Many years ago, in the early years of my spiritual journey, I attended a worship service at a small church. At the most there were probably fifteen souls in attendance. It was a sweet, intimate time of fellowship that was inspirational and reflected a genuine investment to commune with God. After we offered worship using the hymn books, the Pastor invited us to share a praise or testimony regarding our relationship with God. One by one individuals in the fellowship declared how grateful they were for God giving them eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. They declared how habits that lead to hell were replaced with habits that hooked them to the confident hope of heaven. They declared that their manner of life was no longer mastered by polluted passions, lawless lusts, and Satan but their steps were now ordered by the Lord. In addition, they displayed a rich and real relationship with God that was marked by freedom from the ropes of religiosity (legalist rules and regulations).
Question: Have you ever wondered why we are often in a hurry to worry or feel woe? Worry is defined as to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; to fret and woe is defined as grievous distress, affliction, or trouble (Dictionary.com). What we worry about or walk into woe is a plethora of personal circumstances and expected and unexpected life events. For example, these could include one’s faith, finances, family, future, faculties, facilities, food, and favor, just to name few. No matter what season you are in your spiritual walk with God there are times that you will forfeit your faith and jettison your joy because of worry and woe.
Have you ever been stuck? Strapped, Tided, United, Connected or Knitted to a person place or thing. How did you set yourself to be stuck? This rhetorical question requires some reflection. However, it is plausible that the position of being stuck is pertinent to the set of circumstances or situations that one may find him or herself in. For example, one’s automobile may be stuck in the mud. Or one can be stuck in a job (desirable or undesirable), stuck in a relationship (pleasurable or unpleasant) or stuck and caught in a conundrum. Regardless of situation, I submit to you that being stuck can be a willful decision and declaration.
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
In last week’s blog, I asked you to consider with me the concept that our nation is transitioning from being a blessed nation to a busted nation. Before we engage the concept let us explore the examples of faith from the framers of this Republic that have rewarded us with blessedness. The Founding Fathers or framers of this country fixed themselves in the faith and fact that there was a God and with Him all things are possible. They also put forth that a blessed nation is a nation that feared God and followed His commandments. What can we learn from American history?
Read MoreHappy New Year, my beloved blog supporters! The year 2020 brought us COVID-19, a contemptible campaign that has resulted in the separation of families, people of faith, institutions, and industries. Now the year 2021 has not missed a beat by adding a contemptuous collision of cataclysmic consequence. Our constitutional Republic continues to condescend into chaos and corruption. Powerful, polluted, and pernicious political activism has eviscerated the constitutional rule of law as it relates to the election process. It is my opinion that our election was attacked by a devious population that is dedicated to the deconstruction of our Nation.
Read MoreOver the last week, I have been in pursuit of the perfect present for my Christmas Pollyanna. The game Pollyanna is connected or tied to our western Christmas tradition “Secret Santa”. Basically, groups or a community of people are randomly assigned a person to whom they will give a gift on Christmas. The identify of the gift-giver is a secret not to be disclosed.
Read MoreJust curious: did you put up your Christmas tree yet? You still have about eleven days to grace your home with a glorious evergreen. On December 1st I went to my favorite place to pick up our family’s traditional Christmas trees. The perfect tree for me must be full, symmetrically strong, splendidly scented, and gloriously green! Evergreen trees are marked by their distinctive display of green leaves throughout the entire year. In addition, the needle-like leaves from the past season are shed more slowly until after the new foliage has been completely constructed.
Read MoreA couple of years ago around Christmas I was blessed by a wonderful testimony that turned my attention to a tremendous truth taught in the word: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. At the close of our weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting and bible study one of our precious seniors shared with me how she noticed something special in the word Christmas while participating in our Finishing Strong Seniors ministry. One of the seniors was adorned in seasonal, sweet-looking sweater with the words Merry Christmas in huge letters! The individual that shared the story said “She shouted ‘Oh my goodness! I have never seen that before! I love Christmas even more because of what I see in the word Christmas! It is a personal message for me!’” Her rich revelation rested in the last three letters in the word Christmas (mas). She is not of Latin descent but she declared that the last three letters in the word Christmas (mas) means “more” in Spanish. Therefore we should want more Christ in Christmas. Personally, I am proclaiming: “That will preach!”
Read MoreI hope and pray that you enjoyed an exemplary and easy-going Thanksgiving that turned your attention toward giving gratitude to God. Now we turn from the turkey to focus on God’s Gift to mankind. For today's blog, I am directed to touch on the true meaning for the season because I want you to know (like I know) the real meaning of Christmas: it’s all about Jesus!
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