tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44803246357483523712009-12-22T21:21:29.718-06:00Humbly Studying God's Word. Learning of My Many Failures. Finding That I Need His Grace and Mercy.Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-22086679686918214572009-11-15T22:17:00.000-06:002009-11-15T22:23:13.316-06:00

image attributed to http://www.wordle.net/.Images of Wordles are licensed

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-62831792157182643072009-09-28T23:06:00.004-05:002009-09-28T23:17:45.452-05:00

Holy Father, find me. Search for me quickly! I feel as though I am adrift at sea and no one can spot me. I am but a speck, at a great distance away, too small to find. Father, your great waters are bobbing me up and down so that I am sick. I am unable to rescue myself, and no one else can hear my cry for help. I have sent out distress signals, but no one is watching. Everyone is busy

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-64695003177667968602009-09-04T06:39:00.003-05:002009-09-04T06:46:21.353-05:00

1 A Psalm of David. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.6

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-80769921985333306842009-06-27T09:07:00.004-05:002009-06-27T09:13:22.036-05:00

Sometimes, it's hard to be motivated when bad things are happening all around, and also to yourself. In fact, when bad things happen to me, I'm often guilty of blaming God, or asking God why these things are happening. I am learning that our God is a perfect father in every way. That's not to say I believe if something bad happens, it's because God caused it to happen. Remember Job, God

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-83316957913108790512009-05-25T08:19:00.002-05:002009-05-25T08:21:51.843-05:00

The other morning I was driving along on my way to work, listening to another good sermon on the radio. By the time I was getting close to the office, the signal was starting to cut out. The radio signal apparently comes all the way from St. Louis and reaches to parts of Memphis. This happens each day for me. Some days, If I leave later, I can hear the end of the program. If I leave sooner,

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-210656394311430882009-04-23T23:26:00.004-05:002009-04-23T23:36:42.387-05:00

There was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine." Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother - yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me." She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, "Whatever

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-23860030361912527312009-04-14T22:40:00.002-05:002009-04-14T22:51:57.817-05:00

Last month I started planting lots of seeds for my upcoming flower garden. For me, seeds that are planted and come to life are a reminder that God is our creator, and through His creation we can believe and come to know Him. Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:16.You can see in the picture above that the plants that are now visible are casting off their old bodies. Do you see the seed shells of the

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-80961621396042129292009-04-01T22:56:00.003-05:002009-04-01T22:58:54.434-05:00

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-8344859485105575962009-02-28T16:01:00.001-06:002009-02-28T16:06:08.421-06:00

At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them [the disciples in the boat] walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead." But when he

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-85931746290951688592009-02-07T13:11:00.005-06:002009-02-07T13:26:48.986-06:00

Yesterday at work, I started singing this great old song that popped into my head. I hadn’t sung it in a while, but it really was a great encouragement for me. The song was Seeking the Lost written by William A. Ogden in 1886 at the age of 45 years old. The song is a tender song showing the passion that Jesus had when he came into the world to bring salvation to mankind. He knew full well that

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-165255972886102002009-01-28T10:49:00.003-06:002009-01-28T10:55:57.252-06:00

Most every year, I seem to get a good dose of Poison Ivy. I haven’t gotten it yet this year, but the past couple of years I always seem to get it during the winter months. For those of you who have never had Poison Ivy, let me explain that you don’t even need to touch or handle the plant to get it. In fact the past several years I’ve gotten it, has been thanks to my oldest son who’s “given” it

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-64679719125348830702009-01-26T10:28:00.003-06:002009-01-26T10:31:10.579-06:00

Feet are funny, feet are fat.Some are White, Red, Tan, or Black.Feet can run, and feet can jump,Feet can smell just like a skunk.Brand new feet are soft and cuddly,Older feet are hard and crusty.Brand new feet must walk on grass,Older feet can walk on glass.Oh, to have the feet of a child,To be a youngster, meek and mild.To put away my older habits,And run and play like baby rabbits.If I could

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-3027656639526457582009-01-10T08:28:00.002-06:002009-01-10T08:31:47.985-06:00

God works in wonderful ways. It’s hard or even impossible for me to understand. But I’ve seen things in my own life – after the fact that I look back and say, wow! It gives me chills down my back to realize that at that time, when I didn’t even realize it, God was directing me. And I shutter to think of the outcome had it not been for Him being beside me. I’d rather not get off on trying to

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-37038328812551451602008-04-25T10:14:00.008-05:002009-01-07T09:56:12.468-06:00

Examine the picture for a moment, and then think on these things: Rope can be bendable, stiff, soft, brittle, strong, or weak. Rope can be stretchy, can sink or float, can burn or is fire resistant, can tangle and fray. Rope can be used for good or for bad. Rope can be used to bind or to loosen. Rope can be used to kill or to set free. Rope can be used to move objects or to restrain objects. Rope

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-12861218318254774082008-12-30T23:10:00.007-06:002008-12-30T23:30:25.243-06:00

Today I heard a radio contest and it brought back memories of the one and only time I ever won anything from a radio show. The gift was nice, but I had to head on over to Memphis to pick up free coupon. As I thought about this FREE ticket contest, it reminded me that even though something wonderful and exciting can be free, there is always a price to pay to obtain it. But the FREE gift usually

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-18730403111131867912008-12-26T23:31:00.003-06:002008-12-26T23:36:20.454-06:00

I've rewritten or paraphrased a couple of passages from the bible, to help me study and understand these pasages a little clearer. God is so good in that he provided us with His holy scriptures, so that we might come to learn from Him.GOD - Israel, I have loved you.Israel - Ha! How have you loved us?GOD - Was Esau not the rightful son who should have been blessed? GOD - Wasn’t

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-23024778960783982072008-12-17T23:39:00.005-06:002008-12-17T23:45:36.732-06:00

I’ve been cooped up inside at night for several nights over the past few weeks as the weather has been cloudy, rainy and cold. Typically, I like to spend several minutes outside at night on my back porch – just staring up at the stars and the moon. I obviously lead a rather simple life, but I have to say that spending some time alone on the back porch in the cold night air, looking up at the

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-91670022609553183122008-12-11T11:26:00.003-06:002008-12-11T11:32:47.657-06:00

Reports out just this week confirm that the U.S. has plans to increase its troop presence in Afghanistan as early as this summer. In fact, building construction is already underway in preparation for housing the expected 20,000 individual military troops. In a "change of strategy" admission by the U.S., Defense Secretary Robert Gates says that the new plan under the new president will be to "

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-1622336176579070422008-02-11T14:04:00.003-06:002008-12-10T09:58:24.625-06:00

Luke 16:19-26Jesus Said:19 "Once there was a rich man. He was dressed in purple cloth and fine linen. He lived an easy life every day. 20 A man named Lazarus was placed at his gate. Lazarus was a beggar. His body was covered with sores. 21 Even dogs came and licked his sores. All he wanted was to eat what fell from the rich man's table. 22 "The time came when the beggar died. The angels carried

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-62068494458506878392008-02-11T21:20:00.006-06:002008-12-10T09:58:24.179-06:00

1 Peter 2:1-3 (New International Version)1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.If you’ve ever been around a baby, you know that every few hours, they gotta eat. They will let you know

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-53055966893329080372008-02-13T21:36:00.012-06:002008-12-10T09:58:23.998-06:00

Mark 4:1-9 (Today's New International Version)1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-70865141017958035832008-02-16T22:46:00.011-06:002008-12-10T09:58:23.505-06:00

Luke 13:6 Then Jesus told a story. "A man had a fig tree," he said. "It had been planted in his vineyard. When he went to look for fruit on it, he didn't find any. 7 So he went to the man who took care of the vineyard. He said, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree. But I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 "'Sir,' the man replied,

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-41813632420627786642008-02-17T21:55:00.005-06:002008-12-10T09:58:23.265-06:00

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-79854545573963813202008-02-28T20:31:00.007-06:002008-12-10T09:58:22.995-06:00

Luke 5:3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because You say so, I will let

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480324635748352371.post-15774702960930882632008-03-01T07:38:00.004-06:002008-12-10T09:58:22.860-06:00

I have a Saturday ritual that I look forward to each week -- as long as it's not cloudy and raining. The night before, I make sure the coffee pot is set, so that the next morning I can get up early and sit on my back porch just as the sun is starting to rise. I love the quiet times with no one around, before the world wakes up in my own little back yard. It is definitely a reflective time when I

Paul Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280048917176407967noreply@blogger.com1