Inspirations

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. Philippians 3:17 Today I said, “goodbye” to an amazing man of God today.  He has now joined the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone on ahead.  So, what made him amazing? Was it his job?  No, it wasn't his job; he worked in a machine shop.  Then perhaps, it was that he had money.  No, He may have had some money, but he certainly was not rich by anyone’s standards.  He had no power or influence according to how the world measures significance.  So what was it about him that made him stand out?  Well, in the time I knew him, I never heard him say an unkind word to anyone.  I never heard him talk about others behind their back.  When things went wrong, I never saw him lash out in anger at those around him.  He was always ready to do whatever needed to be done in the church....

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36 It’s July 4th, Independence Day, so naturally my thoughts turn to freedom.  Our country was founded by people who craved religious freedom.  The Revolutionary War was fought because we sought freedom from England.  From the dawn of time, people have desired, struggled, and fought for freedom.  I believe it’s because God put it in our nature to hunger, thirst, for and crave freedom.  In reality, the freedom we yearn for and need most isn't political freedom, or even religious freedom. Those freedoms are good, and I Praise God we live in a country where we have them. Yet, even here in the United States of America where we have much freedom people are still in chains.  The freedom we desire can only be attained through belief in and following Jesus of Nazareth.  Only when we take up our cross and follow Jesus, the son of God, can we find real freedom and life.  .   Friend...

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not  fear  their threats; do not be frightened.  1 Peter 3:14 How many of you, like me, suffer from a chronic case of the “what if’s”.  Even though I love to travel, until about a year ago the longest distance I had driven is about forty-five minutes away because the “what if’s” would take over.  Every time I would start thinking of going someplace that would require driving, my mind would immediately start; “what if” you get lost; “what if” you have an accident; or “what if” your car breaks down?  Until I decided that I was not listening the “what if” voices, I didn't Sunset in South Carolina realize how much I had let the fear of the unknowns hold me back from doing some things I would have loved.  I was afraid to take chances because; what if I’m wrong; What if something bad happens ; What if….. Sometimes I am afraid that we let that carry over into our spiritual life, as...

To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. 2Corinthians 2:16 Last break!  The shift was almost over. Then the unthinkable happened, this man appeared out of nowhere wanting to know where the flashlights were kept.  As we were on our way to the flashlights, I noticed that this man had a very strong odor.  I thought perhaps I could get in front of him so that the smell would not be as strong.   That, however, was not to be either since; he insisted on keeping pace and walking right beside me. By the time we got to where the flashlights were; I was practically running just to keep ahead of him.  I showed him the flashlights and made a hasty exit.  If you’re like me, you shower and even put on perfume or cologne so that you will not stink.  We are concerned that the smell coming from our body is not offensive to others.  As I write this, I wonder if we are as concerned with our spiritual aroma as ...

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Pslam 38: 18 So far this week I have had one squirrel and two moles invade my home thanks to our cats who think our residence should be a wildlife sanctuary for rodents.  I, on the other hand, am not convinced that these creatures should invade my domicile.  The only wildlife I want to see in my house is my family and the cats.  That is about as wild as my house is going to get.  Truth is, I hate the thought of those rodents sharing my house.  They will leave my house one way or another.  As I was chasing those critters out of my house, I started thinking about how much I hate those little “things”.  I hate them so much I will not tolerate them in my house under any circumstances.   It reminded me of how God feels about sin.  He can’t stand it.  He hates it! He wants nothing to with sin that why he sent his son Jesus.  I am forced to look at the way I treat sin i...

a friend from church who was also waiting Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 Today, I’m doing something that each of us does at one time or another.  I’m waiting.  We often spend a great deal of our time waiting.  We wait in the checkout line at the supermarket; we wait at the restaurant; we wait at the doctor’s office; the latter is where I am right now.  It made me think of how we spend our time while we wait.  In all honesty, I am not the most patient person and waiting is hard for me.  I often fret and fume and get restless if I’m asked to wait for very long.  However, I’m beginning to see waiting as a blessing.  Sometimes, it gives me time to relax and regroup.   I’m learning that while waiting, I can turn the mundane chore of waiting into an opportunity. It can be a chance to make new friends, or reconnect with old friends I haven’t seen in a long time. Since waiting is something that ea...

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Romans 14:12 A few days ago I got a new cell phone.  I did my homework, and since they did not sell one that I wanted in store; I ordered it online.  As I was waiting to pick it up on Saturday, I noticed that there was a sign that said the store was offering a fifty dollar gift card when you bought a smartphone.  I thought, wow that would be so awesome to get a gift card.  I asked about the gift card and was informed that I had to have gotten the phone that day.  The lady said I could return the phone I bought and then rebuy it so I could get the discount.  I was extremely tempted because I really could have used the gift card.  After I had thought about it; I decided that, for me, it would be wrong to do that since I had bought it earlier and returning it and buying it back just to get the gift card seemed deceptive. I was told that everyone does that. That was the kiss of dea...