Parents who Drugged Us

The other day, someone at a store in our town read
that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old
farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me
a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug
problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied,
I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug
to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to
family reunions and community socials no matter the
weather. I was drug by my ears when I was
disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the
woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie,
brought home a bad report card, did not speak with
respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher,
or if I didn't put forth my best effort in
everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth
washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was
drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower
beds and cockleburs out of dad's field. I was drug
to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to
help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the
yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood;
and, if my mother had ever known that I took a
single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would
have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my
behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They
are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if
today's children had this kind of drug problem,
America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Mark 10:46-52

46) And they came to Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimae'us, a blind beggar, the son of Timae'us, was sitting by the roadside. 47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48) And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49) And Jesus stopped and said, " Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." 50) And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51) And Jesus said to him, " What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." 52) And Jesus said to him, " Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

What A Story

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something. I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort. My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been ; answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye. Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.' He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves. When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so that mother and baby could live." This story should help us to realize two things: First - God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control. And second - that though it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.
Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love. You may never know the impact it may have on someone.
God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Mark 13:21-37

21) And then if any one says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or `Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22) False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23) But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand.24) " But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25) and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26) And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27) And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28) " From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29) So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30) Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. 31) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32) " But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33) Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. 34) It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35) Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning - 36) lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37) And what I say to you I say to all: Watch."

Praising God's Trustworthiness

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteour; for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: and the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalms 33: 1-5 KJV

What does it mean to be trustworthy and true? In a society that insists that all truth is relative, many people have given up looking for truth, much less basing their lives on it. But Scripture declares that there is something that is completely true—no matter what angle you look at it, no matter what perspective you come from. God and his Word will always remain true. That facet of God's character is what this psalm celebrates. It encourages believers everywhere to shout for joy, for their lives are securely established on God's eternal truths.
Take a moment to reflect on how few things are certain in this world and how much change is a normal part of life. Then think about how God and his Word are forever trustworthy and true, and give him praise.
Dear God, your Word holds true, and everything you do is worthy of my trust.…

A Child Explains God

THIS ONE IS FABULOUS!!!
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well?EXPLANATION OF GOD:"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."
"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and such, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off."
"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."
"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church."
"Jesus is God's Son He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K."
"His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."
"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time."
"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway."
"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."
"But..you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And..that's why I believe in God."

On Jordan's Stormy Banks

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 KJV

This hymn was written by Samuel Stennett in 1787. It was at first titled "Heaven Anticipated." It was the last song that the Confederate Civil War Spy Sam Davis heard before he was executed in 1863.

Davis was part of a group called Coleman's Spies. Davis was so good that one evening he shared a table with Northern General William Rosecrans listening to Yankee battle plans.

However, in November of 1863 he was caught with maps and papers that exposed him as a spy and thrown into jail. He was offered to be spared his life if he would reveal the identity of Coleman. He refused. Later it was Private C. B. Van Pelt who read to him the copy of his death sentence. Part of it was a reprieve if he would tell them where Coleman was. He told Private Van Pelt "I will die a thousand deaths rather than betray my friends." They were both moved to tears and then both were silent.

What no one knew at the time was Coleman was really Dr. H. B. Shaw. Dr. Shaw was being held in another jail cell nearby at the same time. Later he was released.

Before he was executed Davis wrote to his mother. "How painful it is to write to you. I have got to die tomorrow morning-to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve for me. I must bid you good-by forevermore."

The Chaplin spent the day before his execution praying with Sam. That night in worship service Davis asked if they would sing "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." The Chaplin said he would never forget Davis' voice as he sang "I am bound for the Promised Land; I am bound for the Promised Land."

A monument is erected to Sam Davis on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. Below it are the words "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Tributes to Johnny Hart

Here are some tribute cartoons to Johnny Hart that I saw on Creators Syndicate and one from Church Mice. I hope they don't mind that I borrowed them for my readers to view. According to Creators Syndicate his strips BC and Wizard of ID will continue. The Hart family will pick their favorite BC strips to be published in tribute. The top strip was drawn by Johnny Hart's grandson.

Where You There?

And the women also, which cam with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Luke 23:55-56 KJV

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were You There? Traditional spiritual

This favorite hymn comes from the rich American spiritual tradition, probably developed in the early 1800s by African-American slaves. As in most spirituals, the words are simple, seizing on one central theme or concept.
Spirituals tend to have a lot of emotional appeal. As a result, this hymn, like few others, puts the singer there. We experience the "tremble" as we sing it. And in the triumphant final stanza, we experience the glory of a risen Lord. We are called out of the cold analysis of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection into the moment of living it. We are called out of the theological debate and into the stark reality. We hear the nails pounded into the cross, we see the onlookers wagging their heads, we smell the burial spices, and we feel the rumble of the stone rolling away. And we tremble… tremble… tremble.
adapted from The One Year® Book of Hymns by Mark Norton and Robert Brown, Tyndale House Publishers (1995).

God Loves You And Here is How To Ask Him Into Your Heart, A Prayer Of Salvation

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever, believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16 and 17 king james version
If you know in your heart that you need Jesus Christ in your life. Then pray this simple prayer.

Dear God,I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I invite Christ into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.
If you have done this then you now need to find a Bible believing and preaching church. The links section at the right or below depending on your browser has links to some local churches in my area. You can e-mail them if they are not in your area. They may be able to help you find one in your area.

The Baptism

This is a poem that I wrote describing the time I was baptised.

I was so young when I first heard,
how the Word can set you free.
It talked of Jesus.
It talked of love.
It talked of Calvery.

The walk down the aisle was just a small trial.
Then I took the preacher's hand.
Men talked with me and asked me questions.
They were sure I would go to the Promised Land.

The time went by and then the day came.
I was dunked under water
and when I was let up Jesus knew my name.

He knew it from the start.
The rest was up to me.
To let Him in my heart
and express my thanks for Calvery.

copyright 2005 Ricky Phillips

Rest in Peace Johnny Hart

I have always been a fan of BC and Wizard of ID by Johnny Hart. I always found them very funny. Espically Wizard of ID. My local papers don't seem to carry Wizard of ID anymore but they continue to carry BC. Many people got to not care too much for them because of Mr. Hart's Christian point of view. Most of the time, from what I have read, Mr. Hart was telling the truth. Like what was in this Easter Sunday strip that you see above that was published this past Sunday. I remember reading an interview with him. According to what Mr. Hart said in the interveiw it was when he was at the peak of his popularity with his two strips that he was invited to partys that many celebrities where attending that he thought he had it all. He was at that time not a practicing Christian. He was having work done on his house by two contarctors and they were listening to a Christian radio station. He heard the sermons and music and after they left he started listening to the station and before long he was a Christian. Anyway Mr. Hart is with his maker now. May he rest in peace.

Three Crosses

Three Crosses

Time: The near future.

Assignment: Destroy Bible meeting in a local home.

Our platoon was given this assignment once it was known that these homeowners who were seen as peaceful law abiding citizens of the new world order were really holding secret Bible meetings that had been outlawed. Now it was known that these lawful citizens were really outlaws and terrorist.
It is 9pm as we stop our truck and the platoon disembarks. We march down the cobblestone street in formation. My name is David but within the platoon I am known as Trooper number two.
We brok down the back door. In seconds the platoon was all over the home and the Bible readers scatter everywhere. Many are captured but some escaped. One that I saw went through the kitchen window looked like a young girl about 16 years old. Her face seemed familiar but I couldn’t place it. I rush out the door after her and Sam, Trooper number one, is right behind me. Sam makes me nervous. I worked hard to make my way to the top and have only enough kills you could count on one hand. Sam decided that the fastest way to the top was to kill as many as possible. The brass never questioned his kills as all were found with Christian Bibles, tracts etc. on their persons and classified as terrorist. One I know was not a terrorist as I saw him place the Bible in his hand. I wanted to report it but I was told that Sam was one of the pets of the brass and they would never believe me. Also, with the looks I was getting for suggesting it I was afraid for my life if I went through with it.
Sam and I searched high and wide for the girl but she had a lead on us and she was fast. It was her speed that was my first hint to her identity. The second was when we followed her into a neighborhood that was almost nothing but rubble. It had had once been a nice neighborhood and it had survived World War III. When the world wide earthquake hit, like many neighborhoods, it suffered much damage. This was a neighborhood that I once lived in. Down the block where I lived was the local Baptist preacher Dr. Bill Baker and his family. I never went to church but they treated me like I was part of their membership and when I was sick and in the hospital members of the church came to visit me. I treated them nice too but was uncomfortable with Christians coming to see me. When what they called the rapture hit I heard that his family had disappeared. I guess I heard wrong as this girl we were chasing was Shelly Baker the preachers’ daughter. She was a champ on the track team and with our equipment weighing us down we could not catch up.
It looked like we had lost her when Sam noticed a flickering light coming from inside what had been her home. The house was now sitting at a slant as part of the foundation was destroyed by the quake. We quietly looked in to see her on her knees and praying. I wanted to go in quietly but not Sam. He took a step back and kicked in the door. Shelly jumped as she heard the door come down. Without a word of warning Sam quickly aimed his laser rifle at her. Desperately she turned to try and climb out a window. I tried to stop him but Sam fired and hit her square in the middle of her back. I went over to check on her. Shelly Baker was dead and I wanted to cry. I knew there would be no sense in reporting this murder as well as the one before.
The room was filled with religious books and paintings. Orders are when we find a place like this we must burn all religious material. We gathered the material together and started a fire in the middle of the room. One painting I couldn’t help but stare at before adding it to the fire. I was shocked at what I saw. I showed it to Sam. His reaction was the same. We almost didn’t add it to the fire but knew it had to be done. As I tossed it into the flames smoke filled the room. The smoke was too much to take and we set our laser rifles down and went outside to get some fresh air. After standing there for a minute I heard Sam between coughs say,
“Dave? Where are we?”
My eyes had been closed to keep the smoke out of them. I was about to ask him what he meant but when I opened my eyes I understood his question. It was no longer night. It was a bright sunny afternoon and we were in the middle of a busy street. People were passing us and staring at us in our leather uniforms. They were wearing what looked like sacks as clothes and the main method of transportation seemed to be riding a donkey or walking. We seemed to be back in what used to be called biblical times.
We turned to go back inside the building we had just left but it was no longer there. What was going on?
We hid the rest of the day. We tried to decide what had happened to us. Sam looked at me.
“Maybe we were drugged at that Bible meeting.”
“Why would be having the same hallucinations?”
“How should I know?”
“There is only one answer.”
“It can’t be that answer.”
“It has to be. We have gone back in time for real.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. One thing I do know is we will have to find another way to make a living till we can find our way back.”
“Why can’t we make a living the way we always have?”
“Think about it. We dress different then this time and the only skills we have are to fire a laser rifle or use computers.”
“None of those things exist yet.”
“Right!”
Later that night we found some clothes. We had no money from this time period and no way to earn the money to buy the clothes. So when no one was around we stole them. We traveled from town to town. Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem etc. Along the way we had heard stories of a man, a carpenter who became a great teacher. Many times we were nearby listening. We were wanted thieves after awhile. We only stole food and clothing when it was needed. Sometimes money if it was required to pay for a room that night. Well I know I only stole when needed. I suspect that Sam stole whenever he wanted. At the meetings the great teacher held we tried to stay in the background. We didn’t want to be noticed. After awhile, when we were in town, I was drawn to his meetings. Sam started staying away.
After one meeting Sam and I talked when I got back to where we were hiding.
“So did you enjoy the meeting with the great teacher?”
“Yes, but not in a way that I usually enjoy things.”

"What do you mean?"
“I don’t know but I only know that I just feel he wants me to be a better man.”
“Well that is all good but how can one man make you a better man?”
“When I think of the things he has said at his meetings. Like not doing good deeds just to be seen and thought well of by others. Anyone can do that even hypocrites. We should do them just because we want to. Not just to look good to the people around us.”
“Well we wear the cheapest clothes and we have to steal to survive. I doubt the people think well of us.”
“What about when he says blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. And the ones that really get to me from our former lives…blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy and this one most of all gets me where I live… blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“In other words he gives you hope.”
“Yes and something to think about. Don’t you think about these things when you hear him?”
“I did. But I decided to stop. You make your own way in this world and no other man can help.”
That was a lie and Sam had to have known it. As Trooper number 1 he was in charge of our platoon. There were many tests to see who would replace the older commander and it was the old commander who helped Sam study for those test. He practically gave him the answers. In a few years he would have been in a position to do the same for me as I was second in command. If he really believed what he just said then I doubt he would have helped me. Something just occurred to me. The old commander left the service before the Bible was outlawed. At one of the great teachers meetings he said if a man ask you to go a mile with him then to go with him two miles. In other words give more then is expected of you. The old commander use to say the same thing. Maybe that is why he helped Sam get his promotion. Maybe that is why once the Bible was outlawed we never saw him around town again.
All of these thoughts occupied my mind in the following days. Then one day we were caught. Sam was caught stealing money from a merchant in the Temple. It wasn’t even money that we needed. He just wanted it and decided to take it.
Our trial was swift. Even though I told them I knew nothing about the stealing of the money I was found guilty. We were sentenced to be crucified. On the day of our crucifixion we both carried our crosses up a hill. Once at the top the guards tied us to our crosses and set them up. They left us there to die.
I don’t know how long we hung there but one fog filled day I looked down the hill to see a huge crowd coming with another man carrying a cross. Sam was weak from lack of food and drink as he slowly turned to me.
“Well Dave it looks like company is coming.”
I was about to respond till I saw something that left me speechless.
The man carrying the cross was the great teacher.
Once he reached the top I saw that his punishment was worse then ours. He was not tied to a cross as we were. The guards nailed him to his cross. I saw the look of agony on his face as they hammered each nail into him. He had just gotten use to that, as much as anyone could, when they set up his cross between Sam and myself. The jolt it made as it hit the ground made him shake and I saw that look of pain again. The crowd laughed and mocked him. Many of them had been to his meetings before. Finally a Roman guard put a crown of thorns on him. They cut deep into his forehead and the blood from his scalp flowed down. It mingled with the blood from with that from his hands and feet as it dripped down to the foot of his cross. Next to the pool of blood the guards cast lots for his robe. As I saw all of this I thought of what he had said before. “I am the way, the truth and the light. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” It must be true. Only a man of superhuman strength could take this pain.
Sam looked at the great teacher.
“If you’re really who you say you are, the Son of God, then save yourself and come down off the cross.”
He remained silent. Then I turned to him and said “Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” His answer amazed me.
“Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Suddenly the sky grew dark. The wind grew stronger. The crowd started to leave. He looked up and said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
The darkness stayed and the fog grew thicker. Hours later as I breathed my last I heard him say, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
My spirit left my body and I saw the fog grow denser still. As I passed through time and space I saw the fog change to a black smoke. As it cleared I could see into the room were we had burned Shelly Baker’s belongings. The fire, where the painting that shocked us, was still burning up. A ring of fire had encircled it. As it got closer to the center I could see the three figures that was the focus of our previous attention. In the center was Jesus Christ hanging on the cross. To his right and left were the two thieves that hung with him. One had my face and the other had Sam’s face. The ring of fire grew closer and closer to the middle until the painting was gone. I did meet Jesus again later that day in paradise. Three earth days later He had conquered death and was back visiting with his followers and spreading the good news. CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY!!!

Have you ever wished to flee?

Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape—far away from this wild storm of hatred.
Psalm 55:6-8 NLT

Resist flight
David was a man after God's own heart and a great, anointed king. But in many ways, he was just like us. Psalm 55 is an example. When the pressure was on, David just wanted to run away.
All of us have had similar urges. When life gets intense and troubles seem to offer no way out, we just want to get out of the situation. Every Christian who has been prepared by God and stretched to his or her limits can relate: There are times when we would do anything if God would just remove us from our trial. We'll pray for ways of escape, but God often leaves us surrounded until His time is right.
God has no scorn for such feelings. He made us and He knows our frailties. He understands our impulse to flee from whatever difficulties we face. But He also insists on our endurance, because it has spiritual results that nothing else can accomplish. And there is no way to learn endurance other than simply to endure. We can't learn it in principle or in theory; only pain can teach it to us.
The good news for those who go through intense trials and suffering is that once the impulse to flee is broken, God delivers. When endurance is complete, God removes the tribulation we endured. Every fear is followed by blessing (Psalm 55:4-8, 16-18). Our God does not leave us in our troubles. He has put us there to discover His provision; He will not withhold it indefinitely. There will be a day of deliverance.

Do you have a support group?

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 King James Version

When I asked Mike what he missed most about pro football, I was surprised by his answer. He said it was getting into the huddle. You felt safe there, he said. It was where you could get direction, support, and correction. It was where you could regroup for the next phase of the battle, knowing 10 other guys were there to help you win.
Mike said the huddle was a real refuge during away-games in hostile stadiums, when, besides the team, they were fighting a negative environment. It was a place where they could return to for encouragement to keep going. Every man needs a safe place to get what he needs to enter into life's conflict. If a man's going to survive—no, win—the battles of life, he must have a huddle of good men around him to cheer him on and bandage his wounds. He needs men who will celebrate with him in the good times and do whatever it takes to bring help and healing in the bad times.
Rodney L. Cooper in Shoulder to Shoulder

How much better it is to go through life with a strong network of support. When you share your trials and triumphs with others, you soon realize that you're not alone. And somehow, when we stand together, life's challenges don't seem so daunting anymore.

Making Pancakes

I got this story in an e-mail and thought I would like to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it.

Making Pancakes

Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.
Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.
He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.
And just then he saw Dad standing at the door Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.
Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!
That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.
Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...
I was thinking. .. and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.
Just in case I haven't told you lately... I LOVE YA!!!Please pass some of this love on to others....suppose one morning you were called to God; do all your friends know you love them?

God cares for the persecuted and calms your fears

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
Psalms 118:5-7 King James Version

Today's verses tell us that the psalmist was in a frightening situation. But in his distress, he cried out to God in prayer. Because of God's presence and strength in response to his plea, the psalmist could look in triumph at those who hated and attacked him. For every difficulty and trial, God has prepared a way. His eyes are on those who trust in him in their distress, and his ears are attentive to their cries. You can know and rest assured that just as God was for David, he is for you! And because the all-powerful Lord who is on your side is your shield and defender, you do not have to be afraid. The Lord is greater than any problem, greater than any fear, greater than any person opposing you. Thank him for his help in past situations when there seemed to be no way out, and trust him and thank him for being "for you" today.

LORD, thank you for answering me and helping me in my distress. Thank you for being for me! That truth is amazing to me and assures me of your concern for me. Help me to resolve not to be afraid because the Lord of the universe is on my side!

Have you ever been imprisoned?

Rember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13:3 King James Version

Solidarity in Suffering
At any given time, many of God's saints are in prison. The prison may be literal, or it may be a product of circumstances. It can be financial debt, a broken relationship, a physical ailment, or any other consuming situation.
A huge problem in the church is when Christians look at their imprisoned brothers and sisters and assume that God has not favored them. Paul probably experienced such a phenomenon. We read his prison epistles and marvel at his suffering for the cause. But many of his contemporaries may not have marveled. They may have seen his trouble as a sign of God's disfavor and wondered why someone with so much potential had fallen to such depths.
God's prisons are full of His loved ones. He uses those experiences mightily, as He did with Paul, Joseph, John the Baptist, John the disciple, and numerous other biblical examples. In fact, many of those whom He used in powerful ways have experienced an imprisonment, captivity, or loneliness ordained directly by Him.
Are you in prison? You are probably not literally behind bars, but your circumstances may make you feel as if you are. Don't despair; it will not last. It is ordained by God and is designed either for your current witness or future usefulness. He is refining you and molding you into His image, the exact likeness of His crucified Son.
Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotional by Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for April 22.

God cares for the persecuted and turns evil into good

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries; which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake;
Philippians 1:28-29 King James version

Finding God in Russia
In the 1930s Stalin ordered a purge of all Bibles and all believers. In Stravropol, Russia, this order was carried out with a vengeance. Thousands of Bibles were confiscated, and multitudes of believers were sent to the gulags where most died for being "enemies of the state."
Years later, CoMission sent a team to Stavropol. When the team was having difficulty getting Bibles shipped from Moscow, someone mentioned the existence of a warehouse outside of town where these confiscated Bibles had been stored since Stalin's day.
After much prayer by the team, one member finally got up the courage to go to the warehouse and ask the officials if the Bibles were still there.…The answer was, "Yes!"
The next day The CoMission team returned with a truck and several Russian people to help load the Bibles. One helper was a young man—a skeptical, hostile, agnostic collegian who had come only for the day's wages. As they were loading Bibles, one team member noticed that the young man had disappeared. He had slipped away, hoping to quietly take a Bible for himself. What he found shook him to the core.
The inside page of the Bible he picked up had the handwritten signature of his own grandmother. It had been her personal Bible. Out of the thousands of Bibles still left in the warehouse, he stole the one belonging to this grandmother—a woman persecuted for her faith all her life. He was found weeping—God was real.
R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes

God has great rewards for those who remain faithul

Are you looking for rewards on earth?
"…we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT"

Awaiting our day

"The story is told of an old missionary couple returning to the States after many years of thankless service in Africa. They happened to be on the same ship to New York as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunt in Africa. As the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty and into the dock, huge crowds were gathered to welcome him home. The press was out in full force, and thousands of people had come to get a glimpse of the president.

In the middle of the chaos, the aged missionary couple fought their way through the crowds with their large suitcases in tow. Silently they hailed a cab and made their way to a cheap hotel. The missionary sat on the bed and said to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We gave our lives to Christ to win souls for the Kingdom in Africa, and when we arrive home there is no one here to meet us. The president shoots a few animals and receives a royal welcome.

"His wife sat beside him on the bed and said softly, "That's because we're not home yet, dear."

It may seem at times as if our work for Christ is going unnoticed. Faith doesn't bring a lot of praise on this earth. But that's only because our trip is not yet over.
Our day will come, you can be sure. And when it does, the ceremony will last for an eternity.

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 346 "

My new blog

Over time I have gotten e-mails from things I subscribe to and e-mails from family and friends that were to be uplifiting and to teach me things. I have put some on my popculture blog On My Mind and may still put some there but now I will put some here at For God So Loved.