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12 Sponges

4/28/2019

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Twelve Sponges

It was the first day on the job for a surgical nurse. To increase the pressure, she was assigned to the most experienced surgeon in the hospital. During her first surgical procedure, she noticed a problem as the doctor was finishing.

“You’ve removed eleven sponges, doctor,” she said to the surgeon. “We used twelve.”

“I'm certain that I've removed them all,” the surgeon replied. “We‘ll close the incision now.”

“I'm sorry,” the nurse persisted. “We used twelve sponges.”

“You must have miscounted. Anyway, I'll assume responsibility,” the surgeon retorted.

"But you can’t close without accounting for twelve sponges.” insisted the nurse.”

The surgeon then smiled, lifted a foot to reveal the twelfth sponge, and said, “You’ll work out just fine.”


*****************************************************************************************************************************************

It can be difficult to stand up for what is right, especially when you are alone. How many times have you found yourself in the company of others - possibly Christians - using foul language, telling dirty jokes, taking God's name in vain or gossiping about others. It requires courage speak up and expose ourselves to criticism or ridicule.


John 12:42-43 speaks of believers that lacked the courage to stand up for their faith. “Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”


Would we fare any better? The possibility of being disliked, teased and possibly ostracized is intimidating. Yet it comes down to this - which do we love more, God’s approval or man’s? Only one approval ultimately matters - God’s. When we stand up for Him, He will stand with us. Therefore, no matter what others may think or say, let’s be courageous Christians and pursue God’s approval. In doing so we will never stand alone.


“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid...for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis

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Obituary of Jesus Christ

4/19/2019

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​OBITUARY OF JESUS CHRIST

(Revised, author unknown)

 

Jesus of Nazareth, age 33, believed by some to be the Son of God, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also called Golgotha. Following an informal trial by Jewish leaders, He was presented to Governor Pilate for official pronouncement of guilt and sentencing. Following deliberation over Jewish accusations and politically motivated threats, Pilate grudgingly bound Jesus over for execution by means of crucifixion.

 

Prior to reaching Golgotha Jesus was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, yet never resisted or cursed His tormentors. Nor did he protest while being nailed to the cross. Despite intense agony, Jesus asked His Heavenly Father to forgive His persecutors.

 

He lasted six hours, remarkable considering His depleted physical condition. He eventually succumbed to heart failure, induced by physical trauma, loss of blood, asphyxiation and shock.

 

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. He was the alleged* son of Joseph - a carpenter from Nazareth - and Mary. (*He claimed that God was His Father.) His mother, several brothers and sisters, and numerous disciples survive him.


During the last 3 years of his life, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, passionately promoting His Kingdom and salvation for its citizens. It is reported that He healed thousands of people. Some even allege that He calmed storms, walked on water and raised several people from the dead.

 

Following His death, Jesus was buried in a grave donated by Joseph of Arimathea. Due to earlier claims that He would rise from His grave, Jewish leaders were permitted to make His grave secure. A huge stone with a Roman seal blocked the entrance, and soldiers guarded the area.

 

UPDATE - The third day following Jesus’ death, His tomb was found EMPTY. Although specious rumors abound, no reasonable explanation has been established save for Jesus' claim that He would indeed rise. His disciples insist that they have seen Him alive, and that He will return to take His followers to heaven. The evidence is sufficiently compelling that millions of people are now convinced that Jesus LIVES.

 

“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner..."  (Acts 1:11)
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A Day Without Funerals

4/10/2019

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NO MORE FUNERALS


A doctor phoned a patient and said, "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that you have 24 hours left to live." The patient replied, "That's good news? What could be worse?" The doctor answered, "I've been trying to reach you since yesterday."


For eons God has been trying to reach mankind with the bad news that death is inevitable. Hebrews 9:27 declares, "...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."


Statistics clearly confirm this. On average,

• 55.3 million people die annually.

• 151,600 people die daily.

• 6,316 people die hourly.

• 105 people die each minute.

• Nearly two people die every second!


And despite man's endless attempts to cheat death and prolong life, there is no trick or technology that can indefinitely postpone death.Countless millions of funerals attest to the fact that no one can escape dying.


Praise God for the good news, however! The gospel of Jesus Christ brings the promise of an eternal day without funerals! Revelation 21:4reveals that in the end, God wipe every tear from the eyes of His children. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain (or funerals).


Woody Allen once said, "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it though not dying." Sorry Woody, but your death is just as certain as mine. Thank God, however, that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection promise immorality to those who trust andobey Him. In Heaven there will be no more funerals.


Jesus always Jesus,


Dennis
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Lessons From The Roman Empire

4/4/2019

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AMERICA & ROME


In his books describing the decline of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon cited 5 factors contributing to it's fall.


1. Deterioration of the traditional home, as evidenced by escalating rates of divorce. So it is with  America. Not only do 50% of first marriages in America fail, millions have been married at least 3 times. Moreover tens of millions eschew marriage, preferring to livetogether in fornication.


2. Escalating taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace. Although Christians should pay their taxes (Rom. 13:6-7), it is tragic that billions of our tax dollars subsidize abortions, the promotion of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, grants for artistic (pornographic) media expression, and scores of dubious “causes”.


3. The mad craze for erotic pleasures, and sports becoming increasingly brutal. It is no secret that millions of Americans routinelywatch  pornographic videos, patronize institutions featuring sexual entertainment, consume alcoholic beverages, use illicit drugs or gamble.Moreover, tens of millions are hooked on savage cage fighting, with few rules and frequent bloodshed.


4. The building of gigantic armaments to protect from enemies without, while the real enemy was the decadence of the masses within. Sadly, America currently spends more money DAILY on weapons and ammunition than it's YEARLY expenditures on programs to support traditional families and Christian liberties. A world leader once predicted that America will eventually fall without a single shot being fired from an outside enemy. He may be right.


5. The decay of religion—faith fading into tradition and form, becoming impotent to warn and guide the people. Paul spoke of the “last days”, in which people will possess a form of godliness but deny its power - 2 Tim. 3:4-5. Many prominent religious groups have evolved into “social clubs” promoting entertainment and fun, as opposed to serious study and application of God’s word.


America is rapidly forgetting about God. Some of our leaders even want to remove “In God We Trust” from our currency. As Christians, we must tirelessly pray for our country, our leaders and our homes - 1 Tim. 2:1-2.


“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis
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