Just sharing.

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Hot, Hot, Hotter​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Burgers aren’t the only thing getting grilled this 4th of July weekend.​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Starting today, meteorologists forecast hotter-than-normal (possibly record-breaking) temperatures for ~230M across the Midwest and eastern half of the U.S. High humidity will push many indices into the triple-digits, and experts warn overnight temps will provide little relief, increasing heat-related health risks.[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Northeasterners could catch a break by the holiday weekend, but Midwesterners and Southerners should start buying Bomb Pops. (Check your local forecast for the 4th.)[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Extreme heat and drought is also fueling the country’s largest current wildfire. The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah has burned nearly 92k acres and is 0% contained. Gov. Cox declared a state of emergency Friday, restricting personal fireworks through July 5, and Salt Lake City’s NWS issued its first ever “particularly dangerous situation red flag warning.”[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Massive weather events and natural disasters remind us that all of the world has been broken by sin. But Christians can look forward to an eternity where there’s redemption not just for people, but for creation itself.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]“For the creation was subjected to futility — not willingly, but because of him who subjected it — in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.”
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)[/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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“In thy light shall we see light.”

Psalm 36:9

No lips can tell the love of Christ to the heart till Jesus himself shall speak within. Descriptions all fall flat and tame unless the Holy Ghost fills them with life and power; till our Immanuel reveals himself within, the soul sees him not. If you would see the sun, would you gather together the common means of illumination, and seek in that way to behold the orb of day? No, the wise man knoweth that the sun must reveal itself, and only by its own blaze can that mighty lamp be seen.




It is so with Christ. “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona:” said he to Peter, “for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee.” Purify flesh and blood by any educational process you may select, elevate mental faculties to the highest degree of intellectual power, yet none of these can reveal Christ. The Spirit of God must come with power, and overshadow the man with his wings, and then in that mystic holy of holies the Lord Jesus must display himself to the sanctified eye, as he doth not unto the purblind sons of men. Christ must be his own mirror.

The great mass of this blear-eyed world can see nothing of the ineffable glories of Immanuel. He stands before them without form or comeliness, a root out of a dry ground, rejected by the vain and despised by the proud. Only where the Spirit has touched the eye with eye-salve, quickened the heart with divine life, and educated the soul to a heavenly taste, only there is he understood. “To you that believe he is precious”; to you he is the chief corner-stone, the Rock of your salvation, your all in all; but to others he is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence.” Happy are those to whom our Lord manifests himself, for his promise to such is that he will make his abode with them. O Jesus, our Lord, our heart is open, come in, and go out no more for ever. Show thyself to us now! Favour us with a glimpse of thine all-conquering charms.

 

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If You Think You Aren’t Good Enough​

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar

Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid

Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer

Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow

Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying

Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...

AND

Lazarus was dead!

What do you have that’s worse than that?
So no more excuses!

God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message,
you are just the messenger.

 

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A Lesson Learned From a Bug​

I pulled out of my driveway heading for my mom's and noticed a
katydid on my windshield. This is rare for the area I live in
since it is more city than farm or wooded area. For those of
you who do not know what a katydid is, it is similar to a
grasshopper. It is green but has a flat (up-down) body
whereas the grasshopper has a round body and is more brown
colored.

As I accelerated, I noticed the wind was making his body flutter,
but the legs were securely attached to the windshield. I was
sure he would lose his battle to the wind, but he kept hanging
on body fluttering in the wind. He did this for a couple of
miles. As I slowed down one time he tried to re-adjust his
footing. He released his grip on the windshield with just one
leg and it was all over, he was gone.


The wind is our trials.

The windshield is like the word of God.

When we hold on to our "windshield" securely, we are secure.

When things start to settle down we often loosen our grip on
God’s word. We start to rely on our strength and understanding
rather than staying in God’s word. That’s when the trials come
back and catch us unprepared and the trials drag us away.

If we hold firm to God's word, we will be ready for the trials
as they come.

 

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Your Cross​

A young man was at the end of his rope;
seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.

"Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The man was filled with relief and said,
"Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.

Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses,
some so large the tops were not visible.

Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.

The Lord replied,
"My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around
and see what other people are coping with.

You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.

 

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Gaw Hong​

More than 200 years ago, the Chinese on Formosa were having a
difficult time stamping out the barbaric practice of headhunting
among native Taiwanese inhabitants.

Because of the coming of the Chinese gentleman named Gaw Hong
who had been appointed magistrate to the region, the practice
was almost wiped out except for a few spots here and there.

He was a just man and a kind man. Soon he had won the hearts of
all the people in the area. By his good dealings with the
people, he won their affection. Even the fiercest of the tribes
couldn’t help but love, respect and revere him.

Because he was such an incredibly fine gentleman, he managed to
stamp out this barbaric practice bit by bit. Unfortunately,
when it appeared that he had almost succeeded, a religious
festival approached and the local inhabitants felt that they
needed to appease the Gods by offering human heads.

Gaw Hong appealed to them with every ounce of persuasion he had,
not to do it, but they wore him down.

Eventually, he said to them, “I will give you permission to take
one head, only one. And, you will take it when and where I shall
appoint.”

When the feast came, he told them explicitly what he wanted them
to do. They were to take the first man using a certain path at
dawn the next day. In keeping with his instructions, the
assassins lay in wait for that first person to appear on the
road.

The arrow of the assassin found its target, and they
quickly cut off the head of the victim, put it in a bag and took
it to the tribal chief.

When the sack was opened, it was the head of Gaw Hong.


On that day in Formosa, headhunting ceased forever.

 

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Love One Another​

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:9,10 NIV


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A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34,35 KJV


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Through Him you have confidence in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.

1 Peter 1:21,22 RSV


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The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 NLT


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Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4:9,10 NIV


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Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.

 

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[COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer]A Relationship > A Rule [COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer]

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer]Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track—Proverbs 3:6 MSG We men like formulas. We like bullet points. We like bright lines. They make life easier. They cut through mystery and doubt. We’d love it if such things could govern our relationships with God. They would make following him easier, too. At least, we think they would. So we try to create them. It starts innocently: Someone seeks God and finds him—through a specific prayer or practice, or through a particular way of studying Scripture or being in community or doing service. But, then, that person decides that’s “the” way to find God. Others are persuaded, of course, because they want to find God too. And a formula is born, a bullet point, a bright line, a rule about how our relationships with God must look. The thing is, while God never changes (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8), our relationships with him do. They’re ever changing, ever challenging (2 Corinthians 3:18). There’s always more with God. There’s always mystery. And there’s always something new. But because we fear change and fear being challenged, we often cling to what’s worked in the past or what’s worked for someone else. We create a rule, repeat a ritual, but we may not grow and mature in our relationships with God.[/COLOR] [COLOR=revert-layer] [/COLOR] [/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=revert-layer] [/COLOR] [/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer] [COLOR=revert-layer]Okay, so what do we do? “Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do” (Matthew 23:8-10 MSG). Set aside some time to pray and to listen. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Ask where you might find him next—maybe in Scripture; maybe through serving; or on a short-term mission trip; or out in his creation; or something else. Let him guide your thoughts. Let him keep you on track.[/COLOR] [COLOR=revert-layer] [/COLOR] [/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=revert-layer] [/COLOR] [/COLOR][/COLOR]

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The Barracuda​

Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute did the
following study:

It's a widely known fact that Barracuda love to eat mullet.

Scientists put a barracuda into an aquarium, added a glass
partition in the middle and then put a mullet in the other side.

Not believing his good luck the barracuda circled a few times,
gathered up speed and launched directly at his lunch - the poor
unsuspecting mullet.

Wham! Bam! Full throttle into the glass partition.

Unfazed at this, the barracuda did his preliminary circles and
sped off again toward the mullet. Again, Wham! Bang! into the
glass partition.

Again and again and again he tried. Some weeks later, the
scientists noticed the barracuda quit trying to eat the mullet,
so they removed the glass partition.

Amazingly, the barracuda remained in his side of the aquarium,
silently swimming in circles.

In fact, the hapless barracuda slowly died of starvation while
the lucky mullet swam about in safety just a few inches away!

Many of us are like that barracuda - hurt, bruised and wounded
from many previous collisions with life.

We've given up, our lives have become unproductive, lifeless,
hopeless, without goal, purpose or meaning.

Around and around we go, going nowhere...
silently, starving to death... while just a few millimeters
away
there is a prize to be collected,
a blessing to be claimed,
a job to be had,
a relationship to begin,
an education to be gained,
earnings to be earned.

I took this advice seriously and let me tell you,
the mullet is delicious!!!

 

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I spend a lot of time traveling for my job. When driving long
distances, I have found that the rest stops optimize my time,
because I can do what I need to do and be quickly back on my way.

On one particular day recently though, that was not exactly the
case. It was a MountainWings sort of morning that I will never
forget.

The rest area was perfect, easy on and off the freeway, with
restrooms very close to parking and the coffee machine was right
by the restroom.

When I went into the restroom, I noticed an older woman washing
up over the sink basin, she seemed to be struggling just a bit.
I said nothing, just tried to mind my business. She began to
walk out of the restroom just as I was washing my hands. She
appeared to be somewhat distressed while walking and I saw that
both of her lower limbs were swollen, mottled and a deep purple
color.

Still I tried to mind my business; however, as I watched her
struggle toward her vehicle, I felt an overwhelming compassion
come over me. I began to pray for her as I watched her struggle.

Tears were welling up within me and I felt as if God was telling
me that he deeply loved her. I also felt I was supposed to let
her know that; but still, I tried to mind my business.

I returned to my vehicle and proceeded back toward the freeway.
I then knew that as I was so busy minding my own business; I was
forgetting God's business. We are called to be His vessels, not
self serving vessels; called to share His love in everything we do.

It was about a mile down the freeway before I found an exit to
turn back around. I prayed to God that he would give me another
chance. I prayed that if it was His will for me to speak to
that woman; that she would still be there when I returned; that
He would give me the words to say to her.

When I arrived; the woman was still there. She was sitting in
the passenger seat of her van with the door propped open. As I
approached the vehicle I was somewhat nervous, but I knew that
God would guide my steps.

I startled her a bit when I walked up and placed my hand on her
shoulder. I introduced myself and told her that I believed that
God had wanted me to give her a message.

He wanted me to tell her that He loved her very much and if she
would just turn to Him that He would carry her burden.

As I looked into her eyes, they were filled with tears.
She kept saying "Thank you, Thank you".

I then told her that though I did not know if she was ill, that
God wanted her to trust Him to restore her health.

I then asked her to pardon the intrusion, but that I felt so
strongly that I was supposed to deliver this message that I had
to return after leaving the rest area. She said that she had
seen me leave earlier so she knew that I had returned.

As I turned to leave she reached out with both hands to grab mine;
like a baby grabbing for his mother, and she said with tear
filled eyes....THANK YOU.

I said "No, thank God, that He's a God of second chances."

This was a simple moment, a minor distraction in my schedule;
but, oh, how I was blessed. My reluctant obedience; my
disobedience, was used for God's glory. First of all, because I
had left, then returned, I think that woman believed what I told
her.

And secondly, it taught me that even in the sinful nature in me,
God can work things for His glory. His will will be done.
I'm just thankful I didn't miss out on being His vessel this time

 

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A Well Planned Life?​

Two women met for the first time since graduating from high
school.

One asked the other, "You were always so organized in school.
Did you manage to live a well planned life?"

"Yes," said her friend,
"My first marriage was to a millionaire;
my second marriage was to an actor;
my third marriage was to a preacher;
and now I'm married to an undertaker."

Her friend asked,
"What do those marriages have to do with a well planned life?"

"One for the money,
two for the show,
three to get ready,
and four to go!"

 

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Following the Smoke Trail​

I just got through reading "The Three Brands." It really opened
my eyes to what seems to be the truth. But, it goes deeper for
me and, sad to say, brought no 'moment', but the reality that
all is not what it seems.

I grew up in smoke filled apartments; mom alone smoked 3 packs
of cigarettes a day. Everywhere we went, people smoked -
relatives, friends. There was smoking in theatres, restaurants
- even teachers smoked in school, though in their lounges.

Needless to say, I guess the reason I picked up my first
cigarette was because it was what adults did. And, I became
addicted. I've been smoking for 35 years.

I've tried to quit many times after I realized the consequences
of smoking. But, I guess it was too late. I remember how
irritated I got with the kids one time (they were under the age
of 5) and saw how I was treating them. I couldn't treat them
that way, so, I kept smoking, thinking it was better for them,
emotionally, then to give them a complex.

Without cigarettes I got cramps in my stomach, literally got
sick to the point of nausea, vomiting, headaches and the
jitters. How could I be a good mother like that?

Cigarettes killed my mother. But, neither of my grandmothers
smoked or drank - yet, one died of a stroke and the other of
liver disease.

I prayed, people laid their hands on me, I've requested prayer
during those early years, to no avail - for I had not the will
power to quit on my own.

Now, all three of my children smoke - even after I was diagnosed
with irreversible COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
We all know I will die from this and I still can't quit smoking.
Even the doctors tell me quitting smoking now will only make my
breathing slightly better.

I wonder if my addiction started from passive smoke. I've
drummed it into my kids that smoking is highly addictive, that
they shouldn't take that first cigarette - and they as children
were pretty much brainwashed on the taboo's of smoking -
warnings on cigarette labels, being taught the consequences of
it in schools as well as home, etc.

Yet, each and every one of them came home one day, smoking a
cigarette.

"The Three Brands" was well written. It's an admirable style
and a very persuasive piece that, hopefully, will bring to light
the true values of life.

One good thing about my life was that I didn't let cigarettes
spoil the value of mine. I am a Christian and raised all my
children in a Christian atmosphere. For that I am thankful.
I accept my fate and, hope, this helps break the chain of
addiction that these three brands can cause.

 

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]What even is a heat dome?
It’s a large area of high pressure in the atmosphere that parks above a region (rude) and traps heat beneath it for days at a time. Think: putting a lid on a pot of boiling water. The lid pushes the heat down and as it sinks, it compresses, gets even hotter, and has nowhere to go. ​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Heat domes also keep rain clouds from forming, since moist air has to rise high enough to condense, and nothing is rising on the dome’s watch. In already dry places, that means a higher wildfire risk on top of the sweat.[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]Is it the same thing as a heat wave?
Yes, and also no. [/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]A heat wave is a broader term for an extended period of hotter-than-normal temps in an area. A heat dome is one specific way to get a heat wave. Once it’s parked, it becomes a feedback loop of sinking hot air, sunny days, no rain, and… well, we all get real sweaty. [/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]In other words, every heat dome is a heat wave but not every heat wave is a heat dome, capiche?[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]How do heat domes form?
Blame the jet streams: fast-moving rivers of air in the atmosphere. [/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]They usually flow in unproblematic wavy lines, but sometimes they grow into big, slow loops and stall out. That stall allows high pressure to build, and the sinking-heating cycle takes it from there.[/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]How do you get rid of a heat dome?
You can’t… you just wait it out. [/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer]Eventually, the jet streams will correct themselves or another weather system will overpower them, but until then, be sure to stock up on ice cream and stay in the shade (oh, and make sure to [COLOR=revert-layer]drink tons of LMNT*). [/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
When we face major weather events like heat domes or severe storms, we’re reminded of our weakness. But our God is the creator of the weather, and He holds us by the hand. He will protect us and keep us. [/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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[COLOR=revert-layer][COLOR=revert-layer]“This is what God, the LORD, says—who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it—‘I am the LORD. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,’”
Isaiah 42:5-6 (CSB) (read full passage[COLOR=revert-layer])[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]​

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