Obedience

I remember when Billy Graham came here.I signed up to work after each one of the meetings, processing follow up mail to pastors who would be in touch with those who made a commitment to Christ that evening.It was a great experience.Since I worked after the meeting, I was able to play in our baseball game the first night. However afterwards,the team was going to have a little get together. Boy, I wanted to go!I realized though,that I had to obey God and go work for Billy. I really wasn't sure how to even get to The Christian Center,but I set out anyway.I thought I was going the right way,and then I noticed a car with a Billy Graham bumper sticker right in front of me. You'd better believe I felt God then, and for sure I followed that care which went right to the Christian Center!What a lesson: be obedient,and you will see God show up.True then, still true today. Help me Lord,to obey,for then I will see YOU.

Weekends are great...really?

It's true,they are great.For those who work Monday-Friday,weekends are what we look forward to.I enjoy my weekends very much,I get to spend time with my bride,have fun, cram a lot of living into those 2 days. But I'm also concerned that weekends are not so great for me spiritually.I seem to get out of my pattern of Bible reading, praying,serving,singing that is fairly consistent during the work week. Days off are great, but days off from The Lord are not.In fact,I CAN'T and SHOULDN'T take a weekend from God. I need Him,and the world needs to see Him in me 24-7-365.

Knowing me, knowing you

Another ABBA song.It literally says that's the best I can do,it's the way I am, I'm not going to change."Knowing me, knowing you,there is nothing we can do... Knowing me, knowing you, it's the best I can do".It's a catchy tune,I really like it.I can't be like that song, however. I need to be willing to try to change,to put off some of those old ways of thinking, of doing things, those old attitudes. For a person who's picture is in the dictionary under the word stubborn,it's not an easy thing to do. But I'm trying,and Lord I thank You for your patience with me,and the progress that You have helped me to make.

Why is that in there?

"Call upon Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you knowest not"Jeremiah 33:3.Sometimes some of the promises in the Bible take a lot of faith to believe.But guess what? This verse is so true,I've seen it firsthand. People literally on death's door,restored,miraculously as a result of prayer(calling upon Him). A believer's home preserved untouched in the midst of a hurricane which damaged and destroyed much property all around. Yes, people called upon The Lord.I could relate many other instances of direct answers to calling upon The Lord,people shown amazing mercy, medical issues being healed, people feeling the presence of God on and all around them,all a result of calling upon Him.Great and mighty things? FOR SURE,I believe that promise, I KNOW it to be true. Wait a minute, if THAT one is true, could it be that the other promises in the Bible are too? Could it be? ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY!

What if?

Working the graveyard shift was weird. I went in to work when just about everything was closed. All kinds of companies, most restaurants,gas stations,just about everything was dark.Then I would come home in the morning, lights would be on, places would be open, people would be working, and out and about. I wondered what would happen if everybody decided not to show up for work,open these places up. Let's face it, most people aren't all that thrilled about getting up and going to work. We do it only because we have to, to pay the bills.I admire all those out there who go to battle every day, be it first, second or third shift.Thanks for being there, even if it's just because you have to be.

The King

Hattie is the king. He struts around the yard like he knows it,too. The other cats seem to respect him.Fields was at it again,though. He got too close to Hattie,and tried to get some of his food. WHOP! Hattie bopped him in the head. The thing about it was that it was a closed paw,no nails came out. Hattie had mercy on Fields, he could have cut him real badly. The "King" showed mercy.Got me thinking...The KING OF KINGS has mercy upon me every day, every minute.The very breath I breathe is a result of His mercy.Lord, never let me take that or You for granted.

Fields vs. Malchus

The 2 visiting cats got into a brawl a few days ago. Fields beat up Malchus. He had a mouthful of his hair after they rolled around in the grass,going at each other. Malchus doesn't come by too much now, but when he does, he keeps his distance from Fields.Fields is in his spot, watching. It reminds me of when I sin.The Lord is there, watching, waiting for me to come to Him.I keep my distance, though, ashamed, afraid, putting off the inevitable, as though He didn't see. The awesome thing is that He waits, and watches for me, and when I do come, His arms are open wide,welcoming me,forgiving me.I don't think Malchus can expect that same treatment from Fields,but Lord, I'm so thankful for the way you treat me when I "brawl" with You.

Ashamed and grateful

We're working on our house. We've had the bathroom done, we did the bedroom, and now we are doing the kitchen. We live in a dump. Our house is a dump,I'm ashamed of it. We don't invite people over( other than family, or very close friends who are like family) due to the fact that our house is an embarassment.I'm ashamed of it, yet I'm grateful to God for it. He is there, and lots of love is there.Ashamed and grateful,kind of a contridiction,but it's how I feel about my walk with The Lord, too. Ashamed of the life I lived before finding Him, ashamed of some of the things I still do today, but GRATEFUL for His unending mercy and forgiveness.