Brand New...

My favorite scripture is 2 Cor. 5:17, so when I got this email, I just had to share it with you....

Legend has it that in the days of the old west, there were two teenage boys who were caught steeling sheep. The small town wanted to make an example of these boys, sending a message to the community that they would not tolerate such behavior, so a motion was passed to put a brand on their foreheads of "ST" for "Sheep Thief."

Well, one boy couldn't stand the ridicule and shame and fled from his hometown, never to be heard of again.

The other boy allowed the humiliation to mature him quickly, and he decided to stay in that town and never again be a source of shame or pain to its citizens. He devoted his life to the Lord, worked hard and eventually started a general store.

As the years past, the people of that town grew to love this branded man, and knew he could be trusted with anything. He had become a pillar of the community, his store thrived and he had a wonderful family, with many grandchildren.

One day, a young man came to that town and saw the old man in the general store with the brand of "ST" on his forehead. He couldn't help but be curious, so he asked another old-timer, "Say, what's with that fellow with the "ST" on his head? What does "ST" stand for?"

The old gentleman scratched his head, thinking back over the years that he had known this man, his goodness to the town, and love for its people, and simply said, "Near as I can recall, "ST" stands for "Saint."

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!" (2 Cor. 5:17 TLB).

Have a fantastic day in the Lord, realizing that no matter what you have done in the past; no matter what "brands" others have placed on you, when you come to Jesus Christ, He can turn your brand into "brand new" by the power of His love and forgiveness.

Tough To Swallow. . .

I receive KURT'S DAILY MUSE every day in my mail box and I thoroughly enjoy it. He always has very inspirational messages. I wanted to share this one with you.... a couple times lately, I have come across Matthew 10:29-31... I think God is sending me a message...

Over the weekend, we took some time to go to our hideaway in East Texas. As I went down to uncover our little boat, I noticed a series of bird droppings in one spot on the tarp, so I looked up. And there in the apex of the boathouse was a nest affixed to one of the planks. I was just about to get a long pole and take it down when "mom and dad" came home. As the two barn swallows arrived, four little peeping heads appeared over the edge of the nest. So I watched. Apparently, mom and dad didn't have enough for all four at once, so they'd fly off and come back in less than a minute until all were fed. Then, almost ritualistically, those little swallows would take turns hanging their rear ends over the nest and "depositing" a token of their appreciation on my boat cover!

At first, I could only think of myself and ridding the boathouse of any "pests." But then I wondered if there was a "win-win" situation I could come up with. So, I found a piece of plywood, laid it on the rafters right under their nest, and then listened to the symphonic sound of "plop, plop-plop, plop" after their evening meal. I was happy, they were happy, and my boat cover was spared any more grateful "offerings" of nature.

The real reason I didn't knock down their nest was a Scripture that popped into my mind as I observed their routine: "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Mt. 10:29-31).

If I, being a sinful man, could even care about those little birds, imagine how much my heavenly Father cares for me? He knows my comings and goings. He numbers my very hairs. He even cleans up my "messes." Even though He has the right to rid the world of a "pest" like me, He came up with a solution. In Jesus Christ, He has made a "win-win" situation where a sinner can enjoy the fellowship and promise of eternal life with a holy God.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord, knowing that you are not a "pest" to our heavenly Father, but have been adopted as a child of God, inscribed with the blood of the Lamb, and sealed by the Spirit of Grace. And even though, much of what you do may be "for the birds," Jesus Christ has saved you, and made it so you are not..."tough to swallow."

P.S. I have been having Server problems, so if you don't receive KURT'S
DAILY MUSE by 8:00 AM (CST - USA) every weekday, you can view the latest one
at: www.StrattonRealtors.com
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"Kept" Woman

I am a "Kept" Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, but GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.

There were times when I thought I could go no longer, but the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
Wherever you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won't leave you--I will do all I have promised.

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, but the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)
I trust your love, and I feel like celebrating because you rescued me. You have been good to me, LORD, and I will sing about you.

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, but GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:30-33)
Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, he kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! Praise the Lord --I'm blessed to be "KEPT."

Are you...or do you know a "kept" woman?

If so pass it on to her to let her know she is "Kept".

Palm Sunday

The week we now call Holy Week, started with Palm Sunday.  Why was this week so important
that three of the gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) devote a full third of their contents to
reporting this week, and The Fourth (John) dedicates its entire last half?  Jerusalem, which had
a normal population of about 50,000 at this time, had at least tripled
in size because of the influx of pilgrims celebrating the Jewish
holiday Passover.  Early Sunday morning Jesus made his baldly public
entry into the city.  This was the end of all privacy and safety, and
the beginning of what would be an inevitable collision course with the
religious and political authorities.  Crowds began to gather to see the
rabbi from Galilee.  The procession began accompanied by shouting and
singing from the throngs as they threw down their garments on the
pathway to cushion his ride - an Oriental custom still observed on
occasions - as well as palm fronds, the symbol of triumph.  The Old
Testament prophet Zechariah had foretold the arrival of the Messianic
king in Jerusalem via the humble conveyance of a colt.  Here the crowd
hailed Jesus as "the son of David", a loaded name used at a loaded
time.  The priestly establishment was understandably disturbed, as the
palm was the national emblem of an independent Palestine.  These were
Jewish flags.  What if Jesus should claim to be the heir of King David?
(Recent archiological excavations have turned up Roman coins, which have
the head of Tiberias (idolatrous to the Jewish subjects) but overstamped
with a palm.)

The "conspiracy" against Jesus had been building for at least 3 years,
and the sources record seven instances of official plotting against
him, two efforts at arrest, and three assassination attempts before
this time.  This intrigue was no spur of the moment idea.  A formal
decision to arrest Jesus had in fact been made several months earlier.
The Jewish religious officials were afraid that if Jesus were to
continue performing his signs, he would win over the people and the
Romans would come in and destroy the Temple and nation.  According to
legal custom at that time, a court crier had to announce publicly or
post an official "wanted" handbill in the larger towns of Judea about
forty days prior to a trial.  Small wonder that there was some debate
over whether Jesus would dare appear in Jerusalem for the next
Passover.  This discussion ended abruptly on Palm Sunday.

There were political reasons for dealing with Jesus.  There had been a
dozen uprisings in Palestine in the previous 100 years, most of them
subdued by Roman force.  Another Messianic rebellion under Jesus would
only shatter the precarious balance of authority, break Rome's
patience, and might lead to direct occupation by Roman legions.

Religiously, Jesus was a dangerous item.  The people were hailing the
Teacher from Galilee as something more than a man, and Jesus was not
denying or blunting this blasphemous adulation.  Personally, the
Pharisees had been bested by Jesus in public debate, being called
vipers, whitewashed tombs, and devourers of widow's houses.
Humiliated, they would be only too happy to conspire with the scribes,
elders, and chief priests.  There were economic motives for opposing
Jesus as well.  Seeing the commercialization of the Temple, Jesus had
driven the dealers and animals out, as well as turning over the tables
of the moneychangers causing a major disruption in business.  There
were many reasons for dealing with Jesus.

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
www.billpetro.com/holidayhistory