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 ...... .... Table of ContentsLinda's New Year's ResolutionWho We Are Names of God Bible Study Other "El" Compound Names More about Safe Computing How to Spot Email Scams |
The God I Am Debtor A Promise a Day The Stars and the Sand Sufficient for the Future As This New Year Is Born In Jesus' Name Trust the Future Our Main Business At This Very Second For the Children Quick Jokes Winter Pages to Color The Balloonist A Church Funny Dangling Participles More Ramblings of an Idle Mind How to Get Rid of Telemarketers |
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Happy New Year, dear friends! Many people view God as a hateful and spiteful god, waiting for them to sin so He can inflict some punishment on them. How sad to misunderstand so completely the truth about our Lord! As I wind up our study of God's "El" names below, please take some time to meditate on each name. Notice that in addition to the name "God of Justice", which infers judgment, God's Word also tells us He's "The Merciful God", "The Faithful God", "The Rock", "The Jealous God", "The God of Forgiveness". Do those names portray a big meany anxious to catch you doing something wrong? No! God has given us these names so we'll come to understand that He's a God of great compassion, that He's head-over-heels in love with us, that He wants an intimate relationship with each of us, that He's ready to fight for us — and die for us, as He did on the cross of Calvary.... As we begin a new year filled with promise and new discoveries, my "New Year's Resolution" is this: I resolve to be ever-faithful in declaring to you the truth of who and what the God is, to help bring you to a better understanding of our great God, to draw you closer to Him, to ignite a passion in you to seek Him as earnestly as He's seeking you! "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)  Be blessed in Jesus' name, and remember: The Christian life is not what we do for God, but what God has done for us!
Your sister & servant in Christ,  My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry Because of the volume of e-mail I receive, it is impossible for me to respond to every person who writes. If you have an opinion or question, please understand that I will not offer personal advice or debate theological issues. You are welcome to send your opinions, corrections and questions, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to respond. If you're looking for some good Bible study sources, I suggest Bible.org - Trustworthy Bible Study Resources, Blue Letter Bible Study Resources, Precept Ministries International, and Shepherd Serve all of which offer hundreds of pages of well-organized teaching articles and Bible studies. |
To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. Back to top |
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Other "El" Compound Names "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent; His glory [is] above the earth and heaven." Psalm 148:13 (KJV) Editor's Note: As there is considerable variance among Bible scholars as to former customs, usage, and translations of the numerous names of God in the Bible, the neutrality and factual accuracy of this article may be disputed. These articles are a summation of those ideas and conclusions on which most scholars agree. Throughout Scripture, "El" and "Eloah" are combined with other words to describe certain characteristics of Yahweh. We've already looked at a few of these compound names in previous studies: El Shaddai, Elohim, and El Elyon. In the course of this particular study, I found more than 35 other "El" compound names/attributes. However, several of those names could not be verified by two or more Bible scholars. Therefore, I am only presenting the 25 compound names for which I found two or more scholarly sources. (Note: Names are listed in alphabetical order, not in order of importance or usage.)
 Click here for a print-friendly copy of this Bible study. The names by which God has revealed Himself represent His power, actions, and reputation. Almighty God cannot be conjured or treated as an object, since He is the Master of the universe and subject to no one. In Scripture we are strictly forewarned not to invoke the name of God for selfish or manipulative purposes (Exodus 20:7). The material provided here is for educational purposes only and is not an endorsement of any form of occultism or Kabbalah. Sources for this study include: Behind the Name Blue Letter Bible Study Resources Judaism 101 Lambert Dolphin's Library "The Names of God" by Nathan Stone Wikipedia — the Free Encyclopedia To view all of the "Names of God" studies to date, go to www.myredeemerlives.com/biblestudies/namesofgodstudy.html. Back to top |
 Creatively fresh and unique, the songs of The Secret Place are simple, intimate expressions of spontaneous prophetic worship Back to top |
I Am Debtor When this passing world is done, When has sunk yon glaring sun, When we stand with Christ in glory, Looking o'er life's finished story, Then, Lord, shall I fully know — Not till then — how much I owe. When I hear the wicked call On the rocks and hills to fall, When I see them start and shrink On the fiery deluge brink, — Then, Lord, shall I fully know — Not till then — how much I owe. When I stand before the throne, Dressed in beauty not my own, When I see thee as thou art, Love thee with unsinning heart, Then, Lord, shall I fully know — Not till then — how much I owe. When the praise of heav'n I hear, Loud as thunder to the ear, Loud as many water's noise, Sweet as harp's melodious voice, Then, Lord, shall I fully know — Not till then — how much I owe. Even on earth, as through a glass Darkly, let Thy glory pass, Make forgiveness feel so sweet, Make Thy Spirit's help so meet, Even on earth, Lord, make me know Something of how much I owe. Chosen not for good in me, Wakened up from wrath to flee, Hidden in the Saviour's side, By the Spirit sanctified, Teach me, Lord, on earth to show, By my love, how much I owe. Oft I walk beneath the cloud, Dark, as midnight's gloomy shroud; But, when fear is at the height, Jesus comes, and all is light; Blessed Jesus! bid me show Doubting saints how much I owe. When in flowery paths I tread, Oft by sin I'm captive led; Oft I fall — but still arise — The Spirit comes — the tempter flies; Blessed Spirit! bid me show Weary sinners all I owe. Oft the nights of sorrow reign — Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain; But a night Thine anger burns — Morning comes and joy returns; God of comforts! Bid me show To Thy poor, how much I owe. by Robert M. McCheyne (1813-1843) Pastor, Author, and Evangelist This poem may be sung as a hymn to the tune of "Wells" by Dimitri S. Bortnianski or "When This Passing World" by Sir Arthur Sullivan Back to top |
The Bible tells us to; But may we never use that name To tell God what to do. D. De Haan |
In the November newsletter, I wrote about the methods scammers and spammers are using to try to hijack your Internet browser to undesirable sites, download rogue software to your computer, invade your privacy, or trick you into divulging personal information. Now, lets talk about you and your behavior. I want to give you a crash course in how to spot email scams and fraud so you don't get into trouble in the first place. Remember the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". That definitely is appropriate here; it's easier to protect your computer from becoming prey than it is to fix the damage afterward.
If you receive any of the above spam emails, don't just delete them; report them! As I mentioned in the November newsletter, you can help to stop spam and scams by forwarding unwanted or deceptive messages to the following organizations. These organizations then analyze the unique digital signatures in the email(s) to identify and stop future emails from that spammer or anyone sharing their digital signature. While computers and the Internet make life easier for all of us, they also make it easier for con artists and criminals to exploit us for their gain. As I wrote in November, as many computer security holes are being patched, more criminals are using 'social engineering' to get you to part with your money. Back to top |
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Here in India, it's common to hear Christians use the term "the God" when they talk about praying or worshiping Yahweh/Jehovah, the God of the Bible. At first, I thought it was a simple matter of them not accurately translating their language into English. And technically, that may be true. But recently, God opened my mind to see it as something more — much more. This revelation has so impacted and transformed my thinking that I now embrace the phrase "the God" in my speaking. Here's why.... Being in India — where thousands of "gods" are so apparent — has helped me to more fully appreciate that we are quite literally involved in a spiritual war and that it does matter which God one embraces. The following list indicates the core beliefs of the world's — and indeed India's — generally-known major religious groups (in order of number of adherents globally):
In these days of 'enlightened' pluralism and political correctness, you may not want to hear this, but the simple fact is that all gods and faiths are not the same. Whoa! I can hear some of you gasping in disbelief. You may be thinking, "How dare she say something so intolerant, arrogant, narrow-minded, and fanatical!" In this 'New Age' of knowledge and tolerance, some people disapprove of the belief that there's only one way; and sadly, I may lose many subscribers as a result of this message. But please, hear me out.... If a doctor discovered a medical breakthrough to totally cure every incident of HIV/AIDS, would you say, "How intolerant to think this is the only cure for this disease!"? Would you accuse a mathematician of arrogance to believe that three times three always equals nine? Would you say a marine biologist is narrow-minded to assert that whales (air-breathing mammals) must always give birth in the ocean and not on land, while sea turtles' eggs always hatch on land and not in water? I am amazed at how many intelligent people throw logic out the window and try to persuade themselves that all religions are the same. However — now think about this — logic dictates that truth, by definition, is narrow, precise, and factual — in other words, exclusive. That applies to math.... to physics.... to biology.... to astronomy.... to chemistry.... to medicine.... to languages.... to politics.... and even to the arts. And it applies to the world religions and the thousands of gods, too! Please review the above list of religions again, and compare each religion's beliefs to the others. If you think about it carefully and objectively, you will also have to admit that each one excludes the others' claims, that either one religion is right and all the others are wrong.... or they're all wrong! Either one god is the God, or none of them are! But one thing is certain: they cannot all be right! The same applies to Jesus. Either Jesus is God or He's a lying lunatic! There is no middle 'good guy' ground, and you cannot remain neutral on that point.... I want you to know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all-inclusive! You're just as worthy of God's free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as anyone else. Being a 'good person' won't cut it, going to church won't work, giving to the poor won't buy your way in — but giving up and letting Jesus Christ do it for you is the Key that sets you free and opens Heaven's doors to you! As we turn the calendar forward to a new year, may 2007 be the year that would see our family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers discover the extravagant, outrageous, and boundless love of our Most High God! but Jesus and Him alone for salvation." Paige Patterson |
Quick Jokes What happens when geese land in a volcano? They cook their own gooses! What is a horse's favorite sport? Stable tennis! What did the farmer call the cow that wouldn't give any milk? An udder failure! What do you give a sick pig? Oinkment! What do you get if you cross a cow with a camel? Lumpy milk shakes! What do you give a pony with a cold? Cough Stirrup! What animal always goes to bed with its shoes on? A horse! Back to top |
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." " Romans 5:8 (WEB) Back to top |
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a It's hard for us to imagine the apostle Paul in a state of weakness. But a perusal of 2 Corinthians 6 and 11 shows us that he suffered terribly as an apostle for the sake of Christ. But the most unique experience with weakness that Paul had was one we can learn the most from because it was unnamed. It is the sustaining principle, not the specific problem, which is important. Paul was made weak by some affliction, and it no doubt concerned him because of its likely impact on his future ministry. How could he serve if he was sidelined by a serious problem? But God said, "Trust me, Paul. I know the future and your future. I will give you grace to do all you need to do." And He did. Paul became thankful for His weakness because it highlighted God's strength. Just as God knew Paul's future, so He knows yours. If you are worried about your future, perhaps this coming year, especially if you see limitations on your horizon, trust God. The same grace He gave Paul, He will give to you. Your future is not bigger than God, nor are your limitations larger than His grace. Your faith in Him means your future is with Him. "Today's Turning Point" Copyright © 2006 Back to top |
 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field." Matthew 13:44 |
"Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man..." Hebrews 11:12 Have you ever had trouble "proving" to someone that the Bible is divinely inspired? Well, here's something that might help; it's really simple and yet mind-blowing at the same time. In the September newsletter, I presented a "God-and-astronomy" comparison of our earth in proportion to the other planets in our solar system, as well as our solar system among billions of other solar systems within the Milky Way Galaxy. This month, I'm going to look beyond our own galaxy toward the other galaxies in our known universe. I say "known universe" because the most dramatic discoveries have happened in just the past 17 years; and only God knows what other discoveries await us.  In 1989, two astronomers discovered a "Great Wall" of galaxies1 spanning millions of light-years. This "Great Wall" is estimated to be 500 million light years (3 quintillion2 miles) long, 200 million light years (1.2 quintillion2 miles) wide, and 15 million light years (90 quadrillion2 miles) thick.The "Great Wall" consists of more than 15,000 galaxies, each with billions of stars. Based on detailed measurements of each galaxy's brightness, thus rendering an approximate number of stars they each contain, astronomers estimate that this "Great Wall" consists of 1500 trillion (1,500,000,000,000,000) solar systems! The following year, astronomers discovered more than a dozen other evenly-distributed clumps of galaxies, suggesting a structure to the universe that is so regular and immense that it defies current theories of cosmic origins. But here's the really neat part! A team led by an Australian astronomer recently calculated the number of stars in the known universe to be 70 sextillion2 (that's 70 followed by 21 zeros). That unfathomable number is said to be more than 10 times the grains of sand in every beach and desert on earth! Now consider this: In Genesis 22:17, God told Abraham "...in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore..." Think about that for a moment.... Don't rush over the text.... Let it sink in.... God actually compared the number of stars in the heavens to the grains of sand on the seashore.... Prior to the invention of the telescope in the 1600s, stargazers could only count a few hundred stars. Surely, comparing the number of stars in the heavens to the sand on the seashore would be an absurd conjecture for a human author to make 6,000 years ago. And even after the invention of the telescope, for the next 3 centuries mankind only knew of several billion stars — still not enough to compare the stars in the heavens to the sand on the seashore. Until 1989, that is.... Who but the Creator Himself knew that relating the stars in the heavens to the sand on the seashore was a perfectly logical comparison? And who but the Author Himself would deign to expose that analysis to the presumptuousness and ridicule of thousands of "enlightened" humans, when all human logic demanded its exclusion? Psalm 147:4 Who can fully comprehend the Elohim who counts the stars and knows all of them by name? As Christian author John Piper rightly noted in "The Pleasures of God": "What is this universe but the lavish demonstration of the incredible, incomparable, unimaginable exuberance and wisdom and power and greatness of God! What a God He must be!" Amen, John! Cause for pause.... If Scripture written 6,000 years ago is proved today to be so scientifically accurate, who's to say which other of the Bible's claims and revelations are true....? Notes 2 When discussing the galaxies and solar systems in the known universe, the terms "millions", "billions", and even "trillions" are too small. Here's an explanation of all the "illion" names: million (6 zeros), billion (9 zeros), trillion (12 zeros), quadrillion (15 zeros), quintillion (18 zeros), sextillion (21 zeros), septillion (24 zeros), octillion (27 zeros), novillion (30 zeros), and decillion (33 zeros). And building on "decillion" are: undecillion (36 zeros), duodecillion (39 zeros), tredecillion (42 zeros), quattuordecillion (45 zeros), quindecillion (48 zeros), sexdecillion (51 zeros), septendecillion (54 zeros), octodecillion (57 zeros), and novemdecillion (60 zeros). And rounding out the "illions" are vigintillion (63 zeros) and centillion (303 zeros). "Zillion", "gazillian", and "bijillion" are made-up terms. Kosmic Plenum MadSci Network: Astronomy American Astronomical Society Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Back to top |
the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence." St. Augustine Back to top |
The burglar was about 30 years old, white, 5' 10", with wavy hair weighing about 150 pounds. The family lawyer will read the will tomorrow at the residence of Mr. Hannon, who died June 19 to accommodate his relatives. Mrs. Shirley Baxter, who went deer hunting with her husband, is very proud that she was able to shoot a fine buck as well as her husband. Organ donations from the living reached a record high last year, outnumbering donors who are dead for the first time. The dog was hungry and made the mistake of nipping a 2-year-old that was trying to force feed it in his ear. We spent most of our time sitting on the back porch watching the cows playing Scrabble and reading. Hunting can also be dangerous, as in the case of pygmies hunting elephants armed only with spears. Back to top |
 Check out "The Watchmaker" by Kids 4 Truth. It's great! If the link doesn't work, copy this URL into your browser: www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html Back to top |
Dear Lord, as this new year is born I give it to Thy hand, Content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand. Whatever coming days may bring Of bitter loss, or gain, Or every crown of happiness; Should sorrow come, or pain, Or, Lord, if all unknown to me Thine angel hovers near To bear me to that farther shore Before another year, It matters not my hand in Thine, Thy light upon my face, Thy boundless strength when I am weak, Thy love and saving grace! I only ask, loose not my hand, Grip fast my soul, and be My guiding light upon the path Till, blind no more, I see! by Martha Snell Nicholson Martha Snell Nicholson suffered from four incurable diseases. She struggled with pain for more than 35 years and was bedfast. During that period, however, she wrote some of the finest Christian poetry ever written. See other poems by Martha Snell Nicholson at http://www.mercydrops.com/Snell.htm Back to top |
For the Children Winter Pages to Color Click on an image to open a page for printing it full-size.  ...... ......  ...... ...... Provided by All About Coloring — Free Coloring, Games, and Puzzles Back to top |
the vast past that has endured forever, and the future that is plunging on to the last syllable of recorded time. We can't possibly live in either of those eternities . . . but, by trying to do so, we can wreck both our bodies and our minds. So let's be content to live the only time we can possibly live: from now until bedtime." Dale Carnegie Back to top |
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"You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised . . . goodness to Your servant." 2 Samuel 7:28 As we shift gears for a new year, remember that God has a promise for every day, a reassurance for every crisis, and grace for every need. You can take the year one day at a time and one promise at a time, praying for God's direction as you face the opportunities and challenges of the next twelve months. E. M. Bounds wrote, "Prayer goes by faith into the great fruit orchard of God's exceeding great and precious promises, and with hand and heart picks the ripest and richest fruit . . . . Prayer is based directly and specifically upon God's revealed promises in Christ Jesus. It has no other ground upon which to base its plea." It's impossible to determine the specific number of promises in the Bible because they're scattered throughout Scripture in so many phrases and forms that it's often hard to say whether a verse is a command, a truth, a promise, or a prayer. It's like a vault full of precious jewels. But wherever we find them in the Bible, they are precious and true; and a promise a day keeps the devil at bay. Get a jump on 2007 by committing yourself to a promise-anchored year. E. M. Bounds "Today's Turning Point" Copyright © 2006 Back to top |
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All's well that ends. After all is said and done, a lot more is said than done. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.... Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.... I started out with nothing and still have most of it left. Therapy is expensive, poppin' bubble wrap is cheap! You choose. When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore I am perfect. A shin is a device for finding furniture in the dark. No one appreciates the value of constructive criticism more thoroughly than the one who's giving it. Back to top |
at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." Thomas Carlyle |
The man below yells back, "Yes, you're in a hot-air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field." "You must work in Information Technology," says the balloonist. "I do," replies the man. "How did you know?" "Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's of no use to anyone." The man below says, "You must work in Management." "I do," replies the balloonist, "But how did you know?" "Well," says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were in before we met, but now it's my fault." |
 FREE Gospels of John and other tools to share with people you encounter — in the workplace, at the coffee shop, in school, on the bus, or on the street. Back to top |
He would have continued, but at that moment one very obedient little girl — who was listening carefully — leaned over to her mother and asked, quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is butt dust?" Church was pretty much over at that point.... Back to top |
 My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry has a vision for a great Christ awakening and revival around the world, and a passion to help bring this about, directly or indirectly, irrespective of national boundaries, languages, denominations, or ethnic, racial or social/economic castes or classes. We are a non-denominational, Christ-centered Free Church Ministry and Missions Society. In accordance with IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A), all donations are tax-deductible. National Association of Evangelicals United Christian Ministries International Scripture taken from: King James Version (KJV), Copyright © 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society World English Bible (WEB), 2001 MT-based public domain update of 1901 American Standard Version (ASV) Copyright © 2007. My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry™. All rights reserved. |
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