Thursday, December 31, 2015

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.





Thursday, December 24, 2015

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


Friday, December 18, 2015

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."


Friday, December 11, 2015

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.




Saturday, December 5, 2015

I'M NOT GIVING UP YET

Photo courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com



"Stupid people will start
being wise when wild
donkeys are born tame."
(Job 11:12 GNT)

Saturday, November 28, 2015

BRIGHT IDEA!


All images courtesy of:

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.



Friday, November 20, 2015

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.



Friday, November 13, 2015

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.

Friday, November 6, 2015

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)








Friday, October 30, 2015

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





















Friday, October 23, 2015

"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)





Friday, October 16, 2015

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)



Wednesday, October 14, 2015

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.

Friday, October 2, 2015

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.

Friday, September 25, 2015

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. 


Monday, September 21, 2015

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."




Friday, September 18, 2015

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?















Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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)