Pressing on Toward the Mark


Philippians 3:9-14 (KJV) 9 (King James Version) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Olympian Misses the Mark:

 
 
 
Matt Emmons of the United States shoots at wrong target, finishes eighth. (Douglas C. Pizac — AP)

 

Matt Emmons was just focusing on staying calm. He wishes he had been more concerned with where he was shooting.

Emmons fired at the wrong target on his final shot, a simple mistake that cost the American a commanding lead in the 50-meter three-position rifle final and ruined his chance for a second gold medal.

Ahead after nine shots and needing only to get near the bull’s-eye to win, Emmons fired at the target in Lane 3 while he was shooting in Lane 2. He had cross-fired — an extremely rare mistake in elite competition — and received a score of zero. That dropped Emmons to eighth place at 1,257.4 points and lifted Jia Zhanbo of China to the gold at 1,264.5.

“On that shot, I was just worrying about calming myself down and just breaking a good shot, and so I didn’t even look at the number,” said Emmons, 23. “I probably should have. I will from now on.”

A trained Olympian yet he missed the mark. How many countless hours has Matt spent practicing, taking shot after shot to perfect his craft? How many times as he shot at a target aiming for the bulls eye? But in the one moment that it matter the most his misplaced aim cost him a second gold medal in the Olympics. His shot was good enough to have earned an 8.1 had he hit the right target but instead it earned him no credit at all.

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A Refreshing Look at the 23rd Psalm


PSALM 23

A special look at one of the most quoted passages of the Bible.

The Lord is my Shepherd
shepherd_1662c.jpgThat’s Relationship!

I shall not want
That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That’s Guidance!

For His name sake
That’s Purpose!

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Hunger


Did you ever stop to think about hunger? I mean it is something we often take for granted. I mean we get hungry we eat. After a while we get hungry again. Some are more susceptable to hunger than others. Some can go through a day and not think about food. Others, myself included, enjoy a good meal. The smell of a steak sizzling on the fire or chili simmering on the stove. Yum Yum I can almost taste it now.

Alot of life is something like hunger. Hunger is so ingrained in who we are that we do not think about it anymore than we think about breathing or going to pee. Hunger is a real motivating force though when you think about it. Many people will do many strange things under the influence of hunger. I mean have you ever gotten in the way of someone having a chocolate attack and needing a fix? FOR REAL best get out the way fast. Anyway if we never got hungry how would our lives be different? Would we change the way we act? Would our social lives change drastically? I mean how many events on your social calender has anything to do with food?

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Hangman is coming


Matthew 10:28 (KJV) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Ezekiel 33:11 (KJV) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: …

Psalms 1:6 (KJV) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1 Timothy 1:8-10 (KJV) 8 (King James Version) But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

The penalty for sin is death. Even though we must all face death one day being found guilty of a crime and sentenced to die is a disgrace to any human being. Yet there are those who seem to be defiant even when faced with certain death. I take no delight in the death of a wicked man. It would have been far better had Saddam repented of his wickedness and accepted Jesus as Lord of His life. At the same time I can not turn a blind eye to the wickedness carried out under this evil tyrant. The law was set against Saddam and finally the long arm of the law reached out and hung the madman of Iraq.

The tyrant was reportedly defiant to the end, and though the entire hanging was videotaped with a stable camera, the only video to show the dictator’s execution has been from an unidentified cell phone camera.

The video is available here, or here but be warned it is graphic.

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RESOLUTION OR REVOLUTION: by Tim Timmons


The Top 10 New Year’s resolutions as reflected in most polls in the USA are:

1) Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2) Fit in Fitness
3) Tame the Bulge
4) Quit Smoking
5) Enjoy Life More
6) Quit Drinking
7) Get Out of Debt
8) Learn Something New
9) Help Others
10) Get Organized

I’m sure most of us are able to claim one or more of these as our own personal resolutions. I know I can. I have kept only a few of my New Year’s resolves. It certainly makes me a better person just to reflect on and evaluate my life each year and for that there is no doubt a little improvement in some areas.

However, I am through with any medium to high expectations that may come through my New Year’s resolutions. Life is too short to count on resolutions to make significant changes in my life. Resolutions can only REFORM what I already have going for me or not going for me. In 2007 I am for revolution. Revolution can TRANSFORM my life.

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