For everyone!

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36 NLT)

I love that my God is a god of everyone. He shows no favoritism and he accepts anyone op who fears him. He has no preconceived notions. He knows us. He knows our sins. He knows we ALL sin. He loves us anyway! He will accept Muslims, gang members, hardcore bikers, and you and me. 

I get the opportunity to represent Jesus today at a couple motorcycle events. I'll wear Jesus on my back patch and represent the gospel with my words and actions. I praise God he has chosen me for this ministry. I am honored and humbled. Tomorrow I get to share our mission with another group of bikers, pray with them, and share our passion with a church congregation. It's a busy weekend,but it is worth it to let EVERYONE know that Jesus is Lord of EVERY nation!

Dear Lord, I praise you for your love. I am honored to be a child of the most high God. Use me this weekend for your purposes. Use me to share your message and to show everyone that you long for a relationship. Give me the words to say and give me the actions that are pleasing to you. Amen!

God is alive in my church!

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7 NIV)

We had a perfectly wonderful church service today at CLCG. I am awestruck how God can use our own deepest dark days to bring light to the world. Today our Worship Arts Director opened his heart about his life of anxiety and depression. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. It takes so much to open up like that. I praise Kevin and Erica for being open to God using them in this powerful way and I thank God for using our services to speak to the lost and those struggling with life.

I often talk about my perfect life on this blog. I also mention how sometimes it's even embarrassing to have it so good. I don't want the struggles, I don't want the pain, no one does. I know that God does use all things for his good purpose. He uses the good and the bad times in my life. I have struggled at times in my own life. I have never dealt with anything as powerful as anxiety or depression. I am grateful. He has taken all my life experiences and molded them into my testimony. I can tell of his great love through the events like the birth and loss of our children. I have seen his powerful right hand through financial struggles, job stress, and other daily trials. He is with all of us with no trials, great trials and small ones. I am forever in his debt for these things and sending his son to die for me, a flawed sinner.

Praise God for his control of my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters inChrist. I praise you for your love, mercy, and grace. I love you and need you! Praise for Kevin and Erica. Bless them and their family. Heal Kevin and bring peace to his life and the lives of those who are dear to him. Continue to use him for your wonderful purposes! Show him your presence and your wisdom every day of his life. Be with our church as we continue to grow in number and in our relationship with you. Amen!

Only the lonely!

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15, 16 NIV)

Tonight in my Billy Graham devotional I read this story:

"Some time ago a lady wrote and said, “I am 65 years old. My children are all married, my husband is dead, and I am one of the loneliest people in all the world.” It was suggested to her that she find a way of sharing her religious faith and her material goods with those around her. She wrote a few weeks later and said, “I am the happiest woman in town. I have found a new joy and happiness in sharing with others.” That’s exactly what Jesus promised!"

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season. The joy of Christmas is missed by so many people because they are lonely. Do you know someone who is lonely? I know quite a few elderly men and women who have lost their spouse? Many of these people spent a lifetime with their wives/husbands. They had grown together to be one. They had known trial and triumph. They promised to live together until the separation of death, then it happened. With that loss of a loved one, they lost a part of themselves. Now, they need the friendship of God more than ever. They lean on the strength of the almighty. In order for joy to re-enter their lives, God must fill the void. The loneliness can not be filled by people, it needs to be filled with love. Sure, lonely people can find love from other people, but they need the perfect love of Jesus. Nothing can replace it. The lonely need to find or maybe RE-find Jesus. Yes, even those who have known Jesus for years will need to rediscover his love through the Bible, Prayer, worship, and meditation. It is through that reconnecting, they will find new joy and purpose.

Loneliness doesn't just come from the loss of a spouse. Many people have never experienced the love of companionship. For them, this season is also quite difficult. They too need the love of Christ FIRST! It is not from experience that I share, it is from my heart. God does not mean us to mourn forever. He does not mean for us to be lonely. He does not intend for us to focus on what no longer is or what never has been. He wants us to center our lives on him. We are comforted by openly professing his name, doing good, serving others, and sharing our faith. Their is no time to waste, Praise God for the life he has planned for us.

I'm not blind!

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25 NIV)

I have a difficult time explaining Christ to my non-Christian friends. I'm not a biblical expert, a gifted preacher, or an experienced evangelist. When I try to share I have to rely on one thing. I know what I have seen God do in my life. There is nothing more valuable than sharing your own personal story. I am 53 years old. I have lived life as a follower of Christ for over 40 years. I have seen the grace of Jesus and the mercy of a loving God. I have seen miraculous answers to my very own prayers. I have come through impossible situations with no other explanation than God. My life is living example of what God can do with a helpless sinner. 

I will never give up sharing my life experiences with the lost. I always hope today is the day the scales fall off and they can see the power of Jesus. Praise God for the opportunities to save a life with my story!

Be Prepared!

2 Timothy 4

 ¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.


The NFL season is nearly over. We have only two teams left. All the other teams are taking some much deserved time off. But, it won't be long before they will be back at it. They will work on their speed, strength, and agility. They will heal wounds and work to be better at their position. It's no different at the High School level. I went up to the weight room after school and it's about full, not of basketball players or wrestlers, it's full of Out-of-Season Athletes.  Track, Softball, and Baseball players are all getting ready for the upcoming season. They don't know what the season is going to bring. They just want to be ready for all situations.

It's also out of season for Motorcycle Riding. But, my CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association) buddies and I are all getting ready for the upcoming season. We had officers training this past weekend and plans are in motion to serve Christ when the season gets started.

We all need to do the same thing. As Christians, we never know when God is going to call on us to witness to a co-worker, friend, or family member. We need to be ready at all times. We need to be ready in-season and out-of-season. Start today. Read the Bible, Study his word, Pray without ceasing, and prepare yourself to witness to the world. Build relationships. Earn the right to share Christ with others through those relationships. Be Ready!

Closet Christians!

Galatians 1

 ¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.


It's great that Facebook has a "Like" button. People like to be liked, not just on Facebook. I have met people that act like they don't care what people think. Most of those people are grumpy old men who know they couldn't please anyone if they tried. So, they just don't try.

How important is it for you to be liked? Do you manipulate your faith so you can be liked? Do you avoid "Being Bold" because you think it will offend others?  I'm embarrassed to say, I've not been as bold as I should have been, because of peer pressure. It's not always cool to be an active christian. It's a lot easier to be a closet Christian. Closet Christians worship God on Sundays but not through the week. They might even read the Bible, but don't apply it. Closet Christians can't fight peer pressure when it comes to treating others poorly. They justify their sins and claim weekly forgiveness every Sunday. Yep, I could go on all day. I've been there, done that.

With the world as it is today, we need Bold Christians, not Christians afraid of their own shadow. We need Christians willing to take their Faith to the Streets not keep it in the sanctuary. We need to use our Faith to help the widows, orphans, and the lost. Now's not the time to rest.

Dear Lord, Please help me be Bold for you. Help me to take this wonderful faith I have and USE it for your purposes. Forgive me for not heeding the prompting of the spirit. Forgive me for not building relationships for the privilege of sharing your love. I'm sorry Lord, Forgive me! Amen!

Pride in Family!

Acts 21

 ⁴ We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. ⁶ After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

I love my family. I loved watching them grow up and I love watching their families grow up. I am most proud of one thing............ they all know and have a relationship with the Lord AND they have passed that same love to their kids. Last week, my four year old granddaughter was asked an interesting question at her preschool. Every week her teacher asks the kids a question. They go around the circle and answer. They keep track of the answers on a tally sheet. The question of the week was, "Do you believe in God?" most kids answered yes. A few answered no. When it came around to my granddaughter, she affirmed confidently that she believed in God. But, she didn't stop there. She went on to ask, "How can you not believe in God? He made everything!" I couldn't be more proud of her and her wise words shared with her classmates. I share the exact same feelings. I just don't know how people can NOT believe in God. His pwer in our lives is so obvious. He is everywhere.

I am so proud of my daughters because there faith is such an important part of their lives, they have made it a point to share it with their kids. It is a part of their everyday life. In our society, that is becoming less and less normal.  I am more and more concerned that God is no longer the center of family life in America. We are so worried about offending people with our faith, we don't even make it a key part of our families. I always wanted my kids to chose for themselves. I have prayed they would not fall away, but grow closer and closer to God. Stephanie and I spent many hours involved at church. Not grudgingly but with joy. Our friends were at church. Their friends were at church. We never woke up dreading to go to church. They never expressed the desire to skip church. They loved it. Youth groups. plays, musicals, puppets, lock-ins, church camp, and more were just a big part of their lives. I am so lucky. My prayers have been answered. They have chosen and they choose to follow God.  


Thank You Lord for Kelley, Lindsae, and McKenzie. I am blessed to have them as my daughters. I am proud to know they follow you with all their hearts. Thank You for sending them in my life. I don't deserve them, but you gave them anyway. Praise God!

Don't always drop the hammer!

Acts 17

 ¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there................ ²² Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

I have talked before that I like people who tell it like it is. I think of myself as one of those people. Yet, sometimes that direct approach is not the best approach. Paul must have thought the same thing. He came to Athens and was appalled by the idol worship. He really had the right to just tell it like it is. He could have dropped the hammer on these people. Would that have been best? Instead he used a more indirect approach. He walked their town. studied their culture and used that knowledge to "hook them". Paul did a masterful job and the results were many people coming to know Christ. Maybe we should think about doing the same. Many times evangelism is about taking your time, learning, studying, and then sharing. It's not always about being direct.  We need to know when to be direct and when we can take a more circular route. God knows. If we ask him, he will help us with that judgement. 

Dear Lord, I want to bring people to know you, your love, and your grace.  Lord your wisdom about how to share, how much to share, when to do it, and how to do it, is perfect. Please share that wisdom with me. Teach me to be sensitive to people and what they need. Help me to push win time is short and how to recognize when to be patient. I want to be effective for you and only you Lord. Amen!

Go!

Acts 8

 ²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

 ³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

 ³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 ³² This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

   “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
   and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
   so he did not open his mouth.
³³ In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
   Who can speak of his descendants?
   For his life was taken from the earth.”^[b]

 ³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

 ³⁶ As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” ^{[37] [c] 38} And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

I love this chapter of Acts. Philip is a great follower of Christ. Why? Because he listened to God and his messengers. He was open to the possibility of meeting someone who needs Christ. He was paying attention and seized on the opportunity. He was also ready. He knew exactly what the Ethiopian was reading. He know what it meant and easily explained it. He shared the message of what Christ had done and he won another convert. God wasn't done with him and whisked him away to reach more. He was busy for Christ!

How many opportunities have I had that have passed me by? How many times has God spoken to me to take action and I didn't? How prepared am I to share? 

We are told to Go. But, so few of us do. Where are we to go? Well, God has placed us where we are right now. He has sent us to our schools, work, communities, sporting events, recreations, festivals, and a multitude of other places. He has sent us and we need to keep our eyes and ears open to the guiding of the spirit. God does not rest. He has provided us opportunities. We just have to be ready and willing to share. We need to be like Philip. Pray for people to be placed in your life that need Jesus. Pray that you will recognize the need and then prepare to share. Don't just go in "cold turkey". You need to be preparing right now. You need to spend time in Gods word and study it with all  your heart. You need to be open to it's meaning in your own life. You need to realize the experiences God has given you. Develop YOUR STORY and then share it. WHen you are ready it will happen. When you are open to the leading of the Spirit, you will be amazed at where you go. 

Proud Gramps!

Psalm 78 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 78

A maskil^[a] of Asaph. ¹ My people, hear my teaching;
   listen to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth with a parable;
   I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
³ things we have heard and known,
   things our ancestors have told us.
⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;
   we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
   his power, and the wonders he has done.
⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob
   and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
   to teach their children, ⁶ so the next generation would know them,
   even the children yet to be born,
   and they in turn would tell their children. ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
   and would not forget his deeds
   but would keep his commands. 


I am a proud "Gramps". That's what my grandkids call me. "Gramps". I am proud of my grandkids for several reasons. Klayton is a freshman and he is a very good athlete. He has come a long way academically. Lauren is developing into quite a runner and is one of the sweetest young ladies I've ever known. Hannah loves reading and probably will end up being a brilliant Vet. Ayla is also a great little girl. She is full of so much energy and has her mothers wonderful energetic personality. 


But, I am most proud that my kids, my son-in-laws AND my grandkids have a great developing relationship with Jesus.  On Easter Sunday Lauren posted this: "Happy Easter everybody! I hope you're having a good easter Thank you God for washing away our sins!" I think Lauren gets it. Klayton takes himself to church when he is with his real mom. I think Klayton gets it! Hannah and Ayla both know Jesus. I think they get it! They know that Christ needs to be the center of their lives. Their Moms and Dads have modeled it for them. None of them are perfect. They have and will stumble, just like their Gramps. But, they know God will always be with them to pick them up.


I may not be a famous person on this Earth. I may not be rich or have any of the worlds power. But, I am the most successful man around because my kids and grandkids love Jesus! I know the task is not done. My energy and my prayers are for them to continue growing in their relationship with our Lord. I will pray constantly for God to plant a hedge around them to protect them from evil. I pray he will guide them through this, often difficult, life.  They are on their way to a Heavenly Home with me. I am so blessed. I am so thankful. Praise God  "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Are you with me?

Psalm 34 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
   his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
   let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together.


It is so much more fun to be together with others who Love God. I could sit at home and Glorify the Lord on my own, within the quiet confines, privately. How much fun could that be? Sometimes I meet people who say they don't need to go to church to believe in God. I agree. They can worship at home. They can do a lot without stepping a foot in a church. Yet, why would they want to? Where else can they get together to praise God and exalt his name with others who want to do the same thing. Oh, I know you can do it at concerts, camps, or other special events. I also know that "churches" can be held many places. I really call "Church" any place where we Christians gather together to praise God. But, if all I do is Praise God at special events, it's just not enough for me. I can't wait to attend Sunday services, or special events like CMA Seasons of Refreshing, or the CMA State Rally, or Trinity Fest. I just can't get enough of Praising God with others. We are all "afflicted". We all have times we just don't think we will make it. Yet, God not only wants to spend time with us, he also wants us to spend time together. We can provide support because we all share the same sinful experiences. When we just don't feel like we can Praise God on our own, it is important to be around others who can.

Find a place you can worship and praise God on a regular basis. Find a group who loves to spend time praising God and can't wait to do it all through the week. I attend services at County Line Church of God in Auburn, Indiana. The services are always just like that. We have a great time worshipping and praising  him. I also have a great group of fellow believers through the Christian Motorcyclist Association. I also have a great group of co-workers who aren't afraid to Praise God. I just can't get enough. I would feel lost JUST attending Sunday Services.

Thank You Lord for providing people I can worship with who Love you as much as I do! Amen!

One Owner!

Psalm 24 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it; ² for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.
 ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place? ⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.<sup>[a]




One owner! In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. He created it, but he didn't give it away. God created us. and we are his. Just because he has given us free will to decide our future, doesn't mean he has given us away. He holds us accountable for our choices and we may even be punished for eternity. But, we are still his. The world is his. 


So many of us think we own our homes, our cars, our MOTORCYCLES, our clothes, our money, whatever! But HE OWNS it. There is not enough room in this world for two owners. There is not enough room in this world for two GODS! There is only one God and he owns it all. Yet, God, through his grace, allows us to climb his mountain. He allows us to dwell with him in his holy place. He lets us use his creation. He will bless us if we choose to live within his conditions. We must work for him, love, and trust only in him. If we do this, he shares his creation in wonderful and fabulous ways. God is the owner but he is so generous with his stuff!</sup> 

I'm not an Atheist, am I?

Psalm 14 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ The fool^[a] says in his heart,
   “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
   there is no one who does good.
 ² The LORD looks down from heaven
   on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God. ³ All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.


When I read the first verse, I was pumping my fist and saying, "Yeah stick it to them, (atheists). " I can't believe anyone who says there is no God could be anything less than corrupt and vile. David knew just what he was talking about. But, Hold the Boat! Verse 2 brings me back down to Earth.

We are so quick to criticize, berate, and ridicule the non-believer. But, how far are we from them? Not Far! As a matter of fact God puts us all in the same boat. None of us is sinless. All of us have turned away, become corrupt, and are not as good as we think we are. NO ONE! You would think the knowledge of this would make us more compassionate. You would think we would be more understanding of those who do not acknowledge God. But, instead of understanding, instead of trying to reach these "fools", we isolate ourselves. We set ourselves apart. We put ourselves at the top and these non-believers at the bottom.  We are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the Glory of our God. We are not the judge. We are the vessels to share God's love. We are to do everything within our power to be examples of God's grace and love. We are not different, we have just received the grace given to us by our savior! 

Teach Your Children well!

Luke 1:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

Do you remember this song?

Kids are a joy and delight in our lives. Maybe everyone doesn't feel that way every single minute of every day. But, now that I look back at those times when I had kids in my home, they were a joy and a delight. I think that's why being a Grandparent is so great. You get the chance to go through it all again and realize the joy and delight of every moment. I wonder if Zechariah really understood what he was being told. I wonder if he could grasp what it meant that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As parents and grandparents we don't know what life will hold for our kids or grandkids. But, God knows. We need to be completely open to what God can do with these young lives. God has a plan for them. Our job is to make sure they are taught about God. God will do the rest. It amazes me how many kids grow up not knowing God, not knowing stories about Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Samson, Paul, and the miracles of Jesus. We don't have any guarantee that our children or grandchildren will follow the Lord. But, We give them a chance if they grow up knowing God.

Everyday of my life, I am so excited to realize that my kids and my grandkids have been taught about Jesus. I have seen God's wonderful hand in their lives and I have seen them grow closer and closer to God. That is so exciting. I see decisions they make and troubles they endure with the hope of God at their side. I am so excited that God is already more than a bunch of great stories. They see him as real and a part of their lives. I don't think my kids will bring Israel back to God, but who knows for sure. I do have hope they will bring others to know him and more importantly, they will pass this love to their kids. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and I delight in them just like Elizabeth and Zechariah delighted in their son.

Dear Lord, thank you for the great gift you have given in our children and grandchildren. Help us to teach them about you. Help us to live our lives so they see you in us. Help them to see your hand in our lives and desire for you to be in their lives. You are great and powerful. We love you and adore you. Amen!

ANTICIPATION! Keepin' me waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting'!

Revelation 10 (The Message)

 ^1-4I saw another powerful Angel coming down out of Heaven wrapped in a cloud. There was a rainbow over his head, his face was sun-radiant, his legs pillars of fire. He had a small book open in his hand. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land, then called out thunderously, a lion roar. When he called out, the Seven Thunders called back. When the Seven Thunders spoke, I started to write it all down, but a voice out of Heaven stopped me, saying, "Seal with silence the Seven Thunders; don't write a word." ^5-7Then the Angel I saw astride sea and land lifted his right hand to Heaven and swore by the One Living Forever and Ever, who created Heaven and everything in it, earth and everything in it, sea and everything in it, that time was up—that when the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed.


I'm Old. I know I don't have to tell you this. I'm sure you know it. When I read this verse I automatically thought of Carly Simon singing Anticipation! For those of you born POST 70's, Carly Simon was an amazing singer songwriter. Ok, maybe she wasn't that great, but she sang some great songs at the time! One of her hits was "Anticipation" Click on the link Below and you can hear it!

Carly Simon -- Anticipation!



Can you imagine being at the point in history where God is going to reveal his plans and all that he has been working toward is complete?  The time is up! I am anxiously anticipating that day. I have spent most of my life hearing about the second coming of Christ. I have heard so many different versions about how and when it's going to happen. In Church on Sunday, we heard about it again. God is the only one who knows the time and the place. He is the only one who really knows how it's going to happen. The "Left Behind" book series and Tim Lahaye made his pitch for how it's going to happen. Frankly, I don't care. I just want to be there to witness the final battle and the final revealing of God's Glory.  But, like Pastor Stu said yesterday. We need to live life like Jesus will return today! While we are waiting and waiting, anticipating and anticipating, we need to keep working. We need to share the Gospel one more time. We need to bring one more person to know Christ. We need to live as God would have us live.
I can't wait, but I have to. The anticipation is mounting, I'm on the edge of my seat! Come Lord Jesus! Come!

We are not Great.........God is Great!

Revelation 3 (The Message)

⁷Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David's key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:⁸"I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough.

 I belong to a great church. County Line Church of God in Auburn, Indiana. This church has a rich history and continues to grow like it has over the years. When my grandparents visited our area they attended this church while my family attended a church in Fort Wayne. I remember them talking about loving this little country church. Many years have gone by since Grandma and Grandpa Lewis visited CLCG. It is so ironic that Stephanie and I attend this church now.

  Yesterday, Stephanie and I had a unique opportunity to speak about how God has worked in our lives and the life of our Daughter Kelley. In short, Kelley was born with Spina Bifida. 5 months before her birth, we were counselled to abort the pregnancy. Because of our upbringing, we couldn't even consider it. Well, when Kelley was born she was not supposed to ever be able to walk, sit, crawl, or lead a meaningful life of any consequence. They said she would probably be institutionalized. Now, 25 years later, Kelley is completely self sufficient, she walks, drives an adapted car, graduated from high school and is a complete miracle of God. She has endured 13 operations and God has brought her through each one in a very real and miraculous way.
The service yesterday was very powerful and had a profound affect on, not only Stephanie and I, but also many others. Amazingly, it also happened to be that Kelley decided to come home this week (she lives on her own in North Carolina and hadn't been able to visit in nearly a year). She was here visiting and attended church with us yesterday. It was just amazing to have her here when we were sharing about how God has worked in her life.
The reason I am sharing this with you, God opened this door for us to share our story. He put everything in place for us to be at our church. He had set everything in motion years ago when my Grandparents were visiting CLCG. He opened the door in a very powerful way and no one could close it. He prompted Stephanie to respond to the previous sermon. He touched Pastor Stuart with Stephanie's story. Everything was orchestrated by him. He used us from the very beginning with the purpose of being able to share with others.
I am so thankful to be used by God. I am awed that he thinks we are worthy to be used. Stephanie and I have done nothing of real consequence in our lives. But, God has taken our average lives and made them more than special. We are just examples of how God can work through weak and inadequate people to do a great work. We are not great but God is!

We better get moving!

2 Peter 3 (The Message)

 ^8-9Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

God isn't restricted by time. We are controlled by time. God is, was, and always will be. So, he can't be late. We're always late. Unless you're someone very special you probably put things off. Our students had finals this week and I saw so many of them "Cramming" at the last minute. Lunch time in the Gym commons was full of kids quizzing each other, studying vocab, and panicking!  We had athletes trying to do everything possible to keep from failing classes. My guess is they could have put in some more time earlier in the term. It is a great part of our human nature to put things off. Well, God is putting things off also. But, he's not procrastinating. The reason God doesn't come back and begin the judgement of mankind is Obvious. He's waiting on us. He loves us so much, he can't imagine anyone becoming permanently lost. But, the US he's waiting on isn't what it seems. He's not just waiting on the lost to come to know him. He's waiting on us CHRISTIANS to get off our "rear-ends" and go out into all the world to save the lost.
We heard a great message about this at church today. Pastor Stu challenged us with this statement: "If everyone in the church congregation was just like you, what kind of church we have?"  What would happen to our churches if we really became messengers to the lost. If we want the end to come sooner than later, we better get busy sharing. Why don't we share? Are we embarrassed of Jesus? Are we just too busy? Are we just wanting to be another link in the chain? Will someone else finish the job?  God doesn't want anyone to be lost when his final judgement begins. But, he uses us to share. He has made us ambassadors and he wants us to speed up the process. Don't put it off.  Don't wait on someone else to make the first move. Be Bold! Let's get moving so we can end this thing and join Jesus in our Heavenly Home!  God is giving us space and time to change so we can bring change to those we know who are lost!  God is withholding the final judgement, the grande finale, because of me and you! I don't know about you, but I don't feel comfortable holding up the creator of the universe! We better Get Moving!

Grossly Under-Qualified!

Ephesians 3 (The Message)

 ^7-8This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
 ^8-10And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ.


Ok, let me start by saying I AM NO PAUL! However, I can sure relate to these verses. I really think I have been called to write this little blog.  It really is a surprise to me.  I am even a little fearful, but God has provided all the details and is presenting his message through me.  Please, I am certainly not thinking more of myself and my little commentary than I should.  I, like Paul, feel grossly under qualified to share the message of Christ. As far as my natural abilities, I can't say this feels very natural at all and I really don't feel like I am PREACHING.  I just feel like sharing my thoughts about what I'm reading. I have a hope that it might strike a chord with someone.  I really do feel that some of these things are way over my head and without any formal training except my 50 years attending church, I hope I don't make a mistake. This message, these words that I read are so important and can have such a life changing impact.  I don't want to lessen their impact in anyone's life.

It is amazing to me how God can use people, even me.  I know people who are so much more talented and effective in reaching others for Christ.  But, I am really enjoying this and will continue as long as my God feels he can use me.  I feel embarrassingly blessed!

Thank you Lord for using me, a sinner, and certainly the least qualified to present such an "Eternal Message". Thank you for teaching me and providing us with your word.  Guide my thoughts each day and help me to touch someone's heart , even if it's only my own. Amen!