Thursday, March 31, 2005

OUT LIKE A LION


MARCH CAME IN LIKE A LAMB BUT GOES OUT LIKE A LION...TOO MANY PEOPLE DYING
Posted by Hello

MARCH MARCHES ON

March came in like a lion and went out like a lion. Too many people dying this month. I was not pleased to see the way Terri Schiavo left this earth. She deserved better. New laws will be written and people will learn how to fight the culture of death by shining the light of truth on the human soul. The Apostle Peter told the Christian to be sober and vigilant because there was an enemy who went about like a roaring lion seeking whom he could devour. It is time for each of us to be both vigilant and sober. These are serious times and it requires serious people to take a stand for every person to have the RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:

CAN THE NATIONS BE HEALED?
BT PAT GULLEY

Rev 22:2
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (KJV)


I have been very blessed to be have been taught by Teachers of the Bible that it is imperative for me to pray for the nations and for their leaders. I was surprised at this teaching until I read that it originally comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy. (1 Tim 2:1-4) The leaders of the Jewish religion persecuted Paul, and he was also under attack by some of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ. He was called to the mission field when Rome had rule over most of the nations and the Caesar at the time was Augustus.

The Roman government was extremely corrupt and its days as a world power were coming to a close. Yet we hear the Apostle tell young Timothy that he wants him to pray, intercede, and give thanks for all human beings, including Kings, Presidents, and Caesars. It is important that we Christians know that our enemy is not the governments of the nations. I recognize that all governments are comprised of human beings and it may be possible for any or all of those men and women to repent and to be born again through faith in Jesus Christ. I am also aware that Satan is the god of this world.

(2Cor 4:4)In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)

If it was important for the Disciple Timothy to pray for the leaders of the nations during his time, then it is important for us to pray for the leaders of the nations in our times. Every generation of believers is responsible to fulfill the will of God in their time on earth. We are the Church of the Present Day but we are not the only members of the Church. There are many who have gone on to their reward and they are waiting patiently for the will and plan of God to come to a close. We may be that generation that hears the sound of the last trumpet.

I believe that we have an opportunity to see mighty signs and wonders done during our lifetime. I believe that the Berlin Wall fell so that those in Eastern Europe could hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that the people of Russia have a hunger and a thirst after righteousness that can only be satisfied through their receiving Jesus as their Lord.

I have noticed that nations that were Christian in times past are now very agnostic. I also notice that those nations that were enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ now welcome His message and His messengers. I am referring to South Africa and Uganda. (I may be wrong about Uganda but there is one nation in Africa that has a Christian President.)

The Tree of Life has the leaves that are to be for the healing of the nations. That has to mean that these leaves are for our generation and for our time as there will be no sickness or corruption or perversion in Heaven. The fruit of the Tree of Life that produces its fruit every month is very important but let us not forget to pray for the nations that these nations may be healed and that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. MAY GOD BLESS ALL THE NATIONS. AMEN

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

SPRING'S ETERNAL HOPE

SPRING’S ETERNAL HOPE
BY PAT GULLEY

Acts 14:17
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. (KJV)


Paul and Barnabas had just seen the miracle of a man who was impotent in his feet since the day he was born. He had never walked, but when he heard about God raising Jesus Christ from the dead, he received faith to be healed and at Paul’s command immediately leaped up and walked. The crowd was amazed at this great and mighty miracle and they thought that Paul and Barnabas were “gods” come down from heaven in the likeness of men. They called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius. The priest of Jupiter brought oxen and garland and tried to offer a sacrifice to them.

When Paul realized what was about to happen he shouted, “No, no, no. We are human beings just like you are. We are not special in any way except that we believe that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and we have received Him as our Lord.” Paul continued talking and telling them that the Creator of the Universe, the God all things living, had sent his Son Jesus to deliver humanity from their inherited life rooted in sin and death. He then said, “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

Rain from heaven and fruitful seasons are part of God’s witness that he loves the human race. The seasons differ from one another but it is the SPRINGTIME that reveals to all nations life from the dead. It is SPRINGS ETERNAL HOPE that leads us to believe that the grave is not the final authority in a human being’s life.

The Apostle Paul later preached to the “enlightened” philosophers of Athens, Greece. (Acts 17:16-34) He addressed them on Mars Hill at their request. They were intrigued by this message of Jesus and His Resurrection from the dead. They did not have a clue as to what this “babbler” was talking about, but wanted to hear him with their own ears. They were very open-minded and were anxious to be informed of all things new.

Paul again used nature as his example of a living, loving God who cares about all human beings and who has sent his Son, to die for the sins of the world. Paul reminded those who were in attendance that their own poets had written of a Creator in whom all humanity lived, moved, and had their being. If the Creator of all Creation left his finger print in the elements of nature, it then makes sense that those whom He had created could see a shadow of His plan in SPRING’S ETERNAL HOPE OF RE-BIRTH AND RESURRECTION.

Paul then proclaimed the wonderful VICTORY OF LIFE OVER DEATH in the Resurrection of Jesus. This season of spring will again touch men and women all over the world and soften their hearts as rain softens the hardened earth after winter. And when they hear or read the story of Jesus dying on the Cross-to save them from their sin, and realize that Jesus went to Hell in their place, and was raised from the dead so that they could be born again; they will believe and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then we will see the Eternal Hope of Spring turn into the Faith of Resurrected Lives that will bring forth fruit to the glory of God the Father.

Monday, March 28, 2005

A CUP OF WATER

There is a teaching of Jesus that did not come clear to me until today. It is from the Gospel of Mark.


Mark 9:41
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
(KJV)


Whoever gives a thirsty person a cup of water in the name of Jesus is doing the will of the LORD. Whoever refuses drink to a thirsty soul is not.


Mark 9:42
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
(KJV)


I would not want to be cast into the SEA OF PUBLIC OPINION. It has been know to drown many a politician. There are times one must stand up and speak out on the behalf of those who cannot stand up and speak for themselves. I believe Terri Schiavo should be given food and water.

I would also remind you of the Parable of the SHEEP AND THE GOATS.


Matt 25:35
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
(KJV)


When these had no remembrance of seeing Jesus thirsty and giving him food or drink, He told them this.


Matt 25:40
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(KJV)


Then He said this to the other group he had standing before Him....


Matt 25:42
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
(KJV)


When they too did not recall seeing him thirsty and asked when they supposedly did thesethings He said unto them:

Matt 25:45
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
(KJV)


The sheep and the goats will one day answer for the deeds done in this earth....and the punishment is everlasting, while the reward is eternal life.

I know the worldly wise, and the god of this world, do not believe in the teachings of Jesus. That does not change the situation at all. For what if some do not believe, shall their unbelief stop the words of Jesus being true? I THINK NOT.

Heaven and earth may pass away, but the words of God will last forever.

Sunday, March 27, 2005

EASTER MORNING WORSHIP AT THE METAMORA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Metamora Patter

I just returned with my husband and son from Sunday morning worship service at The Metamora United Methodist Church. It is the same Church I attended as a little girl growing up. I remember getting up in the middle of the night (or so it seemed to me) to get ready for Sunrise Service on Easter Morning.

My 2 sisters and I always had our new Easter outfits to wear...including new black patent leather shoes, and new Easter bonnets (which I hated, by the way). We would get to church a little before 6:00 and the sound of silence and awe greeted us. You could just feel Jesus getting out of that old tomb and smell the lillies blooming in appreciation of His Presence.

I especially liked the special singing on Easter Morning.

I am always flooded with memories when I walk in the doors. I can recall my Grandma Helen, and my Aunt Edith and still hear them singing and it is as if they are still sitting in their pews.

The Sanctuary is the most beautiful one I have ever seen. I was married in this Church and I married my daughter Natalie and her husband Jeff there 18 years ago. During Tourist Season we get many visitors and they are always impressed with the majestic sounds of the old-fashioned pump organ and the simple beauty of the stained glass windows and the old-fashion altar that reminds them of the years of their innocence.

If you are ever in Metamora, please stop in and worship with us. JESUS IS LORD at the Metamora United Methodist and we would love to meet you.

LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW ABOUT JESUS

GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD.
LET ME SAY IT AGAIN.
GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD.

There was A Plan that was planned from the fall of man, and Jesus succeeded where Adam failed. This is the Good News that God wants the whole world to hear. The Christmas Story is where we learn that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary of the seed of David........BUT The Easter Story is where we learn that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power, because the Holy Spirit raised HIM FROM THE DEAD AND JESUS' BODY OF FLESH WAS CHANGED INTO A SPIRITUAL BODY. (His closest friends didn't even recognize Him. He had to tell them who He was.)

DEATH LOST. LIFE RULES.

The Apostle Paul says it quite well in his letter to the Church at Rome.

Rom 1:1-4
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
(KJV)


I just want to say that TODAY REPRESENTS THE DAY GOD SAVED THE WORLD.
TODAY, RESURRECTION SUNDAY, IS THE DAY THAT SATAN LOST HIS RIGHT TO RULE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CHILDREN OF MAN BECAUSE JESUS PAID THE PRICE OF OUR REDEMPTION.

I just want to say I am so grateful because when God received Jesus Christ back in Heaven and accepted His Blood on the Mercy Seat; that is when God accepted me in Jesus and forgave me all my sins, and created in me a clean, brand new heart.

Eph 1:6
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(KJV)


It will take us a lifetime to learn even a portion of some of the BLESSINGS OF THE VICTORY that took place that day in the depths of Hell when Jesus OVERCAME DEATH, HELL, AND THE GRAVE. We can read the Old Testament and learn from the Prophets and their prophecies concerning the Messiah and the Wonderful Kingdom He ushered in when He was presented by His Father with the Scepter of Righteousness.(Heb 1:3-9)

We can read the New Testament and gain a small amount of understanding and pray as Paul prayed that we get to know Jesus and the Power of His Resurrection. We can learn to walk with one another and to work with one another and to love one another...

But for now, I just want to sit at His feet, lay my head in his lap, and tell Him, "Thank you Lord for saving my soul. Thank you Lord, for making me whole. Thank you Lord for giving to me Thy great salvation, so rich and free."

THANK YOU FATHER FOR SENDING YOUR SON TO EARTH. YOU ARE AWESOME.

Friday, March 25, 2005

HOLY WEEK...DAY SEVEN

JESUS DIED. HIS BODY IS IN THE TOMB

But Jesus descended into the very depths of Earth and Hell. I believe that Jonah has one of the best prophecies of this event.

Jonah 2:1-10

1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
(KJV)


Did you read it? Did you perceive the pain and torment Jonah revealed? Did you feel the waters compassing him about, even to the soul? What about the seaweeds that were wrapped so tight about his he could hardly see, hear, or think? And did you detect the feeling of hopelessness that permeated his spirit, soul, and body? Verse 4 reminds me that Jesus lost sight of His Father's Face when he had taken upon himself the sin of the world. I have been where Jonah was. I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,,,,very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.........just like the song said. LOVE LIFTED ME....LOVE LIFTED ME, WHEN NOTHING ELSE COULD HELP...LOVE LIFTED ME. (Thank God Jesus went there for you and me.)

The one sign that Jesus said would be given in order for people to believe in Him is the fact that He was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matt 12:39-40
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(KJV)


This is day seven of Holy Week. Jesus is still in the grave and in Hell. Minutes seem like hours, hours seem like days, and then time seems to stand still. Darkness is so thick you could cut it with a knife and the stench of Hell is unbreathable.

AND THEN HERE COMES SATAN AND HIS DEMONS... The former Cherub and those traitor angels, the 1/3 that had to be cast out of heaven with Lucifer when he was kicked out for claiming he could set his throne above God, There is no "above" GOD...GOD IS THE HIGHEST PLACE. Lucifer was a created being, and no created being can be higher than their Creator. He was anointed and he used the anointing to creat sin. God had to rid heaven of him and "them". You can read about it in Isaiah.

Isa 14:12-17
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
(KJV)


Exekiel tells where sin was created and who created it.


Ezek 28:15
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
(KJV)


This is that Satan, also known as The Devil, or The Great Dragon as seen in Revelation that was taking Jesus by his heel, and thought he could trip Him up.
(Gen 3:14-15)

Rev 12:9
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (KJV)


Jesus did not die an easy death, nor did He spend a luxurious three days in Hell. He fought battle, after battle, that we know nothing about. All we have is a glimpse as given us by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Church at Colosse.

Col 2:15
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
(KJV)


Jesus fought these demonic creatures and their leader and won. He not only won, He made a show of them openly before all of Heaven's angels and triumphed over them in the VICTORY.

BUT WE WILL SEE THAT TOMORROW, WON'T WE?

ALL CREATION HOLDS ITS BREATH
Posted by Hello

GOOD FRIDAY

OH WHAT A DAY THIS WAS. IT IS PERFECT TIMING. DAY SIX

Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsame until He was arrested about sun up. Judas had betrayed him and the other disciples fell asleep on Him. After His arrest, they all ran away. (I always like to remember that all this happened BEFORE THEY WERE BORN AGAIN.)

BUT THIS DAY BELONGS TO JESUS AND TO JESUS ALONE. NO ONE COULD DIE ON THAT TREE EXCEPT HIM. IT WAS DETERMINED YEARS AND YEARS AGO AT THE TIME OF ADAM'S SIN. It was in another Garden, the Garden of Eden, that we can look back on this day and understand just a tiny bit of the love of the Creator for His Creation.But it is the patience and the longsuffering that blows me away.

God had carefully planned the Redemption of His Creation and there was no one on no thing that could stop it from happening.

Isa 14:26-27
26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
(KJV)


We all know that Jesus was crucified on the Cross on Golgotha. He was nailed on the Cross at 9:00 in the morning, and the sun refused to shine from 12:00 Noon until 3:00. Some say that God had to turn away from His Son because of the sin on the Son but I don't believe that for a minute. Why would God turn His back on the very PLAN that He had been thousands of years bringing to fruition? When Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", it was not God that turned his back, but it was the sin that blocked Jesus' eyes from seeing His Father's Face during that horrible time of taking on Himself the sin of the world. I believe that hardest thing Jesus did was in being seperated from His Father for the first time in His Life. Jesus took on Himself every aspect of the Human Condition, spiritually, mentally and physically. He bore our grief, and our sorrows, our sickness, and our diseases. And He did it for the LOVE HE HAD FOR HIS FATHER. If you ever get a revelation of that it will never ever leave your understanding of just what happened that day. (Is 53:3-5)

JESUS DIED IN OUR PLACE....AND OUR SINS DIED THERE WITH HIM.

Jesus was taken down from the Cross and laid in a tomb. What happened next is truly the most exciting story ever told. Jesus' body was in the tomb,(Not even decaying) but His spirit/soul went into the very depths of Hell itself. Listen to Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost as he quotes from one of King David's Psalms.

Acts 2:27
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(KJV)


How could God not leave Jesus's soul in Hell if it never went there? Of course it did. And this is where the battle between Jesus and Satan took place. It will be a very very long three days and nights. Satan was convinced he could win...he must have thought to himself, "I have the Master's Son, and look at all the sin on HIM. He will never get out of here." But little did he understand that the sin that was on Jesus was none of His.......just the sin of fallen man.....every single one....every man, woman, boy, and girl who would ever take a breath.

If Satan had a clue as to what was about to happen, he would never have crucified the LORD of Glory.

1 Cor 2:8
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(KJV)


REMEMBER.....THIS IS THE ULTIMATE PLAN OF GOD.


2 Cor 5:19
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;


THIS IS THE SIXTH DAY OF HOLY WEEK.....GOOD FRIDAY...THANKS TO A GOOD GOD.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

THE LAST SUPPER

This is the fourth day of HOLY WEEK and it is a day of Jesus' finishing the work His Father gave Him to do. His whole life as the Son of Mary has been leading Him to the Upper Room. He had told Peter and John, his disciples, to prepare the room where they would celebrate the feast of Passover. Jesus knew this would be the last time this Old Covenant Supper would be sanctioned by His Father. The New Covenant was on the way and Jesus made that very plain to those who had ears to hear.

When He drank of the cup He told them it was the CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT WRITTEN IN HIS BLOOD.. You can read all four Gospels and the message is the same....God is ushering in a New Covenant and a new covenant people and He was using the Blood and Body of the Lamb that was to be slain on the Cross the very next day. I know it is easy to look back and see the hidden meaning of Jesus' words that night, but it was not until Jesus ate and drank with the Disciples after His Resurrection that they got a glimpse of what was happening.

Matt 26:29
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(KJV)


And if you remember, Jesus did eat with them in the Upper Room the night of His Resurrection, and again John tells us Jesus Himself cooked fish and was waiting on them to return from fishing. (Jn 21:12-13) Remember Jesus saying, "Come and Dine"?

Acts 10:41
Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
(KJV)


Jesus had taught these people to pray every day that "The Kingdom of our Father who art in Heaven would come to the earth and that the will of the Father would be done in earth." Their prayers are about to be answered. I believe that John has a very good teaching on what happened that night after the LAST SUPPER was over. We see Jesus washing the Disciples' feet, and them He gives them A NEW COMMANDMENT.

John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
(KJV)


He told them that they were to LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE HAD LOVED THEM. The Ten Commandments would be fulfilled in this one, new commandment. He did not tell them to love one another as they loved themselves as He had told them earlier. The New Commandment would be the Rule of the New Covenant and of life in the New Kingdom.
Just how did Jesus love us? When we were good and wonderlful? No, I know better than that and so do you. He loved us when we were still sinners, most of us before we were even born the first time, let alone born again the second time. The key to Kingdom living is in loving one another in spite of themselves. The love of God was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost when we were born again in order for us to be able to love with the love of God.

Jesus leaves the Upper Room and goes to the Garden of Gethsame and John records some awesome teaching. Read John chapters 14, and 15,and 16. Then read John 17 and pray the prayer along with Jesus. I know the first three Gospels record the prayer of Jesus praying for the cup to pass if it were at all possible for God to save fallen mankind without Him having to go to the Cross.....but after He prayed that prayer three times, He then understood that no one could be saved until the Spotless, Sinless Lamb of God was offered as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.

If one person could have been saved without the Cross of Calvary taking the Life of Jesus, then all people could be saved. But not one person could get back into fellowship with their Creator without an Intercessor. It was more than having our sins forgiven.....Moses offered that with the scapegoat....we needed to receive a new heart ie a new spirit. That is what The Last Supper reveals. BEHOLD I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.

Rev 21:5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
(KJV)

In John 14 we hear Jesus say, "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also." I have so much to say about this. Jesus went away the next day and came back to them three days after that. He then received them to Himself on the Day of Pentecost when He raised us up together and made us set together in heavenly places, according to Eph 2:6.

Oh my oh my oh my. What a blessed day today represents. I will not take the time to say any more about this blessed night. But I pray you read the word for yourself and see just how powerful the New Birth really is. And it is just like Jesus told those Disciples that night almost 2,000 years ago.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

HOLY WEEK ONE DAY AT A TIME

Wednesday is the fourth day of Holy Week. On Tuesday Jesus told the Disciples that they had just two more days until the Feast of the Passover.


Matt 26:1-2
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
(KJV)


I wonder if any of the disciples heard Him say that He was going to be betrayed and then be crucified in two days. If they did, they did not give it any real thought or they would not have been so surprised when it happened just like He said.

Jesus returned to Bethany Tuesday night and was still there Wednesday. I think Jesus just hung out with His Disciples and friends on this fourth day of Holy Week. We know for sure He went to a supper at the house of Simon the leper, and it was there that Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed His head with very expensive ointment. Martha served, and Lazarus was there also, and many people came to get a look at this man whom Jesus had raised from the dead.


Matt 26:6-12
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
(KJV)


This act of love as witnessed in the pouring out of her very best for Jesus is a great example for all of us to follow. There were other women who went to the tomb three days after He was buried, but they were too late to anoint His body. Mary evidently believed Jesus when He said that he was going to die in two days and she prepared his body for burial. (At least that is what Jesus says was the reason for this action of selflessness.)

As best as I understand, this fourth day of Holy Week is one of serious preparation. Judas was so upset when He saw what he considered the "wasting of this expensive ointment" that he went to the Pharisees and made the deal to betray Jesus. This was just the very thing the Pharisees were waiting for. They had tried to find a way to arrest him and Judas gave them the how and the way and the when to do it.

Matt 26:14-16
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
(KJV)


I believe Jesus totally immersed Himself in the presence of His Disciples and followers and showered them with love and tenderness. He knew very well what the next few days had in store for both Him and them and He filled them with many teachings that they would not be able to understand until after the Day of Pentecost when they were born again as the members of His Body, the Church in the earth. There were those from long distances who came to town for the Passover and when they heard that Jesus was in the Temple, they went to see and to hear Him and to learn from Him.

He spent these days in Jerusalem but at night He returned to the Mount of Olives. I am so glad that we have the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John so that we can read and understand just what occured that final week. (Well, at least we can read about what happened.)

Tomorrow, Thursday, will be a very long day. Get your rest tonight. And get ready for the conclusion of a WEEK UNLIKE ANOTHER.....THIS IS TRULY A HOLY WEEK AND WE WILL TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Tuesday, March 22, 2005


BEHOLD YOUR KING
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TUESDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF HOLY WEEK

I just wrote a great blog for today and lost it in the ether. Just wanted to say that today is the third day of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday was the first day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. He spent the afternoon in the Temple ministering to people and answering their questions before he returned that even to Bethany, and the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Monday was the second day and He went back to Jerusalem. On the way He was going to get a fig off the fig tree because he was hungry and there were no figs to be had. He then cursed the fig tree and went on His way to the Temple and again ministered to the people. He returned to Bethany Monday evening with His Disciples.

Tuesday is the third day of Holy Week and He goes back to the Temple in Jerusalem. On the way the Disciples notice the fig tree is dried up from the roots. Jesus then teaches the Disciples how to talk the walk of faith. If you believe in you heart and confess with your mouth, great and mighty things will happen in your life and in the life of others just as they did in His life in the earth.

Tuesday was a very busy day as you can read in Mark 11,12,13. You can also read about it in Matthew 21,22,23,24,25.

Jesus told them how He was able to perform the miracles and where He got the Power and Authority to do so. He told them, but they still didn't "get it".

Mark 11:28-33
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
(KJV)


The simple reason He could do the things He did was because He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and Power the day He was baptized by John in the River Jordan. (This is proven by Peter in Acts 10)

Acts 10:37-38
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
(KJV)


The Pharisees just could not bring themselves to admit that this Jesus was sent to them by God and was indeed their Messiah. They fought Him then and they still resist Him today. But many believed in Him then and many believe in Him today.

We are living in exciting times and I am so glad to be here. PRAISE THE LORD for the third day of Holy Week. Be back tomorrow.

Monday, March 21, 2005

THE U.S.CONGRESS CHOOSES LIFE

Metamora Patter

It is the wee hours of Monday morning, and the U.S. House has voted for LIFE FOR TERRI SCHIAVO.

This is the week for miracles, and I believe we have witnessed one when the Congress of the United States decided to work together and pass a bill to restore the feeding tube to Terri Schiavo until a Federel Court can hear the circumstances of her case and make a decision on the merits of allowing her husband to remove the feeding tube which would be a certain death warrant. There are those who compare the U.S. Congress of being like Hitler but I do not believe Hitler was on the side of life for the weak and infirm.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR RIGHT CHOICES. AND FOR THE CONGRESS WHO CHOSE RIGHT.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT
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Sunday, March 20, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT
Thank you for watching the NCAA PLAYOFFS with me this week-end. You are a special young man and I am very blessed to have you as my Grandson. Have a good year at Miami U......

Saturday, March 19, 2005

WE CHOOSE LIFE

Deut 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (KJV)


Heaven and earth are on record and all will have to give account to God, their Creator, as to why they chose death over life. This is not a matter to be taken lightly or irreverently. The future generations depend on this generation. My husband and I choose life. I pray for life for Terri Schiavo.

Friday, March 18, 2005

MY PAPER AND PEN

This is another poem from my past that I wrote in 1974.


MY PAPER AND PEN

TO SIT DOWN AND WRITE
WITH MY PAPER AND PEN
IS A PLEASURE I FIND
WHEN THERE'RE THOUGHTS TO CONTEND.

TO WRITE CRAZY THOUGHTS DOWN
MAKE THEM SEEM SMALL
WHILE UP IN MY MIND
THEY GET NOTHING BUT TALL.

AS THEY RUN FROM MY BRAIN
DOWN MY ARM THEY GET TIRED.
SOME OUT OF BREATH
SOME ARE EXPIRED.

SO WHENEVER IF FEEL
I'M ENGULFED BY MY MIND
MY PAPER AND PEN
CAN'T BE CALLED "WASTE OF TIME".

ASHLEY SMITH'S OWN WORDS

This is from the transcript of Ashley Smith's testimony when she met with reporters in her lawyer's office on Sunday, March 13: (And reported by Peggy Noonan on The Opinion Journal Thursday, March 17, 2005)



It was about 2 o'clock in the morning. I was at--I was leaving my apartment to go to the store. I noticed a blue truck in the parking lot with a man in it pulling up. And he parked in the parking space. And I really didn't think too much about it because I just moved into that apartment, you know, two days prior. So I thought maybe he was a neighbor coming home or something.
So I left and went to the store. And I came back to my apartment about five minutes later. And the truck was still there. And he was still in it. . . . And I kind of got a little worried then. I thought there's somebody still in that truck. So I got my key to my house ready. And I opened up my car door, and I got out and shut it. And I heard his shut right behind me. I started walking to my door, and I felt really, you know, scared. . . .

I started to scream, and he put a gun to my side and he said, "Don't scream. If you don't scream I won't hurt you." He told me to go into the bathroom, so I went to the bathroom. And he followed into the bathroom and he said, "Do you know who I am?" and I said no because he had a hat on. And then he took his hat off, and he said, "Now do you know who I am?" And I said, "Yeah, I know who you are. Please don't hurt, just please don't hurt me. I have a 5-year-old little girl. Please don't hurt me."

He said, "I'm not going hurt you if you just do what I say." I said, "All right." So I got--he told me to get into the bathtub, so I got in the bathtub. And he said, "I really don't feel comfortable around here. I'm going to walk around your house for a few minutes just so I get the feel of it."

I said, "OK."

He said, "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anybody else, so please don't do anything that's going to hurt you." He said, "You know, somebody could have heard your scream already. And if they did, the police are on the way. And I'm going to have to hold you hostage. And I'm going to have to kill you and probably myself and lots of other people. And I don't want that."

And I said, "OK. I will do what you say."

He looked around my house for a few minutes. I heard him opening up drawers and just going through my stuff. And he came back in. And he said, "I want to relax. And I don't feel comfortable with you right now. So I'm going to have to tie you up."

He brought some masking tape and an extension cord and a curtain in there. And I kind of thought he was going to strangle me. I was--I was really kind of scared. But he told me to turn around and put my hands behind my back. And he wrapped my hands in a prayer--in a praying position, so I did that. And he wrapped masking tape around my hands. And then he told me to go into my bedroom. And I sat down on the bed like he asked. And he wrapped my legs with masking tape and an extension cord. . . .

He said, "Can you walk?"

And I said, "No."

And so he picked me up and took me to the bathroom. And he put me on a stool that I have in my bathroom. He said he wanted to take a shower.

So I said, "OK. You take a shower."

He said, "Well, I'm going to put a towel over your head so you don't have to watch me take a shower."

So I said, "OK. All right."

He got in the shower. Took a shower. And then he got out of the shower. And he had the guns laying on the counter. But--I guess he really wasn't worried about me grabbing them because I was tied up.

He asked me if I had a T-shirt. I told him where to find one.

So he got dressed. He put on some clothes that I had in my house that were men's clothes. And then he came back in the bathroom.

He said, "Can you get up?"

So I got up.

He said, "Can you walk now?"

I said, "No, but I can hop."

So I hopped to my bedroom and sat on the bed. And he cut the tape off of me, unwrapped the extension cord and curtain. I guess, at that point, he kind of made me feel like he was comfortable enough with me that he untied me. So--we went back in the bathroom. That's where he felt more comfortable--in the bathroom away from the front of the house, I guess. And we just talked.

I asked him if--I told him that I was supposed to go see my little girl the next morning. And I asked him if I could go see her. And he told me no.

My husband died four years ago. And I told him that if he hurt me, my little girl wouldn't have a mommy or a daddy. And she was expecting to see me the next morning. That if he didn't let me go, she would be really upset.

He still told me no. But I could kind of feel that he started to--to know who I was. He said maybe. Maybe I'll let you go--just maybe. We'll see how things go.

We went to my room. And I asked him if I could read.

He said, "What do you want to read?"

Well, I have a book in my room." So I went and got it. I got my Bible. And I got a book called "The Purpose-Driven Life." I turned it to the chapter that I was on that day. It was Chapter 33. And I started to read the first paragraph of it. After I read it, he said, "Stop, will you read it again?

I said, "Yeah. I'll read it again." So I read it again to him.

It mentioned something about what you thought your purpose in life was. What were you--what talents were you given? What gifts were you given to use?

And I asked him what he thought. And he said, "I think it was to talk to people and tell them about you."

I basically just talked to him and tried to gain his trust. I wanted to leave to go see my daughter. That was really important. I didn't want him to hurt anybody else.

He came into my apartment telling me that he was a soldier. And that people--that his people needed him for a job to do. And he was doing it.

And--I didn't want him to hurt anybody else. He didn't want to hurt anybody else. He just told me that he wanted a place to stay to relax, to sit down and watch TV, to eat some real food.

I talked to him about my family. I told him about things that had happened in my life. I asked him about his family. I asked him why he did what he did.

And his reason was because he was a soldier.

I asked him why he chose me and why he chose Bridgewater Apartments. And he said he didn't know, just randomly.

But after we began to talk, he said he thought that I was an angel sent from God. And that I was his sister and he was my brother in Christ. And that he was lost and God led him right to me to tell him that he had hurt a lot of people. And the families--the people--to let him know how they felt, because I had gone through it myself.

He told me that he didn't--he didn't want to hurt the agent that he hurt. He begged and pleaded with him to do things his way, and he didn't. So he had to kill him. He said that he didn't shoot the deputy, that he hit her. And that he hoped she lived. He showed me a picture of the--the agent that he did kill. And I tried to explain to him that he killed a 40-year-old man that was probably a father, a husband, a friend.

And he really began to trust me, to feel my feelings. He looked at pictures of my family. He asked me to--if he could look at them and hold them. . . .

I really didn't keep track of time too much because I was really worried about just living. I didn't want to die. I didn't want him to hurt anybody else. And I really didn't want him to hurt himself or anyone else to hurt him. He's done enough--he had done enough. And he really, honestly when I looked at him, he looked like he didn't want to do it anymore.

He asked me what I thought he should do.

And I said, "I think you should turn yourself in. If you don't turn yourself in," this is what I said, "If you don't turn yourself in, lots more people are going to get hurt. And you're probably going to die."

And he said, "I don't want that to happen."

He said, "Can I stay here for a few days? I just want to eat some real food and watch some TV and sleep and just do normal things that normal people do."

So, of course, I said, "Sure. You can stay here." I didn't want--I wanted to gain his trust.

Most of my time was spent talking to this man about my life and experiences in my life, things that had happened to me.

He needed hope for his life. He told me that he was already dead. He said, "Look at me, look at my eyes. I am already dead."

And I said, "You are not dead. You are standing right in front of me. If you want to die, you can. It's your choice."

But after I started to read to him, he saw--I guess he saw my faith and what I really believed in. And I told him I was a child of God and that I wanted to do God's will. I guess he began to want to. That's what I think.

He got to know me. I got to know him. He talked about his family. How--he was wondering what they were thinking. He said, "They're probably--don't know what to think."

We watched the news. He looked at the TV and he just said, "I cannot believe that's me on there."

About 5:30, 6--well, 6, 6:30--he said, "I need to make a move." And I said, "A move?" He said, "I need to get rid of this car before daylight, this truck [the agent's]." I said, "OK."

I knew that if I didn't agree to go with him, follow him to get the truck--he'd just take the truck, then one thing--or two--one of two things. He would kill me right then, and say, "All right, well, if you're not going to help me, then I won't need you anymore." Or the police would never find him, or it would take longer. And someone else would get hurt, and I was trying to avoid that.

So I went . . . I said, "Can I take my cell phone?" He said, "Do you want to?" I said, "Yeah." I'm thinking, well, I might call the police then, and I might not. So I took it anyway. He didn't take any guns with him. The guns were laying around the house. Pretty much after he untied [me], they were just laying around the house.

And at one point, he said, "You know, I'd rather you shoot--the guns are laying in there--I'd rather you shoot me than them." I said, "I don't want anyone else to die, not even you."

So we went to take the truck, and I was behind him, following him. And I thought about calling the police, you know, I thought, he's about to be in the car with me right now. So I can call the police, and when he gets in the car, then they can surround me and him together, and I could possibly get hurt, or we can go back to my house.

And I really felt deep down inside that he was going to let me see my little girl. And I said--or then when I leave, he can be there by himself, or he--he finally agreed to let me go see my daughter. I had to leave at 9, 9:30. And I really believed that he was going to.

From the time he walked into my house until we were taking that truck, he was a totally different person to me. I felt very threatened, scared. I felt he was going to kill me when--when I first--when he first put the gun to my side. But when I followed him to pick--to take the truck, I felt he was going to--he was really going to turn himself in. So he took the truck.

He got in the car and I said, "Are you ready now?" And he said, "Give me a few days, please." I said, "Come on, you've got to turn yourself in now." I didn't feel like he might--I felt like he might change his mind, that he might not want to turn himself in the next day, or a few days after that, and that if he did feel that way, then he would need money, and the only way he could get money was if he hurt somebody and took it from them.

So we went back to my house and got in the house. And he was hungry, so I cooked him breakfast. He was overwhelmed with--"Wow," he said, "real butter, pancakes?"

And I just talked with him a little more, just about--about--we pretty much talked about God . . . what his reason was, why he made it out of there.

I said, "Do you believe in miracles? Because if you don't believe in miracles--you are here for a reason. You're here in my apartment for some reason. You got out of that courthouse with police everywhere, and you don't think that's a miracle? You don't think you're supposed to be sitting here right in front of me listening to me tell you, you know, your reason here?"

I said, "You know, your miracle could be that you need to--you need to be caught for this. You need to go to prison and you need to share the word of God with them, with all the prisoners there."

Then 9 came. He said, "What time do you have to leave?" I said, "I need to be there at 10, so I need to leave about 9:30." And I sat down and talked to him a little bit more. And he put the guns under the bed, like . . . I'm not going to mess around with them anymore.

He gave me some money when I was about to leave. Just kind of like he knew. I said, "You might need this money." And he said, "No, I don't need it. I'm going to be here for the next few days."

I basically said, keep the money. And he said, "No, I don't need it." He asked me if there was anything I could do--or he could do for me before I left, or while I was going. He says, "Is there anything I can do while you're gone?"

I know he was probably hoping deep down that I was going to come back, but I think he knew that I was going to--what I had to do, and I had to turn him in, and I gave him--I asked him several times, you know, "Come on, just go with me." He said, "I'll go with you in a few days."

But when he asked me, "Is there anything I can do while you're gone, like hang your curtains or something?" And I said, "Yeah, if you want to."

He just wanted some normalness to his life right then. He--I think he realized all this--all this that I've been through, this is not me. I don't know, that's my opinion of what he . . .

Then I left my house at 9:30. And I got in the car. And I immediately called 911. I told them that he was there, and she asked me where I was. I said, "Oh, I'm on my way to see my daughter." I felt glad to just really be on my way to see my daughter. She said, "You've got to turn around and go to the leasing office." So that's what I did.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

WHY I BLOG

Metamora Patter

I am just as excited today about blogging as I was when I started Feb 22, almost one month ago. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to put the various thoughts and ideas into words that THEY can then be shared over the net. I have no clue as to who you are of if there is anyone out there in the vast blogosphere who has even found my Blog let alone taken the time to read it. I move from mood to mood and emotion to emotion, but the one area of my life and existence that never changes is the written, revealed WORD OF GOD...THE B.I.B.L.E BIBLE. I like the King James Version best but read the other versions for comparison. I will be putting more links on here just as soon as I learn how to do it with ease. I have managed to post one, but it took me three times to do it, and I don't remember what I did right the time it worked. Have a good one and will talk in here later

GOTTA GO NOW AND WATCH THE NCAA BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS.

GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN

GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN
BY PAT GULLEY

Acts 16:30-35
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
(KJV)


I believe this is one of the most revealing scriptures we have regarding the new birth. The jailor that asked Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved received this answer. "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED" Then in the same sentence the Apostle Paul said, "AND THOU HOUSE".

It is wonderful when an entire household gets saved. Dad hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and runs and gets Mom and the kids, and anyone else living in the house or even nearby. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa were living with them and they got to hear the good news about Jesus and His saving grace. Maybe there were some aunts, uncles, or cousins who lived in the area and they came along to hear the WORD OF THE LORD.

This reminds me when Cornelius was told by an angel to send for the Apostle Peter to come to his house to tell him what to do to be saved When Peter arrived at Cornelius' house, he found a house full of relatives and acquaintances ready to hear the good news that Peter would give them. Peter told them about Jesus and how God had anointed him with the Holy Ghost and power to go about the region and to good, healing and delivering all who were oppressed of the devil. He then told them of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and how He was now seated at God's right hand waiting to be invited to into their hearts and to forgive them of all their sins. You can read this lesson in(Acts 10:1-45.)

But let's get back to the Philipian jailor and his family. They are now gathered together in the jailor's house, and either Paul or Silas tells them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. WE know what Paul preached, because he preached the same thing in all the Churches of the saints and to all the unbelievers.

Let me remind you just what the Gospel always includes as written in 1 Co 15:1-4.JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED, BURIED, AND RESURRECTED
WHOEVER BELIEVES THIS AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED.
GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN..
JUST SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

THE PRODIGAL'S FATHER

Metamora Patter


THE PRODIGAL'S FATHER
BY PAT GULLEY

Luke 15:11-13
(11) And he said, A certain man had two sons:
(12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
(13) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (KJV)


This teaching from Jesus is usually taught from the viewpoint of the youngest son who couldn't wait for his Father to die to receive his inheritance. He asked his Father to give him his portion early and the Father gave both sons their share of the estate. The young man left home and immediately wasted everything he had received on what Jesus called "riotous" living. It is hard to interpret that to mean anything except wine, women, and song. (Or what ever was the equivalent in that time period.) The older son stayed home and did his "duty".
I have always been amazed at the Father's actions. Jesus had just told two parables about someone losing something that was valuable to them. The man who owned 100 sheep lost one and immediately set out to find the lost sheep and to bring it home. (Vs. 3-7) A woman lost a coin inside her own house and instantly lit a candle, and swept the house and searched until she found the piece of money that she had lost. (Vs. 8-10) Both were so excited to find that which had been lost that they invited their friends and neighbors in to celebrate with them.
But here we have Jesus telling us a story about a Father whose son just left home. He did not go out and search for him. That amazes me. How could a Father just stand by and watch his son walk away and not run after him and beg him to come back home? How could this Dad not explain the seriousness of the situation to his son but instead give him that for which he had asked? I spent lots of time trying to figure out what kind of a Father this man was.
I just imagine that there were many well-intentioned friends and neighbors who kept the Father informed on the son's activities. I can just hear the tongues wagging and see the eyes rolling as the servants whispered about what they had been hearing about their boss's family problems. But what was the Father doing? How was he handling this very difficult situation? Was he walking around the house moaning and crying about his son's dreadful choice? Was he blaming God for letting him down when he needed Him most? Was he afraid he would never see his son again? No, I don't think so.
I believe the prodigal son's father did just as God did in the Garden of Eden. He knew that all human beings are free to choose their paths. I do not believe that it was the Father's fear that brought the young man back, but his faith. I believe that the Father trusted in God and knew that one day he would see his son walking up that long road home. I believe that after the son left, the Father continued living his life as he always had. The important thing to know was that the Father EXPECTED HIS SON TO RETURN HOME. He never lost faith in the young man. That is how our Lord is about us. He never gives up on our getting it right. In fact, HE EXPECTS US TO. All of heaven's angels are ready to rejoice with Him when we do. It's time to come home; there's no more need to roam. Your Father is waiting for you

(This is my weekly newspaper article published in the Brookville American and the Brookville Democrat.)

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

OBSERVING THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

We are living in exciting times. You can read Jesus' words as recorded by Matthew in chapter 24 of Matthew's Gospel, and be amazed at how on the mark Jesus was in telling us what we could expect in these last days and hours.

There are wars, earthquakes, floods and fires, but it is the happenings in the Middle East that is so extraordinary. Countries that were completely closed off to the message of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are suddenly crying out for freedom. Whether you agree or disagree with the main reason Pres. Bush used to go to war in Iraq, you must be pleased with the ongoing events at this time. The election of January 30, 2005,in Iraq, set an example to other people living in neighboring countries that the time has come to step out of darkness into light.

I believe that this is an open window giving Christians the opportunity to proclaim the TRUTH about God and His Son, Jesus the Messiah. It was also difficult 2000 years ago, but that generation also took the Gospel to those very same nations. In fact, some of them were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and heard for themselves about the Lord Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to continue His Mission in setting the captives free, healing the sick, and forgiving all people of all their sins if only thay would believe and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Acts 2:7-11)

The world has never been the same, and I believe that is what we are witnessing today. The world will never be the same in our generation as people are being set free just to have a chance to hear about Jesus and then to have the choice be set from death, Hell, and the grave. Before you can make the choice, you have to have the chance to hear the Truth and then to accept or to reject Jesus as your Messiah and LORD. (Romans 10:14-15)

I remember the thrill the day the "window" for the Gospel to be preached in Russia and the other nations of the former Soviet Union opened. Thank God for satellites and for ministries and ministers who were brave and unafraid and who stepped through that opened door. And today thank God for the men and women who went to the devastated countries that had been hit with the Tsunami. They did not preach or teach to those in their despair and pain, but they showed the love and compassion of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws mankind to Jesus.

Listen to the words of Jesus from Matthew 24:14.

Everybody gets the chance to make a choice.
Matt 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(KJV)

Monday, March 14, 2005


LORA AND HER DAD
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SO TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORA LYNN

On this day, 43 year ago, the Lord blessed my husband and I with a third baby girl, Lora Lynn. My hubby was in Japan when she was born and I had moved back to Metamora to stay with Mom and Dad. Colleen Shea, the oldest sister was 2 years old, and Natalie Jo was 1. Lora is and has always been a blessing to our family.

Sunday, March 13, 2005

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FAREWELLS

Metamora Patter

This day has been very difficult for the family and friends of Ken and Kim. Kim died Friday morning at the age of 38. We still do not know for sure just what killed her, but we do know that it is one of the most devastating things that has happened in Metamora. I have always loved how this small town gathers together to help one another in their hour of need, and I saw that again today. Bro Wayne's new Church opened its doors for everyone to say their farewells to Kim and to let Ken and their daughter Ashley know just how deeply they are loved. Kim's and Ken's family are lights in this time of darkness. They are also very rich in friends, and many of those friends who were there today will be there tomorrow and for all the days ahead that Ken will have need of them. I thank the Lord for the knowledge that no matter what the circumstance, all things work together for good for them that love the Lord. And I am sure that Kim loved the Lord with all her heart, and that Ken knows that, and in the knowing will find the peace he needs to live one day at a time. One day soon the last trumpet of God will sound, and when it does the Lord Jesus Himself will descend from heaven and Kim will be with him along with all others who have gone before. When that happens the graves will burst open and the bodies of all God's children will be raised incorruptible and will again be inhabited by the beautiful spirits of their departed loved ones. This is what we have to comfort one another with.(1Th 4:13-18) Jesus may return any day, and when he does, Ken and Kim will be reunited. So in reality, Kim is only a day away. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen

Saturday, March 12, 2005


HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANICE
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Metamora Patter

Metamora Patter

Just got back from a Birthday Open House for a very special person. Love going to birthday parties.....get to see friends cousins that I haven't seen in ages. I have to say one thing, this is a very loving family. I praise the Lord for his mercy and grace that is abundantly poured out on Janice, her children, her grandchildren, and her 24 great-grandchildren.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANICE

JANICE AND HER SIX CHILDREN
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THE METAMORA MOON : A POEM BY METAMORA PATTER

Metamora Patter


THE METAMORA MOON

The moon above thinks not of love,
Thinks not of lovers tender.
It has not thought nor should it ought
It but reveals God's splendor.

The moonlit night, the stars so bright
Do not control a man.
The awful thought that man's robot
But helps the devil stand.

The moon's soft light, shines through the night
To make us all aware.
Of God's great power in darkest hour.
That's why he placed it there.

Written by Pat in 1974

Friday, March 11, 2005

STILL TRYING TO SNOW

Metamora Patter
It is still trying to snow in Metmora today. They have forecast snow almost every day this week, and all we get is a few flurries. I know winter likes to show up at this time of year and watch our basketball playoffs but this year it can't quite make up its mind. I am one who is ready for each Seson to arrive and for the old one to get gone. That is how I am about this snow-thing. "Snow snow go away...come again another day......Little robins want to play."

Thursday, March 10, 2005


Granddaughters Katelyn with Great Granddaughter Kirsten, Rebecca, and Shealyn....
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Teenager Working for Grandma

Metamora Patter

My Granddaughter 'Becca is here now clealing our house. She comes over every week and makes sure things are in tip-top shape for me and her Grandpa. I believe that it is the responsibility of the older women to teach the younger women "How To Do" certain things. That is what the Apostle Paul told Titus in the letter he wrote to him. I thought it was odd when I first read the letter because of what Paul told Titus the older women were to teach to the young girls. But now I think it is one of the wisest things taught in the New Testament.

Titus 2:1-5

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
(KJV)


Look what they are to teach the young women. Plus they are to teach them HOW TO DO THESE:

1. To be sober: CALM COOL AND COLLECTED

2. To love their husbands......now that is a lesson that is ongoing.

3. To love their children.....and that is not an easy task either.

4. To be discreet......don't tell every thing you know (cover your families' nakedness)

5. To be chaste.....this is a word that you have to teach its meaning before you can teach how to be..

6. To be keepers at home..not home makers..but home KEEPERS..HANG ON TO YOUR MAN AND KIDS

7. To be good......we know that there is none good but God....so this is a good lesson to learn

8. To be obedient to own husband......don't think this is a slam-dunk lesson..but it is a good one.

A person who decides to follow Jesus after living a hard life in this world has a lot or re-programing to do. And I do not mean the "OPRAH SCHOOL FOR YOUNG WOMEN." A little girl gets a head start if her Mom and Grandmother teach her these things at an early age.....

But that is another post for another day.

Point of this post is that we older women have a grave responsibility in training and teaching the young ladies in our families to be lovely and loving people...especially to their husbands and children.

Grandma Colleen singing "Give God Glory" with Kirsten
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Metamora Patter Reads Proverbs to G.Grand Daughter

Metamora Patter

What a privilege to be able to read from the Proverbs to my Great-Granddaughter Kirsten. I was watching Kirsten this morning while reading from Proverbs Chapter 10 on my computer screen. I have a great software program and can read from various versions of the Bible. As I read the Proverbs and explained what each one meant, this precious baby smiled and cooed and seemed to love the attention. I have always wondered what goes on in those tiny hearts and minds of infants. I believe that those spoken works will stay in her heart like seeds on a shelf until someday the sunshine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the rain of the spoken word which carries faith in the hearing of it will cause those seeds to take root in Kirsten's heart and grow. She will be filled with wisdom and knowledge of the LORD and will be a person who brings love and joy to whoever she meets and wherever she goes. God will bless Kirsten and she will be a blessing to others.

Here is Kirsten waiting for me to read to her from the Bible. We like Proverbs right now.
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Wednesday, March 09, 2005

WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Metamora Patter

This is my weekly Religion article that is in the Brookville papers every week.


FORGIVENESS IS FOR GIVING
BY PAT GULLEY

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

The Apostle Paul is on trial because the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were upset with him for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Jews. In fact, they were furious at him and tried every way they could to kill him. (Ac 23:12-35) It was because of the prejudice against him in Jewish courts that the Roman Soldier Lysias had Paul taken under cover of night escorted by 470 soldiers to Caesarea to be tried under Roman law. Lysias discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen and was determined to get him out of Jerusalem before the Jews had him killed. (Acts 23: 20-35)

Paul himself had been very aggressive concerning Christians and their preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was furious that these heretics were teaching that Jesus was the Messiah. He was possessed with pursuing them and had them arrested, imprisoned, and even put to death under Jewish law and the Jewish courts. (Ac 26:9-11) It was during this activity that Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1-9) Paul was forever changed and knew that his Messiah had come.

When Paul appeared before Festus, the Governor of Caesarea, and King Agrippa, he gives his testimony of this dramatic encounter and quotes what the Lord Jesus said to him at his conversion. Jesus told him that He was going to send Paul to be a minister and a witness of HIS RESURRECTION, and of all the other things that he would see and experience in his new life as a born again believer and as a minister of Jesus the Christ.

Jesus also told Paul that he would be protected and delivered from all the attacks and the plans of the enemy. (2 Co 11:22-33) But Paul understood his main mission was to preach the truth of Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection to both Jews and Gentiles. The faith that accompanies the preaching of the Gospel would open their eyes and would turn them from darkness to light. They could receive Jesus as Lord and would be delivered from the power of Satan unto God. The believers would receive forgiveness of sins and would inherit the benefits of being a child of God by their being born into the Kingdom of God. (Col 1:12-13)

Paul had himself received the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, and he realized that he was to use this forgiveness by giving forgiveness to others, friend and enemy alike. One of the main tenets of Christianity is the fact that having been forgiven of all our sins by a just and righteous God, we are to forgive others in like manner. Paul wrote to the Churches that any person who preaches anything should practice what he preaches. (Rom 2:21-23) Do we preach forgiveness? Then we must give forgiveness to others.

The ability to forgive is possible to all who have received forgiveness from God. This is a great gift and it is to be shared. We see Paul practice this sermon in his dealings with his tormenters, his thorns in the flesh, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem. They were driven to distraction with their hatred of Paul; but Paul was driven by Love and by his faith in Jesus Christ and the work He had given him to do. Paul never put himself back under the power of Satan by walking in unforgiveness. Neither should we. Amen








HERE'S HONEY
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Tuesday, March 08, 2005

OUR PET POODLE

Metamora Patter

We have a pet poodle named HONEY DU. My husband bought him for me for Christmas in 2001. I love that little dog and he seems to like living with us. I do admit to the fact that we have him spoiled. But he is a POODLE.....and aren't poodles supposed to be a little special? We took Honey to the groomers today. He looks soooo cute when he comes home. And of course, after we drop him off around 9:00 a.m.,we go to GREAT EXPECTATIONS for breakfast. They make pecan pancakes that are almost as good as CRACKERBARREL'S.

Monday, March 07, 2005

COUSIN ARLENE

MetamoraPatter

I was very pleased to see Cousin Arlene and her hubby in Church yesterday morning. They don't usually attend at Metamora Methodist. She had found out our Pastor, Rev. Mary Jane, was an old friend from New Castle. They had both worked for the same company several years ago. Would be nice if she makes this her home Church again. Arlene and I grew up together and spent many summers in Bible School and attending revivals. Do not forget to plant the seeds of Church attendance and the Bible in your kids as when they are grown, the seeds will always be there and with prayer and intercession you never know when they will take root and grow. It may be that they will be over 30 years old when they make the decision to accept Jesus Christ into their heart. It happened that way with me. But I sure did love those old time Church Services........they were running over with music, joy, and the love of the Lord.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

MetamoraPatter

THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE LORD HAS MADE
WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

This saying comes from the 118th Psalm. It is good to hear the words of David and to understand how he greeted a day. He made a decision very early in the morning to rejoice in the day. One never knows what awaits us as the day unfolds but we can always chose to enjoy the day. The joy of the Lord contains the strength we need to face each and every situation with an attitude of victory. At the end of the day we can thank the Lord because we chose to rejoice and we can be glad that we did. JESUS LIVES.....AND SO MUST WE.

Saturday, March 05, 2005

THE HEARTHSTONE RESTAURANT IN METAMORA

MetamoraPatter

If you ever come to Metamora, you will want to be sure and eat at the Hearthstone Restaurant. It is famous for its home-style fried chicken. It is also famous for its home-made pies by Natalie. They were featured in Country Living Magazine a few years ago. Natalie also bakes pies for the Duck Creek Palace in Metamora and the Mounds in Brookville. If you appreciate good old fashioned cooking, and you remember what a real home made pie tastes like, I am sure you will enjoy the drive to Metamora and I am sure you will find many other things to experience while you are here. See you soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE JO

MetamoraPatter

Natalie was born in New Orleans 44 years ago. She has been an absolute blessing to her Dad and me from the first breath she took. I praise the LORD for allowing us to be a part of Natalie's life.

HAPPY BIRTHDDAY NATALIE
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Friday, March 04, 2005

HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP US

MetamoraPatter

HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP US

ROMANS 8: 26 LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPETH OUR INFIRMITIES.

THESE ARE THE EIGHT HELPS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED IN ROMANS CHAPTER 8..

1.NEW BIRTH

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)

2. INDWELLING

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (KJV)

3.PHYSICAL HEALING

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (KJV)

4.OVERCOMING THE FLESH

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (KJV)

5.GUIDANCE

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)

6.WITNESS OUR NEW LIFE

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

7. HOPE OF RESURRECTION

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

8. INTERCESSION

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Lord Jesus told us that it would be better for us after He went back to His Father because He would then send the Holy Spirit to help us in the ways that we should walk. He sure did know what He was talking about.
AMEN?

SPRING IS SPRUNG

MetamoraPatter

Went outside to get in the van to go with hubby to the dentist to have a tooth pulled and saw my first daffodils (aka jonquils) of the season. It was the green shoots with some of them having tiny yellow blossoms. Reminded me of a poem we used to say when I was growing up here in Metamora.


SPRING IS SPRUNG
THE GRASS IS RIZ
I WONDER WHERE
THE FLOWERS IS.


I know, I know. It is corny....but who can tell what memories will pop up when something stirs the archives of a child's mind in an adult person's present?

LEARNING TO LINK: TAKE THREE

MetamoraPatter

CHECK OUT THIS HE IS A FRIEND OF MINE

LEARNING TO LINK...TAKE TWO

MetamoraPatter

Take two: Hey guys.....check out http://www.blogs.net/page/lherald">this. He is a friend of mine....

LEARNING TO LINK

MetamoraPatter

I found a neat web site that belongs to a friend of mine. Check it out and tell him I said hello.

LET'S SING

MetamoraPatter

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY
I HAVE A WONDERFUL SAVIOUR
EVERYTHING'S GOING HIS WAY.

LET'S SING IT AGAIN

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY
I HAVE A WONDERFUL SAVIOUR
EVERYTHING'S GOING HIS WAY.

Thursday, March 03, 2005

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE

MetamoraPatter

You will notice that I have FINALLY learned how to post pics on my Blog. 'Bout time isn't it!?
Just give me time and I will figure out how to get my pic on my profile page. lol

Metamora United Methodist Church
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Metamora's Canal Boat the Ben Franklin
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"Becca holding Kirsten"
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WEBLOG...WEBLOG...WE BLOG

MetamoraPatter

The term of WEBLOG got shortened to BLOG. That is a phrase I still have to explain to several people when I tell them to check out my Blog Site. I tell them it is a lot like keeping a daily journal,.diary...or a log of your daily activities. The WWW or World Wide Web has opened up the opportunity for each and any of us to reach out to people we have never seen, met, or even heard of. I cannot tell you why but I enjoy going "INTO ALL THE WORLD" and saying the many thoughts and words that race around in my mind and heart. I got my first comment/response yesterday and it was a BIG EVENT. I was thrilled someone I never heard of read the BLOG.
WE BLOG AND WE LOVE IT.

THE END OF THE DAY

It is the end of another day and I am still very excited about the opportunity to be here and to be able to record my thoughts and revelations of the day. I was thrilled with the privilege to baby-sit my great granddaughter Kirsten again today. My husband and I are very blessed to live next door to our children and grandchildren and their children. I believe that this is how people lived sevral generations ago....and hundreds of years or even thousands of years before that. Look at what happened to Abraham and Sarah.....started out with just the two of them and then their son Isaac and his wife and boys lived next door and then Jacob moved back to the homeplace with his family and you know what happened after Jacob and his 12 sons moved down to Egypt. After they left Egypt and headed back home there were so many of them they camped under the banner of their 12 great, great, great, grandfathers and instead of calling them families they divided them into tribes; but they all still lived around the FIRE of the HOLY PRESENCE OF GOD. I believe God likes living in the middle of his children even today.....and so do I.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

POEMS BY PATTER

MetamoraPatter
I HAD A DREAM

I HAD A DREAM THE OTHER NIGHT
AND IT WAS REALLY DUMB.
I DREAMED THAT THERE WERE TWO OF ME
INSTEAD OF ONLY ONE.

NOW I CAN JUST HEAR MOTHER
GOOD THING SHE WASN'T THERE.
THAT'S NOT A DREAM SHE'D CALMLY SAY
THAT'S A REAL NIGHTMARE.

NOW WHAT'S THIS BIT WITH MOTHERS?
IS IT WISDOM OR INSIGHT?
YOU KNOW I HATE TO SAY THIS
BUT MOTHER'S USUALLY RIGHT.

THE DREAM WAS BAD; I TOSSED AND TURNED
NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO.
WHEN I WOKE UP I LAUGHED OUT LOUD
YET I WAS CRYING TOO.

WRITTEN BY PAT 1972

NEWSPAPER COLUMN FOR MARCH 2

MetamoraPatter

THE THOUSAND YEAR DAY
BY PAT GULLEY


2 Pet 3:8

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (KJV)



The passing of time seems like an illusive theory. I remember when I was a kid; it seemed to be eons of time from one birthday to the next. And the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to take forever. When I complained that time was passing way too slowly, my Dad would smile and say, “Just wait until you get older. Time will go faster then.” Well, I must be older because now time seems to fly by. I used to think of time in days, then weeks, then months, then years. But now I seem to recall events in 10-year spans.

The days we are given to live on this earth can be treated with respect or can be wasted away. One phrase you will never hear me say when someone asks me what I am doing is to answer, “killing time.” I have replaced the work ‘kill’ with the word ‘fill’. I happen to believe it is much better to “fill time” than to kill it.

Moses is the recognized author of Psalm 90. I believe this is where the Apostle Peter got his insight into the saying, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Moses wrote in verse 4.

Ps 90:4

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (KJV)

I am intrigued by the phrase Moses added to ‘a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday’, when he wrote,’ WHEN IT IS PAST’. Time in its future tense often seems so very far away. We can talk about the return of Jesus in the near future or even any day, and it may still seem a very long time away. But when we talk about time gone by, it can seem as if it were but yesterday. Some people can remember 50 years ago and recall every word that was said and every person who said those words.

We can pull up memories from different stages of our lives, and they often seem so fresh we can smell the smells and feel the emotions. The good times and the bad times get all melded together in the recesses of our minds and if we are not careful, they can drag us back to those times and cause our angers or our loves or hates or resentments to take us captive all over again. As Christians we must recognize this fact of life and learn to let those thousand-year days stay in the past.

The older we get, the fewer days we have ahead of us to dwell on this earth and to walk with the Lord in the battlefield of faith. There will be no devil in heaven to resist and to defeat. There will be no lost people with whom to share the good news of the love of God as revealed in John 3:16. No one will pass from our lives causing the tears to flow down our checks and to have the Lord wipe those same tears from our eyes. In Heaven the angels will always be singing the praises of God and so will we. But today in this earth it is our time to sing to the LORD and to Thank Him for His Mercy and Grace. And it is the day and the time to be a living, breathing, witness to others that God is faithful to His Word and to the World. God still loves the world and His Son is Proof. AMEN

THE TIME TO REJOICE

MetamoraPatter
The time to rejoice is now. The time to pray is today. We have a wonderful gift called LIFE and it is important for us to utilize every moment of it. This life we have received from our Lord Jesus Christ is everlasting so let us enjoy the time given us on this planet. Remember, the promises of God are forever, and as I always say, "If it is for ever, it is for now."

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

MY V.I.P.FRIEND

MetamoraPatter
I just heard from my friend, Larry, the only V.I.P. I have ever known. (Of course all my friends are very important people but none of them is or was a professional like Larry.) He was a very popular D.J. on a big city radio station when I first met him and his wife and their children. I was so very blessed to get to know them. In fact, (I am smiling from ear to ear just thinking about it), he made a video tape of me reciting about 20 of my poems and I will be forever grateful to him for doing it. I still have it of course and get it out and watch it about once a year. (Keeps me humble) He also interviewed me for his radio program and I heard from several people because of it. My husband and I were operating THE METAMORA INN, our Bed and Breakfast at the time, and we got quite a few guests because of it. We also got the privilege of hosting several Church Retreat groups over the next couple of years. Thank you Larry. You are and always will be a V.I.P. in my life.

WHOOPS

MetamoraPatter

You may notice that there was no link on my last post. Be back later as I re-read the help section.
Could not stop myself.....just had to try again...this time with two links. lol
If you ever feel the need to offer suggestions I am open to them.

PRACTICE

MetamoraPatter
I know there is a way for me to post links on this blog. Bear with me as I make an attempt to do so. I am an avid reader of Lucianne.com and I recommend the site to all who would like to get a quick overview of all the news that is available on the net.
Thanks for your patience. If this works, I will be posting links as the Lord leads.

LION OR LAMB?