Serbia

I went on a missions trip to Serbia, which is why I had a lack of posts for a while. There are so many things I can say about what I went through and here are just a few things.
First of all, I went to several special needs school and the kids there were so sweet. They all where patient and better behaved than some other schools we went to. I loved being able to give them a box filled with toys and watch them learn about Jesus.

There were any other places I went to, mostly schools. Everywhere I went, though, we told everyone how to become a christian. No matter if the kids had special needs, had one eye, or they couldn't walk they all had the same need, Jesus Christ. I hope I helped bring people to God with those shoe boxes, and I'd like to thank the Germans who packed the boxes that I helped hand out and for anyone who has every packed a shoe box through Samaritans Purse because when you pack a shoe box, you help transform a needy child's life. They all need Jesus and before                  
they touch a box, they are told how to become a Christian. My team handed out 1,000 boxes and gave Jesus to them and their parents. They all have been given a gift that they can choose to open thanks to they prayer of my friends and family and the Germans that packed them. You'll be hearing more about my trip, but for now this is all I have to say. Thank you to everyone who made my trip possible.

The legend of the candy cane

Look at the Candy Cane

What do you see?

Stripes that are red

Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior

Who’s sinless and pure!

“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!

Turn it around

And a staff you will see

Jesus my shepherd

Was born for Me!

Oh Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas! On this post, I want to tell you about the Christmas Tree. I have always thought of a Christmas tree being a lot like myself.

I try my best to grow in Jesus, and in the same way, a tree grows. Some people have fake Christmas trees, but I get a real tree. If a real one doesn't get water, it will shrivel up and look ugly. If Christians don't read the bible, while it will not effect their physical appearance, they will spiritually shrivel up.

But God wants us to be bright green, he wouldn't stop there, he wants to decorate us!

He wants to give us presents, lots that he will let us unwrap at the perfect time and he gives us lots of lights and  ornaments. And spiritual decoration is virtue and character because when people see virtue and kindness, they like it. It makes others wants to become Christians if they see people who have spiritual ornaments and lights, but they sure don't if all they see are shriveled up Christians. Make sure you keep your lights shining all season long, not just for Christmas. 

Thessalonians: another note on the conclusion

Ok, so I had a random fan E-mail me about my conclusion to Thessalonians, and what the person said was a good input on my previous, here is what they said:

What a great example about your mom writing you a letter and then “Bob” actually writing the letter. That would be disappointing.

What I think that verse might refer to is a reference to dictation. In some cases, when a boss wants to write a letter they might call their secretary in and say “I would like to write a letter” and then they speak the words that they want to have written and the secretary takes notes and then goes and types up the letter. The secretary then returns with the typed up letter and the boss proof reads the leader, makes corrections and when the final draft of the letter is ready the boss signs the letter and sends it.

Paul might have had an assistant that was writing the letter as Paul spoke. Maybe the assistant had better hand writing and was able to make the letter look nicer. As I imagine it, at some point Paul said to his assistant, “give me the pen (or quill)” and Paul finished the end of the letter by writing with his own hand. If you had a copy of the original letter, you could tell by looking at the hand writing that there was a change in who was writing the letter. If you typed up a letter on the computer, printed it out and then thought of something really important to add, you might write it with your own hand and then sign the letter by hand.

If you ever have a comment on my post, then you can E-mail me at: ruth.ackiv@gmail.com
I love my viewers giving me feedback by either comment or E-mail.


1 Thessalonians Part 1
2 Thessalonians Part 1
2 Thessalonians Part 7 (The original conclusion)

Thessalonians: conclusion (Part 2.6)

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.


Why would it make such a big difference if say Timothy had written this letter? The facts are hard to gather on this one, but I think knowing that since Paul wrote it, he would know everything enclosed in the letter. Also, Paul tells most people that he'll write them and just because the scripture in acts does say nothing about him doing so, doesn't mean that it didn't happen.
And the best example and I an think of is, what if your mom said she'd write you a letter when you left for a trip. A week later, you get a nice long letter and at the end, it says, "Sorry your mom couldn't write this letter, she was busy.
I'm sure you'll understand.
Bob."
I personally wouldn't be to happy to hear my mom didn't write the letter.
Now back to Paul, he wanted them to know that he took the time to write this letter and not hear he jotted down a few notes for Bob to turn into a letter.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.


1 Thessalonians Part 1
2 Thessalonians Part 1
2 Thessalonians Part 7

2 Thessalonians: chapter 3:1-15 (Part 2.5)

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. God will protect us from Satan. and he wants to, but he also wants us to trust him, you see bad things are not from God, but he allows all bad things that happen to test our faith in him. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. Why does Paul point that out? Because people you hang out with affect how you act. If they do not live according to the scripture, you might begin to also. You should warn them that they are wrong, but you should keep away from  them. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." That rule is very important because one should not gain from another toil without giving them something in return. It would stealing if Paul sat around all day while others work very hard, on the contrary, he worked so that he could eat. We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 1 Thessalonians Part 1 2 Thessalonians Part 1 2 Thessalonians Part 6