Praise God for the American Farmer!

“You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65:9-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/psa.65.9-13.nlt

Praise God for the gift of Farmers!

These are some perfect verses for this time of year. It is harvest time and my mind always wanders to the wonderful farmers I know. I can only imagine their stress and strain this time of year. The battle with the weather and the struggle of a season of potential disaster that has lurked around every corner is nearing an end. The final results of their labors will reflect in the crop yields. I know so many great farm families in our area. I greatly appreciate the efforts of these wonderful people and pray an extra blessing for their families. I have never gone without food and that is not a testament to me as much as it is a testament to our farmers. I don’t know the long hours of harvesting trying to beat the rain. I don’t know the financial impact of a combine or tractor going down at a crucial time. I don’t know the sleepless nights worrying about the rise and fall of the ag markets. Very few of us know of the dedication and hard work of the ENTIRE farm family. All we see is the final product and most of us take that for granted. So, I just want to say thank you! We love you and ask Gods blessing and favor with you during this season!

Praise God for the American Farmer!

God Speaks

'For God speaks again and again, though people do not
recognize it.'Job 33:14 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JOB.33.14

We have to listen to the Lord. He is always speaking to us. He speaks to us in dreams,
visions, and through other people. Yet, when was the last time you listened for the voice
of God? Our Vice President was harassed because he claimed to hear the voice of God.
That is just so sad.

We need to be in tune to the voice of our creator. We need to be aware he wants to provide
HIS wisdom and guidance in our circumstances. We just need to be listening. We can
become more in tune with his voice through worship, reading his word, meditating, and
praying continuously. LISTEN TO THE LORD, for he is speaking. We need to stop, be
quiet, and listen to the Lord. Do it right now. Hear his voice. Enter his presence.

Why do we fight amongst ourselves?

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18


I have been with the Christian Motorcyclists Association Ministry for 8 or 9 years. But before this ministry, I have been involved with Church ministry a lot longer. I was a Church Youth Director, a Sunday School teacher of adults, youth, and children. I have served on countless committees and worked with church leaders in multiple churches. I have also had a father that was a minister and a mom deeply involved with the leadership in churches. I can say without any hesitation, ALL of the ministries I have been exposed to have had issues. You would think being a Christian Ministry with the focus on bringing others to Jesus, you would NOT have conflict and you would not have "petty" bickering.  Sadly, that is just not true. I love that the Lord sent me these verses this morning. I WISH EVERY MINISTRY would follow these simple guidelines.  Instead we battle amongst ourselves while the enemy attacks the lost, the poor, and the homeless, and the downtrodden, we focus on ourselves. 

It is so difficult to do ministry when there is conflict between each other. The focus instantly changes from EXTERNAL to INTERNAL. So many ministry teams have lost sight of the goal. They have taken the focus off our service to others and focused efforts on power and personalities. We cut down our pastors and leaders when they make even the tiniest of mistakes. When they make a HUGE   error, there is no such thing as grace, mercy, or love. 

It is no wonder it is difficult to get people to volunteer for leadership in ministries. Who would want to take the abuse, and the critical analysis every day? If we can't live peacefully with each other, how can we serve the lost? How can be COMPEL people to join the faith in our Lord Jesus?

If you are involved with a MINISTRY of ANY KIND, you should take these INSTRUCTIONS and live them every day of your life. 

imPOSSIBLE

He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Last night we had a wonderful event at my school. Our FCA Chapter led a "Fields of Faith" event. This event was completely planned and led by students. Students gave testimonies of what the Lord has done for them. We had a teen worship band and a wonderful young lady lead us in great worship with her beautiful voice. An invitation was given to commit and recommit their lives to Christ. One of my students was the organizer. She was so worried no one would attend. She was letting herself panic and stress. Last night 598 people attended this wonderful event. That is the power of the message of the Cross.

Just like this student leader, we doubt the power of Jesus. We tout this wonderful faith we have. Yet, when pushed, our faith is so weak. We think everything relies on us. We just don't get it. We know the powerful message in Luke 18:27. Yet, we think that is for other people and not us. The power of the Cross is for all of us. IF we can just get to the point where we step back and let Jesus take over, we can see the impossible become possible. The God of the Universe can and does do the impossible for US.  All we have to do is rely on him. All we have to do is commit our lives to him. Focus on him and his plan and then just get out of the way. 

Dear Lord, I praise you for your power and might in this world. I see your powerful hand in so many areas of my life. I thank you for last night. I thank you for showing up for a bunch of teenagers in Garrett, Indiana. IT means so much in their faith walk. It means so much that we have young people that believe in you and will openly and powerfully share the gospel message to their community. I praise YOU Lord for doing the impossible every day of my life. Amen!

Now and Forever!

21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer1:21 Or has testified against me. and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” 
Ruth 1:21

There have been times in my life I have been angry at God. I have disagreed with the hand he dealt me. I have dedicated my life to him. No, I am not perfect. I am a sinner. But, just like Naomi, I have felt the Lord has abandoned me at times in my life. 

God can handle our disappointment and our anger at him. The most important thing is how we move on. Do we let our disappointment and anger toward the Lord separate us from him. Do we let it affect our trust and our faith?  The question is, "Do we trust in the Lord or not?"  Do we just trust him when he follows our plan or do we trust him always?

I have been angry with the Lord. I have plead with him and been upset with a NO answer. But, I want to state as clearly as I can, I TRUST THE LORD NOW AND FOREVER!  There is no tragedy, there is no disappointment, there is no amount of turmoil that can separate me from the Lord. It is so easy to rest in his plan because I have seen that plan for 58 years of life. It is perfect and even though I shake my head, beat my chest, and throw a fit, the Lord know what he is doing and I do NOT doubt his love for me and the perfectness of that plan. I love you LORD. I am deeply humbled by your love. Please Lord continue to mold me into the person you would have me be.

I am the least.

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” Judges 6:15

Have you ever felt you were up against an impossible task? Have you ever felt inadequate for the job ahead of you. Do you yourself as the WORST choice in your family, at work, or in ministry? God doesn't give us easy, comfortable tasks to complete. God wants us to grow. He wants to stretch us and he wants to take us into a life where HIS POWER and HIS GLORY will be on full display. In my 58 years of life I have seen, first hand, the power of the Lord AND I have been rescued from chaos and my own weaknesses. 

Throughout my life, GOD has never abandoned me. God has brought me through trial, pain, loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of confidence, pain, stress, and anxiety. It is during these times that the REAL POWER of the LORD is on display. Sitting quietly in the background of life, is just not how the Lord works. He takes the weakest, he takes the least qualified, he takes those that have lost all hope, and works through them for HIS GLORY. There is no one that is too far gone that the Lord can NOT use. Draw close to the Lord. Turn your life to him. In all your weakness, devote what you have to the Lord of the Universe. Sit back and watch him work. You will be amazed. Praise God he loves EVEN me. 

Gimme a Break!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 
Matthew 11:28

We are less than a week away from our FALL BREAK. I am looking forward to the trip to Arkansas and the CMA Fall Colors Rally. While we won't be sleeping in late every day, we will get some rest and relief from life's burdens. I might be selfish but I really need this time away. The speed and fullness of the every day activities both at school, ministry, and at home, are stressful and wearisome. We ALL need to take time away. We need to find daily relief as well as long term relief.  

One of the reasons I love the CMA Colors Rally is that the pace of life slows down while there. We also can just rest with friends who share our passion for the Savior. We laugh, we pray, we relax, we fellowship and we truly get a break from the world.

Find some place, some event, some activity where you can rest and dump the burdens of life. Take time to rest. Take time to refocus on the Lord. I love that the Lord orchestrates my life and GIVES me times to do that. I praise him that he cares for me so much that he gives me peace and rest throughout my day, my week, my year, and ultimately my life.  Thank you Lord!

Life filled with the Kingdom of God!

6:33 Some manuscripts do not include of God.33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33

I have everything I need. The Lord has provided WAY more than I need. I am blessed and am so happy with where my life has come from and where it is going. I am not sure how "Righteously" I have lived but I can tell you I have and continue to SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I'm not perfect. I have failures in life. But, my greatest accomplishment is that I love the Lord and am pursuing a life filled with the Lord.

Today I lift up my family. I have such a wonderful family filled with 1 great granddaughter, 12 grandkids (including one by marriage), 2 son-in-laws, three daughters, and 1 amazing wife. It is so great to see THEM pursue the Lord and seeking his kingdom. They are in the midst of life, fighting battles, and trying to live righteously. It is not easy to stay the course with all the EVIL in this world.  I pray the Lord is with them today. Today COULD be a defining moment in their lives. They need the Lord to intervene in everything they do. I pray the Lord will give them everything they need and fill them with love, joy, and grace. 

Pray for Miracles!

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends
John 15:13

It is really the most amazing fact of my faith, Jesus, the SON of the most High God gave his life for ME! I can't help but ask WHY would he do this. I have done nothing to earn that kind of Love. I couldn't do anything the rest of my lifetime to pay back that kind of dedication. It makes me love the Lord more every day.

In our fast paced, CRAZY, society we don't take time to slow down and reflect on the gifts and blessings from the Lord. Obviously, the greatest of these is his love and sacrifice on the cross. But, there are so many other little things we also ignore. The Creator of the Universe is STILL performing miracles in this world. God has performed miracles in the life of my family right now.  So, we pray for miracles. We pray for things that happen in a way that can not be explained except through his love. Why don't you try it?  Devote your life to the Lord, pray for his miraculous power to show up in your life. It will happen. 

Praise God!

Dear Lord, I am amazed by your love. I LOVE you beyond anything I can possibly say on paper. That Love is deep in my heart. I pray today for miracles in my family. I pray for miracles in my community. Show your powerful hand in our lives. Fill us with your spirit. Give us your wisdom, give us your mercy, give us your grace. Help us to be your hands and feet in this crazy mixed up world.AMEN!

I needed this

1O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

2You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

4You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

5You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

7I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

8If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,

139:8 Hebrew to Sheol.you are there.

9If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

11I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—

12but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day.

Darkness and light are the same to you.

Psalms 139:1-12

I love the presence of the Lord in my life. I constantly see his hand in all that I do. We all have to deal with problems and trials. I have a place to go to ask for help. Just last night I received a call that I really had no idea how to react to. I was at a loss to respond. It was an attack from Satan and I was distressed. UNTIL, I  turned to prayer. God has begun to work through the situation. Even when darkness surrounds me, even when the world seems to be void of Love, God is right there and he is not silent. Praise God for his grace, mercy and strength. I can not imagine life without my Savior. I just wish everyone knew the peace I get from him.  I feel such anger and hate in the world. I feel the world is full of stress and turmoil. I see people that are starved for attention because they are lonely. If people knew MY Savior their lives would be filled with peace, love, and they would ABSOLUTELY never be alone.

THE WORLD NEEDS THE LORD. I will serve him with all my heart and do everything I can to make sure others see HIS love through me. Psalms 139 is a great comfort in my every day living for the Lord. Praise God for his word!