WICKED LEADERS

I have been amazed in the Bible how God is so clear about His evaluation of leaders and those who ruled over Israel. Over and over, the various Kings of Israel who sinned and did wrong were described as wicked and ungodly. Their sins brought harsh judgement on the people. God doesn't mince words when describing wicked and ungodly leaders.

That word "wicked" is a strong word to describe anyone, yet that is the word God used concerning many of the rulers over Israel. It means evil or morally wrong, vile. corrupt, or iniquitous. Those are clear, condemning, and concise. They describe many of our leaders today.

How quickly the slide of sin moves. It starts so very slow without hardly a notice and continues until there is no way to stop the ever fast rolling snowball, exempt one.

That is to repent, plead for the covering of the Blood of Jesus, and turn from the backsliding of sin. I am praying daily for the Lord to bring our Nation, people, and leaders to repentance and to honor God again in our Country.

Sin is a reproach to any people the Bible notes. Righteousness exalts a people. Only by repentance can we see the harm and judgement of sin removed. I am further praying that God will remove leaders who give false lip service to believing in Him but whose hearts are far from Him.

Our Nation is at a crossroads of crisis. Unless wicked leaders are removed, the sting of sin will bring more harm. Judgement will come. The aftermath will be severe. The wage of sin is always death.

May God call our Nation to repentance and Churches to true revival. May there be a return to holiness of the heart and home. May God have mercy on us and forgive us of our sins.

FEELING THE STRAIN

Tuesday morning I did my normal routine of prayer, devotions, and working out before going to work. It usually takes me about 2 hours to do all of that and then I get dressed and ready for the day. For several months I have been doing this routine and it is paying off. I feel better in every way. My muscles and body feel better and I am stronger and fit for the day.

Admittedly, some mornings I feel the strain of stretching my muscles with weights and pushups and running, but it is worth it. It helps me think clearer and function better.

Someone said that there is no gain without some pain. Now I am not into desiring lots of pain, but I am for striving to be my best.

I read in the Book of Jeremiah that there is a curse on those who are lax in dong the Lord's work. (Jeremiah 48: 10) That got my attention. I don't know that I had ever noted that verse specifically before, but it stood out in my mind this week as I read it in my early devotional readings. Wow, I certainly don't want a curse on my life as a servant of God.

God has called me to preach His Word. That has really impacted me again in a very challenging way. It is not a light thing to speak for God. I have never been called by a Governor, or Mayor, or The President to speak for them, but God has called me to speak on His behalf. That is humbling, awesome, as well as a fearful thing to do. I must not be lax or weak in what He has called me to do.

HERE COMES MORE RAIN

Through the years, like all Floridians, I have gone through storm after storm and hurricane after hurricane. The hurricanes have passed by close and skirted us and some have gone right over us. You can't live in Florida long without going through this over and over.

Years ago, I lived in Mobile, Alabama, and went through Hurricane Frederick which did major damage in the Mobile area. The eye of that hurricane went right over us in the middle of the night. For hours we felt the affect of that hurricane as it approached and then it got real quiet and still for half and hour. Then it started up again.

All night it seemed the house would blow away. When it ended just before daybreak and we finally could go outside, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the night. Debris was everywhere. Trees were shredded or down. Buildings lost roofs. Cars were damaged. It was a sight to behold.

Years later, I helped in the relief effort after Hurricane Andrew. It was the worst natural disaster to hit our Nation. I was in South Miami the day after Hurricane Andrew and it was far worse than TV cameras were ever able to portray it. It was sad.

Thankfully, the present storm, Isaac, is not headed our way, but we are expected to get lots of rain, wind, and flooding. I pray for those who will be in the storm's path that it won't be so bad.

It is interesting to see how people prepare or don't prepare for storms like this. Some take it seriously while others pay little attention. I know I'll never ignore another storm or go through another hurricane. All it took for me was to go through one long night of wondering if we'd make it through the night.

One of the main things about dealing with hurricanes is that at least there is a warning of impending danger. We have known for a week or more than this storm was coming and now it is close. People can prepare if they choose too.

That is the way it is with eternity and heaven. We know that we're all mortal and that one day we're going to leave this world, but far too many don't take their mortality seriously. Yet, it is appointed unto man once to die. Death is certain for all of us and comes far quicker than we can know. None of us know when we'll leave this world, but all of us will. It behooves us to be ready.

RIDIN' "BIG RED"

Its been almost two months since I have ridden "Big Red" due to rain and hot weather. I also had a dear friend who lost his brother on a motorcycle accident that I will admit impacted me too. "Woody" veered off the road on a cross country ride in Nevada. I have hurt with that family in their loss. He probably had a heart attack or went to sleep and lost control.

Yet, I am riding again. It is therapeutic for me. I have to concentrate on the ride which gets everything else off my mind. I love it.

"Big Red" has just been sitting in the garage waiting to get on the road again so off I go for fun in the sun. I'm riding over to Tallahassee to see Wanda's family, mother and her daughter and sisters. Wanda has been there all week so I'll ride over and be back on Saturday.

Part of that ride is boring and part is very beautiful. I'll get off the Interstate and ride some county roads and riding in Tallahassee and that area is special, much prettier to me than Jax.

Wanda will ride with me too. I'm taking her helmet and boots and we'll tour the area.

Most of all I'll get to see Wanda sooner by riding over. I miss that Lady when she's not home. She is God's gift to me and my family. She is some gal!

LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME

Someone said that if you have one eye looking at the past and the other eye looking at the future then you will probably look cockeyed. Ha!

Today is where our primary focus should be. Even Jesus said that sufficient is today for its worries. Don't worry about tomorrow. Deal with today.

There is so much truth in that. We can't change the past. Worrying about the future is futile and wasteful of our energies. We should live for the opportunities that God brings our way each day.

Whatever we face He has promised to be our helper and guide. I can't remember what I was worried about ten years ago so it must not have been so big. The worries of tomorrow may never happen. So I will put my attention to the opportunities of today.

God has been speaking into my heart about the importance of being confident. Paul wrote that we can be confident that the good work our Lord has begun in us that He will complete it. God knows how to finish what He starts. He doesn't get distracted, discouraged, or delayed. His timing is right on.

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I will live with passion, vision, and determination today to make this day count for eternity. That way I won't look cockeyed!

FRUSTRATIONS

I have enjoyed using my Apple products, but I have had a few frustrations lately. Some of the syncing mechanisms haven't been working the best. That has caused me to spend considerable time on the phone trying to get things back online and working correctly.

It is nice to have a cell phone, computer, and IPad that are all connected and share information. That makes life goes smoother and quicker. It generally works great, but not lately.

I think I have everything back in order, or at least I hope so.

It has taken lots of time, but even with that I can't complain. Apple products have worked extremely good for me. And, they help you on the phone and stay with you until it is fixed.

Sharing information is what the information age is all about. It happens so quickly. You can touch thousands and thousands of lives in a few moments and share incredible amounts of information between my devices. Amazing!

I love it, even when things are slow. Amazing! I'll write more on my next blog post.

CITY ORDINANCE 296

For the past six months I have been working with other city leaders to defeat City Ordinance 296. It proposed to give "special rights" to homosexuals and lesbians. It was cloaked with the disguise of civil liberties, but how can you grant civil liberties for behavior?

Thankfully, and miraculously, it was defeated Wednesday  night by the Jacksonville City Council by a vote of 17 to 2. That is a huge victory for our city.

The attempt was to make homosexual and lesbian relations "normal". It was an aggressive act to abuse the civil rights of Christians and others of faith who opposed immoral relationships. In the process it would have hurt children, youth, families, and our community.

All people should be loved and given respect, but that doesn't include all behavior. There are obviously many, countless acts of behavior that should not be tolerated by society, but that doesn't mean that the people doing them aren't loved.

Christians aren't biased or bigoted when they do not accept immoral behavior. What is more hateful: to condone sin or give a fair warning and offer redemptive help? The answer is simple.

Last night, Wednesday night, I felt that God's hand extended down into our City. I felt that God showed us mercy. Now, I pray that a revival of righteousness will rain down upon us. Not one of judgment, but one of love for God and His holiness.

Holiness is good. Purity is good. They both bring incredible blessing.

The battle is sure to be fought again, but the Lord is our victory and last night He won.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE

Men often do not see the obvious. I read that is one of our characteristics. We don't multi-task well. We don't listen well. We don't ask for directions. And, we don't see things that are right in front of our noses.

I can't tell you the number of times I have called Wanda to get her to help me find something, only to find in right in front of my face. Ha! I'm not sure what the problem is, but I don't think I'm the only one.

Women do it too.

Just ask Wanda.

Recently we were sitting together on the beach enjoying the ocean. She had her I-Phone and wanted to listen to her music. She tried and tried to get it to play, but it wouldn't work. Finally, she turned to me for help. I looked for a moment and quickly saw the problem. Her earplugs were in her lap and not in her ears! Ha!

It is hard to listen to music on an I-Phone if the earplugs are not in your ears!

All of us have that problem from time to time. We miss the obvious, the most important, the most evident and clearest. That happens over and over spiritually.

God's Word speaks clearly about every issue of life, but people miss it over and over. I think the problem is kind of like Wanda's problem with not hearing the music. They don't have their spiritual earplugs in. They're not listening. God is speaking but no one is paying attention.

May God help me today to open my eyes, my ears, and my heart and hear what He is saying and where He is leading. Then all will go well.

I'M BACK....

I'm back and I hope you are too!

I've been away celebrating Wanda's 60th B'day, enjoying a cruise, and spending a couple days on the beach. It was a great get-a-way. Wanda and I both needed some down time. We have returned home relaxed and ready to go again.

Someone told me that they couldn't believe Wanda was 60. They said that I had robbed the cradle. She sure looks younger and acts younger than 60 too. She is a primary reason I bought "Big Red". I couldn't believe that she would ride a motorcycle with me at our ages, but she is young at heart and energetic and ready to try new things. I like that!

We had a wonderful cruise to the Bahama's sailing to Cococay and Nassau. It was a quick four night cruise and was just right as far as the time sailing goes. We ate, and ate, and ate, and then ate some more. I did workout running around and around the ship to burn some of those calories. I also visited their workout center too.

Besides eating, we really enjoyed meeting new people, the shows at night, and visiting Cococay. Cococay is a very small island the ship visits for one day. We sat on the beach, enjoying a hammock, and just watching the sea.

Finally, we returned to Florida and spent another couple of days on St. Augustine Beach. I had never gone to St. Augustine Beach even though I've visited St. Augustine more times than I can count. It is a nice beach to ride bikes and relax. That is exactly what we did.

Now it is back to work. Can't wait to see all that God is going to do in our lives. My desire is to make my life count for eternity and bring glory to His name. I feel refreshed and ready to go at it again.

Thank you Lord for a few days away to renew body, mind, and spirit.

God is good!

I'LL BE BACK....

Taking a week's break from blogging. Doing some fun stuff. Spending time with Wanda. Just letting my mind and body rest. This is good. See you next Monday!

I'll be back....

FASTING AND PRAYING

Some things only come about by prayer coupled with fasting. That is what our Lord taught. Prayer is talking and listening to God. Fasting is giving up something you love during a time of prayer. Fasting is mostly connected to giving up food for a period of time. Our Lord fasted forty days at least one time. There are many other examples in the Bible where prayer and fasting were done.

Why pray and fast?

1. It is a show of humility and surrender to God.
2. It makes us bring the flesh under subjection and pulls us closer to God.
3. It empowers our prayers as we surrender to His will.
4. God takes note of prayer and fasting.
5. The Devil is defeated through prayer and fasting.

Through the years the Lord has led me on numerous times of fasting. I have fasted as long as ten days at one time, but more often it is much shorter than that. Sometimes a day. Other times three days or a week. Admittedly it is painful and difficult. I love to eat! When you don't eat all kinds of hurts start. Headaches, stomaches, and weakness are all impacting. Ouch!

Yet, when we wait on God with prayer and fasting, something happens in the heavens. God takes note. In the Bible whole cities and nations were spared because of prayer and fasting. Individuals saw God's hand extended to them through prayer and fasting.

If you are facing a time of difficulty and don't know what to do. Or, if you feel your prayers are being hindered. Then add prayer with fasting.

It has helped me. I have seen God's hand extended through prayer and fasting. Hard problems are cracked through prayer and fasting. Jesus said so.

EAT MORE CHIKIN'

How bigoted can one mayor get? The mayor of Chicago recently stated that Chick-fil-A is not welcome in his city due to the head of Chick-fil-A's support of traditional family values.

So Dr. George Wood, General Supt. of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, asked the mayor if he was opposed to Catholics, Evangelicals, Muslims, or many other pro-traditional family groups to live in his city?

How biased and bigoted can one mayor get?

Just because one doesn't support homosexual or lesbian lifestyles is basis enough to keep them out of "his" city? So tell me? Who is really bigoted here?

I plan on eating more chicken at Chick-fil-A and more regularly.

Last week I stopped by a Chick-fil-A and placed an order. As the cashier was filling it, I asked to speak to the manager. In a moment the manager came up and I told her how much I appreciate this company and its pro-tradistional family values. She beamed with gratitude.

Homosexuality and lesbianism are sin. They are wrong behavioral choices. They lead to hurt and shame.   The Bible is very clear about sin's end result - death.

We can love the sinner and hate the sin. God loves sinners and so should we. Yet, God doesn't condone sin. He died so we can be free of sin.

May God have mercy on our Nation and help us to return to Him. That is our only hope. I will keep praying and believing and I also plan on eatin' more chikin.