May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5

The story is one of resolute endurance.

It occurred in the Antarctic in 1914-1917, during the Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition. Its ship, the Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed.

The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately South Georgia Island. It was an incredible experience and thanks to the leadership qualities of Ernest Shackleton, not one of the 28 members of the crew perished. All survived. Just this year, the well-preserved stern of the ship “Endurance” was discovered in 10,000 feet of water, 106 years after its demise.

Books have been written about Shackleton’s leadership qualities. Shackleton was a cautious leader and a man who would never ask his men to do anything he would not do himself. He was also good at improvisation, a man not afraid to throw away the rulebook or abandon plans if they were not working.

Imagine being stranded on ice for 19 months in the world’s harshest climate, often without light for months on end. Imagine being cut off from the outside world without any forms of communication. No smartphones, tablets, laptops, telephones or faxes, not even a telegraph machine or carrier pigeon! Imagine helming a crew of 27 tired and demoralized men, all of whom depend on you for survival. What would you do in that life threatening situation?

Shackleton’s leadership skills are taught in business schools. He was mission focused, improvised when necessary. He freely shared information with his team, even when it was not good. He learned from his mistakes and made corrections when necessary.

But perhaps Shackleton’s greatest character of leadership was endurance. He never gave up and encouraged his team to never give up.

The Bible tells us to have endurance and not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Paul tells us to not grow weary in doing good. As Christians, we need endurance, so that when we have done the will of God we will receive what Jesus promised. Those who endure in the faith to the end will be saved.

How is the endurance of your faith?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Only GOD: Our moon is 27 percent the size of our planet and yet our planet is so small that 1.3 million Earths can fit inside our sun. While our sun contains 99.86 percent of the mass in our solar system, it is just one of 200 billion stars in our galaxy. Astrophysicists estimate that our galaxy is just one of between one hundred billion and two hundred billion galaxies in the universe.

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When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the vale.

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Psalm-34-4

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There are 4200 recognized religions in the world. Which one is yours?

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Paul warned that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Here is how he responded: “What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ.”

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Have you heard of the latest designer dog? It’s the rage… the all-new St. Pit. It is a cross between a pit bull and a St. Bernard. It will bite your leg off and then go get help.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If you are playing “Follow the Leader,” you must get out of your chair. Max Wilkins

Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience. Ralph Emerson

We don’t take Jesus’ word for knowledge, but for transformation. Cindy Heiberg

We need to join Jesus’ mission now and not tarry in the wilderness. Andy Ivey

Worship is essential to the Word of God. Laura Hedstrom

Without Good Friday, the resurrection would be impossible. Bishop Sharma Lewis

If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. Albert Einstein

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5

When taking a public administration course in college, the professor gave us the “In basket” test and then gave us the formula to find the answer. He was referring to the in basket on a person’s desk, but he explained that everyone has there own daily in basket.

I call mine my: TO DO List. I check every morning on my computer, as I plan my day and at the end of the day, I will revise it for tomorrow, often containing items I did not getting around to doing on today’s list.

Organizing our daily schedule and tasks allows us to concentrate on what needs to get done that day instead of being distracted by things around us. At nighttime, we are able to prioritize our sleep and rest easy knowing what needed to be done was done. Prioritizing our sleep helps to alleviate our stress.

The Bible tells us things that should be on our everyday TO DO List. Our faith tells us that God must be the first priority of life. Nothing else works without God as our priority. The remaining priorities fold under God in a specific order. The family is our second priority. It is in the family where we first learn about God and about the other priorities.

God expects us to accept His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Savior. He expects us to give our lives to Him, and in so doing, develop the character of Christ. God wants us to become more like Christ. We are called on to daily read His Word and pray.

Pray to God and admit that you need help putting Him first. Ask God to help you in this area and for the passion and desire for Him to grow. Make God a priority and schedule in time with Him every day first before anything else. Arrange all your other obligations around Him.

I must confess, especially because my wife will edit this before it is published, that I am slack in those areas of my priorities. Too often my TO DO list is about me and my earthly goals. “It has to be done today” or does it?

What’s in your In Basket? Is God there and is He first on the list?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The Power of God’s Purpose:

(1) God’s purpose gives meaning to life.

Purpose moves you from survival mode, past success, to significance.

(2) God’s purpose reduces frustration.

Purpose makes life more pleasant and pleasurable.

(3) God’s purpose increases our motivation.

Purpose produces hope. Inspires action. And encourages steadfast endurance.

(4) God’s purpose allows for greater concentration.

Purpose empowers us to stay mentally, emotionally, and spiritually alert.

(5) God’s purpose simplifies your life.

Purpose reduces confusion. And makes life less complex.

(6) God’s purpose keeps your eyes on the goal.

Purpose provides focus on what’s really important in life.

(7) God’s purpose reaps eternal rewards.

Purpose prepares you for eternity. And keeps the reward real.

The person without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

— o —

Would you like to know your actual “biological age”? Would you like to learn whether you have physical conditions that are associated with increased risks of mortality? Your eyes apparently hold the key.

A new study says your retina may be able to provide doctors with a way to “evaluate underlying pathological processes of systemic vascular and neurological diseases” that you would not otherwise recognize. Doctors could then treat these conditions proactively, improving your health and even extending your life.

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The number of abortions per one thousand women has declined by over half from its peak in the early 1980s and a growing number of Americans—now 71 percent—want limits on abortion.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

A Christian who is not thankful, is not a Christian at all. Bob Sprinkle

We often put ourselves in some pretty miserable positions because we move ahead without seeking God. Dan Shock

Build your relationships with the Holy Spirit. Jomo Cousins

Prayerlessness is a declaration of independence from God. Daniel Henderson

The greatest curse of Christianity is mediocre Christianity.

Salvation is the basic of Christianity. You can’t be a Christian without being saved. It is more than knowing about it, as it is a personal relationship with Jesus. When you get saved, it is not an end, but a new beginning as you know the resurrection power of Him.

Our self-righteousness is a filthy rag in the presence of Jesus.

Eternity is too long to be wrong.

Prayer without faith amounts to just empty words.

What if God chose you to introduce His Son to the world?

“But God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

– Ephesians 2:4-10

Have you ever been to a “crossroad”? You know – where you are traveling along and the road you are on suddenly branches out into 2 roads, and you must choose between the 2? It helps to be prepared ahead of time for that crossroad!

While we were in Alaska many years ago, we learned about a crossroad which was created in 1896 in the Yukon, a stop for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They placed there one year’s supplies to prevent many deaths. They had to be prepared ahead of time for this crossroad!

God has a crossroad in our text, verse 4, “but God.” In the original that it is all it says, “BUT GOD!”. “But” is a conjunction, a joining together, a word used to connect. It is the brining together at a crossroad of thought.

There are many conjunctions in Scripture. But this, out of 43 conjunctions in Scripture, is the only one where God is at the crossroad! It is the only one in which God Himself intervenes. And interestingly, we will learn that it is not us who does the preparing for this conjunction. It is God Himself!

God describes this conjunction through the subjects of many positions the believer has in Christ. First, he has a “resurrection”, as described in in verses 4-6a. Paul talks about the riches of His mercy. Humanly speaking, there have been many people who are rich. For example, David Rockefeller (who at the time was the wealthiest man in the world) was often asked for a dollar. He instead would give dimes in order to show people the value of a dollar!

Brace yourself: God is richer than all the Rockefellers combined! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), and Romans 11:32-36 talk about the depth of God’s riches as seen in His mercy and knowledge.

There is also the depths of His love, His “great love with which He loved us”. Jeremiah 31:3 says that God has personally loved us “with an everlasting love”! And how wonderful is His love? Rev. 13:8 tells us that the Lamb Who has so loved us was, in God’s sight and purposes, “slain before the foundation of the world”! Even the cross was prepared, the greatest display of God’s love. God was at this crossroad already. When? “When we were dead in trespasses” (verse 5)! Wo

The reality of this crossroad, of our resurrection, is the interaction of the Trinity! God “made us alive together” (verse 5) and He “raised us up together” (verse 6a). Who did the raising? The Father! (Look up Eph. 1:20) and The Son (John 10:18) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) as ONE were involved in our resurrection! There’s another WOW!

Why is this resurrection important? Well, let’s imagine a violent criminal is shot and killed. The bullet which killed him is removed, BUT HE IS STILL DEAD. The cases of the crimes he committed are now removed from the record, BUT HE IS STILL DEAD. He needs a new life!

And so did we! We were dead – we didn’t need reform or religion!

We needed RESURRECTION!

So then God RAISED US UP and gave us a new SITTING (verse 6). Notice that we are sitting with Jesus “together in the heavenly places”. Because of Christ’s ascension, Christ is busy preparing a place for us, waiting to come again, and looking forward for our arrival in glory – all those preparations at the same time.

He has given us the REALITY of a position: SITTING WITH HIM! Did you notice the difference in prepositions? He says that we are “alive WITH Christ” (verse 5) but we will be sitting IN CHRIST (verse 6). Paul wrote this from a dungeon in Rome, yet he had the security of eternity now! Take a gander at Romans 8:38-39.

And don’t forget: while we are IN Christ, Christ also is IN US! (See Colossins 1:27-29). This is an important point: as a result, our sitting gives us security now to live for Him throughout our lives! Here we go again: WOW!

Did you notice also that we will be ON DISPLAY (verses 7-9)? One of the highlights of our married lives was our going on a Caribbean cruise for our 15th wedding anniversary, WAY back in 1988. I had read about the ship’s putting contest, and I looked forward to entering! Just as my dad had done many years earlier on a cruise, even so I, too, WON that cruise’s putting contest! On the last night of the cruise, there was an award ceremony, and unbeknownst to me, one of our group took a picture of my receiving my trophy. That trophy with the picture are STILL on display as evidences of a great contest won.

MORE IMPORTANTLY than a trophy for a ship’s putting contest – WAIT, what could be MORE IMPORTANT than a trophy for a ship’s putting contest??? Well, for starters, the fact that believers in Jesus are…brace yourselves…HIS TROPHIES! Verse 7 says that, in reality, the believer is a TROPHY of God’s grace! We will be forever on display, for all eternity, before all the heavenly kingdom!

And did you catch who are the ONLY ones who can be so displayed? That’s right, ONLY redeemed sinners! We must be sinners, and we must be redeemed, in order to be on His display! Here it comes…WOW!

So what do we do with this reality NOW? We serve the King of kings! Verse 10 says that “we are His workmanship”, the purpose of our new creation in Christ! The reality is that the final crossroads is our choice of obedience to the service, the workmanship for which GOD HIMSELF has created us for! We either choose the road of obedience that puts Him on display, OR we choose the road of disobedience that puts ME on display.

I read the wonderful story of a Grandma who wanted to show her love for her grandson. So on his graduation day from high school, she gave him a Bible. He was…FURIOUS! He didn’t want a Bible…he wanted MONEY! So he threw the Bible across the room and it quietly and quickly slid under his bed. Months later he was cleaning his room when his eye caught ahold of the Bible. He picked it up to give it one final throw – into the garbage can – when as he threw it a HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL fell out of it! The wise Grandma knew not only what he wanted; she also knew what he needed!

The point is deep: there are TRUE RICHES to be found at this crossroad. “BUT GOD” – He alone has prepared this crossroad, and His ultimate purpose is our obedience to Him!

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO THE CROSSROAD OF GOD’S GRACE,

HIS DESIRE THAT HE ALONE BE ON DISPLAY THROUGH YOU (AND ME!)?

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34

A New York Post survey found that the average person was struck with worry four times a day ‒ that’s 112 times in a month. About 86 percent of people in a survey described themselves as worriers. And the research revealed we spend on average one hour and 50 minutes a day fretting, amounting to 12 hours and 53 minutes a week – or four years and 11 months across the average adult lifetime of 64 years.

There is a great story that comes out of Greece in the 5th century B.C. During the war between two city-states, a spy was captured and sentenced to death. Before the execution, he demanded an audience with the Ruler of that city. When the interview was granted, he stood before the Ruler and pled “O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere two years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.”

The king thought about it, and finally decided, “What’s two years? I can always kill him at the end of it.” So he agreed, and the spy was led away.

Several weeks later, while the spy was in the stables playing the harp in front of the king’s horse, two of his friends who smuggled themselves into the city in disguise found him and asked what happened. After telling them the story they said, “You’re crazy! You can’t teach a horse to sing! The king will kill you!”

The spy then said very wisely, “In two years, anything can happen. The king may die; I may die or, who knows maybe the horse will learn to sing!” And he went on playing the harp.

There is a good moral to this story. How often do we worry about things that may never happen and miss out on enjoying today?

In Matthew 6:25 Jesus commanded His followers, “Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on”.

Find comfort and peace through Scripture that promises you hope and a future. Fear, worry and anxiety are all weapons of Satan to keep us from experiencing the full life that God has for us. These emotions can overwhelm us and keep us paralyzed. Learn how to leave free from worry and anxiety by meditating on the Word and casting your cares upon Jesus! Start today and take small steps today toward living fully free from anxieties.

What will you worry about today? Remember, it may go away tomorrow.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

A Good List To Remember and Live By:

The most powerful emotion in life………………………..love

The greatest asset…………………………………………….faith

The greatest joy………………………………………………..giving

The most contagious spirit………………………………….enthusiasm

The most beautiful attire…………………………………….a smile

The most prized possession……………………………….integrity

The greatest “shot in the arm”……………………………..enthusiasm

The greatest problem to overcome………………………fear

The greatest loss………………………………………………self-respect

The ugliest personality trait…………………………………selfishness

The deadliest weapon………………………………………..the tongue

The most worthless emotion……………………………….self-pity

The most powerful channel of communication……….prayer

The two most power-filled words………………………….I can

The fastest path to healing and wholeness……………forgiveness

The most powerful force in the universe……………….God

The best book you can read………………………………..The Bible

The greatest verse in the Bible……………………………John 3:16

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

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Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration. The Minimalist

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The City of Miami spent $350,000 on new park lights. The park closes at sundown!

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

I DON’T ACCEPT WAGES FOR JOB HALF DONE. Stephen Bernard

The riches Jesus desires to share with you are eternal riches, which cannot be measured by temporal things like gold or silver. Dan Shock

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:18

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Life: Said succinctly, it’s not about us.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being. JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE.

The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord asked me, ‘What do you see, Amos?’ ‘A plumb line,’ I replied. Then the Lord said, ‘Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. Amos 7:7-8

Standing along a street in Cairo, while waiting for a bus, I couldn’t help, but stare at the building. It was so out of plumb that I had to take a picture. It obviously had not been built to plumb and was leaning heavily to my left.

A plumb line is a cord with a non-magnetic weight attached to one end. When the cord is held in such a way that the weight can dangle freely, an exact vertical can be determined. Painters and carpenters use plumb lines to keep their work straight. It is difficult, while in the middle of a project, to determine a true horizontal or vertical line without an objective measuring tool, so a plumb line is employed. A plumb line applies the law of gravity to find right angles, to indicate the most direct route from top to bottom, and to keep things plumb. A plumb line doesn’t change or move with the whims of the carpenter. It remains true, and all work must line up with it or risk being crooked.

When God said He was setting a plumb line among His people, He was declaring an end to their attempts to justify their crooked ways. The Lord was setting the standard. God does not negotiate His laws. He does not change with the whims of culture. God’s moral law is the plumb line against which we determine right and wrong. Just as a carpenter’s plumb line is not subject to the opinions or the frustration of the worker, so God’s moral standards are not subject to the opinions of man. Wise people are those who line up their lives according to God’s plumb line rather than trying to move it to satisfy their own agendas.

As I look around our contemporary world, we have lost our plumb line. Our plumb is leaning to the post-modern culture and our ways are crooked. We are going for cultural popularity rather than God’s Biblical standards.

The Bible tells His people to pray and seek His face, turning from their wicked ways. Then God will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

Of Lord, may it happen now.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The Seminole Heights Baptist Church steeple was a commuting landmark hovering above the Hillsborough Avenue exit since the interstate was built. The church was razed over the summer. But the steeple — a piece of it at least — has been given a second life.

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe owner acquired the top of the steeple, known as the spire, and had it delivered to the parking lot across the street from her restaurant. Deming then had the spire transformed into public art. “We thought it was important to save this piece of Tampa history and keep it in the public,” Deming said. “We’re proud of how it turned out.” She said “this piece is about growth and change, just as it has taken on a different role from a religious symbol to a piece of art. It is about women and the role of women.”

Another loss for Christendom

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What makes someone great?

Greatness in our culture is typically measured by personal achievement and public acclaim.

An athlete who wins Grand Slams or Super Bowls is “great.” CEOs and politicians are measured by the “Three P’s”: performance, popularity, and possessions. For pastors, the standards are similarly alliterated: buildings, budgets, and baptisms.

Sacrificial service is seldom considered. I know pastors who are serving in smaller congregations and towns, but whose ministries are remarkably effective. Police officers risk their lives for us every day, but we seem not to recognize their service unless one of them makes the sacrifice all are willing to make.

In our confused and broken culture, it is as if we must decide between public excellence and personal service. This is a choice Jesus did not need to make. Jim Denison

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In the comic strip BC, the caveman is having a crisis of faith. He cries out, “God, just show me YOU exist, and I’ll believe.”

Suddenly there’s an earthquake. A volcano erupts. Lightning strikes. Finally, a rainbow appears.

In the last frame the caveman is still pleading, “Please, God, just show me a sign!”

Some people will never believe regardless of the evidence. It reminds me of the philosopher Bertrand Russell who said that if he did meet up with God, he would challenge God by arguing, “You did not give me enough evidence.”

Actually, God has given us plenty of evidence. In fact, it is so apparent, so obvious, so visible, that the Bible does not argue the existence of God, it simply assumes it. And the worthy Ancients simply acknowledged what they observed and gave God the glory, honor, and praise for who He is. Ken Weliever, The Preacher Man

— o —

One of the best summary comments on 2020 I have seen is how the world has turned upside down because now old folks are sneaking out of the house and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors! What a total reversal of life!

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

There’s no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. Quarterback Tom Brady

The Pro-Life Movement Cannot Stop Until Every Human Life is Respected. Albert Mohler

Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret! Laurence J. Peters

Freedom of speech lets us know who the idiots are. Anonymous

Today, the same idols in the Bible are worshiped. Dan Shock

Coincidences are when God chooses to remain anonymous. When God doesn’t want to be out front publicly, He’ll work behind the scenes providentially. Ken Whitten

Church is not a place we come to. It is what we become. Daniel Henderson

It is not a coincidence that we are witnessing a tragic rise in secularism along with our material prosperity. Jim Denison

19 “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

— Ephesians 1:19-23

Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

A number of years ago we bought a new (to us!) car from a local dealership. About a week after our purchase, we received in the mail a check! A check from that same local dealership! We couldn’t believe it! And we could not believe that the check was real. After all, why would the dealership to which we gave money return money to us? They explained that the national organization honored the sale of each vehicle that month with a substantial bonus in return. The check was REAL!

Christ is our life! Yet in the same manner as we inquired about the validity of that check, Jesus invites us to “prove it”, to prove that He really IS our life! Do you remember Matthew 11:28? That is where Jesus says, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” But we often forget to add verse 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.” In essence, our Savior is saying, “come to Me. And when you come, FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF that I am worthy of your trust, your eternal AND your daily trust.” Why, because He is our life!

In Ephesians 1:19-23, Paul is showing the Ephesian church – and us – some of the lessons we will learn when we “come unto Me…and learn from Me.”

The FIRST lesson Paul teaches is that “Jesus is SEATED” (see verse 20 above). It is important to note that He did more than just rise from the dead – which in itself IS important, isn’t it? Why YES! He overcame death. But the verse goes on to say that after His Son’s resurrection, the Father seated Jesus at His right hand! This implies that He has something to do!

I remember the call! I had been laid off from my previous job, the one where I had worked for 7 years but due to lack of sales was laid off each Christmas time the last 4 years I worked there. I needed a full-time, year around job! My family needed for me to have a full-time job. I applied to one place, interviewed with them, and then a full year went by. And then I got the call (have YOU received a call from a new employer?). My new boss-to-be said, “we would like to hire you. Do you want the job? (“Yes!”). Then come in this afternoon and we will give you an orientation. You’ll start full-time on Monday. I got the call! I’ve got a job! I told everyone I knew “I’VE GOT A JOB!”. I’ve got security, benefits, vacations, regular pay, year around work, not much chance for layoff! Then someone asked me, “Well, what will you be doing?” “DOING?” It is one thing to HAVE a job; it is another thing to DO a job!

The fact that the Savior was seated implied that He is doing something! Let’s get a taste of what Jesus is doing NOW for you and me who love Him as Savior:

* He is preparing a place. In John 14:1-6, Jesus says that after His resurrection He will be going to heaven. And then? “I go to prepare a place for you.”

* He is praying for us. In Hebrews 7:25 we learn, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

* He is caring for His servants, even in death! Take a reading of the martyrdom of Stephen as recorded in Acts 7:51-60. As he is being stoned to death, Stephen proclaims, “’Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’” Even at the time of his death, Stephen knew – he KNEW – that Jesus cared for him!

And the Savior is currently doing so much more for His children of faith! As we read the Scriptures, we should make a list of all the verses like the above ones which show that the Savior is doing something NOW for us!

Verse 21 is LOADED with truth about our Savior, and SECOND, it tells us that “Jesus is SOVEREIGN”. (Are you catching the alliteration?!!!). Someone wisely observed that all wars, ALL wars, are designed for one nation or one person to be SOVEREIGN over the entire world, or at least his part of the world. We can readily see that with the war that is going on in Russia’s aggression over the Ukraine. But the bottom line is this: WHO really has the right to be SUPREME ruler? For us believers, that should be an easy question: the Lord Jesus! And that settles it! His ascension proves He is Sovereign! He is Sovereign over principality (rule), power (authority), might (strength), dominion (extremes of area), and every name (all titles that can be conferred on humans). He is Sovereign in government (see Romans 13:1-4 in which such Sovereignty should cause us to pray for those He has wisely put in authority over us. He is Sovereign over the future. Do you remember Jesus’ conversation with Pilate before that unjust king turned Jesus over for crucifixion? Jesus said to Pilate, “hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64b). Pilate would soon learn who really IS Sovereign. And Phil. 2:5-11 includes the truth that one day “every knee shall bow” before the Lord Jesus, confessing Him as Lord! He is Sovereign!

But an important question for me today is, “Is He Sovereign in my heart?”. Colossians 3:1 lovingly says, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Is He sovereign in my heart, and is that Sovereignty on display by my daily seeking those things which are above? OR am I settling for earthly things? Tough questions!

The THIRD lesson the Apostle Paul teaches comes from verses 22-23 where we learn that the Savior is SECURE in His work today! His program today is the CHURCH – not Israel, not the PTA, not social groups, but the CHURCH! Another question for each of us, “Is the CHURCH our priority, too? Or do THINGS and other STUFF take its place?”. The church is His priority – in that we can be secure.

Not only that, the Lord Jesus is building His UNIVERSAL CHURCH!

Now by denomination some fundamentalists are Baptists. There is a story about the man who died and went to Heaven. Saint Peter (somehow Peter gets in all of these jokes, er stories, doesn’t he?) showed this new entrant around Heaven. As they were walking around the wonders of Glory, the new resident inquired, “I see a closed door down that aisle. What is behind that door?”. To that question Peter replied, “Shhhh! Behind there are the Baptists! They think they are the only ones up here!”

Don’t laugh too hard!

Even today, the Savior wants each believer to have an awareness of the universal church, and how He has been working in that fundamental church for all generations, in all decades of time, drawing a people unto Himself.

And we are His FULLNESS. Verse 23 reads in part, [the church is] “the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” In theological terms, “fullness” means, “the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, Who fills everything everywhere with Himself.” Wow! This is amazing!

He is seated – doing a work

He is Sovereign – Head over all

He provides security – He is building His church!

All that is an invitation to for each of us to ask a simple question: “Since God’s program today is centered around the local church, is that MY priority?”

He alone is worthy of our eternal and our daily trust, walk, and hope.

Are we learning of Him today?

I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.

– Isaiah 46:4

The Bible is full of assurances that God cares for us:

▪ For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. – Isaiah 41:13

▪ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. -Psalm 32.8

▪ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23.1-3

▪ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

But, there is more. God calls on us to care, care for ourselves and care for others. We live by a scoreboard. Are you winning? Who are you caring for? You can’t care for others until you care for yourself, physically and spiritually. Are you too busy for God? If He wanted to whisper in your ear, could you work it into your schedule of life? Does your schedule leave time for Him? Is your life’s schedule a maze of unorganized twists and turns?

When you earn and prioritize caring for yourself, then you can, and are commanded, to turn to others. Find out what comforts them. Hear their story. Help them physically and spiritually. Pour yourself into them.

The best days of Elijah were when he was pouring into Elisha. At age 92, the great basketball coach said the best days of his life lay ahead, because he was spending his time giving back.

Are you giving back by pouring into others?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“Nordic combined skiing” is so named because it combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing. The sport has been dominated in recent years by Norwegian athlete Jarl Magnus Riiber, considered by NBC analyst Johnny Spillane, to be “the best Nordic combined skier ever.” As Riiber prepared to compete in this year’s Olympics, Spillane predicted, “If he has a good day, he’s pretty much unstoppable.”

He didn’t have a good day.

Riiber tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival at the Olympic Games in China, missing his first event and every training session. He cleared isolation on Monday in time to ski cross-country for ten kilometers on Tuesday. As he entered the first of four 2.5-kilometer loops on the course, he came to a fork. To the left was the cross-country circuit; to the right was the path to the finish line. He had not had a chance to practice on the track, so he had to guess and picked the lane on the right.

He chose poorly.

After skiing around fifty yards, he realized he was going the wrong way and turned around. It was too late, however—he’d frittered away his lead and finished in eighth place. “It’s a silly mistake,” Riiber said later, “and it’s not fun to show the world that I’m maybe wasting a gold medal on that.”

Let’s consider his mishap as a cultural parable.

— o —

One in five first grade Florida students have fetal alcohol syndrome.

— o —

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a member of the US Supreme Court for thirty years, once explained his career choice: “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.”

— o —

We are a culture drowning in possessions.

We take in more and more at an unprecedented rate, but rarely do we make commitments to discard possessions as quickly as they accumulate. As a result, our homes fill with stuff. The Minimalist

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Normal is not coming back, but Jesus is. Geary Jarrett

If we could learn to like ourselves, even a little, maybe our cruelties and angers might melt away. JOHN STEINBECK

It’s easy to discount the sacrifices that people make who are worldly successful; but it is impossible to measure the effort Jesus made to give His life for each of our eternal destiny…because no one else has ever done likewise. Dwight Short

How foolish it is to think that we can hide the truth from God. Dan Shock

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort. JOHN RUSKIN

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. Henry Ford

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. NAPOLEON HILL

People in their right minds never take pride in their talents. Harper Lee The only way to have a friend is to be one. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your Wealth is Where Your Friends Are. Ernie J. Zelinski

Work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed. VÁCLAV HAVEL

We once had a cat named “Zulu”, a wonderful, loving feline who lived to be 16 years old.   When we called her for a meal, the whole house would echo:  “Zulu LULULULULULU!”.  Back in the 1980’s when we got her from the local SPCA, she was declawed (a practice now outlawed in our state).  Because of that, we were very aggressive to keep her in the house where she would have protection against all the outdoor enemies against which she would have been defenseless.  
     Well, one evening she got out.  I don’t remember  HOW she got out.  But I do remember WHAT we did next!  We called for her all evening long before we reluctantly went to bed.  When I got up early the next morning, I started calling for her:  “Zulu LULULULULULU!”.   The whole neighborhood echoed.  Soon, Zulu appeared…and would NOT come in!  I told her that her dog friends were inside!  I told her that Tonya our daughter who loved Zulu was inside waiting for her.  But you know what convinced this stubborn cat to come in?  “How about some chow?”.  In she came!  She was hungry for the good stuff!  (Well, good for HER!  I don’t think I would like her food!).
   Wasn’t that a nice story?  And so is this section of Ephesians, which reminds us that the Father is lovingly calling us every morning to come have “chow” with Him!  HE hungers for our fellowship!  HE hungers for those quiet moments with Him when He can instruct us in His Word.  And HE hungers for those times when we can share with Him our heart’s burdens in prayer.  THAT’S what this section of Ephesians is all about!
     COME IN FOR THE FATHER’S “CHOW”!
Perhaps there are some questions each of us can ask ourselves to evaluate our personal progress as a child of God.  Let’s use our text as a guide!
    First, we should ask, “HOW IS MY PRAYER LIFE?”  (See verses 15-16)
     The Pastor was walking downtown when up ahead he saw Bob coming toward him.  “Oh no!”, he thought.  “I promised Bob I would be praying for him, and I haven’t been.  Oh no!  What am I going to do?”  “Oh Lord, bless Bob.  I pray for him!”.
     “Hey Bob!  Good to see you!  I’ve been praying for you!”
     That’s NOT what verse 16 is all about!  Here Paul says of the Ephesian fellowship, “[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers…”. How important is prayer in the Bible?  There are 348 Old Testament verses and 165 New Testament verses that specifically deal with prayer.  How important was prayer to the Apostle Paul?  Here’s just a sampling:
He begins his letter to the Romans, “that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers…” (Rom. 1:9)
And to the Philippians:  “always in every prayer of mine making request for you  all with joy…” (Phil. 1:4)
And to the Colossians:  “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord  Jesus Christ, praying always for you…”. (Colossians 1:3)
     How about the Lord?  How important is prayer to HIM?  We’re familiar with the Lord’s prayer.  Let’s add to that 1 Peter 3:12a: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their  prayers…”
      It is God’s people who rock the world by prayer!  So how is YOUR prayer life?  What priority of your time, your day, is devoted to prayer?  AND are you praying in general terms (“Lord bless Charlie”) or in specific terms?  AND do you pray anytime when the Spirit moves?
     The Sunday school teacher asked, “What is prayer?”.  The second grader wisely answered, “It is a message sent to God at night and on Sundays when the rates are cheaper.”
So how is YOUR prayer life?
Second, we should ask, HOW WELL DO I KNOW GOD?  (See verse 17)
     Paul prayed for the Ephesian BELIEVERS that they might KNOW God.  But didn’t they already know God?  Weren’t they already believers?
   Let me illustrate.  A young man FALLS IN LOVE with what would be his very first girlfriend.  He tells his parents, “I’m in love!  We’re going to get married!”.  The wise parents said, “That’s pretty sudden!  Don’t you think you should get to know her better?”  Their son protested, “I DO know her!  And I LOVE her.  We’re going to get MARRIED!”  
     Well, I DO know 2 couples for whom that worked!  My wife’s parents were married over 67 years when her mother went Home to be with Jesus.  Their courtship lasted from October-January before they were married on January 29 (back in 1949!).  And my wife and I courted from October-July before marrying just after the 4th of July – and that was almost 49 years ago.  How would you counsel couples like us? 
      But in those 49 years, we’ve made some special observations!  We’ll be walking along when I’ll bring up a subject.  Immediately she’ll ask, “how did you know that that is what I was thinking about?”  Or she would ask a question, and I’ll answer it BEFORE she even finishes the question.  And she asks, “Isn’t that frightening how well we KNOW each other?”.
     “Knowledge” means “a deep and intimate, full knowledge [of God]”.  And note that that comes “through wisdom and revelation”, not something new but rather what has already been stated.  Do you remember Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
     Is your priority someone’s books ABOUT the Bible, or is it the Bible itself?  What is your priority in daily Bible reading, that you may have an intimate, deep, full knowledge of God?
     The last question we need to ask ourselves is, AM I GROWING IN THE LORD?  (See verses 18-20).
      Whoa be it for me to give some advice on growth!  I’m 5’2” tall, mom was 4’ 10” tall.  (My dad was 6’ 1” tall – go figure!).  
     But note the verse:  “eyes of your understanding being enlightened”.  That means “your heart FLOODED WITH LIGHT” that you may know how you should live and how to respond to the cares of everyday life.
     Paul told the Hebrew believers, “let us go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).
     Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that they would be flooded, overwhelmed with the DAILY hand of God.  By this they could test whether or not they were maturing in the Lord.
     Paul then gives 3 quick guides in his prayer life for the maturity of the Ephesian believers:
(1). The hope of their calling (see Romans 8:28-29).  God’s investment of His time and Son should promote holiness, conformity to His Son. (2).  The riches of His inheritance (see Psalm 8:1-4).  Contrast the beauty of God’s creation with God’s eternal attention upon His children!
(3).  The greatness of His power.  “Power” is the Greek word “dynamos” from which we get the word “dynamite”.  It is the same perspective as the power of Niagara Falls from which power we can generate electricity.  As great as THAT is, how much greater is the power that raised Christ from the dead?  That power is working in us and available to us, so that we can live for Him!
     Are you growing in the Lord, conscious of His investment, His attention, His equipping for all our lives?
     I once officiated a wedding which, amazingly, included the following incident.  I asked the bride, “Debbie, are you willing to take Charlie as your wedded husband…?”.  She looked at me, she looked at Charlie, and then she looked at the crowd, and gave the most dramatic pause I’ve ever experienced at a wedding.  She ultimately DID say “YES!”.  But for years to come I kept a close eye on Debbie and Charlie.  They did ok!
     The being “flooded with the light” of God, as Paul shared with the Ephesian church depends upon the answer to 2 vital questions:
Are you willing to grow?
Are you willing to pray?
     What are your answers before our loving Heavenly Father?

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17

On a recent sojourn to Egypt, early one morning we were awakened at four in the morning and drove south from Aswan over the Sahara Desert to watch the sun ride over the desert and then further south towards the border of Sudan.

The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert in the world and covers much of North Africa covering 9,200,000 square kilometers which is comparable to the area of China or the US. It gets as hot as 130 degrees in the daytime and temperatures drop dramatically at night, due to the lack of humidity, and can reach lows of 20 degrees. It gets less than one inch or rain each year. It is 8% of the earth’s land area. It is truly a barren area.

As we drove further south, suddenly I saw a canal and thousands of acres of bright green wheat growing.

The Egyptians have built canals to bring fresh water into the desert and the result is amazing as the barren desert blooms with agriculture. As I gazed out the window, I thought of Isaiah 41:18 “I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.” Isaiah 41:18

Water is mentioned a total of 722 times in the Bible, more often than faith, hope, prayer, and worship. Isaiah 43:19 mentions “streams in the desert” as part of a promise to God’s people: “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert” (BSB). The imagery is also rendered “rivers in the dry wasteland” (NLT) and “rivers in the desert.”

The water of life for the desert is from the canal. The water of our life is Jesus. But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. John 4:14.

Have you received the water of life?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Often times, I have the opportunity to share about the need for and the importance of us “getting off the bench and doing something – getting out of the pew and putting our faith to work.”

And often, the question will come: “How do we put our faith to work?”

In response, these 5 things came to mind:

1) By living what we say we believe. That is by glorifying God through our day-to-day living… through our work… through our fun… even in the mundane.

2) By doing what Jesus did – loving others, helping others, sharing life with others. Not because we have to but, because He first did for us.

3) By going therefore – That is, by going to make disciples. Whether next door, down the hall, across the country or around the world. Put your faith into action.

4) By loving your neighbor as your self (goes back to number 2). And who is your neighbor? Everyone – even if they don’t look like you. Overcome hate and disdain with love. Shine where you are.

5) By taking up our cross daily and following Him… loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – loving him with all that we are. Love like Jesus. See as He sees. Respond like would respond. Allow His heart to become our heart.

Let’s be clear – Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us… so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.

Now is the time for us to shine, to be a light in a dark world… or at least our little part of it. Go now… “Get off the bench and do something… get out of the pew and put your faith to work.” Marty Stubblefield

— o —

To be born in America was an accident

To live in America is a privilege

To fight for America is a responsibility

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Life has many twists and turns and sometimes what looks like a very bad day can be just clearing the way for good things to come. J. Kim Wright.

God Leads and Provides for His People. John Gibson

The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph. George Washington

God’s plan for your situation may seem peculiar. And you may even be reluctant to try it. Obey the impressions of God upon your heart. Florida Marketplace Ministry

Grief is the price we pay for love. Queen Elizabeth II

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” H. JACKSON BROWN, JR.

Today—with the tomb empty—marking the fulfillment of God’s plan, we are assured the promise of a path to eternal life, available for you and for me. The question for us for today, and every day, is this—have we embraced and claimed, or will we embrace and claim, the promise of eternal life with the One who loves us? There is no question or decision more important in your life and mine, right now, than making sure of our place with Him in eternity. A thought to ponder—but not for too long. Scott Whitaker

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. Genesis 21:19

Football is a team sport, but some positions get more hurrah than others. Often it is the quarterback. He is the one who usually throws the ball that others use to make the score. Sometimes, it is the kicker who kicks the 45-yard field goal to win the game in the fourth quarter, as the clock winds down. Sometimes it is the tight end, who gets a pitch from the quarterback and runs for a 50-yard touchdown, but couldn’t do it without the lineman blocks that opened a corridor to run through. It is a team sport.

A number of years ago when the Superbowl was coming to Tampa, I was on the committee to plan and host the annual prayer breakfast. Our preparation began when we flew over to New Orleans to attend and see firsthand the prayer breakfast the year before. On the committee and who made the trip with me was Boyd Dowler, a name that probably means nothing to many reading this post.

The breakfast honored Green Bay Packers star quarterback, Bart Starr, who led the Packers for fifteen years and won the first two NFL championships. As a part of the program, they showed film clips from some of Starr’s greatest plays. Three of the five showed touchdown receptions in the end zone by Boyd Dowler. He started on all five of Vince Lombardi’s NFL championship teams and played as a Packer for eleven years with 474 receptions and 40 touchdowns, many of them succinctly described by Lombardi-era broadcaster Ray Scott’s signature call, “Starr. Dowler. Touchdown!”

I turned to Boyd, who was sitting next to me and said, “Boyd, it seems to me like you should be getting some of the credit at this breakfast.” He responded saying that while he caught the ball for the score, it was a team effort, right down to the water boy.

The water boy? Yes, the water boy, who is ever ready to spring from the sidelines when an exhausted team needs some rest and a quick drink in order to continue. He is always prepared for action and ready to respond. Water boys form an essential part of the team. Their main duty is pouring water into the mouths of players and providing players with fresh towels.

There are water boys in the Bible, many of them. They play great roles to great people and make great things happen, but go unnoticed. So too there are water boys, men and women in the Christian faith. Pastors preach great sermons, but someone has to make sure the lights are on.

God calls each of us to be water boys doing what needs to be done, often with no notice or acclimation. Like football, the Christian life is a team sport. All contribute, though not all are noticed.

Are you willing to be a Christian water boy?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The Scottish minister, David Livingstone was one of the most popular national heroes of 19th century Britain. He was known as an explorer. Scientific investigator. Anti-slavery crusader. And Protestant missionary martyr.

The story is told that Livingstone once received a letter from the London Missionary Society inquiring about his work in Africa. They asked the explorer, “Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you?”

Livingstone wrote back, “If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”

Livingstone was looking for others who were committed to his cause, not their personal convenience. He wanted men willing to suffer hardship, not those seeking a life of ease. He desired co-workers who were dedicated, disciplined, and duty-bound. Not folks who simply wanted to make a mission trip without any trouble, trial, or inconveniences.

Are you willing to participate in a mission like that?

— o —

I am thankful for social media. Because it exists, I am allowed to do the work I do. And I hope that I have been able to make a positive difference in your life through it. But I think we all need to be reminded from time to time (myself included) that we’re not going to find our greatest mentors on social media. In fact, when I look back on the people in my life who have made the biggest difference in my growth and development, social media influencers are nowhere near the top.

The men and women who have shaped me the most are the men and women I have chosen to spend time with in-real-life. My parents, my grandparents, the family who took me into their home during college, my first boss, my second boss, my friends… these are the people who have shaped me the most.

They knew me best… and I knew them best. And the relationships changed me. We are interpersonal creatures and positive social relationships affect our physical, mental, and emotional health.

This is why personal relationships are so important. And why we are wise to invest time and energy in cultivating healthy ones. The Minimalist

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Just as there is no human cure for leprosy, there is no cure for human sin. Dan Shock

If all Christians were more like Christ, could our post-Christian and even anti-Christian culture remain the same? Jim Denison

When you make yourself a vessel, God flows through you. Jomo Cousins

In running from God, we run to the things we ought to be afraid of and we run away from the One we have no reason to be afraid of. Ken Whitten

For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Being a Christian is like swimming upstream in a downstream world. Daniel Henderson