Blogs often focus on personal opinion, experiences, views, anecdotes or advice. Blogs tend to have a relaxed and conversational feel, such as in storytelling and are generally 300-500 words.
Articles aim to deliver well-researched, informative content with solid evidence to back up the points made. Articles are usually more formal, organized and frequently range 500-1000 words.
More than a blog, “To the Rescue” is a compilation of scriptures, comments, poetry and music centered on the theme that when we call on God, He will come “To the Rescue.” This is a new enterprise for me to a degree. Not too long ago, I became a writer for Examiner.com, an Internet publication, serving as Christian Spirituality Examiner for Columbus, Ohio. In publishing articles, I learned to insert photos and embed videos as well. Since I have a page on the Way Corps website, I thought I’d see if I could incorporate some of the same features as part of my blog. This is my first attempt at such a modified blog, and I trust it will be a blessing to you, as we together trust in God’s faithfulness to respond to our call. Here is a link to the original article from which this discussion was taken.
Halloween and some of its negative aspects, such as pranks, remind me of an incident a friend shared with me when he went to live with a relative in the rural South where there was no indoor plumbing, and everyone used an outdoor toilet known as an “outhouse.” Unbeknownst to my young friend, the custom on Halloween night was to move the “outhouse” from its original position so that when a person stepped inside, he would fall into the pit. That’s exactly what happened, and my friend immediately cried out, “Daddy, Daddy, come and get me!” His father came running with a flashlight and reached down and grabbed his son by the collar and snatched him out of the horrible pit. That incident never fails to remind me of a spiritual parallel whereby I, like the young boy in horrific circumstances, called out to my Heavenly Father in desperation. I identified with my friend and expressed my thoughts in some of the lines of “my testimony in poetry”:
With lovin arms you reach way down And snatched me from Satan’s outhouse, Sought me and flat-out rescued me, Fixed me up in my Father’s house.
Why Don’t Somebody Help Me Praise the Lord?
(from Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance)
Many times as we go through life, we become entangled in circumstances that restrict our efforts to succeed and impede our progress. Like the Psalmist we may find ourselves in situations whereby we cry out to God:
Psalm 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
The calling out to God in desperation to “come rescue me” is beautifully expressed in this rendition of “I Need You Now” by Smokie Norful:
When I think about being rescued from a dangerous situation, I recall some of the lyrics of this familiar “vintage hymn” from childhood days of growing up in the Church. The hymn was “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” which had these lines:
Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.
The words have become even more meaningful today. I was absolutely overwhelmed by this rendition of the song from the combined choruses of Brigham Young University:
Like Daniel in the den of lions, we sometimes find ourselves in desperate, seemingly impossible situations from which we cannot extract ourselves on our own. When we think of such situations like that of Daniel, we must remember the King’s response when God delivered Daniel:
Daniel 6:27
He [the God of Daniel] delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
In thinking about the record of Daniel in the lion’s den, the words of a Black Spiritual also raise an important question:
Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, deliver Daniel, Deliver Daniel? Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel? Then why not every man?
“Hand upon the Plow” gives account in poetry of a number of instances where God came to the rescue of Daniel and other believers:
Hand upon the Plow
Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62
“Keep your hand on the plow, hold on!” --Black Spiritual
When life ain’t like it spose to be, Right then and there it occurs to me Folks been in fixes worse than me, Right in the Bible where I see:
The Lord will make a way somehow. Just keep your hand upon the plow.
Pharaoh said, “Kill each Hebrew boy,” But Moses’ Ma was full of joy Cause Pharaoh’s daughter raised her boy. The Lord will make a way somehow.
The lions looked so lean and thin When they throwed Daniel in the den, But Old Man Daniel didn’t bend. Just keep your hand upon the plow.
When Jesus died, God paid the cost And at that time all seem like lost, But God planned ahead for Pentecost. The Lord will make a way somehow.
Paul and Silas didn’t rant and wail When they throwed both of them in jail. They called on God, and He didn’t fail. Just keep your hand upon the plow.
When troubles start to buggin you Remember, there’s just one thing to do: Look to God and He’ll see you through. What he did for them, He’ll do for you.
The Lord will make a way somehow. Just keep your hand upon the plow.
From Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance
During times of intense pressure when I forget just how faithful God has been, He gently comforts and reminds with these words:
Listen to Me Isaiah 46:3-4 Listen to me. Open your ears and clearly hear I have always been there. Though you had not perceived My presence in the wasteland, I was ever near. Indeed, I knew you before you were first conceived. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He Who still holds you and causes you to remember. I open deaf ears and cause blinded eyes to see The passion that consumes your soul was once an ember. Though I seem to be delayed, I will not tarry But will return for the faithful ones who remain: Those whom I have made those I will also carry; Those whom I have called by name I will sustain. Rest in me: I will perform all I said to do. Know that I will sustain you and will rescue you.
Every Halloween when I recall my friend who found himself in a horrific situation and called out to his father or whenever I find myself in a horrible mess, generally of my own making, I am also reminded of this truth that when I cry out, my Heavenly Father will come “to the rescue.”
When I recall the circumstances from which God rescued me, many times I am overwhelmed with gratitude, as I shudder to think when I might be if He had not intervened in such a dramatic manner. In reflecting upon God’s intervention, I composed this poem which I use to conclude this blog.
If It Had Not Been for the Lord “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,”
Let Israel now say—
Psalm 124:1
If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have drowned in the sea from the tears I cried. I shudder to think just where I would be today. I would have lost my mind or turned and walked away, But I learned that God is faithful—this cannot be denied.
He was there to guide when I was tempted and tried, My shelter from the storm where I could run and hide. He was my deliverer—that is all I have to say: If it had not been for the Lord.
Enemies rose up like a flood to wash aside, But God came through and rescued me and turned the tide. Pressing toward the mark, dawning of a brand new day, Through all my trials I learned to watch, fight and pray. The Lord is my keeper; in Him I confide: If it had not been for the Lord.
Posted by Bart Young on October 28, 2009 at 1:50pm
Gary, God bless you. Too many years my friend. Cindy and I are living in Texas. I would love to catch up. I am in the process of building a profile. I am sure it will take forever. Bart Young
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This is the latest news from "Natural News" and I wanted to share it with you.Physicians rarely promote the curative properties of H2O, but Dr. Batmanghelidj, M.D. has studied water's effect on the human body and has found it to be one of the best pain relievers and preventative therapies in existence. I was one of the last people to interview the late Dr. Batmanghelidj, and I listened in awe as he shared his research and stories about "The Healing Power of Water."In a fascinating one-hour phone conversation, Dr. B. shares:• Which common ailments and "diseases" are actually caused by dehydration• Why many doctors use water-regulating antihistamines to alleviate pain• How Dr. Batmanghelidj unintentionally discovered water's healing properties• Why most people are chronically dehydrated and suffer from symptoms of dehydration that are labeled "diseases"• Which ingredients in soft drinks deplete the body's water reserves• Why thirst is not a reliable indicator of dehydration• Why the body produces cholesterol and how water keeps it in balance• Why Dr. Batmanghelidj believes the public is being mislead about AIDS• How dehydration impairs mental functioning• Why some organizations want to withhold alternative health information from the public• How lack of water causes depression• Why popular beverages are no substitute for water• How dehydration causes the vascular system to constrict, leading to hypertension• How to recognize signs that your body is starting to dehydrate• Why restaurants push you to drink disease-promoting soft drinks• Why and how water effectively treats pain and inflammationHere is the link to read the questions and answers from the interviewhttp://www.naturalnews.com/Report_water_cure_0.htmlRead more…
Posted by Chere Poole on October 17, 2009 at 3:45pm
"It's not you, it's me."Why do we say that? Most of us have made that statment in an effort to spare someone else's feelings in an awkward situation, when in our hearts we believe just the opposite. But...do we ever stop and ask ourselves if maybe, just maybe, it's really true?The argument that should never have started, the reason a project isn't going smoothly, the friendship that is suddenly strained, the floundering relationship. We find any number of ways to justify placing blame elsewhere, convinced we've done our best to make the discussion, project or relationship a success, therefore its failure must be laid at the feet of the other person or persons involved. It's uncomfortable to think the fault may actually lie with us.I believe the capacity for self-reflection is a wonderful God-given ability that can spur us toward self-improvement, and stoke the fire of desire to improve not just ourselves, but the lives of those around us by becoming better, more giving (and forgiving) individuals. God created man in his own image, and God is love. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. As His children we have the same light within us, the same capacity to love and forgive, whether it is another who needs forgiveness, or ourselves we must forgive.Animals don't contemplate their actions and the effect they have on other animals. They don't ponder how they can be better siblings, children, parents, mates or members of their society. The squirrel has no conscience that nags him at night as he curls up to sleep amdist nuts he may have filched from another squirrel's stash. To mankind alone was the gift of conscience given. God knew what He was doing when He put us together. Psalm 139:14 says "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."Conscience and introspection--contemplation of one's own thoughts, desires and conduct--are valuable tools when undertaking the task of self-improvement. When we think about what we are thinking about (as mentioned in an earlier post) and get honest with ourselves, taking stock of our thoughts, desires and conduct, it can be an illuminating experience. It can be the beginning of change for the better. It can be the first step toward growth.David says in Psalm 94:19 "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul". His thoughts at this time were anxious ones, but God's comforts were delightful to his soul. Perhaps you are also troubled by anxious thoughts. Perhaps you are wondering if you have been upset with someone over some perceived wrong, when at least some of the blame could be laid at your own feet. Perhaps you are contemplating areas of your life that need improvement, but you don't have a clue where or how to start. Perhaps the thought of self-improvement seems overwhelming.Take comfort in the knowledge that you have the ability to change. It starts with a decision, with the acknowledgement that sometimes "It's not you, it's me" is, in fact, the truth. Free will may be the greatest gift ever given to man by God. You can do whatever you choose to do, change whatever you choose to change, and achieve whatever you believe to achieve.Phil. 4:13 Amplified Version: I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].So take heart my friend, and be comforted even if you suddenly see "Oh, my gosh...it IS me!" It's never too late to change, to start over, to repair a breach, heal a hurt, or forgive. Even yourself. It starts with a free will decision. One day at a time.'We never know how high we are, Till we are called to rise; And then, if we are true to plan, Our statures touch the skies." -- Emily DickinsonGod bless you ~ cpwritergirl
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I saw this footage this morning that happened in the Metro area where I live in Melbourne Australia and it made me think.I was just on the commuter trains yesterday going into Melbourne for a job interview. And stood on a similar station and thought to share here and not compare.http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/876261/cctv-footage-of-pram-hit-by-train-releasedI am not trying to frighten you here, but say that I have had a few ' not paying attention moments' with my kids, as a parent.I reckon it is an awareness responsibility I am putting out there. Parents or Grandparents to be listen up.I remember once my youngest daughter was fiddling around with her safety belt. I said leave it on, 10 seconds later my middle daughter said Leah fell out of the car. WTF, I stopped the car, luckily I was only in a dirt driveway and she rolled clean of the car 3 meters from an iron post in the yard and was startled.I admonished her to listen when I say leave on your seatbelt. On the learning curve she didn't get it. I overlooked it but made a mental note, she is unaware at her age.Another time I was making a beer run and pressed on my clutch to roll backwards but for some unknown reason ( a GOD hint) I pushed on the brake and looked in my rear view mirror seeing my youngest daughter hanging on my tailgate. I pulled the emergency brake, got out, admonished her and said git in the truck let's go get some chocks (chocalates). She knew daddy was going to the store and wanted some lollies. Fair enough! She passed on the learning curve as she thought more about dangers of life.Another time I was out in the woods on my property cutting trees down by hand to put in a new barbwire fence.I was to cheap to hire a dozer, so I did it all by myself. I am a tough cookie.Just as the tree I was felling began to fall (I was pondering Ecc. 11:3 another GOD hint) I looked in my perefial (sp) (too many syllables) vision and saw my son standing where that tree began to fall and grabbed him where he was standing . I admonished him to keep a distance when I am working. " Next time throw a rock at me to get my attention", I exclaimed." I was just watching dad", " Watch over there then," I exclaimed.I would like to hear your God moments with the youngins if you care to share and not compare.
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I do enjoy a jolly good laugh, don't you? So this blog is for whatever has tickled your funny-bone - a joke, a video, a song, comments, cartoons... Maybe someone else will get a cackle from it too!"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." - Woody Allen"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul." - Yiddish Proverb"If every word I said could make you laugh, I’d talk for ever." - not sure who said that, but one site mentioned the Beach Boys...Anyway, here's an old video clip, that I like:...well, what made you laugh today?
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...well, what made you laugh today?
