CAN YOU SEE NOW?

"Charlie Brown holds up his hands before his friend Lucy and says, 'These are hands which may some day accomplish great things.  These are hands which may some day do marvelous works!  They may build mighty bridges, or heal the sick, or hit home runs, write soul-stirring novels!  These are hands which may some day change the course of destiny!'  Lucy, who always sees things as they are, replies, 'They've got jelly on them."

Luke 8 Jesus heals a blind man and asked him the question, "Can you see now?"  The blind man said, "Yes, I see people, but they look like trees walking around."  This man's vision was distorted but when Jesus touched the man eyes again and the man opened his eyes wide, his eyes were healed.
 Maybe the man just needed to open his eyes wide!

Maybe we just need to open our eyes wide and see the big picture and sees things as they really are.  In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle, Paul, speaks of what he saw -

• trouble on every side - but not distressed
• perplexed -but not in despair
• persecuted - but not forsaken
• cast down -but not destroyed
• outward man perishing - inward man being renewed daily
• light affliction for a moment - much greater reward that will last throughout eternity

When we look at the big picture we can see beyond the suffering and see God's glory.

Prayer today:  Lord, regardless of what I might go through, help me to see the "big picture" and know that mercy and grace will follow me all the days of my life!

The End?

Someone said in Sunday school last Sunday, "As far as I know, the Word (the bible) never wears out!"

On my shelf sits a New Testament that was given to me for Christmas when I was a child.  Many things that I have owned in my lifetime no longer exist but ironically this bible seem to have stayed in my possession.  I didn't intentionally save this bible, it just happen to hang around.  The cover is well worn and if you look in the front of it you will see the drawings that appears to be that of a small child...me!

I remember well those days of taking this bible and pretending that I was preaching to Mr. Bugs, Mr. Donald, and the rest of the stuff animal gang.  (They were a rough bunch of overly stuffed animals.)  I don't think any of them ever got saved, but they sure "got preached" the word!  I felt a call on my life even then to preach the Word, but did not accept that calling until later in life.

In turning through this bible this morning reminiscing I noticed on the last page the words at the bottom imprinted "The End".  Somewhere as a child I wrote beside it "No End".  This morning in my devotion I was reminded of the scripture "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away"(Matthew 24:35).  I quickly grabbed a penned and wrote, "Definitely No End."  The bible may be worn but the Word lives on.  It never wears out.  It is always relevant.  When it goes forth it will not return void and it will accomplish what it was sent out to do.


"So shall my word  be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).


Many has tried to destroy, compromise, or discredit God's Word but it has and will always stand the test.  You can count on the Word, it will help you during this life's journey that you are on.  Paul instructs Timothy to "Study, to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15).  

My prayer today is, "Lord help me to be diligent in studying your Word."

Missed Opportunities

A few weeks ago, after being on the disabled list, I was once again able to play softball with the church league. The last time I played I suffered from a broken wrist/arm in two places, and suffered wearing a cast for the next five weeks. As my cast was being removed I laughably asked the nurse practitioner if I could play softball, now that my cast was off. Surprisingly she said "yes", as long as you don't slide and you wear your brace." A answer I was not expecting to hear!

I must admit that fear came over me as I begin to remember the night of the broken arm. "Do I really want to do this again?" Will I be tempted to slide again?" I am a very competitive person and I know I will give it my best. Reluctantly I agreed to EH that night for the game.

First time up to bat, first pitch, first swing and I hit the ball out into the center field. A solid hit and probably the best hit for me of the season. I ran all the way to third base, and was noticing that the coach on third was waving me to go home. I got half way home and realized that there was a good chance I would be very tempted to slide, so I ran back to third. A triple was not bad after five weeks on the disabled list, but I could have had a in-park home run. It would have been my first, but I let fear cause me to miss the opportunity.

Every day of our lives God is giving us opportunities. Sometimes we get to third and we stop because we become afraid; afraid of being hurt, afraid of losing something, afraid of being embarrassed, or sometimes just of afraid of being afraid. Possibly never again will I hit a ball so well and have that opportunity. It was truly a Kodak moment that I missed.

My prayer today is: "God help me to take hold of every opportunity that you give me, and also help me to have courage to run home (if I ever hit the ball that well again!)

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

IT'S NOT ABOUT WORKING HARDER, BUT WORKING SMARTER

In the book of Haggai we read of workers that worked harder but not smarter. It had been several years that the temple in Jerusalem had been untouched. Men and Women was working hard in those days, but had their priorities in the wrong place. God sent the prophet Haggai to bring correction into their lives.

This story reminds me of my childhood days of doing "landscaping" (formally known as grass cutting), and "car detailing" (formally known as cleaning automobiles.) Isn't it odd how we can change the name of a profession and make more money.

I was always taught to work hard. In any job that I have ever done I was taught to give it my best. While this is and has not been a bad principle to live by, I must admit that sometimes if I had worked smarter instead of harder, I would have accomplished more in life.

My prayer is from a bookmark (author unknown) that I found in my desk drawer this morning.

"Lord, I have too much to do, but's it's all important. Help me to set priorities so that I don't feel lost in the pace and the pressure. Give me wisdom and energy to accomplish what's necessary without wasting time or effort. And help me make the best use of my day, remembering that time is a precious gift from You."

John Maxwell says, "Activity does not always mean accomplishment. The issue is not, 'Will my calendar be full?' but 'What will fill my calendar?'"

Will it take a prophet like Haggai to say, "Think about what you have done..You have planted much, but you harvest little...You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you had put it into a purse full of holes...Think about what you have done. Go up the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored, says ,the Lord." Haggai 1:7-8

"Lord, help me to work smarter and not necessarily harder."

That Old Buzzard

One Sunday morning recently, while driving back from Savannah, Georgia (USA), I had a buzzard almost fly into the side of my red convertible mustang. I caught myself ducking...and thinking about my next blog.

In case you're not familiar with what a buzzard is they are sometimes called vultures. Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. If he is frightened away from his "buzzard feast", he will return as soon as he feels it is safe.

I begin to research "buzzards" and quickly found that there is a book out titled, "The Buzzards Are Circling, But God's Not Finished With Me Yet", by Stan Toler. Another book on the market about buzzards is "Don't Let the Buzzards Get Your Children" by Barbara Middletonand. In reading the review of this book it appears to use the story in 2 Samuel 25 (The Bible) about a mother by the name of Rizpah. (For my preacher friends, this is a great sermon for Mother's Day). "Oh Lord, I Wish I Was A Buzzard" and "Where Buzzard's fly" was two other books on the market.

So I am not the first to use the analogy of a buzzard. But what can I say? A buzzard is a buzzard no matter what species they are and from what part of the world they are from. A buzzard is not something that many folks want as a pet. I don't see any pictures hanging on your walls of a buzzard! Most folks consider them an ugly creature. No one tries to dress up a buzzard. It is like putting perfume on a skunk. It is still a skunk.

Satan is who he is. No matter how this world may try to disguise him, he is still Satan. Like a buzzard he keeps circling his prey hoping to find opportunity to have a "buzzard feast". Jesus puts it a little kinder to Peter when he said, "Satan desires to sift you as wheat."

I guess the moral of this blog is, "when going through this life's journey watch out for that old buzzard (Satan). He is like a vulture looking for a place to land!

Route 95

Forty-five years ago I attended my grandfather's funeral in a small South Georgia (USA) church on a hot summer day. The nearest thing to air condition was the fans the funeral home provided. I remember at the end of the service crying as the Hearst, carrying the body of my grandfather, pulled away from the front of the church. My heart was broken. At the age of six I never dreamed that I would stand and preach to a group of people in that same church building.

But again, 15 years later, I traveled 200 miles to that South Georgia town to preach. It was so hot that day that the pastor of the church compared it with hell by saying "hell will be hotter than this." It was a great opportunity for me to preach in the church that my grandparent's use to attend.

This past week I traveled back to that same South Georgia town, walked back into that building, this time not to attend my grandfather's funeral, nor to preach as a young preacher, but to finalize the sell of the church property for the organization in which I am a part of. The church congregation had relocated and the money from the sell of the property will be used to improve the facility they are now using.

This is a new chapter in the life of this church, and I truly believe is a great move for this church. I am convinced that the building served it's purpose for the organization that I am a part of and it was time to release it for someone else to carry on the work in that community. I am thankful that I had the privilege to be a part of this transition. I journeyed back by the building one last time to give thanks to God for the many lives that had been changed during the time that we had this facility. I stood at the altar and asked God's blessings on the next group. I drove away feeling that this is a new beginning for the existing congregation that relocated as well as for this community. I know that somehow in God's sovereignty He has a plan.

This journey that God has us on may take us on a detour from time to time but some how we always seem to come back to our roots. If I live to be 95 (45 years from now), I wonder where this journey will take me - probably to the Nursing Home :)

"Lord, make me to know my end,And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am..." (Psalm 39:4 NKJV).

Several weeks ago, Bro. Tim asked me to consider posting an occasional guest blog. I didn’t think that I could adequately speak to a Lamb’s journey but agreed to try. I pray that he will soon be at full speed and again filling these pages with his own words. Bill Davis

I remember growing up in a small church in Empire; visiting speakers had to stay with people in the church. There was no Hampton or Holiday Inn Express and if there had been the church couldn’t afford to pay for it. Since it was only my mother and me in our home, often we’d have guests.
A missionary spent a few days with us when I was about five, or so. She was home on furlough from somewhere in Asia; China or maybe Hong Kong. She looked frail and undernourished to me. I overheard her tell my mother that the thing she had missed from home while she was on the mission field was whole milk. She was only able to get powdered milk. I was so sad to hear her say that when she got home, she couldn’t drink it because it was too rich for her body to deal with.
I asked her why she didn’t stay home long enough to get herself stronger so that she could again enjoy drinking milk. I’ll never forget her answer. She said, “My body is not my own, I was bought with a price.” She went on to say that she must take care of some necessary business and then go back to the mission field that God had called her to.
Even at that young age, at some level, I understood what she meant. Those words have stuck with me for many years and I understand them better now that I did then. God had clearly shown her what her calling was for that season of her life. What a blessing! Many times we don’t really know what we should be doing for the kingdom of God. Are we impatient? Are we not listening? Is our mission not to our liking, requiring more humility that we can muster?
Clara H. Scott took the words from Psalms 119:18 and said this more clearly than I can when she wrote:
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

(Suffering with a broke arm and a cast on, I appreciate Bill Davis being a guest writer for me this week. He is a greater writer that you would enjoy reading his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/) Tim Lamb

I FEEL GOOD IN MY SKIN

I feel good in my skin was the words of a very successful pastor that I recently heard speak at a conference. By this statement I was challenged to examine my "skin", that is to examine where I am at with God.

Physically we may:

• Exercise to feel better about the skin that we are in
• Go to the beach and get a tan
  
• Or decide we would like to have a "tattoo" or have a "body piercing" to feel better about the skin that we are in.

The fact is that we all of us are constantly searching for ways to feel better about ourselves.

But the real question is spiritually. Do you feel good about your relationship with Christ? Do you feel a sense of satisfaction with where God has you? In the Bible, an Apostle by the name of Paul speaks about being part of one body but having different gifts, talents, etc. All of us have a place in that body. Have you found your place? I encourage you to find out where God wants you.

There is nothing better than knowing that you are doing what God has called you to do. This is not meant to be a boastful statement, but I do feel good in my skin. I know what it is to not be in the center of God's will, and I know the sense of satisfaction to walk in His will. At the moment, "I feel good in my skin."

Tribute to a Man of Faith

"You are over exposing yourself" was the words of John W. Swails, which went to be with the Lord this past Saturday evening. According to one of the minister's that did the eulogy of this "hero of faith" he once stated that if you preached more than 30 or 35 minutes "you are over exposing yourself." And then he goes on to say "cut your sermon in 1/2 if you are preaching more than 30 minutes." (This is probably a lesson that a lot of us preachers could learn.)

Another quote that this hero of faith stated was "the devil is in the condemning business and he has helpers, but God is not in the condemning business." John W. Swails was a great man of faith and a bible scholar. I believe that God strategically places us around people that can help us in our walk with God, and I am thankful to know this man of faith.

Paul states in II Timothy 4:5 & 6 (New Century Version) says, My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I believe that describes John W. Swails and others that allow God to use them to help reach others for Christ.

In my life time, if I can make half the impact that this man made on the life's of others, then I will be most grateful to the God that I serve.

To read more about John W. Swails click on the following link:
http://www.hughsnews.com/the-bio-of-john-washington-swails-jr-november-26-1915-june-12-2010

WHO'S LISTED IN YOUR BOOK?

In the last several days I have devoted time to reading two different books, with events that separated them by over 3000 years. One is The Three Sucess Secrets of Shamgar. The other is "Let's Roll" by Lisa Beamer. (I have other books of this nature on my book shelf like The Simultaneous Principle, by Frank G. Tunstall, Azusa East by Dr. Doug Beacham, and Old Time Power by Vinson Synan.) All of the above are great books that deals with history and does a great job in complimenting men and women of great faith in God.

I was especially captivated with the story of Shamgar. It is taken from the bible in Judges 3:31 & 5:6. In less than 50 words it tells us of a farmer that single handed killed 600 Philistines with a ox goad. The three basic points mentioned in The Three Success Secrets of Shamgar were:

• Start where you are
• Use what you have
• Do all you can
  

There are many people, both young and old, that I would consider great men and ladies of faith. I am grateful that I am surrounded by people that love God and in my book (which is unwritten) they are listed among the heroes of faith!

Who's listed in your book?

OUT ON LOAN

When you understand that everything you have is on loan, you are better prepared to release it when the owner (God) wants it back. (Charles Swindoll)

One of the more inspiring verses in the bible this week for me as been in Job 1:20-22. All of us know the story of Job and sometimes we hear folks say, "I feel like Job." But how did Job really feel?

When Job received the news that he had lost his property, his seven sons, and three daughters "Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped." The bible doesn't say how long he sat there after hearing the sad news but the point is "Job arose and worshiped God." In this verse there are many verbs that described vividly how Job worshiped God. And the writer also states that in all of this that Job did not sin nor blame God.

Job realized what he had, even his children were on loan from God and that he was not sole owner of any of these things. Job was not stuck on "stuff". The Psalmist writes, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." Everything belongs to Him! Therefore Job was better prepared to release these things back to God.

It is true that Job grieved over his lost but he knew that God was a sovereign God that always knows best.

My prayer today: Lord, help me to always know that what I have belong to you, and that it is just out on loan!

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

"...on behalf of 49 babies saved and 10 new believers (since Jan!) we appreciate your support." I started my Monday morning reading a thank you card that was handed to me last night after church. (EPHC recently gave a modest donation to a Women's Clinic that serves those in unplanned pregnancies.) I'm glad that God gave us this opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile ministry.

This is just one of many ways that we can make a difference in the lives of others. God has given all of us opportunities to make a difference. One verse that God reminded me of several years ago is where Jesus said, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." Sometimes we are looking for that opportunity to do something huge for someone like we are looking for that huge check in the mail (and it never arrives.) I encourage you to look for those little things that you can do this week to make a difference in the life of someone.

It may be that encouraging word, that faithful prayer, or that pleasant smile that makes a difference in the life of your friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor this week. I once heard a pastor that is now the leader of his denomination, state that every morning he spent about 30 minutes writing notes of encouragement to others. I have another friend that is great at calling other minister friends, and giving words of encouragement. This really is sometimes better than a check in the mail and will last longer too:)

Have a bless day and be a blessing to others!

HGTV "This Kitchen Is Dated"

(Fishing at St. Simon's Island)
Have you ever watched HGTV and heard them say, "This kitchen is dated"? A lot of things we can look at (houses, clothes, movies, songs, etc.) and know the generation in which they were built, made, or created. But God is neither "out of date", nor "dated". God is always relevant for the time!

Recently in my travel I visited the beautiful St. Simon's Islands, Georgia (USA) and had the privileged to visit areas where John and Charles Wesley both did missionary work. The same God that they preached about in the 1700's is the same God that we preach about today. It is the God that Asaph writes about and is recorded in Psalm 77:13, "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?"

In Psalm 77 we hear Asaph crying out to God in distress. The first few verses we hear him say, "I cry out to God...I was in deep trouble...I am too distressed even to pray!" (NLT) The writer did not sense God's divine presence but he would not give up. All night long he prayed with his hands lifted toward heaven, even though his soul was not comforted.

But then...Asaph begin to think on the times that his nights was filled with joy. He remembered all the things that the Lord had done. He begin to meditate on these things and would not allow them to leave his mind. "They are constantly in my thoughts, I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works" (Psalm 77:12 NLT). Asaph went from thinking about self to worshiping the Lord.

My prayer today:
God, help me today to not be distress with circumstances but to remember the wonders that you have done and to worship you!

Upside Down World

Isn't it amazing how that something that happens across the world can turn things upside down in your world? The Volcano that happened in Iceland last week no doubt has and will effect millions of people around the world. Thousands of people stranded in airports in Europe. (Even a couple of folks from Empire, Georgia). Millions of dollars the airlines are losing due to this catastrophe.

God is constantly allowing things to happen in this world to get our attention. Maybe to turn our world upside down, so that we are not so independent on ourself and more dependent on God. Other events like 9/11 and the killings at the Amish school in October of 2006 will forever have effect on all of our lives.

It is in Psalms 126 that the Psalmist writes " Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

Many today is in captivity because of different world events that has brought sadness and discomfort in their lives. But if we will be faithful to pray (sow in tears) then I do believe that we will reap in joy! God is truly a sovereign God that is in control of all things. I believe the bible teaches me that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose."

My prayer for all that reads this blog, that while at the moment their life may be full of sadness, that their life will be filled with joy!

WHO IS JESUS?

In a couple of weeks I will be preaching in the church that I "cut my teeth" on the back of the pews and I received a higher education from the shrubs that stood beside the church building. (For some reason or another I had to occasionally bring mother one of the limbs from the shrubs.)

There are many great memories I have of spending my childhood in this church with a lot of great people. One of them is when the choir would sing "I Want to Know More About My Lord." I am very grateful for something that was place in my heart that gave me a desire to know more about Him!

This is probably one of the reasons I recently picked up a book at "Books-A-Million" by Charles Swindoll, titled "The Greatest Life of All, Jesus". Charles Swindoll tells in this book of a survey that was taken in a mall in Frisco, Texas a few years ago. The question was asked among mostly 20 to 40 years of age, middle class people, "Who is Jesus?" Some of the answers were:

"That's a trick question. I don't know how to answer that."

"He was, you know... He was just another person that found religion and all that, so it's ...I mean...He's nothing like....He's, of course, a good person and all that..."

"He is...uh...Help me out here. Jesus Christ is, uh...the Son of God?"

There is an occasion in the bible that Jesus was in an home teaching when a man was let down from the roof top. The "religious leaders" was thinking "Who is this man speaking as if he was God?" They too, if a survey had been taken, would probably have had some of the same response some approximately 2000 years ago, "He is...uh...Help me out here. Jesus Christ is, uh..."

Now understand that I am not "poking fun" at anyone but just to say, "Lord, help me know more about you so that I can help others know you better."

Knowing about Jesus is knowing Him personally as Lord of your life!

The Howling Dog

For the past 16 years I have lived in a very rural community on the "other side of the railroad tracks." Approximately 1 minute and 49 seconds before I hear the train coming, my daughter's pet, "Max", (a mix between a fyce and a miniature collie) will begin howling. (I read that dogs ears are 40 times more sensitive then ours and I believe Max's ears must be about 60 times more sensitive:) Max cannot stand the sound of the train! Every morning, very early, Max warns us that the train is coming! I mean "very early!"

In reading Revelation 22:12 & 13 in the NCV this morning, it reads "Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me, and I will repay each one of you for what you have done. I am alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Max sounds the alarm for me when the train comes but I am sounding the alarm this morning that Jesus is coming soon. I have heard this all of my life, and I still believe it to be true. I truly believe that it could be any moment. I believe the Father is about to say "Go gather my children home."

My prayer to the Lord this morning is as John writes in Revelation 22:20 "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

And my prayer for you and me this morning is:
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all. Amen." (John 22:21 NCV)

Have a wonderful day in the Lord. It could be today!

Shackled with Guilt

The only time I've ever been "shackled" was 31 years ago when I was accused of being involved in a speed chase in Coweta County. Of course, you know that this is just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time=)

About an hour later, after searching me and my car, being handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the deputy's car, they decided that I was not guilty. (I am to this day very grateful to the policeman that finally admitted that I was not the one that out ran him.) It is not a good feeling to be shackled!

Many people have never been shackled with irons but they are walking around "Shackled with Guilt". In Psalms 32 David relates how he felt when he was "shacked with guilt". He talks about when "he kept silent", or kept things to himself he felt weak inside. David relates how that he felt like that his strength was gone as if he had been in the heat of the summer. David relates how that it was like being in a barren land. In reality David was feeling guilty about his sin! Probably after the time that he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, killed.

Then David said, "Then I confessed my sins to you and didn't hide my guilt. I said, 'I will confess my sins to the Lord' and you forgave my guilt." (Psalms 32:5 NCV)

Thank God that we can find forgiveness through Christ and that we do not have to walk around "Shackled with Guilt".

Cutting The Wrong End of the Fishing Line

It is not my intent to write something daily (maybe weekly) but doing a blog can be contagious! Not contagious in the sense of the flu or a virus that leaves you feeling bad but in the sense of something that leaves you with a satisfaction once completed. In my devotion this morning I meditated on the thought of "finishing well."

John Maxwell states "Leaders can undo their accomplishments by failing to finish well." It is like tying a hook on your fishing line and then when you go to cut the excess line off, you cut the wrong end. Of course, I know you have never done anything like that!

In my devotion this morning I looked at a few of the leaders in the bible that started well but failed to finish strong. 2 Chronicles gives us some of these examples. Asa was one of these that seem to start well. 2 Chronicles 15:2 gives us a principle that Asa started out living by: "The Lord is with you when you are with Him."

Later in 2 Chronicles 16 we see Asa beginning to depend on man instead of God. He was warned by God's prophet but it just seem to make Asa angry and the result was that he imprisoned God's prophet.

Another thing about following man instead of God is that we seem to take our problems out on others when things are not going well, and Asa did just that. 2 Chronicles 16:10 tells us that "Asa oppressed some of the people at that time." Like many leaders that start out well, Asa undone much of what he had accomplish as a great leader.

It is my prayer that I will not undo what few accomplishments I might have made (and that I will quit cutting the wrong end of the fishing line:)

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

"For he is good; and his mercy endureth forever" seem to be words that was sung repeatedly in Solomon's temple. In my devotion this morning I read the following story that I would like to share some of the highlights of the story.

1Tim Lahaye, in one of his more recent books (Jesus, Why The World Is Still Fascinated By Him), tells the story of a singer by the name of Kenny that goes into a high security prison to entertain. As he is squeezed through the doorway into the tight security area, the prisoners began in an angry voice to chant "Music! Music! Music!" This six foot five man with his cowboy boots on, trembled as he looked up to heaven, in one of the known toughest prisons in the nation, and prayed Lord, what do you want me to say to these men? He begin to strum a few chords on his guitar and before he realized it he was singing a song that he had learned as a child:

"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so."

The prisoners began to chant again, but this time with tears flowing down the cheeks of many of the prisoners they were telling Kenny to sing it again! As he begin to sing again, several of the prisoners began to join in and sing with him. Through this song God had melted the hearts of many of those "hard hearted" prisoners.

My point is that God is good and that His love is everlasting and can melt the hearts of those that do not know what it is to have joy.

My older sister and I attempted to sing this song when we were children in church. I am so glad that a long time ago I learned the basic truth that Jesus, loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!

"...For he is good, and his mercy endureth forever..." 2 Chronicles 5:13

1Jesus, Why The World Is Still Fascinated By Him, pg. 146-148 by Tim LaHaye

Easter Morning

"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."

After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) says, "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."

Talking about mixed emotions! The women was "afraid but also very happy". This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.

Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!

I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior lives!

He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!