Psalm 65:5-7

By awesome deeds in your righteousness, you will answer us. O God of our salvation. You who are the confidence of all of the ends of the earth. And the far off seas;  who established the mountains by his strength, being clothed with power, you will still the noise of the seas, the noise of the waves.  And the tumult of the people. 


Thanks for coming by today, friends. God bless you.

America

For the next few days with the approaching holiday, I may not be able to spend as much time here as I would like. But I will do something each day, even if it i short.

For today, I would just like to encourage you to thank God that he gave us this great country! The United States of America.  Yes, America, a place where there is violence, the government fighting amongst themselves, our rights slowly being taken away, and all this virus craziness....

....is still the very best place in the world to live.

And frankly friend, to those that disagree, well they have a right to do that.

But, to them, I would say, "If you don't agree with what I have said, then  you have a right to also go to some other country to live."

Because what we have here in America is still the very place we can be. And God, has given it to us to love. 

Thanks for coming today, Friends. God bless!

The Ferris Wheel and a Dream

The Ferris Wheel and a Dream

(True Story)

The young woman's life was not going well. She was having marital problems and was raising a family. There were financial problems among others as well. And yet, God had become very real to her and she was studying his word and trying as hard as she knew how, to become more like him. Hard as that seemed at the time.

As a young girl and going forth, she loved riding a Ferris Wheel when ever she could. That had never changed in her life, even as an adult. She loved  riding as the wheel would slowly take her to the top. And there she could look down on everything below. The crowds of people. The lights. Everything. It was amazing to sit for just a few seconds and enjoy it.

But going down was another story for her. As it started, the wheel would begin to pick up speed and she would begin to feel a bit panicked. In fact, about half of the way, she would feel like jumping out
of her seat so that she could get the ride over with before it crashed to the ground.

Of course, it never crashed. At least when ever she rode on one. But it was just that feeling of fear that would take over her, in those few moments before relief would take over and she was safely on the ground again. She never got over it. It happened every time she rode on one.

Later in her thirties though, Ferris Wheels and other rides had taken a back seat to rasising  a family and going through the struggles she had been facing since her early twenties. Still, she had made her way back to the Lord after some unsuccessful attempts at going her own way, without him. And she was clinging desperately to him as she read his word and tried hard to become more like him. Even though, it didn't seem like things around there were changing like she had hoped they would as she drew closer to him.

But one night she had a dream. She saw herself in that dream peacefully riding high up in a Ferris wheel, sitting at the top, and then coming down and feeling that same feeling of wanting to jump out before she might crash at the bottom. It was familiar to her but when she woke, what could it mean, if anything?

She felt like God was trying to speak to her using it, and so praying, she asked him to tell her. And he did.

Instantly, she knew what it meant. As she was going up, it meant the things in her life had been good for awhile. She had even been happy, on top of the world as she went out on her own in her late teens and then met her husband to be. But then not long after her marriage, she started having marriage problems, and then children started coming which although she wanted them and loved them, they compounded the problem through no fault of their own but then the money problems began to show up due to the demands of raising them.

Coming down from being on top of the world in the dream, she had begun to panic and she was scared. She was trying hard to stay in her seat so as not to jump out and get to the bottom safely. She was trying hard to do what God had wanted her to do by giving everything over to him and know without a doubt, that he was in control.

At the bottom of the Ferris wheel, she was relieved, as it came to its stop, And God had gotten her through, like his word had been telling her.

God had showed her in a dream,something that she could understand about her life as it was at that point. She knew him. She was trying to learn his word and be the kind of Christian he wanted her to be even through everything she was going through at the time. She just needed to understand and realize too that someday, she would get to the end and it would all be over because of him. All the problems, and struggles would be gone. The Ferris wheel would finally stop.

What a relief.

Things were not instantly better for her. She still struggled. In fact, most of her life she has struggled in one way or another. But, those immediate situations. Some of them did come to an end a bit sooner rather then later.. Later her children left home, one after another-giving her the joy of having some wonderful grandchildren. The money situation got better and in later years,  it has gotten more freed up so that she could do more with it and not be so strapped down..Other problems such as health etc would take their place. But putting it all into perspective, generally, life has been better. And those  things that she still tends to struggle with? They will hit the bottom and the ride will be over once and for all.

How do I know? Because this is my own story. The Ferris wheel. The dream. And most importantly...

Because of God

I often think back to those days and that dream. Because it had been so real to me and unforgettable. The things that he has brought me through. The things that God has taught me and continue to each me. Where I am today, rather then where I was then. Where I am going now as opposed to back then.

He is all we need, Friends. Because with him, nothing is impossible. And when he promises us something, he will bring it to pass. In his own time. In his own way. And sometime when we least expect it. 

Thanks for coming today. I hope you have a blessed day because as we know, he made it for us.

Till next time.....

I Am Like That Deer....

As the deer panteth for the water, so panteth my soul after thee, Oh God. My soul thirstiest for God, the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2

Imagine you are watching a deer that has been running to get away from the sounds of the wolves that are pursuing her, hungry to get to her. It is a hot, squelching day, and she is tired and thirsty. In need of finding water to drive away her dry throat,That is what David is crying to God about here in these verses. He is thirsty for God, His heart, his very soul cries out for his God to give him the living water that he so needs. 

Have you ever felt that way. So weary. So in need of something deeper then what you have and you cry out to God for his help?

I think most people have. Whether they realize it or not. They are crying, running, searching for something that will satisfy their hunger for life. It might be more money, nicer material goods, or a spouse. It might be problems that are going on in the home. However,  many never find though what they really need.

And what is that? 

It isn't a what. But a who.

Jesus

Jesus is who they need. Because that is what God created man to do. To want to go to their creator and love him, because he first loved them. 

Sadly, not every one ever finds him. But those that do, will find his very living water springing up even in the worst of times. That is, if we let him. All we have to do i ask.

Thanks for coming by, Friends. Until next time....

  

Today's Scripture

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believes in him should not perish but    have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him, is not condemned; but he that  believeth not is commended already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

John 3:16-18

Do you feel condemned today because of past things that have gone on in your life?  Are you weeping because things happened that you could not control, or maybe that you could have controlled but didn't? If you are a child of the King, do not despair and do not give up! You are not alone. Back in February of 2018, I wrote a post of called: Our Tears in a Bottle. If you have never read it, or maybe would like to read it again, please go to:  Our Tears in a Bottle or search for it in another of my posts. I encourage you to do that for today if you need or want to.  Because sometimes it is good to go back and read things again, as I myself did this morning with that post. I needed to. In the mean time, things here for today are going to be quite busy, but I will be back tomorrow with a brand new post for you. 

Thanks for coming and may God bless the new week for you. 

No Fear, Only Trust

What time I am afraid,  I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.

Psalm 56:3-4

Friends, did you know that we are living in crazy times? No doubt you do. I think we are living in the craziest of times that I have ever known. Not that there haven't been them before. What with past wars and other kinds of viruses and sickness and civil unrest. But somehow, this seems different to me. Is it really the beginning of the end for the time when Jesus comes back to take the church back home to live with him? Or it just another part of having to live here and endure until he does, or until we ourselves pass and go into eternity. Whether that be to heaven or hell? Will things of this world have to get even worse then they are now, before he comes back? 

Some are saying we are in the last days. But then we have heard that from the beginning of time. That Jesus is coming back at anytime now. And I wonder if things will have to get worse before he actually does. Even though it sure feels like the times are bad enough for that to happen. 

However, even when we think it could be at any moment, Isaiah 55;8-9 tells us that his thoughts and ways are not our ways. His are higher. So really. Could it be that he is going to come back real soon?

The fact is that no one really knows. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will never pass away. No one knows about the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son but only the Father. Mathew 24:35-36.

That scripture goes on to say in verses 37-39, that it will be like the day of the flood that took out many people during Noah's time, when Jesus will come back. They were eating, and drinking, and marrying, and yet the people did not even realize what was about to happen. Because they would not listen to Noah as he built the ark. They just figured he was an old fuddy duddy. Their lives were on the line and they weren't paying attention. 

Should we then, understanding that Jesus is  coming back, ignore the signs in these days we live in as if things will have to get worse before he does? Not pay attention to them?

Absolutely  not!. Because we do not know the day or the hour. He might come back next week, next year or a hundred years from now. Or he might come back before I am done with this post. Because, we don't know. 

We don't want to miss it, Friends. His coming. Like those of Noah's days that perished because they ignored the message that he was preaching to them. And so as verse 42 in that same chapter says: Watch therefore; for you do not know what hour your Lord will come.  And verse 44: Therefore be ready. For in such an hour that you think not, the Son of man will come. 

We don't want to miss his coming, Friends. Are you ready? Are you watching? Are you listening? Or are you instead just all caught up in what is going on in the world and not paying attention? 

It is good to know what is going on around us. But we also should not dwell completely on that but take comfort in the fact that in what time we are afraid, we can put our trust in God and not worry about what man can do to us. Because that is his promise to us in times like this. And you know what?

We meed that promise. No matter what is going on in the world.

Thanks for coming, Friends. God bless you in this his day!

What is My Speech Like?

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer anyone. Colossians 4:6

What does salt have to do with one's speech or conversation?

Conversation between people can be sweet, or sour, dripping like honey, or bitter tasting. It depends on what the conversation is about and who is doing the talking. In the Apostle Paul's time, salt was a preservative for meat and a commodity in which it could be used as a type of currency. What he was trying to convey was that the believers of the day should preserve the message that Jesus Christ had come to give us. Plus, as believers, we should always be uplifting, loving, helpful and more, to other people. 

Another notable aspect is that of another scripture: A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Yeah, but what do I do when I am living with a person that thinks he/she is right all the time, and everyone else is wrong all the time? Isn't that like letting a person walk all over me?

Know anyone like that? Believe me, I do.

It could be letting the person walk all over you. If you don't stand up for your self in doing so. A soft answer does not mean that you let the person get away with putting you down, or that you can't tell them they are wrong. With a person like that, you may need God's wisdom of what to say in those moments that will turn away their wrath rather then to fuel it. Because as Proverbs 15:1 says, their anger can only stir up an even bigger blow up. 

God knows what words to give you at any given time, that will soften the blows of the other person. He can give them to you in an instant. Without making you feel defenseless. But you have to be ready  You have to be willing to listen to him. By reading his word. By knowing what he is saying to you. By willing to be soft instead of angry yourself and wanting that person to be wrong and you be right.

It is better to give a soft but short answer, and the walk away, I have found. To let them think about what you have just said. And then address it later in a more quiet conversation. Easy? Not usually. But it does work. And it is much better then getting into a big fight that lasts for hours or even days. 

Conversations between people should be preserved like salt does food. God does not want us to break down communication with those around us, whether with our families, our neighbors or other believers. Because then the unbelievers watching us can have reason to look  at us and wonder why we call ourselves Christians when we act just like them. Why would they want that?

No, it isn't easy. And believe me I know that for a fact. But I also know that as God is teaching me, I am learning some valuable ways that I wish I had known years ago in my communication with other people. In my family and others alike. 

I have not yet got a full grip on it, but I am willing to keep learning, and I have seen what happen when I turn away with a soft answer, rather then with an angry one, or worse yet, none at all. Because there have been those times in my life, when I have not given an any kind of answer and that makes it look like I am either agreeing with the person or easy to step on for them to get their own way

Jesus says this in Mathew 15:28-30  Come to me, all you that are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light...

Preserving the message of Jesus Christ, also is to preserve the relationships of our families and those around us. They go hand in hand. And sometimes we take them for granted, because of our own anger.

If your yoke is heavy due to the conversations that are affecting your daily life, learn from the Best. Jesus only needs to be asked. And he will give you the answers you need to deal with those in your life that complicate it with misery because they are always right and everyone else is always wrong. Oh, they might not change overnight, but gradually as you seek God's wisdom, they begin to. And I will take that over nothing in hopes of gaining changes in their attitudes.

Thanks for coming today Friend. Have a blessed Saturday!