2016-02-20 Trisha's Tidbits and Treasures

Take a look around you.  Really.  Stop for a minute.  I know you’re busy.  But, just for a minute, take a look around you.  What do you see?  Do you see anything for which you are grateful?  If that wasn’t your first thought, then think about this.   God shows us that even the smallest of things are important to Him. 

 

“In fact, he even counts every hair on your head!”      Luke 12:7 (NIRV)

But we tend to put God in a box.  Rather than thinking of Him in the grain of sand, we think of the whole beach or instead of the drop of water, the whole ocean.  Don’t miss God by neglecting to take the time to see the small things.  Then cherish them and stitch them together in your heart.

Take another minute to pray and ask God to make you grateful for the big and small things. 

Enjoy one of my small treasures:

 

This is the fence in our yard in Nicaragua.  It is a concrete block fence, but part of it has vines growing on it.  At the top is barbed wire.  Look closely.  Up on the top of the barbed wire is an avocado.  Below is a close-up of my special avocado.  The avocado fell onto the fence from a tree in the yard behind our house.  God gave it to me.

News Flash - Wise Men Got It Wrong

There are so called "Wise Men" in America today that have the ear of many people.  Recently, two of these have gotten it wrong in a huge way.  Of course they are not alone.  Their views are very common, and even popular (although totally in error).

Bill O'Reilly got it wrong!

Just the other night I watched a video of Bill O'Reilly (on Fox News) interview pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Dr. Robert Jeffress.  The topic was "Is There Life After Death".  Of course, Dr. Jeffress did a great job of explaining the Biblical view on this topic.  However, the most interesting part of the interview to me was Bill O'Reilly's misguided idea of how to get to Heaven.  Mr. O'Reilly clearly stated that "if there is a heaven, you have to earn your way in."  He repeated this idea a couple of times as Dr. Jeffress listened.  Dr. Jeffress did a good job of explaining that trusting Christ is the key and that works come after faith in Christ as a demonstration of that faith.  Bill continued to talk about being religious and that there is a judgement day.  Again, Dr. Jeffress restated the need to trust in Christ and that true faith in Christ will manifest itself in a life that reflects that faith.  In the little time he had, Dr. Jeffress kindly, but directly rebutted Mr. O'Reilly's idea of works and deeds.  Bill O'Reilly got it wrong!

Bloomberg got it wrong!

Another so called wise man (although I would strongly disagree) who has the ear of many people is former-mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.  He told the New York Times that based on his work on gun control and fighting smoking and obesity, "I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I'm not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It's not even close."  Bloomberg got it wrong!

Unfortunately, these views and others like it are prevalent in America today (even inside our churches).  The Bible is very clear.  Christ paid it all at the cross of Calvary.  The Bible clearly teaches that only Jesus Christ is the way to heaven.  Not our works, not our good intentions and certainly not our life works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Nadiehzda Aguado Update

December 24, 2012 (Managua, NI) - There is some good news about Nadi.  Our friend and partner, Juan Rodriguez, gave us a report that she was doing better.  Nadi's mother told Juan that she was semi-conscious and they thought that she had tried to speak.  There is still some concern about her eye injury so they are keeping her eyes closed. (I suppose with bandages.)  She had been undergoing physical therapy while hospitalized and unconscious.

Nadi's mother also told Juan that they wanted to send her home soon but that she would need continuing care.  There was no information about their expectation of how much she would recover.

Nadiehzda Aguado Update

December 6, 2012 (Managua, NI) - Nadi is still unconscious and in grave condition.  After beathing on her own for a short time, she was put back on the respirator.  A tracheotomy was performed and now she is breathing with the respirator through the trach.  Her left eye sustained injury and they are not sure of the damage.   

Pastor Christhian tells us that when they pray for her in her presence, her heart rate goes up.  Perhaps this means she can hear and may be somewhat aware.  They have started some physical therapy due to her bedridden state.