Author: Administrator

The fooling is a brief chapter from a book entitled Grace Manifold, By Ken Gurley:

They had the same last name, the same genetic heritage flowed through their veins, yet they avoided each other. For as long as most of the family could remember, these two boys were enemies.

As the boys grew they played together. They chased rabbits, hunted squirrels, and swam in their favorite East Texas swimming hole. But when they became men, something happened/ One family member recalled that  the brothers had gone into business together. Each felt that the other was cheating him. They parted ways and the silent years began.

At family gatherings on Thanksgiving and Christmas, they remained sullen, trapped in yesterday’s misunderstanding. They would not speak to each other even to answer the simplest question or to give a warm greeting. While their heredity united them, a huge chasm separated these two brothers. In the bottom of this gorge flowed a deep river of hurt and anguish. These chasm seemed uncrossable, the river seemed inexhaustible.

Then it happened. One of the brothers found out that he had a terminal disease. Lying on his deathbed, he recognized the wasted years spent on the bleak land of unforgiveness. He remembered the sleepless, miserable nights when he had rehearsed the supposed wrong over and over, burning it into his memory and churning it in his heart. But what did it matter now? He was dying.

He called his estranged brother to his bedside. “I am dying,” he began without fanfare. “We never made peace in life. Can we make peace at my death?”

The torrent of emotion was spent. With tears flowing down their faces the brothers embraced. In life they remained alienated. In death they were united.

Perhaps the most descriptive term for death is separation. The living is separated  from the dead by death’s thick drape. At death the visible gives way to the invisible, the temporal gives way to the eternal, and mortality glimpses the window or immortality.

In some strange way, however, death also unites. At the death of a loved one, hatchets are buried and wrongs are forgotten. Sometimes death becomes the link that enables a reunion impossible in life. Death can draw people together.

What is true in human nature is superlative in Christ’s death. Jesus prophesied that His death would “draw all men” unto Him (John 12:32). At the end of His life, eleven apostles, some women and a few others still followed Him. Through Christ’s death, however, the entire world is drawn to Him.

Just West of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the sprawling Atchafalaya Swamp. Standing in the swamp’s murkey waters are large trees draped with heavy moss. The darkness of the waters shrouds its contents of catfish, snakes and alligators. Its silt and mire are filled with decaying, organic matter. The swamp is a dreadful place in which to be lost.

An airboat, barge, or wading gear is not necessary to maneuver this swamp, for spanning this huge swamp is a bridge some 18 miles in length. Unless a person is merely seeking adventure, the bridge is the best means of crossing the swamp.  It makes the opposite shore of the swamp accessible.

Christ’s death affected the whole world. At Golgotha, the place of the skull. the Cross spanned the awful gulf of sin. God and humanity were brought closer through this blood-stained bridge. The apostle Paul said, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

The bible clearly teaches that sin fractures our relationship with God. The sin that drove Adam and Eve into hiding and away from paradise still alienates people from God. Like sheep seeking their own way, people are led astray by sin, which brings a separation from God (Isaiah 53:6, 59:2).

The cross is the only means for a person to bridge sin’s gap and be reconciled  to God. Man could never be good enough in himself to turn God’s face toward him, so God turned His face toward man through Jesus Christ.

The cross spanned the swamp of sin for the rich, the poor, the alcoholic, the adulterer, the thief, the murderer, the gossip. The cross bridges the chasm.

Sin’s swamp is a miserable place. Life in the land of unforgiveness, wrath and unhappiness is perilous and replete with disappointment. Yet Christ’s death spanned this dreadful place and like nothing else, brings us close to God. It restores the fractured relationship between God and humanity. The blood of Christ gives us access to a lost paradise. His blood reunites.

Time is your most precious possession.  Do you spend it on what matters most?

“Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.” Matthew 7:6 (CEB) 

One of the most irreplaceable, valuable things we possess is our time. We cannot go out and buy more time, we cannot go into the kitchen and whip up a couple of extra hours. And yet time is one of the things we squander the most easily.

We waste time, we spend time doing things that sap our energy. If someone asked you to give them money, you might decline, but when they ask you for your time, how do you respond? There’s nothing wrong with giving someone your time, but I have often been sucked into commitments I should have avoided by thinking—well, it’s only a few hours of my time. I forget time is a pearl of great price.

This odd saying of Jesus forces us to consider: what are the holy things I possess? What are my pearls—the things I value most, the things that are rare and precious to me? My stuff is not holy. My possessions are not my pearls. But the hours I have each day—these are precious.

As my children get older, and move toward independence, I realize I do not get these days to do over. When other people try to demand those pearls from me, sometimes the most holy thing I can do is refuse. One of the more countercultural ways I spend time with my family is to take a weekly Sabbath.

The Bible tells us the Sabbath is to be kept holy. Those precious hours, when I set aside my work and busyness to focus on my relationships with God and my family—they are pearls. In order to protect them, I sometimes have to say no to the requests of others. I think Jesus would approve.

Faith Step: What do you need to say no to in order to protect the holy things in your life? Think particularly of your schedule—have you thrown your pearls before pigs?

Article by Keri Wyatt Kent, Chicago, Illinois, as appeared in Mornings with Jesus

Don’t do things on purpose, do things IN purpose…. Pastor Custer

A group of frogs were hopping through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit.

 

All the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.

 

When they seen how deep the pit was, the rest of the group agreed that it was hopeless and told the other two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

 

Unable to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and the two frogs wouldn’t be in the situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules and more responsible.

 

The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of effort, grew weary.

 

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the call of his fellows. Spent and discouraged, he quietly resolved to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, as the others looked on.

 

But the other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His friends started back up again encouraging him to just give up, stop the pain and die.

 

The weary frog jumped harder and harder until finally he leaped out of the pit.

 

Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedoms and then gathered around him and asked, “Why did you continue to jump even after we told you it was impossible.”

 

Reading their lips the frog explained to them that he was deaf, so when he seen their shouting and gestures he thought they were urging him on, which inspired him to try harder despite the odds.

 

 

The message is simple, every now and then we just need to put some spiritual ear plugs in and ignore those that try to hold us back. If you find yourself in a pit, spent and tired, keep trying a little harder, keep pushing a little further, that pit is not your final destination!

 

Psalms 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.

This is something we often neglect yet it is a very vital reminder that we should be constantly interceding for the leadership in the church. The Pastor, his staff, the ministry teams etc…

 

Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors for the NBA championship.

From here they will enter the offseason where they will recuperate, rest, and spend time with family for the next few months until training starts back up in preparation for the next season.

 

The same happens in pretty much all sports, football, baseball, basketball, hockey…

They all have off seasons in order to continue to stay healthy to play the game they love for the years to come, its necessary to prevent wear in tear on the body.

 

The Pastor doesn’t get an off season. The ministry team doesn’t get an offseason. They may take a day off or two for a day vacation but essentially their lives or dedicated to the kingdom of God.

 

They spend many nights from their family in order to serve yours, they buy groceries they will never eat, pay bills that aren’t theirs, pay for gas in cars that don’t belong for them, all for the sake of serving others.

 

You will really here them complain or ask anything in return. They understand they are spending valuable time they will never get back in order to serve the church because their reward is laid up in heaven.

 

Of course they try to keep a balanced life between church and family, its biblical and important in order to prevent burnout. Yet as I type this and I allow you to get a look at the inside of a ministers mind I can tell you we don’t spend as much time with family as we should.

 

Please don’t take this as a complaint because we are happy to do it, souls and the church are our passion, its our calling and its our burden. What I’m trying to do is explain that theirs two sides to this coin. The church sees a preacher thats blessed, they see someone in a suit that has it altogether. Essentially on the outside all is well.

 

Yet on the other side of this coin they are constantly under spiritual attack. Perhaps the guilt of not being able to get through to a saint they have been working with in the church.

 

Late nights in prayer interceding for your families and lost loved ones.

Leaving their family outings to go visit someone in the hospital.

Discouragement from time to time because of a program or idea that just doesn’t seem to be working.

Maybe the AC goes out, or the bathroom requires maintenance.

Complaints about the music or temperature in the room.

 

All while trying to work a full time job in most cases, balancing their family, as well as church life.

Yes surely the leadership of the church is under attack now more than ever before.

 

So theres no offseason, Sunday ends and they prepare for the rest of the week, and the week after that. So what can be done to help take the load off the leadership?

 

Pray for them. Pray for your Pastor. Pray for the ministry. Intercede for them and fight with them. Get involved so they don’t have to do it on their own. Tell them you love them and appreciate them from time to time because from experience that alone reminds us why we continue to do what we do.

 

Your prayers have the power to revitalize them and restore them. Your prayers give them strength. Pray for them.

 

My Pastor doesn’t know I typed this but it needs to be said from time to time in order to remind us the weight and burden that sits on the shoulders on the men and women of God.

 

God bless,

-Bro. Taylor

 

May 28th 1971,

 

The most decorated combat hero of World War II is tragically killed. Audie Murphy was not supposed to be a hero. In fact when he first tried to join the military, the marines rejected him because of his small size.  The paratroopers rejected him to. Disappointed and with the help of his sister forging documents on his size and age, he was eventually accepted in to the infantry.

 

The young Texan wasn’t one to be kept down as he soon proved himself to be a skilled marksman and a brave soldier.

 

Perhaps his most famous demonstration of bravery occurred on January 26th, 1945. He was in the small town of Holtzwirh France, with his unit of only 40 men. They were ordered to hold a certain road until reinforcements arrived.

 

Unfortunately the Nazis chose that moment to attack. Murphy’s men were badly outnumbered as they were up against 250 soldiers and 6 tanks.

 

Murphy ordered his men to fall back into the woods as he picked up his field phone and called for an allied artillery attack. As ally fire fell he was able to take control of a burning tank, as well as the machine gun attached .

 

Germans were all around him, but he fired on the Nazi infantry for an hour until the ammunition ran . The whole time he was talking on his field phone helping to direct artillery fire.

 

When his ammunition was finally exhausted  he left the tank, refusing medical attention for his injuries and wounds as he organized his men into a counter attack. When it was all said and done in the end Murphy and his 40 men defeated the 250 Germans.

 

There will be times in your walk with God that it will seem like you are on your own, standing on unstable ground trying to hold off the enemy until help arrives, my simple word this evening for you is to simply hold on and keep fighting.

 

God never said you wouldn’t get hurt or wounded, He did however give us the tools needed to overcome those things that come against us. Will it get lonely at times? Yes. Will it hurt? Yes. Will it push you to your limits spiritually? Yes. Hold on, give it everything you’ve got because your victory comes in the morning.

 

When Murphy finally made it home he earned every medal and award you can obtain in military honors, and became the most decorated war hero in our nations history.

 

Hold on a little longer, because your rewards are greater than the battle.

Storms

Author unknown

I did not know his love before, the way I know it now. I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow. I had it all, without a care, the self sufficient lie. My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in the sky.

I thought I knew his love for me, I thought I’d seen His grace, I thought I did not need to grow, I’d thought I found my place. But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled; The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride. It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide. I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead, and so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me to stand. He said, you must face this storm, but I will hold your hand. So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through the pain. I could not see the light of day, or when I’d smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow. I could not see it at this time, but my light began to glow. I saw God’s love in brand new light, His grace and mercy too. For only when all self was gone could Jesus’ love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why. At times I thought I can’t go on. I’d hurt, and doubt, and cry. But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day. Through pain and strife, through fire and blood, He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before  how great His love can be. How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!  He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough. He only sent what I could bear, and then He said enough.

He raised His hand and said be still. He made the storm clouds cease. He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace. I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong, I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good, for pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could. I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me; If in the storm I’ll love Him more, thats where I want to be!

Ive recently started reading a book titled: The Impassioned Soul, by Morton Bustard.  And a section of this book really stood out to me that I felt somebody needed to hear, its a little lengthy but if you’re going through a trial in your life and it seems like the pain wether physical or spiritual, or maybe even emotion just won’t go away, I urge you to read to the end. I pray it will bless you as much as it did me.

 

Pain is not forever:

Recently a dear friend of mine wanted to know if God was angry with her. The reason she had this question in her mind was from her suffering with leukemia.

 

Approximately a year earlier, little 8 year-old Kelly had been diagnosed with this disease. After much prayer, the cancer went into remission. It would appear that she would get to enjoy a full life. Later we would learn that this would not be the case. The cancer emerged from dormancy with a most horrible vengeance.

 

As we knelt on the floor beside her chair, my pastor and I both affirmed to this precious little girl that God was not upset with her. It was just the opposite. His love for her never wavered .

 

Service after service I watched this sweet family worship when it wasn’t convenient. As Kelly sat on the pew, hardly able to move, Dad would stand with tears streaming down his face in adoration of his Lord. They did not get mad at God or accuse Him foolishly. Of course they questioned why.

 

Asking why is human. There is no sin in inquiring why trials come and why we have to face the situations that confront us. In His blood-covered, pain-ridden body Jesus looked into the heavens and asked why.

 

The bible says it rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). Good and bad people are stricken with cancer. The Psalmist David declared, “Many are the afflictions of the unrighteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalms 34:29). David did not say “from” but “out of”. There is a major difference between the two.

 

The fact that God still loved her was proven beyond any doubt early the next morning. I was on a plane bound for Canada while Kelly’s family and pastor knelt at her side. Words were scarce from Kelly. Being subjected to pain of this magnitude, coupled with the treatment for the disease, left her absolutely exhausted.

 

Through it all this little warrior put up a tremendous fight. When all eyes were focused on her, she thought of others. On one of my family’s earlier visits to see her, she gave my youngest daughter a cap. Kayla cherishes it to this day.

 

That morning, from a body racked with pain, Kelly managed to squeak out the words, “I see Jesus; He’s coming for me.” Those around her bedside admonished her to go and not linger for their sake. Releasing a loved one is not easy, but the task is much lighter when the final destination is considered.

 

In a moment it was over. Kelly’s face had no expression as she lay lifeless. Those present wept over the emptiness. This petite and precious child left one enormous void.

 

After several minutes passed, the room was vacated except for the motionless body of the child who had brought so much sunshine into each of our lives. When her mom and dad returned to where Kelly lay, they were astonished by what they saw. A smile graced the countenance of darling little Kelly.

 

I have no answer as to why an adorable eight-year-old was taken from this life. I along with everyone who knew her, wanted nothing less than her complete recovery. If there was a lack of faith, it certainly camouflaged itself well. The entire household possessed a strong love for God and a firm belief in His Word. Amid the emotions and the questions, her countenance spoke volumes.

 

When the news of her departure reached me and I was told of her smile, I remembered the words of our pastor. “Kelly, I promise you that you will not be in pain forever.” God obviously had no ill feelings toward Kelly; the smile said it all: Pastor, you were right. I’m not in pain anymore.

 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and wept, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:5-6).

 

Notice that David did not say “they that sow with tears,” but rather “in” tears.” That means sowing when its not convenient, being faithful through times of pain and heartbreak. It implies squaring our shoulders and meeting the task head-on through life’s storms and winds of adversity.

 

There is a reason as well as a reward for enduring such hardship. When all is said and done, we will have experienced a relationship with God we never had before. We never know him as the Lily of the Valley, until we tread through the deep, lonely, valley (Song 2:1). God could have spared the three Hebrew boys from having  to enter a fiery furnace, but if He had, they never would have seen the fourth man (Daniel 3:20-25).

 

We also have an enormous harvest. The barns and silos will be teeming with joy. Tears of sorrow will vanish, and our joy will be full.

 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

 

All through life there is pain. There is pain of childbirth and the pain in growing. Many have made their exit from this life in pain, only to cross the chasm from the temporal to that great eternal place where no pain is felt.

 

Look into the sparkling eyes of a little girl. She dreams of being a ballerina. But before she dances with grace, she will practice in pain. We can endure pain more easily when there is a purpose for it.

 

Pain can be precious. A mother thinks so when she beholds the beauty of a newborn. It is worth it to the lad who becomes strong and tall- as well as to the person who knows Jesus is his Savior, when he is ushered by an entourage of angels into the presence of the King.