Greetings All

Greetings in the Understanding Name of Jesus Christ! The following is something I read online, and I thought I'd pass it along! When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! All my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... never made a face nor uttered a word about it! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said, "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mom put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides, a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!" As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. And that's my prayer for you today... that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship! "Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket... keep it in your own." So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine. And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life--I just did! Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. "Would you please pass the jelly!!!" Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You All, My Beloved!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Freeing name of Jesus Christ, Today is July 4th, and America is celebrating Independence Day, in remembrance of our freedom from tyranny. But you don't have to be from America to be independent from the tyranny of the evil one, all you have to do is call on the name of Jesus Christ to set you free! Our forefathers came to this country to establish a new nation, but Jesus Christ came to establish an eternal nation! Release yourself from the tyranny of Satan and his evil by accepting the salvation promise of freedom! Pray with me; 'Father in Heaven, I know and believe that you sent your Son to be a sacrifice to cover my sins. I know that accepting this sacrifice frees me from the tyranny of Satan! I invite you to dwell within my heart! Thank you Lord, for saving me. Amen.' Isaiah 54:14 says, "In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you." Now is the Time to Worship! May God Richly Bless You, My Beloved!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Restful Name of Jesus Christ! My wife and I just got back from a short stay in a lakeside cabin! It was especially great because we were guests of folks we worship with, and dearly love! I say guests, but we are truly family in every way but blood! It's nice to be able to get away and refocus. Jesus used to do this regularly. Whenever he needed to refocus, he would head out to a private spot to pray. Jesus knew how important it was to 'get away'! Luke 5:16 says, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. " Now is the Time to Worship! May God Richly Bless You All, My Beloved!

Greetings All!

Greetings in the Fatherly Name of Jesus Christ! Tomorrow is Father's Day, and we will be celebrating in so many different ways. Some of us will be taking our fathers to dinner, some of us will be calling fathers living far away, some of us will get cakes, or tools, or both, for our fathers! Let's remember our heavenly Father too. Give Him a few minutes of your time to tell him how much you appreciate what He's done for you, and how much you love and praise Him! Happy Father's Day! Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

Greetings All

Greetings in the Providing Name of Jesus Christ! According to a recent headline, there are 100 million working age Americans without a job. Some Americans have had many jobs in their careers. A few Americans have had only 3 or 4 jobs in there careers. Still fewer Americans have been blessed with a job held for many years. I have worked for the same company for 28 years. I have often wished I could change, maybe work for a company that interests me more, doing something I enjoy. BUT, I am also profoundly thankful to God for this job I have. My company has been very tolerant of a longtime illness that would have surely seen me released from other jobs. My job has afforded me a very good living as well, with more than ample vacation time. All this to say that I thank you, Lord, for my position, and I am sorry for all of the complaining I have done! If you are in a job that you are not happy with, and you can change it, go ahead! No sin there! But if you are in a job that you cannot change, try thanking God often for your position. After all, we are working for God! 1 Corinthians 15:58 reads, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Now is the Time to Worship! May God Richly Bless You All, My Beloved!

Greeting All

Greetings in the Serving Name of Jesus Christ! Last night I had the opportunity to help out at a food bank. I was happy to do it as the woman who runs the program is someone I very dearly love. It was my job to carry full boxes of food to the recipients car. I got to have a short conversation with a few folks, and I could feel myself enjoying this experience! This is the way it should be with us Christian men and women. We need to be aware of those in need, and help them if we can! It all starts with being willing! Matthew 25:40 says, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You, My Beloved!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Patient Name of Jesus Christ! We have just returned from a trip to Ohio to see my brother and his family. It's always great to see them! We fly to get there, and if any of you have flown you know how frustrating it can be at times. Going out was no problem, but coming home was! On the second leg of our journey we were delayed 3 times! We understand this happens, but our patience was being tested as we were growing weary and wanted to be home! We didn't get home at the time we had planned, but we did get home. God is faithful. By the time we landed in Portland (Maine) we were exhausted. A short drive and we were falling into bed! We didn't even unpack the car! Once in bed, all the cares of the journey melted away. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You, My Beloved!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Worshiped Name of Jesus Christ! As we all gather in fellowship today, let's remember the reason we can so freely do so. While we gather, there are many in this world who cannot under penalty of imprisonment, or death! Many will still gather, in spite of these consequences! Praise god for the faithful! Today let's add these faithful to our permanent prayer list, and let's pray for those persecuted folks! In Exodus we read about Moses and Aaron leading the Israelites out of bondage. The elders were called together to listen to what God had said to Moses. Exodus 4:31 reads, "and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You All, My Beloved!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Forgiving Name of Jesus Christ, The other night I had a thought which led to another thought, which was one of regret, so powerful it caused me to weep! We all have regrets in our lives, things we wished we had done, and/ or things we wished we hadn't done.It is important to remember not to dwell on these regrets since these are a tool Satan uses to distract us. When regret surfaces, remember to attack it with prayer, and learn from it! We cannot change the past, but God is faithful in the now, and in the future! Praise God! 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You All!

Greetings All!

Greetings in the Ever Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Are you hating people? Why do we hate? Perhaps because some people have a different point of view? Perhaps because some people are a different race? (By the way, we are ALL in the HUMAN Race!) Perhaps because someone hurt us, or someone we love? Once you let hate into your spirit, it is corrupted. Hate destroys only you, not the one you hate! We must be very careful not to spread the seeds of hate as well. For this reason, we must be willing to redirect efforts of hate so they become efforts of love. It is NOT easy to love as Christ loves, but it IS something for which we must strive. Work at this, and after a time you may discover there is no hate left in you. The following verse would literally wipe hatred from the face of the Earth, and unite mankind. Romans 12:10 says, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Now is the Time for Worship! May God Richly Bless You All!

Greetings All

Greetings in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ! Last night as I was sharing dinner with my wife, at one of our favorite buffet places, she noticed a customer in the booth behind us. The waitress had been speaking with him, then brought him a plate from the buffet. He was blind, and was alone. After a time, he was sitting there and had finished his plate. My wife said we should help, but I was hesitant. I did not want to intrude. I did, at the urging of my wife after a short time, ask him if he needed any help. It turns out he was waiting for a certain item to come out, which happens at 4:30. Friends, there are always opportunities to work for God! It may be preaching in front of many, it maybe asking a blind man if he is hungry. I almost passed up this chance, but my wife saw it clearly. I am thankful to have her! Praise God, serve God. In His service... Matthew 25:40 - "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Now is the Time to Worship! May God Richly Bless You All!