I posted an article on Renew Our Strength with an article about My Library. I included a picture of the software I use with a link to amazon.com. This version of the software is about $350.00. Amazon has some great deals for much less money. Check out the following bargains for some really good Bible Study Software:

PC Study Bible Version 5 Reference Library Plus pictured at the right for only $144.95 is a good value, but PC Study Bible also makes the PC Study Bible Version 5 Discovery Reference Library available for only $32.95. They also still have a great reference Library the PC Study Bible Version 5 New Reference Library for only $71.95.

One interesting feature about the PC Study Bible Software is that it is upgradable and you can add reference works later if you like. Just sharing the tools I use, and hoping they might bless you too.

Blessings

Wow! What an exciting day! Among the speakers were the legendary Zig Ziglar and the amazing founder of the Crystal Cathedral, Dr. Robert Schuller! I was spell bound and hung on every word as I listened to the wisdom of these men, who have been stirring our hearts for over half a century! Zig Ziglar was accompanied by his daughter who informed us that she has been his editor for more the 17 years. Zig Ziglar is now 84 year old, and his last fall has left him with some difficulty with his short term memory. She was just there to guide him in an interview style to keep him on his message. For my seat and the workbook, I paid only $10.00, and I am convinced it's the best investment I have made in years!

The folks from Get Motivated had an awesome day planned for us that included introducing us to some very successful people. In the next few months and years, we will look back to this day as one that really changed our lives. Hey, if you find out they're coming anywhere near you or even within a hundred or more miles, get to the seminar. You'll be glad you did!
Blessings

Good morning! It's been a while since you've heard from me here on ye ole blog, but I'm still here. When the King, called out to Daniel in the Lion's Den, Daniel responded, "Oh king, live for ever." Daniel's tone spoke volumes. It is as if he were saying, "Oh king, don't worry yourself to death over me. I am fine, just like I said I would be. The Almighty God has delivered me!" As Daniel's faith enabled him to face the tensions of his time and the chaos of his culture that culminated in the lion's den, we can face the difficulties of our day with renewed faith. God bless.

"Tostitos Blessing"

When I awoke at 4:00 a.m. I wasn't aware that I was waking up to a blessing. I only realized that the Tostitos I had eaten last night while playing Clue with my sons, weren't going to let me just go right back to sleep. I headed downstairs for some distraction, picked up my laptop, and went online to myspace. I found messages from friends, and read some really encouraging blog posts. Then I checked out a really positive Christian profile, and may have found a new friend. Wow, in a very short while I had forgotten why I was up. I certainly wouldn't have guessed at first that I had awakened to a "Tostitos Blessing."

God is so good! He takes those things that the enemy of our soul intends for harm and turns them around for our good. Remember Paul's words in Romans 8:28,

And we know that all things work together for good to ..them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So, next time Tostitos, or Pizza, or BBQ, or whatever wakes you up in the middle of the night. Look a little deeper and see. God has a plan. All things are working together for good! You may be the next recipient of a "Tostitos Blessing."

Wishing you all God's Best,
Pastor Dan

I received the following poem in an email, and wanted to pass it along to all who read my blog. The autor is unknown to me. I added the pictures from various internet sources.

Freedom Isn't Free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.



I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

I want to encourage you to continue praying for our troops. These young people who place their live on the line every day for the sake of freedom. As we enjoy the blessing of freedom let us never take it's price for granted.

Yours for freedom,
Pastor Dan

Ban on Gay Marriage Ruled InvalidSuperior Court Judge Constance C. Russell

Last night on Fox there was some disturbing news. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance Russell effectively overturned Georgia's Constitutional ammendment that banned same sex marriage. It had taken her 15 months to come to a decision in favor of gay rights activists. It was certainly clear what the people of Georgia wanted. Voters approved the ammendment by a 76% majority in November of 2004. It's amazing that one Superior Court Judge can have the clout to make null something passed by such an overwhelming majority.

We celebrated a great victory in Georgia in 2004, but the war for is not over here on the homefront for the soul of America. This is just another evidence the battle rages on. Let me encourage you today to keep the faith. We know that neither this judge nor those who won her decision speak for the majoriy Georgians. The may have caused a temporary set back, but their victory will be short-lived.

Yours for godly government,
Pastor Dan

Getting Involved

Yes, I have been criticized for being so involved in the "political" process, but let me share again a quote from Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

I believe that we must be involved to make a difference. In the 33rd chapter of the book of Ezekiel the prophet writes that God has made him a watchman for the people of Israel. Further, God says that if the watchman is not faithful then the blood of the people is on his hands. God has placed his servants here in the Dalton area to be watchmen as well. It is most unfortunate when pastors and/or religious leaders cave in to the pressure to leave politics alone. I've heard the lines so many times before. Among them is, "You can't legislate morality." It is certainly true that legislation won't change men's hearts and souls, but it is also true that someone's morality or lack of it is behind legislation. In Deuteronomy 12:8 Moses writes that the people are not to do what is right in their own eyes but as he continues in Deuteronomy 13:18 that God will show mercy and compassion to them,

because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

There is such an awesome need for godliness in government, and I see two ways that we can make a difference. One is to do all that we can to elect godly people to leadership, and the second is to hold those who are elected accountable to God's standards. Let's do all we can while we can to make a godly difference.

Blessings,
Pastor Dan

Meeting at City Hall

from their website at www.cityofdalton-ga.gov

We had a great turnout at the City Council Meeting last night. I'm sure I'll leave some out, but to give you an idea, there were five of us from CFA: Bob and Gay Rodriguez, Sharon Ferney, Janet Cochran, and myself. Besides our local church, other pastors and the folks from their churches included, Pastor Roger Whorton, Pastor Wayne Cofield, Pastor Ted Miller. A group of us had prayer in front of City Hall before we went in. Pastor Bill Walker, formerly of Grove Level and now at Dug Gap Baptist, was there along with Grove Level's current pastor, and a number of their people including our friends David and Sherri Blevins. Over 60 percent of the crowd was there to oppose Sunday Sales. Rev. Cannon, who is an associate pastor at 1st Baptist had an opportunity to speak at the work session, and he did a superb job representing our views, although we never spoke about it prior to this meeting.

The Council did not make a decision tonight. Instead Mayor Ray Elrod made an announcement that there would be no decision until July, because of certain time constraints. If they decided tonight then it would demand a special election to vote on the refernedum. By waiting until July they could have the referendum on the November ballot in the General election. It seems obvious to me that if Mayor Elrod did not expect the measure to pass there would be no need for him to wait. The local paper should be very interestin in the morning, but somehow I doubt that the paper's perspective and mine are very much alike.

Other evidence that Mayor Elrod seems very pro Sunday Sales included his announcement after the Hospitality Association made their speeches. The Mayor said that non-city residents should allow residents opportunity to speak first. It's interesting to me that he did not make this announcement before the the others spoke. Then at the close when Pastor Wayne Cofield asked if the Mayor would have those to stand to show their support or opposition to the measure, again the mayor raised the city resicency issue, only allowing those who were city residents to stand and show where they stood. Since no one other than the Mayor raised this issue, it made his own position most transparent.

Well, our work is certainly cut out for us, if we are to make a difference in the city of Dalton. We must identify and motivate those in our churches who are Dalton residents. Meanwhile I encourage all of you to write the Mayor and City Council. I think they should find their email accounts flooded with requests to keep this off the ballot. Remember, that Jesus said even the unjust judge relented when the widow unceasingly continued to make her petition. The email addresses are as follows:

Mayor Ray Elrod - relrod@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Charlie Bethel - cbethel@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Terry Christie - tchristie@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Bobby Grant - bgrant@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Dick Lowery - dlowery@cityofdalton-ga.gov
.

Of course, you may use conventional mail writing the Mayor and City Council at:

City of Dalton
City Hall
Dalton, GA 30720

Together we can make a difference!

Mother's DayMom with her Bible beginning her day in the Word

This is my third Mother's Day since Mom passed away. This year I sent a spray of Spring Flowers for the church in honor of her memory. Mother's Day has been difficult since Mom's death, but this year I really wanted to celebrate her life! I told Dad that I wasn't going to wear a white rose. My mother is very much alive, just in a different place. Like any time when your loved one is away for lengthy stay, I miss her. Somedays I miss here terribly, but we go on living, in God's promise that one day we will be reunited. Today I am thankful for a godly mother, and I echo the words of our first president, "all that I am I owe to my mother."

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Dan