I find it hard to blog a lot, not knowing what people want to read, not wanting to sound "preachy" and the list goes on. But today in my reading Romans 2:1-8, I thought about our Great Country and the privileges I have as an American. I thought about God's judgment as well as God's blessings. I remember that the U. S. A. was founded on unalienable rights given to us by God. I said recently in a sermon that our laws are based on the Ten Commandments which I believe is true. Our nation was founded so that we have our rights protected. Those laws have been carried the other way and infringe on some of our basic rights as Christians.
I believe that the effort to remove God from anything public has caused our values and morals to crumble. When God was band from schools, government meetings, public places the attempts to remove Him from our currency and from our Pledge of Allegiance and so much more, our nation began and has drifted away from God. Even many committed Christians accept the filthy language, the sex and other immorailty that is in most movies. When a person repeatedly hears God's name use to curse, he becomes dull to that sin and excuses his acceptance of it. Our nation is so accepting of "all religions" that Christians are persecuted for believing that Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6). God is holy, so I know that He doesn't approve all of the actions sanctioned by our laws. He has been patient, blessed our nation beyond measure, but I don't believe that this will last forever (Neh. 9:30).
America needs to repent of throwing out God's precepts, His laws, His moral standards and essentially tossing Him out of our nation. I believe we are "skating on thin ice"!
This morning I examined myself to make sure I haven't allowed ungodly values that are crammed in my face, media etc. to infiltrate my life or my mind. I believe that every Christian has the responsibility to pray for our government leaders and the direction of our Great Nation! I recommitted personally to be more diligent in doing so! I just encourage each Believer who reads this to do the same.
After saying all this, I consider it a blessing from God that I was born in a country that has given me the rights and privileges which I enjoy. I am thankful that God is the ultimate Judge of our nation and of me! Aren't you? God bless America!!!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Always Amazed
The book of James is an amazing book! We saw this morning why it is so important for us to have God's wisdom in our lives. We need God's wisdom in our lives not only to enable us to respond to His call, but to maintain our relationship in a stable constant manner. It just once again demonstrates our need to walk with God every day!
Following the second service today, a college student ask to talk with me. Becky & I went to my office to visit with her. The Holy Spirit had drawn her to the time in her life she realized she needed Jesus in her life and she did exactly that. She now has Him as her Savior! What a wonderful way to begin a new week!
After struggling with a very sore throat pain, my voice an octave lower than normal it all disappeared into oblivion seeing someone give their life to Christ.
Following the second service today, a college student ask to talk with me. Becky & I went to my office to visit with her. The Holy Spirit had drawn her to the time in her life she realized she needed Jesus in her life and she did exactly that. She now has Him as her Savior! What a wonderful way to begin a new week!
After struggling with a very sore throat pain, my voice an octave lower than normal it all disappeared into oblivion seeing someone give their life to Christ.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
INFLUENCE
It is difficult for me to blog regularly and when I do, I most often feel like the most important thing I can write about is my time alone with God. It is my heart! He does so much through my Quiet Time alone with Him. My study time is wonderful, but my Q. T. and my personal study times are highlights of my days and times of spiritual growth. I also wonder if people read blogs and if my time is well spent writing them. I read very few, but perhaps I am not the average reader of blogs. Oh well, here goes!
I read Psalm 16 this morning and it filled my heart with joy, especially verses 5-11. Here are some of the excerpts from my journal I wrote.
"This Psalm has caused me to reflect on my life and my future! It has caused me to rejoice for what God has and is going to do in my life here on earth. It has reminded me that my future is secure in Heaven and of the joy I will know there which is not understandable at this time.
As I pray some of this back to the Lord, I can't get verse 5 out of my mind. I claim it this morning as God' promise to me for what He has done and what He is going to do!
I think of the people who have influenced me over these 37 years and at the time I didn't realize their influence. I suppose it takes years to realize the impact that people have on my life. I think of pastors and writers who have influenced me greatly."
As I sit here writing this blog, and sharing the above thoughts I recorded, I remember "Charlie" who was the #3 man in the division of the corporation who hired me as a department head when I was 28 years old and the contribution he made in my life. The greatest way that God used Charlie was how he lived his life before me and others at work. Here was a man highly successful with great position in life who lived for the Lord at work and never allowed his job to over shadow his faith. I saw his peers, corporate officials and others tease him, poke fun at him and try to get him to compromise his faith. He remained faithful and never wavered. That taught me that a man should live his faith everyday regardless of pressures, and never compromise. I had just recommitted my life to Christ and God used Charlie to mark my life forever. I could write all day of how others, including some pastors and writers have influenced me in who I am today. I am so thankful for all those God has sent to influence my life!
Because of the influence of many people in my life, my prayer is that I can influence others for the Kingdom of God as long as I live! God grant me this privilege! The legacy we leave when God calls us home is not our position in life, community service, church attendance, wealth or good works, but it is people! It is the people we leave behind!
I read Psalm 16 this morning and it filled my heart with joy, especially verses 5-11. Here are some of the excerpts from my journal I wrote.
"This Psalm has caused me to reflect on my life and my future! It has caused me to rejoice for what God has and is going to do in my life here on earth. It has reminded me that my future is secure in Heaven and of the joy I will know there which is not understandable at this time.
As I pray some of this back to the Lord, I can't get verse 5 out of my mind. I claim it this morning as God' promise to me for what He has done and what He is going to do!
I think of the people who have influenced me over these 37 years and at the time I didn't realize their influence. I suppose it takes years to realize the impact that people have on my life. I think of pastors and writers who have influenced me greatly."
As I sit here writing this blog, and sharing the above thoughts I recorded, I remember "Charlie" who was the #3 man in the division of the corporation who hired me as a department head when I was 28 years old and the contribution he made in my life. The greatest way that God used Charlie was how he lived his life before me and others at work. Here was a man highly successful with great position in life who lived for the Lord at work and never allowed his job to over shadow his faith. I saw his peers, corporate officials and others tease him, poke fun at him and try to get him to compromise his faith. He remained faithful and never wavered. That taught me that a man should live his faith everyday regardless of pressures, and never compromise. I had just recommitted my life to Christ and God used Charlie to mark my life forever. I could write all day of how others, including some pastors and writers have influenced me in who I am today. I am so thankful for all those God has sent to influence my life!
Because of the influence of many people in my life, my prayer is that I can influence others for the Kingdom of God as long as I live! God grant me this privilege! The legacy we leave when God calls us home is not our position in life, community service, church attendance, wealth or good works, but it is people! It is the people we leave behind!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Taking Things As Normal
Becky & I got back in town and find that there was an inch of water in our rain gauge, so we assume it rained that much. We took time to thank God for what is not normal in Brownwood-RAIN! Praise the Lord. This morning in my Quiet Time I just wanted to thank Him again! I am reminded of how often God answers prayer and we just accept the answers as normal and go on about our business. I thought of how many times each day God answers prayer and I fail to acknowledge unless it is something I have prayed for specifically. I thank about God's protection of which, we never know just how close we came to tragedy. Him healing us when we didn't know we need it and so much more. My desire is to try to always acknowledge God's answers, yes and no and not just take them as normal. God is so good!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hot As A Stove!
Heat, hot, dry, but God is still on His throne. Great worship experience. My QT is from a book called On Holy Ground and it took me to John 21 and verse 6 jumped out and reminds me of now matter how or hot or cold we need to cash our nets and fish for men.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Golf, Earthquake, Fire & Picnic
Glad to have been back in Brownwood when the earthquake hit California . We would have been about 25 miles from the center. We were where the fire is burning inYosemite National Park so we escaped that by 10 days.
Can't believe I played golf at 6:30 tonight in the heat, but nice breeze keep it fairly cool. Great fellowship! Thanks Jeff, Brad for the invitation. Second time in just over a year, second time in 10 years. Also can't believe I shot a 53. Better than Tiger Woods, hu! ( Oh, forgot it was only 9 holes. He plays 18)
Church picnic was lots of fun. Enjoyed playing softball, even got a hit. It is always a joy to see church family enjoying each other. The fellowship is so good to see. The heat wasn't too bad after my cotton shirt got wet. Kind of like an evaporative cooler, doesn't work well in humidity, but better than a fan. Well as dry as it is in Brownwood, an evaporative cooler would work. We all need to pray for rain-rain-rain!
Last week I talked to an older man, almost 80 years old(who had visited the church) about the Lord. He said he would like to know how to get to Heaven. I explained how and his comment was that he was not ready to make that commitment. Why do people put Jesus off? I am deeply concerned about him. I hope that all who read this will pray for him and that I will be able to follow up. When I encounter people like this man, I am always reminded how urgent it is for all of us as Believers to share Jesus ever chance we get.
Can't believe I played golf at 6:30 tonight in the heat, but nice breeze keep it fairly cool. Great fellowship! Thanks Jeff, Brad for the invitation. Second time in just over a year, second time in 10 years. Also can't believe I shot a 53. Better than Tiger Woods, hu! ( Oh, forgot it was only 9 holes. He plays 18)
Church picnic was lots of fun. Enjoyed playing softball, even got a hit. It is always a joy to see church family enjoying each other. The fellowship is so good to see. The heat wasn't too bad after my cotton shirt got wet. Kind of like an evaporative cooler, doesn't work well in humidity, but better than a fan. Well as dry as it is in Brownwood, an evaporative cooler would work. We all need to pray for rain-rain-rain!
Last week I talked to an older man, almost 80 years old(who had visited the church) about the Lord. He said he would like to know how to get to Heaven. I explained how and his comment was that he was not ready to make that commitment. Why do people put Jesus off? I am deeply concerned about him. I hope that all who read this will pray for him and that I will be able to follow up. When I encounter people like this man, I am always reminded how urgent it is for all of us as Believers to share Jesus ever chance we get.
Friday, July 25, 2008
I have been encouraged by several people to post some of my Quiet Times on my blog. This morning in my Quiet Time, God was so very present it was almost unreal. The fact that He promises His presence makes me know He is here. I read Psalm 145 and it came alive so real. What a time of private worship! This is copied from my Spiritual Journal as recorded this morning at 6:00AM. Had I not written this down I would not be able to share it with you. That is why I always encourage people to record their Q.T. These thoughts would have been lost.
(1) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. (2) Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. (3) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
As I read this, several things flood my mind like the hurricane waters hitting the Texas coast line 2 days ago. First of all the song, "I Exalt Thee" flashes bright as light through my mind. It has got to be one of my all time "favorite few words song" that always causes me to EXALT HIM. I just pause and lift my hands up and sing and then sing these 3 verses back to the Lord. I pray them back to you Lord in honor of YOU in WORSHIP OF YOU. I worship YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
I think about the words in another song, "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise...: and I exalt YOU! My mind flashes to the song, "I Exalt Thee", and I sing "For thou O'Lord art high above all the earth. Thou are exalted far above all the gods. Thou above all gods. I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, O'Lord, I exalt Thee!! I think about Psalm 57, Psalm 97 and the words there. Then I think about the greatness of God again and my mind just goes on and on and I rejoice in YOU! I worship YOU LORD!
Then I think about the statement in verse 3, "his greatness no one can fathom", and I know that I have had just a taste of His greatness. Last night a long time friend called us from Nashville that we have know in for 42 years. We were talking of how far God has brought us from the 60's,when we were all as wild as could be and far from God and how He saved us from a life bent toward hell, a life of self destruction and where he has us today! I reminded her of a day in 1979 when she called and said, "Jim & I met a close friend of yours & His name is JESUS. Phyllis & Jim had just gotten saved and knew we had been praying for them for years. WOW!!! We just rejoiced together and this morning I know that I have "fathomed only a tiny portion for which I am thankful for. I EXALT HIM WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING THIS IS! (another song)
Because of where God has brought me, I can do as verse 4 -7 says, "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. (5) They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (6) They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. (7) They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Because of what I have experienced,I have, I am, and I will pass on the generations behind me. I made this commitment years ago and want to continue it all the days of my life!
I read through the promises God gives me in this Psalm. I realize there is so much more in this Psalm that I have, can and will experience, I could write all day. I am grateful LORD for the opportunity to read and record these thoughts. If I don't write them down, I lose them. WOW, HOW AWESOME IS MY GOD!!
(1) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. (2) Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. (3) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
As I read this, several things flood my mind like the hurricane waters hitting the Texas coast line 2 days ago. First of all the song, "I Exalt Thee" flashes bright as light through my mind. It has got to be one of my all time "favorite few words song" that always causes me to EXALT HIM. I just pause and lift my hands up and sing and then sing these 3 verses back to the Lord. I pray them back to you Lord in honor of YOU in WORSHIP OF YOU. I worship YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
I think about the words in another song, "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise...: and I exalt YOU! My mind flashes to the song, "I Exalt Thee", and I sing "For thou O'Lord art high above all the earth. Thou are exalted far above all the gods. Thou above all gods. I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, O'Lord, I exalt Thee!! I think about Psalm 57, Psalm 97 and the words there. Then I think about the greatness of God again and my mind just goes on and on and I rejoice in YOU! I worship YOU LORD!
Then I think about the statement in verse 3, "his greatness no one can fathom", and I know that I have had just a taste of His greatness. Last night a long time friend called us from Nashville that we have know in for 42 years. We were talking of how far God has brought us from the 60's,when we were all as wild as could be and far from God and how He saved us from a life bent toward hell, a life of self destruction and where he has us today! I reminded her of a day in 1979 when she called and said, "Jim & I met a close friend of yours & His name is JESUS. Phyllis & Jim had just gotten saved and knew we had been praying for them for years. WOW!!! We just rejoiced together and this morning I know that I have "fathomed only a tiny portion for which I am thankful for. I EXALT HIM WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING THIS IS! (another song)
Because of where God has brought me, I can do as verse 4 -7 says, "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. (5) They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (6) They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. (7) They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Because of what I have experienced,I have, I am, and I will pass on the generations behind me. I made this commitment years ago and want to continue it all the days of my life!
I read through the promises God gives me in this Psalm. I realize there is so much more in this Psalm that I have, can and will experience, I could write all day. I am grateful LORD for the opportunity to read and record these thoughts. If I don't write them down, I lose them. WOW, HOW AWESOME IS MY GOD!!
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