I asked a question a little over 5 years ago do you remember your wedding vows? Everyone that answered said yes. One friend even said that he and his wife reviewed them recently and made a check list to see if they were honoring them. Not a bad Idea. Maybe we all should do that.
Any way do you remember your wedding vows? Here are some common vows recited at wedding. It was the one my wife and I said at ours. Even though I swore the phrase to obey was in there it wasn’t. Lets look at it.
I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
For richer or poorer, for sickness and health, for better or worse till death do us part.
How many of us actual do this? Our vows are more than a promise to one another it’s a promise to God!
Marriage what makes it work? What makes it survive? Have you ever watched an older couple act like teenagers in love? With them setting by each other in a restaurant, smiling, holding hands, looking like they are truly still in love. Or watched them walking in a park or into a store side by side holding hands? Or that he still opens doors for his wife? Have you ever thought how did they stay in love for so long?
I posted a question on my wall that said, “What do you think it takes for a marriage to work and survive?” Here are some of the results.
First and foremost most people stated that it must be God centered. God must be part of your marriage for it to work. And actual if you want to be honest everything else mentioned would fall under that. For with out God in your marriage all these other things would be impossible to maintain with inner joy the desire to stay married and enjoy each others company.
Forgiveness, Honesty, Passion, Contentment, Happiness, Friendship, Doing everything together (as one), Trust, Respect, Communication, Treat them as you want to be treated, Laughter, Acceptance, Compromise, Being Selfless, Remembering your vows, One of my favorites Never go to bed mad or angry at each other. This is so true and Biblical. This advice was given to Lisa and I when we got married, and it to was posted as a comment. Lastly and probably just as important as God centered is Divorce is not an option.
That was something Lisa took to heart, I was lost and was showing hardly any of these things if any. If there was a person to divorce from it would have been me. Now most of you have probably heard sermons or read books on marriage, I to could go that route. But how I’m going to share it I’m praying others who are hurting and maybe who have gone through what Lisa and I did can relate and might be helped.. I apologize at the start for my unorthodox approach.
20 years ago last Memorial Day weekend I met the love, the woman, the wife God made for me. It hasn’t always been easy. There were those that said we would never make it, and at times I thought the same. However our marriage survived it is sold as a rock today! It’s by the grace of God it is. Let’s go a little deeper and say it’s because of all the turmoil, fights, and arguments we had it is. You may be saying at this point, how can this be? Let me explain, just like all couples we have had our ups and downs. Because of these ups and downs, especially the downs our marriage is strong. We as a couple learned how to overcome and survive these pitiable times. We learned to forgive each other no matter what. Not to hold grudges! Lisa has forgiven me of some horrific things. Learning how to deal with these crucial areas not holding resentment is why our marriage survived. And this was made possible only through God! I like to compare marriage to our faith.
1 Peter 1:6-7 says In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Just like trials and tribulation strengthens your faith it also strengthens your marriage. Have a friend that asked “Why is that every time I get ahead, I get knocked backwards and have to start over?” I simply told him so you can go back forward and become stronger. You can only fall so far and at that point you have two options. 1. You can say it’s over give up and go your separate ways. 2. Cry out to God, turn your marriage over to Him asking Him to lead and Guide you out. There is a song by Greater Vision called “I’ve been to the bottom” and this is the course
“Well I’ve Been To The Bottom
And I’ve found at the bottom there’s a blessed Holy rock
A place for us to stand away from sinking sand
Safe in the hand of God
A foundation that is sure and ever will endure
To comfort the hurting heart
Well I’ve Been To The Bottom
And I’ve found at the bottom there’s a blessed Holy rock”
Satan will do what ever he can do to drive you apart. Don’t let him win! Remember “He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.” 1John 4:4
With this said I want to reshare a NOTE I wrote over 6 years ago. There are things that have happened in our marriage that have destroyed other marriages. Only by the grace of God and forgiveness of one another did our marriage and new found love for one another prevail.
It was late May in 1995 and I was trying to get off drugs and alcohol, I was attending AA and NA meetings my life was in shambles and I was trying to get it back. I had just got home from work when some girls showed up at my house. One of them came to see a friend of mine that was living with me at the time, and she brought Lisa with her. Lisa was hesitant about coming cause they didn’t know if I spoke English. Well when they got there they were about 3 sheets to the wind. I remember watching Lisa slid down my door when she came in. I told her she could set on the couch, she said she was fine but soon came over and set down. We did the normal small talk and I asked her were she was from. She told me Strang. I said cool I was originally from there; my grandfather lives at the bottom of the hill on the corner. This about scared her off. She said she had to go I said why she replied I can’t date anyone from Strang and your related to that crazy old man. However she did stay after some more talking.
After a very short time of dating we decided to get married, and I decided to tell my sponsor in NA. He told me it was too early in my recovery and I should wait. I was not going to wait, I got mad and stopped going. I decided I didn’t need any help. I was gravely mistaken. I was ticking time bomb full of resentment, hatred, and wrath ready to explode.
We moved in together before we got married along with another couple. Not a great idea. Not to mention it is against Gods will. We had a few arguments prior to the wedding, and the night before the wedding I was a drunken depressant annoying jerk. I was whining that she was going to leave me before the wedding; she told me if I didn’t shut up she was going to leave me. The next day Oct 31, 1995 we were married in a chapel in Miami, Ok. Hung over and all, I was not going to let them draw my blood, and they said if they didn’t draw my blood I couldn’t get married. So I reluctantly let them stick me. I remember the minister saying that our marriage was valid for 100 years we had to stay together for that long, and then we could do what ever. I guess Lisa took this to heart.
After we were married it didn’t take long before my controlling attitude showed up. I was waiting to go work and I hadn’t seen my wife all day. When she arrived home I was screaming at her demanding to know were she had been. She said you want to know where I been and threw a pregnancy test at me. I went to say, what is this? When I looked at it I knew. A moment we could have shared in love I ruined with my anger. This was just the start of my controlling, my anger problems and my drinking and occasional drug use. Neither one of us was living the way we should. We both clamed to be Christian, however our lives didn’t show it.
Soon before Taylor was to be born we got a trailer east of Adair. I remember Lisa being about 8 months pregnant cleaning the walls. They were filthy!!!! I was acutely happy I was working got a job at Hem-Saw, and I was about to be a daddy!
After Taylor was born, and Lisa recovered from a c-section I decided I need to get my life in line. First I decided to go back to NA and AA. We went to a few meetings, but I just couldn’t get into it. I was getting mad and hatful blaming Lisa cause she didn’t want to participate. She kept telling me I was the one with problem not her. I kept telling her if she wasn’t drinking when I meet her I wouldn’t have started again. Excuses I never could own up to my own problems. One day we had a big fight and she said she was leaving I told her fine and that if she wanted to go then go. Well I went to work that day and later that night I called her and asked if she was leaving? She said no. I said I was sorry and went to make things better,
Well since NA and AA wasn’t going to work for me. I decided to go to Church, We had been invited to attend Harmony Star Baptist Church by a friend I worked with. Well it sound good at first, however time would show the true feeling of my heart. We arrived went to Sunday School, set through the service and when the alter call was made I went forward, just as I had more times than I can count growing up. You see I was raised Pentecostal, and thought I could lose my salvation. However I don’t think I ever had it not then and not at this point. My heart was never in it. I was a false convert. And the very next Sunday my anger would show again. We were driving to church and we got lost, I was yelling at Lisa because she couldn’t remember how to get there. Needless to say we didn’t make it that week. However we did go back after that a few times, but we didn’t stay.
We got into some financial problems, and we moved in with her mom and dad. I’m sure I showed my attitude more than once, but cant remember directly.. After a few months living there we moved to Pryor, back to my town thought things would be better. I had quit my job with the promise of another one that didn’t work out. So a friend and I started up a business. It went really well at first, but because of disagreements and poor management it didn’t last. During this time my drinking greatly increased. We had been married almost two years; I would set on the computer all day while Taylor ran around the house. At night I would drink a pint of tequila. One night I came home looking for my bottle of tequila and it wasn’t there. I had just bought it and it was gone! I screamed and demanded to know were it was! Lisa told me she poured it out, and that it was the bottle or her. She informed me she was on a waiting list for Twin Villa, and that if I didn’t straighten up and get a job she was going to leave me. This is the first time my wife supported us, while I did nothing.
Things did get better for awhile, I did a few jobs through a temp service, and finally got hired on at AP Green, I would work here almost 3 years. I was now making good money and we moved into a different house. But soon I was drinking again. I remember one Easter Sunday when Taylor was almost three she was outside playing with a little girl about her age. When I said something can’t remember what, but what the little girl said sent shivers down my spine. She said “Its ok I understand my mommy drinks too” this came from a three or four year old!!! I went back in told Lisa what was said, and I don’t think I drank the rest of the day..
After a few months in the house I got the news I was going to be a daddy again. Lisa was pregnant with our second daughter Brittany. I remember I was at work when I got the call that Lisa needed to go to the doctor that she was having contractions. Taylor being three now helped her mommy pack her bag for the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital Brittany was ready to be born. Taylor was two weeks late, Brittany was two weeks early, and she has been in a hurry all her life so far.
After the birth of Brittany we bought a house out behind the Ford dealership in Pryor. This is where our marriage really starts to go down hill. I was working swing shifts always grumpy and hateful. I was bringing the stress from work home with me. I was always tired and cranky nothing made me happy. Lisa was working to which didn’t help matters much. And to top it all of I was drinking again and started doing crystal meth. again. I can recall several big fights in this house during this time period, usually pushing Lisa beyond the breaking point one incident I made her so mad she threw a pair of scissors at me and they stuck in the wall by my head. I had said some very insulting hurtful words toward her. We lived here for almost 3 years after several layoffs I quit this job, which laid the way for where I’m at now. We load up the truck and moved back into town, next door to my mom and dad. This next few years would not be so good, the fighting increased along with a lot of other things that would drive a marriage apart.
At this point I got a job at Air X Changers in Catoosa, this would not last long. I worked there for 5 months and got laid off. I decided heck with it I’m tired of being laid off sick of factory work so Ill just wait. Remember last time I wasn’t working. This time was worse. Lisa was working at this time to cover the difference in my unemployment, she wasn’t happy with what she was doing, so she sought other employment. A friend of mine told her about NCDC and she should apply. Well she did and got hired on. This is the same field she is in to this day. During this time she was working a lot of overtime and I was looking for a job. And when I wasn’t looking for a job I was on line in chat rooms. I befriended a lot of young ladies, and started talking with one in a manner not becoming of a married man. I went as far as to talking about meeting one when my wife went away to camp. Lisa found this on the day I went to a job interview. The girl messaged my wife thinking it was me. Lisa informed her that she wasn’t me and not to be talking to her husband. Lisa than checked my message history and it told all.. When I got home I was very angry I had missed by job interview it was the day before and they rescheduled it. I knew I didn’t have a shot now. This was at Sunoco refineries in Tulsa. I was blaming my wife again, Lisa got upset started crying and told me she wasn’t going to mention this, she was going to let it go, but now she was! She wanted to know what she did to deserve this kind of treatment. If I wanted them I could have them. I started apologizing and making excuses. I said I was stressed I was upset depressed and can’t remember all. In short she made me go to the doctor took there test and found out I suffered from depression and he put me on Zoloft. This made everything better for quite some time shortly after this I to went to work for NCDC. My unemployment had run out. I really liked this new job and like my wife I was advancing quickly up the ladder.
I begin not to like the way the Zoloft made me feel so I stopped taking it all together instead of having the doctor take me off slowly. Not a good Idea!! My temper came back with vengeance.
Our girls are now about the ages 5 and 2 and they have seen my roller coaster temper, never knowing were it would be. One Easter we had friends and family over Lisa and I had cooked diner that year. We were arguing in the kitchen and I shoved her I might of even slapped her I cant remember, but her reaction was to hit me in the head with a drinking glass, telling me that I could go eat with everybody and she wasn’t going to. After minutes of pleading for my life, we went in and told everybody dinner was ready. This was just one of our many fights in this house. Several times it would get so bad she would try to leave and got to her moms and I would stop her by standing in front of the door, trying to disable her car, you name it I probably tried it to stop her from going. She would shove and hit me and I would just laugh which made her even madder. I had no feeling for her emotions; however I was not letting her go.
We both continued to work at NCDC both working a lot of over time. I was pretty much living in the house I was working in. About this time Lisa tells me she pregnant! I was really excited I really wanted a son this time. I went around telling every one the good news. However I still could not control my temper. One night after being at work for over two weeks I got to go home and Lisa gets called in. I was very insistent about her not going I had not seen her and I wanted time with her, or was I just being controlling. We were standing outside by her car we both were yelling and arguing, I went to let the air out of her tire and she hit me with the water bottle she had in her hand, and then I shoved her. She ran back inside crying. I had won this argument or did I and at what cost?
Some time before this fight or after I had started going to church again not with my family but with the guy I took care of. I was also watching a lot of TBN. Which really was not good, some of it is false doctrine and very dangerous if you don’t know better. I was trying hard to get my life back on track. I knew the Lord was talking to me, I knew it wasn’t too late. I was ready to totally rely on God. All I was doing at work was watching or listening to religious programs, I also started studying my bible again. Took a lot of notes…
Lisa had made a doctors appointment for the 3 month ultra sound. She had not been to the doctor yet. I was at work when she called me all upset and crying. I asked her calm down and tell me what was wrong. She told me they can’t find the heart beat. I was devastated, I called my boss told him what was wrong and I was leaving that he needed to find some one to cover my shift and I left. Before I left I prayed God if you are there please let them find a heart beat when I get there. I will do what ever you want just let this baby be alive. When I got there I went with Lisa back to the ultra sound holding her hand as we walked. They hooked the ultra sound and the doctor looked again. No Heart Beat. I was never so hurt in my life I felt betrayed and I cursed God. I swore to have nothing to do with Him again. How could He do this to us, what did we do to deserve this? My sister n law’s pastor lived there in Claremore where we were at. They came and prayed over Lisa as they did I set in the corner glaring at them thinking, how dare they do that when I should have been over there holding her hand. They had given my wife some shot that would make her body pass the baby, when she did the baby was a boy. I was now even more crushed.
My wife got released from the hospital; they did not perform a dnc. We got home and my wife continued to bleed, we went back to the doctor twice and they said it was ok that she would stop. We went back home and she got worse I then rushed her to the Pryor ER. and they did a blood test. Her blood level was at half they rushed her back and gave her a blood transfusion of 4 pints. Do the math. My wife almost bleeds to death. But by the mercy of God she Lived..
Now we were in the process of buying a house in Inola, when this all occurred we decided we didn’t want to raise a baby in the house we were in. Not to mention we would never get it baby proofed. We already been approved and we were waiting to close when we had the miscarriage. We went on and bought the house and moved to Inola. In Spring 2005 Lisa and mines marriage was on very shaky ground once again. We couldn’t stand to be together for long periods of time. When I was home I drank a lot., I was burned out in the job I was in due to excessive hours worked and I began to look for other employment. When Lisa was told I should get my cdl. I thought about it and looked at all the potential money I could make. So in late May 2005 I went off to school for 3 weeks to get my cdl. After completing school I was hired on at Choctaw Express, a trucking company that allowed me to be home on weekends. I spent 3 weeks with a trainer, which was supposed to be 4. But my trainer told them I was ready to go early. Lisa and mines marriage begin to improve over time, but we still had a long ways to go. After 2 days we both were ready for me to leave. During my home time I drank as usual. This went on and on same thing every week. On one occasion we had been fighting all day and it continued up to the time she dropped me off at the truck. We departed ways on some hateful words. Well I got in the truck and left, but I wasn’t done the more I thought about whatever we were fighting about the angrier I got. So I called her and yelled at her again. I hung up after saying some hateful words. I no more hung up when a truck in front of me slammed into the back of another trucks trailer cutting his truck and him both in half. I just witnessed a man killed right in front of me. I thought that could have been me. Everything I just said ran through my mind and I was sorry for what I said. What if it was me and those were the final words Lisa ever heard me say? I called her back and apologized and told her what I saw. After this the fighting diminished greatly but it wasn’t over completely. . A few months later we found out Lisa was pregnant again. And she conceived on Easter, kind of funny if you look back on everything that has happened on this date
. .Well once again I was happy wanting a son more than ever now. When we went to the ultra sound and found out it was a girl, my other two daughters started teasing me. When I should have played along I got mad, because I wasn’t having a son. And we had to go back because the nurse forgot to write down the heart beat.
Her name was to be Alyssa Rayne, and I was about to get one of the greatest blessing I ever got. Just didn’t know it yet. She was born a healthy baby girl and great relief to us. She made me feel that happiness I so longed for and had forgotten. The Lord had started His work on me I just didn’t know it yet. After Alyssa was born we thought we needed more money, so I decided to find a company that paid more money and to stay out longer. I didn’t know what God had in store for me. Even though I went to two different companies, things came up that prevented me from getting hired, so I went back to Choctaw. They welcomed me back with no problem.. My marriage still wasn’t the greatest; the feeling of love had all but gone. But my wife was persistent, as I continued to drink, she started to PRAY, I just didn’t know it yet. Shortly after Alyssa’s 2nd birthday it happened. It was a Friday night March 19, 2009 to be exact. I was home for the weekend and during that time off I did not drink, smoke or take a dip. These are things I did every week or not day for 20 years. I had no withdraws and didn’t realize it till Monday still not taking any nicotine in, still no withdraws. I was driving up in Michigan that following Monday night it was now March 22, 2009 when I realized what had happened that weekend. I knew God healed me then I heard a voice loud and clear. He said “What are you doing? Why don’t you have your family in church? Don’t you know it’s your responsibility?” I knew it was God speaking to me I cried realizing the life I was living and all the years I wasted. I knew I had to change and I gave my life to Christ driving down the interstate. I couldn’t wait to call let people know. First I called my wife and told her I just gave my life to Christ, she was a little hesitant to believe at first for good reason, I then called Lisa’s sister and told her and asked the number to Tyson Wynn her pastor at her church. This is the church I hated with great passion; I fought ever year with my wife about my kids going to VBS there. This is also the same pastor that came to pray with my wife during her miscarriage. For some reason this is who I was lead to call. My wife, kids and I went to this church, Strang First Baptist the following Sunday. I was welcomed with open arms; I don’t see how I was always the resentful hateful one in the back pew with his arms crossed showing he would rather be anywhere else but there. I could not set through my kids programs at VBS. I never let them stay past the time it was over. My wife told me shortly later that she been praying, not that I would find salvation but that I would find a church to go to. And when I picked Strang FBC she knew God had answered her prayer. However she still had some doubts. On June 7th 2009 I made my public confession of faith and was baptized the same day with my two oldest daughters in Lake Hudson. Come to find out they where also praying for me, that I might find Jesus. They didn’t know that their mother was praying likewise she didn’t know they were praying. Now my wife was not totally sure till July of that year when I was lead to work VBS I took a weeks vacation from work to help out. I never felt so joyful.. I worked at a VBS that a year earlier I hated. I was lead to be the Youth Leader, and in September I was confirmed by the church. In March 2010 I was called to preach.
As I said earlier Alyssa was a blessing, she has me enjoying being a daddy so much I missed with the other two, cause of my drinking and other things. My relationship with my two older daughters has been healed. Being a daddy is one of the greatest blessings God has given me. I look forward to spending time with them always. God shows great mercy and I thank Him.
As I continue to look at things in my life, and address things I have held in for years, feelings of resentment, anger, and hatred. With these things I held in all my life. I begin to wonder what love was and if I ever felt it. I know that God showed his Love by sending His Son to die for us, paying our debt for our sins. So I prayed and asked God to show me what love was. I know that you love me but why don’t I feel it; I really don’t know how it feels. Please show me what and how love feels. I was asking this for several reasons one was I didn’t know if I loved my wife. The words I love you had become so routine, I wrote love poems and songs and did other romantic things but I begin to question them. I messaged a friend and asked her for ideas for a Christmas present for Lisa. She made a suggestion for a book. She didn’t know of my prayer. She recommended a book, a book Lisa read many years earlier and I blew it off. This time I read it and it explained a lot, now I understood love and how to show it to Lisa and she knows how to express her love to me in return. In this process I realized Gods love for me. So you see there is hope for all marriages, we been through it all. God intends all marriages to work. I want to thank my wife for her faith in God, and that she believed He would make it work.
Since these Note was originally posted, our marriage and relationship has grown stronger. I love my wife beyond any words I can express. Her support for me in the ministry God has called to me to is without question. Even with the decision to take a major pay cut to spend more time at home, and pursue my calling to the ministry is shown with love and support. Sacrifices will be made, and we both understand and know that. My wife is the greatest person I know, she is part of me. I look forward to growing spiritual with her as we grow old. And seeing what and where God leads us in this Ministry and life.
I don’t care where your marriage is at, there is hope, there is light, if you put your faith and trust in God. He will restore your life; He will restore your marriage. Nothing is too hard for God! God can do all things! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Remain strong don’t give up hope on your wife or husband. God wants to be part of your lives he wants to see your marriage grow and be restored, He wants you to forgive one another for what and how you hurt each other. I’m not meaning to preach and I won’t! I just want to say But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matt. 19:26 All things even your marriage.
As I asked at the start what do you think it takes for a marriage to work and survive? You can have all these things If God is the center of your Marriage.
Forgiveness, Honesty, Passion, Contentment, Happiness, Friendship, Unity, Trust, Respect, Communication, Laughter, Acceptance, Compromise, Selfless, Honoring your vows, Never go to bed mad or angry at each other and Divorce is not an option.
With all that has happened in our marriage I can honestly say that Lisa and I have all those things and much more. And you can also.
Since the time I wrote this our marriage has even grown stronger as we have grown closer to God. It still has not been easy and yes we still have disagreements, but we don't let those disagreements get the best of us we still find a way to come to a compromise and work through it.
One great adventure we had since the time I wrote this was that on the year of our 18 wedding anniversary I started out on an adventure 70 days from our Anniversary to name a reason everyday ( How I was blessed by my wife, A reason why I loved her, Why I was thankful for her) This had a great impact on the way I looked at her, 45 days from our Anniversary we took the Love Dare and come to find out our marriage still needed some work, With my 70 day challenge and the Love Dare both happening our Marriage grew significantly as result on November 2nd we celebrated a renewing of our vows in front of God and Family making a promise this time to hold true to our vows and promise to God and one another.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Just a thought
We see things happening in our country in the world that are quite alarming. Things here at home can be considered history changing if not very concerning. The economy has not recovered if anything it is still plummeting down with no end in sight. The morals of God or no more, there's just so much happening that we cannot keep track of it all. What is really going on? Is all this a distraction to something more sinister something more evil in the works? Everyone has a opinion on what is about to happen. Not only Bible scholars and prophets, but also historians and economist. rather you call it a conspiracy theory, end times whack job, disillusioned people or realist. something big is on the horizon what it is I'm not a hundred percent sure. But everyone seems to have a theory. I do have my own thoughts watching the events going on. I do believe that America must fall to bring about End Time Prophecy. With everything that has happened, and is happening in secret I do believe this end is not far away. I believe big changes/life altering events will happen this year manly in the last quarter of the year. The stage is set, the chess pieces are in place. It will soon be time for Faith in Christ to be tested. Do you love your life more than you love Christ? Our government is not here for us, they are seeking ways they can silence Christians and their faith. But be not afraid all this must happen. We should not look at these unfolding events in fear! But with great rejoicing, knowing that the day of our deliverance is at hand! If you have not placed your faith, hope, and trust in Christ than you will not be able to endure the things that are coming.
Answered Prayers
On July 23 2010 I wrote the following, a lot has changed since then. I am no longer driving a truck. That would come to an end in less than 10 months from this date. God would in time give me a job that I could focus more on my ministry with. It was good to look back today on this event of 5 years ago and see how far God has brought me. So below is a note called Answered Prayers.
There comes a time in one's life when they are confused and not sure what they want. They may think God wants something else and is trying to lead them in a different direction, but in reality you yourself may be wanting something else and change is not in God's plan at the moment. The last few weeks have been an emotional toll on me first with the passing of my grandfather, the closing of our terminal in OKC, not believing that PAM would do us right. I felt as though I was lied to with the uncertain future of my current job. However I've been praying for something that God would open doors to a job that will allow me to pursue my ministry that I have been called to. If I was going to take a new job I would lose my 3 weeks paid vacation a year plus the other time I'm allowed off it would be a lot to give up. But God said He will never leave us more forsake us and that he would give was the things we need if we seek first the kingdom of heaven. True to His word he answered my prayer and I did not see it at first. Even as I was still complaining about how the company was treating me and that there was no future there for me, this new lane I'm on allows me to be home every other night plus three day weekends Friday through Sunday one week and Saturday through Monday the next. Every other week I'll be able to attend Wednesday night services. We as a company got our 5% pay cut back that went to effect June of 2009, plus I just received a raise and the income I'll be making is very sufficient for what I will be working I thank God and give Him the glory for these blessings.
Little did I know at the time I wrote this that the lane I was given would not last long and soon I was back to being gone more than I was home. The events of the next few months would prove that God was calling me away from driving a truck and into a different type of career that in itself I practice my ministry. I will be sharing more of these type stories as I go along.
Things I missed
I wrote this back in May of 2011, right before I retired form driving a truck. I hope you enjoy!
I saw the aftermath of Katrina
I’ve seen tornado ravaged towns
I’ve seen peoples livelihoods washed away by floods
I’ve seen forest and mountain sides ravaged by fires
...
I saw the aftermath of Katrina
I’ve seen tornado ravaged towns
I’ve seen peoples livelihoods washed away by floods
I’ve seen forest and mountain sides ravaged by fires
...
I’ve driven through sleet, snow, and blizzards
I’ve fought wind, rain, and storms with zero visibility
I’ve witnessed peoples lives changed in a heartbeat
I’ve seen some come to an end
Ever time I do I think of my family I left at home
Thank God He always brought me home
I’ve chased the American dream
More money is why I took this trade
But the time has come to move on
I’ve seen the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Been to the Gulf of Mexico too
I’ve seen Mexico and Canada
And been to most points in between
45 of 48 continental states
Over 1,500,000 miles traveled
I’ve seen sites and wonders people dream to see
I’ve seen death and destruction
I’ve seen the Mercies, Miracles, and the Beauty of God
I’ve seen and witnessed things and events
People have seen on TV or read about in the paper
Along the way I found God
6 years I’ve traveled this land
Of all the things I’ve seen and witnessed
What matters to me are the things I’ve missed
My baby girls Taylor and Brittany were 8 and 5 when I started to drive
They will be 15 and 12 in just a few weeks
Along the way Alyssa was born she’s now 4
I will not waste anymore years
I’m turning in my keys I’m walking away
For all I’ve seen is not worth the things I’ve missed
I’ve fought wind, rain, and storms with zero visibility
I’ve witnessed peoples lives changed in a heartbeat
I’ve seen some come to an end
Ever time I do I think of my family I left at home
Thank God He always brought me home
I’ve chased the American dream
More money is why I took this trade
But the time has come to move on
I’ve seen the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Been to the Gulf of Mexico too
I’ve seen Mexico and Canada
And been to most points in between
45 of 48 continental states
Over 1,500,000 miles traveled
I’ve seen sites and wonders people dream to see
I’ve seen death and destruction
I’ve seen the Mercies, Miracles, and the Beauty of God
I’ve seen and witnessed things and events
People have seen on TV or read about in the paper
Along the way I found God
6 years I’ve traveled this land
Of all the things I’ve seen and witnessed
What matters to me are the things I’ve missed
My baby girls Taylor and Brittany were 8 and 5 when I started to drive
They will be 15 and 12 in just a few weeks
Along the way Alyssa was born she’s now 4
I will not waste anymore years
I’m turning in my keys I’m walking away
For all I’ve seen is not worth the things I’ve missed
Choices
I wrote this back in July of 2011, however it still holds true.
As we live ore lives, we are faced with many choices some small, some great. All these choices impact who you are. Where you’re at, where you’re going. Sometimes you make choices that seem small;; and think they have little impact., but as time went by that choice made all the difference. Then again we try to do something Grand and it fails or s...o you think. Did it still not impact or change your life, maybe it affected someone you don’t even know. Our choices we make, Our decisions, the things we say and do have a far greater impact on others than you may ever know. Most of us I would dare to say are not the same person we were in High School. Our choices we have made have help define the person we are today. We learn from mistakes, we learn from heartaches, we learn from love. I can look back on my life and see how my choices affected others and myself. I know I’ve hurt people. I know I’ve broken hearts, I know have let people down. I know my actions and words have impact on people It use to ne bad but now I try to use it for good. I don’t know where Im going with these its not what I had planned when I started. I want to tell of how we make choices and when we think it only affects us, we need to think again. My choice to walk away from driving will have a far greater affect than Ill ever know. But in doing so, I want to Quote Robert Frost in saying. “I took the road less traveled and it made all the difference.” Your choices will define what other people think of you your choices, decisions, actions, the things you say will define your character Is it good or bad? I do want to point out that people look at what you say and do. But God doesn’t, God doesn’t let all your past decisions and choices define who you are. You come to Him nasty and filthy stinking of sin and He will forgive you. You become a new creation old things are passed away all things are new. Your sins were crucified with Christ yet you live. Now all that you say and do, do for the glory of God Let God define who you are. Let Him guide your decisions if you read your bible implement what it says in your life. Than your choices, and actions should be for the Glory of God. God has released me from driving.. He will use it for His glory.
What is your salvation worth? Are you willing to give up material things and status or position? Phil 3:8 says “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Paul was a high ranking Pharisee. Had great power and authority he gave it all up to follow Christ. As we grow and mature in life and faith our priorities change. Things that didn’t seem that important are now very important. Just as things seemed very important are now hardly important at all. Time is against us the sec we are born. We do not know when we will die, or the ones we love will die. I’m no different I have had love ones died that I wish I would of told them I love them one last time, or spent more time with them, or told them of the love of Christ. We can’t change that, but we can change is the time we have now, The Bible tells us we are but a vapor in the wind here today gone tomorrow. We are not to worry about tomorrow it has no guarantee live for today. Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today. This verse and proverbs are so during my driving career I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen killed. It affects me everything even when I wasn’t saved. The Lord has granted me more time than I deserve. For that I’m grateful. So now this is what is important in my life. 1. God and the ministry He has called me to. 2. My Marriage my Wife whom God has made for me. We are as one. 3. My children whom God blessed my wife and I with. Putting God First everything else will fall in place according to His will for your life. Even after I was saved and called to the ministry I was committing a great Sin. I was putting my career first; it was always interfering with what God has called me to do. If what your doing interferes with God than its not in His will. This is something I realized I was doing. Don’t let your career interfere with God, Family, or your kids. If so you are in danger of money and success being you idol. Remember the rich young ruler. Luke 18:18-30 in these verses Christ points out money is the young mans god. He put his wealth first. No different for anything else. If you put your job, wife/husband or kids first in your life they become your idol. Put God first and everything falls into place according to His will for your life. This song has a lot of truth in it "American Dream" by Casting Crowns. Don’t fall into this trap, no such thing as a little more time, its not guaranteed..
As we live ore lives, we are faced with many choices some small, some great. All these choices impact who you are. Where you’re at, where you’re going. Sometimes you make choices that seem small;; and think they have little impact., but as time went by that choice made all the difference. Then again we try to do something Grand and it fails or s...o you think. Did it still not impact or change your life, maybe it affected someone you don’t even know. Our choices we make, Our decisions, the things we say and do have a far greater impact on others than you may ever know. Most of us I would dare to say are not the same person we were in High School. Our choices we have made have help define the person we are today. We learn from mistakes, we learn from heartaches, we learn from love. I can look back on my life and see how my choices affected others and myself. I know I’ve hurt people. I know I’ve broken hearts, I know have let people down. I know my actions and words have impact on people It use to ne bad but now I try to use it for good. I don’t know where Im going with these its not what I had planned when I started. I want to tell of how we make choices and when we think it only affects us, we need to think again. My choice to walk away from driving will have a far greater affect than Ill ever know. But in doing so, I want to Quote Robert Frost in saying. “I took the road less traveled and it made all the difference.” Your choices will define what other people think of you your choices, decisions, actions, the things you say will define your character Is it good or bad? I do want to point out that people look at what you say and do. But God doesn’t, God doesn’t let all your past decisions and choices define who you are. You come to Him nasty and filthy stinking of sin and He will forgive you. You become a new creation old things are passed away all things are new. Your sins were crucified with Christ yet you live. Now all that you say and do, do for the glory of God Let God define who you are. Let Him guide your decisions if you read your bible implement what it says in your life. Than your choices, and actions should be for the Glory of God. God has released me from driving.. He will use it for His glory.
What is your salvation worth? Are you willing to give up material things and status or position? Phil 3:8 says “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Paul was a high ranking Pharisee. Had great power and authority he gave it all up to follow Christ. As we grow and mature in life and faith our priorities change. Things that didn’t seem that important are now very important. Just as things seemed very important are now hardly important at all. Time is against us the sec we are born. We do not know when we will die, or the ones we love will die. I’m no different I have had love ones died that I wish I would of told them I love them one last time, or spent more time with them, or told them of the love of Christ. We can’t change that, but we can change is the time we have now, The Bible tells us we are but a vapor in the wind here today gone tomorrow. We are not to worry about tomorrow it has no guarantee live for today. Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today. This verse and proverbs are so during my driving career I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen killed. It affects me everything even when I wasn’t saved. The Lord has granted me more time than I deserve. For that I’m grateful. So now this is what is important in my life. 1. God and the ministry He has called me to. 2. My Marriage my Wife whom God has made for me. We are as one. 3. My children whom God blessed my wife and I with. Putting God First everything else will fall in place according to His will for your life. Even after I was saved and called to the ministry I was committing a great Sin. I was putting my career first; it was always interfering with what God has called me to do. If what your doing interferes with God than its not in His will. This is something I realized I was doing. Don’t let your career interfere with God, Family, or your kids. If so you are in danger of money and success being you idol. Remember the rich young ruler. Luke 18:18-30 in these verses Christ points out money is the young mans god. He put his wealth first. No different for anything else. If you put your job, wife/husband or kids first in your life they become your idol. Put God first and everything falls into place according to His will for your life. This song has a lot of truth in it "American Dream" by Casting Crowns. Don’t fall into this trap, no such thing as a little more time, its not guaranteed..
Fan or Follower? Which are you?
Are you fan or a follower? Are you a true Christian? Do you love unconditional? Do you do things just to be noticed? Or are they done out of love? Who are you truly?
Are you like those spoke of in Matthew 7:21 -23? "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
This plainly states that our works of righteousness will not get us into Heaven, no matter what we have done or how great it is it won’t pave the way. These things are pretty impressive indeed most of us have not cast out demons. Christ is saying if you do things and Love is not involved or the motive behind it, it is as filthy rags!
Jesus tells us to Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 says And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Are your actions and deeds done out of Love? Do you love your neighbor as yourself, or do you judge them, talk hateful to them, look down on them, turn your back on them in a time of need?
In Luke 10 Jesus tells us a parable of showing love and mercy, Luke 10:27-37 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
Are you a fan or a Follower? Do you walk as Jesus did? Do you do things to be seen, do you do them out of love, or do you do them without the thought of reward or recantation?
John 6:53-71 says So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.
If your fan when things get though or you’re offended by what’s said you will depart and follow no more. Do you turn from God when the Holy Spirit convicts your spirit? Do you run from God or deny Him when He is no longer convenient for you? Or do you stand Firm unshaken unmovable in your Faith? Will you stand for Christ at all cost?
If your life is about Love, loving your enemies, Giving when you cant give, giving to those less fortunate than you? Don’t make excuses why you cant love that person. Christ loves us all regardless of who we are what we did or what we thought or said. When people offend you, make you mad, do you wrong forgive them. Show them Love, mercy and compassion just as Christ showed you. If you’re a follower you will do these things. Don’t be a fan, don’t be religious. Its about a intimate personal relationship built on love. If you show Love than this holds true 1John 2:5-6 says “but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
Walk as Christ walked, Love as Christ loved for He said in John 15:12-13 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
So are you a fan or follower? Do you do unselfish acts in thought of nothing in return? Or do you do acts to be seen and appreciated?
Are you like those spoke of in Matthew 7:21 -23? "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
This plainly states that our works of righteousness will not get us into Heaven, no matter what we have done or how great it is it won’t pave the way. These things are pretty impressive indeed most of us have not cast out demons. Christ is saying if you do things and Love is not involved or the motive behind it, it is as filthy rags!
Jesus tells us to Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 says And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Are your actions and deeds done out of Love? Do you love your neighbor as yourself, or do you judge them, talk hateful to them, look down on them, turn your back on them in a time of need?
In Luke 10 Jesus tells us a parable of showing love and mercy, Luke 10:27-37 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
Are you a fan or a Follower? Do you walk as Jesus did? Do you do things to be seen, do you do them out of love, or do you do them without the thought of reward or recantation?
John 6:53-71 says So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.
If your fan when things get though or you’re offended by what’s said you will depart and follow no more. Do you turn from God when the Holy Spirit convicts your spirit? Do you run from God or deny Him when He is no longer convenient for you? Or do you stand Firm unshaken unmovable in your Faith? Will you stand for Christ at all cost?
If your life is about Love, loving your enemies, Giving when you cant give, giving to those less fortunate than you? Don’t make excuses why you cant love that person. Christ loves us all regardless of who we are what we did or what we thought or said. When people offend you, make you mad, do you wrong forgive them. Show them Love, mercy and compassion just as Christ showed you. If you’re a follower you will do these things. Don’t be a fan, don’t be religious. Its about a intimate personal relationship built on love. If you show Love than this holds true 1John 2:5-6 says “but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
Walk as Christ walked, Love as Christ loved for He said in John 15:12-13 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
So are you a fan or follower? Do you do unselfish acts in thought of nothing in return? Or do you do acts to be seen and appreciated?
Service and Sacrifice
I wrote this for our March Newsletter for our church. I wish to share it with you.
Service and Sacrifice
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Service and Sacrifice
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With Discipleship Now Weekend just around the corner. I wanted to take a look at what it means to serve and give unselfishly. You all have already sacrificed your time before along with some weekends. But the question is what’s the true reason behind that sacrifice? The disciples gave up everything they had to follow Christ and they changed the world through their unselfish acts and spreading the Gospel. Have we today become so complaisant and secure with our way of life that we have forgotten what it means to offer true sacrifice to the Lord? Here in America we don’t face persecution for our Faith as those in other parts of the world. Just about every day you can turn on the world news and here about a Christian being persecuted or facing death for their faith in Christ. Being told if you renounce your faith you will keep your life. My question is this if faced with that decision what would your answer be? The bible tells us in Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Let’s look at this way how do you act in school when it comes to your faith, Do you stand up for Christ and what you believe, or do you turn from Christ to fit in with friends or to be so called cool? Do you act as a Christian or do stand around in gossip and slander those you know? Your actions here in school would have a great effect on how you could answer that question if ever faced with it. Do you take up your cross and follow Christ daily? Do you deny yourself? Are you willing to lose your life to find it? If you can’t answer those questions with a quick yes, you might want to take a look at yourself. Another way you can check your faith is this how do you serve the Lord? The Bible says a lot about how we sacrifice and serve the Lord. It’s not a game; it’s not something to take lightly. The condition of your heart will reveal a lot too on how you serve. Do you do things with a willing heart or do you do it because you feel you have to? 2Chronicals_29:31 Then Hezekiah said, "You have now consecrated yourselves to the LORD. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD." And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. We talked about this if you are going to serve the Lord do it with a willing heart. Don’t do it because you’re being forced to do it. Have a willing heart when you serve the Lord if you do it grudgingly check yourself check and see if you are truly walking with God. Psa_44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. We can’t hide our motives from God or our conscience . He knows the state of our heart when we serve. Genesis 4:3-7 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." The reason God rejected the offering from Cain was not because it was from a garden it was the condition of his heart. He gave it because he thought he had to. He didn’t give it with a willing heart. Likewise if you serve the Lord and give with a hostile heart as one being forced to serve likewise your offering and sacrifice will be rejected. 1Corinthians 3:11-15 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire Your service and offering will be looked at by God, and He will ask you how you served Him with what you were given. Do you really want everything you thought you labored for burned up? Or do you want to hear will done my true and faithful child Great is your reward. At your age I know you’re bombarded with demands and things people ask or want you to do. I am aware you have things to do outside the service of God. But to be Honest we are to do everything with the Glory of God in mind. Everything we do is to be done for the glory of God. 2Co 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. When we do these service and mission projects this month remember why you’re doing it and for whom, not just the person we will be helping but remember we are doing it for God. Do it with a willing heart.
Be Strong, Never Surrender?
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
In Kearny, Nebraska there is a monument to the pioneers that moved out west. It is a covered wagon with a plaque on it that says "The cowards never left, the weak died along the way only the strong survived!"
According to the world view this is true! We are told never to give up, fight for what you want, we are told to never be weak!
However the only way we will be strong is if we accept and acknowledge our weakness. The only way we will ever gain is to surrender all!
Even after I was saved I was lying to myself and God. I refused to admit that I couldn't handle my problems on my own under my own strength and power. I had not surrendered all to Christ, but yet I was bragging about what God had delivered me from. Yet all my addictions and weaknesses were not removed. Much like Paul I was left with a thorn in my flesh to keep me humbled to remind me that I'm not perfect, that I still must relay upon Gods mercy, grace and strength! I refused to see it till Youth Camp this year when Runks Runkles gave his testimony. Numerous times I have asked God to remove it, I even confessed them to another person in whom I trusted in hope of them being lifted from me. Relieing upon my own strength I would stumble time and time again, till it sunk in that I must relay on God if not I would continue to stumble. I had to admit, confess that I was powerless over it that I could not do it on my own strength, or power. Relieing on my own strength brought only defeat! When I acknowledged that I couldn't do it that I had to relay upon God admitting that I was weak. Then I was able to overcome these addictions and temptations only by trusting in God fully depending upon His Grace! Under my own strength I am powerless over my addictions, temptations and the thorn in my flesh! Anger and depression I have battled for most of my life. I am now getting help with these. It is something you don't have to battle alone. It is no different than any other infirmities that someone may get. Don't try to go at it alone.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:
I am nothing outside His Power and Grace
for when I am weak, then am I strong.
In Kearny, Nebraska there is a monument to the pioneers that moved out west. It is a covered wagon with a plaque on it that says "The cowards never left, the weak died along the way only the strong survived!"
According to the world view this is true! We are told never to give up, fight for what you want, we are told to never be weak!
However the only way we will be strong is if we accept and acknowledge our weakness. The only way we will ever gain is to surrender all!
Even after I was saved I was lying to myself and God. I refused to admit that I couldn't handle my problems on my own under my own strength and power. I had not surrendered all to Christ, but yet I was bragging about what God had delivered me from. Yet all my addictions and weaknesses were not removed. Much like Paul I was left with a thorn in my flesh to keep me humbled to remind me that I'm not perfect, that I still must relay upon Gods mercy, grace and strength! I refused to see it till Youth Camp this year when Runks Runkles gave his testimony. Numerous times I have asked God to remove it, I even confessed them to another person in whom I trusted in hope of them being lifted from me. Relieing upon my own strength I would stumble time and time again, till it sunk in that I must relay on God if not I would continue to stumble. I had to admit, confess that I was powerless over it that I could not do it on my own strength, or power. Relieing on my own strength brought only defeat! When I acknowledged that I couldn't do it that I had to relay upon God admitting that I was weak. Then I was able to overcome these addictions and temptations only by trusting in God fully depending upon His Grace! Under my own strength I am powerless over my addictions, temptations and the thorn in my flesh! Anger and depression I have battled for most of my life. I am now getting help with these. It is something you don't have to battle alone. It is no different than any other infirmities that someone may get. Don't try to go at it alone.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:
I am nothing outside His Power and Grace
for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Friday, July 17, 2015
The great unknown
Hard decisions? What path do you take do you go the less painful or do you go to the areas of unknown? Areas that put your faith and trust to the limit! Do you leave your comfort zone, your security to go to the unfamiliar arena? When you hear people speak is God speaking through them expressing what you should do? Should you question what you hear and think or just close your eyes and jump right in? Looking at pros and cons you think of it is easy to see the comfort zone and the unknown. At times it my appear that the unknown would be more beneficial, however you have to have faith. If God is controlling the situation I believe you will be able to tell early on. If it is God guiding you, if you listen and obey you might be surprised at and where God leads you.
Nation apart from God
The political divide in this nation is great it seems to me that no one can remember the actual history of events. Rather it be Republicans or Democrats I personally am disgusted with both parties neither one holds true to what is right in God's eyes, more less mine! As I have said previously it is not a war on flesh or blood that we are fighting here, but one of spiritual nature! The forces we fight against we cannot see but we know that they are there. Demonic activity is on the rise for they know that their time is near they try to attempt to influence those in power and often succeed in doing just that. I however hold to my Conservative and Christian beliefs and no liberal Democrat or Republican will change that! We have seem to have forgotten history and want to believe whatever someone tells us if we seem to like it. No one seems to know any longer what to stand for or what they actually believe! Only one thing stands true and that is God and His Word! It plainly tells us what is going to happen and all these things going on around us is to fulfil what is written in those pages! I know things are not going get better any time soon, this nation and the world will continue to spiral down till the Day of Gods Wrath comes upon us. My hope is in God and the deliverance He has brought me! Even though I might die for what I believe I stand firm in knowing that God has my soul! And for that I pray for the day when delivers us all who trust in Him from the wickedness of this world! However till then I will speak the truth and show the light of God in all I do.
The Spiritual Battle that we wage!
As believers and followers of Christ we are ever so engaging in battles in the flesh and spirit. There is a lot going on that we don't agree with, things that stir a righteous anger with in us! So how are we to act when this righteous anger builds up? The Bible tells us to be angry and not sin, and for the sun not to go down on your anger.
We as Christians are called to
Ephesians 5:11-14 ESV
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
We are also called to be more than conquers in Christ Jesus! We are to love others as our self's, but at times we must protect those who are weak, those being taken advantage of and used for evil purposes! If this meaning rebuking evil to protect the innocent than so be it! Our love should compel us to act! You say we are to love everyone and treat all the same regardless of what they say or do? We are to tolerate their actions? You hypocrite you don't even do what you say, even though you are in the dark! If your family came under an attack, you would defend them! You would not think that the pretor should be treated the same as your family!
The battle we wage is not in the flesh but in the spirit! And I will defend those who are helpless from the powers and principalities of darkness! I will make them aware of the danger they are facing if they don't change their ways! The love we have for our children (if you love them) you will make them aware of what they are doing and how it could harm them. And if possible we will take measures to prevent that harm from coming. It is no different for them as it is for God's children. We are the hands and feet of Christ! Being followers of Christ we can not just set back and be passive about what is going on in this world! If you love God as you say that you do, then you will love your neighbor as yourself! You being a follower of Christ I hope you would not be engaged in destructive practices that could harm yourself or your relationship with Christ. Like wise those who practice destructive lifestyles we should make them aware of what they are doing to save them from hell!
This is a spiritual battle that we all are engaged in this world! For if we don't have the whole Armor Of God on during battle we will act out in anger and sin!
But if we are prepared and fully equipped with sword and armor this anger is righteous. This anger this righteous anger in us should drive us to do what is right in the eyes of God to protect those whom the world seeks to destroy! We must rebuke the evil that we see in the world in the name of Jesus Christ! You are engaged in a battle, if you are in battle than you fight! Do not flee for we already know that we have already won the war through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! For we also know that we are more than conquers through Christ Jesus who dwells with in us! There for I will not be silent on the evil that fights against us. I am prepared to go to the front lines if God so chooses to place me there.
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Issues with symbols
First and foremost above all else I am a follower and servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I am an American placed in this nation at Birth under God's great provision and grace In the greatest nation on the face of the earth to live! I am very grateful for the blood that was shed and is being shed that has brought this nation to freedom and is still protecting that freedom!
God in His great divine planning choose to place me in the South to be raised to be taught and to live! By the grace of God I am a Southerner.
I am able to fly a Christian Flag, The American Flag, and the Confederate Flag if I so choose! All three of these are symbols of my heritage! All three principles make up who we are. All this nonsense going on is not about the 10 commandment monument at the Capitol or the flag we choose to fly. But rather the problem goes so much deeper! People are just looking for something so they can be angry and vent! People have died under all three of these flags for what they believed in! Atrocities have been committed under all three of these flags! If you want to ban one ban them all! Our God is so much more than a monument or a flag We the People are so much more then the flag we choose to fly! These symbols are not the issue the world the flesh are the real issue!
Looking to Christ
At times it may seem as though everything is falling apart around you. Personal issues with family, things with your life, finances, dreams, things at work and the list keeps going on. It is easy to start looking at all this and fall into despair. Your faith is being tested are you looking to the world freighted by the storm your in? Or are you looking to Christ who gives you strength? I am at this point now! If it was not for Christ I would be drowning in a pool of despair in self pity. My flesh wants to revert to old habits of alcohol and drown out sorrow only to increase the misery that I would feel. Life is not easy the Christian life is not easy but you can find peace with God in times of trial. Much like Peter we need to walk by faith and not by sight. For if we walk by sight the world the storm the waves of life will overcome us drowning us in fear. God has commanded us to be strong and courageous be not afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God goes before you. Often we wonder how we got to the place we are at or why it is happening to you. We need not ask why but know that your faith is being refined For when we omit that we are week we are made strong in Christ. Knowing that whatever circumstance you are in that this promise holds true. All things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Our reliance upon God is crucial if you are to survive in this life. keep your eyes upon Christ and this world will not overcome you.
Hurt and betrayal
Loss, the hurt, betrayal, the anger you feel when there is nothing you can do! Time invested seems all but a loss with nothing to gain. But God knows the things you did the sacrifices paid. The difference you made in peoples lives. The story may not of ended the way that you wish, but you did your best and your not to blame. You can move on knowing that you tried, having a clear conscience and no regret. God is in control I know that's true! We learn from what we lived and from that wisdom is gained. Life doesn't always go the way we would like, but have faith it will work for your benefit in the long run. Trials in our life our used to grow us closer to God if you trust in Him. Right now we see only in part, some day we will see it all and know why those things that we did not like where allowed to happen in our lives. Trust in God in all things giving Him glory and praise knowing that all things work toward your good.
Walking away from the Faith
I will never understand why people who have experienced the light and clam to be believers want to live in the dark. Being made aware of the damage of the life they are choosing to live. With the comment "Don't you want me to be happy?" Love we have for people is strong, Gods love is strong! He wish none to parish! But the choice is yours! It is better for you to have never seen the light and perish then to have seen the light and turned away. Its hard for me to believe that you right with God when you willingly engage in a life destructive life style after being made aware of the danger. It is selfless to say don't you want me to be happy? God never promised us happiness which depends on outside factors. But He did promise joy and peace which comes from obedience. Why must you focus on the flesh and the world for satisfaction instead of focusing on God the author of peace and joy which comes from the inside. When we look to the world and flesh for happiness all we will find is misery, despair and ultimately emptiness. Don't be deceived earthly happiness brings loss and soon death. If you know God turn from
your earthly desires and pursue his righteousness. How could of you repented if you keep doing the same thing again and again. Change the way you live your life now before its to late! Stop resisting the Holy Spirit and hardening your heart to a point that you will no longer hear Him and when God turns you over to your own desires. My love for those who live in sin is great! As God does not want anyone to parish nether do I! No I don't want you to be happy if it cost you your soul! If you are saved than live the life that honors God and not the flesh!
Faith 2
If you have faith of a mustard seed you can say to this mountain be casted into the sea and it shall be done. The Bible tells us that we should walk by faith and not by sight too many times when we look at the world and the circumstances around us considering to ourselves there is no way. The Bible also tells us with man it is impossible but with God everything is possible. that is what I am doing I am taking a step of faith out into the dark unknown the trick is to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and the waves the storm the fury of the sea will not overcome you. in my life alone I have testimony after testimony of things that can only happen by the mighty hand of God. This time will be no different I have stepped out of the boat I have picked up the stones and my faith guide me! God's favor will go before me and he will make the impossible done and his glory will be shown. There is only one way I am going to get into college and that is totally by the hand of God. but as I said I took that first step in faith and as long as I keep my eyes on Christ be overcomed. for God is my provider for God is my shield, for God is my strength for God is my banner, for God is my strong tower, for God is my solid rock on which I stand. He is my peace he is my joy in him I have my salvation and I'm highly favored.
What is faith to you
Faith! What is faith to you? There has been a lot said about faith over the years. There have been songs, books and movies written and made about faith. However have you ever thought about what faith means to you? How important it is to have faith? How important it is to have faith? Some people have said they have lost all faith in humanity, in people, in love, their jobs, their friends, their spouse, the world, and even God.
I personally have faith in only God all these other things will let me down God never will! Faith is crucial to have if you believe in God. Without faith we are tossed about like a boat on the sea without a sail. If you had faith that God would save you why don't you have faith that he will provide for you? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what is hope for, the proof of what is not seen.
The bible is full of ordinary people who possessed great faith and whom did great things. Faith is so much more than a christian word. With an ounce of faith and no doubt we too could do great things! But the world has water down and polluted our minds to the point that true faith is hard to find. People say they have faith but they complain and bicker about their lives, the world, their job, the church and etc. If people today had faith they would die to themselves an live for others! Selfishness would not be in issue. If people would have faith in God's provision there would be no need or want! If you had faith you would not worry or stress. If you had faith you would be obedient to what God has called you to do. The bible tells us without faith it is impossible to please God. Christ continually rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith during his earthly ministry. After his ascension into heaven and they receive the power of the Holy Spirit they excepted great faith even to the point of death. If you have faith in God this same Holy Spirit dwells in you!
We as a nation have lost faith in our government and in God! If we as a nation still had faith in God I believe we would not be facing the times that we are in. Where is your faith? Are you one of the remnant that God choose before the foundation of the earth? God always had a remnant that he choose to carry own His will after all others turner why losing their faith. Do you possess the faith to stand up for what you believe in no matter what you will face?to stand up for what you believe in no matter what you will face? Do you truly have faith in God not to worry but to be content not to worry but to be content? Have faith that God will provide? Have faith God will heal? Have faith that God will lead you? That he will never leave you nor forsake you? Do you have faith he will make your paths straight? Do you have faith that he will deliver you?do you have faith that he will deliver you? If you have faith in God your stress in life will go away!your stress in life will go away! You cannot live a peaceful life without having faith in God! As a man once said " I believe, help my unbelief". So if you had faith to come to Christ as Lord and Savior have faith he is working in your life that he is and will provide for you have faith he is working in your life that he is and will provide for you. And don't forget without faith it is impossible to please God.
God's blessings
The other night as I lay in bed thinking of all the ways God has worked in my life from provision to out right miracles. I can not deni that He is God and Lord of my life. He saved and restored my marriage, Saved my life at least 8x when I should of been killed, provided things science could not explain, provided a trailer and land at no cost to us, has watched over, protected, and guided us. I see Him in nature in the weather in our pets. our children and His followers. You can not look around you and not see his presence or His hands. I choose to live by faith for I know what my God can do! It was in it self a miracle that I came to faith in Christ.
Uncertain Times
Face with uncertainty in life future does not look too bright the dream you capture seems to be slipping away? At times like this you may want to think on the worse, and what is going to happen. What is God's will in all of this what am I to do? Your words are powerful have faith! Don't complain about the storm before it hits, too many times the words we say bring on a storm otherwise would have never happened. The Bible says whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Think on that that is powerful! We are to speak the words of God with faith sincerity boldness and authority! Don't doubt what you say for whatever you say in faith will come to pass! The same power that dwelt in Christ dwells in you if you have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. For He said we should do greater things than He! Just don't doubt! Have faith, praise God no matter what happens! The world, the flesh, and the devil want nothing more than to see you fail and become miserable questioning where is your God. Stand strong in your faith don't doubt trust God no matter what may happen speak positive think positive praising God and thanking God that you are highly favored.
Faith
How can you say you don't have faith the Bible says " everyone is dealt a measure of faith" What you do with it is your free choice. For atheist it takes more faith to believe God doesn't' exist then it does for them to put your trust in Him. For God has revealed himself in all of creation and you do not have to look hard to see it! For many believers they have faith in God for their salvation and that is as far as it goes. They say that they believe the Word of God, but doubt that God will work that way today. They say things like that was Biblical times He doesn't work that way anymore, or these men were the only ones chosen to do great things. It is not needed today. Hello are you reading the same Bible I am? Last time I read our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and never changes! The Bible tells us in several places that God has given us His power and authority through His Son by the Holy Spirit. You don't have faith because you don't believe! The Word of God is much more than a collection of stories and letters it's living and breathing it is sharper than any two edged sword to those who trust in Him! You can not say you believe Genesis 1:1 and not that you were called to Mathew 28:18-20, Luke 24:45-49, Mark 16:15-18. You are clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit to do great things don't doubt only believe! What you speak and belief will surly come to pass. When you think negative bad things happen, like when you say what else is going to happen or what else could go wrong and it does! So do not fear only believe live your faith.
God calling
God calls, do you listen? God speaks do you obey? You may call Him Lord and Savior, but that is far as you take it. You may go to church on Sunday in Wednesday you may even throw a 20 in the plate but are you really but are you really honoring him with your life? The bible tells is that "They honor Me with their lips but there hearts far from Me" are you in this group? The bible also tells us " unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you in no way shall see the kingdom of heaven" are you doing your good deeds just to be seen or noticed that yet you don't honor Christ? Christ tells us "How can you call me Lord Lord and not do what I say?" are you loving God with all your heart body and soul? Are you loving your neighbor as yourself? If you have any anger, resentment, or unforgiveness in you then you're not loving God and your not loving your neighbor! If you do not forgive those who offend you God will not forgive you. Simply Put! If there is any darkness in you than Christ is not in you. For Christ is light and light casts out all darkness! Think on this ask for forgiveness show true repentance!
God's Wrath
In Christ we have forgiveness of every sin without Christ we stand in judgement and God's wrath. When a nation turns its back on God and turns to its own desires it will surely face the wrath of God! Christians will not be spared from hard times tribulation or or torment in this world but we are saved from eternal torment and wrath! This nation will be judged for turning his back on God if it does not repent and change its way! But those who trust in the Lord and have hope and faith will not fear those who can kill the body but they know their soul is secure with God. Beware my friends turn to God now and repent for God will not ignore these hideous decisions and actions by our government they will have to answer for what they have done.
Sinking in Sin
Sin is powerful it is ever present and looking for the opportunity to overcome you! When you let your guard down let your mind wonder on to things of this world things of the flesh and not looking on to God you will fall! Much like Peter when he took his eyes off Christ and begun to sink in the sea until he cried out "Lord save me!". We too sink in to sin when we are not focused on Him! It doesn't take much for us to fall if we are not focused on Christ for the Devil, his demons, our flesh are looking for an opportunity to overcome us with our own desires. That is why we must put on the whole armor of God! Being vigilant for our adversary the devil roams around like lion seeking whom he may devour. We must learn to master the flesh making it submissive to the will of God! We must learn to kill our flesh and it's desires so that we will be walking in the Spirit and not in flesh! Way to often we turn to the desires of the flesh and the eyes seeking things of this world seeking the things that will bring only death! When the One who brings life we shun and turn away! What are we to do, we who follow the flesh and its desires? Repent and turn back to God to the One who saved your soul from death and not to walk in the ways you once walked! It is true when it is written a dog returns to its own vomit! We to return to the sin that placed Christ on the Cross! We ungrateful people why do we try to crucify Christ again by returning to our sin? Have we not learned that we are crucified with Christ! And that it is no longer us that live but Christ that lives within us? Oh the wretched people we are! We who take the grace of God for granted by thinking we can live our lives as we please with no consequences for our actions. We are fools to think such a thing! We are not our own we are bought with a price! We are called to be holy because He is holy! We are to live a life that honors Him a life that others see and they to will glorify God! So how are we to do this? Well the Bible says we must walk in the Spirit we must show the fruit of the Spirit in all that we do! We must pray with out ceasing giving God glory and praise in all that we do! We must always be mediating on His Word using it as a sword to fight of the things of the flesh and the world! Why to often we depend on our own abilities to overcome sin with out the help of the Spirit that dwells within us! Then we wonder how did we fall again? Have we forgotten that He who dwells with in us is greater then he who dwells in the world? Have we forgotten that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us? Have we forgotten that we are more than conquers through Christ Jesus? When we fill our minds with things of this world the things of the flesh we are inviting sin into our lives and once we put thought to it and an action to it it is manifested to a willful sin an iniquity! We are not to give the devil a foothold for if we do he will for sure come in! We need to rid our lives of all things that don't honor God! For if we don't it is not if we fall but when!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Attack on Christians
I am beginning to strongly believe that the attack on the Christian faith has only begun. It is going to get very personal on all believers. They will be attacked in the community at work and even in their own homes. For the world see us of a threat. They see us of being intolerant not accepting what they see as right. They will try anything to silent us. Based upon their belief we are discriminating them or someone else. I know there will consequences from the world for my actions, words and beliefs. But my trust is in the Lord! What can man do to me? I will not submit to the world or things in it! No matter who or what they are. I will submit to God and His Will alone. Times are getting bad persecution is coming, when they have hit there hardest how will you stand? Will you back down or will you stand firm? Will you proclaim Christ Jesus as your Lord or will denounce and Denis Him? I know the power of God to change a life.
Acts 4:18-20 ESV
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
There is Hope
What do you do when everything you thought was true turns out to be lie? Everything you hoped in was just a dream? It seems everything in your life disappeared like the morning dew. You look around trying to take it all in trying to figure out what really just happened. You fall to the ground in tears. Thinking you have wasted your life and have nothing to show for it. If you could began again you wouldn't know were to start. You have lost it all and you say what is the point in going on living.
When your life is lost and you know that it is. There is but one place you can turn to. One place to find Hope find peace find love. He that can give you a new life. One that can make all things new! One that can restore. Old things will pass away they will be forgotten all things will be made new.
There is only one true truth and that is God! In Him we find life! In Him we find restoration and forgiveness of sins! In Him we have redemption through His blood. When you lose your life then you will find it. We all have experienced great loss in this world but don't look at as a loss but as a gain for knowing the true power of Jesus Christ. For I count all things of lost for knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! All the gain I had received is counted as rubbish counted as dung it is nothing at all!
For what I know have I have found in Christ Jesus! Through His Grace His Mercy His Love. His procession and favor far exceed anything this world has to offer. When you realize that you are weak and can not do it on your own you are then made strong through Jesus Christ who dwells in you! That is if you have invited Him into your heart. For this to happen you must surrender your life to His will for life. Your life no longer belongs belongs to you but to God! For you were bought with a price! That price was the sacrificial blood of Christ Jesus which cleanses all of unrighteousness for those who trust in Him! If you have surrendered your life to Him then you would do what He has commended you to do. You can not call Him Lord Lord and not do what He has commended you to do! For no servant can call someone lord and not obey their voice! In order that you may find your true life you must realize that your life is not yours! That means you must kill the flesh its desires you must mortify it! We can not live our lives as we see fit. For we must be Holy for God Himself is Holy! We all once walked in the desires of the flesh dead in our own sin! But glory be to God that when we were still sinners Christ died for us! It also tells us that were sin abounded Grace abounded that much more! But that does not give us the right to go on sinning! For he who has seen the light he who has experienced the light he who has the truth in him does not go on sinning. For if he does the truth is not in him! Brothers I beseech you be not deceived by the things of this world the things of the flesh or the things in darkness! For all these things bring death they will destroy you! If you want true peace if you want true joy if you want to truly find out what your life is about then surrender it to Christ Jesus! If you believe that God won't give you more than you can handle than you are mistaken my friend. For as I said already when we admit we are weak we are made strong through Christ Jesus! I choose to lose my life for sake of knowing Christ Jesus! This decision made all the difference in my life! But it took me hitting rock bottom realizing that I had no hope in myself or in this world and the harder I tried to find my life the more of it I lost! I was speaking of my self at the very begging of this post. When I realized the life I was living was a lie it was then I found Christ! You too can find a new life in Christ if you are willing to surrender all to Him.
Storm rages on
At times such as these God still brings peace, joy and hope. The storm is raging wind blowing so hard you can barely stand raining so hard you can hardly see your hand in front of your face! Wave after wave crashes upon you yet you will not be swept away! There is a purpose to this storm God's glory will be shown. Trust and faith will bring you through! Let not fear cripple you but be strong and courageous for the Lord your God goes before you! He has never left your side. Through the darkness of night a Light shines that cannot be hidden. Though pain and sorrow may last through the night Joy comes in the morning! There is a rainbow in the eastern sky reminding us of God's promise! Do not let the world overcome you for you have overcame the world already through Jesus Christ! Don't look back but look ahead to what God has already given you, just belief and do not doubt! This world will come at you with all it has but you will not be shaken if you have built your life upon the rock the solid foundation that is Jesus Christ! Place your hope and faith in Him who controls the storm by the sound of His voice. Do you believe? Do you really believe? if so than obey His voice and let Him lead you through the storm!
Provide for your own family
This nation is divided brought about by the one who is to hold it together. The views in this nation are as plain as night and day. More and more or choosing darkness over light, hate over love! There is but a remnant of those who seek to do what is right in God's eyes and not what is right in their own eyes! Liberal ideas and agenda is turn this country into a socialist cesspool! In my faith and believe I'm willing to give to those in need being directed by the Spirit! I pay my taxes as God has commanded me to do, however my taxes go to hundreds if not thousands of things I disagree with! I for one and for the Fair Tax everyone should pay their fair share!
People should get off their butts and work if they are able and stop sucking this nation dry! To many people are wanting hand outs and are not willing to do anything for themselves! I believe should fend for yourselves provide for your family and work for what you get! The rich do not need to be taxed at a higher rate so that there wealth can be given to those who choose to do nothing! Granted there are those who need assistance who are physical or mentally unable to work! The church at one time took care of those in need and still does to an extent. However socialist programs have taken away this duty of the church and placed upon the taxpayer to provide for whoever is unable or unwilling to work! The debt this nation has is going to come crashing down! We are headed for a Great Depression unlike anything that the history of man has ever seen! What are you liberals going to do then, when there is no money for you? For those of us who fear God who are conservative God will provide we are not afraid to work no matter what the job may be! We have been taught to be self sufficient! If you are able to work then work don't nitpick on what job you want or have be grateful that you have a job and that it provides for your family to the best of your ability! I was taught as a child to do whatever I have to do to provide for my family even if that meant doing things I did not enjoy. It is time for the free handouts to stop for those who just refuse to work! I believe people on food stamps should do the same thing that unemployment recipients do, they must do job searches to show that they're trying to get off state assistance and they must take a job when it is offered if it is a better job than they currently have! if they don't try to better themselves then they are off of state assistance and lose all benefits! Soon and very soon the various state and federal assistance you depend on will end for the simple fact the money will not be there!
Great evil among us!
I am one not to be silent, when it comes to things I see as wrong! My faith, my political views, and my belief in God fuel a passion that drives me to boldly with out fear to speak my mind!
This Nation is in trouble! IN MY OPINION it is lead by a spineless, coward that believes he is doing what is right, But in all do respect he just a pawn of Satan, being used by God to bring about His Will and fulfillment of prophecies spoken of 2000 - 5000 years ago! Read them!
This leader like no other is attempting to erase are National history! He gets great joy out of dividing this nation instead of bringing it together! He seeks to please the great minority instead of the majority! He makes deals with rouge/ God hating nations under false pretenses! Read and see what God did to nations who also did such things! This nation has set itself above God in its own eyes! Warning there is a price to be paid for this kind of pride! This leader approves and applauds when others seek to change the Word of God! Communism is coming at the hands of this man! Telling us what we can and can not do! What he is doing has been done before and those nations fell behind the Iron Curtain. Read your history books before they change them too.
Iran should be destroyed! ISIS should be eliminated, yet our President will not take action necessary to do such a thing!
This deal with Iran will enable them to become nucular no matter what the media may tell you! Be not deceived! And for the 4 American Ministers being held illegally he did not even attempt to have them released!
Our President shows favoritism to those who break the law! He called the families of two black criminals who broke the law and were killed because they were endangering those lives around them. When a white women a wife a mother is killed by an illegal alien not a word comes from him. IN MY OPINION he is a disgrace to be called our national leader! There should of been just an outcry from the White House on this horrific act just as there was on those dying as a result of there criminal actions and choices!
Plan Parent Hood is an ungodly abomination, unrighteous unholy in all that they do! I have a flaring righteous anger and hatred for what they do. This anger was brought to an all new level today when upon finding out what exactly what they do with aborted human beings! Which makes abortion even more hideous! There should not be a freedom of choice when it comes to choosing if a child should live or die! God destroyed nations who preformed child sacrifice, we as a nation are doing nothing different!
This President has set the stage for end times prophecy fulfillment unlike any who proceeded him.
Mark my words! We have not seen anything yet! For what you thought could never happen here will and is going to happen and you will not even understand why! I speak these things with passion and great zeal!
My State of the Union
My State of Union Address
First and foremost I have a deep love and regard for God and this country. I am brought to disappointment, anger, and heart breaking emotions over the direction this nation has taken. Our godly forefathers did not plan or intend this great nation to turn its back on God and end up in the shape it is today. We as nation are far greater gone than Sodom and Gomora were at the time of their destruction, and if we don’t repent we to can face the same wrath. We have become a godless nation, instead of seeking Him, we seek after self and fleshly desires totally disregarding God and what He has called us to be. We kill babies by the millions, we engage in same sex relationships, we are full of pride, self-seeking and hate. We are turning our back on Israel; we ignore those in need in our own neighborhoods. I am not filled with hate, but love for God and His Word. It tears me apart to watch our nation going after its own desires and not God. It won’t stop were it is, this nation will continue to fall if it does not repent! The Constitution in which protects our freedom will become powerless and it is already headed in that direction. Our freedoms that remain will be stripped away, the economy will collapse the Stock Market will crash like it has never crashed before great peril and depression is coming! This nation will cry out and say how did this happen? But what happened is God gave us what we wanted when we rejected Him as God and King!
The White House being lite up in a rainbow the symbol of Gods convenient using it as a blatant slap in the face of what it means, using it as a unrighteous symbol and celebrating it in that manner. The rainbow is a sign of holiness and of God’s promises not to be used as a symbol of an unrighteous behavior.
Romans chapter 1:
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans Chapter 2:
1Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11For God shows no partiality
Galatians Chapter 5:
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Colossians Chapter 3:
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Be not surprised when this nation falls, it is of God and His plan. Without repentance our sinfulness condemns us! However if this nation is in Christ, than there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ! Our sins of a nation will not be over looked or ignored if we do not turn back to Christ! If God did not spare His own chosen people and turned them over to their enemies what makes you think he will spare this nation? Many nations since the time of Christ have fallen! We are no different! If God choses for this nation to fall nothing is going to stop it! We will have no right to ask why is this happening, when it is what we asked for! God is turning us over to our own desires because we have rejected Him. We live in a very sinful nation that no longer proclaims God as Lord and King! Yet there be a few a remnant of those here who proclaim God as Lord! Most do not! If Abraham was here today would he over look us and plead with God to spare us for the righteous sake? Prophets, Evangelist, Preachers God’s chosen men have preached the Word they have warned, yet we have not believed!
We do not have the right to continue in willful sin no matter what that sin may be, if we call ourselves believers! If we are believers and a godly nation we would do what God has called, commanded us to do! Where sin abounded, Grace abounded that much more! But does that give us a right to continue to sin? Heaven’s sake NO! We were bought with a price we are not our own! We cannot call Christ Lord Lord if we don’t do what he has told us to do! We as a nation are not on the straight and narrow; we are on the wide path that leads to destruction! Yes God is Love, but yet He is Also wrath! We say God loves us and that we can do whatever we want as long as we are happy. We are sadly mistaken, without repentance there is no forgiveness! We are condemned by our own actions! Because of a nation we have not accepted the free Gift of God!
I am not judging, I am speaking the truth and the Word of God! Which I will do to my dying breath! I cannot and I will not be silent! My love for people drives me to speak truth and life I will not lie, I will not sugar coat, I will speak love and light. If you are in the light you will see and comprehend, if you are in the darkness you will see hatred and judgement for you already stand in convection. My love for you and your soul drives me to tell the truth if you listen or not for it is written they have eyes and they do not see, they have ears yet they do not hear. I pray you see the light turn to God ask for forgiveness show repentance and live for Him, submitting to Him as Lord, praising Him as Savior!
A time is coming when He will pull His presence away and you will no longer hear the calling of the Lord or your heart will grow cold, callused and hardened that you will no longer be able to respond to the Holy Spirits calling. This nation is in trouble, wrath is coming if you do not trust in God placing your faith and hope in Him you will be consumed. I am not preaching I am pouring my heart out to you all. I see what is coming the Lord has not hidden it from me. The parable of the fig tree stands here.
As I have said I don’t hate you or judge you because we believe and live differently, it is quite the opposite I love you and pray for you. I have brothers and sisters in Christ whom I Love immensely yet we do not agree on all theological views, our believes are different, I do not agree with everything people do but that does not mean I love them any less.
We as a church unified under God no matter our doctrine we worship the same God. A few things stand true we have been silent for too long. We have not practiced spiritual disciplines we have not sought after Gods face we attend church 1 to 3 times a week and we think that is good! Wake up church it is time to move be active be the body that Christ has called us to be! We are that valley of dry bones that Ezekiel prophesied to! We need a new breath of life blown through us so that we will live again. Pew setting days are over we are in the final days and it is time for us to make a difference out in this world. It is not someone else’s job it is our job! No one else is going to do it we must do it! If we are to see a change we must be the change that brings about the change. We are Christ’s hands and feet! We are the body of Christ the problem is we have fallen asleep because we are not obeying and being used by Him! Just like parts of our body fall asleep if we don’t move them over a short period of time. This is call out to all followers of Christ Wake UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Orlando Houston
6/27/2015
First and foremost I have a deep love and regard for God and this country. I am brought to disappointment, anger, and heart breaking emotions over the direction this nation has taken. Our godly forefathers did not plan or intend this great nation to turn its back on God and end up in the shape it is today. We as nation are far greater gone than Sodom and Gomora were at the time of their destruction, and if we don’t repent we to can face the same wrath. We have become a godless nation, instead of seeking Him, we seek after self and fleshly desires totally disregarding God and what He has called us to be. We kill babies by the millions, we engage in same sex relationships, we are full of pride, self-seeking and hate. We are turning our back on Israel; we ignore those in need in our own neighborhoods. I am not filled with hate, but love for God and His Word. It tears me apart to watch our nation going after its own desires and not God. It won’t stop were it is, this nation will continue to fall if it does not repent! The Constitution in which protects our freedom will become powerless and it is already headed in that direction. Our freedoms that remain will be stripped away, the economy will collapse the Stock Market will crash like it has never crashed before great peril and depression is coming! This nation will cry out and say how did this happen? But what happened is God gave us what we wanted when we rejected Him as God and King!
The White House being lite up in a rainbow the symbol of Gods convenient using it as a blatant slap in the face of what it means, using it as a unrighteous symbol and celebrating it in that manner. The rainbow is a sign of holiness and of God’s promises not to be used as a symbol of an unrighteous behavior.
Romans chapter 1:
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans Chapter 2:
1Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11For God shows no partiality
Galatians Chapter 5:
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Colossians Chapter 3:
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Be not surprised when this nation falls, it is of God and His plan. Without repentance our sinfulness condemns us! However if this nation is in Christ, than there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ! Our sins of a nation will not be over looked or ignored if we do not turn back to Christ! If God did not spare His own chosen people and turned them over to their enemies what makes you think he will spare this nation? Many nations since the time of Christ have fallen! We are no different! If God choses for this nation to fall nothing is going to stop it! We will have no right to ask why is this happening, when it is what we asked for! God is turning us over to our own desires because we have rejected Him. We live in a very sinful nation that no longer proclaims God as Lord and King! Yet there be a few a remnant of those here who proclaim God as Lord! Most do not! If Abraham was here today would he over look us and plead with God to spare us for the righteous sake? Prophets, Evangelist, Preachers God’s chosen men have preached the Word they have warned, yet we have not believed!
We do not have the right to continue in willful sin no matter what that sin may be, if we call ourselves believers! If we are believers and a godly nation we would do what God has called, commanded us to do! Where sin abounded, Grace abounded that much more! But does that give us a right to continue to sin? Heaven’s sake NO! We were bought with a price we are not our own! We cannot call Christ Lord Lord if we don’t do what he has told us to do! We as a nation are not on the straight and narrow; we are on the wide path that leads to destruction! Yes God is Love, but yet He is Also wrath! We say God loves us and that we can do whatever we want as long as we are happy. We are sadly mistaken, without repentance there is no forgiveness! We are condemned by our own actions! Because of a nation we have not accepted the free Gift of God!
I am not judging, I am speaking the truth and the Word of God! Which I will do to my dying breath! I cannot and I will not be silent! My love for people drives me to speak truth and life I will not lie, I will not sugar coat, I will speak love and light. If you are in the light you will see and comprehend, if you are in the darkness you will see hatred and judgement for you already stand in convection. My love for you and your soul drives me to tell the truth if you listen or not for it is written they have eyes and they do not see, they have ears yet they do not hear. I pray you see the light turn to God ask for forgiveness show repentance and live for Him, submitting to Him as Lord, praising Him as Savior!
A time is coming when He will pull His presence away and you will no longer hear the calling of the Lord or your heart will grow cold, callused and hardened that you will no longer be able to respond to the Holy Spirits calling. This nation is in trouble, wrath is coming if you do not trust in God placing your faith and hope in Him you will be consumed. I am not preaching I am pouring my heart out to you all. I see what is coming the Lord has not hidden it from me. The parable of the fig tree stands here.
As I have said I don’t hate you or judge you because we believe and live differently, it is quite the opposite I love you and pray for you. I have brothers and sisters in Christ whom I Love immensely yet we do not agree on all theological views, our believes are different, I do not agree with everything people do but that does not mean I love them any less.
We as a church unified under God no matter our doctrine we worship the same God. A few things stand true we have been silent for too long. We have not practiced spiritual disciplines we have not sought after Gods face we attend church 1 to 3 times a week and we think that is good! Wake up church it is time to move be active be the body that Christ has called us to be! We are that valley of dry bones that Ezekiel prophesied to! We need a new breath of life blown through us so that we will live again. Pew setting days are over we are in the final days and it is time for us to make a difference out in this world. It is not someone else’s job it is our job! No one else is going to do it we must do it! If we are to see a change we must be the change that brings about the change. We are Christ’s hands and feet! We are the body of Christ the problem is we have fallen asleep because we are not obeying and being used by Him! Just like parts of our body fall asleep if we don’t move them over a short period of time. This is call out to all followers of Christ Wake UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Orlando Houston
6/27/2015
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