Time goes on

The picture on the right was taken from our vacation Lanai near Poi Pu Beach in Kauai. Marion and I are still listening to Hawaiian music in our spare time but it is good to be back home and to see our brothers and sisters in Christ at church. Attendance today was in the mid teens but the Lord was there and He blessed the ministry of His word and the fellowship of His people. See my message outline: click here.

The hard truth:

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

Heb 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.(KJV)

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Larry Killion

The Killion Site

Kauai 08

Aloha. Marion and I are back home now from our two week vacation in Kauai. It was great. To the left is a picture I took with my cell phone. It was shortly after sun rise at Poipu Beach. I was facinated by the way it turned out. I'm not sure what caused the effect that you see but I call this one "He is coming".

Things were very quiet back home while we were gone. In fact it was so quiet that some of the regular services were canceled. The Puyallup Fair is over now so hopefully the Russells will be back to normal in church attendance. Sister Turner had gall bladder surgery while we were gone and everything come out OK with that and she is doing better. Also, Sister Maxine had a knee replacement surgery on the day that we got home. That surgery was also a success and she is doing well but will be in the hospital a few more days before they let her go home. We had a good visit with her on Tuesday.

Mom seems to be doing OK along with the rest of the family. Sister Turner's brother Ken had open heart by-pass surgery and so far so good with that too. It will be good to be back in church for prayer meeting Wednesday night and Sunday morning. I'll also check in to see how they are doing with our Radio Program "The Beacon of Truth" on KLAY 1180AM Radio. Tune in if you can. We have changed the format to a question and answer style. One week from this Friday will be the First Friday Fellowship at 7PM on October 3rd. We hope to see this turn out to be a regular source of true Christian Fellowship every month at 7PM on the first Friday of the month. Pastor Larry J. Killion

9-7-08

We were still enjoying the blessings of the Labor Day Bible Conference in Seattle last week end. Brother Turner is still working on the DVD copies of the sermons. My message today at TLBC was "What is the Gospel" and the sermon outline notes are posted again on the front page of our church web site. click here.

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The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Christian School
for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The staff had made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was

A large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note,

"Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

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08 NW Labor Day Bible Conference

We had good services Sunday at TLBC. I preached on "Our Gathering Together Unto Him" Sermon outline can be seen on the front page of our church website. click here We canceled our afternoon service and went up to Seattle for the last of the Labor Day Bible Conference at the South Park Missionary Baptist Church. Pictured on the left are some of the preachers at the Conference singing "How Great Thou Art" Starting on the left is Elder Tim Works from Graham, Washington, Elder Jim Turner from Tacoma, Washington, Elder David Oldfield from Post Falls, Idaho, yours truly Elder Larry Killion from Tacoma, Washington, Elder George Kelley from Ontario, California, and Elder Jake Heibert from Peoria, Arizona. It was a good Meeting.

Elder Jim Tweet, Pastor of the host church has cassette tapes of the messages. Write to SPMBC 8510 8th Ave. So. Seattle, WA. 98108. Our own brother Jim Turner is also working on DVD copies of the conference and if you would like to see them contact me. My contact info is on the Pastor page of our church website. Some of the sermons are listed below:

Doctrinal Dumbing Down...............................David Oldfield
A God At Hand................................................Jake Heibert
Who Are The Called?......................................Tim Works
Would God Miss Our Praise?.........................George Kelley
Questions For Witnessing...............................Mark Fenison
The One True God...........................................Larry Killion
Trying to Find Righteousness in the Law......Jim Turner
1st Sun Morning message..............................Jake Heibert
2nd Sun Morning message............................Tim Works
Paul's Doctrine of Pneumatology..................David Oldfield
Carnal Christians............................................George Kelley
God's Delight In His People...........................Jim Turner
Parting Words.................................................Larry Killion

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8-24-08

Good services in TLBC today. Brother Turner taught on the Rapture in Sunday School. Pastor preached on"Four Kinds of Saved People" in the mornng and "The Fruit of the Spirit" in the afternoon. Please see morning sermon outine : click here

Can you see the smile of God in the picture of birds on the right?

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child'swork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

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8-17-08

Our grand kids Kiersten and AJ Buffaloe were with us today in church. They enjoyed Oma's Sunday School class. My sermon was on "God is God" and I sang a special "It's Still The Blood That Saves From Sin" on the guitar. It will be available on DVD soon. Outline is on front page of our church website click here.

Anger is a condition in which the tongue worksfaster than the mind.

You can't change the past but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.

There has been some sudden and drastic changes in regard to our plans to travel to Ukraine. Everything is on hold until after the Bible Conference in Seattle over Labor Day Week end.

We may be canceling our trip indefinitly.

If your are in the Seattle/Tacoma area this Labor Day week end we invite you to attend the Great Northwest Bible Conference at the South Park Missionary Baptist Church 8510 8th Avenue So. Seattle Wa. 98108. There will be preaching all day Saturday and Sunday 8/30 - 8/31. Some guest preachers are coming from California, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho and Washington.

Larry Killion

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8-10-08

My sermon today was on "Four Kinds of Lost People" look for the outline on our TLBC page click here.


The Turners were in Seattle and the Russells were tied up in Graham but it was good to see Penny back in church. We canceled our afternoon service and will do the business meeting and Lord's Supper (closed communion) next Lord's Day Lord willing.


After church we strolled around the Fern Hill Annual Street Fair and Car Show the next street over from our house. We always enjoy this and saw my sister Debby and her fella Joe there. Joe was showing his '31 Model A Roadster. It s the third one in the picture below. That's Joe and Deb in the picture behind the car.

After the Car Show we went back over to Mom's to help her get her medications refilled at the the pharmacy and confirm that her "Stimulous Package Check" was in the mail OK from President Bush.

I remember driving a '55 Ford similar to the '56 here on the right when I first got my drivers licence many years ago. If I remember right, it was a 283 V8 with three on the tree and overdrive. What a fun car to learn to drive with.

Larry Killion

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National Day of Prayer

We celebrated a National Day of Prayer at TLBC today. Several sister churches around the country spent the day praying for Revival in our Nation. I read a long list of churches that do not have Pastors. We thanked the Lord for those churches that have started Preacher Schools and we Prayed for the Lord to start saving souls again and to revive His people and call more young men into the gospel ministry. My sermon was on "Harvest Men Wanted" and the outline for it is on the front page of our church website. click here

It may seem like we have gone too far and it is too late for mercy from heaven on our land but the Bible also says ye have not because ye ask not. The least we can do is ask God for Revival in our heart, in our home, in our church, community, town, state and country.

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American sentiment and negativity about our government and its policies, we should remember England's Prime Minister, Tony Blair's words to his ownpeople. During a recent interview, Tony Blair of Great Britain was asked by one of his parliament members as to why he believes so much in America. And does he think America is on the right track? Blair's reply -- "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many wantin ... and how many want out."

Larry Killion

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Why MY son?

To access an outline of today's sermon on "Paying Your Dues" At TLBC today, Click Here.


A mother asked President Bush,
"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy,
"Why did my son have to die in VietNam?"

Another mother asked President Truman,
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt,
"Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson,
"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,
"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked,
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of
Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar--

"that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."

Larry Killion
Larry's Links

Just checking in..

Attendance was low in church today. My sermon was on "Castaways and Christ" and the outline is on the front page of our church website HERE.

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kind a what I say: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome To come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks." He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and said with a winsome smile; "the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, Leans over and says to me: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS - CHECKING IN TODAY."

Larry Killion

The Killion Site

Mouse Trap

My sermon today was on "How to have the good hand of God upon You" and as usual the outline is on the front page of our church website. click here

Have you heard the parable of the mouse trap?

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured, you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with the farmer around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend...I am thankful for all of those I call friend, for each of you have, at one time or another, helped ease a burden that was much too heavy for me to carry alone.

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Larry Killion

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Little eyes see a LOT

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
(Written by a former child)
A message every adult should read, because childrenare watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang myfirst painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed astray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kindto animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make myfavorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say aprayer, and I knew there is a God I could alwaystalk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make ameal and take it to a friend who was sick, and Ilearned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give ofyour time and money to help people who had nothingand I learned that those who have something shouldgive to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you takecare of our house and everyone in it and I learnedwe have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how youhandled your responsibilities, even when you didn'tfeel good and I learned that I would have to beresponsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears comefrom your eyes and I learned that sometimes thingshurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that youcared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most oflife's lessons that I need to know to be a good andproductive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't l ooking, I looked at youand wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I sawwhen you thought I wasn't looking."
I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLEI KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS ANDTHINK NO ONE EVER SEES.

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle,teacher or friend) influence the life of a child.How will you touch the life of s omeone today?Just by sending this to someone else,you will probably make them at leastthink about their influence on others

TLBC 2Q08 report

The Lord’s Baptist Church
11102 Yakima Avenue South
Tacoma, WA. 98444
www.thelordsbaptistchurch.com
Pastor Larry J. Killion Phone: 253-537-0129 Email: ljkillion@juno.com

As June draws to an end, another year is half gone. This is our 2nd quarter report for 2008. Outlines of our latest Sunday morning sermons can be seen on our church website. Church attendance is still discouraging. We only have about six now that faithfully support the church with finances. We’ve cut back on missions and ministries in order to meet routine expenses. A couple of churches and a friend in Kentucky have helped us with love offerings for which we are truly thankful.

Pastor attended the Bible Conference in Mt. Morris, Michigan in April and afterward traveled down to Kentucky and Indiana to visit with Elder Kenneth Long and his church and family. I preached at the Providence Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. I also discussed the pending missionary trip to Ukraine on the “Seeking The Truth” television program broadcast in Eastern KY. by the Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Hazard, KY.

Plans for the Mission trip to Ukraine with Elder Kenneth Long are still temporarily on hold. Alex needs to acquire vacation in order to host guests from America. The local Baptist Union organization in Chernigov is hindering the work. Alex and our people had to stop holding services where they were meeting due to politics. Finding another “affordable” place is discouraging. They have been meeting in small groups in the mean time but desperately need a suitable meeting place. They need help. I mentioned this need in emails to all that I know but am afraid that most are hesitant to send finances to a work that does not yet have scriptural authority. That is why we are so anxious to go. They need about another $250 per month as it stands now to have their own meeting place again. Brother Long and I think we can help them with the first month when we go for the baptisms and organization and maybe after that some of our sister churches will come on board with what is needed thereafter. Pray that God would burden hearts to make it so.

Pastor had an episode of vertigo that landed him in the hospital for three days in May. He is doing better now but still has balance problems at times. Insurance paid $20,000 of it but we still owe about $5000. A week after Pastor’s episode Elder Jim Turner also had a similar thing but his was a seizure related to an old bee sting issue from the past. Thank you for your prayers. The ad that I posted in a weekly paper for a FREE Bible Study for the Military reaped zero results. Pray for our local outreach efforts. I hope to be out in the neighborhood again passing out gospel tracks soon. We need souls.

Elder Bob Ellis, our Missionary in Ireland finished his chemotherapy for a lymphatic lesion on the optic nerve of his right eye. He believes no news is good news in regard to the follow up tests made after the treatments. Elder Cresencio Baldemor, our Missionary in Philippines is well. The financial needs in the Filipino work are the Lawa-an building project and brother Baldemor’s travel expenses. Sister Sue Kaley went home to be with the Lord. Graveside services were held in Puyallup where her husband Merrell was buried. Brother Troy Sheppard came up from Florida to help in the services. Remember our older members in prayer and those in distant places. Thanks again for your faithful prayers. We need it. AMEN.

Guests from Germany

It was good to see the Turners back from their road trip and in prayer meeting. We enjoyed the visit from Hedi und Willy the early part of the week. They are home again now in Germany. Hedi is Marion's sister.

Dead Mule

A Pastor went to his church office on Monday morning and discovered a dead mule in the church yard He telephoned the police. Since there did not appear to be any foul play, the police referred the Pastor to the Health Department.

They explained, "Since there was no health threat, you'll need to call the Sanitation Department." When the pastor called the Sanitation Department, the Manager of the Sanitation Department said, "I can't pick up that dead mule without authorization from the mayor."

The Pastor was not at all too eager to call the mayor, who possessed a very bad temper and was always extremely unpleasant and hard to deal with, but, eventually, the Pastor called the mayor anyway. The mayor did not disappoint the Pastor. The mayor immediately began to rant and rave.

After his continued rant at the pastor, the mayor finally said, "Why did you call me any way? Isn't it your job to bury the dead?" The pastor paused for a brief prayer, and asked the Lord to direct his response. The lord led the pastor to the words he was seeking, "WELL Yes, Mayor, it IS my job to bury the dead, BUT I always like to notify the next of kin first!"

It was good to have a first time visitor in our servcies today. Young Tobie came with Jacob Russell. My sermon was on "The Holy Call of Saul" and the outline is HERE.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all. It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.

The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.

Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need.

If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.

The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.

Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.

We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.

For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.

Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where you are.

A Few Federal Judges VS All Fifty States

The graveside funeral services went well today out at Woodbine Cemetery. Sister Kaley was laid to rest next to the mortal remains of her dear husband Merrell. Marion and I are home now from the airport where we dropped off Brother Troy Sheppard. It was good to see him again. He flew up from Florida to help in the funeral services. I'm still having problems with my vertigo. Saw a specialist this week and the good news is that the inner ear does not have any permanent damage and that these uncomfortable symptoms will eventual go away. He said it may take up to six months. We are fearfully and wonderfully made and I thank God for all of you that have been praying for me with this physical infirmity. Aren't you glad that when we feel like praising God and giving God glory we still have the freedom to do that in most places in our country? AMEN!

Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the US Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING!

Be sure to read the last two paragraphs.
America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions:

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God , do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution.

Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance .. establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of_the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction .

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . establish this Constitution ...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.

New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those .

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ..

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God. Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI .. Religion, or t he Duty which we owe our Creator .. can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.

Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

Happy Fathers Day 08

Attendance was low in church today but God was there. He never fails. My sermon was on "Godly Fathers" and the outline is on the front page of TLBC website. click here Last week I preached the funeral of Janet Morgan, a former member of the church, out at the Haven of Rest Cemetery over in Gig Harbor. This Friday at 11AM I will again be preaching a graveside service for Sister Janet Sue Kaley at the Woodbine Cemetery out in Puyallup. Our heart goes out to those who are hurting at this time due to the loss of a dear loved one.

I had a "dizzy" follow up doctor appointment last week with my family doctor and he has made an appointment for me to see an ear specialist this week about my vertigo. The physical therapist has seen marked improvement with me but I seem to have hit a plateau and am not improving as fast as I once was. Your prayers are deeply appreciated as I certainly do not want to spend the rest of my life with the threat of this dizziness hanging over my head. It really has a negative affect on ones confidence.

Please checkout my shelfari book shelf over in the right column and sign up for free to get your own shelf so we can compare what books we have read in common.

Here is something from a book of letters written by a woman named Anne Dutton, who lived in the 1700’s in England. The Lord brought me great comfort from it and I hope that He might also bless others who read it.

"Dear Brother and Sister,

- As to my health, blessed be God, I am not worse than I was when brother was here. I dwell in a crazy tabernacle, which I think sometimes is near its dissolution. But I rejoice in that house, that building of God, eternal in the heavens, which I know, through grace, is prepared for me. I in this tabernacle groan, being burdened by reason of that sinfulness and weakness which attends and renders me incapable either to know or serve the Lord as I would, and as perfect spirits do; and this makes me long for the time when mortality shall be swallowed up of life.

We have no reason to be afraid of a separate state, for "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Nor yet should the saints be afraid to die, as if they should be forsaken and left to go through the last trial alone. No, our God will be with us when we come to the river Death; He will divide the water before us, and so marvellously appear in carrying us through it that we shall take thence a memorial of His infinite grace and faithfulness, as the children of Israel did when they passed through the literal Jordan (Josh. iv.7).

We should come up from the wilderness, even to the last step of it, leaning upon our Beloved, who hath said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb. xiii.5). These words, "never leave thee," reach through our whole lives, even unto death, yea, into death, through death, above and beyond death, even to an endless eternity. And unless everlasting arms could wax weary, unchangeable love alter, and infinite faithfulness fail, we have no reason to be afraid. No, not in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psa. xxii.4).

Our God will be "our refuge and strength, a very present help in that time of trouble" (Psa. xlvi.1). And as he will be the strength of our heart when heart and flesh fail us, so our portion for ever, or our eternal lot. And Oh! who can count up a thousandth part of those vast treasures of glory we have in His immense Being, as He has made over His great Self to us in Christ! Why should we, then, that are the King's sons, be lean from day to day? The Lord grant us true greatness of mind, that with a princely spirit we may behave as heirs of glory under all our present trials! Wishing all prosperity, and begging a share in your prayers, I commit you to Israel's Keeper."

Buzzards Bats and Bees

Good services today in church. My message was on "Three Steps to Assurance" and the outline is on this page click here. It was good to see Cookie and Judy visiting from California. Pray for Brother Skip. He is out of the hospital now but Doctors are following up on concerns about his foot and complications from diabetes. He has already lost the other foot.

Buzzards - Bats - Bees -

BUZZARD
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

BAT
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

BUMBLE BEE
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies! , unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up.
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I've met a lot of people over the past few years that are in the MLM or home business sphere. I am often amazed at how much they all sound the same. I understand the responsibilities of doing the things needed for success in business and all of that and I know how important it is to hold oneself accountable for having the right attitude and so on but the thing that I see lacking in most of the hype from the "experts" is the "Looking Up" mentioned in the story above. I see the same problem in the lives of many in the secular world when trying to minister to them from God's word.

Larry Killion
The Killion Site
Larrys LINKS

Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions."How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead."How old are you?" "I'm gonna be ! 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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My message last Lords Day was on "Teaching Grace" and the sermon outline is on the front page of our church website. Click: TLBC Looking forward to prayer meeting. Talked to Brother Skip on the phone today and he is now out of the hospital too. They have him on antibiotics and the Pediatrist wants him to do a followup appointment for further review. There was a spot on the ex-ray of his foot that may be a problem. If there is infection in the bone anywhere they will have to amputate that foot also. Please keep him in your prayers as he battles the effects of diabetes.

Larry Killion

MY LINKS

Remembering My Favorite President

My sermon this morning at TLBC was on Talent, Gifts and Fruit. Do you know the difference between them? See my outline HERE. I hope you have a good Memorial Day week end. For a good read about some of our heroes in the past, see last weeks post on Heroes. This week I want to leave you with some quotes from my favorite President.

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"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose." - Ronald Reagan

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong." - Ronald Reagan

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress." - Ronald Reagan

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination." - Ronald Reagan

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other." - Ronald Reagan

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program." - Ronald Reagan

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting." - Ronald Reagan

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book." - Ronald Reagan

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." - Ronald Reagan