Verse of the Week

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.

Luke 9:43a

(A right response to the work of Jesus.)

I think even the dessert is beautiful!

Michael Jr.

    Michael Jr. is my favorite comedian. Period. (I said period even though I put a period already to add emphasis. It's redundant and weird but I've seen it done. One thing I've never seen done, though, is for someone to explain why the said 'period'. . . Now that's weird. . .)
    As I have already said, this month is is Black History Month. I'd love to hear some of what you've been learning about. What is your favorite black historical figure? Have you learned of any new people from history this month that you previously had never heard of?
    Well, you might enjoy testing your knowledge of Black History by watching this funny and interesting video by Micheal Jr.

Take your pick, they're both funny. You can pick both, it's okay.

 

 This guy is just plain funny. I call him hilarious. He is a Christian too, so I will garantee that you will like his stuff if you liked what he said in the video(s). http://michaeljr.com/

 

Have a great day (and keep brushing up on your history),

Ashlin

Black History Month

This month is Black History month. I find black history truly is incredible, and much of the history is truly unknown. I have heard it said that the history of African Americans is not unlike that of God's chosen people the Jews. Taken from their homeland their were forced into slavery for centuries until God delivered them. African Americans triumphed and prospered, overcoming their tragic beginnings. I think of the words of Joseph "You meant evil against me, but God turned it into good".

 

Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, the first African
American to deliver a sermon in congress

"Let no rancor or ill-will lodge in your [heart] for any bad treatment you may have received from any. If you do, you transgress against God, Who will not hold you guiltless. He would not suffer it even in His beloved people Israel; and you think He will allow it unto us? . . . I am sorry to say that too many think more of the evil than of the good they have received." -Rev. Richard Allen (a former slave)

Martin Luther King Jr.

"I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we are moving against wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who has love has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality." Martin Luther King Jr., clergyman, activist, writer, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

"Each person must live their life as a model for others." - Rosa Parks, known as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement", African-American civil rights activist


Booker T. Washington

"Character, not circumstances, makes the man." - Booker T. Washington, founder and president of Tuskegee, as well an educator, former slave, author, orator, and advisor to Republican presidents

"One and God make a majority." - Frederick Douglass, the first African-American to be appointed to office in four different presidential administrations, also a social reformer, orator, writer, statesman and former slave

"When I was young, I said to God, God, tell me the mystery of the universe. But God answered, that knowledge is for Me alone. So I said, God, tell me the mystery of the peanut. Then God said, well, George, that's more nearly your size." - George Washington Carver, former slave, scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor

I encourage you to dig deeper into the true history of some amazing men and women of African descent this month (and every month). Here are a few resources you may find helpful.
Webistes:
African American Perspectives
Freedmen's Bureau Online
Harper's Weekly
Neglected Voices
(Biographies and Speeches of the first African American Congressmen)



Olaudah Equiano

Books:
(You can read these books for free at gutenberg.org)
Up from Slavery: an autobiography by Booker T. Washington
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
and
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
to name a few.
I've really enjoyed American History in Black and White, but I haven't found that free, it must be purcharsed.

World Leprosy Day

This day is a great reminder for us to reach out and give to, or get on our knees and pray for "the least of these". (Matthew 25)

Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease that is not highly contagious, contrary to popular belief, and is treatable with the right resources. Unfortunately, many people in developing countries do not have access to treatment and are shunned by society.

World Leprosy Day is held to increase awareness and to reach those affected by leprosy. For this day, Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries will be ministering at many leprosy colonies, spreading the love of Christ through practical gifts to bless the leprosy patients and their families.

Please pray for the various ministries that will take place on this day—that the Lord's love for the leprosy patients would be evident through the believers' actions. See ways you can pray.

(information from gfa.org)

God bless you this Sunday,

Ashlin

The Entire Bible in 30 Minutes?!

 Yes, the video below is Genesis through Revelation (Page made possible by Compass Pointes!)

I thought this was very interesting. I hope you do too.

Amazing.

I cannot comprehend, cannot wrap my mind around this overwhelming love and grace from above. The perfect goodness of our Creator given to the most undeserving but most loved creation.

"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4

I read and re-read these verses, and the Love of my life leaves me awe-struck.

This incredible, difficult, beautiful life is filled with His "exceedingly great and precious promises" though I am so undeserving and fail so often He is always, always faithful.

May you draw nearer to Him this week. Though it may be hard and you may be brought to your knees countless times, He knows everything you have suffered, and are suffering and He is there with you and understands it all. His grace is sufficient, His strength made perfect in our weakness. Call out to Him, talk with Him more. He is eager to spend one-on-one time with you as a bridegroom savors time with his bride.

He is so deserving of anything and everything we can give to Him.

Born to Die

They never knew a dark night
Always had the Son's light on their face
Perfect in glory, broken by the story
Of untold grace, come that day

Majesty had come down, glory had succumbed now
To flesh and bone
In the arms of a manger, in the hands of strangers
That could not know, just who they hold

And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die

And all fell silent for the cry of an infant
The voice of God
Was dividing history for those with eyes to see
The Son would shine from earth that night

And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die, be a baby born to die

To break the chains of guilt and sin
To find us here, to pull us in
So we can join in heaven's song
And with one voice around the throne

All the angels filled the sky
And I can't help but wonder why
Why this King would choose to be
Be a baby born for me, be a baby born
Be a baby born to die

 

-Jason Ingram and Bebo Norman