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 →
The Problem with Fault-Finding
Perhaps ten years ago I had this unusual, interesting lesson from God. You know how it is; we dress our best going to church, wearing long-sleeved shirts, slacks, dress shoes, and all the rest that goes with Sunday attire. On this Sunday morning, I walked in and sat in one of the back pews. Suddenly,... 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 →
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 →
Here, Kitty Kitty
So here is another cat story for you. I could not decide what to call it; it seems like I could have come up with something a bit more appropriate, but in the end the title is the title and not the story. If you remember back to the post about Kits, Cats, Little Girls... 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 →
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 Rest of My Life
Today, this morning, I begin the rest of my life. What I do with it will have eternal consequences. What I choose to allow in my heart, the decisions I make, even the ones I do not make, will determine if I am a success or not. True success is not measured in bank accounts... 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 →
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 →
Jesus, Yesterday Today
Jesus, Yesterday Today A book title caught my attention and started me thinking about how the progression of time changes things from new, to old and outdated. Things such as the smartphone were once novelties, now they are commonplace and old technology. I remember when cellphones were a new thing. Back in the late eighties,... 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 →
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 →
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 →
Watch!
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Mark 13:35-37 KJV These verses carry a soul-searching... 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 →
Heart Condition
A Sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and some fell upon the rocks; and some fell among thorns; and others fell on good ground. Luke 8:5-15. It does not take a lot of wisdom to know that there was only one condition in the above... 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 →
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 →
Not Everyone is a Hero
Not every warrior becomes a decorated hero. Not every heroic act in a battle receives recognition. It may be that the most unselfish, daring acts of courage are unknown to anyone other than the one who did it and the recipient. For him or her, it may not have been considered an act of courage,... Continue Reading →
Perceptions – Understanding
Are you who I think you are, or who you want me to think you are? Am I who you think I am, or am I who I present myself to be? If we met face to face, would we know each other? Would you be able to predict what sort of person I am... Continue Reading →
Kingdom of Peace
It was not God’s original plan for people to fight one another and have war. In the beginning He placed them in the beautiful garden where all was peaceful, and they lived in sweet communion with God. However it was not long until the tempter slipped in and presented the choice which caused man to... Continue Reading →
The Cellar
"Nothing has changed," I tell myself. “Things are the same as they were before.” This is the line I preach over and over to myself, hoping to convince my mind to believe it. The inner conflict feels like a summer thunderstorm overhead; rolling and sweeping across the sky while the wind of the gathering storm... Continue Reading →
The Evolution of Thought
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23:7 KJV Who knows where the intersection of the power of our own thoughts, and where the influence and power of Satan converge? All of us have many thoughts which... Continue Reading →
I Created You
I created you the way you are for my purpose; you are my creation. Please do not be frustrated my child. I did not intend for life to be easy. Rewarding? Yes, it can be, but not easy. I uniquely create all my children just the way I want them, which shows you how much... Continue Reading →
Improvement or Change
Is improvement enough or is a change of heart needed? I can take something old, put on a coat of paint, and make it almost appear new; at least it may look like it from a distance. When you get a close look at it, most likely you will be able to tell it is... Continue Reading →
Church Through Change
Our fathers kept the Faith, will we also keep it? Following are a few thoughts which have come to me about God’s Church. I often find myself looking back at history, wondering how we arrived at the place we are. This leads me on rabbit trails of thoughts which may not always have clear outcomes... Continue Reading →
Things I Have Learned in Dark and Hard Times.
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.Isaiah 45:3 KJV None of us enjoy suffering and adversity. We would take a bypass around that part of life if we... Continue Reading →
God’s Power – Man’s Weakness
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Psalms 37:35 KJV The past number of my writings have been centered on the emotional side of life. I would like us now to remove the focus from ourselves and our problems and turn it away and upwards to... Continue Reading →
Humility, Faith and Healing
Thoughts on need for humility and faith in emotional healing. While it is true that it takes courage and stamina to heal emotionally; it is also important to humbly let things go. At times we may hold on in dogged perseverance when we would serve ourselves better by letting go. By humbly accepting our weaknesses... Continue Reading →
Victim or Survivor
Are we victims or survivors? There are too many victims and not enough survivors in the day we live. Letting go of the past is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do. Hurtful and painful memories can make lifelong challenges for us. However, we do not need to be victims of the past,... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on Peace
Sweet peace, the gift of God's love! P. P. Bilhorn The gift of peace is more than the absence of strife. True peace, is a gift the Father gives to those who have made peace with Him, through repentance of sin, humility, surrender, and sacrifice. In turn He gives peace through the Holy Spirit. A... Continue Reading →
Echoes – God’s Healing Stream
There are times of difficulty, and we do not always know the reason why. Feelings of confusion, wishing things were different, yet not understanding what is happening deep inside. Perhaps we have made mistakes in life, regrets; misfortune has left us wondering where God is in the mix. Satan comes, bringing doubts and fears, voices... Continue Reading →
Intellect & Deception
By in large man lives by his intellect. God gave him the ability to think and reason. He gave man the power of choice, so he is capable of making both wise and unwise choices, to believe in God or not believe in Him. It also means he can become misled and deceived, mistaking untruth... Continue Reading →
Requisite For Answered Prayer
As I was praying the other night, I began to think about all the prayers God has answered for me. I am very thankful. It also is amazing how prayer changes things. Then the thought came to me, “What if we could figure out a formula to get our prayers answered?” I know that’s not... Continue Reading →
Default Settings
Most electronic devices have what they call “default settings.” This is set in the factory and should there be a malfunction in their internal software, you have the option of resetting them, which will in many cases fix most of the problems. Humans do not have a simple reset capability, but they do have default... Continue Reading →
The Broken Vessel
(An Allegory) The broken vessel lay at the Master’s feet, dirty, discarded by life. Too far gone, too many years it had been used and misused, and now lay alone and broken. The Master bent, concern on His face, to see how this beautiful vessel had become so broken. He noticed the chips and cracks,... Continue Reading →
Emotional Scars
The song says, “The scars remain to remind me.”* As a boy it seemed I was prone to all manner of cuts and scrapes. From my pocket knives, to other cuts and gashes that a boy collects growing up on a farm. Today, I see them, now faded with a few years of wear, and... Continue Reading →
Emotional – Mental Encouragement
In the last number of years there has been an increasing awareness of how mental health plays a part in our Christian lives. Care must be taken to keep the balance of the power of God to heal, and the need for other methods of help. As we seek the Lord in this matter with... Continue Reading →
The Altar of Unpolluted Stones
In the Old Testament, they built altars to burn sacrifices on to worship God. Today, Christians do not offer literal sacrifices, but we offer the sacrifice of our hearts and lives in a spiritual sense to God. There are parallels from the Old Testament, which we can apply to our hearts today. Many of the... Continue Reading →
Sure Foundation
2 Timothy 2:19 KJV Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psa 11:3 KJV The Bible often uses the example of a... Continue Reading →
A Drop of Faith, a Bucket of Courage.
How many times like me, have you asked the Lord to give you more faith? We seem to think that faith is the main ingredient of power. With more faith, we tend to think it should be easier to believe, easier to overcome temptations, easier to make big decisions in life, as well as a... Continue Reading →
Let It Go
When you are tempted to get hurt and offended over what someone says, Let it go. When you feel like life has given you more than you can bear, Let it go. When you feel like your children are not accepted of others, Let it go. When you feel like your life does not measure... Continue Reading →
The Gospel
As the sailor turns his ship to the sea, the harbor and coastline slip from view. The gentle swell of the water rises and falls peacefully against the sides of his vessel, as the prow cuts through the waves. His heart and mind are on those he left behind and the lands he will see... Continue Reading →
