Speak Up!

Scripture

“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.”

~Proverbs 31:8, GNT

Quote

If Abortion is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.

~Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu {Mother Teresa}

Our society is made up of many age groups: the unborn, infants, children, adolescents, youth, middle adults, senior adults and the elderly. Of these eight, which is the most helpless and the most vulnerable? Not a lot to think about, hands down it is the unborn because the elderly can speak. The age old question is still in play, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Am I responsible for others?

According to Gallup poles 50% of Americans favor abortion while 46% oppose but Gallup admits the pole is flawed. The thing that makes a pole difficult is the wording of the question and in the case of abortion, only 19% of us oppose all abortions. However, 55% of Americans believe that abortions should be restricted to certain cases like rape, incest or the threat of the mother’s life. Only 29% of American’s are hard core abortionist, those who believe that abortion is justified for any reason. The sad thing is that only 19% of Americans are avidly Pro-life.

All abortions are fatal and brutal but some are more barbaric than others. Partial-Birth abortion is one of the most hideous methods of execution ever devised. It is a procedure where the abortionists pulls a living baby feet-first out of the sanctity of the womb in into the birth canal, except for the head, which the abortionist purposely keeps lodged just inside the cervix. The abortionist punctures the base of the baby’s skull with a surgical instrument, such as long surgical scissors or a pointed hollow metal tube called a trochar. He then inserts a catheter into the wound, and removes the baby’s brain with a powerful suction machine. This causes the skull to collapse, after which the abortionist completes the delivery of the now-dead baby and then the parts are harvested and sold to the highest bidder. Congress [Republicans and Democrats] banned the practice three times and Bill Clinton vetoed each time. Would you want to trade places with Slick Willy. What about the so-called Christians that voted for Clinton? Bill Clinton showed no mercy to the unborn and none will be showed to him. [There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. ~James 2:13]

Let me tell you what is sad, one out of every four American’s condone the procedure detailed above. Thank God for the 68 % who do not.

• An estimated 53,000,000 abortions have occurred in the U.S. since 1973
• Mississippi has the lowest abortion rate in the U.S. One abortion for every 17 live births. New York has the highest, one abortion for every 2.3 live births. The U.S. rate is five live births to every abortion. In others words, we kill one out of every six. {A staggering statistic}
• Three States do not report abortion to CDC: California, New Hampshire and Maryland.
• Unmarried women account for 85% of abortions.
• Only 5% of abortions are performed in hospitals.
• Less than 1% of abortions are linked to rape.
• Nine out of Ten abortions happen in the first trimester.
• Only 12% of women having abortions do it for medical reasons.
• The average cost of a first trimester abortion is $451. These are performed in abortion clinics, not medical facilities.
• Although Congress barred the funding of abortion, 39 States use Tax Payers money to fund abortions. Thank God, Alabama is not on the list. Arkansas is the only Southern State that funds abortions. {I am sure the Clintons had nothing to do with this}
• The DFLA [Democrats For Life America] claim that one in three demos are pro-life but they continue to support the Democratic Party that has been pro-abort for years. They support Democrats who are pro-life but will vote for any democrat over a republican. [Not buying this, if you are pro-life, you will vote pro-life]

• THE GATHERING tonight at 6:30.
• We are getting donations weekly in Memory of Gary Garner. We have gotten them as far away as  Huntington Beach California. The money is going to build houses in Guatemala. We are getting very close to having two houses in Gary’s memory.
• VBS June 13-17.
• Roses For Mama [May 8th]
• Congratulations to the Lady Hawks for clinching first place in the area: it means we don’t have to drive to Hamilton or Haleyville. Only one county in Alabama has no four-lane highways, guess which one it is? If you said “The free state of Winston,” you would be right.
• Kenny Evans May 8th at 10:15 a.m.

Kenny Evans coming May 8th at the 10:15 Service

The Hour of Darkness

Scripture

Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.

~Luke 22:53, NLT

Quote

The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.

~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

I am a sore loser. As bad as I hate to confess it, I have something in common with Cam Newton; I don’t lose graciously. I hate to lose at T-ball. Back when Ty played, I was trying to get him to chase this kid down and tag him out but Joe David told him no and he did what his daddy commanded. I was fit to be tied, Ty could have tagged this kid easily. Lori came to the fence and said, “Granddaddy, the kid has autism, we don’t try to get him out.” I said, “We have two on our team that are just as bad and they are tagging them.” She said, “I know Granddaddy, but we aren’t them.” 

I am also a sore loser when it comes to the devil, evil and injustice. I hate abortion and few days pass without me thinking about the grip that evil has on our nation. I hate cancer and I hate drugs and that includes alcohol and tobacco. Cigarettes took the life of my bother and nephew. Some times we pray sincerely for what we believe will glorify Christ but our prayers are not answered, at least in the way we imagined. It appears at times that the power of darkness in triumphant over the light but the apostle John’s words on this subject are encouraging, “For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.” Sunrise is a slow methodical process, the darkness does not disappear in an instant but once the sun burst on to the scene, we know that darkness will soon be gone.

The most damning practice of this evil world may be propaganda. I was thinking last night about this and I can’t think of a single injustice that is not perpetuated by lies. Abortion is based on a lie and so is evolution. We don’t even teach kids the truth about our nation, its founding and forefathers. As long as lying works and deceives the masses, I doubt that Satan will change his tactics.

• Enjoying this beautiful weather. Thank You Jesus.
• Gary Garner’s COLS is tomorrow at 3:00 with visitation from 12:00-3:00, interment at Shoal Creek and feeding the family at DBC. The visitation and service will be at the church.
• Kenny Evans will be with us on Mother’s Day, this is one week earlier than the original date.
• Sunday is your last chance to get SWAMP JOHN tickets for April 3. If you do not get advance tickets, you are taking a risk and no one can guarantee you a plate. The ones who have tickets eat first and then if there is any left, people can buy a plate for $12.
• Franklin Graham Prayer Rally April 14. Do you care enough about this country and the future of our grandchildren to miss one day of work. We have six men signed up, it should be 60. The last prayer rally we had in Montgomery was to support biblical marriage. We may have had 200 show up. It was a pitiful turnout. I beg you in Jesus name to get concerned: prayer is our only hope because Christ is our only hope.

NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Franklin Graham, with Bible in hand, addresses the crowd before his father Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham’s sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist’s final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Rachel Refusing Comfort

Scripture

Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:  “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.”

~Matthew 2:17-18, NLT

Quote

“I frankly don’t care if you agree with my stand on abortion. I take that stand because no other stand is consistent with decent principles, and no other standard is consistent with the word of God.”

~Alan Keyes

I am in total agreement with Dr. Alan Keyes; when I read Matthew two a couple of days ago, the two verses above stirred my mind. Herod slaughtered babies not just in Bethlehem but throughout the region. Matthew Henry says, “These were the infantry of the noble army of martyrs.” These little innocent ones shed their blood for the One who would later shed His blood for them. Ramah is a town in Benjamin but the word means a high place or hill, Bethlehem is located on the crest of a hill and is also the place where Rachael is buried.  The Jews had a legend that Rachel would rise from the dead and lament loudly whenever suffering bloodshed from their enemies. Rachel died in child birth but also in grief, no one could comfort her.

We have killed more than 56 million of our own babies since 1973, and their blood is crying out for justice.  In the end, we will reap what we have sown. The liberals boast about the woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy for mere convenience but we will not be free of the consequences that accompanies a bad choice. Abortion is murder and there are severe consequences for taking an innocent life. Rachel will not be comforted. God fearing people driven by conviction will never be comforted as long as the whole sale murder of the most innocent segment of our population are being murdered every day. We take as many lives daily as the terrorist did on September 11, 2001.

• Today’s schedule: Deacon’s at 7:45, donuts and biscuits at 8:30, LCBS at 9:45 and worship at 10:15. No baptism today; possibly two next Sunday.
• LUKE 14 tonight at 5:30–you bring 2 liter drinks, vegetables, deserts, and we will have the turkey, dressing, rolls and Tea. Bring enough to feed your family and one extra. The Children’s Home is coming, Milestone Ministries is coming and Disaster Relief may be coming.
• Had a great turn out for our Ministry Project, could have used a couple more adults. Brian and Lori helped and great turn out among youth–good pizza [Marco’s] and great fellowship. I love these kids. Some are being providentially hindered, Brent has classes on Saturday [slice my wrist] and Luke was sick. We may do a Sunday Evening project to help them out.
• If you need help with your yard Senior Adults, let us know: we go wherever invited and you don’t have to feed us. Edith Sandlin and Peggy Appleton have been wonderful host.
• Heads up on next weeks schedule: the office will be open Monday, Tuesday and a half a day on Wednesday. I will be totally unavailable all day Tuesday due to a medical procedure. I am not worried, Joe David can take care of you better than I can. Mrs. Hill was very pleased with the service yesterday. I prayed for him and I know some of you did also: thank you.

Who Do You Think You Are?

SCRIPTURE

 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”

~Matthew 9:3, NLT

QUOTE

The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every man and who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?

~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The Jews said, “Who does Jesus think He is, God?” Actually, He was God and He knew it and so do I. The question is not who Jesus is, the question is who are we? In brief, we are death and hell deserving sinners in need of a Savior: we are sin sick and we need a physician. Matthew 9 points out five distinct things that can help us with our identity.

1. Are you focused on the righteousness of Christ or the unrighteousness of His followers? Are you more focused on fixing others than you are yourself?
2. Are you in need of the Great Physician?
3. Are you trying to fit Jesus into your own religious system, new wine in an old skin?
4. Are you compassionate to people? Do you see them as Jesus sees them, sheep without a shepherd?
5. Are you active in the harvest?

If you will honestly answer these five questions; it will define who you are. Your answers should be…No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes.

• SIMPLE GOSPEL CONCERT at St. Andrews on Danville Road, Thursday night at 7:00. Rex Looney will be in the choir and some of our members.
• Pray for John Sudduth. This is Mary Terry’s uncle. He has cancer.
• Heath [my nephew] surgery has been set for December 15.
• Saturday is a workday: we are going to do some Senior’s yards. I will get with Joe David on a start time.
• I didn’t know until after the fact but our good friend Mildred Prater had a heart attack last Sunday I think. She is back home and doing well, PTL.
• Pray for Gary Garner, he did not have a great day yesterday.
• WOW, what a turn out on VETERANS DAY, a record crowd. I love the GATHERING.

 

The Hollocaust

SCRIPTURE

They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder.

~Psalm 106:38, NLT

QUOTE

“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.”

~Thomas Jefferson

Will Edmondson posted a pie chart on my Facebook page that is very revealing; I want you to study the chart carefully:

In less than 24 hours after seeing the pie chart above, I pic up the November issue of DECISION Magazine and read John MacArthur’s article on Terrorism in America with the primary perpetrator being the not so Supreme Court. These so called Judges are responsible for two horrific, hideous and reprehensible decisions in Roe v. Wade and Obergefell v. Hodges: the first decision making it legal to murder the unborn who are protected by the constitution, a right to life that Jefferson and founding fathers certainly understood and the redefining of marriage and family. Look at that pie chart and tell me that 9/11 does not pale in comparison.

Then on the way home from Birmingham yesterday, I was listening to the Glenn Beck show and they were playing a second Planned Parenthood recording. This one has to do with the 48 abortion clinics in Detroit city which is predominately black. It is the voice of a white woman talking about their most recent problem in Detroit–deposing of the baby parts. They have being using the garbage disposals in the clinics. They were grinding the remains of the babies into liquid form and flushing them down the drain. The woman, dare I call her a woman, is concerned that the media might get wind of this procedure and give them bad PR. She had tried to work out arrangement with a crematory at a funeral home but the funeral homes wanted no part of burning the bodies of unborn babies. They reach the conclusion that they will put the remains in a sealed bad and give them back to the women who allowed their child to be executed. The entire group laughs as one staffer said, “It’s kind of like we are giving them a gift bag.” Very sick humor, wouldn’t you say. There are millions of black Christians in America and we need their help. It is white elitist and rich Jews that keep the abortion industry going: they are making a profit and practicing Eugenics at the same time. Abortion has to stop with the next election.

• Good service last night. We were probably down a little but not much.
• Congratulations to the DHS Lady Hawks for making it to the semi-finals in the State Volleyball tournament.
• REVIVAL begins this Sunday: five services, Sunday am 10:15, pm at 6:00 and then Monday through Wednesday 7:00 pm.
• TRUNK-A-TREAT this Saturday 5:00-6:00 in the FORTE if weather is bad.

Planned Parenthood

SCRIPTURE

Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked.

~Isaiah 59:14-15, NLT

QUOTE

We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population.

~ Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, 1939

Margaret Higgins Sanger [Sept. 14, 1879– Sept. 6, 1966] was the founder of Planned Parenthood, the so called non-profit organization that milks tax payers to the tune of 450 Million per year was the daughter of an atheist who had immigrated from Ireland. Her mother, who was also Irish went through 18 pregnancies and gave birth to 11 children of which Margaret was the sixth. Sanger hung out with anarchist like Emma Goldman and Upton Sinclair. Sanger also married a left wing radical which didn’t help matters. She was more than a socialist who hung out with anarchist, she was a firm believer in “eugenics”.

I have to be honest; I did not know what eugenics was until yesterday. My father’s name was Eugene and it is Greek for “Well born or breed.” Eugenics is social engineering where you mate the fittest to produce a higher race. It is the very same thing that Adolf Hitler practiced with one exception. Sanger wanted to eliminate the feeble minded, the weak, the disabled, the handicapped, the retarded and those with birth defects. She had no problem with infanticide [abortion] or euthanasia but she did not advocate genocide and of course Hitler practiced all three.

Sanger duped a lot of people including the NAACP. She believed that the way to reach the blacks was through their pastors. She believed that religion was their weakness and she did use many black pastors including Martin Luther King, Jr. At the same time she courted Black pastors, she spoke to several white supremacy groups including the Klu Klux Klan. Black babies are aborted 5-1. The Planned Parenthood clinics are strategically placed in poor black areas. There are some well informed black folks who know exactly what is going on but an estimated 90% drink the democratic socialist cool aid. Muslims don’t kill their babies and neither do the Hispanics.

Margaret Sanger was not some sweet little grandmother: she was a Christ hating, bitter, profane and obscene person. I refuse to refer to her as a woman our of respect for womankind. She was the first person to challenge America’s obscenity laws; that should tell you something.

If you don’t believe my story is true: do your own research. You are in for a shock.

Footnote: The anarchist believes that government is undesirable, unnecessary and harmful. Government is undesirable and at times harmful but since man is a depraved sinner, it is very necessary. Of course liberals deny the sinfulness of man.

• I haven’t had my new Galaxy 6 Super Smart Phone but a month and I left in the men’s bathroom at CRMC. Laid it on the toilet paper holder. TMI right! I’m going first thing this morning to get it. A nice guy named Joe found it. It was not our Joe.
• June and I attended Suzanne’s Monday night bible study group last night and it was great. Good bible study, fellowship, lasagna, salad, homemade ice cream and chocolate cake. All of the group except one have been attending our worship at Danville. If we had 50 Suzanne’s, we would run 600 in worship, actually close to 700. Way to go Suzanne!
• I went to see Mavis and J.D. did DGH and HH. Gary may transfer to HealthSouth for rehab. Kelvin should come home today.
• Kane is better, eating some solid food. Immune system still low. Definitely not leaving Memphis anytime soon.

Perspective

SCRIPTURE

Hazael responded, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?”

~2 Kings 8:13, NLT

QUOTE

How shall I a habit break? As you did that habit make, as you gathered, you must lose; As you yielded, now refuse, thread by thread the strands we twist till they bind us neck and wrist, thread by thread the patient hand must untwine ere we stand.”

~John O’Reilly

Hazael {one who sees God} was a cabinet level official in the court of Ben-hadad’s king of Syria. Ben became sick and was confined to bed. One day news reached him that Elisha was in the area so he sends Hazael to ask Elisha if he will recover from the sickness. Elisha told Hazael, “Tell your master that he will recover but actually he is going to die.” Then Elisha gazes into the eyes of Hazael until he becomes uncomfortable and says, “what is the matter?” Elisha says, “I know the terrible things that you will do to Israel; you will burn our cities, kill our young men with the sword, dash our children to the ground and rip open our pregnant women!” This is when Hazael says, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?” Are you kidding me!

Wow! Did Hazael have a twisted mind or what? Everything on the list is horrible: burning, killing, murdering children and aborting infants and killing their mothers. Why would the man interpret any of these terrible things as “Great Accomplishments?”

Sarah Lied and Million Died

Harry Blackmun, the so-called justice who is responsible for abortion on demand, died puzzled that no one considered him a hero. He thought his ruling would bring him fame and fortune. His thinking was twisted. How could any sane person view the passing of Roe v. Wade as a great accomplishment. Jimmie, the almost worse president in history, Carter thought it was a great accomplishment and so did Sarah Weddington, the feminist lawyer supposedly representing Norma McCorvey {Jane Roe} who confessed that she was not rapped and told Weddington that she was not going to have an abortion. Weddington told her to keep her mouth shut, it was not about her. Sarah lied and millions have died. Blackmun, Carter and Weddington have a trial date coming up: they will stand before the real Chief Justice.

• I was absolutely overwhelmed and shocked yesterday. Our LCBS lesson was on the conquest of Jericho. A part of the plan was a “Shout of faith” by the Israelites. I was teaching Jason’s class [I loved it] and I ask them if DBC was marching around the wall, what percent would shout with all their heart. We went around the room and everyone guess a percentage. I was first and I said, “Susan and myself.” Will said that it would be  less then 1% but then our faith begin to grow and it got as high as 25%. Michael Penney was the optimist: he said Bro. Jack, “why don’t you ask them and let them do it together.” I said, “I will,” and I did…all you beach lovers missed it and I aint telling you what happened. The second shock of the day was the attendance: I went thinking 150-200 but we had more than we do on Mother’s Day. On the way back from the hospital yesterday, June said, “We would have 500 if they all came on the same Sunday.”
• GREAT FATHERS DAY for yours truly–kids fixed me a steak dinner. I was convicted from J.D.’s sermon about not showing affection to my daughters. I hugged all three yesterday and told them I loved them. I do love my kids and grand’ and June and I are very blessed.
• One church member was not at the beach, he or she was in the bed. If you can guess who it was you win a free front row seat to David and the Giants next concert. Listen folks, you can’t hide anything from the preacher. You may as well confess up because I know what you are doing. {JKOC}
• What do you think about a man who invites you to LCBS and you get there and he doesn’t show up?
• Kane is at home but he didn’t have a good day: I think Keri is on the way home. Carmen Livingston is still at DGH.

Crazy Hollywooder’s

 

SCRIPTURE

For every wild animal of the forest is mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

~Psalms 5:10-11, NRSV

QUOTE

Animal extremists are foot soldiers in a quiet war—one that could restrict the ability of researchers to develop drugs urgently needed for the treatment of new and emerging diseases.

~P. Michael Conn

I heard a radio ad yesterday by some second rate movie star who was whining about the destruction of our wildlife. Obviously, the idiot lives in suburban California and not in rural Alabama. When I heard him talking about wildlife being wiped out, I laughed out loud. I wish he would visit me during garden season. We don’t have a single ground hog, they are all married with children. Old grandpa probably weights 30 pounds and he has a host of grand hogs and great grand hogs. The coon population in these parts is devastating to those who try to raise a few roasting ears. I have an armadillo if anyone wants one. Who in their right mind wants to save the opossums? I would love to carry a truck load of these creatures to our freakish friends in Hollywood. These Hollywood psycho’s don’t know their backside from a hole in the ground. PETA, People for the ethical treatment of animals has ads encouraging parents to give their children beer instead of milk. Tell me this is not wacko. Do these bird brains understand what happens to a cow that is not milked? Most of them have never lived on a farm or in the forest. They don’t know beans from Iris potatoes.

What does this have to do with Christmas? Absolutely nothing! These folks will picket for animal rights but all of them are pro-abortion. Doesn’t make sense, does it! A liberal would not know logic if it bit them on the neck. Most of the PETA demonstration images cannot be posted on a Christian blog.

• Pray for Jaxon Morrow who is in Children’s in critical condition.
• Don’t forget to sign up for Wednesday night Supper today: we have three more AWANA’s and suppers.
• Regular schedule this Sunday beginning with Deacon’s meeting at 8:00.
• LCBS Classes, be sure you contact Mandy if you are going to sponsor a child for Christmas.
• Today is our day to pray for TEACHERS.

The Complaint Department

Prayer For REVIVAL in America

SCRIPTURE

How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints?

~Deuteronomy 1:12, NKJV

QUOTE

We come into the world crying, we go through it complaining, and go out of it groaning!

~William Tiptaff

COMMENTARY

The first Israelite Church of the Wilderness had over a million members counting women and children. Moses was the senior pastor and for a while he attempted to hear everyone’s problems. When his father-in-law saw what was going on, he challenged Moses to get some help which he did. How would you like to handle the complaints one million Israelites? How would you like to handle complaints for Walmart, Kroger or any major business? No business, large or small has all happy customers? I get amused at some of the signs I see hanging on the walls, usually in a home owned, home operated small business:

• Everyone makes me happy: some when they come in and others when they go out.
• There will be a $5 additional charge for whining.
• [This one was on the door] Come on in, we are already disturbed! [I love it]
• Keep your problems to yourself, this is a business not a counseling service: 80% of our people don’t care about your problems and the other 20% are glad you have them.
• A lack of planning our your part does not constitute an emergency on our part.
• A clean desk is the sign of a dirty mind.
• I can only please one person per day…Today is not your day and tomorrow is not looking good either.
• The next one you have to see….A church called a new pastor. Prior to his coming, a group of men did some repairs on the parsonage. Not long after the pastor moved in, there arose a complaint about his lack of frugality with the churches money. He was burning the flood lights during the day.  One of the repairmen had put them on the cornices around the house. It was the same guy who wired the lights who was leading the complaints. Someone suggested that he talk to the pastor which he did: the pastor assured him that all he was running in the day was the ceiling fan in the den. When they investigated, the very man who complained had wired the floodlights into the switch that operated the ceiling fan. He had been complaining about his own work and was not aware of what he was doing.

EXTRA

I complain too much especially about taxes. I have said many times that Abortion and homosexuality would be the death of America and it is looking like I am going to be wrong: OBAMA DON’T CARE is going to be the death of the nation. I am being told that every tax paying American [less then 50%] will have to pay an additional $7,500.00 in federal taxes. Thousand upon thousand are about to go on Medicaid and I fear that it will be the death of many businesses such as HOBBY LOBBY which did not get an exemption due to religious conviction but all Muslim business got an exemption for the same belief [abortion is immoral]. I heard yesterday where the labor unions are complaining which is a little late. They spent billions getting idiots like Nazi Pelosi elected. She and others like her supported OBAMA DON’T CARE when admittedly, they did not know what was in the bill. Normal schedule tonight: Supper at 5:30 and Gathering at 6:30. AWANA at 6:15.

Guess what day it is? Hump Day!

The Straw That Broke The Camels Back

Prayer For REVIVAL in America

SCRIPTURE

The Lord commanded this to happen to Judah. In this way he would remove them from his sight. He did this because of all the sins that Manasseh committed. He did this because Manasseh killed many innocent people and filled Jerusalem with their blood. The Lord would not forgive these sins.

II Kings 24:3-4, ERV

QUOTE

The test of morality for any society is what it does for children [or against them].

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

COMMENTARY

We all know that Manasseh was the worse of the kings, North or South and that God refused to let Judah off the hook due to the atrocities Manasseh committed. Not only did Manasseh flood Jerusalem with pagan Phoenician gods and temples, he was violent and cruel filling the streets of Jerusalem with the blood of the innocent. He aborted his on sons, sacrificing them to the fire.  Killing innocent children is a horrible sin that God does not take lightly. It was Judah’s downfall and it will be ours. For fifty-five long years, Manasseh conducted this brutal reign of terror.

But did you know that Manasseh was born three years in to the extension that God gave Hezekiah. Had Hezekiah not got the healing and the extra fifteen years, Manasseh would never have been born. Makes you think, does it not: perhaps we should be careful what you ask for. Some believe that Hezekiah married Manasseh’s mother, Hephzibah, after the Lord gave him the extension. She was a Phoenician Princess. A little Déjà vu which is French for we’ve seen this before. It’s a lot like the David and Bathsheba thing with her son becoming the favorite because she was David’s favorite. Hezekiah had other sons but he choose the son of Hephzibah because Hezekiah delighted in her. One way or the other, Manasseh was the straw that broke the camels back.

EXTRA:

• James Kyle Lindsey was promoted this morning around 4:30-5:00. He departed very peacefully. 
• Gregg and Tracey have a new grand boy…Gregory Adam Tucker
• High Praise for Susan’s LCBS class. They have worked like slaves for two days and they deserve some praise. This has put so much stress on them that we lost two to migraine headaches. They have worked hard and we appreciate those who came and helped them.
• I’ll be there today for a while and you can bring things but if it is clothes, make sure they are on hangers. We don’t have enough time and woman-power to process boxes or bags.
• The response has been overwhelming. I think we have as much or more than last year. Thank YOU folks. Mandy didn’t think it would work and I wasn’t sure but I knew if we were to continue doing this, we had to find a way for you to do it without our help and you did.
• We need to pray for good weather, a loving spirit toward our community and for the presentation of the gospel. Right now, I have no idea what I’m going to say.
• We will have a full slate tomorrow except no Deacon’s Meeting and we will have Communion for our Evening Service at 6:00.

The Party Is ON!!!