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When Told to Make a Sacrifice
by Taylor Hoisington
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Genesis 22:2, "Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."
Years of waiting had gone by for Abraham. He had been promised a son years before, but God's timing wasn't fast. God did follow through with His promise, but He did it in His timing.
Finally, Abraham had the son God had promised him. Finally, he had the son he waited for for years!
Now, though, God told him, "Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you." Genesis 22:2.
I wonder what went through Abraham's mind in that moment. I wonder if he contemplated how Isaac would feel being tied to an altar as the sacrificial lamb. I wonder what he thought about as he tied up his son (whom he had waited for all this time) knowing that he was going to have to kill him.
The Bible doesn't say what went through Abraham's mind. All we read is this:
"The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
'Stay here with the donkey,' Abraham told the servants. 'The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.'
So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, 'Father?'
'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied.
'We have the fire and the wood,' the boy said, 'but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?'
'God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,' Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.
When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice." Genesis 22:3-10.
We don't know what went through Abraham's mind. What we do know is what he chose to do regardless of how he may have felt.
Abraham didn't know what the outcome would be. Abraham didn't know that God would tell him to stop right before he sacrificed Isaac. What Abraham did know was his God. Abraham had learned over the years that he could trust His God even when what God said didn't make sense to him. Abraham loved his son, but He loved God more.
Have you ever had to choose between God and what you wanted?
Recently I was faced with a choice. Recently, I had to choose between obeying God or having things go my way. I had a decision to make.
Thoughts ran through my mind wondering what to do. I contemplated turning my back on God to do what was going to fulfill me in the here and now. I contemplated taking the easy road.
As I thought of this, though, I realized that doing things my way really wasn't going to bring true fulfillment.
I went through turmoil. I went through a lot of internal battles between my flesh and my spirit, but God won out.
God reminded me of His character. God reminded me of why I'm really here. God reminded me of the bigger picture.
When I got my focus off of me, my dreams, my hopes, and even my fears; and I looked up to God, I realized that He is all I need. As I took a step back and realized just how short this life really is, I was reminded that where my treasure is, there my heart will be also.
Did Abraham love his son? Yeah! He loved him deeply! Abraham knew, though, that he couldn't love Isaac more than he loved God.
Tonight, I feel like I had to actually sacrifice what God told me to sacrifice, and I wasn't told "Stop!" like Abraham was. Today, I feel like I really had to lay down the life instead of being brought a lamb. The question is this: Do I still trust God?
Thankfully I know that God really is enough! No matter what else I have in life, as long as I have God, I have everything I need! As long as I have God, I have security that everything is going to be okay no matter what the outcome may be.
What is God asking you to lay down as a sacrifice? Maybe He is asking you to sacrifice the one thing you've waited for for years. I encourage you, though, to give that sacrifice and trust that God will in time bring you a lamb.
Dear Heavenly Father,
As I think about this story of Abraham and Isaac, I think about how difficult this command was. I think about the fact that Abraham had so much love for his son, yet he had even more love for You! Lord, today I feel like I was told to sacrifice my one dream. Today, I feel like I had my promise in the palm of my hand and I was told to lay it down as a sacrifice. Lord, I don't understand, but I do trust You. I trust that even in the most confusing circumstances, You still have a good plan for my life. I trust You, God, to know better than I know myself. I pray my love for You will always be greater than my love for anyone or anything else!
In Jesus' Name.
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More than one man in Azulland craves the ultimate prize - control of the 15th-century island country. Nafino Zephyr, hand to the king of Bellux-Abry, is willing to sell his soul to get it. Denyson Folworth, heir to the throne of Qaddys, is willing to execute anyone who stands in his way, even his own father.
After months of bloody warfare, a respite is desired by all, especially Ammey McKeaf, daughter of the country's greatest general. Exhausted by the civil unrest of the previous year, Ammey craves normalcy and peace, but a king and a famed hero-assassin both vie for her heart - a heart that is torn between them. There is no time to rest and recover. The life of everyone Ammey loves is in mortal danger.
©2012 Jane Shoup (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
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Pastoral 2017
Ruling Elders
Written by Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy Sunday, 24 September 2017
Following today's worship service, we shall hold our Annual Congregational Meeting and the Election to the Church Session. The candidates to the Church Session (2017-2019) are all men who have been serving as elders and deacons. The only change among the candidates in this election is Dn Francis Lee's nomination to the office of eldership. His nomination has been approved by the Board of Elders upon prayerful examination of his doctrine and life.
It is important that we understand the biblical necessity, nature and importance of ruling elders in our church.
Necessity of Ruling Elders
In the apostolic times, when the Gospel spread through Judea, Samaria, Asia Minor and in other regions, churches were formed. Their proper spiritual and administrative care became a great concern to the apostles. Paul then wrote to Titus what should be done for the proper management of the church – "thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee" (Titus 1:5).
The apostolic instruction is that the appointment of elders as church officers is vital to an orderly, well-managed church. The ordaining of elders is an imperative. It is on no account to be omitted. Paul's admonition was that Titus would go through city by city and ordain a body of elders in each congregation (cf. 1 Timothy 3, where Paul also mentioned the appointment of deacons, who are to be assistants to the elders). The elders, then, are to rule and organise the church.
The basic biblical pattern for the proper organisation of a local church is that elders (plural in number) ought to be ordained from within the congregation, in accordance with the biblical requirements of abilities and standards of behaviour. This is corroborated by Acts 14:23 – "And when they (Paul and Barnabas) had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
Nature of Ruling Elders
Elders ought to be men of sound moral and spiritual character. Their qualifications are plainly laid down in the Word of God, as attested to by Titus 1:6-9, "(being) blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."
A similar requirement of conduct is also given in I Timothy 3:2-7. "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
The passages quoted above lay special emphasis upon high morals and sound spiritual abilities and character. So, every man who is considered for the office of eldership ought to be blameless in life and steadfast in the faith. He should be a man of wisdom and discretion. Neither riches nor wealth nor social position can qualify a man to be a ruler in God's house. Holiness must characterise his pursuit of life so that he may be an example to the flock. Devotion to God – piety – should characterise every ruling elder. He must be a godly, spiritually-minded man. His piety is the measure of his strength. All his duties require godliness, and without it, all his skills and capabilities are of little use in the government of the church. If he is truly godly, then he will truly influence the church for the glory of God. It is the godly influence of the elders that direct the proper conduct of the church.
alification. Not every church member who is devout is qualified to be an elder of the church. A candidate to the office of eldership must also be a man of intelligence, practical wisdom, experience, and administrative capacity. The best and wisest godly men in the congregation should be selected. From time to time, the board of elders will have to deal with matters of utmost gravity and also grapple with perplexing problems. In such situations, the ablest of minds and the most knowledgeable of men are to be found among the rulers of the church. Men who lack excellent mental capacity would not be able to handle such duties. While we thank God for capable men whom God has given to us, let us also pray for more competent men for the eldership. The apostle also insisted that an elder should be "apt to teach". This is not necessarily a reference to public and official instruction, for ruling elders are not those who are called to labour in the Word as teaching elders (cf. 1 Timothy 5:17). There must be, however, the ability to communicate and defend sound doctrines of the Bible. Elders must take every opportunity available to them to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. They should be diligent and faithful students of God's Word so that they may teach in the Bible class, and guide worshippers and inquirers in the wisdom of God's Word. The role of elders is of vast importance in preventing the church from departing from the truth of God's Word and defending the church against errors of all kinds that will creep in through false teachers. So, the apostle Paul instructed the Ephesian elders, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
God willing, I will address the topic of the ruling elders more next week. Meanwhile, I urge you to prayerfully cast your vote today. May the Holy Spirit help us to recognise and support everyone whom He has called to the offices of the elders and deacons in Gethsemane BPC.


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Tue 10/27/09 10: 58 PM lucky whiny when?? liz is whiny examples of whiny lucky??? liz whiny choosing nik or lucky or jason
Jonathan Jackson's 'General Hospital' return: Everything you hoped for? | EW.com
Then you tell him to talk or liz is going to sit on your face.
Think Progress » Dick Cheney reportedly said Palin was a 'reckless choice' for vice president.
Ian Kazimer on May 19, 2008 the fire in liz hands doesnt look as realistic as it is in the movie. and what really happen to myers.
New Hellboy II: The Golden Army Character Banners « FirstShowing.net
It sounds as if now liz is getting the help she needs and I am so glad for you both.
Want me to write him a letter? on July 14, 2009 at 8:45 am | Reply liz aka Conan
Still, nothing further by November would deserve some strong follow up and would definitely erode my optimism. on August 30, 2009 at 4:17 pm | Reply liz aka Conan
Ten Things (yeah, ok) Thursday: Random « The Life and Times of Organic Mama
I have no idea. on June 6, 2009 at 9:20 am | Reply liz aka Conan
Free! on April 3, 2009 at 7:43 am | Reply liz aka Conan
Everyone needs a standing O once in their life! on April 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm | Reply liz aka Conan
When that happens, I am left with the residual reaction and not the supporting details, which is very frustrating. on March 21, 2009 at 10:47 am | Reply liz aka Conan


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|Re: [jwt-dev] JWT meta model changes
Hi Marc,
* InformationType is still required by Mastek * Input/OutputParameter by OpenWide
I've updated the table accordingly.
Regards, Chris
Hi Chris, Florian, all
I know that we know have our "magical" converter to handle metamodel evolution :) But still, don't remove features that can be useful.
Please add a column that says for each evolution how the converter transformation will handle it if not obvious, or whether it won't be supported.
So I agree with Florian, and further :
1. remove information type OK
2. merge input and output parameters NO we are using it today to deduce the signature of service calls ! Or another idea about that ? I agree we could add (web)service specific attributes or aspects to define the signature, but it would be a duplicate of the parameters attribute anyway. Further, being able to deduce the service signature from the standard model is a pretty powerful feature I think.
3. remove functions OK
4. and 5. as Florian says (add new ones, but keep the old ones)
6. move to executable node OK
7. and 9. java application OK
8. remove application type OK
10. webservice application OK cosmetics, supported evolution
11. remove primitive types OK
Regards, Marc
Christian Saad a écrit :Hi Florian,
thanks for your input, I've updated the list accordingly. It seems I misunderstood the requirements for AND/XORNode, so I added them as additional abstract nodes.
I also added the primitive types for removal since I couldn't find any concrete reference to them in the meta model anyway and sent a message to Ravi as Mastek asking about the informationType.
Unfortunately the GSoC currently doesn't look so good but maybe we can provide another funding here (like PvS-SoC ;) ).
Regards, Chris
Am 23.04.2010 18:24, schrieb Florian Lautenbacher:Hi Chris,
thanks for the detailed list. I have some objections of unifying the DecisionNode/MergeNode and ForkNode/JoinNode while removing those nodes at the same time (I'm not sure whether this was the intended meaning of unification); as those nodes are typical for UML and are heavily used in all of our models as well as have different EditPartPolicies I would like to see those elements stay but rather get more abstract nodes *additionally*. What do others think about it?
Concerning the attribute informationType I'm unsure whether our Indian colleagues are using it and if yes, for which purpose. I think I've once seen a model which made use of them.
I'm not sure who currently uses the primitive types, so I would agree to remove those, too.
Concerning the swimlanes: is there already a decision whether the GSoC student can assist us here?
Best regards,
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: jwt-dev-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jwt-dev-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxx] Im Auftrag von Christian Saad Gesendet: Freitag, 23. April 2010 17:29 An: Java Workflow Toolbox Betreff: [jwt-dev] JWT meta model changes
Hi guys,
the long overdue list of proposed metamodel changes. This is supposed to become the detailled list of changes which will then be applied to the meta model once everybody gives their +1
Regards, Chris
_______________________________________________ jwt-dev mailing list jwt-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx https://dev.eclipse.org/mailman/listinfo/jwt-dev
_______________________________________________ jwt-dev mailing list jwt-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx https://dev.eclipse.org/mailman/listinfo/jwt-dev
_______________________________________________ jwt-dev mailing list jwt-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx https://dev.eclipse.org/mailman/listinfo/jwt-dev
Description: MS-Excel spreadsheet


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saving money on groceries
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Replies (41-41):
by New Member on Oct. 8, 2012 at 2:05 PM
1. Buy store brands.
2. Use coupons.
3. Look for clearance or sale items.
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As a writer, as a creator of worlds, how does he analyse Baahubali's spectacular success?
Why did people succumb to the experience that S S Rajamouli offered through Baahubali?
"Baahubali is a simple, Amar Chitra Katha kind of story, that has been spectacularly told," says Neelkantan.
"It is a very difficult balance to achieve. There are many writers who can write complicated stories that will appeal only to a small set of people. The truth is: All great stories are simple stories. What is important is how you tell them."
He has taken the first step. The first book is out and "Rajamouli Sir loved it."
And that's left Neelkantan terrified.
"The next book has to be pacier. As for the third book, I don't know what I will write and how it will tie into the movie..."
And then, he smiles. Leaving you to wonder...


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The Amazing Race > The Racers
Hayden and Aaron TAR 6
(1/4) > >>
January 28, 2009
--- Quote ---
The Amazing Races Hayden Kristianson and Aaron Crumbaugh were thrilled to learn from an ultrasound that they were going to have a girl when Hayden was 20 weeks pregnant. But their excitement turned to fear when the test also revealed that their daughter had a dangerous birth defect. I cried for three weeks straight, Hayden tells In Touch, as she and Aaron open up about a parents worst nightmare. Doctors diagnosed the baby with gastroschisis a potentially deadly birth defect that affects one in 5,000 babies. Her abdomen had an opening in it which caused some of her intestines to remain outside of her body, explains Hayden. It was very scary.
As soon as Kaiya Rachel was born on December 7, she was whisked away to a stabilization room where a neonatologist was waiting. Aaron and I didnt even get to see her, says Hayden about their 6-pound, 5-ounce bundle of joy. But as soon as we heard her little cry, we knew she was going to be okay. But Hayden still had to wait three more days to meet her daughter. She needed to be transported to Childrens Memorial Hospital, says Hayden. Kaiya had about two feet of intestines and a little bit of her colon outside of her body, adds model/chef Aaron.
Twenty-four days later on New Years Eve their baby girl was finally released from the hospital. I cant even begin to describe the joy we felt bringing her home. We realize how blessed we are, says Hayden.
--- End quote ---
Hayden and Aaron competed on The Amazing Race, season 6, finishing in 4th place. Immediately following their elimination in Xi'an, China, Aaron proposed to Hayden on the Mat at the Great Wall of China in front of Phil Keoghan and all of the show fans watching. They were married on April 21, 2007 in Spokane, WA. Aaron has been working as a chef in Chicago. ---peach
more on gastroschisis: http://www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/fetalhealth/gastroschesis.aspx
Congratulations to Hayden and Aaron on the birth of their baby girl Kaiya!
Sending them Love and Best Wishes as they start their journey together!
And prayers for her continued recovery...
Such a touching article thanks peachy for sharing
Congratulations on their beautiful bundle of joy
Congrats to Hayden and Aaron and God Bless them and their baby girl :hugs:
It's nice to read a happy ending. Congratulations Hayden and Aaron on the birth of your beautiful little girl. :nuala:
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So while everyone seems to be freaking out about Marvel being Disneyfied… Jeffrey Thomas has been thinking what if Disney became "Marvelized" (and in a different way than others have portrayed)?
I present to you… the twisted Disney princesses!
Here is his drawing of Snow White:
Pretty cool, huh? For the rest, check out his blog on it here!!


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(Povidone Ointment)
|Vita-derm is a brand of Povidone ointment but with a higher strength of iodine. I have found this product very useful in hoof care, mainly in the treatment of hoof abscess and some forms of white line rot. I use this product mainly in farriery. I do not recommend this product in the treatment of open flesh wounds, as the label recommends. This strength Povidone ointment is also very practical in the prevention of bacteria related ailments of the hoof, like abscess and white line rot. Applying this product on the bottom of the hoof around the inside of the shoe can help prevent white line rot related to shoeing and also some forms of hoof abscess. I found this product useful in the treatment of hoof abscess whenever I was able to open and drain the abscess. For more see "hoof abscess treatment no. 3".
All my comments are merely my opinions and beliefs gained from 40 years of professional life with horses. All drugs should be used only by the consent of a veterinarian and according to his instructions. A person who is with the horse everyday, should know him better than anyone else.


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By Nicole Mordant
Feb 11 (Reuters) - Under pressure from an activist shareholder, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc said on Tuesday it will slash capital spending, forego a planned expansion at a key Canadian mine and shut another mine in Canada, cutting about 500 jobs.
Cliffs, a Cleveland-headquartered iron ore and coal producer, said it plans to reduce its capital spending in 2014 by more than 50 percent to between $375 million and $425 million as it cuts back its Bloom Lake Mine expansion and idles production at its Wabush Mine.
The miner has recently been targeted by an activist shareholder who wants the company to be broken up and Cliffs to spin out its "riskier" international operations, including the Bloom Lake and Wabush mines, into a separate business from its strong cash-generating U.S. operations.
Cliffs acquired Bloom Lake as part of its takeover of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd in 2010 but higher-than-expected costs at the mine have weighed on Cliffs' earnings. Cliffs delayed a planned expansion in 2012, and a year ago took a $1 billion goodwill writedown related to the Consolidated Thompson deal.
Globally mining investors have soured on big, expensive mining projects over the past two years after a series of high-profile cost blowouts, and as metals prices have dropped.
"Sharper capital allocation must drive our decisions. Today's announcement to reduce overall capital spending is an important first step," Gary Halverson, Cliffs' president and chief operating officer said in a statement.
Cliffs said it has "indefinitely suspended" the second phase of its planned expansion at Bloom Lake in Quebec and has made adjustments to parts of the mine plan, notably its tailings and water management strategy.
The company also said it would idle the first phase of expansion "if pricing significantly decreased for an extended period of time".
Weakness in the steel market has hit relatively high-cost iron ore suppliers like Cliffs hard.
Cliffs said the "wide range of outlooks for iron ore prices" had prompted its decision to cut back Bloom Lake's expansion. In the current pricing environment, it expects to produce and sell 5.5 million to 6.5 million tons from Bloom Lake's first phase in 2014, flat on 2013.
The company now expects to spend about $200 million at Bloom Lake this year, which includes $65 million to be carried over from 2013.
Cliffs also said it plans to close its Wabush Mine in Newfoundland and Labrador by the end of the first quarter after "unsustainably" high costs made it uneconomical to operate. About 500 employees at the Wabush Scully Mine and Pointe Noire rail and port operation in Quebec will be affected.
Cliffs last year idled its Wabush Pointe Noire pellet plant in Quebec, blaming high production costs, but said it would continue to produce iron ore concentrate from the mine.
Costs related to the idling of the Wabush Mine are expected to be about $100 million in 2014. As a result, Cliffs will record impairment and write-off charges of about $183 million in its fourth-quarter results, it said. Cliffs is due to report its results on Thursday.
The company's stock rose 4.5 percent to close at $21.50 on the New York Stock Exchange before the news.