Look out for the bugs.

FAITH:

Book of Jude

A redwood tree fell in a California forest. It wasn't destroyed by lightening. Storms had come and gone, but the tree stood. It wasn't felled by winds. Bent by their force, but never uprooted. The tree didn't fall to fire. It had stood when others collapsed.

What destroyed the redwood?

Insects. Termites devoured it from within. It had stood for four centuries against the elememts from without, but collapsed because of an attack within.

Jude warns that the same can happen to the church.

He wanted to write "about the salvation we all share" (v.3). But he felt compelled to address a more somber issue--the danger of false teachers.
Apparently, some had entered the church, (v.8). they were not students of the Word but, rather, promoters of sexual sin. They used God's grace as a license for passion (v.4). The only solution, "Fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time" (v.3).

Jude is urgent in his warning, What destroyed the redwood can destroy a church. But he is equally urgent in his encouragement. "God is strong," Jude concludes. "and can help you not to fall" (v.24).

Can God really keep you from falling? To answer that, go to another tree on a barren hill. A tree older than time. A tree which covers the mistakes of your past and the problems of your future. Be assured--that tree will never fall.

See also: Grace and Sin--Leviticus 19:2; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:13; 16-17; 6:7-8; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 2:1-2, 17-20; 3:11,14 17.

FRIENDS:

Father, We know you are a compassionate, feeling parent who hurts when his children hurt so please forgive us for the times that we have questioned you; forgive us for the time we have doubted you; forgive us for the times we've shaken our heads and pounded our fists against the ground and cried, "where are you?" For Lord, we know that you have been here, you've carried us through the valley, and you've given strength when we've needed it. In Jesus' name, Amen

10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. Sleep. It is often elusive these days
2. Advice from friends because they care
3. The new exercise class just started where I live
4. A friend who invites you to dinner "just because"
5. A retired preacher friend of mine, for his kind words
6. This blog and the blessing I get from doing it
7. The fabric blessing I received on Thursday
8. Laughter in the morning with my little friend
9. The sun streaming in my window
10. Having a day to look forward to.

FOOD:
Something to put under those great holiday spreads

CHEESE WAFERS

1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/2 Pound Grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 to 3 Tablespoons of Water

Mix all ingredients, cutting the butter into the cheese and flour much in
the same manner that you would if you were making pastry. Add only enough Water (one Tablespoon or less at a time) to hold the dough together. It should be like a pastry dough.
On a floured dough board roll the pastry out to about 1/4 inch thick.
Using cookie cutters, cut into wafers and bake on a cookie sheet in a
450° oven for about 6 minutes.
You will need to watch these closely as they cook quickly. Remove
to a wire wrack to cool.

FUN:

There was a preacher who was an avid golfer. Every chance that he could get, he could be found on the golf course swinging away.

On one particular Sunday it turned out to be a picture perfect day for golfing. The sun was shining, the temperature was just right and there was very little wind. The preacher was in a quandary and wasn't sure what to do....play golf or give the Sunday service. The urge to play golf overcame him and he called in his assistant to take care of the Sunday service for him. The preacher packed up his car and drove 3 hours to a course where no one would recognize him.

An angel above was watching the preacher and was quite perturbed. The angel went to God and said, "look at the preacher. He should punished for what he is doing." God nodded in agreement.

All alone but enjoying it immensely, the preacher teed up on the first hole. He swung at the ball and hit a perfect drive. The ball ripped through the still air straight as an arrow and 400 yards later it landed the green where it gently rolled into the cup. A tremendous hole in one!

The preacher was amazed and excited. The angel was in shock. The angel turned to God and said, "Begging your pardon, but I thought that you were going to punish him?"

God smiled and said, "I did....think about it....who can he tell about this?"