Join the battle

““The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.””

Jeremiah 8:20 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jer.8.20.niv

The motorcycle ride season is nearing the end. I ride motorcycles for enjoyment. I love the "wind therapy" more than you can imagine. I am blessed with a wife that loves to ride and a great group of Christian friends to share my pastime. But riding is more than enjoyment. Riding is a ministry opportunity. God gives passions to all of us. He doesn't give them exclusively for our enjoyment. We are to use our passions, our work, and our play to save others from eternal death.

 I am saddened the ride season nears a close, but I will continue to look for ministry opportunities. The world needs saving. Satan won't stop working just because the ride season is over. We can't let him win the hearts of the lost. Join the battle! Serve the Lord! Our world needs the savior now more than ever.

Too many stories

“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”

John 21:25 NLT

http://bible.com/116/jhn.21.25.nlt

What has Jesus done in your life? I can not begin to share all the stories how Jesus has revealed himself to me and my family. For 56 years, 44 as a Christian I have seen his mighty hand. Praise God for the miracles of healing, the answered prayer for jobs, and the resolution of financial struggles. 

Praise God for his protection from evil, his guiding hand in family relationships, and an abundance of loving through friends, family, and even strangers that have crossed my path. I praise him for laughter and joy that has come at the end of numerous storms and trials. I praise him for unexplainable wisdom and unnatural bravery. Yes, God has been actively walking beside me for 56 years. I am several chapters of the books John was talking about. To many stories to be told. 

I don't take enough time to praise the Lord for the work he has done in me. I certainly am not where I want to be, but I am constantly amazed at how far I have come. It is through the grace of God that I am who I am and I celebrate the life God has given me.

We are friends

“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

John 15:14-17 NLT -- http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.14-17.nlt

Do you have friends? I'm not talking just social media friends. I'm talking about friends who believe in you, know you, and love spending time with you. Jesus is that friend. I know it smacks of religiosity. It sounds trite. But, it is more true today than anytime in my life. The great news? The friendship is completely mutual. This is not just a one way friendship. I confide in Jesus and he confides in me. He shares his wisdom as I need it. He gives advice and listens to me. He chooses to be with me and I can't get enough of his presence. 

That is real friendship. 

I love my friends. I love spending time with them. But, there is nothing better than the friendship of Jesus Christ. I love getting to know him. I praise God, the creator of all things and get to walk, side by side with him through every moment of my life. Praise God! One thousand times a thousand........Praise God!

He will provide!

““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

John 14:1-2 NLT

http://bible.com/116/jhn.14.1-2.nlt

Our home is a little cramped right now. My daughter and her husband still hasn't sold her home in St. Louis. I feel for them. It has been tough on their growing family. Their four kids need space. We have all been praying for the house to sell. God has not seen fit for that to happen. So our house is full. But I believe God is preparing right now for that new home and he has a plan for selling theirs. I trust him. I love him. He knows what he is doing. He is providing an opportunity to spend time with my grandkids after so many years away from them. He has provided us with a home and a roof over our heads when so many people struggle with even the basics of life. The Lord provides. He knows our needs and is always there to love us through the mountains and valleys of life.

 I praise him for the many blessings he has given. I praise him for the house he is preparing for my daughters family and the house he has built for us in eternity,

Help me understand

“He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.”

John 11:51-52 NLT

http://bible.com/116/jhn.11.51-52.nlt

I don't want to sound too political. We are a divided country. I have heard over and over again that blacks in our country are being oppressed. I hear they are not treated equally under the law. I am white. I have been given wonderful opportunities throughout my life. I have a grandson who is black. I have a serious question.

What is the solution? I'm hearing nothing of substance. I certainly don't see the oppression. I don't see the double standard. I'm not sure I would ever see it. If it exists, what do I do? What does our country do? I see protests on the news. I see towns and communities destroyed by the anger. The only solutions I see being put out there is burning down buildings, looting, and victimizing police officers. If you don't have solutions , do you have the right to complain? Is it ok for us to destroy communities without promoting solutions? I just don't get it. 

I want to understand. I want to help.No one has helped me see the solution. Is it just sitting during the national anthem? Is it joining a hate group like BLM? 

Lord help us!