tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69887326750345032292024-02-20T13:52:59.857-08:00Zach Donaldson's BlogMy thoughts on Christianity, the Bible, my hobbies, and anything else as it relates to Christianity.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-42776242396284942962014-05-26T15:06:00.001-07:002014-05-26T15:06:14.877-07:00Built for God by True Worship of God. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcXTUyMtD5Hb7JYog6oUo5aQyzBRSqRv9V5d5SgNmTD0lj3gOTzlMebraYGjlQ1VqSbx9FU8Oewv84X-PQW96UEKZVJM4Q-w8ncCINveeZuVl7fv93g2hLp8fSP5X4u7LjHTKQFO9g_Rh/s1600/tabernacle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcXTUyMtD5Hb7JYog6oUo5aQyzBRSqRv9V5d5SgNmTD0lj3gOTzlMebraYGjlQ1VqSbx9FU8Oewv84X-PQW96UEKZVJM4Q-w8ncCINveeZuVl7fv93g2hLp8fSP5X4u7LjHTKQFO9g_Rh/s1600/tabernacle.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have been fascinated and intrigued by the Tabernacle recently as<br />
it was the first house of the Lord. It was the Lord's way of dwelling<br />
among His people until He sent His Son Jesus to dwell within us<br />
much later.<br />
The origins and development of the Tabernacle begin in Exodus<br />
chapter twenty-five starting in verse eight:<br />
<br />
<i>"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."</i><br />
(Exodus 25:8)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i>Prior to verse eight of Exodus twenty-five, at the beginning of the chapter<br />
God spoke to Moses and told him to speak to the children of Israel to<br />
bring the Lord offerings of the material needed to create the Tabernacle.<br />
In reading verse two of chapter twenty-five the Lord instructs Moses to<br />
take the offerings of those who gave willingly with his heart. <i>"From </i><br />
<i>everyone who gives willingly with his heart you shall take My offerings."</i><br />
(Exodus 25:2)<br />
In studying this chapter to get a better understanding, God told Moses to take<br />
of the offerings that were given willingly because those that gave of the heart and<br />
not by compulsion showed true worship of the Lord. The Lord wanted gifts that<br />
were given freely and gladly.<br />
<i> </i>The Tabernacle is a perfect example of giving freely and cheerfully. I practically<br />
consider it a symbol of cheerful giving and true worship. One only has to go to<br />
the seventh verse Second Corinthians chapter nine to see it plainly.<br />
<i>"For God loves a cheerful giver." </i>(2 Corinthians 9:7)<br />
<br />
I also believe it is cheerful giving and true worship that has kept my own<br />
church going despite it's small congregation. And I believe it is because<br />
of the hearts of those in the congregation. You see, it is not the quantity<br />
that matters in a church, but the quality. And by quality it is the hearts<br />
of those who show true worship of the Lord, be it by cheerful giving or<br />
doing whatever kind of work for the Lord. And if cheerful giving to the<br />
Lord can help create such a magnificent masterpiece as the Tabernacle,<br />
how much more so can it bring out the spiritual quality of a small church<br />
than by the cheerful giving and true worship of it's congregation? Quite<br />
a lot. And to God be the glory!<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.<br />
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-62884457453499918122013-09-15T19:25:00.000-07:002013-09-15T19:25:11.151-07:00Inspired by Men of Low Estate.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9JiX6WxvflIWN81WQKPA0vQ9Oh44iY_fFqU9AE0XA9yW6fHV_HwmXNUMYWtwKtU8HtGffRMLyK82hCZTlHawzIL_weiZa0oOYTmaleThnUsc7ukqx5AQOa-zb-H-R10C69UGGdGFkemC/s1600/max01s.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9JiX6WxvflIWN81WQKPA0vQ9Oh44iY_fFqU9AE0XA9yW6fHV_HwmXNUMYWtwKtU8HtGffRMLyK82hCZTlHawzIL_weiZa0oOYTmaleThnUsc7ukqx5AQOa-zb-H-R10C69UGGdGFkemC/s400/max01s.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1235592779"></span><span id="goog_1235592780"></span>Greetings,<br />
<br />
I have read the book of James chapter two where it talks of<br />
personal favortism toward certain folks who visit the church.<br />
In James 2:1-5 it talks of showing favoritism to the rich man<br />
but discrimination of the poor man:<br />
<br />
<i>"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus </i><br />
<i>Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there</i><br />
<i>should come into your assembly a man with gold rings,</i><br />
<i>in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor</i><br />
<i>man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one</i><br />
<i>wearing the fine clothes and say to him, 'You sit here</i><br />
<i>in a good place,' and say to the poor man, 'You stand</i><br />
<i>there,' or, 'Sit here at my footstool,' have you not shown</i><br />
<i>partiality among yourselves and become judges of evil </i><br />
<i>thoughts?</i><br />
<i> Listen my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the </i><br />
<i>poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs to the</i><br />
<i>kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I often thought a lot about myself if you go back to the last<br />
post I wrote on feeling like a dejected man among believers.<br />
(Isn't true, btw).<br />
But as of recent our church has welcomed at least three<br />
people who had either become victims of this tough economy<br />
and/or certain vices or addictions and over time I had begun<br />
to know them quite well. I am not going to go into details of<br />
their hardships or struggles nor am I going to give their names<br />
but in getting to know them and spend some time with them<br />
I actually found one of them to be INSPIRING and ENCOU-<br />
-RAGING. Yes, you read right, he has begun to be an<br />
encouragement as well as an inspiration!<br />
I say that because despite the certain hardships and struggles<br />
he is going through he has been attending church more<br />
frequently and by telling me some of his testimonies I<br />
get to see how the Lord is working in his life and that is<br />
what I mean by him being an inspiration and an encouragement!<br />
Instead of looking down on people who are least esteemed,<br />
we should not only exalt them but see them as an inspiration<br />
and an encouragement when the Lord blesses them.<br />
My friends, look at it like this; You too, may find yourself in<br />
a needy situation (and don't think it can't happen to you, it can)<br />
and if you see how the Lord is working on those of humble means<br />
would he not do the same for you?<br />
There is another verse of scripture in Romans 12:16 which I want<br />
to include here:<br />
<br />
<i>"Do not set your mind on high things, but condescend to men of</i><br />
<i>low estate. Do not be wise in your own opinion."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And as of recent I find myself talking, fellowshipping, and<br />
even sitting with these recent visitors.<br />
Exalt, be encouraged and inspired by men of low estate and<br />
that way you get to see the Lord at work which will help your<br />
own faith in the Lord as well!<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-61202443441518272772013-07-05T13:04:00.003-07:002013-07-05T13:04:47.122-07:00This Is The Way It Is.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdq_9wEBEAlLk3wpHAYKhy-YUAl6VKXXiuhJsgIo9gLHC48m7Aiy9hHtPPI8h3Q0CsXJHRaIl0lZzIwR4G1XcJ2RmOtY9xD019QdpmY6Ao8WPyRK7OVruuapkQYqP5CIO2QYVzgUGs8-Q/s1600/dejectedman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdq_9wEBEAlLk3wpHAYKhy-YUAl6VKXXiuhJsgIo9gLHC48m7Aiy9hHtPPI8h3Q0CsXJHRaIl0lZzIwR4G1XcJ2RmOtY9xD019QdpmY6Ao8WPyRK7OVruuapkQYqP5CIO2QYVzgUGs8-Q/s320/dejectedman.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
It was always said that the 'truth shall set you free' and as<br />
a Christian, I believe that is true. But the truth is also very<br />
harsh as well, especially when you finally realize it late in life<br />
and worse, I may have no choice but to just live it out.<br />
You see, stubbornness and foolishness at a young age that<br />
goes unchecked can do much damage in the later years as<br />
I have now found out. I cannot count the number of times<br />
wishing I could turn back the hands of time and right the<br />
wrongs I did. It wasn't so much I harmed anyone else but<br />
more harming myself.<br />
<br />
So now you are wondering what brought this topic up.<br />
I will tell you, but this can get lengthy, so bear with me.<br />
<br />
Let's say for starters, I may have to live the life of a<br />
dejected man due to some major negligence on my part,<br />
add to it with this economy this seems to be no place for<br />
middle-aged men such as myself. Though I am content<br />
being single I also know that I am going to have to live<br />
with the fact that an unmarried+ middle-aged man=<br />
damaged goods. Even among Christian circles a<br />
never-married man at fifty-two-years-of-age is<br />
undesirable. Stop right there! Don't tell me I'm<br />
being too hard on myself! That is simple truth!<br />
I have been among Christians long enough to<br />
know what is expected of Christian men after<br />
reading literature, hearing various sermons, and<br />
general conversations among Christian men and<br />
women on the subject. I realized after hearing all<br />
of this, is that I may have to live like a dejected man<br />
even among my own Christian brethren. There seems to<br />
be an underlying message which tells me things such as: <br />
"You're not good enough," "This is what a real Christian<br />
man is, so measure up," and, well I won't go on. Let's just<br />
narrow it down to this: "You're not a real Christian man,"<br />
is the message I have been getting. In short, "You're<br />
not good enough!"<br />
<br />
So how good am I supposed to be? I realize that my lot in<br />
life isn't normal by society's (and even Christian) standards<br />
and I also realize that it was mostly my fault. Yes, I confess that!<br />
But I also realize that I have been comfortable just as I am as<br />
well. I am truly blessed for a man of modest if not low means<br />
and I have the Lord Almighty to make me realize that. I have<br />
food and clothing and do things I enjoy which I see as perks<br />
of Christianity, much like the fringe benefits of being employed<br />
by a certain company. Oh, but I can't share that with anyone!<br />
It sounds like I have to be better than that. I got news for you<br />
my good people, I will never be good enough for you because<br />
I am at the stage in life where I should have had it together years<br />
ago. Guess what? You are right, I should have gotten my act<br />
together all those years ago and bettered myself so I could be<br />
that man society and/or Christianity and a potential wife could<br />
accept, love, and respect.<br />
Okay, so I'm not good husband/father material. What? So for that<br />
I'm not good enough for Christianity, too? Haha, you're right again.<br />
I'm not a good husband and father candidate because a man in his fifties<br />
on a modest income couldn't support a wife and kids, add to it that<br />
financially speaking, it gets pretty tough money-wise when you wish to<br />
send your kids to college and approaching retirement age.<br />
Okay, so what if I did blow all these opportunities sky high a long<br />
time ago and that I am considered damaged goods? Am I supposed<br />
to be any less of a Christian man because of that? For awhile I did<br />
feel good about who I was after being saved but then all this marriage<br />
mandate and these 'man-up' campaigns all came about as if to shame<br />
me.<br />
Well, it's come down to this, I find it easier to live like a dejected man<br />
than to go through major life changes this late in life. I'm too used to<br />
living alone and doing things I enjoy to even want to make those kinds<br />
of changes (marriage and fatherhood) and besides, I can't afford it.<br />
But, I CAN afford to do things for the Lord and to enjoy my hobbies<br />
which I consider perks. But if I'm not considered good enough because<br />
I haven't made myself good husband and father material, then I'll just<br />
have to endure living as a dejected man, even among my own Christian<br />
brethren. But I will not be shamed or coerced into it just because of<br />
missed opportunities. You can accept me or reject me, but I have made<br />
my choice. <br />
<br />
Have a blessed day. Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-42474097168994123292013-07-04T07:25:00.000-07:002013-07-04T07:26:27.844-07:00Happy Fourth of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRKrWtjcuUZ5GugeNfpxTTztXSyVyT5DZiy9NOZPjJTgWChUZArqXcPdtN6ipMYqaSdDq5twin7l-Fvml3Pgj7nRQ0cKztMSMCFcfdgDkm3msUhetw0o4UDsMv8DfvVrx_zgwkR8F40DZ/s550/4thofjuly.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRKrWtjcuUZ5GugeNfpxTTztXSyVyT5DZiy9NOZPjJTgWChUZArqXcPdtN6ipMYqaSdDq5twin7l-Fvml3Pgj7nRQ0cKztMSMCFcfdgDkm3msUhetw0o4UDsMv8DfvVrx_zgwkR8F40DZ/s400/4thofjuly.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July and remember to<br />
thank a vet and all military people currently serving in our<br />
armed forces, but more importantly thank the Lord Almighty<br />
who really made it all possible.<br />
<br />
<i>"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." </i>(Psalm 33:12)Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-70115526653322025962013-04-27T14:10:00.000-07:002013-04-27T14:10:14.209-07:00Long Hours at Work= Manna From Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K3knX7TgmRnu7ZX39BWpDn8c6xEh5PuCOLuS9RYcHbbb7uEHFCriZCJXyqjuNNAxPXt1Nig_v9rlGAHxUnexz5zO6MmcDTbpq6qWnfb3pveFH6Wq5qjoc6p41PQIRS5TmIkE_rH-sK28/s1600/manna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K3knX7TgmRnu7ZX39BWpDn8c6xEh5PuCOLuS9RYcHbbb7uEHFCriZCJXyqjuNNAxPXt1Nig_v9rlGAHxUnexz5zO6MmcDTbpq6qWnfb3pveFH6Wq5qjoc6p41PQIRS5TmIkE_rH-sK28/s400/manna.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
It has been quite awhile since I posted on here but overtime at<br />
the coin vault has kept me away from this and my Newberry<br />
storyblog. Been at my parents' house one Saturday to assist<br />
with a slight plumbing issue and the weekends after that I<br />
spent on my model kits and church.<br />
<br />
Now in regard to the overtime at work that I just mentioned,<br />
most would probably murmur and complain about the long<br />
hours and I can understand that, especially if one has a family.<br />
But to me it has been a blessing in disguise as it has helped me<br />
with certain financial issues due to some medical bills and some<br />
automotive issues. Yes, more is taken out in taxes and going to<br />
a bi-weekly pay period has made it a bit tight if not inconvenient<br />
but to me it's been like manna from heaven as I have had more<br />
disposable income than before and that has helped with the bills<br />
I mentioned and not only that, could save more as well. I won't<br />
say I'm rolling in dough, but I will say that I am rolling in God's<br />
blessings and these blessings are for a reason. God honors it<br />
when we pay our debts. He knew my situation and I believe<br />
this is His answer. He does as it is written in Phillipians 4:19:<br />
<br />
<i>"My God shall supply all your need according to His </i><br />
<i>riches and glory by Christ Jesus."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And it is to God that I give the glory to because He has<br />
allowed it. Our branch has gone through some changes<br />
and we lost three managers due to some issues that<br />
were discovered but the rest of us as well as myself<br />
are still there and it looks promising. I myself had to<br />
make a few adjustments in what I did but if that's what<br />
it will take for the branch here in Cincinnati to go forward,<br />
I'll take the change anytime.<br />
<br />
I now do what I thought I'd never do and that's heading<br />
to the gym early in the morning so as to not be out too late<br />
what with the longer hours. I need my exercise as well.<br />
Here's a verse from 3 John:2:<br />
<br />
<i>"I pray that your soul prospers in all things and</i><br />
<i>be in health, just as your soul prospers."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i>It was my prayers and the prayers of others that have<br />
been a blessing as well and He has certainly answered<br />
them according to His riches and glory. And I thank<br />
you all who have prayed for me and I ask that you please<br />
continue to do so.<br />
I am working nine-and-half hours through next week to<br />
keep our orders filled and keeping in mind that all this is<br />
a blessing from the Lord is what keeps me going.<br />
<br />
I leave you with this verse from Deuteronomy 28:12:<br />
<br />
<i>"The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of</i><br />
<i>His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and</i><br />
<i>to bless all the work of your hands."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-47367833576068632262013-02-09T14:16:00.000-08:002013-02-09T14:16:09.879-08:00With Food and Clothing, Let Us Be Content.<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1YjSZN9V6oV96eAp8u27WRaSF1XIvSRIk3UPymlSwUbyAi_g5KItFNfyWFqu4NVmAYHCRtRgBsk04MSjtuzIC-jXK9f0XSVP2HemVU_cOcByFx3cM5JjHTsMlZZMSmRdAGRe5C5f4az_/s1600/grace_old_man_praying_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1YjSZN9V6oV96eAp8u27WRaSF1XIvSRIk3UPymlSwUbyAi_g5KItFNfyWFqu4NVmAYHCRtRgBsk04MSjtuzIC-jXK9f0XSVP2HemVU_cOcByFx3cM5JjHTsMlZZMSmRdAGRe5C5f4az_/s400/grace_old_man_praying_l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings and Salutations,<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Earlier at the beginning of this year I have experienced some certain</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
financial hardships and the company where I am employed, Brinks,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
has changed from a weekly to bi-weekly pay period, so things have</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
been a bit tight as of now. Of course I am still thankful to be employed</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and have food, clothing and shelter which are the basic necessities and</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
right now that is all that's important as far as possessions go.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have been eating both lunch and dinner where I work, lunch during</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the noon lunchbreak and then when I get off work before heading to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the gym. I purchase food that can be microwaved and has in fact</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
been on the menu since last month. I have been buying at Family Dollar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
mostly with the exception of certain food items such as meat and fresh </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
vegetables. I buy enough to last me two weeks and praise the Lord</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
have been keeping it under fifty dollars. God is good!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The key word for this post is contentment. The contentment I am</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
talking about can be found in the New Testament book of 1 Timothy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6:6-8 which reads like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought </em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>nothing into this world and we will take nothing out of it. But if</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>we have food and clothing we will be content with that."</em> (NIV)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The word contentment popped into my mind when faced with these</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
struggles with money. While it has been a chore sitting down to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
re-work my finances and budget, I also find that I can still be content</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
with what I can still purchase and with what I already have. I guess</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the overall thing I am going through is a lesson in contentment.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I end with this scripture verse from Luke 3:14, Phillipians 4:11-12,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and Hebrews 13:5:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>"Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely and</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>be content with your wages." </em>(Luke 3:14)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>plenty. I have learned</em> <em>the secret of being content in any and</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>plenty or in want." </em>(Phillipians 4:11-12)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>with what you have</em>." (Hebrews 13:5)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have a blessed day. </div>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-55798592112113868682013-02-08T21:39:00.001-08:002013-02-08T21:46:48.115-08:00Wrath on the Road: How I Overcame.<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWI-mNfv7OMOiiGvm8z05rCK2m6WRP5uC8Wt_isfx9YoeraWHRFPEFfTN7_z2I7rgojCApk7-CprmDYTArCpohWW4mdTR-bAukn_cI_zE01An771wPnSdMH-R2aGd3TZ4mRPTxgCXvbO/s1600/thunderball2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWI-mNfv7OMOiiGvm8z05rCK2m6WRP5uC8Wt_isfx9YoeraWHRFPEFfTN7_z2I7rgojCApk7-CprmDYTArCpohWW4mdTR-bAukn_cI_zE01An771wPnSdMH-R2aGd3TZ4mRPTxgCXvbO/s400/thunderball2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
Greetings,</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
My place of employment takes me to the Queensgate area</div>
<div align="left">
of Cincinnati, which is in the southwest corner of the downtown</div>
<div align="left">
Cincinnati area, and I take Interstate 75 to get there, save for </div>
<div align="left">
heavy rainy or snowy weather in which I take the alternate</div>
<div align="left">
route through Vine Street, Spring Grove Ave. and then</div>
<div align="left">
Dalton Street. I-75 scares me plenty on rainy or snowy days</div>
<div align="left">
as some if not most other motorists drive as if it's clear sailing</div>
<div align="left">
which I think is very foolish on wet or icy roads, and accidents</div>
<div align="left">
on I-75 are frequent enough as it is.</div>
<div align="left">
But even on normal days the early morning commute frequently</div>
<div align="left">
gets intense, especially around 7am. Come to think of it, so do</div>
<div align="left">
I. Worse yet, I get a little too intense, more so than the traffic</div>
<div align="left">
in fact. Not a good way to behave. It seems it's always on the</div>
<div align="left">
road that I'm not at my best tempermentally speaking, if I don't</div>
<div align="left">
count some of the intense moments at work as well because </div>
<div align="left">
there I get out from behind the wheel of my car and get in </div>
<div align="left">
behind the wheel of a forklift truck. Mind you, I don't drive</div>
<div align="left">
recklessly in either my car or the forklift but inwardly I </div>
<div align="left">
can burn with wrath if someone blocks me, cuts in front of</div>
<div align="left">
me, tailgates me, or if they're in front of me, I perceive they are</div>
<div align="left">
going too slow. It's almost like if my car had weapons, I would</div>
<div align="left">
take them out. OOH. Commiting murder in my heart. Not a </div>
<div align="left">
good characteristic for a Christian, in fact, it's conduct unbecoming.</div>
<div align="left">
Now while no one else may see my anger, God does, and He </div>
<div align="left">
knows the innermost thoughts of the heart. Something needs to be</div>
<div align="left">
done here, yes?</div>
<div align="left">
Well part of the solution was to leave earlier than usual to avoid</div>
<div align="left">
the 7am rush hour which has helped, but this attitude issue I knew</div>
<div align="left">
is what really needs to be addressed here. </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Part of my prayers when I start the day was always to ask the</div>
<div align="left">
Lord every morning to grant me safe, traveling mercies when I</div>
<div align="left">
head to work and then home and anywhere else I may go that </div>
<div align="left">
day. Gradually when other motorists got careless around me</div>
<div align="left">
in whatever they did that could've endagered me and yet didn't</div>
<div align="left">
I thank the Lord that there was no accident involved in regard</div>
<div align="left">
to the other motorists' recklessness. In short I count my bless-</div>
<div align="left">
-ings. I have made it more of a habit each day to do that and</div>
<div align="left">
to realize each that I went to work in one piece and that I</div>
<div align="left">
came home likewise. The solutions were allowing God as</div>
<div align="left">
the driver, and me the co-driver, and to count the small </div>
<div align="left">
blessings of not getting into accidents whether they had the </div>
<div align="left">
potential to be my fault or that of others. Besides, it's all so</div>
<div align="left">
petty anyway. Those times other motorists could have </div>
<div align="left">
done me harm, or even I to them, God has kept His </div>
<div align="left">
hand on me (and the other motorists, too) and kept me</div>
<div align="left">
from harm, so why not count my blessings, and yes, why</div>
<div align="left">
get angry. Here I still am, and I thank you , Lord, amen!</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Have a blessed day. </div>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-8846076180105627752013-02-03T19:28:00.001-08:002013-02-03T19:28:04.805-08:00Exalted vs. Humbled<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhOO14ggTTskozypmjLW8IrO_MBN1a3saR8SODFQL0pU5c5vl8ciNloxbmIbST4kChlnScqMjk6c0qXNwlnD-2a1VT3tOiqWlkbehQUKEULa9UyvfHxwn-F5tCroo-FBw0k1O91zZm7sp/s1600/humility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhOO14ggTTskozypmjLW8IrO_MBN1a3saR8SODFQL0pU5c5vl8ciNloxbmIbST4kChlnScqMjk6c0qXNwlnD-2a1VT3tOiqWlkbehQUKEULa9UyvfHxwn-F5tCroo-FBw0k1O91zZm7sp/s400/humility.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
In the book of Matthew chapter 23 Jesus talks about<br />
the scribes (teachers of Hebrew law) and the Pharisees<br />
who were members of the strict Jewish sect which held<br />
the Mosaic law and their own traditions as binding.<br />
Jesus even stated Himself that the scribes and the<br />
Pharisees sat on Moses' seat and instructed His <br />
followers to obey them. But He also went on to<br />
tell them not to do what they did because the <br />
scribes and Pharisees didn't practice what they <br />
preached. (<em>Matthew 23:1-3</em>).<br />
Jesus then went on to tell his followers the <br />
ways in which the scribes and Pharisees exalted<br />
themselves while out in public, at banquets, and<br />
in the synagogues, all to be seen of men. (<em>Matthew</em><br />
<em>23: 4-7</em>).<br />
Now Jesus literally turns the idea of leadership on<br />
its head in verses eight through twelve of chapter 23<br />
in which He says<em>:</em><br />
<br />
<em> "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you only</em><br />
<em>have one Master and you are all brothers. And do </em><br />
<em>not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one</em><br />
<em>Father, and He is in heaven. Nor are you to be </em><br />
<em>called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.</em><br />
<em>The greatest among you shall be your servant. For </em><br />
<em>whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever</em><br />
<em>humbles himself shall be exalted."</em><br />
<br />
Jesus was instructing His followers to not get arrogant, heady,<br />
and high-minded. In short He was warning them about pride.<br />
God hates a proud heart because pride does away with the<br />
need of Him. In Proverbs 29:23 it reads, "<em>A man's pride</em><br />
<em>brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.</em>"<br />
<br />
In the past I frequently struggled with bouts of inferiority<br />
and insignificance seeing that I was (and still am) a man <br />
of modest means and low social status. If there was ever<br />
a man that was lowly in spirit, it was me. Even as of recent<br />
I have had these struggles. There were times in church that<br />
I sat in the back of the sanctuary alone and felt unworthy to<br />
sit with the others even though no one showed any rejection<br />
towards me. And it was also of recent that I began to take<br />
a long hard look at myself and realize I was isolating myself<br />
from my brothers- (and sisters) -in-Christ.<br />
I still feel that I am the least of my siblings-in-Christ but now<br />
I am seeing that more as a badge of honor than a ribbon of<br />
shame after reading scriptures dealing with pride versus <br />
humility.<br />
As a Christian I now realize how foolish it had been to carry<br />
this feeling of insignificance. So foolish in fact that I didn't<br />
really realize how much I really had it made. What I mean was<br />
I failed to see all the little ways the Lord has blessed me and<br />
that how much those little blessings really added up. Yes, I<br />
live on a modest income, drive a thirteen-year-old Saturn<br />
sedan, live in a one-bedroom apartment, and had debts due<br />
to some unexpected occurences. But my bills are always<br />
paid, I have food to eat, and I take joy in small pleasures<br />
such as my hobby of model cars (which God has graciously <br />
allowed me to have) plus a caring church family. Oh Lord,<br />
I feel humbled yet so exalted! <br />
I pray that the Lord keeps me humble and to guard my heart<br />
and mind against pride. If anyone considers me the greatest,<br />
my I serve them in humility such as Jesus did in washing His<br />
disciples' feet. If anyone considers me the least, may it be used<br />
to glorify the Lord! Amen!Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-62610836137400420432013-02-03T17:17:00.000-08:002013-02-03T17:24:34.852-08:00The Triumphal Entry.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_lz5cwhMLitZjUk7BqrolIFEJ-TxiydgYBfgv4GPyME178K6aG4hqHSXcZLTc7ir01ATT0MP3PyDRBFmpMXHQg1mqecESfAze8QE0PEI9PdtKUAe4Yc3DdJHvY1ODrk-Kw1wTvL8Gjv/s1600/triumphal_entry_jekel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_lz5cwhMLitZjUk7BqrolIFEJ-TxiydgYBfgv4GPyME178K6aG4hqHSXcZLTc7ir01ATT0MP3PyDRBFmpMXHQg1mqecESfAze8QE0PEI9PdtKUAe4Yc3DdJHvY1ODrk-Kw1wTvL8Gjv/s320/triumphal_entry_jekel.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
Why was Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem considered a triumphal entry?<br />
Well for one thing it was where Jesus' purpose here on earth would come<br />
to pass. Some would think it a day of triumph for those who greeted Jesus<br />
as they saw Him as the new king of Israel and one who would take away<br />
the rule from the Roman Empire.<br />
Pagan rulers were often welcomed in with much pomp, celebration, <br />
banners, music, parties, and what-have-you. You get the idea. Kings <br />
often came into a community riding on a fine horse, all decked out.<br />
But when Jesus came into Jerusalem, he rode in on a borrowed donkey,<br />
and He didn't come in with a lot of glitz and glamour. Now the people<br />
were correct in that He was a king, only not quite the king they were<br />
expecting, as they would later find out, which in turn caused opposition<br />
among the people and had them shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"<br />
But at the time Jesus entered Jerusalem the multitudes that greeted Him<br />
were common folk, not high-ranking officials or military leaders as would<br />
the case be had Jesus been an earthly king.<br />
The multitudes must have really been expecting some powerful earthly king<br />
as it says in the quote below:<br />
<em>"And when He had come to Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying</em><br />
<em>'Who is this?' "</em> (Matt. 21:10)<br />
The scene of Jesus Christ coming into Jerusalem was like a royal procession,<br />
and prior to that time Jesus avoided such a display. Now here He was<br />
presenting Himself publicly as the nation's (Israel) Messiah and King. <br />
But what He was presenting Himself as was not what the people were<br />
expecting. The people couldn't see it, but He was coming to save people<br />
from their sins, not rule here on earth or to overthrow Roman rule in Israel.<br />
The triumph of Jesus entry into Jerusalem was to publicly present Himself<br />
as Savior. And it would be through His crucifixion, death, burial and <br />
resurrection that He would accomplish this. That was His triumph in<br />
His entry into Jerusalem.<br />
<br />
The story of the Triumphal Entry can be found in Matthew 21:1-11,<br />
Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-40458945872327609482013-02-03T17:03:00.001-08:002013-02-03T17:03:23.769-08:00The Sissy, the Movie<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CXzGjQD8Dwc?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
An animated story from the Jack T.Chick tract, 'The Sissy.'<br />
Enjoy!Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-19474685038740996812013-01-25T17:57:00.000-08:002013-01-25T17:57:23.979-08:00Truckin' For Jesus.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzx9QKldxmX-j2JfzU1rH-n9a145JTCwMgYOUXYbotdYe6ETvoOEEQb_zFaW_fB2pxI7gQWkdr3d5nWbg4LEsOp3aaz_tbUvxcKE7eqSwgVh5TK2PKMMiunm7jsqkmakrVvmwdi5JPgN1/s1600/tfj001.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzx9QKldxmX-j2JfzU1rH-n9a145JTCwMgYOUXYbotdYe6ETvoOEEQb_zFaW_fB2pxI7gQWkdr3d5nWbg4LEsOp3aaz_tbUvxcKE7eqSwgVh5TK2PKMMiunm7jsqkmakrVvmwdi5JPgN1/s400/tfj001.gif" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's been awhile since I've been on here and I realize there</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
is much to be delivered. I have come to realize a lot of things</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
left lying around that needs to be picked up and carried to </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
better places and this will be quite a journey even though</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I may go nowhere geographically speaking. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The first thing is to carry with me God's word. As a truck</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that is no good without its driver, I am no good without God</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and His word. We (and I) must deliver the Word as well as</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
a truck driver that delivers his goods. As a truck that picks</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
up its cargo and drops it off at its destination, We pick up the</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Word by reading, meditating and memorizing and then drop</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
it off by sharing with others. That is what you call Truckin'</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for Jesus. Pick up the Word, carry it with you and drop it</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
off. To translate: Read, meditate, and share.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have a blessed day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-36310121316508107762012-12-25T13:13:00.000-08:002012-12-25T13:13:17.838-08:00The Shepherds in the Field.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUJ7puNKtk1yP19OMZh6UsQRZa65Ob0InVMsVvyTkSfxKn371kVEF9TbC0zQ_I6TxxzBnkgvsL8iUTMJWg9mUnmhll0juHKVlKm25XiOtqk_0DfU16vzPK5g33dgabWkTUmFgVAJLUvzu/s1600/shepherds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUJ7puNKtk1yP19OMZh6UsQRZa65Ob0InVMsVvyTkSfxKn371kVEF9TbC0zQ_I6TxxzBnkgvsL8iUTMJWg9mUnmhll0juHKVlKm25XiOtqk_0DfU16vzPK5g33dgabWkTUmFgVAJLUvzu/s400/shepherds.jpg" width="307" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings and Merry Christmas,<br />
<br />
<br />
When reading of the birth of Jesus, I am always intrigued<br />
no matter how many times I read it on the humble beginnings<br />
of His birth. Christ left His royal throne above and came as<br />
a gift to us in human form right down to human birth. From<br />
royalty in heaven to a lowly birth in a manger were indeed<br />
humble beginnings. But, it was not just Jesus' lowly beginnings<br />
that were intriguing, it was the folks who had the privilege of<br />
first receiving the news Jesus' birth. The story is in Luke<br />
chapter two verses eight through twenty:<br />
<br />
<br />
<em> Now there were in the same country shepherds living out</em><br />
<em>in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And </em><br />
<em>behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the </em><br />
<em>glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were greatly</em><br />
<em>afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for </em><br />
<em>behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to</em><br />
<em>all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of </em><br />
<em>David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a</em><br />
<em>sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling </em><br />
<em>cloths, lying in a manger."</em><br />
<em> And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the</em><br />
<em>heavenly host praising God and saying:</em><br />
<br />
<em> "Glory to God in the highest, </em><br />
<em>And peace on earth, goodwill toward men!"</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<em> So it was when the angels had gone away from them into </em><br />
<em>heaven that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us </em><br />
<em>now go and see this thing that has come to pass, which the</em><br />
<em>Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste</em><br />
<em>and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.</em><br />
<em>Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the</em><br />
<em>saying which was told them concerning the Child. And all</em><br />
<em>those who heard marveled at those things which were told </em><br />
<em>them</em> <em>by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and </em><br />
<em>pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned,</em><br />
<em>glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had </em><br />
<em>heard and seen, as it was told them.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
Who were the people who first heard of Christ's birth? They<br />
were shepherds. Christ's humble birth was also told to humble<br />
people. I also note that other folks marveled at what the<br />
shepherds had just told them.<br />
I thought a lot about the shepherds and the news they spread<br />
to others and that the Lord would choose to first tell of Jesus'<br />
birth to lowly shepherds. The shepherds received God's special<br />
grace for He knew they would receive the news with joy. The<br />
people whom the shepherds told instead laughed about it.<br />
But I believe also another reason God told Jesus' birth to the<br />
shepherds; because I believe the shepherds symbolize Christ,<br />
and what I mean by that is Christ is considered the Good <br />
Shepherd who watches over His flock (those who accepted<br />
Him as Savior) and guides them, much like a shepherd does<br />
with his sheep. Like a good shepherd who seeks and saves<br />
a lost sheep, Jesus too came to seek and save those who were<br />
lost (people who do not know Christ).<br />
<br />
I believe common folk are the people God mostly chooses to<br />
do His work because common folk are less likely to be distracted<br />
by things of the world and that a humble way of life draws people<br />
to faith in God.<br />
I know I was no man of nobility or high status when I was saved<br />
and still not to this very day. But the Lord is of nobility and high<br />
status and it is Him I rely on.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed Christmas.<br />
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-41449576675220785402012-12-24T20:36:00.005-08:002012-12-24T20:39:21.000-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs5nKREd-7bZQ2uYw9zYO2hw4XEuQvYlpj-eoJ82uKIcrRcyq9tAf-HTjx-lZoo-I-6Do91j-ztZm9WTMtsHamq7r60II4hxLajkfyJ3hChdLsftt7ROai6uY1zZtZEUKuriirqOajdgy/s1600/happy25.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs5nKREd-7bZQ2uYw9zYO2hw4XEuQvYlpj-eoJ82uKIcrRcyq9tAf-HTjx-lZoo-I-6Do91j-ztZm9WTMtsHamq7r60II4hxLajkfyJ3hChdLsftt7ROai6uY1zZtZEUKuriirqOajdgy/s400/happy25.gif" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Seasons greetings,<br />
<br />
I want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and best<br />
wishes for a Happy New Year! Remember to keep <br />
Christ in Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Happy Birthday to You,</em><br />
<em>Happy Birthday to You,</em><br />
<em>Happy Birthday dear Jesus,</em><br />
<em>Happy Birthday to You!</em><br />
<br />
<br />
That says it all!<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas!Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-517070485083039392012-12-15T20:59:00.000-08:002012-12-15T20:59:11.825-08:00How to Kill Your Church.<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQbdq5ogjNvtsNITHNmpeogmBdOZxx0O3h__3A6Buq1CxAYQ6_pOUKzLBF5X4TwHCKCDX7gP0ghJE4vzchUEkKbb67-x1Bge3XazpM0yQMPsCprci5cQz3FO7__Sv58vQHA7dPkloWll9/s1600/church-split.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQbdq5ogjNvtsNITHNmpeogmBdOZxx0O3h__3A6Buq1CxAYQ6_pOUKzLBF5X4TwHCKCDX7gP0ghJE4vzchUEkKbb67-x1Bge3XazpM0yQMPsCprci5cQz3FO7__Sv58vQHA7dPkloWll9/s400/church-split.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Greetings,</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I realize I haven't posted much on here nor on Newberry. I</div>
<div align="left">
have been rearranging my routine so as to be more focused</div>
<div align="left">
and to keep God in the forefront. I've been putting in some</div>
<div align="left">
OT at Brinks as well as going to the gym that I have been</div>
<div align="left">
packing dinner as well as lunch and have been eating dinner</div>
<div align="left">
in the breakroom at the coin vault before heading to the gym.</div>
<div align="left">
Haven't been getting home until 8pm most nights and at </div>
<div align="left">
ten-thirty PM on Mondays which are my laundry nights.</div>
<div align="left">
Anyway, on with my topic.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I came across a small tract in the church office one Sunday</div>
<div align="left">
as I was getting ready to prepare the church for Sunday </div>
<div align="left">
School and the main worship service. The tract was titled:</div>
<div align="left">
How to Kill Your Church. Hmmmm? I thought to myself,</div>
<div align="left">
That'll be an interesting read. After getting the coffeemakers</div>
<div align="left">
ready and the coffee cookies laid out, I went back into the</div>
<div align="left">
church office to read this tract.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Here's the list that this tract contained on as to how to kill</div>
<div align="left">
your church:</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>1. Don't come, accept on certain well-known holidays.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>2. If you do come, come late and make a lot of noise</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>getting settled.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>3. When you come, come in a bad mood. At every</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>service ask yourself, "What do I get out of this?"</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>4. Never accept any office. It is better to sit back</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>and criticize.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>5. Visit other churches frequently to show your</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>pastor that you are not tied down to him. There</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>is nothing like independence.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>6. Let the pastor earn his money, he should do all</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>the work.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>7. Never sing. If you have to sing, sing out of tune</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>and a word or two behind everybody else.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>8. Never pay in advance, especially for religion. Wait</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>until you get your money's worth, and then wait a bit </em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>longer.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>9. Never encourage the preacher, if you like a sermon</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>keep quiet about it. Many a preacher has been ruined </em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>by flattery. Don't you be the cause of his downfall.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>10. It is good to tell visitors and new members all about</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>your pastor's many faults; it may take them awhile to</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>find out on their own.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>11. Of course, you can't be expected to get new members </em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>for the church with such a pastor as he is.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>12. If there happens to be a few enthusiastic workers in </em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>the church, make a tremendous protest against it being</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>run by a clique.</em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>13. If your church unfortunately happens to be harmonious,</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>you must remedy the situation by gossiping and spreading</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>rumors about church members and staff.</em></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
Notice that there's thirteen in all. Thirteen! Now isn't that a lucky</div>
<div align="left">
number? Not! You would think that Satan wrote this tract as if</div>
<div align="left">
he was giving certain folks ideas. Satan didn't write this tract of</div>
<div align="left">
course, but he can certainly put these ideas in your head and in</div>
<div align="left">
your heart if you are not aware of all this. Read this real good</div>
<div align="left">
if you want to keep your church alive.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I leave you with this quote of scripture from Hebrews 10:</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and</em></div>
<div align="left">
<em>so much the more, as you see the day approaching."</em></div>
<div align="left">
(Hebrews 10:25)</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Have a blessed day.</div>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-81866800884131565322012-12-09T18:32:00.003-08:002012-12-09T18:32:48.137-08:00Jesus Lives!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBc1_KJYBzVaoZcZ8gm-8iXXUYEhZgXdmmsOgNgUWMrwuP6-y0bqX5zrLRU8iX0BcNxNyHO9M_U-cjKq8mnL9MsT6un66x6Rc5AcwAagAIisfl7WsROBcBzQWVdxxc6AfCWb1QjowY1KF/s1600/jl001.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBc1_KJYBzVaoZcZ8gm-8iXXUYEhZgXdmmsOgNgUWMrwuP6-y0bqX5zrLRU8iX0BcNxNyHO9M_U-cjKq8mnL9MsT6un66x6Rc5AcwAagAIisfl7WsROBcBzQWVdxxc6AfCWb1QjowY1KF/s400/jl001.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He lives in those who have accepted Him as Savior. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-18724088710067111762012-11-03T14:39:00.000-07:002012-11-03T14:44:15.812-07:00Let's Not Forget Thanksgiving. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_A5r-j3VCrPDw1Ja2FIgUaWliO8vX5rRvvgC0QzbFsSSeGYjvxFHAwJsA4G4_Bviydm1PDXbAy1g9Nsp5Cw6bvDSbi4IZ3vuxjHGsFcWeHNqhkP1FBJdRXXbNk8-X5LSl6QaklGqSZ6e/s1600/thanksgiving-day-prayer-before-meals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_A5r-j3VCrPDw1Ja2FIgUaWliO8vX5rRvvgC0QzbFsSSeGYjvxFHAwJsA4G4_Bviydm1PDXbAy1g9Nsp5Cw6bvDSbi4IZ3vuxjHGsFcWeHNqhkP1FBJdRXXbNk8-X5LSl6QaklGqSZ6e/s320/thanksgiving-day-prayer-before-meals.jpg" width="260" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
You know, any more it seems we just jump right<br />
from Halloween to Christmas. I heard in some<br />
cities they start playing Christmas music right<br />
after Halloween and as of late some cities<br />
already have their street decorations up.<br />
In fact along the street where I live folks<br />
are already getting out their Christmas lights<br />
and decorations.<br />
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for the<br />
Christmas holiday. But what about <br />
Thanksgiving? Has Christmas become so<br />
commercialized and idolized that we forgot<br />
another holiday which is just as holy if not more<br />
so? It's a patriotic holiday as well as the Lord's.<br />
I fear we have become an ungrateful nation when<br />
we fail to give thanks to the One who REALLY<br />
helped bring this great country up. We need to<br />
be thankful every day for what God has allowed us<br />
to have. <br />
<br />
Though I am a man of modest means, it is the Lord<br />
who has met my needs and has even been gracious<br />
to allow me to do certain things that I enjoy. They<br />
may not be much as far as the world is concerned<br />
but God has given me richly those things to enjoy.<br />
It is for that I can give thanks to God. Little is<br />
definitely much if the Lord is in it. And I want to be<br />
thankful for the One who supplied my needs<br />
according to His riches and glory.<br />
<br />
Let us not forget this special day. Give thanks to the<br />
One who blessed this great country we live in.<br />
Give thanks that you have a job, shelter, food and<br />
clothing. I can't say that for a lot of people in this<br />
economy. Let us not take for granted what the<br />
Lord has blessed us with.<br />
<br />
I leave you with these verses of scripture;<br />
<br />
<em>"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!</em><br />
<em> Call upon His name,</em><br />
<em>Make known His deeds among the people."</em><br />
(Psalm 105:1)<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>"In everthing give thanks; for this is the will</em><br />
<em>of God in Christ Jesus for you."</em><br />
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)<br />
<br />
<br />Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-57646798488250524312012-10-05T08:52:00.000-07:002012-10-05T09:52:10.628-07:00The Small Joys That I Enjoy II: The Highlights of a Single Christian Man.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtr0HRzPrPvRZrFVQEO-oXDVPZ79wtaU-tsc3uZhhcZS2ijei9AFcfP46tbZlsoEDTR3VlcXE-vWJtGHZiuE_RRf5cbxwxzpA5b8Q6l74uk4wNIReXImo_8tDJ962wA7xHRH51FLEKD_D/s1600/CIMG0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtr0HRzPrPvRZrFVQEO-oXDVPZ79wtaU-tsc3uZhhcZS2ijei9AFcfP46tbZlsoEDTR3VlcXE-vWJtGHZiuE_RRf5cbxwxzpA5b8Q6l74uk4wNIReXImo_8tDJ962wA7xHRH51FLEKD_D/s320/CIMG0941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
My original post, the one at the beginning of the blog<br />
was a topic on the small joys that I like. But there is <br />
something else I wish to add. Small joys are actually<br />
my highlights. I say that because as a single, Christian<br />
man who likes the quiet, no-frills life I take pleasure<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
in little things, even things which by world standards</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
seem insignificant.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
My biggest highlights, the ones I consider the ultimate,</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
are the church activities as well as the main church</div>
worship services. Any fellowship activities like our<br />
Fellowship Sundays and the flock group meetings<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
A flock group meeting is a fellowship gathering at a </div>
member's home where we fellowship, eat, and<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
talk about that day's sermon.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Then there's my favorite, our church's pinewood</div>
derby. From the build night to the race itself are<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
my most favorite of highlighted joys. It is also </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
where I get the opportunity to mix my hobby of</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
scale model auto building with church activities.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
As a single, Christian man, I do not need much</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
to be happy, I find more joy in church events</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
than any big time sports event or partying, the</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
latter two I don't even partake in.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I leave you with these verses:</div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>"That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to</em></div>
<em>mind your own business, and to work with</em><br />
<em>your hands, as we commanded you." </em><br />
( 1 Thessalonians 4:11)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GWuvgw53XZPpwahQ9suYz0VUiJ-C9eCa7EOcyUddsbyEEPwsKb6fYB9XX1VBnkCkC8mtBiLC3j1igjhA2U_-VFe1W_b1dRRoeTkYbWri0nVVRNhPXr5QsEIglTL8wanh27hFTEEYt8sl/s1600/CIMG0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GWuvgw53XZPpwahQ9suYz0VUiJ-C9eCa7EOcyUddsbyEEPwsKb6fYB9XX1VBnkCkC8mtBiLC3j1igjhA2U_-VFe1W_b1dRRoeTkYbWri0nVVRNhPXr5QsEIglTL8wanh27hFTEEYt8sl/s320/CIMG0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5ElOzN8tvO-Qv4eJ-p0yRGpMHKptahGsXaH5NIg_w2JRrFOXZkKKNZMLxufDX7yRCmOp05BBsWIrZoQjqVwj1tx3AwA7AVRZx6cUMBB7uTtYH36hHTGQ8cXCfJDUGIozPowsi1iYaii/s1600/CIMG0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5ElOzN8tvO-Qv4eJ-p0yRGpMHKptahGsXaH5NIg_w2JRrFOXZkKKNZMLxufDX7yRCmOp05BBsWIrZoQjqVwj1tx3AwA7AVRZx6cUMBB7uTtYH36hHTGQ8cXCfJDUGIozPowsi1iYaii/s320/CIMG0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-8b74jt7SLA44yK_QSKFSl_ynrgRPKgVkuchKWBdkWKrqSLgCFKk8GPCVOLR41o_BvAguazTpZMafSauUYrPLMiv6wNchI8TIEJwcZ3bXewUl9SakJwqQv-TcX7QOkryMXxkKOLFaJd/s1600/CIMG1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-8b74jt7SLA44yK_QSKFSl_ynrgRPKgVkuchKWBdkWKrqSLgCFKk8GPCVOLR41o_BvAguazTpZMafSauUYrPLMiv6wNchI8TIEJwcZ3bXewUl9SakJwqQv-TcX7QOkryMXxkKOLFaJd/s320/CIMG1005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLv_5RCY83tkBiCuJbdW1qC15V5wgnHiJFthdlhdsIe4EoX8sC7au31jkX6hIGhCzfSz03ryz9ZrRHKSbR2AiDLXuQ3_Bd93YCu6XODmJYT7Ndg2oMU4JfU5F8CNt99dTMyQArgzCuJc6/s1600/CIMG0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLv_5RCY83tkBiCuJbdW1qC15V5wgnHiJFthdlhdsIe4EoX8sC7au31jkX6hIGhCzfSz03ryz9ZrRHKSbR2AiDLXuQ3_Bd93YCu6XODmJYT7Ndg2oMU4JfU5F8CNt99dTMyQArgzCuJc6/s320/CIMG0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXyy017USvPjSMpZznxvRpqRAg6FgrSauUz2v_NWenr-bT4-NCNAHOa9L1Xj1tqXK9rB7PeUHI2-VfSb7NnMcQ_Vk1i8vbvVAS677OtnIyn2oMJ_BY1wCQCNniMcj3bsWQSbCLucBg1I7/s1600/CIMG0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXyy017USvPjSMpZznxvRpqRAg6FgrSauUz2v_NWenr-bT4-NCNAHOa9L1Xj1tqXK9rB7PeUHI2-VfSb7NnMcQ_Vk1i8vbvVAS677OtnIyn2oMJ_BY1wCQCNniMcj3bsWQSbCLucBg1I7/s320/CIMG0341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTRD3z2LN3Oa9t29gwqsrmXs4BUc-3-ui-lDAlCQ_SWU-7vvW3RnNCBUnimsFfAE83kvfr7JK1OGotc8BFUceDUDXU2XyKF6YD5FAPs04jkykzDwUqZO86hyzkQlMEXSUsf3GC_RjZ5xZ/s1600/CIMG0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTRD3z2LN3Oa9t29gwqsrmXs4BUc-3-ui-lDAlCQ_SWU-7vvW3RnNCBUnimsFfAE83kvfr7JK1OGotc8BFUceDUDXU2XyKF6YD5FAPs04jkykzDwUqZO86hyzkQlMEXSUsf3GC_RjZ5xZ/s320/CIMG0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCp51iDpCDRAohn9i33jTYZTRGFtn1qAQxJzC3z8RnQQtBPd0fusY3_A_tCqcfAOkqFxvz5te8PWc1oJw9ApHVzAyCT4fOWagZOGaWb3xe6H3fuNDTfRFMWxp5FYVz3z6M2JdKo_oJ10l/s1600/CIMG0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCp51iDpCDRAohn9i33jTYZTRGFtn1qAQxJzC3z8RnQQtBPd0fusY3_A_tCqcfAOkqFxvz5te8PWc1oJw9ApHVzAyCT4fOWagZOGaWb3xe6H3fuNDTfRFMWxp5FYVz3z6M2JdKo_oJ10l/s320/CIMG0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprq-L5ltZclOx6UcgtGuacXFStCR2I7KzF9JVxuyS7wV-NV4uG8b26UabcRovZ69LXnxZLGMyxm4hTbHRxs7gj46nXRFZKiSV5F_cm57LeBYChDsEEq5jG1Q-CYjN_yE8zj3d940t51PR/s1600/CIMG0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprq-L5ltZclOx6UcgtGuacXFStCR2I7KzF9JVxuyS7wV-NV4uG8b26UabcRovZ69LXnxZLGMyxm4hTbHRxs7gj46nXRFZKiSV5F_cm57LeBYChDsEEq5jG1Q-CYjN_yE8zj3d940t51PR/s320/CIMG0536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RLgRimXZACEqXGIj1pC-3F7WjawBm_eThXXfGAgTttfKwFjyX9cyX3rY29tuWhiCawQ1P1FJ4roSL-SvOcbyPwlDCGfv3YcGIhm5O0_MzSMPNZqskWyupMZE900mAzX1IRrxKWaVsBQ4/s1600/CIMG0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RLgRimXZACEqXGIj1pC-3F7WjawBm_eThXXfGAgTttfKwFjyX9cyX3rY29tuWhiCawQ1P1FJ4roSL-SvOcbyPwlDCGfv3YcGIhm5O0_MzSMPNZqskWyupMZE900mAzX1IRrxKWaVsBQ4/s320/CIMG0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgWFvU0yhujr7zGmsISV75od_zmY8gA50HYv_vLHxrmDBdbmU16XGS51dhAY2aG2Ytjufe8Xj7lmFtGkwQABoCKhnYssifGw_ti3l_ZGFMM9RWO7OUocpyo5JCctC5Ok6mBDoUNplyNiR/s1600/CIMG0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgWFvU0yhujr7zGmsISV75od_zmY8gA50HYv_vLHxrmDBdbmU16XGS51dhAY2aG2Ytjufe8Xj7lmFtGkwQABoCKhnYssifGw_ti3l_ZGFMM9RWO7OUocpyo5JCctC5Ok6mBDoUNplyNiR/s320/CIMG0537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobA-1gFxk5YpAUSvG6hNJTzbt_u4kv_MWYXGq9kE6YhjnhRrxK7UPhu8nT01dqFebBe50pSoGm5wSC2LYL067jiAYXGtdk_9fPe5XSP5p2DHNrUbOizDroYD1IEobDNCs7jn5FAFWcmXg/s1600/CIMG0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobA-1gFxk5YpAUSvG6hNJTzbt_u4kv_MWYXGq9kE6YhjnhRrxK7UPhu8nT01dqFebBe50pSoGm5wSC2LYL067jiAYXGtdk_9fPe5XSP5p2DHNrUbOizDroYD1IEobDNCs7jn5FAFWcmXg/s320/CIMG0857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day. :)Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-32809647458566830762012-10-03T20:44:00.001-07:002012-10-05T07:14:09.782-07:00"Turn! Turn! Turn!" Ecclesiastes III:I-VIII: The Spirals of Life.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WB6jhbtDUZE?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
Some weeks ago at work while taking my lunchbreak in my car I tuned into<br />
an AM station that played oldies of the 1950s to the 1970s. I had originally<br />
wanted to eat outside and under the pine tree where I usually sit under but<br />
I felt drawn to turn and walk back toward my car, so I did.<br />
I usually listen to a Christian station but this time I didn't do that and as I <br />
tuned to the oldies station an old tune titled, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by the<br />
1960s pop group The Byrds came on. When the group began the vocals<br />
I immediately thought about the spirals of life which an elder friend and I<br />
had talked about recently during a counseling session we had together.<br />
the words to the tune, 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' immediately got me thinking<br />
about the spirals in the spirals of life because as in the title of the said<br />
tune that was playing on my car's stereo, a spiral does indeed turn, turn<br />
and turn. Oh, was the Lord ever shining His light on me just then!<br />
<br />
As of recent I have had certain issues which had gotten me down<br />
spiritually which really shouldn't have and the song I just heard had<br />
remided me of what my church elder friend was counseling me on.<br />
This old classic pop tune just helped to make it abundantly clear <br />
that there was a time for everything be it good or bad.<br />
The trouble with me was ( and still is sometimes) is that I very often<br />
idolized the good things no matter how big or small they were that<br />
when certain thing changed or even seemed to me to change for the<br />
worse (I often perceived the worst) well, I don't handle it well. The<br />
incident in question nearly broke me emotionally and the worst part<br />
was, it was more perceived than it was real. Like I wrote in my one<br />
post about the quaking aspen tree, I 'quaked' at the slightest issue.<br />
Not healthy, is it?<br />
<br />
Now I had gotten over that issue in question and always kept in<br />
mind the things my elder/counsellor had talked about, but when<br />
that old pop tune came on it enlightened me even more and a <br />
great peace had swept over me that day. I find that the Lord<br />
can even use old pop tunes to speak to us. Who said that<br />
rock and roll was the devil's music? It isn't if the Lord uses it.<br />
I actually had two blessings that day, peace and the opportunity<br />
to gain more wisdom. Thank you, Jesus!<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-44868290066992956352012-10-02T09:14:00.003-07:002012-10-02T09:16:57.508-07:00Hebrews II vs. III-IV: How Shall We Escape?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Q3g8dfP_ww2YAs73ynIK07bqnY0Yu2tfkB5kIY2HhFjC-xxxMa8nPDRJzFW4QP06SPzHWb3Jt6FfUeXwEKOvXGnvW65hsbDkO-KaJtjeh-cAyBdDMby8rDrkSD5n4wATsa_l_NPB-wE/s1600/CIMG1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Q3g8dfP_ww2YAs73ynIK07bqnY0Yu2tfkB5kIY2HhFjC-xxxMa8nPDRJzFW4QP06SPzHWb3Jt6FfUeXwEKOvXGnvW65hsbDkO-KaJtjeh-cAyBdDMby8rDrkSD5n4wATsa_l_NPB-wE/s320/CIMG1138.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
On Wednsday night services, our church has a work night<br />
as well as devotional services. One of the tasks we do is<br />
changing the lettering on the church road sign out in the<br />
front of our church. The one in the pic above is the <br />
latest message, which brings me to the topic.<br />
<br />
This has to be a scary verse if the word escape is used<br />
in it and it seemed like an excellent message to put out<br />
for everyone to see.<br />
So then, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a <br />
salvation if it was spoken by God Himself and confirmed<br />
to us by those who heard Him?<br />
It would seem quite clear because the salvation spoken <br />
of was delivered by an even greater Messenger than the<br />
angels, which was Jesus Christ Himself. In verse four<br />
of Hebrews chapter two it is mentioned God made it<br />
clear by signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the<br />
Holy Spirit. Seeing all that, how can we as believers<br />
neglect so great a salvation? I could safely say we would<br />
be without excuse.<br />
I believe the message here is to make sure your salvation<br />
is sure. There are a lot of professing believers out there<br />
believing they are saved and on their way to heaven but<br />
may find out the hard way that they were not truly saved.<br />
How shall we escape indeed?!?<br />
That answer lies in Hebrews chapter one and that is to<br />
give earnest heed to the things we heard, or we will drift<br />
away. <em>(Hebrews 2:1)</em><br />
After all the signs and wonders, how could one not drift<br />
away? But it can happen, that is why the author of Hebrews<br />
warned the believers then. That holds true for believers today<br />
as well, hence the message on our church sign.<br />
I admit I have questioned my own salvation so I was glad <br />
for that passage of scripture. I believe we must all search<br />
ourselves and make sure each day our salvation is sure so<br />
as to not neglect it or drift away. We as believers have<br />
heard from the Lord because we have heard the gospel<br />
message. We must not neglect to hear it or we will drift<br />
away. And I need it as much and probably more as <br />
some others.<br />
Let's not neglect our salvation. It is too priceless.<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day. :)Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-39937141318209393022012-10-01T18:32:00.002-07:002012-10-01T18:32:21.968-07:00The Quaking Aspen: Shaking at the Slightest Issues.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAR3aL7cqPxW6xo233-RydBFYYUgHOxcW6EMj-Iz5FIux109Z6xqZymiS7tN02aRVW49mrXv48vXCGkjwcv5rUkVjzGmL7Gog2gv49S1JBBKK0Z_0gjQH8r3mtIkPioMFxOZSUfWSlBqR/s1600/Quaking-Aspen-fall_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAR3aL7cqPxW6xo233-RydBFYYUgHOxcW6EMj-Iz5FIux109Z6xqZymiS7tN02aRVW49mrXv48vXCGkjwcv5rUkVjzGmL7Gog2gv49S1JBBKK0Z_0gjQH8r3mtIkPioMFxOZSUfWSlBqR/s320/Quaking-Aspen-fall_small.jpg" width="221" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
So far I 've been enjoying the early fall season here<br />
in southwest Ohio and took full advantage of it by<br />
taking walks up and down the street where I live on<br />
and watching the trees along the street changing colors.<br />
The trees' branches reach out almost over the street to<br />
form a sort of tunnel and in the fall it is something to see.<br />
Speaking of trees a story from the spiritual guidebook<br />
Our Daily Bread titled 'Quaking Aspens' got my attention.<br />
<br />
In this story the author tells of a story of certain trees <br />
whose leaves fluttered at the slightest breeze while the<br />
other trees around them appeared calm and steady.<br />
When the author pointed them out to his wife she told<br />
him those were called quaking aspens. The aspen<br />
leaves are so flat that even the faintest breeze makes <br />
them shake, hence the name quaking aspen.<br />
Reading this story really hit home with me as I have<br />
had some issues some weeks back which were really<br />
quite minor and perceived as something worse and<br />
like the said aspen tree that quaked at the slightest<br />
breeze, I "quaked" at the slightest issue.<br />
But it was the issues in question which helped me take<br />
a good long hard look at myself and where I stood in<br />
my faith. Sad to say, I wasn't standing very strong.<br />
<br />
While in counselling with a church elder who is also<br />
a close friend, I found out that I idolized the good<br />
in life to the point that when bad came , well, I <br />
couldn't handle it. And these were slights, too.<br />
Idolatry often does that.<br />
My church elder friend then illustrated to me the<br />
spirals of life where it curves up (good) then down<br />
(bad). Kind of like being on the mountaintop then<br />
down in the valley. There was a hymn that we sang<br />
at a church I attended before moving here in Cincinnati<br />
that spoke of being in the mountaintop and down in the<br />
valley. I forget the title of that hymn but the spirals of<br />
life illustration my friend drew made me think about that.<br />
<br />
This also reminds me of the Old Testament book of Job<br />
in chapter two when Satan strikes Job with boils from head<br />
head to toe and his wife tells him to curse God and die.<br />
Here is how Job replies:<br />
<br />
<em>"You speak as a foolish woman. Shall we only accept</em><br />
<em>good from God and not adversity?" </em> Job 2:10<br />
<br />
<br />
One thing about Job, he wasn't like me, the author of the<br />
ODB story or the quaking aspen tree, and his issues were<br />
far worse than what I had experienced, yet Job was stead-<br />
-fast in his faith.<br />
<br />
Two Thessalonians 3:16 reads:<br />
<br />
<em>"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace</em><br />
<em>always and in every way."</em><br />
<br />
Phillipians 4:6 reads:<br />
<br />
<em>"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer</em><br />
<em>and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests</em><br />
<em>be made known to God. And the peace of God, which</em><br />
<em>surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts </em><br />
<em>and </em><em>your minds in Christ Jesus."</em><br />
<br />
True peace is the presence of God in a conflict, not<br />
the absence of the conflict itself. And it is because<br />
of that reason that I haven't withdrawn from the faith <br />
nor left the church. I have my elder friend and other<br />
church family to be thankful for this as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>P.S. Just to let everyone know that the issue in</em><br />
<em>question that I went through was not a church </em><br />
<em>issue, it was personal. There is no cause for </em><br />
<em>concern. </em><br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-73603099543530028572012-09-15T20:52:00.000-07:002012-09-15T20:55:47.103-07:00He Gives Richly All Things to Enjoy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYORoAnLE65UaoDNgKxDakW81KZOZpTiGPubryCg-uWAXVzHkBa7tB1q5HiAJXeFHAeWCSTdO2EuUNFPUmtrjxOOjyEZ9meo5JCz2wFmI9PbVRXn-E68oP7ZVgA2Tti3hmKj9aTud7oBDN/s1600/CIMG1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYORoAnLE65UaoDNgKxDakW81KZOZpTiGPubryCg-uWAXVzHkBa7tB1q5HiAJXeFHAeWCSTdO2EuUNFPUmtrjxOOjyEZ9meo5JCz2wFmI9PbVRXn-E68oP7ZVgA2Tti3hmKj9aTud7oBDN/s320/CIMG1134.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
The last few months have been a blessing financially. I had been<br />
on mandatory OT from May of this year to August and that blessing<br />
has helped me pay down some debts. Thank you, Lord!<br />
<br />
Reminds me of a passage of scripture from 1 Timothy 6:17 which<br />
says<em>, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to</em><br />
<em>be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God</em><br />
<em>who gives us richly all things to enjoy</em>." (NKJV)<br />
<br />
Now Paul was giving Timothy instructions to the rich not to trust in<br />
riches alone nor to be arrogant but to worship God alone who gives<br />
them richly all things to enjoy.<br />
Now not all of us are rich but I strongly believe that God gives folks<br />
of lesser status all things to enjoy as well. I believe God's blessings<br />
vary.<br />
The Lord has also given me richly all things to enjoy as well. Some<br />
of those examples you may see in my very first post. The things God<br />
gives us don't always come in the form of money or other material<br />
blessings. Now I will say that God did bless me financially what with<br />
the overtime I had mentioned earlier, but I used that to pay down debts<br />
rather than on things I wanted. I did use it for things I needed and the <br />
Lord knew my needs. He has even given me the privilege of a hobby <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
for which I am very thankful.</div>
Now my greatest pleasures are not secular hobbies but in church duties<br />
and activities. As greeter I have duties however I don't see greeting as<br />
a duty I see it as a joy. Having little fun times with the kids of the church<br />
is another. Leading the church pinewood derby I can add in. (I see that<br />
as using my model car interests to serve the Lord.) There's also our<br />
church gatherings as Fellowship Sundays, flock groups, ( a fellowship<br />
gathering at a member's home) and Family, Fun and Friends Night held<br />
every third Friday of the month. God has given me richly those things<br />
to enjoy. <br />
<br />
Now of personal interests there is my model car hobby, but there is<br />
also using weight machines at the gym and running on the elliptical.<br />
And there this blog as well as writing and illustrating in my other<br />
blog, Newberry. <br />
<br />
I really do believe little is much if God is in it. I gather little but yet<br />
I have no lack. Thank you, Lord Jesus!<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-82611209251274837642012-08-26T14:10:00.003-07:002012-08-26T14:22:56.177-07:00"Why Do You Stand Gazing Up Into Heaven?" <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcQkj3JezeBPf0PSg1ZTEacwTpNtW3s4XqA-qzQ5ascOZhf_k7qbHs1vYZkdIa4cqzOWDak5CwePYro84dT3vRkeB8a5iBOdPGFBazo_oCZveLTmyYzTaOTMzplAwqQV4HjpfQBSB6LGc/s1600/Jesus_ascension_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcQkj3JezeBPf0PSg1ZTEacwTpNtW3s4XqA-qzQ5ascOZhf_k7qbHs1vYZkdIa4cqzOWDak5CwePYro84dT3vRkeB8a5iBOdPGFBazo_oCZveLTmyYzTaOTMzplAwqQV4HjpfQBSB6LGc/s320/Jesus_ascension_2.png" width="296" yda="true" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
In the book of Acts I thought about Jesus disciples when they<br />
were gathered together and witnessed Jesus' ascension into<br />
heaven. (Acts 1:9-11). They continued looking up even after<br />
the cloud received Him out of their sight. That was no doubt a <br />
grievous moment for them as He had lead them, mentored them,<br />
and loved them during the three-and-a-half years of His earthly<br />
ministry. Some of the disciples were probably in anguish and <br />
grief. <br />
But as grievous as it no doubt was for Jesus' disciples, He had not<br />
really left them, for He had told them that the Holy Spirit would<br />
come to them before His ascension and that they would receive the<br />
Spirit's power. (Acts 1:8)<br />
All that had happened was a transition of Jesus' ministry from Jesus<br />
to His disciples, who were now His apostles. And the work Jesus<br />
had them carry out was the Good News that Jesus had conquered<br />
the power of sin and death and that anyone who received Him as<br />
their Savior would escape the torment of everlasting punishment in<br />
hell. <br />
Now all this could not have been done had Jesus not left them<br />
physically. At first Jesus left them physically when He was buried<br />
three days after His crucufixion, but He returned to His disciples<br />
in a glorified body. But it was His second departure that would<br />
have the ultimate significance.<br />
The change must have been rough on His disciples but that did<br />
not deter them from the purpose as to why Jesus ascended back<br />
into heaven. In fact it was for this very reason He had chosen<br />
His disciples so that they could carry out what Jesus had started.<br />
<br />
<br />
I too,have experienced change which had taken place over a year<br />
ago at our church and one personal change just recently. Those<br />
changes were grievous to me as well and I admit I do not handle<br />
change too well. In fact, in one case I actually had some moments<br />
of anxiety. But the Lord and some fellow believers had helped me<br />
through it just as God did with Jesus' disciples. I had the Comforter<br />
(Holy Spirit) just as Jesus' apostles did.<br />
<br />
I too, realize that I must continue with the ministry the Lord has given<br />
me which for right now is the greeting ministry of my church along with<br />
certain other things. I can't let grief or anxiety deter me from what God<br />
has allowed me to have; especially if I am going to represent God's<br />
house to fellow believers as well as visitors. Jesus is also with me in the<br />
form of the Holy Spirit as He was with the Apostles after he ascended<br />
into heaven. And I must continue on with what He has given me.<br />
<br />
I leave you with this verse from Acts 1:9-11;<br />
<br />
<em> Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He</em><br />
<em>was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And</em><br />
<em>while they looked steadfastly toward heavenas He went up, behold, </em><br />
<em>two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of</em><br />
<em>Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same</em><br />
<em>Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in</em><br />
<em>like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."</em><br />
<br />
<em> </em>Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-43019078322275757512012-08-19T14:04:00.004-07:002012-08-19T14:04:52.156-07:00Made in the USA: I support American-made Model Kit Manufacturers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwaXh1IpF2DOoFYyKJHiR3aUqJJDsSvCFHH1oQbyJkMZ-IVDo2bFahZurq9VYVV0NFg9QJIlsE9qIhiv4ZjcWnJYNv66J_VG-Ee3HAeVVTF3E8AAiyEddoeSZ55wbGqLUk_drycRlDSUx/s1600/CIMG1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwaXh1IpF2DOoFYyKJHiR3aUqJJDsSvCFHH1oQbyJkMZ-IVDo2bFahZurq9VYVV0NFg9QJIlsE9qIhiv4ZjcWnJYNv66J_VG-Ee3HAeVVTF3E8AAiyEddoeSZ55wbGqLUk_drycRlDSUx/s400/CIMG1109.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
As of recent I purchased a few 1/32 scale automotive <br />
model kits at a local bargain outlet called Ollie's and <br />
one from Hobbytown USA. The one shown in the <br />
picture is a 1949 Ford Tudor coupe. <br />
Now when I saw the American flag on the boxes of<br />
these kits that gave me hope for the USA as still being<br />
a country that can produce things. I only wish I could<br />
see more real cars being built in America rather than<br />
across our borders to the north and south.<br />
I realize by buying American-made products that I am<br />
not only supporting the company but the workers who<br />
do the work in making them. And I can think of no better<br />
way to do it than with my hobby.<br />
There are other American kit manufacturers here in the USA<br />
however, their products once produced here in the US are now<br />
made in China. One particular brand(s) AMT/MPC, which were<br />
taken over by a company called Round 2, has shipped the tooling<br />
for their products over to China. As much as I love the AMT/MPC<br />
brand of hobby kits, I sometimes wonder if I am being a disgrace<br />
to all those workers who got laid off when Round 2 shipped their<br />
operations overseas. <br />
I think I can see now why I see the encouragement from some<br />
patriotic groups to 'Buy American.' To support American workers<br />
rather than the corporations that employ them.<br />
Now I am not against corporations in general but I am against those<br />
American corporations that sell their workers out so as if you buy<br />
their products; you support that greedy corporation only rather<br />
than the workers that were once employed by them. These<br />
companies have sold America out. The corporate elite do<br />
not care about the plight of America because they are global and<br />
their pockets get lined regardless of where an item is made.<br />
I just hope no other kit manufacturer offshores their production<br />
operations because I may have to stop buying their products which<br />
could mean the end of my hobby.<br />
The thing is, most items made overseas are everyday items we need,<br />
and you, me and the rest of us are supporting greedy corporations<br />
whether we like it to or not and whether we want to or not.<br />
Well, hobby kits aren't considered a basic necessity so that can be<br />
sacrificed with no loss. (Though I'm not thrilled at the idea) But while<br />
I still can, I will support the workers of American-made kits along with<br />
any other item that carries the American flag such as the kit in the pic<br />
does.<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-21574954541875839002012-08-18T06:18:00.002-07:002012-08-18T06:18:44.749-07:00Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-S1zHuL4Lp86UckGnqDMJ9V__NQvtjU-Vwto_iFgrNnvdJyWqLTQ67cUNGGcZW2puXPCbDIWHLMkRM50WktgHT6x9T4M9_GWnv8jPcEz_G528eebhLJBcJf-3XbSaqnU4cFR3i0Us_DF/s1600/Jesus-Good-Shepherd-guides-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-S1zHuL4Lp86UckGnqDMJ9V__NQvtjU-Vwto_iFgrNnvdJyWqLTQ67cUNGGcZW2puXPCbDIWHLMkRM50WktgHT6x9T4M9_GWnv8jPcEz_G528eebhLJBcJf-3XbSaqnU4cFR3i0Us_DF/s320/Jesus-Good-Shepherd-guides-me.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Lord Is My Shepherd.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em> "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.</em><br />
<em>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:</em><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>He leadeth me beside still waters.</em></div>
<em> He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the</em><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>paths of righteousness for His name's sake.</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em> Yea, though I walk through the valley of </em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for </em></div>
<em>thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they</em><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>comfort me.</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em> Thou preparest me a table before the </em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>presence of mine enemies: thou annointest </em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>my head with oil; my cup runneth over.</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em> Surely goodness abd mercy shall follow me</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em>house of the Lord forever."</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Psalm 23:1-6</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6988732675034503229.post-91342061041947349002012-08-12T17:58:00.001-07:002012-08-12T17:58:20.979-07:00Sound the Warning! Jesus is Coming!<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f_VuxP8cciqChbKh6fskSQPu7Wd0YX9XVUKxUpYlfq7y6BV_bKZT89e9FoJhL7-ywXe33qkXvESnB44Q-iChUqZWvPLYwvMF5OWx3PrKGK3g0Wzbs61cR6zSoy8are5F8sNnI6dkM6ir/s1600/siren2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f_VuxP8cciqChbKh6fskSQPu7Wd0YX9XVUKxUpYlfq7y6BV_bKZT89e9FoJhL7-ywXe33qkXvESnB44Q-iChUqZWvPLYwvMF5OWx3PrKGK3g0Wzbs61cR6zSoy8are5F8sNnI6dkM6ir/s1600/siren2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Greetings,<br />
<br />
<br />
When I was little, I had a phobia about sirens. On police cars, ambulances <br />
and fire trucks they were actually entertaining to listen to as well as watching </div>
these vehicles roar by, especially fire trucks as there was usually two or more<br />
of them with a variety of different siren sounds. Scary to listen to but also<br />
entertaining as well.<br />
I remember playing with these friction-powered tin toy police cars, ambulances<br />
and fire chief cars which had a whining friction motor that made the characteristic<br />
WHEEEEEEE! when pushed.<br />
I remember getting for what I think was my 5th birthday was this toy bicycle<br />
accessory called the 'VRRROOM!' which was made by Mattel then. It was a<br />
a gadget you fastened on to the handlebar of the bike. It was a large black<br />
plastic piece that was shaped like an air-cooled two-cylinder motorcycle<br />
engine with a large silver grille plate to resemble an air intake grille. The<br />
function of this toy was to create motorcycle engine sounds and siren sounds,<br />
which was done by means of a long, red plastic lever which you pulled<br />
back repeatedly to create the desired sound. A red switch on the back of<br />
this device changed the sound from motor to siren and even to silent.<br />
I frequently kept it in siren mode, despite my phobia with sirens.<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Okay, now you are probably thinking, why did I play with toys that</div>
had sirens when at the same time I had a phobia about them.<br />
Okay I should have mentioned one type of siren which I did <br />
genuinely fear and that was the air-raid siren. Those monstrosities<br />
with their monstrous howls that made my skin crawl and hair stand<br />
on end. I would have nightmares about these things as hostile beasts<br />
screaming at me and throwing me around with their sounds.<br />
The first time I actually heard one wasn't in real life but on TV. It<br />
was a scene from the old movie War of the Worlds where they<br />
showed the air-raid sirens sounding and that distinctive sound they<br />
made which was not unlike a loud dial tone. My mother was in the<br />
living room with me watching this movie and stated, "Those are air-raid<br />
sirens." And it was then I associated the name to that ghostly sound.<br />
Of course my phobia of air-raid sirens (a term no longer in vogue) <br />
has long departed, though I do heed them if tornadoes are coming.<br />
<br />
Now there is one warning that I believe everyone needs to hear<br />
and this warning isn't sounded off like a siren. The warning here<br />
is the news that Jesus Christ is coming back to take us home with<br />
Him and to warn others to not get left behind.<br />
We must also warn others of the dangers of hell which is everlasting<br />
punishment for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal<br />
Savior.<br />
The 'siren' in this case is the word of God and to those that spread the<br />
word to those who need to hear it.<br />
<br />
Sound the warning, before it is too late!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day.Zach Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911562861198043114noreply@blogger.com1