FORGETTING THE PAST LILACLADY JUNEBUG2

IT IS NOT WHERE I HAVE BEEN,
BUT WHERE I AM GOING THAT MATTERS MOST

by HENRY'S JUNE THE TUNE
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BIBLEBUFFJOURNAL

By William Henry Cash Jr   Feb. 11,1968

SERMON:   FORGETTING THE PAST

TEXT :    Philippians 3.8 14

INTRODUCTION:   In this text Paul gives the secret for becoming a dedicated, victorious Christian.    We are to forget the things that are behind; make an earnest effort and endeavor  to reach for the things that are before;  and a strenuous concentration;  set our eyes on the perfect goal – Jesus Christ.       Philippians 3.13 – 14 .    Let us think about one of the most difficult things that is hindering the spiritual growth of many Christians – the matter of forgetting the past.

There are some things that God wants us to remember: 

Deuteronomy 8.2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments, or no.

Psalm 103.2   Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Ecclesiastes 12.1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth”

   People forget things that they should remember, such as borrowed books, money, debts, kindness, gracious deeds.    There are other things that people remember that they should forget:  we should forget those things that may hinder our progress by their constant remembrance.  

PROPOSITION:  WE SHALL CONSIDER SEVEN THINGS THAT WE SHOULD LEAVE BEHIND.

I.              PAST BLESSING. 

We should bid farewell to past blessing when we make them the ground of present confidence and self-satisfaction.   Past blessings should be remembered only as an inspiration to strive for better blessings.    We must constantly be bearing fruit in the Spirit instead of resting “on the good old days”.

II.                  PAST ADVANTAGES

Many people hide behind their godly home or parentage of Christians who truly loved the Lord.    However, having Christian parents’ is no guarantee that the children will become Christlike and live a dedicated life.

III.            PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We often sing with praise of our Christian heritage and the brave martyrs.    What the heroes of the faith suffered will be of no avail or use to us unless we are willing to enter into their labors. 

IV.          PAST EXPERIENCES  

Paul could have gloried in what he accomplished and suffered for his Christian faith.    But Paul’s only glory was in the ever-present power of the crucified  and resurrected Christ.     God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh so that he would ever be in his conscience to glory in Christ instead  of what his own accomplishment was.    

Peter wanted to stay on the Mount of Transfiguration.     God told him “This is my beloved Son. Hear ye him.”   We are to put our eyes upon Jesus, and on what Christ is able to accomplish through us today.

V.              SORROWS.

There are some agonies that we cannot forget.  

-       The nail is removed – but the scar is still there.      Time is able to heal many heartaches.   We must let Christ fill the empty place in our grief, disappointment, or heartaches.    Many people are unwilling to bury the hatchet, or take the chip off his shoulder.      Past tears are sanctified when they become a telescope , bringing us a clearer vision of Christ who wept for us.  

    VI       PAST DISAGREEMENTS.

                Spiritual progress is being hindered by past ill will, divisions among friends, misunderstanding, jealousy, prejudice, etc.      We must remove these roots of bitterness if we are to live a happy Christian life.  

VI.           PAST SINS               

Many people dwell on the past pages of their life that is stained by sins.   If we have received divine forgiveness, we should rest assured that our sins have been covered by the blood of Christ.    Satan will seek always to hinder our progress by reminding us of our former sins.    Past sins should keep us humble. 

CONCLUSION

WE MUST CLOSE THE GATE

There are gates to homes, farms, pastures, cemetery  gate in Arkansas, a gate to keep a big dog in a certain part of the house or yard.This was the gate to our home for many years. 

We must close the past gates, and look ahead.

LET US CLOSE THE GATES OF THE PAST

   Paul persecuted Christians.

   He depended at that time on the righteousness of the Law.  He realized that he had not yet arrived nor become perfect, but he left his past behind.      Let us do the same, forgetting the past mistakes and failures, and go forth.

LET US OPEN THE GATES OF THE FUTURE

     As Paul desired to know Christ, and looked forward to the wonderful Day of Resurrection, he looked for the things ahead, and pressed on knowing the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  

As I walked along Peace Portal Drive, I took this photo of 
Drayton Harbor.     Many people running take in the view 
as they prepare physically for marathons.    I would like to think that we are looking forward to that Day when we see the Lord God.   He wants us to open the gates of the future.   
        

BIRD OF THE MONTH - DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT biblebuffjournal

THE DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT  

KNOWN ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST IN ALL SEASONS   

FORAGE - FEEDING HABITS

Usually diving from surface and swimming underwater, propelled by feet (may sometimes use wings as well). it may forage singly or in groups, in clear or muddy water, at mid to upper levels of water more often than near bottom.   

THE YOUNG - EGGS  

3-4, sometimes 1-7 in the nest.  Bluish white, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, 25-33 days, typically 28-30. Y

Both parents feed the nestlings, and after 3-4 weeks, the young may leave ground nests and wander through colony, but return to nest to be fed. Usually first fly at about 5-6 weeks, probably independent at 9-10 weeks.

In Birch Bay and Blaine  WA there is a colony of Cormorants out in Drayton Harbor.    They are quite a sight to see. 

BELLINGHAM WA - BIRD WATCHING 

WHAT CORMORANTS EAT 

With fish and other aquatic life, their diet varies with season and place, includes very wide variety of fish, also crabs, shrimp, crayfish, frogs, salamanders, eels; sometimes snakes, mollusks, plant material.

NESTING HABITS   

COLONIES - they are usually at 

 first breeds at age of 3 years. Nesting in colonies, sometimes mixed with wading birds and others. The male displays to female on water by splashing with wings, swimming in zigzags, diving and bringing up pieces of weeds. 
   At nest site, male displays by crouching and vibrating wings while calling.

 Site of the nesting  is near water on cliff ledge, on the ground of an island, or at any height in tree. The nest is built by the female with materials brought by the male. Made of a platform of sticks and debris, lined with finer materials.

It can be stinky   They do not destroy their nests - they rebuild and rebuild over the old nests. 

They do not make much sounds except at nesting sites while feeding in flocks with a deep guttural call, almost like a pig's squeel.   Like little baby pigs this is what they sound like.

Although their nests are close to each other, they can be seen better when they rest on rocks and pilings or on trees, holding their wings outspread...which may be a way of drying their feathers.

They usually swim low in the water with little more than the head and neck showing 


PSALM 146.
1. PRAISE YE THE LORD.  PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL.
2. WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD: I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO MY GOD; WHILE I HAVE ANY BEING.
3. PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES, NOR IN THE SON OF MAN, IN WHOM THERE IS NO HELP.
4. HIS BREATH GOETH FORTH, HE RETURNETH TO HIS EARTH; IN THAT VERY DAY, HIS THOUGHTS PERISH.
5. HAPPY IS HE THAT HATH THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP, WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE LORD.
6. WHICH MADE HEAVEN, AND EARTH, THE SEA, AND ALL THAT THEREIN IS: WHICH KEEPETH TRUTH FOR EVER.
7. WHICH EXECUTETH JUDGMENT FOR THE OPPRESSED:  WHICH GIVETH FOOD TO THE HUNGRY.  THE LORD LOOSETH THE PRISONERS.
8. THE LORD OPENETH THE EYES OF THE BLIND; THE LORD RAISETH THE THAT ARE BOWED DOWN: THE LORD LOVETH THE RIGHTEOUS.
9. THE LORD PRESERVETH THE STRANGERS (ALIENS); HE RELIEVETH THE FATHERLESS AND THE WIDOW: BUT THE WAY OF THE WICKED HE TURNETH UPSIDE DOWN.
10. THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOR EVER, EVEN THY GOD, O ZION, UNTO ALL GENERATION. 
PRAISE YE THE LORD. 

JAMES 1: 17 -22
17.EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, AND COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, WITH WHOM IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW NOR TURNING, 18. OF HIS OWN WILL BEGAT HE US WITH THE WORD OF TRUTH, THAT WE SHOULD BE A KIND OF FIRSTFRUITS OF HIS CREATURES,19. WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH 20. FOR THE WRATH OF MAN WORKETH NOT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
21. WHEREFORE LAY APART ALL FILTHINESS AND SUPERFLUITY OF NAUGHTINESS, AND RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS, THE ENGRAFTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.22. BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.