A SILLY MISTAKE

Sometimes life is too busy, crowded, and over demanding. That is just the way it is. It is what it is. When it gets that way, then adjustments need to be made. I heard of a new book entitled "Change Before You Have Too." In fact I am reading it. Changes will be made in our lives due to stress and over-crowded schedules. It is just a matter of when the change will occur - when it is too late or better long before it gets you.

Last week I had a long, rather serious phone call on my way to work. I arrived still in the parking lot finishing the call and talking on my IPhone with my headsets. After a few minutes I went on into the office and worked a couple of hours.

Later in the morning, one of the secretaries arrived for work and shared that someone's car was running in the parking lot. I checked my pocket for keys and could not find them. That was my car. I had left it running for two hours in the parking lot unlocked.

That is a lot of gas.

Am I really that short of memory? Is it Alzheimer's?

Not!

I was rushed and focused on the conversation and had headsets on. I was too busy. I had to pick up several items in the car and all of that distracted me along with having the ear phones on.

I chuckled and went about my day. If that is the worse thing that ever happens to me then I am blessed!

Now don't tell my you haven't done something silly too.

TEMPTED

I am preaching a three part sermon series entitled "Tempted". Temptation comes in many forms but the ultimate desire of the Devil in tempting us is to destroy us.

He desires to tempt us to:

1. A Lesser Good.
2. A Lesser Glory.
3. A Lesser God.

The Devil is the ultimate deceiver. In fact God's Word tells us that the Devil will be cast into everlasting torment because of his unholy works of deception. See Rev 20:10.

How can we overcome Satan's deceptions?

1. Know the Truth.
2. Quote the Truth.
3. Live the Truth.

Truth sets us free. Satan is the father of lies. He takes part of the truth, twists it, adds to it, and re-designs it. The end result for those who buy into his lies is death. Yes, there is momentary pleasure, but the end is always the same - death.

Satan knows his days are numbered. He doesn't want to go the hell alone. He is working overtime to steal, kill, and destroy. But God has made a way through Jesus Christ for us to overcome. His Light outshines Satan's darkness.

One final word, when we fall short quickly repent. Don't hide sin. It can't be hidden.

ALONE

I don't do alone very good. Wanda is gone for a few days to help care for her mother in Tallahassee, and I am home alone. Now I am not a little kid and afraid to be home alone. I just don't like the loneliness of it all.

My heart goes out to those who live alone. Men don't do well by themselves. God noted that and made Eve for Adam. Adam needed a helper. So do I.

What do I miss about Wanda?

I miss her loving kindness.

I miss her touch and talk.

I miss having someone to share the day with.

I miss the extra little things she does to make a day worth living.

I miss her beautiful smile.

I miss her helping me when I need assistance in life's daily decisions.

I miss her encouragement.

Yes, we can talk on the phone, and she will be home soon.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder. In that way, I guess her absence will make our marriage stronger, but boy do I miss that gal. She is a gift from God to me.

MILTON, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM

I was sleeping so good, but Wanda woke me.

"Milton, we've got a problem," she said.

It was 4 AM and the patter of rain on our tent sounded so good. It was good sleeping weather.

I looked up and the tent was sagging in the middle down almost to the ground. We definitely had a problem. It was a big water problem. I felt around  in the dark and didn't feel any water or dampness. Thankfully the water had not yet invaded our tent.

With one big upward push, the water drained down all sides of our tent. We were still dry. It hadn't been raining that hard so I wondered what caused the tent to sag, and then I saw it. A huge glob of moss had fallen on the tent pushing it downward and the water pooled into the top of the tent. Another big upward push got rid of the moss and we were good to go the rest of the night.

Wanda and I love tent camping in good weather. When it is cool with clear skies, we enjoy the outdoors. We knew that there was a chance of rain, but we were hoping the weatherman was wrong. We laughed it off and went back to sleep.

The next morning was when the nasty effects of camping in the rain took place. Now, the tent and anything left outside was wet. Packing wet gear isn't fun, but we decided to laugh through the rain.

The great philosopher Bill Cosby once said that you can deal with any problem in life if you can find something to laugh about as you go through it. He is right.

We laughed and packed up the wet gear and enjoyed our time camping.

Rain falls on the righteous campers and the unrighteous campers, but the joy of the Lord helps you through the rain.

NEW THINGS

God is always doing new things. He is the Creator. He is the original author. No one designs better than God. He is the ultimate imaginator. He does things beyond what you can think or imagine. Excellent is His Name.

Isaiah 43 reveals the desire of God in doing new things. He is always challenging, inspiring, motivating, revealing new things. That is what a Holy God does.

I am expecting new things from God. He has spoken that into my heart. He will do bigger, better, and holier things in me and through me.

It takes a very arrogant person to think that they have seen all that God can do. We get stuck and want to duplicate, replicate, and enshrine things that God has gone way past. He is leaving us in the dust and we don't even know it.

I don't want to live that way. I want what God has for me today. God wrote through Isaiah not to remember things of old. That is a hard word for some. They don't want to move forward in God. They aren't willing to sing a new song or do a new thing or receive a new gift.

So now is the time for me to open up to more from God. He has spoken that into my heart. I will receive it now.

MIRACLES ARE HAPPENING

I have asked the Lord to open the windows of heaven upon our church family. He has promised in His Word that He would do it. That is His declaration. I am taking Him up on His promise.

Sunday in church a lady shared that a cancer had returned to her body and the doctor had recommended radiation treatment. They scheduled the treatment, but something happened.

She shared that the morning of the treatment a new test showed that the cancer was gone. It was totally gone. They had one test where it clearly was present, but the last test showed it was gone. The doctor said he didn't know what had happened. It just wasn't there any longer.

Mary Jane told her doctor that she knew what had happened. She said that God had healed her. She gave God the glory.

I am convinced more miracles are on the way. God is going to work miracles of deliverance, healing, and financial provision. That is His promise not mine.

To God be the glory for the great things He will do.

Miracles are on the way.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

My expectation level is rising. I think you call that faith. God is in the faith honoring business. He honors those who believe Him and obey Him. That is called having faith.

Faith without works is dead. James wrote that. He is right.

So now my faith level is rising. I am remembering what He has done for me and for others. I believe what He Word says about His miracle working power. I am expecting many, many miracles from God for me and for others.

I have determined to pray more in my heavenly prayer language. That engages my faith. It emboldens my faith. It give my faith power. When I pray in the Spirit it builds me up. It is faith strengthening.

I received my heavenly prayer language on July 4, 1963 at Oak Mountain State Park just outside of Birmingham, AL. It was one of the most powerful, spiritual experiences of my life. It was a Book of Acts experience. I spoke in a language I did not know. God's presence filled my life and overflowed all over me.

That experience is still real. It still works. It still raises my faith level. I am expecting more from God than ever before for others, my church family, and the lost.

I have great expectations. I can't wait to see what miracles God is going to work today.

CAMPING WITH GRANDSONS

This past weekend I went camping with Alex, Nic, and Lorenzo at our annual church campout for our district. It was at Ft. Meade, FL, with about 1500 other boys and men. The weather was perfect and we had a fantastic time. Cole was there with Mark, his father, and their church.

They had a ball doing what boys do at campouts. They made fires, did knife carvings, played in the creek, went  on a zip line, did some horse trading for knives, and ran all over the place.

The best part for me was to see them in the evening church rallies worshipping God. It thrills me to see them growing in God's knowledge and learning how to become fine young men one day. I am so proud of all of them as well as Alex Clark who isn't part of our church district and wasn't there.

Grandchildren are one's legacy. They are the remains through your children of all you are. I see me in them and want so much for them to become all that God has for them to be.

Wanda and I join hands every morning and call all of their names. We pray for God's protection and blessings over them. We pray they will grow in His knowledge. We pray for their faith to grow and for hearts after God.

Nothing could be better than to see all of our children and grandchildren in heaven for all eternity. That is all that matters to me.

HAPPY TO BE ME

I love it.

Grandkids are the best. They say the most incredible things. Sometimes it is astounding and amazing. They make you think, and sometimes they make you crack up.

Claudia came to her Mom recently and said with huge enthusiasm, "Mommy, sometimes I get soooo excited that I am me."

Wow! Profound and funny.

I am excited to be me too. I am thankful for God's blessings on my life. I have huge faults and needs and struggles, but the Lord helps me and blesses me.

Thankfulness to the Lord for how He made me is huge. That is not always easy because sometimes I think that if I had this or that or didn't have certain things then I would be happier and better off. That isn't necessarily so.

Claudia had it right.

I am excited that I am me. God made me. I am excited and thankful.

MIRACLES

I love it when God shows up. He is always there, but to see His hand extended is a faith builder. Over and over the Lord has been incredibly faithful. He is amazing.

Sunday was Resurrection Sunday, my favorite Sunday of the year. I love the special holidays we celebrate, but Easter is at the top of my list.

Why?

Because we celebrate His life. He is risen. He is alive.

He arose so that we might arise.

That was my message Sunday. He arose so that we might arise.

Recently, we have had some unusual financial tests at our church. We have seen the provision of the Lord, but the tough world economy hasn't been easy.

But God is faithful.

We receive a special Miracle Easter Offering with a goal of $20,000. That is not a lot by some standards but it was a stretch for us in this economy. Sunday the Miracle offering we received was just over $18,000. I believe the rest is on the way.

PTL!

It is a miracle. Jesus is alive and He answers prayer.

Praise God. He still works miracles.