Joshua Caedmon Shive, my oldest grandson, drew this and wrote out this simple thought of why Jesus died. It's pure and simple. And at the end of his writing he simply says, "Look it up".

" .. He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.' And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16

"The Essence of Christianity"

"He who looks to be perfected through his own assumption of what he calls a Christlike attitude towards what he calls a Christlike superhuman reality--though he considers that the term "Christlike" may without fatal loss be a merely conventional designation--is of a totally different religion from him who feels himself a sinner redeemed by the blood of a divine Saviour dying for him on the Cross. ... The redeemed in the blood of Christ, after all is said, are a people apart. Call them "Christians", or call them what you please, they are of a specifically different religion from those who know no such experience.
It may be within the rights of those who feel no need of such a redemption and have never experienced its transforming power to contend that their religion is a better religion than the Christianity of the Cross. It is distinctly not within their rights to maintain that it is the same religion as the Christianity of the Cross. On their own showing it is not that." -B.B. Warfield

Alas, and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

*Actually, Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield's writings are extremely difficult for me to grasp. However, since my wife gave me 11 volumes of his studies last Christmas, I felt compelled, and even guilty, if I didn't share at least a little of this incredible servant of Lord's wisdom. Now I feel better, and I can tell Patricia I stayed up late and read Warfield, and even posted him on my blogg.

"Jesus said unto her, Mary." John 20:16

"It is a touching fact, and one to be carefully noted, that Mary Magdalene would not leave the sepulchre, when Peter and John went away to their own home. Love to her gracious Master would not let her leave the place where He had been lain. ... Love made her honor the last place where His precious body had been seen by mortal eyes. And her love reaped a rich reward. She saw the angels whom Peter and John had never observed. She actually heard them speak, and had soothing words addressed to her. She was the first to see the Lord after He rose from the dead, the first to hear His voice, and the first to hold conversation with Him. ...

... those who love Christ most fervently, and cleave to Him most closely, will always enjoy most communion with Him, and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts. It is precisely those who wait on the Lord, in the temper of Mary Magdalene, to whom the Lord will reveal Himself most fully, and make them know and feel more than others. To know Christ is good; but to "know that we know Him" is far better." - JC Ryle

What a blessing it must have been when Mary heard Jesus, her Savior, call her name. From weeping of deep sorrow, to joy unspeakable!

Humans are created in the image of God. Abortion is a vile disregard for this truth.

Abort73.com - This Is Abortion

This video isn't for everyone. But it is something most people should watch, so that they would see the truth. And the truth will set you free, and it may just knock you flat on your back as well. And for some it may knock you to your knees, it does me.

Abortion is a sin; a heinous sin. Lord forgive us. Amen.

Religious devotion, and zeal for the things of God, can be worldly, carnal, and even devilish.

" .. as concerning the righteousness of the law I was blameless." These words of Paul sound good, but they are not. In fact Paul says that he counts this as a waste. Those in the Church with a zeal for the things of the "Church", could be those who are the furthest from being partakers in Christ's Church.

"I crucified Christ daily in my monkish life, and blasphemed God through my false faith, wherein I then lived continually. Outwardly, I was not as other men, extortioners, unjust, whoremongers; but I kept chastity, poverty, and obedience.

Moreover, I was free from the cares of this present life. Notwithstanding, I fostered under this cloaked holiness, and trust in mine own righteousness, continual mistrust, doubtfulness, fear, hatred, and blasphemy against God. And this my righteousness was nothing but a filthy puddle, and the very kingdom of the devil. For Satan loves such saints, and accounts them for his dear darlings, who destroy their own bodies and souls, and deprive themselves of all the blessings of God's gifts.

Such saints are the bondslaves of Satan, and therefore are driven to speak, think, and do whatever he will, although outwardly they seem to excel all others in good works, in holiness and strictness of life.

.... But those things which were gain unto me, I now, with Paul, count to be but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord." -Martin Luther