There are but 2

John 3:16  (ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Salvation is a free gift from our Lord. There are so many out there that struggle who or what to believe. I found this simple article that explains it pretty well.

"While witnessing for Christ on the streets of a city in California, evangelist H.A. Ironside and his associates were often interrupted by questions from the crowd. "There are hundreds of religions in this country, and the followers of each sect think they're right. How can poor plain people like us find out what really is the truth?" Ironside and his friends would answer something like this: "Did I hear you say there are hundreds of religions? That's strange; I've heard of only two. True, I find many shades of difference in the opinions of those comprising the two great schools. But after all, there are but two. The one covers all who expect salvation by doing; the other, all who have been saved by something done."

Jesus did the work, all we have to do is believe and accept the free gift that He has given to us.

Dear Lord, we thank You for dying on the cross for each of us so that we may have forgiveness of the sins we do each day. Help us spread Your great love to the world around us today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Once-comfortable abode

Psalm 91:4 (ESV)

He will cover you with his pinions,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Though many of us have seen pictures of a huge eagle's nest high in the branches of a tree or in the crag of a cliff, few of us have gotten a glimpse inside. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave. That's when the mother eagle begins "stirring up the nest." With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior.

Dear Lord, Thank You for the way You work in our life. Help us take Your prodding to do what You have planned for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

If a hymn die, can it live again?

Psalm 104:33 (ESV)

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

 If a hymn die, can it live again?

   The life-story of “To God Be the Glory” proves that the answer is “yes!”

   Originally composed in America sometime before 1875, it was almost immediately forgotten in its native land.  In 1954, however, “To God Be The Glory” was rediscovered and acclaimed as a new favorite

   We introduced the hymn during the early days of those meetings in Harringay Area, England.  As a result, Billy Graham asked that we repeat it often because he was impressed with the enthusiastic participation of the audience.  In the closing weeks of the crusade it became our theme hymn, repeated almost every night.

   The words well expressed our praise to God, who was doing wondrous things in Britain. Of all the songs that have been popularized through crusade activity, we are most happy about this one. —Cliff Barrows

Dear Lord, thank You for the great songs that You have given to us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Getting started

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

When Ralph Houk was manager of the New York Yankees, baseball schedules were even more exacting than they are now, with double-headers almost every week. Occasionally a player would get sick of the grind and approach Houk, asking for permission to sit out a game. "I know how you feel," the manager would say genially. "Sure, take the day off, But do me a favor. You're in the starting lineup. Just play one inning. Then skip the rest of the game." The player would honor Houk's request--and almost invariably get caught up in the spirit of the game and play it out to the end.

So often in our life the hardest part of getting something done is getting started. Once we get past that initial step we finish        what is before us without any trouble. As our verse says God renews everything. He has it ready for us to start afresh ever day. Today push a little to get started and finish What God has for you to accomplish.

Dear Lord, help us to be motivated to get our self-going. Give us the strength for what is before us today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Post-op thoughts

Ephesians 5:4 (ESV)

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Oct 11, 2017  I had L2-L5 fused in my back to help correct my genetically narrow spinal canal. As I lay here I thought it would be fun to share some  post-op thoughts I've had while recovering since surgery one week ago today.

1. Who knew a person could sleep this much?

2. Does my body really need THIS much sleep to recover?

3. Oh no, I think I pulled my staples.

4. I'm pretty sure I definitely pulled my staples.

5. I'm probably going to bleed to death and die and nobody will know.

6. I DIDN'T PULL my Staples! PRAISE GOD

7. When is the medicine going to kick in?

8. I think it's time for another nap.

9. That makes this my third nap today.

10. Is four naps in one day too excessive?

11. My body needs to recover so that justifies it, right?

13. Wow, I am glad I have such a high pain tolerance.

14. Now would be a good time to write another blog, if only I could concentrate

15. HOW HAS IT ONLY BEEN AN HOUR SINCE MY LAST PAIN PILL.

16. I can catch up on some woodworking books and make plans for my shop

17. I can binge watch some YOUTube vidoes for Christmas ideas.

18. Or I could take another nap...

19. Dear Lord, I have never felt this tired.

20. I'm truly thankful for modern medicine.

21. Wow, I want ice cream.

22. ...and French fries.

23. I wonder when I will break the 1000 steps in a day mark again?

24. How much longer until I can start walking around the neighborhood?

25. When can I drive? I really want to drive to get ice cream.

26. WOW, I'm tired

27. Where is my calendar for our mission trip?

28. Time for another nap.

29. No pain no gain, right?

30. I could crawl to the kitchen and make a snack, right?

31. No I shouldn’t

32. I could do some online shopping while laying on couch.

33. I'll just take another nap.

All silliness aside I am Thankful for how God is working through me. My prayer is that God will use each of us in a mighty way TODAY.

Dear Lord, we pray that no matter our circumstance that we will allow You to use them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Amen

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Koine Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best-known word in human speech. The word is directly related--in fact, almost identical--to the Hebrew word for "believe" (aman), or "faithful." Thus, it came to mean "sure" or truly," an expression of absolute trust and confidence. When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an "amen." When God makes a promise, the believer's response is "amen"--"so it will be!" In the New Testament, it is often translated "verily" or "truly." When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an "amen," and so also do we conclude a great hymn or anthem of praise and faith.

The word is even a title of Christ Himself. The last of His letters to the seven churches begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord: "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). We can be preeminently certain that His Word is always faithful and true, because He is none other than the Creator of all things, and thus He is our eternal "Amen." As our text reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is "yea and amen," as strong an affirmation of truth as can be expressed in the Greek language.

It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "amen." "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy. Amen!

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are eternal. But even more then that that You are absolutely true and trustworthy. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Are you doing your very best?

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) 

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

As I lay here and do a lot of recovering from the back surgery I had late last week. As another baseball season wraps up I found an interesting story about doing your very best.

Keith Hernandez is one of baseball's top players. He is a lifetime .300 hitter who has won numerous Golden Glove awards for excellence in fielding. He's won a batting championship for having the highest average, the Most Valuable Player award in his league, and even the World Series. Yet with all his accomplishments, he has missed out on something crucially important to him -- his father's acceptance and recognition that what he has accomplished is valuable. Listen to what he had to say in a very candid interview about his relationship with his father: "One day Keith asked his father, 'Dad, I have a lifetime 300 batting average. What more do you want?' His father replied, 'But someday you're going to look back and say, "I could have done more."'"

Are you giving your very best?

Dear Lord, we pray today that we would each give our very best.  Help us to not sit back and rest on our accomplishments of the past but to keep pushing forward, bringing honor to Your name in all things. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.