Journey into Forever

It's always how it works. I finish a study get comfortable ( nice word for cocky) in my instruction in what God wants me to learn, then BAM!!! Test time! It seems as if He is saying, "Ok smarty pants. You think you've got it? Let's see!" Had two 'scary' events this week. Events that a few years ago would have set me scrambling for some type of " stress reliever", inappropriate as it may have been. First, had a potential health crisis with a dear friend. Not ready to be experiencing that.....but because of God's grace and the strength HE provides, I was able to pray through that. Good news, not as serious as it could be. Then last night, we were in Republic, Missouri, when the 70 mile per hour straight winds hit. Not a big deal, unless you are in a camper by a fireworks tent that's filled with items you haven't paid for yet. Scariest situation I've ever been involved in. Can't tell you I wasn't scared, bec

"They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." Matthew 17:6-7 " Don't be afraid." Luke 12:7 " Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:1 " Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27 When I finally sat down from working in the fireworks stand, I remembered I have not read my Bible for two days. Wow! So I picked up my iPad and got with it. Sometimes I get completely lost when I do that and time just blasts by. Happened again today, and a customer for the fireworks scared me to death when he peeked over the top of the piled fireworks and spoke to me. It's like reading a good book for me. I'm basically gone, drawn back in time to when the passage was written and what it tells me about God. That love for the Word has taken a lifetime. I never even read it much until a few years ago. Getting to know the

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. -Psalms 136:1 (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Taking a break from "Fearless" today. Sunday is Father's Day, and I just can't let it pass without a word. Having a dad is something that unites us all. We all have one, whether we know him or not. As with all human positions, fathers come in all types, shapes, sizes, personalities, spiritual persuasions. Some of us still enjoy the presence of our fathers, some don't. Some never did. It's a word that carries with it a tremendous amount of emotion, some positive and some not so positive. My dad has been gone 8 years now. Sometimes that seems like yesterday, sometimes it seems forever. Dad died before h

"You will hear wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed." Matthew 24:6 Watching the news gets scarier and scarier every day. Terrorist attacks. Governmental intrusion on privacy. Man against man on every level. Drugs, abuse, neglect, children mistreated and hungry. The list goes on and on. Being almost 60, I think I can safely say the world is a much darker place than it used to be. And yet, according to Matthew 24:6, we are not to be alarmed. Easier said than done. Max Lucado, in Chapter 13 of "Fearless" reminds us that life is a dangerous endeavor. There are so many "ifs" in our lives.....if the average temperature rises, if government spending isn't slowed down, if, if, if.....predictions of global calamity are everywhere. We worry about things getting worse......and yet Jesus tells us in chapter 24 of Matthew that things WILL absolutely get worse. Not only does he talk about wars, He mentions famines, ea

Ever have a day when things were just crummy? One thing after another .....then it dawned on me. Haven't been in the Word for 2 days....perfect timing for the rotten scoundrel to start moving in. Ever happen to you?Just proves to me how important that daily time with Him is. Well I'll show that stinkin' villain....it won't be 3 days I can tell you for sure! 1 Peter 5:8 : "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."