BISCUITS
The following article really blessed my life and I wanted to share it with you. I am praying it blesses your life also. It is taken from Herb Pinney's newsletter for "New Iberian Mission Association". It is written by a Herb's class mate which was a few years a head of him, Ron Harrod for Redondo Union High School correspondence blog. I really liked it.
"When I was a kid, my mom like to make breakfast food for dinner now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she made breakfast for dinner after a very long, hard day at work.
On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed the burned biscuits. Yet, all my Dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching my Dad smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said, "Honey, I love burnt biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss my Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today, and she's really tired. And besides, a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
Life is full of imperfect things...and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But, what I have learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults AND choosing to celebrate each others differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing and lasting relationship.
And that's my prayer for you today. That you will take the good, the bad and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit or two isn't a deal breaker!
"Don't put the key of your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."
God bless you. Now and always.
adapted - From the desk of Ron Harrod, Class of '47
If you are interested in praying for and supporting financially a great mission work to the Guatamalan people contact Herb Pinney at P.O. Box 15133, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88004. The Community Christian Hospital, the Morning Glory Christian School, Christian Church at Sacsuy, plus the village evangelism are doing a great work. You should at least write and ask for their newsletter which tells of some amazing and miraculous work for our Lord Jesus Christ.
and remember I am praying for you and your family,
God bless your efforts for Him.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Facing your GIANTS!
FACING OUR GIANTS!
Do you have any giants in your life? Maybe you are facing a giant of a decision today! Maybe it is a giant of financial pressure. Maybe a giant of a tough marriage. Problem children. Or maybe just the overall giant of our society and economy. Whatever the giant or giants in our lives may be, I am sure we all have them.
So what do we do about those giants? How can we handle those giants in our lives? In the Old Testament, in I Samuel 17 we find young David facing a real giant. You do remember the story don’t you? Little David verses the giant Goliath. Remember now, Goliath was the champion of the Philistines. He stood over 9 feet tall, wore body armor that weight 125 pounds. Just the end of Goliath's spear weighed 15 lbs. He had fought every warrior in the Philistine army and won. This was one huge, bad dude.
But this story of David facing the giant Goliath gives us some principles of how we can face and fight the giants in our lives. Here are principles from the Bible, God's Word about facing giants in our lives.
First. Read, I Samuel 17:48. It states that as Goliath approach David “quickly ran out to meet him" the giant Goliath. Friends, we will never conquer our fears, sins, problems, the giants in our lives by running away. Those giants will always be there just like Goliath was there everyday taunting, challenging, badgering. The only way that we can overcome and conquer the giants in our lives is to do as little David the shepherd boy did here in I Samuel 17. He quickly ran out and faced his giant. So friends, face the problem. Face your giant. Acknowledge it and address it. Only by facing the giant can we overcome.
Point number two in facing our giants. Notice in I Samuel 17 that little David didn’t give any thought to Goliath’s skill, armor, age, social status, or whether he was a captain or a private in the Philistine army. David didn’t say anything about the weight of the armor or the size of the giant. Here’s what David did focus on…a real hint for us in facing our giants. Listen…
Living God vs 26
Armies of the living God vs 36
The Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel vs. 45
The Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel vs 46
And then in verse 47…the Lord does not save by sword and spear for the battle is the Lord’s.
I count 9 references to the God thoughts of little David the shepherd boy as he faced his giant Goliath.
So, here’s point two in facing the giants in your life. Don’t focus on the giants…FOCUS ON GOD. The miracle of overcoming giants is to trust in the Lord…focus on HIM!
So here you go…in facing your giants. 1) Step up and Face the giant 2) Focus on God almighty.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Face the Giants
FOCUS ON GOD!
I am praying for you and your families.
Do you have any giants in your life? Maybe you are facing a giant of a decision today! Maybe it is a giant of financial pressure. Maybe a giant of a tough marriage. Problem children. Or maybe just the overall giant of our society and economy. Whatever the giant or giants in our lives may be, I am sure we all have them.
So what do we do about those giants? How can we handle those giants in our lives? In the Old Testament, in I Samuel 17 we find young David facing a real giant. You do remember the story don’t you? Little David verses the giant Goliath. Remember now, Goliath was the champion of the Philistines. He stood over 9 feet tall, wore body armor that weight 125 pounds. Just the end of Goliath's spear weighed 15 lbs. He had fought every warrior in the Philistine army and won. This was one huge, bad dude.
But this story of David facing the giant Goliath gives us some principles of how we can face and fight the giants in our lives. Here are principles from the Bible, God's Word about facing giants in our lives.
First. Read, I Samuel 17:48. It states that as Goliath approach David “quickly ran out to meet him" the giant Goliath. Friends, we will never conquer our fears, sins, problems, the giants in our lives by running away. Those giants will always be there just like Goliath was there everyday taunting, challenging, badgering. The only way that we can overcome and conquer the giants in our lives is to do as little David the shepherd boy did here in I Samuel 17. He quickly ran out and faced his giant. So friends, face the problem. Face your giant. Acknowledge it and address it. Only by facing the giant can we overcome.
Point number two in facing our giants. Notice in I Samuel 17 that little David didn’t give any thought to Goliath’s skill, armor, age, social status, or whether he was a captain or a private in the Philistine army. David didn’t say anything about the weight of the armor or the size of the giant. Here’s what David did focus on…a real hint for us in facing our giants. Listen…
Living God vs 26
Armies of the living God vs 36
The Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel vs. 45
The Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel vs 46
And then in verse 47…the Lord does not save by sword and spear for the battle is the Lord’s.
I count 9 references to the God thoughts of little David the shepherd boy as he faced his giant Goliath.
So, here’s point two in facing the giants in your life. Don’t focus on the giants…FOCUS ON GOD. The miracle of overcoming giants is to trust in the Lord…focus on HIM!
So here you go…in facing your giants. 1) Step up and Face the giant 2) Focus on God almighty.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Face the Giants
FOCUS ON GOD!
I am praying for you and your families.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
India Trip
Greetings dear friends.
Well, today is Thursday, January 28th, 2010 and as I look out over 4 to 6 inches of new snow in Edgewood, New Mexico, I am battling jet lag.
After a torturous 48 hours of plane delays because of fog, snow and tardiness, I arrived back to the "good old USA" and Edgewood, NM around 12:30 AM Thursday morning.
So today is "jet lag" day. I feel super except for sleepiness.
I have spent the morning, unpacking, sorting and of course, laundry. Actually, my blessed wife has been taking care of the laundry and I have handled the putting things away.
INDIA TRIP January 2010
In the next few days I will be adding to this blog. I hope to convey the joy, thrills, challenges, opportunities and victories of our short term mission trip to India. It was both challenging and victorious. And in som cases even miracles.
So for now, let me say THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE PRAYERS. Those prayers were felt and of course brought about great victories and protection for the team.
May God continue to bless the efforts of Central India Christian Mission.
Till next time.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
His Name???? Why, Jesus, of course!
Friends, it is that time of year. It is a time of great anticipation of opening of gifts under the Christmas tree. This is a special time of year. Christmas time. Friends, more than nineteen hundred years ago there was born a man contrary to the laws of life. This man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity.
He did not travel extensively. Only once did he cross the boundary of his country in which He lived. He possessed neither wealth nor influence.
His relatives were inconspicuous, not influential and had neither training nor education.
In infancy he startled a king. In childhood He puzzled doctors. In manhood He ruled the course of nature, walking upon the billows as if pavements and hushed the sea to sleep. He healed multitudes without medicine and made no charge for his services. He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries of the country could not contain the books that have been written about Him.
He never wrote a song and yet He furnished the theme for more songs than all the song writers combined. He never founded a college, but all the schools put together cannot boast as having as many students. He never practiced medicine, yet has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors far and wide.
He never marshaled an army, nor drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun, and yet no leader has more volunteers who have, under his orders, made more rebels stack guns and surrender without a shot being fired. Every seventh day multitudes wind their way to worshipping assemblies to pay homage and respect to Him.
The names of the past proud statesmen of Greece and Rome have come and gone but the name of this Man abounds more and more. Though time has spread more that nineteen hundred years between the people of this generation and the scene of his crucifixion, yet, He still lives. Herod could not kill Him, Satan could not seduce Him, death could not destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him.
He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of heavenly glory, proclaimed of God, acknowledged by angels, adored by saints and feared by devils, as the living, personal Savior. His name, why, JESUS CHRIST, LORD AND SAVIOR.
---adapted----
Merry Christmas
He did not travel extensively. Only once did he cross the boundary of his country in which He lived. He possessed neither wealth nor influence.
His relatives were inconspicuous, not influential and had neither training nor education.
In infancy he startled a king. In childhood He puzzled doctors. In manhood He ruled the course of nature, walking upon the billows as if pavements and hushed the sea to sleep. He healed multitudes without medicine and made no charge for his services. He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries of the country could not contain the books that have been written about Him.
He never wrote a song and yet He furnished the theme for more songs than all the song writers combined. He never founded a college, but all the schools put together cannot boast as having as many students. He never practiced medicine, yet has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors far and wide.
He never marshaled an army, nor drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun, and yet no leader has more volunteers who have, under his orders, made more rebels stack guns and surrender without a shot being fired. Every seventh day multitudes wind their way to worshipping assemblies to pay homage and respect to Him.
The names of the past proud statesmen of Greece and Rome have come and gone but the name of this Man abounds more and more. Though time has spread more that nineteen hundred years between the people of this generation and the scene of his crucifixion, yet, He still lives. Herod could not kill Him, Satan could not seduce Him, death could not destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him.
He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of heavenly glory, proclaimed of God, acknowledged by angels, adored by saints and feared by devils, as the living, personal Savior. His name, why, JESUS CHRIST, LORD AND SAVIOR.
---adapted----
Merry Christmas
Monday, October 19, 2009
JESUS the ONE and ONLY WAY
As many of you know I have a southside office called "Starbucks" located in our local food store called "Smith's". Well, I was in my "office" this morning enjoying my venti mocha, non fat, no whip extra shot when Brian came in. Brian is a salesman for our local Ford dealer. I asked him how things were going. He replied that he had to make a hurried trip into Albuquerque which is about 30 miles from Edgewood. I said, "what's up?" "Well", he replied, "my wife works at Kirtland Air Force Base and forgot her pass this morning and can't get on base". I asked, "you mean they won't allow her to get to her job on base without her I.D. pass." "That's correct" he stated.
Well, that got me to thinking about Christianity and the Bible. You know folks, that's the way God's Word describes our journey down here with our appearance up there. Even though many folks think we are "all going to the same place", the Bible begs to differ. Here's a couple scriptures for your consideration and meditation.
1) John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me." These are the words of Jesus. HE said NO one gets to the Father but through HIM. Also consider:
2)Act 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
Act 4:11 "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Act 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Do you see it friends? Here's the reason we "go and make disciples". Here's the reason we talk to our neighbors. Here's the reason I show up at Starbucks, the credit union, What-a-burger, and at the bowling alley.
People matter to the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one counts. Each one is precious. Each one has to be introduced to Jesus Christ. WHY???????
HE IS THE ONLY WAY! Just like my friend Brian said this morning. His wife COULD NOT get on base with out the I.D. pass. She had to present it to enter Kirtland Air Force Base. Brian had to drive 60 miles round trip to give it to her so she could arrive at her job on the base. All because of the I.D. pass.
LISTEN UP...THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN BUT
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
On the back of my calling card are these words; "if you meet me and forget me you have lost nothing. BUT, if you meet my best friend Jesus Christ, and forget Him you have lost everything. May I tell you more about HIM?"
So friends, listen to the words of Jesus Christ and may they be our calling card for today and everyday.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
PEOPLE NEED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN!
When we get to stand before the Father, He will ask one question...may I see your I.D. pass. Will our name be written in the Lamb's book of life? Will He find your name there? Will your family's names be there? How about your neighbor? Your banker? The attendants at Starbucks?
You get the picture! If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Don't give up! Don't give in! NO COMPROMISE!
I am praying for you and your family,
Well, that got me to thinking about Christianity and the Bible. You know folks, that's the way God's Word describes our journey down here with our appearance up there. Even though many folks think we are "all going to the same place", the Bible begs to differ. Here's a couple scriptures for your consideration and meditation.
1) John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me." These are the words of Jesus. HE said NO one gets to the Father but through HIM. Also consider:
2)Act 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
Act 4:11 "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Act 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Do you see it friends? Here's the reason we "go and make disciples". Here's the reason we talk to our neighbors. Here's the reason I show up at Starbucks, the credit union, What-a-burger, and at the bowling alley.
People matter to the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one counts. Each one is precious. Each one has to be introduced to Jesus Christ. WHY???????
HE IS THE ONLY WAY! Just like my friend Brian said this morning. His wife COULD NOT get on base with out the I.D. pass. She had to present it to enter Kirtland Air Force Base. Brian had to drive 60 miles round trip to give it to her so she could arrive at her job on the base. All because of the I.D. pass.
LISTEN UP...THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN BUT
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
On the back of my calling card are these words; "if you meet me and forget me you have lost nothing. BUT, if you meet my best friend Jesus Christ, and forget Him you have lost everything. May I tell you more about HIM?"
So friends, listen to the words of Jesus Christ and may they be our calling card for today and everyday.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
PEOPLE NEED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN!
When we get to stand before the Father, He will ask one question...may I see your I.D. pass. Will our name be written in the Lamb's book of life? Will He find your name there? Will your family's names be there? How about your neighbor? Your banker? The attendants at Starbucks?
You get the picture! If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Don't give up! Don't give in! NO COMPROMISE!
I am praying for you and your family,
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Let the revival begin!
Just doing a little thinking about revival in the land, ABQ.
Some steps to begin NOW!
1) Prayer. The people who are tuned in now via Twitter, KKIM, DeweysDailyCup, Mark's network of emails and Leonard's contacts must be engaged. We must call people to PRAY, NOW!
II Chronicles 7:14, "if MY people, will humble themselves and PRAY and turn from their wicked ways". He first calls on HIS PEOPLE to begin the process. The revival never comes without HIS people repenting of their neglect, laziness, and complacent attitudes. IT MUST FIRST START US, WITH THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
2) No revival in the history of mankind has EVER OCCURRED without people returning to THE BOOK. Revival comes when people recommit themselves to be readers, studiers and researchers of the Bible. Remember, I said, NO REVIVAL has ever occurred without people turning to God's Word. i.e. Nehemiah. They rebuilt the walls but revival and renewal came when the law was read. They discovered what God wanted them to do in their personal lives and the life of their country.
3) Obedience. Remember II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if...turn from their evil ways, THEN, I will hear from heaven and heal their land". The healing of the land, renewal of our lives and spirits, and revival to our city, state and country comes when WE God's people repent of our high walls of division, repent of our complacency to doing what God's says, and repent of our distractions that the devil has placed in our lives. "Love the Lord our God with all of our body, mind, soul and spirit AND to love our neighbor as ourselves".
These HAVE to be preached and encouraged via every means possible. It must start with ME. I must pray, repent, get into God's Word, and DO WHAT IT SAYS. Those who claim to know Him must follow what HE said, "if you love me, keep my commandments."
Just thinking.
Some steps to begin NOW!
1) Prayer. The people who are tuned in now via Twitter, KKIM, DeweysDailyCup, Mark's network of emails and Leonard's contacts must be engaged. We must call people to PRAY, NOW!
II Chronicles 7:14, "if MY people, will humble themselves and PRAY and turn from their wicked ways". He first calls on HIS PEOPLE to begin the process. The revival never comes without HIS people repenting of their neglect, laziness, and complacent attitudes. IT MUST FIRST START US, WITH THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
2) No revival in the history of mankind has EVER OCCURRED without people returning to THE BOOK. Revival comes when people recommit themselves to be readers, studiers and researchers of the Bible. Remember, I said, NO REVIVAL has ever occurred without people turning to God's Word. i.e. Nehemiah. They rebuilt the walls but revival and renewal came when the law was read. They discovered what God wanted them to do in their personal lives and the life of their country.
3) Obedience. Remember II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if...turn from their evil ways, THEN, I will hear from heaven and heal their land". The healing of the land, renewal of our lives and spirits, and revival to our city, state and country comes when WE God's people repent of our high walls of division, repent of our complacency to doing what God's says, and repent of our distractions that the devil has placed in our lives. "Love the Lord our God with all of our body, mind, soul and spirit AND to love our neighbor as ourselves".
These HAVE to be preached and encouraged via every means possible. It must start with ME. I must pray, repent, get into God's Word, and DO WHAT IT SAYS. Those who claim to know Him must follow what HE said, "if you love me, keep my commandments."
Just thinking.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sweet smelling to God
The smell of fresh bread baking. Know what I mean? Ever been in a store where they are popping popcorn? Doesn't the aroma draw you to the concession stand? How about coffee brewing? Some have said that coffee brewing is better than drinking coffee. How about bacon cooking? Wow! When ever I am driving into town in the mornings there is a restaurant that just draws me in that direction. Bacon cooking. Oh, what a tremendous pleasing smell...o.k.
maybe just to me.
Do you know what smell is SO VERY PLEASING to God?
Our Bible Boost for today comes from Revelation 5:8, "and when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
Do you see it? It looks to me that all the prayers you and I have ever said, prayed or uttered is in a golden bowl held by one of the 24 elders. It is a bowl of incense. In the Old Testament the table of incense was prepared and sustained 24 hours around the clock as a sweet smelling aroma to God and the Lamb.
Our prayers are never futile, fragile or insignificant. Every one of them is treasured before God and stored as incense in golden bowls which becomes a sweet smelling aroma before God.
So, as we pray don't ever think that God is absent, silent, or on vacation. Every one of our prayers is held in a special golden bowl..."the prayers of the saints".
"Pray without ceasing"
maybe just to me.
Do you know what smell is SO VERY PLEASING to God?
Our Bible Boost for today comes from Revelation 5:8, "and when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
Do you see it? It looks to me that all the prayers you and I have ever said, prayed or uttered is in a golden bowl held by one of the 24 elders. It is a bowl of incense. In the Old Testament the table of incense was prepared and sustained 24 hours around the clock as a sweet smelling aroma to God and the Lamb.
Our prayers are never futile, fragile or insignificant. Every one of them is treasured before God and stored as incense in golden bowls which becomes a sweet smelling aroma before God.
So, as we pray don't ever think that God is absent, silent, or on vacation. Every one of our prayers is held in a special golden bowl..."the prayers of the saints".
"Pray without ceasing"
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