Secret

We are still in the process of repairing our back yard from the fallen maple tree. The limbs dug some deep holes in the yard and I filled them in and planted some grass seeds.

A few days later my wife said. "You need to plant some more grass those seeds aren't coming up."

She would not make a good farmer waiting for seeds to germinate takes time. Now we are getting tender green shoots of grass. Sometimes what we see on the surface lies to us. We see a barren patch in the ground where we planted seeds and think that nothing is happening but God is working in secret as new life underground opens the seed and roots start down into the ground.

God sometimes works in secret in our souls as well. Seeds of faith get planted and even to us it seems that nothing is happening. In the secret places of our hearts, soul and mind ideas, hopes and dreams are taking root. Then in an ah ha moment they burst to the surface in glory. Then we know it and others see it and a change has taken place.

Little Graces

We live in a fast paced world and sometimes we have our cellphones glued to our ears while watching TV or even [groan] while driving. Evey day we are bombarded with many facts, questions and appeals that force us to make quick decisions.

Our time is the cash of our life and we need to be aware of how we spend it. How much of our time is spent focused on things that sap our energy and crush our spirit? Is it any wonder then that we miss the many little graces that come our way every day?

What little graces go unnoticed? The laughter of a child is a little grace. The awesome vivid color of a rose in the garden is a little grace. The cool breeze of the evening after a hot day is a little grace. The sound of a babbling brook and the song of a robin are little graces. Silence is a little grace.

Little Graces can escape us when we are too busy to stop and take a second look. Today and every day take the time to enjoy your Little Graces as gifts from God.

The Mighty Oak

We have a 75 year old Oak in our back yard! It is a mighty oak that would take four people hold hands to reach around it. Oak trees are known for their strong wood and expansive root systems. The Oak withstood last winters ice storm very well.

Oaks have a deficiency that is hidden from sight. Outwardly they can appear strong and mighty but can be deteriorating inwardly without any visible evidence. When the inward weakness reached a critical point any strong wind can bring it crashing to the ground.

We Christians can be like that mighty oak tree. As long as our foundation in in Christ we are strong and mighty.  We can accomplish God's mission for us in good order. However if we become complacent in our spiritual life we can begin to deteriorate on the inside. We may be able to fool other people for a while but a good storm will destroy us.

The Good news is that we can be nursed back to spiritual health through renewed prayer and study. Having a prayer partner who is a confident and will  hold you accountable and who will act as your spiritual nurse will help. Sink your faith roots deep in the Holy Spirit.

Mental Attitude

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."  ~ Thomas Jefferson

This is so true! Keeping a positive focus and determination is the key to achieving your life goals. Of course you first have to have a goal and a plan for reaching it. 

Fowards Rant

It never ends!

I am talking about messages that are forwarded so many times that there are a half a dozen > before each line. Most of the forwarded messages I get these days are the most outrageous lies about Obama and the Democrats. I don't know why people think they have to make this stuff up when the truth is quite enough to deal with.

Last night I received the same message from four of my Republican friends that claimed that President Obama was spending 20 Million dollars to help terrorist. There was a house bill number and a website to check it out on. The web site was a phony set up just for this email. IT pretends to be a government web site but it ends with .com instead of .gov a dead give away. When I checked with snoops I got the correct information.

Two Ways To Heaven

There are two different ways to get into heaven according to St. Paul,  Salvation and Judgment.

First we must understand the difference between judgment and salvation.

SALVATION:

Those who accept Jesus as the Messiah [Christ] and have lived accordingly will bypass the judgment thus are saved from judgment. Saved by Grace not judgment.

JUDGMENT:

All other people are judged by GOD according to how they lived in relation to the Ten Commandments even if they did not know them. I believe that God judges in a state of mercy and that a really good person might be judged as acceptable. 

It is up to God not us as to who enters heaven. This is of course the most difficult way to get in but it is possible.

Preaching Today

Today I am Preaching at Crestwood Christian Church which is about ten miles from my home. They are between ministers and have asked me to preach for them a few times while they are looking.

My sermon is taken from two scriptures Matthew 22:15-22 and Malachi 3:6-12.

In the Gospel according to Matthew Jesus said, "Give to God what belongs to God!"

I ask the question: "What belongs to God?" which is the title of my sermon.

Malachi gives us the answer.

Look it up --- and pray about it!