Archive for My Faith Journey

I Am So Grateful…

{ February 9, 2020 @ 7:01 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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This morning as I was praying, I found myself expressing my gratitude to God for who He is and what He does. I am so grateful……

  • For the variety, intricate detail, and exquisite color of creation (Psalms 8).
  • For giving us the Bible, His inspired, living Word, so that I can study and more fully know him (II Timothy 3:16).
  • For not only forgiving me (Romans 10:9, 13) but also removing my sins as far as the east is from the west. We can plant our feet on the North and South Poles but we can never catch up with the east or west (Psalms 103:12).
  • For His faithfulness that is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22).
  • For His tender mercy and steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22).
  • For hearing and answering my prayers (Matthew 7:7-11 and James 5:15-16).
  • For being willing to give His only son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for my sins so that I can have forgiveness of sins and live in relationship with a Holy God (John 3:16).
  • For feeling my sorrow and grief (James 5:11).
  • For always walking beside me in my times of testing and walking through difficult times (fire & water). (Isaiah 43:1-3 & Psalms 66: 10-12).
  • For being my refuge and strength in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1).
  • For being my strength when I am weak (Isaiah 40:29).
  • For never tempting me but when I are tempted by the evil one, provides a way of escape (I Corinthians 10: 12-13, II Peter 2:9 and II Thessalonians 3:3).
  • For desiring a relationship with me as my Father (James 4:8).
  • For knowing me as a unique person, created by God himself (Psalms 33:13-15, Isaiah 43:1, 7).
  • For holding the hearts of kings in his hand (Psalms 33:10 and Proverbs 21:1).
  • For being my rock, my shield, my hiding place (Psalms 18:2).
  • For being with me in my darkest moments (Psalms 40:1-2)
  • For being my refuge and strength in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1)
  • For promising to be with me even in death (Psalms Psalms 23:4 and 48:14).
  • For being a God of peace and speaking peace to his people (Psalms 85:8).
  • For living in me in the form of the Holy Spirit (I John 4:13).
  • For providing angels to guard and protect me (Psalms 34:7).
  • For preparing a home in heaven for those who love you so that I can spend eternity with you (John 14: 1-4).
  • That one day you will say, “enough is enough” and crush the head of the serpent (Satan) and win triumphantly over evil (Revelations 11:15 and 12:9-12).

The message at church today focused on Psalms 91. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty God”. The Hebrew word for Almighty is “El Shaddai” which means God-the enough.

What an amazing God we serve. He is Almighty God-the enough and I am so grateful.

Red in the morning….

{ February 5, 2020 @ 9:01 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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"Red in the morning, sailors take warning. 
Red at night, sailors delight." 
(Ancient rhyme often repeated by mariners)

I knew it was falling weather and probably going to rain today and I didn’t need Jim Duncan (channel 12 news) or the Weather Channel to tell me. Monday morning the eastern sky (above & below pictures) was a canvas of brilliant colors. I love taking pictures from my kitchen window with my proud, crowing rooster silhouetted. Red in the morning means in three days there will be falling (or a change in) weather. This morning (Wednesday) started out as a warm and spring-like sweater day. It didn’t take long until gray clouds hide the sun and a gentle breeze brought in cooler temperatures.

Did you know that long before the above quip was penned, the Bible revealed how to discern the same truth. Jesus himself told the Pharisees and Sadducees one day when they came testing him by wanting a sign from heaven, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening’ (Matthew 16: 2-3).

There are many weather signs in the heavens. The Jewish calendar is based on lunar months, while years are based on solar years.. The rotation of the moon and sun determines day and night. Tide is determined by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun, and the rotation of the Earth.

The direction of the wind determines whether it will be hot and dry or whether rain is coming. Luke 12:54-55 “When you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say; ‘A shower is coming’ and so it is’. And when you see the south wind blow, you say ‘There will be hot weather’, and so it is”.

A funnel cloud and an eerie green tint to the sky means a tornado is imminent. Menacing dark, swirling clouds warn a storm is brewing.

The stars can be used for navigation. Remember the wise men who came looking for baby Jesus by following a star.

It is so fascinating and amazing to me how God created the world with precise detail and even signs so that we can know and understand the weather.

Jesus also lamented that people can discern the face of the sky and of the earth and yet refuse to discern the signs of the times in which they live (Matthew 12:56). Just as he gave many clues and signs about his coming as a baby, so he has given many clues and signs about his second coming. We can’t know the day or hour, but we can understand with clarity many clues to his second coming if we know how to read the signs.

Take heed to Jesus words, “Watch therefore…. for the Son of Man is coming…” (Matthew 24: 42 & 44).

What If?

{ December 8, 2019 @ 6:01 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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What if God is real?

What if God created the world in six days?

What if Jesus truly is the Messiah?

What if Jesus is the only way to God?

What if the Bible is true, trustworthy and relevant for our time.

What if the Bible is a true narrative of history and God’s work through the ages to bring people into a relationship with Him?

What if God is involved in the world, holds the hearts of the kings in his hand, and controls the rise and fall of nations?

What if living in sin separates us from God?

What if sin can be forgiven?

What if there is a real heaven and a real hell?

What if Jesus really returns again?

What if what happens to you after death depends on whether or not you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior?

What if how you live matters?

What if you do not have a second chance after you have died?

What if eternity last forever and ever and ever and never, never stops?

What if you ponder your life and the lifestyle you are living?

What if?

10,000 Hours

{ November 23, 2019 @ 8:33 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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Have you ever considered how long 10,000 hours is? And you may wonder, does it even matter?

My employee had heard the song “10,000 Hours” written by Justin Bieber, and it got her intrigued with the numbers (math) and she started relaying it to me. It made for interesting conversation.

Fun with the math:

  • One day=24 hours
  • One year: 365 days x 24 hours=8,760 hours
  • 10,000 hours=416.7 days
  • There are 60 minutes in an hour or 1440 minutes in a day. One year is 525,600 minutes.
  • If you sleep an average of 8 hours a day that is 2920 hours a year or by the time you are 70, you will have slept 204,400 hours.

If you are 20 years old, you have lived 175,200 hours. By the time you are 70, you will have lived 613,200 hours or if you are interested, that is 36,792,000 minutes!

In some ways that is staggering and in other ways I am amazed that it doesn’t add up to more.

Did you know the Bible has something to say about our years (time) on earth?

  • Psalms 90:4 For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night. (A watch is a four hour period of time).
  • II Peter 3:8 Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
  • Psalms 90:10 The days of our lives are seventy years or even by reason of strength, eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone and we fly away.
  • Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass.
  • Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
  • Psalms 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
  • James 4:14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
  • Psalms 90:12 Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We count our years, celebrating each one with joy. Our days are metered by minutes and hours. We work, play, rest, sleep, eat, watch TV, travel and shop all by the clock. We allot time for worship, travel and visiting with family and friends, all by the clock. Time dictates and controls our day. If things go as we plan, we feel in control, but if we are late, we feel like we have lost time. Inconveniences mess with our time.

When we are little we can’t wait to graduate from high school and be an adult. Then we can’t wait to be married, buy a house, have kids. It isn’t long until we can’t wait until we can retire and suddenly the golden years don’t feel so golden. We wish life away and remember with longing the past. Where did life go? Time can not be put on hold, retracted or relived.

What have you accomplished that has eternal value? Have you taken time to know God? Do you take time each week to rest and worship with a community of faith? Do you spend time each day praying and reading God’s word? Has anyone been impacted and changed by your faith because you cared enough to share with them?

God is eternal and He has put eternal spirits within us. Our destiny is determined while there is time. When we die, time will have no meaning as eternity has no time; no beginning, no end. Our finite minds can not grasp the infinite.

613,200 hours or 70 years is the allotted average lifespan God has given man. We do well to heed the words of the Psalmist, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. (Psalms 90-12)

He Does What?

{ October 27, 2019 @ 4:52 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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Who is God to you? Is he some illusive being out in the universe or is he a personal God who knows your name?

I’ve been thinking recently about the names of God: Jehovah, All Mighty, Ancient of Days, I AM that I AM, LORD, Lord God, Most High, Lord of Hosts, Everlasting God, and there are more. These names reveal His character;  righteous, all powerful, all knowing, ever present, love, holy, creator, healer, just, merciful, truth, forgiving, compassionate,  sufficient, faithful, judge of sin, and He never changes.

God is our shield, our rock, our hiding place, our fortress, our peace, our strength, our sure foundation, our shepherd. He can be trusted. He loves and provides a way of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ.

God hears our prayers, cares about our needs, grieves when we hurt, heals our wounds, forgives our sins, and when invited, lives within us. God desires a personal relationship with us.  One of the most precious things that God does is walk beside us. You may say, “He does what?” 

Visualize for a moment a father walking up a mountain trail with his young son walking beside him. When the journey gets rough, the father reaches out and takes the child’s hand to provide comfort, strength and safety. When the child says he is too weary and exhausted to go any more, the father picks him up and carries him on his shoulder.

When God walks beside us, it is an intimate relationship. He is a father who loves and cares deeply. He is close at hand, experiencing the journey with us just as the earthly father cares for his child.

This my friends, is my ever-present, Father God, who walks with me.

A few verses about God walking with us.

  • Deuteronomy 1:31 Moses is reminding the children of Israel how God cared for them as they wandered in the wilderness after leaving Egypt… “…you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.”
  • Psalms 23:4 “when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me.” This is a picture of God as a shepherd walking with his sheep in a very difficult place.
  • Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will hold you up with my righteous right hand.”
  • Isaiah 42:6 “I the Lord, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand…”
  • Isaiah 43:2 “I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…..when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned….”

Integrity

{ August 17, 2019 @ 1:06 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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“The integrity of the upright guides them…”

Proverbs 11:3

We received the following letter in the mail this week…..

Dear Pat and Gene,

On August 7 we purchased 15 Red Sex Sal Linked chickens. After getting them home and settled I realized I had 16 new girls. One small one must have laid on the floor of the transport and stayed hidden. Enclosed you will find a check for $10.50 which should cover the cost of the hen plus VA ta. Barring any major mishaps, we should see you again in about two years.

Signed by customer

 

This letter speaks for itself the quality of man this customer is. No other words are needed.

Tomorrow

{ March 6, 2019 @ 8:25 am } · { Grandkids, My Faith Journey }
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Sometimes simple questions have very hard to understand answers.  It was one of those times when 4-year old Emily ask me, “When is tomorrow?”   My first response was “tomorrow never comes.”  I could tell by the puzzled look on her face that I needed to come up with a more sensible answer.  As I tried to intelligently answer the question, I found myself stumbling over a jumble of confusing words.  “Tomorrow is the day after today except it never comes so when tomorrow comes the next day is tomorrow.”  Fortunately for me the answer satisfied her desire for more knowledge or questions!

My mind began to ponder the elusive tomorrow.  If it never comes, why do I fret and worry so much about it coming?

Jesus preached a little sermon on worrying and being obsessed over the basic needs of life.  He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it’s own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  (Matthew 6: 33-34)

James said we should not boost about our plans for tomorrow, what we will do, where we will go or the profits we will earn.  “You do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’” (James 4: 14-15)

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes struggled with the vanity of life. He too fumbled for words, “Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after” (Ecclesiastes 1:11) and “that which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of the past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15).

In 1950, Ira Stamphill very eloquently penned the words to the following song.

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said,

And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

Maybe I will wait until tomorrow to worry.

 

Written: April 11, 2004

 

 

 

Super Blood Wolf Moon

{ January 21, 2019 @ 10:12 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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I was totally unaware of the rare “sky phenomenons” last evening until my brother called and said, “got your camera ready”? I had a busy weekend with numerous things going on and if they had it on the news, I missed it.  In case you didn’t know, there were several spectacular things happening in the heavenlies.

First, it was full moon, not just any full moon, but a Wolf Moon. Wolf Moon is the name given to the first full moon of the year. I didn’t know that!  When the moon is at the closest possible distance to earth it is called a Super Moon which makes it seem extra large.  So now we have a Super Wolf Moon.

But wait, there is more. There was also a total lunar eclipse, making it a “Blood Moon”. This is a rare event only happening every couple of years. The next one is due in 2021. So now we have a “Super Blood Wolf Moon”!

Often it is hard to see “sky phenomenons” because of cloud cover, but last night’s eclipse happened on a clear, cold, windy, star lit evening. It was visible for several hours from start to finish in all 48 states in America and Europe.

But wait, there is even more.  One hour before sunrise on January 22,  Jupiter and Venus, the two largest star-like points of light in the sky will be lined up, passing within a mere 2.5 degrees of each other.  This occurs only once every twenty-four years.

(The above information was taken from the article by T.W. Tramm listed at the bottom of the page).

My camera usually takes really cool moon pictures but of the ninety I took before and during the eclipse and only six are worth posting.

 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known.

They speak without a word or sound; their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone out throughout the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

Psalms 19:1-4a

Jesus disciples asked him one day when the end of time would be.  For twenty-eight verses in Luke 21, Jesus speaks about the “signs” of his return.

“……And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars.

And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides……”.

Words of Jesus in Luke 21:25

There is a fascinating article written by T.W. Tramm, “January 20 Lunar Eclipse: The Last Blood Moon of the Church Age?” that gives one pause.  Mr. Tramm has a fb page where more of his writings can be read. The Lord is coming again, and scripture gives us many signs that signal it is drawing near. We must remember that no one knows the day or hour, only signs. God has proclaimed his intent and workings throughout history. There are many prophecies pointing to the future.

 

 

Is There Room in Your Heart?

{ December 30, 2018 @ 9:35 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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I was very touched and challenged today by a song that was sung as a prelude to worship, “Is There Room in Your Heart” written by Matt Maher and recorded by Casting Crowns.

[Verse 1]
Family hiding from the storm
Found no place at the keeper’s door
It was for this a Child was born
To save a world so cold and hollow

[Verse 2]
The sleeping town did not know
That lying in a manger low
A Savior King who had no home
Has come to heal our sorrows

[Chorus 1]
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart
For God to write His story?

[Verse 3]
Shepherds counting sheep in the night
Do not fear the glory light
You are precious in His sight
God has come to raise the lowly

[Chorus 2]
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart
For God to write His story?
You can come as you are
But it may set you apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams for His glory

It’s the Christmas season and we have been reading and reflecting on the story of Jesus birth in Luke 2.  It’s amazing how the well-known story can be so fresh, relevant and inspiring.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Mary and Joseph were a young couple weary from traveling, in a city one hundred miles from home, desperately needing the privacy of a room. You see, Mary was not only tired but the tightening of muscles across her belly indicated that her baby would be born very soon. They urgently needed a room and there was none.

The sympathetic innkeeper gave what he thought he could, a resting place in the stable. He did not know that he would be hosting the Son of God or he may have made room in his already crowded home.  He could have boosted to his friends his part in the marvelous story that unfolded that night. Instead, the animals shared their space and gave silent witness of God’s miracle, their manger filled with their evening meal of hay became his bed.

Every person on planet earth is faced with the question, is there room in your heart for Jesus?  Revelations 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Will you allow the Son of God to live in your heart? You have to answer that question.  The Son of God wants to dwell in your heart. Jesus does not push his way in, He only comes when invited and you have to open the latch. Living in your heart means that Jesus dwells there. He is a part of everything you do. He will feed your hungry soul with the bread of life and satisfy your thirst with living water.

The Bible is the Word of God and tells us how to know and receive God.  The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the story of creation and God revealing himself to sinful man. It foretells the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God. The New Testament is the fulfillment of God coming to earth. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection.  The rest of the books explain the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth and growth of the early church. It gives divine guidance for Christians today and points to the time when Jesus will come again in the grand finale of history, redeeming the church. The words are true, living and offer eternal life. Jesus said, I am the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water. Come to me and I will satisfy your deepest longings and thirst for eternal life.

Is there room in your heart for God to write his story or is your inn closed?

God’s Faithfulness

{ January 31, 2018 @ 8:49 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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I have been thinking about “God’s faithfulness”. I have experienced it over and over and it is probably the one characteristic of God I think about and proclaim the most.

Psalms 119:40 “Your faithfulness endures to all generations.”

Lamentations 3:22 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

History gives us something to look back and reflect on. History gives us a second perspective on life events.  History gives us our story to share with our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  History shows us our journey; some of it is good, some of it is tough and some of it we prefer to hide or throw away. History can not be changed but we can change the outcome of the future.

I think about the  song “Give Me That Old Time Religion” which we occasionally sang…”It was good for Paul and Silas… it was good in the fiery furnace…. and it’s good enough for me.”  Each generation has its own opportunity to pass on to the next their faith stories; stories of God’s goodness, stories of mountain top experiences and dark valleys. It is so important to tell theses stories to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Each generation has its own history, and its own uniqueness.  We live in a totally different world now than we did “back-in-the-good-ole days,”  but we are still people of faith and our God is still the same.  The important thing is can we see the goodness and faithfulness of God in the ebb and flow of life, the hard times, the good times, our griefs and losses. Looking back and telling our stories help us remember. The words of the Psalmist still ring true, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23)  Like a Good Shepherd, the same God still walks beside us.

Proverbs 30 talks about a generation of people that…

  • Curses their fathers
  • Does not bless their mothers
  • Does what is pure in their own eyes
  • Are not washed from its filthiness
  • Whose eyes are haughty and glances disdainful
  • Whose teeth are like swords

Psalms 45:17  talks about a different kind of generation of people.  A people that remembers God and praises His name.

“I will remember your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the people shall praise you forever and forever.”

We can choose.   Joshua, the man God chosen to lead the children of Israel after Moses death, spoke pointedly when he said, “Choose today whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”   (Joshua 24:15)  Our decisions will have a profound impact on the generations that follow. Which generation will you be?  What heritage will you leave?

My challenge to us ….claim the faith of our fathers and make it your own.  Pass on to your children the goodness of God. Praise the name of the Lord, remember Him and you will raise up godly offspring that honors and serves Him.

Isaiah 25:1 “O Lord, You are My God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

Hopefully, when our time on planet earth is finished, we can say like the Psalmist (40:10) “I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness…I have declared your faithfulness…I have not concealed your righteousness and truth.”

 

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