Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Something To Think About ...

I just received an e-mail from my Dad about a little-know fact about the Washington Monument. I do not know who wrote this, but I apologize ahead of time for posting this without the author's permission. It is something I think people should think about:

"One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo 'Praise be to God!' From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.
· On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;
· on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
· on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God' I am awed by Washington's prayer for America Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on! 'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.' Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo ', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1) It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school."

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bible Verse 33

Yes, I know I'm late, but it's that time of the week again. Here's this week's bible verse:

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV version)

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Bible Verse 32

It's that time of the week again! Here's this week's bible verse:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1 NIV version)

Friday, July 4, 2008

Bible Verse 31

Yes, I know I'm late again in posting this, but here's this week's bible verse:

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." (Romans 2:1 NIV version)

Happy Independence Day!

I just want to wish everyone a happy Independence Day! Enjoy!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Bible Verse 30

Even though this is late, it is still that time again. Here's this week's bible verse:

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18 NIV version)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Bible Verse of the Week 29

It's that time again! Here's this week's bible verse:

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you ... ." (Deuteronomy 5:16 NIV version).

Happy Father's Day!

I just want to wish everyone a happy Father's Day!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

My Apologies ...

I realize I have not been posting on this blog for a long time. I have posted on another one of my blogs, but I have neglected this one. I am sorry, and I do not have an excuse. I will start posting again soon.

My Belated Thoughts On the Vatican Announcement

As I promised in my previous post on this subject, I am going to post my thoughts on the Vatican's announcement. Of course, I haven't wrote this post until now because I forgot about posting my thoughts on this announcement.

Anyhow, there is a part of me that does not know what to think, but I do not agree with this Vatican announcement. For some reason, this announcement does not sit well with me. To be honest, I don't believe in aliens or their existence. Despite the fact that I don't believe in aliens, I just have this gut feeling that a church should not be declaring a belief in aliens as "not contradicting the Christian faith." I don't have any basis for my feeling, and I could be wrong. This just my opinion at the moment.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Vatican Declares Belief in Aliens Does Not Compromise Faith

I just happened to notice this article that was posted by Yahoo News. I have not had a chance to read the article. I will post my thoughts later.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Bible Verse of Week 28

It's that time of the week again! Here's this week's bible verse:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven ... ." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV version)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Bible Verse of the Week 27

It's that time of the week again. Here is this week's bible verse:

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men on clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened." (Luke 24:1-12 NIV version)

Friday, March 21, 2008

Happy Easter!

I just want to wish everyone a happy Easter!

Monday, March 10, 2008

An Interesting Movie Clip ...

My dad e-mailed me this link to a movie clip on Darwinism and Creationism. It is very thought provoking. Here is the link to the site: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playgroundvideo3.swf

Bible Verse of the Week 26

Yes, I'm late again, but it is that time of the week for another bible verse:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

Friday, March 7, 2008

Bible Verse of the Week 25

I know. I'm late again. Here's this week's bible verse:

"'And it is He who changes the times and epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding.'" (Daniel 2:21 NASB)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Bible Verse of the Week 24

I usually mention that it is time for the week's bible verse, but I am late in posting this verse this week. (Of course, I haven't posted any bible verses in several weeks.) So, here is the bible verse:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43: 18-19 NIV version).

Haven't Posted In A While ...

I realize I haven't posted on this site in weeks. I'm terribly sorry for neglecting this blog.