Friday, 9/17

Birth of my 12 grandchild today, Sept 17, 2010

Mekhi Shyne Baker born this morning, Sept 17. Number 12 grandchild for Toni and me. Birth is definitely a miracle of the Creator. Mekhi is so alert. He's taking in all of his surroundings already-lights, sounds. Even as a brand newborn he favors his mom and dad. Little Zion, his big brother not really interested, but won't they make a team.

Endtimes update from Joel Rosenberg's Weblog

Have a look at prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes. We are definitely in the time of the end. Happy Rosh Hashana to all the friends of Israel! http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/1-5-billion-barrels-of-oil-discovered-in-israel/

Interested in understanding the 7 Feasts of Israel?

Have a look at www.endtimepilgrim.org. Dr. Gavin Finley does an excellent job at explaining the significance and end-time understanding of these important feasts. Fall Feast Days this year: Sept 8-18, 2010.

High Holy Days

September 8 - 18 marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. September 8 this year is Rosh Hoshanna, the Jewish New Year marking 10 days of reflection and repentance for the people. The feast days culminate on Yom Kippur, called the Day of Atonement. As Yeshua said, we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem especially during these times and remember that one day, Yeshua will return to Jerusalem to rule in His Kingdom.

Servant's Quarters: Whatever happened to purity?

Servant's Quarters: Whatever happened to purity?

Whatever happened to purity?

Image via Wikipedia

What a different world we live in today. Back in the day, there was no Internet, no cellphones, only 3 or 4 channels on the black and white TV. Today, we are media saturated. Everywhere I go people are talking on their cellphone, or texting friends, or updating Facebook or Twitter. It's almost media overload. But the amazing thing is that we can't seem to live without our electronic marvels. With the coming of the Internet, comes a larger than life set of temptations to draw a young man or woman away from a purity of life; an innocence that was once the expected standard. Now, it seems, that anything goes...even in the Christian community. The values of our parents, are no longer our values. Sexual purity before marriage was once the standard. Now the standard has shifted. Living together before marriage; trial relationships are not the curse that they once were; even to the Christian community. Have the standards of holiness and purity been lost from today's generation?

The Word of God has not changed. God's designed a man and a woman to experience sexual intimacy only after making a covenant of marriage to one another. How about a return to purity. Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder. And my bride was well worth the wait. Not that we weren't tempted, mind you, but considering the consequences of a selfish "me" choice were too great to compromise the truth of  God's Word. He had our ultimate happiness and fulfillment in mind. So, now, we've been married 39 wonderful years. She's mine and I'm hers. And we don't have to regret decisions of our past. So, young folk, consider how to walk in purity and in love toward one another. You will be truly blessed. 

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Living in a whole new day

"Times, they are a-changin", lyrics from an old Negro spiritual capture the heart of the days in which we live.

We are seeing destiny right before our eyes. It's hard to believe that just a moment ago I was asking mom for an apple, after I had attempted to smoke a grape-vine with my friend Joe. As usual, mom was on top of the mischief of her only boy...and I was dead meat. Mom said, "All right son, go in that bathroom and kneel down and repent!" I did it, too, partly because I respected her, and partly because I was afraid that if I died having committed such a heinous sin as smoking grapevines, that I would surely go to hell. So that fear of God kept me on the straight and narrow. You know, I'm thankful for my upbringing. For the most part, I had a balance of mercy and grace in my life. As I grow older, now, I look back on those times that I must have caused many gray hairs on the precious head of my mom, but I remember and reflect upon the good solid teaching of God's word that I received as a child from my parents. My dad would often read long passages of Scripture (or so it seemed to me) just before we would say our prayers for the night.

Today, we scarcely seem to have time to even see our family any more. But God has provided something even more marvelous...Facebook, and Twitter, and our own Blog to boot. Just this week, I reconnected with old friends from the past, and left messages for friends we have met from around the world. The world is smaller than ever. I don't have to jump on a plane and see the world. The virtual world is right at my fingertips.

So what? you say. Take advantage of this day to connect or reconnect with friends and family. We're living in a whole new day. It's a new season, it's a new day.