Tag: grace

Sufficient

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Sufficient

The morning sun rises, and never can we know for sure what fate will bring. The pain that can infiltrate our hearts in the blink of an eye is very real. It doesn’t matter how good the day, one thing can change it all. We all have pain, and we all have sorrow, and I know that in my time of need, that when I’m not strong there’s one place I can turn, Jesus Christ. I know that I need his grace because my own is nothing. I know that in my pain and my drop in faith, I know that in my weakness there is strength. I know that I can call on my Father above and I can lean on Him. No matter what problems I have, I know that Christ is sufficient in all of my needs. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Weeks such as these, this is the verse I recite in my head. We all have them, and it doesn’t matter how faithful you are, we are human, and the Devil is always on the prowl. All we can do is put our faith in the Lord. We must go to the Lord on bended knee and rise up our sorrows, rise up in our weaknesses, and allow the Lord to make us strong. Live can be hard, and it can be unfair, and heartbreaking, but in each of these the Lord is making something beautiful. We must trust and have faith. No matter how many times we are hurt, or beaten down, no matter how many struggles we face, the great and love of the Lord will always triumph over all things.

We always want more as people. I’m single, but I want more. I don’t have a hiking pack, but I want one. I want a hiking tent, and other toys and gadgets. There’s always just one more thing to add to the shopping cart, or the wish list. What about things that aren’t stuff? When we look to our significant others, people we claim to love, are we wishing for the ‘just one more’ things? Going through two divorces both from affairs, I often asked myself what I was missing. I asked what the other person had that I didn’t have. I blamed myself over and over for their actions. I’m not perfect, and now coming up on two years with no forward momentum in my romantic life, I have found myself asking the question, ‘what’s wrong with me?’ As I have been battling with depression for some time now, it’s a constant battle to stay focused on what’s important. One of the hardest things we as people have to do is be patient. For me, patience on God with a romantic relationship, and a career has been the most difficult. I’m not a personality type that likes being alone, so for me these last two years have been trial by fire.

No matter what your ‘thing’ is that you desire, we must always remember that though we will want things, we must never want them more then the Lord. We must stay away from idol worship which is anything we put as more important than God, and that includes ourselves. In my walk with the Lord I am constantly asking for my path to be made clear in my relationship life, and I’m constantly asking for understanding of the plan ahead of me. It’s not easy being in a situation that causes discomfort, but looking back at the Apostil Paul and everything he endured for the Church, I cannot honestly say my loneliness, or desire to find a new place to live outweighs what he endured. So I pray that God’s grace is sufficient for me, and I continue to explore options for my life as I follow in Christ. Above all the relationship with Jesus Christ always has to come first, even when it’s not easy.

 

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It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share the blessings and teachings of Christ with all of you. For those who read my works in Christ, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Recently I came across an amazing home business based in Travel and Entertainment that’s the real deal. The savings found through this business are amazing. If you shop online, like to go to movies, or travel, this gift card for you can save you up to 50%. Please enjoy your gift as a symbol of my appreciation and gratitude. God Bless.

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Brethren

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Brethren:

As men of the Lord of all creation, we must learn to stand as figures to those who lay eyes upon us. We will fail and fall short of the Glory of God, but as one of the wisest Jedi to ever grace the screen says “The greatest teacher, failure is.” (Yoda, The Last Jedi)We can learn so much in our failures. When I was in the military we learned that after every mission, after every training operation we always preformed an AAR or After Action Review. We would always go over the good, the bad, and the ugly of the mission. We talk about what went right, but also what went wrong, and we always talked about what we can improve no matter how good of a job we did. In all things we do we must turn to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to keep us accountable in our walk. We must never shoot the wounded. We must not kick someone when they are down. Be a Godly father figure after our Abba Father. We must take heart to the story of the Good Samaritan and we must also be like the Samaritan who helped the traveler. Luke 10:25-37 The Samaritan’s were despised by most people in the known world at the time. The Samaritan helped a man who would have under other circumstances, would not have returned the gesture. Love, always concurs all. In all our ways we must return hate with love. We must not take up arms against our aggressors but return love to those aggressors. We embody Christ and as an ambassador we are the earthly representatives of Christ. As well as we can being sinful men and women, we must strive for greatness, and truth in our walk daily. We cannot just say we are different we must be different.

We are fathers to our children, meant to train them up in the ways of the Lord. We are not our child’s friend, not yet. Ephesians 6:1-4“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” We must embody the fatherly love of the father that gives us life. We must look to our Abba and we must take what we see from our Abba and move that onto our children. They will look to us and they will see what it is to be a man, or for the ladies, what a man should be. We often only get one chance to get it right in front of our children because the smallest slip, the one cuss word, the one big negative action can have long repercussions. Children’s minds are clay and we mold that clay but in both the good and the bad actions. We will make mistakes, and we must learn to also apologize to our children under those times because we must remain humble and show that we are all sinners, we all make mistakes, and no one is so proud they are above sin. So fathers, and mothers, train up your child. Proverbs 22:6“6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” No your children are not animals, and scripture isn’t saying that, but think of training children as a new employee and as an employee we are trained how to do a job, and serving Christ is our job. Always discipline your kids in love and meekness. Walk with a tender heart. We are a body of Christ so when someone is trapped in sin we must help them restore balance to the body of Christ. Matthew 18:12“12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” In all training and loving, and serving we must remember no one is ever so lost they are beyond grace or mercy.

My brothers and sisters we are all sinners on this earth, and we will never be good enough to disserve the grace and love of God, but we receive it anyway. We would never be able to stand up and work enough, or be good enough to pay for our entrance to Heaven, but our bounty was paid, and we were forgiven in grace by Jesus Christ’s blood. Matthew 18:1515 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” As we look to those who sin against us, we must remember what occurred on the cross. Sin is far reaching and we must remember that as one of Christ’s dying words pled to God, Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”Always be fair and listen. James 1:19“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” Approach with kindness and empathy to every situation. Be fair and just. Don’t just be a dad, be a father. Don’t just be a mom, be a mother. Be more then just the biological aspect of creation. It’s okay to make mistakes so long as you learn from them, and use those mistakes as teaching opportunities. We are responsible for the future generation of Christians so let us show them what it means to be Christian in our actions. God shares His great love with us, so share that love with the world.

 

 

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It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share the blessings and teachings of Christ with all of you. For those who read my works in Christ, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Recently I came across an amazing home business based in Travel and Entertainment that’s the real deal. The savings found through this business are amazing. If you shop online, like to go to movies, or travel, this gift card for you can save you up to 50%. Please enjoy your gift as a symbol of my appreciation and gratitude. God Bless. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Year Later, A Life Saved        

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One Year Later, A Life Saved:      

One year ago today I was on my way to work earlier then normal, and as I had a strong drive to leave early, it wouldn’t take long on my journey to discover why. I would be at the right place at the right time, designed by God to be exactly where I needed to be. Divine intervention was at play, there is no doubt in my mind about that. To read about the events that day, please follow this link : https://thearrowpreacher.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/the-right-place-at-the-right-time/

One year later I am still in contact with the family. The road to recovery has been long and hard, painful, and yet is still ongoing. While the recovery process hasn’t been easy, a lucky man was able to spend another year with his family, loving them, and in my humble opinion, being an inspiration of perseverance in unspeakable odds against him. We never understand the big picture that God has planned for us, and we rarely understand the why until months, and sometimes years later, but we can rest assured, our faith will never be misplaced in the Lord. All this time I know that my prayers were answered and I have grown in my faith as to what God expects of me. Looking back on that day a year ago, I don’t see myself as doing anything special. I don’t see myself as a hero, or even responsible for saving anyone’s life. Regardless of my opinion, all that truly matters is, a man was saved and has been with his family all this time. As I’ve written lately, we are just links in the chains. We don’t know how big, or how small, but we have an impact. John 16:13“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” We must accept the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and know that we are washed away of a life of Sin bound to die in it. We must choose to allow Jesus Christ into our hearts, and once we do, we find that our path, and our purpose will be made clear in time. It starts with trust. When we walk in the light, we become a beacon to those around who may not believe. We are beacons for the believers to be held and to hold accountable. We are the Samaritan who helps the weary, beaten, battered traveler.

Proverbs 4:18“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” We are nothing without Christ, but with Christ we are everything. We are the servants who do the Lords work, and as I have found in my life when we walk with Christ we will always find ourselves in situations to be in the right place at the right time to make a difference. We can be the life and death found within the will of God. We may never know the impact of our interactions, but sometimes we do. Today I look back with a humble heart, and know that I was right where God needed me to be because I obeyed the Holy Spirit and did what I was told to do. Today a man lives, and loves, and has been blessed by grace and mercy to survive when physical evidence says he shouldn’t have. God is on the move in our lives and to that I praise Jesus. I am thankful for my brother who is still fighting strong to heal. I praise my sister in Christ for her devotion in these tough times, but even through the trials, and pain, and tears, still she stands tall and has hope and love in her heart. God is real my friends, and God is working all over the world. Anyone who claims otherwise just refuses to see it. The evidence is all around you, and all you have to do is put a little trust, a little faith, and open your eyes beyond the world, but to the beyond. The God of Abraham lives and is still performing miracles, and I say to you, God’s Not Dead, He’s alive and He’s waiting for you.

 

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It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share the blessings and teachings of Christ with all of you. For those who read my works in Christ, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Recently I came across an amazing home business based in Travel and Entertainment that’s the real deal. The savings found through this business are amazing. If you shop online, like to go to movies, or travel, this gift card for you can save you up to 50%. Please enjoy your gift as a symbol of my appreciation and gratitude. God Bless. 

http://www.travelrewardsus.com

http://vacation.p2stravel.com/

https://zoom.us/recording/play/guvtqpnxT02lJVLfgKRjUnZ7Z1vMDZ15eEl-Smju1fpuOw31wg56gyvYHYiO2LvB

The Path We Follow

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The Path We Follow

The path we follow is a winding road.

The twist and turns how far will it go?

There’s no doubt, we reap what we sew.

The path is long, and sometimes narrow.

Sometimes it’s joy, sometimes sorrow.

Sometimes we walk by the peaceful streams.

Other times the valley where it’s only screams.

My God my God protect over me.

All you out there listen and you’ll see.

There’s no fairy, or magic genie, which whom I pray.

My God is King, with evidence strong, I could argue all day.

 

I’ve run the race, so long and true.

It makes me strong, but worried about you.

I sit and pray, with a mighty fright.

You don’t believe, but what if I’m right?

You walk your way, and you turn your back.

What must I do to get you on track?

I pray to God with fervent might.

So one day, you may look on with glorious sight.

So far you’ve gone, you can turn around.

No longer are you chained and bound.

God is true, with love surround, no sin to big that cause a fall, blood shed for you, to all stand tall.

No I Won’t Back Down

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No I Won’t Back Down

The fallen world will push you, beat you, kick you when you’re down and just when you think it’s getting better, you’re hit by a sneak attack. It doesn’t feel good when you’re under constant attack. You get tired, discouraged, worn out and completely drained. Romans 12:2“Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

It’s important to stay the course. It’s important to fight the good fight as Paul did. It’s such a powerful testament to what a person can endure and still conduct themselves with honor and distinction. Paul was a wanted man, and hated by the Romans and anyone who rejected the Savior Jesus Christ, they chased Paul around the known world and despite many hardships and tragedies Paul remained faithful right up to the very end. Isaiah 40:31“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Paul would write to Timothy with a proud proclamation of keeping his faith throughout everything he had endured. 2 Timothy 4:7“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

 When we reach our limit, do we withdraw from God or do we run to him in need of shelter? We must remember who the real enemy is. We must always look to our calamity and ask what it is. Are we away from God and that’s what caused this? Is this an attack from the Devil, or is this the doing of other sinful people? No matter what it may be we need to look at every hardship as a chance to grow, to learn, and most importantly as a chance to praise the name of God. In every situation both good and bad God is working it out for the smooth path ahead. We just need to keep the faith and remain patient. This of course is easier said then done but we need to work at it every day. Never stop moving forward and don’t forget who the real enemy is. The Devil is a patient hunter. He will wait and stalk his prey. He will study you, and learn your weaknesses. He is calculating and manipulative. If you are going to place blame on your misfortunes at least place your complaint in the correct mailbox.

 

Throat punched

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Throat punched
So as I sit here with my neck in a brace, when I talk not only do I sound it, I feel like I’ve been throat punched. Yes that’s what happens when you have surgery. But let me tell you. I couldn’t be more lucky. Gods grace and perfect timing all the time. 
There were complications in surgery. My disc ruptured and fluid went into my spinal column. They cleaned it up but I needed to be closely watched. There may have been some hematoma around my incision. 
Thankfully the rupture was found and didn’t do permanent damage. In all the CT’s, the risky MRI (because of shrapnel in my lung) not one of these scans showed the disk had ruptured. As I’m not a doctor I cannot obviously speak clearly of the dangers of that fluid where it doesn’t belong. But I do know it’s BAD! 
Because Gods perfect in His timing and love everything went well even with the complications. Even the new raspier voice I have just plays into effect when I wear the mask. All things considered I’m pretty darn happy. 
Yesterday I couldn’t squeeze my ball and now I can squeeze it with all my might and it’s beautiful. I can walk with my head held high and arms swinging. Gods touched my body through the hands of my surgeons and have given me my life back. I may have some troubles the rest of my life but for now, it seems all of that is within acceptable limits. 
Believe in the power of prayer and love. From the prayer shawl I received from my church, the love of my Associate Pastor, my mom, and everyone near and far that prayed for me before during and after my surgery. All this prayer I have felt the reward. I know I live on to fight the Devil for another day. 
For you all wary souls like my one was, take heart knowing the Lord of all the wonders of this world is with you, right there suffering your sufferings. Believe and know the faithful, the just, the kind, will be rewarded. We may not always say or do the right things to one another but we must know it and apologize for it. Own up to our mistakes and ask for the forgiveness we should. 
Stay connected to God and be blessed by his touch. God bless all of you! 

The Improvised

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The improvised 
Sitting here in the ER alone as I’ve sent mom home to rest, gather supplies, and get ready for the long day, I find myself pondering what I guess most people ponder when looking at a life altering surgery. Who are my loved ones, who cares who doesn’t? Is my Will complete and dang did I leave the stove on? I am reminded of so many one liners but I’ll spare all of you the boring repartee and just know that I haven’t forgotten about my avid readers. I may be out for the day, but as long as I have a phone I’ll still work my guru magic and post something. 
While I was here I was able to doodle a little something and while it’s not finished because as you’ll all see I’m no artist, I haven’t lost sight of my goal. I will continue to work on my ministries and with Gods grace continue to touch lives. So as I get ready for what looks so far to be surgery, back surgery it is. While the surgeons are deliberating and I’m going on almost 24 hours awake, I’m reminded of some bible verses. 
1 Peter 1:6-7 “6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.”
We may have setback and we may have plans that go off the rails but even in the darkest of days the brightest of flowers may still bloom. 

Broken Sky

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Broken Sky

The pain inside caused by you shattered like a mirror to the floor all around.

God protect me so I can put the peaces back together.

God give me your eyes so I can see the reasons why.

The tears that fall, fall like bricks to the ground. The flood all around now from tears I’ve spent.

Why would you do this I scream, why oh why I cry.

Nothing’s all right, nothings okay, I’m fine I say, but the lie that lies.

I’m broken hearted and I feel fractured inside, torn to which way to go.

A second chance, a third and forth, but nothing helps.

God tells me I’m more than what I feel. Tears drench my shirt, my desk, my everything.

I’m not who I once was, I am afraid, and I don’t know what else to do.

God hurts too, or so the Bible tells me so.

God am I being punished for my mistakes, is this only path?

God says no, no punishment, free will makes the heart break.

We are more than the mistakes we make. We are remade in the light, washed by the waters.

God stay with me tonight, God hold me tonight, Abba I need you today. I’m broken.

God my pain is deep and I feel like I’ll never be whole again. Abba save me from my sorrow.

God my God please save me tonight. Help me fight what I feel, help me feel today I can be saved.

God please bless me, please don’t make me wait. God my God help me, I need to feel you here.

God my God I know that I’ll be stronger in the end.

God my Abba please stand with me in this fire, please help me not feel the pain as the fire burns away the old.

God my God please help my heart, please hold me tonight. God my God don’t forsake me tonight.

What don’t kill ya makes ya stronger I know, but I can’t do it alone. My God my God don’t let me fall tonight.

The Hard Love I feel, the pain inside, fractured and broken, I am shattered in the mirror on the ground.

God my God, my Father, please piece me back together better than I was before.

My God my God please allow me to be rid of the rocky road, protect me from the Devil, please I beg of thee.

GRACE

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Grace

I spent my life thinking we had a special connection. I worshiped you, and knew you were with me, but I resisted in so many ways. I kept and held onto resentments. I was so angry even though I held it all in. In my youth I felt your presence but I was an angry kid. I spent all my time going from one trauma to the next, one school day to the next, putting all the bad in a box, a box on a shelf in a closet and closing the door. I kept believing that couldn’t be what life was about. There was more to life and there was more to you oh God.

I didn’t know much about the Old Testament in those days. I didn’t know about the hardships of Job, the trials of David. I never understood the reason for trials, I never understood the paradox of the more you suffer, the more you needed to lift your heart to God. Even now into my adult life I have questioned the why, I’ve wondered the reason to take everything I held dear. That was right up till recently. 1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].” We will always have to suffer a little while. Perhaps the reason for it is simple. How do we face adversity? How do we react under horrible situations? James 1:12 “Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Are we tempted not just in the ways of the world, but tempted in anger? Of course we are. Every trial is a test of our faith, our character.

Look at Judy Hopps from Zootopia. Here’s a bunny in the big world where bunnies were good for only carrot farms and making other little bunnies. One bunny chose to overcome the world, push beyond, and achieve greatness in those trials. There will be times when you want to turn back and run home. There will be times when you feel the world is too much, but that’s when we need to lift our needs, our hearts higher to the Lord. Romans 5:3 “And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” For all our trials, for all our misery on this world there is hope. Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” We are never alone even if we feel like we are. We may not always have someone sitting with us, we may not feel like our friends and family are there for us, but the truth is as nice as it is to have those things, having and knowing God is with us is more important.

We cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve the world and the Lord at the same time. We must not hold onto idles, we must reach for our God, and live according to the Lord above. No matter how bad this world may treat you the end goal is far greater. Any mountain worth climbing is worth the work to get to the summit. Any goal worth having is worth working for, so work for the goal of Heaven. Believe in your God with all thine heart, and have faith that pain is temporary. Do not be angry about your trials instead embrace them. Turn them to your advantage, and you shall be rewarded with Glory. Give your whole heart to the Lord. The top of the mountain you can see for miles. We are amongst the trees, so we only see a little, God sit upon the mountaintop and can see all. One day we too may understand the why. Have faith, have love, have compassion, have empathy, and love thy neighbors to include your enemies.

Hosanna

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Hosanna

God you’ve healed my soul. You let me walk through that open door, and you’ve given me the gift of Heaven. Let me live this life till you choose to call me home. Let me save lives, let me give the word to those who need it, let me show others the path. Give me the grace of the angels with me and let me have the patience to follow through. Let me hear the music of the heavens. I fall to my knees and pray your sweet name. I pray to heal this broken heart of mine, and to know tomorrow’s new day brings a new canvas. Hallelujah my Lord, praise you Hosanna in the highest. Let me tighten my Armor so that I may defend against the lies and deceit that flood my mind and heart. Let me be quicker, let me outsmart the enemy, let me out draw the enemy. Let my arrow fly straight, let my compass guide me by the light at night. Keep my boots dry and my lips moist with the blood of Christ. God you sent me to this world full of so much trouble let me stay true to the course. You sent me, you saved me, God you did something, you created me. Let my sun rise remind me that your Son did Rise, the beauty of a new day always.