Sleeping better and longer these days. Must be this mountain air. The wind is blowing and rocking the trailer. Took off at 10:30 (again) and could only drive 50 to 55 mph because of the wind. Being pushed sideways by strong gusts make me nervous. One gust hit so hard that the steps on the trailer popped out so I pulled over to put them back......found a short piece of rope laying on the side of the road so I tied them up. How strange, a piece of rope laying on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, just the right length, right where I stopped......thank you Lord. Pulled into Phoenix traffic and remembered why I love the country so much. Our navigator warned us of an accident ahead and gave us a route around it; right into a closed road. Sixteen miles too far west, fourteen miles back east, six miles back north and pow; on the original route in the middle of the accident slowdown. I can now put this rig in some tight places. We arrived at Mountain of Life church at 5:30 and set up before dark. John and Cathy came and picked us up and out to supper.....Texas Road House.....yum!
All that traffic made me think of how we get in a hurry, push, shove and compete with each other to be in the front of the line. I would like to see the same effort and enthusiasm going into our spiritual lives. Can you just see it in your mind? People driving around and around the church parking lot hunting a spot, lines of cars at the stop light setting through five or six cycles just turn towards the church. Rushing to God's house to worship. Yes....I am a dreamer.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Friday, March 3, 2017
3-2-2017 Arizona Trip
Taking extra time to travel this trip and not getting in in hurry. I have only passed a hand full of others, driving below the posted speed limit ( don't get nervous seeing a patrol car) and seeing things I have never seen before is fun. We did not get on the road until 10:30. I spent too much time talking to another preacher from Corsicana Texas that was headed to Phoenix as well. Made it to Lordsberg NM. and got set up in the dark. Nancy is working on her quilt and I am watching my DVD's from last Christmas. The news is just the same old political garbage.
Speaking of garbage: I want to send out a word of appreciation to all the workers that pick up the garbage and keep our world clean. They work hard in all sorts of weather and are faceless servants of us all. They make America a great place to live too.
Speaking of garbage: I want to send out a word of appreciation to all the workers that pick up the garbage and keep our world clean. They work hard in all sorts of weather and are faceless servants of us all. They make America a great place to live too.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
March 1, 2017
The first day of vacation got off to a good start. I finished taking down the forms from yesterday's concrete pour and straightened out the dirt. Loading the R.V. and all the last minute preparations got us off to a late start so it was 9:30 before we were on the road. Taking the southern route on I-20 to Phoenix. Noticed a bill-board for Mary's in Strawn so took a slight detour. My hitch is making some funny noise so while we were stopped for lunch I made some adjustments. The adjustments seemed to help and I picked up some grease to quite the squeak, much better! Very windy today, would you believe windy in west Texas, so I must slow my speed to accommodate. Made it to Odessa and found a nice park to spend the night. Nancy made me a meat-loaf and I ate too much. Going to bed early....
Why is life so short and full of problems. I want to see my parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren more often, finish my projects around the farm, pastor my church and enjoy my beautiful wife but I am forced into these little windows of time. They are small windows and set far apart and cluttered with obs-tickles in between. This is how I think when in a selfish mode....me....me....me. I am the most blessed man alive. I am thankful, really I am. My world is still full of wonderful opportunities, wonderful people and health to enjoy it all. Thank you Lord.
Why is life so short and full of problems. I want to see my parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren more often, finish my projects around the farm, pastor my church and enjoy my beautiful wife but I am forced into these little windows of time. They are small windows and set far apart and cluttered with obs-tickles in between. This is how I think when in a selfish mode....me....me....me. I am the most blessed man alive. I am thankful, really I am. My world is still full of wonderful opportunities, wonderful people and health to enjoy it all. Thank you Lord.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Sabbatical: closing thoughts
Seven days in Israel is too short a visit. I would like to spend about a year there as a student in the Hebrew University and absorb some formal training in the language. So many of my sermons will be sprinkled with the information of these seven days. I was shocked to experience the distances that our Lord walked, the steepness of the hills and depth of the valleys. Our walking part of the trip added up to over forty miles, yes, forty miles. I walked every step and did not realize the distance. I felt God, I heard God, I saw God every day. It was beyond my ability to share with mere words. I am looking back now and still I wonder; was it really me? Was this a dream, a vision or a supernatural out-of-body experience? It was real, so real that I can never be the same. I see every Bible story in a different light. My knowledge has been elevated by experience and my experience with application. A new, deep hunger for the word arose in my soul. I am grateful to my benefactor who paid for this trip and the church members that donated my spending money. I pray that God will reward them ten fold for their sacrifices. I think every pastor should make this journey. Maybe you could send your pastor.
I am the MOST blessed man on earth!
I am the MOST blessed man on earth!
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Sabbatical: Day 7
Early today we come to the Garden Tomb. Just above us looms Golgotha, the features of a skull are clearly seen these two thousand years after the murder of Jesus on that place. There are no crosses standing there, no markers and no shrine. It is my opinion that even to this day most people want to avoid the cross and that is why there is not a shrine there. I see that cross, the pain, the agony, the suffering and death. But what I sense most is "alone". Jesus called out to God from that cross, "why have you forsaken me"? In my heart I know that Jesus loves me enough to face death for me. The guiltless, sinless and perfect Son of God gave his life as the sacrifice for my sin and suffered rejection to pay a price that I could never pay. Because of this I have approach to God and the option of eternal life. Eternity will not be long enough for me to sing his praise. Serving him here is insufficient to show my gratitude. By walking a few steps to the east and rounding a short partition wall I am in the garden where the borrowed tomb is located. (I think this partition is a sound barrier for street traffic) Several hundred people are here and great preparation for our service and communion. Pastors Matthew and John Hagee sing and preach and praise in sweet leadership as my thoughts turn from the cross to that "EMPTY" tomb. The songs were all well known and familiar but there impact was amplified, multiplied a million times as I gazed into the door of an empty room. My Saviour lives! The tomb could not hold him. Jesus returned to us, alive, having placed his perfect blood sacrifice on the golden alter before the throne. I can say without doubt; He lives in Heaven and in my heart. This communion service will be one of my sweetest memories of this trip. As I celebrated the body and blood of my Saviour I doubled my commitment to our relationship and my service to my fellow man. I experienced a "new birth".....again.
The remainder of the day, my last day, was spent at two memorials, The Holocaust and Friends of Israel. I learned much of the history of the second world war from my family as a boy. Their stories did not prepare me for this day or these memorials. I won't write much here. I will say that the spirit, the hate and the evil that lived in the Nazi effort is in our world once again in these Radical Muslims. I pray that the world does not turn it's back on Israel.
The remainder of the day, my last day, was spent at two memorials, The Holocaust and Friends of Israel. I learned much of the history of the second world war from my family as a boy. Their stories did not prepare me for this day or these memorials. I won't write much here. I will say that the spirit, the hate and the evil that lived in the Nazi effort is in our world once again in these Radical Muslims. I pray that the world does not turn it's back on Israel.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Sabbatical: Day 6
We entered the old city through the Jaffa Gate on foot heading to the Western Wall Tunnels. These old gates are still used for all traffic into and out of the old city. We yielded the right of way to several cars as they squeezed through the narrow way. Nearly every auto was scratched and dented from these gates. The tunnels are an active archaeological work site. The excavation covers the entire length of the western wall. At the bedrock level I placed my hands on the very first stone placed in the building of the wall. This stone weights 550 tons and was cut out of the mountain at the north end of Jerusalem and rolled on small round balls to it's current location.
These tunnels have massive rooms in the beginning and narrow to a six foot wide walk way along the base of the wall. About midway is a women's prayer area. This is just under the Holy of Hollies some 100 feet above. Prayer is made in this location at all times. There is a report that the prayer wall here is covering a large room which contains the Ark of the Covenant. This area will need several more years of excavation.
Our next stop was at the Western Wall prayer area. This is the same area we visited on the Sabbath. I made my way to the wall, praying as I went. In my hand were several dozen prayers and blessings written on small slips of paper and placed into an offering envelope from Elm Grove. (the envelope was covered with these also). I even had our prayer list from Sundays bulletin in there. Each step forward gave me a physical touch in my body. I was tired and sore from all the walking but step by step I was feeling stronger and stronger. I pushed the envelope into a large crack between two really large stones (I even took a selfie of this) and placed my hands over the place and began to pray. The Holy Spirit flowed in an almost melodic fashion and fire fell. My Lord was there with me, his hands were on me as I called out the names of every person I could think of. Joy flooded my soul and I knew that I had ascended above that Wall and into the throne room of Almighty God in heaven. My body may have been at the Western Wall but my Spirit was with God. As I moved away from the wall, walking backward as not to turn my back to this holy place, I knew that each prayer and blessing was received by God. I know that in time will I will hear the reports of all that was sealed on this day.
I am amazed at the sight of Masada. Riding the cable car to the top was like flying on the wings of a bird. Below was the Dead Sea and all the wonderful agricultural achievements of the Jewish farmers and above was the Herodian Fortress. This is a large area of several acres with a summer palace on one end and a winter palace on the other, many storage rooms, quarters for soldiers, farmers and servants, swimming pool, armory and recreational area. On the south end of the plateau there is agricultural land and evidence that it was well used. I have never seen the movie "Masada" but most people have so I will not go into the history of the last stand of Jewish rebels against Rome. My spiritual interests were not focused too much on this location. One special note: There is a Scribe working in a small room making hand written copies of the Torah. I said "God Bless Your Work" and he stopped and ask my name and my wife's name. He then took a scrap of parchment and printed our names with a heart between them in Hebrew and slipped it through a slot in the glass.
After Masada we took a break at a beach on the Dead Sea. Just a lot of black mud to me but the local people were rubbing this mud all over and they said it kept them young and beautiful. I just watched.
Upon arriving back in Jerusalem we went straight to the southern wall steps where Pastor Hagee was to speak. There were several hundred people gathered and a television crew set up for a live feed back to America. We had church! Singing, worship, praying and preaching. The only thing missing.....no offering. Pastor spoke of the suffering of Jesus and how he has paid the price, the full price, for our salvation and our healing. I made a commitment to; share more, tell more and believe for more.
These tunnels have massive rooms in the beginning and narrow to a six foot wide walk way along the base of the wall. About midway is a women's prayer area. This is just under the Holy of Hollies some 100 feet above. Prayer is made in this location at all times. There is a report that the prayer wall here is covering a large room which contains the Ark of the Covenant. This area will need several more years of excavation.
Our next stop was at the Western Wall prayer area. This is the same area we visited on the Sabbath. I made my way to the wall, praying as I went. In my hand were several dozen prayers and blessings written on small slips of paper and placed into an offering envelope from Elm Grove. (the envelope was covered with these also). I even had our prayer list from Sundays bulletin in there. Each step forward gave me a physical touch in my body. I was tired and sore from all the walking but step by step I was feeling stronger and stronger. I pushed the envelope into a large crack between two really large stones (I even took a selfie of this) and placed my hands over the place and began to pray. The Holy Spirit flowed in an almost melodic fashion and fire fell. My Lord was there with me, his hands were on me as I called out the names of every person I could think of. Joy flooded my soul and I knew that I had ascended above that Wall and into the throne room of Almighty God in heaven. My body may have been at the Western Wall but my Spirit was with God. As I moved away from the wall, walking backward as not to turn my back to this holy place, I knew that each prayer and blessing was received by God. I know that in time will I will hear the reports of all that was sealed on this day.
I am amazed at the sight of Masada. Riding the cable car to the top was like flying on the wings of a bird. Below was the Dead Sea and all the wonderful agricultural achievements of the Jewish farmers and above was the Herodian Fortress. This is a large area of several acres with a summer palace on one end and a winter palace on the other, many storage rooms, quarters for soldiers, farmers and servants, swimming pool, armory and recreational area. On the south end of the plateau there is agricultural land and evidence that it was well used. I have never seen the movie "Masada" but most people have so I will not go into the history of the last stand of Jewish rebels against Rome. My spiritual interests were not focused too much on this location. One special note: There is a Scribe working in a small room making hand written copies of the Torah. I said "God Bless Your Work" and he stopped and ask my name and my wife's name. He then took a scrap of parchment and printed our names with a heart between them in Hebrew and slipped it through a slot in the glass.
After Masada we took a break at a beach on the Dead Sea. Just a lot of black mud to me but the local people were rubbing this mud all over and they said it kept them young and beautiful. I just watched.
Upon arriving back in Jerusalem we went straight to the southern wall steps where Pastor Hagee was to speak. There were several hundred people gathered and a television crew set up for a live feed back to America. We had church! Singing, worship, praying and preaching. The only thing missing.....no offering. Pastor spoke of the suffering of Jesus and how he has paid the price, the full price, for our salvation and our healing. I made a commitment to; share more, tell more and believe for more.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Sabbatical: Day 5
We returned to the Mount of Olives and spent some time sharing testimonies of our christian experiences. This location affords us a view of most of the places that Jesus was in during his last hours before the crucifixion. There is some distances between the Garden, Temple, house of Caiaphas and Golgotha, up and down some steep slopes as you traverse the valleys that divide this landscape. Hard traveling when on foot. When we moved to the Garden of Gethsemane there was a sweet perfume in the air. I sang quietly "I come to the Garden with him" and just like the song he was walking right beside me with his arm on my shoulder. I was with a large group of pilgrims and totally alone with my Lord at the same time. Time stood still and I was in perfect worship, all my soul pouring out praise, adoration and love to my Jesus and my God. I can't tell you much about this place but the presence of the Lord was Divine. Our Guide nudged me and said it was time to go and I begged for a few more minutes, he understood, in the ten minutes extra he waited on me I ask God for a touch in my body. All this walking was taking a toll, God moved and I received strength and my pain disappeared.Walking out the gate our guide patted me on my arm and spoke a few words in Hebrew. I felt a warmth of love and fellowship with this man. He is Jewish through and through but we are brothers just the same. I ask him latter in the day what his words were in English. "A Nazarite indeed" was his blessing to me.
We re-entered the old city through the Lion's Gate and made our way to Anne's Church. We sang and sang great worship songs as we lifted our voices in praise. Pastor Hagee preached a message about the anointing of the Holy Ghost and how God's servants were used. He invited any of us to come to the front and be anointed with oil, I almost ran. Sweet smelling anointing oil covered my forehead as God wrapped me in his arms. I was in his presence. Perfect peace, joy unspeakable, energy.......so I shouted......Holy....Holy...Holy and moved out into the bright sunshine...closer to God.
Before we loaded on the bus to go to our next destination Nancy had a big scare. The restrooms were about half a block away and we took advantage before our long ride ahead. Some how the attendant at the ladies room locked the outer door with sister Nancy inside. The lock was on the outside of the door and no escape. Nancy began to yell and kick the door, I heard the kicking sound as it rang through the courtyard but was too far away to recognize her voice. I saw people running to the area and got worried that I could not see Nancy. Just as I headed in that direction the grounds keeper shot through the crowd and opened the door. Out popes my sweet, quite Nancy looking like a angry lion ready to strike. Many words were exchanged between the grounds keeper and the lady attendant......she had done this before and had a smug grin on her face. We chose to forgive.....but.....the excitement lasted for quite a while.
We rode to an Israeli check point where day-laborers came over from Palestine. We were introduced to the man that was the chief architect of the security fence. This is a buffer zone created to give some measure of safety from the Radical Muslims that invade Israel. At this checkpoint the peaceful Muslims that desire to work in Israel are given a safe entrance. At places the fence is a wall, a tall wall, but most of the fence is ten foot chain link with razor wire on top. The wall is in the areas where rifle fire can reach Israeli homes. The conflict is calm for the most part here in Jerusalem but there is still need for caution. We learned that this very morning, while we were at Anne's Church a terrorist had been shot a few miles from where we were standing. (after he had stabbed two policemen) Our speaker wanted us to know that this wall was built to be easily removed and was not intended to be permanent. he felt that it removed temptation because of it's tallness. The homes in this area all have bullet proof windows facing Palestine. The hate that we hear about in America is being inflamed from several relatively small factions. The hope of peace is a common subject of discussion here in Israel and most people on both sides pray for peace. If America and Russia would shut off the cash flow to these terrorists the problem would move to a swifter conclusion. Our Architect shared with us that he personally has briefed both Obama and Clinton as to the situation. They both still side with the radical factions and have kept the purse open in every way possible.
We returned to the hotel for yet another wonderful meal and much needed rest. Our days are slipping past in a rush, our hearts and heads are full to the overflowing....God is HERE!
We re-entered the old city through the Lion's Gate and made our way to Anne's Church. We sang and sang great worship songs as we lifted our voices in praise. Pastor Hagee preached a message about the anointing of the Holy Ghost and how God's servants were used. He invited any of us to come to the front and be anointed with oil, I almost ran. Sweet smelling anointing oil covered my forehead as God wrapped me in his arms. I was in his presence. Perfect peace, joy unspeakable, energy.......so I shouted......Holy....Holy...Holy and moved out into the bright sunshine...closer to God.
Before we loaded on the bus to go to our next destination Nancy had a big scare. The restrooms were about half a block away and we took advantage before our long ride ahead. Some how the attendant at the ladies room locked the outer door with sister Nancy inside. The lock was on the outside of the door and no escape. Nancy began to yell and kick the door, I heard the kicking sound as it rang through the courtyard but was too far away to recognize her voice. I saw people running to the area and got worried that I could not see Nancy. Just as I headed in that direction the grounds keeper shot through the crowd and opened the door. Out popes my sweet, quite Nancy looking like a angry lion ready to strike. Many words were exchanged between the grounds keeper and the lady attendant......she had done this before and had a smug grin on her face. We chose to forgive.....but.....the excitement lasted for quite a while.
We rode to an Israeli check point where day-laborers came over from Palestine. We were introduced to the man that was the chief architect of the security fence. This is a buffer zone created to give some measure of safety from the Radical Muslims that invade Israel. At this checkpoint the peaceful Muslims that desire to work in Israel are given a safe entrance. At places the fence is a wall, a tall wall, but most of the fence is ten foot chain link with razor wire on top. The wall is in the areas where rifle fire can reach Israeli homes. The conflict is calm for the most part here in Jerusalem but there is still need for caution. We learned that this very morning, while we were at Anne's Church a terrorist had been shot a few miles from where we were standing. (after he had stabbed two policemen) Our speaker wanted us to know that this wall was built to be easily removed and was not intended to be permanent. he felt that it removed temptation because of it's tallness. The homes in this area all have bullet proof windows facing Palestine. The hate that we hear about in America is being inflamed from several relatively small factions. The hope of peace is a common subject of discussion here in Israel and most people on both sides pray for peace. If America and Russia would shut off the cash flow to these terrorists the problem would move to a swifter conclusion. Our Architect shared with us that he personally has briefed both Obama and Clinton as to the situation. They both still side with the radical factions and have kept the purse open in every way possible.
We returned to the hotel for yet another wonderful meal and much needed rest. Our days are slipping past in a rush, our hearts and heads are full to the overflowing....God is HERE!
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