BONA VITA

The Gifts of the LORD

2012-01-06T09:30:00.000-06:00

Family time « THE AVENUE

2011-12-21T17:14:00.000-06:00

2011-11-15T21:52:00.000-06:00

2011-10-21T18:11:00.001-05:00

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord enthroned on high,
He is the everlasting God who made both earth and sky.

He will not weary or grow faint. His power is measureless.
His wisdom is unsearchable, and great His faithfulness.

The weak and weary He revives when unto Him they cry. And those who have no might He will with growing strength supply.

Though youths grow weary and may fall, though young men strive in vain.

The Lord helps those who wait for Him; their strength they shall regain.

They shall mount up with eagles' wings, unwearied they shall run.
They'll neither falter nor grow faint as they in faith walk on.

Isaiah 40, Orlando Gibbons

Miss Emma Jean

2011-10-15T20:45:00.000-05:00

The Glory of Kings

2011-10-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

The festschrift in honor of James B. Jordan is such good reading. I am enjoying learning more of Jim's personal story and reading the essays which are "attempts to apply Jordan's themes and insights to various subjects" in biblical studies, liturgy, preaching, music, theology and culture. "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; but the glory of kings to search out a matter." and Jordan's life has certainly been dedicated to searching out what God has concealed "so we can bathe in its beauty." Thank you Jim for your diligent studies. We appreciate your works.

John and Emma Jean...aren't they cute!

2011-10-02T18:30:00.002-05:00

Secular Religious Ideology Gone Mad | Godfather Politics

2011-09-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

Secular Religious Ideology Gone Mad | Godfather Politics

RWOS Board Meeting

2011-09-13T22:31:00.000-05:00

Buddy came in from nursery school and joined us for our Republican Women of the South Board meeting!

Pine Belt Time Line

2011-09-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

This is the story of my family's business in Arlington, Alabama. It was fun remembering this chain of events. My father was an entrepreneur and my brother is a pretty darn good businessman! Pine Belt Time Line: 'via Blog this' Thanks to PineBelt, a rural area in the State of Alabama which could have easily been an "under served" area in telecommunicaton, has not been so.

Emma Jean loves Mommy and Daddy

2011-09-03T07:57:00.001-05:00

Bryson is 2!

2011-08-31T12:25:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Mr. Bryson Monroe Douglas. What a blessing you are to your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins! It was a joyous day two years ago. We are looking forward to the birth of your little brother or sister next spring. You'll be a fine big brother for sure. May you continue to grow in stature, wisdom and faithfulness to our Lord!

Discovering Grace and Community at the Table

2011-08-07T16:04:00.005-05:00

We had such a good sermon today, I want to share my notes.

"Eating our Way through Luke's Gospel: Discovering Grace and Community at the Table"

Text: Luke 5:27-32

Luke is filled with Jesus sharing meals with people. It is true that "a man is know by the company he keeps." Jesus is assembling a team of followers and He is picking the leftovers and the left-out to come to table fellowship with him. He is calling the outsiders. The three main characters of this text are Jesus, Levi, and the Pharisees.

Jesus is the Son of Man. Why is he called this? 1.) to serve and give His life for people, 2) to seek and save the lost, and 3) to throw a party! There were banquets everywhere Jesus went. Where the Messiah goes there is a feast. "The mountains will flow with sweet wine." Meals with Jesus are kingdom banquets. The kingdom takes shape around the table. Everywhere Jesus goes he feasts with people. In fact, he was accused (false though the charges were) of being a glutton and drunkard, but, eating and drinking were priorites for Jesus....he was a joyful Jesus and people wanted to be with him. Jesus was the perfect man and he threw himself into his community. He is a man of feasting and celebration--all of us are invited to feast and party with Him. Come as you are. Are you a really big sinner? Come as you are because Jesus is a friend of sinners.

Levi was a traitor to his people, a tax collector for Rome, a professional extortioner. Levites were the priestly tribe with a mission to represent the face of a loving God to the people. Levites were bridges. But as a tax collector he brought the tyranny of Caesar to the people. Levi not only feasted with Jesus when he was invited, he invited his "scumbag" friends to the banquet also. They all sat at the table with Jesus. You are accepted as you are---but Jesus doesn't let us stay as we are. To encounter Jesus is to be changed by Jesus. To share a place at the table with Jesus means you have been grafted into Him and have been chosen to be a part of His mission. God wants us to be like Levi and bring all sorts of people to feast with Him. Showing hospitality and friendship to others shows Jesus to others.

The Pharisees were offended by all this. They came to Jesus' party and complained about the guest list, asking, "Why are you eating with these tax collectors and sinners?" Sharing a meal together in their culture was a religious question. The pharisees practiced their righteousness by exclusion. Jesus crashes through the boundaries they had set. Jesus ate and drank with sinners.

Luke 5 tells us that Jesus answers their question with a metaphor. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." We do not presume to come to His table trusting in our own righteousness, but resting in His great mercy. Jesus heals through feasting with the sick. Jesus only heals those who admit they are sick. He did not come for people who thought they were healthy enough as they were. There is no one too sick for Jesus....come to His table just as you are! Therefore, let us keep the feast!

2011-07-07T22:57:00.000-05:00

2011-06-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

2011-05-25T21:56:00.001-05:00

2011-05-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

2011-04-13T17:09:00.001-05:00

Helping YaYa with the dishes!

2011-03-06T06:07:00.001-06:00

Bryson is 18 months...

2011-03-06T06:04:00.001-06:00

My Mother, Sisters and Brother....Arlington, Alabama

2011-02-25T17:01:00.004-06:00

The Grand Ole Party in Alabama is in good hands!

2011-02-19T19:40:00.004-06:00

Bill Armistead, newly elected chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey, and Governor Dr. Robert Bentley are all capable, good hearted and enthusiastic leaders. I believe the future of our children will be better under Republican leadership like they have to offer. Alabama is blessed to have these servant leaders holding office!

The Four......chpt 2

2011-02-18T08:58:00.005-06:00

Chapter 2 begins the story of Jesus.

This is a new perspective to me. Excerpts from the book:

Granted, by the end of the first century A.D, the tensions between Jews and Romans are very high. "Rebels (robbers) rise up in Galilee and Judea on a regular basis. They are not simply robbers stealing money. They are revolutionaries trying to make life very difficult for the Roman government, so that the Romans will leave the holy land. They are Robinn Hoods or Jesse Jameses, folk heroes to many Jews. They are like the Iraqis ad Afghans who set car bombs outside American military bases trying to get the Americans to run home."

There is a storm on the horizon, and almost all the Jews are expecting something to happen.

The Four, A Survey of the Gospels by Peter Leithart

2011-02-18T01:34:00.004-06:00

Anyone who wants to get a grasp on the meaning of "the New Covenant" should begin with this book. I'll give a few highlights:

From Chapter 1: Have you thought much about how God was working in the "intertestamental period"? Today, Christians usually refer to the period between Israel's return from exile and the beginning of Jesus' ministry as an 'intertestamental' period. Was God silent during this 500 year span of history? Was there anything important happening between Malachi and Matthew? Did God's covenant with Israel lapse between about 500 B.C. and 4 B.C.? No, "Though often ignored in studies of both the Old and New Testaments, the period between the return from exile and the coming of Jesus is a unique period of redemptive history. It has its own unique features as much as the Mosaic or Davidic periods do." Chapter 1 gives a very good overview of God's work in this intertestamental period. This was a time when God was faithfully keeping covenant with His people and preparing them for the "latter days" ".....the LORD organizes the Gentiles into the oikoumene. It's important to see that this oikoumene is part of God's plan. Gentile empires form an international "temple," housing Israel in it midst." "Nestled among the nations, Israel becomes a prophetic people, called to witness to the world." Because Israel has more contact than ever with the Gentiles, the prophets promise that during the latter days there will be a great expansion of Gentile mission. By the time Paul is traveling throughout Asia Minor, he finds synagogues everywhere he goes, which include not only Jews but Gentile God-fearers as well. The Abrahamic promise is already being fulfilled before Jesus arrives on the scene. God scatters Israel from the land because of her sins. But He turns that judgment to a blessing by using the dispersed Jews to make Him known to Gentiles. " This was happening in the "intertestamental period." Yahweh's Servant will become a light to the nations, so that salvation will reach to the ends of the earth. (Is 29:6).

The chapter continues with discussion of Nebuchadnezar's dream, Hellenism, and the progression of history from Alexander through the Romans in Judea.

Bryson loves iPad commercials

2011-02-12T17:00:00.000-06:00

Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head. Psalm 141:5

2011-02-06T15:17:00.005-06:00

TPC Ladies' Book and Scripture Study will be held each 2nd Tuesday evening at Cindy Douglas' house at 7 PM. Come on out and enjoy the fellowship, discussion and food. We'll be reading and discussing Respectable Sins, Confronting the Sins we Tolerate, by Jerry Bridges.

Jerry Bridges asks, "Have Christians become so preoccupied with "major" sins that we have lost sight of our need to deal with more subtle sins? Navigator author Jerry Bridges addresses the “acceptable” sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves...." Here is a partial list of the subtle sins we'll be discussing: ungodliness, anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, moral self-righteousness, pride of correct doctrine, pride of achievement, an independent spirit, selfishness, lack of self-control, impatience, irritability, anger, resentment, bitterness, enmity and hostility, grudges, judgmentalism, envy, jealousy, sins of the tongue and worldliness. ugggh, this may hurt!!!! I'll try to remember Psalm 141:5!

Food for thought...Mark Horne says here's a sentence the Apostle John never wrote...do we evangelicals see it this way? For this is the love of God, that we find forgiveness in the Gospel for breaking his commandments. And his commandments are burdensome, but we have grace to help us.

1 John 5: 1-3 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the chidren of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Parenting is Preparing Them to Launch

2011-02-03T00:31:00.001-06:00

Parenting is Preparing Them to Launch

Happy Birthday A.K.!!!

2011-01-31T21:11:00.000-06:00

Obama's State of the Union and U.S. Foreign Policy | STRATFOR

2011-01-25T06:53:00.000-06:00

Obama's State of the Union and U.S. Foreign Policy | STRATFOR

Cultivating Family Relationships: Is Our Faith Real?

2011-01-21T18:08:00.000-06:00

Cultivating Family Relationships: Is Our Faith Real?

2011-01-13T05:10:00.000-06:00

2011-01-10T19:36:00.000-06:00

33 years, December 31, 1977....Praise to the Lord!

2010-12-30T16:46:00.008-06:00

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near; praise him in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth, shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been granted in what he ordaineth? Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriend thee. Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging, who, when the elements madly around thee are raging, biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace, Whirlwinds and waters assuaging. Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding, who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding, sheddeth his light, chaseth the horrors of night, saints with his mercy surrounding. Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him. Let the amen sound from his people again, gladly for all we adore him.
Words: Joachim Neander (1650-1680), 1680 trans. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), 1863; Music: Lobe den Herren (also known as Praxis pietatis) (Stralsung Gesangbuch, 1665)

2010-12-25T20:26:00.002-06:00

2010-12-22T20:50:00.000-06:00

2010-12-19T22:44:00.001-06:00

Grandmama Sally's Candied Grapefruit Peels

2010-12-14T22:36:00.004-06:00

Cut grapefruit peels into strips.

Cover with cold water. Bring slowly to boil.

Remove from heat and drain well.

Repeat this proces, boiling the peels in five waters in all. Drain well each time.

Make a simple syrup allowing 1/4 cup water and

1/2 cup sugar to the peel of 1 grapefruit.

May Add red or green food coloring to the syrup for Christmas.

Add the peel and boil until all the syrup is absorbed.

Cool the peel and roll in sugar.

Spread out to dry.

Enjoy!!

2010-12-05T04:25:00.000-06:00

2010-12-03T18:03:00.002-06:00

You are invited to join

TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

for our annual

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Monday evening, December 20, 2010

7PM

3251 Greendale Road

Cahaba Heights

Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

Refreshments afterwards

The Lessons and Carols program intertwines Bible readings with traditional Advent and Christmas music, helping us enter more fully, liturgically and experientially, into the story of the coming of the Son of God into human history in human flesh to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. It evolved out of historic pre-Christmas celebrations and was first celebrated in its present format in the late nineteenth century at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. www.trinity-pres.net

Advent Season is here....

2010-11-29T22:25:00.004-06:00

The Christian season of Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day. It is a period of longing, expectation, and preparation for celebration of the coming of Christ to earth and anticipation of His second coming. I made my advent wreath today. We will prepare! Come thou long expected Jesus!

Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us: let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art,

dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart!

Joy to those who long to see thee, Dayspring from on high appear;

come thou promised Rod of Jesse, of thy birth we long to hear!

O'er the hills the angels singing new, glad tidings of a birth

Go to him, your praises bringing; Christ the Lord has come to earth.

Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end;

by his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall;

this the everlasting wonder. Christ was born the Lord of all.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,

born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne!

Buddy and Bryson liked Mr. Scarecrow!

2010-11-29T22:08:00.001-06:00

We had a bluebird in the house!

2010-11-04T07:45:00.001-05:00

2010-10-23T08:32:00.001-05:00

James of Jerusalem 23 October NT

James of Jerusalem is referred to in the New Testament as the brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was for many years the leader of the Christian congregation in Jerusalem, and is generally supposed to be the author of the Epistle of James, although the Epistle itself does not state this explicitly.
James is mentioned briefly in connection with Jesus' visit to Nazareth (M 13:55; P 6:3).
We are told that Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him (J 7:2-5), and from this, and from references in early Christian writers, it is inferred that James was not a disciple of the Lord until after the Resurrection.
Paul, listing appearances of the Risen Lord (1 Cor 15:3-8), includes an appearance to James.
Peter, about to leave Jerusalem after escaping from Herod, leaves a message for James and the Apostles (A 12:17).
When a council meets at Jerusalem to consider what rules Gentile Christians should be required to keep, James formulates the final consensus (A 15:13-21).
Paul speaks of going to Jerusalem three years after his conversion and conferring there with Peter and James (G 1:18-19), and speaks again of a later visit (perhaps the one described in A 15) on which Peter, James, and John, "the pillars," placed their stamp of approval on the mission to the Gentiles (G 2:9).
A few verses later (G 2:11-14), he says that messengers from James coming to Antioch discouraged Jewish Christians there from eating with Gentile Christians. (If this is refers to the same event as A 15:1-2, then Paul takes a step back chronologically in his narration at G 2:11, which is not improbable, since he is dictating and mentioning arguments and events that count as evidence for his side as they occur to him.)
On his last recorded visit to Jerusalem, Paul visits James (others are present, but no other names are given) and speaks of his ministry to the Gentiles (A 21:18).
Outside the New Testament, James is mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus, who calls him "the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ," and reports that he was much respected even by the Pharisees for his piety and strict observance of the Law, but that his enemies took advantage of an interval between Roman governors in 62 AD to have him put to death. His death is also reported by the second-century Christian writer Hegesippus.
Numerous references in early Christian documents show the esteem in which he was held in the early Church.
There appear to be at least three persons named James mentioned in the New Testament, and possibly as many as eight.
written by James Kiefer

2010-10-09T21:24:00.001-05:00

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies...easy to make and DEEElicious

2010-10-01T19:52:00.003-05:00

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1egg

1 t. baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the peanut butter, sugar, egg and baking soda in a medium bowl and beat until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cokie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until puffed and light golden brown but still soft to the touch. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 2 dozen

Sunset over Catalina Island

2010-09-28T10:05:00.000-05:00

2010-09-18T21:48:00.002-05:00

2010-09-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

2010-08-30T21:53:00.001-05:00

2010-08-14T21:35:00.000-05:00

JeffCo Tribute to the Governor....a big sucess

2010-08-11T08:19:00.002-05:00

Governor Haley Barbour gave tribute to Governor Bob Riley and wished Republican Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr. Robert Bentley (center) well in the November election.

1stBirthdayParty

2010-08-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

2010-08-03T10:58:00.006-05:00

Nicodemus was a religious leader among the Jews in Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. He is mentioned only in the Gospel of John, where he appears three times.
In John 3, he speaks privately with Jesus. In John 7, he is present at a meeting of Jewish leaders who are considering how to silence Jesus, and he says, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" To this, others reply, "Are you from Galilee, too?" In John 19, Nicodemus joins withJoseph of Arimathaea in giving an honorable burial to the body of Jesus.
The best-known of these passages is John 3, in which Jesus tells Nicodemus: "In order for a man to see (enter) the Kingdom of God, he must be born anew (or born from above), born of water and of the Spirit." Most Christians have understood this as a reference to Holy Baptism, but others suppose the water to be amniotic fluid, and take the reference to "water and the Spirit" as contrasting natural with spiritual birth.
The dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus is given in the form of three speeches by Nicodemus and three replies by Jesus. Since ancient manuscripts have no quotation marks, it is not certain whether Jesus' third reply extends to the end of verse 21, or whether it ends earlier, perhaps as early as the end of verse 12, with the remaining verses to the end of verse 21 being a meditation by the Evangelist. Either way, these verses (including the famous John 3:16) affirm that God sent His Son into the world to bring light and salvation.
Prayer
O God, who led the learned scholar and judge Nicodemus to seek for wisdom from the mouth of your Son Jesus Christ, give to all persons, both scholars and others, minds that are open and hearts that are ready to hear the good news of salvation, not rejecting out of hand what seems strange or unfamiliar in it, but carefully studying to understand it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.
written by James Kiefer
w-annotations by Irene Rible and E. Barsabe

Eastern Orthodox Cross Chrismon Ornament...

2010-08-02T19:54:00.000-05:00

2010-07-31T15:54:00.000-05:00

2010-07-25T19:29:00.001-05:00

2010-07-14T06:15:00.001-05:00

Cross-stitching Chrismon Ornaments

2010-07-06T07:12:00.002-05:00

It has been a long time since I attempted to cross-stitch. I just completed my first piece for our church Chrismon ornaments project.....I like it! I feel a new hobby coming on!!

2010-06-23T20:44:00.001-05:00

Republican Women of the South Welcome JeffCo DA Brandon Falls

2010-06-17T16:43:00.003-05:00

Please join Republican Women of the South

next Wednesday, June 23, 2010

10:30 AM Coffee

11:00 AM Program

Noon Lunch

($17.00, reservation required, candouglas@bellsouth.net)

Vestavia Country Club

Invite your neighbors to come meet our guest speaker, Jefferson County District Attorney, Brandon Falls

Brandon K. Falls was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to the position of District Attorney, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Birmingham Division, on September 1, 2008.

He has been employed with the District Attorney's Office since October 1997 and has served as a Deputy District Attorney in Circuit Court, District Court and Screening Divisions. He became a Division Supervisor in January 2005 and was assigned to the DA's Office at Juvenile Court. Upon leaving the Juvenile Court assignment, Mr. Falls supervised deputy DA's in the Circuit Court Division.

Mr. Falls has been responsible for hiring, training and supervising all law clerks who work part time in our office. He also coordinated extern and intern positions with various law schools so students could receive school credit for their time spent in the DA's Office. He initiated the program to instruct attorneys on legal and trial issues essential to prosecution and has lectured on topics including case analysis, cross-examination, rules of evidence and sentencing laws. He has served as a member of the interview committee which interviews and recommends applicants for positions of Deputy District Attorney.

Brandon graduated from the University of Alabama in 1994 and received his Juris Doctor in May of 1997 from the University of Alabama School of Law. He has since served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cumberland School of Law and has been a faculty instructor for the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, and the National College of District Attorneys. He has lectured at the University of Alabama School of Law, the APOSTC Law Enforcement Academy at Tuscaloosa, the Birmingham Police Academy and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He is a member of the Alabama Bar Association, Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama District Attorneys Association and National District Attorneys Association.

Mr. Falls is dedicated to serving the citizens of Jefferson County through prosecution of criminals and supporting all victims of crime in every way possible. He and his office are available to answer any questions citizens may have regarding the criminal justice process.

2010-06-06T17:11:00.001-05:00

2010-06-05T21:24:00.002-05:00

Jefferson County Republican Primary vote count...

2010-06-02T05:32:00.002-05:00

You can get the Jefferson County election night summary report here:

Mansions of the Lord

2010-05-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

Mr. FV answers questions from Mr. Anti-FV...

2010-05-29T10:24:00.002-05:00

Mr. FV answers some questions from Mr. Anti-FV here. A conversation worth listening to; it lasts about an hour. Get a cup of coffee, sit back, listen and learn.

2010-05-19T08:51:00.000-05:00

2010-05-16T20:24:00.001-05:00

2010-05-16T20:18:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day Flowers from Gilbert, Stacy and Bryson

2010-05-11T14:21:00.000-05:00

Vineyards and Temples

2010-05-10T19:54:00.010-05:00

Terms of endearment are deeply rooted in Scripture. Two terms God calls us are his "vineyard" and his "temple." We are plants and stones stacked together into a royal dwelling place!

In the OT, Israel was God's beloved vineyard (land). Land was the symbol for the nation. God loved the land . We (the church) are God's tender vineyard. (1 Cor 3:9) Keep your roots watered and planted in fertile soil so that you may grow and produce a good crop. The means of grace God gives us to water and nourish our roots are prayer, His Word and His Sacraments...use these helps and grow.

In the OT, God resided in the temple most holy place....now, we are his temple...he resides in us individually and corporately. Temple and mission are deeply connected. In the beginning Solomon had a universal vision that all nations would come to the temple and worship. "The nations shall flow into it (the temple)." Isaiah 54 tells us to enlarge the temple, "stretch out your tent"---make it bigger--the nations are coming in. The church is a house of prayer for all nations.

Mission: What might God be calling me to do to "pull up the cords" and expand the kingdom? By God's grace we are going to do something about the brokenness in the world. Find places where God' love is needed, go and be the temple shekinah glory there. Be the temple presence "organically" as well. Constantly keep your eyes open for need. We are launched out into the world to extend the borders of God's tent.

Community: We are stones stacked on one another...God's temple stones builded together. The rule for church life is let all thing be done for "edification" of the body. An edifice is an architectural term. We are to be building up one another...not tearing down. The greatest tragedy of the OT was the destruction of the temple. When you mistreat your fellow Christian you are sinning against the temple of the Lord. It is an act of sacrilege. We are being Babylonian invaders committing acts of sacrilege when we bite and tear down one another. God takes His church very seriously. The essence of sin is ME, ME, ME...the essence of love is OTHERS, OTHERS, OTHERS. Stay connected and involved in others' lives. No one is perfect, but we can walk alongside one another as we find a common purpose and live together in mission to advance the kingdom of our Lord.

We are God's vineyard and God's temple in worship, mission and community. Sunday is the first day of the week where we are prepared for the week ahead through participation in covenant renewal worship. God calls us, forgives us, feeds us and sends us out. We are to spring forth being intentionally missional, united in Christ and empowered by His Spirit. He is with us every step of the way.

Praise the LORD!

Sermon Notes from Sunday, May 8, 2010

Pastor Rich Lusk

Trinity Presbyterian Church

Remembering Monnica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo 4 May 387

2010-05-04T21:32:00.002-05:00

We know about Monnica almost entirely from the autobiography (the Confessions) of her son Augustine, a major Christian writer, theologian and philosopher. Monnica was born in North Africa, near Carthage, in what is now Tunisia, perhaps around 331, of Christian parents, and was a Christian throughout her life. Her name has usually been spelled "Monica," but recently her tomb in Ostia was discovered, and the burial inscription says "Monnica," a spelling which all AC (Archaeologically Correct) persons have hastened to adopt. (On the other hand, it may simply be that the artisan who carved the inscription was a bad speller.)

As a girl, she was fond of wine, but on one occasion was taunted by a slave girl for drunkenness, and resolved not to drink thereafter. She was married to a pagan husband, Patricius, a man of hot temper, who was often unfaithful to her, but never insulted or struck her. It was her happiness to see both him and his mother ultimately receive the Gospel.

Monnica soon recognized that her son was a man of extraordinary intellectual gifts, a brilliant thinker and a natural leader of men (as a youngster he was head of a local gang of juvenile delinquents), and she had strong ambitions and high hopes for his success in a secular career. Indeed, though we do not know all the circumstances, most Christians today would say that her efforts to steer him into a socially advantageous marriage were in every way a disaster. However, she grew in spiritual maturity through a life of prayer, and her ambitions for his worldly success were transformed into a desire for his conversion.

He, as a youth, rejected her religion with scorn, and looked to various pagan philosophies for clues to the meaning of life. He undertook a career as an orator and teacher of the art of oratory (rhetoric), and moved from Africa to Rome and thence to Milan, at that time the seat of government in Italy. His mother followed him there a few years later. In Milan, Augustine met the bishop Ambrose, from whom he learned that Christianity could be intellectually respectable, and under whose preaching he was eventually converted and baptised on Easter Eve in 387, to the great joy of Monnica.

After his baptism, Augustine and a younger brother Navigius and Monnica planned to return to Africa together, but in Ostia, the port city of Rome, Monnica fell ill and said, "You will bury your mother here. All I ask of you is that, wherever you may be, you should remember me at the altar of the Lord. Do not fret because I am buried far from our home in Africa. Nothing is far from God, and I have no fear that he will not know where to find me, when he comes to raise me to life at the end of the world."

Prayer O Lord, who through spiritual discipline strengthened your servant Monnica to persevere in offering her love and prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and of Augustine their son: Deepen our devotion, we pray, and use us in accordance with your will to bring others, even our own kindred, to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(copied from Mission St.Clare, Daily Office)

Notes from Sunday's Sermon

2010-05-03T20:32:00.012-05:00

A person's relationship to Christ can be judged by his relationship to Christ's Church. What is so special about the church? Every Christian should have a high view of the church because the church is the bride of Christ. He loves His bride very much and we should love one another and be faithful to Him.

In the OT the temple was a microcosm of heaven and earth. The building of the tabernacle happened in 7 acts; the building of the temple was patterned after the creation.... God spoke, and it came into being. The temple was the center of life in the OT. We are God's temple We meet with God in a special way in the temple. This implies that what temple was to ancient Israel, the church should be to God's people.

Three aspects of the churchlife in which we are blessed when we participate are in her 1) worship, 2) mission and 3)community. This is a sketchy summary; if you want more details, go to www.trinity-pres.net and click on pastor's page, sermons. Enjoy and be blessed. It was a great sermon!

GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN!!!

Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God' he whose word cannot be broken formed thee for his own abode; on the Rock of Ages founded what can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

See, the streams of living waters, springing from the eternal love, well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove; who can fain, while such a river ever flows their thirst t-assauge? grace which, like the Lord, the giver, never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hov'ring, see the cloud and fire appear for a glory and a cov'ring, showing that the lord is near; thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day, safe they feed upon the manna which he gives them when they pray.

Savior, if of Zion's city I, through grace, a member am, let the world deride or pity, I will glory in thy name; fading is the worldling's pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show; solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know.

Address to the Haggis

2010-04-24T20:33:00.005-05:00

We enjoyed the St. Andrew's Society of the Middle South Spring party tonight. Morgan Murphy gave the address to the haggis.

Gie her a haggis!!!

When Gilbert was president of the society in 2005, he made the haggis for the event!

Robert Burns' Address to the Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy o' a grace

As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hurdies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o' need,

While thro' your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like ony ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn,

they stretch an' strive:

Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,

Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,

Are bent lyke drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

"Bethankit!" 'hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad mak her spew

Wi' perfect sconner,

Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view

On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him ower his trash,

As feckless as a wither'd rash,

His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,

O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread.

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He'll mak it whissle;

An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned,

Like taps o' thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o' fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies;

But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,

Gie her a haggis!

House and Garden

2010-04-17T14:11:00.000-05:00

The house is repainted, Chatham Fog with white trim.

I have a pot of purple salvia at the back door.

And I've planted my garden. Look at the mint in the bottom right quad that sprang up from last year. I have planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, squash, and my herbs are cilantro, oregano, parsley, chives, basil and mint.

Taxed Enough Already Party in Trussville

2010-04-15T16:53:00.005-05:00

Frances Wideman, Kathleen Duquette, Fay Shirley, Cindy Douglas, Pam Spivey and Carolyn Reich represented Republican Women of the South at the TEA Party. James Jr. knows that the real tax burden is the level of government spending, which is already spiraling out of control.

Pam Spivey helped a brand new citizen register to vote. He will vote for the first time in the June primary.

Sarah Palin said, "You betcha," she is supporting JOE!!! Joe Knight is running for Jefferson County Commissioner District 4.

District Attorney Brandon Falls and Jeff Co Republican Chairman Gilbert Douglas listen to the citizens.

Bye Bye Blue House...

2010-04-14T14:58:00.003-05:00

Ever since we moved into our passive solar, board and batten, clear-story-window house in 1984, it has been painted blue....sort of a Williamsburg bluish-gray. Now we are painting the house a different color! The official Behr solid wood stain is called Chatham Fog...it looks a little like putty color to me. I'm told it's more "stylish" to go with these earth tones. Here's a preliminary photo..it's not finished yet; you can still see blue around the windows...I think we'll trim the windows in white and maybe change the shade on the door....what do you think? I miss my blue, but I like the fog! It's time for a change! I'll post an updated photo when we're finished.

2010-04-11T06:09:00.001-05:00

2010-04-05T10:51:00.000-05:00

TPC Maundy Thursday Feast 2010

2010-04-03T21:07:00.001-05:00

2010-03-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

RWOS awards scholarship to Corey Martha Decker Raley

2010-03-25T09:35:00.001-05:00

The Republican Women of the South awarded the Frances Wideman Scholarship for the study of political science and history to Corey Martha Decker Raley, a junior at Birmingham Southern College. (photo L to R Frances Wideman, Cindy Douglas, Corey Raley and Carolyn Reich). Miss Raley was recognized at the March 24^th club meeting where Attorney General candidate Luther Strange was the guest speaker. "The $1000.00 annual scholarship award was established in an effort to promote political participation among our college and university students," said Carolyn Reich, scholarship chairman. "For our republican form of government to succeed, we believe it is imperative that our young people are encouraged to participate in the nitty gritty work of our political system under our U.S. Constitution." Miss Raley is majoring in history with a minor in religion. She served as the 2nd Vice President of the Birmingham Southern College Republicans and remains on the BSC College Republicans Executive Committee. She plans to become a teacher and said, "I fully believe that it is essential for America's youth to understand and appreciate the entirety of our heritage, religious heritage included, in order to know how to best provide for our future. Teachers, on all academic levels, have the greatest influence on a person's life. Though I may never be the one to run for office or write legislation, I can be the one to influence those who do."

The scholarship is given each year to a student who has completed at least one year of college coursework. The award was established by the club in 2007 and named in honor of club founder, Frances Wideman. Republican Women of the South club meets every 4th Wednesday at Vestavia Country Club with the goal of promoting an informed electorate and supporting the ideals of the Republican Party. Please join us!

Happy Spring!

2010-03-19T23:41:00.003-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-16T21:38:00.003-05:00

The Lorica Gaelic Chant Críost liomsa, (Christ with me)

Críost romham, (Christ before me) Agus Críost i mo chroí’se, (and Christ in my heart) Críost os mo chionn’sa, (Christ above me) Críost fúm, (Christ below me) Agus Críost ar mo chroí’se. (and Christ on my heart) Agus Críost i mo chroí. (and Christ in my heart)

The Lorica

2010-03-15T09:26:00.005-05:00

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of his name, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom; I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim;

The sweet "Well done" in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim;

Confessors' faith, apostles' word, the patriarch's prayers, the prophets' scrolls; all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of ransomed souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heav'n,

The glorious sun' life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even,

the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

the stable dearth, the deep salt sea, around the old undying rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, his might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need;

The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, his shield to ward;

The word of God to give me speech, His heav'nly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me,

Christ within me,

Christ behind me,

Christ before me,

Christ beside me,

Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ in quiet,

Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three.

Of whom all nature hath creation; eternal Father, Spirit , Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

JeffCo Straw Poll/Fundraiser a big success!

2010-03-13T22:44:00.007-06:00

2010-03-04T21:35:00.002-06:00

Why is control of private insurance companies so critical?

2010-03-03T08:36:00.001-06:00

by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.

read the full article here: Why is control of private insurance companies so critical? Follow the money. Medicare and Medicaid are broke. A financial bomb will explode Medicare starting in 2011 when the first of the “baby boomers” turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. “Baby Boomers” born between 1946 and 1964 will add another 76 million to the Medicare rolls.

Medicare is going broke. It cannot handle a dramatic cost increase. President Obama has quadrupled our national debt in his first year in office. Our deficit is now greater than the deficits of all US presidents combined, from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Washington desperately needs to get its hands on hard cash. Democrats only see 3 options to cover the staggering deficits, plus cover more people on Medicare:

1) print more money (following that, our dollar is worth less, things cost more)

2) raise taxes…at first on “the wealthy,” then as deficits build, higher taxes hit all taxpayers.

3) take over private insurance companies and their large mandatedfinancial reserves set aside to pay future claims.

The government can gain control of private sector money in at least two ways:

(1) Money now being paid for private health insurance premiums and medical services will go to government coffers, either as direct payments for premiums or as added taxes.

(2) The Government can nationalize private insurance companies and confiscate their financial reserves, providing enormous new cash under government control.

Could this be the reason why we see the current administration so entrenched in their position on healthcare and their refusal to discuss viable, lower cost options to fix only what is “broken?” Republicans, particularly Senator Jim DeMint and Representative Paul Ryan, have offered excellent ideas by citing strategies used by some states (Indiana) and private businesses like Whole Foods and Safeway to successfully solve problems of rising costs, while providing more patient empowerment over health choices.

The Ascension Offering Hymn at church today....beautiful!

2010-02-28T17:58:00.006-06:00

Wondrous King, all glorious, sovreign Lord victorious, oh receive our praise with favor! From thee welled God's kindness tho' we in our blindness strayed from thee, our blessed Savior. Strengthen thou, help us now; let our tongues be singing, thee our praises bringing.

Heavens, spread the story of our Maker's glory, all the pomp of earth obscuring. Sun, thy rays be sending, thy bright beams expending, light to all the earth assuring. Moon and star, praise afar him who glorious made you; the vast heavens aid you.

O my soul, rejoicing, sing thy praises voicing, sin with hymns of faith adore him! All who here have being, shout, your voices freeing, bow down in the dust before him. He is God Sabaoth; praise alone the Savior, here and there forever.

Hallelujahs render to the Lord most tender, ye who know and love the Savior. Hallelujahs sing ye, ye redeemed, oh, bring ye hearts that yield him glad behavior. Blest are ye endlessly; sinless there forever, ye shall laud him ever.

AAPS on Healthcare Summit

2010-02-28T08:08:00.005-06:00

For a full account, click AAPS . Here's an exceprt:

So what would be the effect of proposed federal insurance rules? Obama said premiums would go down; Alexander said they would go up. The CBO weighed in with a 28-page analysis. The answer seems to be: “It depends.” Large group plans, small group plans, nongroup plans? Income level (i.e. subsidy level)? “Bare-bones plan” (probably to be outlawed), “Cadillac plan (prepare to be taxed), or just-right plan?

One of the unbridgeable gaps appears to be abortion funding. Nancy Pelosi claims the new Plan doesn’t cover abortion, but Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and others claim that it does. Layers of accounting gimmicks mean that everyone will be paying a monthly abortion premium.

Before the reconciliation process can be use to bypass a filibuster, the House has to pass a bill acceptable to the Senate. Abortion coverage may be the factor that defeats that maneuver. The key vote may then be not Scott Brown’s but Democrats who supported the Stupak Amendment in the House.

Goodman concludes that none of the speakers at the summit have any idea how to control costs, improve quality, or ensure acceess to care. The Republicans’ blank sheet of paper idea is the best one we have heard.

2010-02-25T17:28:00.002-06:00

2010-02-22T16:22:00.001-06:00

Chick's on the Right posted Mike Pence's speech at CPAC.

2010-02-22T09:50:00.001-06:00

Phyllis Schlafly: No Women, Sarah Palin Included, Ready for White House

2010-02-21T22:17:00.002-06:00

O Lord, throughout these forty days you prayed and kept the fast;

Inspire repentance for our sin, and free us from our past.

You strove with Satan and you won; Your faithfulness endured;

Lend us your nerve, your skill and trust in God's eternal Word.

Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed and fixed your mind above;

So teach us to deny ourselves since we have known God's love

Be with us through this season, Lord, and all our earthly days,

that when the final Easter dawns, we join in heaven's praise.

AL-5 Candidate Les Phillip at CPAC | None | Brooklyn Roberts

2010-02-20T21:23:00.001-06:00

AL-5 Candidate Les Phillip at CPAC | None | Brooklyn Roberts

Posted using ShareThis

2010-02-18T05:47:00.003-06:00

How can we affect real cultural change????

2010-02-13T14:49:00.003-06:00

John Armstrong says: "Our present drift toward state-sponsored entitlements and wealth redistribution is not the innovation of one political party or administration but rather the by-product of a generation that has been systematically conditioned to favor socialistic schemes. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying—I'm not suggesting that we stop participating in the political process. I am suggesting that we have to do much more. The fact is, by the time social issues manifest themselves in the realm of politics, it's too late—by then you're fighting from a deficit. The ideas that produced these political points of conflict began long before and the process of affecting real change occurs over a generation or more, not one political term. "

2010-02-13T12:36:00.000-06:00

2010-02-13T12:34:00.000-06:00

Gilbert gave this prayer at the ALGOP meeting last weeked...pray with us.

2010-02-07T17:51:00.005-06:00

Heavenly Father, we lift our hearts and prayers to you.

Give peace in the world for only in you can we live in safety. Let your way be known upon the earth.

We remember our men and women in military duty at home and abroad. Give them courage to face the perils that beset them.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in our land.

Grant to the President and our Governor wisdom and strength to know and do your will.

Bless our Congress and Legislators that they may enact laws which are pleasing to you.

Bless our Judges and Officers of the courts with understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities. We lift up to you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.

May we elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions that the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes.

May we serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Alabama Women's Hall of Fame 2010 Inductee

2010-02-04T20:58:00.001-06:00

Margaret Charles Smith of Eutaw was a medical pioneer who practiced midwifery in rural settings for those who could not afford hospitalization.

Smith was born in 1906 and was raised by her grandmother who had been brought to the U.S. as a slave at the age of 13 and sold for three dollars.

Smith completed the third grade in a one-room rural grammar school in Eutaw. In the late 1940s she obtained a permit from the Public Health Team and became one of Greene County's official midwifes. Between 1943 and 1981 Smith delivered more than 3,500 babies. She never lost a mother and only lost a few infants.

Smith was 75 when she delivered her last baby.

Smith became a legend for delivering so many babies and a legend for her compassion since the women she served were most often overworked and malnourished.