Inspiration Thursday - Even If

It's been a very long time since I posted an Inspiration Thursday. And while I am not saying that I intend to bring back the weekly post, I believe that there will be the occasional song or Scripture passage that will trigger an inspirational thought that I feel prompted to share. That happened recently as I was watching a video by Mercy Me.




We've all been where this song is. Things aren't going well, in fact our life is a mess on some level. We've heard all of the cliche verses from friends and loved ones, intending to encourage us and and give us hope. The fact is we are just putting one foot in front of the other, trying to get to the next day, hoping it will be better. Our faith is challenged and it takes all the faith we have just to move forward. God's people are not immune from difficulties. We suffer the same calamities as the world around us. As the song says, it's easy to sing praises to God when we're on the mountain top, but not so much when we are walking through the valley. Regardless of where we find ourselves in this journey called life, the Christian must always trust in the providence of God. Our life is not a surprise to Him. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." It is okay to weep over our circumstances. It is okay to take time to consider our place in this world. It's okay to cry out to God to release us from our difficulty. The question is, what is our response if He says "No, or Not right now." It is in those times that we must say to our Creator, "Even if You don't, my hope is in You alone." Regardless of the trials and tribulations that this expedition called life may contain, as long as I have my Savior, "It is Well With My Soul." Have blessed day.

2017 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 16

Have you ever spent time just gazing at the ornaments on a tree and pondered the story of Christmas?
What questions come to mind when you read the account of the birth of our Savior? There are a couple of songs that consider what thoughts went through Joseph's mind as Mary carried the Son of God in her womb, and what questions did he have about being the earthly father of Christ. I wonder indeed.
After all, it seemed like a strange way to save the world but God tells us that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. Thank you Lord for your infinite grace.

Wordless Wednesday - Kind of

Last Saturday night we went to a concert featuring two Christian groups, Jeremy Camp & Mercy Me.
We had seats on the 5th row. Yes, it was loud, but it was very good. Here are a couple of examples of their work.

Jeremy Camp

 Bart Millard - Lead Vocals- Mercy Me

2015 Christmas Music Marathon Day 29

It's Christmas Day! A Savior is born! May the Gift and the Spirit of Christmas live in your heart and home this year and may He walk with  you every day of the New Year.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our home to yours.

2015 Christmas Music Marathon Day 14

One of the joys of the Christmas season is pulling out the photos of Christmas past and reliving precious moments shared with the family. One of the joys of being a Christian is spending time reliving moments shared with the Savior. I can remember times when He delivered me from harms way. I can remember times when he gave me strength to face a difficult situation. I can remember when He gave me patience to manage people at work. I can remember when He wrapped His arms around me and let me know that He would not leave me, when I needed comfort. Whatever I have needed, He as supplied. I have been fortunate in this life. I had a good job and was able to retire in relative comfort. I have a marvelous family. I have decent health. If I had to make a Christmas list, it would be very short, because He has already provided everything that I truly need in this world. At the top of my Christmas list is a prayer that my grandchildren have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. One day they will be able to have memories similar to mine.

Skywatch Friday

I haven't done a Skywatch in a while and I've missed some great photo opportunities lately.  Autumn skies are often the best skies of the year for great sunrise and sunset photos.  This is a little before sunset in Kansas City, MO last Friday. We were visiting my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. I stepped outside to get something from the car and this opportunity presented itself.  Have a blessed week-end.

Inspiration Thursday

Be inspired through the music. Everyone who reads this blog, both of you, knows that I love inspirational music, especially Southern Gospel. However, I also love the Contemporary Christian genre. Here are three selections from today's most popular groups. Enjoy.

Skywatch Friday

The first light of day calls us to a fresh start. We have the opportunity to put the failures of yesterday behind us, learn from our mistakes and take on the world with a new resolve to be better than we ever have before.  For most of us today will end much like yesterday and the day before, and the day before that, etc. We will have gotten some things done, failed to complete other tasks and generally feel like the day was not a total loss. For a few of us this day will be viewed as an epic fail.  Life will beat us up and kick us to the curb. Finally, there will be those who have one of the best days of their lives.  As the old saying goes, "They have the world by the tail with a down hill pull." One of the best ways to start each morning is with a Proverb from the Bible. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and we could all stand to be a little wiser in these difficult times. Proverbs 2:10-11 says, "When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you." That's pretty good stuff. There are 31 Proverbs and I don't think that is coincidence.  I believe that God wants to impart knowledge and wisdom to us and He has something to say each day. What does He want you to know today?  Open your Bible to Proverbs and let the "Word of God Speak." It just may be the start of an epic day. Have a blessed week-end.

Skywatch Friday

It's that time of year.  The weather is still very warm, but the promise of autumn and cooler temps is just around the corner.  Football season is here and we will soon be trading our summer shorts for our sweat pants and a fire in the fire place.  It's my favorite time of the year.  What's yours?

Skywatch Friday

 

When I was a working man, skywatch photos were pretty easy to come by.  I would leave the house early enough in the morning to photograph the sunrise from a couple of locations on my way to work and, in the winter, the sun was setting as I left the office, which gave me a few more opportunities each evening.  Now that I am retired, I find that getting a good skywatch image actually involves some effort.  I find myself digging into the archives more often and finding images that I haven't posted nor discarded yet.  Some of them are suitable for posting.  They just don't always happen to be current.  For example the image above was take in November of 2011.  It has a really cold, winter feel to it.  The sky is almost icy in nature.  Hopefully I will have some fresh images very soon.  Happy Skywatching everyone.

 



2013 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 13

Skywatch Friday

Here we are, eleven days into the new year and I've already missed one Skywatch Friday opportunity.  But last week was the end of the holiday week and I was on vacation so I didn't post much of anything.  How's that for an excuse...pretty lame.
The important thing is we are in the new year and once again we are faced with new possibilities and opportunities to make this the best year of our lives.  What can be done to ensure that 2013 is indeed the best year yet?  Most of us will try to adopt a healthier lifestyle, with better eating habits and more exercise.  Some of us will attempt to acquire a new skill or take purposeful steps to improve skills that we already have.  Still others will decide that a career move or change is the answer to making 2013 the best year of their existence.  On one level or another, I will do all three this year.
I was only marginally successful in a healthier lifestyle last year.  It resulted in the loss of a few pounds, but nowhere near the results that I need to see.  I must admit the results matched my effort.
I am also making a career change this year.  It's called retirement!  That's right, one day this year will be my last day of work.  I have been in the construction industry since 1969.  I've been a licensed architect since 1983 and I have been at my present employer since 1987.  I am ready for this adventure called retirement.  You can scroll down a couple of posts to see how I intend to spend much of my time.
Finally, I intend to work on a couple of relationships.  Like most of us, my relationship with my spouse could be better.  We have been married over 38 years now.  We love each other but there is no doubt that I could be a better husband.  There is no reason why these retirement years can't be the best years of our marriage.  How does one improve on a long lasting marriage relationship?  I think the answer lies in improving another relationship.
The relationship with my Lord and Savior needs a lot more attention from me.  I need to spend more time talking to my Lord, in prayer.  I need to spend more time listening to what my Lord has to say to me, through reading His word and I need to spend more time putting into action those things that I learn from the first two activities.  One thing is certain, the better your relationship is with Christ, the better your relationship will be with the world around you.  Have a blessed week-end.


On December 7, 1941 over 2400 Americans lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor and we were plunged into World War II.
On September 11, 2001 Nearly 3000 people died in three separate terrorist attacks, and we launched the War on Terror.
Every day in this country over 3500 Americans are denied the first breath of life in abortion clinics, and we do nothing.  Something is dreadfully wrong with this scenario.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 28

 
There is little doubt that we live in a world desperately in need of a Savior.  Over the past forty years, we have systematically removed God from virtually every aspect of our daily lives.  We have become so politically correct that the very name of Jesus is only whispered in public.  The results have been devastating.  The only way to return this country to the greatness that it once enjoyed, is to acknowledge that it was the God of all creation that blessed this country and seek His forgiveness for abandoning Him.  The violence that has become all to common place in our society is an outward expression of an inward problem.  Our hearts no longer have room for God.  Our minds refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty, and we believe that our own, self-proclaimed righteousness is perfectly capable of solving all of our problems.  We have a heart problem and no amount of legislation will fix that.  Only a Savior can heal our hearts.
We are not about to celebrate a holiday.  We are about the celebrate the birth of the Savior of this world.
"For God so loved the world that He Gave His only begotten son the whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life."  Not only is Jesus the Reason for the Season, but He is the only answer to our broken nation.  He has said, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  I fear that we have become too proud to humble ourselves.  The choice is ours.  A Savior waits to restore His people once again.  May the God of all creation and the Savior of mens souls live in your heart this day and forever.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 13

Homemade Wreaths

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 8

I am almost always amazed at what our Creator does with sunrises and sunsets.  They serve as a reminder to me that He is sovereign and in control.  Even in times of trouble or personal difficulties, nothing happens without God's knowledge and consent.  When questioned by Pilate, prior to His crucifixion, Pilate said, " Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Christ answered Pilate by saying, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been granted from above."  Bad things happen to good people. Events take place that may not always be His will, but God will allow us to suffer the consequences of our own actions.  He may also allow collateral damage, those seemingly innocent bystanders to suffer loss.  I can't explain why God allows some things to happen the way they do, I just have to have the faith that God knows best and trust Him.  The Bible tells us, "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  Thank you Lord for providing Your Word to supply my every need.  I can be strengthened, comforted, consoled, encouraged, challenged, chastised, blessed, and most importantly, find the gift of eternal life, in the pages of Your Bible.
Today, the Christmas Music Marathon continues with a couple of more contemporary groups, Mercy Me and Third Day.  Enjoy your week-end, but stop by for more music as the marathon will go straight thru until Christmas, and maybe the new year.

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 3

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2012 was a blessed day.  Our immediate family gathered, dined and enjoyed an afternoon together.  It all started the day before.

The two younger grand daughters came out to the house to spend the night and help Nana get ready for Thanksgiving.  They helped prepare some specially decorated cupcakes and some special decorations for the pumpkin pie.  They also assisted in setting the table.  A little later it was time for some popcorn and a little TV before going to bed.

 Here are the special "Gobbler" cupcakes.

The table was set with all of the family favorite dishes.  There was mashed potatoes, dressing, corn, cranberry salad, and another cool whip/marshmellow/jello salad that some of us eat as dessert.  There was also the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies.  Yes, there was turkey.  Looking at the first photo and this table setting, I am reminded just how blessed this family is.  We are together, we have our health, and we enjoy spending time together.  Thank you Lord for all that  you have given us this day and every day.

For whatever reason, the grand crew had been to Cabela's recently and got bit by the archery/shooting bug.

I don't own a bow, but I do have a pellet rifle and they were all for a little target practice in the back yard.

 I set up a target in the back yard.  Since our back yard is adjacent to the woods, a missed shot will fall harmlessly into the ravine.  Here, my son-in-law and three of the grand crew prepare to lock and load.

 After a little instruction from Papa. This grand daughter was starting to hit the target on a pretty regular basis.  I'm not sure what we've started, but I do know that all of the kids Christmas wish lists now include a pellet rifle.  Go figure.

 Even my daughter got into the act.  I don't know if that is a good thing or not.  Just sayin'

All in all, it was a great day.  The holidays are indeed about family and today was a great family day.

The Christmas Music Marathon continues with a couple of more videos from contemporary groups.  Stop by every day to see what new music will be featured.  Enjoy.

  

Christmas Music Marathon - Day 4

Saturday night my alma mater, the Oklahoma Sooners, won the Big 12 Championship by defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-20.  The Huskers are moving to the Big 10 next year.  That move will end a rivalry that stretches back to the mid-sixties.  OU and Nebraska have played for the conference championship more times than most people can remember.  There have been many close games and great moments in college football over the years, when these two teams meet.  That has officially come to an end, with the departure of Nebraska to the Big 10 conference.  The Huskers may have left the conference, but they left the hardware behind.  BOOMER, Sooner!!!

Today my Christmas song focuses on Joseph. It is Joseph's lullaby by Mercy Me. Enjoy.