JasRandal (Matheny)

Good and bad: BibleGateway adds Reformation Study Bible

2012-03-02T15:02:00.001-03:00

BibleGateway has made the Reformation Study Bible available on its site. On the one hand, it's another resource that, judiciously used, can be helpful, but it is unfortunate, for being tendentious, for a Bible site.

I've asked several times where the Bible version sites are that offer only the Bible. I know of only one so far: the NLT which also offers a great, short URI for Twitter posting.

So I'd like to urge brethren and especially House to House, who have started up a Bible site, to work in this direction. The latter has only the KJV and ASV — neither ideal choices, though we understand why they have them: they're copyright-free.

Perhaps others don't feel the reluctance I do about linking to sites with teaching material I disagree with. (As I recall, that's part of the reason that HTH started up HTHBible.) So perhaps not everyone will feel the disadvantage I do to BibleGateway's addition of the RSB.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

28-02: Brazilians support pioneer missions

2012-03-02T11:24:00.001-03:00

gospeak28-02.pdf Download this file

Brazilian churches are assuming more responsibility for mission efforts. Read more in the GoSpeak missions ministry report released today. (Year 28, no. 2, for Feb. 2012.)

Who said you can’t evangelize through the Internet? The Lord used the church site to reach seekers. Read this and other stories in the newsletter.

The report is attached. Blessings on your service to the Lord. —Randal

Posted via email from GoSpeak

Cloudburst background: 'O Gracious Light'

2012-03-01T22:40:00.001-03:00

I still can't access my personal site, so here on the Posterous blog goes the background post to today's Cloudburst Poetry offering, "O Gracious Light."

Lately, I've been doing a number of lyrics for songs. So today's poem may wind up on some sheet music before long as well. But first the Cloudburst subscribers get it.

As I mentioned in the email, the list server is down, too (the sky is falling!), so I sent it straight to the addresses on the list. I get a weekly email report of those, so I have them tucked away for days such as these.

The first stanza, of four, is below, and was suggested to me by text somewhere in some Daily Office or Common Prayer, which I can't find right at the moment. I reproduced "everliving" as it was in the text, so don't bicker with me on that.

O gracious light, so pure and bright,
The Father everliving;
O Lord so blessed, the Christ of rest,
The Son of God is giving.

Not a syllable too many, and none missing.

The poem was written on Leap Day. Appropriate, no?

Before long, I may be moving the Cloudburst site, so take a gander at the old one before it goes into virtual oblivion. Check out the FAQ and why I don't publish the Cloudburst list on the Internet.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Little Lights

2012-02-29T13:32:00.001-03:00

For Samantha Kelley

Thank God for little lights,
When all the world goes sour,
A candle on the darkest of nights,
A glimpse for only an hour.

Leap Day, 2012

Posted via email from Christian Poets

The advantage of the left hand

2012-02-27T10:57:00.001-03:00

Look at your keyboard ― What does QWERTY stand for? Is it a word? | The Hot Word | Hot & Trending Words Daily Blog at Dictionary.com on Dictionary

Did you know that with the QWERTY keyboard thousands of English words can be spelled using only the left hand, but only a couple hundred can be composed with the right?

Poor right-handers.

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Praises Peal

2012-02-26T21:06:00.001-03:00

Among God's people praises peal,

Where Jesus reigns, and change is real;

The blessed Holy Spirit dwells

In hearts where adoration swells;

Both joy and pardon outward roll,

To touch and heal the wayward soul.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

A 'carnist' farmer reviews a vegetarian book

2012-02-25T12:45:00.001-02:00

review: Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows by raybowman on The Farmer Feeds Us All

Melanie Joy writes this book from a vegetarian perspective, but it’s not as preachy as you’d expect. Instead, Dr. Joy examines ideological and ethical viewpoints of both vegetarians and meat-eaters, which she labels carnists. It’s a bit of a pejorative, but I’ll cut her some slack on that.

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Informational Brazil email list deleted

2012-02-24T17:40:00.001-02:00

Not even my mother will find this post interesting. I'm just working through my sadness, but glad of the sign of progress that it represents.

Posted via email from GoSpeak

The Chipmunks alter-egos

2012-02-24T16:18:00.001-02:00

♲ fabdo dostmusik

#chive #fun

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Rick writes poignantly on grief

2012-02-24T16:06:00.001-02:00

Wearing grief | Root Downward, Fruit Upward

Some days you forget you are wearing it. But on rainy days, it gets wet and heavy, and you just wish you could find a way to dry off. Some weeks, it rains every day; in better weeks, perhaps only a few.

Beautiful words, that will sweep you along.

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I heard it coming before I smelled it

2012-02-24T15:28:00.001-02:00

I heard it coming before I smelled it. Unusual, since I usually smell it in the air first. The clothes were drying on the line, pretty much dry. (We don't have an mechanical dryer.) So I ran out and pulled them off just as the rain started falling. Maybe I saved most of them. Got a bit wet myself. Had to leave the flip-flops outside. But I love the cool rain. You'll hear no complaints from me.

The Missus and The Maiden are out buying groceries and some birthday presents. Reckon The Missus will kiss me for being a good hubbie?

#familylife

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What to do with doubts?

2012-02-24T15:16:00.001-02:00

Do what John the Baptist did: take them to the Lord Jesus Christ. http://is.gd/doubt_out #doubt

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The Prophet Weeps

2012-02-23T20:23:00.001-02:00

The people love their sin, the prophet weeps,

He knows that judgment falls, and so he speaks—

The whirlwind comes! The seed one sows one reaps,

'Tis not the God who roars the nation seeks,

She serves the idol who overlooks her deeds;

Upon herself the havoc Zion wreaks,

She thought herself immortal, but she bleeds.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Most popular poem on my website

2012-02-23T07:32:00.001-02:00

According to the stats, the most popular poem on my personal site is the Cloudburst offering, "Hospitality." Except that for the Cloudburst list, rarely do I post an entire poem. (Here's why.) My posts usually share something about the background or structure of the work. On this particular post, I shared the first of three stanzas.

Question: should I now publish, after three years of writing the poem, the entire work online? Do I hear a yes?

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

In Endless Praise

2012-02-20T11:54:00.001-02:00

In endless praise the angels sing,

Around the glorious crystal throne;

To worlds away they take their wing,

No mortal saint will stand alone.

At God's right hand the Savior reigns,

Till comes the day to crown his plan;

The dragon rants below in chains,

As feet move fast to rescue man.

The Spirit dwells through faith for peace,

Possessing, his both heart and hands;

While mountains stand he'll never cease

To lead his church to farthest lands.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Get Quick Bible Truths by email

2012-02-18T16:15:00.001-02:00

"Follow" Quick Bible Truths, upper right corner at link, and get the short thoughts by email. http://quickbibletruths.com

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Google tracks Safari users

2012-02-18T15:53:00.001-02:00

Google got caught tracking Safari browser users. They don't give up. http://is.gd/google_track #google #safari

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Podnosh thinks big 3 are WP, Blogger and Posterous

2012-02-18T10:21:00.001-02:00

Three of the most popular free blogging platforms we encourage people to use are WordPress, Blogger (owned by Google) and Posterous.

via podnosh.com

Glad to see Posterous getting the attention I think it deserves.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Target targets customers

2012-02-17T11:48:00.001-02:00

How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did. (Forbes)

Yet another reason to cut up credit cards and pay cash. Privacy is no more. The more you buy, the more businesses and government are able to profile you.

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BrazilKids children's home baptizes 5

2012-02-16T15:01:00.001-02:00

gospeak28-01.pdf Download this file

See the PDF document for this and other news of the GoSpeak mission effort in Brazil and around the world.

Our apologies if you get more than one copy of this document or notice. We're making an effort to be sure that all supporters get the word.

Posted via email from GoSpeak

Outline on what to pray for

2012-02-16T12:09:00.001-02:00

Pray for others, for knowledge, for wisdom, says J.D. Wright, who shares his sermon outline for Colossians 1.9-10. Material on prayer catches my eye, since it's something I have to work hard on. On preachersfiles.com #prayer

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Far beyond our dreams: meditation and readings

2012-02-16T11:28:00.001-02:00

God answers the prayers of the righteous in marvelous ways. Read this translation from the Portuguese meditation site. Today's devotional comes from Luke 1, as we start the third gospel in our daily Bible readings. Why not join along? We're following a plan for slow readers: one chapter a weekday.

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Mom hops on moving bus, saves driver, kids

2012-02-16T10:49:00.001-02:00

ALBUQUERQUE, NM- School bus driver has seizure, mom runs after moving bus, hops on, stops bus. #heroics #supermom

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With Fragile Soul

2012-02-14T17:12:00.001-02:00

With fragile soul, let me not flee

To facile fixes, from troubles free,

To easy answers, in search of peace,

That frantic quest for quick release.

All pain and suffering may I feel,

At wrong and ruin, let me reel,

The weight of sin, the shame of strife,

The love of self, the lonely life.

Let Satan's fever wrack my soul,

The bald pretense my bitter bowl,

Man's vile abasement my sweat of blood,

My sorrowful cup, the abusing flood.

Compassion, Lord, from heaven to me,

In the midst of fullest agony,

The world's worst crimes are mine to bear,

I do not ask to save or spare.

Let love be strong, and truth be clear,

Transgressors tremble, the righteous fear,

Let the power of sin not be denied:

The Christ between two sinners died.

Shall we attribute this to UPLift or Cloudburst? You choose.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Americans spend on Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:52:00.001-02:00

"Today is Valentine's Day, which means Americans are about to spend an average of $103 per person (2010 figure) on massive amounts of chocolate, flowers, cards and assorted stuff which proclaims our undying love." —PreachingNOW

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Poem: Get Serpent Savvy

2012-02-13T13:07:00.001-02:00

Alliterative poem on spiritual warfare. http://wp.me/pbYlo-1ht #poetry

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To Speak of Love

2012-02-11T15:29:00.001-02:00

To speak of love just seems to cheapen it,

Though nothing in this world could weaken it,

Because you want to hear, I'm speakin' it,

I love you, I love you, I love you.

For pleasure to your ears I'm admitting it,

Declaring it again, are you getting it?

So every day I'm recommitting it,

I love you, I love you, I love you.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

A new poem about the world running down

2012-02-10T19:06:00.001-02:00

Poem: In Wings and Walls. With a neat pic. 5 stanzas about deterioration of creation. http://2.ly/qavq

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To God belongs the power forever

2012-02-10T14:47:00.001-02:00

God's got it, and God gives it to his people. http://wp.me/pbYlo-1h9 #Bible #success

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N.H. votes for open source

2012-02-10T09:00:00.001-02:00

State of New Hampshire votes for open source. Legislature requires state agencies to consider open source software for all new acquisitions. http://is.gd/2qg35H

h/t @fabdo dostmusik

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Server back up

2012-02-08T11:52:00.001-02:00

The server for BNc, FMag, and my blog are back up. Please visit at will, and let your praise be effusive.

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Our server is down for the moment, so count off the seconds

2012-02-08T10:45:00.001-02:00

So that means that BNc, FMag, my blog are all down. But give it a few minutes, ought to be back up. But TFR, Christian Hub, GoSpeak, and others are going strong, since they're not (yet) on our server.

Ironic that I just sent the cash in yesterday to renew our server for another six months.

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Meditação: Eu, fazer isso? Nem pensar!

2012-02-08T10:20:00.001-02:00

Eu, fazer isso? Nem pensar! « Deus Conosco on Deusconosco

A Bíblia parece ser uma obra antiquada para muitos, seus preceitos e perspectivas refletindo uma cultura ultrapassada e, portanto, inferior aos conceitos modernos e evoluídos. É importante frisar a diferença entre uma caricatura de religião ...

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Back on Friendica

2012-02-07T18:20:00.001-02:00

Back on Friendica for a time. Missed not being here. Much to do outside, mag to edit and publish, classes to prepare for and give, old projects to pick up and finish.

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Thought, Deed, and Motive

2012-01-20T11:16:00.001-02:00

Think James 2 and Matthew 7

Not just the thought, nor good intent,

And less the wish but vaguely formed,

None count for ought; how well we meant,

But little we did: "Be filled and warmed!"

For man and God, the pan is proof,

The bowl and spoon for a brother's need,

The covering shirt and sheltering roof,

Supplied and fitting, with prudent speed;

The time is past to stay aloof,

The hour demands the proper deed.

But even the deed alone falls short,

(The act can hide the simmering lie);

God cares to see, in sovereign court,

Within the heart, the reason why.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

The Prayer of Faith

2012-01-16T09:46:00.001-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny

From reading Mark 11

Begone, O mountain, to the sea!

By faith the King has giv'n to me

His boundless power in ev'ry prayer

To whisk the boulders through the air.

Away with fear, and drown all doubt,

By high command, with prayers devout;

Go far from sight whatever bars

The soul from God above the stars.

The Sovereign rides upon a colt,

To sue for peace, divine revolt,

Who in the temple looks and leaves,

Who sweeps away the den of thieves.

Among the limbs he looks for fruit,

In woe, he withers leaf and root;

The Lord removes religion's theft,

Gives life to Jacob's remnant left.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Poem: The Stuff of Dreams

2012-01-13T23:40:00.003-02:00

Now and again when I close my eyes,
I enter a world of nonsense rules;
Where fears are large, and threads are loose,
The stuff of dreams, and food for fools.

#poetry

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Poem: The Stuff of Dreams

2012-01-13T23:40:00.001-02:00

Now and again when I close my eyes,
I enter a world of nonsense rules;
Where fears are large, and threads are loose,
The stuff of dreams, and food for fools.

#poetry

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Over 1000 words today

2012-01-13T23:32:00.001-02:00

You don't care, I know, but I topped writing 1000 words again today distributed among several projects

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Happiness

2012-01-13T22:23:00.003-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny

The will of God is man's delight,

The Spirit's fullness never less;

Man's joy to see the Kingdom's height,

The work of Christ his happiness.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Happiness

2012-01-13T22:23:00.001-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny

The will of God is man's delight,

The Spirit's fullness never less;

Man's joy to see the Kingdom's height,

The work of Christ his happiness.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

The winning slogan

2012-01-02T09:50:00.001-02:00

I won the contest. http://2.ly/p92d #slogans

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Happy new year!

2011-12-31T23:42:00.001-02:00

As Brazil counts down the minutes to midnight, I wish a very happy new year to all, and the blessings of God on you and yours.

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Writing goals for the new year

2011-12-29T19:53:00.001-02:00

Yesterday, I wrote 2163 words; today, 1420 on 2 separate projects. Goal for 2012 is to write 1000/day. Is a can-do.

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Christmas breakfast

2011-12-25T08:46:00.001-02:00

Blueberry muffins and Twinning's Earl Grey tea for Christmas breakfast. Very fine! Then off to teach Mt 28.18-20.

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Post from Friendica

2011-12-25T08:18:00.001-02:00

A blessed Christmas and new year that takes you closer to God. http://randalmatheny.com (photo)

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Aggresive posting against animal cruelty

2011-12-22T18:54:00.001-02:00

Recently there's been a marked increase in FB posts about animal cruelty. Is there some campaign about?

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A poem by Martin Luther

2011-12-22T07:57:00.001-02:00

Translated, of course. This was posted by Greg Tidwell on Facebook, so I imagine it's genuine. No title was given for it.

by Martin Luther

Feelings come and feelings go,

And feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God—

Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned

For want of some sweet token,

There is One greater than my heart

Whose word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging word

Till soul and body sever,

For, though all things shall pass away,

His word shall stand forever!

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Poem: Then There Was Evening

2011-12-20T10:06:00.001-02:00

Not my usual style, but on one of my favorite topics, time, specifically evening. http://2.ly/p9ug #poetry

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When Death Breathes Down Your Neck

2011-12-17T10:39:00.001-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny

When death breathes down your neck, you feel

The meaning of life, the crushing burden of sin,

And then it passes on, and rather than kneel

For mercy, you, cheating the Grim Reaper, grin.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Learn how

2011-12-16T13:35:00.001-02:00

Quote by Picasso, + watercolor, starts off today's devotional, ends with Christ and DOING. http://2.ly/p9s2

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Just When All Seemed Smooth

2011-12-15T17:09:00.001-02:00

Just when all seemed smooth, appeared

The pebble in the road,

But when for our success we feared,

Came Christ to carry my load.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

The March of Thoughts

2011-12-09T22:24:00.001-02:00

The march of thoughts across the mind,

The mental map of sacred war;

We do not enter the conflict blind:

Christ fought these battles long before.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

27-12: Daniel baptized

2011-12-09T17:45:00.001-02:00

gospeak27-12.pdf Download this file

On the GoSpeak.org website is the latest mission ministry report, including Daniel's baptism Dec. 3, notes on Vicki's health and Leila's stops and starts.

The report is also attached for your convenience.

Blessings on you and yours during this holiday season.

Randal

Posted via email from GoSpeak

Don't die on the beach

2011-12-09T11:24:00.001-02:00

Not only must we do the right thing, but we must do it consistently, with perseverance, right up to the end. Brazilians use the phrase, "to die on the beach," meaning to have done the hardest part only to give out near the end. It's a sad phrase, and it's sad to see someone who has given up at the eleventh hour, who has gotten exasperated in sight of the finish line, who instead of ignoring the pain of the long course, collapses when the goal was within reach. #perseverance

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When confronted with the truth

2011-12-08T19:51:00.001-02:00

Being set free by the truth, as Jesus promised in John 8:32, depends on our reaction to it. When confronted by the truth, we must embrace it, no matter how bitter it may appear. The bitter will become sweet. Those who deny it or explain it away remain in their chains and close themselves off to liberty. #truth

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Brazilian mag at printer

2011-12-07T21:36:00.001-02:00

Today I emailed our Brazilian magazine, called Edification, by translation, to the printer, both the innards and covers. I'm supposed to have it back before Christmas. This is January 2012's issue, resuming after two years of hibernation. We're basically starting over: subscriptions, columnists, sponsors, rebuilding from the ground up. A painful but necessary process. Take a look at the cover on http://edificacao.org/.

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Saved without grace?

2011-12-07T21:15:00.001-02:00

"God's grace never fails but it is possible for us to fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). If we could be saved in that condition, we would be saved without the grace of God!" —George DeHoff #grace #salvation

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Leaving Facebook

2011-12-06T08:32:00.001-02:00

Another friend is leaving Facebook. I'm there still, not because of what it offers, but because I have something to share. Otherwise, I'd be gone as well. #facebook #socialmedia

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Running a subscription list

2011-12-05T15:10:00.001-02:00

Anybody have suggestions on how to set up and run a subscriber list, with print label capabilities and selection of subscribers based on dates or magazine issue numbers? Gott be real simple. OpenOffice is even too complicated.

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Daniel baptized, Lord's supper on tennis courts

2011-12-04T21:27:00.001-02:00

The website, Walking with God, has posted a new item:

Daniel baptized, Lord's supper on tennis courts.

Read it by clicking here:

http://randalmatheny.com/2011/12/04/daniel-baptized-lords-supper-on-tennis-co...

A baptism, a tennis-court Lord's supper, and ladies mistreat the men.

[]s

Randal

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Can squirrels teach?

2011-12-03T17:31:00.001-02:00

My friend Glenda Williams derives spiritual "Lessons from the squirrels." http://2.ly/p9kv #Christian

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Internet privacy

2011-12-03T11:22:00.001-02:00

Survey reveals concerns over Internet privacy. See graphic and my comments here: http://2.ly/p9kr #privacy

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Lord, be our light

2011-12-03T10:39:00.001-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny

This poem is an adaptation of a prayer I read this morning in The Lutheran Study Bible, on Revelation 11. The last two lines, especially, have been revamped.

Lord, be our light, for worldly darkness veils us,

Lord, be our shield, for earthly armor fails us,

And when the beast from hell comes to assail us,

Raise us to heaven, Lord.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Be a doer, not a talker

2011-12-01T10:18:00.001-02:00

Tremendous article on doing what you want and should. I read it once, going for 2nd time. http://is.gd/be_a_doer

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The lists grow long

2011-12-01T00:10:00.001-02:00

The lists grow long of things to do,

The mind weighs heavy with tasks and chores,

While we slept the burdens grew,

We're lost at sea without our oars.

Write down each one to the very last,

Choose one and work until it's done,

Go steady, don't stop, don't switch, don't run—

Your power to finish, unsurpassed.

My Calling Card

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On FMag: a prayer poem

2011-11-30T23:30:00.001-02:00

Today's prayer over on Forthright Magazine is in the form of a four-line stanza, "We know not when nor how. Small, but we pray powerful to express a saint's hope and faith.

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Subscription guessing

2011-11-30T22:01:00.001-02:00

Resurrecting the Brazilian magazine, stumbling along. http://wp.me/pbYlo-19Q #periodicals

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Saving or spending

2011-11-29T21:39:00.001-02:00

Was Black Friday about saving money or spending it? Is it a coincidence that a day dedicated to buying stuff follows on the heels of a day for giving thanks? Or does the Evil One seek to erase whatever sense of gratitude to God might have been cultivated on Thursday in the frenzy of a good deal on Friday? Is anybody talking about Thanksgiving this week? #blackfriday #thanksgiving #gratitude

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Blessed weekend, etc.

2011-11-29T10:31:00.001-02:00

No holiday for us this weekend, sympathies to Betty Choate, the way of evil, more. http://wp.me/pIFLD-3L4 on TFR

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Eternal vs. ephemeral

2011-11-29T08:58:00.001-02:00

More is found in a single page of the Bible than in all the books of man. The eternal remains, the ephemeral soon passes.

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Limerick: Today was for me a great lack

2011-11-25T23:25:00.001-02:00

For many this Friday was black,
Today was for me a great lack,
All day I had yearned, the Missus returned,
And now we can sleep in the sack.

G'night!

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Baptisms in College Grove TN

2011-11-25T14:04:00.001-02:00

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Black Friday so called

2011-11-25T13:56:00.001-02:00

Black Friday is so called because its funereal nature, as we mourn the early death of #thanksgiving.

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All quiet in the mall

2011-11-25T12:55:00.001-02:00

All quiet in the biggest mall in town today. The Maiden and I were in and out in a jiffy. But I still got a rash from going in the mall. Here, no Thanksgiving Day (there is, but nobody knows it), and no Black Friday. Living life normally is the way. Now, waiting on The Missus to get back from her doctor's appointment in Sao Paulo. #life #normal

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

A new Thanksgiving Day poem

2011-11-24T13:54:00.001-02:00

Here's my contribution to the sentiments of gratitude, written today. http://2.ly/p9eb #Thanksgiving #poetry

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

All Thanks Is Yours

2011-11-24T13:36:00.001-02:00

For Thanksgiving Day, from Revelation 4

To know You, this, above all gifts, is mine,

Your Son as Savior, the Holy Spirit as sign,

And more—the message placed within our hands,

As holy partners to preach while the world stands.

All thanks is Yours, who made us for your joy,

We seek Your face, with all our powers employ

Both voice and heart to sing, with heaven, Your praise,

With gratitude, Your glorious and gentle ways.

No golden crowns to toss before the throne,

No eyes both front and back, to know and be known,

No ceaseless bows nor constant words of thanks,

But soon we hope to join the elders' ranks.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

John's open door

2011-11-24T09:29:00.001-02:00

God opens the door to John to show what he is doing in the world. http://wp.me/pbYlo-19K #Revelation #Bible #God

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Ditto Christmas Decoration

2011-11-23T13:24:00.001-02:00

I'm with the ditto guy.

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

300 words per Bible chapter

2011-11-22T15:23:00.001-02:00

Could you write "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" using about 300 words for each Bible chapter? G. Campbell Morgan did it, in 542 pages (Revel, 1959). Would be a fascinating and daunting challenge to do a similar project today. #Bible #commentaries

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

God's plans always succeed

2011-11-21T14:33:00.001-02:00

Man's plans may succeed or not. God fulfills all his plans. What does that mean to me? http://wp.me/p1HIjv-1VY

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Monday morning review: Getting Things Done

2011-11-21T10:57:00.001-02:00

Following my recent use of the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach, with the free TiddlyWiki using Simon Baird's makeover, I'm in the middle of a weekly review of my progress. I started, what?, Thursday of last week, but I can tell a difference. This week promises to be exciting, if I can keep it up.

I've not read the book on which this system is based. I'm tempted to try to get by without it. Give me a few weeks and I'll decide on this one.

I'd seen Baird's offering before, and it looked complicated. This time, however, it seemed to call out to me, "Try me, you'll like it, you'll ramp up your efficiency." So far so good.

SOCIAL NETWORK. From Friendica, it's now possible to post to WordPress, Twitter, Facebook (this one not on the installation I use), identi.ca, Tumblr, and, now, Posterous. From Twitter I post automatically to Facebook, so I'm good there. From Posterous, I can post automatically to Blogspot, MyOpera, and others. This is an exciting development.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. The weekend was a good one. A heavy meeting on Saturday, which went as well as one could expect. Low attendance Sunday morning, 100% Sunday afternoon. Then pizza with friends last night (see pic in previous Friendica post). I got out a bulletin, first time in a while, and a handout for the Sunday morning study.

MORE GTD. One good result of the review: to see where you've been and feel your way forward to the next steps. One blessing of the GTD approach is to get all the details, tasks, and information out of your head and down in an organized form. That clears the mind to focus on the task at hand.

When I'd make notes in my agenda, after a week or so, the information or task would get lost. Not now. Every morning the next activity is there waiting for me, until I do it or delegate it or delete it.

Baird had to rename his adaptation of the GTD system. Lawyers told him he couldn't use the name or abbreviation. Since he built it on top of an application he called monkey something, he changed it to Monkey Getting Stuff Done, I think. mGSD. But as God's people, we're not just getting "things" or "stuff" done. We're doing the will of God.

So how about we rename our use of it. WDGW? Wisely Doing God's Will. Is that too much of a mouthful?

FINALLY. Coming up: Yesterday, Jorge cited Luke 9.62 in his sermon at Taubaté. That triggered a thought, then a five-line poem stanza, and this morning, three more stanzas. I'll send it later this week to the closed Cloudburst Syndicated Poetry list. I think it's one of my best. (But, like sermons, people don't always agree with the poet or preacher's assessment.) If you have any spiritual interest, I guarantee you'll like it. Working title: "My Hand Is on the Plow." If you want to read it, you'll have to — sorry — sign up to the list.

via Friendica

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Supporter spotlight: Baker Heights

2011-11-19T09:07:00.001-02:00

GoSpeak Missions Ministry

The Baker Heights church in Abilene TX has been a mainstay in our work over the past 27 years.

Please visit the GoSpeak page at this link and raise up a prayer of thanksgiving for this fine congregation.

Posted via email from GoSpeak

GoSpeak report online for Nov. 17

2011-11-17T13:17:00.001-02:00

gospeak27-11.pdf Download this file

GoSpeak - http://gospeak.org

Dear Friends,

The latest GoSpeak report is now online for your viewing and sharing.
The one-page PDF file may be downloaded here:

http://gospeak.org/2011/11/17/27-11-ladies-go-to-meetin/

Besides the baptism of Sr. Odilio, we also mention the ladies' retreat,
and other items.

Also, we've attached it to this email for your convenience.

Please share this in your congregation. Post it on your bulletin board.
Insert it into your church bulletin. Forward the email to people in your
congregation. Post it on your website or your favorite social network,
like Facebook.

Thank you for your generosity in supporting the GoSpeak effort.

Blessings,

Randal

Posted via email from GoSpeak

Beware scam email in my name

2011-11-16T16:03:00.001-02:00

An email scam was sent this morning in my name to elders and ministers
at our overseeing congregation. Others may have received it as well. It
specified names of our family members, with an email address apparently
set up by the scammer using my name.

The scam asked for help for Trevor Williams in the UK, who is a good
brother, but the email contained false and incorrect information about
him.

If you get an appeal from me on behalf of others, it will be on one of
my standard websites.

For more information see this page on my personal blog:

http://randalmatheny.com/2011/11/16/beware-a-scam-in-my-name/

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

[Friendika] Randal Matheny posted an update.

2011-11-14T09:09:00.001-02:00

You can pretty well ignore this post, unless you use ~Friendica and like Posterous. This is experimental for sending a post from the former to the latter, and from there, to lands beyond.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

On God's Path, a Christian article in simple English

2011-11-03T16:24:00.001-02:00

The Bible describes a person's life as a path or road. It also describes Christianity as God's path. In the book of Acts, it is simply called the Way. Perhaps this is because Jesus called himself the way (John 14:6). The Bible says Jesus is the only way.

Therefore, on God's path, a person should "not deviate to the right or to the left" (2 Kings 22:2, NET).

via brotherhoodnews.info

Read the whole article at the link above. It is written in simple style. The intended audience is people who use English as a second language.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Cast Anchors Up

2011-11-02T22:47:00.001-02:00

— but I am out of love with words

That contradict our hopes.

—Agamemnon, "Aeschylus"

So heard we floods of words designed to veer

Our eyes from rooted hopes, our hearts from home;

To distance from our minds what hovers near,

Deceive our sense of truth with an empty sum.

Blessed and strong is he whose ears are deaf

To garrulous thieves who'd steal our treasured worth;

Lose not your precious faith in the tumbling surf,

Cast anchors up above the heaving earth.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

In Christ

2011-11-01T22:40:00.001-02:00

Here, the air breathes pure and clean,

Where distant peaks beyond are seen,

The sky sings hymns of battles bold,

Of men who braved the heat and cold.

The higher slopes require full measure,

Forgoing many a dream and pleasure,

His rawest will, his deepest drive —

But there he'll be most truly alive.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Mumbo, Jumbo, Toil and Tumble

2011-10-28T17:16:00.001-02:00

Mumbo, jumbo, toil and tumble,

The goblins howl, the tummies rumble,

The sweaty faces behind the masks,

Are serious in their candied tasks.

From trunk to trunk for a coveted sweet,

The ghouls are quick upon their feet,

They know, these tots in bundled sheets,

Which bumpers hold the tastiest treats.

Ah, would that we, in children's dressings,

Know where to find the richest blessings,

Behind our masks, in flight and hiding,

Discover all that God's providing!

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Photos of Sr. Odilio's baptism Oct. 23 in Taubaté

2011-10-24T18:07:00.001-02:00

See on the GoSpeak.org site the photos of Sr. Odílio's baptism in Taubaté yesterday, Oct. 23, and some background into his decision, as well as a bit of the moment, the worship in two phases.

Posted via email from GoSpeak

On the Waters

2011-10-21T19:19:00.001-02:00

This quatrain was posted last year on the Facebook group for UPLift. That group will soon be archived, so here it is for CP.

In unapproachable light he dwells,
Upon his glory none can look;
He rides upon the ocean's swells,
And breathes upon the babbling brook.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Let No One Mourn the Bean

2011-10-20T10:09:00.001-02:00

They say that global warming
(Or, now, it's climate change),
From all the thermal storming,
Will profoundly rearrange

The fragile growing season —
"The coffee plant is doomed!"
Some prophet had a vision
Of catastrophes that loomed.

I doubt such lame forecasting,
Let no one mourn the bean;
How can the globe go fasting,
When the world runs on caffeine?

Posted via email from Christian Poets

Generations

2011-10-20T09:07:00.001-02:00

by J. Randal Matheny @ 2011

They called my grandpa Mr. Mac,
I know he was a Scot:
He stashed away both nail and tack,
And hoarded all he got.

My father's kin were French and Brits,
Who crossed the northern sea,
Their porridge turned to Southern grits,
They passed them on to me.

Then I turned south to hot Brazil,
My kids with foreign tongue;
Who knows where oxen pull their thill,
And where they'll rear their young.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

BNc- Authority: Review of the Hester-Sungenis Debate

2011-10-18T20:14:00.001-02:00

PINSON, Ala. (BNc) — On a Friday evening, an audience gathered at the Pinson High School Fine Arts Center to hear reason and evidences regarding the fundamental point of contention among the ‘religious’ world today: “The Bible is the exclusive standard of authority for Christian faith and practice.”

Robert Sungenis, well known author and president of Catholic Apologetics International, an organization dedicated to teaching and defending Roman Catholicism, was set to defend his belief in additional authoritative sources.

David Hester, evangelist with the Springville Road church, affirmed the Bible as the exclusive will of God to man.

via brotherhoodnews.com

Click the link above for the entire article.

Posted via email from Forthright Press

The Little Boat that Could

2011-10-18T16:04:00.001-02:00

A flight of fancy, says the multitude,
A hatter's dream of a little boat that could
Sail upon the seas from east to west,
Find pirates' treasures lost, successful quest,
Her lines on every lip, with wide acclaim,
Her owner given coin and blessed name.

For none have parted waves and deep before;
What makes me think that I can touch that shore
When better men have ventured forth and lost?
He can whose mind has seen the vastness crossed.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

The Church Divine

2011-10-17T23:20:00.001-02:00

Immersed in Christ, the church divine
Is not a man-made sect;
It wears his name, bears his design,
In it are God's elect.

Posted via email from Christian Poets

On spiritual and bodily functions, sex, poetry, and fried chicken - TFR

2011-10-17T09:25:00.001-02:00

Taking a cue from the poetry and hymns of Scripture, I see my poetry, in part, as an evangelistic effort. Entering the midst of worldly people, even in order to bless, one hears and sees what one would rather not. I imagine our Lord Jesus had to tolerate some unpleasantness from the publicans and prostitutes he worked with. Not to mention from the religionists and his own disciples. So I’ve joined a social-networking poetry site with some unsavory pieces there and, for example, a segment on erotica. Here’s where I’d appreciate your feedback.

via fellowshiproom.org

A tad longer piece than usual on TFR, but I trust you'll find some nugget to adorn your faith.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Man’s Noblest Function « My debut on Biblical Notes Mag

2011-10-16T22:03:00.001-02:00

Man has no nobler function than to defend the truth. —Ruth McKenney

... many of us would hasten to agree with her statement.

But she was wrong.

Man has a nobler function. Defending truth is good and necessary, but does not lie at the peak of the scales of those greatest purposes that man could adopt.

via biblicalnotes.com

Read my debut article on Weylan Deaver's Biblical Notes magazine: click on the tiny link above.

Posted via email from Simplicity from the Center

Prayers for Vicki's mother

2011-10-15T14:48:00.001-03:00

Friends, this week a new missions ministry report was posted to the GoSpeak website.

Also, we request your special prayers today for Vicki's mother. She found out yesterday that a foster son they had raised intermittently since age 2 1/2 terminated his life Wednesday at age 34.

For more details, please go here to the GoSpeak webpage.

Posted via email from GoSpeak