God's Word is so Compelling

Well, I wanted to write this blog this morning but was unable due to being so busy. So here I go trying to remember all that God was sharing through my thoughts as I read Proverbs 31. Most of us know this passage and we hear it mostly on Mother's Day. It speaks of a virtuous wife or one that is morally excellent. As I read this for the (umpteenth)(many) time. I tried to get the feel for what all God is saying about this type of women. You see, He wasn't talking about a particular women but was trying to say that a women of moral excellence is noted for doing particular things and He list many things that a women like this is found doing. He begins by saying, money can't buy her because of her real value to her husband and her husband knows he is worth much more with her than without her. Everything she does brings about worth to her and her family and there is no laziness about anything she attempts to do. She is a hard worker and is not afraid of work and usually can be found working both night and day. She is an early riser and can also work late into the night. She's a good business person and is aware of a good deal when she see's it. She is generous to her family and also reaches out and helps the less fortunate.She plans ahead and even bad weather doesn't freight en her because she is prepared. Because her husband is known in town, she does everything she can to not bring about harm or hurt to his and her names or families. She is a women of intelligence and is known for her kindness. She doesn't waste time but uses her time for benefit of her family. Now with all that, it sounds like this kind of women is just a figment of one's imagination, however the real test of this virtuous women is this. Her children recognize her for her value and love and they bless her and sing her praises. Not only her children, but her husband sings her praises and puts her on the pedestal that she belong on. This type of women doesn't have to wonder if her husband or children love her because they continually show her the value she presents in their life. God says that many women have done well, but the women who does these things cannot be outdone. Then God promises that if this kind of virtuous women will fear God, then God will also see that she is blessed and everyone around her will know of her relationship with the Heavenly Father.

Do you know anyone like this. Well, I've been thinking about all the women in my life. You know, My Mom was a virtuous women and she loved God with all her heart. Because of her health, she didn't work outside the home,but she made things go further than anyone I know. She love her children and her children's spouses. She was known for a women who feared God. I know for a fact that she prayed all night without going to sleep for one of her daughter-in-laws. I do believer today that all her children rise up and called her blessed. You see, my brothers and sisters would be nothing outside what my Mother taught us and what she demanded her children to be. She prayed everyone of us to Jesus and I'm thankful that we all are in the family now. I also believe that each of my daughters have many of these virtues and are growing toward maturity as a virtuous women also. The greatest thing in this world for a women is to fear God and have her children call her blessed and her husband also. Well, these were just some of my thoughts today. My mother passed away in early August three years ago and today I had her on my mind and these verses reminded me of her. I know other women who fit this mold and I feel blessed just to have known them. Guess I've bored you stiff by now, but this was in my heart and head today and I thought I would share it with you.

Learning to be content

Psalms 119:33-38 Just tell me what to do and I will do it Lord, as long as I live, I will wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are. Help me to prefer obedience to making money! Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you. Reassure me that your promises are for me for I trust and revere you.

Today, I was reading about the Martyrded Missionary Jim Elliott who felt called to serve God among the Auca Indians in Ecuador. His life span was only 29 years and yet his journals revealed that he was so content doing what he knew God's will for his life.
Jim Elliott wrote in a letter to his family, "Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don't let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still sit in darkness. They simply must hear."

Just before he left for the last time Elisabeth (his wife) asked Jim if they were attacked by the Aucas, would they use their guns? Jim's response was clear and certain: "We will not use our guns!" When Elisabeth asked why he simply said, "Because we are ready for heaven, but they are not."
On January 8, 1956, Jim Elliot, along with Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Peter Fleming and Nate Saint, wiated hopefully for another meeting with the Auca or Huaorani Indians, haveing had serveral friendly encounters in previous days. However a group of 10 Huaorani men attached the five missionaries and brutally murdered them. Jim Elliot's mutilated body was found downstream in the river. There was no funeral, no tombstone for a memorial. However, on resurrection day the glorified bodies of these champions for Jesus will rise from the dirt of Eucador! Jim left behind his wife Elisabeth and a baby girl. They had ony been married less than three years.

Now it's easy to understand why I have answered the call of God on my life to teach stewardship to the church. I work hard at it and I love every minute of it, but no one is threatening me, no one will probably do me harm just because I try to teach them about stewardship. I don't have to leave my family and I've got it pretty easy if I have to say so. But I have to ask myself, What does it take for a man to give all to Christ and give all to the message of Christ? What kind of committment did this man have that I don't have. IT's a committment of contentment with God and His infinate will for one's life. You see, I like my committment, but if you added danger or perhaps the possibility of loss of life or leaving family, would I be as happy about this call? In all honesty, probably not. That's why I admire Jim Elliot. One among many is his famous saying that I quote time and time again, but today, it's meaning is greater than ever before.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose"

Great Week for My Devotional Time

I try real hard to spend quality time with God every morning. This week has been especially good. I read a chapter of Psalms, a chapter of Proverbs and normally I'm somewhere in the New Testament also reading a chapter. Someone taught me a long time ago to journal my thoughts and I do that. Now this is not a diary but just my thoughts which run from one end of the spectrum to the other. Some days I do well with that and some days I don't do so well. Some days, after having read scripture, I feel like nothing new and then at other days, it's like Jesus just wrote that scripture last night and it was only for me. Ever have those type of "Quiet Times"?
Well as I said, this week has been good. Proverbs has been rich this week and I've read them hundreds of times before, but for some reason, these verses have taken on new meaning or at least I've been able to apply them personally. My trip to Israel back in 1997 has made the Old Testament come alive more than ever. Psalms really has new meaning as I have read chpts 46 thru 51 this week. I've read all of 1 Timothy this week and it's been alive. Ever have those times? I've been the exact opposite before seeming like they were just words and having very little meaning. I don't have those too often but they do happen. Whatever the reason for either of these situations, I'm glad God's Word is alive and that I have the privledge to read it. I'm reminded that in many country's I would not be allowed to do so without persecution or even death. We need to love God's Word, we need to love to read God's Word and we need to love to share God's Word. Sorry if I bored you with this, but just so happened this is where I am today and maybe tomorrow, I'll be not so boring.

Will Wonders never cease!

This morning in my quiet time, I was reading in Proverbs 24 (because today is the 24) that wisdom is too lofty for a fool and that it's wisdom that makes us strong enough to make right decisions. Well, I moved on, drank my coffee and drove to work.
While reading some of the emails I received over night I came across an email from Author Randy Alcorn. (only because I'm on his mailing list, did I tell you, he's my favorite author?) He made mention of a recent Barnas Survey of 35,000 professing Christians. In this survey 57% said they believe that there is more than one way to get to heaven. This 57% believe that different religions have different ways to get to heaven, but they will get there by their own beliefs. Now this was from supposedly professing Christians. Now the thought comes to mind, that several years ago, Billy Graham made the statement that 50% of people who have their names on church roles are lost people. As I travel from church to church, I'm wondering if he was being gracious in his thinking of only 50% being lost. What has happened to TRUTH. John 14:6 just becomes a thought rather than real TRUTH if these people are right. If these people are right then my Bible becomes a book of fiction and is a marriage of writings of ignorant people then. I'm here to proclaim, that My God is an Awesome God, He reigns and takes a back seat to no one or nothing. He is the ony way, He is the only TRUTH and He is the ony Life and HE says NO ONE CAN COME TO HIS FATHER EXCEPT TRHOUGH HIM! What is this world coming to? It is coming to an end as we know it and I'm believing that we might just hear the shout of His coming at any time. Please be ready people, please be ready, for He will come when we least expect Him and then????????????

New Movie coming in September

Yesterday, we had the producer of the new movie "Fireproof" give a pre-viewing of their new movie. If you remember, this is the church in South Georgia that made the movie "Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants". Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany Georgia
is doing awesome things through this type media. Having seen the entire movie now, I have to say, this is the best yet. I cried through much of it and it is so much like real life. I won't tell you about it so that I don't ruin it for you when it does come out in September. For the men, they also intend to give a 40 day assignment which is a "fireproofing of your marriage". I whole heartedly recommend this movie and it's a must for married couples to see. God is all over this movie and the Gospel is very plain and convicting and I believe many people will come to Christ and many marriages will be healed after viewing this movie. If a couple comes away from this movie without being changed, then I'm not certain if they can be changed. It's a must for men and women and you will agree with me, I'm sure, that it is so much like real life as each of us know it. When I lived in Tennessee, in addition to working at a bank, I was also a volunteer Firemen. My Father in Law and his Father in law were both volunteers and in fact all the fire calls came in through their phones at home. This movie was filmed using the Albany Fire Dept. and many of the things they did, reminded me of days gone by. One of the important things that firemen are taught is never leave your partner. If you do, bad things can happen. This is true in real life and in marriage and obviously this movie drums home the importance of sticking it out and backing your partner up. OK, I said I wouldn't tell you about the movie and so I guess I sorta did, didn't I? OK, no more, you have to go see it when it comes out in Sept. I'm told it will initially be seen in over 1000 movie theaters. Go see it. OK

Now that I have placed a big advertisment for this movie, I guess I should talk about something else. If you have read Beth's blog, you can tell that in body she is still at home but in mind and spirit, she has already gone to Disney World. Now she made mention that "her dad always says that he doesn't know where people get the idea that they deserve a vacation". Now Beth tends to stretch that statement to mean something that I really didn't mean. She has the suttle ability to do that you know. What I really mean is that I see people everyday who will go on vacation even when they can't afford it and will use credit cards to do so and when then struggle all year long just to try and make ends meet. That type of thinking comes with, "I deserve a vacation, I've worked hard and I've earned it." That type of thinking is just ludicrous. Now I'm grateful that Beth and hubs don't do that, but as a Dad, I'm always trying to teach and I'm grateful that hopefully my three daughters have learned from "old dad". Did I mention that my youngest daughter is leaving the same time Beth is, but they are going on a carribean cruise. Lisa and her husband just came back from vacation and so soon all three will have gone and come back and then I'm going to rub it in good because I am then going on that vacation that nobody deserves. KNOw what I mean Vern.

I've calmed down for now.

In my quiet time this morning, I read Rev. 22 and it spoke of the River of Life and the Tree of Life and just so that I don't take that running spell or that shouting spell again, I will wait till later to tell you how that spoke to me. I'm getting ready to go to a church in Gainesville, Florida where I will train people in the how's, why's and when's of financial counseling. The training is 20 hours long and done in two and one half days and is very demanding on me. I have been ask to preach in two morning worship services and also the night service this coming sunday. I would appreciate anyone who reads this if you would pray for me as I try to accomplish what God has placed inside me to share with this church. The church's weekly attendence is around 2500 persons and I'm aware that God wants to do a great work in the lives of those members. I never speak to others that God doesn't really want to do a real work in my life and for that I'm always greatful. Not always receptive, but always greatful.

Blessed by His Word

In my quiet time this morning, I read Proverbs 11, John 21, and Psalms 103. Because God is so good, He spoke to me through His word this morning and I just had to shout!
So if you haven't had a running spell for awhile or a shouting spell for awhile, just read God's word and therefore I feel compelled to share it with you.

Psalms 103
1. Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
3. Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,
4. Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies.
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like
the eagle's.
6. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
7. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to
our iniquities.
11. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those
who fear Him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions
from us.
13. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
15. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. And it place remembers it no more.
17. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear
HIm, And His righteousness to children's children,
18. To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do
them.
19. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
20. Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding
the voice of His Word.
21. Bless the Lord, all you His host, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

For some reason this morning, I really needed that and as God's Word penetrated my heart, it was most obvious to me, that God is sooooooo Good and what He has done for
me is monumental even from the smallest to the most important and He did it all through Jesus. What a WORD, What a Jesus, What a Savior, What a God!
I'm running right now, and I think I may have to shout again.

Getting Settled in time to go again.

Well, I no sooner got back from Honduras till I spent a long week-end at Beth's and Lisa's. It was good to see my girls and my grand-children. Anna and Zack just came back from a mission trip on Friday night and I don't believe I have seen them so excited over anything like they were over this trip. Although we didn't get to talk all that long, it was eveident to me that they had experienced God during their trip and for that I am eternally greatful. Going back home is a good feeling and I certainly miss my children, grand-children and others that I love so much. I even got to have breakfast with my brothers and sisters. Will wonders never cease? I always come back to Georgia, realizing that this is the place that God has for me at this time and I'm always praying that one day God will see fit to return me back to the hills of Tennessee. I started back to Georgia Sunday morning early and it was gray and cloudy and I expected rain any minute yet I had a song in my heart and I was excited about getting back to work and doing the things that I know that God has called me to do. Do you know what God's will for your life is? I pray that you do but if not, remember Romans 12:1 & 2 tells us what God expects from us and how in so doing what he calls us to do, we find out what His will for our lives really is. Today, even though I miss my two daughters in Tenn. very much and I really miss being around my grand-children, I am content in being in Georgia doing the will of my Heavenly Father. Now, I will never finish all my e-mails and I will be behind until Jesus comes back and if He taries until next Thursday, I will leave again, this time going to a church in Gainesville, Florida to teach and preach God's great Salvation plan through the art of Financial Fitness Counseling. I am more content in doing the will of the Father than at any other time in my life. I've made many mistakes in my life, hurt my family, responded in the wrong way, decided to hate rather than love and yet, my Heavenly Father calls me to do His will through my ministry and blesses even when I don't deserve it. Yes, contentment is great gain and God's love covers all mistakes. So until next time, I'm still thinking on the Revelation blog, but not sure of what I will write on next. Seems like the random thing works good for right now.

WELL ! I'M BACK

Got back real late Saturday night, got into bed about 1:30AM and got up at 6:00 and drove my wife to Maryville, Tenn. to spend a week with her mother and father and brother and sister-in-law. Got back to Georgia about 3:00PM and I haven't rested up yet. In my last blog, I left my readers with the following and ask you to guess what it meant. "Donde estan los servicion" You guessed it, I needed to be able to ask the question "where's the bathroom"?

Well what a trip. We flew into San Pedro Sula, Honduras and from the time we touched ground to the time we returned to Atlanta, God was all over every aspect of this mission trip. I've seen poverty before, but not like I saw there. Living in mud huts was in some cases better than some of the cardboard boxes I saw. Everybody distrust everybody and walls around the houses that cost more than the house itself and bars on every window and armed guards at every business. It was a sight to see.
Thirty five established gangs were within a five mile radius of the church we worked at and everyday, we were able to share Christ with a few of them. Several came to know Christ as Savior. Here's the final statistics. we saw 1781 patients of which 250 were also Dental patients. Pulled 406 teeth, 32 filings(only because the electicity was on a few hours per day) and we fitted 600 people with a pair of glasses. The real good news about this is 532 people prayed to recieve Christ as Savior. The local church had already scheduled a baptism service down by the river.
One story about a young married couple. The wife said she had thought about coming to the clinic but decided not to because she didn't want to bother with it. She fell and cut her arm and about a 3 inch gash and her husband brought her to the clinic and we sewed her up. Her and her husband both prayed to recieve Christ. God has a plan for us all and he came to seek and to save all that is lost and even though this young couple was doing all they could to not be saved, God had a plan, and it only took a cut on the arm to bring it all about. That's my God. Go GOD!
Well, I was touched by all the children who were sick. Most of them don't have enough to eat and their little belly's were what I would call "pop belly". They were full of parasites and yet they smiled and wanted to love on me. No telling what desease they might have had, I just had to cry and love on them at the same time. My heart was broken knowing that my children are so healthy and my grandchildren have some much and here are kids with nothing but a smile and they seemed happy. My, how spoiled we are and how uncontented we seem and unthankful for what we have. God have mercy on us for complaining and not giving more to HIM for such a time as this. Yes we have hurting people in America, but compared to these people, there's nothing to complain about. I talked to a young man whose wife had just told him that she was leaving him for another man. He was so distraught and felt like he had nothing to live for. He had two young children with him and they were beautiful. As best I could, through an interpretur, I shared the love of Jesus with this man and he prayed to receive Christ. You see, God had a purpose for me going if for no other reason than to share Christ with this man. He not only has Hope now, He has everything to live for. His children and Christ. Well as you can see, I'm walking high today even though I have 10,000 emails waiting on me and even though I covered up with counseling appointments. I had to share with you because I know some of you promised to pray for me while I was gone. Not sure what my blogging will be about in the coming days, but I get to go home and see two of my three daughters and 4 of 5 of my grandchildren. Hope I get to see my brothers and sisters while I'm there and who knows maybe others that I love dearly. So until later, remember this; God has a plan and a place for everybody and He never fails and never leaves us.