~ TITANIC ~

HAVE returned from viewing TITANIC 3D. One critic has stated that viewing the Titanic 2D version is like "looking at the Movie through an unused Handkerchief" ! Well ... I can't stop crying (needless to say, I don't live far from the Cinema) ! Crying because of pride. Pride - isn't that the cause of all misery ??? It leads to humankind being disappointed, having doubt, possessing greed, et cetera, et cetera.

PRIDE is unnecessary - unnecessary, that is, in Christ Jesus.

I can't stop crying ... also, because JESUS died for me which was necessary !! Necessary in the step for me to be redeemed. I can ONLY be redeemed in (by and through) Him. I continue on the path that He chooses for me; KNOWING it's the BEST path individually. I also aim to be teachable by Him. That's important - no matter how difficult the journey may be. It can be difficult but I'm experiencing life in the way that I wouldn't have been, had I not sincerely, personally asked Him (Jesus) to come into my heart. He began REAL life in me twenty-two (22) years ago and I'm glad for that. I'm wondering if that makes me twenty-two (22) years old ?

Yes, two (2) TRUE stories ! One story caused by pride the other story caused by humility.

"Thank you, LORD Jesus for willingly dying on the Cross, freely allowing me a new beginning with the ultimate step of me TRULY believing in YOU (and, Your resurrection) and even though I'm often challenged in many ways, I'm still going strong for you - or, should I say, believably, still growing strong IN you !"

~ JUST because it's there ... ! ~

Just because it's there, DOESN'T make you believe !

(Pause and think of that)

~ * "Real" GOLD ? ! * ~

Someone has said, "Sunshine all the time only makes a desert." We need the clouds, the dark days, the storms, and the rain just as much as we need the sunshine. And God, who is molding our lives, seeking to make us like the Lord Jesus Christ, knows what is best for us.

We hear Job saying: "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). Notice that Job does not say, "I know the way that He takes," but rather, "He knoweth the way that I take."

We would like to know what God is doing. We would like to pull aside the veil and see the end from the beginning. We would like to know the way that He is taking. But if we did, and if we could see, we would not need faith to believe and to accept God's way!

So Job, in the midst of all his deep afflictions, found comfort, not in the fact that he knew the reason and the answer for all of God's dealing with him, but in the truth that God knew what He was doing. "He knoweth the way that I take," he said confidently, and then his faith leaped over every barrier; and as he looked into the distant future, he cried, "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." ...

This tells us that we are to rejoice in the hope and the confidence that God's purpose is being accomplished in our lives. M.R. De Haan

~ CHRISTMAS Gems ! ~

"SOMEONE once said to me, "You should not have a Christmas tree in your home, for it does not honor Jesus Christ." I began to think about why we did (and still do) have a beautifully decorated and lighted tree in our home and why it was so much a part of our holiday celebration.

The treetop star reminds me of the star that guided the wisemen to Jesus (Matthew 2:2), and of Jesus Christ Himself who is the "bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). Thank you, Lord, for the Star!

The lights tell me that Jesus Christ is the "true light" (John 1:9), who came into the world to shine in our hearts to "give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:6). Thank you, Lord, for the Light of the world who lives in my heart!

The different ornaments remind me of the ornaments with which Jesus Christ desires me, His child, to be adorned - a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4); good works that glorify my Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16); love, joy, peace, patience and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). The ornaments are prettiest when they reflect the lights that shine on them. So, too, only as I live my Christian life controlled by the Holy Spirit who lives within me, can I reflect Jesus Christ to those with whom I come in contact.

As we decorate our tree this year, I will again be reminded of the faithfulness of the star who lives within my heart, and no matter what the situation or circumstance in which I find myself, His promise in Second Corinthians 12:9 is forever true: "My grace is sufficient for you."

YVONNE DAVEY

* See associated post dated 27/11/2010 - Eternity.

~ Change of Direction ? ~

"The United States Secret Service was founded in 1865. Their mission? To deal with counterfeiters in an attempt to protect the dollar and, as a result, America's national economy. This targeted group of law enforcement officers, however, experienced a change of direction in 1902. They became best known for protecting the President of the United States, although their charge still embodies a variety of tasks.

That change of direction in the Secret Service duties is nothing compared to the completely altered lives of the believers at Thessalonica. THEY had a spiritual transformation that turned their lives around, which was noticed by people far and wide. Paul wrote, "You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (* 1 Thessalonians 1:9). And "you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe... Your faith toward God has gone out" (vv. 7-8). The change of direction they displayed was dramatic, to say the least - abandoning the worship of idols to embrace relationship with the true and living God. And people noticed the difference in their lives.

I wonder - do people recognize such a profound change in our hearts and lives?" - Bill Crowder

If you are going in the wrong direction,
Or if you have no goal in view,
Let Christ transform you, have control,
Then honor Him in all you do. - Hess

** VIEW associated blog ~ 'Eternity .. and ... !!!' ~ ( * dated 27/11/2010)

* Coming to Christ is not merely informational; it's transformational *

**** ~ Eternity !! ~ ****

YOU are not alone if you are still wondering whether to open your heart to the FREE offer of God's gift of salvation. Many think the offer is too good to be true. Many more are afraid they'll be obligated to somehow repay God for His gift.

Yet the decision to receive the gift of salvation is yours. The apostle John wrote: "He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:11-12).

IF you are ready to receive the greatest of all gifts, the openness of your heart is what God is looking for. You might want to sincerely use your own words, or express a prayer like this:

"Dear God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus Your Son, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and that He rose from the dead to prove it. Now I accept Your offer of full forgiveness and eternal life. I accept Jesus as Your gift for my salvation."

IF this is the honest expression of your heart, you have entered into a personal relationship with God!

** You are encouraged to focus on true biblical values by reading/absorbing God's word from the Bible.

A church should be operated by God's word. Be wary over leaders' in that church that do NOT display/live and talk Bible-teaching (they tend to "water" it down by being lost in translation). *ALL of God's word is true as it is written in the Bible. Do NOT be distracted by luke-warm Christians in fellowship but be always wary. *DO not despair. God is on your side provided you remain faithful to Him!!

*THERE is no perfect church. IF you realise this, find a church that you believe represents Jesus Christ!

*An understanding of the Bible is of the utmost importance to learn and grow as a true-Christian.

(P.S. My Husband and I have been true-Christians' for twenty (20) years' and have together learned that information through experience. We will never stop learning.)

*We find and know that the Bible is the living word and is relevant "yesterday, today and tomorrow" (without compromise)!!

** God LOVES You .. !

IF God Loves you then He Loves me - it says in the Bible that He is NOT partial to favouritism .. BUT, He desires/requires a Personal relationship with you !!

* See associated post dated 27/11/2010 - Eternity.