“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7: 37-39). This is a scripture that expanded my horizons and changed everything. I’ve been thirsty wanting to drink and satisfy my…
Living Life On God's Terms
Acceptance
I made a small sign with a black marker and some white cardboard. I wrote in large bold letters “I ACCEPT”, and put it on the wall. It was during college that I had a personal revival of sorts and was filled with the Holy Spirit. This term, “filled” is from decades of perspective and life experience, at the time I wouldn’t have been able to say what happened. I had been a believer from my earliest memories and was baptized in my early teens out of a sincere surrender and commitment to God. So, according to the word of…
Fear The One Who Can Cast Into Hell
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:4-7. Here Christ reminds His disciples that a Christian should not fear…
Woodrow Wilson
The twenty-eighth President was the son of a Presbyterian Minister and was a Calvinist himself. He had a deep faith in God and His direction of the Elect, God’s children. His Christian world view of love, charity, and justice impacted his life and Presidency. He was a Southern child during the end of the Civil War and experienced it’s devastation, but as a Christian he believed he had a destiny. He overcame dyslexia after struggling for years as a poor student, and was able to become an eloquent speaker and persuasive debater through the consistent help of his loving father.…
Freedom From Religion
This organization has gone to court to remove a memorial to World War I veterans; they have sued to remove the national motto, “In God We Trust” from everything; and brought suits to prohibit the free exercise of religion which is protected in the constitution. They claim the exhibition of a cross is offensive and maintain that every aspect of government must be totally secular, citing the phrase, “Separation of Church and State”, as their authority. The phrase “wall of separation between the church and the state” was originally coined by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists…
Encouragement Today
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 8-9). The world denies this and consistently tells you the opposite. The accuser of the brethen suggest you consider your natural self and your many failings and worldly desires. The physical world is in decline, wearing out like a garment. The nations are in constant termoil, with threats, disputes, crime, and…
Our Hedge of Protection
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1-2. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better…
A Theory For Atheists
If you are a devoted atheist you will need some “Science” to support anything you believe, or at least a theory that has not been fully discredited. This is the status of science today, as so much of what is called fact can not be established through the scientific method here and now. Therefore, theories carry significant weight in scientific research. Unknowns are explained with theories that are further supported or discredited by observation, new discoveries, conjecture and/or educated guesses. For example, until recently, the universe and related theories about it were based on an assumption that the universe always…
The Smartest One in the Room
The person who thinks this about themselves treads upon a slippery narrow ledge that is crumbling beneath their feet. I knew a man who was surrounded by his chosen advisors. One advisor was extremely loyal, but to a fault, so that when he might have prevented wrong, he was unable to contradict his leader. One was very knowledgeable about the law, it’s meaning, application, precident, and nuance, but he was not experienced in the real world of facts upon which his vast legal prowess hindged. One was a master of the political environment in which this group functioned. He was…
Prayer Note
I kept thinking about my friend and brother in the Lord while I went about my business. When I ran an errand, when I helped the neighbor, and as I was cutting firewood; so I decided to call and find out what was happening with my friend. As soon as I asked, he described the surgery on his neck, yesterday, and though all went well he was facing a long period of recuperation. I encouraged him and told him I would be in prayer for his health. I believe the Holy Spirit calls us to pray at times for our…
Media Bias
It is indisputable that there is a fascist/socialist bias in the major media entities. Formerly, liberal was a term used to describe this bias, but in recent years they have abandoned liberal thought for fascist socialism. These same entities like to assert they are the fourth branch of government. Proceeding the election of Donald Trump and the exhaustive investigations into both Hillary Clinton and Mr. Trump, it was revealed that a written agreement was made between the Democrat party and these major media entities to fully support Mrs. Clinton’s campaign. This documentation of what was already observed by many, refuted…
Hearing Our Voice
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:1-7. Here the Psalmist had experienced “distress…
Shelby Bottoms Greenway
This is a bike trail in Nashville, Tennessee. We were there recently and parked at Two Rivers park across from the Grand Ole Opry house and Opry Mills shopping center. We crossed the Cumberland river on a very nice walking bridge with nice views of the river and city. We continued after a steep winding decline as the path follows the river toward downtown. This was not our first ride on the trail and I remembered the early years when it was first constructed among a vast pasture land next to the river. Due to flooding this valuable property could…
You Are Not Alone
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5: 24). Can you accept these words of Yeshua? Do you trust Him? Is this your destiny? Do you see any requirement in this truth, but hearing and believing? Have you said to Almighty God, “I believe.” Is eternal life yours so that you have crossed over from death to life? Has Yeshua called and you responded to His voice, so that His name is upon you and…
Trial By Accusation
The enemies of America and freedom, truth, and justice have determined that the means they have chosen are justified, though they are filled with misrepresentation, distortion and flat out lies. These smear campaigns conducted in and by the media scare the timid into withdrawal and often destroy the good name of those who choose to oppose this unnamed adversary. The attack begins with an accusation or several. These are supported by so called witnesses that seek to add legitimacy to the accusations. Anyone can say anything at this point and it will be touted as confirmation. If those who support…
Attempted History Revision
It was immediately after an NFL playoff game, the numerous cameras were scouring the crowd of players, media reporters, officials and staff who poured over the field. I can imagine the camera director barking orders to cut from camera to camera. “Zoom in on Belichick’s face,” capture that anger. “Ok, the Head Coaches are meeting, cut to that, cut to the Quarterbacks shaking hands.” Now go to our reporter talking with the winning running back. After the brief interview with the star player, a camera picks up on a huge gathering of players from both teams warmly greeting each other.…
Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood
Well over 50 million babies have been killed through abortion in the United States since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Many of these abortions are now performed by Planned Parenthood, an organization formed by Margaret Sanger. Her early days saw her as the publisher of the liberal newspaper, “The Women Rebel”, which boasted the slogan, “No Gods!, No Masters!” The premier issue denounced marriage as a “degenerate institution,” capitalism as “indecent exploitation,” and sexual modesty as “obscene prudery.” In issues to follow, she published articles on sexual liberation, social revolution, contraception, and two articles that defended political assassinations.…
Political Pollution
Political pollution is spreading all around our society, no longer contained in election cycles. It has seeped into sports and now the weather reports are getting littered with political crud. What can we do about this uncontained refuse that spoils all it touches. It is like an oily substance covering areas and choking out life. Only strong detoxification can remove it, but the wildlife does not readily submit to the cleansing process. Some have said, “Everything is politics”, but the politics of division, victimization, and government tyranny are toxic, full of hatred, designed to make only captives. The various spheres…
Word Power
Saul was zealous for God and considered persecuting followers of Yeshua God’s work. Yeshua met him on his journey and said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9: 4). Paul might have answered, “As a service to God, I’m persecuting the followers of Yeshua, whom I consider to be in opposition to the law of Moses by their allegiance to a false Messiah.” Yeshua’s question to Saul might have included why he had appointed himself to be the enforcer of the law, when there is no such provision in the law. Instead the weight of the voice of…
Spiritual Testimony
On Thursday, September 26, 2019 the 700 Club TV show aired an account of a woman who had an abortion when she was in her early twenties. The doctor told her an abortion was possible, but it would by very painful as she would have to deliver the baby. Afterwards the memory was painful and she was overcome with regret. She shared a recurring image of meeting her daughter in the afterlife and hearing her say, “Mommy, why did you kill me.” She began to consider suicide and as she was slitting her wrist the phone rang and the caller…
Trust in God and not Man
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its…
Spiritual Sight
Yeshua gave all He had in pursuit of God’s will. This includes in His conversation with the woman at the well and as He traveled around Israel, healing, delivering, teaching, prophecying, confronting a few, being rejected by many, loving completely in every circumstance. He kept nothing for Himself and abandoned completely every aspect of His human ego, but He had it and it cried out when the crowds wanted to make Him king and whenever He was reminded of His central purpose at that time, to be the sacrificial lamb. I was thinking about some acquaintances I have and wondering…
The Father’s Heart
It may seem arrogant at first, but God has not hidden Himself from His children. He revealed Himself as fully as possible in human form through Yeshua Messiah. His words endure through the generations and His lovingkindness and mercy is new every morning. If you are a Believer you can know the heart of God. He has given you His indwelling Holy Spirit as an interpreter. Listen with your Spiritual ears and see how God would love, serve, speak, or stand in every circumstance. This is His heart to wayward Israel (and us), “My eyes will watch over them for…
How to Bless a Believer
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’ So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6: 22-27). You might think this is just an Old Testament thing that God provided to Aaron through Moses as a symbolic blessing for the Israelites, which is ancient history and not…
In the Depths of Your Heart
Think of all the years of your life, the months and weeks that measure your growth physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Then scan the range of your memories from childhood till now, the events that have made you who you are, your education, relationships, vacations, holidays, achievements, your greatest triumps and the agony of your defeats, failures, struggles and tradegy. In the midst of these are your desires, wants, needs and dreams, meshed together with the mundane, routine, tasks, chores and daily necessitates of life. All this is quite a mass of information and the content of living and it’s not…
