My Take

Don’t back off what you know to be true. The Bible is real, it is God's Word to man. We need to hold to what it says with conviction. John the Baptist did. It landed him in prison - just that one statement – “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:18) But, he didn’t sway from it, he did not apologize for it! He stuck with the truth. A couple of men that I never personally followed but was also not against who years ago made a bold statement to America which I "AMENED" at the time: Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson both publicly stated boldly that 9/11 was a wake-up call to the American Christian; that it was the God’s lifting of his hand of protection and then a very short time later, both took back their comments.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMkBgA9_oQ4 https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126698&page=1 No, they were right, God did allow it - God certainly lifted His protective hand on our nation. Sure, it was a wicked act of lost hell bound...

GOD USES THE BROKEN Psalm 31:9-12 9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. 11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. 12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.* Have you ever felt like the Psalmist did in this passage?  Have you ever felt like you could not go on and that you were forever destined to failure especially concerning spiritual things.  Perhaps you have asked yourself: "Why would God want to use someone like me?  I don’t come from any good family line or a claim of fame; I have no riches; I offer no amazing things to this world; I live paycheck to paycheck, I am a sinner of the worst kind; I don’t keep my  word l...

Proverbs 24:11-12 says: If thou forbear   to deliver  them that are   drawn   unto death,   and  those that are   ready   to be slain ;  If thou sayest,   Behold, we knew   it not; doth not he that pondereth   the heart   consider  it ?  and he that keepeth   thy soul,   doth  not   he know  it ?  and shall  not   he render   to  every   man   according to his works ? I believe that the Lord set an example for us all when he said: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Certainly, the teaching is multi-faceted. The primary teaching is concerning what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross of Calvary. Praise God for such a precious gift that brought about our forgiveness and redemption. But the second application is that we ought to be willing to lay down our lives for others. To be living sacrifices that they...

Today is our anniversary. I thought I'd share something that I mentioned on our 30th Anniversary concerning marriage and the importance of right foundations in marriage. God's Word has stood the test of time, and husband and wife who completely depend on God and His Word will also stand the test of time because of the Lord's Help. What do you say or – how do you repay a lady that has spent 30 years of marriage with you? God has truly blessed me with my wife Stephanie. She married a young guy (I was 21 she was 20) who didn’t have a solid future, looking go get out of the service with his only education past Highs school was Marine grunt training (not very marketable back then). Yet she did and has been a blessing to me for 30 years. She has borne the hardest work, bearing three beautiful daughters whom we love; staying at home and raising them for the majority of our marriage, and serving God with me since day one and trusting her husband’s leading her halfway around t...

There is a thought that has come into my mind in the past and especially around Christmas that is not quite ever defined accurately.  The thought or question is simply what is the spirit of Christmas or what is Christmas Spirit?” We hear it used all the time, but what does it mean?  Can it be biblically defined? Is something that God wants from us?  All of these are good questions (at least, I say that to myself because I’m the one asking them).       Everyone has their own opinion as to what Christmas spirit is.  If you watch any of the “Hallmark” type Christmas movies (I endured one the other day for my lovely wife) – they will tell you, and I quote: “Christmas, it is about a feeling, a feeling you can’t put into words” (that’s deep), or “it is peace, joy, and doing good for others.” Others will say it is about Santa Clause or a multitude of other explanations.    If you look up Christmas you will find that its...

After my devotions each morning I try to work on my memory verses.  Today, in succession, two verses came up that relate a great and important truth that a spoke to me.  The two verses were: Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.  & Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Adversity, in a simplified definition, means "trouble."  Certainly no one looks for trouble.  Sickness, accidents, mishaps, and the resulting distress happen in everyone's lives and are often unforeseen.  They can at times be daunting.  God teaches us not to faint in the face of adversity; not to stop doing what we are supposed to and performing our vows and service to God, family, and community.   I think that we have expanded our definition of adversity in our generation to include words like "tiredness" and even "opportunity." We usually aren't dealing with troubles as much as distractions a...

Pied Piper (compote.slate.com) You may recall the story of the Pied Piper who led away the rats from the town of Hamelin (Germany) to save the town from a plague.  Later, because he was not paid for his services – the Pied Piper came back playing his pipe and led the children away in retaliation. The story dates back to possibly 1200 A.D. (yes, I still use A.D. & B.C.).  The story is a metaphor for someone who through their charisma, talent, or even lies attracts a following to use or abuse. But there is actually an earlier metaphor than that which teaches a different and more important truth. It is found in Matthew 11:16-17 and also Luke 7:32  where Christ says:  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. That piper was not a “pied piper” (pied meant multicolored outfit...