Month: November 2024

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, to it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I am thankful for your love and support. It is truly the stuff of legends. What are you thankful for? Take the time to focus on what you do have in your life.

My blog this week was titled, “Gladness.” What does it mean to be glad friends? It is an EXPERIENCE of joy and delight. Thanksgiving isn’t just a one-day deal either. To me, thanksgiving is more than turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce. Even though those ingredients sound delicious. Its more than football on the Wide screen television. I know it’s nothing better than looking at the Big Game on a screen that makes you feel like you are there. It’s not about black Friday shopping till you droppin either. Sales, sales, sales!

I know things are not perfect, they never are, but we blessed y’all. God has been good to us. Thanksgiving is a reminder that there is plenty of good in this world. And we have all met some amazing people along the way. Our family and friends are a blessing from the Good Lord. Serving others serves ourselves. Thanksgiving is a God driven; God inspired response full of gratitude. And at the end of the day, we can see a little clearer of what really matters. Amen.

Remember Friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

The Invisible Man

The Invisible Man

The Invisible Man

“But the advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV

The invisible man was written by British writer H.G. Wells and published in 1897. It is about a scientist named Jack Griffin who devoted himself to inventing ways to change the body’s refractive index so that it absorbs no reflects light. He carries out this procedure on himself and renders himself invisible but fails to reverse it. In the end, he is seized and beaten by an angry mob. As he dies his battered body becomes visible. It is later revealed that “Marvel” has secretly kept Griffin’s notes.

The novel was adapted into comic book form in the 1950’s and by “Marvel Comics” in 1976. With a dozen of movies and television series based on the novel. A few come to mind, like Hollow Man, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and one of my favorites, Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man. These are only a few of the many movies that have come from that book written 127 years ago.

From fiction to reality, I share with you the real invisible man from the scriptures. He is also known as comforter, counselor, advocate, seal, guide, intercessor, revealer, spirit of truth, spirit of God, the Lord, Christ, spirit of life, teacher, and Witness, I am talking about the Holy Spirit. He is the third person of the Trinity and appears throughout the scripture, by whom great works of power are made manifest. In the New Testament, Jesus promises the Spirit as a permanent guide, teacher, seal of salvation, and comforter for believers.

The book of Acts describes him has mighty rushing wind, fire shut up in our bones, He is the incense of pure and unmatched manifestation of Gods Power. He lifts, performs, prophesizes, teaches, wisdom, He is Gods will that comes to Pass. He is an indwelling, that works in and through us to accomplish the Fathers will. His power leads, convicts, and equips us to do His will and spread his message.

He is who moves on the inside reminding us to wait on God and to trust Him. He is with us wherever we go friends, The Holy Ghost. I feel His presence and I am not alone. Thank you, Jesus. Glory be to God. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

The Payoff

The Payoff

The Payoff

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” Genesis  39:2-3 NIV

We know the story of how Joseph was sold into slavery because of his brothers’ jealousy. His story serves as a profound example of how diligence leads to success. Despite his hardships, his efforts were rewarded with FAVOR. The Lord was with him. That’s foundational support, and stability.

What’s the payoff you ask?  When we maintain a strong work ethic it can lead to unexpected blessings. It’s a reminder to us that our commitment and hard work can create opportunities and bring positive change in our lives. Success often follows those who are determined. Again, it’s all about our foundation.

This brings me to the Story of The Three Little Pigs. I know we all know this cute story. This Nursery Rhyme dates back to 1840’s. My favorite version of this rhyme was released by Warner Bros Pictures on January 5, 1957, as part of the Looney Tunes Series called Three Little Bops. If you haven’t seen this version, I suggest you go to YouTube and look at it. They have it broken down into three parts or a short version. Either way you will get a good laugh and maybe even a bob of the head.

The Plot is in the style of twelve-bar blues. During a gig at the house of straw, the Big Bad Wolf shows up to demonstrates that he was friendly and wanted to sit in with the band. Well, when he got to playing, he was awful, and they throw him out. Insulted, the Wolf retaliated by using his trumpet to blow down the House of Straw, forcing the pigs to go to the Dew Drop Inn, also known as the House of Sticks. Things were going great in there, until the Wolf arrives with more bad trumpet playing the audience called for him to be thrown out again. Well, that Wolf blew the Sticks down with no problem. This time the Pigs had a sure thing with the House of Bricks and a sign on the door that said, “No Wolves Allowed!” That wolf tries to ram the door down with a log with no success, the trumpet failed to blow the bricks down, and he even tried disguising himself coming in and still got thrown out. This time the pigs shut and lock the door to ensure he could not get in.

Furious, he said if he can’t get in, he will blow it up. He lights the TNT, but since he is so close to the door, one of the pigs were able to blow it out. So, he went further and further back.  Well, he got so far back that when he was running to put the dynamite by the door he got blown up. He didn’t go to heaven, it was the other place, and he was able to play that trumpet then. One of the pigs said, “you got to get hot to play real cool. They let his ghost stay in the band.  So, the pigs renamed the band, The Three Little Bops Plus One.

The moral lesson learned from “The Three Little Pigs” no matter what version you like is that hard work and dedication pay off. It’s important to take your time and do it right. Foundations are important when it comes to how we can stand. That Solid foundation is Jesus Christ.

I am not certain what your goals or plans are friends, but I do want to encourage you to put your best forward and trust God in all you do. AMEN.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

What God Love

What God Love

What God Loves

“So, we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16, ESV

What God wants you to remember friends.

“You are a child of noble birth-a child of God. You can do anything you put your mind too. Learn to dream with your eyes wide open. Pray as if it all depends on God; live as if it all depends on you. Do as much as possible and trust God with the rest. Love those who are most unlovable; they are His children too. You were born to shine-let your inner light illuminate the world. Forgive everyone everything, even when it’s tough be nice you will never regret being too kind.

Always be a hug waiting to happen. When life gives you a second chance take it. Stop what you’re doing and start living. Expect miracles. Call home often. No one has ever become poor by giving of themselves. Rise by lifting others. Practice the art of listening. It’s better to be the one who smiles than the one who didn’t smile back. Some of the most important lessons are learned at the most inconvenient times. Let your life and your actions define the word “integrity.

And the most important thing God wants you to know is that, yes, life is a test, and you are passing with flying colors.”  By Suzy Toronto

Don’t be weary in well doing my friends. Remember what God loves:

  • He loves Righteousness and Justice, there is nothing like Gods Justice.
  • He loves His people, yes us, His children.
  • Doing the right thing, sometimes isn’t the popular thing. It may not even feel good, it’s not what they think, right?
  • Hope in his love and be filled with humility.  Yes, a humble heart.
  • Keep your hands ready to help and defend those who can’t defend themselves.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

When It Gets Hard

When It Gets Hard

When It Gets Hard

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NIV

As we ALL know, life is filled with ups and down and the Word of God gives us inspiration to keep our heads up as we push forward. No matter what the challenges my friends, with God on our sides we do have the strength and resilience to overcome any challenge. How can we navigate those tight spaces:

  • In the midst of challenges find strength in the God in you.
  • When you fall, get on up and try it again, and again, and AGAIN!
  • Don’t let the storms of life extinguish your inner light or make you a mean person.
  • Setbacks are an opportunity in disguise to learn and grow.
  • Believe in the dreams you have and your ability to transform toward greatness.
  • Remember you are not defined by adversity, but instead how you rise above it.
  • The roads are paved with all kinds of challenging runs, but it’s not our swiftness or strength that keeps us moving its our willing and endurance.
  • Even in the darkest of night, the stars are still shining. Find the light within you and let it shine.

In the depth of our struggles lies and opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. Embrace your journey and keep moving forward. Remember who you are and whose you are. You are a child of the King and He sees where you are at and where you gotta go. Trust him to lead the way.

The song writer reminds me that when it gets hard to remember:

I’ve had some good days, hills to climb, weary days, sleepless nights, sometimes the clouds are low, and I can’t hardly see the road.

But when I look around and think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days, and I won’t complain. The Lord has been so good to me, drying my tears, turning my midnights into day (you know trouble don’t last always) He’s been so good to me, Lord I thank you. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.