Maundy Thursday

*What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Thursday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.
 

First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.

The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility. However, at the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him. * taken from http://www.gotquestions.org/Maundy-Thursday.html

I remember as a child visiting my grandmother's church where we had to wash one another feet.  Can you imagine a teenager washing the feet of toes made like pigs feet but toes like a person who never wear shoes, ever?  I cried through the entire feet washing.  I had refused but you can't tell Phyllis Ann, my grandmother that you weren't going to do something because that meant you wanted to meet Jesus, a lot sooner.  

It wasn't until I knew God for myself that I was able to appreciate the value of washing someone's feet.  Would I do it today......probably not (I'm Just Saying! you wouldn't either truth be told)!  I believe we can show our acts of being "good towards one another" with many other gestures than washing somebody's dogs (feet).  Such as praying for them, helping them with chores, groceries etc. running errands.  Either way I am a firm believer that God knows our heart.  He knows me!  Which means He knows I am not for touching other people feet, toes, body etc.  Jesus knows I am not wrap too tight and that I am still a work in progress.  

So as you may or may not prepare for today's Maundy services let us be reminded of the woman who washed Jesus feet with her expensive perfume.  She used one of the most valuable item she had to show her love to him.  Show your love today by giving something valuable to God.  Let Him know that His sacrifice of His son wasn't all in vain.  After all, we do owe God!!  I'm Just Saying!

  

and that's,

The Grieving Sister

Powerful things happen when we open up and come into his presence. The story is told of the man whose wife grieved over the death of her sister. She took the death very hard and mourned an unusually long time.
The husband tried everything to bring her out of her depression. He bought her gifts, roses and even carried her on a two week cruise. None of those things seemed to lift her spirit.
One Sunday morning, he opened his bible to the 23rd Psalms. He held the bible with one hand and her hand with the other and read to her. Many months after they sat on their porch and reflected back on that dark period and the wife confessed to her husband, "I really appreciated the roses, gifts and the attention you showed me when my sister died.
But when I heard you read the words, "Yea thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me;' you ushered me into the presence of the Lord." Then, my burden was lifted and I saw the light."

Psalm 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Hold on to that the next time you are going thru something!  

Sincerely,

Suppose the dead were not really dead

Suppose someone you thought was dead showed up a few days after the funeral? What would be your reaction? For some the initial response would be fear? Others would be skeptical. They would demand proof that the person they saw was not a ghost or a figment of their imagination. The evidence would need to be clear and undeniable. Then and only then would they believe that what they saw was not just a hallucination.

This was dilemma that the disciples faced on the day of the resurrection. They had witnessed the crucifixion in all of its gory detail. Now, they were being asked to believe that the man they saw crucified and buried was indeed alive.
Theirs was a circumstance of hope lost and found again. They were cautious before accepting this new truth demanding to consider the testimony before they believed.
It is the same with anyone who has participated in what seems to have been a failed experience. When reassured that all is not lost we want to be sure, by the testimony, that the evidence is clear and the assurance is sound.
In the case of the resurrection of Jesus the evidence of his death was certain. These 11 men were with him in the garden when the temple guards came to seize him.
They were close by when he was tried by the Sanhedrin Council and found guilty.
They were close by when Herod mocked and ridiculed him.
They were in the crowd when Pilate handed him over to the soldiers for crucifixion.
They watched as he carried a cross toward Golgotha.
They watched as he was nailed to the cross and lifted up high.
They were present when he gave up the ghost and died.
They saw him buried in a freshly hewn tomb.
They saw the stone rolled in front of the tomb and guards placed in front of the tomb.
For the disciples there was considerable evidence of Christ’s death. What they needed to breathe new energy into their hopes and dreams was testimony and evidence that he was truly alive.
They received their evidence in three different testimonies that resulted in the disciples being glad instead of sad.
Similarly, today there are thousands who face the prospect of failure, defeat and hopelessness. The message of the resurrection is that despite what seems to be lost, hope is still alive, failure can be overcome, and the power of God has not been conquered. Like the disciples, we look for evidence and the events of resurrection provide the testimony.

Sincerely,

Three steps to the beautiful life

Just how can we create a work of art? If a man or woman wanted to shape an individual life into a work of Art for God, what should he or she do?
There are many people who are born with an artistic touch. Even without joining a church, believing in God, they can write music, draw, arrange flowers, decorate and a plethora of other expressions. However, the person who wants to use that gift for God must get to know him on a personal basis and accept him as his personal Lord and Savior.
This is the man or woman who goes beyond mere art and begins to shape their lives into works of art.
INNER LIFE: The godly artist reflects an inner life in all that they do. The inner life is the communion he or she shares with God. God’s spirit communes with them in special ways through this inner life that helps them see what appears to be a bunch of weeds and arrange them into flowers. People who desire to make their lives a work of art, cannot do so without a spiritual communion with God. It’s that inner life that brings peace, joy and satisfaction.
INNER EYE: The godly artist has an inner eye. The inner eye of the artist sees value in what others have thrown away and can always find a way to take something ugly and make it beautiful. This inner eye helps them see what others cannot see. It is a special gift that comes from God. The artist can take a vase of flowers and arrange them in a way that inspires. The artist can see the value of a scrap of paper, pop sickle sticks or bottle tops. Others pass these things by and think little of them, but the artist sees “value!” This is the same way God sees those who are less fortunate, down cast and lost. He sees our value and takes something that others call ugly and makes it beautiful.
INNER TOUCH: The godly artist has an inner touch. We feel with our hands. But the godly artist feels with her soul. Very few godly artists can create anything until they are touched themselves. A variety of terms are used such as “inspired” or ”moved.” Ultimately, the net result is that the godly artisan can do nothing until God touches them. The godly singer prays for God’s touch. The godly musician prays for God’s guiding power. The godly artist stares at the canvass waiting for God to send a beam from heaven. The person who desires to create a work of art of their lives is one who desires to move at God’s command and direction.

Sincerely,

I'm Just Saying!!! (OUR GOVERNMENT)

I received this in an email and thought I would get this out to who ever, how ever!!!  Oh and please leave your comments!!!!  Forealdoh

A very interesting column..  COMPLETELY NEUTRAL

 Be sure to Read the Poem at the end.

Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel... He has been a journalist for 49 years.   He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.  Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat.  Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day.  It's a short but good read.  Worth the time.  Worth remembering!

  545  vs. 300,000,000 People 

        -By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.  No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating  deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want.  If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal  government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in  Iraq and Afghanistan ...

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they  alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of  them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando  Sentinel  Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.

This might be funny if it weren't so  true.

Be sure to read all the way to the end:

                               Tax his land,

                               Tax his bed,

                               Tax the table,

                               At which he's fed.

                               Tax his tractor,

                               Tax his mule,

                               Teach him taxes

                               Are the rule.

                               Tax his work,

                               Tax his pay,

                               He works for

                               peanuts anyway!

                               Tax his cow,

                               Tax his goat,

                               Tax his pants,

                               Tax his coat.

                               Tax his ties,

                               Tax his shirt,

                               Tax his work,

                               Tax his dirt.

                               Tax his tobacco,

                               Tax his drink,

                               Tax him if he

                               Tries to think.

                               Tax his cigars,

                               Tax his beers,

                               If he cries

                               Tax his tears.

                               Tax his car,

                               Tax his gas,

                               Find other ways

                               To tax his ass.

                               Tax all he has

                               Then let him know

                               That you won't be done

                               Till he has no dough.

                               When he screams and hollers;

                               Then tax him some more,

                               Tax him till

                               He's good and sore.

                               Then tax his coffin,

                               Tax his grave,

                               Tax the sod in

                               Which he's laid...

                               Put these words

                               Upon his tomb,

                               'Taxes drove me

                               to my doom...'

                               When he's gone,

                               Do not relax,

                               Its time to apply

                               The inheritance tax.

                               Accounts Receivable Tax

                               Building Permit Tax

                               CDL license Tax

                               Cigarette Tax

                               Corporate Income Tax

                               Dog License Tax

                               Excise Taxes

                               Federal Income Tax

                               Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

                               Fishing License Tax

                               Food License Tax

                               Fuel Permit Tax

                               Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)

                               Gross Receipts Tax

                               Hunting License Tax

                               Inheritance Tax

                               Inventory Tax

                               IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

                               Liquor Tax

                               Luxury Taxes

                               Marriage License Tax

                               Medicare Tax

                               Personal Property Tax

                               Property Tax

                               Real Estate Tax

                               Service Charge Tax

                               Social Security Tax

                               Road Usage Tax

                               Recreational Vehicle Tax

                               Sales Tax

                               School Tax

                               State Income Tax

                               State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

                               Telephone Federal Excise Tax

                               Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax

                               Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes

                               Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

                               Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax

                                Telephone    State   and Local Tax

                               Telephone Usage Charge Tax

                               Utility Taxes

                               Vehicle License Registration Tax

                               Vehicle Sales Tax

                               Watercraft Registration Tax

                               Well Permit Tax

                               Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

     What in the heck happened?  Can you spell 'politicians?'

 I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!!  YOU can help it get there!!!

                                         GO AHEAD. . .  BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Sincerely,

God's benefits compared to Social Security

Believer's who study God's word have come to learn that Christian survivor's have many benefits. These benefits go beyond any benefits that man can provide. We are accustomed to survival benefits related to insurance, various employment plans and Social Security. However, God has a survivors plan that goes beyond Social Security and insurance.
A SURVIVORS BENEFIT WITH GOD IS NOT PAID IN A LUMP AND THEN FORGOTTEN.
In certain circumstances the Social Security will pay a survivor a huge lump sum and then close the case. That ends the assistance forever. God never closes the case. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said "And lo, I'll be with you alway, even unto the end of the earth." God never forgets those who trust in Him. He remembers them and provides for them long after their loved one has been called home.
A SURVIVOR'S BENEFITS ISN'T DEPENDENT UPON ANYONE'S WORK BUT OUR OWN.
Survivor's benefits in social security are based on the amount of work of the deceased. The amount of assistance that a person receives is related to the amount that the deceased actually earned in his lifetime. Thus, your benefit is dependent on his work. However, when God considers the saints, He does not base what He does for us on anyone else's service and faith. Each believer can expect to receive the love and support of God that is the result of their own faith, not the experience of faith of the father, mother or spouse.
A SURVIVOR'S BENEFITS ARE NOT PRORATED BY FAMILY SIZE:
With Social Security there is a maximum amount of benefit a family of survivors can receive because the total amount of the benefit is divided by the number of family members. Survivors in a large family expect to receive less individually because the total benefit is divided by the number of eligible survivors. But in the kingdom of God there is no limit to God's benefits to survivors. There is no limit to God's benevolence. He will open up the windows of heaven and pour out enough blessings to handle every believer that trusts in Him.
A SURVIVOR'S BENEFIT IS NOT TIME SENSITIVE:
With Social Security, the deceased must have paid premiums on wages for a set number of quarters before his survivors are eligible for benefits. No minimum, in most cases six quarters, is not negotiable. But in the kingdom of God the survivor's benefit is not time sensitive. It doesn't matter whether you have known the Lord six quarters or six minutes, the benefits are the same. Jesus gave a parable of a workman that hired some of his workers at the beginning of the day and others at the close of the day. However, He paid all of the workers the same wage. He emphasized the point that in His eyesight every believer is the same and can expect the same reward.

Sincerely,

The memory of pain can hinder forward progress

Thursday March 31, 2011 around 10:00 am, my adoptive mother transitioned to heaven.  She was a Godly woman with a heart of gold.  I felt like my world stopped and wonder how was I going to go on without my Queen.  She knew me inside and out.  I could always count on her to uplift my spirits.  I wondered what did I do to lose the one person who loved me as your own.  

I can't get my own family to love me unconditionally.  The pain of her passing was met with anger, resentment, and a great loss.  The anger and resentment I had was toward my own family for the lack of support.  Yeah I get that they may feel betrayed by my devotion and dedication to my "mom", but lets face it, if you treat people right from the start, you won't have to worry bout their devotion.  

With that said, whether it is sickness, death, finances or disappointments, every person experiences some pain in his life.
Yet we should not carry the fear of pain or the memory of painful moments into the future.
These memories have a tendency to absorb us and destroy us.
Lot's wife tried to walk forward. She was given a chance to climb the mountain but the pain of loss possessions, lost dreams and acquaintances overwhelmed her and she stopped, turned and looked back and found herself completely absorbed in the pain of the moment and she was turned into a pillar of salt.
Has there been a painful moment in your life in the past year?
Carry the happy days into the New Year, leave the pain behind!
Has there been a bitter experience?
Leave it behind or it will drag you down.
Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Queen Esther Wood 7/7/40 ` 3/31/11

Queen was the mom I never had.  The mom who showed her love, spent her time, her energy and her wisdom on her children. I will show the same agape love she had showed to me and many others.  Queen E. Wood, I will forever love you and will miss you greatly.

Sincerely, 

Do not let the devil steal your joy

There are many who are miserable when something brings back memories of things we no longer have.
Some have memories of a loved one who is no longer with us, so we feel emptiness and hurt. For others it brings back memories of love lost. Perhaps it was a failed marriage, a broken heart, an abandonment of some kind. Focusing on our losses can make life miserable.
Instead, why not hear Paul say, "Forgetting those things which are behind, I press forward toward the mark." Focus on what you have now!
Focus on what your loved one left behind. Focus on the laughter, the good times, the humorous sayings, the funny moments of the past and tell them with joy when your family meets. Concentrate on what you have now! Concentrate on how God is blessing you now!
Concentrate on the goodness of this life now, despite the hardships you have endured. When we focus on what we have we experience "mega joy" because we know that God is with us and has not abandoned us. The devil can only steal your joy if you focus on your losses instead of your blessings.
God is with us and he is blessing us and that should bring us mega-joy.

Sincerely,