Contemplations

  My sister, Marilyn, an Amazing Overcomer My sister, Marilyn Cockrum, is a twin. Her twin, Carolyn Petersen, is still living but in a different location: heaven. They are/were identical. (Carolyn has a new body and a new name.) They were born premature and weren’t expected to live but they did. The earliest memory I have of them was them jumping off of our tall piano onto a wooden rocking chair. They were as cute as could be but were hyper and needed constant watching when they were little. Even so, they got through their childhood without any broken bones or major injuries. Carolyn did have encephalitis one summer and spent time in Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. She was about 8 or 9.                 They were femme fatales in high school but they were still fun-loving daredevils. They loved riding motorcycles. Both of them were witty and they were good singers. Carolyn sang lead and Marilyn sang harmony. Mom sang too and played the piano by ear. The twins enjoyed each other’s

 40 WAYS TO KEEP HER LOVE COMMUNICATE. This is a big one. Tell her "Good Morning" when you awaken, good-bye when you leave, and at least "Hello" when you get home. Ask her how her day was.  Kiss her when you leave the house and when you get home. Tell her the highlights and lowlights of your day. Never humiliate her. Build her up; never make fun of her ambitions. Don't use her to get your laughs. Compliment her often -- and mean it. Don't use crude or filthy language in front of her. Show respect to her. Be truthful. Don't yell. Be a good listener. Don't focus on one point and ignore the other points. Don't begrudge the money you spend on her and/or the kids. Be the spiritual leader of the family. Don't show dislike for her meal(s). Buy her a present on special occasions such as Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Don't oogle at other women. Ignore them. Have eyes only for her. Never make her walk behind you. Do your part

  These are not truly my traits but are pretenses of the traits of the Bible characters MY TRAITS LIKE BIBLE CHARACTERS I’m like Moses; I sometimes argue with God. I’m like Noah; No one listens to me. I’m like Elijah in a dark cave—depressed. I’m like Joseph; life sometimes hands me a raw deal. I’m like Deborah—ready to take on an army; don’t mess with me. I’m like Gideon; I have no self-confidence. I’m like Jacob; I’m a dreamer, but some of my dreams turn to nightmares. I’m like Jonah; I sometimes have an attitude and when I do, I’m going the wrong direction. I’m like Peter—sometimes hasty in speech and action. I’m like John the Baptist; I sometimes wear tacky clothes. I’m like Stephen; I sometimes make people angry by trying to do the right thing. I’m like Solomon; I have spent much time chasing the wind but have found true happiness lies in knowing God.

  THE POWER OF WORDS “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Do you really believe that? It is contrary to scripture and mental health research. There is great power in words. They are greater than brute force with the exception that they can’t directly take another person’s life, though they can order it done. One can be a paraplegic and still have great power with the words he or she speaks. A king of Heracleopolis said to his son, who was his successor: Be skillful in speech, that you may be strong…Words are braver than all fighting.” He said this in 2040 B.C. A flattering tongue: Psalm 5:9 - For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Psalm 12:3 - May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— Psalm 36:2 - In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. Psalm 78:35-37 - They remembered that God

INSTRUMENTS IN THE WORSHIP SERVICE PROS AND CONS Numbers 4:12 - “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame. Psalm 150:4 - ...praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, Genesis 4:21 - His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. I Chronicles 15:16 - David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. 1 Chronicles 16:42 - Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. 1 Chronicles 23:5 - Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.” 2 Chronicles 5:13 - The trumpeters and musicians joined in

 STUDY THE BIBLE AND PREACH IT TEACH Matt. 28:19-20 -  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I Peter 3:15 - ... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. TEACH & PREACH I Tim. 4:13 -  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.   STUDY II Tim. 2:15 (KJV) -   Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. PREACH II Tim. 4:2 -     Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. Titus 1:1-3 - ... knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—   in the hope of eter