Just Because

A little something to brighten your day. It's been 3 months sense my last post, as my wife pointed out yesterday. Yesterday, another birthday come and gone. Is everyone ready for Christmas? I'm one of those who always waits for Christmas eve, go in - grab it- and get out.
I have a couple things to post but what I would really like to do right now is just wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. And don't forget to tell others you love them, as I do you.

What is a Sacrifice

Through My Mind’s Eye
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Edited by Jesus Christ

What is a Sacrifice?
by
Bradley C. Barnett


Just like all of you, I have made sacrifices. From not going fishing for a day with my kids to taking the fall for another. They were my decisions and I blame none other than myself for the outcome. Even though sometimes I still felt angry with myself I have learned to live with the decisions/sacrifices that I have made.
There isn’t one person that doesn’t make some sort of sacrifice every day. What I mean about that would be better explained from the dictionary. “2. A giving up of some cherished or desired object, person, idea, etc., usually for the sake of something else: also, that which is so given up. 4. A reduction of price that leaves little or no profit or involves loss.” Taken from The Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary.
Why am I talking about sacrifices you ask? Well, I was sitting around one day thinking of all the ones I have made and the ones that I will probably make in the future, and all the people I have listened to or have overheard complaining about having to do this or that. So, I wanted to bring to your attention about some very important facts and aspects of life that you don’t know or just may have forgotten.
The list of sacrifices made in a person’s life time is as far as East is from West. How important are our sacrifices? Are they as important as the young soldier that gives the ultimate sacrifice for us, his country, to be free, so we can continue complaining about our insignificant sacrifices? We should be ashamed!
To put all this in a nut shell; when was the last time you dusted off your Bible and cracked it open and studied (just don’t read, study) the contents? You will find that between sacrifice, sacrificed, sacrifices and sacrificing, presented to us by bibletab.com there are a grand total of 635 occasions where it is spoken of such actions. Read about all those and then start thinking about all the sacrifices you have made so far. After that task has been accomplished find Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46 and John 19:30, Jesus’ last breath. Are you feeling it yet?
In Matthew I was curious. In Mark I was beginning to feel something. In Luke I was getting excited. In John I was shown more than I could imagine and all the sacrifices that I had made, along with the anger, seemed to dissipate as I realized that they were/are insignificant to our Lords sacrifice that he gave to us for our salvation, his Son Jesus.
Now when my sacrifices start riding up on me and I feel the anger and self pity that arises they are easily forgotten because I think of that sacrifice that was made for me and say a thank you, Father God.
What is your sacrifice? Just a little something to think about.
Thank you Father God for all that you have done, all that you are doing and all that is yet to come. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Remember – JLY + MGBYAKY
Love to All
Monday, 26 October 2009

Hi Everybody ....... :}> Here it is August already. I pray that everything goes well with everyone.
Here's a little something I wrote last year about being afraid, something we very seldom think about and sometimes should.

Are You Afraid?
By
Bradley C. Barnett
Inspired by
The Holy Spirit

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” I just received the results of the testing that were taken a week ago. Part of my right lung is closing down and it looks like a tumor has/is developing. In two weeks they go in for a biopsy to see what’s what. Matthew 10:28-31 (28) “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. (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Are you afraid? Those of you who brave the Internet, at one time or another you have probably received one of those personal info games. I have received at least half a dozen different ones, some 3 and 4 times. The one question that has been on most of them is “What are you most afraid of?”, or something like that, and my answer is always the same, nothing! Now, to a certain extent, this is true, I have nothing to be afraid of. I have seen and survived a lot of things and I feel that I am in the right place with God. My name is right where it should be, inscribed on a page in the Lambs Book of Life.
What is there to be afraid of? Is there something in your life you need to get right with God? You are not alone. There is always something we are afraid of, but if we seek out our Father in Heaven, repent, and give our fears to Him, He will take that fear from us and cover us with a Vail of comfort and joy. This is why I feel “not afraid” for myself. You have probably noticed my irritation at times and that is because I have stuck my head out from under my Vail.
Proverbs 3:23-26 (23) “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. (24) When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. (25) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (26) For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”
I am not afraid! I have accepted the healing from God which is possible through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As my body continues on its destructive path, I am not afraid! The healing of my soul is of more importance, than a body that will be left in the ashes after I go home to be with my Father God.
When was the last time you read Psalm 23? It hangs right next to my computer monitor to remind me I am never alone and that He gives me everything.
Don’t ever give up, give in. Give in to our Lord Jesus Christ and see what few others see. Don’t be afraid; open your eyes, reach out your hands, trust Him, and take that step of faith. It will come, when He knows you are ready.
Thank you God for all you have done, all that you do, and all that’s yet to come. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

MGBYAKY
I Love You
11 March 09

Our Lord being Sighted

Hi everyone ....... :}
I can't believe it's been 2 months sense my last post ....... no excuses, just being lazy. Going through my book I stopped at this next Inspiration and had to read it. I think now is a good time to post it.

Our Lord being “Sighted”
By
Bradley C. Barnett
Inspired by the Holy Ghost


I would like to use my dad as an example here; I pray he doesn’t mind too much. He recently sent me a picture of the dust collected on his shop stool and tells me it’s the image of God. He even went as far as hanging that stool up in the garage so nobody would sit on it and going out and buying a new one to sit on. At first I wanted to write him back and tell him that he has totally lost it and maybe he should take a better look at it and reconsider, before they put him in a padded cell. Well I didn’t and haven’t said a word to him about it one way or another and I’m glad I haven’t, yet. This message will be my answer to him and all who have ever thought as I have.
How many places in the Bible does it say that man has actually seen God? Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis, Jacob said he saw God face to face. In Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers it explains the Ark of the Covenant and how only the most holy were allowed behind the vale to counsel with God. Psalms 27:8 “When thou sadist, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” And Psalms 31:16 “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.” In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 39, verse 29 reads; “Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.” And let’s not forget John in the book of Revelations.
Those were just a few examples from the Bible. How many more between then and today have seen the face of God? My guess would be; only God knows! I have not seen the face of God but I see God every day in everything around me. Even though I have not seen the face of God I feel the presence of the Holy Ghost when I write and such a wonderful feeling it is. I feel the Holy Ghost at other times too, but mostly when I write because I want others to benefit from what the Holy Ghost has helped me put together.
So now; should I be put into a padded cell for what I feel and write? Through my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I am able to talk with God as some of you would not believe. And with the gift of the Holy Ghost given to us a long time ago we are able to be touched and touch others with God’s gift of Love.
What do you see when you see a person with a handicap, physical, mental, or both? I see God! I always have and always will say this; there for the grace of God go I, something my mother instilled in us kids from the day we were able to understand. There are none closer to God than the physically and mentally handicapped for His Mercy and Grace.
So now, who do you see in your pancake? Are you looking? Better yet, do you seek the face of God and how will he appear to you? I have not yet searched for the face of God, maybe someday. Right now I am content in the awesome feelings I receive when the Holy Spirit takes my hand and puts to paper the things we wish to share with you. And the wonderful feeling I get when I ask God to please just sit with me for awhile. It is a totally peaceful feeling when I feel his presence.
Please forgive me Dad, and to all the others too for my selfish thoughts. Seek God and you will find him. Whether it’s His face on a dust covered shop stool, cooked up in the middle of a pancake, written down on paper with the help of the Holy Spirit, or just feeling his presence as he sits with you on your front porch, He loves you and truly wants you to be with Him.

Thank You Jesus
MGBYAKY
I Love You
7 Feb. 2009

Are You Pleased with Yourself

Ok ....... Let's see if the above smiley face is going to show or if all the info garbage for it come's up. We will find out when I hit the Publish button.

Did everyone have a wonderful Easter? Ours was fabulous. Everyone got fed twice that Sunday with a great service and then a big pot luck dinner afterwards.

I have 2 or 3 things I'm working on right now, trying to keep everything as to the way the Holy Spirit wants things done. Here is something from June 2008 that we picked out for you to think about.


Through My Mind’s Eye
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Edited by Jesus Christ

Are You Pleased with Yourself

All my life I have done things for others. Sometimes, not very often, wishing I would get something in return from them but never expecting it. Nevertheless, I would extend a helping hand to do what needed to be done, pleased with myself because it not only took a small burden off them and made them feel a little better it also made me feel good too.
Not until I was reading through the book of Romans did I realize that I was doing something that as a Christian is required from me. Romans 15:1-3 “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himsef; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” (Psalm 69:9).
I had to read Romans 15:1-3 more than just a few times and search my feelings and ask God for help because I was not sure if I should be pleased with myself. As I sat there listening for my answer my eyes were directed to the dictionary on the shelf above the computer. I was to look up the definition of scruples and edification and I would find my answer.
–Scruple(s) – “Doubt or uncertainty regarding a question of moral right of duty; reluctance arising from conscientious disapproval. To have scruples (about); hesitate (to do) from motives of conscience.”
-Edification – “Intellectual or moral enlightenment and improvement.”
For the few times I had wished for something in return, even though I was helping someone else, my heart being in the right place and my mind not, my motives for doing it were selfish. Being pleased with myself did not make God pleased with me for my selfish wishful thinking!
God wants me to Love and be Loved. He wants me to feel good and be pleased with all the good that I can do for others. But there cannot be any other motives than the Feel Good Love I give and receive from helping someone in need! And that alone is reward enough!
I don’t look for recognition, and the reward that I will receive when I leave to be with Jesus and our Father God is reward enough. However, it does make a person feel good when we get a Thank You and a pat on the back, especially when it comes from God. So remember when you do something for someone else, do it because you love them and want to ease a burden they may be carrying. And don’t forget to say thank you if it is your burden being lifted. Those two little words, thank you, along with a hug and a peck on the cheek do make a person feel good and appreciated.

MGBYAKY and remember JLY

Easter

Hi Everybody :} .......
How is everybody doing this fine wet morning? Yea, I woke up at 2am to the sound of heavy rain hitting the roof. I love that sound and the smell is so fresh, God's way of washing away the skunky smell from the back yard. Our GreatDane, Bison, decided to play with a miss guided skunk and this Dane doesn't know how to play nice. We don't think he is all there. Have you ever read the cartoon in the paper called "Marmaduke"? Well if you have then you know the character of this dog. He was probably playing soccer with the poor thing, he has a couple old basket balls that he loves to play soccer with, one is black and the other is white!?!? Go figure.
Ok, on with the program. Here is a little something to think about for Easter and I pray that everybody has a wonderful one.

EASTER
By
Bradley C. Barnett
Inspired by
The Holy Spirit


EASTER:
Exalt the Ascension of the Son and Treasure and Embrace his Resurrection.

I always thought Christmas; the celebration of the Birth of Jesus was the most important time of year for us. Until I read, with conviction, the last few chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. From the persecution of Jesus to his last visit with the disciples. I found John to be more descriptive in his writings and read chapters 19 thru 21 more than a couple of times.
I’m telling you all this because Jesus arose from the dead on the third day and I feel that all of us should take at least three minutes before our Easter Feast to give thanks to our almighty savior.
Something just wasn’t right. Everyone knows that Jesus arose on the third day from the dead. The number three was stuck in my mind like a grounded boat in the Mississippi mud. I knew the Holy Spirit wanted me to write about this, but he also wanted me to learn something from it too.
This is what the Holy Spirit has shown me and for you that don’t know, or if you have forgotten: In the 23rd chapter of Luke, verse 44, when darkness fell upon the earth from about the sixth hour to about the ninth hour, three. Jesus arose from the dead on the third day, three. In the 20th chapter of John, verses 15-23, when Jesus spoke to Mary that morning he arose and then again that evening with the disciples, visit #1. Again in the 20th chapter of John, verses 26-29, proving to Thomas that he is Christ our Lord, visit #2. And then all of the 21st chapter of John, showing himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias and filling the fishing nets with fish, visit #3. John 21:14 confirms his three visits and our saviors ascension to Heaven.
The Holy Spirit was using that number three to bring to my attention important things that had happened and wanted me to learn that Easter is not just another celebration, it is a very important factor in our lives.
So now, how should Easter be celebrated? Society would have us believe that it’s a time for little children to be all dressed up; little boys looking dapper in their little suits and ties and little girls with all the frills, with shiny new shoes and bonnets to match. And all those colored eggs that we take the time to dye and then go around hiding them saying, find, look what the Easter Bunny has left behind.
And what about us, the grown-up side? Have we gotten lost in all the frills, colored eggs, baskets, bunnies and the making of that perfect Easter dinner for all invited that we have forgotten why there is an Easter celebration? There is nothing wrong with all the pretties and good food, as long as we remember that Easter is the most important celebration in our Christian lives, the time we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Now, when you sit down to your fancy Easter Feast, looking pretty and dapper, take those three minutes and tell our Lord and Savior Jesus just how much you love him and thank him for all that he has done and will do for you. Remember; three hours, third day and three visits, which also equal three. Thank you Father God for all that was, all that is and all that is yet to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


MGBYAKY
I Love You

Treasures

Good morning everybody .......
One of these days I am going to learn how to insert pictures!!!
How is everybody doing? Wow - March already and in another week we spring forward into Spring, time to plant and cultivate all our pretties. I have 4 new berry bushes and a climbing rose bush to plant. The dryness of last summer took one of my magnolia trees, about 18', so I trimmed it out and I am hoping the climbing rose bush will take to the tree and cover all the limbs I left behind with it's tiny roses.
Well I guess I should get this message off to you so I can go get 40 winks before I need to get up. Need to be over at a friends about 8 am to help him out.

Hay Money - - I found the translator - - Thank you.


Through my mind’s eye
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Edited by Jesus Christ

Treasures

How many treasures do you have? Do they make you feel a bit proud that you are able to have such treasures? Just what is a treasure? You have all heard the saying “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. But is what you have truly a treasure?
In the book of James, believed to be the brother of Jesus, chapter 5:2 & 3, he writes; 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Our worldly treasures mean nothing. A long time back I heard a saying going around, “he who dies with the most toys wins”. I hope people don’t take this literally because unless you have accepted Jesus as your savior, YOU LOSE.
Treasures can be bought and sold, whatever they may be; your home, your car, stamps, coins and even a rock collection. They can even be lost. By the words of Jesus in Matthew, chapter 6:19; Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
We work hard for the things we have and the few treasures we hold onto and more often than not it’s hard for us to give them up. I have worked hard all my life with the God given talents I now posses. I have learned in the past 2 years that everything I have, my car, my home and the few treasures I own are all because of Him. Those treasures that have been collected were to help my family over a bump in the road of worldly life and yes it did hurt a bit but I never complained, much. Something I always knew, felt within me, I found in Matthew 6:20 & 21 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
So where do our treasures lie? I have learned that my true treasures while here visiting the world God made for us are my parents, my brother and sister, my wife, my children and my grandchildren and oh yes, my true friends, how little of them I may have. I pray that each and every one of them will be with me when I reach the New Jerusalem. As Paul wrote in Colossians 2:2 & 3 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
How many treasures do you have? Could you part with some of them to help a neighboring family eat for another day, week or month? Would that not be a treasure to truly treasure? Knowing that you were able to help take some of the stress off someone trying to cope and get back on their feet? What a feeling! Deep down inside, knowing that you were able to help, just like Jesus said we should. In Acts, the second of two books written by Luke, we find in chapter 20 the verse 35; I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
There are so many places in your bible that talk about treasures; I found another one just the other day in church while listening to the pastor. It was in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 4 verse 7; But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. I think this says it all; our treasures are nothing compared to the power of God and the treasures that await us when we make that final trip to be with Him and his Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
There is one more thing I would like to leave you with before I close, something very important that I feel you should know and understand. In Jesus’ words, of the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 1 – 4; 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Thank you Father God for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; for all that you have done and all that You are doing and all that will be done. Thy Will Be Done!
Amen.

MGBYAKY and remember JLY

"What", do you "See"?

Hi Everybody ....... :}
It's been awhile, did you miss me? I've been kind of slacking off, sorry. Anyway, here is something for you to think about. I started writing it in March of 09, very angry, seeing only the hurt that was put upon my family. I only got about 10 or 12 lines done when my hands were lifted from the keyboard and I heard a voice telling me "not yet". Over the next three months I would try to go back to it but it just wasn't happening. Finally, one day in June it happened; I brought up my documents and clicked on what I had started to write. Every thing just started to flow through me and onto the screen. I learned that being angry was ok, I just needed to ask forgivness for all involved, especially for myself. Lesson learned!!!
Anyway, here it is.

“What”, do you “See”?

Inspired by
The Holy Spirit

How often do we make a comment about what we see, or better yet, what we think we see? I have seen a lot of things in my 56+ years. A lot more than most, not near as much as some. I try not to judge others on what I think I see, but it happens and for the most part I have been right in what I have seen. There are times, especially now-a-days, that we must make a judgmental decision in order to keep our lives together and going in the right direction. God understands this, especially when we use him as our guide through our meager little lives.
What really makes things bad is when we make comments to friends and loved ones on something we think we see, thinking we are doing the right thing, not seeking the guidance of our Lord God before opening our mouths. There is a word for this type of behavior and you all know it as “Gossip”; Idle, often malicious talk, especially about others.
Now, in Proverbs 11, 16, 18, and 26, Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, talks about “Gossip” and those who are idle taletellers. In Matthew 15 verse 19, 20 Jesus mentions “false witness”, among other commandments, laws, “which defile a man”. All of these are of a willful aggression towards another. What about the person that feels they are just being, helpful? Doing and/or saying what they think is right. Is what we see really what we see, or is it what we think we see? Most of the time when we convey our gossip type thoughts about another it is of little regard we have for anybody but ourselves and we do not see or care to see the anguish that is bestowed upon that person.
Luke, chapter 6, verses 39 – 42; (39) “And he spoke a parable unto them: Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? (40) The disciple is not above his master; but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master. (41) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceives not the beam that is in thine own eye? (42) Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdes not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye”. This book, chapter and verses is what holds me back all too often from opening my mouth and very possibly destroying the trust between friends and loved ones. Just because we believe, in our mind, that what we have seen is true, does not give us the right to open our mouths, because what we have seen could possibly be a false image as to what we think we are looking at.
Are we 110% positive that what we are looking at, or what we are hearing is the truth, or has the Ugly One (Satan) fabricated something in our mind and split our tongue like a serpents to hurt others? Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.” 12:21 “There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.”
I have witnessed firsthand the ugly repercussions of those “whispered words”, “inquisitive looks” and “evasive moves” and they cut deeper than any sword could. But my healing came from God because I was able to forgive. A slight slip of the tongue, mischievous or not, can destroy a relationship with another, but your faith and trust in God it never will, because his love for you is stronger than any others.
Do you see what you’re looking at?
Are you listening to what you’re hearing?

MGBYAKY & JLY
I Love You

Started 06 March 2009
Finished 10 June 2009