Psalm 18:1-3, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.”
Upon whom do you place your trust? David said that the LORD is his strength and that he depends on the LORD for refuge and for safety. He claims the salvation that the LORD God offers and his faith remains strong in the LORD. The most important thing that he says is that he loves the LORD and trusts Him entirely.
Prayer: Father thank you for today. Thank you for Jesus Christ. Thank You for this Psalm of David which heartens us and give us comfort in distress. May we continue to find strength in Your love, may we not waver and remain faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
AP is PC - outrageous...prayer is Prayer Praise God!
I was watching the Auburn-Ole Miss game when Auburn's safety Zac Etheridge had a scary injury. His teammates knelt down and prayed for Zac as the trainers, EMTs, paramedics and the team doctor worked on Zac. I just saw this Associated Press story about the event. Notice the bold print as the AP describes what his teammates did:
"Auburn safety carried off field on backboard
Published: 10/31/09, 1:45 PM EDT
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn safety Zac Etheridge was carried off the field on a backboard after a collision with teammate Antonio Coleman in the first quarter against Mississippi. The two players banged helmets at the end of a running play Saturday. Etheridge appeared to have hurt his neck and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, but Auburn officials said he was able to move all his extremities. Etheridge lay on the field for several minutes while both head coaches stood at midfield looking on. Auburn players knelt on the sidelines and on the field. The safety was strapped to a backboard with his head immobilized, and flashed a thumbs-up as he was taken off the field and up a tunnel to a waiting ambulance. Etheridge came into the game fourth on the team with 49 tackles."
According to the AP the players just knelt. They just couldn't bring themselves to report that these fine young men were praying for their teammate as were we who watched. As they were carrying Zac off the field he gave the team and the crowd a 'thumbs-up' to thank everyone and to let them know that he would be okay.
"Auburn safety carried off field on backboard
Published: 10/31/09, 1:45 PM EDT
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn safety Zac Etheridge was carried off the field on a backboard after a collision with teammate Antonio Coleman in the first quarter against Mississippi. The two players banged helmets at the end of a running play Saturday. Etheridge appeared to have hurt his neck and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, but Auburn officials said he was able to move all his extremities. Etheridge lay on the field for several minutes while both head coaches stood at midfield looking on. Auburn players knelt on the sidelines and on the field. The safety was strapped to a backboard with his head immobilized, and flashed a thumbs-up as he was taken off the field and up a tunnel to a waiting ambulance. Etheridge came into the game fourth on the team with 49 tackles."
According to the AP the players just knelt. They just couldn't bring themselves to report that these fine young men were praying for their teammate as were we who watched. As they were carrying Zac off the field he gave the team and the crowd a 'thumbs-up' to thank everyone and to let them know that he would be okay.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Love one another
John 15:12-14, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Men and women today give their lives in defense of liberty. We say that so often that it becomes a cliché. Never should we allow such sacrifice to be seen as a cliché. Each life given is like the life that Jesus gave for us. Jesus gave His life for us in a depth of compassion that cannot be plumbed or measured. We can never merit the devotion or love that God has for us but we can receive His grace and mercy, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Prayer: Redeemer God, You have loved us from the very Creation. You woke us to this day that wasn’t promised and you saved us through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Help us receive Your love and mercy in love, gratitude and reverence. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Men and women today give their lives in defense of liberty. We say that so often that it becomes a cliché. Never should we allow such sacrifice to be seen as a cliché. Each life given is like the life that Jesus gave for us. Jesus gave His life for us in a depth of compassion that cannot be plumbed or measured. We can never merit the devotion or love that God has for us but we can receive His grace and mercy, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Prayer: Redeemer God, You have loved us from the very Creation. You woke us to this day that wasn’t promised and you saved us through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Help us receive Your love and mercy in love, gratitude and reverence. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Hero of the Vietnam War
I found this letter from a U.S. Army Advisor to his parents while reading the profiles in courage of the men and women who died in Vietnam. His name is Captain Gerald Austin Brown, Ft. Worth, Texas. Captain Brown died May 16, 1967. Note the date on the letter - it indicates that he wanted his family to know some things about himself and the war. You can read the link yourself: http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=110&anClip=203684
"The letter below written by Jerry before his departure for Viet Nam was left with long-time friends in Fort Worth. It was delivered to his parents after his death 16 May, 1967. The FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM carried Jerry's letter on the front page of its'May 27, 1967 edition. Picked up by an Associated Press reporter, it was published nation-wide.
June 1, 1966
Dear Mother & Bud,
These are a few of the things that were always left unsaid for some reason or other. First, I loved you very much, and was always very grateful for the many blessings that you saw that I was provided with. Sometimes we didn't say "I love you" enough, so I just wanted to make sure I didn't take off without making sure you understood how much I cared for you.
Second, do not be bitter or have doubts over the cause of my death. If I go fighting for my country, or for the people in Viet Nam, then I go by my own free will because it is right. It is right because (1) It is God's will that we love all our fellow men -- regardless of RACE, CREED, or COLOR. This I believe, and for this I willingly fought. There is good in every single human, and one needs to look until you find it. (2) I am an American. I believe in our country, and all of the ideals on which it was founded, and I prefer death rather than to be guilty of not defending it or its principles to the maximun. By the same token, if a man asks me or my country for help -- then he should expect to be able to receive it. Not just money but a personal, individual, commitment of an individual American to his problem. It was my turn to fulfill this individual commitment and I could not ignore my duty.
(3) I believe in God, and it is only through personal commitment that His will is accomplished. At least I have tried. Read Hebrews II, that was the source of my strength.
These are my reasons, and whether you understand them or not, I don't know. But I did, and that is sufficient.
Do not be sad, and for Pete's sake don't play a lot of sad songs at my funeral. If you must play music, by all means play "When the Saints Go Marching In"! ( and play a good jazzed up version of it too! ). Also, the beautiful sound of TAPS played on a good bugle was always great -- but end it with a rousing charge. You may rest assured by the time you read this I will be hard at work in God's Angel corps or swapping yarns with Big Daddy while hoeing in his heavenly garden ( watermelons -- what else? ). So don't cry over me, I'll be just as happy as I always was.
Good-bye for awhile. Until we meet again in Heaven, remember --
I love you,
Jerry"
"The letter below written by Jerry before his departure for Viet Nam was left with long-time friends in Fort Worth. It was delivered to his parents after his death 16 May, 1967. The FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM carried Jerry's letter on the front page of its'May 27, 1967 edition. Picked up by an Associated Press reporter, it was published nation-wide.
June 1, 1966
Dear Mother & Bud,
These are a few of the things that were always left unsaid for some reason or other. First, I loved you very much, and was always very grateful for the many blessings that you saw that I was provided with. Sometimes we didn't say "I love you" enough, so I just wanted to make sure I didn't take off without making sure you understood how much I cared for you.
Second, do not be bitter or have doubts over the cause of my death. If I go fighting for my country, or for the people in Viet Nam, then I go by my own free will because it is right. It is right because (1) It is God's will that we love all our fellow men -- regardless of RACE, CREED, or COLOR. This I believe, and for this I willingly fought. There is good in every single human, and one needs to look until you find it. (2) I am an American. I believe in our country, and all of the ideals on which it was founded, and I prefer death rather than to be guilty of not defending it or its principles to the maximun. By the same token, if a man asks me or my country for help -- then he should expect to be able to receive it. Not just money but a personal, individual, commitment of an individual American to his problem. It was my turn to fulfill this individual commitment and I could not ignore my duty.
(3) I believe in God, and it is only through personal commitment that His will is accomplished. At least I have tried. Read Hebrews II, that was the source of my strength.
These are my reasons, and whether you understand them or not, I don't know. But I did, and that is sufficient.
Do not be sad, and for Pete's sake don't play a lot of sad songs at my funeral. If you must play music, by all means play "When the Saints Go Marching In"! ( and play a good jazzed up version of it too! ). Also, the beautiful sound of TAPS played on a good bugle was always great -- but end it with a rousing charge. You may rest assured by the time you read this I will be hard at work in God's Angel corps or swapping yarns with Big Daddy while hoeing in his heavenly garden ( watermelons -- what else? ). So don't cry over me, I'll be just as happy as I always was.
Good-bye for awhile. Until we meet again in Heaven, remember --
I love you,
Jerry"
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Return to me," says God
Jeremiah 3:12-15, “Return, faithless Israel, says the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, says the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God, and scattered your favors among strangers under every green tree, and have not obeyed my voice, says the LORD. Return, O faithless children, says the LORD, for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah spoke these words of God to a people who had departed from God and seemingly had no interest in returning. We live in a Nation today where the leaders want no mention of God and have no interest in following God. Our elected leaders only want to follow the prurient desires of power and will align him or her with those who will keep her or him in power and privilege. Most of these who are elected cannot succeed anywhere else and seek to destroy free enterprise, free thought and free choice. It’s time that they turn to God. I don’t say turn back to or return to God for these do not appear to have a relationship with God. The spiritual trouble that waits is devastating and the damage that they are causing and fomenting is horrific. Woe be unto them!
Prayer: Loving God, thank You for today and for Jesus who redeems us. Create in our elected leaders a heart for You and for their sworn obligation. Develop and stir within our leaders the foundational desire to create and have a place where freedom and justice for all is revered and seen as sourced in You. We pray this in the powerful Name of Jesus. AMEN!
Jeremiah spoke these words of God to a people who had departed from God and seemingly had no interest in returning. We live in a Nation today where the leaders want no mention of God and have no interest in following God. Our elected leaders only want to follow the prurient desires of power and will align him or her with those who will keep her or him in power and privilege. Most of these who are elected cannot succeed anywhere else and seek to destroy free enterprise, free thought and free choice. It’s time that they turn to God. I don’t say turn back to or return to God for these do not appear to have a relationship with God. The spiritual trouble that waits is devastating and the damage that they are causing and fomenting is horrific. Woe be unto them!
Prayer: Loving God, thank You for today and for Jesus who redeems us. Create in our elected leaders a heart for You and for their sworn obligation. Develop and stir within our leaders the foundational desire to create and have a place where freedom and justice for all is revered and seen as sourced in You. We pray this in the powerful Name of Jesus. AMEN!
Home Depot Cowards!!
Home Depot has crossed the line. Trevor Keezer is a young south Florida man who was just fired from his job at Home Depot. He was fired for wearing a button on his apron which reads, “One Nation Under God…Indivisible”. Trevor’s brother is in the military and serving in a war theater of operations. Trevor wore that pin in honor of his brother and the men and women who serve our Nation. Home Depot states that they only permit their pins on the aprons and offered Trevor another one to wear instead of the button, “One Nation Under God…Indivisible.” When he refused to wear their pin they fired him.
Over the years my wife and I have spent thousands of dollars at Home Depot. They’re offended by the Pledge of Allegiance which states, “One Nation under God, Indivisible.” I am offended that they’ve made billions of dollars on freedom-loving Americans and now slap our hand away. I guess this is all part of the Obama-hate-America-campaign. Since Arthur Blank (Mr. Home Depot) was a major fund-raiser for Obama and freedom hater, now apparently a God-speak hater, I will no longer shop at Home Depot.
Link: http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/10/discrimination-lawsuit-coming.html
Over the years my wife and I have spent thousands of dollars at Home Depot. They’re offended by the Pledge of Allegiance which states, “One Nation under God, Indivisible.” I am offended that they’ve made billions of dollars on freedom-loving Americans and now slap our hand away. I guess this is all part of the Obama-hate-America-campaign. Since Arthur Blank (Mr. Home Depot) was a major fund-raiser for Obama and freedom hater, now apparently a God-speak hater, I will no longer shop at Home Depot.
Link: http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/10/discrimination-lawsuit-coming.html
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Body of Christ
Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
This letter of Jude gives us a sense this morning of what is happening among the congregations of the Church. Notice the use of the description, ‘congregations of the Church.’ We are members of congregations but the church is the body of Jesus Christ. What happens to one happens to all. We are encouraged to contend for the faith that was given in trust to us. The Apostles, those anointed by the Holy Spirit, entrusted the body of Christ to us. How have we done? Have we kept the faith that was entrusted to us? Have we been faithful in raising new Christians, making new disciples and teaching others about Jesus Christ? Have we been faithful in keeping Godly that which is Godly?
Jude’s letter isn’t a call to judgmental action it is a call to righteousness. It is a call to renewal. It is our call to restore our practices of faith that are sourced in the foundational church – the church planted by Jesus Christ in each heart at Pentecost. There are those in the body of Christ who can’t even say the Name of Jesus Christ who won’t even bear witness to His Lordship and Redeeming love. There are those who teach in the seminaries of this land who subvert and attempt to destroy the truth of Jesus. We must stand up against this perversion and say no to their destructive practices. Do not let them take an Exacto® knife to the Bible because they don’t like some things that God has said, done or spoken forward. Stand up for Jesus Christ as Savior.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today – it was not promised us. Thank You for loving us and redeeming us through Your Son Jesus. Help us stand strong and call into accountability all those who use Your Church as their playground and seek to destroy the Truth expressed in Your Holy Word. We pray this in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!
This letter of Jude gives us a sense this morning of what is happening among the congregations of the Church. Notice the use of the description, ‘congregations of the Church.’ We are members of congregations but the church is the body of Jesus Christ. What happens to one happens to all. We are encouraged to contend for the faith that was given in trust to us. The Apostles, those anointed by the Holy Spirit, entrusted the body of Christ to us. How have we done? Have we kept the faith that was entrusted to us? Have we been faithful in raising new Christians, making new disciples and teaching others about Jesus Christ? Have we been faithful in keeping Godly that which is Godly?
Jude’s letter isn’t a call to judgmental action it is a call to righteousness. It is a call to renewal. It is our call to restore our practices of faith that are sourced in the foundational church – the church planted by Jesus Christ in each heart at Pentecost. There are those in the body of Christ who can’t even say the Name of Jesus Christ who won’t even bear witness to His Lordship and Redeeming love. There are those who teach in the seminaries of this land who subvert and attempt to destroy the truth of Jesus. We must stand up against this perversion and say no to their destructive practices. Do not let them take an Exacto® knife to the Bible because they don’t like some things that God has said, done or spoken forward. Stand up for Jesus Christ as Savior.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today – it was not promised us. Thank You for loving us and redeeming us through Your Son Jesus. Help us stand strong and call into accountability all those who use Your Church as their playground and seek to destroy the Truth expressed in Your Holy Word. We pray this in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!
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