I have a son who is barely three
Who is now learning where to pee
There is one thing he doesn’t get
That pee belongs in the toilet.
We’ve tried all things to let him know
Just where his poo and pee should go
But even though we’ve tried and tried
He fills his pants just like a tide
So now we are at our wits end
My son just does not comprehend
That he must no longer poo or pee
In his pants; why can’t he see?
But I am not fooled by his wit
I’ll work with him; I will not quit
The boy will learn what he must do
He cannot sit in pee or poo
No diapers are allowed on him
Because he fills them to the brim
And I don’t care what people think
My son’s crap totally stinks
So Billy, listen up right now
Don’t say, “I can’t; I don’t know how”
For I am tired of the mess
It’s time for you to make progress
Listen to my words my son
It’s about time to git er done
Just learn the lesson; get a clue
Or I just may have to pee on you.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
My Butterfly
I want to say just what I feel
I thank You Lord for a love that’s real
You bless my life, I want to fly
I want to fly with my butterfly
Will you spread your wings and fly with me
Together now until eternity
This love we share does not compare
To a very rare diamond or ruby
Will you take my hand and fly with me
Through the winds of life, together we’ll see
The hand of God will guide you and me
Through the deepest seas, into the Heavenlies
With you in my life I can clearly see
What people call fate or call destiny
My butterfly, we are meant to be
I want the world to see how much you mean to me
I love you my butterfly
I want to be with you till I die
You are a precious gift to me
I want to fly with you eternally
I thank Jesus for a virtuous
Friend I have in you this is true love
My butterfly, we will fly
Into the skies, into the skies
I love you my butterfly
I want to be with you until I die
You are a precious gift to me
I want to fly with you eternally
I want to say just what I feel
I thank you Lord for a love that’s real
You bless my life and I will fly
Into the skies with my butterfly.
I thank You Lord for a love that’s real
You bless my life, I want to fly
I want to fly with my butterfly
Will you spread your wings and fly with me
Together now until eternity
This love we share does not compare
To a very rare diamond or ruby
Will you take my hand and fly with me
Through the winds of life, together we’ll see
The hand of God will guide you and me
Through the deepest seas, into the Heavenlies
With you in my life I can clearly see
What people call fate or call destiny
My butterfly, we are meant to be
I want the world to see how much you mean to me
I love you my butterfly
I want to be with you till I die
You are a precious gift to me
I want to fly with you eternally
I thank Jesus for a virtuous
Friend I have in you this is true love
My butterfly, we will fly
Into the skies, into the skies
I love you my butterfly
I want to be with you until I die
You are a precious gift to me
I want to fly with you eternally
I want to say just what I feel
I thank you Lord for a love that’s real
You bless my life and I will fly
Into the skies with my butterfly.
A Love Song to Jesus
Oh How I long to be with You my Lord, forever.
Deeply held in Your arms of grace.
Please hold me close to You, embraced in Your love, Savior.
Hold me so I can touch Your face.
Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need
Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need.
You are all I need…..You’re my gift.
This love that I’m feeling overwhelms me completely.
I see Your mercy in Your eyes.
Your passion for me, consumes my thoughts, You have healed me.
You wiped my tears, taken my cries.
Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need
Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need.
You are all I need…..You’re my gift.
Deeply held in Your arms of grace.
Please hold me close to You, embraced in Your love, Savior.
Hold me so I can touch Your face.
Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need
Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need.
You are all I need…..You’re my gift.
This love that I’m feeling overwhelms me completely.
I see Your mercy in Your eyes.
Your passion for me, consumes my thoughts, You have healed me.
You wiped my tears, taken my cries.
Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need
Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus, You are all I need.
You are all I need…..You’re my gift.
Proverbs Six
My son, My son; if you’ve become, surety for your friend
If you have shaken hands in pledge; for a stranger, to no end
If you are snared and taken; by the words of your own mouth
Do this my son, to deliver you; and free you from this vow.
Since you have come into, the hand of your own friend
Humble yourself, plead your case; go now, do this; begin!
Give no slumber to your eyelids, Give no sleep to your eyes
Deliver yourself like a gazelle; like a bird saved from demise.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, be wise
She has no captain, nor ruler; yet each summer provides supplies
She gathers food in harvest, there’s a lesson here to learn
How long will you sleep O sluggard? When will you rise and turn?
A little sleep, a little slumber; a little folding of your sleeping hands
And poverty shall come upon you, like a prowler; your need, like an armed man.
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a mouth of perversity
He winks his eyes, shuffles his feet; devises evil continually
He points his finger, he sows discord; perversity’s in his heart
Calamity shall come his way and he shall fall apart
Suddenly he shall be broken, without remedy, without end
His life will be worse off now; than when his life began.
There are six things that the LORD hates; yes, seven are an abomination
A lying tongue, a man who sows, discord among the brethren
Hearts that devise, wicked plans; hands that shed innocent blood
Feet that run to evil; faster than a sudden flood
A proud look, a false witness, who constantly speaks lies
These abominations are hated by God, and are despised.
My son, my son, you must obey, keep your fathers command
Do not forsake your mothers law; for they will make you stand
Bind these laws upon your heart; do this continually
Tie these laws around your neck; they will keep you when you sleep.
For when you roam, they’ll lead you, when you awake, they will speak life
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is a bright light
Reproofs of instruction, are the way of life, you see
To keep you from the evil woman; from her fleeting beauty
To keep you from the seductress; from her flattering tongue
Don’t lust after her beauty; don’t go for her, it’s wrong
Do not be allured, by the way she moves her eyes
For by means of a harlot, many strong men have died
For a man is reduced to a crust of bread; yes, that is right
As your precious soul, becomes the prey, of ones wife
Can a man take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned?
Can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be blistered?
So it is with he, who goes into his neighbors wife
Whoever touches her shall not be innocent, but despised.
People don’t despise a thief, when he steals because he’s hungry
Yet when he’s found, he must restore. Sevenfold for his robbery
He may have to give up, all the household things he owns
That’s the price he’ll have to pay, he will reap what was sown
Whoever commits adultery with a woman is a fool
For he who does so, lacks understanding, and destroys his soul
Wounded and dishonored, that’s the way that he will be
His reproach wont go away; no, it will never cease
For jealousy is a husbands fury to no end
And he will never spare you in the day of vengeance
He wont accept recompense, nor be appeased with gifts
Though you give him many; you will never profit!!!
If you have shaken hands in pledge; for a stranger, to no end
If you are snared and taken; by the words of your own mouth
Do this my son, to deliver you; and free you from this vow.
Since you have come into, the hand of your own friend
Humble yourself, plead your case; go now, do this; begin!
Give no slumber to your eyelids, Give no sleep to your eyes
Deliver yourself like a gazelle; like a bird saved from demise.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, be wise
She has no captain, nor ruler; yet each summer provides supplies
She gathers food in harvest, there’s a lesson here to learn
How long will you sleep O sluggard? When will you rise and turn?
A little sleep, a little slumber; a little folding of your sleeping hands
And poverty shall come upon you, like a prowler; your need, like an armed man.
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a mouth of perversity
He winks his eyes, shuffles his feet; devises evil continually
He points his finger, he sows discord; perversity’s in his heart
Calamity shall come his way and he shall fall apart
Suddenly he shall be broken, without remedy, without end
His life will be worse off now; than when his life began.
There are six things that the LORD hates; yes, seven are an abomination
A lying tongue, a man who sows, discord among the brethren
Hearts that devise, wicked plans; hands that shed innocent blood
Feet that run to evil; faster than a sudden flood
A proud look, a false witness, who constantly speaks lies
These abominations are hated by God, and are despised.
My son, my son, you must obey, keep your fathers command
Do not forsake your mothers law; for they will make you stand
Bind these laws upon your heart; do this continually
Tie these laws around your neck; they will keep you when you sleep.
For when you roam, they’ll lead you, when you awake, they will speak life
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is a bright light
Reproofs of instruction, are the way of life, you see
To keep you from the evil woman; from her fleeting beauty
To keep you from the seductress; from her flattering tongue
Don’t lust after her beauty; don’t go for her, it’s wrong
Do not be allured, by the way she moves her eyes
For by means of a harlot, many strong men have died
For a man is reduced to a crust of bread; yes, that is right
As your precious soul, becomes the prey, of ones wife
Can a man take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned?
Can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be blistered?
So it is with he, who goes into his neighbors wife
Whoever touches her shall not be innocent, but despised.
People don’t despise a thief, when he steals because he’s hungry
Yet when he’s found, he must restore. Sevenfold for his robbery
He may have to give up, all the household things he owns
That’s the price he’ll have to pay, he will reap what was sown
Whoever commits adultery with a woman is a fool
For he who does so, lacks understanding, and destroys his soul
Wounded and dishonored, that’s the way that he will be
His reproach wont go away; no, it will never cease
For jealousy is a husbands fury to no end
And he will never spare you in the day of vengeance
He wont accept recompense, nor be appeased with gifts
Though you give him many; you will never profit!!!
Proverbs Seven
My son, my son, you must obey
Treasure my words and never stray
Keep my commands so you may live
Flee from the immoral woman
Bind my law upon your finger
Say to wisdom you’re my sister
Keep my law before your eyes
Flee the seductress or you’ll die
For outside my window was a man
Who had no clue, did not understand
He took the path that’s near her house
He met the harlot and was aroused
She is crafty, loud, and keen
She’s never home, always lurking
On the corner, she saw him there
She caught his eyes and saw him stare
She ran to him in such a bliss
Threw up her arms, gave him a kiss
With a shameless face she said
Come home with me, I’ve perfumed my bed
My husbands gone, I’m all alone
Let’s delight in love, come on, let’s go!
With enticing speech, she made him stop
And captured him, just like an ox
He was caught up in her snare
Because this young man did not care
His lust consumed him like a river
Till an arrow pierced his liver
As he took another’s wife
He had no idea it would cost his life
Therefore my child, listen again
To these words I have spoken
Don’t let your heart follow her ways
Get off the path she’s on today
For she has wounded many men
Even the strong ones could not win
Her house is on the path to hell
Where chambers await all those who fell
Treasure my words and never stray
Keep my commands so you may live
Flee from the immoral woman
Bind my law upon your finger
Say to wisdom you’re my sister
Keep my law before your eyes
Flee the seductress or you’ll die
For outside my window was a man
Who had no clue, did not understand
He took the path that’s near her house
He met the harlot and was aroused
She is crafty, loud, and keen
She’s never home, always lurking
On the corner, she saw him there
She caught his eyes and saw him stare
She ran to him in such a bliss
Threw up her arms, gave him a kiss
With a shameless face she said
Come home with me, I’ve perfumed my bed
My husbands gone, I’m all alone
Let’s delight in love, come on, let’s go!
With enticing speech, she made him stop
And captured him, just like an ox
He was caught up in her snare
Because this young man did not care
His lust consumed him like a river
Till an arrow pierced his liver
As he took another’s wife
He had no idea it would cost his life
Therefore my child, listen again
To these words I have spoken
Don’t let your heart follow her ways
Get off the path she’s on today
For she has wounded many men
Even the strong ones could not win
Her house is on the path to hell
Where chambers await all those who fell
Proverbs Nine
Wisdom has now built her house
With seven pillars, all hewn out
She has slaughtered all her meats
She’s mixed her wine; prepared her feast
The tables’ set, the food is done
She’s sent her maidens their works begun
She cries out, from the highest place
Come eat with me, hurry, don't wait
Whoever’s simple; lend me your ear
Don’t understand... then turn in here
For I have, prepared my bread
I’ve mixed my wine; let’s eat, she said!
Forsake your foolishness and live
Understanding is what I will give
A scoffer you cannot correct
Your words of life he will reject
A wicked man, do not rebuke
You’ll harm yourself; and he’ll hate you
Rebuke a wise man for he will receive
Give him instruction and he will heed
Teach a just man, and you, he’ll love
He’ll increase in learning from above
The fear of God, is wisdom, you see
Knowledge of Him is understanding
For I, Wisdom, to you will add
Years to your life; rejoice, be glad
If you are wise, great seeds are sown
But if you scoff, you’re on your own
A foolish woman’s loud and brass
Her words are vain; her actions rash
For she sits outside her house
Near the high place where she shouts out
She calls to those who pass on by
The simple hear and buy her lie
To those who do not understand
They turn aside; give her their hand
She tells them stolen waters sweet
Bread in secret is what you should eat
But they don’t know the dead are there
And the depths of hell shall be their share!
With seven pillars, all hewn out
She has slaughtered all her meats
She’s mixed her wine; prepared her feast
The tables’ set, the food is done
She’s sent her maidens their works begun
She cries out, from the highest place
Come eat with me, hurry, don't wait
Whoever’s simple; lend me your ear
Don’t understand... then turn in here
For I have, prepared my bread
I’ve mixed my wine; let’s eat, she said!
Forsake your foolishness and live
Understanding is what I will give
A scoffer you cannot correct
Your words of life he will reject
A wicked man, do not rebuke
You’ll harm yourself; and he’ll hate you
Rebuke a wise man for he will receive
Give him instruction and he will heed
Teach a just man, and you, he’ll love
He’ll increase in learning from above
The fear of God, is wisdom, you see
Knowledge of Him is understanding
For I, Wisdom, to you will add
Years to your life; rejoice, be glad
If you are wise, great seeds are sown
But if you scoff, you’re on your own
A foolish woman’s loud and brass
Her words are vain; her actions rash
For she sits outside her house
Near the high place where she shouts out
She calls to those who pass on by
The simple hear and buy her lie
To those who do not understand
They turn aside; give her their hand
She tells them stolen waters sweet
Bread in secret is what you should eat
But they don’t know the dead are there
And the depths of hell shall be their share!
Proverbs Five
My son, my son, listen to me.
Heed my wisdom, my understanding.
That you'll preserve and be discrete.
With your knowledge set in concrete.
For the wicked woman lives a lie.
Those who turn there will surely die.
Her steps lay hold of the gates of hell.
Please know these truths and know them well.
Heed the words that come from my mouth.
And run away from this woman's house.
Lest she take from you all of your health.
And her friends be filled with all your wealth.
Don't spend your time with her my son.
Lest you give your years to the cruel one.
And you mourn at last when you are consumed.
When once this woman has sealed your doom.
Don't hate instruction, don't despise rebuke.
Don't reject the teachers of your youth.
Please drink water from your own cistern.
Heed my advice, and turn from her.
Why should your fountains be discarded?
For this woman, for this harlot?
I pray your fountain will be blessed.
With your own wife's satisfying breast.
Always be ravished with her love.
And flee the harlot mentioned above.
For the ways of man are before the Lord.
Don't get entangled in sinful cords.
For God does ponder all of your ways.
Don't be a fool, don't go astray.
Heed my wisdom, my understanding.
That you'll preserve and be discrete.
With your knowledge set in concrete.
For the wicked woman lives a lie.
Those who turn there will surely die.
Her steps lay hold of the gates of hell.
Please know these truths and know them well.
Heed the words that come from my mouth.
And run away from this woman's house.
Lest she take from you all of your health.
And her friends be filled with all your wealth.
Don't spend your time with her my son.
Lest you give your years to the cruel one.
And you mourn at last when you are consumed.
When once this woman has sealed your doom.
Don't hate instruction, don't despise rebuke.
Don't reject the teachers of your youth.
Please drink water from your own cistern.
Heed my advice, and turn from her.
Why should your fountains be discarded?
For this woman, for this harlot?
I pray your fountain will be blessed.
With your own wife's satisfying breast.
Always be ravished with her love.
And flee the harlot mentioned above.
For the ways of man are before the Lord.
Don't get entangled in sinful cords.
For God does ponder all of your ways.
Don't be a fool, don't go astray.
Proverbs Eight
Does not wisdom cry aloud?
And lift her voice above the crowd
She takes her stand on the hill top
Besides the way where paths meet up
She cries out by the city gates
She lifts her voice to those who wait
To you, O men, I wisdom, call
My voice is to the sons of all
Oh simple ones, and you fools’ too
Understand all I say and do
Listen, I will speak great truths
From my mouth, I will speak to you
No wickedness is on my lips
Only words of truth and righteousness
Nothing crooked or perverse
My truths are plain to those who thirst
Receive instruction straight from me
They’re worth more than gold or rubies
For all the things one may desire
Compared with me are muck and mire
For I am, intelligent
I find knowledge and discretion
The fear of God is to always hate
Pride, Arrogance, and Perversity
Wisdom and counsel are mine
They will stand the tests of time
I understand, I have great strength
By me alone, do all kings reign
By me princes and nobles rule
They pour forth justice upon the fool
I love those, who do love me
So seek me, diligently
For riches, honor, and righteousness
I’ll give to you in faithfulness
Because my fruit is more than gold
Yes, greater than the things of old
I traverse the righteous way
Those who love me will not stray
Do you want wealth, then follow me
For I will fill your treasuries
For God possessed me in His way
From the beginning until this day
I was here; I’ve had no birth
Yes, I was here before the earth
There were no depths or fountains flowing
No mountains, hills, or grass growing
While yet God had not made the fields
Before the Lord started to build
I was here when God made the skies
I saw Gods’ work with my own eyes
He drew a circle on the deep
Created clouds, all thing that creep
He created fountains, sea, and land
That they should obey His command
He gave them boundaries with His own hand
I was there as His craftsman
And I was daily His delight
Because my ways are always right
My joys’ in the work of Gods’ hand
Yes, I delight in the sons of man
Now therefore listen to me
Blessed are those who truly keep
All of my ways, for they are wise
When they don’t disdain me, nor despise
Watch me daily at my gates
Wait at my door don’t hesitate
To him who finds me I will give
To him new life, yes, he shall live
But he who wrongs me by his lie
Wrongs his soul and he will die.
And lift her voice above the crowd
She takes her stand on the hill top
Besides the way where paths meet up
She cries out by the city gates
She lifts her voice to those who wait
To you, O men, I wisdom, call
My voice is to the sons of all
Oh simple ones, and you fools’ too
Understand all I say and do
Listen, I will speak great truths
From my mouth, I will speak to you
No wickedness is on my lips
Only words of truth and righteousness
Nothing crooked or perverse
My truths are plain to those who thirst
Receive instruction straight from me
They’re worth more than gold or rubies
For all the things one may desire
Compared with me are muck and mire
For I am, intelligent
I find knowledge and discretion
The fear of God is to always hate
Pride, Arrogance, and Perversity
Wisdom and counsel are mine
They will stand the tests of time
I understand, I have great strength
By me alone, do all kings reign
By me princes and nobles rule
They pour forth justice upon the fool
I love those, who do love me
So seek me, diligently
For riches, honor, and righteousness
I’ll give to you in faithfulness
Because my fruit is more than gold
Yes, greater than the things of old
I traverse the righteous way
Those who love me will not stray
Do you want wealth, then follow me
For I will fill your treasuries
For God possessed me in His way
From the beginning until this day
I was here; I’ve had no birth
Yes, I was here before the earth
There were no depths or fountains flowing
No mountains, hills, or grass growing
While yet God had not made the fields
Before the Lord started to build
I was here when God made the skies
I saw Gods’ work with my own eyes
He drew a circle on the deep
Created clouds, all thing that creep
He created fountains, sea, and land
That they should obey His command
He gave them boundaries with His own hand
I was there as His craftsman
And I was daily His delight
Because my ways are always right
My joys’ in the work of Gods’ hand
Yes, I delight in the sons of man
Now therefore listen to me
Blessed are those who truly keep
All of my ways, for they are wise
When they don’t disdain me, nor despise
Watch me daily at my gates
Wait at my door don’t hesitate
To him who finds me I will give
To him new life, yes, he shall live
But he who wrongs me by his lie
Wrongs his soul and he will die.
Changes
(Written 5/20/03 - Tobias was 7 days old)
Cries use to really bug me; they got under my skin
But now I wish that Tobi's cries; would one day begin
Lord, how will I ever raise; not one child but two?
Father, with Billy and Tobias; what will I ever do?
I have always lived like it was all about just me
Now I constantly worry about those closest to me
My wife is in pain and Tobi is really sick
My other son Billy seems to be lost in the mix
With life their comes changes each day does bring some more
I need to live out this live in the strength of the Lord
In life there are changes so when things do seem odd
We must always remember to seek the face of God.
Marriage brought me laughter, joy and contentment
It also brought me changes with no resentment
Because it brought me children now my life is not the same
I love my kids so much even in the midst of pain
With life their are changes they effect everyone of us
That is why we need to cling to the love of Jesus
In life there are changes so now what will we do?
Will we complain or will we change? It's really up to you...!
Cries use to really bug me; they got under my skin
But now I wish that Tobi's cries; would one day begin
Lord, how will I ever raise; not one child but two?
Father, with Billy and Tobias; what will I ever do?
I have always lived like it was all about just me
Now I constantly worry about those closest to me
My wife is in pain and Tobi is really sick
My other son Billy seems to be lost in the mix
With life their comes changes each day does bring some more
I need to live out this live in the strength of the Lord
In life there are changes so when things do seem odd
We must always remember to seek the face of God.
Marriage brought me laughter, joy and contentment
It also brought me changes with no resentment
Because it brought me children now my life is not the same
I love my kids so much even in the midst of pain
With life their are changes they effect everyone of us
That is why we need to cling to the love of Jesus
In life there are changes so now what will we do?
Will we complain or will we change? It's really up to you...!
Psalm Three
LORD, how they have increased, those who trouble my soul
For they rise against me, there’s so many, don’t you know?
Many say against me, they say this and it’s odd
They say there is no help for him who trusts in my God.
But You O Lord do shield me; You’re my Glory, You lift my head
I cried to You, O Lord with my voice, You heard everything that I said
I lay down and slept, I awoke, Lord; it’s me that you sustain
I will not be afraid, O Lord, of ten thousand men this day
They set themselves against me; they’re all around you know
Arise O Lord and save me, strike my enemies, my foes
Selah
Arise my Lord, arise my God, save me, I’m all alone
For you have struck my enemies; You have struck their cheek bones
You have broken the teeth, of the ungodly ones
Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessings upon Your sons.
Selah.
For they rise against me, there’s so many, don’t you know?
Many say against me, they say this and it’s odd
They say there is no help for him who trusts in my God.
But You O Lord do shield me; You’re my Glory, You lift my head
I cried to You, O Lord with my voice, You heard everything that I said
I lay down and slept, I awoke, Lord; it’s me that you sustain
I will not be afraid, O Lord, of ten thousand men this day
They set themselves against me; they’re all around you know
Arise O Lord and save me, strike my enemies, my foes
Selah
Arise my Lord, arise my God, save me, I’m all alone
For you have struck my enemies; You have struck their cheek bones
You have broken the teeth, of the ungodly ones
Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessings upon Your sons.
Selah.
Psalm Two
Why do the nations rage my LORD, and people plot vain things?
Where kings on earth do set themselves, and rulers’ counsel say:
Let’s break their bonds in pieces, and cast away their cords
For we’re against Gods’ anointed; yes, we’re against the LORD
For He who sits in heaven, shall laugh at the wicked
The LORD shall speak to them in wrath, and hold them in derision
And distress them in His displeasure, yes; this is what will be
For on My Holy hill, Zion; is where I’ve set My King
I will declare a decree, The LORD has said to me
You are My Son, I’ve begotten You, I give you, ask of Me
I give You Your inheritance, the nations You possess
You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces
Now therefore, you must be wise O kings, and you rulers of the earth
Serve the LORD with fear; rejoice, tremble for what it’s worth
Kiss the Son, lest He gets mad and you perish in the way
For blessed are those who trust in Him, when His wrath has gone away.
Where kings on earth do set themselves, and rulers’ counsel say:
Let’s break their bonds in pieces, and cast away their cords
For we’re against Gods’ anointed; yes, we’re against the LORD
For He who sits in heaven, shall laugh at the wicked
The LORD shall speak to them in wrath, and hold them in derision
And distress them in His displeasure, yes; this is what will be
For on My Holy hill, Zion; is where I’ve set My King
I will declare a decree, The LORD has said to me
You are My Son, I’ve begotten You, I give you, ask of Me
I give You Your inheritance, the nations You possess
You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces
Now therefore, you must be wise O kings, and you rulers of the earth
Serve the LORD with fear; rejoice, tremble for what it’s worth
Kiss the Son, lest He gets mad and you perish in the way
For blessed are those who trust in Him, when His wrath has gone away.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
My Friend
If time would have told me; where my life would be
I would of known Jesus; had mercy on me
For back in the day; when loneliness set in
The Lord showed me His love; He brought me my best friend.
Even before; all of man's time began
The Lord had my best friend; as part of His plan
He fashioned my friend; to be there for me
He answered my prayers; before my 1st plea.
And all through the storms; and in all the rain
The Lord gave me my friend; to help with my pain
And as lightning struck me; and inflicted my soul
My friend helped me up; out of the deep hole
I thought I would die; as I started to drown
My friend picked me up; and helped me to dry ground
Through all my grief; as I lived in despair
My friend’s arms embraced me; as my friend truly cared
Here’s another case; where the scriptures are true
One isn’t enough; it’s better to have two
For when a man hurts; and needs a helping hand
It sometimes takes two; to help one man stand
So thank you my Lord; for sending my friend
Your love towards me is; too much to comprehend
You love me so much Lord; that you have blessed my life
For my best friend is Jessica, my soul-mate and wife!
I would of known Jesus; had mercy on me
For back in the day; when loneliness set in
The Lord showed me His love; He brought me my best friend.
Even before; all of man's time began
The Lord had my best friend; as part of His plan
He fashioned my friend; to be there for me
He answered my prayers; before my 1st plea.
And all through the storms; and in all the rain
The Lord gave me my friend; to help with my pain
And as lightning struck me; and inflicted my soul
My friend helped me up; out of the deep hole
I thought I would die; as I started to drown
My friend picked me up; and helped me to dry ground
Through all my grief; as I lived in despair
My friend’s arms embraced me; as my friend truly cared
Here’s another case; where the scriptures are true
One isn’t enough; it’s better to have two
For when a man hurts; and needs a helping hand
It sometimes takes two; to help one man stand
So thank you my Lord; for sending my friend
Your love towards me is; too much to comprehend
You love me so much Lord; that you have blessed my life
For my best friend is Jessica, my soul-mate and wife!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Acronyms
Journal 9/26/05
Today I was hoping to find some acronyms on some key words so I did a search online and found these. Most of these are good yet I have included some written by nonbelievers so we know what is out there.
Grace - God Redeems All Classes Everywhere
Grace - God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense
Sin - Self Inflicted Nonsense
Peace - People Expressing A Christ Everlasting
Prayer - Positive Reassuring Action Yielding Eternal Results
Grow - God Rewards Our Work
Gospel - God's Only Son Provides Eternal Life
Bible - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (Believer)
Bible - Blinded Information Based on Lack of Evidence (Non believer)
Bible - Big Idiotic Book of Lies & Errors (Non Believer)
Fear - False Emotions Appearing Real
Fear - Finding Excuses and Reasons
Fear - Forget Everything And Run
Life - Living in Faith Everyday
Faith - Facts Accepted in the Heart
Faith - Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him
Faith - Foolish And Ignorant Theological Hogwash (Non Believer)
Faith - For Anything I Trust Him
ACTS - Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication
Help - His Ever Loving Presence
Hell - Heated Environmental Living Lounge
WWJD - What would Jesus do
WWJD - We Want Jack Daniels
I totally disagree with the non believer acronyms, but I am not afraid to post them as I feel it's good to know what people are saying that reject the Lord.
Today I was hoping to find some acronyms on some key words so I did a search online and found these. Most of these are good yet I have included some written by nonbelievers so we know what is out there.
Grace - God Redeems All Classes Everywhere
Grace - God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense
Sin - Self Inflicted Nonsense
Peace - People Expressing A Christ Everlasting
Prayer - Positive Reassuring Action Yielding Eternal Results
Grow - God Rewards Our Work
Gospel - God's Only Son Provides Eternal Life
Bible - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (Believer)
Bible - Blinded Information Based on Lack of Evidence (Non believer)
Bible - Big Idiotic Book of Lies & Errors (Non Believer)
Fear - False Emotions Appearing Real
Fear - Finding Excuses and Reasons
Fear - Forget Everything And Run
Life - Living in Faith Everyday
Faith - Facts Accepted in the Heart
Faith - Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him
Faith - Foolish And Ignorant Theological Hogwash (Non Believer)
Faith - For Anything I Trust Him
ACTS - Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication
Help - His Ever Loving Presence
Hell - Heated Environmental Living Lounge
WWJD - What would Jesus do
WWJD - We Want Jack Daniels
I totally disagree with the non believer acronyms, but I am not afraid to post them as I feel it's good to know what people are saying that reject the Lord.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Journal 9/23/05
It's Friday! I am so glad that today is a new day. I have failed so many times in my short life and I have a promise from my Father that says there is hope still for me. I read Lamentations 3 today and though the text had nothing to do with me or my life, I felt as if I were in the place that the prophet was in enotionally. This is where I have been since my son was born and yet the scripture gives me hope right around verse 23. And that excites me.
Lamentations 3
1 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
2 He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
3 Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.
4 He has aged my flesh and my skin,
And broken my bones.
5 He has besieged me
And surrounded me with bitterness and woe.
6 He has set me in dark places
Like the dead of long ago.
7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out;
He has made my chain heavy.
8 Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer.
9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone;
He has made my paths crooked.
10 He has been to me a bear lying in wait,
Like a lion in ambush.
11 He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces;
He has made me desolate.
12 He has bent His bow
And set me up as a target for the arrow.
13 He has caused the arrows of His quiver
To pierce my *loins.
14 I have become the ridicule of all my people--
Their taunting song all the day.
15 He has filled me with bitterness,
He has made me drink wormwood.
16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel,
And covered me with ashes.
17 You have moved my soul far from peace;
I have forgotten prosperity.
18 And I said, "My strength and my hope
Have perished from the Lord."
19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust--
There may yet be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
33 For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.
Thank you Lord for loving me as you do. I look forward now to being changed from the inside out. Help me walk in a mannor that is worthy of the call that you have on my life. Help me to pursue you wholly with all of my heart.
Bill Scott, Sr.
Lamentations 3
1 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
2 He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
3 Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.
4 He has aged my flesh and my skin,
And broken my bones.
5 He has besieged me
And surrounded me with bitterness and woe.
6 He has set me in dark places
Like the dead of long ago.
7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out;
He has made my chain heavy.
8 Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer.
9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone;
He has made my paths crooked.
10 He has been to me a bear lying in wait,
Like a lion in ambush.
11 He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces;
He has made me desolate.
12 He has bent His bow
And set me up as a target for the arrow.
13 He has caused the arrows of His quiver
To pierce my *loins.
14 I have become the ridicule of all my people--
Their taunting song all the day.
15 He has filled me with bitterness,
He has made me drink wormwood.
16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel,
And covered me with ashes.
17 You have moved my soul far from peace;
I have forgotten prosperity.
18 And I said, "My strength and my hope
Have perished from the Lord."
19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust--
There may yet be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
33 For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.
Thank you Lord for loving me as you do. I look forward now to being changed from the inside out. Help me walk in a mannor that is worthy of the call that you have on my life. Help me to pursue you wholly with all of my heart.
Bill Scott, Sr.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Journal 9/16/05
My heart has had so many ups and downs that I have completely lost count. One minute I feel as if I am able to stand on top of the world and the next minute I feel as if I am in the darkest dirtiest place on the planet. My heart deceives me. My heart craves for unrighteousness and it does all that it can to convince me that unrighteousness is what I need. And too many times I give into my own temptations thinking that I will ultimately be satisfied. And the end result EVERY time is that I am not even close to satisfied. Why do I buy into the lies that my heart of wickedness proclaims?
I have had a good couple of days with the Lord. I am not claiming that I have my act together, that would be so far from the truth. But I have actually taken the time each morning and studied His word. I have taken out my commentaries and I have spent some long over due time with the Lord and in His word. It really is refreshing. I really desire to do this more often. I long to be a man who meditates and engages in intimate communion with the Master. I desire for the Lord to be my all in all yet most of the time I am so full of myself that there is no room for the Master to dwell.
I have been thinking about how in the Word of God we are told that we were bought at a price and no longer are our own. We belong to the Lord now. I belong to the Lord now. Which means a couple of things to me. Number one, I am no longer the one in charge. I have to surrender control of all the things that I struggle to control. For example (And this may sound stupid, but I struggle with this) I need to lose control of my family. I am not saying that I am to give up and not lead my family, but I need to be more flexible with them. I struggle with wanting things my way, like having thanksgiving in our home verses going out to eat on thanksgiving. It's a control thing and I need to let it go. As small as this sounds, it really is a huge battle for me to lose control in the slightest areas of my life. In the last 2 1/2 years, I have lost control over so many areas of my life and all I have done is fight it and try to regain control again. This is not what the Lord wants from me. He wants me to surrender control and to leave the outcome of whatever happens into His hands. And when this happens, there is a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders and joy sets in.
This brings me to point number two. My life is no longer my responsibility. God has claimed me as His own and now He is responsible for me. He is responsible and accountable to His word on my behalf. He promised that He would cleanse me and make me righteous and he has to fulfill this. He has promised to deliver me from all my sins and from the bondage of sin, and He has to fulfill this promise that He made. And you know what? He will. He is faithful and will keep his word. All I need to do is surrender to Him and He will work through my life. He will fully cleanse me, not just in the future but right now at this very moment. I just need to rest in Him.
Rest, hmmm, that is one thing that I have not had in a long time. I can't remember the last time that I simply rested in Jesus. I believe that it was before Tobias was born. Once I lost control of all that Tobias had to endure to survive, I have yet to rest. That is what I need. I need to rest in Him. I need to rest in the Master and trust that He will get me through this life of heart ache. A scripture comes to my mind for me and for my family. This scripture is what I feel my family and I need. The scripture is Philippians 3:12-16.
"12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
So often I live in defeat because I simply wont forget my past with all it's failures. I live in defeat as I agonize over all my sins. Yet I am told to forget them and to press on. Just get back up again and keep walking. This is what I desire and this is what I hope the Lord will do in me. He has promised to do so, and I believe by faith that He will do it. I know that as I labor to press on, I will find rest for my soul. As much of an oxymoron as this sounds like, I know this is true. I must labor to enter into his rest. I must press on and endure; forgetting all that I have done in the past and I need to move forward in His grace. That is what I will do. By God's grace I will walk in victory, not just today, nor tomorrow, but from here on out.
Bill Scott' Sr.
I have had a good couple of days with the Lord. I am not claiming that I have my act together, that would be so far from the truth. But I have actually taken the time each morning and studied His word. I have taken out my commentaries and I have spent some long over due time with the Lord and in His word. It really is refreshing. I really desire to do this more often. I long to be a man who meditates and engages in intimate communion with the Master. I desire for the Lord to be my all in all yet most of the time I am so full of myself that there is no room for the Master to dwell.
I have been thinking about how in the Word of God we are told that we were bought at a price and no longer are our own. We belong to the Lord now. I belong to the Lord now. Which means a couple of things to me. Number one, I am no longer the one in charge. I have to surrender control of all the things that I struggle to control. For example (And this may sound stupid, but I struggle with this) I need to lose control of my family. I am not saying that I am to give up and not lead my family, but I need to be more flexible with them. I struggle with wanting things my way, like having thanksgiving in our home verses going out to eat on thanksgiving. It's a control thing and I need to let it go. As small as this sounds, it really is a huge battle for me to lose control in the slightest areas of my life. In the last 2 1/2 years, I have lost control over so many areas of my life and all I have done is fight it and try to regain control again. This is not what the Lord wants from me. He wants me to surrender control and to leave the outcome of whatever happens into His hands. And when this happens, there is a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders and joy sets in.
This brings me to point number two. My life is no longer my responsibility. God has claimed me as His own and now He is responsible for me. He is responsible and accountable to His word on my behalf. He promised that He would cleanse me and make me righteous and he has to fulfill this. He has promised to deliver me from all my sins and from the bondage of sin, and He has to fulfill this promise that He made. And you know what? He will. He is faithful and will keep his word. All I need to do is surrender to Him and He will work through my life. He will fully cleanse me, not just in the future but right now at this very moment. I just need to rest in Him.
Rest, hmmm, that is one thing that I have not had in a long time. I can't remember the last time that I simply rested in Jesus. I believe that it was before Tobias was born. Once I lost control of all that Tobias had to endure to survive, I have yet to rest. That is what I need. I need to rest in Him. I need to rest in the Master and trust that He will get me through this life of heart ache. A scripture comes to my mind for me and for my family. This scripture is what I feel my family and I need. The scripture is Philippians 3:12-16.
"12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
So often I live in defeat because I simply wont forget my past with all it's failures. I live in defeat as I agonize over all my sins. Yet I am told to forget them and to press on. Just get back up again and keep walking. This is what I desire and this is what I hope the Lord will do in me. He has promised to do so, and I believe by faith that He will do it. I know that as I labor to press on, I will find rest for my soul. As much of an oxymoron as this sounds like, I know this is true. I must labor to enter into his rest. I must press on and endure; forgetting all that I have done in the past and I need to move forward in His grace. That is what I will do. By God's grace I will walk in victory, not just today, nor tomorrow, but from here on out.
Bill Scott' Sr.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
An Interesting Article
FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
Did God send Katrina
as judgment for Gaza?
Eerie parallels between forced evacuations spark speculation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: September 7, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – While most religious authorities seem to agree one cannot discern the intentions of God, there has been talk in some circles here and on the Internet that the storm that turned parts of the Gulf Coast into a disaster zone, prompting hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes and possibly causing upwards of 10,000 deaths, was thrust upon the U.S. for its support of the Gaza evacuation.
"Katrina is a consequence of the destruction of [Gaza's] Gush Katif [slate of Jewish communities] with America's urging and encouragement," Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Lewin, executive director of the Rabbinic Congress for Peace, told WND. "The U.S. should have discouraged Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from implementing the Gaza evacuation rather than pushing for it and pressuring Israel into concessions."
Lewin is one of many rabbis in Israel and abroad who have been making similar statements both in private and in speeches to their congregations.
Rabbi Joseph Garlitzky, head of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement's Tel Aviv synagogue, recounted for WND a pulpit speech he gave this past Sabbath:
"We don't have prophets who can tell us exactly what are God's ways, but when we see something so enormous as Katrina, I would say [President] Bush and [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice need to make an accounting of their actions, because something was done wrong by America in a big way. And here there are many obvious connections between the storm and the Gaza evacuation, which came right on top of each other. No one has permission to take away one inch of the land of Israel from the Jewish people."
Abraham, the biblical father of the Jews, received this promise from God in the book of Genesis: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
One week before Katrina made landfall, Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area. The majority of former Katif residents are currently homeless while the Israeli government struggles to find permanent housing solutions.
The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment.
Gaza family stands on balcony awaiting forcible removal. (Photo: WND)
"I welcome the disengagement plan," stated Bush immediately following the announcement of the Gaza evacuation. "These steps will mark real progress toward realizing the vision I set forth in June 2002 of two states living side by side in peace and security."
Now, Garlitzky and many others here and on the Internet are pointing to what they call eerie similarities between Katrina and the evacuation of Gush Katif, including parallels in events, names and numbers:
Close to 10,000 Jews were expelled from their homes in the Gaza Strip and parts of northern Samaria. Katrina's death toll is now expected to reach at least 10,000.
America's population ratio to Israel is about 50:1. Ten thousand Jews who lost their Gaza homes is the equivalent of about 500,000 Americans who are now reported to be displaced as result of Katrina.
New Orleans residents bob in flood waters awaiting rescue. (Photo: Times-Picayune)
Gaza's Jewish communities were located in Israel's southern coastal region; America's southern coastal region now lies in ruins.
The U.S. government called on Louisiana residents to evacuate their homes ahead of the storm. The Israeli government, backed by statements from U.S. officials, demanded Gaza residents evacuate their homes.
Katrina, written in Hebrew, has a numerical equivalent of 374, according to a biblical numbering system upheld by all traditional Jewish authorities. Two relevant passages in the Torah share the exact numerical equivalent: "They have done you evil" (Gen. 50:17) and "The sea upon land" (Exodus 14:15).
Bush, from Texas, and Rice, from Alabama, were the most vocal U.S. backers of the Gaza evacuation. Hurricane Katrina hit the states in between Texas and Alabama – Louisiana and Mississippi.
Similarity in scenes: Many residents of Jewish Gaza climbed to their rooftops to escape the threat of expulsion, while residents of the Gulf Coast climbed on their own rooftops to protect themselves from the rising waters. Jewish Gaza homes described as beautiful and charming were demolished this week by Israel's military. Once beautiful homes in New Orleans now lie in ruins.
The day Katrina hit, Israel began carrying out what was termed the most controversial aspect of the Gaza withdrawal – the uprooting of bodies from the area's Jewish cemetery. There have been media reports of corpses floating around in flooded New Orleans regions.
Citizens of Israel were barred from entering Gush Katif; people were only allowed to leave Jewish Gaza. As Katrina was making landfall U.S. authorities barred citizens from entering the affected areas. People were only allowed out.
Gush Katif was an important agricultural area for Israel, providing the Jewish state with 70 percent of its produce. A New Orleans port that exported much of the Midwest's agricultural production was destroyed by Katrina.
The connections have caused a firestorm of speculation on Internet blogs and in chat rooms.
In a Jerusalem Newswire op-ed discussing the similarities just before Katrina made landfall, writer Stan Goodenough commented, "Is this some sort of bizarre coincidence? Not for those who believe in the God of the Bible and the immutability of His Word. What America is about to experience is the lifting of God's hand of protection, the implementation of His judgment on the nation most responsible for endangering the land and people of Israel.
"While the 'disengagement' plan was purportedly the brainchild of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the U.S. has for more than a decade been the chief sponsor and propeller of a diplomatic process that has dangerously weakened Israel in the face of an overwhelming, growing threat to annihilate her. ... Can't you see the link, America? Won't you see the link?"
Another Newswire piece quoted a Christian Louisiana resident in Katrina's direct path as stating, "[The hurricane is] a direct 'coming back on us' [for] what we did to Israel: a home for a home."
A blog on TheRaphi.com by Mideast pundits Paul Eidelberg and Israel Hanukoglu linking Katrina to the Gaza evacuation warned, "We urge the American people to remind their president that the evil the nations do to Israel always strikes them. Pharaoh, Haman, Hitler and all the leaders of nations that have opposed the will of God for His people have perished or ended on the ash heaps of history."
Billye Brim, a Christian prayer leader and founder of Billye Brim Ministries who had visited Gush Katif weeks before its evacuation, noted on her website: "Is there a connection between [Katrina and Gush Katif]? I believe so. Is this judgment? I believe so. And I must say it. Outright! Many won't like to hear it. Many won't agree. But I believe America is in danger and something has to be done. ... America needs to repent. From Bush, Rice and the State Department on down. America must repent for actively opposing God's plan for Israel as revealed in His Word."
WorldNetDaily the past week has received numerous letters from readers urging a Katrina-Gaza connection.
One letter stated, " I think you all are dancing around the real cause of the hurricane. Let me suggest to you that it is the wrath of God on our nation because President Bush pressured Sharon to take the homes from the Jews. ... I knew we would be punished on a large scale. I faxed letters and contacted Bush every way I could begging him not to go forward with that plan to evacuate Gaza but he did so anyway, and as a result we were hit in a week with a hurricane that will make history."
Perhaps the first to publicly connect Katrina to the Gaza evacuation was famed Israeli conspiracy theorist Barry Chamish, who sent a mass e-mail noting, "GUsh is like GUlf, and KATif is like KATrina. If you take 'KAT' from KATif and KATrina, you are left with 'IF' and 'RAIN.' If you support Gush Katif evacuation, it will rain."
Chamish told WND yesterday: "Simple human beings cannot fully understand what is going on, but the events certainly must be connected. It's statistically impossible to have two such great natural disasters like the recent tsunami in Asia and Katrina right after each other. This is the hand of God. He is saying something."
Jerusalem Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri drew the parallel: "Divine retribution is meted out according to the principle of 'measure for measure,' just as the Jews were forced out of their homes as a result of U.S. pressure on Israel, so too are Americans being forced out of their homes."
But Rabbi Mordechai Greenwald, leader of a Jerusalem synagogue, said connections between the Gaza evacuation and Katrina should not be made.
"No rabbi can tell you why such a disaster struck," Greenwald told WND. "Doing so, making these statements, is dangerous and counterproductive. There have been debates the past 50 years for the reason of the Holocaust, and we still don't know what it was about. Some things we are not meant to know."
Greenwald said the religious leaders who publicly blame Katrina on U.S. support of the withdrawal "do not speak for the majority of rabbis. We cannot say who is being punished for what."
Meanwhile, some are urging the U.S. to ensure against what they say will be further damage in Gaza.
Lewin of the Congress for Peace told WND: "There are news reports that weather centers in the U.S. have predicted additional hurricanes on the way, some maybe even stronger than Katrina. Bush and Rice still have a chance to stem the tide of further punishment by at least pressing for Gaza not to be turned over to the Palestinians, which will allow terrorists to occupy the area that Israel evacuated. Although the damage of the destruction of Gush Katif was done, letting it serve as a terrorist base for al-Qaida and other anti-American and anti-Israeli groups will only bring more destruction and chaos in the region and the world over."
Those wishing to contribute to hurricane relief efforts can donate to the Salvation Army online or by calling 1-800-725-2769. Red Cross donations can be made online or by calling 1-800-435-7669.
Did God send Katrina
as judgment for Gaza?
Eerie parallels between forced evacuations spark speculation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: September 7, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – While most religious authorities seem to agree one cannot discern the intentions of God, there has been talk in some circles here and on the Internet that the storm that turned parts of the Gulf Coast into a disaster zone, prompting hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes and possibly causing upwards of 10,000 deaths, was thrust upon the U.S. for its support of the Gaza evacuation.
"Katrina is a consequence of the destruction of [Gaza's] Gush Katif [slate of Jewish communities] with America's urging and encouragement," Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Lewin, executive director of the Rabbinic Congress for Peace, told WND. "The U.S. should have discouraged Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from implementing the Gaza evacuation rather than pushing for it and pressuring Israel into concessions."
Lewin is one of many rabbis in Israel and abroad who have been making similar statements both in private and in speeches to their congregations.
Rabbi Joseph Garlitzky, head of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement's Tel Aviv synagogue, recounted for WND a pulpit speech he gave this past Sabbath:
"We don't have prophets who can tell us exactly what are God's ways, but when we see something so enormous as Katrina, I would say [President] Bush and [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice need to make an accounting of their actions, because something was done wrong by America in a big way. And here there are many obvious connections between the storm and the Gaza evacuation, which came right on top of each other. No one has permission to take away one inch of the land of Israel from the Jewish people."
Abraham, the biblical father of the Jews, received this promise from God in the book of Genesis: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
One week before Katrina made landfall, Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area. The majority of former Katif residents are currently homeless while the Israeli government struggles to find permanent housing solutions.
The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment.
Gaza family stands on balcony awaiting forcible removal. (Photo: WND)
"I welcome the disengagement plan," stated Bush immediately following the announcement of the Gaza evacuation. "These steps will mark real progress toward realizing the vision I set forth in June 2002 of two states living side by side in peace and security."
Now, Garlitzky and many others here and on the Internet are pointing to what they call eerie similarities between Katrina and the evacuation of Gush Katif, including parallels in events, names and numbers:
Close to 10,000 Jews were expelled from their homes in the Gaza Strip and parts of northern Samaria. Katrina's death toll is now expected to reach at least 10,000.
America's population ratio to Israel is about 50:1. Ten thousand Jews who lost their Gaza homes is the equivalent of about 500,000 Americans who are now reported to be displaced as result of Katrina.
New Orleans residents bob in flood waters awaiting rescue. (Photo: Times-Picayune)
Gaza's Jewish communities were located in Israel's southern coastal region; America's southern coastal region now lies in ruins.
The U.S. government called on Louisiana residents to evacuate their homes ahead of the storm. The Israeli government, backed by statements from U.S. officials, demanded Gaza residents evacuate their homes.
Katrina, written in Hebrew, has a numerical equivalent of 374, according to a biblical numbering system upheld by all traditional Jewish authorities. Two relevant passages in the Torah share the exact numerical equivalent: "They have done you evil" (Gen. 50:17) and "The sea upon land" (Exodus 14:15).
Bush, from Texas, and Rice, from Alabama, were the most vocal U.S. backers of the Gaza evacuation. Hurricane Katrina hit the states in between Texas and Alabama – Louisiana and Mississippi.
Similarity in scenes: Many residents of Jewish Gaza climbed to their rooftops to escape the threat of expulsion, while residents of the Gulf Coast climbed on their own rooftops to protect themselves from the rising waters. Jewish Gaza homes described as beautiful and charming were demolished this week by Israel's military. Once beautiful homes in New Orleans now lie in ruins.
The day Katrina hit, Israel began carrying out what was termed the most controversial aspect of the Gaza withdrawal – the uprooting of bodies from the area's Jewish cemetery. There have been media reports of corpses floating around in flooded New Orleans regions.
Citizens of Israel were barred from entering Gush Katif; people were only allowed to leave Jewish Gaza. As Katrina was making landfall U.S. authorities barred citizens from entering the affected areas. People were only allowed out.
Gush Katif was an important agricultural area for Israel, providing the Jewish state with 70 percent of its produce. A New Orleans port that exported much of the Midwest's agricultural production was destroyed by Katrina.
The connections have caused a firestorm of speculation on Internet blogs and in chat rooms.
In a Jerusalem Newswire op-ed discussing the similarities just before Katrina made landfall, writer Stan Goodenough commented, "Is this some sort of bizarre coincidence? Not for those who believe in the God of the Bible and the immutability of His Word. What America is about to experience is the lifting of God's hand of protection, the implementation of His judgment on the nation most responsible for endangering the land and people of Israel.
"While the 'disengagement' plan was purportedly the brainchild of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the U.S. has for more than a decade been the chief sponsor and propeller of a diplomatic process that has dangerously weakened Israel in the face of an overwhelming, growing threat to annihilate her. ... Can't you see the link, America? Won't you see the link?"
Another Newswire piece quoted a Christian Louisiana resident in Katrina's direct path as stating, "[The hurricane is] a direct 'coming back on us' [for] what we did to Israel: a home for a home."
A blog on TheRaphi.com by Mideast pundits Paul Eidelberg and Israel Hanukoglu linking Katrina to the Gaza evacuation warned, "We urge the American people to remind their president that the evil the nations do to Israel always strikes them. Pharaoh, Haman, Hitler and all the leaders of nations that have opposed the will of God for His people have perished or ended on the ash heaps of history."
Billye Brim, a Christian prayer leader and founder of Billye Brim Ministries who had visited Gush Katif weeks before its evacuation, noted on her website: "Is there a connection between [Katrina and Gush Katif]? I believe so. Is this judgment? I believe so. And I must say it. Outright! Many won't like to hear it. Many won't agree. But I believe America is in danger and something has to be done. ... America needs to repent. From Bush, Rice and the State Department on down. America must repent for actively opposing God's plan for Israel as revealed in His Word."
WorldNetDaily the past week has received numerous letters from readers urging a Katrina-Gaza connection.
One letter stated, " I think you all are dancing around the real cause of the hurricane. Let me suggest to you that it is the wrath of God on our nation because President Bush pressured Sharon to take the homes from the Jews. ... I knew we would be punished on a large scale. I faxed letters and contacted Bush every way I could begging him not to go forward with that plan to evacuate Gaza but he did so anyway, and as a result we were hit in a week with a hurricane that will make history."
Perhaps the first to publicly connect Katrina to the Gaza evacuation was famed Israeli conspiracy theorist Barry Chamish, who sent a mass e-mail noting, "GUsh is like GUlf, and KATif is like KATrina. If you take 'KAT' from KATif and KATrina, you are left with 'IF' and 'RAIN.' If you support Gush Katif evacuation, it will rain."
Chamish told WND yesterday: "Simple human beings cannot fully understand what is going on, but the events certainly must be connected. It's statistically impossible to have two such great natural disasters like the recent tsunami in Asia and Katrina right after each other. This is the hand of God. He is saying something."
Jerusalem Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri drew the parallel: "Divine retribution is meted out according to the principle of 'measure for measure,' just as the Jews were forced out of their homes as a result of U.S. pressure on Israel, so too are Americans being forced out of their homes."
But Rabbi Mordechai Greenwald, leader of a Jerusalem synagogue, said connections between the Gaza evacuation and Katrina should not be made.
"No rabbi can tell you why such a disaster struck," Greenwald told WND. "Doing so, making these statements, is dangerous and counterproductive. There have been debates the past 50 years for the reason of the Holocaust, and we still don't know what it was about. Some things we are not meant to know."
Greenwald said the religious leaders who publicly blame Katrina on U.S. support of the withdrawal "do not speak for the majority of rabbis. We cannot say who is being punished for what."
Meanwhile, some are urging the U.S. to ensure against what they say will be further damage in Gaza.
Lewin of the Congress for Peace told WND: "There are news reports that weather centers in the U.S. have predicted additional hurricanes on the way, some maybe even stronger than Katrina. Bush and Rice still have a chance to stem the tide of further punishment by at least pressing for Gaza not to be turned over to the Palestinians, which will allow terrorists to occupy the area that Israel evacuated. Although the damage of the destruction of Gush Katif was done, letting it serve as a terrorist base for al-Qaida and other anti-American and anti-Israeli groups will only bring more destruction and chaos in the region and the world over."
Those wishing to contribute to hurricane relief efforts can donate to the Salvation Army online or by calling 1-800-725-2769. Red Cross donations can be made online or by calling 1-800-435-7669.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Heartless Emotion
I have been told numerous times that I have no emotion. And the sad thing is that it’s true. I could care less most of the time about anything. When others suffer, I don’t even blink. When others are in need, no thought comes to my mind at all on how I could help them. I have disengaged my heart. I have put up walls that won’t allow me to suffer and yet those same walls that are there to protect me, they also blind me so that I cannot see others who are in need. How sad is that?
So in my warped reality, I see two options. I can either keep this heartless wall around me so that I don’t experience suffering again (This wall causes others to suffer as I am only blinded to their suffering by my choice), or I can ask Jesus to remove this wall that I have labored with all my might to put up. And if I ask Jesus to remove the fruit of my labor that will in turn expose my broken and wounded heart to the world and they will see who I really am; they will see how wounded I truly am and I don’t know if I can place myself there again. I don’t want to be put on display. I don’t want to have my heart displayed before the world as I don’t want to be vulnerable ever again. This is such a dilemma.
Yet at the same time if I do not allow myself to be vulnerable, then I am hurting the very ones that I love. Why is this so difficult? I hate feeling desperation. I hate losing control and if I let the Lord remove these walls, then I have lost all control. But the truth is that by putting this wall around my heart, I have already lost control. The only difference now is that I have not yielded control to my Savior, but to myself, and the fruit of this is isolation and callousness. What a mess! My heart is injured and I have put a wall up to protect myself from harm and that same wall prevents anyone from getting close enough to heal the wounds that terrorize my heart. The wall of protection prevents the Lord from healing me. It’s a wall of agony.
So now what do I do? I have this hard cold calloused wall around my heart and I have trapped myself within its walls. I have labored relentlessly over the past 2 ½ years to build this wall and now I suffer as I am so hard hearted.
I see my heart as a little plant that had the potential of growing into a tall fruitful tree that can shade many from the scorching sun. Yet all around this little plant (my heart) there are thorns hurting and choking it. And I feel the life being choked out of me from all the wounds inflicted upon me. So I logically build a wall to keep the thorns out. And once the wall was constructed and finished, it really did work. All the thorns that hurt me are gone. All the pain that came against me was no match for this invincible wall. Do you know why? Because the thorns of pain can’t penetrate this wall. Nothing can! And that is the problem. The sun can’t either nor the wind and so even though I am protected from the thorns; I am not able to blossom as there is no light in this dark and damp space. So instead of growing; I am shriveling up.
This heart of mine that has the potential of growing into a tall tree is a little shrub that is so weak now that it couldn’t tear down the wall even if it wanted to. The lack of the sun has hurt this plant more than the thorns and now if it’s left to itself, this shrub will die.
So unless the Lord tears down this wall, I have no hope. I will not only remain calloused, but in the end this wall of protection will lead to my death. My heart will fail if the Lord of Glory doesn’t come to my aid. I am well aware that He can and I am sure that He will. I am just stating the fact that if I am left alone, I will die in a hard and calloused state.
T
he irony is that I built up a wall to protect me from suffering. And this very wall now causes more suffering than anything ever has as it isolates me and it slowly sucks the life out of me. What do I do? I am totally helpless now. I can cry out but my heart is in such a poor state that I don’t feel anymore. I have no strength to cry out. I have no desire to cry out as all my strength is spent on breathing alone. I lay here shriveled up and gasping for my next life’s breath and that is all that I do. That is all I can do. All emotion has been sucked out of me like water through a straw. I need the sun again. I need the SON again. There is nothing that can break down this wall, nothing but God Himself. Knowing about Him won’t remove this wall. Hearing about him won’t help, as this wall is sound proof and I am so weak that even if it wasn’t sound proof, I do not have the strength to hear. My leaves are all shriveled and I am left as a slouching lifeless stem. God alone is the only one who can help me now.
Please help me God! Don’t abandon me as I know you love me more than words could ever express. Please take these walls and crush them to dust. Please be my source of life once again. Please allow the Son to penetrate through the hardness of these walls and bring the warmth that this heart needs. I need the power of Jesus in my life again. But that isn’t enough. It’s not your power that I need, it’s YOU! I need you to remove this wall, and care for this shrub and nourish me back to health again. I need your hands to do the work. I need to feel your breath upon my lifeless heart as you prune and bring me back to life. Help me Lord to flourish as I simply yield my lifeless heart to You. Please help me!
Bill Scott, Sr.
So in my warped reality, I see two options. I can either keep this heartless wall around me so that I don’t experience suffering again (This wall causes others to suffer as I am only blinded to their suffering by my choice), or I can ask Jesus to remove this wall that I have labored with all my might to put up. And if I ask Jesus to remove the fruit of my labor that will in turn expose my broken and wounded heart to the world and they will see who I really am; they will see how wounded I truly am and I don’t know if I can place myself there again. I don’t want to be put on display. I don’t want to have my heart displayed before the world as I don’t want to be vulnerable ever again. This is such a dilemma.
Yet at the same time if I do not allow myself to be vulnerable, then I am hurting the very ones that I love. Why is this so difficult? I hate feeling desperation. I hate losing control and if I let the Lord remove these walls, then I have lost all control. But the truth is that by putting this wall around my heart, I have already lost control. The only difference now is that I have not yielded control to my Savior, but to myself, and the fruit of this is isolation and callousness. What a mess! My heart is injured and I have put a wall up to protect myself from harm and that same wall prevents anyone from getting close enough to heal the wounds that terrorize my heart. The wall of protection prevents the Lord from healing me. It’s a wall of agony.
So now what do I do? I have this hard cold calloused wall around my heart and I have trapped myself within its walls. I have labored relentlessly over the past 2 ½ years to build this wall and now I suffer as I am so hard hearted.
I see my heart as a little plant that had the potential of growing into a tall fruitful tree that can shade many from the scorching sun. Yet all around this little plant (my heart) there are thorns hurting and choking it. And I feel the life being choked out of me from all the wounds inflicted upon me. So I logically build a wall to keep the thorns out. And once the wall was constructed and finished, it really did work. All the thorns that hurt me are gone. All the pain that came against me was no match for this invincible wall. Do you know why? Because the thorns of pain can’t penetrate this wall. Nothing can! And that is the problem. The sun can’t either nor the wind and so even though I am protected from the thorns; I am not able to blossom as there is no light in this dark and damp space. So instead of growing; I am shriveling up.
This heart of mine that has the potential of growing into a tall tree is a little shrub that is so weak now that it couldn’t tear down the wall even if it wanted to. The lack of the sun has hurt this plant more than the thorns and now if it’s left to itself, this shrub will die.So unless the Lord tears down this wall, I have no hope. I will not only remain calloused, but in the end this wall of protection will lead to my death. My heart will fail if the Lord of Glory doesn’t come to my aid. I am well aware that He can and I am sure that He will. I am just stating the fact that if I am left alone, I will die in a hard and calloused state.
T
he irony is that I built up a wall to protect me from suffering. And this very wall now causes more suffering than anything ever has as it isolates me and it slowly sucks the life out of me. What do I do? I am totally helpless now. I can cry out but my heart is in such a poor state that I don’t feel anymore. I have no strength to cry out. I have no desire to cry out as all my strength is spent on breathing alone. I lay here shriveled up and gasping for my next life’s breath and that is all that I do. That is all I can do. All emotion has been sucked out of me like water through a straw. I need the sun again. I need the SON again. There is nothing that can break down this wall, nothing but God Himself. Knowing about Him won’t remove this wall. Hearing about him won’t help, as this wall is sound proof and I am so weak that even if it wasn’t sound proof, I do not have the strength to hear. My leaves are all shriveled and I am left as a slouching lifeless stem. God alone is the only one who can help me now. 
Please help me God! Don’t abandon me as I know you love me more than words could ever express. Please take these walls and crush them to dust. Please be my source of life once again. Please allow the Son to penetrate through the hardness of these walls and bring the warmth that this heart needs. I need the power of Jesus in my life again. But that isn’t enough. It’s not your power that I need, it’s YOU! I need you to remove this wall, and care for this shrub and nourish me back to health again. I need your hands to do the work. I need to feel your breath upon my lifeless heart as you prune and bring me back to life. Help me Lord to flourish as I simply yield my lifeless heart to You. Please help me!Bill Scott, Sr.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Journal 9/1/05
How I long to bring You glory my Abba. And yet every time I seek to do so something happens and I either forget all about You or I simply sin in anger. But I desire change in this area of my life. I do desire You. I want to be a child that brings honor to his Father and You my Lord are the only Father that I have. Please heal me of my sin and my unbelief and help my embrace You fully; with all of my heart. I love You Jesus.
Bill Scott, Sr.
Bill Scott, Sr.
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