Pre Vacation Blogging

I've been away from the blog world for a while. Things have been sort of busy.

Today I have been trying to wrap up sermon preparations for December 10 since I'm heading out of town on vacation after lunch!!!

I ran across this paragraph while reading a sermon by the great preacher of the 1800's, Charles Spurgeon. I'm probably going to read a cut down version of this in my message on 12/10, but for those who read my blog, I want you to read the whole paragraph. This is great!

Just think for a moment, how much interest clusters round the life of an old man. Those of us who are but as children in years, look up to him with wonder and astonishment, as he tells us the varied stories of the experience through which he has passed; but what is the life of an aged man—how brief it appears when compared with the life of the tree that shelters him. It existed long before that old man's father crept a helpless infant into the world. How many storms have swept over its brow! how many kings have come and gone! how many empires have risen and fallen since that old oak was slumbering in its acorn cradle! But what is the life of the tree compared with the soil on which it grows? What a wonderful story that soil might tell! What changes it has passed through in all the eras of time that have elapsed since "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." There is a wonderful story connected with every atom of black mould which furnishes the nourishment of the oak. But whilst is the history of that soil compared with the marvellous history of the rock on which it rests—the cliff on which it lifts its head. Oh! what stories might it tell, what records lie hidden in its bowels. Perhaps it could tell the story of the time when "the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the earth." Perhaps it might speak and tell us of those days when the morning and the evening were the first day, and the morning and the evening were the second day, and could explain to us the mysteries of how God made this marvellous piece of miracle,—the world. But what is the history of the cliff, compared with that of the sea that rolls at its base—that deep blue ocean, over which a thousand navies have swept, without leaving a furrow Upon its brow! But what is the history of the sea, compared with the history of the heavens that are stretched like a curtain over that vast basin! What a history is that of the hosts of heaven—of the everlasting marches of the sun, moon, and stars! Who can tell their generation, or who can write their biography? But what is the history of the heavens, compared with the history of the angels? They could tell you of the day when they saw this world wrapped in swaddling bands of mist—when, like a newborn infant, the last of God's offspring, it came forth from him, and the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy. But what is the history of the angels that excel in strength, compared with the history of the Lord Jesus Christ? The angel is but of yesterday, and he knoweth nothing; Christ, the Eternal One, chargeth even his angels with folly, and looks upon them as his ministering spirits, that come and go at his good pleasure. Oh, Christians, gather with reverence and mysterious awe around the throne of him who is your great Redeemer; for "his name is called Wonderful," since he has existed before all things, and "by him all things were made; and without him was not anything made that was made."

Wasn't that worth reading!

Pastor Noel

Ordinary Week

I'm in a better mood now...

We had a good Sunday yesterday. Next week will be a very important week. Keep the commitments of the church in your prayers.

I had my regular Monday morning breakfast with Pastor Tim from Northside Baptist. He is a good encourager.

The rest of the day was pretty normal. We are doing some mini dramas to kick off the three messages prior to Christmas. I got those dramas outlined this morning as well as the synopsis of the messages. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year.

Upward Basketball evaluations were tonight. I'm thinking about trying to coach both of the girls teams this year. I don't know if that is being too involved in their stuff. I guess I can decide later this week.

Not much else to write about...

Noel Dear

A Few More Comments...

I figure, after last night's blog (you should read the previous blog first), I might as well speak my mind today...

O.K. So Ohio has pretty much banned all smoking in public. I am not opposed to that, and I did vote in favor of the law that was approved. But I think the euphoria of some over that 'victory' perfectly illustrates the assinine logic and/or selfishness of many of my fellow Christian voters.

Here is what the smoking ban gives us according to the ads we've seen on television...

1. Healthier environments (for those who survive the womb).
2. Safer public spaces for our children (at least the ones who weren't aborted).
3. Better prenatal health (so people can abort healthier babies).

My point is... People didn't vote to ban smoking because they gave one rip about the health of children and pregnant women. They voted to ban smoking because they don't like to be bothered by the smell.

Well, me neither. I'm just sorry that abortions don't stink.

Let's be truthful... because abortion, which I am told is almost always detrimental to the health of the aborted child, doesn't affect us personally or financially or nasally, we don't care. It's all about us. It's all about what we want. Let us stop trying to fool ourselves into thinking we care about the health of children.

Salt

It's A Bad Night

I'm going to try to be diplomatic and not draw any critical emails. Well, maybe that's not true.

It's a bad night...

It's a bad night if you believe that life is valuable. It's a bad night if you believe that children shouldn't be killed regardless of their age. It's a bad night if you believe that it might be wrong to partially deliver a baby and then kill it. It's a bad night if you believe every life is created in the image of God. It's a really bad night if you happen to be an unborn baby who doesn't want to die a violent death before you draw your first breath.

Why is it such a bad night? Because my fellow Ohioans have just elected a man for U.S. Senate, Sherrod Brown, who publically and proudly stands for legalized abortion, partial birth abortion, and for choosing judges who think it is wrong to allow the American people to decide these issues in a democratic or representative fashion.

(And I'm not even going to comment on his support of same sex marriage.)

I have heard all of the arguments about how this is better for our economy, for jobs in Ohio, for education, for health care, for seniors. Those issues are debatable, but one thing is not: If you abort a child, the child is dead. He doesn't need a job. She doesn't need healthcare. The economy is a non factor. Sure, I would like more money, cheaper healthcare, and a stronger economy, but I would trade all of those to save the life of an unborn child. I may be selfish, but I'm not that selfish.

So it is just a bad night. Don't try to cheer me up, it won't work.

To the critics who will want to email me... don't. As a non-aborted, living, American, I am allowed to have my opinions and to express them. When something is wrong, I can say so. I haven't endorsed a candidate for any race, but I have stood on certain moral, ethical, and biblical issues that supercede geography, time, and political perspectives, and I have done so proudly. It is too late to abort me. Sorry you missed the chance. So for long as I live I will not back down from expressing my belief that all life is valuable.

Salt

Whirwind Weekend

Well the whirlwind weekend is over. My step dad's father passed away on Wednesday. So on Thursday when I finished my work we headed to Alabama. We left around 6:00 p.m.. We arrived in Anniston around 1:00 p.m. on Friday. We left around midnight on Friday and got back to Heath Saturday night so I could preach on Sunday morning. One thousand, three hundred miles!

We had a pretty good day today. Three people baptized this morning. A lady named Angela made a profession of faith following the evening service!

Fairly busy week ahead...

I'll try to blog...

Noel Dear