FAITH & LIBERTY

     This past Friday I went to the movie theater with some friends.  Now understand I think the last time I went to the movies was probably five years ago and before that maybe ten years.  Needless to say, we just don't go to the theater much.  We seem to wait until they come out on DVD and watch them at home.  Anyway, some dear friends asked me to go with them to see this movie and I thought it would be a good time of fellowship.  Well, it was all of that and more!!  Not only was the movie excellent, but it caused me to give thought to where we have been as a nation and where we are now.  I thought about what my life was like growing up in the 50s and 60s.  Every morning in school a student got on the speaker system and read a scripture verse and said a prayer.  We always pledged allegiance to the flag.  We respected ALL adults and would never talk back to one (unless we were ready to get smacked!!).  You know I could go on, but I'm sure all of you know where I'm coming from.  Now, I look at where we are today - no prayer in school; most children are not given any kind of discipline, because it may damage them in some way.  "Children" decide at an early age if they are going to go to church or not.  More than we like to admit really don't know much about God, much less Jesus Christ.  How did this happen?  Sad to say, we have let others bully us into believing we don't have the courage to stand up for our rights and beliefs.  You know - "what can one person do?"  One+one+one+one, etc can do a lot!  But it may take that one person to stand up against the odds.  Are you willing to take a stand and take "our" country back?  I have included a synopsis of "Last Ounce of Courage".  If you get a chance to see it, please do!!  It is an awesome movie!

Last Ounce of Courage is the story of a grieving father inspired by his grandson to take a stand for faith and freedom against a tide of apathy and vanishing liberty. Alongside fellow citizens of courage, faith, and integrity, he is a champion for the cherished principles we the people hold dear. A tale of family bonds and free expression, the film seeks to encourage all Americans to take a stand and raise their voices in support of their beliefs.

      I'm not sure what I can do, but maybe this is a start.  I just believe each of us need to take a stand and fight for our rights and beliefs.  Give it some thought!  Take care dear friends.  See you at the House!!

TRUST

Let me say at the very beginning, I'm not real sure where I am going with this subject!!  Last Sunday the pastor preached on Trust.  All week my devotions and my daily bible readings have touched on this same subject.  It took a few days for the Lord to break through the brick wall wrapped around my brain, but I finally said, "You're trying to tell me something, aren't you Lord!!"  Do ya think?!?!?  (Maybe that is not exactly what He said, but you get the message.)

Anyway, let's understand trust and faith are interchangeable.  If you look at Genesis 22, you will see where God told Abraham to take Isaac, his only son whom he loved, and offer him as a burnt offering.  The next morning Abraham & Isaac with two other young men gathered together what would be needed for the offering and went to the mountain God had specified.  As they were walking up the mountain, Isaac mentioned to his father that they did not have a lamb for the burnt offering.  Abraham said that God would provide the lamb.  He had complete faith and trust in God.  If he had to sacrifice Isaac, he knew God would still provide the seed he promised Abraham to make him the father of many nations.  But as Abraham took to knife to slay Isaac, the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."  Then Abraham lifted his eyes, and behold a ram was caught in a thicket.  God did provide - and still provides, if we trust and have faith!!

How about Peter in Matthew 14 - Jesus was walking on the sea and Peter says, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  He did and Peter did - as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus!!  But, when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at what was happening around him, he was afraid and began to sink!!  How often do we do that!!?? 

Bottom line - let's learn to trust and have faith in God in ALL things.  Granted that may sound easier than it is, but I plan to take things one day at the time.  With God's help, I want to trust Him with today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here yet.  This could possibly be the only day I have, so I pray that whatever I do today will be pleasing to Him.  Trust & Obey

Take care dear friends.  See you at the House!!

Goodbye Summer!!

     This summer has gone by so fast!!  (Which makes me so-o-o-o happy!!!)  Am not a hot weather person!!!  Must be why, when given the choice, I decided to turn my life over to Jesus versus spending eternity in the place where it REALLY gets hot!!! 

    

    What was your summer like?  We had a relatively quiet, but peaceful summer.  A few days here and there of aches and pains, but that has become our normal.  Our family got together on Bobby's birthday in June.  That was a super day!!  All, but one, of the grandchildren were here and both great-grands were here.  Now, I'm looking forward to fall - my favorite time of the year!!  Love the fall colors, the coolness, (can actually open the windows, and enjoy the fresh air)!!  The 7th of October we will celebrate 51 years of marriage and the 31st of October I will turn 70!!  I can remember when I thought that was so-o-o-o old!  Well, guess what, I'm thinking not so old now!!!  Remember when you were growing up and people would say - the older you get, the faster time flys!!  Sad, but true!!  So, since I have passed the 21 day test of establishing a habit (quiet time with the Lord!), now I want to start an exercise program.  Can't afford a pool, so for me the next thing is stationary bike.  Our Senior Center has lots of fitness equipment, so Here I Come, Ready or Not!!!  I'll try to keep you posted on how I do!!  Enough of my rambling - take care dear friends!  See you at the House!!

FORMING GOOD HABITS!!

     I have heard for any number of years that if you repeat something for 21 days, you will have formed a habit, and every day after that it will become part of your daily routine.  Well , I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have put this to the test, only to get to day 12 or 17 and  miss a day or two.  On July 18th I decided to try one more time.  I had gotten lax in my quiet time.  My time with the Lord had gotten sporadic to say the least.  This really bothered me, but I never could seem to form that daily habit.  On July 15th Karen Kingsbury issued her New Testament Challenge.  I didn't see this until the 19th or 20th - can't remember just which day it was.  Anyway, I read two chapters a day until I caught up.  I have not missed a day of daily devotion and reading a chapter in the New Testament.  All this said simply means that "they" (whoever says all these type of things) are completely right!!  Ever day since the 21st day has been easier.  But what is most important about this, is that I am doing what God wants me to do.  Everyday I read His word, study a devotion, and spend time in prayer with Him.  Does this make me "better" that you or anyone else?!?!  Not hardly!!  All it means is that I don't go a few days or weeks before I confess my sins and get back on track with HIM!!!  It also means that I have a better chance of figuring out what He wants me to do on a daily basis.  So, I am going to issue you a challenge - if you are not spending time with God each and every day, commit to trying to do so for 21 days.  I believe you will be amazed at what you will learn and  how much easier it will become.  So, why don't you give it a try.  You certainly can't lose anything, but you just might gain a whole lot!!  Take care dear friends.  See you at the House!!

New Testament Challenge

Last month Karen Kingsbury issued a challenge to her facebook friends.  If you started reading the New Testament, one chapter a day, you would complete it on Easter Sunday 2013.  She began on July 15th.  I was a few days behind, so I read a couple of chapters a day to catch up. At the same time my daily devotion (A Year with Jesus) was also covering Matthew.  So each day I have Karen Kingsbury & R.P. Nettelhorst helping me to understand the book of Matthew.  How awesome is that!!  I would challenge each of you to join the New Testament Challenge.  You can catch up by reading two chapters a day.

There are two things that stood out for me from Matthew.  In Chapter 15 when Jesus feeds the four thousand, it may not have been so remarkable.  After all earlier He had fed five thousand.  When He healed the first blind man, or made the cripple walk, or exposed the demons, people were amazed.  But the more miracles He did, the less remarkable the people could have seen them.  Friends, we do not want to become so familiar with Jesus that we lose sight of how marvelous He really is. 

"Every day, lives are saved, homes restored, sins forgiven, relationships mended.  One person's miracle is much like another.  The blessings of God surround us.  Don't lose sign of them!!"(1)

Another aspect of this chapter is showing how with little, God can do much!!  Never say you have nothing to give, be it money, talent or time.  God can use the little that we have and multiply it into thousands!!

Take care dear friends.  See you at the house!!

(1)  A year with Jesus

SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE, MALCOLM!!

It is so hard to lose dear friends - especially when it is so totally out of left field.  Thursday evening our friend had a massive stroke and yesterday the Lord called him home.  Malcolm was a "gentle" man who truly loved the Lord.  He was a quiet man, but when he did say something it was relevant and easy to understand.  We will miss him, but we know he is with the Lord.  In fact I would bet that he is saying, "Lord, help them through this.  Keep reminding them that I am with you and nothing is better than that!!"  Save us room at the table, Malcolm.  We will see you at the house!

Dear  family and friends, if I haven't told you lately that I love you, please know that I do very much.  Take care!!

KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON!!!

How's that for a catchy title?!?!?  What was your first thought?  Well, just so you know, that was the title of my devotion this morning.  Check out Rev 16:15.  So, here's the thing - are we walking around naked, not prepared for that visitor that may come unexpected, or not ready to face those problems we may have.  How about meeting a new friend and never finding out if they know your Lord and Savior?  Can you even imagine that?  Unfortunately, so many of us fall into this category.  We think we can take care of these things tomorrow or the next day.  Don't need to worry today!  Or maybe we are worrying today - more concerned about the here and now and not about the hereafter.  If Christ returned today would we be caught naked or (hopefully) with our clothes on!  We need to face each day as if this is the day the Lord will return - be about His work, reaching out to people, spreading His Gospel, in other words - fully clothed!!  Pray with me that each day we will be prepared.  Put on the armor of the Lord and be about His work fully clothed!!  Take care dear friends!  See you at the House!