http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica recent pleonast.com entries by user outofafrica en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=601532 I need your help with the lesson I am working on for this Sunday! I am planning on doing a lesson on giving thanks. I'll give examples of the typical things that we are usually thankful to God for (people who love us; ability to provide for our families; beautiful creation; our privieleges as Americans etc). But, I also want to give a few examples of more unusual things some of us have cause to be thankful for. What are you thankful for? I'm looking for things that are somewhat unique to you because of your background or life experience. For instance, you might be thankful for surviving a terminal illness (although that is becoming les and less rae, I know). My example; I am thankful for the opportunity of growing up in two different countries and experiencing different cultures and how that experience has helped my to relate t people. I am also thankful that I live as close to my family as I do (a 5hr drive is still closer than a 16hr drive or an 18hr flight). These are unusual or u... 2008-11-20 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=598248 We're all familiar with the Adam who was the first man created by God (Genesis 1-2). But, did you know there was another Adam in the Bible? And, it wasn't another man! That's right! In Joshua 3:16 we are told that when the Israelites entered the promised land the Lord parted the waters of the Jordan river for them to cross over. Joshua 3:16 records that the waters were stopped far upstream from the crossing site at a city named Adam! Isn't that interesting? I was delighted to notice that detail I'd missed so often! Joshua 3:16 - ". . . that the waters that came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. . ." Have a great day! 2008-11-11 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=596622 I know it is short notice if you are not already aware but I thought I'd let you know anyway about our gospel meeting this weekend. John Gibson, from Athens, AL, will be preaching for us Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday evening we'll meet at 7:30 PM; Saturday at 11:00 AM & 6:00 PM with a singing at 5:00 PM; and Sunday at our usual meeting times of 9:30 & 10:30 AM. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU! In any event, have a great weekend! 2008-11-06 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=596075 I don't want to preach or write an essay today so I'm just going to give you a list of some of the verses I'm thinking of today that are encouraging me in a time of disappointment. many of these are likely passages that you are thinking of too. Maybe you haven't coonsidered some and I know there are some that apply that I haven't thought of yet. But these are the verses in my head today. (with each verse or passage I've also given a short remnider of wwhat it says so you don't have to go look them all up if they're not on the top of your head.) Colossians 3:1-2; set your mind on things above Philippians 3:20; Our citizenship is in heaven Philippians 4:6; be anxious for nothing, but pray Matthew 10:28; Don't fear those who can hurt the body Romans 13:1; submit to governing authority 1 Timothy 2:1-2; pray for kings and those in authority Psalm 23; The Lord is my Shepherd Hebrews 11:13-16; the faithful seek a homeland Romans 8:38-39; nothing, even principalities and powers, can separate ... 2008-11-05 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=545657 Since I moved to Georgia, in November 2008, I have been living in the basement apartment of my cousin's home in Fayetteville. Amanda, my cousin, and her husband, marc, have been very gracious landlords and have been very good to me. But, Fayetteville is about 25 miles East of Newnan and the plan was never to be in Fayetteville permenantly, just for a while until I found a place in newnan. Well, I have found a house to rent in Newnan and have been moving in bit-by-bit this week. I should be completely moved in by this coming weekend. The move will save me in time, gas and money, the my trip is not 18 miles one way to the church building. I will only be about 4 miles from the church building and within 10 miles of about half of the members. I'll also be a lot closer to the other members than I was in Fayetteville. I am really looking forward to living over there. If you are ever in the Newnan area, let me know! I'll have plenty of room and you are always welcome! 2008-07-01 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=514668 Last week I won, on the radio, four front row tickets to the broadway musical, The Lion King! I have seen it before but my sister and brother-in-law and four year old nephew, Phillip, had not. So they came over from AL on Sat. and we went to the Atlanta Civic Center to see the show. It was GREAT! For me it was even better than the first time I saw it. I think Phillip really enjoyed it. His favorite character was Zazu! He was only frightened by a couple of the longer hyena scenes but Maryandra did a great job of distracting him durinig those times by pointing out the drummers, situated in the corner of the balconies to our immediate left and right, as they shook a rain stick or beat the bongo drums etc. James and Maryandra and I really enjoyed the puppets. The way they were made and operated was really interesting and we could figure that out because we were so close. Thia time, being so close up, I was able to get a better look at how things worked and were done. Really fun! In the b... 2008-04-09 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=510383 Please pray for the Christians in Zimbabwe. They are having presedential elections this weekend. Please pray for peace and safety during the elections and for an outcome that will be beneficial to the people of this beautiful country. Some of you are aware of the terrible economic situation in Zim and the danger that sometimes accompanies presidential elections. There are many Christians in Zim and my family knows may of them personally. We also still have family living there. We appreciate your prayers! Thanks! 2008-03-29 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=508386 God's word is truly marvelous! I love discovering, in the Bible, interesting information that I didn't know was there. I especially enjoy the obscure information that really surprises me when I find it. For example: I'm sure you are famiiliar with Noah and his ark. But, did you know that there is another person named Noah in the Bible? And, did you know that the other Noah is a woman? It's true! In Numbers 27:1-11 a man named Zelophehad had five daughters who had a question about their inheritance. God told Moses that if any man had no sons his inheritance should go to his daughter, or daughters in Zelophehad's case. Now to the point - one of Zelophehad's five daughters was named Noah! And we thought it was a guy's name! :) By the way, if you you are expecting a baby and are looking for interesting girls' names, Numbers 27:1 has five suggestions! ;) "Mr. Noah built an ark, like God told him to" Ms. Noah inherited land, like God told her to! What interesting and obscure ... 2008-03-24 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=506099 I hope the weather is as beautiful and "springy" where you are as it is here in north Georgia. The temps are wonderful 60s and 70s this week. I just hope they stay there for a while. The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom and look like white gumdrops everywhere. There are a couple of trees, the names of which I do not know, with lovely pink blooms that liven up the palet. A few flowers (daffodils etc.) are blooming too, promising a kalidescope fo Spring colour to come. I can't wait! I love bright colours and so Spring is my second favorite season. Summer is my favorite because I just can't get away from the fact that I was born in the tropics and I love warmth! Spring, come on down! You are the next contestant on The Cycle of Seasons! BRING IT ON, SPRING!!!! P.S. However, I do sypathize with those of you who are plagued with springtime allergies! Achoo! God Bless you! 2008-03-18 http://www.pleonast.com/user/outofafrica?l=5&entryID=492707 I've thought of what I think is a much better name for February 14th, for single Christians. Why don't we call it "In His Time" Day? That is, In His time those of us who are usually single on Feb. 14th won't be anymore! Much more hopeful sounding name for the day, don't you think? I love you! He loves you! Know that you are loved, my fellow "in His timers!!!!!" :) :) :) 2008-02-14