From March, 1980 America's favorite prime time Big Band leader Lawrence Welk
and his talented family of dancers, musicians, and singers celebrate a quarter
of a century on television with great songs and top-notch entertainment.
A sentimental slice of nostalgia from the America that used to be!
The Affordable Care Act was introduced as sweeping reform meant
to expand coverage and lower healthcare costs. So what actually changed?
Did Obamacare fix the system, or did it reshape it into something worse?
In this episode of FORGOTTEN HISTORY, host Colin Heaton breaks
down the promises, the outcomes, and takes a look at the ongoing debate
surrounding one of the most controversial laws in modern American history.
Serious but smiling, stately and serene,
And dreamier than a flower;
A girl in whom all sympathies convene
As perfumes in a bower;
Through whom one feels what soul and heart may mean,
And their resistless power.
Eyes, that commune with the frank skies of truth,
Where thought like starlight curls;
Lips of immortal rose, where love and youth
Nestle like two sweet pearls;
Hair, that suggests the Bible braids of RUTH,
Deeper than any girl's.
When first I saw you, 't was as if within
My soul took shape some song--
Played by a master of the violin--
A music pure and strong,
That rapt my soul above all earthly sin
To heights that know no wrong.
Portrait of A Southern Girl
A daughter of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America,
Varina Anne"Winnie" Davis became known as the "Daughter of the Confederacy"
for her appearances with her father on behalf of Confederate veterans groups.
" A Southern Girl "
Madison Julius Cawein
(1865-1914)
American poet
Known as the "Keats of Kentucky"
🌠"He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name."ðŸŒ
(Psalm 147:4)
In this pretty country ballad the singer is telling the love of his life that
their meeting each other was no accident... "Someone had a hand in it,
long before we ever knew." Released in 1995 by American country music
artist Tracey Byrd, "The Keeper Of the Stars" reminds us that God not
only counts the stars, but has a plan and a purpose for every life
if we choose to place our trust and hope in Him.
When contemplating all the evil that men do in this lost and fallen world in
which we live, my paternal Italian grandfather often quoted the old world idiom,
"Il diavolo fa le pentole e non i coperchi’" which translated, simply states,
"the Devil makes pots and not lids."
This old saying came to my mind this morning after reading an op-ed piece in
The Hill by Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America,
concerning the sudden about-face by the Trump-Vance Administration in their decision
to resume former President Joe Biden's forced taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
Ms. Dannenfelser claims that Trump initially froze Title X grants for the organization,
but then, quietly unfroze them in January. He is now actively re-funding the nation's
largest provider of abortion services courtesy of American tax payers.
The same man who, on Easter Sunday no less, threatened to wipe the nation of Iran
off the world map, and one week later, after a purported war of words with the Pope,
posted an offensive image of himself as Jesus Christ on his own social media platform,
decided it is better to bow his knee before Moloch, alongside the pro-abortion Democrats
in Congress and other high-end lobbyists, and replenish millions of dollars to fill the
coffers-or is it offering boxes?- at the largest altar of child sacrifice in the world.
Why this sudden shift in policy? Is President Trump trying to attract more votes
for the upcoming mid-term elections by softening his stance on abortion?
It seems more than apparent that this is exactly what he is doing. But it
also seems like a high price to pay for something that may not happen at all.
As Ms. Dannenfelser rightly asserts, "There is little evidence that funding Planned
Parenthood, or softening positions on abortion will meaningfully shift independent
voters in large numbers. But there is ample evidence that such moves will dampen
enthusiasm among pro-life voters who already feel sidelined...When these voters
perceive that their priorities are being ignored-or worse, contradicted- it becomes
significantly harder to mobilize them."
So, if the Republicans fail miserably in the mid-terms, will Trump once again
blame the loss on pro-life Americans as he did after he lost the 2020 election?
"the Devil makes pots and not lids."
The message of this old saying, again simply put, is that despite all the evil
we see happening in the world, and this does not exclude America, where
certain people act as if they are above the laws of both God and man,
truth and justice will one day ultimately prevail.
Someone who is hiding something and are up to no good can be likened
to cooking with a pot without a lid. Eventually people will look into the
pot to see what's cooking, or the contents will boil and spill over, and
thus expose the person in charge of the pot for whom they really are!
"You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with
all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You."
(Nehemiah 9:6)
Thirty-six years ago today-April 24, 1990-the Hubble Telescope was launched
by NASA into low earth orbit. This large and versatile telescope, named after
American astronomer Edwin Hubble, captured some of the most hauntingly
beautiful images from outer space never seen before that time.
Pastor Jack explores the intriguing verses about the infamous Nephilim
mentioned in Scripture. Who were these mysterious giants?
Where did they come from and where did they go?
OLD IRONSIDES
(Written with reference to the proposed breaking up of the famous
U.S. frigate Constitution)
Ay, Tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle-shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more!
Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall fell the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee:
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!
O better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave!
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave:
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale!
"Old Ironsides"
(1830)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
(1809-1894)
American writer and poet
THE STORY BEHIND THE POEM
Gracious host Diane "MeMe" Leary shares her recipe for simple
no-bake "berry" delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake!
And everybody remember, Shine for Jesus!
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
(1 Peter 2:25)
THE SHEPHERD OF SOULS
It is needless to trace this metaphor through the Old Testament, where it is employed to
express the relation of Jehovah to Israel. The most familiar of all the psalms shows us
a single devout soul appropriating the whole rest and blessedness of thought for
the nourishment of the individual life of trust.
"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
(Psalm 23:1)
The Shepherd leads. And under that thought is included all the shaping
of outward life, for Christ is the Lord of providence, and the hands that
were pierced for us hold the helm of the universe.
And therefore we must think of His guidance as mainly leading our souls
in the paths of righteousness, and "showing us that which is good."
The touch of His hand on our wills, the sweet constraint of His love,
the wisdom which directs breathed into the soul which lives in fellowship
with Him, has silenced the loud voice of self, that His voice may be heard.
He says, "Come, follow Me" and His sheep walk not in darkness,
but have the light of life.
CHRIST THE BISHOP OF OUR SOULS
Undoubtedly, the allusion here is to the bishop or elder of the early Church.
The marginal rendering of the Revised "overseer" is perhaps better than
"bishop". The connection between "shepherd" and church "overseer"
can clearly be seen in the apostle Paul's address to the elders at Ephesus:
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the
Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
He hath purchased with His own blood."
(Acts 20:28)
The original meaning of the word, "overseer" suggests the vigilant inspection
which Christ exercises over His Church. The Good Shepherd knows each sheep
by name and His watchful eye is on every one of His flock.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts!
See if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:23-24)
Reference Material for
"The Shepherd and Bishop of Souls"
A. Maclaren/Bible Hub
"O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.
My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water."
(Psalm 63:1)
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness
and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may
be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power
and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from
His workmanship, so that men are without excuse."
(Romans 1:18-20)
Les continues his walk through the Bible, teaching us how
to connect the dots within the Holy Scriptures.
Gracious host Arlene Williams demonstrates 12 common
cooking terms just in time for your next dinner!
"O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevice of the cliff, let me see your face,
let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your countenance is lovely."
(Song of Solomon 2:14)
In the clefted rock I hide,
Savior, let me here abide;
Sheltered from each stormy gale,
All secure within the vale.
Blessed Rock on Thee I build,
Ever be my sun and shield;
Help me labor, watch and pray,
Ready for the crowning day.
Tempest tossed, I came to Thee
Precious shelter made for me;
Cleansed and purified from sin,
Thou didst freely take me in.
When the surging billows roll,
There's a calm within my soul;
While my trust in Thee is stayed,
I shall never be afraid.
Rock of safety-blest abode,
Hid away with Christ in God;
Nothing can I want beside,
For my soul is satisfied.
When this earthly house shall fall,
And my days are numbered all;
Then my house not made with hands,
Evermore in glory stands.
Then dear Jesus, keep me hid,
That I e'er be found amid
Choicest jewels of Thy care,
When in glory I appear.
Blessed Rock on Thee I build,
Ever be my sun and shield;
Help me labor, watch and pray,
Ready for the crowning day.
"The Clefted Rock"
(1893)
Nancy Stewart Whistler Byers
(1833-1894)
American hymn writer
Set against the tranquil beauty of sun-soaked lagoons and volcanic rock outcroppings,
this True-Life Adventure from Walt Disney Productions explores the unique
maritime wildlife on a tropical coral island in the Pacific Ocean.
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge.
In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed."
(Psalm 57:1)
When you find yourself suddenly facing a crisis what is your first response?
To see if you can work it out yourself or do you cry out to God?
Dr. Charles Stanley explains the difference between simply praying to God
and crying out to the Lord in times of uncertainty, heartache and trouble.
From 1978, Buck Owens and Roy Clark and the whole
Hee Haw gang celebrate the show's 10th Anniversary!
A time when country music was really country music,
and comedy skits were both crazy and clean!
"Almost persuaded," Agrippa said;
Conviction humbled his proud stately head,
And stirred his kingly breast;
He heard the wonderful words of Paul,
Proclaiming Jesus, the all in all,
The sinner's solace and rest;
But "almost persuaded" the king went his way,
Awaiting a more convenient day.
A more convenient day,
A more convenient day,
Alas! how many are going astray,
Awaiting a more convenient day.
"Almost persuaded," with bated breath,
The young man thinks of the moment of death,
But fame's alluring star,
To his fond vision so bright appears,
And comes anon to His waiting ears,
Such praise from near and far,
That with these delusions the youth turns away,
Awaiting a more convenient day.
"Almost persuaded," the maiden cries,
And wipes the tears from her sparkling brown eyes;
"But O, I'm called so fair,
'Tis hard to sacrifice joys of youth;
I'll seek the Lord and accept His truth,
When comes a season of prayer;
And struggling with conscience the girl turns away,
Awaiting a more convenient day.
"Almost persuaded," the Spirit waits,
"And knocks, and knocks, at the closely barred gates,
But silence reigns within;
No word of welcome comes back from those
Who spurn His warnings and seek repose
In fatal opiates of sin;
Rejected and slighted they turn Him away,
No hope of a more convenient day.
A more convenient day,
A more convenient day,
Alas! how many are going astray,
Awaiting a more convenient day.
"A More Convenient Day"
(1897)
Lou Singletary Bedford
(1837-1945)
American hymn writer
and poetess
"Desperado...why don't you come to your senses,
You been out ridin' fences...for so long now..."
Inspired by tales of the Old West, "Desperado" a ballad written by Eagles' band members
Glen Frey and Don Henley for their second studio album by the same name, was released
53 years ago this week on April 17th, 1973. This most well-known Eagles' song ranked
at Number 494 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time" in 2004.
Members of the Western Writers of America included the song in their list of the
Top 100 Western songs of all time. It was also the theme song of the late 1980's
"Desperado" film series starring American actor Alex McArthur as honest
cowboy Duel McCall trying to clear his name of a false murder charge.
It's Bat Appreciation Day!
Bats!
Creatures that hang themselves up like an old rag, to sleep;
And disgustingly upside down.
Hanging upside down like rows of disgusting old rags
And grinning in their sleep.
Bats!
In China the bat is symbol for happiness.
Not for me!
"Bat"
Birds, Beasts, and Flower Poems
(1923)
D.H. Lawrence
(1885-1930)
English novelist and poet
Although many people share the same sentiment as D.H. Lawrence when it
comes to these mysterious winged denizens of the dark, long the subject of
nightmarish myths and legends, the bat is not only one of God's most unique
and intelligent creatures but has long been a valuable friend to man.
Bat droppings (Guano) has been used for centuries as a highly effective
fertilizer due to it's high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium,
all key nutrients essential for plant growth. Bats also consume many
insects, including more than a few annoying mosquitoes!
In the following presentation from the classic PBS series,"Wild America"
host Marty Stouffer provides a close up view of these amazing flying
mammals and offers fresh insight into the dark world of cave ecology.
Gracious host Rivki Green and Israeli chef David Pliner share a healthy
and delicious no bake, no sugar, snack recipe inspired by the Bible!
Where did angels originate and how did some become fallen angels?
What about demons-did God create them?
In this special presentation, Pastor Jack explores these pertinent questions,
offering scriptural references that provide insight into their origins, the
fall of angels with Satan, and the nature of demons.
President George Washington directed in his will that his "new" tomb
be built at Mount Vernon and that he be buried in it. In this presentation,
host John Marshall, Director of Guest Relations at Mount Vernon, explains
the history of the tomb and about the wreath-laying ceremony held daily
where the first President of the United States lies buried today.
