Lies, Rationalizations, and a Birthday

Remembering Christian  Evangelist Billy Sunday who was born on November 19, 1862

How can a lie be encapsulated in an excuse? An excuse is something offered as a justification or as grounds to remove a blame for while a lie is to make an untrue statement with an intent to deceive. I guess we oftentimes pronounce a false statement as an excuse. Most of the times we are more concerned with our reputation than our integrity. We even provide a color for a lie (white) but a lie is a lie regardless of its color. This was one of many nice quotes from William ‘Billy’ Sunday (1862-1935), a former American baseball outfielder turned influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th century. -- F. Verg, fb

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4)

William Ashley Sunday

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Teen Rescued at Sea After 49 Days Adrift

Fascinating! Rescues in impossible situations are always a good read.  

Indonesian teen survives 49 days adrift without paddle, but with Bible

FOX NEWS   An Indonesian teenager, who worked on a floating fish trap 80 miles off the country's coast, survived 49 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean with only a Bible, limited rations and a small radio, reports said Monday.

Strong winds during a July storm reportedly snapped the lines keeping Aldi Novel Adilang, a 19-year-old lamp keeper, moored in place. He was helpless and floated off without even a paddle.

“Aldi said he had been scared and often cried when adrift. Every time he saw a large ship, he said he was hopeful, but more than 10 ships had passed him, none of them stopped,” Fajar Firdaus, a diplomat, said, according to reports.

Aldi managed to catch fish and drink sea water through clothing in order to filter out some of the salt, The Telegraph reported.

He said through a diplomat that it was frustrating seeing ships in the distance and being unable to get their crews’ attention. He said in an interview that he thought he was going to die, and considered suicide. The Guardian reported that in his darkest times, he consulted the Bible.

He was rescued in late August near Guam, after managing to send a radio frequency to a tanker named Arpeggio on Aug. 31. A friend reportedly once gave him the small frequency radio in the event he gets lost at sea.

But The Telegraph reported that even his rescue was a challenge due to rough waves. Adilang was reportedly forced to jump into the water to reach a line from the ship.

He was taken to Japan for treatment, and reunited with family earlier this month, reports said.

pc: INDONESIAN CONSULATE GENERAL, OSAKA

Read the Fox News article --->> H E R E

Last night I read in Exodus 14  of the LORD parting the Red Sea for the Israelites in order to get away from vast, mighty, angry Egyptian army which was in hot pursuit. The Israelites were told to move forward -- not to be paralyzed with fear or longing for a previous life of hopeless bondage/cruelty.  I can see this situation as a picture/example of the Lord Jesus Christ's rescue of Sinners from sin and trespasses (the old, futile way of life) -- impossible by mere human effort and good works. 

Indonesian teen survives 49 days adrift without paddle, but with Bible

Exodus 14

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Year 2020: What Can God's Hand Do?

Ponder these:   A.  God's hand Can be HEAVY

 But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. (v 6)

And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts. (v 9)

So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. (v 11) ... 1 Samuel 5

"Hands Out" wall decor

B.  God's hand cares for the Believer
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5

"It's as if God's hand was David's pillow." - Dr John Feinberg, 07.08.2018

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

Psalm 3

Isaiah 46

1 Samuel 5

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Number 86: Why It's So Terrible

This post is for all the know-it-alls (moi included) who may not realize that they do not know it all. 

Eighty-six - From Bob Leib

I have some fond memories, as a young man, working for a handful of different Kosher Delis in Queens and New York City. One thing I was taught early on, and later ingrained in me, was, that if we ran out of something or something was spoiled or no good, I was supposed to call out “eighty-six.” But, I never knew why. No one ever said why that number was so bad. Why not use thirteen? We all knew it had a negative connotation to it, but no one seemed to know why—why, that is, until I was reading my Bible, one day. Then I understood why that number was so terrible, especially for the Jews.

I often wondered if any of my Jewish co-workers knew where that expression came from. I believe, just like me, someone along the way was reading the Bible and saw what I saw...

“And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.” 

(Genesis 16:15-16)

Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness, by Francesco Cozza

There it is, in black and white, the only time that that number is used in the entire Bible, Old or New Testament. And, yes, it has a negative connotation to it!

Not only at that age did Abram (Abraham) and Sari (Sarah) try to help God out, by giving Hagar to Abram, to pass on the promised seed [which it did not—Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7 and Hebrews 11:18], but “wild man” Ishmael, who has always lived in the presence of his brethren, has always been one of Israel’s main enemies. (Genesis 16:12)

No wonder someone calls out “eighty-six,” when things are no good. “And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.” (Genesis 16:16)

- Pastor Bob

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. (Genesis 16: 11-12)

No. 86

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HEAD to TOE Prayer for My Husband and Yours on Father's Day

Father's Day 2019 is almost upon us (June 16). 

One of the greatest joys of life is my husband.  He is far from perfect (likewise).  I pretty much married a man just like my dad.  Whereas my dad's lack of self-control manifested itself very strongly in wagering/gambling, my hubby's weakness is in another area.


How anyone deals with life and marriage's daily battles without the Lord's help is beyond me. How does one fight (invisible) enemies within and without if it were not from above? Each of us needs permanent, super-natural strength and  hope that is other-worldly and will not disappoint. The source of our all in all is found only in God manifest in the flesh:  our mighty-to-save, 3rd-fold cord, whose name is Jesus Christ, the risen-from-the-dead-for-our-sins, Lord. 

As close as my hubby and me have come to divorce (plus, his weakness is a very sore point in our relationship), it is off the table and not an option only because we pray daily and directly to a mighty God who has kept us from choosing that awful option. 

Here is an example on how to pray for your husband according to God's Word:

Dear Lord, I pray for _____________. 

His Mind — That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16) 

His Eyes — That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13; Mark 9:47)

His Ears — That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8) 

His Mouth — That his words will be pleasing to You. (Psalm 19:14) 

His Neck — That his decisions will honor You in all regards. (Psalm 25:12) 

In Jesus' name I pray ...

Pray without ceasing.

In everything give thanks.

Here's yet another example of a prayer for your dear husband: 

Father, give my husband a discerning heart to know Your great love for him and the great plans You have for him and our family. Plans to prosper and not to harm, to give us hope and a future.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Father, give my husband the mind of Christ, saturate it with godly wisdom. Help him to take every thought captive that is not in obedience to Your Word, and in so doing protect him from pride and temptation. (1 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Father, open the eyes of my husband’s heart to understand Your Word, so that he won’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of his mind so that he may know Your good, acceptable and perfect will for his life and our marriage. (Romans 12:2)

Father, help my husband to trust in You with all his heart, not depending on his own understanding, but acknowledging You in all his ways, so he knows what direction our family should take. 

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Father, may the favor of the Lord rest on my husband. Bless and establish the work of his hands and his heart. (Psalm 90:17)

Father, help us to live together in perfect unity by loving, honoring and respecting one another and serving each other for Your glory, honor and praise! (1 Thessalonians 5:13

... in Jesus Christ's  name I pray. Amen.

pc: Stop Playing Church

Praying for Your Husband From Head to Toe

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Notre Dame Cathedral: Not a Christian Symbol

Saw this historic building while we were in Paris last year. I was saddened by the  fire, but this article gets to the heart of the matter:  the Church of God is not About a building, but is made up of redeemed-by-Jesus people.  And those  demonic Gargoyles and Idols -- shiver-me-timbers  !!!. -- RRE

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL IN FRANCE IS AN EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATION OF REVELATION 18

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully,

ordered the construction of Notre Dame in 1160.

He deemed the church that already stood in the location

unworthy of the prestige of his position. -- Jeffrey Grider,  NTEB

I was travelling for business on the day that Roman Catholic Notre Dame building in Paris was burning, and my week got pretty busy and I never got around to doing a story on it. But that turned out to be a good thing because it gave me time to reflect a little on much of the symbolism attached to Notre Dame. Contrary to all the reports in the biased Liberal media, Notre Dame is not a ‘symbol of Christianity’, far from it. Notre Dame is a symbol of the Vatican harlot we read about in Revelation 17 and 18, with many surprising parallels.

“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” Revelation 18:8,24 (KJV)

So while the unsaved world weeps over this Roman Catholic monument, let’s take an honest look at exactly what Notre Dame is, and what it is not. Let’s start with the basics.

• WHAT’S IN A NAME: The term ‘Notre Dame’ is French, it means ‘our mother’ or “blessed lady”, and it refers to the Roman Catholic doctrine of worshipping Mary , the mother of the earthly Jesus. The Roman Catholic university Notre Dame is similarly thus named. The building in Paris was built by a Roman Catholic bishop. Notre Dame is not a Christian church or a symbol of Christianity, it is exactly what it says it is – a Roman Catholic temple built for idol worship, but more on that later.
• ORIGINS OF NOTRE DAME: The Roman Catholic Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, ordered the construction of Notre Dame in 1160. He deemed the church that already stood in the location unworthy of the prestige of his position. Actual construction started a few years later when the foundation stone was laid in 1163. The choir, the first portion of the building to be completed, was consecrated in 1177. The High Altar was finished a few years later, in 1182. Maurice de Sully died in 1196 while the cathedral was still being built. Construction continued for years, with many bishops and architects making their mark on the seemingly never-ending building process. The fact that so many people had a part in building Notre Dame is what accounts for its unique and varied design. It wasn’t until 1345 that the cathedral was consecrated as complete. source
• SOME RANDOM ‘FUN FACTS’: Henry VI of England was crowned inside the cathedral in 1431 and Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor of France inside the cathedral in 1804. The cathedral receives nearly 13 million visitors a year and is home to exquisite religious artifacts, paintings, sculptures and other priceless works of art.  SOURCE

Ok, so there you have some of how Notre Dame came into existence, and just a tiny smidge of its illustrious history. Now let’s talk for a moment about the 800 lb elephant in the room, the fact that Notre Dame is packed to overflowing with pagan and demonic statues and artwork.

Notre Dame contains 3 different types of monsters and they

 are as follows:

1. CHIMERA: Chimera are ornamental-only sculptures. These statues are often depicted as monsters or mythical beasts. The two most famous types of chimera are the Wyvern, a two-footed dragon, and the Stryga, known as the “spitting gargoyle”.
2. GROTESQUES: This is the genetic term for stone carvings, regardless of whether they carry water.
3. GARGOYLES: Gargoyles are chimera and grotesques. They are ornamental, stone carvings that serve a functional purpose. Before you go ahead calling a spade a spade, make sure that it drains water, first.  SOURCE

The bible has a lot to say about monsters like these, and in nearly every instance in which they show up, it is almost always connected to Satan and the demons that populate the bottomless pit in the region of a place called Hell. The bible knows all about multi-headed dragons, mutant talking beasts, and zombies. But ask yourself this, what are doing they adorning a supposed “christian” church when they represent the Devil?

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Revelation 13:1,2 (KJV)

Chimera:  a Wyvern

Does any of that seem ‘christian’ at all to you? Even if you are a Roman Catholic reading this article, if you’re honest you would be forced to admit there is nothing Christian at all about any of it. A building started by the greed and arrogance of a Roman bishop, dedicated to the idolatrous worship of Mary, and decorated by demons. If any of the apostles were still alive, they would have set fire to the place themselves!

Recently we did a 2-hour radio bible study about how God will destroy the Vatican counterfeit during the time of Jacob’s trouble, you can listen to it here, and we highly recommend that you do. It’s quite an eye-opener. It is also recommended that you visit our Catholic Church story archive, and see for yourself what Rome has been up to lately.

“And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” Revelation 18:16-20 (KJV)

In conclusion, the bible in Revelation 17 and 18 shows us in great detail how the Roman Catholic church and its Vatican city-state system will come to an end. God sets the whole thing on fire and incinerates it into nothingness. The fire of Notre Dame which so captivated the world this week is an excellent type picture of how the whole world will watch the entire Vatican system be destroyed by fire and a millstone in the time of Jacob’s trouble.

What does God and the bible have to say about all this? His message to deceived Catholics is simple and concise, and we present it to you in its entirety:

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4,5 (KJV)

Gargoyles of Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre Dame:Not a ‘symbol of Christianity’

Catholic Church Story Archive

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Whoa! Persecution for their Christian Faith Results in This

An example of what has happened, may need to happen, and will happen as Christians the world over are hunted-down for their faith in Christ Jesus.

And the Lord,

he it is that doth go before thee;

 he will be with thee, 

he will not fail thee,

 neither forsake thee:

fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

FB: Release International

34.01.2020

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Facts About Psalm 139

God Created Me

Ten Facts About That

• FACT ONE

God knows when I sit down (v. 2)

• FACT TWO

God knows when I stand up (v. 2)

• FACT THREE

God knows my every thought (v. 2)

• FACT FOUR

God knows where I am and where I'm going (v. 3)

• FACT FIVE

God knows every word (v. 4)

• FACT SIX

the good Shepherd

I can never get so lost that God doesn't know exactly where I am (vs. 7-9)

• FACT SEVEN

God guides me with his hand (v. 10)

• FACT EIGHT

God "knitted" me together before I was born (vs. 13, 15)

• FACT NINE

God has a calendar of my life, with all the days filled in (v. 16)

• FACT TEN

God thinks about me all the time.  His thoughts number more than the sand (vs. 17, 18)

source: unknown

A Psalm of David

Psalm 139

a psalm of David

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

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