Paradise

     

What do you think of when you hear the word Paradise?

Hawaii? Perhaps some other really beautiful place? Heaven?

Well, Paradise is also the name of a book.

Written by Mark Cahill, it takes place in Hawaii, which is considered by many to be paradise. 

As well it should be for Hawaii is truly a beautiful place.

This book is an exciting novel which tells of a man named Josh who goes to Hawaii for a vacation with 3 former college classmates.  

Josh has been looking forward to this trip for quite some time and considers Hawaii to be paradise.

However, some strange events happen on the way to Hawaii and while there.

You will be rapidly immersed in this book and will probably not be able to put it down.

Not wanting to give away any more of the plot than what the author tells, we will simply link you to the site where you can purchase the book.

This is definitely a 'must read', after which you will want to share it with others.

HERE'S THE LINK to Paradise

...

Genesis Roman Road

Many of you have heard of and perhaps used the Roman Road when witnessing to others about Christ.
           

Recently we read about the "Genesis-Roman Road" in the book "Tower of Babel" by Bodie Hodge.

I don't know if he is the author of the Genesis-Roman Road concept but suspect he is.

But whoever came up with this concept, if not Bodie Hodge, it is really good.

Want to read it?

Then HERE'S THE LINK to The Genesis - Roman Road

...

Hymn: Softly and Tenderly

   

This well known and beloved Hymn used to be sung frequently in Churches as a 'Hymn of Invitation'.

And the invitation still goes out today.

What is that invitation?

Is is to come to salvation in Jesus --

which then allows that person to 'come home' and live forever in Heaven with God The Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit and everyone who has accepted God's free gift of salvation.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish but have everlasting life." 

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Sing along with this 4 minute 31 second hymn. The words will be on the screen. 

Confess your sins, Trust in Jesus to forgive your sins. Give Him your life. Let Him be your God and Lord.

If you do, then when you die you will "come home" to live with Him in His Kingdom forever.

HERE'S THE LINK to Softly and Tenderly Jesus is calling

...

The Telltale Talent

         

Awhile back (on Saturday Sept 20 / 14) we linked to an online movie made by a small Church in Rentz, Georgia, a town of about 290 folks.

This is another movie made by that same Church

Actually it was the first one they made so you will notice that it has a flaw, which was corrected in the film we saw on Sept 20.

What is the flaw?  

Well, there is a synching problem with the words. 

But do NOT let that bother you.

The message of this 20 minute film is reallllly good.

It should speak to every Christian because every Christian has one or more God Given talents. 

And they are given to be used, not buried.

But, oops, I am about to give away the plot.

So, go to the link and scroll down the page till you come to the film, click on the arrow to start the film, and, when it starts, click on the arrows on the bottom right to make the film full screen.

Ignore the voice synch problem and enjoy the film.

HERE'S THE LINK to The Telltale Talent: The ultimate volunteer recruitment film

...

How did Dinosaurs Die

         

You have heard the 'story' 

What story?

The story that the dinosaurs died out millions and millions of years ago when a big meteorite hit the earth.

Of course no one was there to record this event when it happened.

And, actually, no one has recorded any historical event farther back than about 6000 years ago.

So, how do scientists know that this is how the Dinosaurs died.

Well, they don't.  But they have a theory -- and the meteor strike is their theory.

But, guess what, there is another theory -- and it has more validity because there were people around at the time to report on part of the extinction event.

That is what we are linking to today. 

I think you will find this very interesting and much more plausible

HERE'S THE LINK to 'How did dinosaurs die' 

...

The Feast of Trumpets ends at Sundown today

       

As we mentioned yesterday, The Feast of Trumpets has several names including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Teruah, and Day of Trumpets.

Rosh Hashanah literally means 'head of the year' and is observed on the first day of the first month (Tishri) on the Jewish Calendar.

In other words, today at sundown is the end of Trishri 1, the first day of the Jewish New Year. It began at sundown on Weds.

So what happens on the Jewish New Year? Do they have fireworks or what?

No fireworks -- but during Yom Teruah there are many many blowings of the Shofar. I have heard the number 100 but don’t hold me to that.

The last of the many blowings is a lonnnnnnnng blast, the Teki'ah Gedolah, which some Biblical Scholars believe refers to “The last trumpet” mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:52

“51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” KJV

So what is a Shofar and what does it sound like? You ask.

The picture today is of a Rabbi blowing a Shofar which is usually made from a Ram's horn.

To hear what it sounds like, we will link you to a video of a shofar played by Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg. 

As you watch the 2 minute 29 second video, notice that each of the specific sound/blasts has a specific name. 

After you hear the name to be played, Rabbi Ginsburg will play the named call on the Shofar. 

The name of the last long blast that is sounded on the video will be the Teki'ah Gedolah, which is the last blast sounded on the day of the Feast of Trumpets. 

We linked to the sound of the Shofar yesterday, but, if you would like to hear the shofar and its various sounds again, HERE’S THE LINK to the Teki'ah, the Last Trumpet.

...

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown today

           

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah literally means "head of the year" and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Tishri on the Jewish Calendar.

So, this is the day that begins the Jewish New Year.

It is also known as Yom Teruah, the day of the sounding of the shofar, the "Blowing of Trumpets", and "The Feast of Trumpets".

Rosh Hashanah is also one of the 7 major annual "Feast days" of the Jewish Year.

The commandment to observe Rosh Hashanah is found in Leviticus 23:23-25:

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 'Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.'"

This year, 2014, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sept 24th and ends at sundown on the 25th

If you would like even more insight into this very special day including verrrrry interesting information about "The Last Trump", when Jesus was really born, and more, HERE'S THE LINK

If you would like to hear the sound of the Shofar and its specific various sounds blown on the "Feast of Trumpets" including the sound of the last trumpet known as the Teki'ah Gedolah, which is, as the name indicates, the Last Trumpet (and is the final trumpet call blown at the end of this 2 minute 29 second video), HERE'S THE LINK

...

The ATM machine

           

The ATM machine we will see today is not a 'normal' ATM machine

Normally when you think of an ATM machine, you expect it to dispense money.

But this ATM machine doesn't do that.

Why?

Because It is an Automatic Thanking Machine.

The DIT friend who often sends us links to airplane things found this most unusual video about a most unusual ATM machine.

You will be amazed.

HERE'S THE LINK to the ATM machine

...

Today is the First day of Autumn

       

Wow, how time flies.  Fall is already here and it seems like the year just began.

So what is so important about Autumn? you ask.

Well, it means that today is the day that Summer officially ends and Fall begins.

The 'fancy' name for this event is "The Fall Autumnal Equinox."

So what is the Fall Autumnal Equinox and why is it important?

Well, for one thing, it is that special day at the end of summer and the beginning of fall when the sun at the equator rises in the due East and sets in the due West.

Thus, both the day and the night are about 12 hours long. 

The reason why they are not exactly 12 hours each is explained in the article below.

But, more significantly, to those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the days will now start getting shorter and shorter as each day passes and the nights will get longer and longer and longer ....

Until we come to the Winter Solstice when the shortest day of the year occurs.

But that is then and this is now.

And today is the Fall Autumnal Equinox.

To read more about the Equinoxes and view a really informative 2 min 38 second video from National Geographic, which they posted for the 2009 equinox,  but same concepts apply every year including 2014, 

HERE'S THE LINK to the First Day of Autumn

...

Sunday Hymn: The Old Rugged Cross

       

A couple of days ago we viewed devastating numbers about the number of folks in Georgia, a portion the "Bible Belt" who are not saved / they are lost.

Lost? 

What do you mean?

Well, those are folks who have not acknowledged that they are sinners and turned to Jesus for salvation.  

The Hymn today speaks to that topic.

HERE'S THE LINK to The Old Rugged Cross

And, if you want to know how to be saved, HERE'S THE LINK

...

The Soul Hunt

       

This is the title of a movie produced by a Church in Rentz, Georgia.

Rentze is small town with a population of about 293 people so as you can imagine the Church in that town is not very large.

But it has produced 3 movies using folks in their Church and community.

Even though this is not a hollywood production, you will be amazed at the quality of the film.

We heard about this town, movie, and the Church that produced it though an article in The Christian Index, the Georgia Baptist Weekly Newspaper.

As we mentioned they have made three movies to date.

The one to which we are linking today is 21 minutes long and is titled The Soul Hunt.  It tells the story of two hunters ---

A 28 minute sequel to this movie (Soul Hunt II: Forgiven)  has been produced but is not on the website. It tells the 'rest of the story' .

But, for now, if you would like to view part I (the Soul Hunt), we have found the link. 

When you get to the page scroll down till you see it, click on the play arrow and it will begin.  You can then go full screen by clicking the arrows on the bottom right after the movie begins.

And now, without further ado, 

HERE'S THE LINK to the movie "The Soul Hunt"

...

This is the Bible Belt ???

         

You have probably heard it said that in many of the Southern States in the US that so many folks go to Church and are Christians -- that the region is referred to as the "Bible Belt".

But, perhaps that term is not so correct anymore.

What?

Well, recently while reading the Georgia Baptist State Weekly Newspaper, The Christian Index, we came across an article with these astounding and dismaying numbers:

                  Numbers to Consider

Population of Georgia                9,773,755

Estimated Unchurched              5,864,253

Estimated lost (70%)                 6,841,629

              Lostness by generation

Generation             Birth Year         Percent of Lostness

Builders                 1910-1945                 35%

Boomers                1946-1964                 65%

GenX                     1965-1979                 85%

Millennials              1980-2000                 96%

Wow!

This does not sound like a Bible Belt!   

And if this is how it is in the "Bible Belt" I shudder to think what the numbers are in other parts of the US where it is a known fact that people ignore, shun, and make fun of God and the Bible!

There is no click through today --

Instead we urge you to spend time pondering these numbers and praying about them.

...

Death is NOT Good

           

The article to which we are linking today is soooooo important that we are going to leave it up for 3 days -- perhaps more.

Why?

Because we want everyone to read it, contemplate its implications, reread it, and even share it with others.

Wow.  This is amazing, you don't do this often ! you correctly say.

Yes. This is a most unusual event.

But this is a verrrrrry important article. 

If you carefully read it and consider what it is saying, it can be life changing in your World View.

So, without further ado,

HERE'S THE LINK to Death is NOT good

...

Flight 1549 Hudson River Ditching

         

 Most of you remember the amazing ditching / landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

The plane is referred to as "Cactus" as you view the video and listen to the conversations.

It happened shortly after takeoff because the plane had been hit by a flock of birds.

This caused such severe damage to the engines there was no way to continue.

Nearby airports were still too far away to reach.

So the only option was to land in the Hudson River.

Captain Sullinberger was the pilot in command. 

Everyone survived.

A 3D Reconstruction of the events has been posted on Youtube.

You will definitely want to see this sooooo

HERE'S THE LINK to the Flight 1549 3D Reconstruction Hudson River Ditching Jan 15, 2009

...

Hymn: Angels from the Realms of Glory

     

Several of us were mentioning recently that one rarely hears the congregation singing hymns.

Most Hymns, if any, that are heard in Church seem now to be sung by a soloist.

But, there are a few Churches left that still sing Hymns as a congregation.

Once such Church is Cleveland Baptist Church who posted their 2005 singing on YouTube.

2005.  Hmmm.  At the rate things are going they probably no longer sing Hymns.

But, they did on Dec 4, 2005 and shared it with the world on YouTube

Sing along with them. You surely know the words.

HERE'S THE LINK to Angels from the Realms of Glory

...

The Beautiful plants we eat

           

As the lead in sentence of the link to which we are going today says:

"You probably had no idea how some of your favorite fruits, vegetables and spices grow"…

And that is soooooo true.

The pictures of the plants which produce many of our favorite foods will amaze you.

HERE'S THE LINK to the beautiful plants we eat

...

How Old is our Planet?

         

Yesterday we considered the Gap Theory which, if believed, makes the earth verrrrrry old. 

It is a 'religious' accommodation to accept evolution and an old earth.

But, as was noted in yesterday's 'click through', The Lord God Jesus Christ, Who created the earth, did not confirm the gap theory.  Rather, He refuted it.

So, how old is the earth? 

An interesting and informative article has important points to ponder as you consider this question.

HERE'S THE LINK to How old is planet earth

...

Did Jesus Refute the Gap Theory

         

You have likely heard of the Gap Theory.

It is the idea that there is a gap between verses 1 and 2 of Chapter 1 in the Book of Genesis.

During that supposed 'gap' millions or billions of years occurred --

and during the gap of innumerable years the earth which was created in verse 1 was destroyed -- then at the end of the gap -- in verse 2 everything started over again but built on the remains of the old earth from verse one.

This is how the 'gap theorists' explain the bones of innumerable dead animals, rock layers that supposedly took millions of years to develop, and etc.

In other words, the 'gap theory' is one way that some 'religious people' try to compromise with what the Bible says about creation and a young earth with what many scientists theorize about evolution and an old earth.

But, is the Gap Theory correct?

Or, did Jesus Himself, the one who Created everything, refute The Gap Theory.

This 2 minute video provides insight re the reliability (or lack thereof) of the Gap Theory. (Note: it may take a few seconds to load so be patient).

HERE'S THE LINK to The Gap Theory

...