God blessed me by allowing me to be born into a Christian home, with Christian parents that loved the Lord, each other, and my sisters and me. They worked hard, teaching us right from wrong and setting the right examples for us. I was exposed to the Gospel at an early age and gave my heart to Jesus while still a young boy. I’ve been a Christian for almost as long as I can remember, but I’ve not always lived and acted like it.
Jesus’ famous story about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is a good example of my spiritual experience. This young man had it all, born into a solid family with all the comforts and security, but wanting to experience more of life. My favorite verse in the story is Luke 15:17, “And when he came to himself.” When he came to himself and found himself among the swine, he said I will return to my father. His father welcomed him home and said this is my son who was lost and now is found. The story ends with a party and banquet honoring a good for nothing son who had sullied the family reputation. No one can drift so far away that they will not be welcomed home by our Father, and no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
I can’t point to a specific event or time in my life when “I came to myself”. There was no dramatic incident that changed my life. I was unhappy and God spoke to my heart and said come back to me and I will give you peace and return your joy. I did and He did. I began reading my Bible and studying every day and the more I learn the more I want to learn.
I can’t imagine starting a day without talking with God and reading His Word, and praising Him for the multitude of blessings He has poured out on me and my family. God is good !
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Complaining
Why are some people so unhappy ? It’s hard to find someone today that doesn’t have a list of complaints. The Bible has much to say about complaining, and none of it is good. Numbers 11:1 says, “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord”. This has not changed, it still displeases the Lord to hear us complain. Exodus 16:7 says, “…..he heareth your murmurings against the Lord…..”.
Recently I read where someone was questioning why political polls showed 67% of the people were unhappy with the direction the country was headed and wanted change. This individual wondered, “If folks were unhappy because we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day,
7 days a week? Or is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This is in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents, and neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of our people unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S, yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.”
We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times each day, and be thankful and appreciative. It’s not hard to understand why the Lord is unhappy with, “…..murmurers and complainers, walking after their own lusts;…..” (Jude 16). And why we are instructed to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14) and why Jesus said, ““Murmur not among yourselves” in John 6:43
Recently I read where someone was questioning why political polls showed 67% of the people were unhappy with the direction the country was headed and wanted change. This individual wondered, “If folks were unhappy because we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day,
7 days a week? Or is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This is in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents, and neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of our people unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S, yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.”
We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times each day, and be thankful and appreciative. It’s not hard to understand why the Lord is unhappy with, “…..murmurers and complainers, walking after their own lusts;…..” (Jude 16). And why we are instructed to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14) and why Jesus said, ““Murmur not among yourselves” in John 6:43
Sunday, March 2, 2008
I'm Thankful
Have you ever tried to list the all things for which you are thankful?
I’m thankful for a Mama that insisted I show “gumption”, and a Daddy that insisted that I have “Backbone”. Webster’s defines gumption as shrewd practical common sense with courage and initiative. Backbone to Daddy was guts, courage, masculinity, gentlemanly manners, and all that is associated with being a man.
I’m thankful for the simplicity of the gospel; that the deepest, most complex and profound theology in the scriptures can be expressed in only three words; “Jesus loves me”. He knows everything I’ve ever done, everything I’ve ever said, and every thought I’ve ever had and He loves me anyway. For this I’m very thankful.
I’m thankful for my parents, my sisters, and my heritage. I’m thankful for my wife, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; my entire family. I’m thankful for a wife who cares and loves me enough to nag me to death sometimes. I’m thankful for a son that’ll put his own life on hold to move in and take care of me when I can’t take care of myself. I’m thankful for a grandchild that calls “just to see how ya’ll are doing”.
I’m thankful for the comfortable life God has given me here on this earth. To wake up in a comfortable and warm bed; have a hot cup of coffee, take a hot shower, put on clean clothes. Most of God’s creatures don’t have it so good. I’m thankful for the last can of soup in the pantry and the last pair of socks in my drawer, even the ones with the holes. It’s so easy to lose our attitude of gratitude.
I’m thankful for the medical profession and the way they can relieve pain; and for surgeons that can go inside of us and fix things.
I’m thankful for a Preacher that preaches the Bible and for southern gospel music. I’m thankful for a son that reinforces my faith by demonstrating his own and a friend that is always there for me.
I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness and love, His patience and forgiveness, His healing touch, the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life; and for answered prayer, especially when He allows me to witness it.
Most of all I’m thankful He chose me, loved me, and saved me; I’m thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ.
I’m thankful for a Mama that insisted I show “gumption”, and a Daddy that insisted that I have “Backbone”. Webster’s defines gumption as shrewd practical common sense with courage and initiative. Backbone to Daddy was guts, courage, masculinity, gentlemanly manners, and all that is associated with being a man.
I’m thankful for the simplicity of the gospel; that the deepest, most complex and profound theology in the scriptures can be expressed in only three words; “Jesus loves me”. He knows everything I’ve ever done, everything I’ve ever said, and every thought I’ve ever had and He loves me anyway. For this I’m very thankful.
I’m thankful for my parents, my sisters, and my heritage. I’m thankful for my wife, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; my entire family. I’m thankful for a wife who cares and loves me enough to nag me to death sometimes. I’m thankful for a son that’ll put his own life on hold to move in and take care of me when I can’t take care of myself. I’m thankful for a grandchild that calls “just to see how ya’ll are doing”.
I’m thankful for the comfortable life God has given me here on this earth. To wake up in a comfortable and warm bed; have a hot cup of coffee, take a hot shower, put on clean clothes. Most of God’s creatures don’t have it so good. I’m thankful for the last can of soup in the pantry and the last pair of socks in my drawer, even the ones with the holes. It’s so easy to lose our attitude of gratitude.
I’m thankful for the medical profession and the way they can relieve pain; and for surgeons that can go inside of us and fix things.
I’m thankful for a Preacher that preaches the Bible and for southern gospel music. I’m thankful for a son that reinforces my faith by demonstrating his own and a friend that is always there for me.
I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness and love, His patience and forgiveness, His healing touch, the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life; and for answered prayer, especially when He allows me to witness it.
Most of all I’m thankful He chose me, loved me, and saved me; I’m thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ.
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