With the Folks

After spending time at Spring Training with the Texas Rangers I was ready for a long nap. The ball field in Surprise Arizona is as nice as they come and the food was a cut above most. Nancy wasn't feeling well so after the game we just camped out in the RV. We like to rough it.....air conditioning, ice maker, stereo, TV w/surround sound, feather bed (queen size) and every other comfort of home....you know......camping.
Sunday morning Nancy was still weak so she stayed in bed while I went to preach for Stephen Land at Emanuel Christian Center (4511 W Indian School Rd.)  John went with me and we were welcomed as if we were old friends. I spoke about our Christian Identity and how to help others "see" Jesus in our everyday lives. I think that our joy and happy lives give strong evidence as to our faith and trust in God. Happy people seem to be rare these days and Christians do have something to be happy about.
We finished our week in Phoenix with a final meal with many of our church friends, Applebees will never be the same; food, fun and fellowship with those we love.....Thank you Lord for filling our lives so full of wonderful people.
Monday we were up and loaded and off to Cottonwood AZ. I do like traveling this way, slow pace, start when you want, stop when you want, eat when you are hungry......a good life.
Mom and Dad were so happy to see us. We sat up and talked till ten.....a good life.

3-9-2017 last night

I am sure that you can see that I am posting a day behind. I am too tired to close the day at the computer. Sooooo.....We closed the revival services last night with a long alter service filled with many great victory reports. I spoke about the Power of God in our lives today and used the very words of Jesus on the subject. It was like He was doing the preaching and everyone responded with joy and worship. I never claimed to be an Evangelist because God called me as a Pastor but last night the title of Revivalist was excepted and applied....I kind of like that one. I was paid the greatest of compliments when I was told that this church wanted me to come back again....warms my heart.
This mini-revival (five nights) was short but full of victory, healing, filling, love, joy and worship. It is a blessing to be a part of what God is doing here in Arizona and seeing so many of my friends made this a special trip to remember.

Break Through

More family time this morning. I am blessed with a loving family. Longing for the day when we can all be together again....probably when we all get to Heaven....  Made that needed trip to buy some supplies and spend too much......complete success...broke the bank. Preaching on the Presence of God tonight and having some difficulty keeping the sermon from becoming L.....O....N.....G.
Resting and watching some old movies that my children gave me last Christmas....my kids sure spoil me, so does my wife for that matter, and my church, and my friends....WOW....I am spoiled but I am not a brat.
Found a new fan for the bedroom and got it mounted. This RV is so comfortable, might use a recliner....This is my idea of ruffing it!

Well the breakthrough happened tonight. Ministered to each person present, alters full, healing, happy faces, a mighty move of God.....REVIVAL.

3-6-2017 Arizona Trip

Blessed with time visiting my Brother and looking at several homes for our parents. They may be moving to Phoenix soon and we want to do some of the leg work for them. Moving is so much fun.....NOT. Slow and easy day today; making some ice, changing some of the storage bins in the RV and preparing for my sermon. Preaching about Heart Surgery, not the physical kind....Spiritual. Service doesn't start until seven p.m. so extra time to rest I guess that's alright because this is our vacation as well as an evangelistic journey.

Good attendance tonight and several came forward to be prayed for. Not the breakthrough I am wanting, but still progress. These folks don't mind staying late and then still like to go eat afterward....my kind of people.

Worth The Effort?

Another year is in the books and I am thinking; was it worth the effort? Some might make a list and compare the good and bad events of the year to calculate a value. Most of us do a good job of remembering the bad and forgetting the good so our list may be lopsided. Most of us don't journal each day and if we do we don't have the time to read the thing later so we rely on memories. This can be tricky but....I have seen the birth of a second GREAT grandchild (girl), GREAT GRANDSON saying "Pa-Pa" for the first time, oldest GRANDSON graduating from college,  oldest GRANDDAUGHTER and HUSBAND buying their first home, baby DAUGHTER beginning her doctoral thesis, losing another 60 pounds, exiting the rental business with the sale of our last rent house, reverse mortgage on home-place, my first new pick-up truck, paying off all credit cards, finishing a re-model of the guest house, replacing fence on one side of yard, planting rose hedge on south fence, automatic watering system in front flower-beds, commercial gas stove w/vent-a-hood and sink in church kitchen, well house replacement at church, off-site sign for church on HWY 377, light in cross behind pulpit, Nancy playing the harmonica for worship service, buying a new RV (to pull with new truck), signing up for medicare, preaching over 100 times, actually finishing a "bible study" in the same year I started it ( study subject: The Will of God), 46th wedding anniversary, parents celebrating 65th wedding anniversary.
2015 was a busy year......and well worth the effort!

12-31-2015          Luke 24:50-53

S.          50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

O.         Jesus ascends into Heaven and the disciples go to Jerusalem.

A.         Joy should be my everyday practice, my lifestyle. I will worship God today……in Spirit and Truth!

P.         Father; I worship, praise and adore you. Thank you God, for loving me and sending your                     son to redeem me from sin. Amen. 

Family

My great niece was married yesterday, we will be dedicating my second great grandchild in the service today and tomorrow all my Oklahoma children will be here. My cup is full and overflowing. I have the most amazing family in the world. I am tempted to brag, and brag, and brag.
God has a "family", he calls it "the church", The little group of this family that attends Elm Grove is an amazing group as well. If I could fix any one problem in this old evil world it would be to fix families, fill them with love, fill them with joy and fill them with peace. My family fills my life with all these and more. Won't you come and join my Family. Glad to have you.

9-6-2015         Luke 11:1-4

S.       1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.3 Give us day by day our daily bread.4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

O.      The Lord teaches his disciples how to pray.

A.      All the elements of prayer are contained in these short few lines: respect God and his name, seek his kingdom, his will, ask for needs, forgive, overcome sin and depend on God for deliverance.

P.       Father; my eyes are open, my heart is open, my mind is open…..fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

L.O.V.E.

Tell your family that you love them. Show the love of God that is in your heart. Tell yourself that God loves you. Build your life around love, not human love (affection), but that divine spark of God placed into each human.

8-19-2015      Luke 9:27

S.       27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

O.      Faithfulness to God brings great reward.

A.      I will be faithful in all things.

P.       Father; show me my weakness that I may become strong by overcoming. Amen.

8-20-2015      Luke 9:28-29

S.       28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

O.      Jesus is seen in all his glory.

A.      I want to see Jesus in all his glory. I know that this will happen at the great catching away. I will watch and prepare for this event.

P.       Father; help me to prepare myself and others for the catching away. Amen.

I love you Lord!

There is a song in my heart today. A song of joy and praise, because I know Jesus. I am full, I am satisfied and ready for this day to unfold. I love you Lord!

8-3-2015         Luke 8:22-25

S.       22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was calm. 25 And he said unto them, where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, what manner of man is this, for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

O.      Jesus calms the storm.

A.      I must focus on the Master and not the storm. I must trust in his spoken word.

P.       Father; teach me your word by the Holy Spirit and aid me in remembering. Amen.

Joy in Family

I sing because I'm happy.......happy......happy! Spent some time with my children and what a joy they are. You might have seen the picture on Facebook of me holding my Great Granddaughter and wondered why I was not smiling. I was in such awe that I did not remember to smile. Lizzy and Liam were so sweet to me that I was holding back tears.....tears of joy. My life is full, my cup is running over and all is well with my soul. Thank you God!

8-1-2015         Luke 8:16-18

S.       16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

O.      Everything about us will be made known.

A.      We think that we hide things from others and from God. God knows all and all will be made known. I must not deceive myself into thinking that I am hiding anything. I will be honest with myself, call things as they are and constantly go to God for help to eliminate the wrong.

P.       Father; cleans me from all sin and help me to renew my mind today. Amen.

Jesus and the cross

This is the day we must remember the cross that Jesus was murdered on. He went there to set us free from sin, to give us a way of escape and to call man back into harmony with God. Love held him to the cross, not the nails. Jesus went to the cross to "show" his love for you.

S.O.A.P.

4-3-2015         Romans 13:9-10

S.       9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

O.      How love works towards others.

A.      The proof of how I love others is found in how I treat them. All the sins listed are committed affecting others, hurting, stealing, and lying and so on. I will keep it in my mind of how my sin might be against others. My life touches so many people so I must be a good example.

P.       Father; make me an example of your love and teach me how to forgive. Amen. 

Pain and Sorrow

Today I ask for your prayers for my dear family. We have been to the graveside several times lately and our pain is real. We are people of faith. We are people of love. We are hurting as we try to rearrange life around the empty chairs. Please hold us up today.....thank you.

S.O.A.P.

4-2-2015         Romans 13:8

S.       8Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

O.      Love is a command …. Not an option.

A.      When we properly love others, debt is eliminated. We do not give, to get. We do not loan, to borrow. Perfect love has no strings attached.

P.       Father; lead me into this perfect type of love. Cleanse my mind and restore my heart to that of a child. Amen.

Fifth Sunday Singing

Fifth Sunday Singing was a real delight. Tolar is a community filled with talented singers and musicians and last night they sang and played down the glory of God. There was sweet fellowship, joyous laughter and holy uplifting. I am thankful that God has planted us here.

S.O.A.P.

3-30-2015      Romans 12:16-18

S.       16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

O.      Proper relationships.

A.      My faith in God must be evident in every relationship. I will seek peace in every relationship.

P.       Father; May I be an extension of your love in my earthly relationships. Amen.

Save Some For SUNDAY!

The week-end is here. Time to get the work done around the house, wash the car and visit friends and family. Busy, busy, busy ...... REMEMBER .... Save some for SUNDAY!

S.O.A.P.

3-28-2015      Romans 12:11

S.       11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

O.      Be honest and hardworking with spiritual sincerity.

A.      I will be spiritually minded as I do my work. My word will be as good as a written contract.

P.       Father; show me the pattern for holy living from your word. Speak to me by your Holy Spirit and reveal any weakness or sin within me. Amen.

Shut up!

I so often hear preachers saying "Don't Judge" in one sentence and then listening to them tear apart someone or something in a judgmental way for the next half hour. The truth is that we must judge everything, and everybody, in order to make any decisions in life. I think we need to approach Judging from a different direction. Instead of foolishly jumping on the "Don't Judge" bandwagon we need to seek out wisdom and love to control our responses "after" we judge. I am persuaded that wisdom and love are in short supply. Wisdom is missing when we respond with the speed and power of a lightning bolt to our judgement. Love is missing when we verbalize our judgement. I will judge you, your actions and your motives. This is normal and it is not a sin. The sin happens when I fail to keep my judgments to myself and spew them out on others. God sends his Holy Spirit to indwell us. If we will but surrender to the leadership of this spirit, less hurt, separation and anger will result from our Judgement.

S.O.A.P.

3-6-2015         Romans 9:19-25

S.       19 Thou wilt say then unto me, why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

O.      God decides who will be his people based on mercy, not the nation of birth.

A.      I have been brought into a right standing with God by the blood of Jesus. I was not born into God’s grace, I was bought by sacrifice.

P.       Father; grant me wisdom to live a life that is pleasing to you. Grant me strength of will to overcome my fleshly desires that are an insult to your sacrifice. Fill me with love and compassion for all people. Amen.

Love is our best gift.

Thank you friends for the "little" things you do each day. The smiles, a wink, wave and especially the hugs. These actions make my life a joy. Love really is the best we have to give.

S.O.A.P.

2-10-2015      Romans 7:4

S.       Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

O.      Being dead to the law of sin and death we are free to be married to Christ and live productive, faithful (sinless) and holy as his bride.

A.      There are no chains that link me to sin. I am free of condemnation and at liberty to live in peace, joy and love. I choose Christ as my Saviour and Lord and I am free from the laws of the flesh.

P.       Father; grant me wisdom to live a sinless life. Remind me of my weaknesses that victory may be maintained. I ask for your mercy and grace to fill my mind. Amen.

He's still working on me!

Learning God's will for my life is a slow, on-going process. In the beginning of my walk, God made it clear, that I was to be a pastor. Since I was young, uneducated but eager and fearless I said "yes"to the call. The path was before me and God was by my side. Soon I learned that being a pastor required you to live by faith, trust God, do without many of life's pleasures and invest most of your time into others. This lifestyle was not matching my ambition or my nature. Forty eight years later and I am still working out the kinks. I'm not complaining, sorry or trying to gain sympathy, just letting you know that I am still a work in progress.

S.O.A.P.

1-22-2015      Romans 5:12

S.       12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

O.      Sin is common to all.

A.      The war of sin rages in every life. We are born under sin because of Adam. We can be victorious over sin because of Jesus. The war will be won or lost depending on which of these two men we follow. I chose Jesus.

    P.       Father; teach me how to live a life pleasing to you. Show me the path of righteousness and                 strengthen me that I could overcome my flesh. Amen.

46TH Wedding Anniversary

Forty six years ago, on a Wednesday night before evening service, Nancy and I stood before the pastor and became husband and wife. I was eighteen and she was sixteen and most people thought we were too young to get married, that it would not last, well they were wrong! I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world, She is beautiful, talented, strong, hard working, intelligent and best of all she is a woman of God. Nancy is also a fun person to be around and we laugh and smile and our days are filled with joy. I thank God that he gave me a perfect wife. Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart, I love you more with each passing year.

S.O.A.P.

1-8-2015         Romans 2: 12-20

S.       12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

O.      The Jews were to follow all the law, exclude nothing, and those acts would be counted as righteousness and they could teach or lead other peoples. If they avoid any part they would be guilty of sin before God.

A.      God’s covenant with me is sealed by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross when I follow all of his commands. Like the Jewish law, if I turn my back on any one of his commands I will be guilty. This is an “all or nothing” covenant; God commands, I obey.

P.       Father; give me insight into your word as I hide it in my heart. Reveal my every sin and weakness by your Holy Spirit. I cannot overcome sin alone; I come to you in the name of your son, Jesus, for direction, cleansing, and overcoming power to fully walk in your perfect will. Amen.

Put Christ in you....Then in Christmas!

We should walk into this day with the glory of God flowing out from us as a river overflowing it's banks. This is a dry and barren land and the only hope is God. Let the joy of your salvation shine bright. If we want Christ to be put back into this Christmas season let it begin within our own heart and mind and spirit. Show the world the Christ of Christmas.......in you!

S.O.A.P.

12-18-2014    Mark 14: 12-16

S.       12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

O.      The disciples prepare for the Passover.

A.      God is a God of preparation. I will learn and apply myself to preparation. I will learn god’s word to prepare my mind. I will learn how to pray his word to prepare my soul. I will learn his love to prepare my heart.

P.       Father; lead me by your Holy Spirit, prepare me to: serve, speak, listen and live as one of the redeemed.Amen. 

Shopping with my Sweetheart!

I spent the day yesterday with my wife out Christmas shopping. For almost forty seven years we have never missed doing this together, and I still feel like I'm on a date with the most beautiful woman on earth. Oh what fun and joy being together. God is good to me!

S.O.A.P.

12-17-2014    Mark 14:10-11

S.       10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

O.      The worst betrayal of all time.

A.      I must never betray Jesus. I must fight sin (first my own) and never let satan deceive me with temporal merchandise. All sin is a betrayal of the Lord’s gift given on Calvary. I hate sin.

P.       Father; I invite your Holy Spirit, I welcome your Holy Spirit, to the end that He may reveal, expose and declare all my sin, sin of commission and sin of omission. I seek to be pure, holy and blameless before you. Come sweet Spirit. Amen. 

The Lord's Day

Blessed day at Elm Grove yesterday. Several seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. Great teaching on; The Glory of God. My Christmas sermon on "A God of Power" was well received. My strength is coming back, I felt no weakness or fatigue at all while preaching. God is good. 

S.O.A.P. (two days)

12-14-2014    Mark 13: 23-32

S.       23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

O.      Jesus tells his disciples of the end times, of the signs and that only God knows the exact day.

A.      This day will come and I must be prepared. I must share the gospel message with as many people as possible.

P.       Father; time is short and many have not heard the gospel. My heart is heavy for those who are sleeping in a false security, having heard the words of love and turning back to the old ways of sin. Give me wisdom and compassion to represent you in all I do and say. Amen.

12-15-2014    Mark 13: 33-37

S.       33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

O.     A warning: be ready for the Lord’s return.

A.      To stay ready I must avoid sin, read the word, pray and serve my fellow man. To this I will add fellowshipping, worship and intimate time with my Lord. I must decrease, that he might increase.

P.       Father; teach me all the ways of righteousness that my life may be pleasing in your sight. Amen.