During the 1990’s, my wife and I were involved with a ministry we called Appalachian Mountain Mission. Our goal was to show God’s love by taking food, clothing, toys, and furniture to some of the most economically ravaged areas in the Appalachian Mountains. During the time we worked on this ministry, we saw God move in some amazing ways. The following are stories of some of the most memorable experiences during this period of our lives.
Continue reading “Mountain Mission – Walking with Jehovah Jireh”The Value of a Penny
There is an old brain teaser about a rich man that offers to give you one million dollars today or a penny today and double it each day for the next thirty days (i.e. $.01 today, $.02 tomorrow, $.04 the next day and so forth for a total of thirty-one days). The question is simple, which option would you choose?
Continue reading “The Value of a Penny”Seeing through the Blood of Jesus
For years, I have take some liberty with the Lord’s Prayer, praying, “Lord, help me to forgive others that way I want to be forgiven by You.” Today, as I was praying, I ended with, “Lord, help me to see the offenses of others toward me as You see my offenses towards You – through the Blood of Jesus.” This wasn’t what I had planned to pray, it just came out. As I thought about it, I realized that there is a real truth there, we all need to see others as God sees us, through the Blood of Jesus!
It’s Never Too Late!
Ephesians 2:10 states, ” For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (NASB) For many people in my generation, it can be difficult to see how this verse applies to us. We have spent our lives working in the secular marketplace. We may have spent time volunteering in one way or another to support our local church; but, as far as attempting significant “good works” is concerned, most of us face the doubt and fear that we have wasted our opportunities to be a significant influence for Jesus’ kingdom.
Continue reading “It’s Never Too Late!”Are You a Warrior or a Voyeur?
As I was enjoying praise and worship during a Sunday morning service, The Lord asked me a haunting question, “Are you a warrior or a voyeur?” In the time that has passed since that Sunday morning, I have often thought about that question.
Continue reading “Are You a Warrior or a Voyeur?”Bootcamp
Nothing in my twenty-two years of life could prepare me for what I was about to experience that July night. As I stepped off of the bus at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, SC, I was about to enter one of the most transformative periods in my young life. During the next thirteen weeks, they would systematically change me from a civilian into a disciplined Marine ready to be deployed to battle without hesitation or doubt.
Continue reading “Bootcamp”New Growth
I was sitting on the deck this morning and noticed that the recent rains had caused some of the seed in one of my bird feeders to sprout. As I enjoyed the scene, it hit me that this is the end of December, firmly in the winter season and here is new new growth right off of my back porch. I realized that there was a profound truth being revealed. The seeds that God has planted in our lives are ready to sprout now. All we have to do is add water. We don’t have to fret because we missed the last growing season or be patient while we wait for the next growing season. We can simply water the seed and start releasing new growth in our lives now!