The Real State of the Union. WHO ARE YOU CALLING “FATHER”? Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:
    

The Real State of the Union: A Warning for America

“President Obama’s last State of the Union address described a healthy and vibrant nation with a bright future. But a closer look reveals we face major problems. 

Why is today’s America experiencing so much turmoil from within and outside its borders?
This is not a popular message, but the real roots of America’s problems are the result of our rapid moral decline and national rejection of the values and laws of God found in the Bible. Let’s take a closer look and see what the Bible says about some of the problems facing America today.

A nation living in fear
Many of the problems America is facing were not addressed during the State of the Union address.
The fear of terrorist attacks and violence within our own borders is now leading many Americans to buy guns for protection. Yet fear is also leading the government to tighten up gun control laws. For further insight into this issue, read “Gun Violence in America: God Isn’t Fixing This?”

Fear of violence affects our lives in many ways. For instance, when we fly on an airplane or enter a government building, extra security measures have been added—based on fear of an attack.
When I last went to my child’s elementary school, I had to press a button and identify myself to be permitted entry. Then I was in an isolated room and had to walk up to a security window and get approved to enter the school’s hallway. It felt like I was entering a prison!

This is what fear has done to us. We have become prisoners of our own fear. God declares that when we reject Him, terror and fear will consume us (Leviticus 26:16-17, 37).”
More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/the-real-state-of-the-union/
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WHO ARE YOU CALLING “FATHER”?

“One of Christianity’s largest denominations uses “father” as a religious title for its leaders. But did you know this contradicts the words of Christ?

There are over 1.2 billion Catholics throughout the world. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination of Christianity, and it continues to grow, mostly in the developing world (Africa and Latin America). Its current leader, Francis I, has continually made headlines with his unorthodox actions and words.
Francis comes from Argentina, where he was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He became a priest in 1969 and began ascending the ranks of the Catholic Church in Argentina. He was appointed provincial of the Jesuits in 1973, a bishop by John Paul II in 1992, coadjutor archbishop in 1997, archbishop of Argentina in 1998 and a member of the College of Cardinals in 2001.
He ascended to the papacy when he was elected by the cardinals on March 13, 2013 (succeeding the retired Benedict XVI).
Do you know what the word pope means? It is actually a very simple term, derived from the Latin word papa, meaning “father.”
Roman Catholic leaders (starting with priests and going all the way up to the pope) are given the title father. In monastic communities, the leader of monks is called an “abbot,” which is derived from the Aramaic word abba, meaning “father.” But within Roman Catholicism, only the bishop of Rome can be called the pope—or the father. It is a form of the title that is reserved only for his office. And, in order to further distinguish the pope’s authority, he is also given the title holy father.
When Francis visited the United States last September, it was common to hear him addressed as “holy father” by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

SHOULD WE CALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS “FATHER”?

Roman Catholics are not the only denomination to use the title father to refer to their leaders. It is also used to describe leaders in the Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches.
You may be surprised to learn that Jesus specifically addressed this title during His ministry. Notice what He said, recorded in Matthew 23:9: “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”
Just taking that scripture out of context and at face value, we could assume Jesus is saying that we can’t call anyone father—including our own biological father. But that is not the point He was making. Throughout His recorded words in the Gospels, Jesus referred to paternal parents as fathers without hesitation.” 

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/the-church/who-are-you-calling-father/
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Update:

Nothing going on except a few items sold on eBay and Craigslist.  As long as I take the time to take lots of pictures and write explicit ads, then things sell.
Took my neighbor into Conroe twice for Dr. appointments, and to the Pantry for food. He got some cabbage and didn’t know what to do with it, so I made him Southern Fried Cabbage.  Said it was the first time that he enjoyed cabbage.

I haven’t felt like working on the guest house for three reasons.  1:- Just didn’t feel like working on it as I think I hurt something when I held up that fascia board when I was working for Jay.   2:- The weather has been freezing in the mornings.  3:- Just didn’t feel like spending money on help when most of them are hung over, can’t think straight and just wanting the money for alcohol or drugs.  Though, I have met a very capable sober man who will do the work, but of course, he is expensive.

Nala, my foster cat, has a new roommate and playmate.  A big black boy cat called Midnight Lee.  He is very gentle, sweet, and loving towards me, and often sleeps at the end of my bed.  I got him for Nala as she gets bored, or jealous, when I am sitting at the computer and pesters me to play with her, but Nala won’t play with him yet.  He is another of our SPCA cats, so he has already been checked for FIV and Feline Leukemia,  He was with another foster mom who has a lot of foster cats, so he likes the individual attention.  He isn’t fussy and will eat most things, and likes to sleep in Misty’s (my old foster dog) bed under my bed during the day.  He has ventured out on the front screen porch with Nala to watch the birds at the feeder, but that just isn’t his thing
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Church got a big batch of rice and veggies for the potluck, and also a trifle which I made the day before.  But I made mine with Lady Fingers, cherries, cherry pudding, and Cherry Jello, and no topping.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifle
The readings were Exo.10:1-13:16 about Moses and the plagues of Egypt, Jer.46:13-28, and Rev. 16:1-21  The Message was about all the different places in the Bible where it ways that this time it will be fire that renews this earth.  But the believers will all be taken up before that happens, and there will be a new earth made for us.

After the morning service and potluck at our church, I cut across south on the country roads and went to see a guest preacher from Shoreshim Ministries at an afternoon church.  It was an interesting Teaching, but one that we have all heard before.

Another great day.