Happy Cursday, y’all

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Look Ma … this Cursday I can fly!!

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Is there a meadow in the mist . . .?

Good morning Treepers.

My favorite Eagles songs

Great interview: President Trump and NigelCheck out Nigel’s socks

‎5/‎3/‎2023 – They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me (continued)

1 Samuel 8:6-9 “But the thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken Me, and served other gods, so do they also unto you. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.”

The thing aimed at, the purpose of the prescribed course of action, by the authority of the Son of God, with the emphasis being that we might eventually come “fit for the Presence of God;” is the love of God working in us, out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and unfeigned faith. Faith without stage-playing, without false profession or pretense of having virtues, moral principles, and religious beliefs, that one does not really possess; is what the apostle described as “walking in truth.” Those who have missed the mark from this are easily discerned by their empty and meaningless speech, the unsoundness of their doctrine, and the incoherence with respect to the Holy Spirit and Word of God.

Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” And the word here used, light, is more perfectly interpreted, dawn, as one rising early to a task, urgency toward the “this word.” For when these things are not present, that one is blind, short-sighted, and has forgotten the long ago cleansing of his sins; and is not in a condition of grace, whereby he should be kept from falling, nor be granted entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1)

John 5:41-44 “I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in My Father’s Name, and you receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from the only God?”

At the root of spurious Christian profession, is the all pervasive desire for honor from men, and not the honor from God. Thus they truly believe that their chosen course of religion is reinforced by the degree of vaunting themselves as teachers, as leaders, as authorities, of the things of God; meanwhile showing no evidence that they even know the God whose Spirit made the law and the prophets and the faith of Christ. 

We are talking about spurious religion and false conversion; which very many have been duped into adopting as to themselves, willingly or unwillingly; making themselves believe that they are indeed covered before God, by the very things which God has expressly commanded us not to be like or to practice. In the hidden recesses of the heart, they want to get out of their obligation to absolute transparency with God, regarding their sins and deformities and evil ruined nature; so they turn to trust instead in the outward imagery and methodologies, the form of religion, that does not demand its power as to them really and personally.

A perfect picture of this kind, was shown when the Israelites were being beaten in battle by the Philistines, and they came up with the idea of bringing the ark into the camp to save them. And as soon as the priests (the wicked sons of Eli) carried the ark into the camp, they all cheered and the “earth rang.” But what happened? The ark did not save them; and their religious spirit did not save them; and the ark was taken by the Philistines, and was with them for seven months. I read that story and can only think of church people: working themselves all in a flurry of emotion, nothing based on a real walk with God and faith that He knows; but relic worship, and imagery, and idolatry!

Instead of love out of a pure heart and a good moral consciousness, and faith without hypocrisy; traditions and long accepted “norms” of moderation and politeness according to man’s thinking, and things which avoid and prohibit confrontation on account of doctrine. So far removed from the Spirit of Christ which was in the prophets and apostles and the true saints and witnesses through the ages; that anyone coming among them who has such a walk with God, frightens them, and is slandered as simple and fanatic and dangerous. But what is really the danger that so terrifies the hypocrite, but the light which exposes the evil, and the Holy Spirit convicting and striving with them, and glorifying Jesus!

These are the evil character traits which the children of Israel clung to; and so, over all those centuries and generations of God continually and carefully sending to speak to them, with His hand stretched out in friendship and reconciliation; they clung to the spirit of the heathen, in rage against the LORD and against His Anointed. (Psalm 2) The reason they always wanted to be like the nations, is because they, like Cain, and like Nimrod, believed the devil; who said that the only way to realize your god-like status; which God knows you can have but He denies you by His commandments; is to stand in contempt of His Divine Authority, and defy and disobey His commandments. And so is displayed their arrogance towards those who are righteous and good before God, as was Abel.

So it happens, after so long a time of trying to come to terms of reconciliation and restoration were rejected; God gives them up to what they desire instead. So He tells His friend Samuel, to let them have what they desire; howbeit yet solemnly protest unto them, and show them what kind of king they shall have instead of the Lord; and how they will know in the end, and cry to God in their distress and impoverishment; but He will not hear them.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 “Truly then the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only [there is] He who restrains just now, until He become [taken] from out of the midst; and the lawless [one] will then be revealed, whom the Lord will consume (use up, render useless) with the breath of His mouth, and annul by the appearance of His coming; whose coming is according to the working of Satan in every power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and in every deceit of unrighteousness in them that perish, instead of while the love of the truth they received not, unto them to be saved; and on account of this God will send to them a working of error, unto them to believe what is false, that they all may be judged who believed not the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.”

won’t you be my .. midnight runaway
won’t you take the time to runaway with me ?
feelin fine tonight we’ll runaway.
should we head for the hills or to the sea ?

Happy Cursday, Treeper friends!!! Pet your puppies for me . . . 🙂

Here are 4 videos of rare white horses. The first two are of thoroughbred racehorses and the second two are of a rare very old French breed that has managed to stay mostly purebred for many hundreds of years.

they look like pals

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

— Hebrews 12: 1-3

Best buds 😊

05 May 2021 (Ivor) “Nick” Kamen, British pop singer-songwriter (Each Time You Break My Heart; I Promised Myself), and model (Levi’s), dies of bone marrow cancer at 59

05 May 2020 Millie Small, Jamaican ska singer, and songwriter (“My Boy Lollipop”), dies of a stroke at 72

05 May 2020 Hillard “Sweet Pea” Atkinson, American R&B singer (Was (Not Was)) dies of a heart attack at 74.

Walk the Dinosaur

05 May 2002 Paul Klipsch, American engineer, noted for his loudspeaker designs, dies at 98

Good morning all!

Well, after several days of no particular pattern to the convective outlook and pop up storms producing a tornado here or there, the change comes as it starts to warm up in the Great Lake states. Texas is shown where the storms are most likely to be, but do not be surprised if there are some further north.

Storm Prediction Center May 4, 2023 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook (noaa.gov)

Princess Anne’s take on the monarchy under King Charles – Video
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2023/05/princess-annes-take-on-monarchy-under.html

VICARIOUS INTERCESSION
 
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Heb. x. 19
 
Beware of imagining that intercession means bringing our personal sympathies into the presence of God and demanding that He does what we ask. Our approach to God is due entirely to the vicarious identification of our Lord with sin. We have “boldness to enter into the holiest BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.”
 
Spiritual stubbornness is the most effectual hindrance to intercession, because it is based on sympathy with that in ourselves and in others that we do not think needs atoning for. We have the notion that there are certain right and virtuous things in us which do not need to be based on the Atonement, and just in the domain of “stodge” that is produced by this idea we cannot intercede. We do not identify ourselves with God’s interest in others, we get petulant with God; we are always ready with our own ideas, and intercession becomes the glorification of our own natural sympathies. We have to realize that the identification of Jesus with sin means the radical alteration of all our sympathies. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God’s interests in others for our natural sympathy with them.
 
Am I stubborn or substituted? Petted or perfect in my relationship to God? Sulky or spiritual? Determined to have my own way or determined to be identified with Him?
 
Oswald Chambers
May 4th Devotional

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Please join us in praying for your family, your community, and our nation.

Among the various treasures found when my sibling and I were sorting through the collectables yesterday evening, was a US Army Special Forces 30th Anniversary (1952-1982) challenge coin I had given to my Dad. It now belongs to me once again.

10th SFG, where I served all my team time is the oldest Special Forces group, activated in 1952. It’s members were wearing the Green Beret as their headgear (Not approved by the DoD) before JFK made it the official headgear by presidential order in 1961. Here is the 10th SFG(A) history in an abbreviated form.
10th SFG (A) History (soc.mil)

The heart and soul of Special Forces in Europe was located at Flint Kaserne, in Bad Tolz Germany for many years, including the three years I served on ODA 071, Co.A, 1st Bn., 10th SFG(A) (Jan 1986-Dec. 1989).

The town of Bad Tolz was established as a stop along the Roman Salt road. It was selected as a stop because the mineral springs did and still are valued for their supposed healing properties.

During WW II Bad Tolz was a major medical center for the Germans. There were a total of 8 hospitals there during the war. A satellite enclosure from the Concentration Camp at Dachau, provided the slave labor for the hospitals and for the building and maintenance of the SS Officers JunkersShule (Campaigners School) that was completed in 1943. That school trained foreign volunteers to be SF officers. Most people don’t know that there were more foreigners in the SS than native Germans.

Though the USAAF targeted the huge quadrangle of the JunkerShule for destruction and flew heavy bomber missions eight different times in an effort to destroy it, the missions were weathered out each time and the facility was spared to be captured intact without a battle because the SS Cadre and their last class evacuated and marched off into the mountains before US forces arrived.

There were 5 floors below ground level but the bottom two were allowed to flood because of the legitimate concern the Germans had left timed demolition explosives which they frequently did as they gave ground. The underground motor pool that was under the courtyard of the quadrangle was also sealed and allowed to flood.

Patton had his HQ there for a few weeks during the occupation. And various storied US units, including the 1st Infantry Division were headquartered there for a time as the soldiers with enough points awaited transport home after the war ended.

The first of the US Army Special Forces unit formed there, starting with a Company, and growing. A high proportion of the men being DPs (Displaced Persons) from Soviet occupied countries that hated the Communists, others being former OSS operatives, paratroopers, and Rangers who decided to stay in after the war ended. Then after the formal activation of the 10th SFG(A) they were all became members of the 1st Bn, 10th SFG at the Kaserne in 1952. The facility was shared with 7th Corp., NCO academy.

The place was magical for a person like me, so interested in WW II history. The gun racks for the German 8 mm Mausers built into the walls. Footprints of hobnailed boots. The back up generator for the Kaserne was simply a diesel with generator exactly as used in the German U-boats. The track, the pool, the gym and the mess hall, all the same the SS had used. The Officer club and VIP quarters in the former Commandants house.

And the town of Bad Tolz, storybook Bavarian with a granite cobblestone road and court circle as the main street of the town on the Izar River. Gold edifices in the old Churches containing the mummified body parts of various saints and various other Christian artifacts. The great down comforters draped over the rails of balconies to air out during good weather. The beer wagon coming through the town to the Kaserne during Octoberfest. All nestled in foothills of the Bavarian Alps.

Little remains of the Kaserne now. When it was returned to the Germans they tore most of the quadrangle down. So much history lost.

Greetings Treepers!

John 14:6. Just sayin’ ✝️

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.   – Isaiah 26:3

The most common reasons people seek therapy are anxiety, depression, or stress. These thoughts and emotions are the product of a runaway mind. Your enemy the devil seeks to plant such thoughts in the minds of believers. They stir up a whirlwind of feelings and fears, robbing you of any peace.

These strongholds can captivate the believer, and the resulting bondage can push people to self-medicate for relief. 

In today’s verse, the prophet Isaiah says that, despite the events of the day— politics, the economy, disease, family issues—peace comes from a mind that is “stayed” on the Lord. What does that mean? The apostle Paul provides some keys in Romans: “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace“ (8:6), “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (12:2).

Another important concept is found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 

When you center your mind on Christ, when you lean your thoughts and imagination on Him, when you regularly tell Him and yourself that you trust in Him, the tranquility of a “stayed mind” is the outcome. Magnifying the Lord shrinks those things into perspective that were causing stress, anxiety, and fear.

As you pray for America’s governing officials today, ask that those who do not know Jesus Christ would accept Him and the peace that only He can bring, and then guide the nation in the knowledge and wisdom that only His peace brings. 

https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/daily-prayer-briefing/?utm_source=daily_briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_content=daily_briefing

May 4

MORNING

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isa. 59:1

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psa. 138:3

While I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Dan. 9:21

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psa. 27:9

Be not thou far from me, O LORD. O my strength, haste thee to help me. Psa. 22:19

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Jer. 32:17

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. II Cor. 1:10

Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Luke 18:7, 8

EVENING

I have glorified thee on the earth. John 17:4

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4

Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. Luke 2:49, 50

This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:4, 40

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52

Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3L22

All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. Luke 4:22

Thou art worthy … for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev. 5:9, 10

 J. Bagster
https://dailylightdevotional.org/05/0504.html

Verse of the Day for Thursday, May 4, 2023

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“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” 

Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered!!!

BE MY VOICE

PRAYING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

Father God, I now follow your command to put on the full armor of God, because my battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.

I first pray on the Belt of Truth that it may be buckled around my waist, may I be centered and encircled by your truth dear Lord. Hem me inside all that is true and right, and may I be protected and held up by the truth of your living word, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Breastplate of righteousness, please protect my vital organs and my inner man, cover my integrity, my spirit, and my soul. Guard my heart for it is the wellspring of life, please strengthen and guard the most vulnerable places in my life with that which is right, good, and noble that I might not receive a fatal blow from the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Gospel Shoes of Peace. I choose to stand in the shoes of your good news, and on the firm foundation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the solid eternal rock. All other ground is sinking sand, I pray that I will not slip or fall, but that my feet would be firmly fitted on your lordship, my Lord Jesus. I choose to stand on you, so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the eternal Rock of Ages. I receive your holy peace now my Lord, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray the Shield of Faith into my hand now. As I take up the shield of faith, I ask that you might extinguish every dart and arrow, that is launched from the enemy to take me down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy my joy. I ask that my faith in you would make it flame out. Extinguish every flaming arrow that would come against me, my life, my family, my home, or my ministry. May my faith always be out in front of me like a shield. Give me the courage to “faith my fears” by choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Helmet of Salvation, that you might protect my mind from the thoughts that can lead me astray. I choose to take every thought captive, and arrest all intentioned ideas and motives that would harm others, or distract me from your holy will for me. I submit every captured thought to the Lordship of my Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that you would imprison those thoughts that are not of you my Lord. Transform my mind and renew my thinking that I may think God thoughts, and have a sober mind that is focused on your glory. Please protect me from being double minded that I may allow my mind, I reject to live an earthly life, because I choose to live a holy one, governed by you My Lord Jesus, the prince of peace, please have my mind to be saturated with the holy mind of Christ, in my Lord Jesus name.

Finally, I take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the holy word of God, I pray this powerful offensive weapon into my hand, and ask that your holy word would be fitting for every encounter I face. As the enemy gets close to me, please give me the insight, wisdom, and skill to wield the word of God to drive away the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.

May the enemy and his team flee from me, upon hearing the word of God spoken by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the sword of the spirit to cut through the wiles of the devil, so that I may discern the schemes of the enemy when he is near.

With all kinds of prayers, supplication, and intercession I pray to you my Lord God as the one who fights my battles. Now that I’m in your holy powerful armor, I walk away covered and ready to face my day as you go before me, and please protect me in the midst of the spiritual warfare in this unseen world, in my Lord Jesus name.

Thank you my Lord, for the spiritual weapons of armor and prayer that you have given me. It is written no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses me. 

Thank you Father God, my Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that I am more than a conqueror in my Lord Jesus. I pray all of this in the mighty name of my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

AMEN.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

ACIREALE, ITALY cathedral di Maria Santissima Annunziata


The Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 
Hallowed be Thy Name. 
Thy Kingdom come. 
Thy Will be done, 
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The favors of the Lord I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.” 

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’” 

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

TURIN, ITALY – Chiesa di San Dalmazzo by Enrico Reff
Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”