Beating the Wind

No wonder they are not learning math…lol

I have felt a little melancholy this afternoon after reading about one of my child hood hero’s and his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Glen Campbell has always been one of my favorite pickers and I have spent many hours playing and listening to his music. Even though he has had many struggles in his life, no one will ever be able to take anything away from what he has accomplished musically, I fondly remember many nights as a child watching the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on television. So many awesome stars, and such great music, this show inspired me to pick up my own guitar and play. In my gloomy state this afternoon I decided to make a few purchases on I tunes. I could not help but smile when I sat back as Glen’s pure voice came through my speakers singing “I am a lineman for the county”. His voice and style are still very “Gentle on my mind”. I am praying for Glen and his family, as he begins his goodbye tour. This has to be a very difficult journey and I admire his courage in facing this horrible process head on. I am also looking forward to his upcoming album “Ghost on the Canvas” due to be released in August.

Such an inspiration

I made a ministry call this afternoon to one of my heros in the faith. I knew that I needed to make this call and it really was an easy thing for me to do because of my love this man of God. I cannot help but smile as I dial his number from memory, it is a number that I have dialed many times before for many different reasons. I am smiling because I know that my attempts at ministering to this preacher will pale in comparison to the inspiration that I will receive from him. He has this unique ability to turn every conversation away from him and to focus on how he can minister to you. Many of the readers of this blog, know and love this man the same way that I do. His life and ministry has impacted so many people in so many different ways. His name is Jerry Dempsey Moore. This dear man has faithfully preached the word of God for over 62 years. He is currently here in Jacksonville at the Mayo Clinic undergoing treatment for cancer. Please pray for this dear sweet man of God during this difficult chapter in his life. Pray for his health, his finances, and his dear sweet wife Amy. I am certain that every Doctor, nurse and technician at Mayo Clinic that he meets, will hear the gospel of Jesus. Brother Jerry has been many things to me over the years. He has been my father, my pastor, a teacher,my boss and most of all, he has been a dear friend. He is a tower of strength who over the years has lead thousands of people to saving knowledge of Christ. Brother Jerry is a Pastor’s, pastor and mentor to many who have answered God’s call to ministry. He is a powerful preacher, and at 80, he still has a booming voice and love for my Savior and he genuinely wants to see people saved. Please pray for Brother Jerry…I love you all<><

I have been thinking a whole lot lately about my life and ministry. As I mature and move toward the golden years I have realized that in the grand scheme of things I, am very small. The ideals that I had as a younger man have given way to the reality of my need for a real relationship with the Lord Jesus. I have also realized that I am a person who yearns for light and life! Over the past couple of weeks, we have had the most beautiful weather. I have learned that I really need to feel the sunshine; I love to see the bright blue Florida skies! I have a real need to feel the warm and wet, Florida saturated air that blows across the water by my house. I need the uplifting feeling that living in one of the most beautiful areas of our country brings each time I step out into God’s creation. I can remember not long ago mornings sitting waiting for the approach of tropical weather. I also remember to many mornings waiting for and experiencing the approach of colder weather…I realize that we need the rain, and the cold but I really like beautiful sunny days. I was reminiscing in my quiet time and I remembered back to a sermon that I prepared and preached long ago. The title of the sermon was “Hope after the Storm”. In the storms that we experience in life, I am thankful that Jesus offers us hope after the storm. In Jesus, we always have hope after the storm! He is the light that shines in the darkness. The Bible teaches us, that the darkness can never overcome Him! Jesus is our hope after the storm…I don’t know where you are this morning, or what is going on in your life at this time, but I do know that there is a Loving God that has a purpose and plan that is specific and tailor made for you. He (Jesus), is your hope after the storm. So please do not give up. We all go through dark nights of the soul where the storms of life seem to overtake us. But even though we do, we must always remember not to give up, because God has a plan, and you are very much a part of His plan. Trust completely in Him today! I love you all! <><

Darkness is lifting as I pull my self from the bed early on this day, as we here in America honor our fathers, on Fathers day, 2011. I look across the still St. John’s river and for some reason, I think of my father and cannot help but smile. Even though, he is far away from me this morning, it is easy to smile when I fondly remember many memories that I have experienced with my dad that have shaped the individual and father that I have become…

I remember running away and hiding in a hedge bush when I was five years old as my father desperately walked up and down the sidewalk searching for me. He had found my wrecked bicycle not knowing that my injuries from the wreck and my fear of dreaded merthiolate forced me into hiding. I remember laying there thinking, this is it…it has been a good five years, but I am not coming out. I hid in the bushes bleeding as he walked back and forth calling my name. I will never forget the look on his face when I finally garnered the courage to crawl out from my hiding place and face the man who always willingly and courageously provided for me and the family that called him “daddy”. The shear look of relief on his face let me know that everything was going to be alright as he told me that the sting from the pink medicine would only last for a little while. He was right about the sting, but what overwhelms me on this fathers day, is the memory of that moment is as real to me today, as it was 46 years ago.

I also remember riding in a military jeep with my dad, as he pulled a pistol from a holster and shot a running rabbit from a moving jeep. My dad has always been a man’s man. There was never any doubt in my mind that he could handle himself in any situation. My dad always worked hard and loved life. He still enjoys living large and my childhood memories of him are larger than life.

The one thing that I cannot remember from my childhood though, is ever taking time on any father’s day to let him know how much I really appreciate him…I can remember many mother’s days from my childhood, but I cannot for the life of me remember a single fathers day, so today…I want to make this right and wish my father a very happy fathers day…

As I thought about you this morning dad, I realize that you are 81 years old and that you have been a father for over 54 years…I am certain that my sisters always remembered to thank you on your special day (that is what sisters do) and I am counting on my sisters this morning to make sure you get a copy of this blog post..so today I want to thank you so much, for helping me to become the man and father that I am. I also want to thank you for the sacrifices you have made in your life, for your family, country and me…and I want you to know that you are very much loved and appreciated and I hope that your fathers day today is very special…

God bless you<><

One of my favorite songs from my years as a high school student was a song the our student choir performed many times. The words went something like this:

There is a quite place
Far from the rapid pace
Where God, can sooth my troubled mind
Sheltered by tree and flower,
there in my quite hour with Him
My cares are left behind
Whether a garden small,
or on a mountain tall
new strength and courage there I find
then from the quite place,
I go prepared to face a new day
with love for all man kind!

We all could use a quite place! A place where you get alone with God. As you develop and mature in your walk with Christ, it is imperative that you find this quiet place. Your quiet place needs to be free from distraction, this is the place where you expect to hear from God. Spending time alone with God in this quite place is essential for any Christian who desires to grow closer to God! You have to make it happen! Don’t put it off, claim your place today. Scripture teaches “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:1-2. In our growth as a Christian we should constantly be renewing our mind. How? By spending time studying God’s word! By communicating with God! This needs to be daily! I want to encourage you to find a quite place! And then I want to invite you to spend quality time each day with God. I guarantee your life will be different.

I love you all!

Frosted Lucky Charms…I have always heard that they were magically delicious. Thinking about my breakfast food of choice from many years ago brings back fond memories of rainbow chasing. I can remember watching those commercials and always believing that if I could just somehow find the illusive rainbows legendary pot of gold, my life would be set and so much easier. Wow…the things I could have done with the pot of gold! In Tennessee where I grew up, there were lots of rainbows, so I had many opportunities to practice my passion. I remember heading out after many good rain, with wonder in my heart and a song on my lips. As I would make my way to toward the base of where I thought the rainbow would be, twisting and turning through the woods, up and down the hills, it would always seem that I was getting close but I somehow never seemed to find it. I guess I was not a very good rainbow chaser. It never failed, I would return from my adventure and the only thing that I managed to accomplish, was getting soaking wet and muddy.
Why is it that we always seem to chase life and the things of the world? Why do we always seem to look for the rainbows end? I meet and see so many people searching for the illusive pot of gold, always looking, but never finding, always hoping, but never quite making it to where they think they need to be. As I mature chronologically, I cannot help but realize how important the gospel is. People need to hear, believers have to be faithful in sharing. Jesus is always there reaching out with strong arms of grace ready and willing to allow us into His presence. We can then, with uplifted hands and pure hearts, understand the importance of the gospel and a true relationship with Him. I think I may have figured something out, I really do. The golden rainbow has to be coming into the presence of God in true worship! That is why we were created, to worship the One and only God of the Universe, who was there in the beginning, the one who is the great I AM, the one who is the Alpha and Omega, the only beginning and the only end! He (Jesus) truly is the “Author and Finisher of our faith.” The rainbows end, is at the feet of Jesus…and then…true life begins! Cease striving, and know that He is God…(Psalm 46:10) Run to Him today! I love you all!

The following post was written by my son in law and now brother in Christ Brian. It is truly one of the most powerful testimonies that I have ever read. Please read and forward this. I believe that there are many in the Church who are just going through the motions. Please read!

Friday morning, just after 9:00, I got a call from Emily. When the words “Jason Robinson passed away this morning” hit my ears I was first stunned, then sickened. Jason was our Sunday School teacher and a family friend. He was only 40 years old, with children and a wife, Monica, Emily’s good friend. As the shocking truth set in, I had to get out of my office so I went outside and sat on the back porch by myself for 10 or 15 minutes contemplating the gravity of this tragedy. As I quietly wept for this family, I began to grow angry with God. I wanted to know “WHY!?” Why would he take this man, a true man of God, why would he take this man and yet choose to leave me, a stiff-necked, hard-hearted, wicked man here on this Earth? I walked back inside carrying my anger and grief and stopped into the restroom. It was at this point that the Holy Spirit of God overcame me. He spoke to me, not “out loud”, not audibly, but deep within my soul. I literally felt him speaking (without words) to me. I know it sounds weird, but those of you who’ve been there know what I mean.

See, the truth is, while no one else realized it, I knew in my heart that I was a lost man, drenched in sin. This is a fact that I have been painfully aware of and have consciously chose to conceal for several years, even from my own wife (although it was evident in the life I was leading before her). There was a time when I thought I was “saved” (as we call it down here in Dixie), but I’ve known for several years that I really wasn’t. I had become apathetic and had no real desire for the things of God. Over these past few years I had decided that I “believed” in God and Jesus, but had I written off the whole “church” thing and it’s teachings as simply a misguided tradition that distorted peoples’ view of God. After all, how could anyone claim to understand and then explain God? Why did our “religion” think it had God figured out? There are too many people on Earth for this little group of people to be so arrogant as to assume they had it figured out. This was how I actually thought, on the inside. I say all that not to boast about my sin, but to give context as to where I was consciously.

Over the years I have led out in worship through music since I was 16 years old. I’ve played in praise bands since forever and seen God do great things through that, but it didn’t change the fact that I didn’t know God. I did always enjoy the music, but it was purely emotional. There was no substance. I was truly an example of a person that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:21-23:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

That was me. I was a “worker of lawlessness” in the sight of Jesus. However, Friday morning, upon hearing about the tragic death of one of the most Christ-changed men I knew, God changed my heart. In that bathroom while I was growing angry at Him, His spirit came over me like nothing I’ve ever experienced. As I was thinking of Jason and this injustice that had just occurred, God’s spirit whispered in my heart and told me to be still. His presence overcame me and I fell to my knees and wept and begged God for the forgiveness that only he could offer and he wrapped me in his grace and mercy. I could feel his presence with me. I knew in that moment that I was truly a changed person. As I continued to cry on the floor, the Lord continued to speak to me. He told me that I can’t fathom his vastness. The questions mentioned above, the excuses that I had been using to harden my heart and harbor bitterness about religion and the corruption of men suddenly became meaningless in that moment. I realized he’s so much more that I can ever comprehend. Furthermore he reminded me of what I was supposed to be. In the stillness of that moment, the Lord’s sweet spirit reminded that I should strive to be like Jason Robinson who himself strove to be like Jesus. He was a shining example of what a husband, father, and Christian should be.

I did not know Jason that well outside of Sunday school. However, the dedication that he gave to bring the Word to our class each week told me enough to know that what he had was REAL. His life revealed the love of Christ. As a “lost” person sitting there listening to him and his testimony, week in and week out, I could truly see a man who had been changed by the Gospel and I wanted what he had, but I was horribly stubborn. I don’t understand why it was this tragic moment that God chose to use to get through to me, but I do know this: It wasn’t the death of Jason Robinson that caused me to see Jesus in him. It was the life he lived in front of me in the way he loved his family, his church, and his King. I know God was using Jason in people’s lives while he was here and he will continue to use him in ways none of us may never know about until we meet our Jesus.

Because of the testimony and living example of this great man, and countless others whom I love deeply, the prayers of the faithful, and most of all the POWER, WISDOM, AWESOMENESS, LOVE and GRACE of the Most High God, Jesus Christ, MY CHAINS ARE GONE AND I’VE BEEN SET FREE! I’ve never felt more free in my life. and I can’t quit listening to this:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty. It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men”

Matthew 5:13 HCSB

What do you talk about?

Think about your answer for a moment.

We talk about what we love. I know this from experience because I can spend hours talking about my grandchildren or sailing to anyone and everyone who will listen. Everyone that I meet could tell you stories about my grand babies because I talk about them all of the time I could write numerous books on camping and travel in the state of Florida because I love to do these things. We truly spend the majority of our time talking about the things that interest us, the things that we love…

How much time do you spend talking about Jesus?

I know what you are thinking now, your thinking the truth hurts and I realize this because as I write this blog I also am feeling the conviction. I spend more time talking about things that are important to me, but maybe not to the people that I meet. We can find time to talk ad nauseam about the most insignificant things. It is easy for us to think about our love for our Savior…but not always so easy to talk about Him. I believe that many times we want to, but we somehow feel that we may be labeled a fanatic so we tone down our love for the greatest thing in the world and talk about what our favorite sports team is doing. Our speech should be salty, there are people who want to and need to hear the gospel. We should always brag on Jesus. He should be proclaimed in all of our conversations! We should shout our love for Him from the mountain tops and take His story in to the market place and door to door in our neighborhoods. Lets talk about Him. We truly are the salt of the earth. Our relationship with Him gives us something grand to talk about. Think about it…think about what He has done for you. Because of these things, I am want to tell everyone that I meet what He is currently doing in my life! Develop your Salty Speech, and brag on Jesus today! I love you all<><

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding” Proverbs 9:10 HCSB

Wisdom…often fleeting, sometimes hard to discern, sometimes misplaced. Think about it…have you ever made a choice or decision where you totally botched it and acted from your heart. I have. In my life I have made many quick (bad) decisions, not taking the time to think about the aftermath. Hind site is definitely is 20/20. The problem is many times we have to go back and correct the problems that our lack of wisdom caused. We come this morning to one of my favorite verses in Proverbs. My pastor Scott Yirka says “decisions determine destiny”. I believe this. That is why it so important that we make wise choices. We need accountability in our lives, we need people who love us and that will help us in the decisions we make. What does it mean to fear the Lord? How can we walk in true wisdom? These are questions that should be on our radar, especially if we want to please God. We must choose carefully. True wisdom comes from knowing God. A personal relationship with Jesus is essential. In our pursuit of holiness, we have to think about God. We have to think about what our sin does to Him. The beginning of wisdom comes from walking with God. We are to quickly identify the sin that is in our life and get rid of it. Our love for God should cause us to hate sin so much that our desire to please Him is much greater so that you give Him total control. Fear, the writer of Proverbs is talking about a reverential awe for the Holy God who created all things. I love saying that “God is Large and in charge!” The more you know about God should cause you to want to walk closer to Him. Wisdom comes from selling out, and trusting God. As a believer you cannot worry about what everyone else thinks. You were created to please God. True wisdom comes from walking with Holy God who knows you and loves you. He also has a plan for you! Walk with Him today. Walk…and please God. I love you all<><