imprimisFiled under: Colorado, Family & Friends, Fun together, Just blogging, My simple life, My travels, Pictures, Rocks and fossils, State Parks | Tags: Personal, My world, Blogging, Family & Friends, My travels, updates, Adventures, Priceless pictures, Colorado
Friday September 11, 2009
I awoke at 5:25 when my alarm sang its song to open my sleepy eyes. Shortly thereafter I dressed, and ate breakfast with the others. The we said goodbye to cousin Janice and Aunt Mary before leaving on our journey. We were on the road by 6:30 am, a record for me!
The skies above New Mexico
We made great time, reaching Wichita Falls by 9:30 – our first stop of the day. We stopped about every 2 hours to stretch our legs and use the toilet, or see interesting sights along our route.
Interesting rock formation in New Mexico
One interesting place we stopped at was outside of Clayton, NM by 30 minutes or so. At the Dino-track site there, you can view the fossilized tracks of 9 kinds of dinos. Pretty neat! A large lake and dam added to the scenery, especially since you have to cross over the top of the dam to reach the dino tracks. I had great fun hiking up to the site, and enjoyed taking pictures of various things along the way. I even saw a flamboyant grass-hopper, it was black but when it took off flying, its wings revealed a reddish hue.
The state park with the dinosaur tracks
Your “average” tourist 
A cute little lizard which we saw near the trail
Information about the dino tracks
A relic of a by-gone era
The assorted tracks ~ quite interesting really
We stopped for the night in Raton, NM, a quaint little spot perched on the mountainside. We took an early meal (5:30) at the Ice House, a famous restaurant near downtown. I order the following: Cod fillets (2), fried Okra, salad, rolls and sweet potato fries. Delicious!!!
Eating at the Ice House ~ What a meal!
Yours truly waiting for the “main course”
What a beautiful meal! And it was SOOOOOO delicious
Amazingly, we got to bed by 8:20 local time (9:30 central time). Glorious. I slept soundly and awoke refreshed.
The one and only movie theater in town, cute!
Filed under: Bible studies, Homemaking, personal, Just blogging, Links, My simple life, Quotes, Radio Ministries, Standing for Truth, The Holy Scriptures | Tags: Blogging, Books, Everyday, God is the Gospel, Ministry links, My simple life, My world, Others writings
I don’t generally share with you in the blog-o-sphere what I am reading, or hope to read, but there are times when I can’t help sharing what’s on my bookshelf.
A couple of years ago, I purchased John Piper’s fabulous little book 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, but instead of reading the book, I left it to languish in the world of the forgotten. Recently however, I have longed for a deeper understanding of the reasons behind Christ’s death on the cross and how they are applicable to my life.
So, I have written a short review of this book. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why Jesus Came to Die : A Review of John Piper’s book Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die
© 2006, Desiring God Foundation
Published by Crossway Books
$6.49 at Desiring God bookstore
Are you seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus? A greater understanding of Christ’s death? Do you want to grow your love for our Saviour? How about a true sense of gratitude for His death?
Recently I have taken the time to read and study through John Piper’s marvelous book 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. An overview of the theological reasons why Jesus was sacrificed for the sins of mankind. As I work my way through this book I am seeing more clearly my sinfulness and His sinlessness. The picture is becoming clearer to me as to the reasons (or as Piper explains so wonderfully, the purposes) behind Christ’s great love for me.
Supported by many scripture references, Dr. Piper draws a dramatic picture of the vast ramifications of Christ’s death. He points it back to the reason why behind the Cross. A predetermined agreement between God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit to conquer death and Satan. A holy agreement.
From the forward of this wonderful book Piper says the following: “When all is said and done, the most crucial question is: Why? Why did Jesus come to die? Not why in the sense of cause, but why in the sense of purpose. What did Christ achieve by His death? Why did He have to suffer so much? What great thing was happening on Calvary for the world?” “… I have gathered fifty reasons why Jesus came to die. Not fifty causes, but fifty purposes. Infinitely more important than who killed Jesus is the question: What did God achieve for sinners like us in sending His Son to die?” (p. 17)
As I began to work my way through this dear little book (it is actually rather small, only 122 pages long), my whole frame of reference changed as to the purpose for Christ’s death. This became very apparent in the sixth entry: To Show His Own Love For Us. “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” Or as Piper puts it: “The early witnesses who suffered most for being Christians were captured by this fact: Christ “loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). They took the self-giving act of Christ’s sacrifice very personally. They said, “He loved me. He gave himself for me.” (p. 30) His death was for me, for my sins. Very personal.
“Yet is was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief.” Isa. 53:10
Ultimately, Christ came to die for the sins of mankind, to fulfill the will of the Father, and to bring glory to God.
I am so thankful that I purchased this book, but regretful that I have not read it before now. This is a book that I highly recommend to everyone, so that you will have a clearer idea of the greatest sacrifice… ever!
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
Filed under: Happenings, Ministry links, Standing for Truth, The Holy Scriptures, biblical authority, the importance of genesis | Tags: CET, Creation, Current Events, Links
Dear Readers,
The month of October is drawing to a close, but there is good news.
If you live in the Dallas / Fort Worth area (specifically McKinney, TX) or know of someone who does, I would like to extend a personal invitation to attend a special conference put on at my church.
Evolution Trick or Treat conference will be happening at North West Christian Church the weekend of October 31, through November 1, 2009. Speakers include Dr. John Morris (son of the late Henry Morris, and current president of the Institute for Creation Research), Dr. Jobe Martin (director of Biblical Discipleship Ministries) and Joel Kautt (director of Creation Evangelism Tools Ministries). All speaking venues are live, and in person!
If you want more information about dates, times and speakers, Please visit CET’s blog at: www.creationevangelismtools.org
Invite your family and friends to join us for a wonderful weekend of truth in an age of deception! Please join us, we would love to have you attend!
Grace & Peace
Abby – editor of imprimis
Filed under: Colorado, Fun together, Just blogging, My simple life, My travels, Pictures | Tags: Adventures, Colorado, My travels, Photos
Windy Point looking across at the vast array of mountains in all their majesty! What a breathtaking view, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
North Clear Creek Falls - Absolutely beautiful! I love the sound of falling water.
Lake San Cristobal, Lake City CO. A stunningly beautiful lake, reminded me of a fjord in Finland. We saw Elk in the marsh at the south end feeding.
The mountains we saw each and every day of our visit. This morning there was a new snow that graced its peaks.
One of the three lakes on the camps property. It was like a mirror in its appearence.
Some of the thousands of stunning yellow mountainsides that we were surrounded by. I love aspens, they are so pretty!
Filed under: 1, Action alerts, American Government, Current Events, Historical, In Freedom's Cause, Links, Political, Ron Paul, You Tube | Tags: America, Current Events, Economics, Films & media, Liberty, Political, YouTube
Hyperinflation nation video part one. If you want to see the other 2 parts, click here.
Filed under: Prayer & Supplication, Quotes | Tags: Christ & Culture, Ditty & Song, Personal evangelism, Poems
Go forth, go forth and win the lost,
Evangelize, whate’er the cost;
The Gospel preach in ev’ry land,
Go forth, it is the Lord’s command.
Evangelize in ev’ry tribe,
The Gospel none must be denied;
Go forth and tell of how He died,
Go, tell of Christ the crucified.
Go forth and tell of how He rose
And lives triumphant o’er His foes;
Of how He’s coming back again
In pow’r and majesty to reign.
He’s coming back “to take His bride”
From ev’ry kindred, tongue and tribe;
He’s coming back to usher in
The day of judgement for man’s sin.
Go forth, the message must be told,
Go, bring them to the Saviour’s fold;
The Masater calls, O then arise,
Evangelize! Evangelize!
By Oswald Smith
