3-16 & 17-2017 On the Road

This RVing life is quite pleasant; Sleep late, eat often and see the nation. Today however I became quite nervous. The wind is blowing me all over the road. When I got headed straight into it I was forced to use lower gears and slow down. Used twice as much gas and my knuckles are sore from gripping the wheel so tight. To pass the time I listened to some radio news.....that was a mistake!
I went from fear to anger over these so called Journalists and their lop-sided, prejudicial, pick and choose reporting. I think that truth, integrity and morals are never a part of their training. They only talk about the parts and pieces of the news that degrade, destroy, deceive and generate fear. I would like to shut down all news giants, fire the whole bunch and start over or at the very least begin a grading system and let the voters decide who we are forced to listen to. I would also like to see term-limits on all Legislators both federal and state ( I can dream, can't I ). The news was filled with projections, predictions and made-up numbers of all the thousands of people that would be without insurance coverage in the future. This is the work of a Prophet not a Journalist! Several Congress representatives have the new bill on their web-sites to be explored by any interested party. Do these journalist read this to us and then explain the flaws, applaud the improvements over the current system? No! Hour after hour of bashing, blaming, degrading and down right lying to us all. After listening to the reports of how far the popularity-ratings of the President had fallen since he introduced his health-care plan I stumbled on a rally in Nashville Tennessee where the people stood in line for five hours to hear the President speak ( On the Internet, I gave up on the radio) by the thousands. They cheered, clapped and stood to their feet as he shared each point of this new health-care bill. I have yet to see one word of this speech on any TV, radio or in the paper. This is why I say that Journalist are empty of integrity, truth and plain old honesty. They write and say what their pay-master demands. I know this is a wide brush and unfair to many so I apologize to the Journalists that are honest, fair and truthful and I will pray for you to find employment and fulfillment in your chosen profession. I really know how this must make some of you Journalists feel as this tirade is as much the same as the news (Fake News) I found out on the road today. I have been treated this way all my adult life; grouped and labeled, derided and defamed, kicked and shamed.....all because I am part of a group......Preachers.

Arrived at my destination in one piece......looked in the eyes of my Grandchildren.....forgot about a bad day's drive.

Jesus is coming!

It is impossible to be prepared for everything life brings our way. Talking with a friend one day and he is gone the next. Sending anniversary congratulations to friends and getting them back by return mail. Trying to order on line from my favorite auto supply house and finding them out of business. Reporting for work on Monday morning and finding the doors locked. I know that I can't be ready for all these problems but that is because I can't see them coming. I am ready for what I see ahead. When I see the shape this world is in I shutter. Not the war, or economy, or politics but the people who are not ready for the return of Jesus. He is coming. It may be today. Are you ready?

S.O.A.P.

3-22-2015      Romans 11:33-36

S.       33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

O.      God is the true source of all things and does not need man to teach him.

A.      God is my source/supply and I surrender myself, body, mind, spirit and soul as his servant.

    P.       Father; I praise your Holiness, perfection and Love. Thank you for calling me out of sin and          forgiving me. I sing a song of joy to your name. Amen. 

Which Spirit Do You Follow?

What spirit guides you? There is one that leads each person. We choose the spirit we follow. Most people are deceived and are not aware of the spirit world as science has replaced faith.  

11-11-2014    Mark 9:11-13

S.       11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

O.      Jesus addresses current doctrinal issues and declares the truth.

A.      Many doctrines are in conflict and bring confusion and division. I will seek to learn and obey God’s revealed word. When conflict occurs, and it will, the Bible will be my rule of faith and conduct.

P.       Father; I seek to know the truth and to live in purity before you. Fill me with the Spirit and Baptize me with Holy Fire. Amen.

Viper Strike

8-29-2014      Acts 28:1-6

S.       1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

O.      On the shore after the wreck while building a fire to dry off and keep warm Paul is bitten by a snake. The local people that were gathered to help the victims of the shipwreck expected Paul to die. When Paul lived, and showed no effects at all, the locals deemed him to be a god.

A.      Paul was serving, helping and doing what he could to comfort his fellow travelers. Like Jesus, Paul is a servant. We must apply ourselves to serving. Not just preaching, singing and testifying but in the everyday needs of life as well. Sharing ourselves and our substance to comfort and aid our fellow travelers.

P.       Father; train me in your mercy, that I may show mercy. Train me as a servant that I may serve. Teach me love and compassion that I may be a good servant. Amen.

Open Doors

8-17-2014      Acts 25: 22-27

S.       22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

O.      Festus brings Paul into the court room a third time, this time to establish a letter of explanation to send along with Paul to Rome. Agrippa is present.

A.      Each step of Paul’s life is filled with new opportunities to tell his story to new people. We must tell and re-tell our story as well. Tell your story to as many as you can.

P.       Father; Thank you for receiving me into your family. Thank you for forgiving me my sin. Thank you for directing my steps. Help me Lord to tell others just how good you have been to me. Amen.

Instructions Please!

7-30-2014      Acts 22:9-10

S.       9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

O.      The light of God surrounds Paul and his company and he asks, “What shall I do, Lord”.

A.      I must ask God for instruction each and every day.

P.       Father; what would you have me to do today, where should I go, what should I say? Lead me by your Holy Spirit to do your perfect will. Amen.  

Who Are You?

Why do we claim to be something we are not? A cow is always a cow and a horse is always a horse. We humans seem to want to be anything other than what we are. The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." 

We must have some mixed up hearts. One day we are kind and loving and the next day harsh and cruel. Some days we claim to be Christian and of holy stock; and the next we look, act, and sound like Satan himself. 

I came to a branch in the road one day and needed to make a choice (act of free will). Would I go to the right or to the left? One way was familiar and easy to see the way ahead. That path was just like the path I had been on all my life. I knew what to expect and was drawn that way.....the easy path. The other choice was completely foreign, unknown and unclear. As I stood still contemplating my options I was unaware that another traveler had stepped up beside me. My gaze was so transfixed on the two paths that I was alone in my own world of thought. When touched by my fellow traveler I jumped and expelled a small shriek, part fear and part joy. Fear because I thought I was alone, and joy because I suddenly wasn't. 

"Hello my friend", He said. "Are you lost?" 

"No, said I, "I am just evaluating my options. As you can see these two paths are very different, and why do you call me friend, we have never met?"

He said, "I see all men as my friend and when I greet you in this way I am declaring my hope to be your friend." 

Good practice, we all need more friends. I may just start doing that myself, you get what you give, you know? 

"By the way", I asked, "have you traveled this way before? I can't seem to decide which path to take." 

"Yes," said He, "many times I have been to this place and made new friends and watched them as they went. Which path is best? That depends on who you are." 

"Who I am?" I ask.  "I am a man of strength, courage, self-determination and able to do anything I set my mind to... that's who I am." 

"If that were true you would have never stopped to consider that second path." 

As these words came from His lips, I was already second guessing my self-evaluation just spoken. 

"Do you really know who you are?" He softly asked. 

"Sure, everybody knows who they are, don't they?" 

"No."  

His one word reply was painful to consider so I thought to change the subject of our discourse. 

"Why is one path so clear and the other the opposite?" I asked. 

He smiled and said, "The clear path is the path you were born on and you know it as well as you know anything because you built that path with your choices." 

"I did a good job in building such a clear and easy road, don't you think?" I said.  "That kind of road should reflect the kind of man I am and show others the proper path." 

"Do you want to know who you really are?" He asked.  "Look back and see where you came from." 

As I looked back the path was crooked, pot-marked, and full of trash. All my sin was exposed and the damage could be seen by all. I thought that I was a good man but the evidence said otherwise. 

"That can't be my path!" I said. 

"Yes, it is," said my new friend. "You have lived a life of sin and done much damage to yourself and others. "

"Why then is the path ahead so clear and easy?" I asked. 

"Because you think that you are something that you are not!"

 A cow is always a cow and a horse is always a horse.  

  

My wife Nancy and I early in my ministry.