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Prayers Answered, Many Times Requires a Follow Up.

When we were leaving Monday morning for home, the generator would not start! It sounded like the started was bad. It had made the same sound before but this time it seemed like we were destined to travel without air conditioning!

We all stood next to the generator and prayed and then attempted to start it again. It started!

Yesterday, I removed the old starter and found out that it had a tooth broken off and a few others chipped.

My point is this; Just because a prayer is answered does not mean that we don’t have a responsibility to follow up with some sort of corrective action of our own, amen?

I learned this years ago….. (excerpt from book)

Monty and the family were getting ready to head to El Paso, Texas.  They were excited and a little worried as well.   Betsy (1974 Dodge Dart) was running and should make the trip, but she had a small transmission leak.  Monty assumed it was a seal that would need to be replaced, which is the normal problem for a vehicle that has been sitting for a long time.  The trunk was loaded up with a few gallons of water, engine oil and transmission fluid.   Tammy followed Monty as they headed west.  The transmission was spitting out about a quart every 150 miles but got worse. Monty thought he had enough transmission fluid but was wrong.  They had started pulling over every fifty miles and putting a whole quart in.  Tammy had to follow further and further behind because the transmission fluid was misting onto her windshield.

Then the end had come.  Monty and Tammy had already talked about the fact that if Betsy did not make it, they would abandon her on the side of the road and let her become State property.   Well, the time was almost on them.   Monty poured the last entire quart of transmission fluid in and shook his head to Tammy, “We tried, Babe.”  She nodded and patted his arm, “Just pray.”

Tammy got back in the family station wagon and Monty got in Betsy.  Adam was in the back seat, “What’s wrong daddy?”  Monty replied, “We need to pray that the car makes it home.”  After a short prayer, they took off, knowing they had no transmission fluid left and that they had almost 100 miles to Van Horn, Texas.  

The transmission did not start slipping at fifty miles like it had been.   It was still pulling good at sixty miles.  Monty rolled into the first gas station they came to at just under 100 miles and left the car running as he ran inside.  He knew that it would be best to leave the car running and add the fluid, which would help cool down the transmission.  

They only had three quarts of transmission fluid and he bought all three quarts.  He ran back to the car, opened the hood, and the first check showed the transmission fluid to be at the full mark!  

Monty checked it again and a third time.  The transmission was full.  It had not used a drop in the last nearly 100 miles!  After putting the three quarts of unused transmission fluid in the trunk they took off.  Betsy did not use another drop of transmission fluid the rest of the trip to El Paso, Texas.  What a miracle!

Monty worked on the car and fixed up major things during the next year, to include getting her inspected and legal for the roads.  Betsy became his everyday commuter while Tammy had the newer vehicle.  

After nearly a year they were getting loaded up to head to east Texas for a few days before Monty would be driving Betsy to his Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course (BNCOC).  

The day before the trip, Betsy started leaking transmission fluid!  Monty crawled underneath the vehicle, and the transmission was covered in fluid.  A quick trip to the wash rack and all of it cleaned off, then a short trip home to see where the leak was.  Again, the entire transmission was covered in fluid!  Monty just couldn’t believe it.  After a whole year, the car starts leaking again.  Then he reached up and checked the sending unit, it was finger loose!   He couldn’t believe it!  The transmission sending unit was the culprit.   It was an easy fix and the transmission never leaked again!

Sometimes we pray for God to help us out, and he does. BUT he also wants us to follow up, Amen?  

I have lost count of how many brothers and sisters in Christ will pray for God to get them through a storm.  God answers the prayer and then they allow the next storm to happen by making the same decisions that led to the last storm!  

It could be anything, maybe finances.  You ever done that?  A financial storm comes and you are unable to pay a bill and pray for God to help.  The financial blessing comes, and then you make the same decisions to buy the same things that you really didn’t need that leads to the exact same storm in another month or two.  

Many a drunk (to include myself) have prayed at the porcelain throne “God, get me through this and I will never drink again.”  God answers your prayer, you do live even though you were sure you were going to die, BUT, you are back in the bar drinking before you know it.  

God wanted you to follow up.  

Yeah, I got my T-shirt for that one too. 

After God answers a prayer, also follow up by asking God to show you how to avoid the same storm again, Amen?

Have a blessed day.

THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD (Title is link to sermon)

There once was a shepherd that lived in the Scottish highlands.  This shepherd had a daughter and he would take her with him when he went out on the moors to take care of the sheep.  The thing that the little girl liked best was to hear the call of shepherd.  His voice sounded so free and beautiful as carried across the valleys of the moors.  

As the years passed the little girl became a beautiful young woman and went off to one of Scotland’s great cities—Edinburgh or Glasgow.  It was there that she was determined to build a life.  

On her arrival, she would write back home to her parents every week.  But as life began to take her by the hand, her letters soon dropped off in their frequency and soon there were none.  

Rumors begin to filter back home to that shepherd and his wife that their daughter had started hanging out with some unsavory characters and they were having a very negative influence on her life.  One day one of the boys from back home ran into her in the city streets and she acted as if she did not even know him.  When the old shepherd heard this, he gathered a few things together and dressed in his rough shepherd’s clothes went to the city to find his daughter.

For days on end he looked for her.  He looked everywhere, the slums, the rows of houses, the markets, the taverns, and everywhere in between to no avail.  So, after all of this searching he became very discouraged with the thought that he had lost his daughter to the evil city.  

As he started the long trek back home, just as he was on the outskirts of the city, he remembered that his daughter had always loved to hear the voice of the shepherd calling out to the sheep.

So, he turned around and, on this quest, motivated by his sorrow and his love, he began to stalk the streets.  His voice rang out the shepherd’s call.  

The citizens of the city all looked at him as if he had lost his wits.  It wasn’t too long as he walked the streets of one of the degraded neighborhoods that inside of one of those houses, his daughter sitting among the vermin who had led her astray, heard his voice!

With great astonishment on her face, she heard that call of the voice of the shepherd, the voice of her father calling out to her.   

She leaped up and rushed out to the street and ran into the arms of that old shepherd, her father.  It was then that he took her back home to the highlands of Scotland and brought her back to God and to decency and modesty.

That is a moving example of what happens to those who can hear the voice of a shepherd.  Amen?

John 10:1-5 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.   [2]  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.   [3]  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  [4]  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  [5]   And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers

The shepherd’s voice is the only voice that can save us.

The more familiar you are with this voice the less likely you are to follow a stranger.   It is unlikely you will be entrapped by the devil’s temptations and delusions if you are familiar with HIS voice.

Jesus said, “Follow me!” two thousand years ago and it literally changed the whole scope of history!

Today Jesus is calling!  He is calling for us to come home!  He is also calling many to the next level (a higher life).  

Do you hear that voice?

Have a blessed day.

Be Consistent

Good morning! What another day the Lord has blessed us with indeed!

I was sitting here, sipping on some coffee, trying to think of what I am supposed to write for today’s blog.

Sometimes I even start thinking I should quit writing the blog when I have trouble thinking of what it is that God wants me to say.

This morning I was reflecting on yesterday’s sermon about continuously being in the word, fellowship, helping others and more.

Yes, that is something worth sharing! 

Being consistent in anything molds us into who we will be tomorrow!

Being consistent in writing the blog allows God to use me to touch others.

Being consistent in reading the blog and sharing with others, allows God to work in and through each one of you! Are you sharing this blog with others? Pause and ask God you needs to start receiving a daily email from this blog.

We should be consistent about reading the word of God daily also. Amen?

I am also doing a morning devotional with some family and church members. It is also a challenge at times to do it consistently! 

The number of active participants has dwindled down to a fraction of what we started with a couple months ago.

That is exactly what satan tries to do with any group of believers. 

The last thing he wants to see is a group of believers become consistent and grow.

I’m glad God gave me something to write again this morning even if I thought it wasn’t going to happen!

He is helping me be consistent.

Ask him daily to help you so you will enjoy HIS law and want to study it daily.

Psalms 1:2 GNB Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.

Have a blessed day

Our Life Illustrates Our Priorities

I am sipping on some coffee, sitting in the motorhome in East Texas. Tammy is getting a shower and we are getting ready to go to church.

We have a church home away from home here and are looking forward to attending.

Some of the locals said they didn’t know if they would be going today. These same locals that had just shared about their night of drinking and partying with the live band the night before. The look on their son’s face indicated a deep thought. Yes, he was present during the party time story as well. 

I wonder what he was thinking.

Anyway, this is a weekly struggle for many. 

The devil always try to get us to reason with ourselves on why to not go to church. We can come up with a thousand reasons of why NOT to go.

There is only ONE reason that we should go. 

Jesus wants us to. Amen?

Just remember this, your actions, your life, that is what your priority is. 

Don’t get caught up in everything else. Just ONE thing is all you need to focus on, especially today.

Luke 10:38-42 GNB (38) As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. (39) She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. (40) Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself ? Tell her to come and help me!" (41) The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, (42) but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her."

Start prioritizing today. 

Focus on the ONE thing that you really need to focus on.

Have a blessed day.

Faith Makes a Good Pillow

Last night we had a storm. Maggie, our fur baby, was just a shaking with fright.

Some people have trouble going to sleep in a storm. Sometimes it is an emotional storm instead of a thunderstorm. Do you lie awake at night? Thinking about some issues in your life and trying to find the answer? Maybe you are going through a storm and sleep escapes you as you lie awake thinking about the unlimited possible outcomes to that storm?

Let me share a story (from my book).

.... Tammy and Monty were at Sweetwater Texas at a motorcycle rally. The rally was getting louder and louder as the time got closer to bedtime. Then by bedtime it was so loud that they both wished they had some ear plugs. They laid down and tried to go to sleep. Monty said a silent prayer and fell asleep quickly.
Monty could feel Tammy pushing on him, “Monty, wake up!”
Tammy had her mouth a fraction of an inch from his ear. He jerked awake as if being slapped! “What is it babe?” he asked.
He heard motorcycles revving up full throttle and he could smell burning rubber. He seen the look of concern on his wife’s face.
He smiled, “It is okay babe, go back to sleep.”
Tammy grumbled, “Are you serious? I haven’t been asleep yet!”
Monty sat up and looked outside, towards the band stage and could see many bikers raising their drinks into the air, shouting as the next bike revved up, drowning out their yells.
Monty chuckled, “It will be okay babe, go to sleep.” Monty laid back down and was asleep before Tammy could say another word.
Tammy was livid, “How can he just go back to sleep?” she thought.
She looked up at the center of the dome tent and closed her eyes. She envisioned the stars as she said a prayer.
The next morning Tammy shared with Monty about the night. He vaguely remembered her waking him up.
He said, “I thought maybe I dreamed about the burn outs.”
Tammy assured him that he had been awake because she woke him up during the burn outs. Then she said, “How could you sleep through all that?”
Monty shrugged, Tammy continued, “I couldn’t sleep until I prayed.”
Monty smiled, “I prayed first.” .....

That was a real to life story. I hope it encourages you to pray before you lay down and give it all to God. 

With that faith in place you will have a peaceful and sweet sleep.

Psalms 4:8 GNB When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O LORD, keep me perfectly safe.

Have a blessed day

Time to See the Doctor

Tammy’s father, Dale, is having a biopsy done on his lung this morning. This is the number one reason that we came to East Texas for a few days.

Many are praying for God’s healing touch on Dale.

Some say, if you believe God will heal then why go to the doctor?

Well, God gave us the doctors, amen? In fact, they have been around for a very long time.

Jeremiah 8:22 GNB Is there no medicine in Gilead? Are there no doctors there? Why, then, have my people not been healed?

Indeed, they have been around for a very long time. Jesus had one write part of the Bible, amen?

Colossians 4:14 KJV Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Let all of us who are well, be praying for the sick this morning. 

A special one for my father-in-law is appreciated.

Have a blessed day.

Surprise Inside (Title is link to sermon)

Matthew 25:35-46  I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,  (36)  naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.'   (37)  The righteous will then answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?  (38)  When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you?  (39)   When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'  (40)   The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'  (41)   "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Away from me, you that are under God's curse! Away to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels!  (42)  I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me a drink;   (43)  I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.'  (44)   Then they will answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?'  (45)   The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.'  (46)   These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life."

We as Christians would like to convince ourselves that we are good and make the right decisions when it comes to the judgment of character.  Amen?

The problem is that in so many cases, we find that there is a surprise inside. That surprise being what is inside that person or stranger.

There are many “Christians” that look like good Christians but have some HUGE skeletons hidden away.

Then on the other hand, that tattoo covered, body pierced, “goth looking” person has a heart full of compassion hidden inside of them!

We must treat strangers with love and attempt to learn what is inside, amen?

I read the following story on the internet years ago…

The family stopped for lunch in the City. The restaurant was nearly empty. They were nearly the only ones in the restaurant. There were a couple other families already eating when they entered.

The mother heard Erik, their one-year-old, squeal with glee. "Hithere," the two words he always thought were one.

"Hithere," and he pounded his fat baby hands—whack, whack, whack—on the high chair. His face was alive with excitement, his eyes were wide, gums bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled, and then the mother saw the source of his merriment.

The mother’s eyes could not take it in all at once. A tattered rag of a coat, obviously bought by someone else eons ago, dirty, greasy and worn; baggy pants; spindly body; toes that poked out of would-be shoes; a shirt that had ring-around-the-collar all over; and a face like none other—gums as bare as Erik’s.

"Hi there, baby. Hi there, big boy, I see ya, Buster." The mother and her husband exchanged a look that was a cross between "What do we do?" and "Poor devil."

Their meal came, and the banging and the noise continued. Now the old bum was shouting across the room, "Do you know patty cake? Atta boy. Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look! He knows peek-a-boo!"

Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hithere." Every call was echoed. 

Nobody thought it was cute. The guy was a drunk and a disturbance. The mother was embarrassed. Her husband, Dennis, was humiliated. Even their six-year-old said, "Why is that old man talking so loud?"

Dennis went to pay the check, imploring his wife to get Erik and meet him in the parking lot. 

"Lord, just let me get out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," and she bolted for the door. It soon was obvious that both the Lord and Erik had other plans.

As she drew closer to the man, she turned her back, walking to sidestep him and any air that he might be breathing. As she did so, Erik, all the while with his eyes riveted to his new best friend, leaned over her arm, reaching up with both arms in a baby’s pick-me-up position. 

In a split second of balancing her baby and turning to counter his weight, Eric lunged from her arms and the bum caught him.

Suddenly a very old man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship.

Erik laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed, and you could see tears hover beneath the lashes. His aged hands, full of grime and pain and hard labor, gently, so gently, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. The mother stood awestruck.

The old man rocked and cradled Eric in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on the young mother. He said in a firm, commanding voice, as tears rolled down his cheeks, "You take care of this baby."

He pried Eric from his chest, unwillingly, longingly, as though he was in pain. She held her arms open to receive her baby, and again the gentleman addressed her: "God bless you, Ma’am. I was praying to God before I came in here to receive something special for my Birthday. You’ve given me my Birthday gift."

She was crying when her husband got to the car, “what did he do?” she shook her head, “nothing.” Eric showed me the love that God has for us!  “We are so bad….”

Yes, we tend to “judge” based on first impressions. Don’t we?

May you let you light shine today as you attempt to learn what is inside.

There just might be a surprise.

Be blessed.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

This morning we are heading out in the motorhome!

The whole family is excited. 

Even our family fur baby, Maggie, is excited. 

We are looking forward to this adventure for different reasons.

Ethan is looking forward to seeing his “Nana” and the rest of the family, but truth be known he really likes the relaxed and flexible school hours.

Tammy is looking forward to seeing the family but not looking forward to driving the motorhome.

I praise God that she decided to drive the motorhome instead of us selling it.

I am looking forward to seeing family and just relaxing. 

I praise God also for having true armor bearers at the church to keep things running as usual.

Today is like any other day. 

We could dwell on the “bad” and arrive to East Texas with negativity all over us. 

Tammy could arrive complaining about having to drive the motorhome, the traffic and weather. 

Ethan could get a teenager’s attitude about having to take his Science test once we arrive. 

I could be depressed about the fact that I can’t drive the motorhome anymore. I could feed the negativity with the other two with snide comments. 

By the time we arrive we would all be angry, depressed, sad, etc….

Can you relate? Either being the one that arrived bringing the negativity or the one greeting your negative family?

So, today is like any other day. 

Either count your blessings and be happy for what God has given each of us or wallow in self-pity, making life miserable for everyone else around. 

Besides it is good for all of us to be cheerful and have a joy beyond understanding. Our spiritual disposition can have a profound effect on our physical being! Amen?

Proverbs 17:22 GNB Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.

So, Don’t worry, Be Happy!

Have a blessed day

Be An Open Book

We are an open book to God, amen?

Psalms 139:2-4 MSG (2) I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. (3) You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. (4) You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence.

We are an open book to the Lord whether we want to be or not, amen?

The challenge is for us to be an “open book” to our neighbor, amen?

Let us all be an open book to all!

We must pray for God to guide us in what we are thinking and what we are going to say, amen?

Be the light of the world today.

God bless.

Gathering The Fragments (Title is link to sermon)

John 6:1-13 (1) After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. (2) And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. (3) And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. (4) And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. (5) When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (7) Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (8) One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, (9) There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (10) And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (12) When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. (13) Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

This is a wonderful story from the life of Christ that is given to us in the beginning of John 6. It is a story that many of us have heard numerous times. A great multitude was following Christ and Jesus knew they were hungry. The disciples being tested by Christ declared that it was impossible to feed this crowd with the resources they had.

Then one little boy who had a lunch of five loaves of bread and two small fishes offered it to Christ. Christ took that little boy’s lunch and multiplied it until the whole crowd was fed. A great miracle occurred.

Now, most of us are familiar with that much of the story. Amen? But after the crowd is filled, Christ does something interesting in verse 12. He commands the disciples to gather the fragments that remain that nothing be lost.

Jesus was concerned about the leftovers!! Now some have used this verse to teach us to be good stewards of what God gives us and not waste it. That is certainly true. But the Holy Spirit wants to shows us something else today.

I thought about Christ gathering all those fragments, those leftovers, those things that no one in the crowd wanted any more, and He gathered them for a purpose. What was His purpose in gathering these leftovers? He was going to use them.

I want you to know this morning we serve a God who is concerned about the fragments. Whatever has happened in your life God wants to gather up the fragments that remain so that nothing should be lost. Let me show you some examples of this truth from Scripture.  

In Matthew 26:69-75 we find Jesus’ disciple Peter. The one who had promised he would follow the Lord even until death. But he denies Christ three times! Then realizing his sin, he goes out and weeps bitterly.

And some would say that he was washed up, his best days of serving Christ were behind him. Surely God would not use him now. But Peter found forgiveness and went on to become the great preacher of Pentecost.

Why? 

God was gathering the fragments that remained so that nothing be lost!

There are many others too. Rahab the Harlot - In the blood line of Christ, The woman at the well - led many to Christ. The woman caught in the act of adultery.

Christ never excused their sin. 

On the contrary they were confronted with it. 

But once they repented, Christ gathered the fragments of their lives that remained that nothing would be lost.

The Bible tells us we ought to stay close to God and not allow sin in our lives. The consequences of sin are real and devastating. But when we have failed God, He will not only forgive, but He will also gather the fragments that remain!

Christ thought that some leftover fish and bread was important. How much more importance does He place on the fragments of your life. And He will gather them and use them to do great miracles. Will you let Him?

Have a blessed day!

Evolution is a Lie!

Romans 1:17-25 GNB (17) For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live." (18) God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known. (19) God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for God himself made it plain. (20) Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! (21) They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. (22) They say they are wise, but they are fools; (23) instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles. (24) And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other. (25) They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen.

That describes our world today, doesn’t it? 

Even though creation screams out that there is a God, our world pursues evolution!

It is taught as a science proved fact in our public-school systems.

You know, years ago, our society was based on Christian absolutes.  People knew what was right and what was wrong.  Behaviors such as sexual perversions, easy divorce, public lawlessness, abortion on demand, pornography, and public nudity were just considered to be wrong.  

The punishments for offenders were handed down by society. Most people accepted or respected a belief in God. Period!

Today, more and more people have rejected the God of the Bible.  As belief in God has been abandoned, people have questioned the basis of the society in which they live.  For instance, if there is no God, then why should they obey the Ten Commandments? Right? What really is right or wrong?

Evolution has been and is a major attack on Christianity!

Evolution is a religious position that makes human opinion supreme.  Its fruits are lawlessness, immorality, impurity, abortion, racism, and a mocking of God.  

We need to pray for a revival in our political society and educational society today! 

Our country has turned its back on God, and we must fight on our knees, claiming God’s movement with those societies.

Stand in the gap today and pray for this dark and perverse world..

Emotional Roller Coaster!

Yesterday, the family and I met with some other church members at a viewing of a young man that has gone on to be with Jesus way too soon in life. 

We met outside in the parking lot and was bubbling with joy to see and hug each other. Then before entering the funeral home, we were told we had to wear masks. All six of us went into other than happy emotions.

Inside there was laughter again because of the looks and overheard comments of the strangers that thought we were in the wrong place. The young man was a cowboy, and we were all in our biker gear. LOL.

Then sorrow as we hugged the family of the deceased.  Then suddenly we were all laughing again at some comment. Then a man joined our group that created an array of emotions from all six of us. At one point I thought one man was going to explode! You could see the stress and anger in his countenance.

It’s really weird how our emotions work, isn’t it? Sometimes we are so tense then suddenly calm! We can go from indescribable joy to an incapacitating fear!

So, what do we do when our emotions seem out of control? 

What happens when we go from joy to fear to disgust all within a few minutes?

Listen, regardless of which emotions you struggle with, or what triggers them to run wild, you can find peace and strength in God’s Word. Amen?

First, ask God to guard your emotions, so that you can experience the everyday joys that he has for you. 

Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the devil. 

It is him, not the individual that is trying to mess with you anyway!

Ephesians 6:10-11 GNB (10) Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. (11) Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks.

We have to allow God to mend our hearts so we can move on!

In the midst of strong emotions, give God a chance to mold and mend your heart, and then move on.

Psalms 147:3 GNB He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.

When emotions overwhelm you, and you simply don’t know what to do next, pray for God’s perfect tranquility.
I know it is hard. It is impossible without God. But the Lord gives us a peace by guiding us with the right decisions. Amen?

Colossians 3:15 GNB The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.

I pray you get off that emotional roller-coaster today!

Have a blessed day!

Membership Never Expires

Yesterday we took Ethan to Spare Time in Temple for another bowling and arcade adventure.

I had brought along an old VIP Blitz card along with some other basic Blitz cards that I hadn’t used in a couple years.

When we arrived, I attempted to check the balance on the cards, but the machine didn’t recognize any of them.

After our one and a half hours of bowling and Ethan had exhausted the $20 that was on his Blitz card, we headed to the goodie store to see what he could get with the points he had won.

While they were tallying up Ethan’s points, I gave the staff member the old VIP card (and others) and asked if he could check to see if it had a balance on it.

As I was explaining that the machines up front would not recognize them, he nodded and said, “These are the old-style cards, we don’t use them anymore.”

I had already expected that they were useless but figured it was worth a try.

Then the young man said, “I will be back in a few, I have to take these cards to the back.” He explained that they had a “master machine” that could read the cards regardless of how old they were.

You know our Master also never changes even though we do. Amen?

Hebrews 13:8 KJV Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Praise the Lord, amen?

I still expected to find out that the cards I had left in my desk for the past couple years to be worthless. I was certain that the VIP card would be worthless because it gave me a ten percent discount on all the games in the Arcade. To get a VIP card requires you to spend a certain amount of money to qualify for the card. Since, I hadn’t used it in two years there was no record of me “qualifying” for the card in the first place.

The young man returned and informed me that I had a balance in reward points and $46 on the old forgotten card.

Then he asked if I would like to put all that on a new useable VIP card.

I was hesitant as I asked how much that was going to cost. I was waiting for his sales pitch for this new VIP card when he said, “You already have the card. Your membership never expires. It doesn’t cost you anything.”

I thought wow! I don’t deserve this special discount. I certainly don’t deserve the VIP treatment since I have not been active using the card for two years!

The young man smiled as he noticed my surprise. I accepted the FREE offer and walked out into the Arcade room with a RENEWED VIP card.

Isn’t that just like the Lord too? I mean we may spend time away, maybe not even reading his word for a while. Maybe we even become vulnerable to our weaknesses and have nothing to do with him for some time. But he is always there waiting and is always just what we need!
Psalms 73:26 GNB My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.

We were about to leave but it was pouring down rain. 

What was we to do? 

I handed my son the VIP card! “Enjoy son.”

May you find yourself on the VIP list today. 

If you have ever belonged to the VIP list for Jesus, it doesn’t expire! 

Get you a new card today and become active again.

Have a blessed day.

I Can’t See The Sign!

As many of you know, we finally got our new sign up and yesterday was the big day to get it “plugged in.”

One other issue that needed resolved was that anyone traveling West could not see the sign until the last minute because of tree limbs obscuring their vision!

A couple people told me that they almost missed the turn because they couldn’t see the sign.

One person did miss the turn off and had to turn around!

Isn’t that just like the devil! Trying to obscure our vision and make us stumble!

Proverbs 29:18 MSG If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Ethan and I trimmed back a truck load of limbs for this first “clearing job” yesterday and many folks were ecstatic that they could now see “the way.”

I pray for a clear vision for all, amen?

Have a blessed day

Are You Plugged In?

This morning I am sipping coffee in the motorhome with the Lord and praying that we will be able to hook up the electric for our new sign.

Our sign has lights in it to illuminate the church logo at night.

You see, the source is available, but it is not “plugged in!”

The lights are in, but they are not shining!

You see this?

Here is another application for our lives.

The Holy Spirit is available but are you plugged in?

Ephesians 4:30 MSG Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

The power of the Holy Spirit is available but are you “plugged in?”

Get plugged in today and have an “electrifying” day in the Lord.

Be blessed

You Make It Look So Easy!

We were all sitting in the motorhome having lunch when our next-door neighbor pulled up with a one-ton maintenance contact truck pulling a camper trailer.

The person positioned the camping trailer in an odd position to be able to back it into the RV space, so obviously this snatched my attention.  

I watched, and then Tammy started watching and then even Ethan was watching as the person attempted time after time to get the trailer into the assigned RV spot. 

At one point I said, “That person has no idea how to back up the trailer. They are going to hit the posts if they are…” Just then the truck hit the post I was talking about!

An older woman got out of the truck to look at the damage and after a quick assessment, drove the truck and trailer off. A few minutes later she had returned but lined the truck up exactly the same was as before.

Eventually, after hitting another post, I went out and offered my help. To my surprise she slid out of the seat immediately and let me have the wheel. 

The look of defeat and at the same time, relief was written all over her face. 

I noticed her Army Medic hat with Vietnam era info as I climbed into her truck.

I had to drive the vehicle forward nearly thirty feet to straighten up the mess and get a good approach. Okay, maybe to show off a little bit too. The lady started walking briskly towards me with doubt on her face. (Maybe she thought I was going to drive off and leave forever-LOL)

She walked along the side of the vehicle while I was slowly backing the trailer up and as it “mysteriously” aligned itself right along the pathway where it belonged the astonished lady threw her hands up in the air and said, “You make it look so easy!”

I just humbly smiled. As I slid out of the driver's seat and could see her trying to think of what to say,  I thrust my hand out quickly and thanked her for her service. 

I don’t know the circumstances as to why this older lady was unable to back up the trailer. 

Maybe she has recently lost her husband who did all the backing up but has decided to continue to enjoy the simple life. 

Maybe she always had trouble backing up a trailer and decided to give up practicing in vacant lots. 

Maybe she has a learning disability and it's just too hard to figure out.

The REASON really does not change the OUTCOME!

Learning something new is not easy. 

In fact, it is usually hard enough that many people just refuse to learn. 

Maybe it's just so intimidating that you do not want to learn it. 

Maybe it's just a pain and you do not want to take the time to learn it. 

Maybe you have a learning disability and have given up trying to learn a specific task due to your disability.

The outcome is the same regardless of the reason why you didn’t learn to accomplish any given task. 

That outcome is failure to accomplish the given task, period. Amen?

There are so many people that find themselves on the wrong path. 

They are trying to stay on the right path but it is just so hard. 

They keep setting up their spiritual camping trailers the same way and get upset when the outcome is a jackknifed trailer again and again!

When help was offered, the lady accepted right away!

We need to do the same with our walk with the Lord!

Proverbs 1:5 KJV A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Today, you can find “how to” videos on YouTube on anything. There are lessons on how to backup a trailer properly available all over the place. But, you have to watch or read them and then APPLY them. Amen?

It is the same with our walk with the Lord!

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I pray you are backing up your spiritual trailer into the camp and that is the camp that has the spirit in it. Amen?

Have a blessed day.

Is The Spirit In The Camp? (title is link to sermon)

This morning I am sipping coffee while sitting here with Jesus in the motorhome at our home away from home for the next week. I can feel and am comforted by HIS presence. The spirit is here in the camp!

I cannot help but dwell on last night's events at the church! The spirit of God was moving, and many people left changed.

The spirit of God is awesome indeed! I pray that you are feeling the spirit of God guiding you today as you read this.

Do you feel the spirit of God in your “camp?”

I Samuel 4:4-11 (4) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. (5) And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. (6) And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. (7) And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore (8) Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. (9) Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. (10) And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. (11) And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain

I ask you again, Is the spirit in your camp?

I am not asking if there are symbols of Christianity at your home. 

I am not asking if there is a “I love Jesus” bumper sticker on your car. 

I am not asking if you wear T-shirts that have scripture printed on them. 

I am asking if the spirit of God is in your camp, in your home, in your car, in you.

You see, Israel was out of sync with God. The people had forgotten the Lord and had become Baal worshippers.  

I am sure you are not worshipping Baal but what is the first thing you think about when you get up? What is the last thing you are thinking about when you lay down for the night? That could be your idol! Amen? If you spend enough time NOT seeking the Lord, NOT reading HIS word, NOT praying to him, you may NOT have the spirit in your camp.

You see, the Israelites had neglected the spiritual side of things, so as a result the Lord gave them over to their enemies.  Instead of seeking to become right with God, these Israelites thought that, if they could get the ark of the covenant, which had been the symbol of Jehovah's presence, and bring it from the tent of Shiloh into the midst of their camp, they would then be certain of victory.

They thought wrong, didn’t they?  They sent and fetched the ark; and when it came into the camp, they were enthusiastic as if their banners already waved over a victorious battle; they lifted up their voices so loudly, that the earth rang again with their shouts, while the Philistines, hearing their exulting shout, and finding out the reason, were greatly afraid. With fearful hearts, and trembling lips, already counting that all was lost, their enemies turned to one another, and said, "God has come into the camp. Woe unto us! For there hath not been such a thing heretofore."

THE GREAT MISTAKE, which the Israelites made, was that instead of going to God himself, they instead went to Shiloh to fetch the ark of the covenant.

The point I am trying to make today is that you can have a 10 pound cross hanging around your neck, your car covered with Christian bumper stickers, a Bible in every room of your house but the spirit of God could still be missing!

I pray this finds you feeling the presence of Gaod with you! 

If not, the spirit of God is not in the camp. 

All you have to do is repent of those idols and ask HIM to join you! 

THEN the spirit will be in your camp.

Have a spirit filled and blessed day!

Five Smooth Stones (title is link to sermon)

Read 1 Samuel 17

David fought the giant with FAITH! Amen?

We can look at those five smooth stones as that FAITH!

F-A-I-T-H...
Fortitude,
Aggression,
Initiative,
Testimony and
Help from Above...

Five smooth stones in the hands of a young Jewish boy who would one day be king. But for now, and in the eyes of Goliath, he was just a runt. But it was not who David was that made the difference, it was what he was made of...

David showed Fortitude when no one else dared fight the giant!

The Israelites were “dismayed and greatly afraid.”  “ And all the men of Israel when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.” 1 Samuel 17:24

Our faith requires that we have the fortitude to face the giants in our lives. Amen?

David displayed Aggression!

David was aggressive in defense of his cause. Amen?

The Israelites were afraid to stand for what they believed in.  The giant was defying their very existence as a people.  The giant cursed their God!

Believers should not always be passive!

There are some who believe that Christians should be pacifists but there are times when you are called upon to fight. Amen?
However, the battle we are engaged in is spiritual rather than physical…so we fight in a different way.

David took the Initiative!

The battle was at a stand-off, no one was winning.

David asked: Is there not a cause? (Verse 29)

He drew near the giant! (verse 40)

David took the fight to the giant. He took the initiative!

The Israelites pursued the enemy after David’s victory. Sometimes, all it takes is one person! One person to make a stand!

Initiative is usually a step of faith. It means stepping out even though the odds are against you. When one person dares to make a stand, it motivates the others to continue the assault. Amen?

David had a Testimony.

David had killed a lion and a bear before (Verses 34-35).

David testified and gave the glory to God! Verse 37)

A testimony comes from living a life of faith – a life of walking with God.

Anyone can develop a testimony. You may not have one now but if you trust in God today you can have one tomorrow. Amen?

Giants will face you wherever you are but trusting in God will help you to overcome and you will be able to testify!

David had Help.

David recognized that he couldn’t do it alone.

No one can face giants alone.

Giants by nature are physically superior and it would be foolish to go against them on your own strength.

David faced the giant in the name of the Lord!

The name of the Lord is powerful! Amen?

Five smooth stones – very simple weapons used by David to vanquish an opponent who was larger, better equipped and better trained than he was but David had something that made the difference on that day…David had F.A.I.T.H.

David had F.A.I.T.H. that whatever he did, his God was on his side and when the giants came, they had to fall before him.

In order to face your giants, you too can use these five smooth stones: Fortitude, Aggression, Initiative, Testimony and you can’t do it without Help from above.

Have a blessed day!

Is Jesus Enough? (title is link to sermon)

This is part six (of six) of the "Not a Fan" series by Kyle Idleman.

We read in the gospel of John, after dinner the crowd decides to camp out for the night so they can be with Jesus the next day.  They are committed fans.  But the next morning the crowd wakes up and they are hungry again.  Ready for a little breakfast.  They look around for Jesus, a.k.a. their meal ticket, but he is nowhere to be found.  

Starting at John 6:22 we read about the crowd of people looking for Jesus.  When the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they got into those boats and went to Capernaum, looking for him. Eventually they figure out that Jesus and his disciples had crossed over to the other side of the lake.  Instead of going home they make the trip to the other side of the lake to be with Jesus. The crowd seems to have no higher priority than being with Jesus.  Maybe these are more than just fans after all. Right?

By the time they catch up to Jesus they are starving.  They have missed the chance to order breakfast and they are ready to find out what’s on the lunch menu.  But Jesus has decided to shut down the “all you can eat buffet.”  He’s not handing out anymore “free samples.”  

In verse 26 Jesus says to the crowd: I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

And Jesus decides to have the DTR talk with this crowd. Remember the DTR (Define The Relationship) talk?

He knows that these people are not going to all the trouble and sacrifice because they are following him, but because they are following the food.

They are fans of Jesus but how would they respond when the drive through window closed?  

In verse 35 Jesus offers himself, but the question is, would that be enough?

John 6:35   "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty.

When Jesus is the Only Thing on the Menu, You Find Out if He’s the One You Were Really Hungry For.

When there are no other options, that’s when you find out if Jesus is enough.  Amen?

If you read on in John 6, you will see that MANY of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Are you focused on what you can get out of the relationship with Jesus?

Are you a fan or are you a follower of Jesus?  

Is Jesus enough?

Is JUST JESUS ENOUGH?

If he is, you are a follower.

Amen?

More Than Rules (Title is link to sermon)

This is part five of the "Not a Fan" series by Kyle Idleman.

I remember my sister and me getting up one Sunday morning and getting all dressed up to go to a church only a few miles from the house.  Marty and I had planned this during the week and saved our best set of school clothes for this little Sunday jaunt.  I had a license and since our parents didn't want to go, we decided we would go anyway!  We had moved into a pretty small town and the church we went to visit wasn’t that big of a church.  I am not sure of the denomination but that doesn't really matter the fact is that my sister and I were going to church amen?

The church must have had all the oldest people from the community!  There was not anyone young there!  I don't think there was anyone our parent’s age there either!   During the entire church service, I would get a feeling that someone was looking at me!  I would turn towards that burning sensation and ta-da!  Yes, one of the geriatric elders would be looking at me and they would give me a slight nod and an uncomfortable smile.  

When the service was over, we made our way to the door and was stopped by one of those elders with a very nice smile.  He seemed to like having some young folks at the church and as he shook my hand he said, "We were glad to have you today, but I have to tell you we wear our Sunday best at this church."

We smiled awkwardly and walked to the 1969 Ford LTD briskly.  We sat in the car totally in shock as we gathered our thoughts.   

It was simple we didn't belong there, and we were not accepted there.  The had a set of rules and we could not follow those rules!  That happened 43 years ago, and I still feel like it was yesterday!  

Here is a quote from Gandhi: “I like your Christ.  I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

If you remember in John chapter 8, the religious people tried to trick Jesus with the rules and laws. 

They had caught a woman in sin and was ready to stone her!

She had broken the rules!

This woman, she is looking down—humiliated, guilty, ashamed.  She’s been caught breaking the rules, and this may be the day that breaking a rule cost her everything.

Finally, Jesus looks up at these spiritual leaders & He says, “If any one of you is without sin, he can cast the first stone.”  

And the grace of Jesus, that same grace that saved a woman from being stoned, calls to those who have been hauling around a long list of rules and rituals and obligations – Jesus calls to those who are tired of pretending to be more than they are.

Jesus calls to you! 

Maybe you grew up in a home where you were taught all about Jesus.  

Maybe, you went to church on the weekend and church camp in the summer.  And you learned to fear Jesus…so you kept as many rules as you could hoping you wouldn’t go to hell.  And when you would sin you would feel guilt wondering if you would be good enough.   

And you were taught to observe different religious traditions and rule keeping.

But somehow, you never really fell in love with Jesus.  You became a fan.  Because when you come into a situation in which rules take precedence over love and grace, it’s hard to fall in love.

It is More Than Rules!

Receive HIS grace and mercy today.

Be blessed