A HAPPY NEW YEAR IS POSSIBLE

Images courtesy of:www.Pixabay. com

We live in one of the worst, most evil times of modern

history.  Looking at the news and the way mankind is

going, things look totally hopeless.  A very bleak future.

Wars all around the world.  The very nature of the human

race rebelling against every one and everything.  And a 

hatred against anything that is Godly.

Jesus Christ [Remember.  We celebrated his birth about

a week ago.  Though few know Jesus was the reason for

the season.] told us more than two thousand years ago

that this day we live in was coming.  It is here, and it 

will get much worse, he said so.

But still;

A HAPPY NEW YEAR IS POSSIBLE.

HOW SO?

A couple of thousand years ago God sent some 

real, live, genuine angels with an announcement. 

"...but the angel said to them,

'Don't be afraid!

I am here with good news for you,

which will bring great joy to all people.

This very day in David's town your Savior

was born - Christ the Lord!'"

(Luke 2:10, 11 GNT)

That is what we celebrated last week.

But Christ not only told us these terrible days

were coming, but he told his disciples 

- of all the ages - that:

"Peace is what I leave with you;

it is my own peace that I give you.

I do not give it as the world does.

Do not be worried and upset;

do not be afraid.  You heard me 

say to you, 'I am leaving , but I 

will come back to you.'"

(John 14:27,28a GNT)

If we will stop going our own way

and doing our own thing and 

turn to Jesus Christ taking him as

our LORD and savior,  giving him

complete control over our lives.

He will give us that personal peace,

joy and happiness that we so 

desperately long for.

LET JESUS GIVE YOU A

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Images courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com

A good old fashion politically incorrect

GOD honoring 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

to you.

The world despises and rejects the very

God who created them.

But still:

"For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten 

Son, that whoever believes in 

Him should not perish but have

everlasting life."

(John 3:16 NKJV)

Let's embrace that first Christmas
gift that God sent to us.

REMEMBER:

JESUS IS THE REASON
FOR THE SEASON

INSENSITIVE

So insensitive of me.

SORRY.

There I sat eating chocolate ice cream and thinking of

having a hot chocolate drink before going to bed.

Then I realized that was totally insensitive of me in

this day and age.  Someone might think that I was 

racially prejudiced .  They would not stop to realize 

that my last box of ice cream was vanilla or in the past

I have had strawberry ice cream and other flavors.

You see, when I grew up - or perhaps where - the color 

of my skin was not that important.  What was important

was the kind of person I or my friend was.  Was I honest,

moral, hard working or thrifty etc.?

You will find this hard to believe, but we could even 

joke about each others race, have a good laugh about 

it and go on about our business enjoying the friendship

of the other person, even of different color skin.

But today, oh my.

However, if you are looking for a "cause" to pursue

consider going after the ice cream companies.  Accuse

them of being  racially prejudiced.  Sue them because 

they are so insensitive and racially biased.  Insist that

their ice cream, no mater what the flavor be transparent.

You could even stag protests over the matter.

"Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world.

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world.

Jesus died for all the children

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus died for all the children

Of the world.

Jesus rose for all the children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow 

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus rose for all the children

Of the world."

GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

I have learned a long time ago that it is not possible 

for me to do much, at least without God's help.  And

of course, nothing is impossible with God.

In fact, God asks us to take "EVERY THING" to 

him in prayer.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God;"

(Philippians 4:6 NKJV)

Further, if there is something I do not understand,

I am to ask him.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,

who gives to all liberally and without reproach,

and it will be given to him.

"But let him ask in faith...."

(James 1:5,6 NKJV)

God is so practical.  He is concerned about even 

our every day problems.  And one of those problems

for myself was impossible.

My oldest motorcycle had the starter go out on it

a few weeks ago.  I know.  It should not have.  It

was only 34 years old.  But they just do not make

things like they used to.

Now installing a starter is generally not a big deal.

I have probably installed a dozen or more in my 

life time.  But on this particular engine it's a different

story.  From experience I have learned that once you

pull the starter, you cannot put it back in.  In fact,

the two repair manuals I have on this motorcycle

both say, PULL THE ENGINE.

What happens is that when you pull the starter,

the starter comes out of the sprocket and chain.

Then the starter sprocket and the chain fall

down into the housing.  So, you have to pull

the engine to take the back cover off and control

the sprocket and chain.  [The manufacture latter

corrected this problem.]

Fifteen years ago, pulling an engine was more fun

than it is now.  I more than likely have pulled a 

dozen or more engines.  But at eighty one years

old, pulling engines is not fun anymore.

So, what do you do?  PRAY.

God put an idea in my mind about controlling the

sprocket and chain.  And at each step of the way I

had to pray and depend on God to help and guide.

In fact, God had to put a number of others ideas in

my mind as we went along.

But PRAISE GOD.  Instead of pulling the engine,

he helped me put the starter in by just pulling the 

gear shift lever off and drilling a hole, where a hole

is not supposed to be.   [That is where the bolt is in the
above image.    The bolt is now filling the hole that is not
 supposed to be there.] This allowed me to stick a piece of
welding rod in to support the sprocket and chain while the
starter was out - then fill the hole when done.

Image above is the bent welding rod.
Image below the old starter.

To  you this would not be a big deal.  But to this

old man, I praise God for him helping me to do

the impossible.

That is the new installed starter below -
WITHOUT PULLING THE ENGINE.

PRAISE GOD.

I'M NOT GIVING UP YET

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"Stupid people will start

being wise when wild

donkeys are born tame."

(Job 11:12 GNT)

BRIGHT IDEA!

All images courtesy of:

www.Pixabay.com

I am not what I think they call a "sports fan".

Life is just to interesting for me to set around 

and watch other people play games.  I would

rather be doing something interesting myself.

So, if I miss the point somewhere, forgive me.

However, I have at least two son-in-laws who

seem to enjoy watching "ball games".  So a few

times I have had a glance at these "games".

Not understanding all this stuff, it looks to me that

anything they call a ball game is simply a fight over

the ball.

Being a peaceful person I would rather not be 

in on their squabbles.  After all Christ himself

said,

"Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called sons of

God." (Matthew 5:9 NKJV) 

After setting my mind to the problem I think

I have come up with a solution to it.

Buy them all their own ball.

Then they could take it home with them for

whatever reason they want it to start with,

and do something productive.

WHERE BURDENS ARE LIFTED

William R. Newell
gave the answer when
he wrote:

1. Years I spent in vanity and pride,
   Caring not my Lord was crucified,
   Knowing not it was for me He died
   On Calvary.
   • By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
     Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
     Till my guilty soul imploring turned
     To Calvary.
2. Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
   Now I gladly own Him as my King,
   Now my raptured soul can only sing
   Of Calvary!
3. Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
   Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
   Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
   At Calvary!
4. Refrain:
   Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
   Pardon there was multiplied to me;
   There my burdened soul found liberty
   At Calvary.

OVER THE HILL OR UNDER

We have an expression "Over the hill" meaning

we are past our prime.  Our best or most useful 

days are gone.  We are more useless now.

I heard a grandfather make the statement;

"It is better to be over the hill than under the 

hill"

But is it???

It just depends.

If in truth we have a vital living obedient
relationship with God - the truth is; being
under hill is better.  Few of us are in a hurry,
but being under the hill would only be our
body.  But our real self, our soul, would be
with God in heaven.

But if we do not have a real born again living
relationship with God - we had better pray we
can stay on top of the hill because the alternative
will be hell forever.

WHERE'S THE POWER?

Many, many, many years ago I would set with my Bible

in my lap reading about the "New Testament Church".

Not being as smart as you are, all I could tell was that

the Church in the Bible was different than the Church I

attended, or you attend.  For one thing they had more 

power than we did.  There were other differences too,

but what were they?

Since then I have spent many years in several different

denominations.  Two of them in particular confidently

proclaimed that they "had the power".  But my question

constantly was, in all the years of attending, "Where's 

the power" you are talking about?

After about forty or fifty years of watching and learning

(Mostly from others) it has become obvious that there

is absolutely no similarity between today's Church - most 

places - and the Church of the New Testament.  We use 

the same words, but over the years have attached different 

meanings to the "Religious" words we use. 

To add to the wonderment of it all, in this country we

have more Bibles, Christian literature, Christian books

and Christian programs than anywhere in the world.

But, about the weakest "Church".

We are like some people the Apostle Paul spoke of when

he said they ... "are always trying to learn but who can

never come to to know the truth."

Many years ago I ask some folks who were visiting our

Church how their pastor was doing - or something.  I 

of course referred to the good pastor as "Reverend".

What a mistake that was.  They let me know real quick

that he was not a "Reverend" any more.  He is a 

"Doctor" now.  Since then this good man has became

nationally famous.

It is obvious the way the Church is going that we 

do not need more "Doctors" of divinity or philosophy

or anything else.

WE NEED PROPHETS

not "Doctors".

But to the point.

Way back before you or I were born Moses had the answer

to our dilemma.  He was speaking to the children of Israel 

about the Law God had given them and keeping it.

Moses told them;

"You know it and can quote it,

so now obey it."

(Deuteronomy 30:14 GNT)

WALKING WITH GOD.

I want God more involved in my life.

But as I search through the Scriptures

I find I must consider these requisites.

"So then, submit yourselves to God.

Resist the Devil, and he will run

away from you. Come near to God,

and he will come near to you."

(James 4:7,8 GNT)

"I am the high and holy God,

who lives forever.  I live in a high

and holy place, but I also live with

people who are humble and repentant,

so that I can restore their confidence

and hope."

(Isaiah 57:15 GNT)

"No, the Lord has told us what is

good.  What he requires of us is

this; to do what is just, to show

constant love, and to live in humble

fellowship with our God."

(Micah 6:8 GNT)

"God walks with the humble; he

reveals himself to the lowly; he

gives understanding to the little

ones; he discloses his meaning to

pure minds, but hides his grace from

the curious and the proud."

- Thos. a Kemis

"Clothes make the man"

Photo courtesy of:www.bigfoto.com

Back possibly in the 1990's my wife and I were camping

in one of the local State Parks.  It just happened that was 

the week end of a large Mountain Bike Festival.  There 

were Mountain Bikes all over the place, you know, 

swarms of them.

It was almost unbelievable what those kids can do on 

their Mountain Bikes.  They would hop them from rock

to rock.  Jump over logs and maybe even climb trees with

them.  O.K.  Scratch the tree climbing.

I think it was at an intermediate event that I saw a man who

I would guess was a young family man.  Probably with out 

kids yet to be able to spend the money he did on his bike and

outfit.  As I remember he had a very expensive bike.  And all

of his clothes and gear looked to me like professional attire.

So, I was watching to see this star ride.

Lol.  Lol. Lol.

The clothes just had not finished making the man yet.

He did about the worst of all of them.

I admit.  This is not quite what I want to talk about.

This is "Gunner" on one of my motorcycles in the

church parking lot.  But that is really all I need for 

a picture and it helps you know we are shifting gears.

I live about twelve to fifteen miles from the city that now

has the fourth largest motorcycle festival in the United States.

The attendees are measured in the hundreds of thousands.

Now you are getting closer to my kind of thing.  I have been

riding motorcycles on and off for years.

So for the first three or four years of this festival I was right

down there to see what was going on.  Now I'm not too 

bright.  So it took me a while to figure it out.  This thing is

nothing more than a huge costume party.  Most of these guys

are not "bikers" or even "motorcyclist".  They are nothing more

than party animals.  They are the kind that spend more time 

washing and polishing their motorcycle than riding it.  It is only

a trophy to them that they haul in on a trailer to the party.

They keep nice new motorcycle costumes on the shelf to wear

to the party.  Then go to the party and drink lots of beer while 

throwing around even more B.S.

The clothes just do not turn them into a real "biker".

It is easy to stand here and point my finger.  But when I start

trying to be honest before God, am I any different.  Am I only

trying to look or act respectable or like a Christian. 

How do I stand before God.

"But the Lord said to Samuel,

'Do not look at his appearance or at

his physical stature, because I have

refused him.  For the Lord does not 

see as man sees; for man looks at 

the outward appearance, but the 

Lord looks at the heart.'"

(1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)

ARE YOU LISTENING?

There is someone I have known for years.

We have a very good relationship that I want

  to continue.

However.

You know how life is.

This person has one annoying habit.

And has had it for as long as I can remember.

Were it not for this one annoying habit, 

this person would no doubt be perfect.

Well, almost.

We can be within talking distance of one another,

not even saying or doing anything. And all I have 

to do is open my mouth and start to say something.

I will not even have my first sentence finished 

until this person has "butted" in and started 

talking about who knows what.

Starting to talk is like waving a red flag

in front of a bull.

Now that's not too bad, but it can be several

times during the same conversation.   If you

can call a one sided conversation a conversation.

This only takes two or three times until I shut

up and do not even try to tell them what I started

too.

I suppose it was while thinking about this that 

the Lord let a thought come into my mind.

When God is trying to speak to me, do I start

talking to him instead of listening to him.

When the Holy Spirit is "trying" to minister

to me, do I start reciting my "give me" list?

"He who has an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit says....."

(Revelation 3:22 GNT)

TRUE SATISFACTION

"There are many who pray:

'Give us more blessings, 

O Lord.

Look on us with kindness!'

But the joy that you have given me

is more than they will every have

with all their grain and wine."

(Psalms 4:6,7 GNT)

Just like us today, 

we want more.

But the real satisfaction is not in

more  "stuff" or blessing.

But in the joy of the Lord.

For true satisfaction we need more

of God and his joy.

The blessing will take care of themselves.

"He is richest who is content with the

least, for content is the wealth of nature."

- Socrates.

TROUBLES

I do not know who's car this is.

I assume that they must live up the 

road from me.  But I am sure they 

have TROUBLE.

I was just reading in the Good News Translation

when something Moses said about God's dealing 

with Israel really caught my attention.

..."He sent hardships on you to test

you, so that in the end he could bless

you with good things."

(Deuteronomy 8:16 GNT)

And you know of course the often quoted

verse;

"We know that in all things God works

for good with those who love him,

those whom he has called according

to his purpose."

(Romans 8:28 GNT)

And, 

"My friends, consider yourselves 

fortunate when all kinds of trials

come your way, for you know

that when your faith succeeds in 

facing such trials, the result is the

ability to endure.

(James 1:2,3 GNT)

I do not know the end of the matter yet.

It appears that God has granted me a new

lease on life.  I have just came through a

little over a year of TROUBLE.  A time

I should have died, and part of the time 

I wanted to.  All of this after I have lived

a full life and should be dead anyway.

But what I want to assure you of is;

God has worked things out making 

it more than worth it.  My trials have

accomplished more in one year that

years of praying have.  Well - O.K.

perhaps that is the way God answered

my prayers.

BUT IT HAS ALL BEEN WORTH

IT!

Praise God for his faithfulness to me,

even in hardships and trials.

THE BEST COMPANION

The best of friends, you bet.

They are supposed to be.  They claim

they are.  They are husband and wife.

No.  I did not ask them if I could use

their picture.  That is my granddaughter and

her husband.  They throw their pictures all

over Facebook just like you do - so why

ask them?

But even more, I am proud of this couple.

True, by my standards they are just a couple

of kids growing up.  But they love the Lord

Jesus Christ and are living for and serving 

him the best they can.  And I do not know

many people that way.

However they are not my subject.

Companionship, fellowship, camaraderie

come closer to my thinking.

Way back at the beginning of the human race

it looks to me like God let mankind live a  lot

longer so he could populate this earth in a hurry.

And one of these early guys really stands out

to me.  His name was "Enoch".

Let me tell you about Enoch.

"When Enoch was 65, he had a son,

Methuselah.  After that, Enoch lived

in fellowship with God for 300 years

and had other children.  He lived to

be 365 years old.  He spent his life in

fellowship with God, and then he 

disappeared, because God took him 

away."

(Genesis 5:21-24 GNT)

Did you get that?  Enoch lived his life

in fellowship with God almighty, the 

very creator.

O God.

My I spend the rest of my days in 

fellowship or companionship with you.

May I be at one with you as Enoch was

until you take me home. 

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

We live in an age when the thinking is;
attempt great things for God, think positive
about it, hook your wagon to a star, if you
don't set goals you will never reach them
etc. etc. etc.  Even the "Church" has
swallowed this kind of thinking regarding
work for the kingdom of God.

It seems that God in his mercy has granted me
a new lease on life.  And my desire is to make
what time is left count for the Lord.

So one day I was setting thinking about my own
accomplishments for the Kingdom of God.  I do
not need to tell you that I felt totally insignificant.
No accomplishments.  An absolute failure.  Zilch.

While setting there feeling completely washed out
the Holy Spirit clearly indicated to me that God has
not called me to accomplish great things for him -
BUT, to be faithful to him.

In fact the Bible no where asks us to "attempt" great
things for God.  In the King James version the word
"attempt" is not even in it.  But there are several dozen
references to being faithful.

The Lord brought an incident to mind that illustrates
how little things can be more important than big things.
And, how I am to walk with, and serve him.

Thirty years ago last month the pastor of the church
wanted me to go with him to a major southern
city to a big name Christian conference.  There were
several big time Christian leaders there with outstanding
nationally known ministries.  We also visited a well
know church with an outstanding pastor who had a
national outreach ministry.  Most of these guys had
doctorates.  Real impressive.  Right?

Do you know what I remember from all their preaching
and teaching.  NOTHING.  Not a word.

But I do remember a lady setting at the table with us
for lunch one day.   She was just bubbling over about
Jesus.  She was a custodian in some school district.
That's right, a janitor.  But as she told us about her
heavenly Father's love and provision for her - I was
shamed, but encouraged.  And I remember it and it's
lesson to this day.

Now who had the most lasting ministry??????

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

MISSING THE POINT

You guessed it.  That is "The Weather Channel".  It say's so in the 

little blue box over on the left side.  And that's the weather for when 

ever.  Yes, that was all it would show me, no matter how long I waited

this morning.

I do not know about you, but when I go to "The Weather Channel"

it is for data or information.  Information about the weather.  You know.

Is it going to rain today?  Can I wear a short sleeved shirt, or do I need

a jacket?  What can I expect, or what happened here or somewhere else.

Over the last few months I have made an observation about "The Weather

Channel".   Every time they have "upgraded" [Ha, ha, ha or LOL or 

snicker, snicker.] it has downloaded slower.  Yes, every time.   They

have been spending their time trying to "pretty" it up.  And that adds more

data for the poor old computers to download.

This may only be true of us on satellite or wireless.  It might not effect

"dial up" and other forms of internet service.

But "The Weather Channel" is missing the point.  Most of us do not go

to "The Weather channel" for wallpaper for our computers.  Nor for art

work, or pretty pictures or pleasing backgrounds.  BUT DATA.  Weather

information to be exact.  When "The Weather Channel" was not so pretty,

at least I could get the information I as after and get it in short order.

However, am I doing the same thing with my life???

Trying to impress others?  Or accumulate a bunch of stuff that I cannot 

take with me anyway?  Or squeeze all the fun out of life that I can?

In short, clutter my life up with stuff that does not count in the end?

Ed McCully, one of the five missionary martyrs in Ecuador said,

"It's hard to keep our primary purpose in view when

we get so swamped with secondary things."

-Ed McCully September 1953.

I believe it was C.T. Studd who said,

"Only one life 'twill soon be past, only what's

done for Christ will last."

Am I focused on my purpose of being here and the day I stand before

God to give an account of my years spent here?  Or am I dragging in a

lot of unrelated material and effort?

SATISFY THAT LONGING

I used to work with a man who always wanted to 

travel some place else.  He was never satisfied with

where he was.  If he was not on vacation, he was

pouring over maps trying to see where he wanted to

go.

That seems to be our human nature.  Never satisfied

with what we have or are.  We are always longing 

for more.

Some of us always wanted more speed.  We wanted

to go faster than the other person.  That is, until we

went so fast it killed us.

Some always want more; money, fame, power, love,

enjoyment, rest.  You name it.  But we want more.

There never is enough.  But the cost is always high.

Contrast this with God's invitation to those in need 

and his desire to satisfy that need or longing.

"The Lord says,

'Come everyone who is thirsty-

here is water!

Come, you that have no money -

buy grain and eat!

Come! Buy wine and milk -

it will cost you nothing!

Why spend your wages and still be hungry?

Listen to me and do what I say,

and you will enjoy the best food of all.

Listen now, my people, and come to me;

come to me, and you will have life!"

(Isaiah 55:1-3 GNT)