Visions of the Future

Greetings:

In the year 1870the Methodist in Indiana were having their annul conference. At one point, the president of the college where they were meeting said, “I think we live in a very exciting age.” The Presiding bishop said, “What do you see?” The college president responded,”I believe we are coming into a time of great inventions. I believe, for example, that men will fly though the air likes birds.” The Bishop said,” This is heresy! The Bible says that flight is reserved for angels. We will have no such talk here.”

After the conference, the bishop, whose name was Wright, went home to his two small sons, Wilbur and Orville.

Who could have known a hundred and fifty years ago man would not only fly in the future but in less than a century later would walk on the moon. Vision is a gift from God, through inspiration and vision we learn then do. Without the drive visions of our future bring, we might never have accomplished the things we have today. The lightbulb, auto, train, telephone and airplane, they would remain obscure ideas.

Everyone has visions of the future, but it is truly a rare gift to take a vision and make it materialize. It takes someone not afraid to take a chance, someone willing to endure ridicule if necessary.

Visions in the Bible are often described as divine revelations, or involves a supernatural appearance. Visions were given to bring the will of God to man and let it be known his very existence. God created man with the capacity to see and do for his purpose. We learn by visions of inspiration in this physical body to continually drive us forward to a day when we enter the Kingdom of God. Only small glimpses of the future teach us the overwhelming greatness of that time and the visions promised in God’s universe. Do we have the courage to believe or is it just heresy to have such visions.

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Patrick Henry

Greetings:

As we sit back this Memorial day and enjoy our hamburgers, hotdogs, and cold beer, I thought it fitting to bring to mind the thoughts of one of our founders, Patrick Henry.

He once said, “Are we deposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, for whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.”

Patrick Henry in his own words declared he was willing; no matter the cost, to do right in the sight of man and God. His most notable quote, “Give me liberty or give me death,” gave inspiration to a fledgling nation struggling to find freedom from an unjust government.

In his remarks, it is clear he was a religious man. He knew the meaning of the words he chose; he also knew most folks were willingly ignorant of truth. Whether by mans hand or the mighty hand of God, men then and now, are blinded by freedoms spiritual and physical forms, resulting in a few seeking remedy from God.

Patrick Henry decided to face the truth at great cost; he was willing to endure the worst. With everything said, he still died on a 1000-acre tobacco plantation in Virginia in 1799 owning seventy-eight slaves. One might argue, he never fully had spiritual sight he was seeking, but there is no doubt his need for truth never dwindled.

Do we have the passion for truth that Patrick Henry wrote about and was on constant display in his life. Or, are we willing to accept the easy road, believing whatever man gives as truth and not searching the scriptures daily for nuggets of inspiration. If our earnest desire is to serve God, the truth shouldn’t cause trepidation in our lives; it should be looked at as words that give us real liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Enjoy your Memorial day, and think of all it cost for this day to be recognized. Think of the men and women who sacrificed everything so the rest of us could be safe in our homes. Enjoying a life, where we can picnic on this day with, hamburgers, hotdogs, and a cold beer. One more thing, above all other things you do this weekend, remember God.

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Gifts

Greetings:

Gifts are always a source of joy and a show of love. No other thing we do for another person creates a greater goodwill than giving a gift. Gifts are often physical symbols of recognition, appreciation, and sometimes, just plain fun. Gifts are sometimes given to help us succeed, and they often come during graduation, or a promotion.

What is it a person is expecting when they give someone else a gift? Are they hoping for something in return? Or, are they showing they care very deeply, or are they just doing what they believe is expected of them?

How we receive gifts tells a lot about who we are. Do we appreciate someone else’s efforts? Do we seem disappointed because it wasn’t what we expected? Do we even go so far as to outright reject a gift at times from someone who cares?

Do we even recognize when we are given gifts? Many times in our lives small tokens of love and caring are deposited within our lives and we don’t see them for what they are? We continue our lives as if nothing significant even happened and the person giving is left without the slightest acknowledgment of gratefulness.

We might find ourselves guilty of all these conditions I’ve listed above at one time or another in our lives. You might say that isn’t true with those whom you love. But, what about all the gifts God has given each of us? Have you recognized those gifts? Do you understand what he has offered and in turn, you turned down. There are many gifts waiting on folks that haven’t been collected and time is short. You might think you know how to judge the gifts from God, but the only true way to know is through scripture, have you been there lately?

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Secrect of Success

Greetings:

Paul Harvey once said: “Someday, I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that if somebody ask me, `What’s the secret of it?` I shall say this: `I get up when I fall down.`”

The great American dream is to be successful in life, and be able to provide for our families. Its a dream that has built this nation into a country unlike any other in history. Men and women literally clutching a gun in one hand and their family bible in the other risked all they had including their lives. It was a gamble they were willing to take and a life they were willing to live, simply for their children’s future.

You could hear complaints about the weather, about crops, and possibly on rare occasions, the government. But they rarely looked back and hardly ever asked for charity; they created their future by sweat and muscle. When they fell, they reached inside looking for one more chance to accomplish more of their dream. They gave thanks to God unabashedly without concerns someone may overhear their prayers. They feared only God and loved their families more.

What we get to take from this is a lesson in self-reliance and a unique prospective from the vision of one on America’s greatest commentators. Who no doubt, came to understand, in the end of all matters, it’s you and only you who can give you success, with the help of God.

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Golf Balls

Greetings:

When the modern golf ball was first made it had a smooth surface. Golfers soon discovered balls that had been roughed up a bit traveled greater distance and out preformed newer balls. It wasn’t long afterwards dimpled covers were applied to all golf balls for better performance.

So it is with life; as we acquire dents and dings in everyday life, we slowly become better at life’s travails overtime. Trials create rough spots in life’s lesson but they shouldn’t become a drag on us; just the opposite, they should inspire us instead. But, as we get older, we become more mindful of the things that drag us down, so we become adept at avoiding problems. Age, it seems; gives many a unique perspective and the capacity turn misfortune into a blessing.

At a time our lives come to an unavoidable end; we too will receive a new cover. A cover that will allow us spiritual perfection in God’s kingdom. The scars of our past lives will be behind us, but will remain in our consciousness as a reminder just how much we needed God all along.

A simple little white ball can show the grander of God’s plan for man, how wonderful is that? We as humans seek God in the toughest places, highest mountains, and deepest space, but mostly found in a blade of grass, a gentle breeze, and yes, even a little white imperfect golf ball.

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To Forgive

Greetings:

A man lay on his deathbed, harassed by fear because he had harbored against another. He sent for the individual with whom he had had a disagreement years before; he then made overtures of peace. The two of them shook hands in friendship. But as the visitor left the room, the sick man roused himself and said, “Remember, if I get over this, the old quarrel stands.” By: G Ray Jordan

The looming threat of death can change many things in a person’s life. A person can look back and see with renewed clarity wrongs he or she may have committed in past relationships. The desire to atone for our part of failed friendships can become strong and drive us to attempt a reunification.

Horace Bushnell wrote, Forgiveness is man’s deepest need and God’s highest achievement. We forget about forgiving others when the urgent need isn’t present, but we all know forgiveness is one of the most basic doctrines taught in our bibles. We are all on our deathbeds, some closer to the end than others. Why do we feel the need to hold onto the quarrels and hatred instead of mending relationships? We should be willing to forgive those seeking comfort by reaching out in earnest and not hold grudges in an attempt for justification.

In Matthew 6:14, Christ said: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, you’re heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Christ was willing to forgive anyone, but humans can’t seem to learn the importance of his example. It seems, we can’t find forgiveness for those that matter the most in our lives. I guess for many, it will have to wait for the deathbed before the realization sets in. Think of all the good that could have been accomplished with just one statement, “I forgive you.”

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Pride

Greetings:

Two Texans were trying to impress each other with the size of their ranches. One asked the other, “What’s the name of your ranch?” He replied, “The Rocking R, ABC, Flying W, Circle C, Bar U, Staple Four, Box D, Rolling M, Rainbow’s End, Silver Spur Ranch.” The Questioner was much impressed and exclaimed, “Whew! That’s sure some name! How many head of cattle do you run?” The rancher answered, “Not many, very few survive the branding.”

The cost of pride can be enormous within our lives as this story sketches. Big names, big homes, and big positions, becomes our utmost need in being better than the rest of the world. If we live only to impress others then we’ve never truly grow to become the person God wants us to be. We can understand this, yet! We are willing to live in a whitewashed world full of pretense and lies. We build the façade we think the world considers important and we build our wealth accordingly.

The extent we are willing to preserve our vision of ourselves is cultivated deep within a desire to be important in the eyes of others. Often humans are willing to sacrifice much in their lives and those around them just to maintain the delusion.

Its pride that keeps us from God. Faced with facts, pride will not allow ones-self-to see what’s truly before them. Pride is the greatest factor in spiritual blindness and the only cure is humbleness. Sadly, even with God’s own words ringing in their ears, they most often will choose tradition over truth, and pride is the reason. Is there something you put big names on that may be costing you spiritually? Each of us has to answer that question; let’s hope pride doesn’t answer for us!

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Category’s

Greetings:

It said, everybody looks for different things in the Ten Commandments. Some look for divine guidance, some look for a code to live by, but most people are looking for loopholes.

What category do you fit in? If you are truthful with yourself, the answer may surprise you. First thing you should do before you try to examine your position is read the commandments once more. It may have been a while for many people seeing the commandments have been removed from so many places these days. Since the demonization of the Bible has become so popular, you may feel as thou they are irrelevant and besides, you know what they say! You won’t steal, murder, commit adultery, bear false witness and you won’t covet your neighbor’s wife. You’ve always done right by your Father and Mother, so what’s the big deal?

You’re not one of those looking for loopholes, can’t put you in that category can we? You love God, you don’t make any kind of images, and you don’t swear. No loopholes in your life; you even go to church every Sunday, the first day of the week. But, there we have a problem because the scriptures say it’s the seventh day we are suppose to keep holy, not the first day. That would be a loophole, a very large loophole, and most people are willing to live with violating God’s holy commandments when it comes to his Sabbaths.

So, let’s review; divine guidance is out because the Sabbaths are God’s mark on his people (Exodus 31:12). A code to live by isn’t really relevant because Christ said “If you love me you will keep my commandments (John 14:15”).  It boils down to loopholes, because the world says the first day of the week is holy, not the seventh. It now becomes a loophole to tell God, “I won’t obey your 4^th commandment”. That is where you are at this moment and time with God. What other loopholes are you willing to accept when it comes to God?

 

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The Straw

Greetings:

Slowly they were added, stacked one right after the other until the weight of straw was just too much. The last straw placed upon the camels back brought the animal to its knees crying of overwhelming pain. This is the picture formed within my mind when the phrase “The last straw” is used to describe someone’s frustration with a problem. It may be someone getting on their nerves and they just can’t take it any longer.

 The last straw is when your problems become so monumental they become insurmountable and we become helpless. One problem after another daily and bad days daisy chained into relentless disparity. 

Each straw represents a problem in your life. Whether it is an annoyance or financial problems, they are your straws and yours alone. The phrase implies a camel’s back but in reality, it’s you who carry the burdens of your problems. At one point you could collapse under the overwhelming load your problems create.

God says in so many words, believing in him will help take away your burdens. As you grow stronger in belief, you’re able to carry more as a member of God’s family. You won’t have to carry your loads alone either; others of God’s family are there to help when things become too much to carry.

Your faith will lighten the load the world piles on your back in the form of straw. One by one they disappear as your faith grows stronger by the day. Only you can allow problems to be added to your worldly woes but you and God working together lightens our burdens.

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