Red sky

Red sky this morning 
Just as day is dawning 
Warm wind blowing 
What might be coming?
Only God can tell...
Who watches the heavens?
Who seeks to understand?
Why trouble is brewing?
Ah Lord we see thy hand 
Prophecies fulfilling...
Man; man is killing...
So many die in vain... 
How can we not see?
Satan's hand is ruling 
Yes; ruling over this plane..
Let us gather together
Let us be uplifted 
Let us kneel in prayer 
For our Lord hears us 
Promises to be near us 
In these times of latter rain...

A meeting of souls

When twin souls meet
There is such joy
The universe decrees
True love be employed
Hearts beat quieter
Hands still linger
Touching together
Warmth expands
Thoughts exchanged
Without speaking
Happiness abounds
In simply being
Souls delight in seeing
The universe: as sweet
Everything feels
So complete

Life exchange

Things cannot go on as they were
All things have to change
It is how we cope with life
How we handle this exchange...
Will loneliness crush you?
Will you empty down the drain?
Pain and loss becomes palpable
When we realise we must be the change...

Walking my way back to health

Been walking for my health
Certainly not; for wealth...
Unless health be counted for wealth
For is it not so?
Then I am wealthy and wise
My health not to despise
It is a blessing in disguise
For in being able to enjoy
All things given for my joy
The fresh air and the exercise
Brings a gleam to my eyes
The sunshine and fresh air
The little wind in my hair
My breathing in and out
Felt so good I could shout
I want to get my fitness back
I want my life to be a witness
To all things that bring me joy
Like the blessed peace I find
When I have exercised...
Ah it is such a pleasant way 
To spend part of the day...

When she walks out the door

How do you fill in the hours?
When she walks out the door?
When darkness comes to stay?
How do you even the score?
Get on with your life...
Keep on moving: do not be still
For peace comes in "doing"
Rather than in mere thinking
Push aside those dark shadows
Allow the sunshine to enter in
All through your long life
This is how it has been...
Someone stays for a little while
Makes you think love has come
Then leaves: taking your smiles
You get used to being there alone
Solitude denies the other's existence...

Absence may make the heart
Grow fonder: that is true
But distance is a killer and
There is nothing you can do

Serpent

Do you see the serpent?

Hidden within the clothes?
Pretending indifference 
As it lays in wait; in repose
Have you seen the fierce wolf
Wearing wool: white as a lamb
Hoping you will not recognise
Those thoughts within: a sham
Satan the beguiler; Christ reviler
Sins enters as a pin prick
Spreads like roots of oak
Wait until you see what lies beneath his infernal cloak
Though the cup seems whitened
Pure and white as the driven snow
Actions speak louder than words
In the end; these will surely show

Absence

If absence makes the heart grow fonder
How can we bear to be apart?
When missing one another is a wonder
As feelings truly are a matter of heart...

I miss your loving arms around me
I miss hearing the beating of your heart
I miss your dear voice as you whisper
Into my ear so softly, tenderly, it starts...

I miss the way you hold me close dear
I miss the warmth of your hand in mine
I miss the scent of aftershave upon your skin
To my heightened senses; it smells so divine...

Yes: if absence makes the heart grow fonder
Let us stay a little longer apart...
If only we could stay in love forever
Please let us never ever drift apart...

Bread of life

Do you see my flesh here?
Do you understand?
It is only through Jesus' gift
That I am here at all
I could never pay for my sins
I could never atone
I: a mere human could
Never get to heaven on my own

Only by partaking of His bread of life
Could I ever be cleansed
Only through Jesus' blood
Could I be washed clean and white
Only by beholding my Lord
Upon that cross on Calvary
Could my dearest Saviour
Deliver me...

Blood gift

Do you see my blood flow?

Do you understand?
How can I be here standing
Unless it is by Jesus' hand
His life He gave up for me
His blood spilled into the sand
That I might be redeemed
Just as our dear Lord planned

Breath of life

Do you hear me breathing?

Do you understand?
How can we continue breathing 
Unless it is by God's plan?
He created us in His image
Made us heirs to His crown
His breath He poured into our soul
That we might see the promised land

Heartbeat

Do you hear my heart beat?

Do you understand?
What exactly is a heartbeat?
But a drum within God's man
Hear it beating constantly...
Hear it's rhythm: its tattoo...
This is the blessing Jesus gave
His heart beats for us
For me and also for you

Creeping Compromise

Little by little 
Changes are made
Little by little 
The enemy advances
Little by little
The enemy has
Caught us all asleep

The pattern

The tailor has a pattern 

Uses it every single time
It is the basis for all garments
It is the only way to ensure
That each and every one
Is created in the image
Of the original design

God created man in His image
We are the the crown of creation
Jesus is our pattern
He has noble traits of character
With no bias toward evil
High intellectual powers
He is the original pattern

We must emulate our maker
Aim to be like him in every way
Though created in His image
I am afraid that man has fallen
Indeed man has strayed
Though we all fall short
We must return to the original pattern

In order to be saved...

Tumbling down

Boys love to climb
Boys love to be free
Boys even like hanging round
Way up high in a tree
Boys will be daredevils
Boys will race the wind
Boys even enjoy acting like
They are sailing the seven seas
Boys climb up on anything
Just because they can
Ah boys will always be the ones
Who come tumbling down

Dusk

At dusk as sun is setting
Sadness comes and stays
Why now after many seasons
Does this sadness not go away?
It's like another day is ending
As the sun slips into the sea
For me it is a new beginning
For you; depression is the key
For me; a new day is dawning
For you; dusk is the saddest time
Especially whilst driving home 
After a long, hard working day
Darkness settles down; unfair play
How to overcome these feelings
How to get through another day
Ah Lord my heart is reeling
As I contemplate those feelings
That; pour forth; at the end of your day

Three gardens, three harvests

In the garden grew God's apples
Shining bright upon the tree
Into that garden slithered the serpent
Hell bent upon causing misery
He approached Eve the first woman
Whispered into her pink shell-like ear
"Would you like to taste the fruit my sweet
There is nothing for you to fear"
Eve ate of that apple: offered it up
Gave to Adam of the sinful fruit 
Ignoring the Lord's commandment
They were sent forth from Eden
Forever to be burdened; pursued
Thus through sin: the earth was cursed

Upon the peaceful mount of olives
In the garden of Gethsemane
Here our Lord was sorely tempted
Here dear Jesus fought for you and me
Though he prayed unto his blessed father
All alone he suffered without mercy
Jesus begged for our Father to free him
"Let this cup be taken from me"
Jesus prayed for us all: for you and me
As the olive must be crushed to make the oil
So Jesus had to suffer for humanity...

The grapes must be sweet for the final harvest
Pure and ripe straight from the blessed vine
Jesus is the trunk and we are the branches
Without His precious blood: there is no wine
Remember the fruits of the spirit: loving kindness
His self control, love, peace, joy, gentleness
Ah the faithfulness of such a love divine
Jesus is the cure the whole world is needing 
Without His sacrifice: without His bleeding 
There is no way for man without Jesus' dying
His sacrifice is the only way to save us
Thank the Lord for his blessed sacrifice...

The gardener is coming 
To look through his garden
There are many trees growing 
But they are not bearing fruit...
Soon dear Jesus will be returning 
Soon the gardener will come
Will a fruitful harvest be waiting?
Will our hearts be in tune with the divine?

Shadows upon your face

One side darkness

One side light
Does it show a likeness
Does it show sin: a blight?
Have you seen the shadows?
Falling there upon your face...
Are you lost my sweet darling?
Have you fallen far from grace?
Only Christ is our redeemer
Only Jesus truly knows
He is our blessed Saviour
Into our precious heart He goes
As shadows come and surely go
Our lives like the four seasons
Our lives must be lived to show
Each season: unlike the other
Many changes ever flow
Without the fullness of each season
How could we ever show
Just how blessed our lives can be
We must weather the storms of winter
We must allow faith in spring to grow
Many blossoms bloom in late summer
Gusty Autumn winds must blow...
One side of life is hidden in darkness
The other side will shine brightly
Unless you pass through each season
How will God ever truly know
Just how much his precious seed has grown...

On fire for the Lord

Oh Lord you call us

Oh Lord you claim all
If only we hear you 
If only we come forth

Let us be on fire Lord
Let us burn with desire
To spread your sweet gospel
To spread your blessed word

Go forth my dear children
Go forth; bearing those seeds
For who can I send out?
Where there is such great need

Hark! The voice of Jesus calling!
Hark! Who will work today?
So many in darkness falling
Precious few to lead the way

Seals at play in Horseshoe Bay

We were taking a little trip 

Thought to relax a little bit
I suggested we detour
Check out the bay today
Saw some movement far away
Took a closer look and yay!
There were two seals frolicking 
Having a little play: yes indeed
Right there in Horseshoe Bay
We took the steep stairs 
Right down to Ladies Beach
The sea was clear and blue
The sky indeed too!
We climbed out onto the rocks
Hoping we weren't too late
And as we sat and waited there
I was staring out into the sea
Enjoying the pleasant scenery
Up popped one head and then another
Two seals playing: without any bother
Diving and playing: that's what I'm saying 
Having such a beautiful time
I was blessed to be there: mesmerized
Caught their escapades on my camera
Oh I felt so very blessed it's true
To be witnessing such playful creatures
God's blessed little sea mammals
Right there in front of my very eyes
Enjoying the sea and the surf
Thank you Lord for leading me today
Showing your blessed creatures at play

Sensing pain

Feelings that come strongly to the fore

So strong a feeling: difficult to ignore
I sometimes feel another's pain
So strong a sensation: cannot explain
Felt like this many a time: it's true
This is the thing I am telling you...
Felt my daughter's panic attack
Felt like I couldn't breathe: oxygen lack
Felt so restless: felt so very strange
Couldn't understand why: it hasn't changed
Some days I still feel that restlessness
Still feel that uncommon urge
To pace about and worry a lot
It's difficult to explain these feelings
But I do suffer a lot...
Heart palpitations: breathlessness
So much tension: so much stress
Until I realise the reasons: the cost
I have to calm myself: have to relax
For I cannot help anyone...
If I am stuck in this uneasy place...
So I must pray to my Lord above
Asking for intercession and peace
I surrender up all these troubles
And finally there is my blessed release...

A father's love

I listened to his story
Of a childhood less than rare
How many will understand?
This tale of a soul laid bare
What love was given over time?
Surely many will clearly see
How little love: actually given out
Could never be considered "care"
A boken hearted little boy
Grew rebellious as a teen
Oh how much heartache
Had that poor little soul seen?
Worry for his poor mother
Running home from school
He should have been happy
Should have been so cool
Arguments he heard at night 
Huddled beneath his blankets
Wishing they'd no longer fight
Ah poor little scared little mite
Now as I look around
I see the reasons that abound
Father's mother birthed him
But didn't stick around
He was deserted: left alone in 
His Nana's capable old hands
Does this sadness explain a lot?
Does it show how in times gone by
What happened as a little lad
Changed the destiny that was to be had
Would one happy family life?
Beget another or as we can see
Does sadness carry on forward
Spilling over into life's anatomy...

You can't go back

In going back through memories 
To a long ago childhood time 
How long till we realise 
That we cannot go back in time
Though we may revisit
Though we may seek to find
Old memories may come calling 
They may seem so strong; fine
But everything has changed 
Nothing remains the same 
My old almond tree is long gone 
The property is no longer the same 
Many years have passed us by 
And though inside my head
It all seems just as it was
In reality I must move forward 
I must leave it all behind...
What used to be a special place 
What used to be my childhood home
Is no longer there; no longer prime
I am older; hopefully wiser 
My parents; no longer young 
Are we heading towards disaster?
For the blessed hereafter...calls 
Soon they will return to dust
Soon enough...
We will all be simple memories 
Within some childish mind...
There amid the cobwebs...
Paper thin and crumbling 
Before we, return to dust...

Pine forest at Nangwarry

I walked into the pine forest 

When I was just a little child
I remember feeling enchanted
As I took it in my stride
Cool shadows drew me forward
Ferns; bracken touched my hands
As I reached out to embrace
The peace I found inside
"Don't go too far" he warned me
"You'll get lost if you stray"
Though I didn't want to listen
I returned safely that long ago day
Today I drove through Nangwarry
Today I touched upon my inner child
Revisited a childish memory
That inside my head had remained
I know this is a different pine forest
I know that everything has changed
But here inside my head and heart
That long ago special memory
Still remains...

A matter of sacrifice

Happy and blessed Sabbath to one and all. Today we honoured our Lord with ordinances: we partook of the bread and wine after washing each other's feet; just as Jesus did when He proclaimed that we should do so in His honour...

I almost didn't partake because I felt less than perfect...
I almost felt like I would befoul the rest of my church family with my sinfulness...

I thank God for the blessings of being able to be a part of this wonderful ceremony: what a precious joy it is to be given this gift by our Lord: that when we take of the bread and wine we are doing so in His honour...

Another church member pointed out how he was feeling...
The same as me: he felt unworthy: yet reminded us all...we: none of us are actually worthy...as Satan is quite willing to point it out to us...

Showing us that we all fall short...never can we feel good enough in Jesus' sight...

A pastor once said: it is when we are feeling the lowest and most sinful that we should go and join in the commemoration of Jesus' sacrifice for us...For only by doing so can we be actually lifted up by Jesus' promises...by His most precious gift...His gift of eternal life...granted by his grace and His sacrifice...

It is when we are feeling at our lowest that we need to be with other church members...to fellowship with our brethren...to be a part of our earthly family...to feel that we are not alone...

In lifting each other up...we lift ourselves up as well...

Please do not stay away from church because you are feeling less than perfect...a church is made up of a group of imperfect beings...who are seeking perfection in their Lord...simply by admitting that we all fall short of the glory of God...we are professing our most ardent need of saving...our most honest need for our Saviour...He who took our place on Calvary...not because he was guilty...but because He knew that we were...and that we could never have borne the trials that He was willing to take for us...

Thank you Lord for your most precious gift...your Son...
My Saviour...
Amen

Blue sky reflections

Blue sky reflected in a puddle; shallow

Duck weed softly growing down below
Here we travel up the creek bed; follow...
Grasses swaying as the breeze blows
Beauty indescribable: my heart is aglow
As I, take it all in; and breathe: I swallow
Fresh air; sunshine in the natural hollow

At Currency Creek Gorge I am in flow...

On top of the bridge

I walked out onto the railway bridge
It was quite a long way down
I wasn't scared; if truth be told
For I have always been this bold
"I am not afraid of heights" I said
"I have climbed upwards all my life"
From down in the darkest depths
I have looked up to see the sun
Though at times; I have found this life unfair...
I will not give in to terror now...
I will not let age slow me down...
Ever have I climbed upwards you see
That is the only way for me to "be"
It is the only way I can be free...

A matter of peace

How does one become a peacemaker?

How does one actually make "peace"?
Do we just step into the firing line?
Do we simply beg: "please stop; cease!"
What is "peace" exactly?
Is it simply the absence of war?
How do we know: if we ask it?
Will peace come to our shores?
Is it possible to find "peace?
Where exactly do we need to seek it?
Does it come to those who implore?
Were we to search for peace?
Could we say "I have found it!"
Then; should we cease seeking ever more?
Does peace find us when we stop looking?
Does it escape before our very eyes?
Does it come when one person says
"I apologise"...
Does it move along before us?
Always on the run
Ah if only peace were never ending...
If only we could claim "peace"
Each and every blessed morning...
If only we could find "peace"
At the setting of the evening sun...
Ah if only we could keep "peace"
And everyone would put down their gun...

Flu germs

Flu germs; flying around
Coughing, sneezing...
What an awful sound
Hurting, wheezing...
Cannot bear the feeling
Temperature; headaches
Poor old head is reeling
Runny nose; body aches
Cannot seem to get around
Flu season; without reason
Everyone is sickening; found
Flu germs; flying around...

Babbling brook in Currency Creek Gorge

We walked the path along the trail
Peace and tranquillity; without fail
Babbling brook; we followed on
Up and onwards; beneath the sun
Sounds of water; trickling through
Behind the grasses and reeds anon
Pleasant time; was appreciated too
As we enjoyed the climb; my son
Cooling breezes; shady eucalypts
Spared us from the autumn sun...
Birds serenaded us upon our journey
Fascinated; we continued up and on
Stopped along the path; we marvelled
At the beautiful views; we were blessed
Should we turn back now we questioned
No! Find the waterfall; continue on...
There must be a beginning up yonder hon...
We spied the entrance to a cave: dark within
A mining shaft? Something to explore?
Wish I had brought a torch to see more...
Next time we venture here; yes: I implore...
As the path narrowed so it rose up again
Finally we found the source of the water
Trickling over large grey stones; lichen clad
Green duck weed; water grasses; I was glad
We hadn't stopped our journey earlier on
For here we found such peace and beauty
Skinks and geckos freely wandering
All over the banks; over sticks, beneath stones
Here I sat and rested amid the splendour
Taking in the tranquillity; the quietness
Cool shadows embracing me...
I felt the rocks beneath my tired body
I listened to the babbling brook; healing me
Yes: here in God's nature I was blessed
I felt the Lord refreshing me...

Flight of eagles

Watched three Eagles flying 
High above our seeking eyes
Up, over the steep headland 
There they flew in clear blue skies
At Rapid Bay we saw them circling 
Watched them play; rise and rise...
We travelled further on our journey
Near Deep Creek Conservation Park
Another pair; circling 
Precious views we saw of them 
Another amazing coincidence: surprised!
Then as we turned the corner
An eagle being victimised 
Many crows pursuing: wings 
Beating fast as they synchronised 
Their attack upon the invader 
Soaring up into the blue skies... 
A pleasant lunch shared soon after
Beneath dappled, shaded trees; delight 
As we continued on our journey 
Boy was I surprised; more Eagles soaring 
Over the pine forests so far away 
I counted ten magnificent Eagles 
On our beautiful travels: in one blessed day! 

Little children

Precious little children 
Always make my day
Hearing their joy; laughter
Whether at work or play
They see the beauty
In every single thing
If only we could be
Simple little children again

Don't sweat the small stuff

Fill up your life with the good things 
That mean the most along the way
It's no use feeling unhappy with your life
Only you can change the way it plays
Make room for the simple, joyfull things
Remember to have some fun each day
All too soon the pages will be closed
Will you feel sad, empty and grey
If you spend your time and energy
Upon all the small things that come
You will never have room for the things
That make your life a delight; that's right!
Play with your children: laugh a lot
Have dinner with your family and friends
Enjoy the blessings that come along 
Don't sweat the small stuff along the way...

A lesson in life

A Philosophy class professor
Brought out an empty glass pickle jar
Filled it with golf balls
Asked his students if it was full
Yes! They agreed it was!
Then he poured in some pebbles
Filling up the remaining space
Asked again if the jar was full
Yes! They agreed it was!
Then he poured in some sand
Taking up the empty spaces
Was the jar full?
Yes! The students agreed!
He proceeded to fill it with chocolate milk
Of course the milk filled the jar
Was the jar now full?
Yes! Was the unanimous reply!

The golf balls represent the important things
Your family, children, health, friends...

The pebbles represent other things that matter
Your job, home, car...

The sand represents the little things
The small stuff...

If you fill the jar with the sand first
There will be no room for the golf balls...
There will be no room for the pebbles...

If you spend your time and energy on the small stuff
There will be no room for the important things
Like your family, friends and your health...

And as the professor said when asked 
About the chocolate milk....
There is always time for chocolate milk...

No longer do I feel that emptiness

What is emptiness?
But a simple need
To find that something... 
To fulfil a basic need
If a seed can be planted
Watered, fertilized...
Made to grow
Simply by allowing
A new life to flow
Water must come too
Enough to germinate
Shoots grow strong
With blessed sunlight

I feel empty; without hope
Only Jesus' love
Gives me the strength to cope
From up above
He came down to earth
That a simple woman 
Should give Him birth

He planted the seeds
Within our hearts
Watered by His words
Our lives make a start
Without His love 
We cannot grow
Without His peace
Our lives do show
Sadness and troubles
Come all too soon
Ah if only He
Would come back soon

100 facts on the Sabbath question

Why keep the Sabbath day?
What is the object of the Sabbath?
When was it made, who made it, and for whom?
Which day is the true Sabbath?
Many keep the first day of the week, or Sunday
What Bible authority have they for this?
Some keep the seventh day, or Saturday.
What scripture have they for that?

Here are the facts about both days, 
as plainly stated in the word of God:

1. After working the first six days of the week in creating 
this earth, the great God rested on the seventh day. 
Genesis 2: 1-3

2. This stamped that day as God's rest day, or Sabbath day,
as Sabbath day means rest day. To illustrate: when a person
is born on a certain day, that day thus becomes his birthday.
So when God rested upon the seventh day, that day became
His rest, or Sabbath day.

3. Therefore the seventh day must always be God's Sabbath
day. Can you change your birthday from the day on which you
were born? No. Neither can you change God's rest day to a day
on which He did not rest. Hence the seventh day is still God's
Sabbath day.

4. The Creator blessed the seventh day. Genesis 2:3.

5. He sanctified the seventh day. Exodus 20:11.

6. He made it the Sabbath day in the garden of Eden. Genesis 2: 1-3.

7. It was made before the fall: hence it is not a type, for types 
were not yet introduced till after the fall.

8. Jesus says it was made for man (Mark 2:27): that is for the race, 
as the word man is here unlimited; hence, for the Gentile as well as 
for the Jews.

9. It is a memorial of creation. Exodus 20: 11; 31:17. Every time we
rest upon the seventh day, as God did at creation, we commemorate
the grand event.

10. It was given to Adam, the head of the human race. Mark 2:27; 
Genesis 2:1-3.

11. Hence through Him, as our representative, to all nations. Acts 17: 26.

12. It is not a Jewish institution, for it was made 2,300 years before 
ever there was a Jew.

13. The Bible never calls it the Jewish Sabbath but always "the Sabbath 
of the Lord thy God." Men should be cautious how they stigmatise God's 
holy rest day.

14. Evident reference is made to the Sabbath all through the patriarchal age.
Genesis 2:1-3; 8:10,12; 29:27, 28 etc.

15. It was a part of God's law before Sinai. Exodus 16: 4, 27-29.

16. Then God placed it in the heart of His moral law. Exodus 20: 1-17.
Why did He place it there if it was not like the other nine precepts, which
all admit to be immutable?

17. The seventh-day Sabbath was commanded by the voice of the living 
God. Deuteronomy 4:12, 13.

18. Then He wrote the commandment with His own finger. Exodus 31: 18.

19. He engraved it in the enduring stone, indicating its imperishable nature.
Deuteronomy 5:22.

20. It was sacredly preserved in the ark in the holy of holies. 
Deuteronomy 10:1-5.

21. God forbade work upon the Sabbath, even in the most hurrying of times.
Exodus 34:21.

22. God destroyed the Israelites in the wilderness because they profaned
the Sabbath. Ezekiel 20:12, 13.

23. It is the sign of the true God, by which we are to know Him from false gods.
Ezekiel 20:20.

24. God promised that Jerusalem will stand forever if the Jews would keep
the Sabbath. Jeremiah 17:24,25.

25.He sent them into the Babylonish  captivity for breaking it. Nehemiah 13:18.

26. He destroyed Jerusalem for its violation. Jeremiah 17:27.

27. God has pronounced a special blessing on all the Gentiles who keep it.
Isaiah 56:6, 7.

28. This is the prophecy which refers wholly to the Christian dispensation. 
See Isaiah 56.

29. God has promised to bless every man who keeps the Sabbath. Isaiah 56:2.

30. The Lord requires us it to call it "honourable." Isaiah 58:13. 
"Beware, ye who take delight in calling it the "old Jewish Sabbath,"
"A yoke of bondage," etc.

31. After the holy Sabbath has been trodden down for "many generations,"
it is to be restored in the last days. Isaiah 58:12, 13.

32. All the holy prophets kept the seventh day.

33. When the Son of God came, He kept the seventh day all His life. 
Luke 4:6; John 15:10. Thus He followed His Father's example at 
creation. Shall we not be safe in following the example of both the
Father and the Son?

34. The seventh day is the Lord's day. See Revelation 1:10, Mark 2:28,
Isaiah 58:13, Exodus 20: 10.

35. Jesus was the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28); that is, to love and 
protect it, as the husband is the lord of the wife, to love and cherish her.
1 Peter 3:6.

36. He vindicated the Sabbath as a merciful institution designed for man's
good. Mark 2:23-28.

37. Instead of abolishing the Sabbath, He carefully taught how it should
be observed. Matthew 12:1-13.

38. He taught His disciples that they should do nothing upon the Sabbath
day but was "lawful." Matthew 12:12.

39. He instructed His apostles that the Sabbath should be prayerfully
regarded 40 years after His resurrection. Matthew 24:20.

40. The pious women who had been with Jesus carefully kept the 
seventh day after His death. Luke 23:56.

41. Thirty years after Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit expressly calls it 
"the Sabbath day." Acts 13:14.

42. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, called it "the Sabbath day" in A.D. 45.
Acts 13:27. Did not Paul know? Or shall we believe modern teachers, who
affirm that it ceased to be the Sabbath at the resurrection of Christ?

43. Luke, the inspired Christian historian, writing as late as A.D. 62. calls it
"the Sabbath day." Acts 13:44.

44. The Gentile converts called it the Sabbath. Acts 13:42.

45. In the great Christian council, A.D. 52. in the presence of the apostles 
and thousands of disciples, James calls it the "Sabbath day." Acts 15:21.

46. It was customary to hold prayer meetings upon that day. Acts 16:13.

47. Paul read the Scriptures in public meetings on that day. Acts 17:2,3.

48. It was his custom to preach upon that day. Acts 17:2.

49. The book of Acts alone gives a record of his holding eighty four meetings
upon that day. see Acts 13:14, 44: 16:13; 17:2; 18:4,11.

50. There was never any dispute between the Christians and the Jews 
about the Sabbath day. This is proof that the Christians still observed
the same day that the Jews did.

51. In all their accusations against Paul, they never charged him with 
disregarding the Sabbath day. Why did they not if they did not keep it?

52. But Paul himself expressly declared that he had kept the law. "Neither
against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against 
Caesar, have I offended any thing at all." Acts 25:8. How could this be 
true if he had not kept the Sabbath?

53. The Sabbath is mentioned in the New Testament 59 times, and always
with respect, bearing the same title it had in the Old Testament. "the Sabbath day."

54. Not a word is said anywhere in the New Testament about the Sabbath's being
abolished, done away, changed, or anything of the kind.

55. God has never given permission to any man to work upon it. Reader, 
by what authority do you use the seventh day for common labour?

56. No Christian of the New Testament, either before or after the resurrection, 
ever did ordinary work upon the seventh day. Find one case of that kind, and 
we will yield the question. Why should modern Christians do differently from 
Bible Christians?

57. There is no record that God has ever removed His blessing or sanctification
from the seventh day.

58. As the Sabbath was kept in Eden before the fall, so it will be observed eternally
in the new earth after the restitution. Isaiah 66:22,23.

59. The seventh-day Sabbath was an important part of the law of God, as it came
from His own mouth, and was written by His own finger upon stone at Sinai. 
See Exodus 20. When Jesus began His work, He expressly declared that He had
not come to destroy the law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the 
prophets." Matthew 5:17.

60. Jesus severely condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites for pretending to love God, 
while at the same time they made void one of the Ten Commandments by their tradition. 
The keeping of Sunday is only a tradition of men.

We have now presented 60 plain Bible facts concerning the seventh day. What will you do with them?

FORTY BIBLE FACTS CONCERNING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.

1. The very first thing recorded in the Bible is work done on Sunday, the first day
of the week. Genesis 1:1-5. This was done by the Creator Himself. If God made
the earth on Sunday, can it be wicked for us to work on Sunday?

2. God commands men to work upon the first day of the week. Exodus 20:8-11.
Is it wrong to obey God?

3. None of the patriarch' ever kept it.

4. None of the holy prophets ever kept it.

5. By the express command of God, His holy people used the first day of the week
as a common working day for 4,000 years, at least.

6. God Himself calls it a "working" day. Ezekiel 46:1.

7. God did not rest upon it.

8. He never blessed it.

9. Christ did not rest upon it.

10. Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3) and worked at His trade until He was
30 years old. He kept the Sabbath and worked six days of the week, as all 
admit. Hence He did many a hard day's work on Sunday.

11. The apostles worked upon it during the same time.

12. The apostles never rested upon it.

13. Christ never blessed it.

14. It has never been blessed by ant divine authority.

15. It has never been sanctified.

16. No law was ever given to enforce the keeping of it. hence it is no transgression
to work upon it. "For where no law is, there is no transgression." Romans 4:15; 
(1 John 3:4)

17. The New Testament nowhere forbids work to be done on it.

18. No penalty is provided for its violation.

19. No blessing is promised for its observance.

20. No regulation is given as to how it ought to be observed. Would this be 
so if the Lord wished us to keep it?

21. It is never called the Christian Sabbath.

22. It is never called the Sabbath day at all.

23. It is never called the Lord's day.

24. It is never called even a rest day.

25. No sacred title whatever is applied to it. Then why should we call it holy?

26. It is simply called "first day of the week."

27. Jesus never mentioned it in any way - never took its name upon His lips
as the record shows.

28. The word Sunday never occurs in the bible at all.

29. Neither God, Christ, nor inspired men, ever said one word in favour of Sunday as a holy day.

30. The first day of the week is mentioned only eight times in the New Testament. 
Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2.

31. Six of these texts refer to the same first day of the week.

32. Paul directed the saints to look over their secular affairs on that day.
1 Corinthians 16:2.

33. In all the New Testament we have a record of only one religious meeting held upon that day, and even this was a night meeting. Acts 20:5-12. 

34. There is not an intimation that they ever held a meeting upon it before or after that.

35. It was not their custom to meet on that day.

36. There was no requirement to break bread on that day.

37. We have an account of only one instance in which it was done. Acts 20:7.

38. That was done in the night- after midnight. Verses 7-11. Jesus celebrated
it on Thursday evening. (Luke 22), and the disciples sometimes did it every day.
Acts 2:42-46.

39. The Bible nowhere says that the first day of the week commemorates the 
resurrection of Christ. This is a tradition of men, which makes void the law of God.
Matthew 15:1-9. Baptism commemorates the burial and resurrection of Jesus. 
Romans 6:3-5. 

40. Finally, the New Testament is totally silent with regard to any change of the 
Sabbath day or any sacredness for the first day.

Here are 100 plain Bible facts upon this question, showing conclusively that 
the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord in both the Old and New Testaments.

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