"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of CHRIST, for it is the power of GOD to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:16
"We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD." Eph. 6:12,13
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
I'm sitting outside in our tent that i set up Friday afternoon in the broiling hot sun and good ole Alabama humidity. Before i got through setting it up, the first time, it came a thunderstorm. It's really cozy out here in the dark with the crickets softly chirping, Midnight, our black lab is whining softly wanting to come inside and Henry keeps attacking the tent, my foot, and Troy, our Maltipoo, who is quietly sitting upon my lap, except for attacks from Henry. Then he growls loudly. Henry hurts when he attacks! The "tent" is really one of those tents with a top and the sides are mesh that you use to put over a picnic table. I worked and worked to set it up, it kept collapsing when i tried to set the poles up on one side, the other would fall. I even sanded some of the poles and oiled them cause i couldn't get the ends to fit right. Later on Johnny was looking at my "tent," and said something is wrong with it. He said, "I didn't buy a tent to look like a teepee. "
 |
| My first attempt |
He told me what i had set it up wrong, and I recoiled a little bit at first, but then i realize he was right. As soon as he left for work, i set about redoing it like he said, found the instructions, and it worked much better.
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| Tent set up the right way...it always helps to read the instructions...and listen to my husband! |
The poles i had sanded and oiled? They fit just like they were supposed to when you set the tent up right to start with. John Mac came in and said, "Mom, why is there a tent in the backyard?" I laughed and told Johnny and he said he was wondering the same thing. The truth is i wondered myself why i was so compelled to set the tent up in the midst of a thunderstorm, no less. I did stop as the lightening got closer. I didn't want to get struck by lightening, but i sure did want to get that tent set up.
Later on, i got out our old camping lights, the little kitty cat lights that you hang outside your camper awning. I plugged them in to see if they still worked and they did! All but one burns, and i just need to get a new bulb for it. It's really cozy out here with the lights softly glowing through the kitty cats outside, and inside, me and Troy are sitting in my Cabela's lounge chair. I've got a grate set up nearby, so when i get ready to make a fire i can cook over an open fire.
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| Love the Kitty Cat lights softly glowing in the night... |
Now i remember why i set up the tent....HB went camping Thursday with a girlfriend from school. She went and bought a little two man tent, and an 8 dollar sleeping bag, some hotdogs, and stuff for s'mores. Now that's odd, some geese just went honking by at this late hour, that i write. She got some oatmeal and sausage for breakfast, and those girls camped out, and then rented canoes the next morning and went canoeing...i was so proud of her!
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| That's my girl! |
She inspired me to get out my camping stuff...and just go camping in my back yard! I don't do so well at regular campgrounds with the smoke and mosquito spray they often use. I also got out the big cot Johnny bought me several years ago when we stayed in a cabin in Gatlinburg so i could sleep outside on the porch. My son and his fiance tried to help me finish putting it together Friday night. My son was pushing and pulling with all his might, his gal was pulling and I was pushing and Johnny was supervising. We never got it to pop in place. The legs got bent in this process a bit but if it doesn't collapse on me, and the chemicals that are still outgassing from it don't kill me, i will enjoy laying on that cot on our deck and looking up at the stars. Our beach trip spoiled me sleeping out on the deck....i loved, loved, loved being able to look up and see the stars, and hear the ocean, and the birds. I don't have the ocean here, but we do have the stars, the moon, crickets, and even geese at night honking!
So on with the rest of the email that i begun Friday night...
As i am writing this (Friday night) my son and his fiance are packing up his room, getting another load of stuff for him to take to school. He starts med school this Monday at UAB and i sure would appreciate your prayers for him during this transition. He is looking forward to it and i ask you to pray that GOD's favor will rest upon him and HE will clearly show John Mac the path HE has for him to serve HIM.
Today i didn't really plan to write but when i got up this morning and read an email from "The Daily Jot," entitled "The War on Your CHRISTian Values," my head just couldn't quit thinking about the war that is indeed going on all around us and is getting more and more vicious it seems against CHRISTians.
I talked with Dana's Daddy this afternoon, my friend whose family has been attacked so viciously after Dana's husband spanked her son in the backyard for being disrespectful. Terry told me to share this information with whoever because people need to know what is taking place in our country. Terry told me that his eyes had sure been opened to what we are up against in this country with the family. He said before it had affected him, he wasn't really concerned about it, but now he sees the incredible assault being unleased on the CHRISTian family. A friend of Dana's, who is the Director of a department i'm not going to name, was threatened in his job because he was taking up for Dana and her family. He works with troubled families, and he told Terry that more and more children are being taken away from their parents for no reason, and he was probably going to resign his position within the year because he does not want to be apart of that.
We can see this week, the vicious attack against Chik Fil A because the owner's son, stood up for the Biblical role of the family...what a firestorm this has brought about. What a heartbreak in our country of America. As i was going back over some of the things i've read today, my heart grows heavier and heavier for our country.
The war on your Christian values
I have been writing The Daily Jot for 10 1/2 years. It has become increasingly apparent over this decade that those of us who call ourselves Christians are at war. There are theaters of this war being acted out at various levels. In America, it is cultural and moral. In Islamic countries, it is deadly physical. In China, for example, it is both. This past week, I had a pastor friend from Africa write me that his house and church were bulldozed without warning, saying the buildings were on some sort of land reserve. He said there is no basis to the charges, but meantime he is homeless until the government works it out.
Many Christians do not understand the gravity of the situation. We do not choose to be at war. We do not seek this attack on our beliefs. The attacks are brought to us. I am sure you can think of many examples. It is almost overwhelming. Indeed, these are signs of the times in which we are living. We do not seek the battle, but we are attacked.
Last year we asked you to stand alongside Chick-fil-A as they faced off with radical homosexuals who were upset over the restaurant donating food to a traditional marriage seminar. Now, its not only homosexual activists but militant politicians who are joining the smear campaign against the company.
Chicago mayor, and former White House Chief of Staff to President Obama, Rahm Emanuel, has pledged to block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant within the city. Boston’s mayor also joined the fight against Chick-fil-A.
These militant politicians are upset over Chick-fil-A’s President, Dan Cathy’s, comments in support of traditional marriage.
But can these politicians really block a company just because of their religious viewpoint? Seems to be another case of religious discrimination and anti-Christian bigotry.
Chick-fil-A is well-known for producing jobs and tax revenue, and for being a good tenant wherever they are located. Christians throughout the nation are joining in a “buy-cott.”
TAKE ACTION:
Wednesday, August 1st, Christians should go to their nearest Chick-fil-A and give them support for standing up for their values.
FIRESTORM: CHICK-FIL-A UNDER ATTACK FOR DEFENDING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
Posted: July 27, 2012 in Uncategorized
It’s been stunning to see the Left’s long knives come out for the leaders of the Chick-Fil-A corporation. Why? Because the company’s president Dan Cathy, a devout born again follower of Jesus Christ, has said that while he and his company respect and honor people of all races, creeds, religions and sexual orientations, he strongly believes intraditional marriage between one man and one woman and is “guilty as charged” when it comes to defending a Biblical approach to family. Cathy also warned that America could trigger the judgment of God against us if we choose to continue defying the Bible’s teachings on marriage. “I think we’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than You what constitutes a marriage,” Cathy said in remarks reported by ABC News.
I completely agree. As I wrote about in Implosion, America is flirting with disaster if we continue to ignore the Bible and turn our backs on the teachings of the Lord God Almighty.
But Cathy’s strong stance on behalf of a Biblical approach to marriage is being taken by the Left as “anti-gay” and it has sparked a firestorm from coast to coast.
- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel denounced Cathy’s pro-traditional marriage stance and said, “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values.”
- Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno announced he is working to block the fast food company from opening a new store in his ward because of Cathy’s stance.
- Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino told Chick-Fil-A they were not welcome to do business in Boston.
- The Jim Henson Company — inventors of the Muppets – chose to take the side of gay marriage and announced it was ending a planned promotional campaign with the fast food company.
- Actress Roseanne Barr sent out this Tweet, “anyone who eats S%#@ Fil-A deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ.”
- Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is calling for a boycott of Chick-Fil-A.
Others, however, are strongly defending Chick-Fil-A and are grateful for Cathy’s defense of the Biblical standard for marriage. Among them:
- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee started a Facebook page calling for a “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day” on August 1st. “I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld. The Cathy family, led by Chick Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, are a wonderful Christian family who are committed to operating the company with Biblical principles and whose story is the true American success story. Starting at age 46 Truett Cathy built Chick Fil-A into a $4 billion a year enterprise with over 1600 stores. At 91, he is still active in the company, but his son Dan runs it day to day as CEO.It’s a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.”
- Rick Santorum quickly joined Huckabee in defense of traditional marriage and Chick-Fil-A.
- Billy Graham has issued a statement defending traditional marriage and Chick-Fil-A. “I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith,” Graham said. “I’ve known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. Chick-fil-A serves each of its customers with excellence, and treats everyone like a neighbor. It’s easy to see why Chick-fil-A has become so popular across America. Each generation faces different issues and challenges, but our standard must always be measured by God’s word. I appreciate the Cathy family’s public support for God’s definition of marriage.”
- Franklin Graham also issued a statement defending traditional marriage and Chick-Fil-A.
- Jim Daly of Focus on the Family wrote an op-ed defending traditional marriage and Chick-Fil-A, as well.
The first thing I did when I heard of this controversy was ask my wife to pick up some Chick-Fil-A for dinner for our family. I look forward to dining there again on August 1st. One of our friends wrote, “Did you ever think a chicken sandwich could divide a nation?” Clever, but of course there is a much bigger issue here than one company or the views of one executive. The American Left has declared war against the traditional family, against the Bible, and against all who dare say that they follow Biblical principles. Maybe this controversy will wake up the sleeping Church in America and call millions believers to stand up for the truth. Maybe this firestorm will inspire millions of Christians to truly preach the Gospel, teach the Word of God, and do so with love, compassion, courage and without shame. Maybe seeing the vitriol of the Left will cause millions of Christians to begin praying and fasting for a Third Great Awakening for this beloved country of ours. I sure hope so, because without such a sweeping spiritual revival I believe this country is going to implode. And time is running short.
From John McTernan's website:
Danger: The Uniting of the Hard Left Fascists and the Muslims. Danger
Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Commentary
I have been warning of the coming Hard Left assault against Christians. It has accelerated in the last few months and especially since Obama endorsed sodomite marriage. It appears when he promoted this Ordinance of the Amorites (See below) that something happened in the heavens regarding America. Evil is now rapidly gaining power all around us. The LORD has withdrawn his hand of protection for America and violence is now going to consume the country.
The Hard Left Fascists/reprobates now feel they own America and sodomy is king. I warned and warned that when the Hard Left was in power they would do this. Boston, San Francisco, LA and many other cities are just like Chicago.
Please trust me on this and do not doubt what I am about to say. The Hard Left hates us just as much as the Nazis hated the Jews. It is the exact hatred. They have been restrained in America, but now because the church failed to intercede before the LORD, the reprobates are in power. THEY WILL MOVE TO KILL US JUST AS THE NAZIS DID TO THE JEWS. There is no doubt in my mind of this.
I went to college with the Hard Left. I worked as a federal agent in a Hard Left environment. At the abortion centers, I engaged many of the Hard Left reprobates. I follow them on this blog. I know how they think, and many, many of them have a murdering spirit. The restraint is now off them and what happened in Chicago is an example of what is going to happen across America wherever they are in power.
The Left now has the same spirit of the French Revolution which will bring anarchy and incredible bloodshed. It is upon us and could break out at any time. There is no time left for America as the Day of judgment has arrived.
The reprobates are now after Christian businesses which support real marriage and will not support the homosexual agenda. The Nazis went after the Jewish businesses before they moved to kill the Jews.
Emanuel goes after Chick-fil-A for boss’ anti-gay views 07/26/12 All Christians are now in grave danger in Chicago. The City of Chicago is trying to block a legitimate Christian company from opening a business because it is pro marriage and not supporting sodomy! The Hard Left monster is now mature and ready to devour all that is in its way. This is a direct shot across the bow for all of us.
Yesterday i read a devotion from Dr. Charles Stanley, that really reminded me that "GOD Uses the Wicked," and HE has a plan and purpose through all of this. Pray this for Dana and her family, that they will continue to remember that GOD is working out HIS plan and purpose through all of these circumstances and not to become discouraged.
July 26, 2012
July 26, 2012
God Uses the Wicked
Read | Genesis 37-39
When we don't understand what God is doing or why, His ways can seem perplexing. The times when ungodly people seem to triumph over the righteous make us scratch our heads and wonder why the Lord doesn't intervene. But the truth is, He oftenuses the wicked to accomplish His purpose.
Joseph faced one hard-hearted individual after another during his years in exile. His brothers shipped him off to Egypt. His boss's wife accused him of an unspeakable crime. And even those he helped, like Pharaoh's cupbearer, forgot about him (Gen. 40:23). The actions (or seeming inactions) of Godmake little sense at this point.
But once the story of Joseph's life was written in full, it was clear that everyone who harmed or neglected the young man contributed to God's plan. The Lord used numerous people across several years to bring a humbled young Hebrew unexpectedly to power at the right moment to spare his family--who were the Messiah's ancestors--from the effects of famine.
In our circumstances, we can see God's actions only from the limited vantage point of our humanness. We experience the events He has allowed or caused but can't discern what He is thinking. Often the Lord's goals and purposes are hidden from us until His plans come to fruition.
God is sovereign over all the earth. We may wonder at the strange or even terrifying turns our lives take, but we can be certain that He is in control and at work. The wicked may triumph for a season, but the final, eternal victory belongs to Christ and His righteous followers.
Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for my friends....i can't tell you how much i appreciate you lifting them up before our FATHER in heaven. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
Below are earnest pleas from Dana and her Daddy to remember their family in our prayers:
Please pray for Zach, me,and my family. I'm hurting more than I ever imagined. Each day that passes I get weaker. I can't just go get my baby back as he asks me. I've always been there for him and helped him in anyway he needed. God is there with him to comfort him. And I solely rely on him too. The weaker I feel the stronger i am with God. I love my sweet boys.
Terry Grammer, Dana's Daddy
Continue to pray for Zach that he keeps the truth dear to his heart regardless of what is occurring. That he continually be blessed by GOD, that GOD leads him in everything that he says and does. GOD has a plan, we do not know what it is, but I know my GOD is a just, loving and merciful GOD.
Dana Grammer Sanchez
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| Dana hugging Zach goodbye as he was removed from them and sent to live three thousand miles away . Her sweet boys.... |
I wrote most of this Friday evening, and wasn't sure why i wasn't able to finish it. Today after our pastor's sermon out of Acts 7, and the risk that Stephen took to share the TRUTH with those religious leaders, i felt compelled to finish up this email and send it to you. Pastor Edward's sermon was about "Risks and Rewards," and he used this passage to share with us what Peter, Joseph, Moses, Abraham, and Stephen went through to serve GOD. He told us that Stephen was up against the same religious leaders that had JESUS crucified and yet, he boldly proclaimed the TRUTH with them instead of cowering down. The risk Stephen took led to him being stoned and ushered immediately into the presence of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60
Dana has had to take the risk of standing up for her husband and CHRISTian beliefs, and for now, it has cost her from being with her son. Our pastor challenged us with what risk are we taking for JESUS CHRIST? GOD really spoke to me about this because this week i have been dealing with a situation that i know sometime in the future i will need to share boldly that JESUS CHRIST is the only WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE. I felt like i cowered down and collapsed this week, like the tent i was trying to set up when i had the opportunity to stand up for JESUS. The sermon was convicting and GOD's WORD, instilled courage in me to "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS." Our pastor closed his sermon by the poem "If" from Rudyard Kipling. I cut this poem out and had it on my bulletin board in my room all during my teenage years.
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling
Only GOD's Word and HIS HOLY SPIRIT living inside of us can give us the power to live up to these words by Rudyard Kipling. Living in our strength, we will collapse when the stormy winds blow upon our lives. Abiding in CHRIST, we can stand up for JESUS in the hard places and exhibit HIS character and grace.
I was talking with a friend on the phone last night and she said that everyone she knew was going through some kind of battle. CHRISTian brothers and sisters, wake up! We are in the midst of spiritual warfare on all fronts. I have written a good bit about my friend Dana because after talking with her Daddy twice this week, i am more aware than ever of the intense spiritual warfare they are involved in for their family. This is just one case. We have to look no further than our local Chik Fil A restaurant and what a firestorm it caused when the President of the company stood up for the Biblical view of marriage.
Our families are being killed when they go to watch a movie....America is bleeding from within, our Foundation on GOD's WORD is being eroded by false teaching in the church, the warfare is rampant, and we CHRISTians are being faced with more and more persection for our faith. Are we going to cave in and just go along, or are we willing to take risk and stand for JESUS when the heat turns up. My friend Dana and her husband and family are standing for JESUS. Chik-Fil-A is standing for JESUS. Please pray for them, and please pray for me to be bold and courageous in the places GOD has called me to "Stand Up for JESUS."
"For YOU equipped me with strength for the battle." Psalm 18:39
I am just reminded of the old hymn we used to sing when i was growing up in the Methodist Church, "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS, ye soldiers of the cross, Lift high HIS royal banner it must not suffer loss, from victory, unto victory, HIS army shall shall HE lead, til every foe is vanquished, and CHRIST is LORD indeed. Stand up, stand up for JESUS, stand in HIS strength alone. The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor each piece put on with prayer, where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for JESUS, the strife will not be long, this day the noise of battle, the next the victors song, To him that overcometh, a crown of life shall be He with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.
"Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r11Gmdq__-8
What risks am i taking, what risks are you taking for JESUS CHRIST? JESUS is not a way, HE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the FATHER but by me." John 14:6 What are we willing to risk to "Stand Up, Stand Up, for JESUS?" Stephen gave up his life to tell the Truth, Dana has had to give up her son because she stood by her husband and their CHRISTian beliefs to spank their children. What am i willing to risk for JESUS. HE layed down HIS life so that we might be forgiven of all our sins, and HE longs to have a personal and intimate relationship with each and every one of us. HIS heart is so lonely and breaking for those who have not confessed HIM as LORD and SAVIOR and repented from their sins. " GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. If you have not trusted in JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR you can do that right now, even as you read this, by confessing your sins to HIM, and inviting HIM to come into your life. Then go, and talk to a Bible believing pastor, or growing believer in JESUS CHRIST and surround yourself with believers in a Bible believing church, and grow in your relationship with JESUS CHRIST. Feed on the Ancient Words of the BIBLE that are our very life and teach us how to walk in this world. Our choir sang this beautiful song this morning about the life and power and wisdom of those "Ancient Words." Please take time to watch this powerful video with the "Ancient Words," and Michael W. Smith singing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7om3VdfXKI4
I wrote most of this Friday evening, and wasn't sure why i wasn't able to finish it. Today after our pastor's sermon out of Acts 7, and the risk that Stephen took to share the TRUTH with those religious leaders, i felt compelled to finish up this email and send it to you. Pastor Edward's sermon was about "Risks and Rewards," and he used this passage to share with us what Peter, Joseph, Moses, Abraham, and Stephen went through to serve GOD. He told us that Stephen was up against the same religious leaders that had JESUS crucified and yet, he boldly proclaimed the TRUTH with them instead of cowering down. The risk Stephen took led to him being stoned and ushered immediately into the presence of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling
Only GOD's Word and HIS HOLY SPIRIT living inside of us can give us the power to live up to these words by Rudyard Kipling. Living in our strength, we will collapse when the stormy winds blow upon our lives. Abiding in CHRIST, we can stand up for JESUS in the hard places and exhibit HIS character and grace.
"For YOU equipped me with strength for the battle." Psalm 18:39
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart.
Oh let the ancient words impart
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
CHORUS:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
GOD did have a purpose for me setting up this tent in the midst of a thunderstorm. When i was setting it up wrong, it kept collapsing and wouldn't stand because i didn't follow the instructions. If i had read the instructions, which i didn't find until later, I would have been able to set it up in a whole lot less time, and it would have stood, and not been wobbly.
I am like that tent, when i don't read and meditate on GOD's WORD's, the "Ancient Words," that are the instructions for this life, i collapse, and don't stand under the storms of life. When I read GOD's WORD, "the Ancient WORDS," give me life, they give me strength, they give me courage to face all the attacks that satan and the world can throw at me. GOD's HOLY SPIRIT causes me to stand, instead of collapsing at the first sign of trial or persecution. GOD's WORD gives me wisdom, life, peace, faith, and so much more. They cause me to "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS," in the hard places.
Our nation is struggling and wobbling because we have left the "Ancient Words," of JESUS and our foundations are shaking. Our holy GOD, WHO loves us so much is trying to get our attention. Unless we return to GOD, and live by the "Ancient Words," we are going to collapse as a nation. The way of life as we know it now, that was established by our Founding Father's basing our nation's laws on GOD's WORD, is going to collapse. It can't be maintained by people who aren't ruled by GOD's WORD and HIS Spirit.
GOD used HB's camping adventure to inspired me to set up the tent in my own backyard. In the process, HE has taught me a lesson about the importance of reading and studying HIS "Ancient WORD," for the instructions for life so that I can stand against all the fiery flames of the evil one. Reading from the book of Nehemiah this morning reminded me that we suffer grave consequences, personally and as a nation, we when forsake GOD's "Ancient WORDs." Dana's family is inspiring me to "Stand Up for JESUS," when it's very, very difficult, as well as Mr. Cathey with Chick-Fil-A. What about you and me? What are our lives inspiring others to do...to "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS," or to blend in with the humanism and secularism of our culture? Oh, GOD may you use my life , the lives of my family and friends, and YOUR BRIDE, the CHURCH to inspire others to stand up for JESUS, unashamedly and boldly.
I had the privilege of singing with our choir at a Charles Billingsley concert this past Thursday night at Clements Baptist Church. There were over a 100 members in the joint choir made up of churches from Highland Baptist in Florence, Center Star, Clements Baptist, Lindsay Lane, and our church, FBC. One of the songs we sang with him was "GOD So Loved the WORLD," and he made it clear that GOD loves EVERYONE and we are too do the same. That's are hard thing when you are walking in the shoes of my friend Dana right now... please pray GOD will help them to overcome this evil with HIS love. It's a powerful song and I hope you will take the time to listen to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGH6FEALw4
Our son left for Birmingham yesterday to start med school and i had such a lump in my throat all i can manage to squeeze out was a goodbye and I love you son.
This is another season of transition in all of our lives, and i ask you to pray for my son, as he begins this journey that GOD called him to before he was created to fulfill the plans and purposes that GOD has for his life. Pray for all of us to have our priorities right, and "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS." Hannah Beth is finishing up her summer semester and it's been a tough one for her...GOD has grown her through some trials she's experienced. She has a short break, and has to stay down there a week of her break to train for her new job at the coffee shop that is just opening up there on campus. This job will be flexible and allow her to make some extra spending money, and study when she's not serving up coffee. It's difficult to do anything extra when you are in nursing school, so i'm excited for her and the students and faculty she will be able to be meet on her new job.
Sitting out in the tent....our peace is disturbed only by the threat of Henry, our cat, waiting to pounce at any minute. I am reminded that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and he is trying to devour our country by destroying the family. May we all seek the LORD JESUS with all of our hearts and abide in HIM, and stand up, stand up for JESUS, and for our brothers and sisters who are going through the fire, like Dana and Anthony, and Chik-Fil-A. Go eat with Chick-Fil-A Wednesday to show your support...and anytime before or after that! They are standing....let us love them by praying for them and encouraging them.
GOD used HB's camping adventure to inspired me to set up the tent in my own backyard. In the process, HE has taught me a lesson about the importance of reading and studying HIS "Ancient WORD," for the instructions for life so that I can stand against all the fiery flames of the evil one. Reading from the book of Nehemiah this morning reminded me that we suffer grave consequences, personally and as a nation, we when forsake GOD's "Ancient WORDs." Dana's family is inspiring me to "Stand Up for JESUS," when it's very, very difficult, as well as Mr. Cathey with Chick-Fil-A. What about you and me? What are our lives inspiring others to do...to "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS," or to blend in with the humanism and secularism of our culture? Oh, GOD may you use my life , the lives of my family and friends, and YOUR BRIDE, the CHURCH to inspire others to stand up for JESUS, unashamedly and boldly.
I had the privilege of singing with our choir at a Charles Billingsley concert this past Thursday night at Clements Baptist Church. There were over a 100 members in the joint choir made up of churches from Highland Baptist in Florence, Center Star, Clements Baptist, Lindsay Lane, and our church, FBC. One of the songs we sang with him was "GOD So Loved the WORLD," and he made it clear that GOD loves EVERYONE and we are too do the same. That's are hard thing when you are walking in the shoes of my friend Dana right now... please pray GOD will help them to overcome this evil with HIS love. It's a powerful song and I hope you will take the time to listen to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGH6FEALw4
Our son left for Birmingham yesterday to start med school and i had such a lump in my throat all i can manage to squeeze out was a goodbye and I love you son.
This is another season of transition in all of our lives, and i ask you to pray for my son, as he begins this journey that GOD called him to before he was created to fulfill the plans and purposes that GOD has for his life. Pray for all of us to have our priorities right, and "Stand Up, Stand Up for JESUS." Hannah Beth is finishing up her summer semester and it's been a tough one for her...GOD has grown her through some trials she's experienced. She has a short break, and has to stay down there a week of her break to train for her new job at the coffee shop that is just opening up there on campus. This job will be flexible and allow her to make some extra spending money, and study when she's not serving up coffee. It's difficult to do anything extra when you are in nursing school, so i'm excited for her and the students and faculty she will be able to be meet on her new job.
OME persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler's stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, ay, glorified far more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving Him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show it you. This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.