pastor walter's heart today

Trapped or Wrapped?

2009-04-16T05:54:00.001-07:00

Life can be so difficult sometimes. It has been some time now since I have written in this venue and it is because I have felt trapped in the presses of time and lack of inspiration.

That is quite confessional, but it is true. The press of time has left my mind feeling empty and quite uncreative. Trapped.

I'm sure there are others who feel trapped in some way or the other. Circumstances can certainly feel like bars and walls when we want them to change and they seem hopelessly embedded in our lives.

Perhaps you feel trapped in your employment. Maybe, it's your marriage. Perhaps sickness seems to have you hemmed in on all sides.

Whatever it is, maybe your outlook about it all could change if you look at it from a different point of view.

What if you are not trapped, but wrapped?

Satan complained to God that Job was wrapped so tightly that he (Job) couldn't help but praise God. Job 1:10a says, "Hath not thou made an hedge about him, and about his home, and about all that he hath on every side?" KJV

Maybe your situation that feels like a trap is really God's protection wrapped about you so that unseen harm or loss will not befall you. It may be just a matter of perception and trust.

Trust God with all your heart, lean not on you own understanding and trust Him with all the circumstances of your life, see them as Him at work for your good and maybe, just maybe, those circumstances that seemed like a trap will now seem like freedom, protection and joy.

Trapped or wrapped? It may just be in how we choose to look at things.

In His Love
Walter

Something To Hold On To

2009-04-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Internet is an amazing thing. You can get so much information from so many different sources.

I think one would be wise to ask one's self just how much of this information is reliable? How credible is the source?

Anyone can express an opinion about anything at any time so some of this stuff just can't be true, can it?

I read today in an email that was forwarded to me that there is a real movement afoot to radically redistribute the wealth of Americans.

This email writer said that Nancy Pelosi and others like her are going to seek approval for a windfall tax on retirement funds, stocks and the like to use to raise the standard of living immigrants and others so that they can have the life they expected when they came to America.

Now I don't even begin to suggest that this is true. You'll have to determine that for yourself and I am sure there are ways to verify the truth or falsity of the claim made in the email I received.

What I am suggesting is that, with the ability of anybody anywhere to disseminate information, whether true of false, and knowing that is somebody who will believe whatever is disseminated ad if it's the gospel truth, I'm glad I know the real Gospel Truth.

I'm so glad that in this world of ups and downs, good news and bad, truths and lies, that I have something to hold on to that I know is genuine; God's Word.

It's old but true; I don't know what tomorrow holds but I do know Who holds tomorrow. And what's more, I trust Him completely with my life and all my circumstances. And that's enough for me.

When my eyes and focus is on Christ in faith, I don't need to worry about anything else. And I'm choosing not to.

He's the Something I hold on to and because He also holds onto me, we can never be separated. See Romans, Chapter 8. You'll be blessed.

And maybe you'll find something (Someone, really) to hold on to, as well.

Pray for revival. It's happening around the world. Keep praying. It will happen here.
In His Love
Walter

The Right Choice

2009-04-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

My memory gets fuzzy on stories I have heard. Maybe I can make some kind of sense out of this one.

It's sort of an old American Indian proverb and it's about the inner spirits in all of us. Christians should know that God's Word teaches that there are two "persons" in us and we identify them as "Carnal" or "Spirit."

Of course the Carnal person indicates our fleshly tendencies and the Spirit person indicates the presence of Christ that lives in those who have been saved by God through Jesus Christ.

In the old proverb, the different "persons" are referred to as wolves. These two wolves are constantly fighting with one another.

Sound like anything that takes place in your heart? It sure does sound familiar to me.

The question is asked, "Which of the two wolves will win?" The answer in the proverb telling is, "The one you feed."

Boy, is that right!!

I get up every morning and take care of our two dogs. Part of that is feeding them.

What would happen if I began to withhold food from one of the dogs?

That dog would die.

I have to be aware of the needs of these two dogs every single day. I have to take definite steps to feed and care for them. It requires time and effort.

So it is in the case of my "Carnal, fleshly side" and my "Spiritual, Godly side."

I must be aware of both and take appropriate, deliberate steps to promote the life of one and appropriate, deliberate steps to promote the death of the other.

I have to make the right choice everyday. Each day I neglect my "Spirit man", he gets weaker. In neglecting him, I feed and strengthen the "Flesh man." And vice versa.

Make the right choice today. Feed the Spirit of God within you through Christ and let Him grow powerful and strong in you.

And in so doing, starve the flesh man in you to death.

Pray for revival. Pray for strength. Pray. Simply pray.
In His Love
Walter

Overloaded!!

2009-03-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

Overloaded!! WAAAAAYYYY overloaded!!

Do you ever feel this way? I sure do!

As a matter of fact, this is my first attempt at a blog this week just because I have felt so overloaded.

By overloaded, I mean too many important things to do in the time it seems that I have in which to do them.

But I have to face the reality that my days have the same 24 hours in them that everyone else's days do so the problem of overloading must be mine. There seems to be something inherently wrong with the way I do things.

I am excited about this today because God has reminded me what it is that I'm doing wrong.

I am seeking to do the things He has brought to me to do, FOR Him rather than WITH Him, and there is all the difference in the world.

Our wonderful Heavenly Father loves us so much that when He saves us, He comes to live inside us. Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in our hearts. God doesn't save us to continue to be apart from us. He saves us to be with us in the most intimate way possible.

He (and what He wants is really what should matter) wants to be with us and wants us to be with Him in all that we do.

I actually have come to believe that He despises it when we do things FOR Him.

But He loves it when we do things WITH Him.

And overloaded is what we feel when we are operating FOR Him out of our own power and strength rather than WITH Him out of His power and strength.

If you don't believe this will make a difference, just try it. I think you'll find what God has helped me find; doing things WITH Him is a lot easier and less stressful than doing things FOR Him.

Now, Dear Father, Help me to practice what You've shown me. Knowledge not put into practice is just information. It does little good.

Please pray for Revival. I'll help to remind you each day.

In His Love
Walter

Religion VS Relationship

2009-03-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

There was an editorial in yesterday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution that addressed the decline of religion in America.

I suppose the writer, Leonard Pitts, thought that religion's decline was a bad thing for he seemed to offer some suggestions about how religion could be better.

Well, religion can never be any better than it is right now and right now religion is worth the same thing it was worth yesterday and that is nothing.

You see, religion is a man-made substitute for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Religion uses some key relationship words like worship, sacrifice, kindness, forgiveness and other things but religion uses these words in the context of Man seeking to please some deity (people worship unusual things) through Man's own efforts.

God's own Holy Word tells us that pleasing Him that way can't be done. The concept of pleasing God by what we do is a works mentality and Man falls for it at almost every opportunity. There is something appealing to Man about doing something to "pay for" his salvation rather than receiving it at the free gift of God's grace.

But God has taught us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9 KJV

It is so easy even for Christians to slip out of the freedom of the practice of a relationship with Christ in the the slavery of the practice of religious activity around Christ.

Don't let your focus be anywhere else today but on Jesus. When He called us, He did not call us to follow a recipe for Christian living; He called us to follow Him.

There is all the difference in the world.

Make Jesus your focus today. He is all there is that is truly worth seeing anyway.

Please pray for revival. Please.
In His Love
Walter

Tools

2009-03-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

Tools come in all shapes and sizes. Many things that are tools are not thought of as tools. For example, when is the last time you thought of that pencil on your desk as a tool? We think of pencils as writing instruments, use them as drumsticks, but seldom place them in our mental category of tools.

I am typing this on a computer. I often think of this instrument as a communications device, a type of entertainment (hey, I like to play Free Cell, don't you?), a place to store information or a way to find information, but I seldom call it a tool.

But that is what it is, a tool.

Tools can be used for good or evil.

A hammer that drives nails to build a house can be used to commit murder. A gun meant for use as a hunting tool can be used as a weapon of destruction. A computer meant for many good uses can be used to poison the minds of many.

Statistics reveal that well over 50% of adult males who regularly attend church have willingly, deliberately viewed pornography in the last 7 days. These viewings were not something that was stumbled on by accident, but willingly and deliberately sought and viewed.

Those same statistics reveal that well over 50% of the pastors of churches have willingly and deliberately viewed pornography in the last 3 months.

Tools used for sermon preparation used to plant poison in the minds of those who deliver those sermons.

Ladies, please don't be too harsh with us men. Tools meant for good are all too often used for evil purposes by many, male and female.

Folks, we need to consecrate not only our minds but our possessions and tools to the glory of God. Only when they are fully given to Him are we able to use them properly and glean all the benefit of having them.

Never let anything He can use for blessing be used instead for evil. Consecrate your mind, heart and belongings to Him today.

Please pray for revival. Never stop seeking Him for revival. Only He can drive out pornography, drug dependency, alcoholism and the like. We need a Great Awakening Revival. Pray for it, please.

In His Love
Walter

Great Deals

2009-03-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

There are lots of great deals available in the marketplace today. That is, if you choose to believe the advertising that's being done now.

I heard this morning that an insurance company that is well known for their reptilian spokesanimal has just reduced their rates in Georgia on automobile insurance.

They also stressed that you could buy it over the phone, from a representative or on-line. Gee Whiz!! How easy can something be?

Low rates. Easy to purchase. Convenient. Good coverage, too. At least they think so.

Let me tell you about the best deal mankind has ever known.

It's free. It is easy to obtain. You can get it anywhere, anytime. No telephone needed. No computer necessary. You don't even have to deal with a special representative.

You deal directly with the Boss.

He also happens to be the Creator of the universe and all that has ever been.

But He has time for you. You don't need an appointment. You don't need any money. You just need to be willing to believe that Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth, lived a sinless life, died FOR YOU on a cross at Calvary to pay the debt YOU owed God because of your sins, was buried, rose three days later and now has ascended into Heaven where He awaits the arrival of all who have chosen to place their faith in Him for salvation.

A certain insurance company may have made protection for your car cheap and convenient.

Jesus has made provision for your eternal soul free and as simple as bowing your head wherever you are, whatever else you are doing, and giving your life, heart and faith to Him.

Looking for a great deal today? This is it. The best deal of all time.

If you've already taken Christ up on His offer, be sure and tell someone else about it so that they can be blessed too.

Hey! If you would tell a neighbor about a great sale at a department store, wouldn't it be even better to tell them about the free salvation of Christ?

Sure it would!

Also, please pray for revival for our nation. We need God's power and presence to be poured out on us all.

In His Love
Walter

Plans For Today

2009-03-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Have you made any plans for today? Most of the time, it seems that the day makes plans for us.

We are creatures of habit and that helps the day take responsibility for us instead of us taking responsibility for the day.

Let me suggest an option for you to consider today.

Instead of letting routine set your agenda, give some consideration to breaking free of your regular schedule and spending some quality time with God.

God created us with the ability to do many things and it seems that we often think that He is interested only in what we can do for Him.

But the truth is that He created us for fellowship with Him and today He wants to hold you and love you more than He wants you to accomplish anything.

When you have finished reading this missive, close your eyes for a few minutes and picture yourself sitting on a porch in the mountains or on a deck overlooking the beach, in a rocking chair, sitting like a child in your Heavenly Father's arms.

Enjoy the peacefulness. Enjoy the beauty. Talk to Him. Listen as He speaks to you. Feel the love and warmth of His arms. Feel the strength He has and be assured that He uses His might on your behalf everyday.

Let your burdens drain from your mind into His Spirit. Give Him all your cares. Laugh in joy as you empty into Him and He fills you with Himself.

Doesn't this kind of time with Him bless you and make you feel wonderful?

Isn't this something that should become the dominant and first part of your daily routine?

God loves you today. As much as He ever has, as much as He ever will, as much as He is able and that's a lot.

Celebrate and live in this love today.

It could be the best day you've had in quite a while.

Do it again tomorrow. It could get better and better everyday.

Please pray for revival. Don't forget. Don't neglect. Just pray. He is listening.

In His Love
Walter

Opportunity

2009-03-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

Today is a day of great opportunity. Yesterday was a day of great opportunity and tomorrow, should God give it to us, will be a day of great opportunity.

I know that the economic outlook is not the best it's ever been right now, but that really is the root of the great opportunities that are before us now.

As we watch Wall Street go up and down, as we hear and read news of jobs lost and governmental debt mounting, people are wanting to hear about something steady and unchanging, something (someone, actually) dependable no matter what the circumstances of life are.

That Someone is Jesus. That Something is a Savior.

Our Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever and He is exactly the Dependable Rock, the Unfailing Anchor, the Indestructible Shelter that so many people today need from the storms of life that are raging all around us.

With the difficulties of life that surround us right now, we have opportunities like never before to point people to the steady, unchanging love of God in Christ Jesus.

It is our joy and privilege as well as our responsibility to do so.

People today need Jesus. Those of us who know Him as Savior and Lord can tell them about Him and His great love.

In the midst of economic troubles, we can show others how to be richer than they've ever been before with riches that cannot rot, fade away or be stolen.

The love and care of Our Savior is not dependent in any way on the ups and downs of Wall Street.

His Heavenly riches are poured out at His in accordance with His promise, not according to governmental bailouts.

He delivers us from sin debt rather than saddle us with bailout debt.

Instead of lamenting the economy today, how about sharing the joy of Jesus?

Both you and this old world we live in will be a better place because of it.

And please, remember to pray for revival. Fervently. Consistently. Insistently.

God is listening. He is preparing to act. Just pray.

In His Love
Walter

I Missed Yesterday

2009-03-10T06:01:00.001-07:00

I missed doing this blog yesterday. I was learning something new. I was being taught how to organize my work on the computer.

I can now create a folder!!

That may not seem like much to many of you, but to me it's a big deal.

I also learned how to use one of those flash drive thingies that you plug into a USB port!!

Wow! Even if I don't know anything else, I can really use the words, can't I?

Seriously, it was fun to do and I hope that I can remember all I was taught.

I'll probably have to be reminded along the way, especially if I don't do these tasks at least occasionally, so that I can remain proficient at performing them.

It's a lot like the teachings of God. So much of what we learn we do not put into practice as a regular part of Christian living and we forget that we are to do these things for our good and Christ's glory.

Forgiveness, for example. In The Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, "and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We remember to ask God to forgive us, but we don't practice forgiveness of others enough and it becomes almost as if we have forgotten that God requires us to forgive.

And so we have to be reminded to forgive others.

Specifically thankful prayer, for another example. We seem to remember very well how to outline our needs and desires when we go to God in prayer but when it comes to being thankful for all He has done, the best many seem to be able to do is to use a few generic words about "thanks for my blessings."

How much better it would be for us to be specifically thankful for the blessings, and generically ask God to meet our needs.

It's a matter of practice. And being reminded.

And, just as I can get better at operating a computer in all its intended ways if I practice, so we can all get better at the Christian life if we practice it.

God calls it sanctification, or growing to be more like Jesus, or being conformed to the image of His Son.

There's nothing better on earth to desire to get better at than being like Jesus.

Please pray. For revival. Everyday. Many times a day. God will give it. Let's just be faithful to keep praying for it.

In His Love
Walter

Faith In God

2009-03-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

An abortion has taken place in Brazil. Abortions are illegal in Brazil but the government can override the law in what they consider special circumstances.

The pregnant female was only 9 years old. She was pregnant with twins. She was supposedly raped by her stepfather.

That would constitute a special circumstance and the officials charged with making this decision said that they did so because the pregnancy endangered the life of the girl.

The Catholic Church in Brazil protested, but to no avail.

How do you feel about this circumstance?

It is indeed a horrible thing that an adult would rape a 9 year old. And one has to wonder how it was that her body could conceive at such a young age.

But what about the two babies that were killed and discarded?

Who were they? What might they have meant to the world?

It is likely in our present society that pre-natal testing would have resulted in the abortion of Beethoven. His testing would have indicated a less than perfect fetus.

In our present society it is likely that the great Methodist preacher John Wesley would have been aborted. His parents were poor and he was child number 15.

It is possible that one of these two aborted babies would have been a doctor who would discover the cure for cancer of the common cold.

The other child might have been a physicist and discovered how to make fuel instantly from the air.

What about God? Couldn't He have prevented this? Couldn't He have protected these babies or have placed them in the womb of another female?

Yes, He could have.

But the point is that He didn't. He created two lives and allowed those lives to be revealed in the body of a nine year old girl who had been raped and by this allowance He issued a challenge to trust Him, to have faith in Him.

Maybe this was considered, maybe not. But it should have been.

People, in their arrogance about knowing what is right, in their great ability to see into the future and know how things are going to turn out, said, "This cannot turn out well. We must kill these babies."

My Bible, God's Word, still says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Pro. 3:5 KJV

Someone, somewhere, trusted in their own understanding rather than having faith in God that He knew all about that young girl and her stepfather and those babies. And they killed those babies.

And we are diminished because of it. We will never know exactly how diminished we are because we will never know what God would have done with those two lives. We will never know what we have taken away from ourselves and how we might have been enriched through the lives of those two babies.

God can make good out of anything, you know.

Worldwide, we have diminished ourselves millions of times now through the killing of unborn babies.

How much brighter would our world be today if we had their little child smiles and their little child laughter? How much different would our world be today if we had never embraced this kind of killing?

All it would have taken is faith in God.

We seem to have trouble believing that God can be God if we'd get out of the way and let Him.

Please pray for revival. And have faith in God. In every circumstance of life. He can handle it.

In His Love
Walter

The Church Sign

2009-03-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

There are many neat sayings that go on church signs.

I saw one this morning that I had seen before and maybe you have, too, but because of its relevance to the recent topic of faith, I thought I'd share it with you.

"Belief thinks God can. Faith knows God will."

I wrote the other day that faith is demonstrated by action. And I stand by that. I just want to emphasize that sometimes that action must be mental.

In the case of our national situation right now, the most important action we can take to demonstrate our faith that "God will" act on our behalf to make good on His promise that "all things work together for good" is the mental action of changing our attitudes and our faces.

Think about it. A faithless attitude and the sad face that goes with it is going to go from person to person like a wildfire goes from tree to tree until everybody is down-in-the-mouth about our nation. And the more down-in-the-mouth we feel, the more down-in-the-mouth we act and the situation we would like to get better gets worse because we have a faithless attitude and look like it wherever we go.

When we change our attitude from one of believing "God can" to one of knowing that "God will" and put a look of joyful confidence and expectation on our faces, that attitude then spreads from person to person, maybe not as quickly as the wildfire example above because people seem to love bad news far more than good news, but it will spread and the situation we want to get better actually does get better.

A good dose of positive faith in God that He will, rather than that He can, will go a long way toward improving the health of our nation in every way, not just economically.

How about this? Apply these verses to everything in your life for a few days and see if your outlook doesn't improve and see if your improved outlook doesn't improve the outlooks of others.

Here are the verses. Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV; "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

The world might just be amazed at what a change in attitude, reflected on our faces, can accomplish.

You already believe He can. Will you now know that He will?

Pray, please. For revival. Pray for others who will join you in prayer. Seek God. He will be there to hear you.

In His Love
Walter

The Agony and The Ecstasy

2009-03-03T04:56:00.002-08:00

I experienced agony and ecstasy on the way to work this morning as I listened to a song on the radio.

The song was "Why Me, Lord?" I believe it was written by Shel Silverstein. I know that Kris Kristofferson and Christy Lane have both recorded it.

I cried twice as it was played today.

The first tears came as the Christy Lane sang these lines; "Lord, help me, Jesus, I've wasted it. So help me, Jesus, I know what I've done."

I cried because I identified so much with that line. I know what I've done. And I don't mean the good things. I mean the sins that I have committed against God. They have been many and they have been grievous.

I cried because I wish so much that I had never sinned or that I could wipe them away.

The song went on and Miss Lane came to another line that moved me to tears. "Lord, Help me, Jesus, I've wasted it. So help me, Jesus, I know who I am."

Now I can't be sure what the writer meant by that line. If you think about it, it could be interpreted two ways. It could be another statement lamenting what sin had done.

But the Lord used it to speak to me in my tears to remind me that in Christ I am now not what I used to be. I am saved. I am cleansed. I am different.

Those of you who know me well may be thinking negatively right now. That's okay. Listen to this. I'm not who or what I ought to be all the time, you're right. But I'm not what I used to be either. And I can tell you that God is still working on me night and day so that I'm not yet all that I'm gonna be by His power and to His glory.

I know what I am. I am His. Not because of anything I have done but because He has chosen to love me. He has chosen to love me in spite of my sins. In His great love for me, He graciously offered to save me, cleanse me by the blood of Jesus and I took Him up on His offer.

Yes, I remember what I've done not to deserve His love and salvation. And I know what I am because of His love and salvation.

I think the remembering of why I shouldn't be saved and blessed makes the reality that I am saved and blessed that much sweeter.

I enjoyed the agony and the ecstasy today. If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you can celebrate both today as well.

If you don't know Him in the way of salvation, invite Him to come into your heart today. He'll change you, cleanse you, save you, love you.

It truly will be ecstasy.

Pray please. For revival.

In His Love
Walter

2009-03-03T04:56:00.001-08:00

The Word Is FAITH

2009-03-02T04:12:00.000-08:00

I got a call over the weekend from someone who reads these blogs. This person wanted to discuss one from last week that I had titled, "Rescue."

The caller pointed out to me that I had come close to but had failed to use the one word that would really convey what I was trying to say. The word is FAITH.

He pointed out to me that I had danced all around it and that some perhaps would get it but that I needed to come right out and say (write) that what out nation needs is faith in God. The caller firmly believes, as I do, that we have lost our national faith in God.

We have turned more and more to government, etc. and that's not going to get the job done.

We need FAITH IN GOD. We need to remember that He is in control and that we can have faith that He will work out His purposes and His goals. We need to have faith in Him that He does what is best, what is right, what is holy and what is good for His people.

We also need to remember that faith requires action.

It is one thing to say we have faith. It is quite another thing to act on that faith.

God spoke through James to say to us that, "faith without works is dead." James 4: 20 KJV

God also challenged us through James when He said, "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 4: 18 KJV

That challenge is meant to convey to us that we cannot demonstrate faith without the action of works or acting on our faith.

In the midst of our national need, demonstrating that we have faith in God, if indeed we do, means holding our heads high even in the toughest of times. It means speaking words of hope rather than continual despair. It means being focused on God Who is in control rather than focused on an economy that seems out of control.

God's promise to His people is that, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8: 28 KJV

It may go against the grain of what the world would have us do, but we need to have faith and then show our faith.

Praise God in the midst of these troubled times. Get excited about watching and waiting to see just what He is going to do. Celebrate all the ways He chooses to confound those who consider themselves wise.

And don't let your faith be challenged by those who choose not to have it or exercise it. Go to Psalm 91 and be blessed by words like these; "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Psalm 91: 7-10 KJV

The word, the practice is FAITH. In God and God alone.

Please pray for revival. A sweeping great awakening for our nation.

In His Love
Walter

All Too Rare

2009-02-26T05:52:00.000-08:00

In the sixth chapter of Isaiah, we are able to read about an occurrence that is, in today's Christian world, all too rare. Verse 8 of chapter 6 says, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I; send me.'"

Did you catch the rare occurrence? It's right there in front of us. The voice of the Lord is calling out for someone to do His work. That's not rare at all.

What is rare is Isaiah's response.

He volunteered.

He offered himself to God without knowing exactly the assignment, without knowing exactly where it would lead or what the personal sacrifice necessary to do God's work would be.

But he volunteered. He even spoke eagerly, excitedly.

How many such responses do you suppose pastors and nominating committees are going to get in the coming months as churches prepare for God's ministries through them to go on?

It is far more common to get answers like, "I've done my part. It's time for you to get someone else." Or, "If you can't find anybody else, call me back and I'll think about it." Or, "I'll pray about it, but while I pray, you keep looking." Or, "I'm not qualified. There are others better than I am."

I have been a pastor for quite a number of years now and an active worker in the church as a deacon, Sunday School Director, Training Union Director and I have served on many nominating committees and I don't remember a single time when someone responded to the needs of the church, actually the needs of God in His work through that church, by saying eagerly and excitedly, "Here I am. Use me. It doesn't matter where or how or what the personal cost may be. Use me. I'll do God's work."

Don't get me wrong. Someone usually does eventually take the job. But it is all too often a heart-wrenching affair.

Folks, Jesus died for us. He gave up His body to be tortured mercilessly and poured out His blood on the ground so that we might be saved from our sins, reconciled to Holy, Righteous God.

And it is all too rare that we come, eagerly and excitedly ready to do His bidding so that His work can go on in this world He has called us to impact in His name and to His glory.

I heard a song on WCON this morning that I pray might become our theme as God seeks people willing to be His hands and feet and voice in this needy world. It was entitled, "Let It Be Me."

Want to see the world changed for the better? And I don't mean by Mr. Obama and other politicians! Let this become your watch word to Jesus. Lord, let it be me. Let it be me.

Watch out!! Jesus is going to do great and mighty things through those who are more concerned with being available and willing than qualified. Jesus is going to do great and mighty things through those who are more willing to see the need and hear His voice to answer that need than to check and see how much spare time they have to give.

Last time I checked, Christians belonged to Him. All our time and resources and energies are supposed to belong to Him. Where did we get this idea about giving Him leftovers?

Pray please for revival. We all need it so.

In His Love
Walter

Just A Short While Ago

2009-02-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

Just a short while ago, and I really mean just a very few minutes, I knew what this blog was going to be about.

Now I don't. I seriously can't remember.

There have been a number of distractions this morning and I lost my focus on the topic that seemed to be so right.

I can remember how right it seemed. I can remember that I had been given a perfectly logical outline for it. I just can't remember the subject matter.

It is so easy for me to lose focus. It so easy for me to forget. I forget things all the time.

I have great intentions. I just forget to act on them.

Just as things have distracted me from my topic this morning, things come up that can, if I'm not very, very careful, take my focus off of Christ. And when my focus is on anything else, I'm headed for trouble.

Only when I'm fixed on Jesus is my guard set properly over my mouth.

Only when I'm fixed on Jesus is my determination strong to take every thought captive to His glory.

Only when I'm fixed on Jesus are my eyes not on me and what I think I need or don't have.

Only when I'm fixed on Jesus do I realize how very rich He has made me and how thankful I should be.

The truth is that I'm only happy and joyful when I'm fixed directly on Him as my All In All.

Have you been distracted from Him today? Perhaps this happened to me so that you could read this and become refocused on the Only One Who really matters.

Take a moment, re-focus, and continue the day honoring and glorifying Him.

He'll be pleased and you will be more fulfilled. I promise.

Please pray for revival. We need it so badly.

In His Love
Walter

Rescue

2009-02-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

President Obama is scheduled to address the nation tonight and one of the important topics is the economy. Duh!!

Our nation is in trouble. This trouble has occurred because of sin. Greed, specifically.

As our nation has turned more and more away from God and national emphasis on His presence, power and Word, we have gotten deeper and deeper into greed and shown less and less compassion for others.

It seems that the rich have truly gotten richer while the poor suffered as the poor always do and we have now reached the crisis stage because the rich are beginning to lose their riches and the poor have less than ever for the rich to profit from.

I know that I've said a lot of this in this space before, but it is true. We need Jesus. We need revival.

Without a change of our national heart, we as a nation are doomed.

It saddens me to know that Krushev may have been a wise prophet so many years ago when he predicted that the United States would be taken without a shot being fired because, as he said, we would "crumble from within."

It does not have to be true. This nation can still be rescued. But only by the power of Almighty God.

We need Jesus. We need national revival. Without a national turn to Christ, we are toast.

I am not trying to be Mr. Doom&Gloom. I am simply saying that we are so far down the slippery slope of sin and greed and national degradation that God is our only hope and we who know to pray had better not waste anytime getting about the business of seeking His face for His deliverance.

We do not deserve it, but when have we deserved the blessing of God?

Our appeal must be to His mercy, His grace, His love. We must cry out to Him in humble desperation for we are a desperate nation.

We do not have the national strength or will to pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

Congress can't do it. Obama can't do it. Only God. Only God. Only God.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Your nation needs you now as a prayer warrior more than it has ever needed any type of armed service.

In His Love
Walter

Sacrifice

2009-02-23T05:50:00.000-08:00

This morning on ESPN there was a touching story involving two high school basketball teams.

On the day of an annual game between two nearby high schools, the mother of one of the main players for team one died.

Naturally, his teammates and coach reached out to him, offering sympathy and support in his time of loss. The coach even offered to cancel the game. The player insisted that the game go on.

Rather surprisingly, when game time came, the team two was very sympathetic about the situation, and even though the player whose mother had died wasn't there, they expressed their support and respect for him before the game began.

Shortly after the game began, the player whose mom had died showed up at the gym. He wanted to play, but there was a problem. For him to play in the game after his coach had left his name off the roster because he was not expected to be there, there would be a technical foul called for him to enter the game. The other team would be allowed to shoot two technical free throws.

He wanted to play and his coach wanted to let him, so, in spite of the technical foul call and the two free throws in the middle of a close game, his coach inserted him into the game.

The officials did what they had to do and called the technical. The opposing coach requested that they not do so, but state rules are state rules and the refs had to make the call.

A senior player from team two stepped to the foul line and twice shot the ball about three feet in front of himself, purposely missing the free throws.

With the blessing of his coach and teammates and with cheers of approval ringing down from the stands, this young man made a sacrifice for himself and for his team. And it cost them. They eventually lost the game to the team with the player whose mom had died. But they left knowing that they had done the right thing.

Sacrifices are not easily made. Especially the ones that cost us something real.

But sacrifice is the example of our Heavenly Father and He is honored and glorified when we set ourselves aside, even at great cost, and make sacrifices that are blessings to others.

God Himself made the greatest sacrifice ever known to this world, when He went to the cross as Christ and poured out His perfect blood that sinners like you and me could believe in Him and His gift to us and be cleansed from our sins.

Has He called you to make some sacrifice to someone today?

Maybe it's to someone who will not notice or appreciate what you do.

God will notice. God will appreciate what you do.

If you have no other reason to do it, do it for Him.

Remember what He has done for you.

Please pray. For revival. And for others willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary for God to be glorified.

In His Love
Walter

Leftover Parts

2009-02-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm made with leftover parts.

It is very hard for me to buy dress shirts that really fit. I have an 18 inch neck and shirts made for 18 inch necks are always big enough around the middle to fit another person inside my shirt with me.

They're huge!

And then there's my head! It looks large to me every time I see it. And one of my hips is sort of higher than the other one which makes my pants legs look like one is always longer than the other when it's just that my waist is not level.

Leftover parts! That's what I sometimes think.

And then God reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, that He personally fashioned me with His hands.

Leftover parts, indeed! There is nothing leftover about me. My creator made me, He loves me, He died to redeem me from sin, and the last thing I need to dwell on is the difficulty of shirts that fit!

My Jesus fits just perfectly into my heart. He leads me, teaches me, helps me, protects me, cleanses me and keeps me! He has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me.

He told me through His word not to worry about my clothes and things like that and I'm choosing to do just what He said.

How my clothes fit has no impact on my spiritual condition or how I look to My Heavenly Father. Jesus fits just fine and He alone makes me as handsome as I'll ever need to be. Spiritually speaking, of course.

If you haven't discovered it for yourself, let me assure you, Jesus is the perfect fit for you, too, and the longer you wear Him the more comfortable and wonderful He becomes.

If you never have, put Jesus on today. Invite Him into your heart and you'll soon discover that He is exactly the right size, shape and style for your life.

Live life in Him.

Please pray for revival. Often and with great passion. God is hearing those prayers and He is going to give us His gift of revival. Just remain faithful in prayer.

I His Love
Walter

God and Bad Times

2009-02-19T05:17:00.000-08:00

It is becoming clear that in bad times, people do turn to God.

"The Christian Index" cites "The New York Times" in an article about this subject and I've just cited them both. People are taking notice of people seeking God in the midst of our national economic distress.

And I say that's a good thing. God has promised in His Word that "all things work together for good," and that is just as true for troubled economic times as it is for anything else.

Historically, many people have come to saving faith in Christ during times of prayer and supplication for an improved econmic outlook and, while some might disagree, it is far better to be saved from one's sins than to be rich financially.

I celebrate the truth that many are seeking and finding God even as they lose their money.

But I also celebrate the millions who have known and served Our Heavenly Father for years because they responded to His love offer of salvation without the push of economic fears.

I hope that those who are now coming to Christ will rejoice that there were already in place believers who could point them to the only true relief for money problems or any other kind of problems that arise in life.

And those of us who know the Truth should be prepared to share Him with the many around us even where we live who are seeking answers and relief.

As Mordecai said to Esther as he encouraged her to act on behalf of God's people, who knows but that we were put here at this time for such a time as this. Maybe God has us here to point troubled people to Him as He uses this difficult time in our history to draw many to Himself through Christ Jesus.

Let us pray for a harvest that money cannot buy and let us all be available to call attention to the only real answer for any problem: Jesus.

He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for any and all situations.

Pray for revival. Often. Fervently. Consistently. Please.
In His Love
Walter

Learning

2009-02-17T06:06:00.001-08:00

There was an ad campaign on Saturday mornings a few years ago about learning. Something like "Learning Is Fundamental."

And I have to say that learning is fun. It's exciting. It's fulfilling. And, when it's learning about Our Heavenly Father and His great love for us, it is addictive.

Abba wants us to know Him intimately. He wants us to know His love. He wants us to know Him and His love for us so well that we trust Him about everything.

I am learning that everything that we need to know about God, everything we need to know God intimately and personally, has to start with our knowledge of His love.

If we seek to learn anything about God apart from the "fundamental" knowledge that all that He does flows out of His great love for us, we will not understand it correctly.

When we read in the Bible that God is love, it is because without that foundational fact, nothing else about God makes the sense it should and will be misunderstood. That misunderstanding will make everything else we might try to know about God be just far enough off to confuse us.

Without being completely convinced of God's love, we will misinterpret much of what He does to mold us into the image of Christ.

Being molded into the image of Christ can hurt, especially for someone like me who needs a lot of molding and shaping to be anything at all like Jesus.

If I'm not fully convinced of His love and do not understand that everything He does is for my good and to help me be more and more like Jesus, then I don't understand and can even resent God when the things He does or allows into my life are painful.

But I'm learning. Everyday, I'm learning.

God loves me. Everything He does or allows in my life is because He loves me and He is at work making me, molding me into the very best person I can be.

God loves me. The goal He ultimately has for me is to be like Jesus. Did you hear that?

He loves you, too. The goal He ultimately has is for you to be like Jesus.

Me and you. Like Jesus!

How wonderful can it get?

All because He loves us.

Whatever happens today, view it through the fundamental truth that God loves you and is at work making you the best you you can be in the likeness of Christ.

If God is not working on you, ask yourself if you've ever given yourself to Him by faith in Christ and His atoning work at Calvary.

If you've not given yourself to Him, you can simply be asking Jesus to come into your heart and save you. He wants to. He died to.

Then you will know the first step of His love and you can begin the glorious journey of life with Him knowing that everything from the moment of salvation forward is a product of His love. Even the parts that hurt.

Just love Him and be convinced of His love for you.

God is love. And you are the object of that love.

In His Love
Walter

Keep "Em At Any Cost

2009-02-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

There is an article in the newspapers today about an Austrian priest who has given up a promotion within the Catholic church.

He was promoted to become the auxiliary bishop of Linz, Austria. He has stepped down from the promotion.

No big deal, I guess until we examine why.

Some time ago, Rev. Wagner suggested that God had used hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans because of the sins of the people of the city.

Now I'm not here to say that God did or did not use Katrina as a way of punishment, but I certainly think it is a valid idea that is worthy of consideration.

I feel like God certainly could have used Katrina as a punishment on the United States as a whole because we have all been affected by the aftermath of the storm. The costs associated with recovery efforts is in the billions of dollars and those dollars are coming from somewhere and that somewhere is you and me.

Christians should consider everything when disasters occur. God used these types of events in the past as recorded in His Word and He is certainly free to do so again.

Rev. Wagner said so and now has withdrawn from his promotion because the controversy could prompt people to leave the church.

This is where I have a problem. This man has put forward an argument that has basis in Biblical history, that God punishes people for their sins and that Katrina was possibly a tool of such punishment.

There is nothing wrong with starting and encouraging that thinking among people. The minute we think that God is incapable of, or wrong for, bringing punishment on Man, wherever man may be, by whatever means God would so choose, we no longer present God honestly as He has revealed Himself to us in His Word.

This pastor has withdrawn from his promotion to keep people in the church.

This happens too many times in our world today.

God's Word and character and ways are compromised in the name of keeping people in church.

People need to hear the truth. Only in the Truth are people set free.

Pray that we never apologize or withdraw from the truth just because it may seem challenging to someones sensibilities.

God's Word, God's Truth is supposed to challenge us, enlighten us and ultimately, free us. But we must first hear it and know it and consider all it's hard ramifications.

God does punish sin and sinners. However He chooses to do so.

We can never back away from that.

This world needs Jesus. Revival. Prayer. Please be a part of that. Pray and keep on praying.

In His Love
Walter

Religion and Politics

2009-02-12T04:38:00.000-08:00

Now there's a title for you: Religion and Politics. Do those two things have anything in common? I think so. Perhaps more than they should.

Yesterday our national leaders reached "agreement" on a 789 billion dollar economic stimulus bill. But to read the quotes from many this morning, it seems that there is at least as much disagreement as agreement.

It seems that the compromises necessary to get enough votes lined up for passage of the bill do not sit well with either side. But there was compromise and it does seem that the stimulus bill will get signed by President Obama sometime very soon.

Compromise. Politics could not work without it. Religion has embraced it.

There is, in our world today, a great effort to get people to compromise on matters of religion.

The aims are good, I suppose, but the results are not.

I cannot be true to my Christian faith and bless the beliefs of someone else who happens to believe that there are other ways to Heaven than through Jesus Christ.

I can stand by and observe and even confess another's right to worship whomever and whatever he or she desires.

But I cannot compromise my beliefs by saying that another faith is just as good as mine, that another God is okay as long as another person believes in some sort of higher power.

The teachings of Almighty God have made it clear: religion is not the answer. Relationship with Christ is.

Our Christ, the Head of the Church, the Savior of our souls, has taught us with no room for compromise that He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" and that "no one comes to the Father but through" Him.

It is and will continue to become more and more difficult to hold the conviction that Jesus is the Only Way in the world we live in. But we must. To compromise any at all on that most important point is to make our Christianity into something else entirely.

The adherents of any belief system based on any belief but Christ and Christ alone will end up in Hell.

Religion desires to compromise. Relationship does not and will not.

Pray for our world today. Pray for yourself. Pray that you will remain strong in your faith and never, ever compromise. Jesus is the Way.

Pray also for revival. Please.

In His Love
Walter

If I Have, Please Forgive Me

2009-02-10T04:42:00.000-08:00

I may have broached this subject before and if I have, please forgive me but it seemed worthy of a reminder.

God is so very good to me. My life has been blessed beyond measure in all sorts of ways.

God has given me so much: a beautiful wife and family; six, yes, count 'em, six grandchildren that can light up Granddaddy's heart with just a little smile; a wonderful home; a loving church family; food and more than enough blessings for life; the list of His riches passed on to me is endless.

But last night as Wanna and I watched the first hour of the Westminster Dog Show, I was reminded that a strong argument could be made that God's greatest blessing to me (after Christ's sacrifice that I might be saved) is not in what He has given me but in what He has spared me.

Last night toward the end of the first hour, a young girl, bald from her cancer treatments, was introduced. She smiled a huge smile but you could still see the strain of sickness in her eyes.

Her bright red dress did much to create a happy look, but the pain of suffering so much at such a young age could easily be seen.

My grandchildren have had health problems of one kind or another. My kids did, too. So did I. But none of mine have ever had their lives threatened by something like cancer and none of them ever looked like they were losing the battle.

God has spared me so much.

A young adult, a soldier in our armed forces was also introduced. He had lost both legs serving us overseas. He walked out to cheers on his titanium legs and stood proudly and as steadily as he could.

I have been challenged medically a time or two, but nothing like the loss of my legs.

God has spared me so much.

If today, as you think about and engage in prayer, if, somehow, thanking God for the blessings you have received has become common and uninspiring, try thanking God for what He has spared you, what He has protected you from experiencing.

It may be that the greatest blessings (after salvation) are those things that we never touch, never taste, never experience, never own.

Give Him thanks today. He is worthy to receive it for blessings received and pain spared.

Then pray for revival. Great, glorious, Holy Ghost revival.

In His Love
Walter

Have You Seen Him Today?

2009-02-09T05:53:00.000-08:00

It is such a beautiful day today.

When I got up this morning and took the dogs our for their first walk, it was about 5:15.

The moon was still out and bright and full. The sky had a few clouds. The dew sparkled on the grass. The air was clean and fresh.

I saw God.

A bit later, Wanna and I prayed. Fervently. We were so thankful for our blessings. We prayed for our families. We prayed for you.

We felt God.

Still later, Lily awoke and she was in a good mood. (Sometimes three-year-olds are not, you know.) She smiled and came quietly out of the room she and Mea share when they are with us and Wanna and I got hugs and kisses as we gave her Ovaltine milk and turned the TV on to "Blues Clues."

We saw and felt God.

Shortly after coming to the office, a phone call I received provided the financial answer to a need that had just arisen a few moments before.

I say, felt and worshipped God.

God is so good and I am blessed to have seen and felt Him so much today.

The even greater realization is that He wants us, me, you and everyone, to feel and see and experience Him all day long.

He wants to be so intimately involved in our lives that we don't even consider forgetting His presence and power at work in our lives.

Have you seen Him today? Have you felt His presence so very real in your life?

He's near you. Just stop, look and listen. You will find Him there.

Then, just celebrate His presence and His goodness.

Please pray for revival. You know the drill. Just please do it.

In His Love
Walter

Changes

2009-02-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

Changes.

They happen.

They are often quite a lot of trouble.

Unless they are changes that I want. Then they are not only okay, they are welcome changes.

But the changes I don't want, the changes I didn't think I needed, the changes I have had forced upon me are tough to deal with, more because I don't want to than anything else.

Today has been a day when certain changes have been made necessary by incidents totally out of my control.

Things have happened today that have impacted me, Carey and others in ways that are so inconvenient you can't believe it and some of these things are going to take some time and money to fix.

Changes, especially unnecessary ones are trouble.

I'm so thankful that in the midst of these changes, these inconveniences, that I have a Rock to go to that reestablished stability in my world.

That Rock is my Jesus and right now, I'm holding on to Him with all the strength I can muster.

Let me suggest that when changes, trials, troubles or anything unpleasant gets in you way, go to the Only True Rock, the Only Safe Fortress that you have.

Don't let the vicissitudes of life defeat you. Hold fast to Jesus.

When you have been reconciled to Him, He has promised never to leave you or forsake you.

Take advantage of that great promise and find all the strength and stability you'll ever need.

Let Him hold you, strengthen you, undergird you in every way today.

And pray for revival. Oh, how we need Jesus!

In His Love
Walter

The News Today

2009-02-04T05:52:00.000-08:00

I read in the news today that Iran has fired their first ballistic missile that they produced themselves.

Comforting to know they can do it on their own, isn't it?

And guess what? North Korea is preparing to test-fire a long range ballistic missile of their own that has the range capability of reaching Alaska.

And the good news just keeps on a-comin'!

Our economy is going to take years to recover, according to Newt Gingrich. Well, Duh!

And in spite of all this news, I'm as joyful and excited as I can possibly be because I know what many of you know: none of this has been a surprise to God.

Dear friends, we don't have the answers to all the problems that our world faces today. We can't fix the economy or convince Iran and North Korea that nuclear weapons are not the way to change our world for the better.

But we do have the answer to the heart problems that have produced all this greed and hate: Jesus.

We need to share Him with everyone we meet. We need to share the truth about God's love and grace and forgiveness through Christ until everyone has heard.

The results are up to God but the witnessing is up to us.

And we need to realize that our talk is no good if our lives don't match up.

So, let's live Jesus today. He is far more attractive than you or I can ever be. And He is the answer that can fix economies, heal hatreds and halt missiles with bombs.

We need Him now more than ever.

Pray for revival. Pray until the Church stands as the Church. Better yet, kneels as the Church.

In His Love
Walter

Doing What's Right

2009-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

One of the stories I read in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this morning had to do with a cab driver who discovered that a bag with valuables in it had been left in his cab.

There was diamond jewelry, an expensive watch, an iPod and other stuff worth a good bit of money.

The cab driver did the right thing and found the rightful owner and returned it.

That this story made the paper does not bother me at all. People who do the right thing should be noticed and applauded.

The tone of the story, amazement, is what makes me stop and think.

The idea conveyed was that it was almost unbelievable that this man would return things that could have so easily kept.

He could have worn the watch, given the diamond jewelry to his wife or other female and converted the iPod for his own use. No one would have been the wiser.

What does it say about us as a society that we are amazed when someone does the right thing? Whatever happened to the time when we expected that people would do the right thing almost always?

People used to take seriously God's command that we should not steal.

People used to understand that ill-gotten gain included things that were found and kept unless every effort was made to find the rightful owner first.

Even Opie had to wait 30 days for the $50.00 he found in the lost wallet. And even after the 30 days had passed, Sheriff Taylor, as good a daddy as sheriff, helped Opie understand that he had to return the money when the man showed up a couple of days after the time limit.

I pray for a day when once again everyone expects everyone else, and himself as well, to do the right thing all the time.

I pray for a day when we still applaud those who do, not because we consider it unusual, but because doing right things is the Godly choice for life.

There is only one true way. There is only one totally right choice. That way, that choice, is to follow Jesus. To receive Him and to love and walk with God.

Love Him today. If you have not embraced Him as your Savior, invite Him into your heart today. It is amazing the difference He will make.

Please remember to pray for revival. Please remember to pray for our leadership. God hears our prayers and He will answer. In His good time. In His good way. Let's just do our part and pray.

In His Love
Walter

The Hall Of Famer

2009-02-02T04:42:00.000-08:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl last night. 27 to 23.

It was a thriller according to the report I saw on ESPN this morning. I didn't stay up to watch the game.

I've already forgotten who was the MVP. I do remember that he was one of the wide receivers for the Steelers.

People in Pittsburgh were thrilled, as you knew they would be. I guess I'm happy for them.

Before the game and then again this morning there was a lot of talk about whether or not Kurt Warner, the quarterback for the losing Arizona Cardinals, has been good enough during his career to be considered a Hall of Fame player.

Kurt Warner is openly and apologetically a Christian. He is a man of good and consistent character.

During the two week media build-up to the actual game, one of his teammates was asked about Kurt's qualifications as a potential Hall of Famer. He said in reply, "Hall of fame dad, hall of fame friend, hall of fame teammate, hall of fame quarterback."

Notice that the comment about quarterback came last. Other far more important qualities were mentioned first.

Also during the two week build-up to the actual game, some of the "talking heads" that debate sports endlessly as if sports is the most important thing on earth that can be discussed and they are the experts to discuss it, ridiculed Kurt for his Christianity. They literally made fun of him. Sort of the "goody-two-shoes" kind of thing.

If they only knew that Kurt Warner already has his name written down on a list that far surpasses any list made by men, whether it is a list of good quarterbacks or dads or friends or teammates. His name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I will forever believe, and I think that Kurt Warner would tell you that having his name in God's Book of the Redeemed means far more than any recognition he might or might not get here on earth.

I believe that he would also tell you that the main reason he is able to be the quarterback, friend, dad and teammate he is, is because of the presence of Christ in his heart.

I believe that Kurt plays his best, fathers his best, befriends his best because he tries very hard to do everything he does to the glory of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and Almighty God, his heavenly Father.

The debate about Kurt's Hall of Fame worthiness may go on for years.

But his eternal fame is signed, sealed and delivered by the One Who knew him best but still loved him most.

Does that mean he stands out any more than the rest of those who are believers? No. It just means that he stands (better yet, kneels) alongside all of those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord to praise and honor and glorify Him.

Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Your earthly achievements don't matter much for eternity. Only your relationship with Christ.

If you have received Him, praise Him. If you have not, ask Him about it today.

Please pray for revival. Please. Our nation needs you as a steadfast prayer warrior.

In His Love
Walter

The Problem With The Peanuts

2009-01-30T07:17:00.001-08:00

As most of you know, I come from South Georgia. Peanut country. I've been around 'em all my life. Sold boiled peanuts as a boy to earn money for my school clothes. Loved doing it. Love peanuts, especially boiled. Down there, we know how to boil 'em right. Get 'em when they're green. Eat 'em up.

Blakely, the home of the suspected processing plant in the peanut salmonella outbreak, is less than an hour from my hometown. This problem could devastate the entire town. Early County is practically in mourning.

The problem with the peanuts is not really a problem with the peanuts. I can tell you from first-hand experience that there are no inherently bad peanuts. They are all quiet, very docile.

The problem with the peanuts is a problem with people. Someone has gotten lazy, or greedy, or both. And everyone is seeking to say, "It's not my fault."

The State has blamed the plant. The plant has said they did everything the State required them to do so it must be the State's fault.

The Feds have blamed the State and the plant and now seem to be blaming each other because back in September, something happened with some of these peanuts on a shipment that Canada refused and tried to send back but the FDA (a federal agency) would not let the peanuts back in the US and that should have jump-started an investigation into what was wrong with the peanuts.

Does this sound convoluted and complicated?

Covering up errors always is.

Perhaps somebody did not want to take responsibility for the losses that would be incurred if the peanuts were condemned and destroyed.

Perhaps someone did not want to take responsibility for the costs of fixing all the building deficiencies we read about.

Perhaps some State or Federal inspector was just too tired or too disinterested to follow through on what they had discovered.

There's plenty of reason to believe that something like this will be at the root of this salmonella outbreak because there are plenty of people trying to put the blame on someone else.

Take it from me, the root problem is sin. When Adam first sinned for himself and the rest of us, he opened the door for laziness instead of God's intended productivity.

That same door was opened for greed, the desire for easy money rather than God's intended work ethic whereby a man was rewarded for honoring God with everything he put his hands to and then enjoying the fruits of his honest labor.

The problem with the peanuts is the same problem with anything else that is wrong in this world. We are a fallen, sinful people very much in need of God's salvation.

If Man would focus on honoring God with the same energy he uses trying to gain ease and comfort and riches for himself, it would be a different world.

How about you? Where's your focus today? What are you pursuing? God's perfect will or your own aims and goals?

It matters, you know? Life is so much more than peanuts.

Pray for revival, please.

In His Love
Walter

Chicken Mull

2009-01-29T05:28:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow night, if nothing out of the ordinary happens to prevent it, I will bring chicken mull to the One of A Bunch soup supper.

Now some of you are saying, "Ughhh! What's chicken mull?"

It is a delicious soup/stew concoction made of boiled chicken, milk, salt, pepper, butter and soda crackers. It is a very simple recipe and I just gave you all of the ingredients.

Now you can make chicken mull.

What's that you say? You can't make chicken mull by just knowing the ingredients?

You are right. Knowing the ingredients is not enough. You have to know something about how to utilize them together to create what is to me and Wanna a very delicious dish.

There is also a recipe for victorious Christan living. The ingredients are found in the Bible and a successful Christian life can begin for anyone who will take some of the ingredients and start to use them together properly.

But just like chicken mull, just knowing the ingredients will not get the job done. You actually have to take them and work them together. But when you do, you will have a most delicious life in Christ.

The chief ingredient is salvation through belief in Christ and His atonement for you on Calvary's cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead three days later. You need this just like chicken mull needs the chicken.

When you take this most important ingredient and begin to stir in generous amounts of prayer, Bible study and heart-felt worship, a victorious Christian life begins to take shape.

Add things like forgiveness of others who have wronged you, a genuine love for those the world would consider unlovable and a generous heart that causes you to reach out to help others with your time, money and strength, and your victorious life gets better and better.

Now I know that the name of my dish, chicken mull, probably doesn't sound too appealing and it might take some convincing to get you to try it.

But a victorious Christian life should sound appealing to all. Who doesn't want to live victoriously? Who doesn't want to be on the winning side?

Whether or not you ever try my recipe for chicken mull, please try God's recipe for victorious living. You'll find all the details about His recipe in His Word. He's the Master of the Universe. You can be sure He is also the Master Chef of life.

Please pray for revival. Don't forget. It is the most important thing you can pray for our nation, our state, our church.

In His Love
Walter

A Foggy Day

2009-01-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's a foggy day today.

I'll wager that you already knew that.

Kind of hard to miss, huh?

Foggy days make things seem blurry. And that makes me more careful as I drive. I don't want to fail to see something or someone and have an accident as a result.

I sometimes have foggy spiritual days, too. Days when there are questions I don't have answers to. Days when the direction of my life seems unclear. Days when I don't feel sure about what God is doing or what He would have me do.

And it just occurred to me this morning that those foggy spiritual days are days when I should be as extra careful living my life as I am extra careful driving in the fog.

God has a lot of ways to call our attention to truths He wants us to learn and today He used a foggy day to help me realize how important it is that I take whatever extra time is needed to be sure the way He has chosen for me is clear before I proceed.

Many people will have accidents or near accidents on the road today because they remain in a hurry even though the way is not clearly clear.

How about we agree with one another that we will take the extra time to look closely in every direction before we proceed on the highway or in our lives? That way we can avoid "foggy day decisions" that lead to accidents in life and please Him by waiting for His leadership.

Too often, these "foggy day decisions" can be as bad for our lives and those around us as a fatal accident on the highway and I'm quite sure that if we wait on God, He will clearly show us each step He wants us to take.

Don't be impatient in the fog.

And please remember to pray for revival. True revival, sent by Our Heavenly Father, will do more to clear the fog out of lives and minds that anything else that could possibly happen. Pray that it will be so and that it will be soon.

In His Love
Walter

Stronger Everyday

2009-01-26T06:04:00.001-08:00

Many of you who read this blog know that I recently had both my knees replaced. Since the operations, one in August and one in November, I have worked at building up the muscles around my knees to eliminate all discomfort and to make sure that my new knee joints last as long as possible.

In the physical therapy that was ordered for me after my surgeries, I quickly learned that one of the things that seemed to help the most was to ride a stationary bicycle. We borrowed one from Chad and Christie so that I could continue this therapy at home.

The bike they loaned us is pre-programmed with a number of different ride simulations to provide the kind of workout that best suits the intended goal.

They all make me huff and puff. When I first started on it, I'd occasionally hear Wanna ask, "Are you all right?" All that heavy breathing and noise I made caused her to wonder if my heart was going to hold out.

You'll be glad to know that it has held out so far and I'm in the process of increasing my ride/workout a little each day.

And you know what? I can tell that my heart and lungs and legs are getting a little bit stronger everyday. I can literally tell that the residual discomfort of knee replacement surgery is going away, as well.

I love it when a plan comes together. (Thanks, Hannibal.)

Exercise works for Christian life as well as your body life.

Regular Bible study feeds your spiritual life proper food and you get stronger. Regular prayer brings strength directly from God to you and you get stronger. The exercise of obedience makes the most difference and provides the most growth. A little more each day and you get stronger everyday.

Stronger everyday.

Stronger to resist sin in all its tempting forms. Stronger to hold your tongue when what would come out will only make a situation worse. Stronger to capture the thoughts in your mind that do not honor God or reflect the glory of Christ. Stronger to be kind to those who have been unkind to you. Stronger to forgive those who have hurt you.

Regular spiritual exercise will make you stronger in every way a little bit everyday and each day you will become more confident and aware of the powerful presence of God with you to overcome all that Satan, the world and your flesh will throw your way.

Regular spiritual exercise makes you more like Jesus. What more could we want than to grow more and more to be like Him, the One Who died that we could be free?

Give it a try. Push yourself a little farther each day. You'll reap Heavenly rewards.

Don't forget to pray for revival. Please. Fervently and continuously. He is faithful. He will send it. You just keep on praying.

In His Love
Walter

A Song In My Heart

2009-01-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at our weekly service at the assisted living home, one of the songs we sang was, "He Keeps Me Singing." The first line of that song is, "There's within my heart a melody..."

This morning when I woke up, I started thinking about how many times I wake up and there really is a melody within my heart and it's not just a song, it is a song to or about Jesus and my relationship with Him.

It seems that many mornings there really is that melody that Jesus whispers to me sweet and low.

It is a wonderful way to start the day and it's not me doing it. It is Jesus helping me get my day going on a joyful note with my thoughts fixed on Him.

This is not something I do for myself. It is a gift from God and it is wonderful. I would encourage you to ask Him for such a gift. It will be a real blessing to your day.

And don't be shy about asking Him for this type of gift. Remember that He is our Heavenly Father and He truly knows how to give gifts that lift and encourage and strengthen us for praise and service to Him.

And when He does give you that early morning song in your heart, hold on to it all day. It will help in all sorts of situations to keep you focused on Who and What really matters in life.

Remember His words through the Psalmist, "Sing unto the Lord!"

As you sing, multitask and ask Him for revival. Be faithful in prayer for revival and He will be faithful to send it. In His good time. In His good way.

In His Love
Walter

Today

2009-01-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

This one's easy.

I had a conversation with a wonderful friend of mine just a little while ago and realized as we were talking that there are some things we've allowed the world to plant so firmly in our minds that it takes a good bit of digging to get them out so we can get on with right thinking.

The particular thing I refer to this morning is thinking like everybody else. The world wants those of us who have been washed in the blood of Jesus and claim Him as Savior and Lord of our lives to look and act like everybody else. That will weaken our testimony and will cause others to think that having Jesus really doesn't make much difference in a person's life.

The world and our enemy Satan wants us to fall into the trap of thinking like everybody else.

In the context of our talk this morning, my friend said something like this, "The economy is so bad these days."

I said, "Whoa. The economy is not bad. It is exactly what God has given us for today and we need to be thankful for it and rejoice in it. It is our reaction to the present condition of our economy that is bad."

What I mean is that our Heavenly Father has promised us many things. "All things work together for good" comes to mind. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" also pops up. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of death (or even difficult economic times) I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me."

You see, when our faith is in God our Heavenly Father, we are forever in His hands and whatever the circumstances, whatever happens to us, He holds it all and we are surely blessed by it. We will never know what tomorrow holds, but if we are His through Christ, we will always know Who holds tomorrow and that should be enough.

Faith must be put into practice and affect all the areas of our lives or it is not really faith. Yes, sometimes our faith can falter, but we must quickly get up and get on living totally dependent upon God and that means there are no bad days or bad economies, just times when His shaping of our character into the image of Christ is a bit more intense than at other times.

Please remember my dear friends: "This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Also, please pray for revival. By now you recognize this as my mantra. Please keep it up. God is faithful. He will send it.

In His Love
Walter

Yesterday

2009-01-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I sent out an email plea for some wood and some help. Boy, did I get it.

Thanks to everyone who showed up to split, load, deliver and unload the wood that D donated.

Miss Ruby was very grateful.

I am, too.

God was pleased.

I am, too.

Yesterday was a day when the strength of the Body of Christ known as the church revealed itself and met a need in a family member's life.

Yesterday was a day when the love of a particular body of believers known as Hills Crossing Baptist Church shone forth in a mighty way.

Yesterday was a day when the cold of the weather (and, whoooeee, it was cold) was overcome by the warmth and caring of people who were willing to give of themselves to benefit someone else.

Yesterday was a day when many gave an offering of pure love to Our Heavenly Father by reaching out to meet a need.

Yesterday was a day when my heart was lifted and encouraged and I loved it. There was plenty of help and others who wanted to help that did not make it in time because those who showed up first stepped to and got the job done and I mean done.

Yesterday was a day when the church was the church in all the ways that the church is supposed to be the church.

Now, Church. How will we serve Him today?

Please don't forget to pray for revival. Earth-shaking, life-changing, nation-impacting revival.
Today could be the day God gives it. We just never know.

In His Love
Walter

A Very Special Day

2009-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today is a very special day. Today Barack Hussein Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States and the first President of color in our nation's history.

Today is a very special day. The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for the Super Bowl. It will be their first appearance in the NFL Championship game since 1940.

Today is a very special day. My daughter and her three children, Mea, Lily and Ezra are coming over to spend the next two nights with us. It is Ezra's first visit to Grandma and Granddaddy's house.

Today is a very special day. It is someone's birthday. Even three people in our church fellowship.

Today is a very special day. It is special for more reasons that we can possibly imagine. It depends on who you are and what is important to you that makes today a special one.

And, depending on who you are and how you view life, every day can be just as special as this one.

Today is a very special day for me because it is a day that I will spend with God and He with me.

I will talk to Him and He will talk to me. I will need His strength and guidance and He will provide it.

I will need Him to help me keep my mouth shut at certain times and He will help me. I will need Him to help me open my mouth at certain times and He will help me.

He will help me to recognize and be thankful for what is beautiful, good, pure, right and wonderful in the world today.

Today is a very special day and it is really all because of Him and His great love for me. And you.

Let Him be your reason to have a great day today. Forget circumstances. Just celebrate and live for Him.

That might make today the most very special day you've ever had. Who knows?

Pray for revival. Please. You know how. Just do it.

In His Love
Walter

Today's Lift

2009-01-16T04:28:00.000-08:00

I think I may have stolen the title of the one minute talk that the gentleman from Community Travel does every morning on WCON. If I did, I hope they won't mind too badly. This missive is not meant to be a copy of what he does and I have to tell you the truth, sometimes I don't get the point of what he has to say. I hope you get the point of this blog, though.

This is meant to be a huge lift for all of you reading who know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is meant to be an enticement and encouragement to those who do not know Him in that way in the hope that you will ask Him into your heart to be your Savior.

So many people feel badly about themselves. Professionals and lay-people alike know what low self-esteem is.

Well, here's something to make you feel great about yourself. Maybe this is the best remedy for low self-esteem on the market today, and it's free.

God delights in us. God loves us. He loves us as much right now as He ever can or will no matter who we are or what we've done.

(Here's a note to anyone who has never received Christ as Savior; God loves you, too. As much as He ever can or will. He delights in you.)

Now, I'll admit He may not delight in some of the sinful things we do, but He delights in and loves us just the same.

And He wants us to delight in Him. He wants us to realize His love so completely that we receive His love, celebrate His love and delight in His presence above everything else that might bring us pleasure.

He loves us so much that He died on the cross to rescue us from our sins. He loves us so much that He patiently continues to forgive the sins of those who have been redeemed and continues to offer His redemption to those who have not received His forgiveness of sin through Christ.

And I say again, He delights in us. Psalm 18:19b says. "He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

You and I bring joy to God's face. You and I bring delight to His heart. What a rapturous thought! You and I bring a smile to the face of the Creator of all that was, is and ever shall be!

Think of that! God, Almighty God, delights in you...and you...and you...and me.

Wow!! Oh, wow!! Thank you Father for that knowledge and encouragement.

Let's all try to be as delighted in Him today as He is in us. Maybe it'll show on the outside and someone who does not know what we know will want to know.

And, remember, what we know is not a verse of Scripture but the reality of the heart and mind of God.

Be blessed today. Be a blessing today. And please, please pray for revival. And don't stop praying for it. We need it.

By the way, I'm sorry about yesterday. I came in early to do the blog before I had to go to Athens for my yearly physical and the internet was down. I couldn't get online. And my physical was fine. You wish your cholesterol was as good as mine.

In His Love
Walter

The More Things Change

2009-01-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

The old saying stated completely is: "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

The weather today is cold. It is supposed to be even colder tomorrow and then, Oh, Boy, watch out for Friday and Friday night!!

Of course after that it'll warm up. Then it will get cold again.

The Stock Market goes up then it goes down. People celebrate one day and moan the next.

Gas is up some. It was down some. Don't worry. It'll go one way or the other again real soon.

When the economy is good, Americans are spending, taxes are rolling in to our State Government and all is well except that credit debt is mounting up. When the economy is bad, Americans are not spending, our State government is moaning about taxes not coming in and folks aren't charging anymore.

Things change so fast. I spoke with someone on the phone today who said, and I believe her, that things are going so fast around her life right now that she doesn't know which way to go next.

I don't know about you, but I need to be reminded that there is One Who never changes. One Who is always steady. One Who is always right beside me, with me, helping me in all the changes and turmoil of life: Jesus.

Thank God for what He has told us, shown us about Jesus.

Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever."

I need to know that. I need to hear that. I need Him to be my Rock in an ever-changing, ever-whirling world.

If things are about to get you down, take hold of The Rock. Not the wrestler and movie star. The Rock Who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hang on to Him for a while and the maelstrom of life won't even matter anymore. You might get so used to His steady hand that you resolve to never let Him go, even for a moment, ever again.

Don't for get to pray for revival. Pray. Please, please, pray. God will do it. Just be faithful to pray.

In His Love
Walter

A Thousand Words

2009-01-13T06:15:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be laughing at the title. You may be thinking that a blog of only a thousand words would be nice. I don't know how many words I normally use, but I don't think I've come too close to a thousand yet.

I have been thinking about yesterday's post about the lottery and trusting God.

You know, we like to quote Scripture like Phil. 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." KJV We might also like Hebrews 13:5b, "And be content with such things as you have." KJV We might also go so far as to tell ourselves that we have, like Paul, "...learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil.4:11 KJV

And we might actually believe that because we have surrendered to our current circumstances we have contentment. But that just isn't so. To be content means that we do not just bear our circumstances, we embrace them, we rejoice in them knowing that Jesus is there with us.

To be content before God means that we do not simply tell ourselves to look at the good things we have and be comforted or to look at others who have less than we do and feel good about it, it means we actually love just what we have just as we have it and do not long for more.

Think about the difference it makes in our hearts toward God. Think what He sees when He looks into our hearts searching for contentment.

He is not looking for simple surrender to circumstance. He is looking to see if Jesus is really enough for us to be satisfied.

We sing the song, "I am satisfied, I am satisfied, I am satisfied with Jesus. But the question comes to me as I think on Calvary, is my Master satisfied with me?"

One of the reasons Christians have lost much of their voice and influence in the world today is this matter of contentment. The world tells us that we need more, deserve more and that we are justified in wanting more.

The Holy Word tells us, teaches us that Jesus should be all we require for joy and contentment for our lifetimes. We also sing the song, "He's all I need, He's all I need, Jesus is all I need."

Is He? If He is, then you require nothing else. If He's not and you profess to be His, why is He not? What do you need to face in yourself so that He becomes all you need?

I hope this is less than a thousand words but remember the rest of that quote: "A picture is worth a thousand words." Let's be careful of the pictures that God and others see. May He and they see joy and contentment in us because if Jesus and nothing more.

Pray, please. For revival. You know by now. Please pray. Until God sends it in the mighty way we need it.

In His Love
Walter

What Are You Counting On?

2009-01-12T05:08:00.000-08:00

I can't say that I'm surprised. Just disappointed. I suspected that it was so, but until this morning, I had no confirmation. But there it was at the bottom of the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; "Lottery Sales Get Boost During Recession."

I must confess that I know some people who play the lottery on a pretty regular basis. Things I have heard them say caused me to believe that more people were turning to the lottery during this time as a chance to rise above the present economic strain.

I have also heard comments from people I know who do not play the lottery that indicates that they are considering it more and more every day.

I'm pretty sure pawn shops are busy right now, too. I know that I've seen more non-essential items like boats, four-wheelers and campers for sale in front of houses.

People are desperate and are looking for relief from the strain of our difficult economy. And they are looking in many of the wrong places.

I don't have to wonder how all of this makes God feel. Things like this happen with His knowledge. He was not surprised at our national recession. He saw it coming thousands of years ago. He allowed it to come and He stands by His promise that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 KJV.

He wants people to turn to Him. Not the lottery or the pawn shop. Him. He has the answers. He has the resources. He is the One True Source of all that we need.

People need to seek His face. When they do they will find all that they need to make it through the difficulties of the day. It might not, probably will not, be money. But it will most surely be what will allow each one who seeks Him and His ways and His will to have what is more valuable than money or any other material resource: His abiding, guiding, sustaining presence.

When He is all you want, He is all you need. When He is all you need, He is all you want. Think about it.

Then pray. For our nation. For our community. For our church. To experience God in a mighty, wall-shaking revival. One that brings gratitude and rejoicing bursting forth from our hearts and mouths. One that changes hearts and lives.

God can, will send it. Just pray. As if our nation's life and health depended on it. It does. President-elect Obama and all the lawmakers on earth can't fix all that needs fixing. Only the One True Law Giver. Seek Him. Him only.

In His Love
Walter

TGIF

2009-01-09T04:41:00.000-08:00

TGIF. I'm positive that when you first saw that title, you knew exactly what it means: Thank God It's Friday! You did know didn't you?? Sure you did.

Well, you know what? We should thank God that it is Friday. But I'm afraid that the feeling associated with TGIF is more negative than positive.

I believe that of all the times I've heard people use this abbreviation, it was expressing a sense of feigned relief that a tough week had finally come to its last work day far more than real thanksgiving to God.

Well today, this Friday, let's turn that trend around. Let's truly be thankful that it's Friday. We can then be truly thankful that God helped us through the other days of the week.

We can be thankful He fed us, protected us as we traveled to wherever it is that we had to go, gave us rest, woke us up, let the sun shine and allowed our muscles to work so that we could rise to experience all His blessings each day.

We can be thankful for the opportunities He has given us to experience His grace, hear His voice, live in His creation and be a blessing to others in His name.

We can be thankful for our spouses, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, parents, neighbors, bosses, co-workers and even strangers.

We can be thankful for our health, our sicknesses, our securities and our fears. We can be thankful because He is faithful.

We can be thankful for water to drink, doctors to help us stay healthy, people who serve us and make our lives easier, coffee, Diet Coke, song books, radio, good scrambled eggs, deer tenderloin, fried chicken, clothes to wear, the color red or blue and you name it.

If we make it our focus to be thankful, the list is truly endless and we quickly come to realize that God is good, so very, very good.

In fact He's so good, we might also recognize all over again how much He loves us. And, as the song says, "Oh, how He loves you and me."

So go ahead! Thank God it's Friday. But allow that to be the phrase that jump starts your mind toward all that we truly have to thank Him for, not just the end of a work week, but the blessings of life that He gives on and on and on.

And as you thank Him, tell Him again how much you love Him. He loves to hear it. He loves even more to see you live out that love in your life everyday.

When you've thanked Him as much as you can, pray for revival. We sure do need it. Pray for national, personal, county-wide, country-wide, life-changing revival. He'll come through. You can be thankful for that.

In His Love
Walter

What Do We Do With Him?

2009-01-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

I remember a Christmas gift Wanna got one year. It was unusual, to say the least, and I can't describe it here because the person who gave it might read this blog. It was someone in South Georgia but they have the Internet there, too, you know.

Wanna looked at it and I looked at it and although it was obvious what it was, we weren't sure what we were supposed to do with it.

I've come to think that many Christians are like that when it comes to Holy Spirit. They know Who He is, they just don't know what to do with Him.

Jesus told His disciples in John's Gospel that Holy Spirit was a Helper, a Counselor, a Teacher and One Who would lead us into truth. I think we have this part down pretty well.

On the occasion of His ascension into heaven, Jesus told those assembled that they would receive power after Holy Spirit had come to them. I don't think we have the understanding God wants us to have about this power part.

Holy Spirit was given to us by God in a gracious act of kindness to equip us to be witnesses of great impact in the world. And we've obviously failed to utilize Him in this way. Far too many Christians had rather pay for others to do their witnessing and soul-winning for them than to allow Holy Spirit to equip and use them individually and personally.

Holy Spirit was also given to us to allow us to properly examine our lives and to take control of the sin nature within us and defeat it.

Why, Our Heavenly Father even teaches us in His Word that we are to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." II Cor. 10:5

Now that's a hard assignment but that's also why God gave us the power of Holy Spirit to dwell in us. So that we could take charge over all the sin nature within us and conquer it. By His power and to His glory.

That's what we are to do with Him. Work to become more and more Christ-like by using Holy Spirit power to drive sin out of our lives.

And lest you think that's something that God has to do for you, read Judges, Chapter 1 through Judges, Chapter 2 verse 4. God made it clear to the Israelites that they were going to be hindered, beset and have great difficulty dealing with the Canaanites (representing sin to us)
out of the land He had given them.

Remember this: There is no room in the life of a person washed in the blood of Jesus for continuous, deliberate sin. Just as the Israelites suffered much and often as God withdrew His blessings and protection for their continued sin of idol toleration and worship, so Christians today who practice continual, deliberate sin will suffer much.

God will not be mocked and we will not long take advantage of His mercy and grace by acting as if our salvation allows us no worries about such continual, deliberate sins.

God has equipped us to defeat these sins. Let use Holy Spirit as God intended and clean out the sins in our lives that we may be pure and holy and effective as witnesses to Him.

Pray. Always. Constantly. For revival. We need it. Oh, Heavenly Father, how we need it. Grant it, Oh Lord, we pray.

In His Love
Walter

What Can You Do?

2009-01-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

There's a great article in the Sports section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this morning about a football player from Troup County High School who is going to play for UGA.

He's got a 5.12 GPA at Troup County High and he has never made anything but A's since kindergarten. He was going to enroll early at UGA but decided to stay in High School until regular graduation because he has a chance to be valedictorian of his class.

Coach Richt has said he's never recruited another player like him. This guy is a standout.

He's big. 6" 3", close to 300 pounds and is a top flight lineman. Forgive me for not remembering if it's the offensive or defensive line. With his size, determination and skill he could probably play either side of the ball.

He would appreciate our prayers. He has a class right now that might result in his first B. It's a calculus class that he did not have to take but did because he wants to be as ready for college as he can be.

His High School Coach says he can be en engineer, doctor, astronaut or whatever he wants to be because he is so goal-oriented and determined.

His dad has found him up at 4 a.m. studying. He wants to be the very best he can be at whatever he does. Sounds like this young man is a winner, doesn't it?

He is. With all his extra-curricular activities, studies and just being a teen-age young man, since he decided to go to Georgia he has been taking the time everyday to text message Bible verses to other young men who are going to be his teammates. And not just random verses. He chooses ones that mean something to him believing that they will mean something to the others, as well.

You think they have any doubts about this young man's faith? I don't. It seems to me he knows what is really important in life and is doing what he can right now in spite of his busy life to share what's really important with others.

Are you?

Please pray. For revival. In me. In you. In our homes. In our churches. In our county. In our state. In our nation. In our world. We need what's most important. A powerful, productive relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our nation needs a sweeping out-pouring of Holy Spirit.

Pray. Please pray.

In His Love
Walter

Engaged In The Battle

2009-01-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

We must get engaged in the battle.

"What Battle?" you ask.

The one God tells us about through the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6: 12; "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The powers, principalities and other references here tell us much about our enemy. He and his followers are powerful even to the point of developing strongholds in the lives of individuals and in churches.

Yes, folks, we must realize that Satan comes to church every Sunday morning. He comes with us. We bring him in the front door.

We bring him in the unforgiveness that we carry in our hearts towards others. Even unforgiveness against God. That's a hard one to swallow isn't it? But it's true. Many people are angry at God and won't let go. Many are angry at others who have hurt them and won't let go.

We bring Satan in when we have wrong attitudes about our service and our attendance. "I've got to be here because nobody else will do it." Or, "I don't know why I keep coming. I sure don't get anything out of this." The right attitudes are "Thank you God that you allow me to serve you by serving all these other people in this way Sunday after Sunday," and "Thank you Father that I can come here and worship you. My heart is all about giving praise and worship to you and not about what I get out of the services."

There is no place in the hearts of the forgiven for unforgiveness. There is no place in the hearts of the redeemed for anger. There is no need in the hearts of the blood-bought for any other reason to gather for worship that the matter of worship itself.

Many in the church today take salvation to lightly, worship too casually and do not recognize the damage done to self and others by not taking the matter of belonging to God through Jesus Christ seriously enough to let that fact permeate and affect every aspect of their lives.

We've got to get engaged in the battle. How?

Prayer. Real spiritual warfare. Prayer that is desperate, dedicated, passionate, determined, specific and heart-felt. No going through the motions. Real prayer. As a body. As individuals.
It is our only hope.

Pray for revival. For yourself. For me. For the one you like most in church and the one you like the least. Revival for our nation. Our government. Revival to the glory of God. Pray. Please pray.

In His Love
Walter

Acting Like It

2009-01-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

January 5, 2009. Seems like the new year is already old. Our lives are so busy that nothing seems new for long. We find it necessary in our busy state to observe what's new and move on quickly. That present mindset of doing this and then moving on to that is really hurtful to us in many ways.

It affects our relationship with God in that we often don't dwell on the marvel of what we have been given for more than a moment before we are desirous of something else that is new and exciting.

We have been spoiled. We have too much. So much that we don't really appreciate anything God has given. We don't give thanks as we should. We don't "take on" over what He has done.

At Christmas, we gave gifts of cowboy outfits to three of our grandchildren. One was reasonably impressed and said "thanks". Another wasn't impressed at all and pretty much walked away from his. The third one took one look, put it on, and began to strut and pose and act like a cowboy. He was proud of his gift.

"Can I wear it to church?" he asked. "I want to change my name," he declared. "Mama, can I go to the courthouse and change my name to Lone Ranger?" I'm pretty sure he'll wear that cowboy outfit out long before the other two have gotten theirs good and dirty.

Now which reaction do you think these grandparents liked? Of course, we liked the excited, never want to take it off reaction. It made us feel great to know that we had hit a home run with the gift.

God gives us many gifts and we just look over them, move right past them, sort of say "thank you" but without much enthusiasm. He reveals such wonderful truths to us in His Word and yet we read it carelessly, if at all.

Let's let this year be different. Let's take to heart what God had David write in the very first Psalm, verse 2, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night."

Now our son has reassured us that both the other children will come around to enjoy their cowboy outfits. How wonderful would it be if we could reassure God that this year, 2009, we would come around to delighting, meditating, and growing in His Word?

He gave it to us so that we could be close to Him, learn of Him, and love Him more and more each day. If that's not what's happening, we are neglecting, looking over, moving right on by a wonderful gift.

Let's not look for something new and exciting. Let's just take the time to develop a great love for something old and yet life-changing that we already have. Pick up that Bible, folks, and spend time with God. He is on every page, waiting for you.

In His Love
Walter

cloudy days

2008-12-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Wow! It seems like a while since we've seen some sunshine! We've had much needed rain and I'm so thankful for it but now that it has stopped raining, I think I'd like to see the sun. How about you?

Sometimes life is like that. Sometimes it seems to be an endless string of "cloudy" days. But in the same way that I know that the sun is behind all these real clouds, I know that the Son is behind any strings of seemingly cloudy days in my life.

How do I know the sun is behind the clouds? I've flown on cloudy days and in the plane, I've risen above the clouds and been amazed at how bright and white and beautiful it is looking down on those clouds.

How do I know the Son is behind the cloudy days of life? I've flown to Him in prayer many times and have been amazed at how bright and white and beautiful things are when I look down on them from Heaven's point of view.

Amid the cloudy days of life, I have chosen many times to believe with all my heart His promise that He would never leave me nor forsake me. Concentration on His presence in my life and my cloudy circumstances has brought joy in the place of gloom, peace in the place of turmoil and hope when I was about to give up.

Don't let the cloudy days get to you. Keep your head and your spirit and your prayers up. He is behind every cloud, just waiting to shine on you with the bright light of His love and care. Trust me, He's real. And He really, really cares.

Pray for revival. Please.

And Merry Christmas.

In His Love
Walter

It's Coming

2008-12-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

It's coming! Christmas, that is. In just a few short days stores and offices will be closed and people all around the world will be celebrating. When Wanna and I were in Zurich, Switzerland for Christmas a few years ago, you could hardly tell that you weren't in a large U.S. city.

Christmas is celebrated almost everywhere, but what is it people celebrate?

For many around the world, they just celebrate the time off from work, or the opportunity to be with family. Some celebrate the feasting associated with major holidays while others drink themselves into oblivion.

What will you celebrate? How will you celebrate?

It is my prayer for you that your focus will be on Christ this year, perhaps more so than ever before.

There will be many opportunities for distraction. Presents, shopping, concerns about money, decorating, family issues like which in-laws get the actual Christmas Day visit...all these things can cause us to lose our focus on the True Reason For The Season, Jesus.

What could ever take the place of what Christ has done for many and made possible for many more if they will only come to Him in humble repentance?

What gift, made by the hands of men, purchased from some place of business, wrapped and presented on Christmas Day could have the impact of that One Baby Boy born in a stable, laid in a feed trough, wrapped in rough cloths while surrounded by animals has had on the hearts and lives of men? On your heart and life?

NOTHING.

Celebrate Him! He alone has already or will take away your sins! He alone is the Way Of Reconciliation To The Father! He alone is Comfort to hurting hearts, Peace to troubled minds and The Bringer of Joy to those who are down-hearted or bereaved.

He alone is worthy! Let Him be praised and celebrated forever!

Make up your mind now. It is Christ this Christmas or there will be no Christmas at all. Tell your children. Tell your neighbors. Tell friends, foes and strangers. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.!!

Merry Christmas.
In His Love
Walter

A Lesson In Thankfulness

2008-12-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

"I have so much to be thankful for!"

I hear people say that so often, but on the few occasions that they've been challenged to begin to list some of all that "so much," they get hung up after five to seven things.

The truth is, we take so much for granted that sometimes we need a lesson in thankfulness for all the little blessings that are ours each day.

I have been in the midst of just such a lesson and want to recommend this to you if you would like a refresher course in remembering to thank God for the little things: get yourself a badly congested nose.

It doesn't matter if it's from a common cold or a sinus condition. There is nothing like it to remind one of all the things we take for granted, like the ability to breathe freely and easily.

I have sniffed and snuffed and gasped for air and been forced to suffer the indignity of "mouth-breathing" for several days now and I tell you I miss good, old-fashioned nose-breathing. You know. The way God intended breathing to be.

I have also realized that it is something that I have taken for granted for far too long and I am going to be much more careful to thank my Heavenly Father for this and many other "little things" that aren't so little when they are gone.

Like the fact that my heart beats so well and regularly every day. And the fact that I don't have any ingrown toe-nails. Like the fact that far more works in my life than doesn't. And that I have a mind that is still able to think. And a mouth that is capable of thanksgiving and praise if I'll just get on with the business of truly counting my blessings, especially the "small" ones.

I think what my stuffed up nose has taught me (after 56 years of lessons on the subject, you wonder how I could be so dumb for it to take that long) is that there are no "small" blessings. Every one is a precious gift from God. It's just that we don't miss them or even become aware of them until they are not there.

Celebrate every gift. Even the small ones. I can assure you that I'll be thanking and praising God when I can breathe freely again. I'm already thanking Him for the memory of when I could.

Pray for revival. Pray fervently. Pray consistently and insistently. Be humble, but let God know you mean business about wanting revival in our nation so much that it would even be all right with you if He chose to start with you.

In His Love
Walter

Heartbroken

2008-12-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

It has been a tough morning and it's just a bit past 8. My heart has been broken twice by one of the things I look forward to most every day; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Let me explain.

One of the front page headlines read, "LOTS OF RAIN, LITTLE RELIEF." It just wipes me out that these folks can't focus on some gratitude for the rain we are getting instead of pointing out that it's not enough to relieve the drought situation we are in. Believe me, if it rained enough over the next few days to refill Lake Lanier, which seems to be their current definition of enough rain, they would be decrying the flooding and the monetary losses caused by that flooding.

It seems to be an almost universal mindset today that, unless something is received or relieved or completed at once, then it is not enough. We are so impatient. We must realize that God did not create a world of instant gratification. He still works over time.

Instead of choosing someone already alive and adult and ready to go, which He certainly could have done, He chose Moses and started preparing him from birth. His people still needed to be rescued from Egypt but God did it over time. He will do the same for our drought.

Let's not be guilty of following the lead of the writer/editors at the AJC. Let's be grateful and express gratitude to God for the rain we are getting even as we continue to pray to Him about more so that our drought will soon be over.

Otherwise, He may just decide to stop the rain altogether. He can do that, you know.

Heartbreak #2 was learning that the AJC is going to stop circulation in 22 counties including Habersham. I have read this newspaper for 50 years and I don't know how I'm going to get along without it. But I'm sure that I will.

In His Love
Walter

Things To Do Today

2008-12-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

As I was driving in to the Church this morning, I was thinking about all the things I felt I needed to do today. And I'm going to guess that most of you had similar thoughts at some point after getting up to get your day started.

Let's see, I thought of buying a newspaper, doing this blog, checking with the pharmacy for a prescription I hope the Doctor has called in, reviewing my notes for Prayer Meeting tonight, some visits I needed to make, some bereaved families to pray for, what to get Wanna for Christmas, how to get ready for my daughter's approaching delivery of her third child, what to do for lunch and on and on and on.

In the midst of all that thinking about what to do today, I stopped and asked myself what was missing from my list. Actually, I believe it was Father making me ask what was missing. And I immediately knew.

I was listing all the things to do today to live my life for me rather than for Him.

Sure some of the things to do are religiously connected but the focus of my plans as I was making them was not pleasing God or living my life for Him. And that is what my life is supposed to be all about; living for Him.

If Jesus is your Savior, then your life is to be lived for Him, too. After all, when we surrendered our souls to Him for salvation, didn't we understand that that meant surrendering our lives as well?

His example is that He lived His life for us, died for us, rose for us and now wants the very best for us and from us. We are to follow His example, right? Therefore, we must live our lives for Him.

He is to be our focus. He is to be the author, the impetus of all the things we do today. He is to be our goal. Pleasing Him should receive our very best efforts.

So each day, as you plan your day, first acknowledge Him and His right to first place in every aspect of your life. Then plan your daily things to do around living for and pleasing Him. It's the least we can do for the One who died to give us life abundant and free, don't you think?

And pray. For revival. Pray and pray and pray and pray some more. God will send it. I know He will.

In His Love
Walter

I Love A Good Mystery

2008-12-09T05:37:00.000-08:00

I love a good mystery. It doesn't have to be a thriller or a shoot-em-up. Just a good, old fashioned mystery. When I was in school, I devoured every Sherlock Holmes story I could find. I love a good mystery.

This morning, I realized that I am living one of the greatest mysteries of all time. I am a central character. There are many other players in this mystery, but Jesus is the star and God the Father is the writer.

I have come to realize that living this mystery is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. A I live it, I am filled with wonder, overwhelmed with joy, elated beyond my own understanding of happiness and eager to start each day that God gives.

I have come to realize that each hour of every day is a new page in this mystery. Each day is another chapter. I am not supposed to know the details. I'm just supposed to trust the author.

As I live this mystery, I am to watch, listen and seek the daily "clues" that God the Author puts there to guide me along to the end of the story.

What exactly is this mystery? It is the fact that God loves me!! I can follow the clues, enjoy the days and live the mystery. But what will remain a mystery to me is how God can love me. I can understand His love for you. But I know all the reasons He should not love me.

But He does!! Praise His Name, He does!! He loves me with an everlasting love that does not change from day to day. He loves me with a faithful, patient love that does not depend on whether I'm good or bad today.

He just loves me!! Because He wants to. Because He has purposed in His heart to love me and nothing can ever change that.

He loves me so much that He came to earth 2000 years ago in the most humble way He could. In the Person of Jesus, He lived a sinless, perfect life so that He could be sacrificed as the Ransom to pay my sin debt. And He freely offered His saving power to me.

O, Gift of all gifts, Wonder of all wonders, Mystery of all mysteries, God loves me.

And guess what. He loves you, too. Just like He loves me. I pray that each one who reads this message has responded to His love by receiving Christ and what He has done so that His great love for you results in your salvation.

It's up to you. Open the gift, receive Christ and live the continuing mystery of His love every day. It's the greatest mystery of all. I bet you love a good mystery, too.

Please pray. For revival. You know my mantra by now. We need a national revival more than we need anything else in this nation. Pray for it. Continually. Insistently. Passionately. Pray.

In His Love
Walter

Cheerful Givers

2008-12-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

This year is tough, or so the experts say, and from a national standpoint, I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of their gloomy reports. But I have a good news reminder for God's Cheerful Givers.

2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us that God's people who are willing to trust Him and not the reports of so-called experts are not necessarily controlled by regular laws of economics. God's Word says, "He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

There is nothing there to imply that good times or bad times influence God's promise. God's promise of bountiful reaping to those who practice bountiful sowing is solely dependent on God's character and ability to keep the promises He makes.

Verse 7 goes on to encourage us by saying, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

God does not want us to give out of guilt or even need. He wants us to give freely to Him as we purpose in our hearts to do so that we are free and joyful when we give. And what wonderful rewards await those who are His cheerful givers.

Thanks to so many of you who gave freely and cheerfully yesterday. Together, as you each purposed before God what He would have you give, you gave $1291.00 for our bus children, over $1800.00 toward our goal of $9000.00 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and nearly $7000.00 in General fund giving. The Bible says that God loved you very much yesterday as you so freely and joyously give.

It is refreshing to know that Christians can trust God and give even in tough times. I can promise you that He will provide and reward those who trust Him when circumstances seek to distract us from trusting anyone or anything at all.

Thank you so much. You are a blessing and an encouragement to me and I love you all. Please continue to pray. We are so in need of revival in our world. Pray and do not stop praying until God sends it. Be faithful. He will send it.

In His Love
Walter

How Important Is Jesus?

2008-12-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

The title I've used for today may seem a bit odd, but bear with me. As a matter of fact, bear with me while I ask the whole question I want to address today; "How important is Jesus to Christians?"

Wow! Even as I type it, it sounds like a question that should not even be asked. But wait a moment before you judge me too harshly for asking it.

I've been reading, studying, preparing for our International Missions Study here at the Church this Sunday night. And one thing has become clear; resources for missions are getting harder and harder to come by.

And that prompts my question, "How important is Jesus to Christians?" On the face of it, the answer is easy. Jesus is central, highly important, even indispensable to Christians. Why, without Jesus, there would be no Christians or Christianity!

But, how important is He really? How many Christians adapt their lives to what God has taught us is to be true in the life of one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus? How often do Christians truly sacrifice for the cause of Christ anymore? When is the last time you suffered to enable God's work to go on?

Most people today seem to want to be saved from the sentence of Hell, that is, separation from God for all eternity, but don't seem to want to be saved to the point of living lives of total surrender and sacrifice for His Name's sake.

For example, in difficult economic times, Christians pull back on their giving to their local church, to special causes like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, and other areas that need financial support to continue the work of God.

Isn't it a test of our faith to surrender what we have and give, even sacrificially, in difficult times? Doesn't it mean more to God when we continue to give in lean times, depending on Him to care for our needs and obligations than to give generously only when times are good and we have plenty from which to give?

I remind you of the widow's mite which meant more to Jesus because she had given all she had out of her poverty than the gift of many dollars given by one who had many and more to give.

So, how important is Jesus to us as Christians? Important enough to surrender and sacrifice and trust Him? Or only important enough to trust when times are good and trust is easy because of what we have rather than who we know?

Just thought you'd like to think about it.

Please pray for revival. Holy Ghost given, ground shaking, Christian awakening revival for our church, our community and our nation. We are going to die without it. Please pray.

In His Love
Walter

Manners In Politics

2008-12-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

The election process is finally over in Georgia. Mr. Chambliss defeated Mr. Martin for one of Georgia's Senate seats and so it is done. Finally. At last. And I can't imagine how long it is going to take to clean up all the mess from the mud-slinging that this political race produced.

I don't know about you but the proliferation of attack ads sickened me more and more as the campaign slogged on and on and on. I have never missed an opportunity to vote since I turned 18 but I was tempted to skip this one. Not that I did not prefer one candidate over the other. I did and I voted that way. But I did get so disheartened by the whole attack thing that I almost had no stomach for being part of the process.

Let me say again, I voted anyway. But if I could get this message to either candidate for their future consideration, I would point them to God's Word, I Peter 3: 8-9, which says, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." KJV

As a matter of fact, I would like to get that message into the heart of every candidate in every race for every office in the governments of all cities, counties, municipalities, states and the federal government so that we might have, once again, the opportunity to select a man on his merits rather than select him because of his opponents failures or lack of merit. I would rather see a candidate sell himself than watch him seek to destroy his opponent.

After all, didn't God teach us to be kind and tenderhearted and loving toward one another? Wow! When we stop listening, we really stop listening, don't we?

Another reason to pray. And pray. And pray. For revival. For you. For me. For them. For us. Oh, Heavenly Father! How we need an outpouring of your Power and Spirit and Love today. Grant it please, we humbly ask in Jesus name.

Finally, congratulations to all who won in the elections this year. I hope it was worth it.

In His Love
Walter

Heaven

2008-12-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

With the recent deaths taking place around me, I've been thinking a lot lately about heaven. Even the singers at our fifth Sunday night singing sang several songs about heaven. I guess it's safe to say I've got heaven on my mind.

And that's okay.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm very blessed and happy here in my earthly home and ministry. It's just that the Bible and the voice of Holy Spirit in my heart have so convinced me that heaven is better than here that I spend a lot of time thinking about what it will truly be like.

I know that it is more beautiful than my earthly mind is able to even contemplate and as I realize that, I don't really focus on the beauty of it. I do, however, think a lot about the sounds. I did a Bible Study once by a man who said that the Lord had given him a vision of Heaven and one of his greatest impressions of that vision was the musical sounds that permeated his whole vision so completely.

I can hardly wait for the singing.

But what I think about most of all when I have heaven on my mind is Jesus. I want to see Him. I want to hold Him and experience Him holding me. I want to fall on my face before Him and thank Him for my salvation and the forgiveness of my sins. I want to weep tears of gratitude and shout exclamations of joy.

I don't have a lot of questions and I don't need a lot of answers about things I don't understand. I settled in my heart long ago that everything God does is right and good and perfect whether I understand it or not.

I just need Jesus.

I have His Presence, Power, Provision and Peace with me everyday here but I just feel that it will be gloriously different when I'm living right in the middle of His Heavenly home. Through Calvary, He has made it possible for His home to be my home and I'm so glad He did.

Just as I needed to be saved and even now want more of Jesus in my heart and life, so there are millions all around us who need Him. Pray for revival. Pray that God's power and Holy Spirit will sweep our land. Pray that His people will turn again to Him so that He will heal our land and forgive our sin. Pray. Earnestly. Fervently. Persistently. Humbly.

Pray. As we await the time when He will call us to His blessed heaven, there is nothing more powerful that we can do to see the world around us changed to glorify Him.

In His Love
Walter

Recruiters

2008-12-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

Death has been active around us for a few days. Wanna's Aunt Myrt passed away last week. Another aunt, Ruby, is near death in South Georgia. And this morning an older Pastor who is a member of our church went home to his reward in Heaven. The two who have died and the one who lingers have all been strong Christians all their lives.

My point is that the ranks of God's earthly army are rapidly being depleted.

Statistics reveal that these ranks of Christian soldiers are being depleted more rapidly than they are being refreshed with new, eager recruits. That is a very disturbing fact to consider, especially in light of the fact that every saved person living on the face of the earth is called to be a recruiter for God's army.

I know that the word "recruiter" is not used specifically to describe the saved, but the Great Commission at the end of Matthew certainly implies it very strongly. We are commanded by Christ Himself to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We are also taught by Father through His servant Paul that we are ambassadors for Christ.

So, in the face of the rapid depletion of Our Father's Earthly Host, I ask you to consider this; Are you a recruiter for the kingdom of God? How effective as an ambassador for Christ are you? It's important for you to know.

Do your words reflect the glory of Christ as you interact with the people God places around you every day? Do your responses to adversity demonstrate the strength of Christ? Do the storms of life bring out panic or complaint in you rather than the peace that only Christ can give?

It is imperative that we live lives that show just what happens when Jesus has control. The lost of this world need to see what Jesus gives, how Jesus changes, how Jesus strengthens those who belong to Him. Only when they see the strength, power, joy and peace He gives will they ever desire to become one of His, a member of His Holy Army.

We are all called to be recruiters. Let's get busy showing, sharing and telling others about Jesus so that the ranks of His army can be replenished. Many are falling, going home to their eternal rewards. But the battle here rages on. We must stand up, stand out and win the battle for the souls of men to the glory of our Lord and Savior.

So pray. Please pray. For yourself. For the Kingdom. For His army. For revival among all God's people. Pray for revival that will sweep our nation as it has never been swept before. Pray for a revival that will make the Great Awakening Revivals of former times seem small by comparison. One thing is for sure...if we don't ask for it, we won't get it.

I want to see a revival like that. Don't you? And be a recruiter. The Commander-in-Chief is counting on you.
In His Love
Walter

Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T04:41:00.000-08:00

Wanna and I will be visiting with family for a couple of days to share Thanksgiving with them. I'm sure that many of you will be doing the same. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite family times. There is good food and fellowship without the pressure of gifts. We all just enjoy one another and that's what's most important.

One of the reasons it is so important to celebrate times like this is that family dynamics change. Both my Dad and Wanna's have not been at family gatherings for several years now because God called them home to celebrate all special occasions with Him. Even as we prepare to go for the next day or two, we are aware that we might have to attend a funeral because one of Wanna's Aunts on her mother's side is not doing well at all.

We never know what is going to happen in life. We should just live every day to its fullest in ways that honor and glorify God and then, if that day should be the last for us or someone near us, we will know that we did all that we could to point to our God of Life. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to enjoy life in Him and to share that enjoyment with all who are around us.

This Thanksgiving, be happy. Be grateful. Focus on what is and not on what isn't. Focus on what you have and not what you don't have that you wish for. Celebrate with all your might for, as the Bible instructs us, everything we do is to be done as unto the Lord and He always wants our best. Give Him your best Thanksgiving celebration this year.

As you give thanks and enjoy family and fellowship, remember to pray for revival, a nation changing revival. Also remember to pray for those who have no family or food or fellowship to enjoy Thanksgiving with. Better yet, find someone like that and invite them to celebrate with you. You might discover a new brother or sister that way.

Rejoice and celebrate in Him for His Goodness and Mercy to us all.
Walter

2008-11-24T05:34:00.000-08:00

I have another new knee! Yes, I've been in the hospital for a few days, gotten a new knee and begun therapy to work the swelling and soreness out of this wonderfully blessed joint. And I've again been amazed at how good and powerful God is on our behalf when we give these things to Him.

It was easy to go in for this surgery. Heavenly Father had blessed so wonderfully on the right leg, that I was filled with confident faith that He would bless just this way with the left leg. And He did. I knew there would be a certain amount of healing and pain associated the procedure but I also knew that My Father would be there all the way and He has been.

His faithfulness to bless and comfort and care for me during this difficult time makes me wonder why I withhold other things from His nurture and care. You see, I realize that there are failings in my life and the only proper word to apply to them is sin. Why can't I give them to God and trust Him to be there to comfort and keep me as these things are excised from my body just like it was with my knee?

I'll tell you why. My knees gave me pain. I was very uncomfortable with them. They bothered me as I sat, walked, talked. You name it, they hurt me. But, like far too many people, my sins don't. I have grown comfortable with them.

I have reached a place where I feel that I am as good as most and better than many, so why should I try to do/be any better?

It is time for me to realize all over again that any sin is too much sin in the presence of Holy, Righteous God, that any sin is too much sin in the life of one who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. My life is my offering to God on a daily basis and when I am comfortable with any sin, I am presenting Him with a soiled, blemished gift.

How can I do such a thing when He presented my with the Spotless Lamb of God to be my Savior? How can I do such a thing when He loves me and blesses me and keeps me day after day in His Tender, Loving Care? How can I do such a thing when He has given me His Word to teach me and guide me and has given me Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to live in such a way that I bring Him honor and glory with my life?

I can't! Or at least, I shouldn't!

Let's resolve today to live this day striving to avoid all sin with all our might. We might find ourselves pleasing Him more and more. How wonderful that would be!

Please pray. Pray for revival in our nation. Revival that will sweep the aisles and pews of churches, sweep the halls of Congress, sweep the living rooms of homes all across our land, bringing this nation to her knees, not before a enemy, but before a Holy Heavenly Father Who wants to bless and heal our land. Please Pray.

In His Love
Walter

Perspective

2008-11-07T07:40:00.001-08:00

It's amazing how much difference perspective makes when considering the circumstances of life. I confess to you now that I've been wallowing in a bad morning up to just a few moments ago.

Everything has been wrong. It's nearly 11:00 and I've just now gotten the idea for this blog. Usually I have it mentally written by the time I get here each day.

Everything I've set out to do has been accomplished but it seemed to happen while it felt like I was working in quicksand. You know the feeling. Everything goes slow and you feel out of place.

And I've complained about it, too. Poor baby me. Just don't get any breaks, now do I? Poor Baby.

And suddenly, just a few moments ago God convicted me. Spoke quietly to my heart and said, "Walter, get over it. Think on Christ and rejoice." And I did. And I resolve to for the rest of this day, at least. Hopefully many more before I have to be reminded again.

Here was the problem. Most of you know by now that I'm going to have my left knee replaced soon. Today it hurts badly and I was letting that cloud the rest of my activities.

Until Abba reminded me to think on Christ. You see, the image He sent with the message was Christ on the cross. Broken, bleeding, suffering and dying for me, that I might be saved.

You know what? The perspective on my little knee pain changed and I was ashamed. And I'm doing something about it; praising God for the good things going on in my life right now.

When I consider His suffering, mine is nothing.

What's wrong in your world this morning? Think on Christ and rejoice. Perhaps you too will get the perspective adjustment that will help you see that things aren't so bad, after all. I pray so.

Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, everybody. We need an outpouring of Holy Spirit more than anything we've ever needed before.

In His Love
Walter

Don't Be Deceived

2008-11-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

I recently went on the internet and as I was preparing to peruse my e-mail, an interesting offer to take a "quick and free" IQ test came up on the screen. It was intriguing. It has been some time since I took such a test and I wanted to know how much I'm slipping with the passage of time.

I answered the questions as best I could and felt pretty good about most of them and kinda stupid about others, but overall I went to the "results button" to click my way to info about my remaining smarts.

What came up was page after page of offers for me to receive information (read that spam) from company after company who just wanted permission to flood me with internet offers. I ain't got the time and I did not want anything they were trying to get me to subscribe to and I finally quit the exercise.

I never did get the IQ results.

My point? So much in life is not what it appears to be on the surface. There are hundreds of ways men have devised to deceive us, to lead us onto paths we don't really want to be on. And most of those paths are longer than we imagine even if our curiosity is aroused only enough to get us to take a few steps to just see what's there.

Most often, it'll be page after page of trouble and junk. Things we don't need to fill our hearts and minds with.

So, here's some Heavenly direction for your thinking today. It's guaranteed to make you happier, more fulfilled, more like Jesus and to help you steer clear of the deceitful mess out there like that "offer" for my IQ test. From Philippians 4, verse 8. we read, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Pretty good advice, huh? And the Teacher who spoke these words is pretty special, too. He saved Paul and used him to communicate it to us. Let's just do it!

Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, one another, absolutely everybody. Then this world, this nation will truly see "change."

In His Love
Walter

The Same Thing Either Way

2008-11-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Today's message is easy. It really is. And the reason it is easy is because we now know who has been chosen to be the next President of the United Stated of America: Barack Hussein Obama. And I promise you, my thoughts this morning would be the same thing had John McCain been the choice. Here's why.

As we were reminded from God's Word yesterday, no power (or person) rules except that it has been ordained by Our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1. Today we read how that can be when it seems that Mr. Obama might not represent the values many of us share. We find it in Proverbs 21:1; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."

Today, our responsibility before God is exactly the same as if Mr. McCain had won the election: to pray for our new President and his administration; to pray for our Congress which seems to be dramatically changing; to pray for our Supreme Court, which will definitely be changing dramatically; and to pray for revival among American Christians.

Perhaps the fact that God has chosen to allow Mr. Obama to be President is His way of continuing to call His church, His people in the United States back to Him. Perhaps this is what it takes to get we Christians back on our knees in true repentance before Him. Pray for revival.

The hard truth is that American Christians have been spoiled and have lived in such comfort and ease that we have neglected the most important relationship we have; our relationship with God. We have taken Him for granted. We have been guilty of presumptuous sins, which we will be defining and discussing one Sunday night very soon.

I, and others who have been privileged to be spokespersons for the Almighty, have said for sometime now that what American Christians need to truly come back to God is a good dose of persecution. That may be coming.

I am excited. I believe with all my heart that God is on His Throne. He is at work all around us. His will, purposes and ways are not going to be thwarted. He will prevail, and mightily so. I believe that we are on the verge of perhaps the greatest revival that has ever come to America.

Pray for it. Believe for it. Don't settle for anything less. Put on your happy face and watch, wait and look up. Not for bombs or invaders but for a great outpouring of the power of God. Jesus is coming. You can count on it.

In His Love
Walter

NEWSFLASH

2008-11-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is a newsflash!! It's election day!! But you already knew that, didn't you? I'm happy that it will all soon be over. No more TV ads with one group doing all they can to destroy the leader of another group. Our political process has become an unGodly mess.

Back to election day!! I know who I want to win the various races and I admit the one for President is the most important one. It sets the tone for the rest of them. I'm sure you know who you want to win, as well. One thing is for sure; both the candidates cannot win. Either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama is going to win.

I want to reassure you from God's word this morning that whoever wins will be of God in one way or another. One of them could win to teach Americans a lesson about getting what we think we want. For a Biblical example, read the story of how Saul came to be the first King of Israel.

One of them could win and help start a revival in this land by causing Christians to cry out to God on behalf of this nation as they have never cried out before.

And it doesn't matter which one you place in which situation because we don't know how God is going to use the man who will serve as President. By faith we must receive the words of God through Paul in Romans 13:1; "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

Those are powerful words that reassure us when we believe in God with all our hearts and turn these weighty matters over to Him. "Ordained of God." He and He alone is in control and you can rest easy that He will use whoever is elected in His way to bring about His will in His time.

So, if you haven't voted, go do it. God may use your vote to be the deciding one.

And after you have voted, pray. I believe that we need a national revival no matter which man is our President. Pray for the sin of our country. Pray for revival. And then watch God at work.
Let your faith be totally in Him, not in politics or politicians nor in any form or person of government, but completely in Him. And hold your head high proud to be an American because this is what He brought about in your life.

Then hold your head low in humble prayer to He Who holds all things, even the office of the President of the United States of America, in His hands to turn and manipulate however He chooses.

In His Love
Walter

Psalm 37:4

2008-11-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." What a wonderful promise from Our Heavenly Father and one that is so gloriously carried out in the lives of so many believers every day.

Wanna and I were the recipients of God's promise of the desires of our hearts on our vacation last week. We desired rest, peace and the comfort of God's blessed presence as we planned our trip to the beach.

And we were truly rewarded. The waters of the gulf of Mexico were beautiful. The sugar white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida were inviting and yielded lots of neat sea shells for us to have.

The sun shone brightly. The waves lapped the shoreline with the same regularity that we have come to realize is one of Abba's ways of telling us that He is in control and His power rules over everything.

There is a Heavenly peace associated with being at the beach. At least for us. We see Father in the sunrise and the sunset. We hear Him speak in the sound of the waves. We feel His touch as the sea breeze brushes our faces. We see His power when the storms come in from the sea. For us, it seems easy to know that He is everywhere, in everything.

And the truth is, He is.

I pray that He is blessing you this day with the desires of your hearts. I pray that you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing Him in all that you do, in everywhere that you go today. If you are, celebrate His presence, roll around in His arms and know that you are among the most blessed people on earth.

If you are not, focus on Him. Delight yourself in Him. Let Him become your heart's greatest desire and He will fill you up with Himself and His power and presence. You will come to see Him in the sunshine and the rain, in the laughter and in the tears, in everything.

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." Words to live by today, don't you think?

In His Love
Walter

Upside Down Thinking

2008-10-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

The headline of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for today reads, "Long-term fears pummel Dow." Of course, it's about the stock market and how economic indicators are leading investors to believe that our national recession is going to be rather lengthy. And, because it involves the true American god, money, people are afraid. It seems to me that they can't figure out that their fears are feeding the very thing they fear. And that, to me, is upside down thinking.

But the tragedy of upside down thinking in our country goes much deeper. Fear is running high about money right now, but what about fear for souls? Why don't our headlines give us more information about God's agenda and what is coming for those who have rejected His offer of salvation through Christ?

The answer is that, while we in America often tip our national hat to God, we don't bow our national knees. In many ways Americans acknowledge God, even by trying to legislate His limits in the public arena, but in very few ways is He truly worshipped anymore. America needs a good dose of Holy, healthy fear and respect for God and His power.

In Isaiah 13: 9, God said, "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." KJV.

Want something to fear? Forget about our financial future as a nation and fear the power of a God of love Who has called and blessed and patiently sought to redeem a stiff-necked nation that grows farther and farther away from His commands day by day! God will not be mocked! His day of wrath is coming! There is only one way to be ready, one way to escape it: Jesus Christ.

There will be no new posts until November 3rd. Please, in the meantime, be fervent in prayer for revival. Only the prayers of those who are already safe in Christ can touch Our Father's throne in petition for revival power to sweep our land. Pray for the greatest outpouring of the Holy Ghost that these United States have ever seen. Pray. Please pray. God will hear. He will bless. He will eventually send revival. Just don't give up and don't lose heart. Pray.

In His Love
Walter

God's Gifts

2008-10-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

God's gifts. When you see those words, what comes immediately to mind? Perhaps its the image of your children or grandchildren. Perhaps it's the remembrance of the sight of someone who was sick being made well. Perhaps you think of your home or other material possessions. Maybe your mind goes to the sunshine or rain or memories of wonderful days gone by.

All of these are gifts from God and we do well to remember them and be thankful for them.
God has told us in His Word that every good and perfect gift is from our Heavenly Father. And He has given us so much.

But His greatest gift, the first thing our minds should go to when we consider all that He has done and given, is Himself. And God has given Himself in so many ways at so many times that we often miss the reality of it.

Whether it's on the cross paying our sin debt to Himself by sacrificing Himself or in the ears of our minds as we pray, God gives Himself to us freely. Oh, if only we would give ourselves as freely and completely to Him as He has tried to give Himself to us.

Dear Christians, dear friends, please resolve to hold nothing back from Abba. Just as God Himself is enriched in His heart as He gives Himself so willingly to us, we are enriched as we give ourselves to Him. When we hold back, when our surrender to Him is not as complete in our practice as it is in our theory, the only ones who are cheated out of anything are us.

Release yourself, all of yourself to Him today. And as you and He converse in prayer, tell Him again how much you desire to see revival in our nation. If we will ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking, He will hear and give and our nation can be changed. Pray. Please pray. For our revival and the glory of our Christ.

In His Name
Walter

Claim His Promise

2008-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have basically just started my day as I type this and I don't know exactly what the day holds for me. I know what plans I have made and I know that there's a list of things that are scheduled for today, but I really don't know how the day is going to unfold.

Whether you are reading this early or late in the day, you don't know exactly how your future is going to unfold either. You may be in circumstances right now that lead you to believe that the next few days are going to be wonderfully rosy and blessed. Others of you may be in circumstances that have brought sadness, heaviness and a sense of foreboding about the near future.

Some of you are exhausted. Others are ready and rarin' to go. Some of you can't wait for tomorrow. Others wish tomorrow would never come.

Whatever your circumstances today, please remember and claim His promise. It is a promise that has made such a difference in my life when I remember to claim it, by faith receive it and live by it. It is a promise that has changed my gloomy days to days of joy, altered my circumstances in such a way that fear was taken away and made my joyful days even more wonderful.

It is a simple promise of only eight words, but these are powerful words. These are words that make a poor person rich, a sick person feel better, a rich person richer and a well person even "weller." It is His promise that, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Jesus said that. Jesus said that to you. He said that to all who have come to Him and received His precious salvation. Claim His promise and rejoice. Rejoice that the King of glory is with you and will never leave. Let the knowledge of His presence brighten your day, lift your spirit and fill you with joy.

And after you have claimed it for today and rejoiced in His power to transform and improve your life today, resolve to claim His promise again for tomorrow and for all the tomorrows He gives you upon this earth.

Don't forget to thank Him and don't forget, please, to petition Him in humble prayer for revival in our nation. Ask Him specifically for an out-pouring of Holy Spirit such as this nation has never seen before. The have faith and believe Him for it. He made a promise about that, too.

In His Love
Walter

Trusting God

2008-10-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

Trusting God. Having faith in God. Same thing, don't you think? Trust and faith are small words, only five letters each, and yet they are so big in our lives especially when we face difficulties, tragedies and hard times. In light of what has taken place in the extended family of a member of our congregation, I thought we might take a look at trusting God.

When things happen that we don't understand, the first thing we want is answers. We want to know why. We even want to know how God could let such a thing happen. I think many must also admit that as hard as they try not to, really tough events in life cause them to doubt God's love and goodness. Just a little bit, though. Right?

Trusting God can sometimes be hard, but then so can anything else in life. In those hard times, don't shut God out, talk to Him. Ask Him your questions. He is big enough, strong enough to withstand your heart's pain.

I would not advise you to be so boastful as Job and announce that you are going to "question God and He will answer you" as if you may somehow make demands on God. Don't do that. God may sit you down like He did Job and you'll be the one stammering for answers to the questions He will ask you.

But before you go to God, let me point you in the direction of some things to think about. Before you ask God why, remember that sin is in the world and that Satan is, for the present time, the ruler of the earth. Adam handed that rulership over to Satan when he sinned in the garden. Remember that sin touches us all. In fact, we are all guilty of sinning. Adam gave sin a sliver of an opening and Satan took the world.

And God allowed it to happen, just as He allows tragedies to happen and hard times to come. In His Sovereignty, God is allowing sin to run its course and sin has not reached the end that God has set. Yet. But it will.

God allows Man to reap the harvest he has sown, whether it be a harvest of righteousness sown by following the teachings of God and living life His way, or a harvest of sin sown by rebellion against God. And often the harvest of sin in a lost person's life claims the innocent as a victim.

Another thing to think about in a time like this is what ultimately takes place when a child of God is the victim unto death. That victim loses life here in earth's ongoing sorrow and pain, but gains life eternally in Heaven's bliss. What Joseph said to his brothers about "what you meant for evil, God meant for good," becomes a glorious prophesy applied to the life, the eternal life, of the victim.

Trust God. Have faith in Him. That means having trust and faith in Him no matter what happens. We don't know the end of the story. We don't know how God might use the events that have so saddened us to change the world. Trust Him. He is worthy of your faith.

And please as you pray, trust Him and pray continually to Him for revival. O, God's people, the fate of our nation rests with you and your willingness to be humbly in obedient, confessional prayer before God that He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Trust. Trust and Pray.

In His Love
Walter

In A Hurry

2008-10-17T03:47:00.001-07:00

I left the house early and in a hurry this morning. You know how it is; places to go, people to see, things to do. I was in such a hurry that I rushed through my prayer time with Wanna. I'm typing this less than an hour later and I feel guilty and ashamed about it. I think Wanna understood. She knew I was rushed today. And I know God understands the rush, but I'm not sure that this morning wasn't an opportunity for me to take my time, be calm before Him and say to Him that time with Him is the most important thing of all to me.

I know how important I am to Him. He proved that at Calvary when Christ went to the Cross in my place. God's love was forever proved as the blood ran down off Christ's body and as He gave up His Spirit. That display of love told me that God was willing to pay the highest possible price to restore the relationship with me that sin had broken.

I needed to take my time with Him this morning to let Him know that He is my all in all and that nothing else that could ever come up in my life means more to me than He does, that time with Him in personal prayer is precious beyond all else.

Perhaps this article today, done before I go off to address all the things that caused me to rush in prayer, will let Him know. I'm sure he sees and knows my heart at this moment.

What about you? Does He know this morning that He is the most important One in your life? Has He heard it from you? Don't neglect Him. He never neglects you. Talk to Him. Listen to Him as He responds. Love on Him today and let Him love on you. You'll both be happy about it.

And while your talking, don't forget to mention revival, national revival to Him. He wants to know that we really want it. Perhaps He even wants to hear from us that we won't misuse it or quickly forget it when He sends it. Revival. Nationally. That's the key to the renewal, the salvation of our nation from the brink of disaster.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving Him. Thank you for loving me.
In His Love
Walter

Still Ringing The Bell

2008-10-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

If you don't know it already, be advised that the financial condition of our nation is still in turmoil. The Stock Market was up Monday in anticipation of our government's plan to buy into banks as needed to shore up the economy. It was down slightly on Tuesday as many whose stocks had risen on Monday sold them in what is known as "profit taking" and then it went down 733 points Wednesday because of recession fears. Turmoil? Yes, I'd say so.

Those of you who are part of our congregation know that for some time now I've been "ringing a bell." Not in a literal sense, but "ringing a bell" nonetheless. By "ringing a bell" I mean that I've been consistently sounding a call to Christians to pray for revival in our nation. I don't know how many times I have referred to 2 Chronicles 7: 14 and I don't know how many more times it will be necessary, but until God's people get the message and act in humble obedience to God in accordance with His directions there, I, and I pray you with me, have got to keep "ringing the bell" of God's call to His people.

For those who might not know it, the verse says, "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

God wants us to know in no uncertain terms that we cannot depend on government buyouts or buy-ins, we cannot depend on a new administration whether it be Republican or Democrat, we cannot depend on anything but an outpouring of Holy Spirit that brings revival the the saved in America and results in the salvation of many who are lost and unsaved in our country.

God wants we redeemed ones to know that the Divine rescue of our nation depends on us. Coming together in spite of denominational differences, we must join hearts with others who are washed in the blood of Jesus and humble ourselves before God in prayer and receive His promised blessing. Otherwise, we are ultimately doomed as a nation.

So please don't think that I'm incapable of only one line of thinking or of only having one heart matter to encourage you about. My strong sense is that God has called me and many others to keep "ringing the bell" until His people respond and gather and pray. And my commitment to Him is that for as long as it takes for His people in America to obediently answer His call to pray and repent, I will keep ringing the bell.

If it takes so long that I can no longer physically stand and encourage others to heed the voice of God, it is my prayer that spiritually and mentally I'll come to my last day of life still ringing the bell.

Help me ring it. O, Christian, please help me ring it. It will take all of us to get the message out. Please help me ring it.

In His Love
Walter

He Delights In You

2008-10-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

I am so very blessed to have five grandchildren and another on the way. God has been so good to Wanna and me. We can just talk about these gifts from God and smile. We have pictures all over the refrigerator and we love the chance to see the kids.

Lily, the youngest for now, will be three in January and she is a spitfire. She seems to be quite athletic. She loves to climb on things and jump off them and she is fearless. And to watch her face as she shows off makes me smile every time. "Wat' me jump, G'andaddy. Wat' me jump."
Then she wriggles her mouth until she gets herself set and there she goes. We just laugh and pray that she doesn't hurt herself.

As you can tell, just thinking about Lily and her facial expressions and her verbal expressions as she masters the English language and her young tongue makes me smile. I delight in her and the other four as well. As a matter of fact, I already delight in "little boy Kelso" though he is not quite with us yet. And I want you to know today that your Heavenly Father delights in you.

Even if one of our grandchildren has been disobedient and has required punishment or other correction, we still love them and delight in them and think on the good things about them and not the bad. It is the same with God and His children, those who have been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. He loves you, forgives you, delights in you no matter what else may be going on in your life. Even if He has to correct or punish you, He does so because He delights in you and always wants the best for you.

One of Wanna and my favorite passages of Scripture is Psalm 18: 1-19. Please read it and then read it again and as you read it over and over, personalize it. Let it permeate your heart as you realize that the thundering, all powerful God Who comes to David's rescue in the Psalm is the same One Who comes to your rescue.

And then, grasp the 19th verse and hold onto it with all your heart's might; "He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me." KJV. You bring delight to the heart of God. He finds great pleasure in you. He loves you with all His being. Rejoice this day for you are in the very heart of God.

As you rejoice, please remember to pay with all your might, concentration and passion for revival for our nation. God is calling His people to pray, repent and long for revival. He wants to send it. Let's let Him know we want to receive it.

In His Love,
Walter

Two Weeks

2008-10-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

What a difference two weeks can make! Yesterday the Stock Market was up with the Dow Industrials being up 936 points. Can you believe it? How rapidly things can change. Remember, all this comes after the Dow fell terribly over the last two weeks and governmental leaders began to search for a way to get things turned around quickly. Maybe they've found it. I hope so, but the whole thing seems a bit ridiculous to me. Let's consider God's perspective for a bit.

From Our Heavenly Father's point of view, many have been dancing on Satan's strings as these financial events have taken place. Our enemy has cackled with glee as people around the world have wrung their hands, held their heads and, in a few cases, even taken their own lives while recent economic events have swept people through a gamut of emotions. People all over the world have looked to governments rather than God as their source for help.

Our Loving, Gracious Heavenly Father wants us to have faith in Him. He has told us not to fear over 300 times in His Word. He has demonstrated His faithfulness to care for His own in all sorts of difficult situations. He has recorded His mighty miracles for us in the Bible. And still we doubt, still we have fear.

This morning, please hear His Word once again as He reaches out to reassure us that He is the only One worthy of our faith. Please let fears be calmed and eyes be focused on the only One Who knows us perfectly and yet loves us passionately. Understand His heart and how He extends it to all who will believe and receive. Appreciate His love as He wraps us in it to protect and keep us. Let mind and heart grasp the heights of His care when He says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

What a declaration to bring joy to the the believer's heart and mind! Circumstances will come and go. Stock markets will rise and fall. Sickness and war and disease and hatred and horrors will happen, but be cheerful, joyful in the midst of it all for Our Christ has overcome the world and all of its wickedness. It may be only in Heaven that we realize it experientially, but He has conquered it all!

Circumstances are like the weather, changing constantly. Don't like how it is today? Wait until tomorrow and you can have a different weather outlook and a different set of circumstances. You may be better or worse off. But when your faith is firmly fixed in Jesus, when your eyes are focused on Him, the world is overcome for you because it just doesn't really matter. When He fills your heart, it is truly filled.

Mark two weeks from today. See how different things are then for those not focused on God. Then check to observe the constancy of those who have relied totally on Him. There's all the difference in the world.

Don't forget to pray fervently, earnestly and often for revival among God's people in America. Our country needs spiritual prayer warriors now more than ever.

In His Love
Walter

Barest Escape

2008-10-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

"Barest Escape" was the headline on the story by Terrence Moore in this morning's Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the Atlanta Falcon's victory over the Chicago Bears yesterday afternoon. I thought their win was the result of the resolute will "not to give up no matter what" that their Coach seems to have instilled in the players, but Mr. Moore has a way of seeing everything through negative eyes. Many things in life are simply a matter of perspective. But that's a discussion for another day.

Today, my heart is pondering a question about Christians and why so many seem content to "barely escape." In 1 Corinthians 3, God reveals to us through the Apostle Paul that we who have been reconciled to Christ will one day stand before Him in judgement for the lives we have lived since the moment of our salvation. There at the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be reviewed by our Savior and each one of us will be given a reward in measure to the works that prove Christ-like and worthy.

It is reassuring to learn from God through Paul that our salvation, that is our guaranteed entrance into Heaven through His atoning, substitutionary work at Calvary, is not in jeopardy. God's Word makes it clear that only our works are being judged. And then Paul writes, under the graceful direction of God, that even if a person's works are burned up totally so that no reward remains, he will still be saved and gain entrance into God's Heaven but only as a person escaping through the flames.

Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to enter into my Heavenly home with the smell of smoke hanging on me. But to observe the lives of many and see they ways they act, hear the ways they talk, to experience the ways they carelessly handle the treasure of salvation that has been given by a gracious and loving Savior leads me to conclude that far too many of those who are blood-washed are satisfied to squeak into Heaven "by the skin of their teeth."

The Christ-like life is to be lived with every effort being made to give ourselves to the Master in every way so that when we stand before Him at His Judgement Seat and our works are tried by fire, there is some precious good left after the flames have died. That is called our reward in the above referenced passage. And I want to have a reward so that I can, hopefully, give it back as an offering to my Savior, face to face.

Christian, let's live today for Jesus. Just today. Then we'll live tomorrow for Him as well. Let's pray today as if today would be our last opportunity to talk to Jesus, our last opportunity to pray for our families, our last opportunity to seek His face for national and personal revival or our last opportunity to call the name of that lost one we care so much about before God's throne of Grace. Today. Just today. It's really all we have to give to Jesus, so let's let Him have it. All of it. And if we can do that each day for all the the todays He gives us, we will stand before Him knowing that when the flames of judgement have consumed all they can, our good works will remain as gold, silver and precious stones. All to His Glory.

In His Name
Walter

Saying VS Doing

2008-10-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

I am privileged to be with the youth on Wednesday nights trying to teach/lead them through the study "Experiencing God Youth Edition" by Dr. Henry Blackaby and Claude King. It is a wonderful study and I trust God that seeds of thought and knowledge are being planted in the hearts and minds of our young people.

Last night, we talked about the unyielding truth that what we do with what we know about God reveals what we truly believe. And I had to confess to them that far too often they have seen us older Christians doing things that reveal that we don't believe everything we say we believe about God and living the Christian life.

I used the sad example of Pinecrest Country Club in Mitchell County, where I grew up. Mom and Dad joined PCC when I was about twelve years old so that my brother and I could learn to play golf. We learned a lot more.

Mitchell County is a dry county. No liquor sales are legal there. But at Pinecrest Country Club, adult members could purchase all they wanted, anytime they wanted. Well, we all know that there have always been places like that that law enforcement officers just looked over because of all the influential people who wanted it to be they way it was, so the fact that this took place is really not that big of a deal.

Except that many of the Deacons and other leaders of my church visited this room on a regular basis, right in front of us young people. We knew they were drinking. We also knew that they gambled. It really caused me to think that a relationship with God could be relegated to Sundays at church and that I didn't really have to worry too much about time away from church because all my relationship with God was, was contained at church. These men did not seem to know it, but while they were standing and praying and leading at church, their practice away from church, specifically at the Country Club sent a clear message to us boys that they didn't really take God as seriously as they tried to teach us to. We were well able to recognize hypocrisy when we saw it.

Wha about your life today? Are you sending anyone mixed messages? Is the practice of your life consistent with the declaration of your lips so far as your relationship with God is concerned? It should be. One of the reason we see so many uncommitted and unconcerned young people hanging around today is that we have sent them inconsistent messages about Who God is and the respect, fear and honor that He is worthy to receive.

But the joy of A Loving Heavenly Father is that each day is new. His mercies really are new every morning. Repent today for the inconsistencies of your life up to now and then start to live the life of consistent example He has empowered you to live through the guidance of Holy Spirit.
You can do it! I know you can! Let's commit to one another right now to start being more and more Christ-like every day. That is God's will for us anyway.

And please don't forget. Pray, pray, pray for revival. God wants to send it if the hearts of His people are truly hungry, desperately hungry for it. Pray without ceasing. It is the only thing that can save our land.

In His Love,
Walter

God's Blessings

2008-10-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, am I excited today! We are finally getting some much needed rain and I've started a blog even though I never thought I could and all that has me pumped! God is so good and I want to use my first blog post to declare to all who will read this that He is my Everything. He is so watchful over me. He protects me, provides for me, gives me peace in the midst of the turmoil of life and shows me in unnumbered ways how much He loves me everyday.

We all need to praise God and acknowledge His love and welcome and treasure His presence in our lives each day. It is so easy to fall into the trap of desiring God for the things He does, the gifts He gives, rather than desiring Him just for the joy and privilege of being with Him, in His presence. There is nothing more precious and valuable than His active living Presence leading and helping us through every moment of life.

We need to be thankful for all His gifts, as well, instead of taking so many of them for granted. For instance, in this morning's paper the rainfall that we are getting was acknowledged but that acknowledgement was immediately followed by several paragraphs about how it wasn't enough. Hey, guys! It hasn't stopped raining yet, so how do you know it's not enough? Let's just be joyfully thankful for what God is giving and wait and see if it's enough.

Remember the five loaves and two small fishes? The disciples didn't think that would be enough either but when it was all over, each one of the twelve had a basket of leftovers to carry. God showed Himself to be the provider of enough and more then and He is still doing that today. Perhaps our loss of a spirit of genuine gratitude for each and every gift, no matter how small it may seem at the time, is one of the reasons we are so in need of revival.

Please pray for revival. Every time it rains, my heart longs for showers of Holy Ghost revival in our nation. We need it so much and God is at work seeking to convince His people to get serious about praying and seeking Him for the true revival that only He can give. Please join me in earnest, fervent and continual prayer that, in His mercy, grace and love, Heavenly Father will send revival. Then our churches, homes and halls of government will be powerfully refreshed and changed by Holy Spirit and we can truly become one naton under God. How I long for that day!

In His love,
Walter