A Change Is Gonna Come

Many would feel that the life of a Christian is a hardship that is not necessary to take. It would appear that you have to limit yourself from things of the world that you would want. It would appear that you have to limit your mindset from the influence of all the ideas of the world that are popular and current. It would appear that you have to obligate yourself to a list of regulations and spiritual activities that are not always becoming and often fail to be profitable. It would appear that the extra weight of the Christian responsibility would be a burden that is unnecessary to bear. It would appear...at least to some...Well, what did Jesus say. Check out Matthew 11:29- Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls I believe He is telling us that we all have to be entangled, obligated, or, yes, yoked in this world with some type of obligation or responsibility. Even the easy rider that strives to live his life untangled, constantly is obligated with avoiding obligation and yet still eating and living free in this world. Those who, instead, strive to stay current and enlightened are obligated to keep up with what the latest word is on the psychological, sociological, or political trend of the day is to avoid being sheltered like those they criticize. We all are yoked somehow. That is not a bad thing. Marriage is a yoke but one that is mutual and rewarding. Parenting is a yoke that brings fulfillment and heartbreak...sometimes minutes apart. A job is a yoke but it can be very fulfilling and it's much more fun to eat than to live and not eat. So should one take on anoTher yoke...the yoke of Christianity? Jesus tells us why we should. His yoke instructs us. Life does not come with an owner's manual but Christianity comes with the book of guidance breathed out by the Creator of it. We can learn from tHis yoke. His yoke is gentle. In the hard, rough world in which we live, it good to know there is one that listens, cares, loves, and guides. What a gift! His yoke is humble. For all the pride that is boasted in this world, it is so fresh to have an alternative that leads us but with humility. What a blessing! His yoke is restful. When you are weary from the world's demands and the weight of all and every other yoke, know that there is a place of rest for the weary. What a joy to know! The yoke of Christ is a choice but one that should not be hard. He did not come to belabor our lives, to limit our insights, or to add to our plate. He came to guide us through the deep dark woods of a fallen world and to encourage us to grab other's hands along the way and show them the path as well. This is not a yoke to run from today. Let me close by telling you about the next couple of weeks. I am in Louisiana this morning set to fly to Israel overnight. The time is different there. The wi-fi seems questionable in spots and my schedule is unclear. I plan to do something different over these days. Instead of reading the wwww.lifejournal.cc text, I will be reading texts that comply with the areas I will visit. I hope to share each day at the end of the day some words on my day's experiences. I am not sure, however, of how that schedule will work. If I write at 9 pm, Mississippi can read it at 1 pm and so on, but I would love for to share this with me as I am able to share. Your prayers for me, and more importantly, my dear family is much appreciated. I am, as well, learning to do this blog on an iPad. It is different and I am not always good at it, but it is all I have for two weeks. The editing may not be too pretty. I look forward to the journey.

Birds and Snakes

I have always had a sick fascination and fear of snakes.  I am scared to death of them...irrational so....but I love them.  When I was a kid, a creek ran through our neighborhood  and I would often play around that creek and sometimes come up on a snake.  There was one spot that had them more often than others.  There was a big leafed, bushy bush that hung over the creek that I often saw a green snake in.  He would wrap up around a branch like those exotics at the zoo.  I caught a glimpse a couple of times and was scared...and fascinated.  One time I walked down to that bush barefooted and peaked in and around.  Nothing...so I walked back up dejected.  As I walked I heard a noise.  On a small flat rock lay a little brown snake that was sunning.  I almost walked on top of it.  When I look down, his little tongue came out.  He was about as big as a pencil, but it scared me to death.  I ran a half block home, completely convinced the whole time that the snake was right at my heels about to take me down. Why was that snake in the bush so hard to find?  Why did I almost step on the other?  Because they are shrewd.  The Lord did not tell us to be sneaky and slimy like snakes but He did tell us to be shrewd and wise.  Notice Matthew 10:16-   “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."  (www.lifejournal.cc)

He also told us to be innocent as doves.  There is presently a small nest built in a coconut hull basket right beside our side door at the house.  Momma Bird actually flew into the house a couple of times before the babies came.   However, once the babies got there, Mother is watching from nearby.  We have glanced several times in that nest.  We have seen up to five beaks.  The picture is not a good one but you can see the open beak of one and the face of another.  It is neat to see...they are so innocent.  I am concerned about their future.  Too many dogs around here, including mine, for a bird to have much of a chance to learn to fly if he/she don't do very well the first time.
We live in a wicked and cruel world.  There are many evils and obstacles out there and we are not only to survive, we have a job to do. Let's share Jesus with the world, but let's remember to be, not sneaky and slimy, but shrewd and wise.  Let's be as innocent as a baby bird of the wiles of the world, but let's be very careful to make sure we are flying straight and safe.  I wish you the best in your path and in your flight this very day!  Have a great one!

Our Prayer Focus

When you pray for someone, where is your attention focused?  Notice where Christ's attention was focused. Matthew 9:6- But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (www.lifejournal.cc)
Christ healed the man to point out what He could do in him spiritually.  We often focus on Christ healing the physical and overlook the need of the spiritual.  It may be why we have such a hard time understanding when tragedy strikes or when disease comes charging in.  When we understand that God knows the greatest needs of the person and the greatest needs of the people around them, we can trust Him to work in a way that is profitable spiritually in the long run.  Does that mean we will always gain understanding?  Not in this life.  And as I often say, when we get to heaven, we will be so caught up in the atmosphere, that we won't ask too many questions. 
Let's try to focus on the spiritual concerns that we have for others and trust God with the physical.  He will not look past the physical needs anymore than He now looks past the spiritual when we focus on the physical.  It may change our perspective though. 
And since, many times, we don't know how to pray for another spiritually either, why don't we just rest that burden at the Lord's feet, submit our ignorance to His Infinite Knowledge, and truly entrust the direction of our lives and the lives of others to His power, wisdom, and love. 
Just something to think about on this Sunday morning.  I hope you have a blessed day in worship today.

The God We Serve

Matthew 8:27- And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”. (www.lifejournal.cc) What kind of God do we serve? Have you thought about it lately? I mean really pondered on it. Do that today!

U Aught'n Judge!

I have heard too many times: "You aught'n not judge!"  Now part of the reason I have heard that is because I have lived in the South since I was six.  That is the way we talk and we are not real ashamed of that.    The other reason I have heard that is because a lot of people misinterpret Scripture.   Notice what the Lord says that these folks are actually trying to make a valiant effort to point out.  It is found in Matthew 7:1-5- “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.  (www.lifejournal.cc)
Notice it does not say that you should not judge, but that you ought to live in a way that reflects the way you judge.  People often think 'judging' is standing on some spiritual bench and casting down chastisement upon someone.  We should not think ourselves worthy to do that and we should not do that.  That has led many to just run from any judgment at all.  However, we should know right from wrong and should be able to guide folks in the right way.  This 'run from judgment' has led many to rely on relative truth meaning "what is right for you is right for you and what is right for me is right for me."  No, Jesus and I, beg to differ with you.   There is a right and wrong and that has not changed with the slippery, sinful slope of society.  God's people need to stick to what is right.  I don't think we need to picket about it, shout about it, or point at people about it.  I do believe we ought to live in a way that reflects what the Lord pointed out as the right way.  This Sermon on the Mount that we have reading (Matthew 5-7) is a great place to start. 
When we see folks in error and God gives us opportunity to minister to them, let's point them in the right direction, being sure that we are pointed in the right direction. 
Somebody has to know what is right and wrong.  It is a whole lot easier to tell when the specks and the logs are not blocking our spiritual vision.  Actually I think you aught'n judge...but do it in a way that honors God.  Live Right for God today!

The Irony of Ironies

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹ Pray then like this:  “Our Father in heaven,   hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,   your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.-- Matthew 6:7-13 (www.lifejournal.cc)
I find it to be the greatest irony that the one prayer that people pray more mindlessly with empty phraseology than any other is the Lord's prayer, which was the Lord's attempt to show us how we don't need to pray mindlessly with empty phrases.   In a typical crowd bring up Jesus and you will split the crowd but have a crowd pray the Lord's prayer they will jump abroad mindlessly.  Although Jesus said pray like this, I really don't believe that he was giving us a token prayer to repeat so that everyone could join in and no one would be offended.  That is the common place for the Lord's prayer today, as I see it.  
Instead of asking us to quote His words, I believe Jesus was showing us the elements that make up a great prayer.  It begins by acknowledging God for Who He is.  He is not one of us, He is heavenly.  He is not common stance, He is Holy. 
That is followed by the intention of our prayer: It is not to get our will done in heaven, but His Will accomplished on earth through us. 
That is followed, not by a long Santa list of all our wants, but the daily providing of our necessities and the forgiveness of our sins.   Don't miss our part in that.  We must forgive others as well. 
That is followed by asking the Lord to lead us on the right path and not allow us to venture into the ungodly.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen is often debated whether it goes on the end.  Some translations have it, others do not (that has to do with it being found inconsistently in "the closer to the original" manuscripts).  That ending, of course, points us back to giving Him praise as we close the prayer. 
Praying in the way that God showed us is not about mindlessly repeating his memorized phrases.  That is actually what He was preaching against.  It is instead about giving Him praise, acknowledging His Place, asking for His Provision, asking for His Forgiveness, committing to forgive as He does, asking for His Guidance, and, once again, giving Him praise. 
Pray a prayer like that and you will honor Your Lord today.  Let's put our heart, MIND, and soul into our prayers.   May God richly bless you today.

Just Taste and See

I guess I have a reputation not to pass up a good meal.   I am actually elated when once a year I am treated to my favorite restaurant in Memphis named Texas de Brazil (http://www.texasdebrazil.com/memphis).  It is a Brazilian steakhouse, which means they have fine and wonderful meats that they bring out on skewers for you to choose from.  They give you a little card that is red on one side (stop) and green on the other (keep it coming...) that you use to indicate your appetite.   When the "boys" go, it is all green for about an hour.  They have a wonderful salad bar and great sides but the beef is amazing.  It is a fun place.  If you like a good meal and don't mind paying one time a year, it is a fun experience.  You ought to taste and see....
More importantly, you ought to try depending upon the Lord in all of your life.  His blessings stay 'green' through a lifetime.  Notice how the Psalmist put it in   Psalm 34: 8-10- Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! ⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! ¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (www.lifejournal.cc)
Fellowship at the table of the Lord with Him today and enjoy His delicious blessings.

300 and counting...

A little milestone today: my 300th blog.  I enjoy it and thanks for reading.

Delayed obedience is usually disobedience. It is with my kids.  'Clean your room' does not mean next week.  'Come here, please' does not mean when your television program is over.  When you put off obedience, you are disobedient.  Notice James and John in Matthew 4:19, 22- And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."....Immediately they left their boats and their father and followed him. (www.lifejournal.cc)   They went as they were asked.  That is obedience.  When God confronts you about a sin, don't ponder on your response....that is disobedience.  When God tells you to 'Get Up and Go', that is not a consideration to throw in the hat of your many choices.   It is an imperative...respond.  How much do we miss by putting off God's very best for us?
Let's decide today to refuse anything but God's very best for our lives and say 'Yes' immediately as He gives us opportunity. 
Enjoy your walk with the Lord today!

Carrying Sandals

I heard Pastor E.V. Hill, a black Baptist pastor from Los Angeles who could really preach it, talk one time about a trip he took overseas with Rev. Jesse Jackson.  It was a volatile area and, as he said, Jesse always draws a crowd.  One time the crowd got so intense that E.V. got pushed away from Jesse.  In the shuffle, E.V. got unsettled and did the only thing he knew to do.  He said "I am with him." and pointed at Jesse.  Once  those around him realized that, they backed away and let him through.  He talked about how, based on his own merits, he was lost in the crowd, but as long as he pointed to Jesse and said, "I'm with him,"  he had no trouble.  His authority was based on Jesse, not on E.V.  He went on to share how that reminded him of his ministry. In ministry, in the pulpit, or the work of the Lord, his authority is not based on himself, but on Jesus.  Jesus opens the doors and gives the access.

As I read about John the Baptist this morning, I think about his unique position.  He was to prepare the people for the Lord, and then step out of the way, when Christ came.  He did well. He warned them by telling them to prepare their hearts.  Then he made sure that they were looking for the Lord and not him. Notice what he says in  Matthew 3:11- “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  John knew his only authority and only duty was to serve the Lord.
How does that apply to us?  First, we need to be willing to serve Him.  It is easier to talk about than it is to do. Second, we need to realize what it is all about it.  It is not about us. It is all about Him. 
Serve Him today and know your place.  When you do, you may be surprised at the places He can use you.

Whose Battle Is It?

One quick note today.  Whatever battle you face, remember whose it is:
I Samuel 17:37- And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”  (www.lifejournal.cc) The same Lord that fought for you on Calvary, will fight for you today.  It is His Battle!  Give it to Him!  We are assured victory!

Get Up and Obey

The Christmas story is well-known and the details have been discussed, preached, and/or meditated over by most of you. To strain for a new nuance is not necessary. To learn and live from their examples is necessary. Joseph,along with Mary, was put in an unbelievable spot. What was he to do? He sought the Lord and the Lord told him. What did he do then?
Matthew 1:24-25- When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus
As determined as we are to know what God wants us to do, we must be just as determined to do what He shows us to do. Let's be determined today to wake up and do as the Lord tells us to do. In a different way, yes, but our obedience shall be blessed too.
Be blessed today. Get up and trust and obey.

The Life of Jabez

Years ago, when I was a college student, I heard my pastor preach a sermon on "The Man in the Middle."  He talked about this fellow in the midst of a genealogy, who had more detail to his life than any other. He was speaking of Jabez-the first time I had ever heard of him.  I was impressed.  I thought everyone skimmed the genealogies.  A few years later a little book would be written by another preacher that sold like gangbusters called The Prayer of Jabez.  Both were referring to
I Chronicles 4:9-10- Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” ¹⁰ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. (www.lifejournal.cc)  (The Prayer of Daniel is that I may write such a small book and sell as many millions of copies one day.)  What I thought was interesting about the book was the focus on the wording of this guy's prayer.  I don't think that is what is so significant.    Although I must admit, the prayer is given in Scripture in the midst of this genealogy for a reason.    However, when Jesus told us how to pray, He did not tell us to pray like Jabez or to pray that God would prosper us.  He told us to pray that God's Will would be done in us and that He would provide our needs. 
I don' think the significance of the man (Jabez) was his prayer.  I believe it was his life.  He stood out.  He came out of painful circumstances (at least for his mother) and there may be more to that name than we actually realize.  God granted his prayer because he honored God, not because of the wording of the prayer.  
Let's be less concerned about the wording of our prayer, and more concerned about our lives honoring God. We will be surprised at how He blesses us.  

Insufficient and Knowing It

We all have our weaknesses. We don't like to wear them on our sleeves (thankfully) but we all have them. Some are physical, some mental, some spiritual, some emotional, and some social. Most of us are plagued by more than one. What do you do about it? You pray for better and do the best you can with who you are and what you've got. We've all made mistakes. Some are haunted by tHem. Just remember, what has been confessed to God is forgiven. What is forgiven is gone. THe problem is not God forgiving us but we accepting his forgiveness and forgiving ourselves. Some are limited physically. Physical limitations are frustrating. Many believe that Paul's thorn in the flesh was physical. He had an eye condition. He referred to it several times in his letters. I wonder if it began when he saw the blinding light on the road to Damascus. Others believe his thorn was a person. We don't really know. We know he prayed for God to remove it and God chose not to. How did he respond-
2 corinthians 12:9- But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God told him, "you are going to have to lean on me." That is what we have to do. We are not perfect. Everything about our makeup, our situation, our past, our present, and, yes, our future, is not exactly like we thought it would be or that we want it to be. We may not be able to do it alone. We don't have to...thank God. So let's not try. He is sufficient and His power is what we need, so let's lean on that today, live off that today, and love like He does today.

Not Enough Yet

What do you do when enough is enough? I mean how many times do you try to get over people's mess ups? It ain't fair, is it? Here we are trying to do right and they keep going and doing whatever it is that they keep doing. You can only take so much, right? That must be how Samuel felt. Notice what he says- 1 Samuel 12:20 -And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22  For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24  Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. (www.lifejournal.cc)
Oh! That's what we do. When people keep on messing up around us, we continue to the point them to God and pray for their correction, protection, and well being. What do yo do when you have enough? Take it to the Lord. Point them to the Lord. Take yourself to the Lord. Let's handle our frustrations that way today, ok? May God bless us and our efforts!

Those Thoughts

1 Corinthians 10:5-6- We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6  being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Oh, if we could take all those thoughts captive...the negative ones, the envious ones, the gossipy ones, the bitter ones, the faithless ones, the lustful ones, the greedy ones, the ones of defeat, the ones that lack hope, the ones that are selfish, the ones that hold us back from sharing, smiling, and shouting praise to our God!
Take them captive in the Lord today and lets celebrate the thoughts that pick us up, that strengthens others, that helps us see folks in the love that God has for us.
Jail those negative thoughts today and walk in Jesus!

Blessed to be a Blessing

What a blessed weekend we have had!  It started on Friday.  Everyone had the day off and we just enjoyed a beautiful day.  Friday night we went to a party where the Voyles cut a cake revealing the gender of their expected child.  It was a lot of fun.  Saturday morning we went to the church for the Easter Egg Hunt.  I think it is the best one we have ever had.  Did not last long but packed a lot in a short time.  Just right!  We then took Millie to the community egg hunt on the courthouse square.  5,000 eggs were found in about 3 minutes flat.  Pretty amazing!  On Sunday morning, a gorgeous day,  we began with worship at the lake.  A great atmosphere and just got caught up in the whole scene.  It was followed by a great breakfast, Sunday School, and then wonderful worship.   We spent the afternoon doing an egg hunt and what an ugly scene.  Millie has a temper and apparently she was not happy with the amount eggs Abby got.  Quit a little melt down.  It was one of those lighthearted meltdowns though.  Laughing one minute, gritting her teeth the next minute.   An interesting scene of a tired little girl just loving the egg hunt.  It has been a wonderful weekend.  I leave early Monday morning to go spend a few days with about 15 pastor friends.  It has been an annual event for over a dozen years and a tremendous gift every year.   We will pray, discuss, eat, laugh, cry, celebrate, and support for parts of four days together:  a treasured time in the Tennessee hills. 
Before I go, let me share a Word with you from Monday's, April 9th, reading: (www.lifejournal.cc)
Psalm 72:17- May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
We are here to praise the Lord.  Let's let all of our lives reflect His Praise and let it mark TODAY!  It is easy to be bummed out, or quietly to ourselves, or caught up in our own worries.   Instead, let's let the day be marked by our love, adoration, and praise of our living Lord! 
Have a great day in the Lord!

Celebrating the Resurrection

Luke 24:5-8- And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” ⁸ And they remembered his words...
Come and worship our living Lord.
This morning...if in Houston, MS....
8:00 AM  Sunrise Worship at Traceview Lake
8:45 AM  Full Breakfast Served in FH of FBC
9:45 AM  Sunday School
11:00 AM Resurrection Celebration

Hope to see you there.  If not in Houston, have a blessed day of worship in your local church.
He Lives...Happy Easter!

Anticipating the Resurrection

Psalm 66- Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name;
     give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4  All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.” Selah


Celebrate Him today and prepare for tomorrow! Hope to see lakeside at 8 in the morning!

On Good Friday

The goodness of Friday was only seen when Sunday came. In the midst of your circumstances remember the goodness of God, even if does not come to light until future days. 
Psalm 65:5-8- By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;
⁶ the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;
⁷ who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,
⁸ so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. (www.lifejournal.cc)
Celebrate today knowing that Sunday is coming...

The Falls and the Rock

I am from upstate South Carolina and now live in Mississippi.  When some Mississippi friends were going to ride through my old stomping ground a couple of years ago, I decided to give them tips on some things to see.  I told them about my favorite hot dog spot (http://www.skinshotdogs.com/ ).  Hot dogs are different in Mississippi than they are in SC.  I was told shortly after I got here that hot dogs were 'kids' food' and I said, "That is because you have never had a real hot dog."  I told them about a cool store on Main Street in Greenville (http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/), a hotel to consider, and a supper spot that was good.  I told them about the mountains and some spots that they ought to check out.  One of them was Whitewater Falls.  Whitewater Falls is a beautiful scene right on the NC-SC stateline that is down one winding road then another.  I looked into it to refresh my memory and told them to be sure to see the Lower Whitewater Falls (there is also an upper).  I told them how it was a good place to park, paved sidewalks, a nice quick, good stop.  When they arrived and started walking, they called me.  They told that they were a mile into a walk that a passerby had told them was two miles.  The dear lady taking the trip had on heeled sandals and one of those big, carry-everything purses.  Instead of a paved 200 yard path, I had led them to the wrong end of the falls.   I led them to the hikers spot.  Their phone signal was in and out.  When they called me, they were breathing like horses, telling me about the next hill to climb, then the phone would go out. When they passed a true hiker, they asked him, 'how much further?'.  He said another mile.  They said, "But our preacher told us this was the right way. It was an easy walk.  He is from here.  He knows."  The hiker just laughed while sipping on his well-prepared, water bottle.   Dressed to go to the Biltmore House and then to a Christian concert at the Cove, they finally got to the Falls and got a clear signal.  When they called, they said they were sweaty, wore out, cramping feet, but enjoying the beautiful scene.  I told them they should have turned around earlier, but they said they were too far in and wanted to see it.   
On the way out they stopped at the Upper Whitewater Falls  in North Carolina and got the tourist view as well.  I had got the two spots mixed up (and may have in this explanation as well).  The Biltmore House would have to come another day. 
I am so thankful that finding the Rock is not near as hard as finding the Falls.  Psalm 61:2-3- Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, ³ for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy (www.lifejournal.cc)  Christ is our Rock!  It does not take a journey to find Him, although many journey way too long before they do.  Don't take the wrong route!  Go straight to the Rock...and lead some folks along the way too....

A Dog Named Lucky

LOST: male dog, has one eye, mangled left ear, paralyzed hind leg, crooked tail. Answers to the name, 'Lucky'...Have you ever felt like Lucky?  There are days when we are feel 'Lucky', aren't there? Well, how do you keep going when you are called Lucky or even Blessed, but don't feel so lucky or blesssed. (By the way, I don't believe in luck and don't like to hear people talk of the role of luck, but I do think it is a great name for the above dog.)  When you are not feeling fortunate, blessed, anointed, or any other term you want to put on it, how do you keep going? I believe the best thing to do is remember why you are doing what you are doing.   What is your purpose?  If you are doing it for the right purpose, you are willing to endure quite a bit.  Notice what the apostle Paul says about it in  2 Corinthians 4:8- We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  (www.lifejournal.cc) In other words, because of what Christ has done for us, we ought to do for Him.  We ought to faithfully serve Him when folks pat us on the back.  We ought to shine for Him when it seems no one even notices.  We ought to make a difference for the cause of Christ, even when it seems that everyone is against us.  As we approach the Easter weekend, it is easy to remember what Christ endured for us.  Anything we face, while trying to please Him, pales in comparison.   Shine for Jesus today...through your limps, in your pain, and even your rejections....just Shine.....Lucky!

The Greatest Impact

The apostle Paul walked into all kinds of different circumstances.  At times he was hated and was pursued with vengence because of his stand for Christ.  At times, especially in the early days of his ministry, he was feared.  Is he for real or is he an imposter trying to kill more Christians?  Still other times, he is widely accepted and loved dearly by the community that he visits.  Most visits were a combination of love and hate and fear.  He faced all kinds of circumstances.
As he wrote the church in Corinth again,  he considered any recommendations that he may need in order for them to welcome him.  He states that the impact that he has had on their lives is his letter of recommendation.  In other words, if he has had no impact for Christ upon them, they may not receive his words well.  However, if in Christ, his impact has been positive, that alone is recommendation enough.  However, notice where his focus is.  2 Corinthians 3:5- Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.  (www.lifejournal.cc)  Paul did not lean on his speaking skills, his great knowledge, or his power of influences, he leaned upon the Lord.  The Lord in his life is what made the difference.  The same is true for us. If you want to make a big impact upon the lives of others, the greatest impact will come when you shine the love of the Lord Jesus into their lives.  The greatest gift you can give is the love of Christ.  The greatest words you can share are about the love of Christ.  The greatest difference you can make is that which Christ makes through and in you.  Make an impact today!

Fly Right!

My rough year was when I was in the 8th grade.  I don't know what got into me, but my attention getting schemes got the best of me.  I guess I had been ramping up for several years but I crested in the 8th grade.  Now I never got in real trouble.  I had to go to the principal's office only once that year, however, that visit was for singing 'America the Beautiful' with a Glen Campbell record during Chorus.  We had a substitute teacher that day that just got out the music book and an accompanying record and was trying to fill up the time.  When I joined in with the record, the teacher had enough.  I was probably warned a couple of times, but bellow it out I did.  Two or three 'licks' later,  I was a tad quieter the rest of the day.  I did not go to the office for my antics in Science with that half loony dude for a teacher.  I did not go for the grief I caused the year-long substitute in math (we put the real one out of commission for a time).  I was not mean.  I was still a good kid, just a pain.  I did not do well in school that year (to say the least).  I was more concerned about what I wanted to do than what I should have been doing.  I just stayed right below the radar from really being in trouble and repeating the 8th grade. When I went to high school, they must have convinced me that they were not going to tolerate it. I did alright and never had such 'brushes with the law'.
When I read of Samson's continued, juvenile, careless acts, I think about the consequences of living all your life like I did in the 8th grade.   It is sad to never reach your full potential in the Lord.  The clue for what went wrong with Samson is stated early.  Judges 14:3-   But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” (www.lifejournal.cc)  When your effort in life is to get what you want and to be lead by what looks right in your eyes, you are sure to fail.  When you try to live life recklessly, right below the radar, you will soon crash and burn.   He thought eating out of a dead carcass when no one was looking would be fine.  He thought getting caught up with wrong women would not hurt.  He thought that the wisdom God gave Him was best used in silly riddles.  Samson acted like I did in the 8th grade throughout a lot of his adult life....and he never accomplished what he could have in the Lord.
Don't miss your greatest potential by settling for the status quo, just trying to stay below the radar spiritually, or by being led by what you want and what you see.  Aim Higher! Fly right!

Yes in Christ

I wish I could always say 'yes' to my children. I cannot, however. For one I cannot afford it. Two, I would not be a good parent. It is my job to know what they need and give them what they need; that includes not giving them what they don't need. It includes protecting them, guiding them, and providing for them (financially and spiritually). One of the great jobs spiritually that parents have is teaching their children what they need and don't need. There is a bunch in this world that I must say 'no' to but I am thankful that everything in Christ is a 'yes'! The Lord holds nothing back! 2 Corinthians 1:20- For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (www.lifejournal.cc) We have all we really need in Christ. On Palm Sunday I look at the cross and the sealed tomb, in anticipation of the Rolled away stone. What we see in the empty tomb is a 'yes'! It is a yes to more abundant life here and a yes to eternal life with Him. He walks with us here and prepares for us there. Why is the empty tomb a 'yes'? Because of the cross. Because Christ said 'yes' in the garden and on the cross, we can say 'yes' to the offer of an empty tomb. When we say 'yes', Christ says 'yes' to us, because of the cross and with the evidence of the empty tomb. Celebrate your 'yes' in Christ today! It is a limitless offer!