Samson's weakness

Samson-meaning "of the sun"; proclaiming that he was radiant and mighty. The name "Samson" is derived from shemesh("sun"), so that Samson bore the name of God, who is also a "a sun and shield". [Psalms 84:12] As God protected Israel, so did Samson watch over it in his generation, judging the people even as God did. Samson's strength was divinely derived. Samson resembled God in requiring neither aid or help.

Samson was said to be so strong that he could uplift two mountains and rub them together like two clods of earth, yet his superhuman strength, like Goliaths, brought woe upon its possessor. Samson is something of a Hercules figure, utilizing massive strength to combat his enemies and to perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary men: wrestling a lion, slaying an entire army with nothing more than a donkey's jawbone, and tearing down an entire building.

Samson falls in love with a woman, Delilah (which is a Jewish name), at the Brook of Sorek. (Judges 16). Sorek is a "fruitless tree"(means "empty" in Hebrew),implying a moral lesson suggesting that Samson's involvement in his affair with Delilah was eventually "fruitless". However,another etymology suggest that "sorek" means"special vine" and refers to the grapes and wines grown in the area.

The Philistines approach Delilah and induce her (with 1100 silver coins) to try to find the secret of Samson's strength. Samson does not want to tell her the secret, so he teases her, telling her that he can be bound with fresh bowstrings. She does so while he sleeps, but when he wakes up he snaps the strings. She persists, and he tells her he can be bound with new ropes. She binds him with new ropes while he sleeps, and he snaps them, too. She asks again, and he says he can be bound if his locks are woven together. She weaves them together, but he undoes them when he wakes. Eventually Samson tells Delilah that he will lose his strength with the loss of his hair. Delilah means "weak" and how interesting that Samson, the strong one, could be totally dominated by Delilah, the weak one. Nevertheless, his ultimate loss of strength-being tamed by the wit of a woman (Delilah) is somewhat similar to stories such as Beauty and the Beast; albeit with the woman appearing as more of the villian in this story. Delilah calls for a servant to shave Samson's seven locks. Since that breaks the Nazarite oath, God leaves him, and Samson is captured by the Philistines. (Judges 16:20). The gouge out his eyes. After being blinded, Samson is brought to Gaza, imprisoned, and put to work grinding grain.

The lion is very significant in the story. God was trying to teach Samson something about the degree of power that he possessed. There is a lion in our life, as well. Peter writes that our adversary, the devil, goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He is our lion, seeking to tempt us, to draw us away from obedience to Jesus Christ.

Samson learned that God was adequate to meet any need he had. In our own life God is adequate; that He is slaying our Philistines, and that he has dealt with the lion in our life.

God will give us up to the passions of our own life, if we insist on it. Samson grinding away at the mill is a vivid illustration of what happens in the inner man. There is a blinding--a loss of a sense of moral perspective and vision. The is a binding--a loss of our freedom and liberty and mobility in the Spirit. There is a grinding--a sense of futility and boredom and purposlessness about life, or just going around and around and around inside.

God never forgets us. When He takes His hands off of us and lets us go, He is still right there available to us. He never abandons us, He is there ready to respond to His entreaty. Samson grinding at the mill brought his life to mind, realized what had happened to him, and knew that his strength lay in his Lord.

by Patti Hallford

Jdg 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he knew not that the LORD was departed from him.

Cross references:
Numbers 14:-42-43Num 14:42 Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.

Num 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.

Jos 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

Friends and Time

We are made in America.
We are truly a special kind.
Because not everywhere will you find.
People who value our freedom and rights.
Who will defend our country in all fights.
People with skin that is white, tan, red, and brown.
Who don't look down upon one another with a frown.
For we are all citizens of the same great country.
We are all happy to be made in America
What a beautiful place to be!

Author Unknown

Everyone have a Happy and safe 4th of July

One "I"

One minute makes a difference
When running for the train.
One car will change your day
If you're in a crowded lane.
One sentence works a wonder,
If it's needed to be heard.
One deed brings a person light,
As does one kindly word.
One meal is often missed,
One crime means doing time,
One shoe is always searched for,
As is, at times, one dime.
But the greatest One of all,
Be it parent, teacher, friend,
Is the one with you when you're down;
Beside you to the end.

By Allison K. Hymas

Sermon In Soap

Duz you Dreft with the Tide? Vel, now is the time to Cheer up, if you want real Joy. The Trend is to Breeze to church on Sunday. Too many people Woodbury their heads in a pillow, or work to make their cars Sparkle, forgetting that the Lord's Day is made for Lestoil. When the Lord is put first, a Dove will never need to be sent with SOS. Maybe we ought to Dial you to remind you of the Ivory palaces up yonder. Worship is your Lifebuoy. So why not Whisk yourself out of bed next Sunday, dress up Spic and Span and Dash like a Comet to Sunday School and Church as you sing praises to God and hear His word. You'll feel like Mr. Clean all week.

Author Unknown

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to my husband whom I love very much. To my Dad, and all of you who are a Dad. Anyone can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.

A Father's ABC's
(Charles W Ridlen)
A lways trust your children to God's care
B ring them to church
C hallenge them to high goals
D elight in their achievements
E xalt the Lord in their presence
F rown on evil
G ive them love
H ear their problems
I gnore not their childish fears
J oyfully accept their apologies
K eep their confidence
L ive a good example before them
M ake them your friends
N ever ignore their endless questions
O pen your heart to their love
P ray for them by name
Q uicken your interest in their spirituality
R emember their needs
S how them the way of salvation
T each them to work
U nderstand they are still young
V erify your statements
W ean them from bad company
X pect them to obey
Y earn for God's best for them
Z ealously guide them in Bible truth

"My Favorite Things"

Today medical science has provided us with solutions to many of the physical problems that used to be associated with aging. We know so much more than we used to about the benefits of preventive medicine, and because of that knowledge, advancing age no longer guarantees infirmity.

Julie Andrews did a concert for AARP. Among her selections was a song from "The Sound of Music," "My Favorite Things." She altered the lyrics to fit in with the AARP theme. Here are the new words to that famous melody.

"Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
"Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
"Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
"These are a few of my favorite things.
"Cadillacs, cataracts, hearing aids, glasses,
"Polident, Fixodent, false teeth in glasses,
"Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
"These are a few of my favorite things.
"When the pipes leak,
"When the bones creak,
"When the knees go bad,
"I simply remember my favorite things.
"And then I don't feel so bad.
"Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions,
"No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
"When we remember our favorite things,
"When the joints ache, when the hips break,
"When the eyes grow dim,
"I simply remember the great life I've had,
"And then I don't feel...so bad!"