GOOD FRIENDS

Friendship makes life meaningful. It adds fulness and blessing. It is comfort and joy. It limits boredom and aids when there is need.

How do you make great friendship? It begins with friendliness. To have a friend starts with being friendly. It is developed by investment. It is bonded by unqualified acceptance.

Friends come in when others go out. They stand when others fall. They support when others critique. They speak truth in love and then help smooth out the rough places.

Wanda and I are blessed with wonderful friends who are so kind and thoughtful. I could call names but someone would be left out. That wouldn't be fair.

Lord, help me to be a good friend. Help me to see other's needs. Help me to be like you.

TAKING CARE OF WANDA

On Tuesday Wanda had surgery to repair a hernia. It was an hour long surgery and thankfully all went well. The doctor says that she will be good and new in a few weeks, but she can't pick up anything over 5 pounds for several weeks and then no more than 10 pounds after that for another few weeks. It is painful and slow recovery.

That is where I come in. I get to baby and pamper her until she is good and new. That will be easy. Why? Because she works so hard to take good care of me. It will be a pleasure to help her through recovery.

We began our marriage with several agreements.

First, we agreed that whatever was important to one was important to the other.

Second, we agreed to working daily to have a great marriage.

Both of us have followed through on this commitment and it is working. Yes, we have to work at it, but by working at it we're the beneficiaries of a blessed and happy marriage.

So what will I do to take care of her?

1. Let her rest and heal.
2. Take care of the house chores that require daily attention--some cooking, cleaning, straightening, etc.
3. Lift her spirits by encouragement and kindness.
4. Most of all, to pay attention to what she needs.

This is a great lady and I want her to heal totally and quickly.

Oh, back to the marriage agreement thing. We have prayed daily for each other and with each other. That is huge. God is our helper and gives joy and peace. That makes marriage fantastic.

SO PROUD OF DAD AND MAX

Saturday, Wanda and I drove down to Fruitland Park to celebrate with Dad as he received a special honor as the oldest veteran living in their community. They honored him by giving him an American Flag which had flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. It had also flown on their community flag pole since Memorial Day. 

Max and his wife, Darlene, were there too to join the special day. Dad also serves as their community chaplain and offered prayer as the brief ceremony began. That made me proud too. 

They pulled the flag down and folded it and then gave it to Dad. He had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II along with thousands of other service personnel. Some say this was the greatest generation. I would agree.

After Dad received his flag, he called Max up to the front with him and then gave Max his flag. Max had also served in the Navy on a nuclear submarine. I can't imagine how he was able to make 3 month tours submerged. That takes more than I have.

It was a tender moment for both Dad and Max. I also touched me too. I saw numerous people wiping tears as Dad honored his son. 

Thank God for all of our veterans. I am thankful to Dad and Max for their service. They make me proud. 

HAVE YOUR LAUGHED TODAY?

Life is serious and should be taken seriously. However, life lived too seriously leads to fear, anxiety, depression, and misery. That is not God’s will. There is a time for all things, and there is a time to laugh too. 

I believe it helps to laugh daily and often. Take a lesson from children. They can laugh easily, quickly, and over the smallest things. Look at how happy they are and how much energy they have. If you need cheering up, go find a group of children and let them tickle your funny bone. You will be the better for it. They will help take away the blues, and lift your spirits.

Did you hear about the new drive through prayer ministry at the Catholic church? It is called “toot and tell”.  Now come on, laugh a little. 

What does laughter do?

1. Releases tension.
2. Lightens the moment.
3. Renews your mind.
4. Strengthens your body.
5. Straightens your perspective.
6. Heals.
7. Makes you look better.

God made us with with the ability to laugh. He gives eternal joy that makes for peace and rest. The Bible is filled with humor and your life needs laughter. So don’t take yourself, your situation, or your future too serious. Lighten up and laugh. Your faith will grow. 

IN GOD WE TRUST

I am writing this post before the election results are tabulated. I do not know who will be our next President as I write. God knows, but at this point He is the only one who knows. The election appears to be a toss up. It could go either way. To me that is very telling about our Nation and our values.

It seems impossible to believe that we would elect someone who supports and pushes partial birth abortions. It seem impossible that we would chose a President who does not value marriage as being solely between a man and a woman. It seems impossible that we would elect a President who promotes a socialist agenda and a godless society.

Could we elect such a person?

We already have done  that in the last election, and by the time your read this we may have elected him again. I pray not, but it could happen.

Regardless of who wins this Presidential election, our Nation must return to God. Sin is a reproach, but righteousness exalts a Nation. How do we get rid of sin? We repent. We turn from our wicked ways. We put God first and follow in all of His ways.

My commitment is to do all I can no matter who wins this election to proclaim the truth and righteousness of God. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. When we go His ways and walk in His truth the results is abundant life. That is what He has promised. God has promised abundant life through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

I have prayed diligently for months over this election. However, I believe our turn around as a people is not dependent upon who is in the White House, but rather it is dependent upon who is Lord in our house. If Jesus is Lord of the hearts, homes, and lives of God's people then all will be well.

I am praying that God will help me as a preacher to proclaim the righteousness of God. I am praying that God will send a revival into my heart and the hearts of pastors and church across America. I am praying the we will return to the Lord and walk in His ways. Then God will heal our Land.

A new President will help America, but revival is the only true answer to the needs of our Land.

I'VE VOTED

It is time for a real change in the political, spiritual, and economic landscape of America. I don't know when I have ever had a greater burden for our Nation and our future. Voting has consequences just as any other action of our lives. This National election has serious consequences for our future. We must vote.

Early voting or absentee voting is one way to go, so I have chosen to vote early. The line wasn't long. In fact I didn't have a line or wait. I voted at the San Marco Library just minutes from our church last Wednesday.

Now across our Nation, we'll be counting the votes late Tuesday evening. I pray that America votes with values in mind. I pray America votes for economic freedom. I pray that wicked, godless leaders will be put out of office.

How can you vote for a President who believes it is okay to abort a new born coming out of its mother's womb? I cannot imagine taking a newborn's life. How wicked. Abortion is wrong, period!

So I've voted, and now I'll pray. Oh, I've been praying daily for this election long before now, but I'll pray even harder. The choice is clear. We can continue on the path to socialism and a godless society, or we can vote to put new leaders in with godly values.

That was an easy vote for me. I pray it will be an easy decision for others on Election Day.

GONE CAMPING

I am headed this weekend to a camping outing with the Royal Rangers of our church. This is a ministry outreach to young boys similar to Boy Scouts but with a Christian emphasis. There are around 25 or so who are going including three of my grandsons. I wish all my grands could be there, but this will be a special time for me with Alex, Nic, and Lorenzo.

The weather outlook is great. There is no rain forecast, and the high each day is projected to be in the mid 70's. Sounds great.

Wanda and I have enjoying camping a number of times this past year. Some time it was cold, too cold. A couple times it was hot, but we still had fun.

What is so much fun about camping?

1. The wonderful outdoors.
2. Getting away from pressure.
3. Doing something different.
4. Enjoying a campfire.
5. Outdoor cooking.
6. Long walks.
7. Listening to outdoor sounds.

This weekend the sounds will be louder with all those boys, but it isn't about me this weekend. It is about bonding with my grandsons. It is about letting them know I love them. It is about helping them see God's creation. It is about making sure they know the most important thing in all the world is God and family. It is about laughing, loving, and learning.

We've gone camping. I pray all the above happens.