Count Your Blessings

 

“Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention  that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth.” Isaiah 12:4-5

Hey Gang, as you end this difficult year, look back and count your blessings. Hard to remember? Prepare for remembering in 2022.  Watch for God to do great things in the New Year. Write them down and put them in a blessings jar or box. Reread at the end of each month.  Be alert to the little things and big things that God is doing for you and your family.

Growing up we sang “Count Your Blessings, one by one.”  (Sometimes we changed it to Count your blessings ton by ton!) We can even count our blessings when in the middle of difficult times.

This from December 28 of Mornings with Jesus.  It shows how creative one person was in gathering friends to celebrate God’s blessings. (We don’t all have a pool but don’t hesitate to share your creative ideas.)

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10 (NIV)

Last year my friend Mary Ellen decided to host a “Swell Life” party.  She gathered our close-knit community together to celebrate the blessings of the past year.  We spent the day biking, riding paddle boards, and other fun activities.  Then we met in the evening and shared dinner.  After dinner, we gathered around her pool, and she handed us each a white tea candle to place on a floating flower.  After lighting our candles and thinking about one thing we were thankful for that year, we each places our candle on the water.  I thought about how Jesus came to give us abundant life, including gratefulness for this community of people God had put in my life.

We stood around the pool, holding hands, watching the glimmering, floating candles meander around and mix together. One my right was my husband, Zane, who had survived intense hip-replacement surgery.  He has a bleeding disorder, so it was a complicated procedure.  On my left was my friend who was in the midst of battling a rapidly spreading cancer. Across from me stood a young, smiling, recently engaged couple. I don’t know what everyone else was thinking because we all had different experiences, some heart-wrenching and some joy-filled, yet we stood together and gave thanks.

After a few minutes of silence, another friend prayed out loud to conclude our time.  Music started playing, we released our hands, and I spent the evening celebrating the swell, abundant life Jesus gives to those who love Him.                             ____Jeannie Blackmer

Faith step: Gather your family this week for your own simple “Swell Life” Party and have everyone share how Jesus had helped them live their life to the fullest.

Sooo, family and friends, good idea  - to praise God for his faithfulness in the past difficult year and watch for His blessings daily in this New Year of 2022.

Blessings and Happy New Year

Gma J

Are You In The Planting Mode?

 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

 “He hath sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound - and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of vengeance of our God and finally to comfort all that mourn.”  (Isaiah 61:1) 

I have said it before and I say it again, we have been truly blessed to have been used by God to send out Gramps Morning Thoughts – 395 of them.  But I sense it is time to stop, at least for a season.  We are packing the car preparing to head to Bartlesville, once again, where we will work \volunteer at the Voice of Martyrs ministry for three weeks and then off to Kansas for a month or so with family. 

The work at VOM is hard for folks that are older than dirt and we probably should spend more time in a rocking chair, but we thoroughly enjoy being with the people and knowing that each piece of mail that we touch is an opportunity to send a blessing along to a persecuted Christian someplace in this world.  And the neat part of the hard work  -God gives us the strength to put in eight hours of hard labor five days a week!

As I write this final message, my bride is out (you might have guessed it) volunteering her services at a local ministry.   I do not know how many hours we have spent in such services this year but do know we have driven over 4500 miles in getting to and from projects and will surpass the 5000 mile mark before the year turns.

Luke 6:38 has been our guide and the foundation of all that we have tried to do with our lives.

Luke wrote, “Give, and It will be given to you”. Wow, I like that Lord!  You mean I have something to say about the blessings I will receive?  I believe that is what He is saying;  “They, (the blessings) will pour into your lap a good measure- pressed down, shaken together, and running over”.  Now notice these final words of this text, “FOR BY YOUR STANDARD OF MEASURE IT WILL BE MEASURED TO YOU IN RETURN.” Does that not deserve a double Wow?

The rock on which we have tried to build our lives has been based on Paul’s words in Galatians where Paul warned, “We will reap what we sow in our lives!” (Gal 6:7) Matthew adds to this in the ‘parable of the sower’ when he tells us we will reap more than we sow and it makes a difference where and how we sow.  (Matt. 13:3-9)

Returning to Paul for the fringe package that goes with ‘Seed Planting’, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”  Now, notice the power part of this verse- “Each must do as he has purposed in his heart not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. 

 Do you want grace to abound in your life?  Do you want to have all sufficiency in your life?  Do you want to have ‘abundance’ for every good deed in your life?  Then know “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Cor. 9:6-11).

Soooo, my good buckaroos, my prayer for you is that you, too, will be a “seed planter”, and that you will have a hunger and thirst for His Word and be a sacrificial giver to those who are not as fortunate as you are and need to see God’s love and plan of salvation through you.  For those reading this who might not know Jesus as Savior, we pray that you will read John 3:16, ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, and seek out a friend or pastor who will help you grow.

There is a season for farmers to sow, wait…. Then comes the Harvest.  The time for Spiritual Seed planting is NOW….  And nurturing and mentoring…(encouraging and sharing the Word… But Harvesting is up to the Holy spirit.   Gma J

Blessings, 

Gramps

God Sightings- The Maker's Mar

 

Monday, December 5, 2016

“Without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).

Hey Gang:  I have said it before and I say it again, my bride is a compulsive reader.  I have also said it before and say it again, she does not read books, she consumes them.  I have also heard it said opposites attract.  In this area of our relationship I would totally agree. So, I rely on her to do most of the new reading and, when something truly rings her bell, I find a book on my desk with a note or bookmark which means “READ THIS”.

This morning was one of those times.  I judge her love of books, and she does truly love books, by opening the cover and seeing how many times she has read it.  In the coming weeks, ten or twelve or if I find a new one, thirteen books will get a repeat performance for her highness, the queen of my castle.

The following story by Elizabeth Sherrill is taken from a book in her archives from 2005.  It remains part of her library because it contains some very neat stories of victories in people’s lives- and we need to dig into and pay special attention to them - victories in Believer’s lives.  But there is another reason it remains firmly implanted on her bookshelf of very special books, it was given by a very special friend who has since gone to be with the Lord.

Elizabeth addresses a problem that I have heard many people voice in the modern day of “You must fill every moment of every day with something that will make you rise on the totem pole.   I recall a story written by Max Lucado about his trip to Israel.  He thought it would be an experience of walking and hearing the voice of God.  Such was not the case for him in Jerusalem but in the Galilee…

 Elizabeth wrote:

It’s December, the season of Advent, when our thoughts should focus on the coming of Jesus – as a baby in a manger and the King of kings at the end of time.  But., oh dear!   With shopping and mailing and writing cards and getting the house ready for guests, I often forget the point of it all.

 So as left the house today, I murmured a quick prayer; Don’t let me lose sight of You today, Lord!

 Answers to my pleas came all day long.  Driving down roads recently cleared by snowplows, I recalled other obstacles also cleared away - like getting in to see the doctor whose schedule was “completely full.” And I saw God as the One Who, time and again, has opened a way for me.  Outside the grocery store, a bell-ringer stood beside a Salvation Army kettle.  Jesus has compassion for the poor.

 

In the children’s clothes section at a department store, a woman worried over the fit of a pair of boys’ jeans she was sending as a Christmas gift.  How perfectly God fit His Gift to our need.

 

At the drugstore checkout counter, a manager was blasting a tired clerk for entering the wrong key on the cash register.  Jesus took abuse from the authorities, too.  ‘Let me not lose sight of You’….It must be a prayer God loves to answer because all days, everywhere I looked, in everyone I met and everything I saw, there He was!

 

This year I’ve remembered specific God sightings, past and present.  Today He told me, “There is nothing you can see, nothing you can hear or touch, where I’m not.” 

 

Tonight, after the boob-tube is silenced and the house is quiet get out your Sword and ask God to lead you into a new level of understanding, and read David’s word in Psalm 139 and ask, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any ‘hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way” (vs. 23-24).

 

“Christmas is the White-hot moment when Eternity melted into Time.” Christ in the Carols by Christopher and Melody Lane

 

Blessings,

 Gramps

Enlarge my vision to see Jesus in all my situations now and on the coming days.

Is you JOY Meter Engaged?

 

Hey, gang, We had a wind storm that took out our electricity yesterday (Saturday). Thanks to family and neighbors they got my generator started.  Rumor was it was to be back on early evening.  However, the time came and went, and the update said Monday evening! I was not thrilled with joy. (We don’t run the generator at night.)

Family and friends prayed for peaceful God-filled sleep. And I slept well.  Awoke to a text from neighbor that electricity was on, and he would be over to help disconnect!!  What a pleasant surprise!  My heavenly Father watches over me!  Thank You Jesus!  You continue to send special surprises!

What a special blessing as I started my morning devotions, “Morning with Jesus” and read this special JOY-filled story which I choose to share with You. Be blessed.

 

“You will go out with JOY and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before You, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)

 When Scott and I got the news by text from our realtor that our offer had been accepted on our new home, I had to bust out in a few nineties dance moves. Since college, the Running Man has been my dance of choice.  Flinging back my head, I pumped my arms, proceeding with a jig of jubilation.  Scott started laughing. His laughter wasn’t just because of my superior dance skills or the fact that I could keep up the dance for only about seventy-two seconds. It was brought on by his sheer unadulterated JOY.  We had been surprised, once aagain, by the goodness of Jesus--upended by His amazingness.  He blessed our socks off. It is what He does.

When Mary learned that she was going to miraculously give birth to the Son of the Living God, she broke out into a hymn of praise about the Lord’s goodness.  When her cousin Elizabeth, who was living out her own pregnancy miracle, greeted Mary, John the Baptist broke out into his own dance of JOY…in utero.  They were all caught off guard by the promise and presence of Jesus. The Savior. Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus is too wonderful to understand.  His ways are too marvelous to behold. He delights in surprising us with His mercy, grace, and love  in the most out-of-the-way places and in the most impossible circumstances. Jesus is always waiting to break into our lives with His goodness.  In this Advent Season, embrace His JOY.                       _____ Susanna Foth Aughtmon

SOOO dear family and friends, watch for ways Jesus blesses you with JOY, not just at this special season when we often look for miracles, but throughout the whole year!!

Blessings,

Gma J

A Personal Note from Gramps

 

Monday, December 21, 2015

The older I get the more I am convinced we can make Christmas as stressful, or as peaceful and joyous as we desire. I do believe with the increased pace that we are living today, it has become more stressful for many. The holiday get-togethers, shopping for just the right gift, and the hanging of indoor and outdoor decorations all add to making the season more chaotic one.  I have to admit this year has been especially void of the true Christmas spirit, for me.   Me thinks I have let outside influences steal my joy and take my focus off the real meaning of why I celebrate Christmas. 

I have found I am not unique in the “older-than-dirt brigade”.  As we get older trying to come up with the perfect gifts for loved ones becomes more difficult.  This day and age when, if we want something we go out and by it, makes it tough on those of us who do not have a clue what the needs of loved ones are.    Let’s face it folks, there are enough distractions in our world to cloud our minds and keep us from focusing on the ‘Reason for the Season’! 

There are two major things, and a zillion smaller ones, that sadden my heart in this so- called age-of enlightenment.   One is the great multitudes of children who no longer will sit with their families on Christmas Eve listening to the patriarch of the house read the Christmas Story of how God loved the world so much He sent His only Son to come and free us from the bondage of sin.   As I sat on the edge of the beds of the multitudes of kids that have passed through my life, the “I want more than anything” theme always centered on “I wish only to be with my mom and dad in a peace and happy home”.

If you have had that in your life, you are truly blessed and should be abundantly thankful.

In recent years I have become a compulsive researcher. I spend many hours seeking that one pearl-of- great price that is hidden in the words of those who have had victory over the alligators to share with you, who avail yourselves to the Gramps Morning Messages.  I found the following pearl in a devotional that I read to my bride each night before we cash it in for the day. 

I believe it is the finest gift I can give to you this Christmas.  The writer began by saying, “I would like to share three passages that help focus our attention on the true reason we celebrate Christmas – Jesus come to earth!”  The first reason we celebrate Christmas is John 3:16; the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and perfect fellowship between God and humankind was broken.  Jesus came to remove the barrier between God and humanity by dying on the cross and making salvation possible for those who turn from their sins, place their faith in God, and follow daily in obedience to His Word.   We celebrate Christmas because Jesus came into the world to make reconciliation between us and God possible.  Wow, can you say Hallelujah for that this morning?

The second passage that helps our focus is John 10:10 where Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”  Jesus came that we may discover the life that God intends for all who follow Him.  A life that experiences the virtues of the Spirit (Galatians 2:11-23; 2 Cor. 6:6-10; Eph. 4:2; 5:9’ Phil 4:8-9 and Col. 3:12-15).  Which comes through a relationship with Christ and a surrendering of our lives to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We celebrate Christmas because Jesus came so that we might receive all that God intends for our lives to be.

The third passage is John 14:1-4; “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension to heaven gives us, as believers, the hope of eternal life with God.  We celebrate Christmas because Jesus came that those who place their faith in Him will live with God forever. 

We celebrate Jesus’ birth because it honors the Savior who came into the world.  Several thousand years ago, the angels proclaimed this great news to the shepherds.  This news brought with it the message of hope, peace, and salvation for the world.

We, as believers, have the opportunity of pointing others to the good news of Jesus’ coming and the difference it can make in their lives.  The world needs to understand that Christmas is more than programs, parties, and presents.  Our world must be guided to the truth that the true meaning of Christmas is found in the birth of Jesus and the difference His coming has made on the world.

So, my friends, my challenge to you his Christmas Season is to turn off all the electronic devices, gather your loved ones together and share the story once again that Jesus loved you so much He came to die on a hideous cross so that one day you can be with Him for all eternity in the that place He has prepared for His children.

Folks, last Christmas we celebrated Jesus’ coming with our family intact.  This Christmas there will be an empty chair at our table.    I tell you this only to challenge you to make sure you are sharing God’s love and His salvation with your family, friends and even your enemies, if you have opportunity for you have no guarantees you, too, won’t have an empty chair at your table.

Blessings,

Gramps

 

The Wonder and Awe of the Christmas Story

 

Friday, December 12, 2014

This was not the blog I was looking for to begin this first Sunday of Advent, but the Lord seemed to say, “What a special way to start - this special season of remembering the Wonder and Awe of the birth of our Savior."

 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Hey Gang, there is no doubt that the Christmas story is filled with wonder and awe. It fills young and old with delight that is even more enjoyable and amazing because it is all true! I found the following quips about Christmas somewhere in my travels and would share them with you this morning. 

Shepherds, at the bottom of the social fabric of that time, were entertained and blessed by a choir of angels that filled the night with glory and hope. Mysterious Wise Men from the East followed a star that brought them to Bethlehem, where they worshipped and presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the new born King.

Then there is the centerpiece of the story: A young couple, she at least still teenager, were uniquely chosen to bring the Christ-child into the world. They faced a challenge of faith and courage that was undergirded by angelic visitations! Mary, the young virgin maiden, was with child without ever knowing a man before marriage; an outward looking scandal, by any stretch of the imagination. Then there was Joseph, who had to endure the gossip and “whispering” in a community that knew nothing of the angelic announcement heralding the birth of Jesus.

More sinister still was Herod’s plot to kill the child and, and, if successful, would frustrate the will and purpose of God for world redemption. The Christmas story is truly beautiful, amazing and thought provoking. For Christians, it teaches us:

       1. Christmas is worth celebrating, since all of Heaven did so and gave beautiful voice to the wondrous events as they were unfolding in Bethlehem. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke devote lengthy passages to this story of wonder and great joy. We should do the same.

       2. Christmas is the hope of the world. God became man and did so to save us from our sins and give us a new beginning. The message is ever the same - peace and goodwill to all the world; a peace and goodwill which has to be appropriated individually by repentance and faith in the finished work of the Son of God on the cross.

      3. Christmas has a unique message in the gifts delivered to the Christ-child by the Kings from the East. Gold was a tribute to his identity as King of the Jews and the King of kings of all the world. Frankincense, a priestly connection meant his life would be pleasing to God and sinless. And myrrh foreshadowed that he would die for the sins of world – for all who would repent and accept His salvation. This is because myrrh was a burial ointment that was used to prepare the body for its final resting place.

     4. Christmas reminds us of a conflict that ever rages over the souls of men; Dark forces were at work on that beautiful, awe-inspiring night. They sought to destroy the babe born to Mary and Joseph and thus they ultimately sought the destruction of all of humankind. This battle continues!

Soooo good buddies, we would do well then to gather our families together and carefully read this wonderful narrative from the Gospels. Worship and prayers of thanksgiving and joy should ascend to Heaven and sweet carols of years gone by should bathe our souls in the wondrous love of God. We would do well to visit the House of God on Christmas Eve or morning and there, together with all the family of God, give thanks for the gift of all gifts that became ours on Christmas Day.

Blessings,

Gramps

 

Thank You God for Wireless!

 

Hey Gang, those who have been reading Gramps blogs for years, know that he enjoyed Amish stories and proverbs and we subscribed to a Mennonite Daily Devotional. His grandfather was a Mennonite preacher in Pennsylvania and our first volunteers and house parents at Eagle Village were from a Mennonite Church in Michigan. 

Since his ‘Home Going’, I have been sorting through boxes and boxes and boxes of studies, teachings ,messages and things we had saved to ‘use again’ sometime. A piece of my heart goes with all that I have pitched.  But before pitching this one I decided to share it with you.

 

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me: it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”  Psalm 139:6

“Brother Roger,” I said as I took the outstretched hand and bent forward to greet him (with a holy kiss as is their custom). “God bless you”, But something went wrong. We missed! “That must have been wireless,” I said, grinning at my friend.  He grinned back and said, “God is always wireless, isn’t He?”

 That comment got me thinking. With wireless connections we don’t drag around wires or cords. If we’re in range of a cell phone tower, things work; but if not, they don’t. BUT our connection with God does not depend on our physical location. His ‘Tower’ is never down for repairs. First Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” It doesn’t say, ‘as often’ as the line is free” or ‘whenever it’s convenient’ or ‘even most of the time.’ “Pray without ceasing” demands constant, vibrant, clear communication.

 We receive much communication from Phone conversations with friends. However, they always end.  We hang up and tend to forget what we talked about.  But, if we have an ongoing conversation and walk with the LORD, our minds are continually stirred up and we constantly grow in His grace.

 In relationship to “without ceasing,” let’s notice a few circumstances in life that can remind us to stay connected with God.

1.      When we feel blessed, “O give thanks unto the LORD” (Psalm 105:1).

2.      When we feel discouraged. “Why art thou cast down O my soul? …hope in God” (Psalm 42:5).

3.      When we feel our infirmities:” for we know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Romans 8:26).

May we praise God “without ceasing” for his wireless ser    --Jonathon Hershberger - Port Clemens, BC

 If songs, like crimson roses are culled from thin blue air; Why should mortals wonder if God hears prayer?   ---- Ethel Romig Fuller

As one who spends much time praying for family and others, I thank God for His wireless service. I can pray anytime, anywhere for those beside me or anywhere in the world and Know that He hears and will answer -according to His purpose for that life

 Soooo, if you need it, this is God’s phone number: Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto God and He WILL answer you.” (His answer is not always what you want! Yes; No; Wait - but for your good!! 

But He will always answer a repentant heart!!  

Blessings,

Gma J                              

Ammunition For The Soul

 

Friday, November 28, 2014

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).  

Hey Gang:  Paul wrote, “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing us truth, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way” (2 Tim 3:16 Hainley rendition).  In other words, what you say isn’t very important, but what God says has eternal significance! 

Jesus said, "See to it that no one misleads you, For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ, and will mislead many" "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another" (Matthew 24:4-5/11).

The antidote for falling away: 

You say, “It’s impossible”.  He says, “With me all things are possible” (Lu. 18:27).  You say, “I’m exhausted.” He says, “Wait on Me, I’ll renew your strength” (Is. 40:31).  You say, “Nobody loves me.” He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jn. 31:3).  You say “I can’t go on.”  He says, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Co. 12:9).  You say, “I don’t know what to do.” He says, “I’ll direct you” (Prov. 3:5). 

You say, “I can’t do it.”  He says, “You can do all things through Me” (Phil 4:13).  You say, “It’s not worth it.” He says, “It will be – just keep going” (Gal 6:9).  You say, “I can’t forgive myself,” He says, “You can – because I have” (Eph. 4:32).  You say, “I can’t make ends meet. “ He says, “I’ll supply all your needs” (Phil. 4:19). 

You say, “I’m afraid.”  He says, “I didn’t give you a spirit of fear, but of…power” (2 Tim. 1:7).  You say, “I can’t handle this.” “He says, Give it to me; I’ll carry it for you” (Psa. 55:22).  You say, “I don’t have enough faith.” He says, “I’ll give your faith” (Ro. 12:3)

You say, “I’m not smart enough.”  He says, “I’ll give you wisdom” (I co. 1:30).  You say, “I’m all alone.”  He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

Soooo,  my  friends , God honors our choices! He does not tamper with your free will.  There is an adage that I have pinned on the inside of my dome of intellect that says, “My values determine my choices which in turn determines my destiny.  You will make choices today – Who will sit on the throne of your life today?

Blessings,

Gramps

They WIll Know That I Am the Lord!

 

Friday, November 27, 2015          NOTE THIS    DATE!!

“Therefore, I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1).

 Hey Gang:  There is no question that our nation is a mess and getting messier every day and it appears, at this moment that, if God does not intervene in a mighty way soon, the days will continue to get darker. But!  Neat word- “but” -God’s Word is very clear and filled with words of encouragement and reasons to be thankful.  I would guess that each of you had a good meal, in fellowship with loved ones, and in a warm house; something that many brothers and sisters in Christ did not have this Thanksgiving Day.

 The days are growing darker but there are somethings the world cannot take away:  Jesus Christ is same today as He was yesterday and He continues to stand at the door of our hearts asking permission to come in and sup with us.  The gift of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross and His resurrection to redeem you and me has not changed one iota.  Is that not awesome?

 In Ezekiel thirty six, verses twenty one through the end of the chapter, we read that our God is a sovereign God.  I have a hard time with that word, sovereign, because we have no role models in our lives that qualify as sovereign. My dictionary tells me that sovereign means “having supreme rank, power, authority, greatest is degree, utmost and extreme.”   Isaiah eleven, one through nine, give us the description of such a person; and, we read in Luke 1:30-31, who this person is: “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus”.

 In the world we are living, in the insanity which we find ourselves encompassed, we must remind ourselves that our sovereign God is above and beyond all the craziness.  Again, I emphasize that our God does not change! He remains a steady anchor! He is our refuge and strength!  Under His wings we have protection.

 It was recently reported that the number one mental health issue today is anxiety and fear.   Being the nervous type, if I did not believe God was sovereign, I would be “fit to be tied and locked away.” I would be going to bed each night unable to fall asleep. I would be going crazier by the day, with no end in sight to my despair. Instead, I go to bed each night and wake the next morning with a song of thanksgiving on my lips.

 Why? Because God is sovereign! It is our sovereign God who puts men and women in power and removes them from power.  I peeked- history is going to end exactly as God has determined it will end.  Look again at Ezekiel 36:22 “Thus says the Lord God, It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went”.  Do you think that applies to America as well?  I suspect that it does.

 Deterioration and decay are not new; it has been with each since Eve took a bite out of the apple. American culture has been decaying for more than a half-century and has reached the point of moral bankruptcy. Our value system has run amok. Isaiah 5:20 says:

 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Is this not where America is today? Morals once cherished have been placed in the trash heaps.  Faith in the God of the Bible is ridiculed. And yet, I still have hope!   Why? I have read the final chapter.  “That God loved me so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a hideous cross that I might be freed from the bondage of sin and at that moment when I said, “Lord I commit my heart and soul to you”, my name was recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I will one day be included in the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.  (read Titus 2:11-15). 

   I believe one day, very soon, Abba Father will say to Son ,Yeshua, “Go for it”.  Go and bring Your Bride home.  Wow, come Lord Jesus!  Oh, keep in mind when He does come, the door closes.  Make sure your witness is strong today.

 Blessings,

 Gramps

God Says," Come Soar With ME"!

 

Friday, November 1, 2013

  
 "Yet, those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:31).

 Hey Gang:  Celebrating 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries is becoming more and more of an endangered issue in this day of "If it does not satisfy my every whim, throw it under the bus and move on.”   The bride-of-my-youth has often said that divorce was never considered in our 56 years together, but there were times when murder entered my mind (just kidding of course).  We all know she is much too loving for thoughts like that.

 On our 25th wedding anniversary we took a trip to Alaska on the Inland Ferry with another couple who were also celebrating 25 years of marital bliss.  The trip through the passage was exceedingly beautiful with many sea creatures showing off their splendor. 

 Our last stop on the Ferry was in Haines where we spent the night in a very rustic Inn and were served a breakfast that would be the envy of any lumberman.  Platters of eggs, pancakes, ham, bacon, toast and fruits were set before us.  We learned later that we were the last tour group for the season, and they were cleaning out the refrigerator in preparation for closing down the Inn for the winter.

 Later in the morning, we boarded a bus for our trip through the Yukon Territory to Anchorage. In route we experienced one of those profound, once in a life-time miracles that God sends our way.  It was the time when the salmon returned to where they were brought in the world to do a repeat performance for the next generation.  They came back from the ocean to lay their eggs and die.  And, where the salmon come to die is where the Eagles come to chow down and take on the needed sustenance that will provide for their winter needs.     

 I haven't a clue how many eagles were in that river valley that day.  The trees were filled with these magnificent birds, youth and adults.  It was a very frosty morning, and the trees were covered with a coating of frost making eagles standout even more. 

 In discussion with a pilot friend, who was also on the trip, I learned that the eagle sheds its white flying feathers and must remain grounded until the new blue feathers come in.  Then they can soar to new heights.  The waiting period is very painful for these creatures that were made by God to soar.  They see other eagles all around them ever reaching new heights and become impatient to soar to new heights with them.

 Can you identify with that?  Do you ever get the urge, even a compulsion to grow a new coat of feathers so that you can soar to new heights?   What joy there is when God gives us one of these very unique experiences as a reminder that He wants to take us under His wings and take us to heights we never dreamed of.

 Soooo, my young friends, when it seems that your prayers are like bricks and you lack the zeal that we yearn in our heart in worshiping the Lord, perhaps He has us in the ‘replacement of feather shop’ in preparation for soaring to new heights, to experiences that are "Out of sight!".

Blessings,

Gramps

 

Friday, October 30, 2015

A Time to Weep and A Time to Fight

“Encourage the exhausted, and strength the feeble.  Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not.  Behold, your God will come, with vengeance.  The recompense of God will come.  But He will save you,” (Isa. 35:3-4).

 Hey Gang:   We All Need a Word from God to See US Through Perilous Times.   I find it absolutely amazing that, as the world is being shaken to its very core, people are turning their backs on God in droves.  I wonder why every Pastor in our land is not shouting from the roof tops of their churches that there is a better way; that there is a God in heaven who stands at the door of every heart asking politely to come in and bring “The Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control desires to enter every into every person’s life.

 I live in a small town and we have a small town newspaper.  This morning the front page informed me that two people were arrested for possession of and selling drugs, the police are looking for information on anyone who might have information on several burglaries, and the trial of a young person who is accused of child molestation was turned over to the jury. 

On page two there was an article pertaining to an atheist organization seeking to make a police department remove “In God We Trust” from the backs of their cruisers and their other attempts to make colleges and universities cease from allowing chaplains and coaches to pray with their teams.

 A few weeks ago, we had yet another tragedy in one of our schools that has removed prayer and reading of the God’s Words of peace and love and even forgiveness from their schools.  This very sick individual, before killing nine students, asked them if they were Christians.  Those who answered “yes”, were shot in the head and those who said “no” were shot in the leg. 

 We add this catastrophic event to the growing list of sick folks that believe killing will fill that vacuum that exists in their chest cavity.  One person asked the question, “Why would God allow that to happen?”  Another answered, “Don’t blame God, He is not allowed in our schools anymore.

 As a child in elementary school, we began each day with a ritual that included, the Pledge of Alliance to our country, a portion of Scripture and the Lord’s Prayer.  We allow no such rituals in our government funded schools today.  We do not want to make any of our students uncomfortable.   I wonder, was anyone was uncomfortable when the very sick person asked the students if they were Christians before he shot them? 

  I wonder how many youngsters, who have chosen the wrong paths of life, would have chosen the right paths of life, if the Word had been planted in their hearts, in their elementary school years,  and they had learned that there was a God who listened for and answered their prayers, and America was truly the ‘home of the free and the brave’. 

 Well, enough venting for the day.  The title of this epistle is a Time to Weep and a Time to Fight.  I am saddened by the rapid road to decay our nation has taken, but I am even more saddened that I do not hear more voices in the wilderness shouting “Enough, enough, it is time for God’s people to don their armor, fill their lamps with oil and come out fighting.”  I would remiss if I did not mention that Franklin Graham will soon begin his visitation to every state in our union to alert those who are interested in the dangers that face our nation.    You might want to consider signing up to support him in prayer both for the Word he is about to share, and for safety for he and his entourage.   

  Blessings

Gramps