Joseph--husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus...

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-24 NKJV

I've been thinking some about Joseph lately as I prepared for the celebration of CHRISTmas. I've decided the man has been somewhat short-changed. We all know him as the earthly (step)father of Jesus but he really was a humble & godly man.

Think about it--he & Mary weren't married & he knew they had not been intimate so there was no chance the child she was carrying was his own. Imagine that--your fiancee is pregnant & you're not the father. Joseph & Mary lived in a time that was more then simply scandalous--that type of thing was not accepted and more than an embarassment. I'm sure they both endured much ridicule & were the subject of tremendous gossip. No wonder he considered "putting her away" to avoid bringing shame on either of them.

Yet, when the angel visited him and made him aware that Mary was indeed carrying the child of GOD and instructed him to take Mary as his wife--he obeyed. He did this knowing what people would think & say. He subjected himself to much in order to be obedient to GOD. Not only that, but after taking her as his wife--he restrained himself from "knowing her" sexually, until after the child was born that she would retain her virginal status.

Later, Joseph was visted again by an angel and instructed to flee to Egypt in order to protect the child from evil King Herrod. Again, he obeyed and did as instructed. When it was safe for them to return, yet another angel appeared to him to make him aware that they could in fact return to Israel. Joseph was visited multiple times by GOD's messengers. I take that to mean he was in tune, so to speak, with GOD--otherwise he wouldn't have been privy to those angelic visitations. GOD only communicates with those who know him. What a reward he got for his obedience--he got to raise the Son of GOD in his home. There is no mention of Joseph beyond Jesus' twelfth year. It is assumed that he died relatively young but what a reward he must have received at his heavenly homecoming!

Oh that I might be more of a Joseph! GOD--grant me the wisdom to be the humble, obedient, godly man that he was. Give me the strength and fortitude to endure whatever comes my way in this life that I might also bring honor to your name through my unworthy efforts.

Much has happened--much that is beyond my control--in many ways, I feel robbed, although I know that among men--I am truly blessed if for no other reason than that I am GOD's child and my future is secure in His hands.

Blessings!
Tony

Joyful Sorrow?

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b NKJV

Well, CHRISTmas is fast approaching--yet another "first" for me in life since Dee's passing. Frankly, I have good days & bad days still. I assume that is normal--whatever normal is. I'm attempting to continue on with my life--I know that is what Dee would want. I also know I can't be effective in GOD's mission for my life if I wallow forever in grief and self-pity. While she will ever be a part of me, I must continue this journey alone. That is evidently GOD's plan...

I've done most of my shopping, mailed CHRISTmas cards, decorated as much as I plan to and even gotten the gifts I purchased wrapped. Yes, I wrapped them--you'd have to know that being the perfectionist I am, gift wrapping would be something I do. I realize it's not exactly a manly talent but I'm secure enough in my masculinity to admit it.

I suppose I'll be creating some new traditions--I'm not sure what they'll be yet. Obviously, things will be different for me this year. I've given thought to volunteering at a mission or taking meals to shut-ins--I'm not certain what the final outcome will be. I try to live out the acronym for JOY--Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, then Yourself. Knowing and sharing Jesus is my first priority. I do my best to think of & do what I can for others. As for myself, I lack little materially--GOD has blessed me and my needs are always met.

I suppose it is possible to be both joyful and sorrowful at the same time. I possess the joy of the Lord. In Him, I truly do live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). At the same time, I still grieve and have sorrow over the loss of my wife. Yet, even so--I know her pain and suffering are no more and she is happy and whole in the presence of our Lord and celebrating with the saints who have gone on before. So, my emotions are somewhat of a roller-coaster ride or like the ebb and flow of the tide. Granted, it is difficult to understand unless you've experienced it for yourself.

GOD has a unique plan for each of us and while we cannot fully understand it, He does what He does & allows what He allows as part of that great plan. Our part is simply to trust and follow Him in the good times and in the bad. I'm reminded of an old hymn, "Simply Trusting Every Day"...

1)Simply trusting every day;
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

(Chorus)
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him, whate'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

2)Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

3)Singing if my way be clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger, for Him call,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

4)Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth is past,
Till His gracious advent call,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Just take it one day at a time--that's all we really have so we need to make the most of it. May the warmth of GOD's great love lead, guide and direct you through the Holiday season and into a blessed & prosperous New Year!

Blessings!
Tony

"Thanksgrieving"

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100 NKJV

Well, here it is--Thanksgiving morning--yet another "first" in my life since Dee passed away. If I am honest, I'd have to say I'm struggling to be thankful today. Don't misunderstand that--I am grateful for GOD's blessings in my life, and there are many. It just feels like a part of me is missing. Part of me went into that grave last May--a piece of my heart that I'll never possess again in this lifetime.

Still, I have much to express thanks for. I have a loving family, great & supportive friends, I'm relatively healthy for an old guy, I'm part of an awesome church family and most of all--I am a child of the King! I smile as I think of those things yet it all seems overshadowed by a cloud of loss. I miss spending the holiday with my wife. We typically visited with her family on Thanksgiving Day & usually planned a little getaway for the two of us afterwards. While the memories are wonderful, the pain of losing her is still fresh...

I remind myself that I should really be thankful about her homegoing. She was so sick for so long--it was a terrible struggle for her. Still the same--she put on a smile & ventured out into the world as much as possible, loving & being loved by those she came in contact with. Few knew how difficult it was for her--she didn't want pity, she wanted to share life & share GOD with those around her. She was a kind & loving soul. I know she's celebrating Thanksgiving every day in the presence of our Savior. The thought of that makes me somewhat happy--sort of bittersweet at best.

I'm trying to make the choice daily to be grateful for the time & the life we shared together, rather than being bitter about her being taken from me so soon. We shared something that few find in this world, we were happy and we were in love with one another and jointly in love with GOD. I go back to my life verse, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I helps me remember that GOD truly uses all things and all events/circumstances in our lives for good and also to shape us into the person we are to be in His Kingdom.

I still don't know what the future holds in store--maybe ministry, maybe missions, maybe just living out life & offering support and direction for those dealing with life's harsh realities. Regardless, I am in GOD's Army for the long haul, for whatever time remains of my earthly life. For now, all I can do is take life one day at a time & attempt to live out another of my favorite Scriptures, Micah 6:8 "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to let those you love know it and give GOD thanks for His blessings & provision in your life...

Blessings!
Tony

Complacent Christianity...Is it the Pastor's fault?

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV


Who is to blame for the complacency in churches today? While it is true that some preachers lose their zeal for the things of GOD, I propose that the real reason lies with the people--the members of the church body. You see, it doesn't matter how passionate or well-prepared a man of GOD is--if our hearts have grown calloused & we aren't "tuned in" to the things of GOD, the message will never penetrate our hearts.

It's important that we individually prepare ourselves for a time of worship. We do that by spending time in prayer, reading our Bibles and fellowshipping with GOD on a daily basis. We were created for worship but worldly things have distracted us from our original purpose. We've become obsessed with material things that have no place in the spiritual world. In our pursuit of alleged happiness & in effort to keep up with the Joneses, we've effectively sold our birthright to the devil.

Sure, we still go to church & go through the motions but usually it's more so we can check it off our list & say we met our obligation to GOD by attending a Sunday service & placing a check in the offering plate as it passed by. GOD is not satisfied with or amused by our feeble attempts to live a moral life. He desires a deep and intimate, individial relationship with each of us. Until we completely sell out to Him, that cannot be acheived. We must expect to have an experience with GOD if we are to have one.

So, before you accuse your pastor of failing you in his leadership, assess your spiritual condition & see where you stand with GOD. Each of us is responsible for our own relationship with our Creator. Philippians 2:12 tells us to, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Do you love Him? Do you seek Him? Do you obey Him? Do you worship Him?

If we, as individuals, line ourselves up with GOD & His plan for our lives--true revival will break out & a move of GOD such as has never been witnessed before will saturate these United States. Our daily prayer should be, "Lord, send a revival & let it begin in me."

Blessings!
Tony

Moving Forward--Trying to anyway...

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him. Job 13:15-16 NKJV

I've been feeling a bit Job-ish lately. It seems that my life has been basically put on hold while I try to adjust to my newfound singleness. All the plans I had for my life were "we" plans. They included my wife. Her passing has left a huge hole in my life. We had hopes & dreams and plans for our golden years. Somehow, trying to readjust to life without her just seems wrong in my mind. I don't seem to have much of a purpose anymore.

I know that will change with time as I accept my life for what it is and allow GOD to open & close the appropriate doors to guide me where He chooses to lead. But for the time being, I simply wait. In my mind, I can see Job sitting in sackcloth & ashes mourning his loss. I can relate to him--I know of nothing I could have done differently. I try to live for GOD. I confess my many shortcomings to Him daily. I spend time in prayer & Bible reading every day of my life. Still I'm presently at a loss as to what my life goals should be anymore.

Dee & I had planned to retire to the country. I had hopes for a workshop, a garden, a flock of chickens--just living the simple life and enjoying our life together. I was sure GOD would lead me to a small country church to serve in some capacity. These were things I was certain I had heard from Him. Maybe the country church will still be. Maybe I was off-base with my plans. Possibly there is something altogether different in store for me.

Still, I trust Him. Still, I seek His guidance & direction daily. Wherever He leads, I'll go. I have trusted Him for years & I will not turn my back on Him now. I don't understand this turn my life has taken but I know He uses all things (Romans 8:28) for good. I'll not be a hypocrite, I will follow Him all the days of my life regardless as to how many or few may remain. I'll continue to live for Him & want nothing more than to show the way down the road of life for others and point them to Him.

GOD, keep me ever in the center of Your perfect will in spite of myself...

Blessings!
Tony

GOD's Amazing Grace

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV

I began this blog one year ago today--on my 49th birthday. Today, I'm 50 & I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my life. There's something about the realization that you are half a century old that makes you look at your life & evaluate the accomplishments and failures you've experienced through the years.

Much has happened in the past year. I welcomed my first grandchild into the world last November. I said goodbye to & buried my wife this past May. These things cause one to ponder his own mortality. Life is filled with both joys and sorrows. GOD is present through it all.

GOD's grace & mercy have sustained me through the years. On my own, I am nothing--yet with GOD in my life and at my side, I can accomplish anything. I've given a lot of thought to GOD's grace & have decided that, like a beautiful diamond, grace is multi-faceted. There are different types of grace made available to GOD's children, depending on what circumstances they are facing. He is always merciful & always faithful--even when we are not faithful to Him. He is an ever-present help in times of need.

Hebrews 4:16 instructs us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Granted--when we are hurting, reeling from the pain and heartache of losing something or someone precious to us--it's difficult to feel "bold" at all. We feel vulnerable, yet GOD still extends His amazing grace. We're not promised that because we accept Christ as Savior, that our lives will be easy. However, we are promised that God will walk with us and carry us if need be through the difficult & painful times in our lives (Isaiah 43:2-3 & 46:4).

Once we experience salvation & make Christ the Lord of our life, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our heart. Our body truly becomes the temple of GOD. GOD is triune--Father, Son & Holy Spirit. That being said, if the Holy Spirit lives within us, then GOD walks alongside us throughout life. GOD feels our pain, He witnesses our failures, He knows the temptations we face, yet His grace knows no limits. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

Honestly, I still have questions, I still don't understand why my wife had to die. Still, I trust that GOD has a plan for it all and that He will use this in some way to bring honor & glory to Himself. I pray daily that He will use me in some way to point people to Him & that I will always be found in the center of His Will.

Where are you? What are you facing? Are you high on the mountaintop or deep in the valley of despair? Wherever you are & whatever your need, His grace truly is sufficient. Trust Him...

Blessings!
Tony

Spiritual Adultery...

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 NKJV


Wow, that gets your attention now doesn't it? What does it mean? We Christians are supposed to be tolerant, forgiving & non-judgemental aren't we? As a matter of fact, we are. What we are not supposed to be is accepting of or participating in the sins of the world. We must reach out to those who are lost without allowing them to drag us into the things of the world. How? Well, let's see what the Bible has to say...Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8 NKJV) How do we draw near to GOD? We spend time communicating with Him in prayer. We read His Word. We sit under annointed preachers of the Word. We choose godly friends. We're also told that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways...(James 1:8 NKJV).

Often, we think we can dabble in sin and get away with it. GOD's Word says differently. We're told in Numbers 32:23b, "and be sure your sin will find you out". The fact that we've accepted Christ and committed our lives to Him does not give us a license to commit willful sin. When we do, yes when--not if, because we are rebellious children--there are consequences. One way being that our testimony is tarnished and our effectiveness for GOD's Kingdom is diminished. As for me, I never want to bring shame to GOD & I definitely want to have opportunities to serve Him and minister to others.

How can we be in love with GOD and in love with the world at the same time? There are no fence-straddlers. We are either being used by GOD or being used by Satan. Exodus 34:14 states, "for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God". You may be questioning that statement and thinking you aren't guilty of worshipping any other gods--how about money, possessions, popularity, a relationship, etc? Those things easily become idols in our lives if we aren't careful.

Jesus Himself said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."(John 14:6) Notice He didn't say I am "A" way, He said I am "THE" way. Don't be fooled by those who say there are many paths to GOD--that is false teaching at it's best and a downright lie of the devil. Are you an Oprah fan? She subscribes to this doctrine. She has a great following--sadly, Satan is using her to lead people astray. But wait--she does so many good and charitable things...Yes, she does--but you can be a goodly person without being a godly person. I'm here to tell you that if Oprah is saved, she needs to repent and if she isn't--that she will bust Hell wide open regardless as to how much good she has done in the world.

I know for a fact that I have allowed worldly things into my life. I'm fully aware that I do & say things regularly that damage my testimony. I pray GOD will forgive my spiritual adultery and allow me to be useful in His Work. How about you? Where do you stand? Remember, a friend of the world is an enemy of GOD. Personally, I want to be called a friend of GOD...

Blessings!
Tony

Weeds, Wildflowers or Roses?

While I'm still far from normal--some would say I never have been--I'm attempting to move forward after losing my sweet bride. Truth is, I have some pretty good days & some that are purely awful but GOD sees fit to send people my way to uplift and encourage me still the same. The following seems rather random to me, but it's been percolating in my head for a few days now so I decided to put my thoughts down & see if it spoke to anyone. Here goes...

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV


Often we bounce along down the rough & rocky road of life, making mistakes and bad choices along the way. One bad decision seems to lead to another, and then to another. Suddenly, we begin to feel as if we deserve nothing good in life because our view of ourselves becomes distorted. We see ourselves as worthless--unworthy of of the blessings GOD so desires to bestow upon us. Instead of accepting the beautiful rose He offers from His garden, we're content with a few wildflowers from along the roadside or worse yet--just a patch of weeds.

The rose is a symbol of all things bright and beautiful--the gifts He has in store for us if we open ourselves completely to His Will, follow His commands and live a Christian life. The wildflowers are the things we allow to distract us and cause us to detour from GOD's path for our lives--a consolation prize if you will. We accept them because we think we are undeserving of good things from His hand, or in an attempt to be humble. GOD wants to give us His best, but because we can't boldly accept that--we shorthange ourselves, and in doing so, shortchange GOD in the process. Sometimes, we sell ourselves short (and GOD as well) and are content to wallow in the weeds. The weeds are the useless things of the world--trash, if you will.

The problem there is that, in being content with the weeds, we live more like the world than as Christians and damage our testimony as well as the Kingdom of GOD in the process. If we're OK with the weeds, why would lost people have any desire to become Christians? They see us living just like them with the exception of calling ourselves Christians. If Christianity is simply seen as a set of rules that heap guilt on a person--well, why would anyone want that?

It's time we, as Christians, tend to our gardens and get rid of the weeds in our lives as referred to in Galatians 5:19-21 which states, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." We need to stop being distracted by weeds & wildflowers and start cultivating GOD's beautiful roses. We should take Him at His Word and live our lives accordingly, seeking out the gifts He has for us and blessing others along the way.

I know I've been guilty of wallowing in the weeds and contenting myself with wildflowers as well as doing things on my own rather than asking for GOD's guidance & direction. Where are you? Among the weeds, the wildflowers, or are you pruning the rosebushes in anticipation of a beautiful bloom?

Blessings!
Tony

Thank You for the Rain--a poem by me, today--6/22/2011

Thank You for the rains, Dear Lord--

for they hide my tears.

Lord, my heart is heavy--

my mind is filled with fears.

The love I thought would last a lifetime--

is here with me no more.

For she left this world, it's pain and sorrow--

and entered Heaven's door.



While I'm certain her homecoming there--

was joyous from the start,

Her passing from this old world--

has surely broken my heart.

I know she is rejoicing--

in Heaven's great hereafter,

But I miss her touch and her smile--

I long to hear her laughter.



My home feels so empty--

there's such a stillness there.

My heart seems to know no peace--

this grief is hard to bear.

When I catch myself feeling

as if I'm starting to enjoy life,

I feel a twinge of guilt tell me--

I should be mourning for my wife.



How long, Oh Lord, will this last--

this emptiness I feel?

Give me strength to press on--

as I seek to do Your Will.

For now, Lord, my heart cries out--

in anguish and in pain,

Grant me grace, Father, and once again--

thank You for the rain...

Grief Continued...

"I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart. For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me." Psalm 38:6-8, 17 NKJV

I wish I could say things have gotten easier for me. They haven't. Few moments pass that I don't think about my wife, her zeal for life, her desire to serve, her love for GOD and His people. She possessed so many wonderful attributes. She touched so many lives--mine most of all.

In High School, she was a cheerleader. In life, she was also a cheerleader. She always pulled for the underdog, she befriended the friendless, she was a great encourager. Bless her heart, she bragged on me as if I was something special. 2-3 times a week, I found a note of encouragement in my lunch, folded in my bath towel, left on my pillow. She gave me way more credit than I deserved. However, in her eyes, I was special & that made me feel special--as if I could accomplish anything. She saw me through love's eyes, she had great faith in me and was willing to support me in whatever I chose to do, wherever I chose to go. Never have I known so great a love, other than that of GOD Himself.

Not too long ago, I found several cards she had given me over the years. Needless to say, I sat & wept as I read all the sweet things she wrote to me. I hear songs that remind me of her. I see her personality in the home we shared. We both loved the outdoors, so I think about her when I'm out in nature. It's something I can't escape--nor do I want to. I know time will soften the pain I feel but I never want to forget our life together or erase her from my mind. We shared something special & I know GOD brought us together for a reason--even if only for a short season.

Sorrow can be overwhelming. It is like a storm--it hits without warning and leaves disaster behind. I can be going about my business doing relatively well and suddenly it is as if someone has punched me in the gut and knocked the wind out of me. It may last a few minutes, a few hours or sometimes a few days, leaving me feeling lifeless. Slowly, it passes & I return to some degree of normalcy once again--until the next storm comes. Grief and mourning truly are a process--one that takes time. How long? Only GOD knows...

Still the same, I saw Dee suffer so. I know she isn't in pain any longer. I know she's in Heaven. I know she's rejoicing. I'm a little jealous in some ways. But the hardest part is I know I must continue on without her until my earthly life is done. I know GOD has a purpose for me but I long for my reunion with her...

That's where I am for now. I covet your prayers!

Blessings!
Tony

Good Grief?

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 NKJV

I've come to the conclusion that grief is a process--there is no on/off switch. However, no two people grieve the same. GOD created us as individuals--with varying characteristics, talents and abilities. Therefore, life events, such as the loss of a loved one, affect each of us differently.

For me, there are days I feel strong and social and others when I prefer to isolate myself so I can mourn privately. Upon returning home after Dee's funeral, I was immediately and undoubtedly in a state of depression. For the first few days, I had what I termed "meltdown moments" when raw emotion would consume me for unspecified periods of time. I went several days without concern for my appearance or my well-being--I neither shaved, showered or ate. This was my time of intense mourning.

Many people visited, called, brought food, sent cards--all offering their condolences, but I was unable to be consoled. I had been absolutely certain GOD would restore my wife to me as He had done in the past. When she died, I felt hurt, betrayed and abandoned by GOD--my faith was truly shaken. I called out to GOD seeking answers and expressing my anger for His having allowed her to die.

I was reminded of a couple of incidents that had occurred. I was sure they were meant to warn and prepare me for her homegoing. About two weeks prior to Dee's death, I had a dream in which I was getting my clothes for the day out of our Master Bedroom closet. Dee's clothes were always in that closet and mine were in the guest room closet. She always loved clothes & shoes, so there was no room in "our" closet for my clothes. For my clothes to be there would mean her's no longer were...

Also, the night before Dee's funeral--I had great difficulty sleeping. As I lay there, I prayed to GOD to grant me peace and rest. Otherwise, I knew I would never be able to deal with the entire funeral process. Miraculously, I drifted off to sleep only to awaken some hours later singing--yes, singing the song "Marvelous Grace of Jesus." I knew that was GOD's way of comforting and reassuring me that His grace was all sufficient for even me--as the song goes. I heard a radio preacher say "Mercy responds to a cry for help" and GOD had done just that for me.

I've accepted Dee's death as GOD's Will. I am grateful for the time she & I had together. She was my soulmate. We did everything together so her passing has left a hole in my heart and life, but I know she is happy and whole and in the presence of our Saviour. If I had the ability to wish her back, it would be to the state she lived in for the last two years of her life & that simply wouldn't be fair to her. I still have occasional meltdowns and I still have days I prefer to be alone. The mourning process is ongoing and I have no idea how long it will last but through it all, GOD is my strength. He gives me what I need as I need it in order to endure.

I'm grateful for the thoughtfulness and prayers of my friends & family during my time of loss. Oh, and by the way--I have showered, shaved & eaten--so, it's safe to be around me now...

Blessings!
Tony

My Revelation...

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

I had an astonishing revelation today. For months, I have been praying for GOD to change Dee's health situation & to heal her completely. I've bombarded the gates of Heaven, pleaded with GOD and asked others to pray the same. What I failed to realize all this time was that GOD is using this time of trial & testing to prepare us for something great. We know He plans to use us in ministry & have made preparations to do just that. However, we've been viewing this long episode of continued health problems as an attack of satan rather than realizing that GOD uses all things for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose as stated in Romans 8:28, which I happen to claim as my life verse. How could I recite that Scripture for so many years without truly applying it to my life?

The first clue came a few days ago when a dear friend posted a comment to a FaceBook post of mine saying that GOD was using this time to prepare us & that we would have a great testimony as a result. Hmmmm, I thought--could this be? I began reading my Bible and seeking GOD somewhat differently as a result. My actual "Aha moment" came today. I spent the day at the hospital as Dee has been hospitalized several days now & was having a procedure done in the heart cath lab. After they took her back, I stopped by the hospital's gift shop to look around. They have a used book rack that I frequently glance over & usually never see anything that appeals to me.

Today, however, was different. As I studied the books on display, I noticed one titled "Power in Praise" by a gentleman named Merlin Carothers. Being intrigued, I picked it up and thumbed through it. I decided to pay the whopping .50 the gift shop was asking for it so I'd have something to read while I waited. On page 2, Romans 8:28 was quoted along with this, "To praise GOD is to express our acceptance of something that GOD is permitting to happen. So to praise GOD for difficult situations, as sickness or disaster, means literally that we accept its happening as part of GOD's plan to reveal His perfect love for us." My mind was screaming, WHAT? I'm supposed to be thankful & praise GOD for the auto accident & long-term illness that has plagued my beautiful bride for the past 5 years?

The more I read of my bargain book, the more it explained my life verse to me along with several others. Mr. Carothers, having retired as a military chaplain, recounted many stories of personal encounters with people over the years who reacted just as I did. He told of how their situations changed once they came to terms with and accepted their situations. Could it be true? Could GOD use this to build our character, to prepare us, to teach us--so we will be able to minister to others? GOD's Word, my very life verse of Romans 8:28 says "all things" so I'm thinking that's what I was supposed to learn. Why else would GOD place this book in my path at a time when I'm questioning Him about the purpose for Dee's suffering? You might say it's a coincidence, but I choose to believe He was trying to get the message through my thick skull and having a pastor's wife tell me apparently wasn't enough...

So, I'm looking at things differently now. If I am to be a living, breathing testimony of His great love--I have to accept that bad things happen as a part of life and remember the story of Joseph. All the terrible things he endured led him to a place of prominence where he was able to make provision for not only his family, but for all of Egypt. He told his brothers who had sold him into slavery, "you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day" (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).

It is something to think about. Have you been accusing GOD of deserting you as I was? Maybe it's time to rethink His ability to use "all things" for His ultimate glory...

Blessings!
Tony

True Friendship

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13


It has been said that to have friends, you must first be a friend. What better example is there that that of Jesus? Jesus was called the friend of sinners because He reached out to those society looked down on. During his earthly ministry, He was surrounded by those He considered friends. There were, of course, His Disciples--12 men with whom He lived and traveled. They all knew each other as friends and brothers. Within that group were also 3 men--Peter, James and John--who were extremely close to Jesus. They were His "inner circle" if you will, the ones who knew Jesus' heart & soul as only true friends can. Within that group was also Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him. Which type of friend are you?

Friendship is important--we all need friends. While marriage partners are wonderful gifts from GOD, each of us often needs the counsel and accountability only a close same-sex friend can provide. As a man, I understand that men need other men with whom they can be totally transparent and bare their souls to without fear of rejection or condemnation. I have a few such friends for whom I thank GOD daily. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." We learn from each other, lean on each other and pray with and for each other.

As we approach Easter, it is impossible to overlook GOD's love for us and Jesus' great sacrifice made on our behalf. What an example of love and friendship! A Holy and sinless man--the Son of GOD himself--beaten, battered and hung on a cross to suffer for the sins of the world. He left the glories of Heaven and came to our world to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Although He lived a sinless life, He suffered an agonizing and humiliating death for us. There He hung, bloody and naked--suspended between Heaven and earth for all to see. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him, but He chose to give His life in order to save us from the fiery pits of Hell.

I am reminded of the old song, "What a Friend we have in Jesus!"

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Blessings!
Tony

The Godly Man

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 KJV

What does it mean to be a godly man in today's world? Can one be a Christian leader in his home and church? I tend to think so--allow me to look back at the above Scripture passage...

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly..." Ah, the ungodly--it is true we live in a morally depraved society. As such, we have become terribly desensitized by the news media and television programming. Things that should break our hearts are almost common occurrences. Stories of rape, robbery and murder are pretty much the norm in the world we live in...

"Nor stands in the path of sinners..." The path we take daily is riddled with sin and temptation. It is almost impossible to shop for groceries, attend a sporting event or take your family to dinner without being bombarded with the things of the world. Billboards advertise adult bookstores, casinos & gambling, and more. The magazines at the local grocer's checkout promotes sex, alcohol and adulterous or "alternative" lifestyles. Alleged "family" restaurants are loud, smoky and full of neon signs promoting various beer brands...

"Nor sits in the seat of the scornful..." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines scornful as "full of scorn (1 : open dislike and disrespect or derision often mixed with indignation 2 : an expression of contempt or derision 3 : an object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision : something contemptible) or contemptuous. Does this describe anyone you know? Does it in any way describe you? GOD forbid that anyone calling themselves a Christian ever fall into this category!

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night..." In order to isolate ourselves from the worldly and satanic forces that surround us and to maintain our relationship with The Father, we must die to sin on a daily basis. It is of utmost importance that we read and study GOD's Word and spend time in prayer regularly. It's also important that we spend time in fellowship and corporate worship with a family of believers.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper..." It is GOD who is the source of all our blessings. Psalms 37:4 tells us "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart". A tree planted by the water flourishes, there is a steady supply of nutrients and moisture to support it's vegetation. If we truly "plug in" to GOD, He supplies our daily needs. Mind you, I said needs--not wants. His provision is sufficient to support us so that we in turn can offer encouragement and be a blessing to others. Then there's the fruit thing...if we are growing spiritually, there will be obvious signs (fruits). Others will see Christ in us and desire to know the peace and love of Jesus as a result of seeing Him at work in our lives.

Continuing on with the godly man theme, I feel it necessary to point out a few other Scriptures as well largely because it is easy to become so consumed in our attempts to please GOD that we often neglect those closest to us. To that end, we must seek harmony in our homes in order to maintain a well-balanced life. If we attend GOD's family but not our own, we have failed. 1 Timothy 5:8 states "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel". These are harsh and pointed words but words to be heeded still the same.

As Christian men, we must also guard and nourish our marriages. Yes guys, we need to show our wives love and patience--not domination and tyranny. This relationship is secondary only to our relationship with GOD and marriage is GOD-ordained. Look with me if you will at the book of Ephesians. Men generally like this book because it tells wives to submit to their husbands. However, there is more to it than that and we cannot ask women to follow GOD's Word if we are not prepared to do the same. Ephesians 5:25-29 clearly says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church..." It sounds like a tall order, but it can be accomplished. Remember, woman was created from the rib of the man, near the heart to be loved, held dear and treated with dignity and respect.

One last thing--the children. The family is under attack and Satan will utilize anything he can to tear apart the family unit. It is our responsibility to GOD and our family to exhibit our Christian faith in a way that our children will learn and come to know Christ through our example. Proverbs 22:6 tells us "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it", while Proverbs 23:13a says "Withhold not correction from the child..." There again, we must find the balance and teach our children through reasonable discipline. We are instructed in Ephesians 6:4, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord".

While there will be difficult times, GOD is always there to guide and direct us if we seek Him. If we attempt to do things on our own, disaster is certain. Look to Him in all things. Proverbs 3:5-6 offers us this promise, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." His directing of our paths will never lead us astray. He is a good GOD and His desire is to protect and provide for us as a Father should. We should follow his example...

Blessings!
Tony

Marvelous Grace!

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11-12 NKJV

Grace--what a wonderful word! GOD, in His mercy, offers grace to those who accept Him and live life according to His Commandments. Grace is often defined as "GOD's riches at Christ's expense." As a means of providing a ransom for our sin-ridden souls, GOD sent Jesus into the depravity of our world to sacrifice Himself as the atonement for our sins. John 1:14 tells us, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Then, in Ephesians 1:7 we hear, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." Salvation is possible because of a compassionate and merciful GOD of grace as indicated in Lamentations 3:22, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not."


We don't deserve mercy & grace. We deserve death & Hell as the penalty for our transgressions. We are filthy sinners & GOD cannot fellowship with us if we are not cleansed. Through the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are offered redemption. His blood cleanses us and our sins are no longer held against us but are covered by the blood and remembered no more. Jesus Himself, took the penalty for our sins on the cross of Calvary. "But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21) We simply need to confess our sins and repent, turning from the things of the world and to the things of GOD. I am reminded of a passage in Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

Let us live for Him, remembering the words of the old song "Marvelous Grace"...

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled...

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin...

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Blessings!
Tony

Green Pastures...

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23 NKJV

I'm not certain what caused the 23rd Psalm to come to my mind today but it did & I have been pondering it for a good portion of the day. As I read it, the thing that stood out to me was the green pastures. In my mind's eye, I see a solitary shepherd standing atop a hill watching over his flock of sheep in the green valley below. His eyes constantly scan the horizon, watching for any hint of danger and observing the weather conditions. A smile comes across his face as he sees young lambs frolicking and playing in the sweet, green grass. He takes a headcount to assure none of his precious flock have wandered away to become unsuspecting prey. He calls to them and they follow where he leads...

This is a picture of GOD as He sits in Heaven looking down on His children below. He has made provision for us in oh so many ways. He watches over us and protects us from all manner of evil. Yes, trials do come our way but He is ever faithful and cares for us. He sends people into our lives--for a reason, a season or sometimes for a lifetime--to uplift and encourage us just when we need it most. Psalm 100:3 reminds us, "Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." We are the creatures, He is the Creator. He desires good for us.

Satan is the predator intent on our destruction--we are his prey. GOD created us with a free will--we make our own choices in this life and those choices will ultimately determine our eternal destination. If we choose the things of the world, satan's way, we are doomed to eternal damnation and separation from GOD. We will spend eternity in a place never intended for man and be in agony and torment from the unquenchable flames.
However, if we choose to follow GOD and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior ("I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9 NKJV)--our eternal "green pasture" is the glory and splendor of Heaven. We'll be surrounded by the love and light of GOD and in a constant state of joy for all of eternity.

My prayer is that GOD will grant me opportunities to show the way to Him so that others can know the rest and comfort He gives & goodness and mercy can follow them all their days. Then we will all dwell together, united as one, in the house of the Lord forever.

He's calling--won't you follow? I wish you peace and green pastures!

Blessings!
Tony

Praise Him!

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

As most people know, my wife & I have been through a lot lately--mainly with her health issues. The enemy has attacked her body in an effort to keep us from doing what we feel GOD is calling us to do. Satan's goal has been to shift our focus from the things of the Spirit to physical things. If he can take ou eyes off of GOD in any way possible, he can and does completely derail us.

GOD never promised that life would be easy. As a matter of fact, we're told to expect opposition from the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." We're also told we'll experience hardships but we must endure them and grow through them as in James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" and 2 Timothy 2:3 which says, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Difficulties are a part of life.

Recently, I began fasting & praying in an effort to seek GOD. Depriving our bodies of food and putting our focus entirely on GOD somehow makes us more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. GOD has revealed much to me through songs, sermons, conversations, etc. Today, while working. I found myself behind a Teen Challenge van with "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6 printed on the rear doors. Immediately following that, "He Touched Me" played on the radio. In that, I felt GOD was impressing on me to simply praise Him in and through all things.

I've decided we miss out on the things of GOD because we get caught up in the things of the world. Many "good" things are simply not GOD things. Satan will use seemingly good things to divert our attention from GOD & the path He has for us. Are you where GOD wants you? He's speaking, if we'll only pause in the madness to listen...

Blessings!
Tony

Healing Rains

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8 NKJV

It rained today...I work outdoors, so the rain gave me a lot of time to think & ponder. As I listened to the thunder rumble, saw the lightning streak across the sky, watched the winds blow and the rain come down, I thought about how the rain cleanses and refreshes the earth. The dirt and grime that builds up are washed away by the gentle or sometimes rushing waters as was today's case.

In that time, I was reminded of how GOD's mercies are fresh daily and the fact that we need to be cleansed from the grime of the world and the effects of sin. I saw the storms as healing rains. The passage in Joel came to my mind (Joel 2:21 & following) where it points out that GOD sends rain to nourish the earth--its animals & vegetation that we rely on for food. The scripture also promises restoration. Storms come into our lives--sometimes they shake us to our very core--these are the times our faith is tested.

Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed by the trials I'm facing. I feel certain GOD sent the rain to remind me that He is in control and has my best interests at heart. All I need is to put self aside and totally trust Him. Additionally, I receive a random "verse of the day" in my e-mail daily. Today's was Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." Coincidence, you think? Not me, I believe GOD orchestrated it all just as a personal reminder for me!

Blessings!
Tony

Have Faith in GOD...

Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:22-28 NKJV

OK, I'll admit it--there are times my faith is really tested. As I write this, my wife is hospitalized again (14th time in 15 months) and by now I'm wondering what is going on. Is this test of GOD through which I am to learn something and grow spiritually as a result of? Am I being prepared for some great mission? Or, is it of Satan and designed to cause me to doubt? I absolutely do not know.

Our human nature is fickle. We can feel certain of something at one moment and completely unsure the next. We tend to worry & fret and expend large amounts of energy & emotion over things that are not within our control. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
So, why do we put ourselves through such gutwrenching periods of self-pity, doubt and worry? All we need to do is turn it over to GOD. His shoulders are big enough to carry the burden when we cannot bear it alone.
I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neibuhr. Most people are familiar with the first few lines but the rest is powerful as well...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

The things of this world, the difficulties we encounter--none of it makes sense to us. Why doesn't GOD "fix" it? Why does He allow evil? I believe that we are not meant to understand it all in the here and now but that He will reveal His plan to us when we reign with Him in Glory. Faith and trust are the keys. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV).

All I can be certain of now is simply that my faith is strong & my GOD is still on His Throne and that is enough for me!

Blessings!
Tony

Testimonial, an "oldie goldie" by yours truly

Some of you will remember this, others aren't familiar with it. I think it was the first of my writings I ever shared publicly & that was with the good people of Eastern Valley Baptist in Bessemer, AL. I wrote it around '95-'96 but it is still as true today as it was back then. GOD can take someone bound for hell, turn their lives around and use them for the furtherance of His Kingdom. I am still in awe of Him daily. I'd appreciate your prayers as I seek to serve Him...


“TESTIMONIAL”

By Tony Shoemaker


I walked this earth a lost, lonely soul---
Searching for something to make my life whole.

I looked and I looked, but nothing was there---
Everything I tried caused pain and despair.

GOD called my name, but I turned away---
Saying, “Not now, Lord, maybe someday.”

I kept on going through stubbornness and pride---
Determined to take life’s problems in stride.

Satan presented his temptations and I was weak---
Life held no value and the future seemed bleak.

Drugs, alcohol and sex brought emptiness and pain---
In them I found there was nothing to gain.

GOD kept speaking, day after day---
Saying, “Come Son, I’ll take your troubles away.”

He blessed me with a family, friends and a home---
Yet Satan persuaded me to continue and roam.

One day, I looked back at the suffering I’d bore---
I’d taken and taken, but could stand no more.

Broken and weeping, to GOD I did pray---
Confessing my sins on that glorious day.

With mighty power and grace, He reached out to me---
Saying, “Come Child, I’ve been awaiting thee.”

From that day forward, He’s guided my life---
And eased my burdens, my worries and strife.

Which Voice? a poem by yours truly...

I wrote this last summer, July I think. There was a time when poems flowed easily but in the past few years, I've only written a few. Anyway, I wanted to share this one called, "Which Voice?"

The voice of the world is calling out,
it starts as a whisper and becomes a shout.
It tells me I am an unworthy one,
unworthy to claim the Blood of GOD’s Son.
It constantly reminds me of where I’ve been,
of my old life--so riddled with sin.
It is the voice of Satan--filled with lies,
to listen to this voice is simply not wise.

The voice of GOD whispers with ease,
soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
It tells me of my worth, through His Son--
I need simply trust Him, the work is already done.
The Holy Spirit’s nudge is ever so mild,
all that is required is the faith of a child.
He doesn’t care what I’ve done or where I’ve been,
The Blood of Christ covers all of my sin.

Which voice will I listen to and heed--
My spirit, my humanity--which do I feed?
To follow the world grants earthly pleasure,
While following GOD promises heavenly treasure.
The final choice, the last vote--it is mine to make,
I and I alone, decide which path I’ll take.
With one, I win--with the other, I lose--
It’s up to me, which one will I choose?

Which voice?

Struggles--Why do Christians Suffer?

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalms 71:19-21 NIV

Why do Christians suffer? Why does the world hate us? Why does Satan do everything he can to bring pain and misery into our lives? Why does GOD allow it? I'm certain GOD hears these and a multitude of similar questions in the prayers of His People on a daily basis. What reasons can He have for letting bad things happen to good people?

Fact is, we live in a fallen world. When Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin and death fell on the entire human race. Because we are in the bloodline of sinful man, we are exposed to sin & its effects. Although we have submitted our will and committed our lives to the Father, we are still part of this humanity. The cruel and unvarnished truth is that Christian people fall victim to finincial problems, family issues, job losses, divorce, etc., just like the unsaved of the world do. We are not immune from it, but we do have GOD to see us through it!

Remember the story of Job? It reads a little like a Shakespearean play. Job was described as a blameless and upright man who feared GOD and shunned evil. He also had great wealth. In his time, wealth was seen as being favored by GOD while any form of loss or shame was seen as GOD's Hand being removed because of sin in one's life. One day, Satan began to test this righteous man and GOD allowed it. Through the story, everything Job has is taken from him--his children, his wealth, his herds, absolutely every earthly possession he had was gone. Despite all of this, he never turned his back on GOD. His "friends" were certain there was hidden sin in his life. His wife advised him to curse GOD and die--lots of great support there huh? His response? "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21 NIV) As the story concludes, Job is restored and GOD blesses him with far more than he had to begin with because of his great faithfulness. Even when he had nothing, he still held to GOD and looked to Him for strength and direction.

When I am inclined to moan and groan about the troubling issues I encounter in life, I am reminded of Job. My reward is not here on this earth--it awaits me in Heaven where I will spend eternity. The trials of this life can in no way compare with what GOD has in store for us. 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Additionally, James 1:12 tells us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." GOD never promised us life would be easy, just that it would be worth it in the end.

Let us look to Him in all things and for all things. He knows what the future holds and is preparing us for something. We must trust Him to see us through whatever life sends our way, regardless as to how difficult or unfair it may seem, so we can be better prepared to do great things for the Kingdom. Let's be like Job!

Blessings!
Tony

Who loves ya, Baby?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV

Valentine's Day is fast approaching--matter of fact, it's only a few short days away. Most of us will give our Valentine a token of our love--such as a card, candy, flowers, etc. We want to shower those we care about with love and in today's world, love is generally shown with material items. It gives us great pleasure to see our sweetheart gush when they receive a gift from us.

2000 years ago, GOD proved His love for mankind by giving the best He had to give--His Son, Jesus. Jesus came into this world as a humble babe, lived a sinless life and willingly gave Himself in death to provide the atonement for our sins. His sacrifice gave us salvation. Now, that is love!

What does He ask of us in return? We are to love the Lord our GOD with all our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbor as ourself (Mark 12:30-31) and to obey His Commandments (John 14:15). We are also told to love, bless and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Those we come in contact with will notice there is something different about us--they will know we are Christians by our love.

Take a look at 1 Corinthians 13, aka "The Love Chapter." It goes into great detail about what love is and is not and how love endures. We often hear it recited at weddings but do we really grasp the meaning? After the ceremony, do couples take it to heart? I am reminded of a poem I once read entitled "Marriage Takes Three." It talks of our relationship with GOD & how it impacts our relationship with our mate. The same applies to how we relate to others in general. If we are walking in the love of GOD, peace and contentment will naturally follow.

That is not to say we won't encounter difficulties. I would be remiss if I did not mention that Satan delights in causing us grief and often uses those closest to us to accomplish his task. If he can disrupt a marriage, or a family, or a church body--it brings him great satisfaction. Let's do our best not to let him win any battles. We know we win the war in the end!

GOD gave us His very best because He loves us. Are we willing to give Him our all and our best in return? Dottie Rambo wrote a song entitled "If That Isn't Love" that goes like this...

He left the splendor of heaven,
Knowing His destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha,
There to lay down His life for me.

If that isn't love
The ocean is dry,
There’re no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly;
If that isn't love
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this
If that isn't love.

Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side;
Then he spoke of love and compassion
Then He took him to paradise.

If that isn't love
The ocean is dry,
There’re no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly;
If that isn't love
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this
If that isn't love.

GOD loves you! How much do you love Him? Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings!
Tony

Be Careful With Your Words

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37 NKJV

What do our words say about us? Do we speak postively and in faith or do we spew negativity? As Christians, we are to call things that are not as though they are--speaking in faith and believing GOD for His blessings on our lives. Satan would have us look at the situation around us and assume the worst. If he can cause us to doubt, he's won the battle--he's driven a wedge between us and GOD. Fear looks at the physical evidence while faith looks at GOD's promises.

We should be careful with our words in our daily interactions with others. Matthew 15:18 (NKJV) tells us, "those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." Our words reveal what is truly in our hearts. How can we smile sweetly and speak politely to a person only to talk about them behind their back once they leave our company? James had something to say about that..."But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? (James 3:8-11 NKJV). Words have to power to hurt or to heal--choose them wisely!

It is something to think about. What do your words reveal about your heart & attitude? When you stand before GOD to give account of your life, deeds & words--will you be ashamed and have regrets? Speak words of kindness and faith to those you come in contact with. The world will be a better place as a result!

Blessings!
Tony

Is GOD enough?

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV

Is GOD enough? We often hear that we are to "let go and let GOD." Can we, in our humanness, let go of control and allow GOD to have His Will and His Way in our lives? Therein lies a great challenge to our human nature. After all, aren't we supposed to be self-sufficient, independent and in control of our destiny?

In truth, and according to GOD's Word, we are to "cast all our cares on him" (1 Peter 5:7). We are also instructed "we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD" (1 Corinthians 1:9). Why then do we disregard His instructions and attempt to take matters into our own hands? The simple answer is SIN. When we fail to heed GOD's Word and do as we are commanded, we are guilty of sin. Disobedience is sin and when we try to control our surroundings and our lives, we are being willingly disobedient to GOD.

James 4:17 tells us "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin." As Christians, we have been taught what is good and right in GOD's eyes and we have His Instructions--The Bible--to guide us. However, we are not alone in this. The Apostle Paul wrote of his struggles with this very thing in Romans 7:19, when he said, "for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." If Paul could falter in this area, surely we will as well.

Jesus himself endured temptation. Therefore, He understands our struggles. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Through Jesus, we are made righteous in GOD's sight. He looks at us through a "Jesus filter" that removes our (confessed) sin from His vision. Ah, confession...yes, we are accountable for all unconfessed sin in our lives and must be cleansed daily from the accumulation of sins we commit. Our spirit needs a bath regularly just like our physical body does.

Fact is, GOD is enough. He is sufficient. We simply have to recognize our own weakness and surrender control to His divine Will. Is it time to "have a little talk with Jesus?" Seek His Will for your life, be willing to take risks for Him--He'll open (and close) the appropriate doors and light the way...

Blessings!
Tony