus plus nothing, 100% natural, no additives!”

  Authentic godliness does not come from Old testament Law! For New testament believers, godly behavior comes from our submission to the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit living within.

  Ahh, but does the Ten Commandments have a purpose in this day and age? Yes, indeed they do, for how else might the need for the Redeemer be defined? Wonderfully, the New Testament is loaded with teaching on the attitudes and actions that God’s Holy Spirit is working in us: “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.“ (Gal.3:21-26)

EBB4

TEMPERANCE & SELF CONTROL

TEMPERANCE/SELF-CONTROL



  John [ESV] 15:5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me. 

  1Corinthians [ESV] 9:24 Don't you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.

  Galatians [ESV] 5:19-25 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

  Philippians [ESV] 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  2Peter [GW] 1:3-9 God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity. Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world. Because of this, make every effort to add integrity to your faith; and to integrity add knowledge; to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness; to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love. If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive. If these qualities aren't present in your life, you're shortsighted and have forgotten that you were cleansed from your past sins. 



  I have decided that I have what is known as a “compulsive personality”; whatever I am doing I keep on doing and doing and doing. I have to make myself set limits and stop! My dictionary says a compulsion is something that “is hard to resist”. It does not say it cannot be resisted. The Apostle Paul tells us repeatedly to be temperate in all things. Temperance and/or moderation are simply using self-control. I hear people say , “I can’t help myself, I can’t stop smoking, drinking, gambling, overeating or _______. I too have often reached the point where I can’t help myself, but God can, and does help me when I can’t.

Leslie Nivens