While I was growing up at home, my mom had a wall motto hanging beside the kitchen sink that said: “Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell, while others may go hungry, we're eating very well.”Today I would like to echo that Thanksgiving quote. By looking at what we do not... Continue Reading →
Saved or Not
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto... Continue Reading →
“Let It Rather Be Healed.”
We have this little word in the English language, which cannot stand alone, but is one of significate importance. That small three lettered word is “let.” It means to not prevent or forbid—allow. In my own words it means giving permission, to surrender, to allow something to take place. It is to give permission for... Continue Reading →
Have You Any Meat
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.John 21:5-6 KJV Today Jesus is... Continue Reading →
Forged in the Fire
What would the world be like without fire? With it we cook our food, heat our houses, fly in airplanes, and drive our cars. Just imagine trying to bake bread without heat or only eating raw meat—or there being no heat or light. Without the creation of fire, we would live in a vastly different... Continue Reading →
Sins Spiritual Needs and Godly Care
We live in a time when there is a lot of focus on personal rights—people fighting for equal rights and opportunities. While there are a good many things that can come out of it, there is the problem of it going too far in demanding personal rights—having an attitude of entitlement. They think they have... Continue Reading →
Loved by God
Who can know the thoughts of God, and who can know His dwelling place? In our thoughts, we picture heaven as a place beyond imagination, filled with richness and splendor beyond human comprehension. In my imagination, this holy place exists somewhere in the sky, or perhaps beyond the reaches of space, invisible to the human... Continue Reading →
Incomprehensible God
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:11-12 KJV Can you imagine that? “As far as the east is from the west!” How far... Continue Reading →
The Empty Tomb
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. John 20:11-12 KJV And when he thus had spoken,... Continue Reading →
Real Ingredients
The other day I went to the store for American cheese for hamburgers. My wife wanted to be sure that I got the stuff with “Real” ingredients, real cheese, not a substitute. After staring at labels that said, “Made with Real Milk products.” I selected the one which was not made with canola oil and... Continue Reading →
It Won’t Matter
When I stand at the gate of heaven, it won't matter anymore what people thought of me. It won't matter, all the petty things that caused me to struggle, they will all seem so small and earthly. It won't matter if I was misunderstood. It won't matter if I was not the most popular person... Continue Reading →
Hopeless Hopeful
There are times when it seems like the boat of life is so full you are bailing water, then another wave comes; other times the plate does not have room for one more cookie, yet we get one anyway. This is what life felt like as I sat alone at the kitchen table, gazing through... Continue Reading →
Unworthy I Am
You, Oh God, are beyond my imagination. When I consider your greatness, your holiness, your perfections, and yet here I am. I am none of those attributes. Yet despite your majesty and all-seeing eye, you can look upon my efforts, which are not great, at serving you and can approve of me. It is a... Continue Reading →
Alone, Yet Not Alone
Alone he wrestled with an angel, and alone he almost prevailed, yet not quite. He halted upon his thigh, which bore testimony for the rest of his life of the struggle he had there; alone. - Jacob, later known as Israel. Alone he took the journey into the wilderness. Angels came to strengthen him along... Continue Reading →
The Positivity of Negativity
Empty, hungry, void, longing, lonely, sad, broken, hopeless, are all words that describe a need—the need to be filled, full, happy, joyful, hopeful, whole, and satisfied. God created us for a level of comfort—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When these levels are not met, the result is a need. God intends these feelings to let us... Continue Reading →
The Gift of Peace
It was not with pretty ribbons or covered in beautiful wrapping. No wreaths or garlands or beams with holly entwined, no drummer boys, and likely no angry innkeeper. No reindeer and sleighs, or cedar boughs, and no bells to herald his arrival. But there was Joseph and Mary, and a baby in a manger. There... Continue Reading →
Heart Shades
Throw open the shades of your heart and let the sunshine of God's love shine in; you will not regret it. Inside, it is cold and dark without His love. I sleepily rose from my chair and opened the window shades. The sun was still below the horizon, but the light was chasing the shadows... Continue Reading →
He Knows My Name
He knows my name! I knelt to pray, and quietly as soft snow, these words slipped into my mind and filled me with wonder. I continued kneeling there in silence and reverent awe. To think that He, Jesus, the mighty One, and His Father, God Himself, know my name brings quietness. Is there anything more... Continue Reading →
The Greatest Love Story
The ring of the hammer, a soft moan of pain were all that was heard. The silent crowd standing by, watching, and listening. The grunt of straining men, the cross was raised, a thump was heard as it contacted the bottom of the hole. One could almost hear the tearing sinew, as bleeding flesh pulled... Continue Reading →
The Gift
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.... Continue Reading →
Beautifully You
Your are beautifully who God created you to be. He makes no mistakes in His creation and purpose. If He had wanted to make you a butterfly, He'd have given you wings. If He'd wanted you to be an elephant He'd of given you a trunk. Had He wanted you with blond or black hair,... Continue Reading →
Clay and the Potter
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (3) Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. (4) And the vessel that he made of... Continue Reading →
My Cabin of Peace
"I awoke, and behold it was a dream." John Bunyan Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalms 51:6 Truth in the deepest part of my heart; peace, security, hope, comfort, and stillness. Outside the storm rages, the wind blows, the freezing... Continue Reading →
Inner Sanctuary or the Castle Tower
I have a desire this morning to rest in God's sanctuary of peace; deep inside his love and acceptance, where I am free from anxieties, in quiet meditation, where fear and worry are not welcome, where his peace and love reign supreme. This is a place where my Lord and I commune, I feel his... Continue Reading →
Calling Home
A quick internet search says that currently twenty-seven percent of the homes in the United States of America have a landline. Twenty years ago, that number was ninety percent. If you are under the age of twenty, you may not be familiar with collect calling. When calling collect, you dial the operator, they make the... Continue Reading →
You Want to go to Heaven
What do you picture heaven to be like? Naturally our minds think: streets of gold clear like glass, mansions, beauty beyond earthly comprehension, singing, white robes, crowns, friends, loved ones, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters. Grassy hills around the city, peace, and love like we have never experienced before, no pain, no suffering, no sorrow or... Continue Reading →
Adversity
Adversity Adversity is the schoolmaster of life. What we do with it will determine the final outcome. It can make us or break us, or it can mold and strengthen us; it all depends on our reaction to it. If we turn inside and begin to feel sorry for ourselves and helpless, the outcome will... Continue Reading →
God
God This morning as I began my prayer, I thought about what I should pray for and how little time I actually spend talking with my heavenly Father. I know that there are those out there who rise early and spend much time, perhaps even hours in prayer. Comparing myself to them, it feels like... Continue Reading →
The Window of Receiving
I had a small impression this morning. The sun provides both light and warmth for the earth. Without sunshine, it would not be possible to live on the earth. Even when clouds cover the sun, it is still up there providing the necessary heat to keep the earth and its inhabitance alive. Without the sun,... Continue Reading →
The Flight
The little plane bucked and bounced as it scrambled its way upward to a place above the clouds. After being on a large plane across the ocean, this one felt like a little boat on a big sea. The way the pilot handled the plane, it reminded me of a kid doing stunts, or riding... Continue Reading →
Veneer
Chances are that while reading this, you can see a piece of furniture in your house that is covered with a veneer. Veneer is used to make a beautiful, flawless finish on an imperfect core product. For many years plywood manufacturers have employed the use of it. It consists of a very thin layer of... Continue Reading →
Grace
Grace We talk about being the recipients of the Grace of God, so what is this Grace we are talking about? God's Riches At Christ's Expense Today is the day of Grace, which means that we are now living in a time where the extension of God’s goodness is still available to anyone who reaches... Continue Reading →
Alignment
I was on the road the other day. My destination was quite a few hours away, so I had plenty of time to think and meditate. The road was open with mostly just the dotted line to keep me company. The little car I rented was similar in color to the apple I ate while... Continue Reading →
Letting Go
Why is letting go, and letting God have control, so difficult a thing to do? Letting go of personal rights, attitudes, and surrendering of the will, are the greatest struggles the Christian will face. At times surrendering can seem impossible, but we will find the reward far outweighs the sacrifice. Does letting go mean I... Continue Reading →
The Empty Tomb
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6) We are fast approaching the time of the year in which we celebrate Easter. For some this is perhaps as far as it goes; just another holiday with bunnies, easter egg hunts, and pastel... Continue Reading →
I Tripped, I Fell
I ran, I tripped, I fell, scuffing both of my hands on the rough concrete. I should have been more careful. In my hurry I did not navigate the hole in the grass where I stepped. As I write this, both hands smart a little. I quickly jumped up and quickly examined my self for... Continue Reading →
Ye Can Do Nothing
Can our prayers become too generic? It is easy to just blanket cover things went we are praying; asking the Lord to help us serve him better, that he will bless the missionaries and the leaders of our nations and such the like. Perhaps they even grow a little lifeless and boring, and we drift... Continue Reading →
Fragrance of God
Have you ever wondered how God can be everywhere all the time? Sometimes I think about how God reaches out to men and women, boys, and girls, all over the world at the same time, calling, comforting, and saving them, and my mind almost stops; I cannot comprehend it. He is one being, yet his... Continue Reading →
Calling on God
I paused this morning on my knees and began to think about talking to God. Here I am on this cold morning in my warm comfortable living room, while outside I see the white frost laying like a blanket across the field. And I thought about addressing God. Then I began to think that I... Continue Reading →
Personal Identity, Observations, Healing, and Me
Part – 1 Introduction Today there is much effort put in to preventing identity theft. Cyber security is of high priority, to keep us, our assets, and countries safe from those who want to steal information. To do so, they may masquerade as someone or something benign to gain access; masters of disguise, trying to... Continue Reading →
God’s Working
I suppose many of us have tried to understand the plan God has for us. Perhaps it is a relocation, or whether we should embark on a financial adventure, go to the mission, or a host of other things. Maybe it is the smaller everyday things that we face: like strength to train our children,... Continue Reading →
Fear
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1John 4:18 KJV The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25 KJV The cold talons of fear silently... Continue Reading →
Riches of Christ
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)… Revelation 2:9 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: Ephesians 3:8 Rich, rich in the kingdom of God... * The richest people may... Continue Reading →
The Descent and Answered Prayer
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24) Perhaps if we prayed with simple faith more like children, we would experience more answered prayer. I have told this story many times since it happened, because of its uniqueness and... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Anchor Points
The soft rise and fall of the swells cause the ropes which hold the ship to protest and groan. Time and again it rises, the rope stretches almost to the breaking point it seems, as the anchor firmly pulls the ship back against the pier. As the swell subsides, the rope becomes relaxed waiting for... Continue Reading →
Morning Meditation & Prayer
Good morning, Lord. I wonder how you are this morning. I know you never sleep; your eyes continually watch the world to observe your creation. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be you, watching the people you have created. So much fighting, wars, and unrest; surely your heart must almost be torn... Continue Reading →
Cry
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Job 23:3 KJV To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?... Continue Reading →
What is Man?
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalms 8:3-4 What a mighty God we serve. My heart is overwhelmed when I consider the greatness of... Continue Reading →
You
Your are beautifully who God created you to be. He makes no mistakes in His creation and purpose. If He had wanted to make you a butterfly, He'd have given you wings. If He'd wanted you to be an elephant He'd of given you a trunk. Had He wanted you with blond or black hair,... Continue Reading →
