MOTHER’S DAY 2019

Moms are more than special

rose - 1Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

My mother fell and broke her leg getting off a bus one month before I was due. The bus driver just drove away, and she lay on the sidewalk for half an hour before some kind soul rendered help.

In the hospital, they told her they could not hear the baby’s heartbeat. They informed her as a result of the fall, she was going to lose the child.  But, before they began the procedure, a heartbeat was heard (my heartbeat!), and my mother was told all was well! She spent the next month, in the hospital, with a cast on her leg. She endured all that before I even arrived! Thanks, Mom!

 I’m posting the following for Mother’s Day, because
Mom’s are very, very special!  If you like it, share it with someone!

MOM

Some governments use the word “ministry” to describe various functions, like ministry of finance, or ministry of education. The word “ministry” means service. Therefore, the minister of education would be one who serves the country with regards to education.

I believe being a mom is a ministry, a very, very unique service.

No woman can ever study hard enough or prepare long enough to be ready to be a mom. Moms surely need God’s gracious help and encouragement with the responsibilities and challenges.

It actually begins nine months before she is

NO MATTER WHAT

You Can’t Erase His Love

The song below, No Matter What, was released last year. It was the third single from Ryan Stevenson’s second studio album. Here’s what he said in an interview about the inspiration for this song.

“Over the course of the last several years, I’ve continued to ask the Lord to give me songs that exist for a reason. As we were working on this new record, a reoccurring theme I felt the Lord continually whisper to my heart was ‘beloved identity.’ I, like many of us, grew up in the church- a religious environment, where we weren’t necessarily nurtured and taught about God’s grace, patience and compassion. As I continue to grow and experience life, the truth I continue to encounter is ‘I am His son, no matter what.’ It is easy to fall into the trap of performance-based relationship with God when we’ve been taught in religious environments that He’s mostly disappointed with us. This song hopefully will encourage all of us…”

NO MATTER WHAT
Ryan Stevenson

A lot of us grew up believing
At any moment we could lose it all
And at the drop of a hat
God might turn His back and move on
A lot of us feel like we blew it
Thinking that we’re just too far gone
But I want you to know
There’s still a hope for you now

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter what

There’s never been a better time to get honest
There’s never been a better time to get clean
So come as you are
Run to the cross and be free
Oh, be free

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter where you run
He’s always holding on
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son
No matter what

I don’t know what you’ve been taught
Don’t know what you’ve been told
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you, no
And I don’t know what you’ve seen
Don’t know what you’ve been through
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you
He’ll never let go!
He’ll never, never, never let you go

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter where you run
He’s always holding on
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son
No matter what
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son!
No matter what

__________________________

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WHO IS JESUS?

Two Unique Truths About Jesus

For the last 1900+ years, more has been written about him than any other person. Who is Jesus?

He never taught at or established an institution of higher learning, yet all the schools of all times could never measure even close to his number of students. Who is Jesus?

All the rulers who ever reigned, all the government bodies that ever sat, and all the military campaigns ever engaged, have not affected the life of mankind as powerfully and dynamically as Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus was the most unique human being who ever walked the face of the earth. His birth and

IS IT TRUE?

What You Can Do In These Troubled Times

Growing up my dad read the morning paper and watched the 6 o’clock evening news on TV. When the radio was on during the day, there was always a newscast at the top of the hour. That’s how almost everyone stayed up to date on events going on in the world.

Today, there are hundreds and hundreds of sources disseminating what is called “news and information,” 24/7. We often gladly boast this is the “information age.” Sadly, this has come to us at a great cost.

It is commonplace today for so called “news outlets” to proclaim a person has been a victim of a crime, or that someone else has committed a crime, without a judge, trial, jury or verdict. Is it true simply because they said it is true? Far too often we hear many so called news reporters justifying their reports with the qualifier, “according to unnamed sources.” But, is it really true?

Breaking News

In an effort to be the “first” to get the story out there, many once reputable news outlets have been wrong, time and time again. The long standard practice of, “get it out first, but, get it right first,” has been almost totally abandoned. As a result, their lack of responsibility fuels fears and in many cases promotes hysteria.

A number of entertainers have freely put aside their entertainment to be spokespeople for certain popular opinions, confidently telling their audiences what is “true,” often with no proof, as they simply run with the talking points of the day.

Add social media to the mix, a gigantic platform promoting even more fear, hatred and hysteria. And far too many of our elected officials, using every outlet possible, concerned with their own power, and their own political party lines, continue to fuel the fires of discord and uncertainty ravaging our country.

As morals continue to erode in this country, many Christians feel discouraged and helpless. Those with seemingly louder and uninterrupted voices quickly shut down anyone and everyone who dares to speak up for what they believe is true.

What Can You Do?

There is, however, great encouragement in God’s Word, written in the pages of the Bible. Rightly understood, those words are true. God does not lie. We can trust His Words to be the truth.

There are a number of biblical references of individuals and groups of ungodly people, who, by their words and their actions, endeavored to sway public opinion. God does not look favorably on those who sow discord.

Meanwhile, the blessings of God on the United States of America are undeniably obvious. As a result of His blessings, this country has rendered humanitarian aid and protection to countless other countries around the world, more than any other country in the history of the world combined.

Add to that the great missionary work spreading the gospel to all parts of the world from this country of ours.

As Bible believing Christians, we must never forget the real battle is not with flesh and blood, political parties, or ideologies, but it is indeed a spiritual fight. Jesus said the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.

Examples We Can Follow

We can take the example of Ezra and others, and pray, asking God to forgive the sins of our country. We can go to God in prayer like Hezekiah and others, asking for God’s help in situations we have no idea of how to solve.

We are encouraged by God in His Word to pray for those in charge of our government. We can pray for godly solutions to our problems. We can pray that those who oppose and desire to alter our constitutional republic can be thwarted. We can pray that evil people in our government, whoever they may be, can be exposed.

May we Christians remember the motto of the United States of America is still, “In God we trust!”

It isn’t necessarily true because you heard an entertainer, politician, newsperson, or your best friend say it. It isn’t true because you saw it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. It isn’t true because you Googled it. And, it isn’t necessarily true because a lot of people think it is true.

Be encouraged knowing God’s Word, rightly understood, is true. Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth.”

__________________

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my YouTube channel;  over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

YOU SAY

The song, You Say by Laren Daigle came out last summer.  It was not only her third #1 hit single on the Christian Charts, but was a big hit on Billboard’s Hot 100.  It’s a beautiful and powerful song.  The lyrics are below the video.  If you like it, share this post.

YOU SAY
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know

You say I am loved
When I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong
When I think I am weak
You say I am held
When I am falling short
When I don’t belong
You say I am Yours
And I believe
I believe
What You say of me
I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity

Taking all I have and now I’m laying it at Your feet
You have every failure, God, and You’ll have every victory

Oh, I believe
Yes, I believe
What You say of me
Oh, I believe

MORE VIDEOS ADDED!

Dozens Now On My YouTube Channel

I am continuing to add more videos to my YouTube channel from my video archives. These are 1 – 2 minute videos I did awhile back. Some are on this blog, but I’m in the process of getting all of them on my channel, and, looking forward to producing new videos this spring!

Right now you’ll find over a hundred inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living. Go to my YouTube channel; if you like them, subscribe for free to the channel, and let someone else know about them too!

Below is one of the recent videos added from my archives.

btw…
If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

WHAT IS YOUR SELF IMAGE?

Who Are You Really?

I remember a time when I had a very low opinion of myself. I hated to look in the mirror.  I felt like an absolute failure. At the time, I didn’t realize the negative impact carrying that kind of mental picture of myself had in every area of my life.

We all know there’s no lack of information available about self-esteem. Books, classes, seminars and websites are full of suggestions to help you with your self-image. But here’s a very critical question to ask: is what you believe about yourself true or is it false?

Your self-image is based on information you have accepted. That picture might be based on what others think or say about you, what job or occupation you have, your education or social standing, or even your bank account.

Just because someone chooses to base their self image on the current facts or circumstances about themselves does not mean that is who they really are. It may be the reality that they have chosen for the moment, but it isn’t necessarily who they really are.  

For example, if someone has little or no money in the bank, they may choose to see themselves as a poor person. Their self-esteem might be based on the lack of money they have. They could then choose to accept that reality, and continue to be poor.  

But does having little or no money make you a perpetually poor person? If that were true then anyone who today has little or no money would be destined to stay poor, and we know that is not the case. Countless people who started out with little are now very comfortable; some are even wealthy.  What changed for them mentally?

It’s yours because…

THE BLAME GAME

Some People Blame Everyone and Everything, But...

Here’s another video from the archives.  There are dozens of videos on my YouTube channel. More are coming soon – subscribe today!

We all know people who play the “blame game.”  They blame everybody and every thing for their situation in life, and at times some even blame God! But instead of blaming, why not ask God for help!?

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my You Tube Channel  for inspiring videos! If you like them, subscribe!

 

A NEW YEAR AND A NEW BOOK

What Does It Mean?

It’s a New Year and I’m very excited to announce I just released my new book, What Does It Mean? 

[If you are a subscriber to this blog, in just a few days you’ll receive an email with a gift from me: the first three chapters of this new book!]

Whether someone is simply interested in the culture of Bible times, a casual reader of the Bible, a serious student of the Scriptures, or a teacher, in the pages of What Does It Mean? they will discover gems of hidden truths and delight in understanding previously difficult sections of the Bible.

What Does It Mean? not only sheds light on over four dozen hard to understand verses of the Bible, but also offers some simple practical application for our day and time.

Click Here For More Information!

What Does It mean? is now available on Amazon, in paperback or Kindle.
Makes a great gift!
Get yours today!

Click Here For Paperback!

Click Here For Kindle!

Click Here For PDF eBook

[For discounts on orders of 5 or more, contact me personally]

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HOLIDAY SEASON 2018

This time of year,  Jesus is supposed to be reason right? Isn’t all of this about the savior coming into the world? In some places he gets some attention, while in others, maybe just an honorable mention. But, at the very least, there is some attention on God sending His Son, the savior of the world!

Wherever you may be, I sincerely hope you have a joyful season filled with God’s love, remembering the greatest gift ever given to mankind: the savior of the world, God’s only begotten Son.

And it is worth remembering that for some people you may encounter, it is not “the most wonderful time of the year.” I posted an article about that last year.

Below are some links to past posts, including topics like the Magi, Christmas trees, swaddling clothes, Simeon and Anna and even holiday stress!

Have A Very Blessed Season And A Great New Year!

holly-bowA Social Network Christmas
A video about Joseph and Mary on Facebook. And while Facebook has changed dramatically, this is still one of my favorites!

holly-bowHoliday Stress
Short article with some helpful hints to avoid holiday stress

holly-bowSimeon And Anna
From “The Eastern Eye” the great blessing to these senior believers in seeing the Christ child. A song about them by Lisa Tracy at the end of the article.

holly-bowThe Christmas Dilemma, and, ‘Twas the night before…
Do you say, Merry Christmas, or, Happy Holidays? Some thoughts on that, and some other choices.

holly-bowChristmas Tree Or Holiday Tree?
A podcast with some history of the “tree,” and, find out about a Jewish man who does not like it referred to as a Holiday tree.

holly-bowWho Were The Magi? Part 1
Who Were The Magi? Part 2
A couple of articles explaining who they were, where they came from, how they knew, what they saw, etc.

holly-bowSwaddling Clothes
What were they? What’s the significance?