Rosie

'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
 
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
 
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
 
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
 
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
 
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
 
In the Book of Life which He held in His Hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here", My head hung in shame!
 
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
 
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
 
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after ALL!
 
Source Unknown.

May God have mercy. I'm sure its coming...

Thanks for the poem Rosie. May the Lord use the poem to help all us to do more for the Lord in the days ahead.

'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
 
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
 
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
 
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
 
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
 
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
 
In the Book of Life which He held in His Hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here", My head hung in shame!
 
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
 
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
 
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after ALL!
 
Source Unknown.

'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
 
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
 
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
 
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
 
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
 
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
 
In the Book of Life which He held in His Hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here", My head hung in shame!
 
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
 
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
 
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after ALL!
 
Source Unknown.

welcome Nancy. I am happy that you are with us.. Excellent advice Jim... 

Hello sister Nancy. I'm glad you found us here at Online Baptist. Thank you also for your testimony, I always love to hear people's testimony. You sound like you have known and now know God's leading in your life, that is truly a blessing.
I hope you will enjoy your time with us and look forward to hearing more from you as time goes on.
I will be in prayer regarding your request for prayer for a new pastor. This can be a very dangerous time for a small church. I would encourage your church to not rush into selecting a new pastor for there are many wolves in sheep's clothing just looking for a church to subvert.
I also hope that your church has men that are spiritual and knowledgeable enough to be able to ask the right questions in interviewing possible candidates.
Do you have men in the church that can fill in for the pastor until you can find a new one?
May God bless you as you serve Him.

I got saved in 1982 when I was in a crisis. I walked into a Bible church, and talked to the pastor. I got saved that day, and in a few months I moved from TX to WA.  I asked my neighbors about churches, and heard a lot of negative comments about one in particular. This church was described as "legalistic", "fanatical", etc, etc. This sounded interesting! I decided to go. I walked in to morning services on Round up Sunday, and sat under an evangelist named Al Lacy. I was hooked! The people in this church taught me so much. I was baptized and set out to learn all I could in my "new convert zeal". We moved numerous times, courtesy of the USN, always finding another IFB church. We are now retired, back in Texas. I have 3 grown daughters, all making a profession of faith. Working on the grandkids now. I know that I am where the Lord would have me be.
I am a member of Faith Baptist Church in Teague, TX. Earlier this year, the Pastor was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We (the men) are looking for a new pastor. Please pray that the Lord will send us the right candidate soon. We are small in number. Please pray also for our pastor.
The Lord saw me through a career as a RN, after my girls were older. No longer working after a wreck in 2012.

I notice even on my own board its slower in December as we all are getting ready for Christmas...thanks Jim for your concern for us.. I really appreciate all of you here.. this is a wonderful board. this is the 2nd or 3 time I joined it. I was leary at fisrt beinf a mixed board but all I see is godliness here and I appreciate it
How God has blessed you lately. HE HAS ENABLED ME TO TEACH A LADIES BIBLE STUDY IN MY HOME AND GUIDES ME IN WAYS THAT MAKE ME GO PRAISE GOD
Bible verses that The lord has impressed you with. 
3:3    Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 3:4    So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
What is going on in your church of late. OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE PHILLIPINES TO START r u PROGRAMS THERE.. WE ARE REACHING PRISON, AND JAILS WITH THE GOSPEL WE HAD REVIVAL MEETINGS AT THE LOCAL LADIES PRISON WITH 27 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH, WE ARE REACHING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AS WELL... 
Prayer requests. SALVATION FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES...OUR NATION.. OUR NEW PRESIDENT
Questions about scripture. CAN'T THINK OF ONE AT THE MOMENT...
Sermons or devotionals. I ENJOY MY PASOTRS MESSAGES AND ANOTHER IFB PASTOR IN THIS CITY
Thoughts on current events, both secular and spiritual. TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION 
Explanations regarding difficult portions of scripture. DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL... 
 

MERRY BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU.. WE ARE NOT HAVING A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL THIS YEAR AS OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR AND R U LEADER HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE PHILIPPINES TO START R U PROGRAMS THERE

No snow in my immediate area...though that would be a wonderful blessing! I'm 50 years old, and from what I recall, we've had one white Christmas in my entire life...though I did experience several white Christmases during my Coast Guard years up North.
That one time...it was a wonderful surprise to wake up to a beautiful and full blanket of snow that Christmas morning here in Georgia. It had all melted by the next day, but what a wonderful thing it was. : )
Up until the last couple of days, we continued receiving light rain...which had lasted on and off for about a week? The Lord is good, and he provides. I will continue praying for rain in our area, and for less rain in yours!

I notice even on my own board its slower in December as we all are getting ready for Christmas...thanks Jim for your concern for us.. I really appreciate all of you here.. this is a wonderful board. this is the 2nd or 3 time I joined it. I was leary at fisrt beinf a mixed board but all I see is godliness here and I appreciate it
How God has blessed you lately. HE HAS ENABLED ME TO TEACH A LADIES BIBLE STUDY IN MY HOME AND GUIDES ME IN WAYS THAT MAKE ME GO PRAISE GOD
Bible verses that The lord has impressed you with. 
3:3    Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 3:4    So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
What is going on in your church of late. OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE PHILLIPINES TO START r u PROGRAMS THERE.. WE ARE REACHING PRISON, AND JAILS WITH THE GOSPEL WE HAD REVIVAL MEETINGS AT THE LOCAL LADIES PRISON WITH 27 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH, WE ARE REACHING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AS WELL... 
Prayer requests. SALVATION FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES...OUR NATION.. OUR NEW PRESIDENT
Questions about scripture. CAN'T THINK OF ONE AT THE MOMENT...
Sermons or devotionals. I ENJOY MY PASOTRS MESSAGES AND ANOTHER IFB PASTOR IN THIS CITY
Thoughts on current events, both secular and spiritual. TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION 
Explanations regarding difficult portions of scripture. DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL... 
 

I noticed that you got alot of rain yesterday and see you may be getting snow today?

I notice even on my own board its slower in December as we all are getting ready for Christmas...thanks Jim for your concern for us.. I really appreciate all of you here.. this is a wonderful board. this is the 2nd or 3 time I joined it. I was leary at fisrt beinf a mixed board but all I see is godliness here and I appreciate it
How God has blessed you lately. HE HAS ENABLED ME TO TEACH A LADIES BIBLE STUDY IN MY HOME AND GUIDES ME IN WAYS THAT MAKE ME GO PRAISE GOD
Bible verses that The lord has impressed you with. 
3:3    Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 3:4    So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
What is going on in your church of late. OUR CHOIR DIRECTOR HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE PHILLIPINES TO START r u PROGRAMS THERE.. WE ARE REACHING PRISON, AND JAILS WITH THE GOSPEL WE HAD REVIVAL MEETINGS AT THE LOCAL LADIES PRISON WITH 27 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH, WE ARE REACHING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AS WELL... 
Prayer requests. SALVATION FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES...OUR NATION.. OUR NEW PRESIDENT
Questions about scripture. CAN'T THINK OF ONE AT THE MOMENT...
Sermons or devotionals. I ENJOY MY PASOTRS MESSAGES AND ANOTHER IFB PASTOR IN THIS CITY
Thoughts on current events, both secular and spiritual. TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION 
Explanations regarding difficult portions of scripture. DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL... 
 

Merry Christmas to you, too, Alan.
Today the girls I homeschool are hosting a Christmas tea for their moms (well, one of the girls will only have her aunt here, but that works). They made desserts and in a little bit will be making some tea sandwiches. They made gifts for their moms. And they learned a piano piece (they've never played before)  and will be "telling" The True Night Before Christmas by John Cook, using pictures.
They are excited and nervous. And then we'll have two weeks' break. YAY!

May God bless all of you as we ponder upon the birth of the Lord Jesus; the Saviour of the World.
Merry Christmas!
I do hope that the song, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," sung by the Cleveland Baptist Church, is a blessing to all of you.
Alan

I know it is the holiday season and folks are busy, visiting family and they also have a life apart from OB. But lately, if it were not for RSS Feeds there would be no activity on our board. I come here every morning with my first cup of coffee hoping to read something interesting or edifying; I also visit the site three or four times during the day. But lately there seems to be a serious lack of contributions/interest on the board. Out of a total membership of 4,984, one would think that God's people could find something to talk about or contribute.
I know from experience with my own message forums that it is the nature of forums for interest to taper off with time. But I also think that a forum of the nature of OB should never suffer from lack of interest. I guess I am just suffering from withdrawals. As I sit and write this I am reminded that my own lack of participation of late has also contributed to the decline of interest on our forums. I come to read, am disappointed that there is not much to read and move on.
Thinking in this manner I am reminded that if I feel this way, then it follows that others feel the same way too. They come to read, are disappointed and move on. This is the main reason that message forums experience a decline in interest; if all are readers and there are no, or few contributors, interest drops.
I think I just did a good job of convicting myself in this post. Perhaps I can start to make amends for my own omissions by suggesting possible topics and then following up with acting on them more than I have been doing.
Suggestions:
How God has blessed you lately.
Bible verses that The lord has impressed you with.
What is going on in your church of late.
Prayer requests.
Questions about scripture.
Sermons or devotionals.
Thoughts on current events, both secular and spiritual.
Explanations regarding difficult portions of scripture.

what a cute creek

Here's the picture I took today. The river is still pretty shallow, and you can see the exposed banks of the river. It's definitely in better shape but not anywhere near full-flow. Still very thankful for the Lord's blessings in giving us what rain we received. : )

There are several portions of scripture that indicates "degrees of punishment", but the most telling one to me is...
Matthew 23:14-15
 14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
 15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Not Hell per se, but....
Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 
 
I don't pretend to fully understand it, but that it how the verse reads.

My scholarly answer:
Yes

The fault doesn't lie with the states. It is Jill Stein (green party candidate), who is insisting on the recounts. Stein has no standing, because no amount of recounts will change her next-to-nothing results. Ergo, the states should tell her to go jump. She did, in fact, wait too long to file in PA, so that's one less state they can count on.
Progressives want to destroy the electoral college. Popular voting is exactly what our founders did NOT want, and it is precisely because they knew what a majority vote would bring about. Sadly, Trump is not helping the situation any, by claiming that he would have even won the popular vote, had it not been for the "millions" of illegals who voted. If his tweet is taken seriously, that will call in to question the votes in EVERY state. 
I agree. I'm tired of the mess, too. 

Now we have some states...paying hundreds of thousands of dollars (one over one million) to do recounts of the votes in hopes of over-turning the election results. And I thought the hanging-chad incident of the Bush-Gore election results was weird.
Liberals are never satisfied.
I'm so tired of all of this mess.
Real-life lesson #574...
Babies cry until they get what they want...and then they cry after they get what they want, because they want more...or...they didn't like what they were given instead of what they wanted. The end result? A crying baby. 

Drove home from work tonight in a torrential downpour! First rain since late August/early September! 
Thank you Lord! Thank you for the rain and for letting me make it home safely! 
...and thank you to all who have prayed! Please continue... : )