To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing on behalf of my church, Grace Bible Church in Midlothian, Virginia. My son is playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring  on the violin and the church elders would like your permission to powerpoint your presentation of The Desire of Ages on the screen. Can we have your permission to do this?

Sincerely,

Patricia

My Response:

Dear Patricia,

Permission is hereby granted. May the Lord Jesus be praised, honored, and glorified by presenting to your congregation The Desire of Ages on His life, death, and resurrection.

Sincerely in Christ,

Lydia

Hi,

I just bookmarked your Dare to Stand Alone. The LORD led me to your website this morning to read this. It truly BLESSED me. I ride for the LORD. Haven't been doing a whole lot the last few years because my conviction with the LORD is deep, and I don't want to back down. The LORD has led me all over this great country, it has been awesome. I feel a new calling to the highways but this time it is to stand firm for the LORD. He has always stood firm for me. We need to take our country back.

Have A BLESSED DAY in the LORD.

Your Friend In CHRIST

My Response:

Thank you for your email. There is room in GOD's vineyard for every worker. He can use you in your occupation to stand firm in the truth and bring honor and glory to His name. I pray for His blessings upon you as you labor for Him.

Lydia

Hello,

I have just read through your article The Frontal Lobe and Spirituality. You talk about taking legal medications that alter the frontal lobe of the brain where God communicates with man. I am taking a pill to stabilize my nerves. I don't know if it is a chemical imbalance or what. I do know that there is a difference in me if I do not take them. I become depressed and very paranoid. I have prayed and asked the Lord to heal this in me but it never leaves. Do you think this kind of drug would inhibit my communication with God?

My Response:

Hello,

Thank you for your email. I understand and empathize with your concern.

Because we live in a world of sin, we inherit all kinds of tendencies to physical weaknesses and degeneration that we have no control over. We do not understand why some of us, for example, have chemical imbalances that would require medications to restore the balance and to promote a more normal lifestyle while others do not have this problem. Some people have heart problems requiring medications, others are fine. Some have arthritis; others are not bothered by arthritis. Some have Alzheimer's while others sail through old age sharp as tacks, etc., etc.

When my husband had a back surgery several years ago, he was dependent on pain medication for a while. He had to take it as he couldn't stand the pain. Many times he nearly passed out due to the unbearable pain. He tried to get off the medication as quickly as possible and believe me it wasn't easy to get off the medication.

Years ago, an elderly friend of mine, who knew about the effect of medications on her frontal lobe, was advised by her doctor that she would be risking having a heart attack and possible death if she did not take her heart medication. Needless to say, she continued her medication.

Regardless, research and studies have shown that medications (legal or illegal) do have an adverse effect on the frontal lobe. I went to another website to see if I could glean more information to pass on to you, but I didn't get anything that's really new. One website did say that before deciding to take medications, the benefits need to be carefully weighed against the risks. The article also mentioned that if you are currently on medications, you can't just quit cold-turkey. You would need to talk to your doctor. Perhaps he knows which medications have the lesser harm upon the frontal lobe and at the same time help you with the chemical imbalance as well as keep you from developing symptoms of depressions, etc.

The Lord understands each and every situation. He wants you to be in good health and He lays down dietary principles in His Word that should help you achieve a more healthy lifestyle in a world marred by sin. Seek Him daily for wisdom and guidance.

Take care,

Lydia

Dear Sister Lydia,

May I say "Hi" from Australia and introduce you to my website www.holinesshalfhour.com. It was great popping in and visiting yours as I searched for material for a program on, "Let This Mind be in You".

Love in Jesus,

Brother Pritchard

Hello!

I just stumbled onto your web site while searching the internet for lyrics to Nearer My God To Thee. The beautiful article about Catherine, and the final letter to her, made me cry. At the end of the letter, I noticed that the midi was by "Margie Harrell." Well, Harrell is my last name, so God must have wanted me to read the letter tonight. The music at your site is so pretty. Everything at this site is so sweet. Thanks.

God Bless You,

Beth

My Response:

Dear Beth,

Thank you for your wonderful comments. May His name be honored and glorified always is my desire and prayer.

May you have a pleasant and a blessed day.

In Christ,

Lydia

Hi,

I located your site by search engine and I find I want to return to it often... Praise God. Our little group have been searching for the music of "I Have Returned to the God of My Childhood" but have been unsuccessful. Can you help? I have taken the lyrics from your site I Will Save Thy Children.  May the blessings of the Almighty be with you.

A friend from Australia,

Beatrice

Hi,

Could you possibly tell me the female singer who sang the song "I Have Returned"? It was about 20 years ago? I would like to buy a copy?

fstrickler

My Response:

Hello,

I'm sorry but I do not know who the singer was. The song, though, is beautiful.

Dear Lydia,

I received an email from a friend of mine with one verse from Ira Stanphill's - I know Who Holds Tomorrow.  I had never heard this before and did a search on MSN. It directed me to your site. I am so pleased to find out that people like you do exist. I, like you, are proud to be Christian, and sing the praises of our Lord everywhere, anytime.

May you and yours always be blessed.

Jude

Hi Lydia,

I've been reading a lot of your things on your website, and I'm not trying to be nosey, but are you a Seventh-Day Adventist? I know the church you said you go to doesn't say that, but the things you believe sound like SDA. Just curious, because I am SDA. If you're not, could you tell me what the difference is in your beliefs, if you are familiar with our beliefs.

Thank you very much.

Gail

My Response:

Dear Gail

Thank you for your email. I am a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement. Our headquarters and General Conference are located in Roanoke, Virginia.

During the war, Adventism was divided on the war issue. Should our men go to war to defend the fatherland or should they not participate? The Adventist pioneers were conscientious objectors. They did not participate during the Civil War. They paid commutation money of $300 to be exempted. They believed that participating in wars is not only in violation of the sixth commandment (thou shalt not kill) but the fourth commandment (Sabbath) as well.

During World War I in Europe, the Adventist leaders took the position of combatancy. Two percent of the body did not agree with this position and were ultimately disfellowshipped. Although the disfellowshipped members did all in their power to get reinstated back to the church they loved, they were, unfortunately, not reinstated. These made up the nucleus of the SDA Reform Movement.

The bottom line was the Law of God. If you recall, Brothers Waggoner and Jones presented the Righteousness by Faith message in Minneapolis in 1888. This message was rejected by the leaders. The main thrust of that message is righteousness by faith in Christ that is made manifest by obedience to ALL the commandments of GOD regardless of the times (war or peace).

That's in a nutshell. For more information and history click here: SDA Reform Movement.

Hi,

My name is Cleamon and I just read your loving tribute to your beautiful niece, Dinky. It touched me so much and I would request your permission to forward your page to my many friends and family.

I, too, lost a loving niece several years ago and miss her laugh and little pranks she pulled on everyone. She was 14, and her name was JoAnna Michelle.

Sincerely, and in memory of Dinky and JoAnna,

Cleamon

My Response:

Hi Cleamon,

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your niece also. There are many things this side of heaven we do not understand. But in heaven, all will be explained why a child or a teenager did not live long enough to enjoy life on earth.

God is a sovereign God and He knows what He's doing. He does what's best for all His creation even if part of His plan is to allow some of our loved ones to die prematurely.

Yes, you may forward the page on Dinky  to your friends. I'm really honored that you want to do that.

Take care and God bless you,

Lydia

Dear Sister in Christ,

I am a SDA who has been asked to teach the Baptist children ages...2 to 5 yrs. every Sunday. This is a paid position and they do not expect these children can learn anything..OH MY!! I'm teaching them all our songs...the Bible..everything!! Even doing a small bell choir with them.

I am desperately looking to find all the Cradle Roll songs on Midi files though so I can key them into my computer/keyboard and make it sound like someone is actually playing while we sing. Please let me know if you have found anything. About all I have found, midi wise, is Jesus Loves Me...a few others...but I'm looking for that songbook we use in Cradle Roll with all those lovely songs...

Thank you so much,

Sharon

My Response:

Dear Sharon,

I taught Cradle Roll over 30 years ago and I don't have the song books and teaching material that I had. Midis are hard to come by of those songs in the Cradle Roll Songbook. But, I'll keep my eyes opened and should any of those songs appear in the Internet, I would let you know. May the Lord bless you and your precious ministry.

In Christ,

Lydia

Hi,

I was wondering if you might know where I can find the story or legend of the comparison of today's time with the story of Moses' trip to the promise land? It tells about how many train loads of supplies it would have taken, how many people side by side it would take to get into the promised land in one day. I had it on our website but when my computer crashed and I remade our site I couldn't find that particular story . Do you happen to know where I might be able to find it? Thank you for your time in this matter.

Sincerely,

Sandy

NOTE From Webmistress: I searched the Internet at the time Sandy sent me her email, but I didn't find it. Recently, however, I went to Sandy's website and lo and behold I found it there. She must have found a back-up copy. It's a good story, so I'm including it here for my readers.

What would have happened if Moses tried to figure out what was needed to accomplish God's command? One of the biggest arithmetical miracles in the world was required in the desert.

Moses led the people of Israel to the desert. Now what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 3.5 million people required a lot of food. According to the U. S. Army's Quartermaster: General Moses needed 1,500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains each a mile long. Besides, you must remember, they were out in the desert, and needed firewood to use for cooking their food. This took 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains each a mile long just for one day! And they were 40 years in transit! Oh yes, they needed water. If they only had enough to drink and wash dishes, it took 11,000,000 gallons a day, enough to fill a freight train 1800 miles long. And another thing! They had to cross the Red Sea in one night.

If they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights to get through. So to get over in one night there had to be a space in the Red Sea 3 miles wide so they could walk 5,000 abreast. Think about this: Every time they camped at the end of a day, a campground the size of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles. Do you think Moses figured this all out before he left? I think not. You see, Moses believed in God. He had faith that God would take care of everything.

"Let us take courage, we have the same God!!"

Here's an email in response to my opening remarks and question in: Rainbow in the Night.

Yes, I have seen a Rainbow in the dark of the night. There was a slight drizzle of rain and a very bright moon. The strong rays of the bright moon shown through raindrops that fell and created a spectacular sight. All the colors that are not present in our day rainbow showed against the dark sky with a moon background....Awesome! The sight was not easy to capture, there was just something off the corner of my eye bothering my vision until I turned to look up.

For those who have seen a night rainbow, it is spectacular and we look forward to seeing it again. Eerie yet full of wonder and exciting because it has all the dark colors of magenta, purple, silver and grey, charcoal and a prominent black next to a dark graphite.

Stanley

My Response:

Dear Stanley,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience of seeing a rainbow in the night. It must have been an awesome sight indeed.

Take care,

Lydia

I am searching for the music for "Tenderly He Watches Over You". Would you please help me?

wbalnb

My Response:

Hello,

I am very familiar with this hymn and I have at least a hundred hymn books here at home, but, for the life of me, that music is not in one of them. I had initially wanted to use that midi for Baby Book in Poetry but I couldn't find it in the Internet. So I settled for Jesus Loves Me which is still very appropriate for that page.

I will continue to search the Internet and if I find it I will let you know.

In Christ,

Lydia

Hi,

My mother is terminally ill and has requested that Back of the Clouds be sung at her funeral. My family, friends and church members have searched everywhere with no luck. With an Internet search I found your reference to the song. Do you have any idea where I might find the music, or even a recording? I would sincerely appreciate any help you could give me. Thank you and God bless.

Denise

My Response:

Dear Denise,

I found the music "Back of the Clouds", but because of copyright regulations, I will not send a COPY of the hymn to you. However, I will MAIL you the whole booklet, about 1/4 inch thick. I would like the booklet back when you are finished with it as this is the only copy I have containing "Back of the Clouds". I'm not in a hurry to get it back.

I'm sorry that I'm doing it this way, but from my internet browsing here and there, and warnings from internet friends, I could get in serious trouble if I provide copyrighted information, music (midis) etc, to my web visitors. I have midis in my websites, but as far as I know, I have taken them from sites claiming the midis are public domain.

I hope you understand my situation. If the booklet had been an extra one, I would have given it to you. Please let me hear from you where to send the hymn booklet.

Hello,

I am surprised to find that meat eaters can have incredible endurance too. Lance Armstrong who has won Six Tour De France titles which is more than any other man in history. He eats meat, including beef. This gruelling bicycle race is equal to running two marathons per day for 20 days straight. That is incredible endurance, the best of any person on earth. He has a resting heart rate of 32 beats per minute, and an anerobic threshold of about 600 watts. I have heard it said that man developed his huge brain from a diet that contained some meat in it. I know that chimpanzees are the smartest of the apes, and they eat some meat in their diets. I am not trying to discourage vegetarian diets in any way here, and have a number of friends who are vegetarians. I just want to see what your viewpoint is, from a vegetarian's perspective. By the way, lovely piece of music on the page.

Thanks,

Scott

My Response:

Dear Scott,

Thanks for your email and sharing the incredible information on Lance Armstrong. I believe there are many factors not just diet that come into play in the overall scheme of things. God's creation is amazing, isn't it?

Lydia

Here's the article Scott was referring to: Vegetarianism

I just wanted to thank you for your inspiring web-site! I happened upon it by doing a web-search for the very guardian angel picture  that almost hit your head! (I believe nothing happens by chance, this being another example of that!)

My Mom, one of the most incredible Christians you could ever meet, has always been an inspiration to me. Despite a very tumultuous and unstable early childhood, she was blessed to spend much of her later childhood with her grandparents. Her grandmother, my great-grandmother, Rachel, was instrumental in instilling the importance of having God in your heart and having Him as your Lord and Savior. I'm not just saying this because she's my Mom, but she is truly one of the most caring, kind, gentle, giving people I have ever known.

Anywho, I had been searching for a copy of this picture, because it happens to be one of my Mom's favorites. Several years ago, she wrote about 15 Christian songs. I, along with my brother, are in the process of having her songs complied into a leather coffee-table book for her for Mother's Day. I had been searching for this guardian angel picture to use on the cover. So when I found your web-site, I was so excited.

Mom has been involved in Women's Prison Ministry for over 18 years. She has such a heart for these women, you would not believe. Because of health issues, she has been unable to attend the weekly Bible studies she began some 18 years ago; but, still works deligently answering their prayer requests and gathering clothing, house hold items, etc...when someone is released. But far more important than the material items she supplies them with, she gives them unconditional love and shares Jesus with each and everyone! She is quite an amazing person!

Thank you again for your web-site and your willingness to share your love of God with the world!

Blessings!

Tamara (from Virginia)

Hi,

I have to agree wholeheartedly with you on the topic of legislating morality. God gave Adam and Eve a choice, why should we force our religious beliefs on others. I am opposed to such an amendment, BUT not because I believe in same sex marriages. I DON'T!

Everett

My Response:

Dear Everett,

Thank you for taking the time to email me. I appreciate the feedback; it's like a breath of fresh air.

Take care and God bless!

Lydia

Here's the webpage on legislating moral issues: We Want America Back

Hello Lydia,

I found your most interesting web site when I did a search for Sumay, Guam. I thought I'd write and invite you to visit two web pages I have about Guam. The first page is military and is about how 1930's Marines enjoyed being stationed there. The second is historical postcards picturing the Chamorro people going about their daily tasks. If interested, here is URL to the first page, with link to second: http://www.wclynx.com/burntofferings/adsusmc_guam.html

You look a lot like the pretty girls that I have pictured. One of my wife's Catholic Charities programs here in Northern California is Alzheimer Respite. It's a good program.

Best wishes,

Jim

Do you know where I can find J. L. Shuler's "The Great Judgment Day"? I'd like to read it - is it online anywhere?

Thanks,

DGM

Hi,

I certainly enjoyed visiting your site tonight!

Keep up the good work.

Ludy

I came across your website by chance and cannot find it again...the hymns, piano music, etc. please let us know the address...thanks.

Kathy

I stumbled across your page on the Internet while looking for something inspirational to include in the bimonthly newsletter I write for my church, St. Luke Roman Catholic Church. I would like permission to print the words to I WAS ON HIS MIND. I will include the following post script.

Copyrighted © Lydia Haga 2004
Copyrighted © Ronnie Hinson

From the INTERNET http://jlfoundation.net/i-was-on-his-mind.html

If permission is given, I am open to additions or corrections.

Please reply soon as I have to send this to Pittsburgh PA for printing to be included in the bulletin for April 2/3.

Thank you for your beautiful site.

Joyce

NOTE From Webmistress: I had given permission to Joyce to use my poem not realizing that she had a statement in her request about being open to additions or corrections. My policy is that anyone is welcomed to use anything on this website provided no additions or corrections are made.

Lydia

Dear Lydia,

Thank you so much for the lovely website you have created. It is a blessing to look and read. I am an SDA in Queensland Australia. My husband and I run a health ministry from our home educating people on the health message. Our ministry is based on my own recovery from Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus by following the health principle as laid out in The Ministry of Healing. I have put a health book together covering the eight laws of health and approximately 200 vegan recipes which we print out and bind ourselves to sell to the people who attend our six week health course.

I am writing to ask if you would mind if I put your poem entitled "It's In The Valleys We Grow" into my book in the chapter entitled Trust. I would fully reference where the poem came from and the authorship. I read the poem out at the end of the course after the trust lecture and everyone loves it, so I would like your permission to incorporate it into my book for all to enjoy.

Thank you again for the wonderful message you are passing on to others, I recommend your website to all my friends.

May God Bless both you and your ministry,

With Christian love,

Karen

My Response:

Hi Karen,

I agree with you the poem is lovely, but, unfortunately, I am not the author. Upon searching the Internet I found at least two people claiming to have written it. One is Tracy Mayfield and the other is Jane Eggleston. I updated my own webpage Bloom Where You Are Planted using Tracy Mayfield as the author simply because she WROTE that she had it copyrighted in Washington, D. C. I didn't see any note like that in the Jane Eggleston's version.

Lydia

My name is PeggyLynn and I am developing some webpages for Prayer, Inspriation, Sinners Prayer Requests. I am new to alot of this. I am looking for some background music.

I have titled my one page as "In The Garden" and I am looking for the music to use as background. I love the music you are using. This is the best that matches what I'm doing.

Could you give me some information on how to contact the music I will need to complete my project. I think they are called midi's. I am not sure how to install it to my webpage.

Hope you can help. I have been researching for a while and getting no where.

Please help... Thank you in advance for any assistance you could give me.

May God Bless you and Maranatha.

Family in Christ.

PeggyLynn

Hi Lydia,

My name is Will Lewis. I live in Michigan. I was writing an email to a friend of mine that does not know Jesus as his Forever Friend, and I was looking for a midi to include with my letter. The midi I was looking for was "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". I found your page and set up a link. I decided to test it out to make sure that my friend would end up at the right place, and I took a look around.

I started to read some things off your web site and I said to myself "This woman sounds like an Adventist". Reading a little more, I came upon the page for Chain Bible Markings and knew in fact you are a Seventh Day Adventist! As am I! My heart thrilled at finding a site from another Adventist when I was not looking for one. My, isn't it wonderful how God works!

Thanks for being there. I hope and pray that my friend uses the link. And more importantly, finds his way to our Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Your Friend in Christ,

Will

Dear God in Heaven,

Thank you for this opportunity for like believers to have found each other by way of the internet. Bless this site so that others too might use it and bring glory to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

My Response:

Thank you, Will, for your email and for that wonderful prayer.