Praise God for 2016!

I did it. I know some of you won't see the significance. I finished my annual reading of the entire Bible last night. This is only a recent phenomenon for me. I started doing it about 12 years ago and as far as I can remember I think I have completed this 10 times. The other two years, I concentrated on ONLY the New Testament. I do not share this to brag about how great I am. I mention this only to say I have learned so much by studying the word of God. I haven't set my personal goal for 2017, but I can promise I will spend time listening to the ancient words of our Creator. 

There is no other God like our God. I don't know a lot about Hindu gods, the muslim's faith, or any other of the world religions. The only thing I can tell you....... My God, the God of Isaac and Jacob, the God that sent his Son into the world to save us from sure death, the God that has prepared a permanent home for me in Heaven, is active and REAL in my life. I am blessed. Yet,  I know that if my life were left to just my own doing, it would have failed miserably. In fact, I have tried to do things on my own and YES I have failed in every way imaginable. When I turn to God, miraculously, my life changes.  I overcome the difficulties in my life, I defeat the challenges, not by my power by HIS. 

In 2016 my prayers have been answered. I long prayed for my daughter and her kids to return to Indiana. That prayer was answered. I prayed their house would sell, that prayer was answered today. I have prayed for my CMA family and there are countless answers to those prayers. Several of my school family have faced challenges, God has helped them overcome. I have seen his miraculous hand. I am convinced more and more every day that he is REAL and he walks with me every day. My life is blessed ONLY THROUGH HIM. 

I can't wait until 2017. To see his powerful hand, to see him work in my life and the lives of his people PRAISE GOD FOR HIS WONDERFUL MERCY AND GRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that the best you have to give?

“Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:2-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/isa.58.2-5.nlt


We Christians are far from perfect. I know because I might be the furthest. Yet, I see so many followers trying to present the air of perfection. It saddens me that many of the lost see right through the shirad. Who do we think we are fooling? 

What saddens me even more is the thought that we can fool God. We try to follow the rituals of worship without praising God from our hearts. We say we fight for the widows, orphans and homeless, yet only do so out of obligation. We walk through our ministry to fulfill a requirement, to check off a duty, thinking we can please the Lord with our hollow service. 

We need to examine ourselves. Are we giving the best we have to give?  We need to be genuine in our lives. We can't fool God. Our hearts, our souls, and our minds need to be transformed, not out of obligation, but because of love of  God and our genuine concern for humanity? The love our God has shown us, with perfect grace, needs to be on display. We need to do more than just go through the motions. True faith will shine through. God will see it and so will the lost.

One little baby

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on Davidʼs throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬. http://bible.com/111/isa.9.6-7.

Christmas is for all time. How amazing is it that the birth of one little baby would have such an impact on the World? I am more aware of my blessings this time of the year. Being the end of the year I start to reflect on the year but I also look back on my life. Jesus has been my wonderful counselor, mighty God, father, and my prince of peace. He has been my rock, my redeemer, and ultimately the love of my life. I have been blessed through him and by him. I am humbled by the grace and mercy I receive every waking moment of my life. Family, health, jobs, friends, and ministry opportunities are all blessings from God. Praise God for my life. I will strive to serve you more each day. I will strive to share your wonderful love. Thank you Lord!

Singing to the Lord at Christmas

“And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”” Isaiah‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬.  http://bible.com/111/isa.6.3.

The Christmas season is filled with wonderful sounds and songs. I love Christmas music, Noel, Silent Night, O Holy Night, Gloria, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and so many more. I love the radio stations filled with Christmas. I love Christmas Choirs. I love the old fashioned church Christmas Cantata. We sing the songs to celebrate, to praise God for the wonderful gift of his son. Our songs should be sung throughout the entire year. Songs of joy and praise should be a part of our lives in every waking moment. Christmas may be the season of music, but we should just use that joy to propel ourselves into the new year.

God is wonderful. God deserves our praise, he deserves to hear our voices lifted in song to him. Take time now, during this season, but also throughout 2017, to praise God and sing to him through your prayers and your actions! I love you Lord. I am blessed beyond all I can comprehend. Merry Christmas!

I watch in hope!

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬  http://bible.com/111/mic.7.7.niv

Christmas time is such a wonderful time of hope and joy. They say that's not always true. I say hope occurs not out of plenty, or blessings. Hope comes directly from the Lord. Hope comes when we cry out and he answers as clearly as if we were walking side by side.  The Lord hears and answers. I know this! For those who do not feel the hope and joy of the season, turn to Jesus. For those that are experience the best times of their lives, turn to Jesus. Your joy will not be complete without the Savior of the world.

Our powerful God heard the cry of the world and sent his son, Jesus. He is the God of Christmas. He is the God of hope, peace, and joy. Over my lifetime I have never been abandoned. He hears my cry and rescues me. He will hear you too! Praise God for his love!

Changed the World

““But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭5:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/mic.5.2-4.niv

Christmas, the most magical time of the year. Praise God for the gift of a baby, his son, sent to save the world. No other single event has impacted our planet as much as his birth. It saddens me that this wonderful time of the year has been twisted to dismiss the birth of Jesus. I heard of a sign in some American city that says, "Make Christmas Great Again, stay home from church!"

May the followers of Jesus, the church, keep the faith and focus on serving the Lord to save others.

Peace on Earth!

“People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the LORD’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The LORD will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has made this promise!”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭4:2-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/mic.4.2-4.nlt

As we move closer to Christmas, I always think of Peace on Earth! I know it seems like only a dream, but the Lord promises peace. Praise God for his perfect plan future we have with him in heaven. Praise God we have time to promote peace among all men. May we take this enduring Christmas message and make it our own in 2017. We have control over whether we do our part to create peace. We might not be able to control hate groups, but we can create a community of love within our own sphere of influence. If enough people would do that, the world would truly be at peace.

Evil among us!

“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”3 John‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ http://bible.com/116/3jn.1.11.nit


It has been almost a year since I  began carrying a concealed handgun. With all the craziness going on in this world, terrorists, racial discontent, and the political divide, i just felt it necessary to protect my family and community by taking this big step. There are evil people in this world. Everyone would agree with that. Sadly, there are also Christians in this world that are bad example, people claiming to be Christians that do not live their lives worthy of Christ. We should not follow them.

HOW CAN WE EVER REALLY KNOW?

Time will tell. Patience, Gods time, will prove one way or another. What this verse tells me is that it's not my place to worry about if a Christian is really the leader Christ wants me to follow. God will guide me. It will be proven who Gods true followers are. If I try to prematurely judge, by my wisdom, I will be wrong. God has a filter, the life of a sinner is filtered through God's judgment , not mine. If God sees we are innocently being led by a bad example, he will rescue us. We needn't fear. As in all things, our relationship with the Father is key. Our communication with the Lord will be sufficient. Our only fear is when we fall away, turning a deaf ear to the Lord.

Our ears always need to be tuned to the voice of our Savior. We beg for guidance,but forget to listen. We are not aware of his presence because we don't know him. Every sense we have needs to be dedicated to Jesus. When we do that the adventure we call life will be a wonderfully exciting experience and we will be protected from evil. Praise God he cares enough to guide every step.

Thank You Lord for the harvest!

“Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭NLT‬. http://bible.com/116/rom.14.6.nlt

Thanksgiving day!

Praise God for his countless blessings. It is so easy to overlook the littlest things. Our daily bread is one of those blessings we often take for granted. I am so very blessed with the abundance of food. Today is a perfect example. I'm not alone. Pumpkin pie, turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes,  noodles, pumpkin pie and more pumpkin pie! I always look back to the first Thanksgiving and the diverse people coming together to celebrate the bountiful harvest. They were farmers. Farmers, the backbone of our country have labored hard throughout the year. We have eaten well because of their hard work. Our country has its poor, its homeless, its people that won't celebrate with a full thanksgiving feast. But, our country is blessed to have the best farmers in the world, the most abundance, and the most affordable food anywhere . We supply the worlds food with the grit and hard work of the American Farmer. Praise God for the gift of the harvest.

As we sit down for our feast today. Remember to thank the Lord for your meal. Remember to ask a special blessing to our nations farmers. Praise God he is watching out for us and cares deeply for those that are poor and don't have thanksgiving on their table today. Thank you Lord! I love you! I'm humbled by your grace and mercy. I don't deserve the wonderful meal today, but ono you give it to me as a gift out of your love. Thank You! Amen!

Thankful to serve Jesus!

“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬.  http://bible.com/116/psa.28.7.nlt

Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for? If you really take the time to investigate your heart, your life, and your past, you will build a list of endless list of blessings. I am 56 years old. I have been blessed so abundantly that I just have to share with you the countless blessings in my life. In my previous posts I have celebrated my wonderful family, my careers, and now I want to praise God for the ministries he has let me be a part of.

My life of serving the Lord began in my late teens. I had some great mentors in serving the Lord. Obviously, number one was my Dad and my grandpa.  But, Ted Blosser and Harold Oechsle really planted the seed of ministry in my heart. I have served as youth director and various roles in churches. I enjoyed and still enjoy the church and serving there. But, My ministry with CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) is a pure blessing from God. The people I have met, the message we share, is so very powerful. Taking the message of Christ directly to the lost. All ministry should be so simple. So many people look to mission fields over seas and I see value in that. But, we can not neglect those lost right in our country. This nation needs our help. CMA does serve the whole world, but my hearts desire is to continue reaching bikers right here in the USA.

Dear Lord, I praise you for guiding my life to CMA. I love the people I serve with. I love our mission. Please continue to use us for your purposes. Use us to bring the lost to you. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as President of CMA Son Rise Riders this year and next. May I never lose sight of our real purpose! Amen!

Thanks for this Great Adventure! Thanksgiving 2016

“They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬. http://bible.com/116/rev.7.12.

This is Friday. Well,  it really is Tuesday, but it's our last day of school this week as we prepare for our Thanksgiving break. I am looking forward to the five days of family, food, and fun. 

Thanksgiving, thanking God for our blessings, is an important part of the Bible and should be at the center of our lives. It's not about us and what we've done, it's about the grace that God has shown us and the gifts he gives. I've already written about the gift of my family. I also need to praise him for my wonderful career. Actually my life has been blessed with multiple careers. I have worked in the cable television industry, traveling the country from Virginia to New York. I've been in education and been blessed with multiple careers as an administrator and teacher. I have served at three wonderful school corporations and with some of the best people in the world. My current assignment in the Interdisciplinary Learning Collaborative at GHS is one of my greatest blessings. God's hand has been with me. I am honored to serve where the Holy Spirit has assigned. I love working with teens and I love working with people dedicated to making the world a better place. 

I am so thankful for the path you have laid before me. Lord, you are amazing and your grace and mercy has brought me through this great adventure we call life. I love the life you have given me. It is a wonderful gift. I love you and praise you for all things . They are not by my doing, but by your power alone. Thank you Lord. Amen!

The greatest week of the year!

“Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69:30-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬. http://bible.com/116/psa.69.30-32.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Sure, I love Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. But, the holiday celebration for Christmas has been twisted so much and the true meaning of the Holiday has been lost. The is not true with the day of Thanksgiving. You have no gifts to worry about. There are no characters to overtake the true meaning, like Santa Claus,  elves, and reindeer. This wonderful Holiday with its meaning on full display by its shear name, is pure! No other holiday do we center on looking back and praising God for his bountiful year. So, today I want to start the celebration by sharing my life of thanksgiving!

Beyond God himself, My family is my greatest joy. I am embarrassed that I have been blessed with such a wonderful family. God's grace is on full display because let me assure you, I do not deserve them. It all started when God brought Stephanie and I together as two innocent teens and 38 years later the family continues to grow and God's hand is still right in the middle of it all. Three wonderful daughters, two amazing son-in-laws, eight grandkids, and a grandson-in-law fill my life with joy and excitement. I can not wait to spend time with all of them this week, except Kelley, darn it, she won't be making it back home!

My greatest joy is that my family knows and follows the Lord. We are not perfect but I am confident the hand of God is using us ALL. Praise God and Thank You Lord for thinking of me! Watch over us, guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Protect us from evil and bring us all to your glory that we may praise you for an eternity! Amen!

Feeling Old!

“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬.  http://bible.com/116/psa.90.10.

I have to admit the past few days I've been a little stressed. I've been sick for almost two weeks and I just can't seem to heal. I'm feeling old. I think all I have is the flu but I can't help but think I am getting near to entering the health risk category known as "the elderly".  No, I'm not 70 and really far from 80, but I've got to admit it is taking me longer to heal. I also have much less tolerance for confrontation and the stress that comes from that. My 56 years of life, 38 years of marriage, and 25 years as an educator have left me with same battle scars. Most of them have made me a better person. I'm not sure that makes them more enjoyable.

Regardless of the pain that is associated with life at work, stressful family situations, financial woes, or just bad luck, I can rest in the arms of Jesus. I heal quicker when I turn things over to my powerful God. I know who holds the answers. I think we/I stress out so much more than I need to. My God, creator of all things, has this. There is no reason to stress. There is no reason to lose sleep. I have come a long way, not by my strength or will, but by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I love you Lord. Thank you for taking charge of my life and the stresses I face every day. I am humbled that you care for me even through all my imperfections. Fill me with your spirit. Fill me with your love and the desire to serve only you. Amen!

Not a political post! Or is it!

““Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/ezk.34.2.niv

Although the election is FINALLY over, the discord in our country is not. I'm saddened that we are so divided. So, I'll try to refocus on Gods word.

When Jesus told us to go, preach the gospel to all nations, he was telling us to take on the role of shepherd. We were to put off the things of this earth and to center our lives on service to the flock. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior, we have only one goal, take care of others and show them the love Christ has shown us. We are to serve sacrificially, with no care for our own needs. If necessary we need to lay down our lives for our flock. Yet, how many times are our own needs placed first. Our decisions to serve are based on selfishness and greed.

I pray Christians will rise up and throw off the things of this world to focus on the things of God. Service to others is the best way we can reach the lost and really make America Great Again.

This Bleeding Heart Conservative has a message for TRUMP!

“O LORD, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day.”

Psalms 88:13 NLT http://bible.com/116/psa.88.13.nlt

I know this will seem hollow. I know how my Democratic friends feel about their loss in this election. I have felt this way in each presidential election for the last 8 years. I know you think this is different with all the rhetoric from this election spewed by both sides. When your party keeps telling you the end is near if Trump wins, you believe them. Well the end may be near. Jesus may come yet tonight or even before Trump takes office. But, I am pleading with you to DIAL it back. Do we really want our legacy to be death and destruction in the streets? You MAY get exactly what you are asking for if you just wait 4 more years. The Republican Party, the conservative movement is at a turning point in history. We have it all! We have the Presidency, the legislative branch, and will take control of the judiciary. We have 4 years (more likely two years) to DO SOMETHING!

IT is time for US to put our money where our mouth is. The reason for electing DJT was to drain the swamp. The reason is 50% of us believed we had to see a different direction to our country. We have a chance to put up or shut up. Will our system work? Let's see!

 I consider myself an old fashion, bleeding heart conservative. We have to fix things and fix them now. We conservatives, can not believe we have a monopoly on what is right. We have to bridge the divide of this country by listening, REALLY listening to the 50% that lost this election. WE HAVE ONE CHANCE. We have only one chance to REALLY make a difference and solve some of humanities toughest problems. We may never get this perfect opportunity again. DON'T MESS THIS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are some   of MY BLEEDING HEART CONSERVATIVE, IDEALS:

1. Our number one problem is to take care of our inner cities and minority communities. NO, I am not saying to just give more handouts. BUT, we need REAL investment in these communities. REAL JOBS and hope. We need better schools. We have to pay for better teachers in these systems. Give incentives to try new things. Pay for the brightest teachers to work there and rebuild there infrastructure to make those schools train minorities for high paying jobs. I'm not saying turn control to the Ed. Unions. They are worse than the democrats. They talk and do nothing. I'm saying to fire those that just collect a pay check and hire those that want to build relationships with kids, teach beyond the test, and give 24/7 to serving students where they are.
FIX OUR INNER CITIES AND VIOLENCE GOES AWAY.

2. Humanitarian Aid WITH Military Action - We need to destroy ISIS. We all talk about keeping Muslims out, Well let's fix the reason they want to come in the first place. We need to use our military might to destroy the brutal muslim regimes causing this crisis. While we do that, let's also use the military might of the U.S. to build protective cities for refugees over in the middle east. Keep them in their homeland, provide schools, jobs, and humanitarian aid to serve them while we oust the dictators and radicals in charge. ISIS must be destroyed.

3. Secure the Border - We can secure the border while still treating illegals with dignity. We must stop the mass migration first AND then provide pathways to citizenship. BUT, we must deal harshly with those that come in and violate ANY of our laws. Compassion with strength.

4. JOBS, JOBS, JOBS - We need to put people to work with REAL jobs, not government funded jobs. We need to spend money like it is going out of style to build infrastructure in  our country. But, the red tape and dumb rules need to GO! People need to be given hope through work. NOT GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS. Small Businesses are the REAL job creators, give them the tools to get it done! BUSINESS IS NOT THE ENEMY.

5. Protect the RIGHTS of ALL people, Christians, the family, the unborn, and yes, gays, lesbians, etc. I know this is not popular. Discrimination of any kind is NOT BIBLICAL. I can protect their rights and not endorse their lifestyle.  But, I should not let protecting the minority become more important than protecting the majority. ALL LIVES MATTER! HATRED HAS NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY. I strongly believe in the BIBLE and believe living a gay lifestyle is against the design of God. BUT, I believe that ALL people are to be created equal. ALL people have the right to pursue happiness, NOT JUST MY HAPPINESS. Do I want them to repent and come to JESUS!? ABSOLUTELY, do their lives matter, YES, YES, YES!

6. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET OUT OF MY LIFE!!!!!!! The government does NOT do anything well AT ANY LEVEL. But it is exponentially worse the further away from the people decisions are made. The federal government is TOO BIG! Taxes are TOO High! WE NEED TO STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DO NOT HAVE! THIS INCLUDES HEALTH CARE. The present system is a ticking time bomb. It is a disaster. BUT, the idea of making sure EVERYONE has health care is solid. So, We need to fix this. We need repeal Obamacare and then REALLY get together so everyone has equal opportunity AT AN AFFORDABLE  cost to live in the shadow of cancer, and other medical issues.

I have more ideas. But Mr. Trump, and the Republican Party better be listening. YOU CAN DO THIS. Just leave the PARTY RHETORIC at home and work TOGETHER to make this a great palce to live! AMEN! AMEN! and AMEN!

Election Day Prayer

“O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭88:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/psa.88.1-3.nlt

I had a student yesterday say they hated our country. I don't think she knows how much she saddened me. I love this country. God, family, and country are the nearest and dearest to my heart. I have been in prayer and I will remain this way through the entire day. No, I'm not staying home from school, but I will pray continually throughout the day and night. I would hope many of you would also be devoted to continuous prayer.

Our nation needs prayer right now, more than election ads, more than campaign rhetoric, more than political parties, and more than the division that exists in our nation. Yes, I pray my mighty God directs the hands of the voters. I pray we will elect the right leaders. I pray we will rise above the divisiveness in our country to solve the real problems ahead of us. I have hope, only through prayer.

Dear Lord, you are Holy. You are mighty. You are my ONLY King and there is no one above you. Please Lord take your power and guide the hands of your servants and your enemies into one vote. Place our next President in YOUR service and the service of the people of this country. I pray the deep divides in this great country will heal. I pray the love we have for you will grow and we will listen to your commands. Keep us safe! Grow our country in a way that is pleasing to your sight. Amen!

Worried?

“Now set the empty pot on the coals. Heat it red hot! Burn away the filth and corruption. But it’s hopeless; the corruption can’t be cleaned out. So throw it into the fire. Your impurity is your lewdness and the corruption of your idolatry. I tried to cleanse you, but you refused. So now you will remain in your filth until my fury against you has been satisfied.”

Ezekiel 24:11-13 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ezk.24.11-13.nlt

I'm not sure why God has sent me to these scriptures lately. They all seem so dark and ominous. The corruption in our government is so deep, it can't be cleared out. God has tried to cleanse us but we refuse. Hopelessness is just 36 hours away. But, today in church my heart was lightened. Remember the verse:

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ........... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew‬ ‭6:26-27, 33-34‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/mat.6.26-27,33-34.nlt

Yes, our nation is in trouble. We are so much like the Israelites of the Bible. They begged for a king. They wanted a King to serve. They ignored God. They were corrupt and God sent them several Kings who were corrupt. He allowed this to happen, for the people to reach rock bottom, so they would seek him. God is sending us into this crazy mixed up election, blinded by the rhetoric of our candidates. We are receiving punishment for our sins , the greatest of which is rejecting him. He wants us, the Christians in this great nation, to wake up. He wants us to put all things aside and serve only him, not our money and not our jobs. He wants us to serve ONLY him! 

We should. It fear or worry about what happens tomorrow. We can not be defeated regardless of who is in the Whitehouse.

God is still in control. He protects the righteous, he protects those that love him. We know who holds the key. It's not a politician , pastor, teacher, or any other leader. God himself  holds the key to our ultimate victory. Praise God!

God Speaks

“The king and the prince will stand helpless, weeping in despair, and the people’s hands will tremble with fear. I will bring on them the evil they have done to others, and they will receive the punishment they so richly deserve. Then they will know that I am the LORD.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭7:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/ezk.7.27.nlt

God is speaking to us. I know some of you think it's weird to admit God has been communicating with you. I truly believe God IS speaking and he wants me to speak.

We are focusing on the wrong thing. We are all very vocal about how disgusted we are with the candidates we have in our upcoming election. I don't think I've ever heard anyone bragging about their candidate in this election. But, here is a news fact: These Candidates are a microcosm of exactly what our country's people are all about.  They not only represent what our political parties stand for, they represent exactly who we are as a people. We can be appalled by Donald Trump's "Locker room talk" but isn't that exactly how we talk as a nation. Aren't we all obsessed with sex. Don't they say sex sells! We can deny it, but we are obsessed with sex.  Are we surprised by the lies and "above the law" mentality of our candidates. Aren't we doing the same thing. We cheat on our taxes, live lives of dishonesty and completely focus on ourselves. Divorce, cheating on spouses, pornography, and destruction of family are normal for non Christians and Christians alike. So why are we surprised with the lawlessness and win at all costs of Hillary and Donald.
           It's not just Hillary wanting late term abortions, some 71 % of Americans agree.  That's just appalling. We say we value life so much that we are willing to take away some of our second ammendment freedoms, while we are completely unwilling to protect the unbornThe two candidates we have are EXACTLY who we are. They are the fruits of our sin and our rejection of God. They are dividing us. Satan is thrilled.

I agree the election is probabily the most important of our time. BUT more important than this election is the sinfulness of our nation and our planet. We need revival in this world. We need revival in this nation, our state and in our communities. If we truly want to change the political landscape let's bring more people to Jesus. If we want to serve our homeless, our poor, our abused, and our orphans instead of depending on our inept government to do it, we need to turn to Jesus. Let's change the hearts of people so the evil in this world will not flourish, but be stopped in its tracks.

We can complain or we can drive the solutions. If we change people, we can change the course of our country. Our politicians are not going to solve our problems. They are the problem. We are the problem and they ARE us!

Plotting, Scheming, Against us!

“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭83:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬. http://bible.com/111/psa.83.5.niv

The news is so full of plotting, scheming, and nefarious activities. Voter fraud, plotting violence, lies, and closed door deals, all sound so glamorous. They sound so much like a sick movie plot, but they are real. The sadness is they are destroying this country from the inside. Satan is the chief organizer. The election is less than three weeks away. The heart and soul of our country is at stake.  Have you ever noticed, Jesus was the center of a revolution and he never had to plot, scheme, or surround himself with scandal. He just loved on the unloveable and served the poor. What a wonderful politician he would make. I wonder how many of us would vote for him. He is real, today, in 2016.

Jesus is not running for election. The two people running claim to be his followers. Like all of us they are flawed, sinful people. They each have done things that don't represent the heart of our Lord. Yet, we need them. We need a leader. Choosing that leader is going to be difficult. We need to pray about thi choice. Our hearts need to be open to Gods direction. The spirit will move and a president will be elected. I pray one thing for our country. I pray the people of this great country will turn back to the Lord. I pray our leaders, wether they are a follower or  not, will be used for the purposes of God and our country will be used to fulfill his plan. 

Dear Lord, I love you and know you are in charge. Your perfect will, your perfect plan, will move forward regardless who is in the white house. Because I have no control over any of this, I turn it over to you. I trust you. I love you. I honor you and I worship you. Amen!

Sometimes I just can't Shut-Up!

“I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words: “ LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭39:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/psa.39.1-5.nlt

This is so appropriate for me today and, really, most days. I am getting way to old to worry about what people think of me. While a younger Steve would be more reserved and have more concern about the consequences of my words, this older me shares what is on his heart. Couple that with my growing passions, you should be forewarned. My passion for students and doing what's best for them is not always taken with a positive or constructive attitude.  When I share my thoughts about my family, I don't mix words. Time is short, I don't have time to be politically correct!  When I share about Christ, I am getting more bold and outspoken. Sin is sin. If it's says it in the Bible it's true. There is no gray area when it comes to the gospel message. Christ Died for our sins. He wants us to confess and pledge our lives to him. So, sometimes I just can't shut up. 

Dear Lord, I am your servant and I praise you for this life you have provided. I pray your hand will be active in my life. Guide my tongue to be used for your purposes. Help me to share the urgency of bringing people to know you. Sin is sin.  May I never whitewash those things that separate people from the love of God. May I never twist the message of the Gospel to be politically correct. May I never sacrifice my values to win the popularity vote. I am proud of who I am and I praise a God for the person he has made. I love you Lord. Amen!

God is near!

“I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.””
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:55-57‬ ‭NIV‬‬. http://bible.com/111/lam.3.55-57.niv

It is so easy to panic and overrun with despair. Our world is spiraling to the end times. In the past, I have laughed at others who have shared the same thoughts. I truly sense the end. I do not know how long the end will take. I do not fear it. In fact, I rejoice in the idea I will be seated with the God. Even though we are stuck in the depths of the pit , God is with us. He will deliver us. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are being tortured and murdered. They are suffering directly for Christ. If we continue to call on the name of the Lord, we will be blessed. We will be protected. We will live in paradise. God is near! Praise God he is near!

Sadness

“It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence. Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.”

Jeremiah 52:3 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.52.3.niv

For the past month I have been studying the book of Jeremiah. I have to tell you, it's been a little depressing. I can't help but see all the parallels to my own country. I am so saddened by the complete rejection of God. I just read a facebook post of 28 popular celebrities that are devout atheists. I was saddened to hear Amy Grant's theology. It doesn't much look like my own. Yes, I am saddened our country is turning away from God. We are rebelling just like Jerusalem. We have turned our backs on the creator of all things. I fear the punishment of the Lord for our blatant, unrepented sin. 

It's times like these we need to remain steadfast in the Lord. It's times like this we need to cling even tighter to our loving savior, lean on him, and trust in him. I praise God because he has promised to never forsake those that follow him. We need to focus on that Love while the world collapses all around us. 

A nation divided

“This is what the LORD says: “Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Moab. Its cities will fall, and its strongholds will be seized. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor. Moab will no longer be a nation, for it has boasted against the LORD.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭48:40-42‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/jer.48.40-42.nlt

I fear for our nation. Isn't it said "A nation divided can not stand!" Yes, I believe it was Abraham Lincoln, as he talked about the civil war, that rightly stated we can not survive apart. We are more divided now than ever before. I , maybe naively, thought Trump could unite us. I thought that his allegiance to no single ideology could bridge the divide. He isn't a strong republican and neither is he a democrat. He has taken stands that have been supportive of both parties. Somehow his personality has lit a firestorm and we are embroiled in minutia. His threat to the status quo was too much. An all out war has been declared by both sides to tear down the other. The American public are collateral damage. We accepted a president who had an affair and illicit sex  while in the whitehouse, now it is the death nail for a candidate to have the same failures.  We have had gangster rappers invited to share their craft and are completely appalled by private talk no different than those "hallowed" lyrics. I am disgusted by both sides. Our morality is gone. I agree we need a Godly man or woman in the leadership role in our country. We don't need a sexual maniac running our county. We also don't need a pathological Liar with complete hate for the opposition appointing Supreme Court justices. Unfortunately no Godly man or woman  is on the ballot. They are not only both vehement sinners, they also both think they are not. They neither one could care about God. How can I say that? Just look at their actions. God fearing people don't do what they are doing.   God help us!

 I have complete disdain for the beliefs of 50% of our citizenry and that same 50% believes I'm deplorable, dumb, and irredeemable. 50% believe it's a sin for me to say all lives matter. 50% believe the unborn child is equal to an appendix. 50% believe God has no place in our daily lives. 50% hate that I define marriage between a man and woman. 50% hate me - a white, Christian, male and think I have been given undeserved success for my hard work, 50% believe the government knows best. Yes we are split, we are divided. Just like in THE CIVIL WAR, families are torn apart. Even some of my own "kin" say as much. Yes, we are in a civil war. Really, it's not very civil but it does look a lot like war. Shots have already been fired, casualties are pouring in. The battle lines have been drawn. Trenches are being dug. The fight will change us forever. The fight wouldn't even be necessary if we had not rejected the Lord. Now we face war because we have ignored God for so many years. We have turned from him and tried it alone. Doomed. Doomed. Doomed. We are all doomed. UNLESS..........

Sadness would overwhelm me except for one warm thought. This is not my country. I am just a tourist. My home is with Jesus and regardless how bad this civil war gets, I know where I will spend eternity and it's not in the USA. My joy can not be stolen. I can only hope and pray, Jesus returns soon. Come Lord Jesus. Until then our nation is divided and will fall. We are headed into the abyss.

Getting caught up!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.29.11.niv

I've been swamped lately. I just can't get ahead at school and at home. I have a break coming up on Friday. I'm looking forward to working from home and getting caught up. 

Stress has a way of draining you. I am so thankful the Lord is my refuge where I can turn to when my life gets crazy busy. I can rest that he has a plan. He knows what I need and when I need it. He gives me time to get done the things he wants done. I just need to rest in him. Praise God for his marvelous and wonderful plans for my life! I love you Lord!

Repetition! Repetition! Repetition!

“For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.”

Jeremiah 25:3-4 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.25.3-4.niv

I remember my Dad constantly telling me to shut off the lights. I have told my grandkids a hundred times to close the door. As a math teacher, I can't even count the number of times I talked about y=mx+b, the Pythagorean theorem, or pi r squared. I might have to repeat those things a hundred times in a week. It has taken 23 years in education to develop patience with my math students.

God feels the same way about me and you. What special message does he constantly repeat to you? For me it's the idea I don't have to be in control. I say I'm listening but in all honesty I need it repeated over and over again. Out of all the traits of my loving Heavenly Father his patience is most amazing. He has been so patient with me in all my stubbornness.  I praise him for his love and that love shows up when he gently tells me not to worry. He shares this calming message every day, every hour and sometimes minute by minute. Thank You Lord!

What does it really mean?

““Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.”Jeremiah 22:15-16 NIV.  http://bible.com/111/jer.22.15-16.niv

These verses remind me what being a follower of Christ is all about. What does it REALLY mean to know the Lord? Am I a great Christian because I pray, read my bible, and worship? Am I a great follower because I go to church every Sunday? I think the answer is an obvious NO. So what defines me as a follower? 

We are called to serve, to pursue justice, and lift the poor and needy. Sitting in a church pew, quietly reading the word, or praying for yourself do not fullfill the action the Lord requires. Our calling is to serve? It is a constant battle of our sinful nature to focus on others over ourselves. It is difficult to pursue justice and fairness without the influence of selfishness and bias. Our political correct society doesn't always support what is TRULY right. Yes, worship, prayer, and studying the word are critical. But, those things without justice, service, and action means nothing. We can't have one without the other.

Dear Lord, forgive me for focusing my life on myself. Guide me into action. Help me to respond to the needs of others and show your love to all people I meet with every day, even the unloveable. Amen.

Undefeated

“But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jer.20.11.nlt

I am undefeated.

I  am a Miami Dolphin football fan. The Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to go undefeated during the entire season all the way through the Super Bowl. It's a feat others have come close to but no one has matched. It's so difficult in any sport, at any level to finish the season undefeated.

I am undefeated. I'm 56 years old. I've been a follower of Christ for 44 years. My Lord is in control of my life. I have struggled with life's challenges, I have had to overcome adversity and traversed a multitude of obstacles. I have always come out victorious. I have always seen the guiding hand of God and his warrior angels at the ready to defend me. They have rescued me from real evil. It's the power of Jesus that  keeps my perfect record intact. Jesus perfects my life through his wonderful grace, mercy, and peace. 

Praise the Lord that I am protected from all evil. I praise the Lord that I am forever and always victorious in Christ.

No Apologies

“The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, LORD, but help us for the sake of your own reputation. We have turned away from you and sinned against you again and again.”

Jeremiah 14:7 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jer.14.7.nlt

We are the cause of our own destruction. The human race is caught up in its own wickedness, it's own perversion, and it's own selfish/sinful desires. We have sinned against God again, and again. It is not surprising to see the rampant destruction, persecution of believers, and the anarchy that surrounds us. We can not continue to avoid the consequences of living a life without Jesus. I am so amazed by these verses in that they at tempt to coerce the Oord to rescue us through his own reputation. It's sad that God's standing in this world is tied to our sinfulness.

Christians rise up! Fight for the souls of the lost. Boldness is demanded! Serve the Lord openly with strength and power. No apologies, no meekness, no political correctness. Serve the Lord because the kingdom is an hand! We are representing the Lord. His reputation is tied to our actions. We must be in constant prayer for guidance and protection in our war against the evils of this world. We can not avoid this battle. We need to engage the enemy immediately.

Losing control

“Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O LORD our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us.” Jeremiah 14:22 NLT http://bible.com/116/jer.14.22.nlt

I believe my God created the universe. He is in control of all things, yet he has given up much of that control to us. But there are dome things we can just not do. We cant bring rain, we can't control the rising and setting of the son. We can not prevent death, although we constantly try. We can not create. Only my wonderful loving God creates. That power, that strength, in the midst of mercy and grace completely describe my faith. God has the power to control all things yet he has given us free will. He will not interfere unless we ask him to. That power and freedom have drawn me to him. So, I yield back control of my life. 

I have turned control of my life back to the Lord. I need to do this act daily. My sinful nature wants to take control. I'm not good at being in control of my life. The Lord is. I praise him for 44 years in control of my life. I could never have designed such a delightful life. Praise Hod for his faithfulness, his wisdom, his power, and his plan. Amen!

Fear

““I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind. This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you,” declares the Lord, “because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods.”

Jeremiah 13:24-25 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jer.13.24-25.niv

It's not easy to talk about your fears. I don't have many. I'm not afraid of snakes. I'm not afraid of spiders, I'm not afraid of storms. I don't have many fears because the Lord is in charge of my life. I trust him completely. As I read the bible how the people of the Lord forgot about him and abandon him and then were punished, I fear doing that myself. It might be irrational, I know my Lord will not leave me. But, will I abandon the Lord? I've been with the Lord for over 44 years of my life as a servant and a follower. I have also fallen away at times in those same years. I have not always been faithful and yet I have not been punished. I have not been abandon. There have been many times I should have been. I don't fear the Lord because he is more than just. I fear myself and the sinful nature that lives inside. So, what do I do? How do I deal with this irrational fear? My strategy is simple. I deal with the fear of my own thoughts and deeds by co tinting to draw closer to the Lord. I study his word. I pray to him and surround myself with people that love the Lord.

My sinful nature is still inside me. With the help of the power of the creator of the universe I will overcome and defeat the sinful nature that lives inside. I can not do I without the Lord. My fears are gone when I am with the Lord. So I spend all the time I can with him.

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!

Telling it like it is.........

“Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.””

John 8:23-24 NLT

http://bible.com/116/jhn.8.23-24.nlt

Sometimes I just don't say the right things. I don't use the politically correct words. I often am too blunt, straight to the point. It's not popular to deliver the truth when it may cause stress on an individual or group. So, people are afraid to tell it like it is. That is also true bout sharing the gospel. People don't like to share because it can make others very uncomfortable. The result , people will die an eternal death. 

Christians wake up!

 Time is short! 

No one will be saved if we are unwilling to share the powerful truth of the gospel. We can't dance around the ultimate consequence of sin. 

Our sins, left unforgiven,  will drive us to the grave. We will not see eternity. We will not live in paradise. We will die! Jesus told the truth, in love. We need to do the same. The salvation of the world is at stake!

Oh to be young!

“When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless. Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.”

Ecclesiastes 11:8-9 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.8-9.nlt

It's ok for kids to have fun. Being in education, I see so many students stressed and exhausted. They run from school to extracurricular activities, to homework, and then try to have some fun. They run circles around most adults with schedules that are packed full in a NORMAL day!  

Many have said it -- "When are we going to let kids be kids?" We are trying so hard to make them into tiny adults. Why? Maybe your motives are pure. Most parents want the best for their kids. They want a life filled with joy and they worry about not giving their kids all the opportunities to get ahead. But, we forget to make sure they enjoy life and they have joy as apart of their daily routine.

My greatest advice from an old guy to a young Christian, enjoy every moment of your life. Life is a blessing. Life is a gift from above. Take it all in. Savor each waking moment. You can go around stressing about every decision, every barrier, and every trial. Or you can sit back and consider all things as pure joy! We need to take it all in. We need to celebrate every moment and as you "mature" don't stop. Take the time to smell the roses, enjoy the presence of friends and family. Rejoice in every day of your life. Our lives are blessed!

Praise God for our youth and the promise of a future in eternity!

I just don't understand!

“Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.”

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.5-6.nlt

Sometimes I just don't get it. My daughter moved back to Indiana over 4 months ago. Since that time her family of 6, two dogs, a fish, and a now deceased hamster has shared our home. They are more than ready to get back to living on their own. They can't do anything until their house in Missouri sells. There in lies our frustration. We have fervently prayed over this simple request. Why Lord? Why won't God answer this request? 

A friends grandson is down at Riley, suffering from an unknown illness. We have prayed for wisdom for the medical team. We have prayed for healing. We have prayed non stop to the Lord. No answer. Why?

A colleague's son suffered a severe brain trauma  few weeks ago. He has been on the road to recovery with the miraculous hand of God. People have been in prayer for him as well. Today he has surgery. We will be in prayer throughout the day. Why does this family have to go through this ordeal?

I have seen the power of God through all parts of my life. I trust in the Lord even though I don't always understand him. I know he is working even when I don't see it. I admit I get frustrated, but that does not mean I don't trust him. I do. My Lord is great and powerful. He loves me and knows what's best for me. I will continue to plead and pray, but I pray for God's will more than anything. 

I love you Lord. I trust you! I am honored that you are with me through every moment of this wonderful life you have given. Amen!

Waiting for better weather

“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.4.nlt

I have visited many states. While in Maine this summer one of the people shared a comment about Maines forever changing weather. The same comments are made here in Indiana and most states. Weather is changes. So, being a motorcyclist you will ride in some bad weather or you just won't ride at all. The number of predicted great riding days are few and far between. So, I often head out for a ride when my chances are good I'm going to get wet. 

In order to change this world, we must do things differently or be doomed to repeat our sins of the past. First and foremost we need to listen to the Holy Spirit inside us to guide our lives. If we do that, changes will happen. If we wait for perfect weather to share the gospel message, it will never happen. We need to boldly go to share the Lord, even if we don't get it quite right all the time. We can't wait! The time is now!

Need to know?

“In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.”

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.8.16-17.nlt

What is God up to? I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. This world is crazy. Our country is changing. We have huge racial issues. We can't even agree that all lives matter. Law enforcement are chastised for keeping the peace and the political divides continue to grow. Yet, I know God is still in control. 

We just don't have the wisdom of God. 

Our eyes are not sharp enough, our ears not sensitive enough, our minds not smart enough to know, see, or hear the plans of our Heavenly Father. 

Faith!

We must have faith. If we, as children of God, are in the center of his will, we will be protected from the craziness. We will be led on the path through to eternity. It is not necessary to know the will of God. We don't need to know his thoughts or his plan. It is only important to follow the promptings of his spirit. I have prayed many times to know his will or have it revealed to me. It's the wrong prayer! I should be more concerned about being in his spirit, being open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit, than  actually knowing his will. We can not know the will of God completely. We must be open to the speaking of the spirit for direction and guidance. We should always leave the details of the plans to the God who created all things.

Not asking much

““The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.”

Malachi 2:5-6 NLT. http://bible.com/116/mal.2.5-6.nlt

God does not demand much. I know, most of us grew up looking at God as the God of rules. I built a pretty good "thou shalt not.... " list that made me feel I was living life as if walking through a minefield. Around every corner, of my early life, I felt temptations and challenge to my safe, peace, and grace filled world. This first week of school is filled with listing rules and expectations. By the end of this week most students get the impression school is just about the rules. Hopefully we can change that opinion over the next 177 days of school.

All God wants from us is for us to treat him with reverence, do not lie or cheat, and to live quiet peaceful lives. The idea of walking with the creator of the universe is an amazing concept. But, that is exactly what he invites us to do. It should speak volumes about our God. He is about building a quiet, peaceful relationship. He just wants to be with us and love us throughout eternity. 

Praise God he loves me!

What do I get out of this? -- School Begins!!!!!!

“Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 NLT. http://bible.com/116/ecc.2.21-23.nlt

I could not sleep last night. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not sick, suffering, or in pain. I'm excited to get another school year going. Some might look at this as madness. Not so! I can answer the question, "what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?" 

Joy

Yes, I get pure , God filled, joy from my work. I can't express how much I really love going to GHS every single day! I am losing sleep tonight because I am excited to start another wonderful year at Garrett High School as a teacher.  I work along side an amazing group of educators. They are all hard working professionals. I can't count the number of hours we worked this summer to get ready for this moment. We are family. We pray together, cry together, laugh together, fight each other, protect each other, and push each other to be better educators. Life at GKB is wonderful and completely rewarding. I DO NOT dread going to school. The media portrays teachers as hating what they do. Well, that is not GKB. Praise God for this community, our school, it's teachers and support staff. What we do has great meaning! What we do impacts the lives of young people, our communities, and ultimately the world!

Dear Lord, Please guide our teaching staff this year. Give us the wisdom to deal with the mountains and the valleys of life. We have several students battling with critical medical issues. Be with them and their families. We also have students that deal with so many barriers every day. Barriers that keep them from being their best. Give us patience and wisdom in building relationships with all the students we serve. Be with our administration as they plan, support, and direct the path of our students and staff. Be with all the support workers, they are the unsung heroes that work tirelessly behind the scenes.  Help us to remember, every moment, that we are your voice and your hands in this world at school, at home, and in our community. WE need your Holy Spirit to direct our steps every single day. We love you! We honor you! We praise your holy name! Amen!

How to be blessed!

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

Malachi 3:10 NLT

http://bible.com/116/mal.3.10.nlt

You probably get tired of me saying how blessed I am. You're going to keep hearing it. In reality I could receive even more blessings if I would just obey and follow the path God has placed before me. The word of God lays out a wonderful plan for each of us. Prayer brings clarity and specifics to our lives. Listening and acting on the directions of the Holy Spirit will provide blessings beyond our wildest imagination. Our store houses will explode!

I am trying to obey God. I'm not focused on the blessings. I'm focused on obedience. Blessings are a wonderful byproduct of obedience to God. I don't always get it right. I'm on a path to be more obedient, to serve my God completely!

Dear Lord, I love you. I am blessed and humbly want to serve you more every day. I know I don't deserve this wonderful life you have given. I praise you for yoUr grace! Amen!

Humility

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah 9:9 NLT.  http://bible.com/116/zec.9.9.nlt

The age of humility is gone. Maybe it never existed. 

I know ONE true leader that humbled himself before his people. He even gave his life for his people. 

Jesus demonstrated real leadership. 

Today our political leaders know NO humility and do not care about being righteous, victorious, and humble.  Can you picture ANY of our current leaders riding on the colt of a donkey? I know plenty ordinary people who are humble servants.  Why can't our leaders , lead with grace and mercy? 

I would vote for someone who is genuinely humble. I would vote for someone who puts others before campaigning or grabbing headlines. I would vote for a leader that would have compassion for the homeless, our nations veterans, the orphans, and the widows. Instead they are focused on helping special interest groups, courting big money, and being "politically correct". Our nation and world are heading down a dangerous path. BUT, remember who our REAL LEADER is. Remember the sacrifice and service he made for all of us. Remember the home he has prepared for us and the eternal life we are granted. PRAISE GOD! Jesus has saved us from all of the turmoil and selfishness of this world.

Dear Lord, Give us a spirit of humility. Give us a servant's heart. Give us compassion for our fellow man, our enemies and friends alike. We need your spirit. We need your love, mercy, and grace. Guide me in your path. Walk with me and direct my steps. Amen!

Listening to the Enemy!

11“Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. 12They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them. Zechariah 7:11-12

Many of you that follow me on social media know I am deeply involved in politics. One of my strongest values in life is being an informed voter. Yes, I am a strong conservative. I have never voted for a democrat for President of the United States. However, I have voted for many democrats for national, state, and local elections and I will never say I could not vote for a democrat. More important than WHO I vote for is the fact that I listen to the other side. So many of my Republican friends are plugging their ears this week and not willing to even listen to the Democrats at their convention. I have to say it was exciting. I also am about just listening. It is awesome that I have a place to go to follow the happenings, every speaker, without commentary. Three more nights. We need to listen to the "Enemy". We need to try to understand each other. We need to disagree without hatred. We need to seek places where we agree. We need to be one nation, UNDER GOD!

When we won't listen to the people we disagree with, I am fearful for this planet. I am also fearful for those that won't listen to the Lord speaking to their hearts. I pray their cold, hard, hearts will melt away and listen to the creator of the universe. God is not silent in this world. He is speaking loudly to anyone who will listen. He is sharing the recipe for peace and joy. He is sharing love, mercy, and grace. I can not fathom the patience the Lord has with our stubbornness. We need to fall on our knees and praise him at the same time we beg forgiveness for our division. Sit down in quietness and listen to the Lord. He will speak to you!!!!!

I love you Lord. I praise you Lord. Please heal our division. Bring us together as a nation. Bring us together to lift up the downtrodden, to rescue the lost, and care for the weak. We need you Lord Jesus. Amen!

Regardless of politics ---- We are United in Christ!

10The lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. 11Many nations will join themselves to the lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. Zechariah 2:10-11

I am so honored to be a follower of Christ and I am equally proud that being a Christian is not designed for some narrow group of people. Our faith is open to everyone. You do not have to be perfect to call yourself a follower of Christ. The message of the gospel is open to all nations, all people. We aren't all democrats. This isn't some exclusive club for republicans. All races, economic backgrounds, and political beliefs can and do serve the Lord. We can disagree with each other as long as we are united in our faith in the Lord. That opening of the faith came with the presence of Jesus Christ, among us!

I praise God for the diversity of our faith and love everyone despite our differences. There is so much in this world that divides us. I can't believe the amount of energy and effort that goes behind identifying our differences. The turmoil that is growing in our own country and certainly around the world is fed by people promoting our differences. It is nice to know there is a place we can go where we can be as one. The cross of Jesus is that place. 
I have had many "Social media" debates with friends and family. But, I want it to be clear I love those same family and friends that I vehemently disagree with. I would do anything for them and want nothing but the best for them. The heat will continue to grow as we near this next election. I just want us to remember we are all called to love each other and serve the one true God and the Lord of all. Thank You Lord!

Dear Lord, Please bring us together. There is so much hate and division in this world. We are constantly bombarded by our differences. Unite us Lord. Help us to realize we are all one under your power, your love, your mercy, and your grace. I pray that as we come to you know you that we will begin to center our lives around your love. I praise you for this wonderful life we live. Amen!