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“You’ve Got Mail!”

Soldiers really appreciate those words!  Especially during the holiday season!  There is no way to truly describe the feelings that consume your every thought when you are told, “You’ve Got Mail.”

It is amazing how so many people that you don’t know will go out of their way to tell you that you have mail because they are happy for you! There are programs for people to send mail to soldiers overseas.  They will get a letter from people they don’t even know, and it will mean more than I can describe!  

In 2005, while I was at Camp Charlie, one after another would tell me, “Monty, You got mail.”  After being told by about half a dozen people, heard my name being yelled. I looked and seen a youngster running at top speed.  “Monty!”  “Monty”   

When he got close, he came to a sliding stop!  “You’ve Got Mail!”  I responded, “Really!  Thanks dude.”   He smiled as he wiped off his forehead of the dripping sweat and still breathing hard said, “NO problem Monty.”   

Why do you think others would go to all this trouble?  Why would one fellow soldier go tell another and in many cases others they didn’t even know that they had mail?  

What triggered all this emotion and excitement?  Was it hope?  Was it Love?  Maybe it was the pure excitement and hope!  You ever get excited about something and have to go tell someone about it? Maybe a Craftsman set on sale or a name brand dress on sale or a purse.

Don’t you wish you had this much excitement for Jesus?  Hello?  Jesus wants us to be that excited Amen?  The Bible talks about this Amen?

In Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Can you do this without excitement?  I mean can you truly PREACH the GOSPEL without any excitement?  

Jesus wants us to run like that specialists did when he was waving his arms and yelling, “Monty!  Monty!” and then sliding to a stop and gasping for air telling me the GOOD NEWS!   Amen?   

Jesus wants us to drop our water jar and leave it at the well while we run back into town to tell everyone about him just like the Samaritan woman at the well!

Get excited today and tell someone the Good News!

Are You a Lump of Coal?

The "Refined Christian" is an old sermon but powerful. (Click on the link to watch the sermon.)

The coal is buried deep in the ground. That word BURIED reminds us of dead. Amen? The coal miners perform a service and resurrect the coal! What was once dead is now “alive” amen?

But after the miners get the coal there is a refining process that takes place depending on what byproduct is going to be made!

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are like coal when we are first “resurrected” from our “buried” state. That state of sin that we were in until we asked Jesus to be the Lord of our life. Amen?

Then a refining process takes place. For instance, did you know that Mothballs comes from Coal? What are mothballs and what are they used for?

Mothballs are small balls of a chemical pesticide and deodorant mixture that is used when storing clothing and other articles susceptible to damage moth and moth larvae.

Mothballs have a strong, pungent odor which is what kills the insects.   The idea is to kill moths and moth larvae with the fumes.

Basically without, a chemistry class on the different the chemicals, just realize that the gas given off is toxic to the moths.

You do realize that a refined Christian is like a mothball Amen?  A practicing Christian boy, girl, woman or man who LOVES the LORD Jesus Christ, can actually keep others from having their lives ruined by sin?  The Holy Spirit aroma from just you being present drives back the little demons!   Do you think I am lying?  

We can’t stop moths from eating our cloths putting a lump of coal in the closet, Amen?   That coal has to be refined into mothballs and then the moths will be stopped, Amen?

So as a brand new Christian just saved we as a lump of coal can’t repel squat but as we become refined in Jesus the demons will flee, Amen!  

That refining process is ongoing and we become like many things or tools for spreading the Gospel, amen? 

Are you being refined or are you a lump of coal? 

Have a blessed day!

I Am Convinced, Not Condemned 

John 3:16-17 (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

When someone is condemned by something, they feel an expression of an adverse judgment. In other words, the person judging them is unfavorable and strongly disapproves of what the person did. Simply, they have been found guilty.

Because of one man, who fell to temptation, sin entered the world and condemned humanity to a physical death. They hid themselves from the presence of God.

Their own self-condemnation kept them from walking with God. Condemnation will keep you from the presence of God. Even though they had sinned and were hiding from God, because of the condemnation of their heart.

God still went to the Garden to meet them! Grace and mercy were on God’s mind, even after sin entered the garden. God knew that His plan of redemption had just been activated.

His grace was released at the cross. His grace is not dependent on whether I need it or not. He simply says, My grace is sufficient. That means He doesn’t care what your mistakes are. He doesn’t care how bad of person you have been, or you think you are. He looks at your sin and my sin, and says: Yep, I got that covered. 

It doesn’t matter what other people say or think about you. I have people in my past that have seen me at my worst. If they saw me now, they would probably call me a fake or a hypocrite. The fact is my past is my past. Amen?

Condemnation is trying it’s best to make you quit. It’s trying to keep you oppressed, depressed, and compressed. 

But, I am convinced, not condemned. 

I am trying my best today to convince you that God’s Grace is sufficient for you.

His love releases me from condemnation. His love still conquers the shame in my life. My God is still the God of Grace. He steps into the middle of my mess. He said He would never leave us, nor forsake us. He’s not going to quit on you, just because you made a mistake.

I am convinced, not condemned.

But I know this one thing, if I don’t know anything else: The Bible says that He loved us from the foundation of the world. He loved me enough to go to Calvary.

If He could love me when I was a sinner, then why wouldn’t He love me when I fail. 

The reason why a lot of people are not receiving the Holy Ghost is they are living in condemnation; not living convinced that we are forgiven. Some are living with the fact that we sinned last year, last month, yesterday, or even this morning. Get over it. Quit living life with condemnation and start living convinced.

I am convinced, not condemned.

When I start feeling condemnation or the devil starts reminding me of my past I remind him of his future!

Too many Christians are living everyday with condemnation, because they aren’t convinced that God loves them. Really, did anyone else you know give their life on a cross for you? Did anyone else take stripes on their back for your healing? Did anyone else promise you everlasting life? Just asking?

That’s why I am convinced, not condemned.

You can sit there and lived condemned by your heart, your conscience, or you can get up and be convinced that God loves you.

He loves you in your mess. He loves you in your trial. God is greater than your condemnation. He is greater than your failures. He is greater than your guilt.

He is greater than your shame. Look, I am convinced that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. Amen?

I am convinced, not condemned.

The devil tempted Adam and Eve and they sinned. Because of their sin, condemnation gripped their heart. God already knew they had sinned, but He came to garden anyway to talk to Adam, as He had done every day.

Some of you are dealing with condemnation in your life. The shame of your mistakes is keeping you from what God wants to do in your life. Isn’t it time to let go of the past? You can’t change the past, you can only accept His grace and mercy.

Are you convinced or condemned?

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

God wants you to be convinced today. You can watch the sermon“Convinced, Not Condemned” here.

Have a blessed day!

Main Meal or Short Order

Specifically, the question of the day is are you eating the main meal or are you a short order person?  

Why are fast food joints so popular? Maybe it is the convenience? They are faster than preparing your own meal. They are faster than going in and sitting down to a steak dinner too! But is it convenience or Laziness?

In the military when you go to a Dining Facility there is a main order line and a short order line. The main line of course is usually slower as it takes time to get a spoon of corn, a serving of potatoes, some gravy on that and then the choice of meat.

When I was in Iraq, on Fridays, we had steak and shrimp, so the line was longer than normal!

The Short order is usually the same stuff everyday which is Hot Dogs, Hamburgers or maybe Chicken Nuggets etc… All the server does is toss on two burgers or hot dogs and the rest is up to you when you get through the line. So, if you’re in a hurry you of course go through the short order and there you are!

I was watching a couple soldiers as they were standing in the main line waiting patiently. One was apparently convincing himself that it is worth the wait as his buddy walks around him and heads for the Short Order. He motions, “Come on man it takes too long for the Main Line.”

The other soldier shrugs his shoulders, “Its steak and shrimp man, the line is going to be long.”

The impatient battle buddy shakes his head, “I’m getting me some ground steak on a bun called a cheeseburger, see you in a while.”

I watched as the impatient one got a full plate quickly and headed into the DFAC dining area with his loaded plate of burger and fries.

I looked back and seen that the patient soldier was watching his battle buddy with investigating eyes. He still hadn’t got a steak yet as he watched his friend getting a place to sit already. “Next,” he heard as he turned to see the server waiting on him to hand his empty plate over. He smiled as he asked for steak and shrimp. The server smiled, “yes sir, steak and shrimp.”

So many things went through my mind as this unfolded before my very eyes. The first thing was the decision to eat the main meal or grab a short order meal.

Everyone has to decide if they want a “happy meal” or the "real meat" when it comes to Jesus Christ as well!

Many of us just grab a quick dose of the “happy meal” and off we go! Others wait patiently for the steak (pondering, meditation) and then it is going to take time to eat that steak, longer to digest it, and it will keep you full longer as well as it is better for you all around!

I watched the soldier get some mashed potatoes and gravy as the impatient friend received visitors from the Mongolian army. As the patient soldier finally had his plate and was looking for his battle buddy there was no seat left for him. He had to go sit somewhere else.

This also struck me as I realized that those that eat steak, eat steak together and those that eat the fast short order usually eat together! What another metaphor? Yes indeed.

It is like the word of God, Amen? Those that eat steak usually eat together (their discussion and studies go deeper) and those that want the happy meal go together to get a happy meal, (just there listening but not pondering) Amen?

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV) (11) About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, (13) for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. (14) But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:11 reads: About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. You see, dullness of Hearing! This is the disease that causes you to be a happy meal Christian.

There is nothing wrong with a babe needing milk, right? If a person is still a baby when he is old enough to be a teenager then there is a problem! Amen? Why are some Christians stuck at the baby stage of development? It is because of the "dullness of hearing". So, what is the cure?

Hebrews 5:14 reads: But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Trained by constant practice means it becomes a habit, amen? You become mature and want solid food when you "practice" or exercise with habitual responses to the milk.

So, the key to maturity (and the remedy for dullness of hearing) is not jumping from milk to meat. The key is the way you drink the milk - what you do with the milk of the word.

So, ask yourself his morning. Are you a short order Christian that is still going after the convenient meal of milk, which requires absolutely no effort? Like listening to a message or reading his but not pondering over it.

Or are you the main meal Christian that savors the milk you received, and applying it to your life brings the discernment needed so you can chew on a strong piece of meat for long periods of time and dwell on the word as you chew?

I pray you dwell on the word and savor the taste of the meat from this post this morning.

For some meat, you can watch the sermon“Main Meal or Short Order”here. 

Have a blessed day.a

Lost signal – Lost connection

Isn’t it amazing what we can do with our cell phones these days? These cell phones are a modern-day marvel, aren’t they? It has a signal that you can’t touch, hear, smell – but yet you can communicate – on so many levels.

I can…Call my wife, call you, Do my banking, Pay my bills, Listen to music, Check the weather, Take a picture, Send a picture, Receive a picture, Get directions and to find a destination, View any place on the planet through Google Earth, Book a flight, or rent a car, Read the Wall Street Journal, Read the Bible! The odds are you are reading this on your phone!

The list goes on and on doesn’t it?

There are so many other things we can do with the “smart” phones, until the signal is lost. Right?

Once the signal is lost, you got nothing. No communications. No banking. No check on the weather. No directions. No view of the earth. And the list goes on doesn’t it.

And all this relying on a signal that bounces from tower to tower, and satellite dish to satellite dish! But can any of you explain to me how that happens?

If you can, never mind, I’m sure it’s all too complicated for my mind to understand.

And yet without understanding how it all works. We depend on it so much don’t we.

In fact according to statistics, the average user checks their phone 150 times per day. That’s about once every 6 minutes.

The vast majority of people check their phones immediately when waking up or during breakfast and again at night before they go to bed. And every time they check it, what are they depending on?

There being a signal.

But what happens when the signal is lost? Our world stops doesn’t it. We panic, because we can’t make a phone call or check our Facebook. And we worry that someone might be trying to get ahold of us and can’t reach us.

But the signal I want to talk about this morning is not the signal that comes to and from these things called cell phones or "smart" phones.

Romans 15:13 KJV Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power (connection with) of the Holy Ghost.

I want to talk about our Spiritual Connection.

I understand that when my spiritual connection is intact, that I have a connection on a level that you cannot touch, see, hear etc. But we depend on that signal being there, don’t we. For so many reasons.

My spiritual connection connects me to the people around me and my relationships with them. It connects me to my Savior and my relationship with Him. I get my worldview from that signal. My financial positions are connected to that signal. I get my direction from it.

But, when that spiritual connection is down, all that stops! And when it stops, we panic don’t we. Hello?

I mean our world begins to unravel! Fear, Worry, Anxiety, Doubt, Doubt of God’s existence. Then anger, Even anger against God

Sometimes I hear people say things like, I just don’t feel connected to God. Or, I feel like there’s something missing. Or they will say, I feel like my prayers aren’t being heard. That is because they have lost the signal!

You all know that we must pay a monthly cell phone bill to keep that signal, amen?

Can I ask a question? Why should we think it any different when it comes to our connection to God?

So, let me ask you a question. How many times per day do we touch God? Is is even close to the same amount of times you reach for the phone?

Opening the word of God and communing with him in prayer daily is how we keep the signal strong! Amen? Start today by seeking HIM first thing every morning and just after you check your phone as you lay your head down tonight, also check your signal with God! Amen?

Its up to you to keep the signal strong. For more on the lost signal watch the sermon, "Lost Signal - Lost Connection"here.

Travel Lightly
 

This morning I will be preaching the message, “Traveling Lightly.”

Traveling lightly is the answer to living free daily and finishing the race. Have you ever been to an airport and seen the people’s suitcases? Have you ever helped someone move and wonder why they have certain things? Like a garage full of junk!

I have mentioned before that many people own a garage, but their car is parked outside because of the STUFF they own. 

Maybe some of the readers are nodding as they think about their vehicle(s) parked outside while the garage is full of items they have not used or even seen for months, if not years!

It is not just material items that weight us down. 

People are burdened now more than ever: mentally, physically (material things), and spiritually (anger, grudges, bitterness, sin, guilt, etc.)

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) (1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. (every weight…not just sin can weigh us down from serving God more effectively.) And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (is your load light enough to run with?) (2) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 

He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. 

Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. 

We should also be willing to endure the race for the joy we also will have forever with HIM. Amen? 

In our Christian life sometimes, things hold us back from getting closer to God. 

Are you weighted down with unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, hatred, anxiety, or stress? 

I pray this morning, that you throw off that weight so you can begin running that race! I pray you have the endurance to finish the race!

Have a blessed day.

Dreaming and Planning

This past couple of weeks I have found myself looking up information on riverside camping areas and portage points along the Brazos river. 

Tammy has taken us on some nice country drives (before the ice and snow) in the cold weather to check out a couple camping areas in person.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love warmer weather. Much warmer weather! 

When the lake water reaches the low 80’s I am a happy camper! So it makes sense that I would start dreaming of those upcoming days and making plans for them, right?

I know they won’t happen if the Lord has other plans but that shouldn’t stop us from making those plans. Amen?

Proverbs 19:21 NIV Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

I believe that God finds enjoyment from watching us making our plans and he at times, entertains our dreams, amen? 

If we would all spend more time dreaming and planning instead of focusing on current trials, we would be a much happier person too. Amen?

I want to encourage all the readers to dream and make plans starting today. While making those plans, make sure to include the Lord in those plans. Okay? I claim Psalm 20:4 over you.

Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

Have a great time dreaming and planning and make sure to find time to delight in the Lord too!

Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Have a great day!

There’s Light at the end of the Tunnel.

The temperature is supposed to hit forty today! 

Reports are coming in from church family and other friends that their power has come back on. 

Others have said that their water is working again.

It seems that the “storm” is almost over, or you could say that there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

A lot of people use that term when they are almost through some trial in their lives. 

I have said that term before and a friend would reply, “Sure hope it ain’t a train a comin’” LOL.

I am sure some of you can relate to that!

We all look forward to that light at the end of a long tunnel, amen? 

It is the same as watching for the sunrise after a cold night, especially when out camping!

Proverbs 4:18 GNB The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.

I pray everyone is looking for the light at the end of their tunnels this morning.

Have a blessed day

God’s Blessing in Disguise

Have you ever had something going wrong and someone said, “It could be a blessing in disguise.”? 

This past week, as millions went without electricity and water, I’m sure some heard that saying.

Yesterday evening, Tammy and I met some church family at the church. 

Due to the power outages, the church was needed to cook a nice meal and fellowship. During the cleanup, I received a phone call that the kitchen water had frozen up.

Tammy and I went up there with her hair dryer and within a few minutes had running water again. Then we headed to the gas station for fuel only to find out that none of the gas stations have any fuel! 

While driving to the other side of town looking for fuel, we received a phone call telling us that the kitchen sink had a water leak under it!

After stopping at the house and gathering up spare plumbing parts and tools, we switched vehicles and headed back up to the church. 

While I was looking at the water squirting out of the cracked line I heard, “This could be a blessing in disguise.”

I wasn’t happy but I nodded with agreement as I watched Dianne mopping the water up off the floor. I was able to stop the leak and make a list of plumbing hardware that will be needed for the repair.

I was upset at the situation when I arrived but was happy it wasn’t any worse and knew that yes, this was a blessing in disguise! 

I could only imagine what it would be like if no one had been at the church to notice the water running out onto the kitchen floor!

No matter what the circumstance, God works all things for the good, Amen?

Romans 8:28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Just remember as trials and difficulties come, that they just might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. 

God may have something around the corner that will have come out of a difficult season. And if not, God is still good and will make all things good in the end, amen?

Have a blessed day and if things are not going great, look for the blessing that may be disguised.

The Secret in the Icicles

Have you ever noticed how much icicles are appreciated by just about everybody? Every time we have an ice storm in Texas, my friends overwhelm the social media with pictures of icicles. Everything from ice covered trees to hanging icicles from various places.

Yesterday, my youngest son found him a trophy size icicle and had to bring it into the house to show us. It was nearly five feet long. It seems like every person in the house took a picture of him holding his trophy winning icicle.

Why do you think everyone enjoys the beauty of the icicle but at the same time dread the ice that is on the roads and walkways?

We put salt on the roads and walkways to get rid of the ice but stop and take pictures of icicles. I mean it is the same thing, right?

The more I thought about it, I realized that there was something unique about the icicle. Even though the icicle is formed in subfreezing weather, we enjoy them. 

In any case where we can enjoy something during “bad times” it should make us wonder. It is like the icicle contains the secret to being content…

Philippians 4:12 NIV I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

The word tells us to be content in all situations and we know that the only way that can happen is with the son. Amen? 

With the son in us we bring light into the darkness and that brings contentment. 

The son is our source of contentment, amen?

Well, the icicle is also a result of the sun. The sun pierces the subfreezing temperatures to melt some ice and as it drips off our roof, it loses that heat and is frozen again. The result, in time, is an icicle! 

So the source of excitement, enjoyment, and beauty of the icicle is the Sun! Wow!

May the Sun shine down on you this very cold day and the Son shine through you to others. Be blessed!

Hospitality in the Storms

Millions of people have been without electricity due to the winter storms. 

We had church family that was also without electricity. With the weather at single a digit temperature, we invited others to our home to stay warm. Praise God that we still had electricity and warmth to share!

Once again, during the storms we count our blessings. We were able to provide a warm bed for other church family last night. 

Just before bed last night we were making room for three more to stay in Ethan’s room. It is a huge blessing to have a teenager that has a hospitality heart! Many his age would have thrown a fit about the whole thing. Not Ethan! It is a blessing in itself to have a teenager with a hospitality heart.

Romans 12:13 NIV Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

But, at the last minute the additional guests didn’t need his room. (We got his room cleaned up LOL) 

It is times like this that we should be glad that we can share with others. 

Yes, it always requires some sacrifice, especially a sacrifice of that personal space we all like. But the key is, what would God want us to do, amen?

Hebrews 13:16 NIV And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Have a blessed day and please stay warm!

Just askin hehehe.

The Beauty in a Cold Day

We woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow. None of us like the cold but we are enjoying the beautiful view from the warmth of our home. 

The white soft blanket of the snow came from the breath of God! How can we not appreciate it, amen? We felt the same with all the ice we had for the past two days.

Job 37:10 GNB The breath of God freezes the waters, and turns them to solid ice.

It actually makes us thankful that we have electric and a warm house right now. Sometimes we are not thankful for something until we need it, amen?

Proverbs 31:21 GNB She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.

Praise God indeed for a warm house as well as warm clothing. Ethan mentioned yesterday as the snow was coming down, how peaceful it was since there was no traffic moving on the highway. God shut everything down with a breath of snow and ice. Powerful huh?

Job 37:5-7 GNB (5) At God's command amazing things happen, wonderful things that we can't understand. (6) He commands snow to fall on the earth, and sends torrents of drenching rain. (7) He brings our work to a stop; he shows us what he can do.

Enjoy the day the Lord has made and have a blessed day and stay warm!

Happy Valentine Day

 In honor of Saint Valentine’s Day, I would like to share a passage of Scripture with you that can revolutionize your relationship.

 The scripture I want to look at is Ephesians 5:25-30. This passage is addressed specifically to husbands. But that does not mean the rest of you won’t get something out if it.

 In fact, wives, you probably want to save this blog to share with your husband.

 Single guys and young men, you want to pay attention because this passage describes the kind of love you ought to have for you future wife.

 And, young women, you’ll want to pay extra attention, because this passage will supply you with a standard by which you should measure every future relationship.

 If a man does not treat you with the kind of love this passage describes, then he is not a man you want to marry. Okay?

 Okay then, let’s see what God’s Word says to husbands:

 Ephesians 5:25-30 NIV (25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (26) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, (27) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (28) In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29) After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church, (30) for we are members of his body.

 Jesus loved you and me so much that he literally gave his life for us. If that is our example, how do we apply that? I doubt if any of us will ever be called to literally die for our wives, so how do we love sacrificially?

 Sacrificial love will look different in every marriage, but it will always involve giving of yourself for your wife.

 Put simply, sacrificial love is about putting your wife before yourself. Life after marriage is not about me; it’s about we. That can mean a lot of things.

 That may mean sacrificing your need to be right. There are times when you just know you are right, and your spouse is wrong. Right? LOL.

 The argument can go on and on, for days, when you feel it is necessary to be right. But a smart man once said, “You can be right or you can be married, you can’t be both.” LOL.

 Maybe it means sacrificing a fishing/hunting trip so that your wife can attend a weekend conference.

 It might mean giving up a hobby that you enjoy in order to spend more time with your family or working overtime in order to provide for her and the kids. Examples are endless.

Christ's love for the church is without limits; nothing is held back.

When you sacrifice for your wife, it tells her that she’s important to you. It shows her that you love her.

 Have a Happy Valentine’s Day

Plan Ahead

This morning we are up early because Tammy needed to get the last of three briskets in the oven. 

She cooked one yesterday and then another one overnight last night. And now the third and final one this morning. 

According to the plan, the last one needed to be in the oven by 0430 hours to be ready for tonight's Valentine Dinner.

Having a big Valentine Dinner sounds great but there is planning that must happen as well. That is the way it is with just about anything in life, isn’t it? 

You have to plan carefully, or you may find yourself embarrassed when something goes awry. Right? 

Worse yet, your lack of planning may bring disappointment to someone else.

Proverbs 21:5 GNB Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.

Anything worth doing usually involves planning ahead of time. The more elaborate the event the more planning that has to go into the event. Amen? 

You can sit around and talk about it all day long but at some point you have to quit talking and start walking!

I have made the statement many times, “You can talk the talk, but walking the walk is what really matters.” 

You see, the difference between dreams and reality is action. 

There are many dreamers that sit and talk about what they would like to do but then take no action to turn that dream into a reality. Once again, a truth with just about anything in life.

Proverbs 14:23 GNB Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor.

If you haven’t made any plans for tomorrow, start making them right now. 

In those plans make sure you plan to go to church. 

Maybe take some one special to church.  What an idea! Someone special on Valentines Day!

Don’t just dream about it. 

Don’t just talk about it.

 Just do it.

Have a blessed day!

Grilling While Sleeting

When we were in San Antonio recently, we sat down to eat and almost ordered a steak. I was not ecstatic about paying $32 per steak meal. While pondering whether to order it or not, Tammy said she would rather have one of my grilled steaks at home. Besides its almost Valentines, right? I nodded and ordered the Fish and Chips.

Yesterday, while it was sleeting, I decided to fire up the grill! Yes, my sanity has been in question before. LOL.

It was close enough to Valentine and things will be getting pretty busy as we prepare for the church Valentine Dinner anyway. So, why not, right?

The salt on the steps made it safe to get to the grill. But we had received enough sleet that the lid was frozen shut. It was probably an amusing sight if any of the neighbors were watching me working the lid back and forth until it popped open. LOL. 

Anyway, I fired up grill and within twenty minutes the family was sitting around the table, thanking God for a wonderful Valentine’s Dinner! 

Tammy surprised me with some Chocolate and Ethan brought a good word to both of us, warming our hearts.

What a blessing we received during the storm! 

That made me think about all the storms in life that we go through and how we react sometimes. 

In fact, what we put into a situation has a huge impact on what we get out of a situation, amen? 

If we sow happiness in the spiritual sleet storms of our lives, we will reap blessings! Amen?

Galatians 6:7 KJV Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

I want to encourage you to find joy in your storms. Maybe not as crazy as grilling a steak while it is sleeting, but hey why not? When you endure the storm to cook that steak, it tastes even better. I promise.

James 1:2-5 CSB (2) Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (5) Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

Have a blessed day!

Complaining About Change

Most of us do not like change! I am currently in the process of moving to the MeWe social media platform and it has taken a couple weeks to get used to all the changes! 

I hate change just as much as the next guy. 

Sometimes, change is a good thing whether we like it or not. In this case for instance, I am getting away from the negativity of fake news and out of control censorship!

Many will not try the change because it is just a pain to adapt to the new, right? They will think of reasons not to make the change, right? They will not want to do without something that they do like.  

This has been the same for years. Check out this letter written to U.S. President Andrew Jackson, dated January 31, 1829 …

The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as "railroads."  The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:  

One. If canal boats are supplanted by "railroads," serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for horses.

Two. Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.

Three.  Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, "railroad" carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by "engines" which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children.  

The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.  – signed, Martin Van Buren, Governor of New York  

(The irony is that this was taken from a book by Hans Finzel, who typed the chapter containing this story on his laptop computer while in a plane traveling 475 miles per hour at an altitude of 34,000 feet)

You see, by nature, human beings resist change.  People are quick to criticize anything new, because the necessary changes frighten them (or are just an inconvenience)

At one time, people said that cars would never replace the horse and carriage.  

Others said that the light bulb wasn't any better than the kerosene lamp.  

Others declared that television would never replace radio as the primary source of entertainment.  

When Alexander Graham Bell invented an instrument called the telephone, which enabled people to talk through a wire over great distances, he was almost laughed out of town!

In many cases Growth is Change and Change is Growth.(sermon link)

There is a church joke about trying to move the church piano from one side of the sanctuary to the other. The way it goes is that you have to do it one inch at a time each week so that no one gets upset about the sudden change. LOL. 

It is funny but sad because there is some truth to it.

The Israelites murmured about being in the wilderness without the food they were used to eating. They wanted to go back to Egypt where they could eat what they were accustomed to! Crazy huh?

Today, many of us refuse to break the bondage we are in because we are accustomed to something that comes with that bondage! Just like the Israelites wanting to go back to Egypt because of their grumbling bellies for the pots of meat they were used to eating. You can read that story in Exodus 16.

So often in our lives we should embrace change, but we refuse because we like the “pots of meat” that comes with the bondage in our lives. 

We must not focus on the negative or we will never be happy! Released from 400 years of slavery but belly aching for the food they were missing!

If we would focus on the good and give thanks to the Lord for all things, we would be a happier person. I promise.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day!

Scan the QR and Get the App!

I told ya’ll that we were going to the River Walk yesterday. Well, we did and made some wonderful memories. 

As I sit here in the hotel room thinking about the entire day, I realize just how much we are attached to our smart phones.

Yesterday morning I entered in the doctor’s address in San Antonio and we followed the directions given from the phone while in route. The phone also guided us to the hotel that we were going to spend the night and then to the River Walk. I was explaining to Ethan that “back in the day” we would have looked up the locations on a paper street map and then made a set of directions with turn-by-turn instructions. The look on his face was priceless as he was thinking about what I had said.

We found a parking lot for public use that was close to the Alamo and got us a spot. There was a kiosk at one end of the parking lot with a QR code to get the mobile app so we could pay for the parking lot. No person to take the money just the QR code and some instructions. Ethan read the card information to me as I set up the new mobile app I just downloaded to the phone.

Since we were a couple hours early for the 3:30 history tour I had made reservations for, we decide to walk the River Walk. 

During that walk we found two different systems where you can rent a bicycle or scooter. The bicycles are all secured in a rack. There is a QR code to scan so you can download a mobile app and start renting a bicycle today!

Today’s technology is something isn’t it? Anyway, while walking back to the Alamo, I noticed QR codes on different kiosks along the river walk. One for downloading the river walk map, one for various hotels along the river walk, another for getting barge tags and boat rides. 

It seems the QR codes was the secret to opening the doors to just about anything!

I stood in line at the entrance to the Alamo. Once it was my turn, I showed the tour guide my phone and she scanned the QR code I had been sent in my email confirming my three tickets that I had bought.

Finally, after an hour or more in the Alamo, we were ready to get a bite to eat. I decided to eat at the Rain Forest Café and the look on Ethan’s face was worth it! 

When we reached the entrance, the young waiter pointed to a QR code and said, “Please scan this for your menu sir.” I scanned the QR code and once I had the menu on my phone he escorted us to our table.

Anyone that knows me, I am always comparing everyday events to some type of a spiritual analogy, right?

Listen folks, its time to scan your very own QR code. That would be the Quickly Repent code.

Acts 3:19 NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

You see once you scan that Quickly Repent code you can open your very own APP which is the Anointed and Personal Praise for God Almighty! 

Wow, did you see that coming?

No matter where you are or where you are heading, a QR (Quick Repent) can bring you APP (Anointed and Personal Praise) to the Lord, amen? 

Listen, it is just like my day yesterday. 

No matter where you go, the APP is available, and the key is your QR.!

Have a blessed Day!

The Doctor’s Appointment

This morning I have an appointment with a neuro ophthalmologist in San Antonio. Regardless of what kind of doctor, no one really likes going to see them. Of course we jump in line to see a doctor before the dentist right? LOL. We alwaysm need to look at the bright side to help find contentment, amen?

Tammy and I are looking forward to the three-hour plus drive. 

Not because I need my eyes checked but because we are going to see the Alamo afterwards. 

Tammy is a native Texan and has never been on the Riverwalk or seen the Alamo.

The word of God says in Philippians 4:12, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,” amen?

One way to “learn to be content” is to look for something good out of all situations. 

Now, at first, I was livid that I had an appointment made for me in San Antonio and even called and complained about it! 

Then Tammy said, “You know. I have never been to the Alamo.”

That motivated me to put the wheels in motion for a mini vacation. 

My appointment is from twelve to two. We have a 3:30 appointment for a thirty-minute tour at the Alamo. I also made a hotel reservation so we could spend the rest of the day on the San Antonio River Walk.

The next morning, after a nice breakfast, we will head back home. But not without stopping at a Bass Pro store that we have never been at.

You see, we took a situation that interrupted our plans, remember “Give God the Eraser?”, and made the most out of it. In my second book, I explain in the chapter titled “Dream of Flying Fulfilled” how being sent to Mississippi turned out to be a great trip.

I encourage you today to be content in your situation and look for something within that situation that you want to do. 

I pray you find something within that “storm” to bring you joy and turn the “bad” into a lifelong good memory.

Have a blessed day

Superbowl What’s That?

Tammy and I used to watch football all the time. It was our time together. We looked forward to specific games of course. Those special times that we were able to watch our team play. 

When my mother was still alive, she loved for us to come to her room at the local nursing home and watch football with her. We always made it a big event too. Tammy would get the queso dip made along with all our favorite finger snacks and chips to take with us. But this year was different.

I didn’t realize that the Super Bowl was yesterday until yesterday! What? That is right, we quit watching football when the kneeling started.

Different reports show that the NFL ratings are down 7%. I guess because of folks like me and my wife. Over time it will go back up or the people will forget that football even exists.

What? Forget football ever existed? No way! Impossible! Never! Right?

Well, the fact is that when time passes and more and more people don’t give attention to, talk about or follow something, it becomes lost in the past. 

In fact, if we don’t share with the next generation that a Super Bowl was a national event, it could be forgotten forever.

Look at the holocaust! Ten percent of Americans don’t believe that the holocaust even happened, and thirty percent of them that believe, think that 6 million Jews is an embellishment! They say, “I believe it happened, but it wasn’t as bad as they say.” That was only about eighty years ago!

Our country is trying to erase history as I write this. Statutes have been removed and the hope is that the history will be forgotten. And it will if we don’t pass on the history to our children because the public school system will eliminate or worse yet, misconstrue the true history.

Just like me not knowing or even caring that a Super Bowl was about to be played, the people will not know or care about our history. It has already started!

The same goes for our spiritual walk, amen? It doesn’t take but a generation or two to messed things up! 

Gideon made an idol in his hometown and the people quickly forgot all about God!

Judges 8:33-34 KJV (33) And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. (34) And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

Our personal walk needs to be daily with the Lord or we can find ourselves forgetting our God! 

I know the first thing you think is, NO WAY! 

But, I am just telling you the truth. 

Make sure you share HIM with your children and grandchildren! Amen?

Have a blessed day!