Some of My Favorite Bible Verses

by Aleta Kay



Ps. 1:1-3: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. How about that: a recipe for success! Straight from God!

Ps. 8:1-9: O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength becaue of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, whih thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the filed; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!  I love the poetic cadence of the King James language and for those who say it is too hard to understand, if you substitute modern pronouns for the thees and thous, it's really pretty simple. Some of the words have changed meanings over the centuries but if you read the context of the sentence it's not that hard to figure out. Also, e-sword is a free downloadable Bible program that has a built in concordance.

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. This is a blank check, so to speak, if you match your desires to God's.

Psalm 34:7  The Lord encamps round about those that fear Him. He keeps His children in the palm of His hand. Even when death is at the door, God is right there ready to take us to His home. What could be better than being home with Dad?

More another day.

I'm a Good Person

by Aleta Kay

     Most people seem to think they are good enough to get to heaven. Many religions and even Christian denominations seem to teach this. It is absolutely false. If we could be good enough then Jesus died for nothing.

     From the Garden of Eden until Christ's crucifixion a blood sacrifice was necessary to absolve people of their sins. It started when God killed two animals to make clothing for Adam and Eve. When they ate of the forbidden fruit and became conscious of their nakedness, they then had to be clothed. They did not know shame or embarrassment until then.

     Since that time God demanded a sacrifice periodically for atonement. I don't remember when it became a yearly sacrifice because God instituted many feasts and and holy days when sacrifices were made, but at least once a year the high priest would go into the Holy of Holies in the temple and offer the blood of slain bulls and sheep for the atonement of the sins of the people.

     When the Jews were held captive as slaves in Egypt for 400 years, God at last heard the cries of His mistreated people and decided to send a deliverer in the form of Moses. Moses repeatedly asked Pharoah to let the people go. Pharoah was an unstable man and could not make up his mind. He would agree and then change his mind. Every time he said no God sent a plague to show His power and to give Pharoah the opportunity to change his mind and do what was right. After the fifth plague God divided the land so that the plagues only affected the Egyptians, not the Jews. Still, Pharoah remained stubborn.

     The tenth plague promised by God was the death of the firstborn of every household. The Jews were told to prepare a lamb, the best of the flock, one per household, more if it was a large family. The blood of the lamb was to be stricken on the lintel and sides of the doorposts of their dwellings (making the points of a cross). They were then to roast the lamb and eat it quickly. If they had the blood of the lamb on the doorposts as directed they would not lose their firstborn child. If they did not they also would lose the firstborn, just as the Egyptians. They were then to leave hurriedly at dawn when the Egyptians awoke and found their firstborn dead. It wasn't until then that Pharoah agreed to let them go. In fact, he sent them away. (Then he was sorry he did and chased after them with his army, but that's another event.)

     Centuries later when Jesus came on the scene, He was pronounced, "the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." Scripture says He was led before Pilot as a lamb to the slaughter. Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; and no man comes to the Father except by Me." If anyone half as good as He were treated this way today there would be an outcry from the public and justice would be demanded. Yet no one cried out in His defense and said His treatment was unjust or inhumane.

     How in the world do any of us dare to think we can be good enough for a just, holy and perfect God? Our only defense is the blood of Christ, shed on a cruel cross, or tree, on a hill shaped like a skull called Golgotha. How dare we, who claim His name, dare to continue to live in our sins and excuse ourselves? Scripture says Jesus is our righteousness. We have none of our own. We are every one of us guilty before God, and if God the Father doesn't see the shed blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, applied to our lives, we will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven or the New Jerusalem.

     We will not be perfect in this life because we are stuck in this sinful flesh, but we must not excuse our sin. We must constantly fight our flesh and try to do what is right in God's sight because this life is temporary. Heaven and hell are both waiting. Don't be one of those that faces Jesus and He says, "Depart from Me; I never knew you." The word Christian means follower of Christ. If you're going to claim to be a Christian, then do your best to live like one. There will be a reckoning day.

Which Church is the Right One?

by Aleta Kay



     How does anyone choose a church? How do you know which one is the right one? Should it be Catholic or Baptist, Methodist or Presbyterian? Maybe Episcopal or Lutheran? How to choose?

     The answer is not simple. Anyone raised in church comes with pre-conceived ideas of what church should be like. Some people are more comfortable in a big church. Some people prefer a church with rites and solemn ceremonies. Still others look for a church that is filled with excitement and has lots of programs going. Some people (like me) prefer a traditional, old fashioned kind of church.

     My personal opinion is that you first need a relationship with Jesus Christ so you can discern truth from fiction or fantasy in the pulpit. Beware of churches whose primary focus is on your comfort and enthusiasm. Those churches might make you feel good while you are there but they won't help you grow in your relationship with God. I'm not saying the church should be boring, but there needs to be a good balance of preaching that makes you examine your own life and help you see places where you need to change, and some enthusiasm. Church should also invoke a sense of awe and wonder toward our creator.

     Church should make you feel like you are part of an extended family. Find a place in which you can contribute to the well-being of the church. Sing in the choir if there is one. Help in the nursery, be an usher, make the coffee, help clean the sanctuary. Find a place where you are needed. Get on a prayer chain or get involved in a Bible study.

     There is a lot differing opinion over which Bible is the right one. I won't go into all the reasons for all of the various reasons for the opinions. The bottom line is: the Bible warns in the book of Revelation that trouble is bound for anyone who adds to or takes away from God's word. Not all "Bibles" are God's word because most of them change the words, leave out verses, passages and chapters, thus changing the meaning of God's word. Our enemy, Satan, wants us to have a "feel good" religion and not have much of the truth. I believe the King James Bible is the only valid, unchanged, un-messed with word of God in our language. It has helped me grow in my walk with the Lord, convicts me when I'm wrong, helps me understand the history of God's dealings with people, and gives me a love for the Jewish people, God's original chosen people. Jesus was a Jew.

     I attend a church that uses the King James Bible and encourages me to read along in my Bible while the pastor is preaching. When he gives a scripture reference I look it up. After all, the pastor is human too and is capable of misquoting or misreading scripture. I need to see it for myself. I am accountable for my understanding of the Bible. I am responsible for how I present it to others. Therefore, I need to read and study it for myself. I attend a church that has a close-knit fellowship: no gossiping, back-biting, criticizing. We enjoy each other's fellowship and genuinely care about each other. It really does feel like family. I feel as if I belong.

     Bottom line: 1)Pastor should preach from the King James Bible.

     2) The church should teach and preach that a. God created heaven and earth; b.God is a triune being (Father, Son and Holy Ghost); c. Jesus was the only perfect man that ever lived and He willingly died on a cruel cross (or tree) for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, and now sits at the right hand of the Father; d. Jesus will one day return (no man knows the day or time) to take His children out of this world, hopefully before God unleashes His wrath on this wicked world; 3) Jesus was born of a virgin; 4) one must be born again according to the Bible in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven; 5)the Bible is the inspired word of God from beginning to end, no passages, words or verses that were not inspired (King James Bible); 6) once born again the believer must be baptized by immersion; and 7) must preach righteous living, not because Christians are better than anyone else, but that the Lord might find us pure upon His return and that we might be a living witness to the rest of the world of God's power to work in our lives. 

The Blame Game

by Aleta Kay

     It seems every day I talk to people who aren't getting along with one family member or another. Sometimes it's a parent and child; sometimes it's brothers and sisters; still others it's a husband and wife.

     I know firsthand that no one can hurt you like the people who are supposed to love you. Grown children take their parents for granted; they steal from them, make horrible accusations, lie about other family members and create havoc in the family. There is no greater pain than emotional pain. But.....

     Now I'm a firm believer in tough love. Sometimes you have to step back and let them suffer the consequences of their actions. Sometimes you have to sever the ties---for a while. But I'm also a firm believer in forgiveness. It doesn't matter if that person deserves your forgiveness. We don't deserve God's forgiveness but it is always available to us if we repent of our behavior and come to Him in humility and a willingness to change.

     When a family member comes to you, heart in hand, asking for a chance to redeem themselves, love forgives--the Bible says seventy times seven. The number seven in the Bible is the number for completion. In other words, there is no limit to the number of times you should forgive. Maybe the person was sincere, maybe not. It is impossible for any of us to accurately be 100% sure of another's motives or sincerity. We know how we feel. We know what we think. We cannot see into the other person's soul or mind.

     Yes, it is hard to open ourselves to more pain. It is one of the hardest things to do to continually leave yourself vulnerable. It is vitally important to healthy relationships. When we love unconditionally, time after time after time, it often weakens the wickedness in the other person. Genuine, unconditional love is hard to resist--and it is worth the price in the end.

     One final thought: I do not believe in allowing adult children to take over your house, flaunt their attitudes, and be disrespectful. Your house: your rules. Non-compliance deserves harsh consequences. Okay, another anecdote. When our son was about fifteen years old I told him to do something (I don't remember what). He said he didn't think he should have to do that. I looked him in the eye and told him he had two choices: he could do as he was told or he could leave and find someplace else to live. I explained what the world is like out there and that I didn't want him to leave, but I was not going to tolerate his attitude. He decided to obey.

     When he came home from college he thought he shouldn't have to cut grass, do dishes, or any other chores. He had a job so I gave him the guest rules: cook your own meals, do your own laundry, pay so much rent. He was allowed to partake of family dinner with us on Sundays. He grew into a responsible adult. We have a great relationship today.

What Will Your Children Remember About You?

by Aleta Kay



     Our daughter is turning 34 this year. She called me today and we got to talking about whether or not she felt her dad was a "hands-on" dad. The answer was a resounding yes. Here's what she remembered:

1) Even though had to be out of town a lot, when we was home we used to play tickle and spank or we'd go outside and rough-house in the yard.

2) When he changed jobs he was able to take us camping sometimes. He spent time with us.

3) Sometimes he would make a big bowl of popcorn and we would sit as a family and watch movies together.

4)When I got into my teens he took me out for breakfast on Saturdays. I could say anything I wanted, talk about anything I wanted with no criticism or recriminations.

5) Sometimes we played games together like Monopoly or Life or rummy. My dad was a good dad.

If you're a father who ended up with a child due to a casual relationship, or if you're a dad who for whatever reason has distanced himself from his family, ask yourself what you're missing. It would be to your advantage to do whatever it takes to at least be civil (refuse to fight or argue) to your ex. You will be the winner in the end. Doesn't your child deserve that?

Divorce and Kids

by Aleta Kay



You have become unhappy in your marriage. There are huge financial struggles and each of you blames the other. It seems that you argue all the time and you no longer feel the love you once did. Would divorce be a good solution? At least the kids wouldn’t hear the arguing anymore. If there is violence, you think divorce would be better for them. Let’s look at it from a child’s perspective.

My parents had violent fights. Once I watched my father chase my mother around the table with a knife. I was three years old. I still remember the skirt my mother was wearing. As an adult I was afraid of big men. My father was a big man. My parents divorced while I was still young. I will soon be fifty-nine years old and I still can’t stand to hear anyone argue. I can’t watch movies or TV shows about family violence. My mother was a rage-aholic and would sometimes go on three-day rampages, then she would apologize, feel guilty, and eventually revert to that rage again. I struggle with many issues today because of all that violence. The divorce did not erase the scars.

We have a nephew who saw such arguments (without the violence) in his house, with Christian parents (and I believe his parents did and do love God but could not get along) whose every argument left the kids wondering if this would be the one that would split up their parents. Today he doesn’t want to hear anything about God, thinks Christianity is a big lie, and wants nothing to do with his mother, who can’t even hear his dad’s name without starting a tirade of criticism. His oldest sister got married and is somewhat happy with her life. The younger sister seems to have developed her own brand of religion and has a lot of doubts about who God is and just how powerful he really is.

Wouldn’t it be better to get marriage counseling and try to work through the problems? If you don’t work through them, you just carry them with you into the next relationship and your kids learn that love is temporary and relationships are expendable. If you work through it and ask God to put the love back in your marriage, you will find a relationship on the other side that is far beyond your wildest imagination. If you have questions e-mail me at themarriagementor@yahoo.com. I’ll be happy to help.

Effects of Divorce

by Aleta Kay



I feel very strongly about this subject. I believe we have a generation with a lot of hurting young people. They either have never had two parents in the home or their parents are divorced and still fighting all the time. They also may be frustrated , because, due to a one-parent home, they now have to fend for themselves, or be cared for by aging grandparents who can’t relate to them.

As anyone who has been divorced knows, divorce is a very expensive decision. Sometimes it is, unfortunately, unavoidable. But if you love someone enough to marry them in the first place, don’t you owe it to yourself , your mate, and your children to try to work things out? Stop and think about how the words you speak in front of your children affect them. If you love them, why would you want them to stop loving the other parent? Why put the children in the middle of your disputes? Why put them in a position of having to choose sides? It is the cruelest thing you can do to them. I believe it is a form of mental child abuse. It can’t help but cause frustration, anger and bitterness.

And who benefits from anger and bitterness? The answer is no one benefits. The Bible tells us that bitterness is as rottenness in our bones. I believe it is one of the many causes of cancer, stroke and heart attack. We worry, fret, stew and store up anger and bitterness as weapons. The one who suffers most from those is the one harboring them. The kids just get the fallout and they turn to drugs, sex, parties, lying, stealing, or whatever else seems convenient just to cover up their own hurt and anger because the adults in their lives are too self-absorbed to pay attention to them.

For your own sakes and the sakes of your children, please seek Biblical marriage counseling. God doesn’t take sides. He is for families. It is Satan who wants to destroy. The Bible says Satan is as a roaring lion, roaming about and seeking whom he may devour. Are you going to let him have your family or are you going to fight for your family? The choice is yours.