I will be taking a break from posting on this blog for two weeks. After posting over 710 blogs, I am re-focusing my writing attention. You will see me here again soon so don't go too far away. Thanks to all who have faithfully followed my thoughts. I hope that you have been encouraged to a higher, better life.
There is more ahead, but I am taking a breather.
See you soon.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
TREVOR MARTIN
No, I am not getting into the debate over racial justice, but I do want to comment on the recent Zimmerman trial. I didn't watch any of the trial. I don't know all the details. I have no dog in this hunt.
It is so sad that a older teenage boy lost his life. My heart goes out to the Trevor Martin.
Yet, obviously there is a serious divide in our country over racial justice. I am for fair treatment. I hate bigotry. I don't want to be treated in a bigoted way and neither do I desire for others to face racial bigotry.
But a trial was held. A judgement was made. Might I add, that we should be thankful that we live in a country where we have a legal system for justice to work.
Now that the verdict is in, it appears that some question the results. Again, I don't have a dog in this hunt, but we should let the system work.
I will say that in our city too many blacks are being killed by other blacks. There is a serious problem going on here with too many black children not having mothers and fathers at home. This produces serious issues within the children without mothers and fathers. Then terrible results follow that often includes blacks killing blacks.
May God help us to do a better job at proclaiming His Word so that children of all races and color can grow up in good homes with loving mothers and fathers to teach and train them in the right way.
It is so sad that a older teenage boy lost his life. My heart goes out to the Trevor Martin.
Yet, obviously there is a serious divide in our country over racial justice. I am for fair treatment. I hate bigotry. I don't want to be treated in a bigoted way and neither do I desire for others to face racial bigotry.
But a trial was held. A judgement was made. Might I add, that we should be thankful that we live in a country where we have a legal system for justice to work.
Now that the verdict is in, it appears that some question the results. Again, I don't have a dog in this hunt, but we should let the system work.
I will say that in our city too many blacks are being killed by other blacks. There is a serious problem going on here with too many black children not having mothers and fathers at home. This produces serious issues within the children without mothers and fathers. Then terrible results follow that often includes blacks killing blacks.
May God help us to do a better job at proclaiming His Word so that children of all races and color can grow up in good homes with loving mothers and fathers to teach and train them in the right way.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
ONE BIG LAUGH!
Laughter is like a medicine. It heals the soul. It releases strength. It renews the spirit.
We have just enjoyed having Julie, Nic, and Alex in our home for a few days. It wasn't long enough. What fun those boys are.
While sitting at the dinner table Wednesday night, Nic sucked a green bean into his mouth with a funny swish sound. It tuned his tickle box over, and he belly laughed so hard that he cried. It was too funny. I enjoyed his laugh too.
Life is too serious for most of us. Kids laugh at most anything and I think are happier for it. We need more laughter, more light moments, more joy.
It has been said that you can face anything in life if you can find something to laugh at as you go through it. That is true.
So here's to Nic bean belly laugh.
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
We have just enjoyed having Julie, Nic, and Alex in our home for a few days. It wasn't long enough. What fun those boys are.
While sitting at the dinner table Wednesday night, Nic sucked a green bean into his mouth with a funny swish sound. It tuned his tickle box over, and he belly laughed so hard that he cried. It was too funny. I enjoyed his laugh too.
Life is too serious for most of us. Kids laugh at most anything and I think are happier for it. We need more laughter, more light moments, more joy.
It has been said that you can face anything in life if you can find something to laugh at as you go through it. That is true.
So here's to Nic bean belly laugh.
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Monday, July 8, 2013
A MIRACLE WEEK
My last post was on the topic of miracles and expecting miracles.
Last week I saw a miracle.
I will not go into all the details but will just say that we saw a major break threw, a miracle, in our church finances. We had a deficit for a number of months that was very discouraging. The bad national economy had hurt the churches finances, but God is faithful.
We were in need of about $30,000 dollars or so which was huge for our church. On Easter we had raised $20,000 to pay of a short term loan on a renovation, but the deficit problem continued.
Last week a lady called and shared that she had an offering to give. To make a long story short she gave me a check for the church for $37,000.
Major praise to the Lord!
On this past Sunday, a couple met me at the church door and gave me a check for $56,000.
Another major praise to the Lord.
Now the deficit has been met and we are ahead!
God still works miracles. This one was long in coming, but it came in His timing!
To God be the glory!
Last week I saw a miracle.
I will not go into all the details but will just say that we saw a major break threw, a miracle, in our church finances. We had a deficit for a number of months that was very discouraging. The bad national economy had hurt the churches finances, but God is faithful.
We were in need of about $30,000 dollars or so which was huge for our church. On Easter we had raised $20,000 to pay of a short term loan on a renovation, but the deficit problem continued.
Last week a lady called and shared that she had an offering to give. To make a long story short she gave me a check for the church for $37,000.
Major praise to the Lord!
On this past Sunday, a couple met me at the church door and gave me a check for $56,000.
Another major praise to the Lord.
Now the deficit has been met and we are ahead!
God still works miracles. This one was long in coming, but it came in His timing!
To God be the glory!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
GET READY FOR A MIRACLE
I believe God is still engaged in the affairs of men.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God's Word promises that. It is true. (Heb. 13:8)
Why do I believe in miracles? Here are a few reasons.
1. See the above.
2. God answers prayer.
3. God loves us.
4. Some needs require a supernatural miracle.
5. So God can show his power and glory.
There are many more reasons I believe in miracles. I have seen supernatural works of God in my life and others. I have watched God's hand extend to my life. I know God cares and meets needs.
Yes, there are times of waiting. There are times where answers come too slow in our estimation, but God is always on time.
Here is a sure way to see a miracle.
1. Pray.
2. Be open to the Holy Spirit.
3. Exercise faith.
4. Wait and expect.
5. Keep a spirit of praise.
I know there are no quick easy formulas to miracles. God doesn't work that way, but don't short-changed yourself into inaction and miss your opportunity. God will work if we will believe and obey.
Someone is going to see a miracle today.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God's Word promises that. It is true. (Heb. 13:8)
Why do I believe in miracles? Here are a few reasons.
1. See the above.
2. God answers prayer.
3. God loves us.
4. Some needs require a supernatural miracle.
5. So God can show his power and glory.
There are many more reasons I believe in miracles. I have seen supernatural works of God in my life and others. I have watched God's hand extend to my life. I know God cares and meets needs.
Yes, there are times of waiting. There are times where answers come too slow in our estimation, but God is always on time.
Here is a sure way to see a miracle.
1. Pray.
2. Be open to the Holy Spirit.
3. Exercise faith.
4. Wait and expect.
5. Keep a spirit of praise.
I know there are no quick easy formulas to miracles. God doesn't work that way, but don't short-changed yourself into inaction and miss your opportunity. God will work if we will believe and obey.
Someone is going to see a miracle today.
Monday, July 1, 2013
LOTS OF PASSWORDS
I have dozens of passwords to all kind of accounts. Don't worry I am not going to share any of them now. Account after account requires a secret code to enter. Can't do any business without the right numbers or letters. The harder the better. At least that is what they say.
And they like for you to change them all the time. That adds to the burden. You aren't suppose to write them down, but how can you remember them if you don't record them somewhere?
Banks need passwords.
Electric companies need passwords.
Phone companies need passwords.
Google wants one.
AOL wants one.
ITunes wants one.
MobleMe wants one.
The Assemblies of God wants one.
My district wants one.
And the list goes on.
Passwords. Passwords. Passwords.
Can't remember them all, but can't do anything or go anywhere without one.
I can't even close my garage without a password.
What to do?
Here is good news!
There is only one password that matters. Remember this one. Write it down on your heart. Memorize it. Say it over and over. You can write this one down.
It is simple. Here it is.
Jesus.
Just say Jesus. The door will open.
And they like for you to change them all the time. That adds to the burden. You aren't suppose to write them down, but how can you remember them if you don't record them somewhere?
Banks need passwords.
Electric companies need passwords.
Phone companies need passwords.
Google wants one.
AOL wants one.
ITunes wants one.
MobleMe wants one.
The Assemblies of God wants one.
My district wants one.
And the list goes on.
Passwords. Passwords. Passwords.
Can't remember them all, but can't do anything or go anywhere without one.
I can't even close my garage without a password.
What to do?
Here is good news!
There is only one password that matters. Remember this one. Write it down on your heart. Memorize it. Say it over and over. You can write this one down.
It is simple. Here it is.
Jesus.
Just say Jesus. The door will open.
Friday, June 28, 2013
A GREAT READ
I love books. There is so much to learn and enjoy in reading. You can travel the world and never leave your easy chair or spend a dime. It is joyous entertainment as well as intellectual inspiration.
It has been my habit for years to make a weekly trip to the library. Books are free at the library, and free is better than cheap.
One book that I am really enjoying is the daily devotional book that Wanda and I are reading through this year. It is the One Year Devotional for Couples entitled Love Talk by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. It is so insightful.
They speak where I live. They motivate and encourage. They convict and cleanse. They have blessed our marriage.
Here are a few quotes that stand out:
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. -- Aristotle
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to divide it with.
-- Mark Twain
Lord, grant that I might not so much seek....to be loved as to love. --St. Francis of Assisi
It has been my habit for years to make a weekly trip to the library. Books are free at the library, and free is better than cheap.
One book that I am really enjoying is the daily devotional book that Wanda and I are reading through this year. It is the One Year Devotional for Couples entitled Love Talk by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. It is so insightful.
They speak where I live. They motivate and encourage. They convict and cleanse. They have blessed our marriage.
Here are a few quotes that stand out:
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. -- Aristotle
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to divide it with.
-- Mark Twain
Lord, grant that I might not so much seek....to be loved as to love. --St. Francis of Assisi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
