Early Thanksgiving Proclamations

Happy Thanksgiving. 

 

 

The United States of America is a country blessed by Almighty God.  Our founding fathers knew and recognized the influence God had on this nation and the freedom it enjoyed.  It was there desire that the citizens of this God blessed land returns thanks to their God for his blessing on our nation.  Here are some of the early Thanksgiving Proclamations made by our national leaders.

 

Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

This is the text of George Washington's October 3, 1789 national Thanksgiving Proclamation; as printed in The Providence Gazette and Country Journal, on October 17, 1789.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington.



PEOPLE, Places, and Things in Recovery!

Everyone battling addiction has heard they need to change the people, places, and things in their lives.

It is easy to identify the places that need to be changed and usually easy to erase these from our lives.
For example, if you used to get drunk every day down at the corner bar, then it is not a good idea to go in there every day and sip on a Coke. This would be one of the “places” that you need to change.

Changing the people in our lives can be a different story. Many people start in addiction by the influence of friends and peers, and struggle to say "no" to these very same people. It may be that the only people you know are those associated with your addiction. So how do you change or at least limit the influence of these people?

Reformers Unanimous Principle #6 states; Those who do not love the Lord will not help me serve the Lord.

By applying this principle into our lives we will surround ourselves with people who love Jesus and help us to love Him as well. You cannot live completely isolated from people and God does not desire you to. The Lord has established a place where we can have friends and fellowship with people whose end goal is not to be their company in sinful activities. The place I am referring to is church. I know the church and specifically the people in church are not perfect, far from it, but they are striving to live life with God in His rightful place in their lives.

If you desire victory over addiction in your life, you will need to submit your will to God's and allow God to bring into your life new friends. Friends who will not lead you into sin, but help you live your life for Jesus Christ.

 John 15:18-20 (KJV) ¹⁸ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Proverbs 24:15-16 (KJV) ¹⁵ Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: ¹⁶ For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Proverbs 1:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) ¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Are you Addicted to Food?

Are you addicted to food?  Can someone be addicted to food?  How can you tell?  Yale University has put together a simple test to determine if one is addicted to food.  Follow the link, take the test, and determine if you have a food addiction.

Are you addicted to food?

Here is an article on Fox News that may be of interest as well.

7 Ways to Beat Your Food Addiction

 

An Example of the Fruit of the Spirit: Love

In Reformers Unanimous the curriculum teaches us the importance of yielding to God's Spirit in our lives.   The first fruit as listed in Galatians is love.  Love is defined as the willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of others without thought of return.

Here is a illustrated of such love:


God has a way of turning the deepest pain into victory. Because Ethiopian Christians faithfully ministered to a convicted murderer in jail, God brought salvation to Mohammed Ahmed, who was convicted of killing an evangelist named Tulu on February 2, 2005. Tulu was the fifth eldest child of eight, but suffered from an unidentified disease that made him physically weak and a slow learner. During July of 2001, Tulu accepted Christ and experienced God's healing hand. His health improved to such an extent that he was able to attend secondary school in a predominantly Muslim area in southern Ethiopia.

Tulu devoted time to prayer and studying the Word of God. He became known for his warmth and affection when witnessing about God's love to the community. However, some Muslim extremists did not appreciate the change in Tulu's life and attacked him with a spear five months after his conversion. Even though the spear penetrated his skull, after intensive treatment he miraculously recovered. "During this time," recalls his mother, "there were only four believers in our area, but through Tulu's persecution, 50 people came to know Christ as their Savior, including his father and me."

Mohammed confronted Tulu at a secondary school on that tragic day in 2005. Mohammed swung his machete and hit Tulu's throat with a single blow as he shouted the Jihad (Islamic) war cry: "Allahu Akbar!" The family tried to rush Tulu to a nearby clinic, but the young evangelist took his final breath and died en route. He was only 19 year old.

Two local church leaders in southern Ethiopia have permission to visit prisoners at least once a week. During such a visit, the church leaders approached Mohammed with a few words of encouragement. Though at first he was not receptive, the leaders continued to demonstrate God's unconditional love. As the leaders continued to invite him to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, he started to show interest. Because of their patience in sharing the gospel and their reassurance that they held no grudge against him, God's grace broke through and Mohammed accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord.

Mohammed confessed religious fanaticism, fanned by Muslim extremists, was the real reason for Tulu's murder. He sincerely regretted what happened. The two church leaders taught Mohammed and three other Muslim-background believers while in prison. On March 5, a little more than two years after the murder, Mohammed was baptized in the name of the God he once persecuted. The prison authorities escorted him and the other three prisoners to the church compound and witnessed their baptism. When the excited converts were asked to give their testimonies before being immersed, Mohammed made sure all the witnesses understood that he was being baptized in the name of the Almighty God, testifying of His redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Heroin: Purer, Cheaper, More Dangerous

While at Rockford, IL at the Reformers Unanimous International Conference I read an article in the USA Today newspaper applauding the government for reducing the number of people abusing prescription medications.  I certainly approve of all attempts to eradicate illegal drug use in our country. 

When I returned to good ol' Delaware, I was handed this article out of our local paper, The News Journal.

Heroin: Purer, Cheaper, More Dangerous

This article reminds me that the answer to addiction is not found in Washington.  The answer is not found in more government funded programs.  The answer is found in Jesus Christ!  John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man cometh to the Father, but by me.


 

Finish Strong!

 

It is important how we finish.  Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote to Timothy the following:

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

David Livingstone, the great missionary, wrote on his 59th birthday the following entry into his journal:

19th March, 1872. Birthday. Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties save the tie that binds me to Thy heart. My Jesus, my King, my life, my all, I again dedicate my whole self to Thee.
– from DAVID LIVINGSTONE (1813-1873)

Inscription: “This Engraving, for which I supplied the materials, represents my meeting with Dr. Livingstone at Ujiji, Lake Tanganyika; and is as correct as if the scene had been photographed.” – Henry Morton Stanley

 

 

 

Quotes for the Week

Quotes for the Week

 

He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.
Benjamin Franklin

We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. AW Tozer

 When I got saved I got such a jerk from Heaven, I've been out of step with the world ever since. Jack Hudson

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill

It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

No matter the Question: Jesus is the Answer

Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice.

"Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross, and then go and set your affections on the world if you can." ~ J.C. Ryle

"A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men." Leonard Ravenhill

 

Scottish Hebrides Revival of 1949

Scottish Hebrides Revival of 1949

In 1949 on the Scottish Hebrides islands was one of the greatest revivals the world has ever seen.  It was started when two elderly sisters (age 82 and 84) took to heart a challenge from their church leaders to examine their spiritual state and to petition God to send repentance before it was too late.

Peggy Smith was blind, her sister, Cristine was crippled with arthritis yet they prayed with fervor from 10 each night until 2 or 3 in the morning. Their main concern was the same concern that many shared in the church and that was a burden for the lack of spirituality in their teenagers. Peggy believed that God had revealed to her that He was going to send revival soon and she convinced her minister, James Murray MacKay to send to the mainland for Evangelist Duncan Campbell.

The rest of this story is on another site where it is transcribed from Duncan Campbell.  I am reminded of how much prayer makes a difference in our lives. It is a lengthy article and you may or may not agree with his doctrine.  However it is a fascinating first hand account of one of the greatest revivals the world has seen. Click and enjoy.

Scottish Hebrides Revival: Duncan Campbell's Testimony

 

Staying on the Straight and Narrow Path

 

I once heard a man say; If you don’t want to end up in Sin City, don’t get on the road leading to Sin City.  The reverse could be said as well.  If you want to live in Righteousville, travel on the road leading there.

 

Proverbs 4:26-27 (KJV) ²⁶ Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. ²⁷ Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

 

Here in Proverbs 4 the Word of God instructs us on the importance of the roads we travel in life.  Our walk is to be:

 

1.         A Planned Walk:

 

The word ponder in verse 26 means to weigh in our minds, to examine, to view with deliberation. It means to make a road flat and straight. 

 

The word way means a way, a journey, a course of life.

 

The word established means set, firmly fixed.  To be sure and firm.

 

The teaching here is clear.  We are to plan the steps of our life.  Each step in our course of life is to be firmly, carefully, and deliberately made.  Benjamin Franklin said; By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

 
Each decision we make should be viewed with the end result in mind. It should be viewed by where it will lead us. 
 
2.         A Perfect Walk:

Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left:

Our path, our way needs to be a righteous way.  Is it possible to live perfectly?  No, but we can establish a more perfect way of life.  We do not have to be enslaved to sin.  We do not have to walk on the path of sin. 

Our decisions should be based on right and wrong defined by God’s Word.  We should seek to do what is right and make our decisions on what Jesus would do. 

3.         A Protected Walk:

…remove thy foot from evil.

There are places we simply should not go.  I do not really see the need to define these places, as we know where we should not go.  The Scripture is teaching a protected walk.  A walk that is protected because there are places we no longer go.

How is your walk today?   Is it prepared?  Are you planning your day with God in mind? Are you planning to walk the path that God would have you walk?  Is your walk perfect?  Are you making decisions based on what is right and wrong?  Are your decisions Bible based?  Are you refusing to go to the places you should not go?  Are you planning, perfecting, and protecting your way of life? 

Ruling with Integrity

Ruling with Integrity

 

Proverbs 29:4 (KJV) ⁴ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Integrity should be the bedrock principle guiding the decisions of those in power. This includes politicians (wow, did I just type integrity and politician in the same paragraph!), and preachers. All three branches of our government should make decisions based on what is right, and what is best for this great country. The same should be said of the pastor of a New Testament church.
You do not have to study long on this subject to see a Biblical example of a great leader who began his rule with integrity and ended it in shame. Solomon was such a man. His early reign was marked with divine wisdom given to him by God. He was evident in the way he handled the case of the mother, the harlot, and the baby.

Within a year of his enthronement, Solomon had dealt with Shimei, Joab, and Abiathar and had executed Adonijah. Solomon had nipped in the bud any possibility of insurrection and everyone had seen the fairness of his dealings with these past and prospective troublemakers. His actions sent a strong message to the tribes that although he was a man of peace rather than a man of war like David, he was not to be trifled with.

Solomon built the temple with the money raised by David according to divine specifications and dedicated it with great pomp and ceremony. The nation had a central place of worship and the entire Levitical code could be upheld. The shekinah glory cloud hovered over the temple to signify to one and all that God was in residence, enthroned among His people. God was in His temple and all was well with the land.

Solomon would not continue to rule with integrity. The crack in his ruling armor began when he decided against the law of God to marry a pagan Egyptian women. God had clearly instructed the King concerning his conduct.

He shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:16-17).

Solomon broke all three principles God gave to Kings. It began with wives, continued with horses, and culminated with money.

Power and money can corrupt. We see it politically and we see it on occasion with preachers. Politically, may the Lord bring revival to those governing. In the pulpit, may the Lord remind us of our mission. We are to minister. We are here to build His kingdom. Integrity is needed.

Debate Over; We Win!

Debate Over; We Win!

 

by Pastor Curt

 

Proverbs 28:4 (KJV) ⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

 

Our relationship with the Word of God determines our attitude towards those whose lifestyle is contrary to God’s Word. If we live obediently to the Bible, we will contend (struggle in opposition, to debate, to dispute) with those who live disobediently. The opposite of true if one is forsaking (to quit or abandon) the Word of God. The disobedient will praise those who are also disobedient.

This is especially true today in society. Just turn on the TV and see the disobedient praising the disobedient. There is a great divide in this nation, and do not be deceived, it is a spiritual divide. It is a divide over the teachings of the Word of God. It is a divide over God and His rule in our land. It is a divide over good and evil. My Bible loving friend, stand strong today. Debate with a loving heart those who propagate anti Biblical thinking and lifestyles. Don’t give up, for as the old gospel song says; I’ve read the end of the book and we win!

7 Questions to ask Yourself when Facing Fear

Fear keeps many from doing all God has for them to do in life.  Fear keeps us in our comfort zone.  Fear clutches the status quo.  Fear keeps from acting in faith. Fear hinders our present and cripples our future.

Fear is the enemy of progress. Fear is the antagonist of pursuit. Fear is the foe of fulfillment in life.

What can we do about fear? How can we overcome the dreaded fear?

The God who created the universe with the spoken word, the God who hung the starts in place, the God who created us can give us the victory over fear.

Next time you are faced with a seemingly uncontrollable fear…

Ask yourself these 7 questions:

Is it a God-given or a man-made fear? - Fear is an emotion and God can use fear to keep you from harm. Is what you would be doing against God’s will for you or others? If it’s wrong to do, no wonder you are afraid. God may be trying to protect you. If you are continually making bad decisions in your life, you’ll likely live in fear. You may not even be able to understand the emotion, but in my experience, it’s one way God draws His children to Himself. Failure to walk by faith, which is a sin by the way, can also bring upon the emotion of fear. If you’re fear is from God…obey God! That’s your answer every time.

Is it a rational or an irrational fear? - Consider whether you are basing your fears on fact or fiction. Are you making up the scenario of what could go wrong or is the fear based on real information you have? Be honest with yourself here. If you’ve been making up the excuses, dismiss them and proceed.

Is it probable or improbable? - The truth is that most of what we fear never comes true. Our mind is capable of all kinds of worst-case scenarios that keep us from moving forward. We shouldn’t allow fear in things that will probably never even happen stop the progress God may want to bring in our life. The fact is you may fail, but remember, failure is a part of building life experience. Unless you know you’re going to fail (which is highly unlikely) I suggest you move forward.

Can anything be done to diminish the risk? - We should attempt to diminish fear through planning and preparation as much as possible. There is nothing wrong and everything right about being prepared. If your fear is based on a lack of preparation, get busy developing the systems and strategies to help you succeed.

Is what I fear necessary or unnecessary? - Is this something you must address? If it’s a conflict you’ve been avoiding, for example, the fear will only get stronger the longer you wait. The earlier you face the fear the more likely you’ll get positive results. Sooner or later, the fear must be faced. What better time than now?

Is the fear personal or impersonal? – Are you afraid of your abilities or the reaction of others? Do you wonder if you have what it takes? It’s only natural that a challenge would create an amount of fear…even a captivation with fear. Every act of courage means you ignore an aspect of fear. Don’t let your insecurities keep you from achieving your dreams.

Are you satisfied with the status quo? - I know it’s a hard question, but if fear is keeping you from moving forward, and you’ve answered the other questions, this may be the one. You need to strongly consider the repercussions of giving into your fear. It may mean you stand still. It may mean you go backwards. It may mean you never realize the dreams you have for your life or the calling God has placed upon you. Are you willing to live with that?

Fear and the Scripture:

God sure does love us.  He realized that at times man would be afraid, and accordingly provided 366 verses in Scripture concerning fear.  Here is a list of some of them:

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) ⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (KJV) ⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1 John 4:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV) ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:3-9 (KJV) ³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. ⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

1 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV) ²⁰ And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Psalm 27:1 (KJV) ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 56:3-4 (KJV) ³ What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ⁴ In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
 

Share your story. Have you allowed fear to keep you from realizing all God has for you? What would you add to my list?

A Love Letter to a Christian Wife

A Love Letter to a Christian Wife

Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) ²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

I read this letter this morning and truly thought the man was talking about my wife.  It expresses in words the sentiments many Christian men feel towards their Christian wives. To my precious wife, I love you!

Here is one of the tender love letters of our time, a husband to his wife, written from Los Angeles on August 11, 1963, two days before the couple's twentieth wedding anniversary:

How can I find words to express my appreciation for all you have meant to me. Your love and patience with me in my ups and downs... have meant more to me than you will ever know. Your counsel, advice, encouragement and prayer have been my mainstay—and at times I have almost clung to you in my weakness, in hours of obsession, problems and difficulties. "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the Lord."

One reason that in spite of my own lack of spirituality, discipline and consecration I have found favor of the Lord is because of you. I found a good wife and as a result, have found favor with God....It seems that in the recent months my capacity to love you has been increased—I did not think that age would bring greater and deeper love—but it has and is. I love the wife of my youth more every day! When we are apart, I miss you so much more than I used to. A week seems like a month. Yes,

I am thankful to God for you. What a wonderful helpmeet He provided—certainly our marriage was planned in Heaven. I am thankful for the five precious children you bore me—each one a bundle of joy. And what a wonderful mother you have been to them! No child ever had a greater mother than our children. You may compare yourself to Susanna Wesley and think you are a failure—but she did not rear her family in a modern, secular society. For our generation you are near perfection. The letter was addressed to Ruth Bell Graham from her husband, Billy.

Quotes of the Week

Christ is the light; without Him people are always in the dark." ~ J.C. Ryle

“Steady, my boys, steady!”
Many years ago the most famous all male Ivy League Prep schools in England began a long and painful process of expelling one by one, students who were caught cheating in an infamous cheating ring. Famous fathers from all over Britannia were writing and wiring their sons indignant letters warning them of the shame and disgrace they would bring to their father’s name if they were one of the ones caught in the investigation. One trusting and upright father who was blessed to have an equally upright son, wired the lad four simple but sublime non-accusatory and words: “Steady, my boy, steady”.
Across our sector of Christendom panic is breaking out over those who are caught cheating. I speak to the myriad of upright and pure youth; I say to the pristine, moral majority, “Steady, my boys, steady”! “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD...” (Psalm 24:3-5a).

 

An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children." AW Tozer

More [people] fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent. -Billy Sunday

Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible." — C.T. Studd

No man was ever glorious who was not laborious.     Benjamin Franklin

A wise man thinks all he says; a fool says all he thinks.

"Let us strive to realize every day our need of the grace and presence of Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing at all." ~ J.C. Ryle

If you think little of a person, you ought to say as little as you think. –Benjamin Franklin

The true Christian delights to hear something about their Master. They like those sermons best which are full of Christ." ~ J.C. Ryle

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln

Cancer Part 5

Cancer Part 5 by Dr. George T. Crabb When King David experienced healing from the hand of God, he lifted his heart in praise, declaring, "O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me." Psalm 30:2. We should be lifting our hearts to God on a daily basis. We need to cry out to Him for help whenever we need it. Our Heavenly Father may choose to heal us according to His will or it may be His will not to heal us. Regardless of the path that God has for us, we desire His will to be done and for His kingdom to be advanced. As we seek the Lord daily through Bible reading and study along with prayer and Bible meditation it would be wise for us to consider some kind of detoxification of the body to make us as strong as possible physically. So let's delve into the detoxification process in this blog. It is such an important part of our body's cancer-fighting arsenal, and we can learn to support and strengthen it. Just as we take out the trash on a routine basis, so your body must remove the various wastes and impurities from its system. This detoxification process is happening consistently, primarily through the liver. The liver is our most important body organ for detoxifying all the harmful chemicals we take in on a daily basis. In light of this information we must be sure to maintain our liver's health to help us win the war against cancer (if it be God's will). Damage to our liver can result from drinking alcohol, being overweight, abusing drugs or chemicals or eating an improper diet. Along with detoxification, the liver has important functions in body metabolism, such as aiding in digestion and energy production. Without the liver detoxifying our bodies, we would be filled with toxins like ammonia, metabolic waste products, insecticide residues and other harmful chemicals. So we depend heavily on our liver for good health. The substances that support the detoxifying process of the liver are many. The first I would like to talk about is called glutathione. It is the most abundant antioxidant in our bodies, manufactured from whey protein, glutamine, n-acetyl-cysteine and cruciferous vegetables among other things. Glutathione also recycles antioxidants such as Vitamins C & E, and it is extremely important in immune system function. Another important substance to help our liver with the detoxification process is milk thistle. Also called wild artichoke or Mary thistle, it is a unique flavonoid and antioxidant containing potent liver- protecting substances. The active ingredient in milk thistle is Silymarin. Milk thistle can be taken as a capsule in the amount of 200mg three times a day. You must give it at least eight weeks before determining its usefulness. Zinc is an essential mineral found in oysters, crabmeat, beef, liver, eggs, poultry and whole wheat bread, among other sources. Its main importance to liver function is this: It protects the liver from chemical damage. After all, with all the garbage that passes through your liver every day, it needs some help to keep itself healthy. Zinc can be taken in the dose of 30mg a day. NOTE: Be cautious with zinc consumption. If you take both iron and zinc, do so at different times, since they interfere with each other. Also, taking zinc at high doses can depress the immune system. Now, a final word about detoxification. Remember that we are whole persons, more than mere bodies. According to I Thessalonians 5:23, we are spirit, soul and body. We are called to stay pure in our spirit and soul, too. How can we do it without first yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God and then meditating upon the Word of God day and night? I have written of the trash so marvelously cleansed from our bodies by liver function. But the Bible also speaks of a cleansing of spirit and soul. Let this be a comfort to you! It is God through His indwelling Holy Spirit who cleans us up inside, because we have no power to do it ourselves. That's good news; when the Great Physician comes in and detoxifies us, He does a perfect job - Psalm 51:7 & I John 1:9.

What is the Problem? (Part 1)

What is the Problem?

The individuals that come out to Reformers Unanimous come with a wide variety of needs.  Some come for support for past problems of addiction to alcohol, drugs etc.  Others come because presently they are dealing with varied addictions.  Many, many times I have heard the statement; my problem is___________________.  You can fill in the blank with addictions like heroin, cocaine, crack, alcohol, prescription medications, or destructive behaviors such as pornography and cutting. 

I want to make a strong and somewhat stunning proclamation; your problem is not your addiction!  Addiction is merely the symptom; the problem is the underlying reasons why you began this behavior in the first place and why you continue with this behavior today.  Your addiction was and continues to be your self-chosen answer to the underlying problems and the pain caused by them.  Addiction becomes your coping mechanism.

These underlying problems may be physical, physiological, spiritual, or a combination of the three.  When the underlying problem(s) are discovered and dealt with according to the truth of God’s Word, the need for alcohol, drugs, destructive behavior disappears.  

The underlying problems may be physical.  Many have come with addictions to prescription meds that began and/or continue because of physical pain.  Physical pain is unpleasant, and needs to be managed. 

My first bit of advice to all is; do not make opiate based pain killers your first choice in pain management.  Today, doctors routinely prescribe opiates as the first option for pain management.  Let me give you an example. My son, Dave, recently had all his wisdom teeth extracted.  The doctor immediately prescribed an opiate based pain medication for post operative pain management.  My wife, in agreement with our son, asked the doctor if there was a non-opiate based pain medication that could be prescribed.  The initial response was no.  After some deliberation and scolding from a nurse, the doctor agreed to prescribe Motrin 800 and write an opiate based (Oxycontin) prescription just in case it was needed.  Dave only needed the Motrin for 1 ½ days and never needed the Oxycontin medication. 

Three days after Dave had his wisdom teeth extracted; a man came to me with an addiction to prescription medication that began when the doctor prescribed an opiate based pain killer post operatively for wisdom teeth extractions.  
This is not to say there is not a need at times for opiate based pain killers.  There is, but do not make it your first choice in pain management. 
My second bit of advice is this; find a doctor who is committed to finding the solution.  The solution is not spending the rest of your life on opiate based pain medication (I do realize in some rare instances this may be the only course of action).   Find a doctor who will explore all possibilities and is not content with just writing you a prescription once per month.  It is only fair to inject here that this needs to be your goal as well.

There are other physical problems which may be an underlying reason for addiction.  Other physical problems may be anemia, hypothyroidism, and mental illnesses such as bi-polar disorder or multiple personality disorder.  Another free bit of advice to all is: go to the doctor and get a complete physical.  Confide in your doctor and allow him/her to give you a complete physical examination.
As we conclude part 1 of What is the Problem?, may I add this disclaimer.  I am not a doctor and the comments and advice given here is merely my opinion based on my reading and interaction with those suffering in addiction.  As always, before you make any medical decision, you should consult with your doctor.

In part 2 I will address other underlying reasons for addiction. 

There is a book I am reading that may be of help to some.  It is available on amazon.com and is entitled; Your Drug may be Your Problem by Dr. Peter Breggin and David Cohen.

Protect Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23-27 (KJV) ²³ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ²⁴ Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. ²⁵ Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. ²⁶ Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. ²⁷ Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Keep:               protect, watch over, guard, keep in view.  This is the act of protecting.

Heart:              the inner man, our thoughts and desires, the soul, the mind, will, and                            emotions of man.

Diligence:        constant effort, care, attend to, watch guard.

God is instructing us to protect our thoughts and desires constantly watching what enter our hearts. God explains why in the latter part of verse 23.

Out of it:         Our heart, our inner man, our soul.

Issues of Life: offspring, outgoings.

This verse is indicating that what we allow to enter into our hearts eventually comes out in our actions.  Our actions are influenced by our thoughts, desires, and emotions. 

In verses 24-27, God gives specific instruction on how to keep our hearts. 

1.         Watch what you say.

I have two thoughts on the froward mouth and perverse lips mentioned in verse 24.  First, the word froward and perverse have similar meanings.  They both mean crooked or perverted.  Here God is indicating that our speech subjects should be guarded.  We should not allow ourselves to be drawn into conversations where the subject matter is unbiblical or sinful.  Our speech should not be dirty or disgusting.  It should not be filled with gossip, slander, or lies.  Second, our speech should be true.  Plain and simple once we begin telling lies, we start believing our own lies.  I heard a preacher one time say we are hung by the tongue.  I am not completely sold on the doctrinal accuracy of the statement, but have recognized that bad behavior is excused and rationalized in the words we speak.  All of our speech should be contrasted to the truth of God’s Word. 

2.         Watch what you look at.

In verse 25 God instructs us to guard what we look at.   We follow our sight.  What we look at and focus upon is the path we follow.  If our eyes are fixed on the pleasure of this world, then the pleasure of this world becomes our path in life.  If our eyes are fixed on the material things of life, then materialism becomes our path in life.  If our eyes are fixed on the sinful, the sinful becomes our path in life.  God is instructing us to keep our eyes, our focus upon the path of wisdom.  Remember, wisdom is living the Bible.  It is living according to God’s plan for our lives.  If wisdom is our focus, then wisdom becomes our path in life.

3.         Watch where you go.

In verse 26 and 27 God instructs us to guard where we go.  Keep in mind; there are places the Christian should not go and places where they should go.  Each and every day God has a will for us.  Many times sin occurs when we are not at the place God would have us be.    For example, how many times does sin occur because we are not at the place we should be?  You miss work, skip church, brush off your recovery meeting, push to the side your journaling time with God without understanding that God’s will usually involves a place.  Stay in your place!  Watch your schedule.  Ponder your steps.

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) ²³ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Cancer (Part 4)

Cancer Part 4

by Dr. George T. Crabb

Over the past three weeks we have discussed several items that can help all of us lead a healthier and happy life. I do want to mention that even if you follow the best diet and exercise and keep your physical body in the best shape possible that we are still dealing with a corruptible body that will become diseased and for all of us one day taste of death, save the rapture. Although we pay attention to our bodies, and rightfully so, we must not forget about our spiritual walk with our Saviour. Our spiritual walk is the foundation of our life now and our eternal life that we have through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Now for today's blog:

First I would like to talk with you today about a wonderful substance that God has created for our health and disease prevention. Glutamine is one of the most remarkable substances God created. It is the most abundant amino acid, found in muscle tissue, blood and spinal fluid. It is the only amino acid that easily passes through the blood into the brain. Glutamine, a powerful antioxidant, is extremely important to immune system function because it increases natural killer cell activity. It also inhibits the harmful prostaglandin PGE2. I recommend taking approximately 1,000mg of L-glutamine thirty minutes before each meal.

Glutamine supplements are available but you can get it by eating certain raw plants, such as spinach and parsley. It should not be taken by persons with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, Reye's syndrome or any type of disorder that can result in the accumulation of ammonia in the blood. Be certain to consult with a physician before taking this or any other supplement.

Secondly, please remember to take your vitamins. Certain vitamins are extremely important for immune system function and cancer prevention. Here are some recommendations to follow:

Vitamin A 5,000 IU a day
Beta Carotene 25,000 IU a day
Vitamin C 500-1,000mg 2-3x a day
Folic Acid 800-1,000mcg a day
Vitamin E 400 IU a day

Thirdly, we must make sure we are getting the proper minerals in our diet. Certain minerals are critical for your immune function. Both zinc and selenium are extremely important for strong immune functioning. Strive to consume at least 200 mcg of selenium per day.

Calcium is another mineral that may prevent cancer from developing. It is especially important in preventing colon cancer. Calcium can bind to very toxic acids and help remove them from the body. This decreases the amount of toxins exposed to the lining of the colon. The general recommendation is to consume 1,000mg a day for pre-menopausal women and 1,500mg per day for post-menopausal women.

IP6, known as inositol hexaphosphate, has strong antitumor functions. It may be able to cause cancer cells to mature and behave in a way that is similar to normal cells. IP6 is also able to strengthen our immunity and boost the activity of our natural killer cells. This powerful antioxidant comes from whole-grain cereals, legumes and soybean seeds. It resides in the bran layer of rice and wheat seeds. In corn, it is found in the germ portion of the kernel.

Finally, shark cartilage has also been shown to be beneficial in both the prevention and treatment of cancer. It apparently inhibits angiogenesis, both in test-tube conditions and in living organisms.

Fourthly, we need to speak about the importance of herbs. Certain herbs have potent anticancer effects. Rosemary prevents formation of the dangerous prostaglandin PGE2 and promotes the phase two detoxification enzymes in the liver. Rosemary has also been shown to prevent cancer-causing chemicals from binding to the DNA in cells, thus inhibiting tumors.

Another important herb is curcumin, which prevents formation of the dangerous prostaglandin PGE2. It blocks the formation of cancers at all stages of development. Take 300mg of curcumin per day, or for an even greater effect, take it three times a day.

Milk thistle is another potent herb, also known as Silymarin. You can take milk thistle at a dose of 175mg, two times a day.

In next week's blog, I will discuss an appropriate way to detox and also draw this topic on cancer to a close.

Quotes of the Week

Quotes of the Week

Destinies are made by decisions, decisions are made by desires, desires are made by devotions. 

"'Not called!' did you say?
'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.
Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world. — William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

"God was the first ever missionary when in Genesis 3:8 he went out in search of two sinners who had rebelled against Him in order to bring them back into fellowship with Him." -- Eddy Ho

"The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time" — Carl F. H. Henry

"Worship is why we are born and why we are born again." AW Tozer

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. -Albert Einstein

 The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

People may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a holy life." ~ J.C. Ryle

Kill my envy, command my tongue, trample down self. Give me grace to be holy, kind, gentle, pure, peaceable. - Puritan Prayer

"People fall in private long before they fall in public." ~ J.C. Ryle

Cancer (Part 3)

Cancer - Part 3 by Dr. George T. Crabb We have covered a lot of ground over the last two blogs. What I have mentioned are general guidelines for you to consider and research for your own life. The guidelines that I give are to facilitate a healthier lifestyle. I encourage you to seek out medical advice if you have specific questions that relate to you or a loved one. Now for today's blog: No doubt you have heard, time and again, about the dangers of a high-fat, high-sugar, high-sodium diets when it comes to your overall health. But did you know that certain diets are linked to an increased incidence of cancer? This is especially true for the high-fat diet, which is strongly related to colon, rectal, and prostate cancers. There's real hope here, though, because you can definitely reduce the risk of cancer by sticking to a diet that includes high proportions of fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans while limiting the amounts of red meats, dairy products, and other high fat foods. When we eat this healthier diet, we naturally build a strong immune system that defends against cancer. Here's how it happens: We know that hormone-like compounds (prostaglandins) greatly affect our immune systems. (When most people hear the word hormone, they think of sex hormones, such as estrogen. However, the human body has hundreds of hormones that regulate everything from thyroid function to blood sugar levels.) Many different forms of prostaglandins exist; some are beneficial, and some are extremely detrimental. PGE2 is a bad one. PGE2 is a dangerous prostaglandin linked to the formation of prostate, colon and breast cancers. The intake of too much polyunsaturated fat, such as safflower oil, corn oil and sunflower oil will cause an increase of PGE2. A high level of PGE2 can then increase the risk of these forms of cancer. Also, eating insufficient amounts of fish oils, flaxseed oil and essential fatty acids like omega-3 will also cause an increase of PGE2. Conversely, extremely low-fat or no-fat diets tend to increase the PGE2 in our bodies, too. That's why the right balance of essential fatty acids is so crucial. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 cannot be manufactured in the body and must be consumed either through diet or supplements. EFAs help the body repair and create new cells. Omega-3, in particular, is also apparently effective in limiting the spread of cancer. Clearly, EFAs like omega-3 are incredibly beneficial. Here are some omega-3 foods to include in your diet as a way to help prevent and battle cancer: raw nuts (walnuts), flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, fish, (salmon, mackerel, halibut, tuna, herring and cod) and fish oil. Obviously, it's important to know which fats to eat and which ones to avoid when it comes to preventing those harmful prostaglandins I mentioned above. In my desire to keep things simple and practical for you, I'm going to focus on just a few of good fats to pursue in your nutritional plan. These would be olive oil and coconut oil. Believe it or not they can help you fight cancer. Olives and olive oil contain a substance called squalene, which has anticarcinogenic effects. Whenever you have to stir-fry, try using extra-virgin olive oil. Let me draw this section to a conclusion: First, eat fish. Remember that the healthiest fats you can eat are the omega-3 fatty acids, which come primarily from cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, halibut, and cod. My second word of advice is to double dose with flaxseed oil every day. This oil is extremely high in the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid. Freshly ground flax seeds contain a type of fiber called lignin, which also has anticancer effects. It acts similar to soy in inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone or other hormones to estrogen.

Quotes for the Week

Quotes for the Week

Mark Twain said, if you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything!

 Someone has said, a lie may take care of the present, but it has no future. 

 Vincent DePaul said, humility is nothing but truth, and lying is nothing but pride.

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.  Thomas Edison

We can never make too much of Christ.  He is worthy of all the honor we can give Him. 

JC Ryle

Don’t limit your future by a poor choice in the present.

You don’t have to continue to be as you are, you can be different.  In God’s hands you are pliable like clay.  AW Tozer

God allows trials in our lives because we have a strong core of inner pride and self sufficiency that works to our long-term detriment.  Robert Morgan

The more fascinated we become with the toys of this world the more we forget that there’s another world to come.  AW Tozer

 As for me, I have braved the sneer of men because I feared the frown of my Lord.   Charles H. Spurgeon