Meranda's Bible

The Bible, the word of God, Reverent and Holy. To those that believe in the Bible, it is a prized and beloved possession. Not in the way that we might take pride in a painting or a piece of furniture, or a valuable antique. It is prized and loved simply because it is the word of God. It is how God talks to us. it is a guide by which we live our lives. it offers us comfort when we need it, wisdom when we seek it and salvation simply by asking of God.

Last night someone felt the need to steal Meranda's Bible. Perhaps they really needed it. Maybe they didn't realize it was a Bible when they took it. Her car door was accidentally left unlocked and someone took advantage, reached in and took her CD's and Bible. The CD's are meaningless to Meranda, it is the Bible that is irreplaceable. What were their thoughts when they realized it was a Bible? Did they care?

I gave that Bible to her at a time in her life when she was in dire need of it, though you can make a case that we will always be in dire need of the bible. She is hurt, and because it is in her nature to forgive, she only hopes that it finds it's way to someone who needs it. I on the other hand am angry and disappointed that someone would do that to my daughter.

MARGIES BIMS

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE - EPHESIANS 2:11-19

WHEN MIKE MAROLT IS OUT OF TOWN, HE REMOTELY ACCESSES THE COMPUTER AND FILES IN HIS ASPEN, COLORADO, OFFICE. ON A RECENT OVERSEAS TRIP, MAROLT ANSWERED E-MAILS AND KEPT IN TOUCH WITH HIS CLIENTS BY USING HIS LAPTOP THROUGH A SATELLITE PHONE HOOKUP.

THIS TIME, HOWEVER, HE WAS SITTING IN A BASE CAMP TENT AT 21,000 FEET ON THE SIDE OF MT. EVEREST. THESE DAYS EVEN THAT DOESN'T SURPRISE US BECAUSE WE HAVE BECOME USED TO THE TECHNOLOGY THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

WE CAN EASILY DEVELOP A SIMILAR LACK OF AMAZEMENT TOWARD PRAYER. TALK TO GOD? "OF COURSE." WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE, ENTER A BUILDING, OR WEAR NICE CLOTHING. WE CAN POUR OUT OUR HEARTS TO THE LORD ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. IT'S EASY TO LOSE THE WONDER OF THAT BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME SO FAMILIAR.

PAUL ALWAYS SEEMED TO MARVEL AT THE DOOR OPENED WIDE INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD. "IN CHRIST JESUS YOU WHO ONCE WERE FAR OFF HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST."

HE WROTE, "FOR THROUGH HIM WE BOTH GENTILES AND JEWS HAVE ACCESS BY ONE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER." THE DOOR IS OPEN FOR EVERYONE. GOD WELCOMES ALL WHO COME BY FAITH. THROUGH CHRIST WE CAN ENTER HIS PRESENCE-ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. AMAZING!

LET'S ALWAYS KEEP THE PRAYER LINES OPEN,
KNOWING GOD IS ALWAYS THERE;
FOR WE UPON HIS NAME MAY CALL
ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE.

THERE IS NO PLACE OR TIME WE CANNOT PRAY. SO LET'S PRAY DAILY TO OUR BLESSED GOD. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS

MARGIES BIMS

BIRD SONG - PSALM 104:24-35*************

WHY DO BIRDS SING? BIRDS SING "BECAUSE THEY CAN AND BECAUSE THEY MUST," SAYS DAVID ROTHENBERG, A PROFESSOR AT THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. "SONGS ARE USED TO ATTRACT MALES AND DEFEND TERRITORIES, BUT THE FORM IS MUCH MORE THAN FUNCTION. NATURE IS FULL OF BEAUTY AND OF MUSIC."

BIRDS SING BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SYRINX INSTEAD OF A LARYNX. THE SYRINX IS THE BIRD'S VOICE BOX, AN ORGAN THAT LIES DEEP IN A BIRD'S CHEST AND IS UNIQUELY FASHIONED FOR SONG. THAT, AT LEAST, IS THE NATURAL EXPLANATION FOR THEIR GIFT.

BUT I ASK AGAIN, WHY DO BIRDS SING? BECAUSE THEIR CREATOR PUT A SONG IN THEIR HEARTS. EACH BIRD IS "HEAVEN'S HIGH AND HOLY MUSE," SAID JOHN DONNE, CREATED TO DRAW OUR HEARTS UP TO OUR CREATOR. THEY ARE REMINDERS THAT HE HAS GIVEN US A SONG THAT WE MAY SING HIS PRAISE.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR GOD'S LITTLE HYMN-BIRDS SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT, REMEMBER TO SING OUR OWN SONG OF SALVATION. LIFT UP YOUR VOICE-HARMONIOUS, HOARSE, OR HARSH- AND JOIN WITH THEM IN PRAISE TO OUR CREATOR, REDEEMER, AND LORD.

THE BIRDS OF THE AIR "SING AMONG THE BRANCHES," ISRAEL'S POET OBSERVES. "THEREFORE I WILL SING TO THE LORD AS LONG AS I LIVE; I WILL SING PRAISE TO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE MY BEING.

FIELD AND FOREST, VALE AND MOUNTAIN,
FLOWERY MEADOW, FLASHING SEA,
CHANTING BIRD AND FLOWING FOUNTAIN
CALL US TO REJOICE IN THEE.

ALL CREATION SINGS GOD'S PRAISE. SO LET'S BREAK FORTH IN SONG, REJOICE AND SING PRAISES TO THE LORD. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY*************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES -BIMS

MARGIES BIMS

TRUSTING GOD-JOHN 9:1-11***********

IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW HIM, YOU MIGHT THINK NICK VUJICIC HAS EVERYTHING GOING FOR HIM. NICK HAS NEVER HAD A SORE ARM. HE'S NEVER HAD KNEE PROBLEMS. HE'S NEVER SMASHED HIS FINGERS IN A DOOR, STUBBED HIS TOE, OR BANGED HIS SHIN AGAINST A TABLE LEG.

BUT THAT'S BECAUSE NICK DOESN'T HAVE A SHIN. OR A TOE. OR A FINGER. OR A KNEE. OR AN ARM. NICK WAS BORN WITH NO ARMS AND NO LEGS. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO FEEL SORRY FOR NICK, READ HIS WORDS.

"GOD WON'T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO US IN OUR LIFE UNLESS HE HAS A GOOD PURPOSE FOR IT ALL. I COMPLETELY GAVE MY LIFE TO CHRIST AT THE AGE OF 15 AFTER READING JOHN 9. JESUS SAID THAT THE REASON THE MAN WAS BORN BLIND WAS 'SO THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MAY BE REVEALED THROUGH HIM.'....

I NOW SEE THAT GLORY REVEALED AS HE IS USING ME JUST THE WAY I AM AND IN WAYS OTHERS CAN'T BE USED." NICK TRAVELS THE WORLD TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL AND LOVE OF JESUS.

NICK SAYS, "IF I CAN TRUST IN GOD WITH MY CIRCUMSTANCES, THEN YOU CAN TRUST IN GOD WITH YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES..... THE GREATEST JOY OF ALL IS HAVING JESUS CHRIST IN MY LIFE AND LIVING THE GODLY PURPOSE HE HAS FOR ME."

CAN WE SAY THAT? CAN WE LOOK BEYOND OUR LIMITATIONS AND HAVE THE SAME TRUST IN GOD THAT TRANSFORMED A MAN WITH NO ARMS OR LEGS INTO A MISSIONARY FOR JESUS?

LORD, SHAPE MY LIFE AS ONLY YOU CAN,
GUIDING EACH DAY BY YOUR LOVING PLAN;
TAKE WHAT YOU NEED AND GIVE WHAT YOU WILL;
MY LIFE IS YOURS TO USE AND TO FILL.

TRUSTING GOD TURNS PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES. SO LET'S TRUST GOD WITH OUR LIFE. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY*************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES - BIMS

MARGIES BIMS

MESSAGE FROM THE SKY-PSALM 19********

THE EARTH'S POPULATION IS NOW OVER 6.6 BILLION. AND DEPENDING ON WHERE WE LIVE, FINDING MOMENTS OF SOLITUDE WHERE WE CAN GAZE AT THE SILENT NIGHT SKY IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.

YET, ACCORDING TO THE WRITER OF PSALM 19, IF WE WERE ABLE TO STEAL AWAY TO A SPOT WHERE THE ONLY SOUND WAS OUR HEARTBEAT AND THE ONLY SIGHT THE CANOPY OF THE STARS, WE COULD HEAR A MESSAGE FROM THOSE HEAVENS.

IN SUCH A MOMENT, WE COULD HEAR WITH THE EARS OF OUR INNERMOST BEING THE NOISELESS TESTIMONY OF GOD'S
BREATHTAKING CREATION.

WE COULD HEAR FROM THE HEAVENS AS THEY "DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD" AND WE COULD WATCH IN AMAZEMENT AS THE SKY "SHOWS HIS HANDIWORK". WE COULD LISTEN AS "DAY UNTO DAY UTTERS SPEECH" THAT FILLS OUR MINDS WITH THE UNMISTAKABLE AWARENESS OF GOD'S SPLENDID CREATION.

WE COULD MARVEL THROUGH THE NIGHT AS THE FIRMAMENT SHOWS IN UNMISTAKABLE SPLENDOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S HANDIWORK. OUR CREATOR TELLS US TO "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" A GREAT WAY TO DO THIS IS TO SPEND TIME IN HIS CREATION ADMIRING HIS HANDIWORK. THEN WE WILL CERTAINLY KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!

THE HEAVENS REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD
TO EVERYONE LIVING ON EARTH;
HIS HANDIWORK SPEAKS OF HIS SPLENDOR AND CARE,
AND MAKES US CONSIDER HIS WORTH.

GOD SPEAKS OF HIS MAJESTY THROUGH HIS CREATION. SO LET'S WATCH IN AMAZEMENT IN THE SKY. HE LOVES US SO MUCH. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY*************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES - BIMS

Happy Father's Day!

I was thinking about my own father Andrew this morning, and my father in law Henry Huizar. What I remember about both of them is that they didn't place money, things or success above their kids. Yes, they were imperfect, just as I am, just as we all, but they never shirked their duty. Their families came first.

What I remember most about my own father is not the vacations, or money spent but the times we were together, the advice he gave me when I needed it the most, the times he said "I told you so" and more importantly the times he didn't. He wasn't afraid to give me a quick kick in the rear end when I needed it, which was often.

If I have been half the man and father that my own father was than I'm not doing too bad. To all the father's that wake up everyday and kiss your kids before you leave the house, come home and hug them, talk with them and are blessed enough to have them want to share their day with you, to those that have kids that look up to you, with that gleam in their eyes that jumps out at you and cannot be mistaken for anything but love, then Happy Father's Day to you.

On the other hand if none of the above applies to you, and you are giving less than 100% then get your act together. Your kids need you!

To my wife and my own kids, I couldn't do it without you!

Happy Father's Day and God Bless you!

MARGIES BIMS

LOVING OUR GROWN-UP CHILDREN - 1 CORINTHIANS 13*****************************

COMEDIAN HENNY YOUNGMAN USED TO SAY, "I'VE GOT TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN-AND TWO OUT OF FIVE ISN'T BAD." WHEN CHILDREN REACH ADULTHOOD, MOST PARENTS HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HOW THEIR OFFSPRING HAVE "TURNED OUT."

SOME ARE PROUD OF EVERYTHING THEIR KIDS HAVE DONE, WHILE OTHER PARENTS EXPRESS MISGIVINGS OR DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT THE CHOICES THEIR CHILDREN HAVE MADE. HOW CAN WE CONTINUE A POSTIVE PARENTING ROLE AFTER THE BIRDS HAVE LEFT OUR NEST?

IN 1 CORINTHIANS 13, OFTEN CALLED "THE LOVE CHAPTER" OF THE BIBLE, PAUL WRITES THAT THE GREATEST GIFTS OF SPEAKING, UNDERSTANDING, AND SACRIFICIAL SERVICE ARE WORTHLESS WITHOUT LOVE. LOVE ITSELF IS THE FOUNDATION OF WINSOME BEHAVIOR, AND ITS INFLUENCE NEVER ENDS.

"LOVE SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND; LOVE DOES NOT ENVY; LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELF, IS NOT PUFFED UP; DOES NOT BEHAVE RUDELY, DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN, IS NOT PROVOKED, THINKS NO EVIL; DOES NOT REJOICE IN INIQUITY, BUT REJOICES IN THE TRUTH; BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVE ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS. LOVE NEVER FAILS.

WHEN OUR CHILDREN NO LONGER SEEK OUR ADVICE, THEY STILL VALUE OUR LOVE. IN EVERY STAGE OF PARENTING, IT'S NOT ONLY WHAT WE SAY BUT WHAT WE DO THAT COUNTS.

MAY GOD IN MERCY GRANT TO US
A HOME WHERE CHRIST HOLDS SWAY,
WHERE PEACE AND JOY FROM HEAVEN ABOVE
ABIDE FROM DAY TO DAY.

A PARENT'S LOVE NEVER ENDS. NOW ABIDE FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE, BUT THE GREATEST IS LOVE. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES - BIMS

MARGIES BIMS

SERVING TOGETHER-GALATIANS 5:13-16****

WHEN CHRISTINE BOUWKAMP AND KYLE KRAMER GOT MARRIED IN THE SPRING OF 2007, THEY DID SOMETHING MOST OF US WOULDN'T THINK OF DOING. INSTEAD OF HOSTING A "SIT-DOWN DINNER," THEY HELD A SIMPLE RECEPTION AT THE CHURCH AND INVITED THEIR GUEST TO HELP DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

THEY BOUGHT A TRUCKLOAD OF FOOD AND HAD IT DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH PARKING LOT. THEN THEY AND THEIR WEDDING GUESTS SERVED THE PEOPLE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

CHRISTINE AND KYLE SAID THE FIRST THING THEY WISHED TO DO AS A MARRIED COUPLE WAS TO SERVE OTHERS, BECAUSE GOD HAD CHANGED THEIR LIVES SO RADICALLY, THEY WANTED TO "BLESS GOD FOR BLESSING US WITH EACH OTHER."

THE KRAMERS CHOSE A GREAT START FOR THEIR NEW MARRIAGE-BLESSING GOD BY SERVING OTHERS. THE APOSTLE PAUL ENCOURAGED THE CHRISTIANS OF GALATIA: "THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER". SOME OF THEM BELIEVED THAT THE CEREMONIAL PRACTICES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WERE STILL BINDING ON THE CHURCH.

PAUL WROTE THAT SALVATION IS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. IT IS BY FAITH WE LIVE OUT OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST. HE REMINDED THEM THAT THE LAW WAS FULFILLED IN THIS: "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, WE'RE HERE TO SERVE HIM OUT OF LOVE-TO "BLESS GOD FOR BLESSING US.

O THAT MY LIFE MAY USEFUL BE
AS I SERVE JESUS FAITHFULLY;
AND MAY HIS LOVE BE SEEN IN ME-
THIS IS MY EARNEST PRAYER.

GOD BLESSES US SO THAT WE CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. SO LET'S BLESS GOD FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY***************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES -BIMS


."

Quotes for Living

MARGIES BIMS

BUILDING BRIDGES- ACTS 9:17-27**********

A NEW BELIEVER IN CHRIST RECENTLY ATTENDED A WORSHIP SERVICE. HE HAD LONG MULTICOLORED, SPIKED HAIR. HE DRESSED IN DARK CLOTHES AND HAD MULTIPLE PIERCINGS AND TATTOOS.

SOME GAPED; OTHERS JUST GAVE HIM THAT "IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU IN CHURCH. BUT PLEASE DON'T SIT NEXT TO ME" SMILE. YET THERE WERE SOME DURING THE GREETING TIME WHO WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO WELCOME AND ACCEPT HIM. THEY WERE BRIDGE BUILDERS.

BARNABAS WAS THAT BRIDGE BUILDER FOR SAUL (ALSO CALLED PAUL). WHEN SAUL ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM 3 YEARS AFTER HIS CONVERSION, MANY DISCIPLES WERE AFRAID OF HIM AND DOUBTED HIS TRANSFORMATION.

HE DIDN'T RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME FROM THE JERUSALEM CHURCH GREETERS FOR GOOD REASON. SAUL HAD A TERRIBLE REPUTATION FOR PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS! BUT BARNABAS, A JEWISH CONVERT, BELIEVED GOD'S WORK OF GRACE IN SAUL'S LIFE AND BECAME A BRIDGE BETWEEN HIM AND THE APOSTLES.

SAUL NEEDED SOMEONE TO COME ALONGSIDE HIM TO ENCOURAGE AND TEACH HIM, AND TO INTRODUCE HIM TO OTHER BELIEVERS. BARNABAS WAS THAT BRIDGE. AS A RESULT, SAUL WAS BROUGT INTO DEEPER FELLOWSHIP WITH THE DISCIPLES IN JERUSALEM AND WAS ABLE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL THERE FREELY AND BOLDLY. NEW BELIEVERS NEED A BARNABAS IN THEIR LIVES. WE ARE TO BE A BRIDGE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

OH, I WOULD BE TO OTHERS
A CHEERING RAY OF LIGHT,
]NSPIRING THEM WITH COURAGE
TO CLIMB SOME NEWFOUND HEIGHT!

BE A BRIDGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOMENE TODAY AND SEE WHERE THE LORD TAKES YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY*************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES - BIMS

MARGIES BIMS

ARE WE LISTENING? PSALM 119:41-48*******

A FASCINATING FILM MADE IN 1959, "THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR", TELLS A STORY OF A FAMILY WITH A TYPICAL AMOUNT OF TRIALS AND TENSIONS. THEN, ONE NIGHT, THE VOICE OF GOD SPEAKS ON THE RADIO. BUT NOT JUST THEIR RADIO-GOD'S VOICE IS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ON EVERY RADIO, SAYING THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME.

AT FIRST PEOPLE REACT WITH DISBELIEF, THEN FEAR. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF HEARING "THE VOICE," HOWEVER, PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES, ACTIONS, AND PRIORITIES BEGIN TO CHANGE. THE IMPACT OF WHAT GOD IS SAYING DIRECTLY AFFECTS HOW THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES.

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY, "IF ONLY GOD WOULD TALK TO ME! IF HE WOULD JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I WOULD DO IT." THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT GOD HAS ALREADY SPOKEN TO US THROUGH HIS WORD, THE BIBLE. DO WE LISTEN TO HIM AS HE SPEAKS?

THE PSALMIST DESIRED TO OBEY GOD'S WORD "CONTINUALLY, FOREVER AND EVER". AND JAMES WARNED ABOUT IGNORING IT WHEN HE SAID, "BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR-SELVES" (JAMES 1:22).

PSALM 119 IS AN EXPRESSION OF PRAISE AND CELEBRATION FOR THE WORD OF GOD. IN EACH STANZA, THE PSALMIST EITHER CALLS US TO SEE STRONG REASONS FOR HIGHLY VALUING GOD'S WORD, TO HAVE STRONG RESPONSES TO THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN THE SCRIPTURES, OR BOTH.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND IF GOD BEGAN TO SPEAK TO YOU ON YOUR RADIO? WE CAN BE THANKFUL THAT GOD DOES SPEAK TO US-NOT ON THE RADIO, BUT IN THE SCRIPTURES. MAY WE BE WISE ENOUGH TO LISTEN AND OBEY.

INSTILL WITHIN MY HEART, DEAR LORD,
A DEEP DESIRE TO KNOW YOUR WORD;
I WANT TO LEARN TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
SO THAT YOUR WILL BECOMES MY CHOICE.

IN GOD'S WORKS WE SEE HIS HAND; IN HIS WORD WE HEAR HIS HEART. LET'S LISTEN TO GOD'S WORD THROUGH OUR BIBLE. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES - BIMS