My Consolation Is In Christ
November 30, 2014
SCRIPTURE
When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.
~Psalms 94:19, NRSV
QUOTE
All of us face cares and troubles in this life. The sin comes when we are consumed with our cares to the neglect of our responsibility to Christ.
~David Wilkerson/Yaakov.
- We have the big screen in place and are ready to show the BGEA My Hope Video of HEAVEN at 10:15, actually 10:45. We have a great LCBS Lesson today and bible study begins at 9:00. Deacon’s and wives meet with me at 8:50 in sanctuary.
- I want to thank Felton, Adam, Willard, Jeff and Hannah for responding to my plea for help. I want to thank Brent for helping me get everything working.
- I will be assisting Bro. Tim in Mrs. Martha’s COLS and will be cutting it close but LORD willing I will be back for evening service. I have a sermon but I thought since we have the big screen up, you might want to see another of the My Hope video’s [28 minutes]. I will do whatever: text me and tell me what you prefer. It was a lot of trouble to get that big screen up for one video.
- Most people have signed up for the new church directory. Those who have not need to sign up today.
- While it is on my mind TRUSTEES, we need to change light bulbs in the entrance of the FORTE on across the walkway. We will need the lift to change the middle section.
In Any Case
November 29, 2014
SCRIPTURE
In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
~Philippians 4:14, NRSV
QUOTE
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
~George Washington
COMMENTARY
Philippians 4 is a wonderful chapter, one of my favorite in all the word of God. In this great chapter Paul says…
- Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice.
- Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything.
- Think on things worthy of praise and the peace of God will be in you.
- I have learned to be content in any and all circumstances.
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Wow, what a fantastic list of exhortations. After saying all these wonderful things, Paul says, “In any case, it is kind of you to share in my distress.” The word distress is the Greek word ‘thlipsis’. It is one of the few Greek words that I recognize. It is the word used for pressing the juice out of the grapes. It literally means under pressure and is translated tribulation, oppression and distress. I like the NRSV translation here at distress. Distress is suffering that affects the mind or body due to a difficult situation in which you do not have enough money, food, energy or resources. It just so happened that the Philippians revived Paul’s depleted bank account.
Even the Apostle Paul with his tremendous faith in Jesus felt distress at times. The sam man who exhorts us not to worry about anything also feels the pressure of life and welcomes the relief that comes when other Christians act in kindness toward us.
Do you feel the pressure? Jesus uses this same word ‘thlipsis’ in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation {thlipsis}; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
- Today we pray for School Teachers: it is their first day back after the CHRISTMAS BREAK. The only bad thing about the CHRISTMAS BREAK, it doesn’t last long.
- My Nephew Henry was promoted yesterday morning around 7:00 am. His COLS is tomorrow at Sardis Springs at 1:00. Henry’s frail body will be on land buried that was a part of our family farm when I was a boy. His battle with a very mean and vicious enemy {cancer} is over. Henry has VICTORY IN JESUS forever!
- We got all the CHRISTMAS decorations down and stored. It will not be long until Lexi unplugs my last outside tree. I don’t want my neighbors outdoing me but Lexi usually takes care of it. We got the JANUARY 2015 DIGEST to Alabama Mail and we went to see Kenny. He was not having a good day and I did not get to talk with him. He has a doctor’s appointment Wednesday. Pray for Kenny. Stop reading and pray for him now.
- It is official: June and I {Lord willing} will be going to Grand Bay January 17-22. We will be working with Bro. Teddie in REVIVAL. I pray that 2015 will be the year of Revival in America and I would love to see it break out in Grand Bay and spread all across the USA. We also go to Sardis Springs February 15-18 for the Winter Bible Study. God is good!
- First day of diet went pretty good: I switched to Atkins when I got home and eat a pound of meatloaf but no bread or carbs. We had a black bean burrito for lunch and it was good. Black beans, spinach, brown rice, yogurt and salsa, 280 calories. There is no way I could have taken in more than 1500 calories today.
- Big Mama says we have 60 hours of sub-freezing temperatures coming this week.
- For some reason, I could not get Media images to upload tonight.
COLD WEATHER IS COMING
Who Needs A Password
November 29, 2014
SCRIPTURE
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
~Psalms 89:16, MSG
QUOTE
Praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.
~C.S. Lewis
I think everything related to a computer has a password and I hate passwords because I cannot remember them. One older lady tried to make “incorrect” her password. Her logic was if she entered the wrong password her computer would say…”Your password is INCORRECT.” The problem is, the folks on the other end of the line demand that you create a unique password and sometimes they demand that it be a combination of small case, large case with at least two numerals. Are these people smoking crack or what!
Praise is a program that is easy to get into because the PASSWORD is simple. God is really into the simple because He wants all of us to come to a knowledge of the truth. The PASSWORD to praise is THANKSGIVING. If you’ve been unable to get into PRAISE, perhaps you are using the wrong password. Delete the ‘Me’ or the ‘Music Style’ and try ‘Thanksgiving’ in any case: see if it does not get you into praise.
- June fusses at me for doing blogs on Holidays and I should listen to her because not many people read blogs on holidays but I can’t help myself and I know that Jimmy and David will read it. I think those who go through Facebook are having some problems getting to the Blog. I don’t know who changed what but it wasn’t me. The simplest thing to do is make the Blog a FAVORITE and then it is one click and you are there. My own daughter has not been reading the blog or even looking at the pictures. I ask her today if she saw Mandy’s Christmas sweater and she didn’t know what I was talking about. Another so called friend who knows all about computers used the Facebook glitch as an excuse.
- Mrs. Martha Newby’s Celebration of Life Service is Sunday at 3:00 at SARDIS SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH. Visitation is prior, 12:30-2:45. I borrowed a picture from the SS Facebook Page [Below]. My Christmas has changed and below are three reasons why. God is good. Out of pure kindness He put these wonderful people in my life: Thank You Jesus!
Martha Allen Newby, James M. Newby and Naola Bailey
- We are trying to get ready [Today] for the BILLY GRAHAM MY HOPE video of HEAVEN. I’m going to need some help around 10:30 or 11:00. If I can get two good men for 15 minutes; “We’ll get’er done”. I will also need Brent Anders to help me rig up the sound but it will be later in the day. I don’t think I have his number: someone text me his number and I will call him.
- SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Deacons and Wives Meeting at 8:50…LCBS at 9:00…Worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
Bonus From Bobby
Semper Fi!
Early one morning a retired Marine yelled to his wife: “Honey, come see what I created! It is an abstract panorama depicting the last six years of the Obama presidency.” She yelled back: “Flush the toilet and come eat your breakfast!”
Congrats Bobby: I would call this one “Bobby’s Best”. It is a grand slam, no pun intended.
EXTRA/LCBS LESSON PREVIEW FOR NOVEMBER 30
Ministry In The Face of Mental Illness
Introduction
All our Bible Study groups are to begin their class with an intercessory prayer time. Most of the prayer request will relate to sickness. On any given Sunday, our classes report 10-20 request related to cancer. I doubt if you can find a person in our church that does not have a friend or family member battling cancer. The one thing that does not come up is MENTAL ILLNESS. Why is this? They say that one in ten suffer from some form of depression. Let me give you a list of types mental illness and I doubt that the list is exhaustive.
- Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders [Bi-polar, huge mood shifts]
- Psychotic Disorders [Schizophrenia]
- Eating Disorders [anorexia, bulimia]
- Control Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsion Disorders
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorders [usually related to the sexually abused or possibly someone who had an abortion]
You see the list and the statistic that one out of ten suffer from one of the above. Do you think it is possible to be a member of a church which has 600 plus members and none with a mental health issue. What comes to your mind when you hear the words “Mental Illness?” {You think psychotic, someone who needs to be in an institution} Most of the people around us who suffer from mental illness are not psychotic: many are simple depressed. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 10:24-25…And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Depression is a form of discouragement. As a child of God, your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to encourage someone this Sunday.
Don’t take the Marine approach…”Suck it up you loser. Stop whining–no one cares. It is a cruel world-get use to it.” I made this mistake for years. My logic was simple: “I am a child of God and I know to be in Church on Sunday morning. I don’t need a call, a card, a visit or for my wife and children to beg me. If you are a child of God, you should be like me. I will visit lost folks but I am not pandering to the whining immature Christians that need to be encouraged every week.” If you are hard wired like myself, you may not need a lot of encouragement to do what you know is right but everyone is not wired the same and herein lies the problem. Some people need more encouragement than others. It does not mean they are weak, bad, or inferior: it simply means they need encouragement.
SCRIPTURE TEXT [2 Corinthians 1:2-7, NLT]
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
As Charles said in the TG service, “All God’s blessing are meant to be shared.” God gives us comfort so that we can pass it along to others. Did you notice: the more we suffer for Christ, the more God showers us with His comfort. Let’s just list the insights before we get into the questions…
- God’s blessings are meant to be shared.
- The more we suffer for Christ, the more comfort we receive.
- God is a merciful father.
- He is the source, the giver of all comfort.
- Being merciful and giving comfort connects HIM to hurting people. [Psalms 34:18]
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- More young people [18-24] die from suicide than by traffic accidents. Does this shock you? Why do you suppose this is true?
- For youth the age of 10-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. What is the problem? Why are young people taking their own life?
- Have you ever considered suicide? Be honest.
- Why is our culture looking at divorce, drugs, destructive habits and unhealthy relationships as a way out?
- How does God bring comfort the hurting? [The life of His Son, His Spirit and His word but he also using believers to share comfort with the hurting]
- Think of your circle of friends: do you have a friend the is hurting? [grief, disappointment, depression]
- What is the most effective way to comfort? [Use Job and friends at a case study]
- What was the most effective thing that Jobs friends did by way of giving comfort? [presence, listening]
- What was the most ineffective? [preaching, giving advice, passing judgment]
- To be effective at giving comfort: what one thing do we need? [call it compassion, love, sensitivity, concern, whatever but if you don’t have it, you’ll do more damage than good. If you really don’t care: stay at home]
- Jobs friends felt a moral obligation to give comfort: it was like a religious show: is this enough?
- Think small–little acts of kindness make a huge difference to the hurting. You can’t solve their problem. You can relieve their pain. You cannot rescue them from a bad situation but you can do small things that indicate your love and concern. What are some small things that we can do? {cards, calls, emails, gifts, take them out to eat, bake them cookies or a cake, small gestures of kindness]
- How big of a problems is our sense of helplessness. We reason that since we cannot do something miraculous, why do anything. Do you think that our being overwhelmed by their problem causes us to be inactive?
INSIGHTS
- Mental illness is not a myth; it is a real problem that we need to address.
- We cannot fix mental illness anymore than we can cure cancer but we can do something.
- The one thing our hurting friends and family members need to know is that “We love them and they have our support.”
- We all need to remember that mental illness can strike at any time and the older we get the higher the risk. Be merciful, someday you may need mercy.
STORY
Years ago, more than 20: June and I were in Memphis, Tennessee attending the COLS of Ramona Eaton’s mother. One of the associates from Belleview did the service at the grave side and he told this story which I will attempt to retell. An elderly lady had a very disturbed mind. She imagined that two men were stalking her relentlessly. She went to her children for help but they ignored her. She talked to her neighbors but they treated her like she was crazy. Finally, in desperation, she went to see her pastor. She explained everything in detail and he listened intently. He not only listened, he cared about the woman. While she was talking, God whispered in the ear of the preacher and gave him detailed instructions on what to do. When the woman concluded, she said, “You don’t believe me do you?” “Yes mam,” said the pastor, “I believe every word.” She was so excited, “You mean, you believe that two men are following me day and night?” “Yes I do and I know their names,” said the wise pastor. “You know their names,” said she. “Yes mam, there names are actually in the bible” and then he opened his bible and read Psalm 23. He said, “Come over here and let me show you…see there is verse 6 ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.'” He said, “You are so blessed. God has sent two people by the name of Goodness and Mercy and they are going to watch after you as long as you live.” The woman was overcome with joy. From that moment on she had perfect peace and she clung to the promise in Psalms 23:6. She never had another anxious moment about being followed.
You might say, “Well, she was still crazy.” As Elmer Jackson says, “We all have a screw loose somewhere.” Where as the woman was not perfect balanced, her pastor did his job and he gave her comfort which is what we are supposed to be doing. Am I right or wrong?
Thank HIM For Who He Is
November 28, 2014
SCRIPTURE
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
~Psalms 86:15, NRSV
QUOTE
To be thankful for our blessings leaves us falling short: we need to give thanks to our Benefactor but even that is insufficient, we need to thank Him not just for what He does but for who He is.
~Yaakov
Thanksgiving and praise go together and David was good at both because he focused on God’s attributes. In Psalms 86 he strings together a list of divine attributes: we see at least six in verse 15 alone. David begins with “But You, O Lord God are”…God here is not ‘elohiym [object of our worship] but El, the Strong One, the Almighty. And the Almighty is merciful, gracious, slow to anger [patient], steadfast in love and faithful [True]. When we are sorrowful, the LORD is full of compassion. When we are battling temptation, the LORD is slow to anger. When we sin, He is merciful and kind. Even if we are unfaithful to HIM, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself. Nothing we do or say has any influence over His attributes. I cannot influence God to be more loving or less loving. He is who He is: it is all in His name Yahweh [I AM WHO I AM]. All these attributes make Him worthy of praise and since all the attributes are good, we should be thankful.
- We had a very good THANKSGIVING SERVICE. We were missing a lot of regulars for one reason or another but we had two, make that three new families to join us. It was a good service.
- We had our Thanksgiving at Hannah’s with 23 present. We had another testimony time there which is always a blessing.
- We did get some sad news [for us] while we were there: our dear friend Mrs. Martha Newby was promoted yesterday morning [Thanksgiving]. She was an outstanding Christian lady so it was a promotion for her but I was going up today to carry her a flower. I thought I had more time. Her Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday evening at 2:30 or 3:00. They were not definite about the time yesterday.
- Don’t forget we are showing the Billy Graham MY HOPE video Sunday morning and it is on heaven. It is good: invite your friends to come see it. Deacons meeting at 8:50, LCBS at 9:00, Worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
- June and I had planned to go see SAVING CHRISTMAS but it is doing so poorly that they are not showing it at night at all. I really hated to hear this but I have had no success in promoting the movie. The world will be declared the winner here and that bothers me. Christians should have supported the movie. You know why we have Obama? Only 50% of evangelicals are registered to vote and of that number only half actually vote. You’d be shocked at why they don’t vote. I will tell you sometime.
A Blessed Nation
November 27, 2014
SCRIPTURE
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.
~Psalms 33:12, NRSV
QUOTE
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
~Thomas Jefferson
According to the latest issue of DECISION MAGAZINE, the Human Rights Campaign {cover for gay rights} is targeting the South, three States in particular: Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. There goal is to force us to accept something that the bible clearly condemns. It’s politically correct to say, being gay is okay but we are not politically correct in the South, just correct. Have you noticed that evil is relentless? Homosexuality is destructive to dignity, self-esteem, family, health, character and it will be the death of this nation if we don’t change our way of thinking.
Carlton Lee is Brown’s family pastor in Ferguson, Missouri. He boarded a plane in search of a BGEA team member. He was deeply distraught about what went on in Ferguson and his inability to stop it. His sanctuary was burned to the ground during the riots that took place Thanksgiving weekend. Evidently, the mob was not satisfied with his position which was peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. He and his congregation now meet in a tent.
On November 14, just a few weeks ago, Gary Hall, Dean of the Washington Cathedral which is owed and operated by the Episcopal Church, hosted a muslim pray meeting {Pictured below}. I have been in the Cathedral several times. June literally bumped into Billy Graham on the steps of the Cathedral at the Bush inauguration but it has been desecrated and I will never enter it again. Keith could sum this up in one word, “Unbelievable.”
Samatha Jones, a 17 year old high school senior in Blackwood, N.J., is fighting to keep the Pledge of Allegiance legal in New Jersey. The American Humanist Association is threatening to have the Pledge declared illegal. They are offended by the phrase “One nation under God.” Samatha has appeared on Fox News and the Mike Huckabee show. She is pictured below with her family. Samatha is being represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
Happy is the nation who ‘elohiym is Yahweh. ‘Elohiym is plural and can be translated gods, divine beings, angels or God according to context. I have my own definition for ‘elohiym: your ‘elohiym is your object of worship. I don’t think the definition is original, I think I got it from a Hebrew professor in Seminary. To be honest, I can’t remember where I picked it up. Here is the Psalm 33:12 in the JEV, “Blessed is the nation whose object of worship in Jesus.” For 2015, let’s pray for REVIVAL IN AMERICA.
- Today we pray for Teachers.
- Continue to pray for Kenny. He rested better night before last but did not have a great day yesterday. He is very weak.
- The off days are slipping by in a hurry. I’ll have to begin preparation Friday so Thursday will be my last one. Remember we have a slight, very slight change in our Sunday morning schedule. LCBS will begin at 9:15 but don’t be late. It is a mental thing. You are not late for work every day and there is no need to be late for church every Sunday. You have to prepare yourself mentally. Willard will ring the bell at 10:05 instead of 10:00. This give us 50 minutes which I think is sufficient.
- LCBS Classes: take time to pray for others before you begin your lesson.
2014 TOP TEN THROWBACKS
Chanda and the Extremes
One of my all time favorites
Jason The Kid
The one on the right is the infamous “Trinity Stalker”
Identify six or more and win a free copy of my book “What Men Know About Women”
I do love Floyd’s Smile
Sasquatch
Three Stooges and a Baby
Identify these two love birds and you win nothing!
Perfect Justice
November 27, 2014
SCRIPTURE
Nobody gets by with anything, no one plays fast and loose with Him.
~Psalms 76:12, MSG
QUOTE
Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful.
~C.S. Lewis
Naturally hurting people, those who have suffered an injustice due to the selfishness of another, have a desire to see justice. I am sure you have heard of the Nuremberg trials which began in November of 1945. It was an international court appointed to the task of prosecuting Nazi war crimes. It is hard to get an exact figure but some 1,800 Nazis were prosecuted. The law of retribution is woven into the very fabric of the universe and no human or group of humans can destroy this code of justice. When a human feels the deep pain of rejection and betrayal that often accompanies divorce; it is a natural tendency for them to want to see justice. I always quote the verse above to the hurting, “Nobody gets by with anything: no one can play fast and lose with God.” It is impossible to deceive Him.
- Give into lust and you will pay.
- Mistreat your wife and you will pay.
- Neglect your children and you will pay.
- Love money more than people and you will pay.
- Reject Jesus and you will pay.
I can make the list longer but the point is: sin pays in real wages for anyone, believer or non-believer. NOBODY gets by with ANYTHING! Be thankful that God is just, good and merciful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Let All The People Thank YOU!
November 26, 2014
SCRIPTURE
God! Let people thank and enjoy you. Let all people thank and enjoy you.
~Psalms 67:3, MSG
QUOTE
It is not happy people who are thankful: it is thankful people who are happy.
~Anonymous
When Jesus sat down to eat the Passover meal with His beloved followers, this is what He said, “You have no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you.” [Luke 22, MSG] Wow, can you believe this? The Son of God looking forward to sharing a meal and some time with us. The disciples also enjoyed the company of Jesus. There was no dread in hanging out with Jesus. Yes, He was perfect but He was also filled with mercy and compassion. He was also very funny and pleasant.
This Thanksgiving do more than acknowledge your blessing; the unbelieving world can do this. This year spend some time with Jesus, enjoy His presence and thank Him personally. It is not enough to be thankful for the gifts; we need to spend quality time with the Giver of the gifts and thank HIM personally. If you cannot enjoy spending time with Jesus here on earth, you would be miserable in heaven.
- Today we pray for the WORLD. Why don’t we pray Psalms 67…O God, in mercy bless us; let your face beam with joy as you look down at us. Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. We pray that everyone throughout the earth will praise YOU Lord! How glad the nations will be, singing for joy because YOU are their King and the giver of true justice to people! We pray for the whole world to praise YOU! May all the peoples of the earth give thanks to YOU and peoples from remotest lands will worship him.
- Shohn and I will be working a half day: remember, no services tonight but the Thanksgiving service tomorrow. I am fairly certain it is the next to last. Its always a good service, one of my favorites.
- I know some of you don’t believe in angels but I saw one yesterday morning. I was in the office slaving away at the DIGEST and this beautiful creature suddenly appeared, she was dressed white; well a white top with blue jeans. The lovely creature handed me a caramel pie and a pecan pie. O my, my, I do love pie.
- Remember Bob! One of his rules was…”It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission.”
Flying Off The Handle
November 25, 2014
SCRIPTURE
As one of them was felling a timber, his axhead flew off and sank in the river.
~II Kings 6:5, MSG
QUOTE
Sometimes it takes losing something to realize what you had.
~Anonymous
The seminary students under the tutoring of Elisha wanted to build extra dormitory rooms for the seminary and so they went to the river to cut some timber. Being preachers, they didn’t have the money or the tools so they borrowed an ax. The ax handle had not been soaked or wedged properly and the ax head flew off the handle and went into the river. The handle was no problem. Handles were carved from wood and very common: the iron ax head was a different matter. It had great value and it was borrowed. The handler of the ax was not being lazy but he did get careless: every woodman can tell when the ax head is lose.
Actually this is the way we lose most things including our temper: we just get careless. You can lose a job by being careless. You can lose a family by being careless. A man came to me some 20 years ago and said, “Preacher, she told me a half dozen times that if I didn’t change, she was going to leave. I never believed she would do it but guess what: she is gone and she’s not coming back and I have no one to blame except myself.” Not many people are as honest with me but this man was telling the truth.
The seminary story has a happy ending. Elisha recovered the ax: his prayer or faith or both brought the ax head to the top of the water. The ax head was floating on the surface and a seminary student reached out and retrieved it. Just remember, it took a miracle to recover what they had lost. Be careful with what God has entrusted to you: if you lose it, there is always the possibility you will not get it back.
- I’m still glowing from Sunday–What a day! Thank YOU Jesus!
- Today we pray for TEACHERS. I know they are tickled, they have a short week.
- Remember no Wednesday night meetings of any kind but we will meet Thanksgiving morning at 9:30 for a brief time of giving thanks. Maybe we can get granny to sing for us. I’m serious. Do it granny!
- Alan is working with the Mac: I am hoping that he can help me solve a problem or two. I met with him at Keith’s yesterday morning. I’d love to have him here all the time. There are some families that I love to visit and Keith and Judy are one of them. They have the gift of hospitality. If you don’t feel at home there, you have problems.
- Bobby sent me a great pic that I want to run but I feel a little guilty: it is about an attempt to take a certain leader hostage. You will have to read between the line: I am deleting the font. It may be hard to figure out but I think the deeply intellectual will get it.
Thank YOU Jesus!
November 24, 2014
SCRIPTURE
God, you did everything you promised, and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
Psalm 56:12, MSG
QUOTE
In difficult moments–seek God. In quiet moments– worship God. In painful moments–trust God. Every moment–Thank God!
~Anonymous
Generally, I say a prayer before I leave my QT and start my day in terms of facing the world. There were a couple of things that had me concerned about yesterday and so I sat down and wrote a prayer. I am here to tell you that God answered my prayer, so I experienced thanksgiving upon thanksgiving. I was reading yesterday evening when a verse leaped from the pages and into my heart…Psalms 56:8…You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights. Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.
David excelled in many ways: warfare, leadership, music, poetry, and even theology but David’s devotion to worship and his understanding of intimacy with God were off the charts. I am sure you are close to your wife or husband but does your spouse know why you have difficulty sleeping. Do they stay up with you on a sleepless night? I am willing to wager–they do not, nor do they know what has disturbed your mind and is keeping you awake. They, at least the wives, know that you did not sleep but did they ask you why? Why didn’t they ask? Guys, there are times when we know our wives are troubled: why do we ask them, “Honey, what is bothering you?”
Do you want the unvarnished truth: we don’t care enough about our spouse to enter into all the details of their life. We simply do not care to know. It’s like, “You will be fine; you’ll work through it somehow. I have all the confidence in the world that you can handle this yourself without troubling me.” Your spouse has no idea how many sleepless nights you have had nor how many tears you have shed but Jesus knows. He has recorded every tear and every toss. WOW, what a FRIEND we have is JESUS! This truth is enough to make an Episcopalian shout.
- Awesome day yesterday: what a service. The voices of our children were angelic. We had three glorious baptisms. The congregational choir singing “How Great Is Our God” put goose bumps on my goose bumps. To cap it off, we got to celebrate Angelia Segars becoming a member of DBC. Then LUKE 14 was a smashing success. My heart is filled with gratitude. THANK YOU JESUS!
- Today we pray for Ministers and Missionaries. Speaking of Missionaries, Alan Blackwood was with us yesterday and he may get to help me today. He is a genius with a computer.
- Our OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOE BOX count was 200 on the Money. Nayola had 13 boxes at home. I think we finished last in our area but there is no cause for grief. I would guess that Danville Area churches gave close to 1,000 shoe boxes. OCC is a good thing and we do rejoice in what all the churches gave.
- We had three additions to LCBS last week, all Nursery One. Bruce and Sandy got a grandson, then Renea and Jeff got another boy, and then yesterday, Jeff and Jennifer got them a grand girl. Congrats Grand Parents–there is nothing like it. You will love being grand parents.
- We had a host of guess yesterday: probably over 50 in the am service and well over 50 last night. A long with the Children’s Home and Milestone Ministries we had Alan Blackwood, Granny, Dana and Jena Turrentine along with Deidra and her children Lizzie, Sydney and Andrea. We had Tom and Edith and Charles and Deloris. We were glad to see John and Jeanie although I didn’t get around to talking to them. Jason and his family were with us but I didn’t get to talk to him either. I’m sure I left someone out because we had a big turn out which is what we wanted. You can go to Granny T’s Facebook page and hear her sing a solo at her church yesterday morning. Granny did good!
Twenty One Words That Can Change Your Life
November 23, 2014
SCRIPTURE
“Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow. Live one day at a time.”
~Matthew 6:34, TLB
QUOTE
“Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.”
~Thomas Carlyle
William Osler upon graduation of medical school was working himself into a nervous breakdown. He had a degree but no practice. He was afraid that he would not be able to make a living. Then he read a book by Thomas Carlyle and one quote [21 words, today’s quote] transformed his way of thinking. Sir William Osler became the most famous physician of his time. He organized and co-founded the John Hopkins School of Medicine and later became the Regius [appointed by the king] Professor of Medicine at Oxford. He was even dubbed the “Father of modern medicine.” To think that at one time, he was paralyzed with fear.
Are you facing a problem or set of problems that are getting you down. Take a break and seek a quiet place. [1] Determine which problem is most important and needs to be dealt with first; [2] Be pro-active, make a plan to address the problem; [3] Don’t try to solve the problem with one giant step. We solve problems by working incrementally toward a goal. In other words, the solution may involve a series of baby steps. Take debt for instance: most financial consultants advise you to pay your smaller debts first. [4] Celebrate your progress and make yourself accountable to your spouse or a good friend. It is essential that you be pro-active. God refuses to do for us what we can do for ourselves. If you do nothing: worry will consume you.
- Today we pray for our Senior Adults. Focus on one and pray.
- Today is a big day at DBC–Baptism, OCC and Luke 14.
- You can make an appointment today for the new church directory coming in January 2015.
- Luke 14 tonight at 5:30 in the FORTE.
- My little vacation is over. I had to retire early last night after being in a habit of staying up late and getting up late. With a full day today, I will be plenty tired tonight. I can drive but still restricted on lifting for 6 more weeks.
T’was the Month Before Christmas
T’was the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away– The reason for Christmas— No one would say. The children were told by their schools not to sing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say … December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash or credit, Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, and I-Pod, Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was nowhere to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Diversity Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton,Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, Obama and Clinton ! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’ Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say, and shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
Jack's Blog 