Think about God's Love and Everything He has brought you through

Happy New Year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt7F-GJydFU

This is how it feels to be free.

To know that I am forgiven! This is how it feels to be free!!

To all those who take time to read  my column, it is my prayer that you make this New Year the best you have ever had, by accepting the saving grace of Jesus.

Dare to ring in the New Year with Him. Out goes the old and in comes the new, with a completely new you. Think of the anniversary you will celebrate every New Years!

God Bless You
                                                                   
      Click on the video                                                          

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9xBV1_iTcg

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYq6ylfRfGc

I understand, because "I have been there."

People, it takes all kinds. Happy, crazy, wild, moody, pensive and yet, fun to be with people. Then, we open another portal; one that is filled with open wounds, angry and hopeless hearts. A place where countless are unable to communicate except through the anger they feel inside. I imagine they must think at times “who would understand me, if I could possibly describe how I feel? Could I do this? And is there someone, anyone; out there I can talk to without being rejected?”  

I usually do not have a problem remembering what my Pastor’s say and years ago, he said one Sunday: “your work is outside of these doors.”  He was right of course. I am not saying that the flock isn’t supposed to be trained and equipped, most definitely!  But aside from that; cannot any of us think back and remember what it was like to fend for ourselves? Can we think for a moment what it was like (BC) before Christ took over our lives? We were the unloveables, the rebellious and certainly not the “beautiful people.” We were all a part of the problems in the world not the solutions.

I believe a person can choose a belief according to where they are in their life. For example; if a young adult and has been discouraged over and over by their parents who continually broke promises, did not communicate, gave money instead of giving themselves; what is that young adult learning? He has learned that he cannot trust people. In his world, people say one thing, but mean another. They were never there for him and have substituted themselves by giving him money. He has learned it is a useless exercise to try to tell his parents how he feels, because he has been schooled to believe they do not care.  He was taught that true value in life must be “things” because; that is all he received since he came into the world. The young man grows up frustrated, angry and chooses “atheism” as his belief system. How can he believe in a loving God when he has never experienced love? The only thing he has ever really wanted?

Until The Body of Christ becomes sensitive enough to The Holy Spirit and fearless enough to be obedient to befriend those who need Jesus, how will the rebels know that someone really cares and loves them?  Unless they are shown this love, how will they see? Unless they are given a direction, how will they know which way to go? How much do you care for such a dying world?

Cannot we say “I understand, because I have been where you are at and I have the answer for you.”

In 2014, seek God and see what He would have you to do this next year, to help those in need. 

Entering into His Love, Means a New You.

Gentle Rain

You Become Like a Fresh New Rose

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Co. 5:17 KJV

The greatest magnetic draw that brings people together is love. God is love. When His Spirit hovered over the great waters, it was His Spirit of Love. When you see a believer in Christ praying for another, you are seeing God’s obedience at work in those people. This happens because their prayers are motivated and founded on love. They really care! We belong to one another, we are family.

Most people are looking for this kind of love and it is right in front of them.  Yet many cannot accept the closeness of love’s mission that gently yearns and tugs to unite with one another. Being united means being vulnerable. Such a word can be scary when you have been abused by worldly “love.”  In reality love has nothing to do with abuse. For some, the word vulnerable could mean, taking a fearful chance to be hurt again, to not receive the acceptance you may have been looking for and maybe it could also mean finally being honest with yourself and trusting in a higher power. A higher power that is unknown to you, but one that will never let you down.

What does it mean “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature?”

I’m so glad you asked that question. To be “in Christ” a person first has to recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was sacrificed on the cross and takes away all of our sins. His blood had to run to wash away our sins. He died without sin, he was a perfect man. Let me say here, I am not an advocate of blood sacrifice. But that is what the Hebrews did back in those days. They had a sacrifice for every sin: One for murder, adultery, stealing, jealousy and so many others. I find it incredible that our God came down to our level for us to have this understanding.  

Being in Christ, comes from a heart surrender and admitting that you have sinned and need to have forgiveness for your sins.  No other god offers forgiveness of sins but Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. You confess your sins asking for forgiveness and then you make a decision to repent. Repentance means “a change of mind about sin, turning from sin.”

Once you accept that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, you are in Christ. You are in the family of God. You have been born again! You have experienced the new birth. You are a new creature in Christ. God did not make it complicated for the people here on earth, He made it simple. His way is for us to come with the faith as a little child, trusting in a loving God and believing that Jesus is Lord. He then gives us grace and pardon’s us from our past sins. We are released from the torment of prison and enter into His glorious light.

Now, you are a new person. Everything will be new to you, because the old you will be gone. You will be given a new heart that beats new life in Christ. New eyes, that will see things differently and ears that will seek to hear good things. You will also be given a sound mind. But all this is not complete without growth. Study the Bible to become strong and knowledgeable in Christ every single day. Find a good Bible believing church. They will help you grow because you will gain strength from the members. They will pray for you when problems come up. You will be guided by God’s Holy Spirit the rest of your way. Though it is not an easy walk, God promises to never leave you or forsake you.

If you do not know how to pray, follow the prayer below:

Heavenly Father,

I believe that your son died on the cross for my sins. I ask that you would forgive my sins: Name your sins:_________________________________. I need you Lord.  I choose to repent and turn away from my old life. Come into my life Lord. Help me find that good Bible believing Church and grow in Your Word in Jesus I ask, amen.

Reflecting

Here it is Christmas morning and I am reflecting upon the past year that is almost behind us. For some reason I get sad when I see another year go, not necessarily because it means I will be a year older; but maybe because I grew accustomed to the year and the new knowledge I learned. I love to learn. If I cannot grow and achieve a deeper understanding in my life; for me it would be a life of waste.

What have I learned? I have been once again confirmed that none of us are "there or arrived."

Everyone has questions and doubts about their lives. We have questions of the "whys" about our faith. There will always be times when we will wonder if we made the wrong decision, and what would our life have been like if we had turned left instead of right? We speculate sometimes. But, we cannot go back.

I do know, eventually you take one day at a time. Many of us have to take it by the hour and take small steps at a time. If we reach for the tomorrows all of the time, we aren't enjoying the gift of the present. Our yesterdays can be memories of gold, only if we choose to think about the good parts. Our tomorrows will come through the decisions we make right here in the present. However, as wise as it is to plan for tomorrow; we shouldn't live there or in yesterday.

As I see this year holding up it's arm and beginning to wave good-bye to us; I cannot help but think about those who  passed over to the other side. We miss them dearly. I even had a dream of my mother last night. She was so vivid and clear, but not happy. I hugged her and then, she disappeared.

If I know one thing. We people are here to love one another. Here is a challenge for you; begin a new habit of looking for the good in a person, instead of always seeing the worse. Isn't it time to consider other's needs and forgive more? I am convinced that is the only way to a fulfilled life and heart.  

More Than Conquerors

Gentle Rain

More Than Conquerors

31What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who then is the one who condemns? Not one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^j

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^k neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 NIV

There is royal blood running through your veins and most of us do not see it. Many do not realize that when you come into the family of God through Jesus, you have just entered into a Portal of Eternal Life.  You belong to God and the Body of Christ. Your name has been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  

Today, the world seems to be upside down and gone completely crazy at times and when you speak up for Christ you are accused or belittled. Yet, where are our accusers? If God is for us, who can really be against us? When they fight us, they have to fight our Father God, as He is our Defender.  

Where is our enemy when we know the battle is really His? There isn’t one thing on earth, under the earth or in the most imaginable problem we could find in our lives that can ever separate us from His love. Nothing! Nothing! Nothing will separate you from His abounding love! And, this is what fills us up! His love fills us up and makes us strong; indeed we actually become more than Conquerors! We have a praying Savior who is interceding for us. We are filled up with His love and move out in the faith that He has given to us.  When we find ourselves in a time trouble, pray! Your prayers do not have to be long or impressive.. Some of the best prayers are small as long as they come from your heart.  

The mere words, “Father, help me!” He hears!

If you know you are going to approach the Lord in prayer, why not comb your hair? I had a good friend who always made sure she looked presentable before she approached her altar of prayer. We know God is just waiting to hear our requests and our petitions. Be specific when you pray. Pray for those you love or are struggling to love; who need help. If they need healing, lift them up. Pray for victory financially for those you love. Pray for those who do not know Jesus yet and be confident that your prayers have been heard.  

Be assured the answers to your prayers first happens in the invisible realm and then, we see it carried out in the physical and it is all by God’s love and our faith.   

The Biggest Enemy of the Church

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelations 3:16 NKJV

The Enemy of the Church

The biggest enemy of the Church is not those in government or those shooting up innocent people or passing drugs on the street corners. The Churches biggest enemy is “APATHY.”  

That word means:

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

"widespread apathy among students"

synonyms:

indifference, lack of interest, lack of enthusiasm, lack of concern,unconcern, uninterestedness, unresponsiveness, impassivity, dispassion,  lethargy, languor, ennui; More

Apathy is a real “Yawning or Whatever” mode.

Merriam Webster says ” Lack of emotion or concern.  EMOTIONLESS.

Remember Pogo’s famous quote? “We have met the enemy …..and he is us.”

This message is to the Church.

If we are emotionless and have a lackadaisical attitude, we may as well be manikins in a store window.  Are we zombies?  We walk around in a daze of indifference to what is happening in our nation. We may as well be, because, for some;   there is more excitement and enthusiasm in watching a favorite television program then discovering new revelations in the Lord. But, we are good at murmuring and whining.  We have got to stop the blame game. We are a people who feel they must pin the problem on someone. Get a scapegoat! The one so obviously guilty has to be our leader, so we blame our President and the government (myself included). Everyone I know is unhappy over the way our nation is going.  Agreed, he and the government have crossed over the line and broken our Constitution over and over. They twist their words to justify their actions and some of us buy it.  

But wait!

Does not the Bible say: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ep. 6:12 NIV

Has not our comfortable lifestyle and believing the lie that “it could never happen here” been the thinking pattern of our apathy that allowed this to happen? The truth is, we can only blame ourselves.

But let’s think about this for a moment and how this got started.

Remember Dr. Spock? He produced a book about child rearing that came out in 1946. Next to the Bible his book was the 2th best seller. His theory was all about “permissiveness.”  Mother’s bought the book by the thousands and started to practice his theory. No longer was it right to discipline or correct children, but to cater to their every whim; even self indulgence. Is it any wonder why those very children grew up and became the hippies of the free love generation? They did not really care what happened to themselves. The lack of training and correction in their homes taught them that no one cared enough to give them the boundaries they needed and to sit on them if need be,  while shouting an emphatic “NO, you cannot do that!”  The sixties generation was high on many drugs with the most popular being, pot and LSD complete with psychedelic hallucinations. This behavior was not just in San Francisco, but in New York and all across America that literally spread around the globe.

Before Dr Spock’s death bed he is known to have quoted:

We have reared a generation of brats. Parents aren’t firm enough with their children for fear of losing their love or incurring their resentment. This is a cruel deprivation that we professionals have imposed on mothers and fathers. Of course, we did it with the best of intentions. We didn’t realize until it was too late how our know-it-all attitude was undermining the self assurance of parents.

All this took, was one person, to begin this lie. Millions were drawn into Dr. Spock’s theory and many lives were ruined or destroyed because of a perverted belief system. Today, there are still people believing that it is best to give into the child’s whims instead of teaching him to suffer a little bit, because not everyone can have everything they would like. The unhappy results are children still searching and still getting into drugs.

This whole movement spilled over into future generations, where we now find it is unlawful to spank your child. Should you do this, you could be arrested for child abuse. Our nation has thrown the beliefs of the Bible away and embraced theories like Dr. Spock’s. (There is a difference between spanking-corporal punishment and beating.) A mother cannot reason with a two year old, nor can she put him in the corner or let him cry for hours in his room. One or two swats on his behind ends the fight and you are the one in charge, not the child. But, we are not allowed to do this today, social services could take your child away. Therefore, in many households the child is the one who runs the ship. And, that is just the way the enemy would have it. 

Little by little today, states are giving into the legalization of pot. Although the herb is good medically for many reasons, some states have approved it recreationally.The Prince of Darkness and all those invisible entities that we cannot see are having their way.

The Founder of The American Atheists:  Madalyn Murray O’Hair best known for her victory in the Supreme Court, officially ended Bible reading in American public schools in 1963. The Christians were upset but barely blinked an eye.  A few believers were up in arms and ranted and raved.  This must have been a source of encouragement to Madalyn.  One year later, Madalyn and her Atheistic foundation took another victory in court ending prayers in public schools.  Life magazine attentively gave her a notoriety that was to be her legacy as: “The Most Hated Woman in America.”

My question is; why did the Christians allow this to happen? Sure, there were some fighting against it and many are still on the frontlines fighting this cause, but obviously the powers of darkness gained momentum into our children’s hearts and minds.

And, it only took ONE person!  ONE PERSON!   The Supreme Court chose to listen to a sociopath over a sound mind.

Below is a piece from Wikipedia, concerning the Roe vs. Wade about women having abortion rights:

The Court issued its decision on January 22, 1973, with a 7-to-2 majority vote in favor of Roe. Burger and Douglas' concurring opinions and White's dissenting opinion were issued along with the Court's opinion in Doe v. Bolton (announced on the same day as Roe v. Wade). The Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution, thereby subjecting all laws attempting to restrict it to the standard of strict scrutiny.^[25]

I have been unable to find where the United States Constitution reads abortion as a fundamental right.  If you find where it says that, please tell me.

All that took to pass was one person with the tenacity to fight against the justice system. In this case, there was another attorney who teamed up with her.

God uses people right here on earth to accomplish His will and get things done. So does the enemy! God chose Jonah to go to The Great city of Nineveh and tell them to repent and turn from their wicked ways or they would be destroyed in 40 days.  Nineveh was a very violent place. Torturing and killing meant nothing to them, and in fact they even made pillars out of their corpses.  The Prophet Jonah cried out to the people to “Repent or their city would be destroyed in 40 days!” They believed him!  The city was saved from destruction.

And, all it took was ONE person!

Here is the solution to our nation’s problem:

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Ch. 7:14 NIV

The only way we are going to see recovery in our land is for God’s people to humble themselves. Nineveh willingly humbled themselves and repented from their sins as they put sackcloth and ashes upon themselves. They believed what Jonah was saying.

Presently we have a nation that puts everything before the God it was founded upon. Unbelief and doubt in God and His Son Jesus races across this country.

Our nation (The Church) has to admit we are wrong in our complacency. Please understand, I am only speaking to those who are not moving in the calling that God has given to you. Get enthusiastic about God! Do not limit Him, if He has given you a gift to reach people, please use it. Everytime we take the time to humble ourselves and pray, the enemy cannot stay in our presence. Think of what would happen if the majority of our nation would do this. We would see the beginning of the change we desire. 

First we are to examine our hearts and ask for forgiveness from the wrongs we have done. Then, like the verse says above “turn from them (repent).”  Only then will God hear from heaven, He will forgive our sins and heal our lands.”

You may think: “I am a good person and do not hurt anyone intentionally.” Goodness does not get you the favor of God, but His grace does through Jesus His Son. If we could work our way to heaven, why would we need the saving grace of Jesus? Why would we need His sacrifice or His blood that washes all our garbage away?

If you are one who disproves  the way our nation has gone, think about what God has placed inside of your heart to be a tool towards a better America. Stand up! Get going! Then, get on your knees and pray! Join the war and fight against apathy everywhere you go and in everything you do this coming year.

 

Listen to What the Lord is Saying.....

3813.1

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" — Luke 2:14 One of the most familiar carols we hear during the holidays is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." The story behind the song, based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is very interesting. In 1860, Longfellow was at the peak of his success as a poet. Abraham Lincoln had just been elected President, giving hope to many in the nation. But things soon turned dark for America and for Longfellow, personally. The Civil War began the following year, and Longfellow's wife died of severe burns after her dress caught fire. Longfellow sustained severe burns on his hands and face from trying to save his wife. He was so badly burned that he could not even attend her funeral. In his diary for Christmas Day 1861, he wrote, "How inexpressibly sad are the holidays." In 1862, the Civil War escalated and the death toll from the war began to mount. In his diary for that year, Longfellow wrote of Christmas, "'A merry Christmas,' say the children, but that is no more for me." In 1863, Longfellow's son, who had run away to join the Union Army, was severely wounded and returned home in December. There is no entry in Longfellow's diary for that Christmas. For Christmas Day that year, Longfellow wanted to pull out of his despair, so he decided to try to capture the joy of Christmas. He began: I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men. As Longfellow came to the sixth stanza, he was stopped by the thought of the condition of his beloved country. The Battle of Gettysburg was not long past. Days looked dark, and he probably asked himself the question, "How can I write about peace on earth, goodwill to men in this war-torn country, where brother fights against brother and father against son?" But he kept writing and what did he write? And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" That could be said of our day as well. But then, catching an eternal perspective and the real message of Christmas and Christ Himself, he wrote: Then pealed the bells more loud and deep; "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

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Not Everyone is Smiling in the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be a hard time to go through for many people out there. The Christmas carol that sings "Tis the season to be merry, fa la la la la, la la la la." Isn't necessarily so, for many of us. For some, there are memories of a death or a divorce. A rejected soul becomes a wounded spirit. One whose heart is broken continues to follow the daily pattern of getting up in the morning and going to work, coming home, feeding the cat and themselves, turn on the television, flipping from station to station in a depressed daze. They wonder why they are here? They begin to wonder "What's it all about Alfie?" Like the old sixty song once asked.

Many who read this have suffered from years of abuse to find it suddenly taken away and you've discovered a freedom you have not known. Such freedom can be compared to that of a bird that was once in a cage for many years and was finally able to take to the skies and do what he has only dreamed of doing; soaring and gliding over the rivers, cliffs, mountains and over the rocks. The bird flaps his wings for awhile and the longer he does this, he notices the less winded he feels. He becomes giddy with excitement. He becomes a confident champion in flight.  He is euphoric as the sky becomes his domain. He starts to play as he glides rapturously enjoying his new playground,  his new life.

Yet, not everyone has been set free. For some due to: Old thinking habits. We feel they must be true, yet it's the battle in our minds that have kept us in this cage. "I'm not pretty enough, I'm not smart enough, I'll never get over him/her, Everyone will know what I went through or what I did." Whatever the echos...
You are not alone, though there are times you may feel it.

Our thinking habits turn into a lifestyle, but we are still in that cage. Years pass and the lie still persists in your  mind, as you revolve your life around your belief system.
No, you are not alone.

What is the truth? If you are a bird, you belong in the sky my friend. If you are a cat, you need to be allowed to prowl at night and leap onto high places and if you are a dog; you need to run and play. Why is it we can see so clearly what the animals need and forfeit our own needs and desires? Even the animals come to drink water when they need it.

If you are thirsty,  Jesus said:
"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." John 4:14 NLT


  

We Need Mercy!

Gentle Rain

Mercy

“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,”

 Psalm 103:17 NKJV

What is your concept of mercy?

God’s mercy is withholding the sentence or judgment that we have earned through our sinful behavior while in this life. Please understand, because of our sins/wrong doings(whatever the poison you have chosen); we earn judgments and sentencing while we go through this life. Our hearts become darkened and stained through a sinful life and we actually bring about God’s judgment by the things we do.

If we know the truth and understand it, yet walk away from this mercy; this is rejecting everything that Jesus Christ did for you. You are denying the blood that He shed for you.

Think about this for a minute:

Instead of:

Life - you are choosing death

Mercy and forgiveness – you are choosing judgment

Pure love – you are choosing fear, unbelief and the things of the world.

Instead of truth,- you are choosing other gods.

Instead of grace,- many times a lie is chosen because of the love, for the world.

There was a time when I felt I was too entrenched in sin to come back to God. I felt my sins were worse than others. I felt that I had to first clean myself up to go to church, or clean myself up to even confess. I did not realize at the time that it is The Holy Spirit who does the cleaning up. All God wants is your surrendered heart and repentance.  I watched my neighbors return from church and they always seemed happy. They were wonderfully kind and good people.  I knew my former denomination would never accept me. I knew nothing about the Bible, but; I then decided I was going to search the God of the Bible and find out where I stood in His eyes. What was He like? Where did I stand?  It was not particularly good. 

Yet, I found such amazing love! I discovered people in there who were just like me and they ended up following Jesus everywhere!

And, that is who The Holy Spirit calls! He touches people like you and me. People who have gotten off on the wrong track in this life; and have just about done everything imaginable for us to be forgiven for! The more forgiveness you need, the more humble you will be and the more love you will be able to give to others!  You know why? Because you are one of the ones who have been there!!  You will have the understanding they need to help.

Only through accepting God’s son Jesus Christ as your Savior does grace come into your life. This is why He is called Savior. He forgives all of our sins and we become pardoned. You become white washed by His blood! A new creature in Christ! The old you will be gone! You become a brand new person in Him. You won’t even think the same way as you once did.

When this happens and you ask Jesus to come into your life, find a good Bible believing church where you can grow and gain strength through other believers. They will pray for you and be by your side as you go through your trials.

The Astonishment of God's Love

Gentle Rain

Astonishing Love

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” Lu. 15:17 KJV (Rd 15:11-31)

Every time I read about the parable of the Prodigal son I am overwhelmed by God’s love and I never tire of reading about it.

Jesus gets right to the point and starts talking about a man who had two sons and how the youngest son was restless and quite dissatisfied with his life and requested his father to give him his portion of his inheritance. As Jewish tradition has it, this request was considered to be unheard of and disrespectful. The idea would be something like, “I don’t want to wait until you die, I want my share now!” The oldest son would eventually receive 2/3^rd of his father’s possessions while the youngest son would receive 1/3^rd. His wise father knew his son’s rebellious heart quite well as he divided up his property. He also knew that we do not learn everything from books. There are some things that only experience can teach.

Excited to get out on his own, it was not long after that when the youngest son took all of his inherited wealth and went far away from home into a foreign country. He made new unsavory type friends as he squandered his inheritance upon them with lavish and wild living. Sin offered their favors and their services that he eagerly gobbled up, all for a price.

Then, a famine hit the country. The spoiled youth completely taken by surprise, did not even see hard times coming. He had been captivated by the power of the world's seducing spirits. Anything he lusted after, he bought.  But now, everything he had was all gone and there was nothing to show from the inheritance his father had so graciously given and; by the way, where were his friends now? When he needed them the most?  Broke, humiliated and wounded from their rejections, he walked to a farm on the outskirts of town and found a job feeding pigs. The very idea was defamatory, for a Jew to stoop to such depth. His stomach growled with hunger pains, yet; there was neither food nor pig slop offered to him.

Then, the Bible says “he came to his senses.”  I picture our young man; drained of energy as he wept on the side of the pig barn, wiping his hair away from his dirty face. He started thinking about how good home was and how his father’s servants were given more food then they need and; there he was; starving. He continued to think: “I’ll go back to my father and ask him if he will hire me as a servant because I am not worthy to be his son.” On his way back home, while still a long distance from his father’s farm; his father saw him and rushed to him. With a heart that was filled with merciful compassion, he threw his arms around his son and kissed him! We can imagine the condition of his son: dirty, barefoot and wearing ragged clothes that stank of pigs, thin, exhausted and weak from hunger and it was all because of the sinful life he had chosen. The son tearfully gushed out his sins against heaven and his father. Perhaps the father may have held up his hand to close his mouth. He already knew what he had done and what was in his heart. He quickly gave orders to his servants to bring the best robe and put a ring on his finger and put sandals on his feet.  The fatted calf was killed and there was a celebration.

Irresistible joy filled the father’s heart as he declared: “This son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found!

The astonishing love the father showered upon his son can be compared to our Holy Father. God is always watching and waiting for us to return to Him. He knows what is in our hearts and loves us anyway.  When the son “came to himself” in the pigpen he came to the realization of what greed and selfishness brings into a person’s life. The pigpen could have been a good analogy of how tainted and stained we get when we dabble in the seduction of the world. We dabble, get broken hearts and our lives are ruined by the enticement we sought for ourselves. The very thing we embrace as exciting will steal everything that we have; including deadening our soul.  When the son “came to himself” he became sane. To stay in sin, is a form of insanity; because sin will destroy our physical, mental and spiritual lives in every way.

Many of us have been Prodigals or are still Prodigals. The son that Jesus spoke about does not stand alone, but was given so that we can see; there is a Holy Father who rejoices when you come back home. Although, He will never force you to come back; His arms are always held out when you, alike the Prodigal son begins to admit you were wrong and not worthy of being called His son. Heaven’s gates are opened and your sins are forgiven as you understand and see the power of His love.

The Things You Didn't Do

This Short Poem is from a Lady who wishes to remain Anonymous.



"Things You Didn't Do"

"Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it?
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, "I told you so." But you didn't.
Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't.
do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug?
I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't.
And, remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't.
Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do.
But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me.
There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you when you returned from Viet Nam.
But you didn't."

Joy! The Wonder of our Strength.

Gentle Rain

Be Joyful!  Dance or Skip!

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Is. 55:11-12 KJV

Though trials come up, not one has my permission to steal my faith or rob my joy. Joy bubbles up from deep inside of you where the Holy Spirit lives. When I meditate upon God’s unmatchable love and how there is not one single thing on earth, or in the heavens that can separate us from His supernatural love; His gift of joy starts to bubble up again.

Can someone have joy and be unthankful? I do not think so because thankfulness produces joy. Every time we think of how blessed we are, we increase a heart full of thankfulness for God’s presence in our life. Instead of a mere walk, we begin to skip and then dance with the joy of the Lord. A true heart pregnant with thankfulness is going to give birth to joy!

If we are pregnant with un-thankfulness we will give birth to pity, remorse and sometimes those lead to anger. Triplets!

There is a difference between being happy and having joy. We are happy when we are with those whom we love; we get all warm and fuzzy inside. We get happy over a raise, losing that pound, receiving that gift and how can we resist our pets when they are so happy to see us? Joy is completely different because when you have The Joy of the Lord it is your strength. You develop spiritual muscles and learn how to fight the enemy invisibly. His Joy enables you to resist the tempter. God’s word is declared from your mouth as you pray and like the first verse above says “it shall not return unto me void, but will accomplish that which I please.” The word goes out and it comes back bearing much fruit.

We shout!  We are forgiven!! From all those rebel rousing days of carelessness. Those days that produced anguish, hurts and pain. Gone!

Just as sure as the Tennessee River faithfully flows into the mighty Mississippi, does God’s love pour over those who invite Him into their lives.

We used to sing the second verse, literally full of joy! Every time I sang that verse I could picture God’s people singing as they went out to give the truth to listening hearts. They are led by peace! The mountains and hills sing and the trees clap their hands. Does it sound too far-fetched for you? If we have a God who created the Sun, moon and stars and everything inside of them and who created man and beasts and all the creepy crawling things, with all the plumbing needed; what is so far-fetched about the mountains and hills breaking out In song? When a breeze flows among the leaves in the trees, do they not clap their hands?

Surely, all will someday say; “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Being a Salty Character is a Good Thing!

Gentle Rain

Salt and Light

 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” Mt. 5:13 msg.

Jesus could have said, “let me tell you why you have been placed here on earth, you are here to be salty, to bring spice to my Father’s words, enthusiasm and understanding in love.” He could have further said, “I want people to see my father’s love in you and I want them to see that it is a victorious and exciting life!”

Isn’t this the season to be merry? Better still, salty? Aren’t we supposed to get excited and let our light shine like a city upon a hill that cannot be hid? I say most definitely yes!

If you think you’ve lost your saltiness, think slowly back a little:

Can you think back to the first time you thought about the love of Jesus?

Can you remember how you felt?

Can you think how He literally took your hand and led you into His Kingdom of Love?

Can you think about the peace you experienced?  

Remember my friend, how miraculous it all was? He is still the same and His arms are still holding out to you.

Think about His dynamic resurrection and how He was seen by over 500 people?  You know HE is real and He is our hope.

Remember the old adages, why are we here? What are we supposed to be doing? And of course, I need to FIND myself. The latter was very big in my hey day. Everyone was out to FIND themselves. We went to great extremes “to find ourselves” back then. The Beatles went to India but those of us who were at home ate beans and rice, mostly did drugs, alcohol and of course that led to other self destructive behaviors. But, we were all searching to find ourselves. 

What we were really searching for was the love of Jesus. Then, we found HIM! The media broadcasted loud and clear about the “Jesus Movement.” They did not realize, that we had found the real thing! To them it was a big story, to us it was LIFE every lasting!

We became real salty people. We had spice! We wanted to change the world! I would not change my love experience with the Lord for all gold in Ft. Knox.  

Born again believers should to be a wild and crazy motley crew continually shaking up the world, no matter what your age is and today, you can travel around the globe talking about the wonders of God’s love from your arm chair at home. Never before did we ever think such a thing would be achievable.

Renew your mind, renew your life and add some of God's salt into your world today. Nothing is impossible with God.