Do you ever feel like the whole world is crashing in around you? Mine has been like that lately. Well, I guess it is more of the outside world. Personally, I have been doing all right. I suppose you could say I have learned how to deal with things and be content. I'm not saying that it is easy for me, but that the Lord has given me the grace to do so.

There is so much going on with my family. Last weekend I had received news of my grandma's poor health. I didn’t have the money to fly up to Michigan, but my roommate paid my way and worked on getting my class covered. The Lord was certainly in all the details. I even shared that with my class after I returned. The flight to Detroit was overbooked and then when they called for boarding, Detroit had a weight restriction. Everyone could not go on that flight. I just made it onto the shuttle and the plan before the cut-off. Praise the Lord!

I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Gram while I was there. She just passed tonight, around 9pm. I'm feeling kind of numb at the moment. People often say they are sorry. What can be said to that? Nothing, really. I know I will be getting a round of "sorry's" tomorrow at church.

An answer to another prayer is that of a car. I've been car-less since last January when my little Toyota quit on my birthday. My dad had sold "Hank the Tank" last Christmas when I asked him to since the car was not being reliable for me. While I was home, my dad showed me the new-to-me car he got me. It's a little Dodge Neon. I'm very thankful. Dad is driving me back to VA and then he will fly back to MI.

Good night.

My grandma is going to start acute hospice today at the hospital for the next 24-48 hours and then will be sent home. According to the symptoms she has, she may only have a couple of weeks left. This was hard news on the family.

She has been taken off antibiotics, had her feeding tube removed, and had the wound vac removed as well. She has a deep and long incicsion (18 inches or so) in her leg that most likely will not heal due to a very low protein level. My cousin will most likely be changing the wet-to-dry dressing every day when Grandma is home.

She is on morphine every two hours for the pain and therefore, she is sleeping most of the time.

Is it right or wrong?

Is it right or wrong?

I came across some more sermon notes, this time from my pastor in MI when I was there over the summer. The text was I Corinthians 8.

1 Corinthians 8
1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

I. Can you ask God to bless it?
(Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.)

II. Can you thank Him for it?
(Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.)

III. Is it to the glory of God?
(1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.)

IV. Is it of the world?
(1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.)

1. Is it a stumbling block to others?

2. Will it be a weight?
(Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,)

3. Is it to please God rather than man?

4. Do I realize the consequences?
(Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.)

5. Is it expedient?/Does it edify?

6. Will is serve the right master?

7. Will His indwelling presence permit it?

I think that so many times people get stuck on the "thou shall" and "thou shall not" parts instead of simply pleasing the Lord. I know I've seen it in my life.

Reasons for restricted revival

Reasons for restricted revival

As I was reading my Bible one morning, I came a across some sermon notes I took when I was in college. The thought of "revival" is not necessarily for the church alone, but each Christian in their daily life. Revival means to bring back those life-giving qualities to someone (picture someone who has nearly drowned in a pool and are revived). It is very important that a Christian is alive as they serve the Lord.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Here are the main points that I have written down in my Bible:

1. Proud
2. Prayerless
3. Blind
4. Wicked

Instead of giving up our sins, we try to protect them. How much better it is to realize the fact that in the Christian's life, he is no more bound by the chains of sin! We are FREE!