New Connection

2010-08-15T16:47:00.005-04:00

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

2010-08-10T15:34:00.005-04:00

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

2009-01-25T02:08:00.002-05:00

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.

2006-05-19T05:31:00.000-04:00

"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

2006-05-17T16:09:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-17T15:10:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-16T02:51:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-16T02:06:00.000-04:00

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!

2006-05-15T22:22:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-11T00:35:00.000-04:00

A Christian Response to Rebellion

Our Wednesday Evening Bible Teacher -- Hubert Cochran

In our Bible Study tonight Hubert dealt directly with the question, "How do we respond to a Christian friend in rebellion? The goal tonight was to give some practical direction for responding to those who are rebelling against God.

First, he said that we must confront rebellion directly with God's Word, and that if at all possible we should confront that one who is in rebellion privately, one on one. In Galatians 2:11-13 notice how Paus deals with Peter.

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Secondly We should avoid embarrassment. In Galatians 6:1 Paul writes: Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted..

Thirdly, we should allow time for response, time for prayer. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer for them. Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
A key word here is the word, "alert" here in the NIV. Another translation uses the word "watching." It can even mean to be sleepless. We need to watch and pray.

Fourthly, you might not win your brother or sister immediately, therefore use wisdom, and love. In James 5:19-20 we read:
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Patiently encouraging your brother in Christ is worth the effort. With wisdom and love you can hope to eventually restore them.

Hey if you've been living your own way instead of God's, Yes, I mean if you've been in rebellion, don't run from God. Run to him. He wants you to be restored.

Blessings
Pastor Dan

2006-05-08T15:57:00.000-04:00

Live ReadyOur newest colt Tybee, a paint like our mare, Georgia

It has been a few days again, since I've posted, and a lot has happened. You can check out my blog on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/yourpastor because with two blogs going now, I forget where I've posted what.

I missed prayer meeting Friday night. I took two Advil migraine gel caps and went home. I'm sure there were some folks praying becasue by 8:30 p.m. the headhache was gone. I have taken headache medicine before and barely taken the edge off. I was grateful and I'm sure my family was grateful too.

Saturday we received a call at work that one of our mares, a paint named Georgia was in trouble. She was in labor with a littl filly. The filly didn't make it, and the mare was down. After working with her for more than six hours Saturday afternoon and evening, we decided to let her rest through the night hoping she might be a little stronger on Sunday. Sunday after church we lifted her up and put her on her feet again, but she was weaker instead of stronger, and after I retreated to the barn, Odell put her down, and we buried Georgia in the pasture, immediately afterwards.

These events bring me to focus again on the brevity of life. How fragile it is! In Job 14:1-2 the Bible records:

Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.
He springs up like a flower and withers away;
like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Life is fleeting. When we are young we feel so indestructible, but then life smacks us in the face with tragedy and we realize how fragile life is. In the last couple of years I've been to funerals that cover the age spectrum from an eighty year old grandmother to to a teenage young man. We certrainly have no promise of tomorrow.

So, today let me encourage in your relationship with God. Don't just get ready, but live ready. Live in such a constant relationship with God that death itself can not hold you hostage through fear. Have a blessed day.

2006-05-04T23:41:00.000-04:00

National Day of Prayer

When you get a day off, you usually try to get a little extra sleep, relax with a favorite activity or hobby, or catch up on some projects around the house, right? Well, not this Thursday. The day began just a little earlier than usual, because there was a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. with Sonny Perdue who came to Dalton this morning. He told some great stories that I hope to share with you later. Anyway, I was home by 9:00 a.m. to begin the day with my family.

Just as I began working on my blog, Odell comes in. It is time to go to the National Day of Prayer event at the City Hall. It was 11:30 a.m. The event was good, as we prayed for our nation, our soldiers, their families, our president, congress, our state leaders, the governor, senators, representatitves, law enforcement, firemen, emergency medical technicians, our schools, and our churches. We concluded with the old song, "God Bless America." Now we can go home, right? Certainly, not! Not while there was another wonderful meeting to attend. At 2:00 p.m. there was a meeting in front of the new county courthouse, a dedication ceremony. Add to these events, an alarm going off at the business that I went to check out, and well, the day disappeared pretty fast.

It reminds of these words in James 4:14:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

When the aged Evangelist Billy Graham was asked with his years of experience what impressed him most, he responded, "the brevity of life." It is so vital that in the midst of all the rush of living that we remeber to live. Jesus said he came to give us abundant life. One way we can make the most of life is to remember to invest our life wisely, and one of the wisest uses of our time is to give some each day to prayer. Let me encourage you today, to live your life to the fullest... pray! Have a blessed day.

2006-05-01T08:12:00.000-04:00

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

The old song goes something like this.

I beg your pardon.
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
there's gonna be a little rain sometime.

The singer reminds the hearer that life isn't always easy, and difficulties come. As he continues he goes on to make his point that he never promised it would be easy either.

While I'm remembering old songs, another one comes to mind that sounds like a prayer of thanksgiving.

Life can't be all sunshine or the flowers would die.
Life can't be all blessings or there would be no need to pray.
So I thank you for the valley I walk through today.

Thank you for every hill I climb;
for every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank you for every lonely night;
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright.
Thank you for the valley I walk through today.

I'm sure that's not all of the words, but the message of the song is there. The point is that life is fraught with difficulties.

There once was a little boy who found a cacoon attached to a small branch. He took the cacoon and placed it in a jar. He poked some wholes in the lid so air could get in, and then he waited. Every day he would check the cacoon to see if there was any change. Then one day the cacoon began to move. Something was happening. He sat down to watch and thrilled to see the a butterfly begin to emerge. Eventually the butterfly was halfway out of the cacoon, but it seemed tired. While the butterfly rested, the boy grabbed his pen knife and began to help the butterfly escape from the cacoon. Carefully he cut the sides of the cacoon to release the butterfly completely, but there was a problem. The top half of the butterfly's wings were open and beautiful, but the bottom half never opened. What the boy did not know was that the struggle of emerging from the cacoon caused the capillaries in the wings to fill with blood which opened the wings. Without that struggle the wings would never open.

In life so many beautiful thing come out of the struggle. Today if you're struggling, let me encourage you to take heart. The struggle will pass. God has a beautiful plan for your life. I certainly am not here to promise you "a rose garden," but in spite of life's struggle you do have His promise to be with you through it all. He will see you through! Have a blessed day.

2006-04-30T21:38:00.000-04:00

Buried with Him!

A couple of weeks before Easter a nine-year-old little girl, named Savanah, in our Missionettes program, came into the Bible Study class as we were closing to make an announcement. "I received Jesus as my Savior tonight," she boldly proclaimed. Immediately after service she asked, "Pastor, when can I be baptized?" Well, we arranged the timing with her parents, and this Sunday was the big day!

Thoughts of baptism brought me to back to Romans 6:1-4

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Depending on the church to which one belongs, baptism may be anything from a very formal service to a very relaxed and casual event. What really grabbed my attenttion this time was the picture of burial. In just about a month I attended three funerals, and all of them related to the same family. When death comes so close, it really brings life into focus. As a pastor, I have both had attended and officiated numerous funerals through the years. One of the most difficult moments is the burial. Why? I believe because it is so final.

In baptism, we are "buried with him." We identify with the burial of Christ. In those three days that Jesus was in the grave, some awesome things happened. One of those is referenced in Revelation 1:18:

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Whle Jesus' body was in the grave He was preaching to the "spirits in prison," and we learn that when Jesus rose from the dead not only was he seen but also many dead saints were seen who also were raised, according to Luke 16:19-28.

How does all this relate to baptism? Stay with me. In baptism we make a public declaration that our "old man" is not only dead but buried! But we don't stop there! If we stopped there in the baptism, we would drown our physical body as well. We also identify with His resurrection. We are raised in newness of life! In baptism we celebrate the power of the resurrection! We were buried with him by baptism, but we were raised to new life! Therefore, we no longer have to be slaves to sin. Like the spirits in prison, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and death! So today let me encourage you to live daily in the awesome power of His resurrection!

2006-04-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

Is Jesus the Only Way?

While my son, Daniel, was at the farm last night to pick up a van for a Royal Ranger trip this morning. I met him at the warehouse. Then I received a call from a man in North Carolina that had found my phone number through some reasearch he was doing about holiness in the pentecostal church. He found it curious, as I do, that Christian Fellowship was listed on the Holiness Messenger website. It was good converstaion, and edifying, but wow, did we ever talk for a long time, and I still had one more project to complete before bed.

A young man who has been on a spiritual journey has some questions about faith, and I had a goal to put together some study questions, and hopefully some answers, to help him find the truth. One vital question whether or not Jesus is the only way to heaven? Popular answers to this question include the following:

"I'm basically a good person, so I'll go to heaven." "OK, so I do some bad things, but I do more good things, so I'll go to heaven." Surely God wouldn't send me to hell just because I don't live by the Bible." "Only really bad people like child molesters, rapists, and murderers should go to hell."

These are all common rationales among most people, but what is the truth? We live in a culture where the popular belief is that all truth is relative. Many believe that what is true for you is cool if you believe it, but that doesn't make it true for them. The idea is that rather than one truth, there are many truths, and all are equally valid if you just believe, no matter how contradictory.

Now, that may be the popular take on things, but this is really an extremely serious question. If the popular view is correct, then of course it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe it. Here's the problem. What if the "all-truth-is-relative" philosophy is wrong and Jesus Christ's claims are true? Then Jesus was not a lunatic, and to quote an overused expression, "there will be hell to pay."

Listen to what Jesus said in John 14:6.
I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.

Now, tell me. Does that sound exclusive to you or what?If we want to make room for some other belief systems here, we need to have this verse rewritten. It would need to read, "No one comes to the Father except through me or (insert whatever you want to believe in here.).

I just wanted to share with you today that WHAT you believe in really matters. In Acts 16:29 Paul and Silas were in jail, and the jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" To this they replied in verse 31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

After the crippled man was healed in Acts chapter three, Peter and John stood trial before and were called to give an answer. This is how they answered that day in Acts 4:9-12.

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness
shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then
know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom
God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you
healed. He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has
become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved."

There remains therefore no other way and no other name. There is no other provision for salvation but Jesus. Put your trust in Him today. Blessings.

2006-04-28T13:19:00.000-04:00

"Fly the Airplane"

One of the things that flight instructors constantly drive home while they are teaching is this lesson, "Fly the airplane!" Most crashes take place because the pilot is distracted. In the midst of an emergency, they begin to focus on the instrument panel, or trying to find the problem, and forget to focus on the main thing, flying the airplane. Over and over filght instructors remind their students, "Fly the ariplane!" Hey, if you quit flying the plane, it's over!

In life we sometimes get distracted, by so many things. Sometimes there are emergencies, but often we can become distracted by mundane things, those everyday problems that nag at your soul. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the distractions and forget the main thing, "flying the airplane."

I remember times in my life when the pressure was more than I could handle. There was more "outgo" than income and so many deadlines that I could not meet. These overwhelming pressures began to seem unsurmountable. When I just couldn't take it anymore, I went to my room to be alone with God in prayer. It was time to fly the airplane. The prophet Isaiah said it this way,

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

In that time alone with God my perspective changed. What looked impossibel to me was not impossible with God.

We often just need to correct our perspective and focus again on the main thing. Let me encourage you today. "Fly the airplane." Take all your stress and worry to God in prayer. Soar above the storms. Fly the airplane, and change your perspective. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-26T07:41:00.000-04:00

"The One Thing"Billy Crystal and Jack Palance in City Slickers

In the 1990's movie, City Slickers, the character, Mitch, played by Billy Crystal, says to his wife, "I just feel lost." Unfortunately the three "City Slickers" don't find help in a local church but head out west looking for the meaning of life on a cattle drive. It's there that they meet the real- deal cowboy, Curly, played by Jack Palance. Listen to Curly's wisdom as he speaks to Mitch.

"None of you get it. Do you know what the secret of life is? One thing. Just one thing."
Mitch responds with this: That's great, but what's the one thing? Then Curly conludes, "That's what you've got to figure out."

In Mark 10:17-22 Jesus was asked a similar question.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him
and fell on his knees before him.
"Good teacher," he asked,
"what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
"No one is good—except God alone.
You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,
do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give
false testimony, do not defraud,
honor your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared,
"all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him.
"One thing you lack," he said.
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad,
because he had great wealth.

What is that one thing? In the above account of the young, rich man, it seems at first that the issue is his money. He was clinging to his wealth. The real issue is deeper. The one thing was his heart. The fact that he couldn't let go of his wealth was just the evidence that his heart was not fully committed to Christ.

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he responded that you must "love the Lord your God with all your heart!" That's the one thing. Today I want to encourage you to fully surrender your heart to Christ. If you can fix this one thing, everything else will fall into place. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-25T07:06:00.000-04:00

What's Hidden in Your Tent?

"Hey, what's the big deal, anyway? I'm not hurting anybody. It's my life, and I have the right to live it the way I want to. Why are you judging me?" Have you ever heard that kind of defense before? Well, I have heard it plenty. In fact most of us believe that many things in our lives are just nobody else's business. In America we have certainly underscored that with "rights to privacy." One of the big complaints about the Patriot Act is that it threatens our right to privacy. Supporters of the Patriot Act believe that it is necessary to limit the right to privacy in the interest of national defense in the war against terror.

In the seventh chapter of Joshua this issue comes into clear focus. Israel has just come from an awesome victory at Jericho. Now, the face a smaller challenge at a place calle Ai. In fact it is decided that all the armies need not go up against Ai, only about 3,000 men. However, the armies of Ai come out against Israel and defeat them in this first battle, killing 36 men and causing the hearts of the people to melt for fear. Joshua falls on his face before God crying out along with the elders of Israel. In Joshua 7:10-12 God answers Joshua.

The Lord answered: Stop lying there on the ground!
Get up! I said everything in Jericho belonged to me
and had to be destroyed. But the Israelites have kept
some of the things for themselves. They stole from me
and hid what they took. Then they lied about it. What
they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now
Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you
anymore until you do exactly what I have said.
That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies
instead of standing up to them. (CEV)

The search all Israel tribe by tribe than family by family until they find a man named Achan. When he is found out Achan confesses in verses 20-22.

It's true," Achan answered. " I sinned and disobeyed
the LORD God of Israel. While we were in Jericho,
I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred pieces
of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as fifty
pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself,
so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent
and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe."

Had Achan lived in our day, you could imagine his defense. "Hey, I didn't hurt anybody. The stuff was just going to be destroyed anyway. All I was doing was looking out for my future. Whay is this anybody else's business anyway. Can't a man have privacy in his own home?"
That defense would have sounded hollow in the ears of the families of 36 men who had died fleeing from Ai.

It may be that today you are hiding some secret sin, or some small compromise. You may think that it's not hurting anybody. You might even really believe that it is nobody's business but yours. The truth is that we all have a sphere of influence. Your life affects others. You are eiher having an impact for good or for evil. Even something as seemingly harmless as your online activities may be affecting someone you care about.

What is the impact of your life? Are you blessing others or are you hiding some forbidden treasure somewhere that could destroy you and others. May God bring us awesome revival as we impact others for His glory. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-24T07:15:00.002-04:00

Healing for the WoundedSculpture of the Good Shepherd
who leaves the 99 for the one stray lamb

We are often too quick to judge others. Even when at first we feel so completely justified in doing so. I mean, they might even seem venemous in the way they lash out at you. They seem arrogant and angry. The truth is that underneath all that tough exterior is a hurting soul. Eveywhere I turn of late, I am seeing people who have been spiritually wounded. Then the enemy of our souls comes and builds a fortress around that wound. For some reason people think that if they just don't let anyone get near that soreness, that it can't hurt them anymore. The truth is that it continues to eat away like a cancer of the soul. Hebrews 12:15 records it this way.

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Job even wrote about people dying in bitterness of soul in Job 21:25.

Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.

This morning, perhaps you've been afraid to deal with that hurt from the past. Maybe you fear that it would open an old wound and would just hurt too much. Your first response may be, "No, don't go there!" Well, I want to encourage you, please don't let that wound spirit destroy you. Cry out for help. Do it now, while you have the courage to act. God is ready to heal you and forgive you. Yes, He is even ready to help you begin to forgive others. This can be a day of wonderful new beginnings!

2006-04-23T08:51:00.000-04:00

The Hidden Story

This morning at church you might notice the lingering aroma of popcorn, reminding you of our Narnia movie night at the church last night. When the movie came out in theaters, there was a lot of talk on the news about it just being a fantasy and having nothing to do with Christianity. Well, I found an interesting little letter written by C.S. Lewis to a young girl just about a month before his death in 1963. He was answering her letter that asked if there would be any more Narnia books.
The letter reads as follows.

Dear Ruth,
Many thanks for your kind letter, and it was very good of you to write and tell me that you like my books; and what a good letter your write for your age! If you continue to love Jesus, nothing much can go wrong with you, and I hope that you may always do so. I'm so thankful that you realized the "hidden story" in the Narnia books. It is odd, children nearly always do, grown-ups... hardly ever. I'm afraid the Narnia series has come to an end, and am sorry to tell you that you can expect no more. God bless you.

Yours Sincerely,
C.S. Lewis

The truth is it is always good to go to the source. Of course the "hidden story" is the analogy to Jesus Christ having given His life in our place on the Cross. Just as Aslan lays down his life for Edmund, Jesus has paid for our sins at Calvary. Hey today if you are carrying a burden of guilt for your past sins, then come Christ in prayer. He is ready and waiting to forgive you, and He has already paid the penalty for your sin. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

Trusting GodMy daughter Miranda

As the Wednesday evening Bible Study ended, I made my way to the altar to kneel and pray. I was feeling a great heaviness about Miranda's trip. It seemed as though my daughter would be traveling nearly half way around the world. It was difficult to let her leave for six weeks to Louisiana, but now she was preparing to leave for nearly three months! Getting her to the Atlanta Airport and making our way home took up most of the day, and saying goodbye to her at the airport was certainly an emotional moment.

As I prayed God reminded me that my wife and I had dedicated our daughter to Him. He is our loving Heavenly Father, and he loves her more than we do! I am remembering a line in song entitled "Fear Not My Child," that says, "I know how to care for what belongs to me."

Since there is a time and a season for everything, this is just a time for trusting God. We have this promise in Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.

I am certain that God has a purpose in her life, and that He able to keep what we have committed to Him.

Today, if you have worries or concerns, let me encourage you to give them God. He cares about what's happening in your life too. Why not commit it all to Him? Have a blessed day.

2006-04-18T17:49:00.000-04:00

Day of ReckoningImage from www.apfn.net

Have you ever notice that sometimes we seem to wait until the last minute just hoping that the unpleasantness will go away! Unfortunately, it doesn't. Faithfully the day of reckoning comes each year. We gather our records, fill out the forms, and send our annual contribution to our dear Uncle Sam. For many of us in Georgia that day was April 17th this year. Yesterday, I dutifully went to post office before it closed to send my checks to the Federal and State Governments. It's amazing when you think of all the worry and fuss over this one day each year.

There is however a reckoning day day coming that is far more important than paying our taxes! Unfortunately there are so many people who are ill-prepared for that fateful day. Paul wrote about it this way in Romans 14:10-12.

For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' "
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

It is one thing to try find loopholes in the tax law, or find some way to avoid penalties here, but there will be no loopholes when we stand before the judgment seat of God. It will surely be a an awesome day of reckoning. Today let me encourage you to prepare yourself for that great day of reckoning before God. Come before God in prayer and find forgiveness and peace with Him. That great day is coming. and it may be coming sson! Maranatha!

2006-04-14T07:37:00.000-04:00

Online Guidelinesimage from www.glendalespringscondos.com

Hey, it's a fact that there are more young people online today that ever before, and you can expect the number to keep growing. The internet can be a useful tool but with so many people online you know that there are also so many evil influences. Since so many of our Christian kids are online these days, I think it is important that we provide them with guidelines for when they're online. I came across this great list in a teen magazine. Now I know you've got to think I'm a little strange at 48 to be reading teen magazines, but I still have two teenagers at home, for whom I am responsible before God, and great group of young people at church who are graciously inviting me to be their friend too! Now here are these guidelines.

1. When your typing online, ask yourself this question, "Would what I'm typing now bring glory and honor to God?

2. If you put your profile online, would someone who doesn't know you think that you are a Christian after reading it?

3. If people are sharing gossip with you, is it because you are gaining a reputation for participating in it?

4. Hey, be really careful when clicking on links on other people's sites, because they may take you to inappropriate websites.

5. Remember, that what you are posting could be copied and posted by other people and used against you in the future, so don't type something you wouldn't be comfortable with having others to read.

6. Don't talk about someone else. They could be sitting next to the friend you are instant messaging.

7. Hold your Christian friends accountable if they use bad language or inappropriate comments or images, by gently challenging them to clean it up.

8. Is your screen name edifying to God? Part of one young lady's name read "Christianbabe." Would that be sending a contradictory message?

9. Remember that email message and instant messages can be misunderstood because your intent and emotions aren't communicated in printed text. Therefore it's better to save serious conversations for face to face encounters.

10. You might remember that there is software that tracks every email, every IM, and records every keystroke and website visited. Even more important, God doesn't need software to track your every keystroke!

Hey, I think these are some great guidelines for online, but let me finish with a couple of references from the Bible. First, our girl's ministry program has a code that they take from Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.

Then as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, he declared that there is a spiritual battle raging. He said,

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine
power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.

What we say and do comes from who we are on the inside. So let me encourage you today to let Christ rule and reign in your life 24/7 online and offline. You'll be glad you did.

*Online guidelines adapted from Teen Virtue.

2006-04-10T23:41:00.000-04:00

Hoyt's Legacy

Although I have known Hoyt and Pat for several years, I met his two sons, Billy and Clark, for the first time tonight. Visiting with Lisa, I learned that Hoyt also had two daughters! Well, I guess if you knew Hoyt Thomas, that's certainly not hard to figure. Lisa said that he had never treated them any differently. They were his girls, and had been for 21 years! Of course that also meant, he was Grandpa Hoyt too! He was the grandfather that her children had grown up knowing on her side of the family. The truth is Hoyt never really met a stranger. He flashed that winning smile and made everyone feel welcome when they were in his company. He loved life and enjoyed living it. I believe he exemplified what John wrote in John 10:10 where Jesus said,

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

He certainly lived it to the full! He was one who got all the gusto out life. He loved Pat and the children dearly, and I've only come to understand recently how he felt about his grandchildren, but now that I know, you could see it in his eyes. There was only one love in his life that surpassed all the others, and that was his love and passion for his Savior. Hoyt loved to talk about God's word, and he loved to witness to the "wounded" Civil War re-enactors. His life was lived with such zeal that he will be sorely missed, but the impact Hoyt's life will be felt for generations to come if Jesus tarries.

It is however likely that Jesus is coming back much sooner than we think. So let me encourage you today to draw near to Christ and be ready. You never know when it may be you that God will call into eternity. Following Hoyt's awesome example let us purpose to leave such a legacy that all doubt might be erased we come to the gateway of eternity.

As we celebrate Hoyt's homegoing, tomorrow let me encourage you to make your relationship with God so sure, as to leave no doubts about your whereabouts. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-07T18:54:00.000-04:00

Peace in the Storm

The weatherman reports some bad weather for the area including the possibility of tornados for our areas. There have already been reports of tornados in the Nashville, Tennessee area! Since recent Thunderstorms packing tornadoes and hail as big as softballs ripped through eight states, hitting Tennessee the hardest, striking five western counties Sunday and killing 23 people, including an infant and a family of four, this news causes us all great concern. Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions.

Still I am remembering that Jesus was there in the boat with his disciples when severe weather struck in Mark 4:35-38.

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side."
They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening
to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping!
They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that
we're going down?"

His discples were afraid, just like we are when we face the awesome fury of life's storms, but they teach us an important lesson. First, they had Jesus with them in the boat. No matter where we go, we need to have Jesus with us! Since we can't always predict when and where life's storms may strike, having Jesus close by is indispensable. Secondly they thought to cry out to Him for help. Knowing Jesus is there is good but communicating with Him is vital.

Best of all, Jesus is listening. He heard their cry and responded.

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea,
"Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea
became smooth as glass.

Hey, I just wanted to encourage you today. Whatever storm you may be facing, Jesus is listening and waiting for you to cry out to Him. He is there. Let Him speak peace in the midst of your storm. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-06T23:55:00.000-04:00

Barber Shop Fellowship

Well today I finally made it back to the barber, and it was a great experience. Although the chairs are similar, I much prefer the barber's chair over the dentist's chair. I sat in both today for about the same amount of time.

Recently an elderly customer was telling me about the old barbershops in Dalton. He said that there used to be showers in barber shops. Men would come to the barber shop for their weekly shower, shave, and a haircut. They also caught up on the latest news (or town gossip) and could have their shoes shined. One of the best things about the barber shop was the fellowship.

My tri p to the barber today had some of that old time barbershop flavor except for the shower, the shave, the shoe shine, and the gossip. Besides getting an excellent haircut, my barber,Tom, and I enjoyed a great time of sharing our faith. Tom attends EMC where he is a lay preacher.
What began as just a haircut, ended with two brothers sharing testimonies of the faithfulness of God.

In Acts 2:42 Luke records that fellowship was a regular practice of those who came to Christ on the day of Pentecost.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

It was such a refreshing time that I just want to encourage you to devote yourself to fellowship.
When you do you may see ordinary events become extraordinay as we walk daily in faith and fellowship together. Have a blessed day.

2006-04-04T23:15:00.000-04:00

A New "Do" for Pastor

Monday night we had pizzas and four square at the church for our young people, and I had a blast. I certainly hope they did. Because I am getting my hair cut this Thurday, I thought it might be fun for them to help me move on in to the 21st century by choosing a new hairstyle for pastor. We suggested the Wavy but Grey look of Richard Grear (left) and the long and straight look of Elton John (right). Both got a laugh but neither won. Then we even tried the long look of Al Pacino (left again) and the short and frosted look (below to the right). Well, we had great fun, but they didn't choose any of these four! They chose the one centered below! I can't believe it! Can you? Maybe they chose that one because it is so impossible (short, dark, curly, hair on this head? I don't think so, but we can dream can't we?

Just in case you were worried, I don't think they will be doing any these looks with my hair. It's just not happening. Well, anyway, Monday night the laughter was good. The pizza was good, and the four square was intense.

As our evening came to a close we were reminded of how importatnt it is for our every day lives to reflect our relationship with Christ. We don't leave our faith at the door when church is over. We don't put it on and take it off like our Sunday clothes. God really wants us to serve Him with all of our heart soul and strength every day and in every area of our lives. From church to school or work, to our entertainment and even cyberspace, God wants our lives to reflect his holiness. So, today I want to encourage you again as you look at every area of your life to ask the question that Charles Sheldon made so popular in his book, "In His Steps," "What would Jesus do? " Peter wrote it this way in 1 Peter 2:21:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

This is my prayer for you today that God will empower you to follow Christ's example and be an example of one who is doing what Jesus would do, following "in His steps." Have a blessed day.

2006-04-03T22:53:00.000-04:00

The title of this book has become a popular phrase. "I've got your back," not only means that I'm looking out for you, but that I'm watching out for those things that might sneak up on you from behind. A good friend is always looking out for you. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:24,

there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Today I want you to know that you have such a friend in Christ Jesus. He is always looking out for you. As Christians we are most like Christ when we look out for one another. Today I want you to know that "I've got your back" is more than a catchy phrase or the title of a book. It represents an attitude that we ought to have as we watch out for one another. Hey, I've got your back.

2006-03-30T23:24:00.000-05:00

"My Space" on the Net

Tonight, on "The Factor" Bill shared a piece about a young girl who had published her own nude picture on her "My Space" sight. He asked his guest if this was really good for the kids or not.

Logo from Myspace.com website

Myspace.com is a free internet site that allows young people fourteen and older to have their own place to communicate with friends. They can limit their circle of friends, but they are in control of their "myspace" site. Bill had a guest who was defending this "as a much safer place than hanging out in town." One comment was that kid's aren't allowed to hang out as much these days because the world is so much more dangerous now.

Like any other public communication tool the internet can be used for good or for evil, but parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing on the internet. How do you know what's happening? Communicate with your kids, and take an active interest in their lives!

Remember that "Myspace" is not only used by kids but by adults as well, and set some guidlines for your children about information "not-to-be-shared" on the internet. In January of this year "Dateline" aired a program that included this statement from Internet lawyer Parry Aftab, "Pedophiles are using all of the social networking sites. And every other anonymous Internet technology to find kids. The social networking sites are where kids are." Like Bill says on the factor, we need to "keep looking out for the kids."

One great way that we can look out for our children is to help them build godly character and values. Those values need to be modeled in front of them. If we compromise on our values then they will feel justified in compromising theirs. Holiness can't be hammered into your children. It must be lived before them. Proverbs 22:6 says,

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Tonight I visited several of our kids' "spaces" and found some interesting things. Some were encouraging and others were challenging. It wasn't hard to find them. I just did a google search.
Some might be critical of this interest I have in our kids. Let them them criticize. We need to just keep loving our kids.

2006-03-29T18:35:00.000-05:00

A Word on WednesdayCFA Praise and Worship Team

We recently began opening our Wednesday evening services fifteen minutes earlier with a time of praise and worship before prayer and Bible study. Tonight as we sang the chorus:

I want to be clean. I want to be pure.
I want to be holy. I want to be yours.
Purify me, Jesus. Purify me, Lord.

There was such an awesome awareness of God's presence as we sang. It was more like a praying to music, as the song flowed from our hearts. Then we received a word from the Lord that I want to share with you here. The Lord said to us:

I want purity and holiness from you,
not just an outward holiness for the benefit of others
or because of your sense of responsibility to others,
but true inner holiness that flows out of your passion for me,
a passion that causes you to long for my presence.

God doesn't just ask us to be holy and pure. He commands it! Listen to what He says in Leviticus 11:44-45

I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy,
because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any
creature that moves about on the ground. I am the LORD
who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God;
therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Not only does God give this strong word to the children of Israel in Leviticus, but He also reminds us in the New Testament in Hebrews 12:14 that holiness is not optional!

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Tonight the Lord not only reminded us of this truth, but told us that holiness can flow out of an inner passion for Him. If you're struggling with living the holy life, then I want to encourage you to let God give you a fresh baptism of His love and stir your passion for His presence. Out of that passion you will be empowered to live a pure and holy life. Get ready, now, you are about to experience the awesome holiness of God! Have a blessed day.

2006-03-27T14:44:00.000-05:00

Fruit of the SpiritMonnie with Odell and Selva at an Ellijay Apple House

My wife's parent's, Odell and Selva really enjoy visiting the apple houses in Ellijay at harvest time. The apples are great, and the cider is fresh. There are also apple butter and fried apple pies! It's a great family trip. The abundance of apples and apple products on display were evidence of a tremendous amount of work during the harvest season. Their labor was certainly fruitful.

Paul writes to the church at Galatia about another kind of fruit in Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.

God wants our lives to fruitful. In fact the nine spiritual fruit listed in this passage are evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. I believe we can ask ourselves some questions that shed light on the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

1- Am I motivated by love for others?
2- Do I demonstrate unshakeable joy regardless of the circumstances?
3- Do others see my inner peace and take courage?
4- Am I longsuffering waiting patiently for results?
5- Do I demonstrate kindness being caring and understanding
toward others?
6- Do I manifest goodness wanting the best for others?
7- Do I demonstrate faithfulness keeping my commitments?
8- Is there gentleness, manifesting strength under control?
9- Do I have self-control being disciplined to attain godly goals?

I think these qualities describe the character of Christ, and the more like Him we become the more we will demontrate the fruit of the Spirit. Let me encourage you to grow in Spirit. Have a blessed day.

2006-03-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Kel!Old family picure: Top -- John, Rick, and me,
then Mom and Dad with Kel at front and center.

Now here's an old family picture! Mom and Dad with all four of their boys. The birthday boy is front and center. Although he's 36 today, this picture was taken more than thirty years ago. Yes, that's me, the shortest one on the back row and still a teenager in this picture. I thought it my be nice for Kel to remember those days when he was completely free of worry and responsibility. Wow, does childhood ever go flying by. Then, one day you wake up and say, "Man, how did I ever get to be so old?" The describes life this way in James 4:13-14.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go
to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money." Why, you do not even know what will
happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that
appears for a little while and then vanishes.

The fact of life's brevity was never more real to us than at mother's passing, but since then we have been closer than ever before. I have become more thankful every day for my family and especially for the special times we get to share together.

Hey, today I want to encourage you to make a special effort to hug your mom or dad, grandmother or grandfather, wife or husband, or son or daughter. We have no promise of tomorrow, but we are blessed with today!

As I wish my youngest brother a happy 36th birthday and thank God for putting him into my life, I also want to wish you a day filled with God's choice blessings. Once more, Happy Birthday Kel.

2006-03-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

No Fear!

Last night after work, I went to Hutchelson Medical Center to visit Walt Lillard. At noon on Tuesday he went thourh surgery to remove a tumor about the size of a grapefruit from his stomach. Chester, Hubert, and I bowed for prayer at my desk on Tueday during the surgery to pray for Walt. The good news is that the surgery went well although Walt is still in ICU and will be in the hospital at least 8 to 12 days. I was impressed last Friday with Walt's courage facing this surgery. He words to me were, "If God wants me, well I guess He can have me." It was the way Walt said it that made an impact. These words were not spoken in fear, but with a resolute calmness that filled us with hope. In the hospital Tuesday night he made another declaration that also inspires hope. He declared, "I love God with all of my heart!"

Once I visited a retired neighbor who had suffered a heart attack and had a near death experience. He asked me, "What could God want with me? What do I have left to give Him?" I responded that all God really wants is our heart! In fact Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all was to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." Surely when Walt declared that he loved the Lord with all his heart, there was rejoicing in heaven.

Walt has been given tremendous mercy in that his life was not taken in a moment, in an accident or sudden tragedy. God has given him time for reflection, and the good news is that he has called upon the Lord.

Today, if you haven't come to that place in your life where you know for certain that if you were to die today, you would go to heaven, then I want you to be sure. It is my heart's desire that you would receive Christ today and the peace that passes understanding. If Jesus tarries, may you one day walk to eternity's door with No Fear! These word from Psalm 23:4 really leap from the page today.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I saw a Witness T-shirt the other day that said it this way. "Know Jesus, No Fear!" That pretty much says it all. Have a courageous day in Christ!

2006-03-21T22:44:00.000-05:00

The War Rages On!President Bush at Whitehouse Press Conference

Photo from www.foxnews.com

Today the President passionately defended himself against the liberal critics in the press. When Helen Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, asked why he wanted to go to war, The president responded passionately that no president wants war! He never wanted war, but he was force to defend our nation after 911 when thousands of innocent Americans were attacked in an act of war. The liberal press needed to to be put in it's place, and in a bold and passionate way, President Bush obliged.

The fact is that the war rages on. This war on terror is an ugly one. Terrorist never play fair, and the president has taken on this horribly wicked enemy. How long must we battle against terrorism? There will be terror as long as evil exists, and those who are just will boldly stand against evil and injustice.

While this costly war rages in Iraq, another war rages on here. The Bible describes our adversary as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know
that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing
the same kind of sufferings.

There is definitely a spiritual war that rages on. You must know that your enemy wants to devour you. In fact, John describes our enemy as a thief, in John 10:10.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As long as there is evil in the world there will be a battle raging for your soul, but John also tells us in 1 John 3:8,

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Today you may be in the heat of the battle. You may even feel sometimes as though you are suffering some heavy losses. I want you to remember this promise from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have
divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The war rages on, but we are on the right side, and we will prevail, Christ Jesus Himself is the Captain of our salvation. We will overcome! Have a blessed day.

2006-03-20T22:46:00.000-05:00

My Father, My FriendMr. John L. Burt, 1939 - 2006

Today I attended funeral services for Mr. John L. Burt. No, Mr. Burt didn't know me, and I probably wouldn't have recognized him had I met him in town. We never really crossed paths very much. Therefore I couldn't say that I knew Mr. Burt, but I know David, his son and my friend. Because I know David, I realized that I know more about Mr. John Burt than I thought. As I listened to all the fine words used to describe the godly character Mr. Burt, I realized that many of these words also described my friend, David. I remember the words of Jesus' proclamation in John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me."

Then In the verse 7 He says:

"If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Now I only know Mr. Burt through his son David, and the things he and others told me about him. But I learned enough in just two days to know that he was a prince among men. I came away with admiration and respect for a man who thought more of others than himself and walked in integrity to eternity's doorway without fear.

As I saw the emotion in David's face, it wasn't at all difficult to imagine walking in his shoes today. I knew that he would miss his Dad's visits and greatly feel the void left by Mr. Burt's passing. This was His father and his friend.

As I reflect on these things and meditate on Jesus' words above, I want to encourage you today in your pursuit to know our Heavenly Father. We can know the Father through the Son. We know God because we know His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of all that Jesus told us about His Father. Through Jesus' faithfulness we have seen the faithfulness of the Father. Through Jesus' love, we have come to know th Father's love. In fact according to John 3:16, the Father loved us so much that He sent us His Son, so that we might know His awesome love. Let me encourage you today to draw near to Jesus, and get to know My Father, My Friend, our Heavenly Father, who loves you and cares for you more than you can know.

2006-03-18T22:30:00.000-05:00

Excuses, Excuses!Picture from CFA Christmas Banquet 2005

Let me apologize to those of you who are regularly checking my blog. I am not going to make any excuses. As a new grandfather I confess to have Daisy on my mind, and being quite preoccuppied with thoughts of my granddaughter. Of course that's difficult to tell from the last three postings. Then of course there are also these trips to the dentist, now four all together. This time I went in for a root canal, which they couldn't do. The canals in the tooth had narrowed too much through calcification, and after drilling and making his best effort to save the tooth, my dentist finally sectioned it and pulled it. I now have a huge hole where that tooth was, nearly large enough to stick my tongue in and tickle my optic nerve. Well at least I don't have any more worries about that tooth, although the dentist and I are far from through. Besides recovering from oral trauma, I have been working on several other projects including a music video presentation starring my new granddaughter, Daisy, and some other materials for church, including a new video CD to be included in welcome packets for visitors. Well, I said I wasn't going to make excuses, and I hope this doesn't sound like whining, because I really enjoy doing the blog and especially reading the occasional comments.

In Luke 14 Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet. In this parable the host of the banquet receives excuses from invited guests as to why they cannot attend. Look at verse 16-20:

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great
banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the
banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited,
'Come, for everything is now ready.'
"But they all alike began to make excuses.
The first said, 'I have just bought a field,
and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "
Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen,
and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

Excuses, Excuses! Notice that when the host found out about all these excuses he became angry. Then he sent out his sevants to invite others including the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Hey, I believe there is a message here. God doesn't want our excuses! He simply wants our fellowship. He wants us to join Him and feast at His banquet. the wonderful thing is that we are invited regardless of our limitations or weaknesses. We are invited to share in all that the Lord has provided. If you want to make excuses you will find a wide variety of them to choose from. In fact through the years, the list of excuses has grown quite long, and folks have become quite creative at manufacturing excuses. I wonder, what do we fear? Why do we avoid coming to the Lord's banquet table. He wants to strengthen us and feed us. He wants to prepare us for the awesome work of His Kingdom beyond the fellowship of the banquet table.
Let me close with words from an old hymn of the church.

Jesus has the table spread where the saints of God are fed.
He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine."
You can have your heart's desire, bread and fish upon the fire.
Oh 'tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time.
"Come and dine" the master calleth, "come and dine."
You can feast at Jesus' table all the time.
He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
to the hungry calleth now, come and dine.

You're invited! You're wanted. The Lord of all creation has invited you to His table. Don't miss it!

2006-03-14T23:03:00.000-05:00

A Crown of Glory

My favoite picture of Daisy

Have you ever watched how crazy grown people act around newborn babies? Our voices get very high-pitched. We speak nonesense stringing together syllables that have no meaning whatsoever. Grown men get silly. I know because I have the disease, and when I get to hold my granddaughter, Daisy, oh man, what a thrill! The book of Proverbs descibes grandchildren as our crowning glory in Proverbs 17:6:

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents are the pride of their children.

One day we know that God is going to give crowns at the judgment of rewards, and we also know that we will cast our crowns at His feet. A crown is given as recognition for excellence. Here in the wisdom of Proverbs we learn that grandchildren are the crowning glory!

Certainly, we rejoice when we become parents, but when we succeed as parents we really crown our children's grandparent's with glory. Our own glorious triumph as parents is evident when our grandchildren follow Christ.

The same is true with our sons and daughters of faith. Discipleship is only successful when those we teach are able to teach others. When we become spiritual grandparents, that is our crowning glory. As Paul wrote to his "son, Timothy," in 2 Timothy 2:1-2:

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence
of many witnesses entrust to reliable men
who will also be qualified to teach others.

We begin a new and exciting chapter in our lives when we become grandparents, whether by natrual birth or by "new birth" in Christ. Wow, let the glory roll!

2006-03-11T19:03:00.000-05:00

Born to Freedom!

Thursday night I was calling my family to announce the birth of my granddaughter, Daisy. When I called my brother Rick in Virginia Beach, he was really excited. He shared with me something about his minister of missions and evangelism, Brother Moses David whose ancestors are from Trinidad. Although Moses is black neither he nor his ancestors were slaves. He was born in freedom!

Now I was born in freedom myself. My dad and mom where Christians and our family has been active in church as far back as I have any remembrance. Likewise my dad and mother have Christian heritages. My wife's parents are Chirsians and both have Christian heritages. Like me, my children were born in freedom. Now as we embark on the voyage of grandparenting I rejoice to proclaim that my granddaughter Daisy was born free! Now, I don't mean by this that we are just automatically Christians because our parents were, but I want you to know that there is an awesome blessing here because the righteousness has an impact on generations. Today I want to encourage you to keep your families in church, walk in faith with them. Don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk. Watch as God raises up godly generations, as your sons and daughters are born free! Born free without the scars nor burdens of the sins of their fathers because they have seen the curse of sin broken.

Perhaps your own heritage is nothing like mine. Perhaps you are the first to break the sin curse in your family. Then I want to encourage you today. You can begin raising up a godly heritage. No matter what your past has been. We have this promise in Romans 5:20.

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

God wants to break the curse of sin in your life as you begin to walk in real freedom. This freedom is not for you alone, but also for all those whose lives you will impact. Your freedom may help them to find freedom too. John 8:36 says:

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

This is not some superficial freedom, but the most intense freedom there could possibly be. It is the superlative of freedom, the freest freedom of all. May you know that freedom today.

2006-03-10T18:27:00.000-05:00

Everything's Coming Up Daisy!Jessica and Gareth with Daisy

Crystal and I are now officially Grandparents! Baby Daisy finally arrived, and was she ever worth wait! Daisy Aileen Hocker was born last night March 9th at around 8:15 p.m. She is beautiful, 8 pounds and 5 ounces, and 20 1/2 inches long. Did I say she's beautiful? Well, she is definitely beautiful.

After inducing labor Wednesday night, sometime after midnight, (so it was technically Thurday morning) and waiting through the night and most of the day on Thursday, they told Jessica and Gareth that they might need to be thinking about the possibility of a C-section. Labor just wasn't making progress any more. Gareth called her parents, Eddie and Nora, and Crystal and I into the room to tell us. We gathered around the bed and prayed in agreement. Wow, what an awesome time of prayer! God's presence was in the room, as we prayed in the Spirit, and God's powerful peace could be felt. No progress? Well, after prayer and about 2o minutes, they came to tell us things had moved along quickly, they were going to begin pushing soon. Jessica was going to have her baby!

We thank God for hearing and answering our prayer. There certainly was a lot of agreement in Jessica's room when we prayed together. I am reminded of the promise about praying in agreement in Matthew 18:19-20:

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree
about anything you ask for, it will be done for you
by my Father in heaven. For where two or three
come together in my name, there am I with them.

As we rejoice today with our new granddaughter, I want to encourage you to cry out to God about your needs. Find others who are passionate about those needs, and pray with them in agreement. Let God give you His peace that flows from His awesome presence, and just watch Him answer your prayers! Have a blessed day!

We c

2006-03-09T04:58:00.000-05:00

Waiting on the Lord

It’s almost 1:30 a.m. on March 9, 2006. We are at the Erlanger’s Women’s East Pavilion in East Ridge, Tennesee. Jessica is in the Primrose Suite, the same suite and the same room where Jeffrey was born nine years ago. How amazing is that? Jessica’s parents are here, Eddie and Nora along with her sister Samantha.

I am here against my better judgment will tells me it will be a long wait, but then who knows. I tried to stay home and sleep. I slept for about an hour. Then I woke up and called Crystal to see how things were going. Better judgment lost out. Graham and I joined the rest to wait on Daisy. One of the nurses said that she probably won’t give birth on her shift and she gets off at 7:00 a.m. My better judment was probably right, but here I am, waiting.

One of my favorite Psalms is the 27^th and it comes to mind whenever I must wait, especially the last verse, 14.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

The psalmist tells us that life brings so many challenges. We face anxious and fearful times. There are often both internal and external conflicts. At times even tensions from those closest to us, as the Psalmist says in verse 10, even “my father and mother.” Sometimes we are tempted to take matters into our own hands and wrench justice from the circumstances. We often think that through the sheer force of our own will and determination, we will take care of it ourserlf. Usually when I take matters into my own hands and try to force things to happen on my time time table, it just makes matters worse.

The message here is about faith and trusting God. We need to remember that He knows and He cares. Therefore, we can trust Him! The prophet Isaiah says this about those who wait on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31:

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Wow, what blessings for those who wait. I am believing that if we wait this out here with Gareth and Jessica, we are going to see a miraculous blessing. I also believe that you God has a blessing for you if you will wait on Him. May He renew your strength today.

2006-03-08T07:43:00.000-05:00

A Game of Chess!

If my daughter-in-law, Jessica, doesn't have her baby today, then tonight after midnight they are planning to induce. Her parents are here from Michigan, and since she and my son, Gareth, will not be at church tonight, I will be helping with our Royal Ranger ministry.

My youngest son, Jeffrey is in that Ranger class and he is working on his chess merit. I like chess well enough, but enjoy playing with my son even more. Still best of all is the wonderful feeling that comes because Jeffrey wants to spend time with his dad. Certainly I will miss the Adult Bible Study class, but I have great expectations about playing chess with Jeffrey. It doesn't matter whether or not I win, either. The time we will have together tonight is what really matters.

Today I want to remind you that our Heavenly Father enjoys spending time with us, too! Just as my heart is warmed by my son's desire to spend time with me, so God the Father's heart is warmed by our genuine desire to be with Him. In fact, if there is anything we really need, it is to enjoy being in His presence. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

When you learn to enjoy being with your heavenly Father, you can be sure that He will enjoy giving you the desires of your heart. Do you have some special need in your life today? I want to encourage you to draw close to your Heavenly Father, and let Him give you your heart's desire. Have a blessed day!

2006-03-07T08:48:00.000-05:00

picture from www.krisgregsonmoss.com

On Friday I wrote about humilty, and if you look back at comment on that day, you will find the following. The writes says:

There is another level to this message about Moses, Aaron,

The Bible records that Moses interceded for them, and especially for Miriam, but again as writer commented on Friday,

before Moses could pray he had to forgive both of them. James 5:16 states “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” There were two healings when Moses prayed that day the first came from forgiving. God healed his wounded spirit. Second is a by-product of the first and Miriam was healed.

Remember the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?" The old saying just isn't true. Words can wound so very deeply, and the comment on Friday was right on target.

Words are stronger than deeds many times, because they cause wounds to the heart and spirit of a person.

From the example of Moses we discover this truth and the awesome blessing comes from walking in it.

Learning to walk in forgiveness and love toward each other is one of the hardest most costly lessons. Yet it reaps great rewards.

I want to encourage you today to forgive someone who has wronged you and experience the overwhelming peace and power that is realeased when you do. Have a blessed day.

2006-03-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

Moses for Prime Minister!

If the Hebrews had a democratic government there might have been some posters like "Moses for Prime Minister! Vote for Moses!" Maybe his campaign manager would have written a campaign cheer.

Moses, Moses, he's our man. He'll take us to the promised land!

Maybe there would have been a slogan like "Moses Rocks!"

However their government wasn't a democracy. It was a theocracy. God chose Moses to lead them. There was no election! When there was an uprising, God intervened and confirmed his leadership. In Exodus 16, when the people complained that they didn't have meat to eat, God confirmed Moses' leadership by sending quail for them to eat, until it ran out their noses.

In Numbers 16 when more than 250 joined an uprising against Moses, intervened again. This time the earth split open and swallowed them. Finally in Numbers 17 when his brother and sister spoke against Moses, God called a family meeting to reprimand them, and Miriam was struck with leprosy!

Here is something we really need to know. If God has placed you in a place of leadership, then
He is well able to take care of you there. You don't have to win popularity contest. When you have God's vote, that is the majority vote. Let Him defend you today.

2006-03-04T23:37:00.000-05:00

Created for His Glory!

There was a place in the tabernacle reserved for the Ark of the Covenant. This place was called the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. It was here that only the High Priest could come, and it was considered so very holy that he came in with a rope around him and bells sewn into the hem of his robe, just in case he should die in there in the Most Holy place. The rope would allow those waiting outside to drag him out with out entering the holiest place of all.

The tabernacle was the temporary place of worship in the wilderness. Finally when the children of Israel entered the promised land, they would worship in the Temple, which had a Most Holy Place just like the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter this sacred place, and he could never enter without first offering sacrifice. A heavy veil closed this place from the view of all others.

Matthew describes something awesome that happened in the temple in Matthew 27:50-51 when Jesus was crucidfied.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain
of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

God was giving us access to step up to next level in relationship with him. We would no longer need a priest to intercede for us. We were given instant access into the presence of God. We would no longer need another man to intercede for us. That means we no longer have to stop short of experiencing the awesome and holy presence of God. As the tabernacle and the temple where made for relationship with God, we too were created for relationship with God. Isaiah said that we were created for the presence or glory of God in Isaiah 43:7.

"everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

I want to encourage you to take it to the next level in your relationship with God. Since Christ has opened up the way for you to enter the holiest place of all and enjoy an awesome relationship with God. Why not to take it to the next level with God today. Have a blessed day.

2006-03-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

Oh Lord, It's Hard to be Humble!Mac Davis (picture from www.alanmercer.com)

Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way.
I can't wait to look in the mirror 'cause I get better lookin' each day.

In this day of self assertion humiltiy is not a popular theme. We hear so much more about how important it is to assert ourselves. It is much more popular to look out for number one. We don't hear the message Paul was preaching in Philippians 2:3-4 quite so often anymore.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others. (NIV)

Paul goes on to tell us in verses 5-8 that this is the attitude that was in Christ our Lord.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross! (NIV)

There are times when the path of humility is difficult to follow. That is especially true when your rightful authority is questioned. Think again of Moses when his leadership was questioned by his brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam. The Bible says in Numbers 12:3:

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble
than anyone else on the face of the earth. (NIV)

Come on; I know what would go through our minds if we were faced with a circumstance like this. At least I know what I would probably be thinking. "You guys have certainly blown it now! Now you're really going to get it!" Then when judgment came upon them, we'd probably be thinking, "Hey, don't look at me! I warned you. Now, you're getting what you deserve, so don't look to me for pity!" But that's not how Moses responded. In Numbers 12:13 we read:

So Moses cried out to the LORD,
"O God, please heal her!" (NIV)

On other occassions when the Hebrews had rebelled against his leadership he interceded for them, even asking God to blot him out with them in Exodus 32:31-32.

So Moses went back to the LORD and said,
"Oh, what a great sin these people have committed!
They have made themselves gods of gold. But now,
please forgive their sin—but if not,
then blot me out of the book you have written." (NIV)

These people certainly had not honored Moses as God's chosen leader. In fact they had dishonored him as they returned to their old ways.

God always resists the proud according to James 4:6.

That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)

No, humilty is not the easy way. Like the first line in Mac's song, "Lord, it's hard to be humble." Sure it's not easy, but we can do the best that we can. The high road seldom is an easy road, but it is the right road, if we would be like Chirst. Today, I want to challenge you to humble yourself before God and see what God will do! You will be amazed! James says it this way in James 4:10:

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up. (KJV)

Hey, Have a blessed day as you let God lift you up today.

2006-02-28T14:25:00.000-05:00

Lesson in LeadershipHocker Family in 1970 at Oregonia Ohio
from left: John, Uncle Larry, Dad, Kelly, Myself, Mom, & Rick

When I was twelve we lived in the parsonage at Oregonia, Ohio where Dad was pastor of the Oregonia Church of God. The picture above was taken at our dining room table. In case you can't see the resemblance, I am the boy in the striped shirt sitting between my two youngest brothers. I had been playing the piano and organ for church, because we didn't have that many people who could. One Sunday morning, our Sunday School Superintendent asked me to play the organ softly while he read the announcements after Sunday School. During the announcements that Sunday, a man seated at the back of the church spoke out loudly saying, "Could you stop the music, we can't hear what you are saying!" Well, the man was hard of hearing anyway, and I was playing the organ with the volume all the way down as soft as it could be played. Still, I slipped off of the organ bench and sat on the front pew. There was a big lump in my throat. I just wanted to go and hide, but I couldn't. The kids from children's church were singing right after the announcements, and it was my responsibility to lead them. I did my best to swallow the lump in my throat and just go on. After church I told Dad how I felt, and he responded that I had just learned an important lesson about leadership.

One thing you can count on in leadership is that confrontation and criticism are always included for no extra charge. Hey, that's even the case when you are a volunteer! In Numbers 12 Moses finds this to be the case even from the folks closest to him. His brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, speak against Moses in Numbers 12:2.

"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked.
"Hasn't he also spoken through us?"

We learn so much here about how to handle criticism. In verse three the Bible says that Moses responded with humility. When we respond with humility we allow God to vindicate instead of hurting those who have criticized us. Sometimes criticism is just and intended to be constructive. At other times it is the tool of our enemy who is bent on our destruction. Ultimately we need to focus on the big picture and stay on course. God has given us a job to do, so we don't have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity. We must get up and keep on going. Don't let the nay-sayers and the critics discourage you today. Take heart as you continue walking in His will for your life. Have a blessed day.

2006-02-27T23:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Daniel

My Son, Daniel and His wife Bethany

on their honeymoon in St. Thomas

Twenty eight years ago today, my wife and I entered a whole new world, the world of parenting! Today is our oldest son's birthday. We are so proud of the man he has become, but how time has flown! It doesn't seem so long ago that we were waiting for his arrival. My wife wanted to name him after me, Daniel, Jr. After she had carried him for nine months and endured 27 long hours of labor, I believed she had earned the right to name him. I had been given my father's middle name and was always proud to have his name. He and mother didn't give me his whole name becasue he didn't want to name me "Marvin." I have come to understand that a name is what we make it, and Dad has made "Marvin" an honorable name. The other reason I consented to give Daniel my name is because I would have been proud to be Marvin Daniel Hocker, Jr. I have only hoped that I could live my life in such a way that my son would be proud to have my name.

According to Philippians 2:9-11 God has given Jesus an awesome name.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Now we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus, and expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. Hey, whatever it is that you need today, I want to encourage you to trust Him. I am praying that you will discover the awesome power of the name of Jesus. Have a blessed day!

2006-02-23T23:38:00.000-05:00

Teamwork

photo from www.topswiss.ch

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results (from www.bankersonline.com)." As Moses pursued all that God had given him to do, it quickly became clear that there was no way that he could do it all by himself. Here in Numbers Moses is directed to divide the tasks out to the different families. They knew where they were to camp and what their responsibilities were when it was time to move. When you think of the logistics of moving this crowd of people throught the wilderness, you know it was a huge project, bigger that any one man.

The work of God's kingdom continues to be the same, but God has not deserted us. We don't have to row our boat all alone. First He has promised that He will be with us. In Matthew 28:19-20 as He gives us the great commission He says,

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always,

to the very end of the age."

The he also reminds us that we are to work together. We are not only in the boat with Christ, but we row together with our brothers. Galatians 6:2 says,

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way

you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We only have real success in the work of Christ's Kingdom when we help others to succeed. We are in the boat together. Together we can win! Have a victorious day!

2006-02-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

One Step at a TimeThe Spanish Steps photo from www.photo.net

Today my reading takes me to the book of Numbers. Moses is called upon to take a census of the people. What a tremendous undertaking this will be! Some estimate that the population of all the Hebrews who came out of Egypt was between four million and six million people. How do you handle a mamoth size task? I believe the same way you climb the Spanish Steps, on step at a time.

People are so often discouraged before they even begin when they face such a big challenge. Perhaps today, you are facing one of the biggest undertakings of your life. Perhasp you feel inadequate for the job. In Numbers Moses faces this huge task by breaking it down into smaller more manageable tasks. So household by household, and tribe by tribe he counts the Hebrew people. Counting them was an option for Moses. God told him to number the people. Therefore He had to count them to obey God. Perhaps the task God has given you seems to large an undertaking. Well, I have some good news for you from Paul's letter in 1Corinthians 10:13

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond
the course of what others have had to face. All you need
to remember is that God will never let you down;
he'll never let you be pushed past your limit;
he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Remember that you will reach the top, one step at a time. You may not think you have the strength to go all the way, but just look at what God is asking you to do right now. I believe you can take just one more step, and if you do, one step at a time, you will finally reach the top!

2006-02-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

If You Obeyphoto from www.vincepinto.com

What would you call the enforcement scene above, overkill? You would certainly have to say they were putting some "teeth" into speed limit enforcement. What we have is amazing illustration of covenant. The sign simply says, "Speed limit enforced by aircraft." You wouldn't expect the aircraft enforcing speed limit to be a military helicopter! Maybe they're just kidding, but who wants to take the chance? It looks like they mean serious business. However, if you just obey the speed limit, you can enjoy the highway and scenery, without any interruption of your travel. If you don't, then wow, what an awesome enforcement vehicle!

In today's reading from Leviticus, we find that God really means business when it comes to His laws and statutes, too. God has just finished giving details to Moses as to how they should obey God's law. Then here in Leviticus 26 He describes the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Hey, the military chopper above is a mere grasshopper compared to the awesome power of God Almigty.

The message here, is simply obedience. It is time to focus on obedience to God's standard of holiness. If we obey, there are blessings , and if we rebel and do it our way, then we must know that there will be consequences. Today I want to encourage you to obey God. Have a blessed day.

2006-02-21T00:42:00.000-05:00

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

Picture from www.themes.ru/wallpapers/movie/mi

One of God's most awesome attributes is His Holiness. Some of God's attributes are unique to Him. Only God is omniscient (all-knowing), and only God is omnipresent (eveywhere at the same time). However, God intends for us to emulate some of His attributes. God instructed Moses and Aaron in Leviticus 11:44:

For I am the Lord your God. You shall therfore consecrate
yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.

God's love and His holiness are attributes that He not only want to share with us, but that He commands that we develop them. In John 13:34 Jesus says,

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

God also makes it clear that this attribute of holiness is not optional. In fact, we cannot be in His presence or see Him without holiness. Hebrews 12:14 says:

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Snažte se žít se všemi v míru a zasvěcujte se Pánu - jinak nevejdete v jeho slávu.
(Židům 12:14)*

How can we be holy? Is God commanding us to be what we cannot be? If it is impossible for us to be holy, then why would God demand the impossible from us?

First, I want to reassure you that God has given us a “Mission Impossible.” That was a movie with a sequel. This is what Jesus has to say about it in Mark 10:27;

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible,
but not with God; with God all things are possible.”

Podíval se na ně a řekl: "Člověk na to nestačí, ale Bůh je všemocný.
(Marek 10:27)*

Therefore, personal holiness is within the realm of possibility with God. First it is possible because Jesus puts His own holiness on our spiritual account. His awesome holiness counts for us. Second it is possible because everyday we have the opportunity to choose to serve Christ, or to follow our own way. It is through daily choosing to respond rightly to God’s grace that we are daily enabled to live a life of holiness before God. God has promised to never put on us more than we can bear, so today, I want to encourage you to choose Christ and His holiness. When you do, you get to start again with a clean slate. You receive His holiness when you are forgiven. You can’t be any holier than at that moment when all of your sin is cleansed in salvation. Then, you honor the precious gift of His holiness by living in a way that pleases God. God is holy, and He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Everyday we have the opportunity to practice living the holy life.

*Scripture verses in Czech provided for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Take It to the Next Level

Oops this is my article for Saturday, but I didn't get it posted until late tonight, (after midnight). Well, It's been a long day, and I've been getting ready for a trip in to Tupelo, Mississippi. Anyway, we had a great service Sunday. The praise and worship was a real blessing, and I enjoyed preaching my Sunday message, "Take It to the Next Level."

What is the next level? I guess that depends on what's important to you. If you're into video games, the next level might be the new X-box 360, or a new version of an old game like Pong. The new X-box made no small splash on the Christmas scene this past year. If you're into multi-level marketing then might be thinking of sales volume. As I thought about the expression, "taking it to the next level," I came across everything from video games, to business articles, extreme sports, and space suits. Still I felt that God wanted us to think about the next level in terms of our spiritual growth. 2 Peter 3:18 makes it clear that spiritual growth isn't optional.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Usilujte o duchovní růst a hlubší poznání Pána Ježíše Krista.
Jemu patří všechna sláva již nyní i na věčnosti! Petr
(2.list Petrův 3:18)*

It doesn't say, "maybe you should think about spiritual growth," nor "perhaps you consider growing in the spirit." Peter writes more in the form of a strong command, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord." Today, I want to encourage you to pursue the next level in your spiritual growth.

As an example I would like to call your attention to a certain Jew in the book of Acts, named Apollos, who was a native of Alexandria, who we read about in Acts 18:24-28.

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough
knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in
the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and
taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the
baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their
home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged
him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving,
he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he
vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Mezitím přišel do Efezu žid z Alexandrie jménem Apollos.
Byl to výborný řečník a znalec Starého zákona.
Byl pokřtěn po způsobu Jana Křtitele,
znal leccos z Ježíšova učení a nadšeně a přiléhavě mluvil
o Ježíšovi. Tak vystoupil bez bázně i v efezské synagóze.
Tam ho uslyšeli Priscila a Akvila, pozvali ho k
sobě a důkladněji mu vysvětlili Kristovo evangelium.
Apollos se pak rozhodl jít dále do Řecka a zvěstovat
Ježíše. Efezští křesťané mu to schvalovali a dali mu pě
kný doporučující dopis. Svým výjimečným obdarováním
prokázal platné služby věřícím v Řecku. Zvláště vynikal
v debatách se židy, kterým dokazoval ze Starého zákona,
že Ježíš je Mesiáš. (Skutky apoštolské 18:24-28)*

This passage gives us a picture of Who God wants to take to the next level, How He wants to do that, and Why! Apollos is described as a man who is mighty in the Scriptures, while still be instructed in the way, and being fervent in spirit. I believe that he represents whoever wants to grow in the Spirit. That means that if you have a passion for God's Word then you are a candidate to take it to the next level spiritually. Secondly I think it is so important that Apollos learns the way more perfectly because of his relationship with Priscilla and Aquilla. God want you to be vitally involved with others to bring you into all of his wonderful plan for your life. I don't believe you get to the next level by being a spiritual hermit! Lastly, Why does God want to take us to the next level? Your sphere of infuence can have such an impact on others! If you submit to growing in Christ, and let him take you to the next level, then your life will have an awesome impact on the lives of others. Hey, Let's take this relationship with God to the next level! There is so much He want to do to bless your life. Next level, here we come!

*Scripture verses in Czech for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

From the Back of a Truck Picture from www.roatanisland.net

Doing business from the back of a pickup truck used to mean selling fruit or vegetables as in the picture above, but as you can see in the picture below business from the back of a pickup truck takes on a whole new meaning in this age of technology. Our old friend Michal Sokol and his boss Mr. Ludvik Machala were taking care of their business back home in Europe, from the back of Odell's pickup truck via their laptops and the internet.

Perhaps you had the opportunity to meet Michal and Ludvik at church last Sunday or at our Wednesday evening Bible study. Thursday morning I found the two of them outside, checking on business back home. Since MACHALA is a multi-million dollar business, I thought it was interesting to see them at work in this setting. Wow, business from the back of a pickup has certainly come a long way! When I look at technological advances in the last thirty years, I am amazed. You see, I am old enough to remember a time before personal computers and before video games. I can remember a time before cell phones too, although I wonder how parents managed keep track of their kids..

We live in a world that epitomizes the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 3:7.

always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

Předstíraný zájem o duchovní věci nikdy k ničemu nepovede,
protože ve skutečnosti jim jde o něco úplně jiného.
(2.list Timoteovi 3:7)*

It is even more amazing that we can know so much about outer space and micro organisms, while we know so little about inner space or our own souls. We understand so much about temporal things and so llittle about eternal things. What if we have all the toys and all the technological gadgets, and what if we have the latest in computers and communication devices, but fail to communicate with God? Mark 8:36 asks the question this way.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Vždyť co člověku prospěje, získá-li celý svět a pravý život promarní?
(Marek 8:36) *

Hey, don't get so caught up in the progress of this world that you forget to prepare for the one to come. I want to encourage you to live today in light of eternity.

*verses in Czech provided for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

I Did It My Way!Picture from www.franksinatra.com

Frank Sinatra made the song, My Way, popular when he recorded it in Hollywood, December 30, 1968. However the song was much more than a great hit because it's message reflected a growing philosophy in our culture. In fact, it put the 1960's cultural mindset into words, and helped to shape ideology for the next decade. No, I don't mean that one song accomplished all of this. I am saying that the song reflected the culture's philosophy because as an art form music is an expression of our soul. The lyrics follow.

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

The first stanza paints a word picture of someone facing the final moments of life with confidence. Unfortunately, the representation is that of self-confidence. There is one thing he knows, and that is that he did it his way. Even if he has regrets, it was his life. He made his own plans and did it all his way.

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"

He was bold about it. He was in control! He spoke his own mind. While this philosophy sounds bold, it is also a mind set that rejects submission to God. Notice the words of the last stanza.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

If the person declaring this bold message is really facing the final curtain of life, then his life is ending in tragedy, because he has not realized the purpose for which he was created. In fact he sounds proud of the fact that his were not the words of someone "who kneels." To come to the end of life and not kneel before the Creator is tragic indeed. The Bible records in Hebrews 9:27

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Člověk umírá jen jednou, a pak bude postaven před soud.
(Židům 9:27)*

God created us all with a purpose, and one day we will face that final judgment. We will stand before God as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive what is due him for the things
done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Tak jako tak se nakonec všichni musíme postavit před
Kristův soud, kde bude každý náš čin,
dobrý i zlý, spravedlivě ohodnocen.
(2.list Korintským 5:10)*

The good news is that we can face the end with confidence, and it doesn't have to be some misguided self-confidence, if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. John 4:17 records it this way.

In this way, love is made complete among us so that
we will have confidence on the day of judgment,
because in this world we are like him.

Boží láska nám dává jistotu, že se nemusíme bát jeho soudu,
protože se snažíme uvádět do života jeho lásku.
(1.list Janův 4:17)*

I am praying today that you will turn your heart toward God, and ask Him to forgive you for living life "your way" instead of His way. Begin realizing the purpose for which you were created to live life at it's fullest. When you face your final curtain, I am praying that you will have confidence because you have kneeled before God and because you did it His way. Have a blessed day.

*Scripture verses in Czech for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

Following the Tracks My son, Graham

My son, Graham, has been working on his Space Exploration Merit in our boys ministry program, Royal Rangers. As he was doing a Google search on the topic, he came across a really interesting article. You can see the entire article at www.astrodigital.org/space/stshorse.html. The article starts by asking if you know that the distance between the rails on the railroad track are four foot eight and half inches. Where in the world did such an odd measurement come from? As we follow these tracks we make some very interesitng discoveries. According to this article it came from England because the first U.S. railroads were built by former Englishmen, and that was the measurement between the rails on the English railroad system. Well then, why did the English use this measurement? Apparently, the article claims that the English railroad used this measurement because it was the same distance used by the folks who built the tramways. They claim that folks who built the tramways used this measurement because that was the spacing used between the wagon wheels by those who built wagons. The folks who built the wagons used this measurement because of the ruts in the old roads across England that were made by Roman chariots. Finally they claim that the chariot makers used this odd measurement because they were trying to build the chariots just big enough to accomodate two horse's rear ends.

Ruts in Pompei made by Roman chariots

Now if you find all that hard to believe, here's the reason the article was found under space exploration. The SRB (solid rocket boosters) that you see on the sides of the main fuel tank on the Space shuttle when it launces are built at a factory in Utah. Since these rocket booster would be shipped by rail, they had to factor in the size of railroad tunnels, when they built them. Their article therefore concludes, "So a major design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was originally determined by the width" of a horse's rear end. (Another website to see on this tale is www.straightdope.com/columns/000218.htm, a good article by Cecil Adams)

(cartoon from www.straightdope.com/columns/000218.htm)

What amazes me most is how that decisions made so many thousand of years ago continue to impact our lives today. Who would have believed that the distance between Roman chariot wheels could have had such and impact on modern life? Today, I want you take that thought a step further. Do you realize that there are decisions you make that may not only impact generations to come but will matter for all eternity? The truth is that how you decide to live your life is impacting everyone in your sphere of influence, especially your children. What you teach them will definitely impact generations to come. Evidence of this kind of impact on future generations is found in the text of the "Ten Commandments," in Exodus 20:4-6.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything
in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them;
for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers
to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing love to a thousand {generations}
of those who love me and keep my commandments.

No decision we make is more important than whether we choose to obey God and honor Him as God with our lives or to ignore His claims and live life our way instead of His. That decision is of eternal importance. Perhaps you have been putting off some important decisions. Maybe you just keep saying to yourself, "Oh, I'll deal with that later." Today, I want to encourage you to make that decision for God. Acknowledge Him as God in your life and purpose in your heart to live for Him from this day on. Impact future generations as you prepare your heart and soul for eternity.

2006-02-14T13:43:00.000-05:00

No Greater LoveMy Valentine and I

Sunday, I shared several pictures of couples in our church, as I talked about the greatest love of all. Someone said that they noticed I didn't include a picture of my wife and I. Since today is Valentine's Day, I am including some pictures my Valentine and I. Now we certainly have changed through the years, but this May we will celebrate 29 years of marriage, and she is still my Valentine. The year that we met I gave her a Valentine card with a hound dog on the front. the message inside said, "Valentine, I'm going to hound you 'til you're mine." Later that Valentine's Day, I walked by her singing a line from the old Elvis Presley song, "I ain't nothing but a hound dog." Then on our first Valentine's Day after our wedding, I wrote her this line, "I hounded you, and now you're mine, so forever you'll be my Valentine."

Kissing the Bride

As I celebrate Valenine's Day with her this year, I am recalling how her life has reflected the greatest love of all. The greatest love is that love declared by Jesus in John 15:13.

Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.

Největší lásku k přátelům prokáže ten,
kdo za ně položí vlastní život. (Jan 15:13)*

Through the years I have witnessed day by day as she has laid down her life for others, for her husband, her children, and for ministry. Today as I celebrate Valentine's Day, I am thankful to be married to a real Proverbs 31 lady. I am proud to be her husband and her one and only Valentine.

*verses in Czech for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-13T18:11:00.000-05:00

Break the BarriersMr. Ludvik Machala at CFA

No, this isn't Jesus, the name above his head is just part of our banner at Christian Fellowship. This is my new friend, Ludvik Machala. Ludwig is a very successful business man from the Czeck Republic and is visiting here with our Michal Sokol. Even though Ludvik could understand very little English, he attended our Sunday services, and Michal translated for him.

I always find it a special challenge to comunicate across cultural barriers, and felt honored by the opportunity to share my morning message in this setting. It also reminded me of the words of the Message of the Apostle Paul first in Romans 10:12

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same
Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him

A v tom není rozdíl mezi židem a jinověrcem. Všichni mají
jednoho a téhož Pána, a ten je stejně štědrý ke všem,
kdo se k němu obracejí. (Římanům 10:12)

Paul makes a strong point that No matter what our ethnic or cultural background God is available to us and wants to bless our lives. Paul puts it this way in Galatians 3:28, as he is speaking to the church at Galatia.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free,
male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Není už rozdílu mezi Židem a Řekem, otrokem a pánem,
mužem a ženou; všichni jsme si v Kristu rovni. (Galatským 3:28)

When we understand God's heart, we will understand that He sent Jesus for the sins of the entire world. As we reach out to the world we must reach beyond our own culture and let God touch others through us. Maybe your cultural hurdle isn't a language barrier. It may be no more than just the fact you were born on the other side of the tracks. Perhaps God wants you to share the gospel with a "redneck." Hey, rednecks need Jesus. too. Maybe you are a redneck, and God is trying to get you out of that box to witness about His love to some "uppity up." God just want us to understand that He loves them all. Let's break the barriers and proclaim God's love. Have a blessed day.

*verses in Czech included for my friend Ludvik Machala

2006-02-11T06:46:00.000-05:00

Prayer Meeting

We are certainly having some great prayer meetings on Friday nights. There may not be very many of us attending, but there is such an awesome awareness of God's presence as we pray together. This is of course evidence of His promise to us in Matthew 18:20,

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

There were six of us last night, and I want to say just how much I appreciate those who are coming to pray. Besides sharing prayer concerns with one another and lifting those specific need in prayer, we are also praying for needs as God reminds us of them during aour prayer time. Sometimes this kind of Spirit-led praying brings a boldness to pray about some very serious issues, including our prayers for our community with regard to the gang problems and meth labs.

Perhaps you are not able to join us physically at the church on Friday nights, but I want to encourage you to take some time to pray anyway, anywhere you can.

As Moses and the children of Israel wandered throught the wilderness, they did not have to rely on God's promised presence. They had a visual manifestation of God's presence daily in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. We may not have that physical manifestation, but we certainly become aware of His awesome presence when we pray together.
I am looking forward to wonderful answers to our prayers, and asking God to make Himself known to you as you seek to know him more fully through prayer. Have a blessed day.

2006-02-10T07:20:00.000-05:00

God is in Control

Carole from ealier years raising her boys

Last night we went to visit Carole. Many of you have prayed for Carole for a long time now. She has been battling MS for ten years. When you remember how full of life and energy she was before, it is difficult to see her in her current condition. Since we believe in prayer and in healing, it's hard to understand why Carole isn't healed. If wanting it was enough she would have been healed long age. It seem that the family has done everything from carry her to the best clinics, to take her to the best know healing crusades. Add to those efforts all the personal prayer, the tears, and the just plain old desperate crying, and you have a picture of how the family has wanted her healing.

I confess that I don't know why, but there are some things I know. Every time I visit Carole at the nursing home, she lifts her hand and praises the Lord. Often she will say, "God is in control." This is one thing I know. I agree with Carole that God is sovereign. The awesomeness of her faith always inspires me. I have never seen her bitter, nor complaining. She just endures with quiet, stedfast, faith. Hebrews 3:14 mentions this kind stedfast confidence,

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

Earlier Hebrews 11 gives us a record of what is sometimes called the "Faith Hall of Fame." In this passage we see as it were a parade of Bible heroes that culminates in these words in Hebrews 11:32-35.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell
about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel
and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms,
administered justice, and gained what was promised; who
shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames,
and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was
turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and
routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead,
raised to life again.

What get my attention even more are the next comments in Hebrews 11:35-38.

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that
they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers
and flogging, while still others were chained and put in
prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two;
they were put to death by the sword. They went about
in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and
mistreated— the world was not worthy of them.

The light always shines brightest in the darkeness. As Carole has faced this ordeal with MS for the last 10 years, she has touched so many lives with the beauty of her spirit, and her unwavering faith in her Sovereign God. We still cling to the hope that one day God will raise her up and restore her completely. We still pray, asking God for healing and deliverance. Most of all we still stand in agreement with Carole's awesome declaration, "God is in control.!"

2006-02-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Today is the Day!

I have lived in Georgia for twenty years without visiting a dentist except to take my kids, but this past Thursday a piece of a tooth fell out while I was eating tomato soup! My wife decieded she was going to make me a dental appointment, and she did, that very day! Now you know what I'm thinking, "Oh boy, the dentist, he's going to drill my teeth! My gums are going to bleed, and my mouth is going to hurt." Of course, most of us don't like pain. In fact, we don't even like discomfort, and I knew this wasn't going to be a comfortable experience. I dreaded it. One reason that I dreaded it so was simply because I had procrastinated going for so long. I just knew I would be in trouble with the dentist and his hygienist. However, life is full on uncomfortable things, adversity, pain, and heart ache. Going to the dentist is just a liitle snap shot of life.

There are a lot of people who live by that old adage, "Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow." My father-in-law has often said through the years, "pay me now, or pay me later." This dental trip definitely fall into those categories. Regular maintenance, paid for a little at a time, will keep you from costly payments later. That's true with your car, with taking care of equipment, taking care of your home, and taking care of your teeth! As it turns out the folks at the dental office are certainly going to see me regularly now, every Thurday morning for the next eight weeks! They want to spend the next four weeks just scraping my teet beneath the gum line! Wow, is that ever going to hurt? The they want to extract all four of my wisdom teeth, and do a root canal on that tooth that caused all this trouble in the first place! You know what I'm thinking? If only I had kept up regular visits to the dentist, even just once a year, I wouldn't be facing all of this now. "An ounce of prevention is worth way more than a pound of cure. Well, it's to late now. Here we go. Today it was basically just lot's of pictures, then next week all of the "fun" begins. Well, let's remember another old adage here, "into each life some rain must fall." It is just raining on my parade right now; that's all.

Well, I have taken a deep breath and dove into this dental project. Now, I'm committed. So many other areas of our live are like this little snapshot. Maybe, your need this morning is a long way from dental needs. Perhaps there is a relationship problem. It needed some maintenance years ago, but you just procrastinated. Now, it seems like just saying, "I'm sorry," isn't near enough. So, you put it off. The longer you put it off, the more bitterness grows. Perhaps it seems not that it is impossible to reconcile that relationship. Failure to treat my dental needs, will only make matters worse. Likewise, failure to take some positive action about your situation will only allow things to get worse.

It's time to use that victory slogan, that the tennis shoe company, Nike, has made famous,"just do it." The Bible says this in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV),

behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Later in the New Testamet Hebrews 4:7 (KJV) records,

To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Although I know the next eight trips to the dentist won't be pleasant, I understand that they are necessary, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to halt the deterioration. Today, you may be facing an awesome opportunity, too. Don't miss it. Do it, now. Don't let deterioration continue. Listen to God; He is speaking to you. Have a blessed day!

2006-02-08T06:49:00.000-05:00

Absolute Truth!

Josh McDowell

It wasn't too long ago that I had the privilege of attending a Josh McDowell seminar held at the Wink Theater in Dalton, Georgia. One of the things that really held my attention was a discussion about the cultural shift in this generation. I'm not talking about a generation gap. That's what people were talking about when I was a teenager over thirty years ago. This is a completely different way of thinking. Josh explained that most of us had grown up believing truth is absolute. We would say, "it is true therefore it works." However, young people in this generation would say, "If it works then it is true." On the surface these remarks seem very similar but there is a world a difference.

If we knew someone who claimed to be a Christian but did not live or act like a Christian, we would consider that person a hypocrite because we believe that truth is absolute. There is no problem with the truth. The problem is in how some respond to the truth. Young people in this generation would see it differently. If Mom or Dad claim to be Christians, but live like hypocrites, they would say, "See, Christianity doesn't work, therefore it must not be true."

This also gives rise to relativism. They might say, "well, it doesn't work for me, but if it works for you, then it's alright." In their thinking there are many truths, and they may even be contradictory. All that matters is if it work for you.

As we think about salvation, this gives rise to som serious problems. It wouldn't matter then how you live, if you just believe. It wouldn't matter then what you believe, only that you believe. Well the Bible teaches us the truth. John 8:32 (NIV) reads,

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Notice that truth is particular. It is the truth, not many truths. The Bible also teaches us that believing in a lie leads to damnation. See 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (KJV).

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Notice also what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 14:12 (NIV).

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Yesterday, the message was to choose wisely. Today, I want to encourage you to not be drawn in by the faulty reasoning of this world but stay in God's Word and know the absolute truth. Whatever people my choose to believe, truth does still matter. Let God's Truth set you free today. Have a blessed day.

2006-02-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

Choose Wisely! Indiana Jones/The Last Crusade

In the Harrison Ford movie, "The Last Crusade," there is a scene where Indiana Jones and others have finally passed all the obstacles except for one old knight who is the keeper of the Holy Grail. In this place hewn out of rock, there is not just one chalice but many, the old knight says, "choose wisely!" Choosing poorly meant death. There is one chalice that is exquisitely beautiful, but it's looks are deceiving. There is death in that cup. There is one simple cup hewn of wood. This cup turns out to be the Holy Grail, the cup of the Carpenter.

Did you ever wonder what you might ask for if you were told you could have anything you wanted? You might say, "I wish I had a million dollars," or you might ask for your dream house or an expensive sports car. Maybe your less selfish and you would wish for health or even world peace. Did you know that God once spoke to a young man and told him to ask for whatever he wanted?

...and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

1 Kings 3:5 (NIV)

The young man's name was Solomon who has just recently beome the King of Israel following his father, David. His answer is recorded in verse 9.

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern
your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Can you believe it? He has the opportunity of a lifetime! I mean this is better than finding Aladdin's lamp and getting three wishes! This isn't the promise of a ficticious genie, but the word of Almighty God! How amazing is it that all he can ask for is an understanding heart? Most of the young men I know would have probably taken a much different approach to this opportunity, but listen to God's response to his request in verses 10-14.

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and
not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked
for the death of your enemies but for discernment in
administering justice, I will do what you have asked.
I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there
will never have been anyone like you, nor will there
ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not
asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your
lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you
walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands
as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

Obviously, young Solomon chose wisely. With all the possibilities of his imagination open to him. He chooses wisdom, an understanding heart to help him serve the people better. The truth is that we also have all the possibilities of the future open to us today, and we must choose. How will we decide? Will you choose wisely? Will you choose a life of service to others, or will you choose poorly, thinking only of yourself? Today God has set before you blessing or cursing, life or death. Choose life! He wants you to live it abundantly! Have a blessed day!

2006-02-07T03:10:00.000-05:00

Pastor Dan Hocker

2006-02-06T07:45:00.000-05:00

Celebrating Mom's 67th Birthday!A snapshot of Dad and Mom at home from a family album

Today would have been my Mother's 67th birthday, but three years ago yesterday we celebrated her home going. I guess this weekend would have been harder if hadn't been so busy, but thankfully God gave us much to do. Today is no different. My work day is full and won't allow much time for grieving over this great loss. Yes, where there is great love, there is great grief. There are still days, when it sneaks up on me. I think I am doing pretty well, and then all of the sudden, something grabs my emotions, and the tears come to my eyes again. I am missing Mom.

Mother was a great lady. She loved the Lord and dedicated her life to serving Him. As long as I can remember, she started everyday in God's Word. When I was a little boy she had already spent her time with God before she woke me to come to breakfast. She read the Bible through ever year and always taught Sunday School. She was my Sunday School Teacher when I was in high school. The words of Proverbs 31 definitely describe Mom. The words of this chapter were vividly reflected in her life.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

The truth is that I wept again today missing her, but I have chosen to celebrate her by living life to the full for Jesus Christ. No, I don't apologize for my tears for mother. We cry when we miss our loved ones. However, grief does not debilitate us. We are living with a goal in mind, and Mother has already reached that goal.

Today, in celebration of Mom's 67th birthday I want to encourage you to get into God's Word every day. Psalm 119:105 declares,

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Mother understood the truth of this simple verse, and allowed God's Word to guide her safely home. My prayer for you is that you will also discover the guidance that is yours in God's Word today.

I believe that Mother is now a part of that great cloud of witnesses of Hebrews 12:1, looking on as we run the race set before us, encouraging us to keep the faith and never, never, never give up! Have a blessed day.

2006-02-03T08:59:00.000-05:00

Handling Objections!

This morning I am revisiting the burning bush. As we remember the conversation between God and Moses, there are some interesting questions and comments from Moses. These remarks and God's responses remind me of something taught in sales training called "handling objections." This morning I want you to see how God handles Moses' objections.

In Exodus 3:11 we hear Moses' first objection.

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go
to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?

Now, Moses raises an important issue. We need to know who we are. How many times have you heard folks say, "I need to find myself." The problem is that so many people just don't know who they are. They feel insignficant. Moses is saying, "Why should the King of Egypt listen to me? I'm not that important."

God responds in verse twelve.

And God said, "I will be with you. And this will
be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:
When you have brought the people out of Egypt,
you will worship God on this mountain."

God redirects Moses' focus from who Moses is, to Who God is! It is as if the Lord were saying to Moses, "Look Moses, you won't be alone. I am with you." Who then is Moses? He is a man with God! Any man or woman with God is a significant person. God makes the difference! Here is the good news for us today. We also have value and significance today, because God is with us!

I want this first truth to soak in today, because Jesus has promised that He will be with us. His words in Matthew 28:18-20 as he gave us the "Great Commission."

Then Jesus came to them and said,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

God's word to you this morning is this. "As I was with Moses, I will also be with you, if you will follow Me I will lead you and guide you. You will never be alone!"

If you read the rest of Moses' encounter with God, you will find other objections that Moses raises, but God handles them, every single one. Finally, there is no excuse. Today, whatever your objections, God can handle it. Talk to Him. He is waiting, and He has answers for you!

2006-02-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

Realizing our DreamsAllisha and Alfred Campbell Laying Hold of Their Dream

Who would have believed that she bought her dress three years ago and could still wear it? Three years ago things just didn't work out the way they had hoped. Instead of having a church wedding, they had a simple civil ceremony. Unlike so many other people who only dream about doing things, Alfred and Allisha scheduled it and did it! For their third anniversary they celebrated by renewing their wedding vows at the church with family and friend their to witness the event complete with a reception following. It's wonderful to be their pastor and see their dream come true! Just look at their eyes!

This special event accomplished some great things. First it was a reinforcement of their marriage vows, to be faithful to one another "until death do us part." In a society where so many children grow up in broken homes, this was a wonderful way to give security to their children. Children need to see godly love and commitments modeled by their parents. One of our most treasured blessings is that both my parents and my wife's parents have modeled godly marriages that not only give security to their grown children but also to their grandchildren. Our society certainly needs Mom's and Dad's who will marry for life!

The other wonderful thing about Alfred and Allisha's celebration was the encouragement it gives others to pursue their dreams! This morning I would like to use these words from the Old Testament in 2 Chronicles 15:7 to encourage you.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Likewise Paul wrote the church in Galatians 6:9 telling them to hang in there even though you may not realize your dream immediately. God hasn't forgotten you, and He sees your faithfulness.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper
time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This morning pursue your godly dreams. They can be realized, just like Alfred and Allisha's, and there will be such joy and celebration for you and encouragement for others. Have a blessed day.

2006-02-01T01:02:00.000-05:00

Knowing God from the Burning Bush
Picture from Animation video in Ilumina Gold Bible Program

After Moses had fled from Egypt because of killing an Egyptian, who was beating a Hebrew slave, he had made a new life for himself far away from the mistakes of his past. Then God spoke to Moses at the burning bush and sent him back to Egypt with a message for Pharoh. As we continue through Exodus we find that Moses' relationship with God is what made him a great leader.

Moses' relationship with God was different even than that of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob according to God's own word to Moses in Exodus 6:2-3.

God also said to Moses, "I am the LORD. I appeared to
Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by
my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.

The word, "LORD," is from the Hebrew, "YHWH," which is also translated, "Jehovah." God tells Moses that none of his forefathers knew Him on this persoanl level to call Him by his name! Later, when God raises up Joshua to lead the children of Israel, we are reminded again of the special relationship God had with Moses, in Deuteronomy 34:9-10.

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom
because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites
listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded
Moses. Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses,
whom the LORD knew face to face,

Now, that's exciting to me, because we, too, can know God on this personal level! Not only do we know the name of God the Father, but He has given us the privilege to know Him even more through His Son, Jesus Christ and through God the Holy Spirit, to walk with Him everyday!
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, God again started a fire. Remember that the bush which Moses saw was burning but not consumed. The fire from Pentecost continues to burn for all who will turn aside and answer God's call. This morning I want to encourage you to not only talk to God in prayer, but to listen to Him. God is speaking to you, and wants empower you to serve Him. May God give you a burning bush experience and allow you to know Him like Moses, face to face. Have a blessed day!

2006-01-31T08:27:00.000-05:00

Watching the Fig Tree Hamas supporters celebrating Election Victory
(photo from www.foxnews.com)

As Hamas won victory in the Palestinian elections this past week, our eyes were focused again on Israel and the Holy Lands. What will happen next? In December of 2001 Israel's perspective was that if the Hamas were in control at least we would know who the enemy was. In fact Israel's Finance Minister Silvan Shalom said that if Hamas took over the Palestinian Authority, at least the world would know who Israel's adversary truly is. Now, Hamas is in control of the Palestinian Parliament. Instantly the US demanded that Hamas recognize Israel rising to its new role in governance in a responsible manner. That doesn't look seem very likely, but our eyes are focused again on the "fig tree" to see what will happen next.

In the 24th chapter of Matthew as Jesus was talking to His disciples about the last days, he spoke to them about the fig tree in verses 32-35.

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get
tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near,
right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will
certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
never pass away. Matthew 24:32-35 (NIV)

We have come to understand that the fig tree represents Israel, and that Israel is a key to the unfolding of the events of the last days. One of the most significant events was the Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. For decades hundreds of Jewish people had begun returning to their homeland, but in 1948 they received recognition again as a nation. The fig tree began to bud again. Through the years we have continued to watch Israel and the Holy Lands just as we might watch the trees and know from their budding that Spring had arrived and Summer was near.

Jesus was telling his disciples that the signs he was sharing in this chapter were indications, like the budding of the fig tree, that His return was near. He went even further to say, that the generation that saw the budding of the fig tree would not pass away before this promise came to pass!

I believe we are living in that generation right now! Hey for believers this is good news. As Luke records in Luke 21:28,

When these things begin to take place, stand up and
lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Today I want you to be encouraged. Our hope is in Christ who is coming again, and you are a part of that generation that will see it come to pass! Have a blessed day!

2006-01-30T01:23:00.000-05:00

Blessed are the Children

Picture from CFA Children's Church

This Sunday we were treated with a presentation from our Children's Church. Now, this is an exciting arm of the church. With the children lined up between them and participating in the presentation, Susette an Ela shared with us their lessons for January. Now these folks had some great excitement going on. This alone could have been considered blessing enough, but on top of all this, I had the special honor doing baby dedications. This Sunday, I was privileged to do three! Jim and Elaine had almost all of their children at church with them. This included two of their grandchildren, Skylar and Conner. We also dedicated Brandi's son, Isaiah as his Grandother Donna looked on. Wow, isn't it grand?

We don't practice infant baptism nor christening in our church, but we do dedications, which properly understood are actually the dedication of parents and grandparents to live godly lives before the child. God established the importance of teaching our children in Deurteronomy 6:1-2

These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD
your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land
that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you,
your children and their children after them may fear the
LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his
decrees and commands that I give you,
and so that you may enjoy long life.

This is followed by a passage in verses 4 and 5, called by the Hebrews, "The Shema."

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.

He makes His message quite clear in the verses that follow, (6-9).

These commandments that I give you today
are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on
your children. Talk about them when you sit
at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and
bind them on your foreheads. Write them on
the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Simply put, God wants us to do more than just talk about serving Him. He is calling us to live daily for Him. Don't just talk the talk and expect that to miraculously affect your children. If you really intend to impact their young lives, you have to remember that they learn what they live with. What we need is both to profess and possess. Just a form of godliness will not do! We need the "power thereof." You can impact your children and grandchildren for Christ. Just live it everyday, one day at a time. Have a blessed day!

2006-01-28T09:38:00.000-05:00

Five Generations

Just the other night I was searching through some of my 3.5" floppy disks looking for some files I had stored, when I came across some disks with pictures on them from Christmas 1998! I spent some time just looking at all the pictures and came across the one I included above. Pictured from the bottom left, up, across, and back down are my Grandmother Adams, my Mother, my brother John, his daughter Angel, and Angel's firstborn daughter, Shaina. We had a great time that year. I am glad they took this picture, since another five-generation picture from mother's side of the family will not be possible until my brother John is a great-grandfather. Things change so quickly! James wrote in James 4:13-14,

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to
this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and
make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen
tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears
for a little while and then vanishes.

We need to drink deeply from the cup of life that God has given to us. Regrets spring from neglect and not from time we spend with Mom or Grandma. Solomon wrote in Proverb 27:1,

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

That being the case we need to begin living the abundant life that Jesus said he came to provide for us. In fact, He said that is the reason he came in John 10:10.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

This morning I want to challenge you to live your life just that way, to the fullest! We never know when overwhelming changes may come to us. Make the most of God's promise of abundant life, by living it in Him everyday!

2006-01-27T07:58:00.000-05:00

Where is God's Promise?

If you have ever begun to wonder about God's promise to you, then this morning's word is for you. Sometimes we are tempted to join the scoffers of 2 Peter 3:4.

They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on
as it has since the beginning of creation."

You were so encouraged by God's promise in the beginning. His word to you has sustained you. Now, even if you haven't verbalized the question, sometimes it quietly attacks your faith. Although we never read that Joseph questioned God, he certainly would have had sufficient opportunity, given his circumstances. God gives him dreams, and just as he speaks to Pharoh, the dreams are one and the same. Joseph will rule one day, and all his brothers will bow down to him.

On the way to his dream's fulfillment, Joseph first endures the pit. While visiting his brothers in the field, Joseph's point of view gets a literal adjustment. His brothers are not bowing to him but towering over him as he looks up from the bottom of the pit. This seems like a good time to remind God of the dream. Things are a little messed up here. This isn't a throne; it's a hole in the ground!

Today if you've been clinging to a promise that God has given you, but things just don't seem to be working out. I've got some good news for you. Often the pit you face today is the gateway to God's promise being fulfilled.

Joseph may have hoped to be delivered from the pit. Perhaps his brothers would be moved with compassion and after this mean trick, they would pull him out and send him home. Who would have believed it? Instead of rescuing Joseph, they sell him into slavery! One pit is traded for another, and the second one is even further from home.

Have you ever felt that those people, who should be the closest to you and the most supportive, have becme the enemies of your dream. David said it this way in Psalm 41:9

Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.

If that's where you are this morning, and you have a promise from the Lord, then cling to that promise with all of your heart. God has put you on the road to a place of service in Him. He is going to fulfill all His promises to you.

Joseph went from the pit to slavery to prison before God raised him up and fulfilled the awesome dream that was given to Joseph. When his dream was finally fulfilled, there could be no doubt that God had brought it to pass. Be encouraged today. God is working in your life bringing to pass His awesome plan for you.

2006-01-26T09:43:00.000-05:00

All Things Work Together for Good

And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

She was working in the kitchen, scraping a plate clean over the trash can when she began to cry. The grief was overwhelming. I tried to comfort her, "Honey, what's wrong?" Through her tears she replied, "They threw my baby in the trash!" What was done was done. We had gone to the hospital, concerned about the pregnancy. We saw the baby for the first time on the ultrasound, but it was already dead. They did a DNC and sent us home. It had been two weeks already, and there she was grieving in the kitchen.

Somethings just don't make any sense. How did anything good come out of this? Maybe we would never know. We certainly experienced all the emotions of grief, including anger. Where was God when we needed Him? Why did our baby die? I didn't have any answers.

Time elapsed and we coped, but there was a deep and lasting change. People tried to comfort, "Count your blessings; you already have five children." Still I thought that if we could have another child, perhaps there would be healing. However, the next pregnancy was the same. The nightmare continued. This time we apparently lost twins. The only thing different was that we didn't go to the hospital. There would be no babies in the trash this time. I prepared a small wooden box for their remains, and we had a private family funeral service under an apple tree on here on the farm.

The questions and doubts continued. We just didn't understand! How could anything good come from all of this? I certainly didn't know and felt so powerless to help.

Finally, God did give us the gift of Jeffrey, who had his 9th birthday yesterday. He is such a blessing, and God has brought much healing. The joy of watching him grow has redirected our focus.

Still, after all these years, I can say that one thing has come from our grief. Because of it, we have more compassion for others who suffer. Certainly we tried to be compassionate before, but I must say that I really didn't understand their suffering. That's different today. Having walked through the loss of our children in two miscarriages, and burying my mother almost three years ago, I have come to know how grief feels. Through our grief we have learned to weep with those who weep. Paul wrote in Romans 12:15 (NIV).

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Grandma Cochran, who lived to be 97, once said, "The longer you live, the sadder life is." I am glad for the comfort of God's word in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV).

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those
who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men,
who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died
and rose again and so we believe that God will bring
with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you
that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming
of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who
have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice
of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that,
we who are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Therefore encourage each other with these words.

If you are struggling today, I want you to know that God is faithful and He will hear your cry. He has seen your tears, and yes, He has felt your grief. He understands. May He fill you with hope. May the God of all comfort bless you today.

2006-01-25T08:12:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Jeffrey

Jeffrey is our youngest, and today is his 9th birthday! God gave us Jeffrey to heal our hearts. After our youngest Monnie (our youngest daughter) was born, we lost children in two pregnancies. Jeffrey's birth was a blessing indeed! He is a loyal and loving son, and we are proud of him. One of the things he wants to do for his birthday is to celebrate at church tonight with his friends. I believe God has special plans for Jeffrey's life, and we are blessed to watch those plans unfold.

This morning I just wanted to take a few moments to tell Jeffrey what a blessing he is, and how much we love him. By the way, Happy Birthday, Jeffrey! Daddy loves you!

As I meditate this morning I also remember that God is our heavenly father, and if we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does He love us? Being a father has helped me to understand God's love for me.

You see, I don't always please my Heavenly Father, even though in my heart, I really believe that I want to please Him. The truth is that sometimes I am a real disappointment. What has been wonderful to me is to discover how constant His love is! When I disappoint Him He is grieved because He loves me and wants me to succeed. Therefore, there are times when He corrects me and disciplines me. One thing I can be sure of is this. He also celebrates my successes and my happiness. Certainly, he is more concerned about my righteousness, but He is always there encouraging me, picking me up, and putting me back on my feet. I so want to reflect that awesome love to my children wherewith my Heavenly Father has loved me.

Today, I believe the Heavenly Father is celebrating Jeffrey's Birthday with us. Why do I believe this? I believe it because of His great love. If I can rejoice in little things with my son, Jeffrey, then I am altogether certain that my Heavenly father cares about all the little things in my life. In Luke 12:6-7 Jesus talks about our value.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

If we are of more value than many sparrows and the very hairs of our head are numbered, then He is certainly watching over the smallest details of our live. Be encouraged today. He cares for you. In fact He celebrates your life!

2006-01-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

The Gate of Heaven

On Jacob's Journey from Beersheba to Haran in Genesis 28 he stopped for the night along the way and as he slept he dreamed. In his dream there was a ladder that reached from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Above the ladder stood the Lord, and in Jacob's dream the Lord spoke in Genesis 28:13-15.

"I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham
and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants
the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be
like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to
the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you
and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over
you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.
I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Jacob's dream was so overwhelming. Not only did he see heavenly things but he heard God speak to him, renewing the the promises of the covenant that He had with Jacob's father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham. Have you ever dreamed a dream so real that you were not sure if it were a dream or if somehow it was real? Maybe you have experienced a dream where you were vividly aware of God's presence in your dream. I can remember waking from such a dream and feeling God's presence abiding after I awoke. In fact, there was such an awareness of the presence of God that there was hardly any difference between the presence of God I felt in the dream and the awesome presence I felt after waking. Jacob's words after waking cause me to believe it was much the same for him. Verses 16 and 17 record his words on waking.

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought,
"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
He was afraid and said,
"How awesome is this place!
This is none other than the house of God;
this is the gate of heaven."

I believe that God wants us to experience his presence daily. He is ready and waiting to encourage us with the awareness of His awesome and holy presence if we will only acknowledge Him. He has opened the Gate of Heaven for us and reminds us today that the blessings of His promises and His covenant are ours if we will only receive Him. His blessing is yours today!

2006-01-23T07:43:00.000-05:00

In Remembrance of Me

from The Passion of Christ

In Jesus' last celebration of the passover with his disciples, before going to the cross, Luke 22:19 (NIV) records,

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to them, saying,
"This is my body given for you;
do this in remembrance of me."

There are a lot of ways that Jesus would be remembered. Many would remember his miracles. He had healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, and even raised the dead. He had walked on the water, spoken to the wind, "be still," and it obeyed. He commanded a fig tree and it withered.
It's significant that Jesus told us to remember him in such a simple thing as eating bread. Since bread was daily, I believe it was a daily reminder that His body was broken for us.

Earlier in Luke 9:23-24 (NIV), He emphasized the importance of giving ourselves every day.

Then he said to them all:
"If anyone would came after me,
he must deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for me will save it."

As we remember His sacrifice, we are also called to live a life of sacrifice, giving ourselves for others. We are His body, and Jesus continues to touch lives through us as we live daily in remembrance of Him. Be a blessing today.

2006-01-21T08:32:00.000-05:00

End of the Spear

Picture from www.endofthespear.com

Last night my family and I went to the movies together, to see, "The End of the Spear." This riveting movie is a powerful story about passion for the lost and forgiveness. If you are familiar with the Jim Elliot story then you know about the young missionary who went to Ecuador from Wheaton College with a passion to reach the natives in the Amazon Jungle. Shell Oil had abandoned its effort to drill for oil because of the violence of the tribes in the area, but this did not deter the passion of these young missionaries to bring the good news of the Gospel into the jungles of Ecuador.

The beauty of the story is the way it is told through the eyes of Nate Saint's son, Steve. Nate is the missionary pilot who made this project possible. After seeing the film I remembered a quote from Jim Elliot that goes like this.

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose.
From Jim Elliot's Journal, written in his own hand 1949
(image from www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/faq/20.htm)

Certainly, Jim lived this truth in that he did not regard his own life too high a price to pay for the souls of those in the jungles of Ecuador, for whom Christ died.

Jesus put it this way in John 15:13,

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Daily we are trading our lives for something. What are you trading yours for? It is my hope that we are making them count for eternity. Be a blessing today!

2006-01-20T08:33:00.000-05:00

Divine Guidance

Have you ever desperately needed direction from the Lord? Well in the 24th chapter of Genesis Abraham's servant finds himself in a situation where he really needs help. Abraham has sent him to find a wife for his son Isaac. Maybe you're wondering about Isaac a little. I mean his dad has to send his servant on a wife hunting expedition for this boy! However, before we get too judgmental, you've gpt tp to remember that there was no e-harmony in those days, just dad's special servant. Then put yourself in the servant's shoes for a moment. You finally make it to wife hunting territory, but now what do you do? One thing Abraham's servant had observed was how Abraham called upon the Lord. So, in verse 42-44 we read how the servant called upon the God of his master,

When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O LORD, God of my master
Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which
I have come. See, I am standing beside this spring; if a maiden
comes out to draw waterand I say to her, "Please let me drink a little
water from your jar," and if she says to me, "Drink, and I'll draw
water for your camels too," let her be the one
the LORD has chosen for my master's son.'

We need to learn form Abraham's servant to cry out to God when we need direction. Notice that he was specific in his request to God. He left every opportunity for this project to fail! Perhaps he had witessed enough of God working in the life of his master to know that the there was nothing too difficult for the God of Abraham. Wow what a testimony! Does it make you wonder what people think about the God that you serve. What kind of witness are we to God power?

Notice in verses 45-46 that God heard and answered the servant's prayer down to the last detail!

"Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out,
with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring
and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
"She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said,
'Drink, and I'll water your camels too.'
So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

Perhaps you are needing God's direction today. Let me encourage you to ask God and to be specific. You might be thinking, what if every detail isn't answered. Well, maybe God is just telling you that this is the wrong direction, or the wrong time, or the wrong person. When God wants to make things clear to you, he certainly can. Don't hurry Him. Trust Him. He is working all things together for your good, becasue the steps of a rightesous man are ordered of the Lord. Have a blessed day!

2006-01-19T18:50:00.000-05:00

Tested on the Mountain

The Dome of the Rock sits on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem

We often think about being tested in the valleys and low places of life, but in today's reading Abraham is tested on the mountain. God tells him to take his son Isaac to a particular mountain, Mount Moriah, and there to sacrifice his son! This is just so incredible! It seems like such an unbelievable demand. You would think that the very first response would be to doubt the source of this command. Surely this couldn't be the same God who gave Abraham the promise that he and Sarah would have a child who would be the child of promise. There is however no record of Abraham questioning God! Do you wonder why? In this posting I want to share some thoughts about why he didn't question God.

First there is such a record of Abraham's relationship with God. Abraham has heard God speak to him on so many other occasions that he recognizes God's voice immediately. If there is a need we have in our relationship with God, it is to become familiar with God's voice and to listen to Him. Jesus said in John 10:27,

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The more we spend time listening to God speak the sensitive we become to His voice and the more quickly we recognize His voice when He speaks to us.

Then Abraham trusted God's word to him. Because Abraham had already seen God fulfill his word, he knew from experience that God kept His promises. He didn't understand how God was going to fulfill his promise to give him and Sarah a son, but God came through. Therefore, Abraham had no reason to doubt him now.

Lastly Abraham believed that God could and would do the miraculous to fulfill His word. God had given Abraham and Sarah the miraculous birth of Isaac. Why should he not believe that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary? Note Abraham's response to Isaac's question,

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said,
"but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide
the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."
And the two of them went on together.

God does provide a lamb, but these words are more than prophetic in the sense that Isaac would be spared from sacrifice. There was a ram provided in place of Isaac, but the Lamb comes much later. It interesting that Jesus Christ is that Lamb which takes away the sin of the world, the Lamb that God provides.

Abraham passed the test on the mountain. He obeyed God even though he didn't understand, because he knew and trusted the voice of God. This morning I want to encourage you to know Christ better. Become so familiar with Him that you will hear and trust Him no matter what. Then you will be ready for your test on the mountain, too. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-18T08:03:00.000-05:00

Promise Fulfilled

This morning I want to encourage you to hold on to God's promise. In the reading for today Abraham and Sarah experience God's promise fulfilled in Isaac. Genesis 21 opens with these words in the first verse.

Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said,
and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.

Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was way past her child bearing years when God's promise was realized. Certainly there were times when it was hard for them to believe it would ever come to pass. There were times when they even tried to help God out. Sarah had suggested that God might fulfill his promise to Abrahma through Hagar Sarah's maid. Hagar gave Abraham a son, Ishamael, but he wasn't the son of God's promise to Abraham. God made this clear to Abraham that he would have a son through his wife Sarah. They waited so long that Sarah laughed at the thought of having a child when she was so far past the years of child bearing.

Perhaps you have been clinging to a promise God has given you . Maybe you've begun to think it will never happen. You may believe that you are past hope of seeing your promise come to pass. If that's where you are then there is good news for you today. Just as Sarah's promise came to pass God will fulfill His good promise to you. You can apply this word in Genesis 21 to your life. God is gracious as He has said, and the Lord will do for you what He has promised. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-17T07:45:00.000-05:00

Operation Rescue

We're back in Genesis again, and there is a passage in the 14th chapter that really got my attention. It says,

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive,
he called out the 318 trained men born in his household
and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram
divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing
them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all
the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions,
together with the women and the other people.
Genesis 14:14-16 (NIV)

Abram puts it on the line for his nephew. I think there is something special here for people of faith. Sometime our Christian those we love are taken captive. They are trapped, enslaved by the enemy or our souls. I love the way Abram responds. He rally's all his resources to rescue Lot. I believe there are some people around us who need to be rescued too. This is a time for us to rout the the enemy and take back what he has stolen. It's a time to bring them back! This is a time for rescue! In the words of an old hymn of the church,

Souls are dying. Men are crying.
Won't you lead them to the cross.
Go and find them. Help to win them.
Win the lost at any cost.
Go out and win. Rescue from sin.
Day's almost done. Low sinks the sun.

Let's get operation rescue under way. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-16T07:52:00.000-05:00

Unshakeable CommitmentThe city and port of Veracruz, Mexico

It was in the port above that Hernando Cortez sailed in April of 1519. He landed in Veracruz, Mexico with 600 men and supplies. Although greatly outnumbered, in the next two years he defeated Montezuma and conquered Mexico. How did he accomplish such a great feat against such overwhelming odds? After unloading all their supplies and provisions Cortez ordered that his entire fleet of 11 ships be burned. There would be no turning back. They would have to succeed or die! It was unshakeable commitment to his quest, more than anything else, that brought Cortez victory.

Just after he finishes the great "Faith Hall of Fame" in chapter eleven, the writer of Hebrews opens chapter 12 with these words in verses 1-3.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Unshakeable commitment is discovered in adversity. When we face difficulty, the committed persevere! "Let us run with perseverance" or in another translation, "let us run with endurance." We really don't know if we are committed to something or not until we face difficulties or hardships. The committed keep going right on through adversity.

Commitment doesn't depend on our gifts or abilities. Sometimes we might think that it is easier for talented people to make commitments. As frustrating as it can be, it seems to just be harder for talented people to commit. There is truth in this formula,
"Talent - Commitment = Nothing."
The writer of Hebrews gives us a far more important quality than talent. It is "fixing our eyes upon Jesus." You can have all the talents in the world, but if you cannot commit the your talent is nothing!

Commitment comes as a result of a choice and not a condition. It's as thought the writer here was saying, "since we have so great a cloud of witnesses" we have no other reasonable choice but to commit. Some think that condition determines choices. "I could budget more and get out of debt if I just had more income or a higher salary. I could serve God better if I just had more time and money." Why not this instead? "I will budget whatever God provides for me and live within my means. I will make the time to put God first in my life!" Let your choices determine the conditions. When you choose to commit you give yourself a chance to succeed.

Commitment will last when it is based on values. So, "let us lay aside every encumberance and the sin which so easily entangles us. We know about burning bridges, and have learned about burning ships. Don't make provision for failure! If you leave a boat waiting just in case you fail, then you are expecting failure. I know you are thinking, "but what if I don't make it?" Hey, God has promised that He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. You don't have to fail, and you won't fail if you commit whole-heartedly to Him. "For I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!" Burn those ships! have a blessed day!

2006-01-15T23:19:00.000-05:00

Scenes from Iraq

This week Catherine sent me some pictures that I want to share with you. Some of them were sent under the heading, "Pictures from Iraq that are too shocking and too graphic for the mainstream media," along with some others that say, "Photos that will never make the news."
It doesn't take you very long to see why, but you've got to wonder! What is so wrong with the expressing joy like the boys with the soldier above, or expressing gratitude like the woman below.
Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the problem with this next one. Look at it! The Iraqi boy is kissing the American Flag!
Of course, you are asking, "what's wrong with that?" I'll tell you what's wrong. The media just can't stand to see so much "pro-American" sentiment. Somebody's is liable to find out that we ARE the GOOD GUYS!

Now this is a DANGEROUS picture. It' just isn't politically correct! There's got to be some kind of liberal agenda rule against using any kind of picture making the president look good! He's supposed to be the really BAD GUY!

The Good Guys are heroes to the Iraqi children. Now that's a hard pill for the liberal media to swallow! However, that's not the worst of it! They are not only full of compassion for children but can take time to pet a kitten or miss the scent of his wife back home.

This last picture below gladdens my heart as much as it saddens the those who want us to be painted as the bad guys! I call this one, "Onward Christian Soldiers!" Don't forget to pray daily for our troops and for revival in Iraq. Let's join these brave Christian Soldiers in prayer. They are ours. May God bless you as you join the prayer force giving continued support to our troops.

2006-01-14T07:32:00.000-05:00

God Speaks Out of the Storm!

This morning I am thinking that maybe I was a little hard on Elihu, especially since he turns out to be right in what he said about Job speaking words without knowledge. This morning Job 38 opens with God speaking to Job from the whirlwind,

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?"

You can be right in what you say and not be right in how you say it, or that you say it at all. My mother used to say, "Danny, sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut."
Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) reads this way,

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

The difference between Job 34:35 ('Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight,') and Job 38:2 ("Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?") is just who is speaking. God certainly has vindicated the truth of Elihu's words, but that doesn't mean Elihu was wise to speak them.

Hebrews 4:12 states:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Anytime we wield a powerful weapon we must handle it responsibly. A weapon can defend or destroy. Although the knife can kill, the surgeon's knife can heal. Unfortunately, none of Job's friends brought comfort nor healing. Like the others, Elihu's words only brought Job more emotional pain. God had no need for Elihu's defense, as He clearly demonstrates in this morning's reading.

One thing is certain, God is listening. He may not answer when you want, or how you want, but He hears, and He knows exactly where you are. Like Job, you may not understand, and you may speak words without knowledge, but be assured that God is listening and He loves you. Trust Him and He will not fail you, not now, not ever! Have a blessed day!

2006-01-13T07:50:00.000-05:00

One Day at a Time until He Comes

Pastor Scott Ostendorf
from his website, June of 2005

Last night I couldn’t go to sleep for thinking about Pastor Scott Ostendorf’s family. I went back to his website again, www.myjourneytoamiracle.com, and read the posting for January 12th. Pastor Scott's wife continues to post since his passing on January 3rd. It was such a blessing that I sat up and wrote to Vicky (Scott’s wife) and Candi, since that’s the way the article was signed. This morning I wanted to remind you to continue your prayers for them in the days to come. As God brings this family to your mind, lift them in prayer for strength and comfort. Not only will God’s presence sustain them, but you too will find strength in His presence as you intercede for others. Below is my letter to Vicky and Candi.

Dear Vicky and Candi,

Although you don't know me, I've been to your site several times in the last few days, because Matthew Bee (Robert Bee's son), asked us to remember your family in our prayers. Matthew is our sales rep for Loving Care Mattresses, but we count him much more than that. He and his father have become our friends because of the mutual faith we have in Christ our Lord. We talk about so much more than just business when they visit our furniture store.

Besides working in our family business I pastor a small Assembly of God church in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, and our church is praying for you and your family. The website, myjourneytoamiracle.com is such a blessing. The record of Pastor Scott's journey and his stedfast faith renew our hope in the reality of the resurrection. Your family's courage as you walk through this valley reminds us of Paul's words, "we do not sorrow as others who have no hope!"

After reading your message today, I am encouraged to hear you share the awesome power of God's presence to bring comfort. Words are often so hollow and empty, but His precious presence sustains us. We are joining your church family, and who know how many other friends, in praying that God will continue to sustain you, one day at a time, until He comes.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dan Hocker
Christian Fellowship Assembly

My prayer this morning is that God’s presence will also sustain you, today and everyday, as you put your trust in Him, one day at a time until He comes. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

Youthful Zeal and Hasty Speech

I certainly would like to have a big dose of youthful zeal and energy this morning. I slept in since this is Thursday and many of you have been advising me to get more rest. After checking with Odell to see if when we are going to finish some work we need to do together outside, I made plans for going to town this morning and meeting with him after lunch. We 've got a big job this afternoon digging some 6o plus feet of ditch a little more than 3 feet wide and installing 10 pieces of filtration system. Yes, a little youthful zeal and energy could go a long way, but I'll haveto settle for just plain old middle-age tenacity.

Our reading this morning introduced us to Elihu, the youngest of Job's "friends." For some time he has shown the wisdom to keep his mouth shut, but youthful zeal can only be restrained for so long. Eventually it erupts as wine bursting from a wineskin, to use his own analogy. Elihu takes an interesting position. He speaks against the other friends of Job, declaring that they have not given a reason for their chastisement and therefore their condemnation is unjust. Then he begins to give a discourse to defend God, claiming that Job's comments about his righteousness and integrity are offensive because God is just and righteous. Therefore he declares that Job is in error to be so bold in his speech and ought to hold his tongue. Then his zealous speech goes so far that he says,

'Job speaks without knowledge;
his words lack insight.'
Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
for answering like a wicked man!
Job 34:35-36 (NIV)

Unfortunately Elihu's own words condemn himself, because he is the one who is speaking without knowledge. I think that there are two lessons in this reading. The first is that we should be swift to hear but slow to speak as James tells us in James 1:19. Elihu claims to have waited but I believe he should have continued exercise restraint. Secondly we shoul always remember that with the same judgment we judge we will be judged. Elihu didn't know that God Himself had declared the righteousness of Job at the beginning of this book. Unfortunately, youthful zeal is often coupled with ignorance. However, let us be gracious to Elihu. Who knows when we may need some grace for our hasty speech and ignorant words.

My prayer today is that God will set a watch over my mouth that my words will edify and encourage others. May God bless your day.

2006-01-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

Job's Godly Example

This morning as I finished reading the 31st chapter of Job, I wondered how many of us could make such defense of our lives were put to the test as Job? He uses a number of "if-then" statements in this morning's passage. If he had done this then he would deserve judgement, or if he had acted that way then he ought to be punished. His list is very specific, and though it Job paints us a verbal self portrait. Where honest is concerned Job sees himself as blameless. He sees himself as stedfast, one who is not led astray by temptation with his eyes. He says early in chapter 31 that hea has made a covenant with his eyes to not look upon a young woman. He never mistreated his neighbor. He was good to his servants. In fact in Job 31:15 he asks this concerning his servants.

Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

Job is a generous man who share his bread with the poor and takes care of the widow. He has taken care of orphans making sure that they have clothing. He is was a weathy man and yet he did not put his confidence in his wealth. He used his wealth to care for others. The more I understand about Job's godly character, the more I see my own shortcomings, and the less reason I find to complain about my life. It is only because of God's grace and mercy that we have not been rewarded as our iniquities deserve.

Although it is our hope that we never have to endure the suffering of Job, it is our prayer that we might attain to the godly example he demonstates in the face of it all. My prayer today is that God will strengthen you and make you victorious in all your trials. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

Karol Kovac' at the Cochran Farm

Godly Contentment

Many of you were praying with us about Karol's difficulties at the airport. Things didn't turn out the way we hoped, and he was sent back home. However I found an intereting object lesson in the way Karol conducted himself in this ordeal.

First he was detained at the airport in a holding room until around midnight. Then they gave him orange prison clothes to wear and moved him in handcuffs and chains to jail. When they handcuffed him, he commented something like this, "Wow, this is the first time I have ever had these on. I always wondered what it was like!" Then when they took his picture (mug shots), the lady said that the first set wasn't good, so she would have to take some more. Karol asked if he could have the ones they were going to throw away! He said that he knew he was going home and that it wasn't all that bad.

I am remembering Paul's words in Philippians 4:10-13.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Karol demonstrated contentment in his difficult circumstances. Why did he have such contentment? I believe it was because he knew he was going home. As Christians we should know that kind of contentment here. Whatever the circumstances, we know where we are going. We know in Whom we have placed our trust. We know where our strength comes from.
Today whatever you might be facing, I want you to know that you can make it! You can do all things through Christ who give you the strength! Have a blessed day!

2006-01-09T15:43:00.000-05:00

Odell on his bulldozer

The Servant/Leader

Yesterday, I felt pretty puny, but after reading again from the book of Job, I don't want to offer any complaint. After church I went home and napped in my recliner. Later Odell came into the house dressed in work clothes where he had been out working on my septic tank and drainage problems. He was finished for the day but told me he wanted to finish this part up on Monday. Throughout the years I have many images in my mind of Odell in his work clothes, working on the farm, working in his garage, digging with his backhoe, or running his dozer as in the picture above. I even remember a time when he went to help this man clean out his chicken houses! He has never shirked from work.

Today, Odell is a Commissioner here in Whitfield County. He is a successful business man and the founding pastor of our congregation. What I want to point out is that he has modeled to others what it is to be a Servant/Leader. There are many who clamor to obtain position, power, and authority, but the pathway to servanthood is not crowded. What a powerful thing it is to lead by example.

Often I hear Odell comment on others who demonstrate a spirt of servanthood, like my friend Rocky, in the article on January 2nd. Why do you think we have so many people like him at Christian Fellowship? I believe it's because they have seen servanthood modeled.

Remember what Jesus did in John 13:3-5?

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Here after the Passover meal, even though "the Father had put all things under his power," Jesus took the role of the lowest of servants and wahsed the disciples' feet. Do you think that's Odell is doing? Is he just reflecting Jesus to us? I certainly believe that he is. That kind of example makes me want to be a servant/leader too.

2006-01-08T23:44:00.000-05:00

Elaine shares with Selva

God Has a Plan for You

In our Sunday morning service we shared a testimony from Elaine, who thought she wouldn't even be here this morning. She had called me earlier to share that she was leaving for Alabama because of an emergency with her daughter. Her daughter had surgery last month and had developed some septic poisoning. Her fever was terribly high and it looked like her kidneys were failing. She had been admitted to the hospital again. Things looked awfully serious. Elaine called to ask for prayer before leaving for Alabama.

It's interesting how Elaine ended up in our fellowship. She and Jim moved to Georgia from Virginia after Jim had an accident with the police force that messed up his ankle. He and Elaine moved to Georgia following Jim's cousin's family who was already here. What is really uncanny is that when they found out the name of the pastor, they discovered that my last name and their former pastor's last name was the same! They had been attending my brother's church in Virginia Beach! What were the odds of that? Isn't it ineteresting how God works? God has a plan. He had a plan for Elaine that inluded bringing her to Christian Fellowship. This morning we looked to the book of Jeremiah again were the prophet reminds us that God has a plan. In Jeremiah 29:11 the prophet says,

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Since coming to Georgia we have seen God answer so very many prayers for Elaine and Jim, including the request she called to share this week.

"Please pray for my daughter," she said. "I'm leaving for Alabama and probably won't be back for church on Sunday!"

We prayed right then, and I told her we would spread the word to others in the church, asking them to join us in prayer. Well, about two hours later Elaine saw her daughter. They reported that her fever broke within about fifteen minutes of our prayer together, and that it continued to come down steadily afterwards! On top of that, Elaine was in church this morning to share the news with all of us.

Hey, I don't know what you may be facing today or tomorrow, but I know this. You can trust God. He has a plan for your life, and it's a good plan too. His plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future! God has a wonderful plan for you!

2006-01-07T07:43:00.000-05:00

Is It Well With Your Soul?

I'm still reading the book of Job. In the eleventh chapter Zophar the Naamathite addresses Job condemning Job's boldness to speak to God. Then in the next two chapters Job responds. There is a question he asks in Job 13:9 (NIV),

Would it turn out well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?

If I could do a personal paraphrase, it might read like this,
"Hey, Zophar, since you seem to have all the answers, how would you like it if God put you to the test? How do you think it would turn out for you? Do you think you could lie to God as you do to men?"

As I read these words I thought about how easy it is for us to judge others. What we really need to do is to examine ourselves. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 7:1-5, (The Message)

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, "Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

You probably remember the King James Version a little better, which reads like this in verses 3-5,
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Job's question to Zophar rings as a message to us all. How would we fare if God were to put us to the test. I remember at the very beginning of the book of Job, that God declares His confidence in Job's faithfulness. It is one thing for us to declare the faithfulness of God, but what a marvelous thing to think that God could declare His confidence in anyone. How then does your faithfulness measure up? Does God have confidence in you? How would it go with you if God put you to the test?

The other lesson here is simply to be careful about hasty judgment of others. With the same judgment you judge you will be judged.

I am also remembering the old hymn of the church which I hope we can sing from our hearts today, "It is Well with My Soul." Have a blessed day.

2006-01-06T08:06:00.000-05:00

Trusting God

Actually trusting God is what faith is all about. This morning I in my reading from Job I listend to some of his friends and then heard those awesome words from him again in Job 13:15,

Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.

Had Job uttered these words before tragedy struck, they would not have been filled with such power. The words are enriched by Job's miserable condition. He declares his faith in God while his body is in horrible pain. Remember that he is covered in boils and has been using a broken piece of pottery to scrape the sores for relief! Remember too, that he has lost all his children in the tragic collapse of his oldest son's house. His possessions are gone. Job comes to the point where death would be a welcomed relief, but it does not come. Out of this horrible agony Job speaks about faith! He declares that he will trust God, no matter what!

This is a powerful word for us. We are so prone to whine and complain when things to not go well. We wonder where is God in the midst of my problems. Compared to Job, we have suffered so little. In fact, all too often our suffering is just as one of Job's friends said, "less than our iniquities deserve." This morning I hope we learn this lesson from Job. Our God can be trusted. Whatever you are facing this morning, put your trust wholeheartedly in God. He is your hope! Trust Him no matter what! Have a blessed day!

2006-01-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

Strengthen Me According to Your Word

Besides the calling I have on my life to preach the Word, God also has a called me to strengthen you. One of the best ways that I can do this is by encouraging you to meet with God through prayer and Bible reading. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. This Psalm is full of references to God's Word. In verse 28 the Psalmist says,

"Strengthen me according to your word."

It is my hope to encourage you to find the kind of spiritual strength that can only come through God's Word. Toward this goal I have already encouraged you to consider practicing a Day of Grace on the first of each month, so that you won't quit but keep on going. Today, I want to offer three other suggestions that may strenthen you in this project. There is an interesting proverb in Ecclesiastes 4:12,

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

If three strands make a strong cord, then I believe the following four can make your 2006 Bible Reading Project a success.

First, this year we are reading the Bible in chronological order. I am hoping that this will help you to make more sense of your reading as the passages flow into the whole of the Bible. You can see the various books of the Old and New Testaments in their historical and cultural context.

Second, we will find a verse or truth each week that penetrates our hearts. Even though we will be reading several chapters each week we will try to focus one verse or short phrase. This emphasis is not so much on reading through the Bible but on having the Bible read through you. Hebrews 4:12 reads:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

It is my hope that the Word will transform our hearts and draw us nearer to God.

The third strand we have already discussed. It is the Day of Grace. I believe this can really combat the temptation to just give up if you fall behind. Rather than give up, on the first day of the new month just start all over wherever we are on our reading schedule, and press on.

Fourth, let's encourage others to join us. When do things together with others, it is not only more fun, but it also provides that special element of accountablility. You don't want to disappoint your friends that you have encouraged to start this project, so you press on.

Together we can do it. Let God strengthen you through His Word. Have a blessed day.

2006-01-04T18:10:00.000-05:00

Governor of West Virginia comorting a family member
photo from www.foxnews.com

Dealing with Tragedy

The nation prayerfully watched as families waited for news of the thirteen trapped miners in Tallmansville, West Virginia. Then to make matters worse the families received erroneous news that twelve of the thirteen were alive. The celebration was short and only added to the intense grief that followed when the whole truth was revealed that only one had survived and he was critical with one lung collapsed. The past year year was filled with tragedies. It seems that this year has begun already with people having to face tragic disappointment. How can they find hope and faith in the face of all this grief and pain?

Today's reading from the Bible brought me to the book of Job. If anyone had ever faced tragedy, Job certainly did. In the very first chapter of Job horrible tragedy strikes. In verses fourteen and fifteen Job hears the report that Sabeans attacked while his servants were plowing with his oxen and other livestock were feeding beside them. The Sabeans stole Job's livestock and killed all his servants except for the one who escaped to bring him this terrible news. Right behind this bearer of bad news came another. In verse sixteen the next messenger reports that fire fell from heaven destroyed his sheep and the servants who were tending them. Immediately following this messenger was a third with news in verse seventeen that the Chaldeans had fallen upon his camels and killed other servants who were tending them. Then came a messenger bearing the most horrible news of all in verses eighteen and nineteen that a great wind had blown down the house of his eldest son with all his children inside, and all were dead. What could be more tragic than that?

Job tore his clothes and shaved his head as a sign of his great grief, but then he did something that really gets our attention. In verse twenty, it is recorded that Job fell to the ground and worshipped God! In the next verse his words are recorded, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"
There is no time when we need God more than in the midst of tragedy. There is no time when we need to worship more than when we feel the least like doing it.

We certainly don't understand tragedy. We are asking, "why?" Still, when we understand the least, we know that God knows and that He understands. We feel weak and helpless, but His grace is sufficient. There is no one who can comfort us. We need His awesome and holy presence to heal our deep hurt in the midst of tragedy, and His presence is there when we worship Him.

Let's join in prayer for these hurting families in West Virginia, that they may find the healing presence of God and the help that only He can give.

2006-01-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due

Judy sent me an email this week that really touched my heart. It redirected me to a site that you might want to check out. It was http://www.managedmusic.com/beforeyougo.html
where Dr. Sam and his blues band have done a great job with a song honoring our WWII veterans. I found it interesting how the song came about. It was just a chance meeting with an old soldier who was working as a parking lot attendant. He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing," he said bitterly. What Sam did next took the old soldier by surprise. rolled down his window and told the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you." Then the old soldier began to cry.

Realizing that most of our WWII veterans are now in their 70's and 80's and that we don't have a lot of time to say thank you, they did this song entitled, "Before You Go." The goal of this song was to honor these men before it's too late.

In Paul's letter to the Romans in Romans 13:7 , he reminds us to give honor unto whom honor is due. Certainly, we need to recognize these who have given so much to protect our way of life. We enjoy freedom here more than any other country in the world because of their sacrifice. So today I want to join Dr. Sam and his blues band in honoring these veterans of WWII. Even more, I want to be sure that we are expressing our gratitude sufficiently, so that those who are fighting for freedom today never have to come to such a place in their lives as the old soldier in the parking lot. A "thank you" seems like so little compared to all that they have given, but when it is given from the heart, it means so much. Join me today in giving thanks.

2006-01-03T01:50:00.000-05:00

Revival through the Word!
There is a great excitement stirring among the young people at our church. It began on Sunday as they started a project to read through the Bible in 2006. Instead of using any other material this year for their Sunday School class, the teens will simply use their new Chronological Bibles for their class. The greatest thing is that as they pursue their project they will read through the entire Bible this year.

In 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23 there was a great revival under the young King Josiah. During his reign a copy of the Book of the Law (God's Word) was discovered in the temple. In chapter 23 he read it in the hearing of all the elders from the least to the greatest, and a great revival took place. Revival is simply a new beginning of obedience to God.

I believe that we are going to see great revival among our young people this year as they read the Word of God together. However, I don't want the rest of us to just sit on the sidelined and watch. I want to challenge you to read the Bible too. If you would like to follow the plan they are using you might want to get a Chronological Bible. If you would like to begin right away, then you can start with the following schedule for the first week of January.

Date Book & Chapters

01 Genesis 1-3

02 Genesis 4-7

03 Genesis 8-11

04 Job 1-5

05 Job 6-9

06 Job 10-13

07 Job 14-16

On the first day of each month, I want you to consider pracitcing a Day of Grace. If you have fallen behind, simply move forward to wherever you should be in the schedule and keep going. The enemy of our souls does not want you to read God's Word, and he definitely does not want us to experience the personal and corporate revival that can come through this simple act of obedience. Let's jump in on this great opportunity and read God's Word together. Have a blessed year!

2006-01-02T10:35:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!
Well, How did you celebrate the New Year? Like many people across America we sat up late until just past midnight, to officially usher in the new year. The family gathered in the living room where we shared together. I said, "If there is anything else you wanted to do this year, before it ends, you had better do it quick." Promptly my son, Graham, jumped up and went to kiss his mother. Immediately our youngest, Jeffrey, followed his example. This was followed with kisses and hugs for other family members. Then just before midnight we gathered in a circle to pray. As 2005 ended and 2006 began, we were praying, dedicating ourselves to God for the new year. Then with a kiss my wife and I wished each other a Happy New Year.

This year our New Year's celebration had a special challenge. Beginning Friday morning there were problems with our sewage system. Water began to back up in the shower down stairs. All the drains were sluggish and slow. With the help of my oldest son, Daniel, I tried to unstop the drains. All to no avail. Odell used his backhoe and began digging outside. Finally on Saturday evening he discovered the problem. Roots had grown into our system where the large drain pipes enter the tank, creating an ever growing blockage. Nothing to do but finish diggin it up on New Year's Day after church. What a job! What a way to spend New Year's Day!

Still there was something very special that happened. My wife and I were delayed getting home because of counseling at the church. When we arrived home, we had company. Rocky and Ruthina had come because Rocky wanted to help. What a blessing. Think about it. How many times have you given up your holiday to go help someone with their stinky poblem? There he was with his gloves on and his boots muddy with shovel in hand, helping Odell work on my my sewage system. This morning Rocky reminds me of a verse from Galatians:

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

This mess wasn't his burden, but Rocky had faced this kind of poblem before, and he wanted to help me carry my burden.

John wrote about the kind of relationship we ought to have as Christian brothers in the first of his letters.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

This morning I want to thank God for an example like Rocky. Wow, what a wonderful way to begin the New Year, seeing God's love manifest not just in words but in action. May God fill your year with evidence of His amazing love. Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T07:48:00.000-05:00

The Last Day of the Year!
The Sun is up, and the day has begun. It's here, the last day of the year, 2005. What will we do with it? How will it count? Actually, it will count just like any other day. However, there is this certain feeling of finality about it. If there's anything you really wanted to get done this year but haven't, well then I guess you had better hurry. The clock is ticking away fast. Soon 2005 will only be another year of history.

As we reflect on the year, are you thinking about opportunities missed? Are you remembering the year with celebration or regret? I hope you are finding things to celebrate, but if you are troubled with regrets, I want you to receive hope this morning. God is about to give you a something wonderful. In fact He is giving us all another brand new beginning! If you're struggling with regrets this morning, then I want to encourage you to look forward instead of backward. Remembers Paul's words in Philippians 3:12-14,

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Focus on these words, "forgetting what is behind." That's really good advice for folks who are stuggling with regrets. It's also good for people who are focused on their past successes. God wants to take us from glory to glory. Even if this past year has been wonderful, I want you to know that the best is yeat to come for you, if you put your faith and trust in God. Together, let's "press on toward the goal to win the prize."

I close this morning, wishing you a joyous celebration tonight and a Happy New Year filled with the assurance that all God's promises to you are Yes and Amen!

2005-12-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

Redeeming the Time
It was long trip back from Ohio. We rolled in home at about 2:00 a.m. After unloading our stuff, I uploaded Thursday's article before laying down for some needed rest. Morning came entirely too soon. Although it might have been tempting to just stay home, responsibilities call, and the work must be done. There is so much to do, and so little time to have it all finished before the end of the year.

Do you remember when a year seemed like such a long time? My how fast it goes these days? At the beginning you would think, "Wow, this year I'm going to accomplish so much!" It would seem like you certainly have enough time to do it all, but then all of the sudden here you are. It's the end of the year, and there is still so much to be done. Why do let things go so long?

Paul wrote the church at Epehesus in Ephesians 5:16:

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Too often we let things pile up and find ouselves in impossible situations. If only we had redeemed the time and made the most of the opportunities, but we didn't. As I look at this new year, I hope to take advantage of all the opportunities God is giving us to make a difference for His Kingdom. As I look at the world around us, I concur with Paul, "the days are evil." We have so very little time, and there is so much to do for Christ. Let's just do it! Have a blessed day!

2005-12-30T01:59:00.000-05:00

Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies.
My Mother, Mary Hocker

Jacob’s Well Was There

This morning I am writing from my motel room in Eaton, Ohio. It is about 6:00 a.m. and the motel doesn’t have an internet connection, so I’ll post this article later today or in Friday morning before work. Later this morning we’ll be gathering at Dad’s church in Camden for fun and fellowship. Then this afternoon we will have our Hocker Family Christmas Celebration. All of my brothers made it in last night. Three of us and our families are staying here at the Econo Lodge.

Our family has grown so much. Now six of Mom and Dad’s grandchildren are married. If everyone made it there would be thirty eight of us. Since we are spread out from Ohio south to Georgia, east to Virginia, and all the way to Africa when you consider Ryan and Emily, there is a lot of travel involved when our family gets together. Between scheduling and traveling the likelihood of getting everyone coming it is less likely each year.

My thoughts this morning have brought me to the travels of Jesus. In the fourth chapter of John we find Him traveling through Samaria.

He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. John 4:4-6 NLT

There is so much in this passage, but I want focus on one thought, “Jacob’s well was there.” Even though Jacob himself had been gone for generations, his presence was still felt. Jacob had lived his life in such a way that he left a legacy that continued to be felt long after his time had passed.

As I walked through the church in Camden last night, I had strong sense of Mother’s legacy. It wasn’t just the little memorial on the wall in the hallway either. I felt as though she could come walking around the corner just any moment, even though this January it will be three years. You see, like Jacob, my mother dug a well. She didn’t idle her time away while she was here. She invested herself and her energy in others, and in the life of her church.

Now when Mother was here, her presence could be felt. She really made things happen. She always took care of the when, the where, the what, and the how. You never had to worry about the details. Perhaps she worked too hard and worried too much, but that was Mother. The truth is that I really, really, REALLY, miss her this morning more than I could possibly communicate in space of this message, but I am glad for that feeling. I am glad that her life was meaningful enough to make such a profound difference. I am glad she dug such a deep well in our hearts, that her presence can still be felt. Even more, I am so thankful for the legacy of faith that she left in our family.

The most exciting thing about the well that Jacob dug was that it became a springboard for revival. When the Samaritan woman went back to town she went with more than just water from the old well. There she encountered the Living Water! After she offered to draw water for Jesus, He offered her something of much greater value!

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 4:10-15 NLT

Today, as we celebrate Christmas with Dad and my brothers and our families, we will be doing so because Mother dug a well. As Jacob’s well was a gathering point for the families of this Samaritan village, Mother’s well is a gathering point for our family and those whose life she touched through her ministry. It is a well of love and faithfulness that continues to refresh us as a family.

It is my hope today, that I may dig a well and leave a legacy that will be a blessing to my family. Have a blessed day!

2005-12-28T05:37:00.000-05:00

Rev. Richard Hocker: My Grandpa

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Hocker

I remember all the magic and wonder of Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Hocker. It was wonderful. We would always travel to Kentucky sometime during the holidays to celebrate with them. There would be Grandma's famous Applesauce Stack Cake and her cookies. I loved sleeping in the front room on the feather ticking. You could nearly disappear in that feather ticking because it was so soft. I would wake in the morning to the wonderful aromas of baking biscuits and frying bacon. Grandma could have gone into business with her biscuits and gravy. If she had then probably we would have never heard of Cracker Barrel. Instead, all up and down the interstate in the south you would see signs advertising, "Tilda's Diner - The best homemade cooking you ever tasted. Come on in and just eat as long as you see anything."

Anyway, while Grandma was busy in the kitchen, Grandpa Hocker busied himself entertaining the grandkids. Hey, we didn't need Santa, nor elves, nor Rudolph to have a great Christmas. Grandma Hocker was everything Mrs. Santa ever aspired to be, and the Jolliest elves of all could have taken lessons from Grandpa, including Santa himself. Grandpa enjoyed pulling this Jack and Jill routine on us.

He would do his trick with a little rhyme:

Two little birds sitting on a limb,
One named jack and one named Jim.
Fly away Jack! Flay away Jill!
Come back Jack Come back Jill.

Then he also enjoyed doing a rubber band trick, and a stunt called "magic writing." It was such great fun!

He had some of the neatest toys! There was this wooden toy that was simply three long pegs with various size wooden squares on them. There was a special way to organize the wooden squares on the pegs. It was a brain teaser.. Can't you tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he just loved to play, and he did. He played with his grandchildren, and we will never forget, how special he always made us feel, whether he was making Jack and Jill (little piece of white paper stuck to the finger nails of his index fingers) fly away, or making rubber bands leap form his first two fingers to his pinky and ring finger.

Now he could be serious, too, and he was serious about prayer. We would always be called to get on our knees for prayer in the living room before eating at his table in the kitchen. Wow, did he ever pray!

This Christmas in an effort to share a little of Grandpa Hocker with the rest of my family, I have put together birthday sets of coins. You see Grandpa was also a coin collector of sorts. He never spent much money on collecting, probably because he didn't have much money to spend on it. To "coin" a phrase, "He was just a country preacher." He only collected what he could find in circulation, mostly pennies and nickels, and a few dimes. Coins of larger denominations were too valuable back then to just leave them lying around.

Well, I have most of Grandpa's old coins and through the years have added a few. This year, with Dad's permission of course, I have used some of those coins to build their birthday sets. If they were born before Grandpa crossed "The Lonely River," then the pennies and nickels at least came from Grandpa's collection. I added the others to complete their sets, in loving memory of Christmas with the "Little Country Preacher," and his wife of a lifetime, Rev. Richard Hocker and his wife, Tilda - to us Grandpa and Grandma Hocker.

This morning I am thanking God for a heritage of faith. I don't know how far back your heritage of faith extends. Perhaps you may be the first person in your family to receive Christ as Lord and Savior and to begin this walk of faith,. If so, then I want to encourage you to begin a heritage of faith with your family. Joshua encouraged the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 6:4-7,

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Furthermore, Solomon's wrote these words of wisdom in Proverbs 17:6,

Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.

Real success in discipleship comes when your disciple disciples someone else. When our children are successful parents, then our heads are crowned with glory. When our spiritual children lead others to Christ, then we can rejoice that discipleship has made it's circle.

May you have a blessed day, from Granpa and I. Praise the Lord.