Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night(year)

Well, here it is December 18th. Seven more days to Christmas and 13 more days until 2009. Where did time go? It only seems like it was yesterday that I was thinking about taking a weeks vacation during spring break, yesterday since I was thinking of taking a week off for summer vacation, yesterday since I was thinking about taking a week off and going to the mountains to see the leaves turn orange. Where is time going? I can remember my parents talking about how "time flys" and I always thought, I think it goes by slowly and yet we both were spending the same amount of time. I guess when you get as old as dirt, like I am, you realize that time is going by fast and you don't have as much time left as you use to. Statistics say that I have already lived 77 1/2% of my life already, which means if statistics are right, I only have 22 1/2% of my life remaining. Think about it! If you have a glass of water and you drank 77/12% of the glass of water, you only have a little bit left.
You might ask youself, well, why on earth are you thinking about time anyway. We can't control time, it is what it is and life on earth is already determined. God already knows if I die before statisticals, at statisticals, or after statisticals and nothing I do will change that. Well that's not exactly true. Yes, God does know when I will come home to heaven to live with Him and He knows the exact time only because He is God and He is soverign all knowing God, however, I could do things that cause my time on earth to be shrotened or lengthened and He does know which of those will occur. It does matter what I do while I'm here on earth. It does matter what I believe and live out here on earth. According to God's word, I can choose to be blessed or cursed. Jeremiah 17:5-8 I can choose to read God's Word which blesses me or I can choose to read other material which only gives me information which in the long run is useless based on eternity. Listen to God's Word,
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the T I M E is near. Rev. 1
Psalms 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of HIS saints.
Psalms 90:10 "The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is ony only labor and sorrow."

Throughout scripture we are told about T I M E. Scripture also says a thousand years to us is like a day to the Lord, so when God talks about eternity, then that is really a looooonnnnnnngggggggg time. In Ecclesiastes we are told there is a time for everything; a time to be born and a time to die, but it's all those times in between that really count for eternity. What we do with the time that God gives us is so important. It makes the differnce between being blessed and being cursed here on earth. It makes the difference both here and in eternity.

So time is important and it's important as to what you do with the time you have. Follow Christ in all that you do, love those around you and remember that no one should ever be unloved by you. You must love them as if their eternity depended on it and perhaps it might. Then when your time comes you will be able to say,

"For this is God Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death"
Psalms 48:14
I hope you and yours has a very Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and a blessed life with Christ forever and ever.

I LOVE GOD'S WORD!

I have been reading a chapter of Proverbs everyday for a long time now and many of the Proverbs are life principles for me. Being flesh, I sometimes violate those same scriptures that I consider as principles in my life. I realize that doesn't happen to you but I have to battle this almost daily. In other words, just like in vs. 1, I don't always answer softly, but sometimes I answer with a loud voice and I want to stir up anger. That's the battle that i have to fight daily. Well, the Proverbs contain great wisdom and great principles for all of us to live by. I would encourage everybody to read a Proverb everyday. Chapters 1,15, 16 and 30 each have 33 verses and in chapter 1, we find out that we need knowledge, in chapters 15 and 16, we get understanding and in chapter 30 we read about real wisdom. Now I didn't intentionally leave the other chapters out because they too, relate to Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom, but it just so happens that today is the 15th and this is where I'm at in my quiet times. I encourage you so much to read the Proverbs that I went ahead and printed chapter 15 below so you wouldn't have to go get your bible. It's in the NEW KING James version and it is just full of principles that both convict and convince my heart. I bet-cha you can't read these 33 verses without being convicted about something. When we are convicted, we just need to repent, Praise God and move on and don't do that thing again. Just recently, someone just unloaded on me and let me have it with both barrels. Now because I disagreed with this person, my first thought was to let this person have a full dose of "I got cha's". As I look at it today, I still believe that person was totally wrong and they were speaking from the flesh only and not able to back up what they were saying to God's Word. I could have given them scripture upon scripture, but then vs two says "the tongue of the wise pours forth rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. So this time, I answered softly and shortly.
Now I know this person expected me to unload also, because I've done it on numerous occassions, but no, I didn't act in the flesh. Now all I can contribute that to is trying to live out the Proverbs. Don't get me wrong, I can mess up as well if not better than most, but this is how the Proverbs is helping me. So I say all this just to say, todays Proverbs are full of nuggets of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Read them below and see if God brings to mind something, someone or sometime that you needed to exercise these nuggets but failed to do so.

Proverbs 15
1. A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But the perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5. A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
6. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
11. Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12. A scoffer does not love one who comes to him, Nor will he go to the wise.
13. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15. All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18. A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19. The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
20. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22. Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
24. The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27. He who is greedy fro gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29. The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
31. The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

America: From Glory to Shame

America: From Glory to Shame


I wrote this blog and due to my dumbness, I lost it and so here it is again, not exactly the same, but for the most part the same. I hope you will read this and then pray and ask God to bless America. We are in deep trouble and it doesn’t seem like we have any concept as to why things are going South for America. I am gathering my information from the book that I just read called “Truth Decay”. It is authored by Steve Hale who is an evangelist.

In Matthew 7: 24-27 we read about obedience and disobedience to God’s word being likened to two different types of foundations. One built on rocks and the other built on sand. Foundations are important to the final structure of a building. Poor foundations built on sand are likened to a foolish man and a well built foundation built on rocks is likened to a wise man. Which are you? Foolish or Wise

One thing about both foundations is that storms of life come to both. In these verses, the differences in the two foundations were directly related to how God’s Word was received. Obedience to and reverence to God’s Word creates a solid foundation that can withstand the storms of life. However, disobedience to and defiance of God’s Word creates a sandy, unstable foundation that leads to a great fall. What can be said about individuals can also be said about nations. In the early stages of America, scripture was highly esteemed, and throughout history as we know it, God has protected America. However, it is well documented that the centrality of the Bible has now been replaced with other ideologies. Our forefather’s commitment to absolute truth as contained in Scriptures has now been substituted for moral relativism.
Jesus warned that any person or nation that disregards God’s Word would experience a great fall. History proves Him right and America will not be an exception. Steve Hale likens our position today as that of the titanic. We know that all the reports show that the icebergs are out there and we as a nation are saying, “full steam ahead”.

Even though America is not mentioned in scripture, as we read chapter one of Romans, we feel as though it is a mirrored picture of America. Vs. 18 of chapter one says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” We must not miss this; that through out scripture we read where God “gave them over”, “He gave them into the hand”, “He gave them up”. Now we read again in verses 24,26,28 that again God is saying He will give individuals or nations over to their own desires and take his hand of protection and provision away. In Psalms 81:9-14 we read that God commanded that Israel not worship other God’s and they did so and so He gave them over to their own stubborn heart. Psalms 106:35-42 we see where they started sacrificing their own daughters and sons and shedding innocent blood. ( Could this be related to our practice of abortion today?)

The Vietnam War Memorial contains 68,000 names and it stretches 500 feet long, however if a memorial was built today for all the innocent, defenseless babies whose blood we have shed since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, it would have some 50 million names on it and would stretch for some 80 miles. Remember, Israel was brought into subjection to her enemies for these very things and that’s why God will have to deal with America if we don’t change. See Psalm 78:58-62—Nehemiah 9:29-30---1 Kings 14:9,16 Romans 1: 26 says, “For this reason God gave them up”. America has exchanged truth for a lie and rather than serving the Creator, we serve the Creature. If you continue to read these two verses 26 and 27 we see that God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, men did the same. Verses 26 and 27 tell us that the Homosexual lifestyle is , 1. Unnatural 2. shameful 3. in error to the truth 4. penalty to be paid. Notice, verse 26 strongly claims that homosexuality was not the cause of God’s judgment, but rather it was the consequence. Homosexuality was an instrument of God’s judgment.
Social Experts say that America’s social cauldron began in 1987. That’s the year that the number of kids in foster care began to rise and continued to keep climbing. Out of wed-lock births began to rise at very high rates. The rate of juveniles committing violent crimes began to rise and the national drug network started exploding off the charts. AID’s had a big jump in cases. Now these same social experts wanted to know what really made 1987 so significant to cause this kind of massive change. So they went back in the archives and chronicled the news for 1987. Here are the top four news events in 1987. 1. Jim Bakker and Jessica Hahn with their sex and money scandal; 2. Jimmy Swaggart charged with plotting hostile takeovers; 3. Oral Roberts holing up in his university’s prayer tower vowing never to emerge unless he raised $8million dollars that God told him to do. (so he says)
4. Oliver North’s Iran-Contra, charge of trading weapons-for-hostages.
All of these were Christian leaders engaged in unethical behavior. 1987 was also important because of more development in drug trade began. That’s when smokeable cocaine, better known as “crack” became available to the public. Although America has morally changed, drugs was not the reason, it was only a symptom. America believes that there is no such thing as absolute truth. America believes that Truth and morality are relative. What’s right for you, might not be right for me and vice versus.
So when did this exchange of truth for a lie actually happen? It was not 1987. That just happened to be when (social experts) noticed it. Some would say it started in 1925 with the Scopes trial, others would say it was 1947 when evolution began to be taught in our public schools. Some say the 1960’s when in 1962 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that leading in prayer in our public schools was now illegal and unconstitutional. Here is the prayer that they ruled illegal. Only 22 words and it stirred hatred and strife. “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our Country.
Amen. Really threatening don’t you think? That was just a beginning of what was to come. The next year, the same court outlawed the reading of the Bible in our schools. Then in 1965, that same court ruled it was against the law to verbally pray over your meal in a school cafeteria. In 1973, that same court ruled in favor of abortion on demand. In 1980, it became unconstitutional for the Ten Commandments to hang in the hallways of classrooms of our educational institutions. In the early 90’s it was ruled unconstitutional to pray at high school graduation exercises. It is now unconstitutional for a board of education to use or refer to the word “God” in any of its official writings. Without question, it is now unconstitutional to show the film that depicts the settlement of Jamestown because the fact is there was a cross erected at the Jamestown settlement. Don’t forget that Woodstock New York occurred during the 60’s
Now that we’ve told God that He is not wanted in our schools, our court houses, our homes, our businesses and certainly not in our education process, is it no wonder that God might just “give us over to our own desires”.
Until the 1960’s, America was still considered and respected as a God-fearing and law-abiding nation. Interestingly enough, from 1927 to 1962 there were never more than two consecutive years in which SAT scores declined. But then after the Supreme Court started rulings like I just spoke about the SAT scores declined for 18 consecutive years. Since these dates, America has become the world leader in crime, juvenile homicides, pornography, divorce, abortion, teenage pregnancies, and illegal drug use. I said WORLD LEADER! Now not only are we world leaders in these areas, to top it off we are now among the world leaders in illiteracy. Yes, Glory turned to Shame! Bill Bennett in his address to the Southern Baptist Convention several years ago said this; “The simple fact is that we cannot expect to maintain our civilization with 12 year olds having babies, 15 year olds killing each other, 17 year olds dying of AIDS, and 18 year olds ending up with diplomas they can’t even read. Our glory is changed to shame and we don’t even know it.
I won’t even give you the test scores that are written on pages 29 and 30 but the end result is we are last in almost everything.
Well, America said “we did not like to retain God in our knowledge” and so there you go. Here we are and the down hill grade is steep and we are speeding up.
Steve goes on to say that the solving of this problem is not in the White House but in God’s House. Jesus clearly handed the church the responsibility of upholding the nations morality when He declared to us to be the salt of the earth.

OKAY, I know this has been long, but I hope I have wetted you appetite to get his book and read it. Here are the chapter titles. 1. A nation is crisis 2. Moral Relativism 3. Truth Matters 4. The way we were 5. America’s favorite pastime
6. The danger of “safe” sex 7. Abortion: The American Holocaust 8. Alcohol: America’s beverage of choice 9 Random chance or intelligent design
10 The glut of smut 11. The abnormality of Homosexuality 12. Bring back the glory.

Its’ only 233 pages long and you will really like this book.

Birth Announcement

Luke 2:1-20 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11”For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

What a blessed story and what a blessed Savior! Notice, the very Son of God is born and the first people to know about it were Shepherds. Think about it: The Lord wanted the Shepherds to know about this first. Remember, Jesus always referred to Himself as a Shepherd of the sheep. Shepherds lived in the field with the sheep. They were the one’s who chose the special sheep to be sacrifices and now the spotless lamb of God is born and they are notified of it. They no longer will have to provide sheep for sacrifice, they no longer will have to determine which one dies and which one lives. God the Father decided the one and final sacrifice would be His Son, Jesus and He’s letting the Shepherds know about it. The Shepherds met Jesus and it was such a life changing event that they had to tell everybody about what had happened. You too have to meet Jesus before you can tell others about Him. If you haven’t met Jesus yet, listen to the Spirit of God telling you that a Savior is born, and His name is Jesus. He will change your life and you too will then want to worship Him.

OK, something happened and it didn't come through

Well as you can see, below, that I started to post my blog yesterday and something happened. Don't ask me what, but all of the blog didn't show up. I have no idea where the rest is and I don't have the time to redo it. Maybe I will learn about this blogging deal someday and not mess up so much, but until then, I will have to go out there into cyber space and look for it. I can almost see it now. It's just out there floating around as if it's lost, and it is, and I just can't reach it. Oh well someother time. Soon.

America: From Glory to Shame

I was given a book for Christmas that I began reading today. It's author is Steve Hale who is an evangelist from FBCW. The name of the book is "Truth Decay" and after reading the first 50 pages, I highly recoommend it.

Out of Pocket

Spent Thanksgiving with Beth, Lisa and the grandchildren. Started feeling bad on Friday and by the time I got home on Saturday, I had full blown Bronchitis. Tried to die couple times but went to the Doctor on Monday and I'm hoping to go back to work on Thursday. Had new carpet put in my office while I was out and hope my computer is plugged in when I get back. Otherwise, If I have to do more than turn it on, I'm out of luck. HOpe to be back in saddle in next few days. By the way, anytime with my girls and grandchildren is a great time.

"Watch Out!" "Is it I?"

Have you ever warned someone to "watch out" when you saw that they were about to do something that might cause them harm? You might say, "watch out" to someone who was about to step out in front of an automobile, or someone who was about to step on a nail. You might say, "watch out" to someone who is considering doing something that they've never done before, you might say, "watch out" to someone who is getting into a relationship that you forsee might be a problem. We tend to warn people a lot of the time and yet we don't always warn people when we see them perhaps skirting with hurt,pain and trouble. I used the term this morning when I was sharing with a young couple concerning their finances. I can see that if they continue the way they are going, they may get hurt in ways they never imagined, so I say,"watch out". How many times, I wished someone had said, "watch out" to me. You know many times due to experience and or understanding, we might just have the spirit of fear that others may not. That same spirit of fear that I believe God gave to all women. Us men, we have no fear in the sense, we can fix everything. If you don't believe me, just ask me. We've got the answer to every situation that we hear about. I could fix the war in Iraq in two days if they would let me. I could change the mind of those homosexuals if they would just let me, I could change the Iranian dictator if only someone would let me. I've got answers for everything, Right? Well, not really, I might have a solution, but maybe not the right answer. Women fear and share their fear and normally they are right, but not us men, just let us have at it and we can fix the issue. Well, I'm really going somewhere with this. When you see someone who is actining out un-Christ-like things, do you shout out, "watch out". In many cases I bet you don't. Because we make excuses like, "well, he deserves what he gets", and "am I my brothers keeper" and so on and so forth. We now must ask, Am I really that way? Do I see people in trouble and not warn them? Well I reminded of two scriptures in Mark that are real close to each other and they really apply to all of us and especially me. In Mark 13:32-37 we read that one day Jesus is coming back and none of us knows when, but we see men and women everyday living the life of Satan and we don't warn them and we are warned by Jesus Himself to Watch and do His work as we watch. Then in Mark 14:18-21 we read about Jesus having the Passover supper with his disciples and he announces that one at the table is a betrayer. Everybody ask the question but out loud and to themselves; "Is it I?" and each of us need to ask ourselves this question. "Is it I who fails to warn others about their direction in life, is it I who knows the love of God and fails to share it with others, is it I who betrays the Savior by not obeying His Word?

Well I challenge you today to be so loving to those you come in contact with to warn them, "Watch out" and know that one day that Jesus is coming for you and me and ask your self the question, Is it I? who fails to love others to the point of warning them of the consequences of failing to follow Christ and the benefits of following Christ. Let's all be more bold and let's all be more obedient.
Vs. 21 says, "The son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

Examples of Contentment in real life.

I must say that for the most part, I’m a very sheltered individual and am naive about how most of this world lives. I was born in the U.S. and outside going to places outside the U.S. on vacation and on mission trips, I know very little about how the other half lives. Now, I’ve heard stories and seen pictures, but that doesn’t bring reality close enough for a person to really know what it’s like to be poor and without. You see, if for some reason this morning we ran out of milk, I could jump in my new automobile, which is filled with expensive gasoline and go to a near-by grocery store and get milk and pay for it. Most likely, I would still have some money to buy other things if I had wanted to. I could pour that milk into a bowl of cereal and use utensils that we have plenty of. I could cut on running water inside my house and clean those bowls and utensils and place them back with all the other bowls and utensils and all the other plates and saucers etc; I could put the milk back into our side by side refrigerator to keep it cold along with all the other things that need to stay cool. Last night, even though it was cold outside, I was able to have heat and I was able to have a comfortable bed with clean sheets and covers. I was able to jump into the shower this morning without fear of not having hot water.
In other words, I’ve pretty much got it made.
Now, this past summer, I was privileged to go to Honduras on a medical mission trip. Now Honduras is in Central America and not really all that far from the U.S.
However, it didn’t take long for me to realize something was different, real different. We had to fly into a different airport than originally planned because an airplane had crashed on the originally planned landing strip and they had not cleaned the debris up as of the time we were scheduled to be there. This perhaps should have been the first thing that made me realize, this was not going to be a vacation. So we fly into San Pedro Sula which is by third world countries standards, an OKAY place to be. It’s about 50 miles inland and it’s the most northern city of Honduras that we visited. Everywhere else we went, was south of that area. Now just to give you some geography lesson, Honduras is south of the small country of Belize, east of Guatemala and El Salvador and north of Nicaragua.
Shouldn’t be so much different than some parts of the U.S. Right? We spent 4 nights in what was known as their very best hotels. Now this hotel was inside a guarded fence and there were several guards with rifles and pistols and they seemed to mean business when they talked. The rooms were two small bedrooms, a small kitchen and a couch to set on to watch TV. The first night we heard gun shots outside our room and there were several shots. Not sure what happened but no one could tell us the next morning what happened. We had breakfast there and all was well. When we went to the church that we were going to have the medical clinic at, we started to see some of the poverty. We saw small houses, all behind fences or walls meant to keep others out. All were small and dirty. Auto’s were all old and I didn’t see any auto that looked like it hadn’t already paid a visit to the junk yard. In fact, I saw wagons being pulled with mules, and oxen. It started to sink in that this was going to be different. The church had a high metal fence around it to keep people out. In the U.S. we want people to come in. The bathroom was outside and both men and women used it. In the U.S. we call them outhouses. The sewer system can’t take toilet paper so it’s discarded in the trash can. Now I had seen that before in Portugal and a lot of eastern Europe is like that. The streets had water flowing on both sides of the street. This water was run off from water used inside these homes and anything else. No telling where all that water came from. It was also suppose to handle the rain water also, but that didn’t happen, because when it rained , everything flooded. Cleanliness is an obstacle in these 3rd world countries. We spent 3 days and 4 nights there and then we moved on. On one occasion, our bus drivers had to drive back streets and unpaved streets to avoid having our windows broken out and the bus trashed only because a strike had occurred for all drivers of buses, cabs, etc; We headed to Comayagua which is located toward the south and in the mountain regions of Honduras. Roads are paved by not very wide and everybody believes the entire road belongs to them and they drive on either side and it would cause any sane person to go crazy just watching how close you come to being in an accident. Now we are out of what they call the city and we are in the countryside. Houses for the most part are not houses made of wood, but we see more houses made from clay or mud. Children playing outside as if they were ordinary children with every thing they ever needed. People working in the fields, Pineapple fields, coconut fields, banana fields, etc; Now we had just left the wealthy and now we were going to the poor. The people we just left would have been considered poor in the U.S. but not there, they had the upper lifestyle. Now we were really going to see the poor. It was hot and muggy in San Pedro Sula and now it was beginning to cool off somewhat as we got into the mountain region. We again went to a church that was surrounded by a metal high fence which was to keep people out and someone had to allow you through by unlocking the gate. We spent 3 days and nights here and it was obvious, that these people here had little of nothing and this was their once a year visit to the doctor to get medication to get rid of worms, parasites etc; that they got from drinking the water and who knows where else. One day, we drove by a military base used by the U.S. during the Santanesta uprising several years ago. The U.S. still maintains that base. We drove toward the capital city of Tequcigalpa but we didn’t actually go there, just close by. We visited the WOL camp missionaries who were our host during our stay in Honduras.

Now there really is a point to this story. I had everything in the U.S. that I needed to be comfortable. When I got to Honduras, I perceived that things were not the same and therefore, even though I felt God wanted me to be there, I was not content with the situation. It was different and less easy and less comfortable. I could find differences in food, in housing, in bathroom facilities, in cleanliness, in comfort, in communication, in travel, etc; It was different and I perceived it to be different.

Now, the people I met in Honduras were awesome people. They were happy, they were friendly and standing in line for medical help was no big deal to them. Some stood in line for many hours just to be able to see a doctor or dentist. It was obvious, they had little of nothing and yet they smiled and were beautiful people. The children were playful and didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

What’s the difference? I say it’s perception. They don’t know any different, thereby their perception is, “this is the way it is”. My perception is , man this is different and it don’t have to be this way. Now that’s the real difference in Contentment. To God be the Glory for the U.S of A. But also, to God be the Glory for great things He has done. Many people were provided the only medical attention they will get until we go back again, and many people prayed to receive Christ as Savior during this trip. Would I go back and be uncomfortable? You bet ya! Would consider it a privilege. I have visions of little children embedded in my mind who smiled and said Gracias, even when I didn’t do anything for them. God bless the precious people of Honduras and Estoy mas o menos, ee todo esta bien.

The Secret to Contentment

Seems as if my thoughts lately have not been what I did yesterday or recently but have for the most part been on things, places and people I knew long ago. That's really strange for me since most of the time, I can't remember yesterday, but seems that many years ago comes back to me very vividly. We use to live on a farm not to far from the house I mentioned in my last blog. Obviously, I'm not a farmer, its just too much work involved in farming. My father-in-law's family owned the farm and they had cattle, grew tobacco and raised some corn etc;. However some of the hardest work that I ever assisted in on the farm was when hay was bailed and stacked in the barn. You know hay isn't stacked on the ground, but it's in the very top of the barn, up high and where it's hot. Again, my thoughts come back to me that one day as we were putting hay in the barn, I can remember my father in law telling me to go to the loft and I was to stack the hay neatly and pack it in tight. Well, I'm a banker by trade and choice and not a farmer, but I did the very best I could. I'm not the strongest person in the world and would probably come closer to being one of the weakest when it comes to hard work. Putting hay in the loft of a barn is hard work. I can remember just after unloading a wagon full of hay bales, I just laid down in some of the hay. I was exausted, tired, sore and wishing it was over. However as I laid down in that hay, it felt pretty good, no in fact it felt fantastic. I was in "hay heaven" if you will. It was the most confortable place that I could imagine at that time. I couldn't have ask for a better place to be other than maybe in my own bed, but it was restful. I could even fell a breeze coming through some of the cracks int he side of the barn. This was good. Now, I've said all that to say this. I was content. Now think about that. It's clear that I'm in the top of a barn, hot as it can be, laying in a bed of hay and I'm confortable, I'm OKAY, I'm content. Contentment comes from perspective. It clear that a great deal of our happiness is rooted in our expectations, and not necessarily in any particular level of comfort in which we find ourselves. It's obvious, that my contentment came not from where I was, but from my perspective. Anything was better than lifting those hay bales, stacking them in tight and sweating like a pig. I'm more convinced than ever, that our expectations, whether met or unmet, are key to our contentment in this life. Whenever our expectations exceed reality, we experience discontent. Therefore, whenever our reality exceeds our expectations, we experience contentment. Now, I could have complained about the hay loft being hot, the hay not being comfortable, but in reality, it was better than I expected. Now what about our state of contentment or discontentment in our life today? Are we expecting too much? Do we criticise everything that comes our way whether it be good, OKay or even bad? Can we ever be happy? Can we ever be content? Well, only if we live in reality and consider all things and consider everybody else above ourselves. You see, I promise you that even in your worst time, in your worst situation, someone else has it worse than you. It really depends on your expectations and your perception. If you get your perception right and your expectations in line, contentment is possible even in troublesome times. Our perception should be reality. Reality is; God owns everything, God is in control, God is our provider and we should live out our lives expecting God to do only what God can do. Now that's contentment. Hope you have a very God contented day.

God's Word is never wrong

Many times early in the morning, I'm awakened as if I have slept the full night and need no more rest. In other words, I'm fully awake. Normally, this is a time that I feel God wants to communicate to me and even sometimes He allows me to speak back to Him. Now don't get this wrong, I just think this is when God can catch me still and of course His word says to be still and know that He is God. Well, anyway my mind begins to wander and just so happened, I remembered something that happened a long time ago. Now you have to know me, I normally can't remember yesterday, but for some reason and I have to believe that God had a purpose to bring this to my remembrance. We were living in Tennessee and we lived two doors down from my in-laws. The house right beside us belonged to a relative. This relative had a young daughter who played with my daughters. My Father in law grew tobacco to help pay taxes on the farm that he and his brothers owned and when that tobacco was ready, it was cut from the field, brought in and placed in the barn to cure. When it was cured, it was taken off the stalk, tied and placed on a basket to be later taken to market and sold. Just so happened that one year because it was cold in the barn, my father in law brought some of that tobacco and put it in our garage and it was pulled from the stalk, tied and gotten ready for the market. It was warmer in the garage and easier to work. Many times, people would take the stalks and put them on their yards, one to hold down straw if if were a new yeard and two just to fertilize their present yard and the second was what we did. Now I've said all this just to set this story up. Again, all this was coming back to me early this morning. My duaghter and this her cousin who lived next door where playing in the yard. They each grabbed one of the stalks and were hitting each other with this stalks. Now the first thing that come to my mind, is they are going to put each others eyes out if they not careful. Isn't that what we always think and say. It's a wonder to me that we are all not blind from doing such silly things like this. So I called each by name and said, "You girls stop that, you're going to punch somebody's eyes out and then you'll be sorry". Well, my duaghter reluctantly put the stalk down and moved on to something else. Now she may have in her mind, thought, he's crazy, he over exagerates, I really don't know what she thought but she minded her dad because she knew consequences could arise if she didn't. Now the other little girl looked at me and said, "Your not my dad, I don't have to mind you". Well, needless to say what I thought, but she was right, I wasn't her dad and I couldn't correct her even thought I would have liked to take that stalk and leave it's prints on her behind, I was not her authority and she knew that. In other words, she was letting her sin nature, disobedience, rear it's ugly head and she was doing only what she knew how to do.
OKay, Why did I say all that? Well, this morning I was reminded that scripture says that God loves and because he loves, He chastens His children. I had just been given a view of what God really meant. I could chasten my daughter because I am her father, but I couldn't chasten her cousin because I wasn't her father(authoity) Now as I continued to think this through, I was reminded many times when the Heavenly Father has had to chasten me and it was those times when I said, "Your not my daddy, I don't have to do what you say". Yet His word says "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He recieves. I couldn't wait to get up and find this in the Bible. I knew I had read that, but I couldn't remember where until I opened my bible and it on the page I opened to. Is that odd, just circumstance or was that God. Well I'll leave that up to your imagination and I'll believe what I believe in this. The best part about this is not just the verse that I was thinking of but the verses that come after it. The one's I've read before but didn't remember. Hebrews 12:7-17 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father does not chasten? But-----If you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore------we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of HIS HOLINESS.
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore: strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and HOliness, without which no One wlll see the Lord: Looking carefull lest anyone fall short of the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birhtright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

How many times have I said to God because I chose not to be obedient, "Your not my daddy, I don't have to do what you say". Everytime we choose to be disobedient, we chose to say to God, "Your not my daddy, I don't have to do what you say."

Well, needless to say, getting into God's Word this morning was a rich experience. There's many times that it's not that eventful for me, but I thank God for those times that I feel His presence, His knowlege and His wisdom and His reminding me that He is my Daddy and I do have to do what He says. I'm learning and living the consequences of previously saying, "Your not my daddy, I don't have to do what you say."

When God shows up

Daniel 6:20-22
And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke saying to Daniel. "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! "My God sent His angels and shut the lions mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."


Wow! "That makes me want a shout Hallelujah, thank YOu Jesus, Lord your worthy of all the glory and all the honor and all the praise." When that song was written, they must have just read Daniel 6:20-22. When, not if, but When God shows up, you always know it. You see there wasn't just one lion that Daniel was facing that night, there was more than one, because God's word uses the plural here both in the words lions and mouths. Daniel was probably just a mouth full for those lions. Had they eaten him, they would have probably still been hungry and yet, not one bite, not one scratch,probably not even one growl. When God shows up, He demonstrates His power, His might, His control and absolutely nothing can defeat Him or change HIs plans. You see, God had a plan for Daniel and it wasn't to be food for the lions. Even though mankind, wanted to change the plans, Proverbs tells us that "many are a man's plans, but the Lord directs his steps". God has a plan for each of us and He will complete that plan regardless of the number of "lions" that come against us. He had a plan that His one and only Son would freely give His life on an old rugged cross just for you and me and nothing would change that plan and it was accomplished and today, you and I can have eternal life with Christ if we only confess the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God the Father raised Jesus the Son from the dead and that today He sets at the right hand of the Father interceding for you and me. No army of lions can change that. The Shepherd watches over His flock.

Remember this, An army of sheep led by a lion, will defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. In this case we are the sheep being led by the Lion, of the tribe of Judah and the battle has already been won. It just makes me want to shout,
Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus, Lord your worthy of all the glory and all the honor and all the praise.

Think about it!

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Proverbs 21:1 "A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses."

The 2008 elections are over. As I write this, I'm thinking back to last night when the very first returns came in and I was praying that God would allow that trend to continue. Obviously, as the night progressed, that trend did not. The election was decided before the evening was over and now major changes can be expected in Washington, DC. We have to remember that our God is Sovereign. He is always in control and never surprised. His eternal will shall be accomplished here on earth just as readily as the angels hasten to do His will in heaven. We must continue to have total faith in our Lord and in God's plan even though His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours and we can't always see His plan. One thing we do know is we can trust His Hand. Many will question how this election can and will glorify God. You can be assured that God will glorify Himself and that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. This is just another event that must happen prior to the Rapture of the Church and soon followed by Jesus return as the King of Kings, ruling over all the earth.

Now that the election is over and the decision has been made, you and I still have much to do. It appears to me that the things that are important to those of us who support family values and the sanctity of life will have to be more fervent in our prayer life and also be more vocal in order to preserve the ground we've taken over the past decade. I want to challenge everone who reads this blog to remember these three things; 1. God is Sovereign and on His Eternal throne. 2. His plan is established through the ages, and cannot be changed by man's efforts, 3. It is His will that all men and women, boys and girls, have the opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation offerd through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, The Promised One.

Nothing, and I mean nothing can change these three principles of Almighty Sovereign God. We are in a new chapter of American history as we know it and we are in a new chapter of life here on earth. We all can make the most of it by keeping our trust in our Lord. Today, please pray for President Bush as he makes the transition back into private life and then pray for our next president and his family that God would turn his heart whatever way the Lord needs to to bring America back to the Lord.

Two Flies were buzzing around a messy kitchen table that had the remains of a recently prepared bologna sandwich. The knife used to slice the bologna was covered with the little particles of meat. The two flies started at the tip of the knife and ate their way to the end of the handle. Then they flew away, only to become dizzy and fall to the floor-dead.


The moral of this story is: Don’t fly off the handle when you’re full of bologna.


Thought you might want to laugh before you read my blog today since I'm being very serious. Today is election day and the news thus far doesn't sound too good for the A team. I don't know what the end result might be, but I know that my God is still in control and if it doesn't come out the way I would like, it just may be that God is giving us all what we deserve. Think about it. Now think on this:

Exodus 18:21
“But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating bribes. Place them over the people as officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.”
When God told Moses to choose leaders to represent Him and listen to the people He gave a specific criteria for who should be chosen. When the Israelites tired of rule under Samuel and the Judges, they demanded a king. They were tired of being responsible for their own obedience under the Judges so they did what was right in their own eyes. They wanted to be like other nations, looked for ways to increase their own wealth and began to cheat God on their offerings in the Place of Worship. When Samuel, under God’s direction chose Saul as their king, as Samuel had predicted he levied heavy taxes, took their young men for his armies and demanded more and more from the people. When their enemies conquered them, they took their harvests and made them slaves. Once the Israelites asked for and then received a King and his accompanying government, they were slaves to the system and never recovered their prior wealth and freedom.
God carefully instructed Moses to choose men who were not easily corrupted with bribes to be leaders. Our current financial crisis has been manufactured by those who took bribes, accepted favors, increased their wealth and brought the USA to the point of financial collapse. God said the chosen leaders should be trustworthy, those who would not make promises they could, or worse, had no intention of fulfilling, and had the well being of the people as the chief purpose of their election. God also instructed that well-qualified men be chosen and their limits of government be clearly laid out and were not exceeded.
Today, in the United States, we are voting in the most critically important election in the recent history of our nation. We will choose between two basic philosophies of government. One group of candidates will limit government growth, will not take more of our money and will deal with spiritual issues, such as the sacredness of life in a God-honoring way, and will continue the commitment to our God-inspired democracy as outlined in our founding documents; there is another group that is the antithesis of these standards. I encourage you to vote, and to make it an extension of your own life values and principles.

Do you have a "Michal" in your life?

Have you every had a person in your life that seems to never see anything good about you or what you do. This could be a friend, a co-worker, a spouse, a child, a brother or sister. It is said that Satan always has a "Michal" to meet us whenever we rejoice or feel we have accomplished something that's good or even when we rejoice over something that God has done in our lives. In 2 Samuel 6:20-23 we read about David's wife, "Michal" and how she despised David because he wasn't who she wanted him to be. He didn't do things the way she wanted. He was happy and she was not. Now David couldn't throw all the blame on her, because he would have to admit that his marriage to Michal was not a God thing, God did not lead him to Michal. He won her by slaying Goliath and by fulfilling Saul's murderous requirments. This lifetime alliance with the family of Saul meant trouble from the very beginning as an ungodly alliance. Many couples have obtained their spouse through ungodly alliances and life will never be right for them because they chose to leave God out of their decisions. God would never have agreed for someone to divorce their spouse and go to another or to marry someone without God's approval. Life will always bring about unhappiness, unfruitfulness and shame. Michal never exhibited any faith in the God of Israel. She was jealous because she wanted David to act better than those whom he served. She wanted him to display his royal power in pomp and ceremony. David preferred to take his place with the common people and glorify God
David just had a God moment in praising the Lord and her words must have cut him deeply. Her words revealed a wicked heart and David knew even then that he must deal with the situation he had gotten himself into. We can't blame anyone else but ourselves when we go against a Holy God who knows His plans He has for us and we choose to mess it up. Well, as we read, we see that Michal died without children and this was great shame for a Jewish women to die without children. It is said that David answered this fool according to her folly. (Prov.26:5)

When others criticize you, and you know that your heart and motives are right, don't get discouraged. You see, if David had acted like most saints today, he would have just quit serving the Lord because of the opposition that his wife asserted. No, I'm glad that David gave the example of doing even more as you can read in Cpt. 7
The proper spirit to have is to honor God regardless of what obstacles Satan may put before you.

Growing our knowledge of God

1 Peter 1:14-16, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”

Many Christians, including me, in the world today, need to grow in their knowledge and the doctrine of God’s Word. Before I was born anew, I did not know how to please God, and nothing I did or said could please our God. Once I became a child of my Heavenly Father, I needed to understand and learn how to conduct myself in ways that would please Him, just as when I was a child, I had to learn how to obey and please my own earthly parents. One of the problems with the Church today is that many of the members do not yet understand how to please the Father, and are still conformed to the old desires and ignorance out of which they were saved. Not that I have arrived, but I am attempting, sometimes poorly, sometimes better, to please my Heavenly Father because He has commanded me to do so.

Our Heavenly Father is a great and Holy God, His Name was so revered by the Old Testament Saints, they would not even pronounce it audibly, nor write it fully, using only the consonants to spell out the Name. The Commandments given to Moses for the Hebrews strictly stated no one should use the Name of God in an irreverent way, yet we use derivatives of His Name as expletives, allow profanities into our presence through our TV’s and radio, do not correct others when they use our God’s name in an irreverent manner, and I fear we will be held accountable. Even children from Christian homes see no harm in using the common phrase, “Oh my Gawd” in conversation, and even more prevalent in the letters OMG while texting.

God has commanded us to be holy, that is, sanctified, made pure, having no vileness or sin in our selves or actions, a perfect life dedicated to God’s glory. This can only be achieved by recognizing we are already fully covered, wrapped in the faultless, pure, white robes of Jesus’ righteousness.

We are saved from eternal death, we are fully forgiven, made perfect in Jesus the Promised One, and kept in His Hand. We should live this day and every day God allows us to have to the glory of our one and only true God that is eternally perfect in all His attributes.


An attribute is an inherent characteristic of a person or being. While we cannot describe God in a comprehensive way, we can learn about Him by examining His attributes as revealed in His Word. Below is a list of the Natural attributes of our God.


This first group is known as natural attributes
God is a Spirit---John 4:24 God is not a physical being limited to place and time as we are. He is present everywhere, and He can be worshiped anywhere, anytime. He became visible in human form in the person of Jesus Christ, but His essence is invisible.
God is changeless ---Hebrews 1:12
God is All Powerful---Genesis 17:1, Genesis 18:14, 25 Isaiah 40:27-31
God is All Knowing---Job 38:39, Romans 11:33-36, Job 37:16, Psalms 147:5
God is Everywhere----Psalms 139:7-12 Genesis 18:25
God is Eternal---2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 1:8

This second group is known as moral attributes
God is Holy----Isaiah 6:1-3, Ephesians 4:24
God is Righteous---Gen. 18:25, Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 2:6-16 Romans 3;24-26
God is Truth---John 14:6
God is Wisdom---1Tim.1:17, 1Kings 3:8,9, James 1:5
God is the Source of Power in our Lives—John 15:5,6 Exodus 33:112-17
God is Love---Genesis 1:31, Psalms 145:9, Mark 10:18

Knowing who our God is, helps develop our faith in Him allowing us to stand up for Jesus, as a soldier of the Cross.

LOVING LOUD!

Our church family just spent 3 days of what we called, "Loving Loud". I really can't tell you how many people were involved, but it was probably several thousand. This past Sunday, we celebrated all that was done. We had people here who served and those who had been served. I personally worked with the Medical Clinic. We served over 600 people during these three days and over 130 of them were seen by a Dentist and the rest were seen by a physician. Teeth were pulled, decays were filed and filled, Medications were prescribed and given and everyone of these people had the gospel presented to them. 160 persons in this group of people prayed to receive Christ as Savior. We had people who repaired homes, built porches, provided computers to a Foster Home and some trained to become Foster Parents. Angle House is a home for young (13-19_) girls and they were treated like royalty, given manicures, had their hair done, bought new clothes for them, took them to the movie and out to dinner. These are just a few of the many, many things that were done. There is a saying that goes like this; "Actions speak louder than words". Even now in this bad economy, our church spent over $200,000.00 just to love our community loud. Now, I only told you the amount, not to brag on our people, but to brag on Jesus. We realize that everything belongs to Him and we realize how blessed we are and how others are lacking. I couldn't begin to tell you all that I've heard that Jesus did during these three days and the one thing that continually rings true and that I hear from so many people is, "Let's not let this end". What an attitude, What a blessing, What a Savior.

Loving Loud is a Biblical Principle. 1 John 3:16-23 and of course we have no better example than Jesus Himself. John 3:16 As I think about this word love, I'm finding that it means so much more than I had allowed it to mean. When I say "I love" many times it was meaningless. Now I don't mean that I didn't love, but I was loving the way I thought it meant to love. You see, when Jesus used the term love, He meant something far different than what you and I have allowed it to mean. I always considered "Phileo" love as good enough love to please God. But God's love was meant to convey His Will to His Children concerning their attitude one toward another and toward all men and in so doing, God was expressing His essential nature.
Vines expository dictionary says, "Love can be known ony from the actions it prompts.
In other words, LIke this; God's love is seen in the gift of His Son. Obviously this is not the love of complacency,or affection, it is an exercise of Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause which lies in the Nature of God Himself. God's Love which He wants you and I to have for all men is this: Again from Vine Expo.Dictionary: "In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects,producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.

Question for me: When I say, I don't hate, does that mean that I love and if so, is the same Love that Christ has for me and desires me to have for others.

I'm having a good and bad time with God today as you can see. I'm learning,but it's hard to be wrong and admit it and do something about it. Surely, God can use this with others as He has used it with me today.

Did you eat your wheaties this mornig?

Manna in the Morning



Ephesians 6:11-12, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”

In our daily lives, we often take the full responsibility of defeating the adversary and resisting his temptations. We need to be reminded we are only a minor part of the spiritual warfare, but we cannot fight the adversary in our own strength! This is not to say we do not need to be on the alert for every seemingly harmless thing that turn into major battles in our lives, but our warfare takes place in many arenas. First we have to be fully aware we do not fight against another person, the fight we face is not against a human enemy, we fight against Satan who may at times use individuals, but our fight is against the devil on a spiritual level. Next, we fight against a whole host of demons, dark angels, evil spirits and those who are expert in spiritual warfare, since they have been fighting for thousands of years. Third, we fight against all the unfair, deceitful, ugly, cheating tactics of the devil, the great adversary of God and Truth.

The warfare takes place in the heavenly places, where we cannot know, assist or affect the outcome of the battle. Daniel was told by Michael that he was delayed in answering Daniel’s prayer because he was in warfare with Satan himself. It continues in the minds and actions of rulers and authorities on this earth. There are those that are completely in the control of Satan because they have willingly sold their eternal lives to him for some earthly benefit. They will always be under his dominion and power, such as Mahmud Aminijad of Iran, who swears allegiance to a god not our Jehovah God Almighty.

We are part of the great army of God that can move mountains, cause God’s work to prosper, prevent Satan from harming those that love and serve our God. Our prayer life should be directed to thwarting Satan’s endeavors on this earth, not just on the wellbeing of those that are loved by us, but our prayer for our world, for God’s purpose to be fulfilled, and for souls to be saved from Satan’s grip are prayers that join the angels and spiritual warriors that ultimately will cast Satan into the lake of fire at God’s command. Our gracious Heavenly Father, give us a burden to enter into spiritual warfare on behalf of your Kingdom this day we pray in Jesus’ name.

New Questions for New Quiz

OKay, Lisa won the first set of questions and I was convinced by several folks that the second set of questions were somewhat unfair for lack of study material by some. I agree and have withdrawn those questions from the contest. So here are you new questions. Now it's very important that you answer each question. Don't take anything for granted and don't leave any part of the answer out. Because I'm trying to grow the number of my blogging friends, each set of questions will require your getting someone new to get involved in the question contest. I want to get as many involved as possible, so remember, new people who have not been active in participating on my blog. Here goes. We will conclude this set of questions and anounce the winner by Wednesday October 22 in the PM.

1. Scripture teaches us about the Sovereignty of God which means that God is in all and over all. We learn that God's Sovereignty is creative, it's moral, it's beyond our comprehension, it's purposeful. God's Sovereignty also allowed man to have freedom which can mean that not all things that occurs in this world is God's will.
With this in mind, can you believe that Christ admitted to not knowing everything?
Tell me what,if anything, Christ does not know and tell me where you found it?

2. Biblically speaking, When was the "Ark of the Covenat last heard of?

3. God appointed certain Feast days as solemn,eucharistic meetings and all males and children from the twelfth year on were required to attend. These were seasons of joy and gladness, sacrificing and also entertainment. Name nine feast that God appointed.

4.There are several "Mary's" listed in Scripture. Name at least five of them and who they were.

5. What was Jesus first sermon, what was His text, where was He and on what day was it given?

OKAY! It was unfair questions

OKAY! I've been beaten, stabbed and stomped on and I have to admit it was an unfair question since most people don't have access to apocryphal scriptures. Therefore without further comment, I agree and withdraw this last set of questions and will be much more careful for the remaining questions. Remember, the intent is two fold, one to get you and I to open God's Word, study it and two to bring new bloggers to this blog. So far, only five persons have actually participated. HELP ME HERE FOLKS, I saw a blog the other day where 220 people responded to a women who was talking about how to get the gray out of her hair. Surely talking about Jesus should be more important. Now Beth referred her blogging buddies to my site and many may have come over, but I don't know that since none chose to comment. Everyone of our blogs should be a something that helps people, puts smiles on peoples faces or something that draws them closer to Christ. That's my intent and that's why I thought the question contest might be a ploy to get some new readership. I remember in church several years ago, the moto was "Just one win One" and that's the idea.
Can you imagine haveing an audiance of 220 people that you can speak into their life. That's bigger than most churches. I believe the internet certainly is one avenue that has some many potentials that we haven't begun to understand it's vastness. Again, my heart is to have fun, have communication with my friends and family and bring more people into those categories. Give me your thoughts as I might be wrong in my approach. I've had others refer me to various sites, I just thought that might be the way to do it. OKAY,I've said that and more questions will be coming, hopefully before I leave my desk for the day.

Bible Test # 2

OKAY--It's obvious that I must go a little deeper if I am to stump you. Lisa was the first to complete every question and answer each question correctly and have her person complete the questions also. Now this test is a little harder. So please answer each of the questions completely and don't forget I have two fold reasons for doing this. I want you to open your Bible, search for the answer and I also want new blogging friends who will drop in occassionally. Each time the questions will get harder and I will also throw in a Math quiz just to make you think. Here goes!
Let me also say that these questions will cause you to engage the entire scriptures as known to man. This should be a good clue for you as you search out these answers.

1. There were several times in scriptures that people were mentioned but their names were not given. Name at least six persons who fit this category. Tell me their names and where you were able to find this information.

2. Who were the 20 kings of Judah? Name them in their canonical order.

3. A man spends 20% of the cash in his wallet. Then he spends 20% of the cash that remains in his wallet. He spends $36.00 in all. How much csh did he originally have in his wallet?

4. Challenge someone who does not normally read my blog to answer these questions. They must log in and give me anwers in order for you to complete the test.

Good luck and there is a prize for the first to complete this test with 100% correct answers and has their blogging friend log in. You can work together or separate, but both must log in with correct answers.

Biblical Test--You must respond with your answers

OK, I initiated this blog in order to be able to share Christ with those who would read. It's obvious that my readers are few and far between. So here's the deal. I'm going to post some Biblical questions and I want you to answer them. I also want you to tell at least one other person about this blog and have them answer the question also. I will announce the winner--'s as quickly as I feel all that is going to respond have responded. I'm hoping that by asking these questions, you will have to open your bible to find the answers and by doing so, you learn and I get to know more people. DEAL? Here goes, your first of many Biblical Questions:

1. Who was Israel's first High Priest? Who were his parents? Who was his sister?
Who was his wife? Who were his sons? What happened to his two oldest sons?
Was this man allowed to enter the promised land? Where did he die and at what age?


2. Who did you ask to check out these questions? Did they follow your leadership?


Please be as precise and directly to the point in your answers. We will announce the winner at some time in the future after several questions have been ask.

Hard to beat Tennessee

Now just so that you don't misunderstand my title, I'm not talking about Football. In fact this year, if you don't beat Tennessee in Football, you probably would be considered a misfit. They have won two games and I'm not certain if they will win any more the rest of the year. Yes, I'm being pessimistic, but let's also be honest, they need a new coach. It's hard to keep going back to records(history) when your performance today(present) stinks. Now that's enough about Tennessee football.
What I was really referring to was a trip I took this past week-end to the hills of Tennessee. Traveling up to Pigeon Forge by way of state route 321 N. was very invigorating to say the least. I moved away from Tennessee in 1985 and have not been a resident of that state since then, however, once a Tennesseean, always a Tennesseean. There is probably no more beautiful state than Tennessee especially during the Fall season when the leaves are changing and falling to the ground. The weather was "God sent" and could not have been more pleasant. Although, everybody else in the world had the same idea about going to Tennessee at the same time, it still was very pleasant. You would be hard pressed to find a time when more people were there at one time. Traffic was a parking lot where ever we went. Gatlinburg was an impossible place to go, find parking and walk down the main street. Just a mess, but again, because the weather was so pleasant and the foliage was so pretty, it didn't seem quiet so bad. We stayed in a cabin and sitting on the front porch and watching the time fly by was still invigorating. I had forgotten what Tennessee looked like in the fall. Maybe, it's just because this old boy is getting old and my obtuse memory allowed me to go back to some good ole days in my past. God has been good to me,much better than I deserve and just to be able to sit down, rock in a rocking chair and remember some of the good ole times, places and people was just so relaxing. I had a great time rmembering when my girls were small and the times we spent enjoying the fall and some of the Sunday trips we made to N.C. and even to Gatlinburg because it was just 1 1/2 hour away. Obviously, Pigeon Forge has grown by leaps and bounds since then, it was still pleasant to remember those times of fall and family. Both my parents are in heaven now and I miss them greatly and I can remember a time when we came to the Smokies when I was just a young boy. The car we drove was a 49 Chevrolet and going across the mountain to Cherokee, we had to stop and put water in the radiator because the motor got too hot and spilled the water and antifreeze out. I can remember seeing bears along the road side trying to get food from trash cans. I can remember my mom and dad buying me an Indian head dress and a tomahawk. Oh my goodness, that was a long time ago. Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough, but I will conclude that this was a very pleasant weekend and I spent it in the hills of Tennessee.

By the way, I got this in my email while I was gone so, I felt it might just be the right thing to share it with all two of you who read my blog. IT's called the,
TENNESSEE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Some people in Tennessee have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall not's" in the Ten commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So some folks in middle Tennessee got together and translated the "King James" into "Jackson County" language. NO JOKE, read on;
The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments (as posted on the wall at Cross Trails church in Gainesboro, Tennessee)

1. Just one God
2. Put nothin before God
3. Watch yer mouth
4. Git yourself to Sunday meetin
5. Honor yer ma & Pa
6. No killin
7. No foolin around with another fellow's gal
8. Don't take what ain't yers
9. No tellin tales or gossipin
10. Don't be hankerin for yer buddy's stuff.

I guess that's as plain as anyone can say it and it sure ain't offensive.

Remembering My Dad

My Dad passed away on Easter Sunday morning in 1991. He had lung cancer and died six months to the day that he found out about the cancer. That's been over 17 years ago and I still miss him. My Dad was a great man and he really loved the Lord. I can remember prior to his being saved, how he responded mostly in anger and frustration, but after Jesus came into his life, he became a very gentle man. Now my dad only had a 7th grade education, so as the world would believe, he was not a smart man at all. But what the world didn't know about my dad was he had mucho common sense. He may have had trouble doing math, but he didn't have trouble using math. He may have had trouble using proper english,but he didn't have trouble saying the right things.In fact, when I was much younger, I use to think of my dad as someone who just wasn't to smart. In fact, if I'm going to be honest, I thought my dad was dumb. But something happened the older I got, the smarted he got or at least in my mind, that's the way it was. He became one of the smartest people I knew and then he died. You see there are thiings today, I would like to ask my Dad and I don't have that opportunity to do so. There are things today, that I believe my Dad could give me good sound advice and yet I can't ask him for it. So let me say to those of you who read this blog. If you Dad is still alive, ask him all the questions you can. Get as much information from him as you can. Someday, you will be like me, you won't have that chance to ask any more. I read the following just the other day and I believe this is so very true at least it is in my life.

The Fatherhood Cycle
When I was 4 years old: "My Daddy can do anything"
When I was 7 years old: "My Dad knows a lot, a whole lot"
When I was 12 years old: "Oh well--naturally--Father doesn't know that either"
When I was 14 years old: "Father? Hopelessly old fashioned"
When I was 21 years old: "Oh that man is so out of date. What did you expect?"
When I was 25 years old: "He knows a little bit about it--but not much"
When I was 30 years old: "Maybe we ought to dind out what Dad Thinks"
When I was 35 years old: "Let's ask Dad wha the would do before we make a decision"
When I was 40 years old: "I wound what Dad would have thought about that? He was pretty smart."
When I was 50 years old: My Dad knew absolutely everything"
When I was 60 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss him.

That's my feeling exactly.

The Love Dare

Well, yesterday, Beth mentioned something about going to the movie "Fireproof" and she highly recommended it to anyone who had not seen it. Well, I had seen it early on. One of the Pastors at Sherwood Baptist Church brought it to our church and showed the staff about 6 weeks ago. I loved it then and last night my wife and I went to the movie theatre and I saw it again. It was even more powerful the second time around. So in my blog today, I thought it might be good to just share the DARE with all (the two people)who read my blog. I really believe that God is going to do great and mighty things through this movie and I'm asking Him to do it even in me. What about you? Have you seen it yet? When you see it, will you apply it? Hope so.
Here goes:

THE SCRIPTURES SAY that God designed and created marriage as a good thing. It is a beautiful, priceless gift. He uses marriage to help us eliminate loneliness, multiply our effectiveness, establish families, raise children, enjoy life, and bless us with relational intimacy. But beyond this, marriage also shows us our need to grow and deal with our own issues, and self-centeredness through the help of a lifelong partner. (Now folks, I just have to stop here and confess, that I have messed up everything that you just read, big time). It goes on to say; If we are teachable, we will learn to do the one thing that is most important in marriage---to love. This powerful union provides the path for you to learn how to love another imperfect person unconditionally. It is wonderful. It is difficult. It is life changing.
This book is about love. It's about learning and daring to live a life filled with loving realtionships. And this journey begins with the person who is closest to you: your spouse. May God bless you as you begin this adventure.
But be sure of this: it will take courage. If you accept this dare, you must take the view that instead of following your heart, you are choosing to lead it. The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it,then someone or something else is. The Bible says that "the heart is more deceitful than all else" Jeremiah 17:9, and it will always pursue that which feels right at the moment.
(Again, folks, I have messed up again, I thought following your heart was right and now I'm learning that I must lead my heart to do right. Wow, You never get to smart or too old to learn.)
We dare you to think differently---choosing instead to lead your heart toward that which is best in the long run. This is a key to lasting, fulfilling relationships.
The Love Dare journey is not a process of trying to change your spouse to be the person you wnat them to be. You've no doubt already discovered that efforts to change your husband or wife have ended in failure and frustration. Rather, this is a journer of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low. The truth is, love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless, sacrificial, and tranformational. And when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to change for the better.
Each day of the journey will contain three very important elements:
FIRST, a unique aspect of love will be discussed. Read each of these carefully and be open to a new understanding of what it means to genuinely love someone.
SECOND: you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse. Some will be easy and some very challenging. But take each dare seriously, and be creative and courageous enough to attempt it. Don't be discouraged if outside situations prevent you from accomplishing a specific dare. Just pick back up as soon as you can and proceed with the journey.
LAST: you will be given journal space to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding. It is important that you take advantae of this space to capture what is happening to both you and your mate along the way. These notes will record your progress and should become pricless to you in the future.
Remember, you have the responsibility to protect and guide your heart. Dont' give up and don't get discouraged. Resolve to lead your heart and to make it through to the end. Learning to truly love is one of the most important things you will ever do.

NOW THESE THREE REMAIN; FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE. BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
1CORINTHIANS 13:13

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What a Word, What a dare! God help us all to love like you love.

For it or Against it ?

Well, yesterday was a very eventful day. The market dropped over 700 points and the President said something must be done or we might experience something likened to the Great Depression. Now we are told that tax payers need to give Paulson 700Billion dollars so he can buy bad mortgage paper and bail the lending (investing) institutions out of this mess so they can again start lending to you and me or the small business man. We're told that if this don't happen by Friday of this week, Depression with a D will begin. Now if you look at the polls that Fox news is taking, over 70% of America don't want this bailout to occur. Does this mean that America really doesn't understand the magnitude of this problem or does this mean that America knows more than the Government. Well, I would like to be first to say, Congress is probably one of the most dumb group of people that I know, but unfortunately, this time, they are right that something has to be done. How can we be sure that 700 Billion will be enough. We can't nor can Congress guarantee this amount will work. Regardless of how much, something has to be done. Unfortunately, time is of essence and something, right or wrong, has to be done. If we do nothing, then the economy will start to shut down as we know it today. Banks will begin to close rather than consolidate. They can't stay in business, employee people without income. The grocery store can't get money to buy food to sell. You and I couldn't buy it because the banks closed and we don't have any money. The Government can't work fast enough to determine who has what. No gas could really mean no gas. The economy would shut down. We don't understand that or we wouldn't say don't do anything. If we had known in time, perhaps something realistic could have been done, but we don't have time on our side. Fannie and Freddie fed all the fat calfs and you can't make loans to people who can't repay and expect to make it up in volume!
You can't finance your way out of debt! I'm praying that God will give favor to America, but we sure don't deserve it. Remember we are the country that said no to Jesus in schools, God in our lanquage, We are the country that kills baby's and gives it no thought whatsoever. So we probably deserve anything and everything that comes our way, but I'm still praying for favor.

What do you think? This is a survey, so please respond.

Do you believe that the bailout should occur? Yes or No

Let me know.

Sun, Stand still---Moon stop

Joshua 10:12-15

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:

"Sun, stand still over Gibeon:
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge upon their enemies.

Is this not written i the Book of Jasher? so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.


Wow! Have you ever wished that God would heed your request like that even when it might go against His established plan. I have, but It didn't work for me. Now I'm reading why. Because God said so, that's why. I guess I have to agree with that, don't you think?

The other day, I was saying to myself, just after a car(driver) about ran over me, "I wish I were a cop, I'd pull that dude over and make him pay big bucks."
"Cops are never around when you need them." They are probably having lunch with ++++

Then I was at the mall. Not my favorite place to be, but was doing my honey-do behavior and there was a group of young people, most of whom had pins in their noses, hoses and roses. Their hair was multicolored and they used vile language and just not the kind of kid you would want your kid to turn out to be.

My first thought was, "I would like to take that pin in your nose and run it clear to your brain if you had one". Then I would like to take that vile tongue of yours and pull it to the ground and step on it".

Now what if God heeded my voice in these two instances, the result would have been disasterous and I could have hurt or gotten hurt and no one would have believed in God because of my actions.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's important to do the right thing, remember whose we are and who we are and represent Christ in a way that brings Him glory and honor.

Well that's my spill for today and I will let you go, but don't forget to respond and let me know that your reading these blogs. OK

What does it take for us to know that the Lord is God

In Jeremiah 17:5-6 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited."

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins. he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

To turn away from God and do our own thing brings about curses on our life. I know this first hand. Many times it doesn't just effect us as individuals, it also can effect many others, our family, those that mean the most to us. You see you and I can't sin and it just effect us. Sin has a way of spreading it's cancerous consequences on not only us but others. But thanks be to God, we can be forgiven, but sometimes the consequences continue. Scripture tells us that God is faithful to forgive and to cleanse, but it doesn't say He takes away the consequences everytime.

I'm reminded of Manasseh who became King at the age of 12 and for 55 years he remained King of Judah and he lived in Jerusalem. Even at the age of 12, scripture says that he did evil in the sight of God. You see Israel had already gone through defeat and destruction for disobedience to God. Manasseh's father, Hezekiah was a good man and had tried to bring Israel back to God and yet his son didnt' listen and he did more evil than Israel had ever done in it's history up to that point. Had bad was he? He did everything opposite of what his dad did. His dad tore down what was called the high places where they placed idols, gods etc; and Manasseh built them back. He raised altars to Baals, built wooden images and worshipped them. He worshipped all the stars and made gods by their names. He even built himself a god and placed it inside the house of the God. Now he not only did this evil, but scripture says he seduced all of Judah to do the same things. Scripture also says that God tried to speak to Manasseh and all of Judah but they would not listen. So here's what happened.
God allowed Assyria to come in and defeat Judah and when they found Manasseh, they put hooks in his nose and led him out of Jusah and they bound him up in leather straps and took him captive.

Now Manasseh did just what most of us do when we get into trouble or when we place other things before our God. He prayed! Scripture tells us that as evil as he was, His God heard his prayer and He answered his prayer. He was faithful and just to forgive his sin and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness. Scripture says that then after God brought him back to Jerusalem, that he knew that the Lord was God.
It took all those consequences of sin to bring Manasseh back to his God. He made all the changes that he should to restore his relationship with God but consequences remained and he then died.

God is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. Don't be upset if consequences of sin remain, but never forget that Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

How long will you shine?

I've recently heard of "moveie stars" "Hollywood" come down hard on Sarah Palin. They complain that she doesn't have experience, doesn't have what it takes to be VP or President. I heard one say the other day that she was not famous so therefore she shouldn't be in the lime light. Now I really thought that was nothing more than jealousy, but I don't guess I could expect anything deeper than that from Hollywood.
Then I heard Sarah Palin say that the thing that makes her qualified for the job is God working in her life. Now how better could one say it. She gives God credit, glory for who she is and for her future. This is a very wise women and in my book she shines better than any "movie star" who is in the lime light today.

Wouldn't you just know it, in my quiet time today, God led me to scripture that just fit into my thought process. Now it probably is the other way around, God allowed me to have thoughts that just confirmed His Word, but which ever way, God is true.
Listen to this: Speaking of the coming of Christ,Daniel the prophet wrote in chpt 12"At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall wake, some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (this is good, listen what God says to you, me, Sarah Palin, to the whole world. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

WOW! Did you hear that? God says that if you want to stand out, give glory to Him,
Be a praising worshipper, Shine in His Kingdom, we are to seek out wisdom and win people to the Lord. This is not like the stars in Hollywood who come and go in a certain period of time, This is a for ever and ever period of time. ETERNITY!
How can you and I become wise, well God didn't hide it from us or just allow certain ones to be wise. In James 1:5 God says to everybody; "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Then in James 3:13-18, we are told what real wisdom is.
So folks, we have no excuse for not shining like the stars of heaven, we have no excuse for not shining like the moon and the sun. God desires for us to do so.
Ecclesiates 8:1 says; Who is lie a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? " A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed."
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Sharing God's word with the world is God's plan for bringing in the sheeves. Jesus says that, He came into this world to seek and to save all that are lost. That was you and me and now, we have the awesome privledge to share what God has done in our life with the world.

Are you doing this? Are you shining like the stars? Are you giving God glory and honor by and through your life?

I challenge you to get into God's word today and begin to shine.

What'cha think?

I ran across this poem today that was written by John Leland back in the early 1700's
I think. It was later put to music and a song was made of it. The more I read it, the more I liked it. I like reading poetry and the history behind it and or songs. Most of them have great stories behind them. Read this and tell me what'cha think?

Oh When shall I see Jesus
and reign with Him above
and from that flowing fountain
Drink everlasting love!
When shll I be delivered
From this vain world of sin,
And with my blessed Jesus
Drink endless pleasures in?

But now I am a soldier,
My Captain's gone before
He's given me my orders,
And bids me not give o'er;
And, if I hold out faithful.
A crown of life He'll give'
And all His valiant soldiers
Shall ever with Him live.

Through grace I am determined
To conquer, though I die;
And then away to Jesus
On wings of love I'll fly.
Farewell to sin and sorrow,
I bid you all adieu;
Then, O my friends, prove faithful,
And on your way pursue.

Whene'er you meet with troubles
And trials on your way,
O cast your care on Jesus,
And don't forget to pray:
Gird on the heav'nly armor
of faith and hope and love;
And when the combat's ended,
You'll reign with Him above.

O do not be discouraged,
For Jesus is your friend;
And if you lack for knowledge,
He'll not refuse to lend.
Neither will he upbraid you,
Though often you request,
He'll give you grace to conquer
And take you home to rest.

And when the last loud trumpet
Shall rent the vaulted skies,
And bid th'entombed millions
From their cold beds arise;
Our ransom'd dust, revived,
Bright beauties shall put on
And soar to the blest mansions
Where our Redeemer's gone.

Our eyes shall then with rapture,
The Savior's face behold;
Our feet, no more diverted,
Shall walk the streets of gold
Our ears shall hear with transport
The hosts celestial sung;
Our tongues shall chant the glories
Of our unmortal King.

Try this

Have you ever read the Proverbs only in the positive and then only in the negative. I challenge you to do it. Now here is what I mean. Today is the 12th of September so I'm reading the 12th chapter of Proverbs. Here's a new way to read these proverbs of Soloman, son of King David.

12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge.
12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord
12:3 But the root of the rigteous cannot be moved
12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.

So on and So forth: Then read the negative like this

12:1 But he who hates correction is stupid
12:2 But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn
12:3 A man is not established by wickedness
12:4 But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.


There is such contrast in the Proverbs that I sometimes find it easier to read them like this and I tend to remember them better by sometimes reading them like this.
Not Rocket Science or anything like that, but just a way sometimes to emphasize the positive and the negative of life lessons. Just try it one time and see if God can speak to you in a more personal way. We should all try to get closer to God each and everyday and anything that will help us do that is worth trying.

Soloman was the richest and most wise man in his day and God uses these proverbs of Soloman to give us common sense approach to life. Again, this too is not rocket science, but just the heart of God. I've learned to love the Proverbs and if you and I had no other Word from God but the Proverbs, we could come to know Christ and we could know what God wants from each of us and the path that He would have us to be on.

Well, today is Friday and I will leave this with you until Monday. Hope you and yours have a great week-end and don't forget the Lord's Day and sometime between the time you read this and Sunday, find time to spend with God and do your best to be open to the Spirit of God speaking to you. God bless.

Two Treasuries, Two Perspectives, Two Masters

Martin Luther said; "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

Jim Elliot said; "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

In the greatest message ever preached, Jesus addresses the believer's proper relationship to money and possessions:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"No one can serve two masters, Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus always had two kingdoms in mind. He spoke here of the two treasuries, two perspectives, and two masters of those two kingdoms.

Each couplet presents two options and demands one choice. There's a default choice if "no choice" is made. Unless the right choice is deliberately made and tenaciously clung to, the wrong choice will naturally be implemented. In that case, as if on automatic pilot, people will spend their lives investing in the wrong treasury, adopting the wrong perspective, and serving the wrong master.

Question? What treasury, What Investment, What Master are you contributing to?
Be honest now. Which means the most to you. The things here on earth,or the things in heaven? Honesty here will help you get real with where your heart is and knowing where your heart is is essential to serving the right master.