Heaven Bound

With God Nothing is Impossible

2011-10-23T21:49:00.003-04:00

Hermann and Pauline lived in the German town of Ulm where they ran a small enterprise that produced featherbeds. Though their success was marginal, they branched in to gas boilers and began toying with electrical products. All the time they were worried about their son, Al, who seemed to have a learning disability. He didn’t start speaking until he was nearly three, and he preferred playing by himself with his puzzles. He spent hours building houses of cards. He could entertain himself endlessly with a simple compass. But in school it took him a long time to solve problems, and teachers who expected a quick answer were disappointed at his plodding work.

One day Hermann was given the bad news. Albert was virtually hopeless. “It doesn’t matter what he does,” said the boy’s teacher bluntly, “he will never amount to anything.”

Hermann and Pauline needn’t have worried. Young Albert Einstine did just fine.

Don’t let the enemy of this world try and tell you, “You’ll never make it.” With God nothing is impossible.

I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Follow The Leader

2011-09-01T08:04:00.007-04:00

Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Directionally challenged people everywhere were thrilled when navigation systems became available. No longer would the embarrassing, "I'm lost" phone call have to be made. Now we travel worry free, allowing the system to do the work for us--until it leads us astray. For every appreciative GPS story, there are just as many frustrated users who circle a block three times before realizing there's not a restaurant in sight, or far worse, find themselves teetering on the edge of a cliff that their navigator insists is the safe route.

As Christians, we have an internal guide--the Holy Spirit--and He is like our life navigation system. But unlike our GPS, we can trust Him even when He's taking us down an uncertain road, because ultimately His way is best.

So the question is simple...will you follow? If we trust our GPS to guide us on a cross-country automobile adventure, shouldn't it be easier to follow the Holy Spirit through the journey of life? We may not always know where we are, but we will always be exactly where the Lord intends us to be.

When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.

Lewis Sperry Chafer

From: Turning Points Devotional Dr. David Jeremiah

In a Pickle: Joseph (Long-Suffering)

2011-08-13T19:21:00.007-04:00

Romans 5:3-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation woreth patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:

In our modern society, it is difficult to digest the concept of longsuffering. When we find ourselves in a thorny situation, we often resign to our challenge and wait for the end to come. And if we do suffer, our confrontations are often short lived. How many of us have had to suffer for years . . . or most of our lives?

Joseph did. And he could have easily given in to his inevitably horrible situation. Sold by his brothers, taken to a foreign land, accused wrongly by his master's wife, put in prison--yet Joseph refused to give up. Instead, he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, became a ruling official, and saved the lives of many during the years of famine . . . including the brothers who betrayed him.

Joseph patiently served God, making the most of his situation while exhibiting the sweetness of long-suffering. He had no way of knowing what God had in store for him in the midst of his pain. The emotions he experienced reuniting with his father and saving his family from famine gave him great joy--erasing the years of sorrow. Like Joseph, we need to rest in God's purpose and plan when faced with trials.

If a bird is flying for pleasure, it flies with the wind; but if it meets danger, it turns and faces the wind in order that it may fly higher.

Corrie ten Boom

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. David Jeremiah

Reviving an Old Practice

2011-08-02T12:48:00.005-04:00

I Tim. 3:14-15

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself ...

Newsweek recently carried a story on the passing of the era of the personal letter, saying, "The decline in letter writing constitutes a cultural shift so vast that in the future, historians may divide time not between B.C. and A.D. but between the eras when people wrote letters and when they did not."1

That may be overstated, but maybe not. Historians depend on personal letters to fill in the gaps of the human story. In bygone eras, letter writing was the only way people could communicate over distance, and correspondents were often self-revealing in what they penned. They left a historical record of their life, a legacy. With the invention of Morse's telegraph that began to change; and in our age of email and text messages few people sit down long enough to write a personal note of more than a few hurried words.

Considering this vacuum, what an impact a hand-written letter of encouragement can be. Find some appropriate stationery, a good pen, and give it a try. You never know who you might encourage as you revive an age-old practice that works!

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.
Phyllis Theroux, essayist

1"The Good Word," Newsweek newsweek.com/2009/01/17/the-good-word.html.

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. Davie Jeremiah

The Write Encouragement

2011-07-30T07:00:00.002-04:00

Phil 1:3-4

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

How many words do you speak throughout a given day compared to the words that you write? One estimation of our spoken words reports that a woman speaks approximately 8000 words a day, and a man speaks about 6000 words. These estimates outnumber our written words by far--even though Internet messaging goes on 24/7. Is it any surprise that sometimes we can't remember what we said or what someone else said? The power of the written word cannot be underestimated.

God valued the written word and gave us the Bible as His letter of encouragement--a permanent record of His love and concern for us. Many of the books in the New Testament are letters, known as epistles, written to churches and individuals. It's interesting to note that when the apostle Paul wrote a letter, he consistently began with a word of encouragement (Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Written encouragement conveys a thoughtful investment of your time. Why not take a minute and think of someone you know who needs a word of encouragement today. They won't forget it!

Written encouragement is one of the most effective tools God has given to His children.
David Jeremiah

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. David Jeremiah

Selfishness (An Egocentric Lifestyle)

2011-07-23T21:22:00.003-04:00

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Having children was not easy for Sean and Carolyn Savage, so in February of 2009, they attempted to have another child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). They soon discovered they were pregnant, but mistakenly with another couple's embryo. The Savages made a selfless decision--to give this baby a life--life with his biological parents.1

Often we're surprised when we read stories like this. We live in a world filled with self-centered people...a world that teaches a person has a right to do whatever they please to further their own desires. In fact, "self-centered" is not the preferred word any longer, most prefer "egocentric" to describe this self-proclaimed way of living. Sadly, egocentric thinking is accepted and even promoted by many today.

So how were the Savages able to act so selflessly? As Carolyn said, "We tried to focus on the gift, not the loss." Serving others in selflessness costs us something, but there is always a reward. .When we make the choice to live by the Spirit, rather than our flesh, our lives speak the simple words, "GLU" (God loves you).

Self-serving needs are not meant to be satisfied; they are meant to be put to death.
Edward T. Welch

1cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/seancarolynsavage030311.aspx

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine
Dr. David Jeremiah

Think "Encouragement"

2011-07-15T07:57:00.003-04:00

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Jonas Salk, the great scientist and discoverer of the vaccine against polio, understood how to think and work with confidence. He was once asked, "How does this outstanding achievement, which has effectively brought an end to the word ‘polio' in our vocabulary, cause you to view your 200 previous failures?"

"I have never had 200 failures in my whole life," he replied. "My family didn't think in terms of failure. They taught in terms of experiences and what could be learned. I just made my 201st discovery, and I couldn't have made it without learning from the previous 200 experiences."

Salk's example is illustrative to the Christian life. To support and encourage others we have to stay encouraged ourselves; and we have to learn to think, believe, and live with assurance and conviction. Based on the promises of God, we have every reason to be optimistic. It's the uplifting "can-do" attitude of a biblical encourager that stokes the flames of God's work in the lives of others.

Learn to think "encouragement."

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas Edison

From Turning Points Devotional with Dr. David Jeremiah

If You Don't Write It Down...

2011-07-13T12:26:00.004-04:00

Philemon 1:19

In a popular Tom Clancy novel, one of the characters continually jotted notes in a small notebook. "You have to get used to me," she said apologetically. "Whenever I have an idea, I write it down right away." It isn't safe, she explained, to entrust important matters to memory alone, adding, "If you don't write it down, then it never happened."1

Perhaps that's not literally true, but the point is valid. The written word is a powerful way of encouraging others. It can be anything from an ordinary note to a friend to an autobiographical account of your life and testimony for your children and descendants. When something is written, it achieves greater permanence in its effect. Some people keep precious messages of encouragement on their refrigerators for years, or inserted in their Bibles, or filed with their keepsakes. Even email and blogs are helpful in this regard, though nothing can quite replace ink on paper when the hand that is writing it is yours.

Who can you encourage with a written word today?

Share your stories with your children over and over. They need to hear them more than once in order to really remember them.
J. Darline Peipman, in her commentary on the Book of Ruth

1Tom Clancy, Debt of Honor (New York: Berkley, 1994), 581.

Prayer Request

2011-07-10T21:49:00.004-04:00

I ask all those who will, please pray for my sister. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour about five years ago. She found out that she has stage tree a cancer and is going through chemo and will start radiation soon.

She is up beat about it all and loves the Lord. I just ask that you pray for God's will in her life.

Thank you for your support.

Louis

The Ground

2011-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Ground

There are many types of soil and conditions that affect the way a plant will grow and produce. There is sandy soil that has a lot of rocks. Some soil may have clay mixed in it. The soil may have a high ph level in it. Some may have high or low levels of potash. Some soil may have a lot of peat moss in its content. The list can go on and on.

There are many ways to test the soil in which you will be planting your seed or plants. One of the most informative and effective ways is to take a soil sample to your local Agricultural agency, and have them test the soil. The biologist in that area will also know the type of soil in your area, and can help you to determine the best type of action to take in helping you to become a successful Gardner.

As a child of God it is important to know the condition of the ground, and the proper steps to take in having a successful harvest of our life. Many times we go unprepared to the field and the crop fails. The most important information available to us is right at our fingertips. It is the word of God. It will help you in becoming the most successful planter and producing the quality of fruit that will reflect the type of seed that is in a child of God.

A. Unprepared

1. Not tilled

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
This seed fell by the wayside. This was untilled ground. It had not been prepared. ( a harden heart)
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12

2. Walked on

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
Were the seed fell here the ground was packed and always trodden down. This can represent a soul that is beat down by the world, and never given a chance.
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12

3. Venerable to attack

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
Notice the fowls of the air came and devoured it. This is a type of Satan and his devices. (friends, loved ones, other peoples actions)
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12

B. Partly prepared

1. To rocky

Matt. 13:5, Mark 4:5, Luke 8:6
Notice that the ground was to rocky, shows that the ground was along the area that was tilled but it was the area that was along the path and the dirt that is thrown to the outside.
PP. Matt. 13:20, Mark 4:16, Luke 8:13

2. No support

Matt. 13:5, Mark 4:5, Luke 8:6
Notice that this part of the ground has no depth. Therefore it does not support the plant very well in the minerals that it needs.
PP. Matt. 13:21, Mark 4:17, Luke 8:13

3. Burns easily

Matt. 13:6, Mark 4:6, Luke 8:6
This plant is burned easily and withers up because of its lack of depth of roots.
PP. Matt. 13:21, Mark 4:17, Luke 8:13

C. Unkept

1. Not weeded

Matt. 13:7, Mark 4:7, Luke 8:7
The seed that fell here fell among thorns. When it tried to grow it was choked out and did not produce.
PP. Matt. 13:22, Mark 4:18-19, Luke 8:14

D. Well prepared

1. Plowed

Matt. 13:8, Mark 4:8, Luke 8:8
This seed fell among good ground.
Good ground must first be prepared by turning the earth or bring the good moist earth up and turning under the old.
PP. Matt. 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15

Heb. 4:12
The word of God is sharp.

John 14:26
The Holy Ghost will teach you all things and help you to remember the word of God when needed.

Deut. 11:18-20
Hide the word of God in your heart, mark them on your hands, and keep them in the forefront of your mind. Mark them in your house.

Rom. 10:17
You can build you faith by hearing the word of God.

Luke 11:28
God blesses those that hear and keep the word of God.

2. Good nurturance

The ground in which a seed is planted cannot produce good plants or fruit unless it has the proper balance in nurturance. As a child of God it is important to keep ones self in good spiritual balance.

Some of the things that are mentioned in the following subtopics may sound redundant, but the go hand in hand and are inter woven in a child of Gods life.

Here are just a few items that a child of God will need to maintain a balanced spiritual life.

• Pray without ceasing. I Thes. 5:17
• Study the word. II Tim. 2:15
• Hide the word that you might not sin against God. Ps. 119:11
• Meditate on His Word. Ps. 1:2, Ps. 63:6, Ps. 77:12

3. Watered as need

A plant needs a lot of water while it is growing. Without enough water it will die. Some need more water than others. As a child of God we need plenty of water in our life to produce the type of fruit that is pleasing to God and his work.

Ps. 1:3
We need to be like the tree that is planted by the water.

Ps. 42:1
Our soul should have a great desire for the Lord.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide continually, satisfy in time of drought, make us fat, and be like a well-watered garden whose waters never fail.

Eph. 5:26
The water cleanses us from sin.

I Thes. 5:17
The water is an example of prayer. We need to pray without ceasing.

4. Weeded daily

If we let the weeds of this world come into our heart. Then we will become unproductive.

Rom. 6:12
Don’t let sin reign in you body.

I Cor. 15:34
Live righteous and sin not. Be alert.

I John 2:1
The word of God is written to us so that we do not sin. If we sin we can go to Christ Jesus.

I John 1:9
If we sin we need to confess our sins to God. Talk about Round Up.

Ps. 139:23
Ask God to search you and show you yours sins. He knows better than you do if sin is in your heart.

5. Produces

Matt. 13:8, Mark 4:8, Luke 8:8
A well maintained garden produce abundant fruit.
PP. Matt. 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15

Prov. 11:30
The fruit we bare is a tree of life and will win others to Christ.

Matt. 7:17
A well maintained tree produces good fruit.

Uniquely You

2011-01-19T08:05:00.001-05:00

When we think of uniqueness, we often think of snowflakes--the classic example of "no two being alike." But there are other worthy examples: Forensic science developed around the uniqueness of human fingerprints--no two being alike. And now the retina of the human eye is being used as a means of identification and security clearance because, you guessed it--no two are alike.

Those unique traits of humans speak to the larger uniqueness factor that every human being possesses: There has never been a person in history with the same combination of appearance, personality, natural talents, and spiritual gifts as you! And there never will be. That should be the basis for the positive self-esteem of every person in the world--and especially every Christian, once spiritual gifts are added to the mix. If you are a follower of Christ, no one in the world is qualified to take your place in the kingdom of God. Every Christian's prayer should be, "Lord, guide me into fulfilling the calling for which You created and gifted me."

Uniqueness is not a human boast, but a boast in the creativity and generosity of God. Ask Him today to use you to be a blessing to others that is unique to only you.

Take note of what God gives you, then you will also know the task He sets before you.
Emil Brunner

From: Turning Points Online Devotional 11/19/11

Medal of Honor

2011-01-08T06:00:00.003-05:00

Medal of Honor
You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. It's November 11, 1967 LZ (landing zone) X-ray.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then over the machine gun noise you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter. You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you. He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come.He's coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety. And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm. He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.
Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman,United States Air Force, died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

My Very Special "God Loves Me" Sign

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

It was March 12, 2010. The Christian schools was having their annual father/son baseball game for a fundraiser ending the basketball season. It had been just six months since I had lost my precious husband, Chad after a short battle with cancer. I glanced over at our 12-year-old son, Nathan, who was watching this game, eagerly awaiting his chance to play baseball next year as a seventh grader. My heart began to ache, knowing that when his turn came, He could not have his father, cheering, encouraging and instructing him. I even began to question God.

Realizing that my thoughts and feelings were quickly headed in a direction that was not good for my spirit. I began praying. "God, while I don't understand why this is happening in our lives. I know that you have a purpose, and I know that you love me." As I sat there in the stands praying, a frog hopped out into the basketball court, causing the game to be interrupted as the referee blew his whistle a little frog was removed from the gym. The spectators chuckled, and the game was resumed.

Tears filled my eyes as I had this overwhelming feeling that God has sent that frog just for me! I have been collecting frogs for some time as a reminder "fully rely on God." This was truly another one of those reminders, I left the game that night feeling very loved by God.

From Christian Womanhood, volume 35, number 08 December 2010. Pg.22 .
Author, Mrs. Tarry Lewis
Landmark Baptist Church
Parkersburg, West Virginia

Today My Anniversary

2010-12-27T21:40:00.003-05:00

Today my wife and I have been "Honey Mooning" for 29 years. If you don't know what that is, we've been married that long and are still on a "Honey Moon." I know what your are thinking, "Yea Right."

Now don't get me wrong we've had our differences, or as we call them "Christian Discussions" but the love is still sweet and gets sweeter as the days go by. She treats me like a "King" and I her like a "Queen." The one thing that we attribute the success of our marriage to is the Lord Jesus Christ that we put first in our lives.

I thank the Lord for her and all she does for me. Today I made her cry. Now don't nail me to the wall just yet, it was a good cry. You know, one of those cries that the man ask if everything is all right, and she says I'm just happy, that kind of cry. Makes us men wonder what makes woman tick... well enough of that. Men you know you've done good when you make them cry for the right reasons.

I just wanted to share this with my readers and say to my wife in front of the World Wide Web of bloggers. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart. I Love You.

I thank all of you for your support and prayers.

Louis

The preparation of the sower

2010-12-27T21:04:00.001-05:00

C. The preparation of the sower

1. Must have good seed

Matt. 13:24
Notice the sower was sowing good seed. If we are to know anything about what type of seed is good we must know how to tell its quality.

2. Must know his seed

Matt. 13:37
Here we see and recognized seal of approval, the Son of man.

3. Must prepare his seed.

Matt. 17:21
Preparation of the seed many times comes by prayer and fasting.

Acts 27:33
The results of a good seed many times come with much trouble and strife.

Ill. Prayer is the bow, the promise is the arrow: faith is the hand which draws the bow, and sends the arrow with the heart’s message to heaven. The bow without the arrow is of no use; and the arrow without the bow is of little worth; and both, without the strength of the hand, to no purpose. Neither the promise without prayer, nor prayer without the promise, nor both without faith, avail the Christian any thing. What was said of the Israelites, “They could not enter in, because of unbelief,” the same may be said of many of our prayers: they cannot enter heaven, because they are not put up in faith. (6000 Sermon Illustrations pg. 512)

4. Must prepare the ground.

Prov. 18:24
Show yourself friendly; you will be surprised by what you may receive.

Luke 10:33-34
Have compassion on those around you. Some may be hurting on the inside and not showing on the outside. Only God knows the heart of a person.

Luke 15:20
Have compassion on those we love, no matter what failures were committed in their lives.

I Peter 3:8
We should have compassion on our brothers and sisters in the Lord. This will generate blessings from God.

Ill. A pious man of rank was in the habit of associating intimately with pious poor people. A worldly friend of his rallied him on the subject of his associates, and expressed his surprise. The noble Christian man replied, that, as he could hardly hope to enjoy so elevated a rank as they in a future world, he knew not why he should despise them in the present. (6000 Sermon Illustrations pg. 70)

Making the Port of Heaven

2010-12-26T12:48:00.002-05:00

Amos 4:12
Prepare to meet your God of Israel.

The steamship London sank off the Land' s End in the English Channel on January 11, 1866 amid a terrible storm. Only one lifeboat was launched before the great ship sank, and only three passengers survived. Among the dead was Daniel Draper, a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. In the hours before the ship was lost. He reportedly went from person to person evangelizing the passengers and crew, and he led virtually the whole ship to faith in Christ. The last words, anyone heard him utter were "Those of you who are not converted. Now is the time, not a moment to be lost, for a few minutes we shall all be in the presence of the judge."

Our world is a storm and many are sinking in life's alarms. Revelation 20 vividly describes the coming judgment of the great White throne of God at the end of history. If you don't know Christ as your Savior there's not a moment to be lost. Prepare to meet God by confessing Christ as Lord of your life today.

The captain tells us there is no hope: that we must all parish, but I tell you there is hope for all. Although we must die, and you shall never again see land. We may all make the Port of Heaven.
Daniel Draper, above the London

From: Turning Point online Devotional.
June 24, 2010

Gratitude Attitude

2010-11-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

Assume you are a Christian who lives in a politically and spiritually repressive country. You learn one day that all who refuse to renounce their faith in God will be killed. What would you do? Would your activities on that day be any different than the day before? Would your activities include prayers of thanks to God?

If you were the Old Testament prophet, Daniel, nothing would change. After learning that the King of Babylon had signed a decree stipulating that anyone caught praying to another God would be thrown in the lion's den, Daniel went home and did what he normally did three times each day: He prayed and gave thanks to God--thanks that he was now a wanted man? Not likely. Daniel's gratitude was based on knowing that God is sovereign over all things; that God knew his life would be threatened long before Daniel knew it; that he could entrust his future to God without fear of the outcome.

If gratitude and thanks to God are part of your daily pattern of life, then no unforeseen circumstance can create fear.

It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Facing Death

2010-09-18T08:33:00.003-04:00

What’s on the Other Side?

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to
Leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die.
Tell me what lies on the other side.'
Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know..'
'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,
and you don't know what's on the other side?'
The doctor was holding the handle of the door;
On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,
And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room
And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said,
'Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before.
He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here,
And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death,
But I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

Sent to me by a friend. A thoughtful way to look at death for a child of God.

May God Bless You.

Do You Believe in Easter

2010-09-12T08:49:00.004-04:00

This story challenged my heart and my life for the Lord and His work. I hope it will challenge yours too. Have a box of tissue handy. May God Bless you as you read.

In His Love.
Louis

From
THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...

Happy Easter!

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San
Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name
of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw
patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it
was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that
waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in
her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside
her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way:
"Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"
Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times
people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the
head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she
was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My
name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do."

Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to
church, and dressing up. " Edith kept pressing her about
the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, " Beverly , don't call Edith into the
office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery
taking place in the waiting room.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat
down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr.
Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are
you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're
the patient," with a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report
came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not
going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you
so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just
told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband,
and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to
celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty
giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman
this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and
the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the
office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon,
Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be
moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very
near home, so would you make sure that they put women in
here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and
share that room with Edith. Many women were saved.
Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so
excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith
Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head
nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with
Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a
nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it
all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married
three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the
book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were
sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and
give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile
on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you
, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it
won't work.. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to
let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that
will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith
would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm
praying for you."

One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to
Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on
the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because
God told me that today is your special day."

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here
the question, "Do you believe in Easter, but you have never
asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told
me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked."
Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the
Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do
you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to
live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of
my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there,
Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her
heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of
a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of
angels..

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do
you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith,
it's Good Friday."

Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy
Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into
work, did some of her duties and then went down to the
flower shop and got some Easter lilies, because she wanted
to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and
wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That
big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that
Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis
Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was
dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house
are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there
you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4,
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there
shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed
away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then
lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down
here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and
over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She
said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

The Source of the Sower

2010-09-06T11:48:00.002-04:00

B. The Source of the Sower

1. The word of God

Ps. 119:11
It is important that a child of God hid the word of God in his heart. That will help us often in times of need. It can keep us from doing those things that are not pleasing to God. And it will help us to maintain a good testimony.

Ps. 119:105
God’s word will help up along the way. It will give us direction, security, and peace of mind.

Ps 119:9
The word of God will help a child of God to keep his way clean, if we take heed unto it.

Ps. 119:50
The word of God is a comfort in the time of affliction. It will make you come alive

Ps. 119:89
A child of God can know with out a doubt, that Gods word is established in heaven and will not changed.

2. The house of God

Heb. 10:25
A child of God needs constant fellowship with Gods people. Even so more as it gets closer to the Lords return.

3. The man of God

I Pet. 5:2-3
The man of God has the responsibility of the care of Gods people. So he should most knowledgeable about God and his word

4. The people of God

Acts 2:42
A child of God should have fellowship around Gods people and his word.

II Cor. 4:16
A child of God can only have fellowship with Gods people.

I John 1:3
The fellowship of Gods people is truly around one another and the Son of God.

No Power

2010-09-06T08:49:00.002-04:00

“Where there’s no faith in the future, there’s no power in the present.”

From: Turning Points Magazine & Devotional pg. 42

Sorry

2010-09-04T21:57:00.002-04:00

Sorry for not posting in quite some time. I've been real busy with work, church, family and recent death of my wife's sister. It has been hectic here for some time but God is still supplying all my needs. I will be posting other post soon and look forward in hearing from you. Once again, please forgive me for not posting sooner than this.

Louis

Clay Balls

2010-07-24T20:39:00.002-04:00

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

Sent to me by a friend.

Louis

The Sack Lunch

2010-06-27T08:55:00.004-04:00

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of
plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is your thanks..'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.
A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when
applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

Sent by a Friend. God Bless our Troops.

Country Cooking

2010-06-22T21:09:00.001-04:00

A group of country friends from the Cottonwood Baptist Church wanted to gather together on a regular basis to socialize, and play games.

The lady of the house was to prepare the meal. When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hose, Janet wanted to outdo all the others. Janet decided to have a mushroom smothered steak, but, mushrooms are expensive. She then told her husband, "No, mushrooms, they are too high!"

He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed."

She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poisonous."

He said, "Well, I see varmints eat them and they are okay."

So, Janet decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ole' spot a double handful.

The meal was a great success, and Janet even hired a helper lady from her town to help her serve. She had a white apron and a fancy little cap could on her head.

After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialize, and played phase 10 Mexican Train Dominoes. About then, the helper lady from town, came in and whispered in Janet's ear, Mrs. Williams, Ole' Spot just died..."

Janet went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm."

Soon they could hear the sirens as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump.

One by one, they took each person into the bathroom gave him an enema, and pump out there stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now." Then he left.

They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room, about this time, the helper lady came in and said, "You know, that fellow that ran over Ole' Spot never even stopped."

Louis

This was given to me by a friend. Hope you enjoyed.

In Honor of our Soldiers

2010-06-15T13:02:00.000-04:00

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life..
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable 'To My Country' for an amount "up to and including my life."
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Soldier Died Today

Hands

2010-06-06T08:37:00.002-04:00

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path"

Hands!

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.

The Sower "Who is the Sower"

2010-06-01T20:29:00.001-04:00

The Sower

Ill. One day, the master of Lukman, an Eastern fabulist, said to him, “Go into such a field, and sow barley.” Lukman sowed oats instead. At the time of harvest, his master went to the place, and, seeing the green oats springing up, asked him, “Did I not tell you to sow barley here? Why, then have you sown oats?” He answered, “I sowed oats in the hope that barley would grow up.” His master said, “What foolish idea is this? Have you ever heard of the like?” Lukman replied, “You yourself are constantly sowing in the field of the world the seeds of evil, and yet expect to reap in the resurrection-day the fruits of virtue. Therefore I thought, also, I might get barley by sowing oats.” The master was abashed at the reply, and set Lukman free. (6000 Sermon Illustrations pg.603)

A. Who is the sower

1. Christ

Matt. 13:3 Mark 4:3 Luke 8:5
Here we see mentioned that a sower went out to sow

Matt. 13:37
Here we see the one that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.

2. The child of God

Matt. 13:38

Here we see that the good seed are the children of the kingdom;

Ps. 126:6
Here we see that we are to go forth and bear precious seed then will we see reward.

II Cor. 9:10
The writer implies that not only dose God supply the seed for us to sow, but also supplies the food needed and will increases what you sow.

Ill. Mr. Chapman was born in Leominster Massachusetts in 1774 around the time of the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Chapman, not like most men. He had a big heart. During his adult life he would go from the east in Pennsylvania and travel west planting his crops in the states of Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. When he saw travelers heading west he would give them seed to plant on the homestead that they would settle.

Mr. Chapman even when faced with the dangers of the Indians, had such a reputation of a man with a different heart, that the Indians would give him safe passage across their land.

Mr. Chapman spent 40 years of his life traveling looking over the fruit of his labor. He was an unusual man. You would often see him with a tin pot for a hat, and old cloth sacks for clothing. Many others have enjoyed the fruit of his labor, in his life and ours

Mr. Chapman later died in 1845 at Ft. Wayne Indiana. You see Mr. Johnny Chapman was his name given by his parents, but we know him as Johnny Appleseed.

His Legacy not only left for all to enjoy the fruit of his labor. But it also left us with one of this nations greatest folk hero.

As a child of God we to can leave a legacy for others to enjoy and bear the fruit of our labor.

Fruit of the Spirit Introduction

2010-06-01T20:23:00.001-04:00

Introduction

In our daily Christian walk do others see us as Christ like? Christ instructed us that we were to be like him. We should share his love. We should be joyful, gentle, kind, longsuffering. Have a life of meekness, and temperance.

Many times we can look at things and determine what they are. You can look at a tree that has apples and immediately tell it is an apple tree. You may see a tree bearing things that look like apples but feel soft and fuzzy and tell it is a peach tree. Why is it we can tell what these things are? Is it because of what we have been taught by our family, peers, and teachers?

Can a child of God live a life that is pleasing to Him? Can the world look at us and tell that we are Christians? As we study the fruit of the spirit in the word of God, we will see how Christ, which dwells in us can produce a life full of Godly fruit.

Fruit of the Spirit (outline)

2010-06-01T20:05:00.002-04:00

Outlines

I. The sower

A. Who is the sower
1. Christ
2. The child of God

B. The source of the sower
1. The word of God
2. The house of God
3. The man of God
4. The people of God

C. The preparation of the sower
1. Must have good seed
2. Must know his seed
3. Must prepare his seed
4. Must prepare the ground

II. The ground

A. Unprepared
1. Not tilled
2. Walked on
3. Vulnerable to attack

B. Partially prepared
1. To rocky
2. No support
3. Burns easily

C. Unkept

1. Not weeded

D. Well prepared
1. Plowed
2. Good nutrients
3. Watered as needed
4. Weeded daily
5. Produces

III The Husbandman

A. Who is the husbandman
1. The Father

B. What is His Duty
1. To remove unproductive branches
2. Prunes productive branches to produce more fruit
3. He waits for the labors of his work

C. What is his reward
1. The fruit

IV The plant

A. It’s origin

1. From the original seed or producer

B. It’s growth
1. Must be planted or die
2. Put off the old covering
3. Begins new birth

C. The root

1. The receiving room of the factory

2. The growth of a root

D. The stem or vine

1. Supported by the roots

2. Made of several layers

3. The growth rings

E. The Branches

1. Sustained by the vine

F. The leaf of leaves

1. The backdrop fro the beauty of the plant and its fruit.

V. The Fruit

A. Love

1. Agape Love

2. The character of agape love or charity

B. Joy

1. The character of Joy

C. Peace

1. Source of peace

2. How was peace brought to us

3. When is peace given

D. Longsuffering

6. Examples of longsuffering

7. Instructions regarding longsuffering

E. Gentleness

1. Examples of gentleness

2. Exhortations concerning gentleness

F. Goodness

1. Examples of goodness

G. Faith

1. Types of faith

H. Meekness

1. Types of Meekness

I. Temperance

1. Examples of temperance

2. Types of temperance

Fruit of the Spirit Blog Bible Study

2010-06-01T19:51:00.004-04:00

I apologize for the delay in posting for the bible study. There were some unexpected events that happened in my with my family. All is OK and the Lord is working all things out.

In this blog bible study we will be looking at the "Fruit of the Spirit." This is one area of my life the the Lord so graciously dealt with me in my life. It has been a great influence in my walk with the Lord.

Many of the class members that I shared this with were very thankful for what they have learned from it also. I hope it will be a blessing to you in you life as you grow and walk with the Lord.

I will post an outline of the study as well as the complete bible study on a weekly bases. Your input is greatly appreciated and it will help me in knowing its effectiveness in the work that I am doing for the Lord.

Thank you and may God bless you in your study.

Louis

Oh, the Humanity!

2010-05-15T11:33:00.001-04:00

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:18

The Hindenburg was coming in for a landing in New Jersey on May 6, 1937. It was a thrilling sight, a zeppelin three football fields in length, held aloft by 7 million cubic feet of hydrogen. The blimp was luxurious, with a dining salon, lounges, and staterooms. Gigantic Nazi swastikas adorned its fins. Suddenly a flame appeared near the stern, and the blimp exploded in a ball of fire, falling tail first with flames shooting out the nose. In one moment, the wonder was turned to fiery destruction.

Without Christ we're all passengers on the Hindenburg. We may be enjoying ourselves to the fullest, but the next moment is going to bring the fires of God's wrath. That doesn't mean God is mad at us in an immature or juvenile way. The wrath of God refers to His right and necessary response to moral evil.

The good news is that we don't have to experience the judicial wrath of God. The Bible proclaims: "Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:9). We don't have to go down with the Hindenburg.

God does not throw temper tantrums or pitch fits, but His anger against sin is intense.
Tony Evans

INTRODUCING A NEW PAGE

2010-05-15T11:30:00.002-04:00

To all who are interested! There is a new page on my site that will help those who are interested. The page is called "Searching for Gold." It's a page geared to helping those who want to learn more from the word of God.

Starting the week of May 24, I will post a bible study topic that you can study along with me and others. You will be able to leave comments, questions and input relating to the current bible study topic.

It will be a great time to come together as children of God and fellowship around God's word. I look forward to seeing you there and hearing from you.

May God bless you as you "Search for Gold," using the word of God.

Louis

Don't Suffer Alone

2010-04-28T12:14:00.004-04:00

Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:6

Recommended Reading
1 Samuel 20:1-4

We sometimes discover that a friend had a need that he or she didn't make known; went through a time of trouble without asking for help. And we say, "Why didn't you say something? Why didn't you call me? You know I would have been there." And the answer often is, "I didn't want to bother you. This was my problem and I needed to solve it myself."

Such a scenario is going to play out during the coming Tribulation on earth. There will be multitudes of people who find themselves in a fix: They will have failed to believe on Jesus Christ before the Rapture, and they find themselves enduring the pain of tribulation on earth. But hopefully they will not fail to call out to God for salvation. We know that many will call upon Him, based on the multitudes "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" the apostle John saw in heaven--those who had "come out of the great tribulation" (Revelation 7:9, 14). Even if they lose their life via persecution on earth, their eternal life is secure. God always delivers those He saves.

Don't endure alone. Call out to God, or to godly friends, in your hour of need, and experience God's comfort.

Calvary is God's great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.
Warren Wiersbe

From: Turning Points Devotional Magzine

The Scarlet Thread

2010-04-21T11:46:00.001-04:00

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:9

When kindergarten teachers need to move children from Point A to Point B--especially when it means a walk of any distance (particularly outdoors)--they sometimes take a long piece of rope and tell each child to hold on to it as they walk. The children hold on tight to the rope, keeping themselves linked to one another as they walk.

The late, great preacher Dr. W. A. Criswell once delivered a series of messages on a similar theme: the "scarlet thread" that runs through the Bible. The scarlet thread refers to the blood-bought redemption that secures the fate of the redeemed from Genesis to Revelation--first, the blood of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, then the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross. Regardless of when a person is saved--past, present, or future--"without shedding of blood there is no remission" of sin (Hebrews 9:22). If you are a Christian, someday you will join that great "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) that are linked together by the scarlet thread of redemption.

All it takes to grasp that thread today is the hand of faith, reaching out and holding on.

Life is not worth living apart from redemption.
Oswald Chambers

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine

Squandered Fortune

2010-04-14T16:38:00.002-04:00

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 5:1

An interesting obituary appeared recently, announcing the death of Huntington Hartford, heir to the A&P fortune. His grandfather had helped found the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company in 1859. It grew to be the world's largest retail empire, making the Hartford family one of the wealthiest on earth. But Huntington frittered his millions away on frivolous projects, misguided ventures, four marriages, and well-documented affairs. His biography was entitled Squandered Fortune. He died with little left.

Not so the heirs of God. According to Romans 8, if we're children of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. According to Titus, the "elect" are heirs according to the hope of eternal life. James says we are heirs of the Kingdom that He promises to those who love Him.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is given the title deed to earth; and Revelation 11:15 proclaims: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." The joy of being a co-heir with Christ is beyond the limitations of our finite minds, but it should bring joy to our heart today.

Joint heirs with Christ Jesus! I defy you to exhaust that topic, though you should think about it all the days of the next week, nay, though you should muse upon it till eternity commences with your soul.
Charles H. Spurgeon

From: Turning Points Daily Devotional

Laodicean Chruch

2010-04-03T13:34:00.002-04:00

The Laodicean Class

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock....
Revelation 3:19-20

Recommended Reading
Revelation 3:14-22

Churches find a lot of creative names for Sunday school classes and Bible study groups. Some churches, for example, have a Berean class, named for those who studied the Bible daily in Acts 17. Others have a Lydia class, named for Paul's convert in Acts 16. But you've probably never heard of a Laodicean class, named for the church in Revelation 3 that lost its zeal. Rather than being hot with love and passion, it became lukewarm.
Unfortunately, there are many classes, churches, and Christians for whom "Laodicean" would be an appropriate title. Small compromises, neglected habits, distracted devotion... these can lower the temperature of our Christianity without our realizing it. The Lord warns us by rebuking and chastening us; but we have to respond by opening the door and letting Him back in full force (see Revelation 3:20).
It's vital to stay at the boiling point in our ardor for Christ. Are you boiling, simmering, lukewarm, or cold? If we've lost our passionate love for Christ or the driving force behind our Christian labor, there's only one thing to do. Be zealous and repent.

Our Lord would have the Laodicean church be boiling and repentant. Some of us simmer all our lives and never come to a boil.
Vance Havner

From: Turning Points Devotional

Wired for Sound

2010-03-29T20:41:00.000-04:00

A preacher was using a microphone on stage while preaching. While walking back and forth, he would jerk the cord in an effort to keep from getting tripped up. As he grew more intense with his message, his pace back and forth on the stage quickened. Not paying attention to the cord, he almost tripped and fell. He started jerking violently on the cord trying to untangle his feet. A little girl sitting on the second pew leaned close to her mother and whispered, “If he gets loose, will he hurt us?”

Seeing God’s Beauty for the First Time

2010-03-16T21:25:00.003-04:00

The story was told of a young boy who was blind from birth. As the child grew, his mother would tell him of the beautiful flower garden she had. Often the young lad would go to the garden with his mother to explore its beauty. Using his hands he would feel the texture of the plants trying to imagine what they could possibly look like. He would make frequent stops along the way smelling the plants that had the sweetest fragrance. Sometimes he would notice a new plant and ask his mother about it, insisting she describe to him every detail about the plant.

As time went on, the mother was informed of a procedure that would bring sight to her child. Elated about this new discovery, she agreed to the procedure and the time was set. After the operation, the mother was instructed to only remove one rap at a time for thirty days; this would allow his eyes to adjust to the light.

The day before the final wrap was to be removed. His mother asks him what would be the first thing he’d like to see. Without hesitation, he told her he wanted to see the flower garden. The next day he and his mother went to the garden to remove the bandage. The air was filled with the aroma of sweet smelling flowers and fresh soil. As she removed the wrap he squinted against the bright morning sun. Once his eyes adjusted they started welling with tears. His mother looked at him with concern and asks if everything was alright. He turned to her and in a quivering voice asks her why she didn’t tell him it was so beautiful. She knelt down beside him and explained that she done the best she could; but only until you could see with your own eyes, would you see the real beauty of the garden.

As a child of God, we are blinded to some of the things that God has in store for us. We try to understand and even want to receive it, but we aren’t quite ready for what He has to offer. When He finally opens our eyes, and shows us the truth. Oh what a wonderful sight to behold. So stay faithful to His word. Seek the truth while you can and let Him open your spiritual eyes. His blessing are there waiting to be revealed so you can enjoy them and share with others.

Louis Edwards

Church Bulliten Bloopers

2010-03-08T20:01:00.002-05:00

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes snacks and meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies , don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again , ' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it , we have a nursery downstairs

Hope you enjoy these bloopers. If you have you would like to share, please post your comments about this post along with one of your "Bulliten Bloopers" and I will be glade to post it with your comments.

Thank you
Louis

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2010-02-20T09:27:00.002-05:00

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

How would you define pain? Since 1968, the most widely used definition of pain in clinical settings is the one set forth by pain researcher Margo McCaffery: Pain is “whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever and wherever the person says it does.” In other words, no one can tell another person that they are not in pain. Pain is as unique as the individuals who profess to experience it.

Think about any pain you may be experiencing now—relational pain, physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain. Regardless of the kind of pain you are experiencing now it will “soon” be over. The Bible says that in the New Jerusalem “there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Whatever kind of pain you feel today, an eternal day is coming in which you will feel it no more if you live in the New Jerusalem. Every God-designed need and longing of the human spirit, soul, and body will be met completely in Christ.

Let today’s pain lead you to tomorrow’s pleasure in heaven.

God…shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis

From Turning Points Devotional Online Monday, Feb 8, 2010

Keepers of the Light

2010-02-14T22:09:00.002-05:00

Matt. 5:14
Ye are the light of the world…

Before lighthouses dotted the shores of many of our coasts; numerous sailors along with their vessels lost their lives to the dangers and perils which lie beneath the shallow waters of our country, running aground without warning. Because countless lives were lost, others saw the need to warn them of the hazards which lie ahead. This warning became a light, a beacon of hope in a storm tossed sea guiding many safely home. The lighthouse became a sailor’s friend and brought great comfort and hope.

The job of keeping the light burning so that mariners could navigate through treacherous waters and return home safely was given to the “Keepers of the Light.” The job included many tasks. One had to ensure that the lens was clean and free from cracks or chips which would defuse the light reducing its ability to shine. The wick had to be trimmed properly every three to four hours. Enough oil and supplies needed to be stocked so it would not run out. The light was to be lit at sunset and cut off at sunrise unless there was inclement weather. All the mechanical parts of the light had to be greased regularly. This and many other tasks were requirements of the job. The single most important part of their job was to ensure that the light never went out.

Many “Keepers of the Light” took great pride and dedication in performing their tasks. They realized the importance of the light and the safety of the lives of others which was placed in their hands. Some even sacrificed their lives for the lives of others. There were some that weren’t as diligent about their jobs allowing the light to go out. This lack of concern about their job and others caused many to lose their lives. This also brought on disgrace to the keeper of the light and his family.

As a child of God, we are the “Keepers of the Light” to a dark and dying world. When the storms of life and the perils of Satan try to run others aground, it’s up to us to show them the way to the safe heaven of Gods rest. Are you doing your part to ensure that others see the light, or have you allowed the light to go out? Think about it. It could be your loved one trying to reach the shore.

Louis W. Edwards

PS. Leave your comment if you dare to be a “Keeper of the Light.”

An Obituary printed in the London Times

2010-01-29T14:01:00.001-05:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing .

Are you one of the few? How will we know? If so leave a comment and take our poll titled, “Do You Have Common Sense?”

Louis

Church Bulletin Bloopers

2010-01-23T20:10:00.002-05:00

“The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, ‘Break Forth Into Joy.”
____________________
Turning Points Magazine & Devotional July 2009 Pg. 46

“Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.”
___________________
Turning Points Magazine & Devotional July 2009 Pg. 46

Beware Terrorists Groups' in Church

2010-01-14T20:25:00.005-05:00

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.

They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.

Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the chruch disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there have ben reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church.

Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.

We have noticed that the Bin prayin group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

I hope you'll join me as part of the last group!

From Bible Baptist Church Burgaw NC. Church Bulletin Jan. 10

The Warrior's Prayer

2010-01-02T22:36:00.012-05:00

Heavenly Father,

Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on

the whole armor of God!

I put on the Girdle of Truth!

May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word

so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!

May it guard my heart from evil

so I will remain pure and holy,

protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace!

May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel

so Your peace will shine through me

and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith!

May I be ready for Satan's firey darts of

doubt, denial, and decite

so I will not be vunerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helment of Salvation!

May I keep my mind focused on You

so Satan will not have a stronghold on my

thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit!

May the two-edged sword of Your Word

be ready in my hands

so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warrior has put on

the whole armor of God!

I am prepared to live this day in spiritural victory!

Amen

Dirty American Farmer

2009-12-24T14:52:00.004-05:00

...one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Luke 12:15
In the late 1700s, the manager of Baltimore's largest hotel refused lodging to a man dressed like a farmer because he was afraid the man's humble appearance would shame his establishment. So the man left. Later, the innkeeper discovered that he had turned away none other than Thomas Jefferson! He immediately sent a note to Jefferson asking him to return to the hotel and be his guest, to which Jefferson replied, "I have already engaged a room. I value his good intentions highly but if he has no place for a dirty American farmer, he has none for the Vice President of the United States."
We should never disregard the value or worth of those who have little in this world or show partiality to those who have much. The Creator of the Universe was born into a family that was poor in the eyes of society, but God found them worthy to raise His own Son.
Let us show the love of Christ to all without partiality because oftentimes it is those with little to speak of in this world who have much stored up in heaven.

Recommended Reading
James 2:1-9

David Jeremiah Turning Points
www.davidjeremiah.org

The Gift of Himself

2009-12-18T08:09:00.006-05:00

Ps. 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Selah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate and spoke cheerful, kind words to him. He later visited that poor man again and told him, “I am your king!” The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, “You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate my coarse food. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!" 1

God gave us the gift of Himself when He sent His Son to this dark, dreary place. Have we accepted Him graciously and thankfully as the poor man did, or do we take this gift for granted? This Christmas season, let’s remember to thank Him for His most precious gift to us: Himself.

1 http://www.crosswalk.com

Turning Points Devotional

Helpful Link

2009-12-13T14:52:00.005-05:00

As a child of God, often we look for help in the word of God but don’t know where to find it. One of the wonderful things about the “World Wide Web” you can find a lot of useful resources.

BibleGateway.com is a site that I stumbled onto while updating my blog. It’s a site that can be very useful to anyone seeking deeper meaning from the word of God. This site holds a vast amount of valuable information and study helps.

Here are just a few things the site has to offer: bible reading, bible on audio, reference guides, commentaries, and much more. You can use it on your own blog site along with other links they offer for free.

Please try this site and give me your feed back it’s awesome.

To see for yourself and experience all of its benefits, click the picture above or the link in the right column labeled “BibleGateway.com,” you’ll be amazed.

Happy reading.

Louis

Book Review

2009-12-06T14:46:00.002-05:00

“I Run to the Hills,” By C. Maggie Woychik is a wonderfully written book about a child of God’s pilgrimage and the many obstacles they face along life’s way. Maggie shares with her readers the trials, heartaches, difficulties, and life’s lessons she has experienced. Using these life learning experiences; she helps others as they climb slippery Alpine slopes.

As I started reading, I quickly learned this book was not one that could just be read, but had to be savored like a fine meal. Rich in life’s lessons and full of insight, I found myself reading, meditating, and then quietly alone with my Lord allowing Him to redirect my own life.

“I Run to the Hills,” will challenge your heart and make you examine yourself. It will force you to rethink your motives and actions for the Lord and His work. This book is a must read for any child of God who wants to achieve a closer walk with God.

Review By: Louis Edwards

From The Mouth of Babes

2009-11-13T17:59:00.002-05:00

Question and Answers

A teacher from a Christian school finished the lesson for the day. It was now time for question and answers.

“Teacher?” ask little John, “I have a question that has been bothering me for a long time.”

“What’s that?” The teacher ask

“Well, according to the bible, the Children crossed the Red Sea, right?”

“That’s right.”

“And the Children of Israel put a whipping on the Philistines, right?”

“Yeah.”

“The Children of Israel also built the temple?”

“That’s right.”

“They also fought the Egyptians, fought the Romans, and were always doing something important, right”

The teacher becoming a little annoyed said, “That’s correct, now what is your answer?”

“What I’d like to know,” he demanded. “What were all the grown-ups doing?”

Hushers

2009-11-03T13:52:00.001-05:00

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud.

Finally, his big sister had enough. “You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.” “Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel asked.

Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”

____________________
Turning Point Magazine & Devotional Aug. 2009 Pg. 46

Loving Hands

2009-10-23T08:29:00.001-04:00

Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

A little girl sat beside her mother as she read her a story from one of her favorite books. While listening to her mother read she realized that her mother was wearing white gloves. She thought for a moment and could not remember a time when her mother didn’t wear gloves. This sparked the girl’s curiosity. When her mother finished reading the book she ask her a question, “Mother, why do you always wear those gloves?” Her mother replied, “Because my hands are ugly.” With a quizzical look on her face her daughter asks, “What do you mean they’re ugly?” “Well they’re all scarred and crooked, they’re just not pretty to look at,” was her tender reply. The girl asks her mother how it happened; her mother thought for a moment and then shared this story with her.

“When you were a lot younger, you were playing in the house with your puppy. You were having a good time when you backed into the heater. Your clothes caught on fire and you started to run. I caught you and forced you onto the floor and started putting out the fire with my hands. You didn’t get hurt, but while putting out the fire my hands received third degree burns. I had many surgeries to make my hands look better, but it only made things worse. I began to notice that others would look at my hands, turn their heads and whisper to those around them. I became embarrassed about my hands and started covering them up so no one would see them.”

Her daughter gently placed her hands in hers and said, “Can I see them?” Her mother was afraid that if she removed the gloves it would frighten her daughter. Trying to avoid the situation she replied, “They’re not pretty to look at they’re awful.” Not easily swayed her daughter continued to plea with her. Looking at her daughter, seeing the compassion in her eyes she slowly removed the gloves.

Watching her daughters face for any signs of fright, she was touched by what she saw. Her daughter slowly felt of her hands and then lifted them to her face. Her soft blue eyes welled with tears and gently flowed down her cheeks moistening her mother’s hands. Both their eyes met and her daughter said in a quivering voice, “Oh mother, these are the most beautiful hands I’ve ever seen. Please, don’t ever cover them again.” They both sat embracing one another in silent love.

Have you been embarrassed about sharing Gods love? Are you afraid others will whisper and talk about you? Jesus’ suffering was far greater than anyone can understand. He gave His all on the cross. So don’t be embarrassed to share with others what he has done for you. Let His scars show so others may see and feel His love.

By Louis Edwards

Three Elderly Sisters

2009-10-20T17:25:00.000-04:00

Three sisters, ages 92, 94, and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts one foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs, “Was I getting in or out of the bath?”

The 94-year-old yells back, “I don’t know. I’ll come up and see.” She starts up the stairs and pauses. Then she yells out, “Was I going up the stairs or down?”

The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.” She knocks on wood for good measure. She then replies, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”
____________________
Turning Points Magazine & Devotional June 2009 Pg. 46

Under His Wings

2009-10-14T08:18:00.004-04:00

Luke 13:34
…as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings…

My pastor while preaching one Sunday morning shared with the congregation a frightening experience he encountered as a child on the family farm. Early in the morning and as he turned over in his bed, he noticed a bright orange glow from his bedroom window. Jumping to his feet to investigate this unusual light, he ran to his window and saw the barn on fire. He rushed to his parent’s room, woke his father and told him what was happening. His father along with his older brothers rushed to the barn to release the live stock. Later that morning while looking over the damage, he noticed his prize hen had been killed in the fire. When they removed the hen, three little chicks emerged unscathed by the fire protected by a mothers love.

Most parents understand this sort of selfless love. When a little one is sick with fever, we’ll spend sleepless nights trying to comfort them, and if necessary take them to a doctor no matter the cost. Some mothers will risk their own life to save the life of their child. All mothers for a brief moment walk through the valley of the shadow of death, giving birth to a child whom they love dearly. On occasion a parent will even give an organ to extend the life of the one most precious to their heart.

There have been times in my life when I wasn’t aware of the danger that surrounded me. Hidden dangers the enemy had waiting for me, hoping to trap me and bring me into his snare. He’d lurk in the shadows, eager to bring me down into the pit of despair. Many times he tried to destroy my testimony for the Lord. Sometimes he would bring railing accusations against my character. He has tried to break up my family and leave it in shambles. The enemy has tried to make me question my love for the Lord. During these times of despair in my life, I’ve found shelter under his wings.

As a child of God, are you facing trials and dangers in your life? Do you feel that the devil has you in his sights? Is the pressure becoming insurmountable and you feel that it’s all about to end? Don’t give up, run to the out stretched arms of Jesus. He’s waiting to place you under his wings and protect you from all harm. His love to protect us was proven on the cross of Calvary.

By Louis Edwards

The Journey Home

2009-10-05T12:52:00.001-04:00

Luke 24:32

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

I remember as a child living in north central Texas, my brothers, sisters and I looked forward to summer vacation. One summer was particularly exciting to us; it was the summer we went to see our grandparents. You have to understand, we hadn’t seen them for more than four years.

The day had finally arrived for us to start our journey east. It would be a long and exhaustive trip traveling from Texas to North Carolina. One filled with excitement, restless moments, urgent bathroom breaks, and five kids cramped for space. One question that kept popping up amongst us kids was, “Are we there yet?” I think that must be a universal question that has been passed down from generation to generation.

This particular trip seemed to be more challenging than others we had taken. Along the way we experienced car troubles, my sister got sick, and all of us got a spanking at one time or another. But in the end it was worth it all to see the ones we love so dearly while spending time together with them.

As a child of God talking of our heavenly home stirs our emotions, brings about a feeling of excitement, and great anticipation. Some of the exciting moments in ones life on this journey home can be the salvation of a loved one or friend. It could be the announcement of the calling of God on your life. The union of a man and woman as husband and wife brought together by God. It could be the birth of a child who was given no hope of survival, but became possible by the intervention of a loving Lord. It could be the answer to a long awaited prayer.

The journey home can also be filled with pot holes, bad curves, drop-offs, and unexpected delays. Things like life-long sickness, untimely deaths, divorce, job loss, spiritual disappointments, and the feeling of failure. The trials we face while on our journey home can make us feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. We’ve all experienced it at one time or another in our life.

The two on the road to Emmaus experienced defeat after the one they expected to deliver Israel had been killed. They had given up, thrown in the towel, called it quits and were even discussing it on their way back when Jesus showed up. The burning presence of Christ started filling their hearts. Despair and doubt started to flee. A newness of life started filling their souls, giving them great comfort and hope, a new outlook on life and their journey home.

As a child of God, when the journey home feels hopeless and it seems there’s no help in sight, just remember Jesus is with us on our journey home.

By Louis Edwards

Opened Eyes

2009-09-21T17:00:00.004-04:00

A man walking to work one day noticed a little boy on the street corner with a box full of puppies. On the side of the box was a sign that read, "Methodist puppies for sale."

A week later the same man noticed the little boy with the same puppies. Realizing the sign had been changed from, "Methodist puppies for sale to Baptist puppies for sale," the man stopped to enquire about the change.

He ask, "Son, when I came through here last week the sign read; Methodist puppies for sale and now you have a sign that says Baptist puppies for sale.

"The boy responded, "That’s right."

The man asks, "Aren’t these the same puppies?"

The boy replied, "Yes sir."

The man asks with a puzzled look, "Well, what's the difference between last week and this week?"

The boy answered with a grin, "last week they couldn't see, this week their eyes were open."

Diamonds are Forever

2009-09-14T07:53:00.003-04:00

James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Practically everyone loves diamonds, especially the ladies. If you don’t believe it, watch her face when presenting her with one.

I remember the first diamond I purchased for my wife to be, it was a promise ring with a diamond chip. Ok, so it wasn’t a cut diamond, but it was all I could afford at the time. When I gave her the ring and asked her to marry me, her face beamed with joy. I later learned in our marriage, that her aunt asked her for a magnifying glass so she could look for the diamond. Reflecting back to that time in our life, we both laugh at the moment.

What is it about diamonds that make them such a coveted possession? Is it the value of the gem? Could it be the brilliancy of its beauty? Maybe it’s the design or the prestige of owning one? Its cost can range from just a few dollars, to millions of dollars. Many people around the world desire this priceless gem. Its beauty has been displayed by royalty, and worn by the most meager of souls as a promise given. What ever it is that attracts us to it, the diamond is a gem that demands attention.

The diamond starts its arduous journey as a piece of coal. Subject to extreme pressure and heat over a period of years, later becoming a diamond in the rough. To the untrained eye it would appear to be nothing more than a stone, but to a gemologist it’s a jewel in the making. Not all diamonds make it to the display case of the jewelers to show forth its beauty, some are used for industrial purposes.

The creation of a beautifully cut gem like a diamond requires years of training and skill. With this knowledge, a Master Diamond cutter can transform what would appear to most as an ordinary stone, into a beautiful master piece for all to admire. First he examines the stone for any flaws that may obscure its beauty. If any are found, the stone will be carefully marked to remove them during the cutting process. Next he will draw a blue print of the master piece he’s creating. Once all steps have been completed, he will begin shaping the stone to bring out the beauty for which it was designed.

In the early stages of our development as a child of God, we were nothing more than an old chunk of coal. But through the fiery trails and pressures in our life, they start shaping us into a diamond in the rough. Then the Master takes us into his hands and starts cutting away the flaws, removing the rough edges, and places us on the cutters wheel. When all is finished, He will examine us for brilliancy, color, and grade; later to be sent to a jeweler and placed into a set for all to see.

If the trials of you faith are wearing you down, and it seems like there is no hope. Just remember, you are a diamond in the rough, placed in the Master’s hands. Let him bring out the best in you, so that all may see and glorify Him.

By Louis Edwards

When the Sun Sets

2009-09-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

My wife and I recently received word of the passing of a dear friend and neighbor. We were in awe, and heart broken from the news. The words spoken earlier that morning from my wife continue to ring in my mind; “Louis she’s gone.” There were two other times in my life when those words rang out; the passing of my Dad, and my wife’s sister.

As the day passed on, I began to ponder memories of the past. You know, those wonderful times you had as a child or even as an adult; memories that seem like it was only yesterday. Like the time I was playing in the snow with my friends, when suddenly out of nowhere a snow ball hit me from behind. I turned to see who the sneak was that hit me, and there stood my dad grinning ready to throw another. That’s just one of the many fun memories I have of my childhood.

Other memories that come to mind are those that my dad taught me as a young man. Things like working hard for your keep; taking care of your family and keeping a good name. He often told me, “Son, you’re not rich, and the only thing you have in life is your name; so take care of it.” One of the memories of my dad is his love for fixing cars. He would often allow me to help by cleaning parts to the car, removing the engine, taking it apart and various other tasks involved in rebuilding engines. Because of his hard work, love for his family, and instructions in life; I too continue to pass these values on to my children.

The recent death of our friend caused me to think of the legacy she left behind for her family. Here was a single mother that had raised two girls without any help from the father. While this situation forced her to become independent and self-supported, she worked hard to provide them with the necessary things they needed in life. Because of this, both grew up to become fine ladies and are doing well for themselves and now have children of their own. One thing I noticed about her was her love for her girls, and especially for her grandchildren. This was evident by the love and support she gave for her family; legacies that I now see reflected in them.

Seeing the legacy she left for her family, and what my dad left for me, I think of 2 Timothy 1:5, When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. I wonder what kind of legacy I’m leaving for my children and their family. Will others be able to look back at my legacy and see God? Or will they say, my, my, my, what a shame? I hope the legacy I leave behind will be one that glorifies God. What about you? What kind of legacy will you leave behind?

By Louis Edwards

Digging Up Roots

2009-08-31T08:15:00.003-04:00

One of the things I enjoy in life is working in my flower garden. I guess you could say I got that from my mom. Every day, usually early in the morning or late in the evening mom would work in her flowers. She’d walk around the house looking at every flower, inspecting every leaf and bloom looking for any early signs of trouble.

One thing she couldn’t stand though was a weed. If she saw any in her garden, she wouldn’t wait for it to take good root. She’d take her little spade and attack with a vengeance, like a soldier on a mission rooting out the enemy. Dad on the other hand was just the opposite. He liked the beauty, but didn’t like the duty.

I remember one year when we moved to a new house. The house was a large three bed room home, and had plenty of room to play outside; just what we wanted. There was one problem though; the plants and shrubs around the house were overgrown badly. I knew what our task would be based on the conversation my mom and dad was having; we were going to be on weed detail.

The next morning after eating a good breakfast, we marched out the door to start the arduous task of removing weeds. Mom dispatched each of us kids to different locations to get the job done quicker. Dad on the other hand, stood on the side line and watched while mom and we kids did all the work. He was moms back up for us kids, when she needed us to tighten up and get on the ball.

I was pulling away at the weeds thinking I was doing a good job, when mom came over to inspect. She stopped me and informed me that I needed to pull them up by the roots, otherwise they would come back and make the garden look ugly and she didn’t want that. Well like most kids I responded by saying, “Yes mama,” and continued pulling weeds. What mom didn’t know though was; when I got to one that wouldn’t come out of the ground by the root, I’d just break it off at the ground and cover it up. We finished the yard work by the end of the day and what a transformation.

A couple of weeks later when coming home from school, something didn’t look quite right around the outside of the house. As I entered the house, mom stopped me and asks me to come outside with her. As we walked around the house, she pointed out the weeds that had grown in the flowers. I had been nabbed, the roots that I had left had come back to haunt me. Well, after a long lecture, and a few grueling hours of weed pulling supervised by my mom, I had learned my lesson.

Looking back at those days and even now working in my own flower garden; I can see how roots from weeds left unattended can spring forth and steal the beauty of the flowers. In the word of God we read, “…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15b). Therefore as a child of God, we shouldn’t allow the root of bitterness to stay buried in our hearts; it will one day spring forth obscuring the beauty that God has intended for us to be. So take the time and ask God to help you “Dig up the Roots” in your life today.

Louis Edwards

Dark Clouds on the Horizon

2009-08-24T08:00:00.005-04:00

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

As a child living in the North Central part of Texas, in an area known a Tornado Alley; I’ll never forget the first severe thunderstorm of my life. My brother and I were playing outside; it was typical hot 107 degree day. The noon sky was beautiful and blue, and not a cloud as far as you could see.

As the day lingered on and unknown to us; off in the distance on the horizon a monstrous storm was forming. We continued to play, fight, and argue like most siblings do over nothing. Suddenly without warning I noticed the wind began to pick up, the sky turned dark and began rolling like a bubbling caldron. The rain started falling in large drops with such ferocity, that when it hit your bare skin it stung like little needles. That was one time Mom didn’t have to tell us to get out of the rain.

While my brother and I stood on the porch watching the rain; I noticed these round white objects falling out of the sky the size of a quarter. I later found out that it was hail. Off in the distance we could hear the sound of the siren from the fire house. I had no idea at the time it meant a tornado was in the area. Mom came to the door and told both of us to get into the house and go down the hall. I knew something was wrong by the urgency in her voice.

Later that evening after watching the news with my parents, I realized what had happened. Not far from where we lived, a tornado had touched down and destroyed several homes in the area. Fortunately no one was killed or injured.

Jesus instructed His disciples to get into the boat so they could go to the other side. As they started across the Sea of Galilee, all was well, no one even thought of any impending danger, especially with Jesus on board.

Suddenly out of no where a storm began to threaten their lives. The winds began blowing violently, causing the sea to churn sending waves across the bow of the boat threatening to send them to the bottom. Seeing their lives in danger they cried out, “Master carest thou not that we parish?” (Mark 4:38) Jesus stood and said, “Peace be still…” and suddenly there was a calm came over the sea, and in the lives of His disciples.

Many times we face natural storms like hurricanes or tornados. Some we can prepare for in advance with plenty of warning; others happen suddenly without warning. As a child of God we also face spiritual storms. Some we see on the horizon, others form suddenly. When these spiritual storms come our way, and it seems that all may be lost just remember; Jesus is with us in the storm, and he is the peace speaker.

By Louis Edwards

The Dark

2009-08-14T15:54:00.003-04:00

As a child I remember being scared of the dark. My family and I would go the theater, watch a scary movie, then return home in the dark and my Dad didn't help matters.

Afraid that something might get us in the dark . My brother and I would argue over who would turn on the light, and later turn it off again once we were in bed.

One night while getting ready for bed, my Dad had slipped out of the house...or so I thought. Little did I know; he had slid under my bed patiently waiting for his intended victim?

I arrived at my bed, and turned down the covers preparing for the mad dash I would make from the light switch to the bed; then suddenly a hand came from under my bed and grabbed me by the ankle. Well, you know what happened next. I screamed, jumped, and I thought I was a goner.

The light in our bed room brought great comfort in a room full of darkness; not knowing what may be lurking around the corner, or under the bed. Many times as a child of God, we face different challenges of darkness. It may be the uncertainty of family illness, finances, or future events; the list can go on and on.

The light available to us as a child of God, bringing us comfort in a world of darkness is the Word of God. His word says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105)

His word is, "A lamp unto my feet..." The light of His word shines directly at our feet allowing us to see any eminent danger. It is, "A light unto my path." This sheds light into a dark and dreary world, allowing us a look into the future and preparing us for what may be ahead.

Jesus is our light, our hope, and our comforter. So don't be afraid of this dark world; remember to turn on the light switch of the word of God.

By Louis Edwards