Caesar Augustus: Who was He?

Caesar Augustus, the first emperor in Rome.

According to Christianity.about.com, the website stated that “Caesar Augustus brought organization, order, and stability to the Roman world. His establishment of a professional army ensured that insurrections were put down quickly. He changed the way governors were appointed in the provinces, which reduced greed and extortion. He launched a major building program, and in Rome, paid for many projects from his own personal wealth. He also encouraged art, literature, and philosophy. He was a benevolent dictator.

Caesar Augustus, the first emperor in the ancient Roman Empire, issued an order which fulfilled a biblical prophecy made 600 years before he was born.” What was the order he issued?

According to Luke chapter 2:1-7,  Caesar Augustus,  issued the first census ever. This account was in fact a record of the first fulfillment of the prophecy foretold.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Elizabeth and Zachariah

So apparently, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, &  Zechariah were not the only people who knew the birth of Jesus, Caesar Augustus unknowingly played a big role to fulfill the prophecy as well. What an amazing time..

Tomorrow another historical figure will enter and raise our story to a greater climate. Watch out for it. It’s not over yet..

See you soon. Until then sleep tight and have a great night.

All About Our Supernatural God

Supernatural events happened right about the time of Jesus’ birth simply because God is Himself, the supernatural being. We learn all about it through the Word of God, the Bible.

The Bible was a record of everything that God did, to save humanity. Therefore, the truth is everything God did is absolutely supernatural.

So, what exactly happened? Let us find out, shall we?

Both Mary and Elizabeth Received Supernatural News

Bible’s Account In Luke

According to the Book of Luke chapter 1:26 – 37,  it gave an account of the visit from Angel Gabriel to deliver the ‘Great New!’ to Mary.

When God Acts, He Affirms

When God chose to do a supernatural happening, often times, He affirms with the people involved and in this case, it did involve Mary.

If you noticed, a relative of Mary whose name was Elizabeth was also pregnant with a child in her old age. His name was John. He was actually known as ‘John the Baptist’ by many.

Another supernatural happened right around the same time. Elizabeth was barren, unable to have a child. Yet, she was 6 months pregnant when Mary received the news from Angel Gabriel.

Our lives change when God visit us. In fact, the blessing was not for Mary and Joseph or even Elizabeth alone. Do you want to know more?

So come join us and find out what happens as the story continues! See you soon.. and tune in tomorrow for more.

Immanuel – What does it mean?

“See, a virgin will become pregnant
    and give birth to a son,
        and they will name him Immanuel,’

Immanuel-God with us

which means, “God with us.” ²⁴ When Joseph got up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary as^[e] his wife. ²⁵ He did not have marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son;^[g]and he named him Jesus.

Am I talking about you?

Are you dismissing this story simply because Science is not backing it up? Supernatural events cannot be proven therefore, they cannot be true. Let’s just treat it as a fable, shall we?

The truth is there are still mysteries out there that science cannot account for.. Does science have it all? Why do some choose Science over accounts from the Bible?

The truth is supernatural happens around us all the time.

Supernatural events happen around us all the time, do you even notice? How about the beauty of child-bearing that inspire many new parents? Death in itself is a mystery that is capable of breaking one’s hope and dream. Ageing is not preventable and unstoppable. It’s coming for you whether you like it or not.  Sometimes, even when you refuse to face it, does not mean it is untrue. Maybe you are not ready for it.

Are answers important?

Some of us think answers are the most important factor to consider God’s existence. The truth is the sense of belonging and being loved are the changing points in our lives, do you agree?

Are we accepted as who we are? Are we loved without a condition by someone we considered special? Are these in fact what’s truly important to us?

Is God Supernatural?

If in fact God is not capable of anything supernatural, would we consider Him God?  I hope in the coming days, we are open to discuss and learn more from our story as it unfolds. Meanwhile, think about what Immanuel truly mean?

Hope to see you soon.. tune in for more tomorrow. Have a great night.

Dream – A Great News Delivered

We all have distinguish dreams some nights, however, not all dreams matter. There was however one dream that was recorded in the Bible, changed the life of Joseph and Mary. Who would have thought a dream given to Joseph could change the fate of the entire humanity?What was the dream all about? Who delivered the Great News? Let’s hop on and find out what happened.

According to Matthew 1:20-22 the Bible say:

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

As you noticed from Joseph’s reaction, he felt puzzled by what he saw. The love of his life was pregnant before they even got married. He in fact planned to quietly divorce Mary until one night an angel of the Lord visited him in a dream and shared the most berserk news he had ever heard.

His life changed forever after the visit from the angel of the Lord who delivered this awesome news to him. Even though Joseph could not understand everything that happened, his faith in God carried him through it all.

Sometimes, things happen and we cannot understand it all. But like Joseph if we walk by faith and not by sight, God will carry and deliver us all.

Questions To Ponder

If you ever receive such a news, what would you do? Would you believe and act on it?  Wait a minute, what did the prophet show earlier on?

Let us continue with our story.. tune in and see you tomorrow.

Gift of love – A Christmas Story

 Christmas is known as the joyous time of the year and what does it have to do with the gift of love?

You see, many look forward to the Christmas simply because it brings great joy and news during this season of the year. At the same time, in our article today we share why Christmas is the ‘gift of love‘. According to many believers across the earth who embrace and celebrate Christmas that is a gift not bought but freely given. Come join us by counting down to Christmas and learn what Christmas is all about.

As any intriguing story begins,  it naturally begins with the main characters in the story. We have Mary, the virgin and Joseph, the man Mary got betrothed to.

‘Now the birth of Jesus Christ^[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed^[f] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.‘

Gift of love

The Gift Of Love Came Down When

Gift Of Love

The gift of love came down when Baby Jesus was born, bore out of the Holy Spirit as according to the Bible. Did Joseph successfully carry out his secret plan to divorce Mary? Did God intervene and stop his plan? If He did, who did He sent to Joseph? Finally, how did Jesus became the gift of love to all humanity?

Do You Have More Questions?

Gift of love  Do You Have Questions, You Need  Answers?

Jesus being bore of the Holy Spirit, what does it mean? Have you ever wonder how it is possible? For Mary, being found with a child from the Holy Spirit, who by the way is this ‘Holy Spirit’?

Is it okay to divorce? What does the Bible say about divorce? You may have some questions that you do not understand and would like some answers. Feel free to write them down or even post us the questions you have.

Click on contact us and simply send us your questions. We will get to you as soon as we can. Meanwhile, keep these questions in your heart as we continue with our story.

Tune in and See you tomorrow..

He Hideth My Soul – By Composer Fanny 

Refrain:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

He Hideth My Soul

Refrain

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

Refrain

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Refrain

“Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by.” (Exodus 33:21,22)

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Do you know this hymn? Fanny Crosby wrote this well-known hymn. According to Website (Share Faith) Fanny was ‘blind from six weeks old because of a surgical mishap, her life was different from most, but it was not worse than most.

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) supported herself as a teacher at a blind school, she had dear and close friends around the world, and she wrote and published thousands of beautiful hymns, many that are still sung today. Regarding her plight in life, she wrote the following words:

“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.”

What Can We Learn From Her Life Testimony?

Often times the one thing we lack, is that one thing that would remind us to appreciate God’s love, His presence, and even more. Actually, I understood exactly what Fanny talked about in her words simply because my cleft palate helped me to trust God on all aspects, such as His Faithfulness, Love, Justice, and Mercy. Everything that makes who God is.

We are not amount to anything less or more, simply because we lack one thing or two. The truth is it simply enlightens us that God creates us to ‘see’ what few appreciate, to ‘hear’ God few understand, and to ‘touch’ God few ever could. Therefore, He creates you as you are so you will learn to glorify Him through your life.

Meanwhile, I hope you will appreciate this hymn much more simply because for some reason, Fanny Cosby’s life touched you the way hers touched mine. Have an awesome weekend, everyone!

Pray, Will You Come On Board?

Please pray because the challenge to pray for California is ever so great today. The years of long standing drought bring devastation to our state this season. Please take this message seriously. Why? Let me share with you please.

Yesterday, after Church, while my husband and I, with our son went for a drive to relax and rest our mind, we ended up taking an hour drive around the Millerton Lake, CA. What we saw while driving around was devastating. The long-standing drought was literally drying up the Lake. In my mind, I heard myself saying: ‘We need to do something.’ As we arrived home, I felt the Lord calling me to send out this challenge on Facebook. And I did. This was what I wrote.

Today after Church we went on a drive around the Millerton Lake and saw first hand  the devastation caused by this long standing drought in California. Please pray to end this drought because we desperately need the rain. Let’s come together to call on our Father in Heaven to grant what we need, the rain.

Not only that, the long running drought dried up all the greens and as a result, wildfires flared up in various parts of California that Governor Jerry Brown declared State of Emergency for California, this week. Please keep praying until God answers and brings the water we need. Thank you.

In the afternoon, we (my husband and I) had a unique opportunity to watch a movie together. We picked the latest #1 movie in United States, War Room. We were not sure we could make it for this movie on time. However, thank God we made it a little late but not missing much. The truth is, I have had never cried entirely through a movie before. In fact, this would be my first. Without a doubt, this is a must watch.

It’s Time To Take This Seriously!

Have you ever felt God’s Call, a clear assignment He gave to you? A Call that is to become one of His mighty warriors in prayers to fight mighty battles in the Heavenly?  Declares victory over the battle in the heavenly first before it manifests here on earth. God is looking for His mighty warriors who will faithfully fight His battles in prayers in the War Room. Are you one of them?

God wants you to come on board, take on this challenge and be His mighty warriors!  If you hear from God and believe God is calling you for this special assignment, stop resisting. Come to Him today in your War Room, wait for your first assignment. He’s been waiting for you way too long. It’s about time.. don’t you think?

Truth Shall Set You Free

Truth is hard to take at times. But truth will not mislead you, it will not pamper you. Neither will it entrap you. Truth will only set you free. Lies, on the hand, will gradually destroy you without your knowing. Simply because the father of all lies is the devil himself. If this is what you need today, read on.

Truth Shall Set You Free

When we have a society that encourage and support the notion that ‘there is no absolute truth’ and ‘everything is grey, there is no right and wrong’ mentality, we will reach a point where no one can judge another. One can do what one sees fit and good in one’s eyes. Man will have no restraints any more.

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There will be no need for law enforcement, justice, no need for jails because any man can argue and sue his way out of all wrongs simply there is no right and wrong. We head just right in this direction whether we believe it or not. We can protest all we can, disagreeing with what I have to say today. But, the truth is, we are heading in this direction whether we like to hear it or not. This is what’s wrong with our society today. Before we head it on any further, we need to seriously ponder and decide how this is going to turn out. One man or woman can make that difference. Would that be you?

 LaMarcus Adna Thompson

Who is LaMarcus Adna Thompson? Have you ever heard of this man? If you are a huge fan of all kind of roller coasters of all sort, you are in for a thrill. LaMarcus Adna Thompson was one of the best known American inventor for the earliest known roller coaster in America.

He built the first Switchback Railway in 1884 at Coney Island, the world’s most famous beach resort. According to Michael Simon of Entertainment Designer, he stated that “History has dubbed Thompson the “Father of Gravity,” as his coasters relied entirely upon gravity.” So how would the famous Switchback Railway work? Here Michael explained  how it worked stating that:

“For the Coney Island attraction, ten people at a time climbed a flight of stairs to a tower where they boarded a train car. Riders then coasted down 600 feet at about 6 miles per hour, then climbed another flight of stairs to a second tower. The train car was “switched back” to a return track, and the riders coasted back to where they began. Thompson’s Switchback Railway was an instant success, earning him hundreds of dollars per day at a nickel per ride.”

A Brief History Of His Life

According to D. Potter of Theme Park Insider, “Lamarcus Adna Thompson was born in Jersey, Ohio on March 8th, 1848. The man who would later be known as the “father of gravity” started life first as a carpenter, then a successful business person.

By the age of 35 he had made a fortune after founding a company that manufactured women’s stockings. The hosiery business took a toll on Thompson’s health, and so he left the business. After a trip out west, he found himself in New York in the early 1880’s.”

As I was doing further research I came across this From Museum of the Open Road audio script, that Thompson was a devout Christian who was also a Sunday School teacher. ‘He was appalled at the leisure activities that drew young people in his day, and in particular saw amusement parks as places of sin and degradation. He sought to create a wholesome entertainment—one that would build character and not subject children to vice and depravity.‘

The Inspiration Of Switchback Railway

D. Potter stated  ‘L.A. Thompson was inspired by a trip to the hills in eastern Pennsylvania, where a railroad line running through Carbon County converted from a coal transport into a tourist attraction.

The Mauch Chunk Switch Back Railway was an 18 mile, mostly downhill course that featured a 2300 ft long, 665 ft high drop at the end. The railway was a rousing success with tourists, who came by the thousands to ride every year. Thompson’s idea was to capture Mauch Chunk in a smaller package.’

He built Switchback Railway in 1884 at Coney Island with John Miller as his Chief Engineer who was a designing genius of his time. Miller went on to build his own company later and was successful in his endeavors.

I was able to dig up some interesting facts about the contradictions surrounding the patent issues as to who was truly the first inventor of the roller coaster in the West, if you like to read more about it.

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The reason Thompson highlighted in our story this week, was to urge all of us not to take lightly whatever thought we have as we see what’s happening around us. Thompson sought to change what he saw. He did it through creating a more wholesome entertainment for the youths in his time. And he succeeded. Not only that, he became a Million Dollar Inventor in his time. God blessed his thought and invention.

You never know how far an idea or thought can lead you if you seek God for an open door to use it for His glory. Nothing is truly impossible if you leave it in His hands. Only in the end, I beseech you to give all glory and honor back to God. Be an inspiration to yours and future generation beginning as of today. Go, and run along with God.

All Lives Matter

Is this statement truth? We’ve been talking about ‘Black Lives Matter’ and yet, we as a society are struggling to stand hand in hand with our African-Americans counterparts, supporting their rights to live in freedom in America. If indeed all lives truly matter, this incident would not be blasted on our media today.

Baltimore Riots

https://youtu.be/w_c4MAIATY8

Recently Baltimore was on the news again. I felt disturbed while the media focused on the ongoing riots over the death of the 25-year-old, Freddie Gray. 6 of the Baltimore policemen and policewoman were formally charged and arrested with a range of crimes including  murder and manslaughter in the arrest and fatal injury of Freddie Gray. If you are keen to know more about the news, click here on the Story Link. The riots instigated from excessive use of brutality force by the police in Baltimore while arresting people mainly black young men. A scene so commonly seen way back in the 1960’s. Horrific to learn that it’s happening in 2015. Racism is surfacing out of proportion in our time. So, what happened? Why should our young black men have to live in fear for their lives simply because of their skin color? Have we not addressed this issue way back in the 60’s?

All  Lives Matter

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All lives matter, not just red, yellow, white or black. Should our worth depend on or limited by our skin colors? The truth is, we have no control over our skin colors. What is given is a gift from God. If  the colors of our skin decide our worth, shouldn’t God be the judge? Should we then consider each other as equal? Shouldn’t we in turn treat each other with similar decency and respect. Regardless whether we are of the greatest or the minority. Does this make sense? Every Americans should have the equal opportunity to fulfill their dream as long as they are willing to work hard and earn a decent living. Isn’t this what America is all about? People from various nations migrate to the United States with their families in the hope to pursue and build an American dream and why does it matter where they come from? America is a free nation, really.. is it? If freedom matters so much to us, why aren’t we free?

In 1865, slavery abolished in America. Are the African-Americans truly freed today in 2015? Do they have the equal rights as the rest? If we fight so hard to help another nation in the name of freedom, why do we neglect our very own? Most Americans speak up against the injustice of the caste system in India. Why does it bother us? Our future should never be based on our ascribed status, is it true? Why is it that many of our young African-Americans are fearful for their lives while they are out on the street? Are they targeted by the law enforcement instead of protected by them? Yet, one thing that puzzled me today when I was looking through the faces of the 6 police officers arrested. 3 out of the 6 are African-Americans.  This entire picture does not add up.. more truth will be out soon. We need to get to the bottom of the truth.

We need reform in so many areas. If the Baltimore police officers use excessive force and abusing their authority, then independent investigations will help in making new changes to stop the abusive behavior. The police department has to open to change for the safety and rebuilding the trust that was lost among the people.

All Lives Matter

We Need Positive Changes And Eliminate Racism

Racial discrimination is a thing of the past, yet we as a society are struggling to understand the impact of it. We will not become a better people if we continue in this path. Progress depends on how we treat each other. If we wish for a better and happier world, we need to make positive changes and ultimately end racism. We may have various skin colors, if we see beyond that, we are in so many ways alike. God created us different and unique not so for us to rule over others rather to see the beauty in our differences and appreciate our uniqueness. Simply because to God all lives matter. Even Jesus did not consider Himself above all. He made Himself a slave to all. The Bible says in Philippians 2:3-7  The Message (MSG)

He Took on the Status of a Slave

 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

If Jesus took on the status of a slave, if you are to follow His example, should you not do likewise? He gave up His rights as the Son of God to serve others. You need that same attitude to see a new change that transpires beyond your means. A change that your future generations will get to enjoy and live in and through your legacy. An important message to all that all lives matter.