Thank You, Lord

There are many days that come and go with activities, amusement and distractions.  But there are some days that bring us to stop and think and Thank.  Today I have to pause and thank God that I and my dear wife are healthy.  An elderly uncle of one of the church member's passed away and then the brother of a few of the members of NTBC had a serious operation this afternoon.  Another church member called me tonight while he was on the way to the hospital with some potential heart problems.  I just returning from there as I'm writing this blog.

Life is fragile.  Health is even more so.  I just want to say "Lord, thank you for taking care of me."  The man that I visited tonight was in tears this afternoon on the way to the ER but was sitting in the hospital bed say "I know my Father is going to take care of me"!  He's right. 


Chuck

"Thy Word" Wednesday

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

                        1 John 1:5

Academics

"Education for education's sake is an abomination".  That was a favorite quote from one of my favorite professors in Bible college, Dr. Robert Terrey. Tonight I am working on an assignment for the class that I took last week down in Louisiana.  I'm writing papers!  It has been 15 years since the last time I "Had" to to do a writing assignment.  I enjoy writing, when it's a sermon or a blog, and I've enjoyed assigning papers to be written because I love reading the work of students who take a theology class seriously.  But I certainly don't miss this part of the educational process. 

My goals in enrolling in continuing education is not just for the degree but for the enhancement of my ministry.  I hope that this next level of education will open more teaching opportunities for me in the future.  I also trust that my studies, including research papers, will enhance my understanding of the Word of God, the world that I live in, and the potential for the gospel ministry.  Studying to show ourselves approved unto man is academics, but studying to show ourselves approved unto God is an essential part of the work of the ministry.


Chuck

Who's Counting?

As it has been well stated in the past few weeks, I'm trying to lose a few pounds.  This is not a middle-age crisis thing (if I live to be 120 then I have 10 more years until I'm officially middle-aged) it is simply a way to stay healthy and get my BP a little lower.  Besides running a few miles a week I am watching what I eat and counting calories.  The counting part is easy because "There's an App for that". 

One day last week for breakfast I grabbed a box of "Healthy" cereal off the shelf, read the serving size & nutritional info and poured myself about 100 calories.  When I looking at the bowl I was shocked!  "Is that ALL!?"  I used a very small spoon to eat breakfast that morning so that could stretch that 100 calorie bowl as long as possible. Now for the kicker.  Whilst re-shelfing that box I decided to check out the "Un-Healthy" cereal's nutritional info. Please note that this box of sugary delight was purchased when the last missionary-house-guests-with-kids were in town.  Honest!  This is what I discovered - I could have almost twice as many "Froot-Loops" for the same amount of calories as the healthy stuff.  There is absolutely nothing Special about Special K.  Do you hear me? 

Never assume one thing is better than another until you read the box.  In life we need to base our behavior on God's Word.  It's here we discover the true value of things.  We are warned about the "deceitfulness of riches", about not being filled with "our own devises" but we also read about how truly great Love is, and just how much the smallest dose of Faith can accomplish.  If you fill your life up with things of little worth then one day you will take a close look and ask yourself, "Is that ALL?", and you will discover that you are very empty.

“Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.”
Psalm 71:8

Chuck (216)

Spring?

When I left Jersey the other morning it was 31 degrees and snowing, when I de-planed (That's what they call it) in LA it was nearly 80 and of course there was no snow or ice in sight.  That would be the LA down south not the one out west, in case you are wondering.  Spring started last week but you could have fooled me with all the chilly weather we have been having.  The trees were still bare, the daffodils were shivering through the sleet that was falling this week, and there were no mosquitoes (Amen to that!).

When I landed in Shreveport the other day I found Spring!  The tress are all green, the azaleas are in full bloom as well as the dogwood trees, and of course there were bugs flying around everywhere.  There are time that we wonder if the sun will ever shine again, if the warmth will ever return, but let me say that I have seen it and it coming your way.  Hold on just a little while longer. 

“... Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5



Chuck

Pray without Ceasing

6:30 am.  That was the time the plane was scheduled to take off.  6:30 AM!  Is that hard to understand?  I got up early, woke my dear, sleeping wife up early and got on the road in plenty of time to be at the gate and hour before takeoff.  When boarding did not start at 6:15 I knew there was something amiss.  At 6:17 the nice lady at the counter announced that the "Flight Crew had left the motel and was on route to the airport".  What!?  I was able to make it on time, whats the deal with this?  Come to find out that the pilot over slept.  After loading late and then de-icing we took off at least 40 minutes late, which would not necessarily be too bad, but I had a connection to make.

In the air I read, listened to some mp3's and entertained myself enough to not be too frustrated about the late departure, till I started noticing that my connection departure time was drawing closer, and closer, and closer.  "Lord, please help me to get to my destination.  I may miss my next flight, but please help me make whatever arrangements I need to to get to where I need to be".  I was convinced that when I land I was going to have to work out some new plan ... until the stewardess announced "Welcome to ..... where the local time is ... "  What?  We crossed a time zone?  You mean that I didn't miss my flight?

Let me ask you, did I waist my time praying?  God didn't move the time zone, or even make the sun go back 10 degrees on the dial, but He did change my anxious heart, and turn back the dial on my frustration and worry.


Chuck

"Thy Word" Wednesday

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverbs 5:18


Happy 35th "Dating Anniversary" to my dear wife.
I Love You.


Chuck