Religion Or Christianity.... Is there a difference?

One of our pastors, W.D. Petersen, and his wife wrote a booklet with this title and I have their permission to post it here. They show 10 differences and I want to share them with you.  I'll do Difference #1 now.

Religious People:  Religious people put their trust in a system of doctrines or teachings or traditions:
Hoping for the forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus said: "In vain do they worships me, teaching for doctrines the commandments 'OF MEN'." Mark 7:7

Biblical Christians:  Biblical Christians put their trust in a "PERSON", the "Lord Jesus Christ", trusting Jesus to "save them";  trusting Jesus to "forgive" their sins.

Jesus said: "you believe in God, believe also in ME". John 14:1
                 "NO MAN comes unto the FATHER, but 'BY ME'."  John 14:6

The Apostle Paul said: "...we trust in the living God who is the SAVIOR of ALL men that believe." 1 Tim. 4:10

Question:  Is your trust in a religion or in Christ Jesus Himself?  

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you are having a great day celebrating our Independence Day from England.

May our country remember it's roots and stay true to the one true GOD of the Bible.  Amen.

A few goodies from the Pima Co. Fair

Last Saturday we attended the county fair as Dean got free tickets.  We ate some wonderful barbecue food and watched the free shows.  As we walked through the exhibit hall 3 items really caught my eye!

This cool cross was made from the ribs of a sahuaro cactus.  You may have to click on the pic and enlarge it to see all the amazing details!

Here's an etched cross with inlaid turquoise! Isn't the detail beautiful!

And last, a cake! There were quite a few people taking pictures of this!  And, of course, everything but the wood base is edible! 

And last of all, a photo of me, Dean, and my folks!

There were a lot of photographers at the entrance of the fair taking pics of everyone.  I decided, what the heck!  I purchased 3 pictures for $33.  A bit prices but we really didn't spend much money other than for food.

What a flower!

Last week I went into Tucson to do some shopping.  I needed a new pair of Croc sandals and wanted to visit Joann's to see what was new and possibly use my coupon.  The folks and I stopped at Macy's so mom could get some stuff when I seen this cool flower!  It really caught my attention!

I started giggling and ended up buying it!  Have you figured out it's purpose?  I did need a new one and this certainly brightened up my kitchen!

Now you know!! How cool is it!!  Have you purchased something functional that's fun lately???

A sign of spring...

Yesterday as I was out and about in the yard before heading into town with friends I seen this...

Our Chinese Elm is in full leaf!!  Now doesn't that just make you feel good!!

Birds and worms...

We have some amazing birds around here... quail, roadrunners, hummingbirds, and cardinals, to name a few.  The other day a most brilliant red cardinal decided to dine at the block... bird block that it.  I grabbed my camera and carefully parted the curtains for this pic (zoomed in to really get a better picture).

Isn't she gorgeous!!

Last week at church we had a pie social to raise funds for the youth group.  I remembered it's been quite some time since I made a mud pie that I did just that... and I loaded both pies for gummy worms!

I do have the plastic lid on this pie but you can see one worm crawling on the top (and 5 squirming in the dirt). These pies sold quite well and people got quite a kick out of them.  I keep forgetting to ask Larry what his co-workers thought...  The pies are basically a pudding (with whipped cream, cream cheese, and more) poured over a graham cracker crust with a crushed Oreo cookie top.

Happy Valentine's Day!