Happy Leap Year Day

2008 is a leap year, which means that it has 366 days instead of the usual 365 days that an ordinary year has. An extra day is added in a leap year—February 29—which is called an intercalary day or a leap day.

How would you like to have been born on a leap year? I heard of a lady today that was born 96 years ago on a leap year. She said it was kind of difficult not having a day to celebrate her birthday on the leap years. hmmm??? What would you do?

Why is a Leap Year Necessary?

Leap years are added to the calendar to keep it working properly. The 365 days of the annual calendar are meant to match up with the solar year. A solar year is the time it takes the Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun—about one year. But the actual time it takes for the Earth to travel around the Sun is in fact a little longer than that—about 365¼ days (365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds, to be precise). So the calendar and the solar year don’t completely match—the calendar year is a touch shorter than the solar year.

It may not seem like much of a difference, but after a few years those extra quarter days in the solar year begin to add up. After four years, for example, the four extra quarter days would make the calendar fall behind the solar year by about a day. Over the course of a century, the difference between the solar year and the calendar year would become 25 days! Instead of summer beginning in June, for example, it wouldn’t start until nearly a month later, in July. As every kid looking forward to summer vacation knows—calendar or no calendar—that’s way too late! So every four years a leap day is added to the calendar to allow it to catch up to the solar year.

Rules for determining a Leap Year:

1. Most years that can be divided evenly by 4 are leap years.
   (For example, 2008 divided by 4 = 502: Leap year!)
2. Exception: Century years are NOT leap years UNLESS they can be evenly divided by 400.  For example, 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not leap years, but 1600 and 2000, which are divisible by 400.

To read more go here. And then to “Leap Year 101”.

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Tired?

We’ve all seen the “ever been this tired” photos. Well, this is just how I feel right now. 🙂 We had chorale practice tonight and I am trying to get over this crazy sickness that just keeps hanging on and on. We did have a very good practice in spite of all the sickness going around. I missed all of you that wasn’t able to be there due to sickness. I hope you are feeling better very soon. What was kind of comical to me about this photo tonight is we practiced the song by Israel Houghton, “I’m Still Standing”. 🙂 Well, I might be tired but bless your heart, “I’m still Standing”. Am I whining? whah! whah! whah! Most of the time I’m fairly upbeat on this blog so allow me my whine time for just this moment. Thank You. I will be back on top of the world tomorrow. 🙂

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Perilous Times

When I opened my email this morning I had this in my mailbox. I’m sure many of you received the same. However, I felt like it was good to post it here today for those who may not have received it. Let us pray earnestly. God is in control.

Blessings to you all.

Occasionally I feel constrained to ask all of us to unite in specified prayer, and I believe this is one of those times.
Our world is reeling with unrest – politically, materially, economically, socially and spiritually. We are all so closely interconnected that whatever happens almost anywhere can affect us almost everywhere.
As Americans we have lived our personal lives somewhat above the fray and therefore have probably become somewhat complacent in earnest prayer concerning us as a nation. Presently, we are in an economic and spiritual crisis and we are facing a very important presidential election. These events have unleashed a whirlwind of spiritual activity that seeks to bind, distract, and demoralize the church in this crucial hour.
As the body of Christ we need to rise up and pray with the authority that is ours. We need to pray “according to the working of his mighty power”. (Eph 1:19) This power, available to us, raised up Christ from the dead and set him above all principality, power, might and dominion. Jesus Christ has been set above all political systems and people who front these systems. It is our responsibility to pray in such a way as to exalt Christ. “I, if I be lifted up,” Jesus said He would draw all men to him. It is not us, or our church system, it is Jesus who needs to be lifted up.
In praying for the current events of our day let us boldly confess that Jesus is Lord of all. Let us pray, “Thy Kingdom Come”. When we do this lesser powers will bow to the name above all names – Jesus.

Thetus Tenney
International Coordinator
World Network of Prayer
Pray through Psalm 91.

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Seek God First

At the root of many of life’s challenges is the refusal to acknowledge God’s Sovereign Will! Since He is the Author and Creator of life, what is often needed most is to get back to the basics of what He has declared true from the beginning of time!

We read in Proverbs: 30: 5-6 Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Add not to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar. (Amplified Bible)

Yes! Even in the year 2008 we can count on His counsel. We can rely on His direction.

When Jesus spoke on the subject of anxiousness in life, He said this, “But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

It is God’s ways and will that we need to continually seek as the basic foundation for our life. Some folks seem to live by the philosophy, “When all else fails, seek God!” However, we will be spared MUCH frustration, pain and time if we would seek God’s way FIRST.

I want the root of my walk in this life to be that which goes deep in drawing from the Will and Word of God, seeking God first and foremost in everything I do.

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God Is My Life

There is a little girl, Madeleine in our church. She is six years old. Her dad, Rodney and mom, Mindy and little brother, Joshua also attend our church. One day Rodney came down stairs and Madeleine was playing and she said, “Dad, are we going to church?” and he said, “Well, of course we are going to church Madeleine.” To which she responded, “Oh good. God is my Life”. Rodney being taken back a little asked, “Madeleine, what did you just say”? and she repeated it, “God is my life, Dad”. As Rodney relayed this to the adult bible class I was deeply touched. I pray that Madeleine keeps that focus as she grows and matures. And then I wondered…how many people really live their life that way. Is God really our life? How much of our life CENTERS around HIM. Paul wrote about this centered life focus in his letter to the church at Colossae.

Colossians 3: 2-4

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Our life is to revolve around Him and His will. If that is not the case, then all we are set to experience is the devastation of eternal loss. However, if we maintain a life centered around God then we have the hope of appearing with Him in glory! I hope that “God is my life!” truly is our motto. There is no better life!

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Tagged Again

Don Ryan tagged me with this so thought I would have some fun with it. So now I tag, Jana, Debbie and Deb. Have fun girls!

1. What translation of the Bible do you like best?

I really do like the King James translation. I know that may sound weird but that’s just the way I am. I will use the Amplified Bible sometimes and of course, cross reference with many translations in study.

2. Old or New Testament

New Testament hands down.

3. Favorite Book of the Bible

Acts (this is really a hard choice). I like different books for different reasons.

4. Favorite Chapter

Psalm 1, Acts 2

5. Favorite Verse

Psalm 37: 3-5 and Matthew 6:33

6. Bible Character you think you’re most like

Ruth, because of her words: “whether thou goest I will go”. I’ve been living by this principle for 31 years. 🙂

7. One thing that confuses you about the Bible

There are some things in scripture that seem unfair. Then I remember that God is not fair but He is just. However, I do believe I will ask the Lord why Judas was condemned and Simon was not. I think I may know the answer but things like that I do wonder about sometimes.

8. Moses or Paul

Paul. I love good preaching and teaching. He’s one of the best.

9. A teaching in the Bible that you don’t get or struggle with

See number 7.

10. Coolest name in the Bible

Jesus! Name above all names!

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Spring Cleaning

I’ll be back blogging soon. We have started an early Spring Clean, so today we are in the garage getting it all organized and throwing a bunch of junk away. 🙂 Next is my closet. ugh Oh well, it has to be done so here goes. I hope your day and weekend are blessed.

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Special People

 

On Valentine’s Day, we think of people
who have cheered and encouraged us,
who go out of their way
to be kind and caring,
who have enriched our lives
just by being themselves.
You are such a person.
I’m so happy you’re my blogging friend.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

_______________________________________________________________________________

And, Happy Valentine’s to my best friend!

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Over 100,000

I just got home from meeting Nathan and Nathaniel in Monterey at P.F. Changs for dinner. When I got on-line to check email, etc. I noticed that my hit counter had gone over 100,000. Wow! Who would have ever thought it. A great big thank you to all who read my wanderings and goings on. It’s enjoyable to blog. Thanks again and have a great day.

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The Value of a Soul

If I offered you a crisp one hundred dollar bill would you take it? Now if I took that same $100.00 and crinkled it in my hand and then offered it to you, would you still take it? What if I took the crinkled money and put it in my garden and got it all dirty? How about then?

I believe you would still take the money because you would recognize that no matter if it’s crisp and new or crinkled and dirty the value is still the same. It will still spend at the store. I believe that’s the way with a soul. It matters not to God where that soul has been or how broken and dirty it is, they are still of great value to God and should be to us.

I am reminded of the old poem, “The Touch of The Master’s Hand” that my Dad used so many times when preaching about and to the lost. I want to see every soul through the eyes of compassion. Let’s value every one we meet and those who enter our church doors. No matter how ragged, soiled or broken, just one touch of His hand can make them a New Creature.

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three”,

But, No,
From the room far back a gray haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its’ bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.”
“What changed its’ worth?”
Swift came the reply.
“The Touch of the Masters Hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered and scarred by sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master’s Hand.

written by: Mary B. Welch

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