Our Protector And Provider

Ultimately, who protects us? Is it our guns? Is it our dogs? Is it our fancy security system? Is it our fenced in yard? Is it our local Police Department? All these things may help, but ultimately it’s God.

If someone wants to break into our home, they’re going to. All of the things I listed above can be overcome, but God cannot be. The fence can be scaled, the dog can be overtaken, the security system can be over run, and it takes the Police how long to arrive? The list goes on and on.

2 Samuel 2:23 “The God of my rock; in him I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

Also, I believe God allows us to have the success that we have. How many times do you thank God for everything in your life? We need to remember to thank God for our family, for keeping them safe and healthy. We should thank God for our jobs, our homes, and our property that we are borrowing from him for the time we are here on earth. We should thank God for the cars we have, that he allows us to have, for the beautiful world that he created. I thank God for the Church we attend. I’m thankful that God placed some beautiful people in our lives that invited my wife to Church. At first I dragged my feet about going, but I sure am glad I did.

The list goes on and on of things to be thankful for, everything you can think of, the friends you have, your family, your Church, everything you have. God allowed us to have the things we have including the money in our bank accounts. And every breath we take.

I also believe that while we are here on earth it is our duty to shine our light for others to see, so that they will want what we have, everlasting life. We are also to spread the good news about Jesus to others, others that may not have the same faith that we have. We are to plant seeds so that God can convict their hearts. The world needs more people that believe in Jesus. When you watch the news, you see all the hate in the world. If more people believed in Jesus, their hearts would be renewed and the hate changed to love.

So share the good news about Jesus with someone today, so they too won’t have to worry about tomorrow. God Bless You!

What My Mom Told Me 36 Years Ago

Back in 1984, my Mom had a small beauty shop in Mena, Arkansas and she was going through a tough time, she told me that she needed to go somewhere and pray. It was late at night and me and my little brother, who was 1 ½ at the time were staying at a baby sitters house. I was 14 at the time.

My Mom said she was either going to go on top of Rich Mountain or to Board Camp to pray. I didn’t want her driving on top of the mountain in the middle of the night with the fog so I told her to go to Board Camp. That was the last time I would see my Mom alive. My Dad picked me up the next day and told me the news that my Mom had died in a car wreck.

My Mom and Dad were divorced so it was a shock to both of us that I would now be living with him. Anyway, that is not really the point of my article.

The point of my article is that my Mom told me, that Jesus would come back to get the Church in my lifetime and I wanted to share that with you. I’m now 50 years old and everyday it’s looking closer and closer to the last days, when God could send Jesus to come get his children.

If you dare turn on the television, or listen to the news, you see hatred. You see us fighting amongst ourselves, killing each other and then there is COVID-19, and I am sure we all have our opinions about that. I guess that’s why I like to go fishing so much. I just like to get away from all the madness and hate in the world.

What’s sad to me is the people that don’t know Jesus, that have denied him, pay particularly close attention to Matthew 10:33 below.

Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

I believe, it’s our duty while we are still here on earth as believers to tell people about Jesus and what it’s like to believe and not have to worry about dying. When Jesus is accepted into one’s life he renews you and changes your heart, replacing hate with love. That’s what we need today, is more Jesus!

Renewed
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Bible Gateway 2020)
“You should rejoice in the saving grace of Christ if you are a Christian. Tell others you know the reason for the hope that is within you so that they may come to give their lives to Jesus Christ before it is too late. As each day passes by it is one day closer to the rapture and then it is too late” (God’s Mercy and Grace 2020).

Rapture
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (Bible Gateway 2020)
Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

Mark 13:26 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
I’m not sure how my Mom knew that Jesus would come back to get us while I was still alive It’s been 36 years since she passed away, sometimes old people just know stuff.

I for one know that I can’t wait to get to Heaven and not have to worry about this world and its worldly things, no diseases, nothing to worry about and according to my Mom, it’s coming soon, during my lifetime, so be ready– God Bless!

God Works In Mysterious Ways

Have you ever stopped to get gas, stopped to get a coffee, or had to run back inside your house because you forgot something and barely missed being in an accident? If you hadn’t stopped to get gas, to get coffee, or hadn’t needed to run back into the house because you forgot something you would have been in that wreck that you are now delayed in traffic because. Did you ever think that is God keeping you from being in that accident?

Did you ever have a gut feeling telling you to change your flight and then the flight was delayed or worse crashed? That was God saving your life, perhaps, God needs you to do more work, and God has more plans for you.

I believe while we are here on earth, we are to spread the good news and tell people about Jesus and plant the seed and let God come in behind us and convict their heart. It’s sad when I look out in the world today and see the nonsense taking place. I see hatred. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are renewed, a change takes place in our hearts, and hate is replaced with love, kind of like the Grinch. Wow, I can’t believe I just referenced the Grinch, but it makes sense. The Grinch’s heart grew and the Grinch is a Christmas movie (Christ), how fitting.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mivie+clip+where+Grinch%27s+heart+grows&docid=608003314197269028&mid=5058446CE0AA5E7AB19E5058446CE0AA5E7AB19E&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Man Collapses From Heart Attack In Baggage Claim, Then Realizes Flight Delay Saved His Life

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-traffic-delay-that-saved-a-life-sparked-a-friendship/ar-BB15BJug

Above are just a few examples of the way God works in our lives. I’m sure there are many more that can be found.

Finally, I heard a story on K-love his morning about a family that found a new Church because of COVID-19. They found a Church that is closer to their house that is having outdoor services. They bring tents and set up outside. The caller stated the new Church has a new Pastor and seems happy to have found this Church, another example of God working mysteriously and providing for our needs.
http://www.klove.com/

Be careful, be safe and listen to that voice inside of you, it’s the Holy Spirit keeping you safe – God Bless!

Do We idolize Sports Stars?

I grew up in the 80’s and my favorite sports star is Michael Jordan. I can still see him soaring through the air. He could dunk it from the free throw line. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t worship Michael Jordan. But he is certainly my favorite sports star of all time.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=michael+jordan+highlights&&view=detail&mid=3426CF00651E34547CBA3426CF00651E34547CBA&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dmichael%2520jordan%2520highlights%26qs%3DMM%26form%3DQBVR%26sp%3D1%26pq%3Dmichael%2520jordan%2520%26sc%3D8-15%26cvid%3D854EB2CABD2748A08956CE0D783DD982

And I love watching football too, if you ask my wife, I probably spend too much time watching football. Now with COVID-19, I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. I wonder if God is shutting Sports down for a while. I wonder if we should stop paying so much attention to Sports and get into our Bible’s. Are we spending more time paying attention to Sports instead of worshipping God?

When Michael Jackson passed away, that’s all that was on the television for days, don’t get me wrong. I felt remorse for his family and friends but it didn’t affect me personally. The same with Kobe Bryant. I was sad for his family and friends, but we are all going to pass away, or go to Heaven when God sends Jesus to come get us in the rapture, whichever comes first.

I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. Worship him not Sports, actors, or entertainers. Maybe we need to spend more time in Church, praying, reading our Bible’s and worshipping God. God Bless!

Do I Have Enough Faith?

I had this article on my mind and was going to write it and we received an email from the Occupational Health and Safety Manager at work stating “masks are a critical part of keeping our community and family members healthy, and I can’t emphasize this enough! I encourage you to mask up, educate your friends and family and set a positive example for those around you. Let’s make masks the new norm together.”

My wife refuses to wear a mask, she will not frequent a place that requires her to wear the mask. because of her strong conviction of faith that she has. She says, if God wants me to get the Corona virus, then I’ll get it, and that God has this predetermined. And while I feel the same way. I almost question my faith because I feel the need to wear a mask when I go to Walmart, or assisting customers at work because I don’t know where these people have been, maybe they are coming from a State that has higher numbers, however, I don’t feel the need to wear the mask at Church, and that may be a mistake.

We went to Lowe’s the other day and she didn’t wear her mask. You know what they say about peer pressure, peer pressure is a (insert your own word). I didn’t wear a mask either, however, if she hadn’t been with me, I probably would have worn a mask.

Now, I am questioning my faith. Do I have enough faith to walk around without a mask? If you believe the news, or media, the numbers are going up and staying cooped up in our houses will only postpone the inevitable. So what are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to accept that masks are the new norm? I have a hard time with that.

Am I being naïve that I don’t want to wear a mask? I don’t want my family to get this virus. I don’t even want to call it by name anymore. I guess, it’s to each their own. We can make our own decisions regarding the wearing of the mask.
Instead of mask, we could insert weapon. Every night I pray that I don’t have to use force on anyone trying to force their way into my house to protect my family. Do I have enough faith to rely on God to protect my family or do I take matters into my own hands? How much faith do you have?

Fishin’ In Heaven

Can you imagine what it is going to be like in Heaven? I don’t think our feeble minds can fathom what it will be like to witness Heaven with our own eyes and what it’s going to be like.

We will finally get to see our loved ones that have passed before us. We won’t have to worry about a virus, or any other disease. We won’t need to wear a mask in Heaven. We won’t have to lock our doors, or worry about riots, looting, shootings, stabbings, bombs, Churches being burned down, our children being kidnapped, and gang violence to name a few atrocities. The list goes on and on. No one will commit suicide, or have mental illnesses. All we will have to do is worship Jesus for dying on the Cross for our sins so that we were able to have everlasting life with them in Heaven.

Instead of Hate, we can focus on Love! John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

I imagine Heaven to have the best fishing in the World, can you imagine not having a care in the World. Let me say that again, not a care in the World, yes that makes sense, because everything we worry about is of the World, it’s Worldly. All the things I mentioned above, diseases, hunger, all the trials and tribulations that we face on this World will be over.

And I don’t think we can fully understand what living in Heaven will be like. I pray every night for the safety of my family and I can’t even allow myself to share that prayer with you, because I don’t want it to happen so bad, but I won’t have to worry about it in Heaven. All these things that we fear are manmade, because we are sinners.

I believe God is trying to get our attention with this Corona virus and with all the hatred that people have in their hearts. I believe God is giving us one last chance to get on our knees to repent and ask for his forgiveness. We are ALL sinners! I also believe God is giving non-believers one last chance to accept Jesus Christ into their lives as their personal Savior. When we accept Jesus into our lives he makes us new again. He restores us and replaces the hatred with love. And finally I believe God is sending Jesus to get his people and it may sooner than we think.

Repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (Bible Gateway 2020)

Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

I just went fishing this weekend. I was blessed to be able to go Saturday and Sunday and it was so much fun, but I can’t imagine what it will be like to fish in Heaven. When I get to Heaven, I just want to praise God and go fishing with my loved ones.

Fishing Accident

The other day I went fishing and got a lure stuck in my head. Talk about getting right to the punch line.

I arrived at my favorite fishing hole early like I always try to, when the sun is first glimmering off the pond and the fog is rising. I did some bank fishing while waiting on my cousin to arrive, his Mom normally drops him off at my Uncle’s around 730 AM or so.
Anyway, I was casting a top water jig and it almost worked, I had a pretty good two pounder or so get a way. I know rookie! I didn’t want to jump in the boat until my cousin got there.

But I finally got all my gear in the boat. I have two fishing rods, a full tackle box and four other compartments, a net that I used to scoop up a six pounder with last year, and a basket to put all my fish in, so it takes a minute to get loaded up. I was fishing nearby the bank when my undisclosed cousin arrives I pick him up and we go to the deeper parts of the pond.

And by now the sun has risen and it’s getting hot. I love admiring God’s beautiful sunrises when it’s nice and cool.

We’re casting our lines and I have to admit I get snagged sometimes too, but not as often as my 12 year-old cuz does. And I have gotten myself unsnagged with some close calls before, but today he yanked his snag right into my skull.

I asked him if he could get it out and he said, one of the treble hooks was past the barb, so I told him to cut the line so I am not attached to his fishing pole, so he did. Next, we paddled to the bank so I could get some assistance getting this out of my skull. We found my cousin which is a first cousin, meaning he is much older, a few years older than me, and I asked if he could dig it out. Well, he got one of the treble hooks out, but the other was just too deep in my cranium. In the meantime, I am keeping my hand near my ear to keep the bottom treble hook from getting snagged, which is hanging around my ear. So, I instruct them to cut the treble hooks off the lure so we can detach the lure from me and I’ll only be left with one hook that is past the barb, sorry kid, your lure is now a keep sake. Now keep in mind, my first cousin wants to take a picture of this and I’m like I just want this thing out of my kopf (German word for head). I am trying to think of other words besides head, skull, and cranium to use. So I don’t have a picture to share with you, but it felt like my head was pierced, kind of like an ear. When I was younger I had my ear pierced. I know, I am an 80’s kid.

Once that was done, I proceeded to the VA where they first tried to dig it out without an anesthetic. I’m thinking, I could have had done this at my Uncle’s house, one of them could have dug it out there, they finally gave me a shot and dug it out.

So there are a few things to take away from this, God is good, all the time. This could have been much worse. If I had been looking a different way, instead of the lure being buried in the side of my head above my ear, it could have been buried in the front of my face, maybe even my eye. If I take my finger and trace back to the front of my face, it is around my forehead, or eyebrow area. And finally, if you get snagged on something in a boat, paddle out to it and get your self-unhooked or if you have to, cut your line. Don’t jerk on it!

And, I had my tetanus shot last year, instead of the Flu shot, you could only have one at a time (good choice)!

And yes, I’ll go fishing with my cousin again, I think?

Ya’ll be safe and God Bless!

Lost Souls Matter!

Firstly, I wish I could take credit for this hashtag, but I can’t. I stole (borrowed) it from a friend of mine on Facebook, but it did inspire this article. I hope you enjoy it.

Secondly, do you think God cares what color your skin is? He made you. I have another question for you? What color is your soul? Is your soul saved? Or is it lost? Do you believe in Jesus? Are you going to Heaven or Hell? Those are the only questions that matter!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Souls+leaving+the+body&docid=608019677796959317&mid=B54179991EFAF2F447C7B54179991EFAF2F447C7&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Souls+leaving+the+body&&view=detail&mid=BE0C00ECBF3C7E41F18ABE0C00ECBF3C7E41F18A&&FORM=VDRVRV

So instead of #BlackLivesMatter, #WhiteLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter or insert any other lives matter, what about all the lost souls that are killing, rioting, looting, burning, or causing destruction that have hatred in their hearts. What about #LostSoulsMatter! This should be the next movement to try and save as many lost people as possible.

We can’t claim to know Jesus, believe in Jesus, love Jesus or be a Christian if we have hate in our hearts.

I have written about this before. Jesus said a new commandment I give to you.
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

What about a movement where we as Christians spread the good news about Jesus to people that are lost because Lost Souls (do) matter! We need to spread love and not hate. We are supposed to love our neighbors and guess what, I believe we all neighbors!

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (Bible Gateway 2020)
Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Bible Gateway 2020)
Mark 13:26 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

I believe our jobs while we are here on Earth is to take as many people with us to Heaven as possible, and when God finally says it’s time, he’ll send Jesus to get us in the rapture, but until then, we as Christians have work to do, let’s get to work.
#LostSoulsMatter

Would You Come Back To A Sinful Earth?

If you’ve watched any news at all lately, you know that we live in some trying times to say the least. We have so much hatred in the World today, essentially we are killing each other, there is rioting, looting, and let’s not forget the Corona virus too.

What if God called you home like Charlotte Holmes and you were able to experience Heaven’s beauty, and of course it exceeded all your expectations? I don’t think we can fathom the beauty and its peace. What if you heard the angels singing and you were able to experience this for yourself? And you got to smell the beautiful flowers like Charlotte did? And you saw your family that passed away inside the gates waving to you to come join them and God gave you a choice to enter the pearly gates of Heaven or return to your living family on Earth?

An earth filled with hate, and violence, full of trials and tribulations or you could enter the gates of Heaven, something you have been looking forward to since you became a believer in Christ. That is the ultimate goal, to make it to Heaven.
But God says if you go back, you have to spread the good news. You have bring as many people back with you as you possibly can, would you go back to Earth or enter the gates of Heaven?

What a dilemma! Maybe your work is not quite done on Earth and you know without a shadow of a doubt your coming back to Heaven and you can bring more people with you. I would like to say I’d go back to my family and do some more work, what would you do? I say, there’s more work to do, if you are a believer, spread the news about Jesus.

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2020/may/missouri-woman-dies-goes-to-heaven-and-comes-back-with-mission-to-bring-home-as-many-as-we-can

Love, Pray, Fish

I think this is going to be my new catchphrase from now on; Love, Pray, Fish

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

The World we live in is consumed with so much hate right now, we have people killing each other, we have riots, we have violent protests, Antifa, terrorist groups, and the Corona virus. The World is a scary place right now. However, instead of hating, we should love one another, like Jesus told his disciples.

I got up around 530 in the morning the other day and I went fishing, on the way to my favorite fishing spot, I admired a beautiful sunrise. I was also able to pray and share my thoughts and concerns with God and take in God’s beautiful World he created to include eight deer, what I found interesting was that they were so spread out. There was one group of three and the other five were scattered out. I could not believe how many deer I kept seeing. I arrived at the ponds and jumped into a boat, the fog was lifting off the pond, it was so beautiful, and it gave me a peaceful calming. I didn’t’ have a care in the world while I was fishing. It was a great place to escape from the crazy world we live in.

God’s Beautiful Work

Pond relection

Boat

God’s Country

Feeding the Family

Fish Fry

Later that day, I had a Pastoral Committee meeting and I told them I went fishing and I didn’t have a care in the world at that time, and one of them said “I wouldn’t go as far as saying that.”

But, what do we really have to worry about? Yes we live in a sinful world that is being taken over by sin right now, like I stated above, we have the Corona virus running rampant, there are people killing each other, we have violent protesting, and riots, people are blocking the roads, it’s just crazy out there in the World, but what is the ultimate goal of a person of faith, that believes that Jesus died for their sins and we are saved through God’s grace? It’s to meet our maker in Heaven, right! I’m not saying I want to get the Corona virus, but as followers of Christ, what do we really have to fear? Yes, we are persecuted for being different, Yes, we are different, and we have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. There is a common thread here, being different whether it is what color of skin we have or what country we are from. So, love like Jesus, pray and give it to God, and fish. That is what I did. I was able to relax and forget about all my worries and I fed my family in the process.