Tag Archives: Wing His Words

Christian Growth, Friends, Salvation

John Deere Decision

A JOHN DEEREPAM CROPPED 2013

  How old is too old, too set in our  ways? Advancing in years does seem a detriment to seeking radical change. Yet, we can start anew at any age. Let me introduce a man I refer to only as ‘Sam.’ When we first met, he was, I would guess in his mid sixties and retired from the military. He had not retired from life.

Sam busied himself with farming, a well-stocked fishpond, and a woodworking shop. His wife would be retiring soon and they decided to begin a small business in preparation. He opened a gift shop, where in addition to mail order items; he would offer his wife’s ceramics. Already friends, he hired me to serve as clerk (and coffee maker). It was in a small town strip mall.

The manager of the shops was the wife of a local pastor. Conversation came easy for Sam. Conversion had not. His wife was a dedicated Christian and had prayed for his salvation for many years. My husband and I were concerned about him; the always-cheerful strip mall manager was as well. Much to our surprise, Sam made a ‘John Deere’ decision.

The Lord had been tugging at his heart. One day, when working atop his tractor he detoured from the field to a highway and drove to town to talk with the husband-pastor of the manager we had both come to love. Sam got right with his maker and made Jesus his Savior and Lord. We witnessed his water baptism and his change of heart.

Sam, along with his wife, now abides forever with the Lord in heaven. His ‘John Deere’ detour and decision proved he was not too old for transformation.  [Romans 10:9-13]

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Bible Studies, Devotionals

Real and Methodical Threat

A GIANT“Fee-fi-fo-fum!”

[Benjamin Tabart/Jack and thePAM CROPPED 2013 Beanstalk/1807]

The merciless giant from the children’s fairytale taunted Jack.

David faced no make believe menace. Goliath was real and methodical. Day after day, he taunted Israel’s army. (1 Samuel 17:8-10, 16, 23-24)

David, a simple shepherd boy served the sovereign God.

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies—you have defied Him. Today, the LORD will hand you over to me (1 Samuel 17:45-46a HCS).”

Bold words for one outmatched, yet David had anchored his confidence in mighty God, not in himself being adequate.

“David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. Even though David had no sword, he struck down the Philistine and killed him (1 Samuel 17:50 HCS).”

 

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Uncategorized

Or So They Say

BLOG MEN AT WORK

‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ or so they say.

It isPAM CROPPED 2013 true that determination and diligence mean a great deal when facing insurmountable obstacles.

Is willing something to come to completion enough? I think not.

We need the might of the Master.

When the Master asserts His will, the impossible becomes reality. I want to serve Him faithfully, yet I fail. His power prevails!

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 Scofield Bible).”

He is the workman. I am the work in progress.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Apple for the Teacher

A BLOG SCHOOLMost of us have fond memories of favorite PAM CROPPED 2013schoolteachers. They had the knack of telling stories or sharing pertinent information in an interesting way.

We were learning because they had valuable knowledge and knew how best to share it with others. They were good teachers because they made learning enjoyable.

I consider some pastors as having been among my best teachers. I sat under their preaching as they taught their flocks about the Shepherd, Jesus. Using, the Bible as text book they used illustrations and personal experiences. The messages were not entertaining. Instead, they were convicting, inspiring and comforting. Their lives reflected an intimate relationship with Christ.

Mary had her relationship and service priorities in order.

“While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said (Luke 10:38-39 HCS).”  

Mary’s place, position and apt attention to Jesus teaching pleased Him.

“Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42b HCS).”

Each that makes the right choice will sit at Jesus’ feet in heaven. In love, we will worship and listen to His teaching for eternity.

 

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Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Power Struggle

A BLOG JESUS

‘Power struggle.’PAM CROPPED 2013

Does that make you wince after reading?

Power struggles happen; it’s that simple yet stressful.

We find ourselves in the midst of conflicts at work, home, in civic clubs and sadly even in many churches.

‘Government gridlock’ is nothing more than a politically correct catch phrase for power struggles.

Are you aware that Jesus reprimanded his disciples when a power struggle surfaced?

“Now came an argument among them as to which of them would be greatest [in the coming kingdom]! But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he stood a little child beside him and said to them, ‘Anyone who takes care of a little child like this is caring for me! And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care for others is the measure of your greatness (Luke 9:46-48 Living Bible).”

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer, Uncategorized

Unspoken Prayer Requests

 

HANNAH PRAYER BLOGThe pastor asks the same question every time we PAM CROPPED 2013meet.

Any unspoken requests?

Hands and seeking hearts go up throughout the sanctuary. Some things are just too personal or painful to voice aloud. There may come a time when we feel led by God to share them publicly;  for the present, we label them unspoken prayer requests.

The LORD hears our hearts as well as our lips. Hannah’s prayer serves as an excellent example.

“Making a vow, she pleaded, LORD of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut (1 Samuel 1:11 HCS).”

Hannah prayed in the temple area without voicing a word to anyone else.

“While she was praying in the LORD’S presence, Eli watched her lips. Hannah was speaking to herself, and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk and scolded her (1 Samuel 1:12-14a HCS).”

The Priest, Eli,  could not hear the prayer request of Hannah. He who answered her prayer with a gift of  a son heard every word.

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Christian Growth, Short Stories

Antie

PAM CROPPED 2013

      

 

“This stage in my life’s not all bad.”

3-14 BLOG

 “Antie, are you talking to yourself again?”

 “Yeah, just thinkin,’ I’m not alone. This daily routine is full of others just as busy as me.”

 “Why so discouraged?”

 “Goes with the territory, I guess. I’m in a mid-life crisis;  staying busy does help to keep me focused. Yet, I’m not convinced the retirement plans are such a good idea. Maybe, if I work extra hard the supervisor will see how I’m useful to the industry.”

“Okay, let’s go with that. What do you think you do best?”

“You should know!  I’m always trying to fix things. I look for problems  in the structure and try to repair it. If the foundation breaks down the entire unit suffers.”

“O Antie, lighten up! Don’t try to do everything yourself; leave some work for others to do.”

“Wish I could, at times I feel like a combination waitress- sanitation engineer! Why does life have to revolve around food? I deliver the food and I’m expected to carry off the garbage.”

“You are so right, Antie! You ready to go after groceries?”

“If I can work up the courage, I might not survive the trip. Predators are everywhere. I live in constant fear of being eaten alive or being ground into the dust!”

Such is the mid life crisis for the typical female ant in her colony. Only the oldest leave the ant beds seeking food, and usually do not survive the expedition.

 “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer (Proverbs 30:25 NKJ).”

I have much to learn from ants. Though fictional, and with negative emotions, Antie teaches me to be industrious in kingdom work. My Father is looking for willing workers to build upon the foundation of His Son, Jesus. I can carry the bread of life to those who hunger and warn of impending danger. Satan lurks in the shadows but Jesus reigns victorious!

 


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Christian Growth, Devotionals

God’s Young-ens

 

PAM CROPPED 2013

A BLOG FATHER

The body ages, the memory wanes; yet, we are forever God’s young-ens.’ He holds us accountable for our attitudes and actions. As Father, he corrects, warns and disciplines. When we rebel against his authority, we pay the consequences.

 “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commendeth all men everywhere to repent (Acts17:29-30 KJV).”

 His young-ens’ learn why. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts 17:29-31 KJV).” He lives!

 

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Name-tags

PAM CROPPED 2013                         How do you feel about name-tags?

I attended a high school reunion last summer; I had not seen my classmates since the mid 1960’s.  To my disappointment, organizers did not hand out name-tags. I was able to recognize a few people with the help of faces that I’d seen on facebook, but name-tags would have made the mingling much easier.

Mom pinned my first name-tag onto my cardigan sweater before sending me off for my fist day of kindergarten. I guess she wasn’t confident that I knew my own name!       3-1-blog

 Insert your name in the following scripture passage each time you read the word, “you.”

“May the LORD bless you and keep you.

May the LORD smile down on you

And show you his kindness.

May the LORD answer your prayers

And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26 ERV).”

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Calls From His Kids

 

PAM CROPPED 2013

A PHONE

  My Dad believed in communication. When working second shift, as General Electric security guard, he faithfully called home. With four daughters and one son, he never knew who would answer the phone. He had difficulty in discerning which of the four daughters was on the other end of the line but we adjusted to his hit and miss hellos.

As he went through his options, he’d get around to the right daughter eventually. As he aged, and we settled in different areas, he looked forward to our spasmodic phone calls to him and Mom. He was hard of hearing and did not always get the gist of conversations but loved hearing our voices. He passed the phone back to Mom, waiting for her summary.

 God waits to hear calls from his kids too. Are you at the other end of the prayer line? “The LORD who made the earth, the LORD who forms it to establish it, the LORD is His name, says this, ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:2-3 HCS).” You need never worry; he knows your voice and calls you by name.    

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