Wow, rough day yesterday, was afraid I was relapsing and that wouldn’t be good.

Have an appointment, tomorrow, with a new doctor as my primary provider – the man, Ben a PA, who has been in that position for several years has bought into a practice in Hood River.  My first intent was to follow him there as so many others have done.

However, as I sat in the hospital bed listening to the physician and watching him review all of my files at a click of a button, going back several years to try and determine how to address my problem I realized that I had to rethink that decision.

While Ben has ample knowledge of my past situations, it will make it difficult for him to be involved in my future situations since I have several physicians involved in my care.

The doctor was not happy that Ben had left because ‘you have complicated issues’ and now we would have to start over – but at least the new provider will have immediate access to past and any future problems I might have.

All of my emergency room visits, admittance to the hospital, surgeries, lab results, consultations with multiple physicians, medications and other relevant information is on-line and is shared with all The Dalles physicians and the hospital.

We will see how the new doctor and I connect.  

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

How many times have we heard these or variations of these statements:

Yes, I believe in God, but He doesn’t control who I am.

Yes, I believe in God, but His requirements are too strict and not socially acceptable anymore, we have ‘evolved’ to a more enlightened society.

Yes, I believe in God, I go to church every Sunday, but that is where He belongs, not in my business or other decisions.

Yes, I believe there is a God and that there are many paths that we can travel to meet Him.

Belief in God is for weak people, who cannot stand on their own.

And so the denial of God’s expectation of holiness from His children goes on and on.

If we do not have God in every aspect of our life, we are doing just as the devils do, we believe, but not enough to include Him in our decisions and actions.

IF we agree God exists, then why do we shun Him when we go about our daily activities?

Why do we focus on everything else, and exclude Him in our day to day decision making?

God should be such an integral part of our life that we immediately know and feel when we have strayed away from Him – if even for a moment.

Believing in God is not enough.

Reading His Word is not enough.

Accepting His Son; confessing our sins; and allowing His Holy Spirit to guide us through His Word applying it to our life is what is needed.

It is a commitment; it is a lifestyle that should permeate our entire being no matter what the circumstances might be.

It doesn’t make us super religious.  It doesn’t require us to beat ourselves up when we falter.

It DOES require us to worship Him; to praise Him; to accept His Word as truth and to obey and follow Him every minute of every day.

Mark 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

believe the gospel

1 Corinthians 1:17-18  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

It is not enough to believe in God; we must believe what He has said and obey.

Later, Art :-)

Carla was called into work today, the manager was ill.  She made it clear that she would not close tonight since she had another obligation – usually she just goes in – they had to do some switching around, but she got her way.  Course it was either that or not have her at all, which was not a viable solution.

She has 19 years with the company and wants to reach at least 20 and those of you that know her know she will do it.  I can see her though, this time next year, saying – I think I will try for 25.......

Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

How many times have I ignored this admonition?   Way too many times to count.

However, I do remember a few times that instead of listening to God, I believed my own pride and ‘wisdom.’  I forgot to put Him in the equation and went forward with false confidence that I was bigger and more important than I was.

Many times He pulled me up short without too much discipline, other times He had to remind me many times before He pulled the rug out from underneath me.

It is good to know our craft and perform it at its highest level possible.  It is good to study and gain insights that help us improve and make us better.  It is good to know that the quality of the product – no matter what it is – is the very best we can do and it isn’t just ‘acceptable’ it is good work.

But, when we forget who gave us the abilities, when we forget that we are but the tool of the true Master, we are heading down a slope that gets steeper and more slippery the farther along that path we travel.

It is far too easy to get into the mindset that we deserve all the allocates from others; that we deserve all the perks that go along with our success.

Yes, there are things that, because we attain a certain level, that we are given so that we can perform our tasks well, but when we begin to demand those, when we begin to look at them with pride in effect saying look at me and who I am, then we are doing preciously what God said we should not do – we become wise and prudent in our own eyes.

Mathew 23:10-12    Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

¹¹ But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

¹² And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

It is good to remember that even Jesus performed His service to God and to us, as a servant, not a demanding leader.

Mathew 16:15-16 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

While He indeed proclaimed He was the Messiah, while He did accept the Mantle of the Christ, He did not demand to be treated as a King. 

He came to earth among the people, as a young babe, forsaking all the trimmings that were due Him and to what He was used to in heaven – and lived a humble life, placing God the Father first in His ministry to us.

He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, yet, He openly placed the wellbeing of others first, to the point that He obeyed God and gave up His life for us.

That is the example we must follow, not self-adulation.

Later, Art :-)

Warm today, but still nice.  Had some left over steak, pulled some peppers tomatoes out of the garden slice them up, along with an onion and made the ingredients of a Fajita.

Made some tortillas from scratch and had a good lunch.

Won’t be long before the fresh vegetables will be a thing of the past and we will need to plan for next year’s garden.

Water bill will be a lot less.......by half.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The world says it wants peace, but denies the existence of God and His Son who can give it.

Instead of standing by His Word the world attempts to appease those that have turned from Him that - choose to spit in His eye and attempt to destroy His Word.

It is easier to give into their demands than to teach them righteousness and accountability. 

The world believes the lies of satan and turn to him in their desire to have peace with others; thinking that compromising will somehow make everyone happy.

But the world doesn’t know how to give peace, and then end result is sorrow and destruction.

John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Later, Art :-)

Love the early mornings in the Fall; full of fresh smells, the dew on the grass and the crispness of the air.  Even though it is a foretelling of Winter where things die off and go dormant, it is a refreshing time that revitalizes me.

Isaiah 1:4-7 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

⁵ Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

⁶ From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

⁷ Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Written by Isaiah about Two thousand eight hundred years ago – it is a vision of what Judah and Jerusalem will look like if they do not repent.

Written Two thousand eight hundred years ago and is describing what is happening in America today.

As a country we have fallen away from God.  We go about our own way and the results have been catastrophic.

Cities are indeed burning.

Our lands are suffering from improper management.

The things that are occurring within our country cannot be mollified with words or actions that are hollow in their deeds.

We see those that hate America coming in and gaining control over it by virtue of accusations of bias and prejudice; demanding changes that are in direct conflict with both the Constitution of the United States and the Word of God.

We see the same thing happening to our country that has happened to great countries throughout history.  We have followed in their footsteps like it is a blue print – but not to succeed in our endeavors, but to become corrupt and destroyed from within.

We can overcome the deceit and subterfuge, the sinful cesspool we have become; but the choice of whether we do or not is up to us.

Verses 18-20   Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

¹⁹ If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

²⁰ But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

We are very fortunate.  We have an advocate that can stand with us before God.  We have a Holy Spirit that can teach and guide us into a more righteous life.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

John reaffirms that God’s Word, that God’s desire, is for us to worship and live in Him. 

We are aware of what sin is, even those that try to twist God’s Word into meaning what it doesn’t, even those that refuse to even consider that God’s Word is both Holy and Righteous know there is right and wrong.

Yet, they have bought into the fact that man makes his own destiny and there is no Creator that is in control of us or our world.

There was an ad for something in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s, its theme was ‘If it feels good, do it!’

That has been the mantra of the majority of America since that time and it has been the devastation of our country.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

²⁰ But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

It isn’t as if we haven’t been warned.

Later, Art :-)

Blue sky, no clouds, slight breeze, very nice day.  While it will warm up a bit, it is very comfortable outside right now.

LOVE this time of year!

FYI Just talked with Klindt’s Book Store, for those of you that are local and want to go through them to order my book, Elected Through Terror, you can. 

I was told that most bookstores will be able to order it if you would rather do that to support the book store in your community.

John 14:13-15 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

All too frequently we pray, expecting an answer that we want, after all didn’t Jesus say if you ask in His name that He will do it.  Only the answer isn’t what we expected – or the outcome is not what we wanted.

We forget the caveat that Jesus made when He told us that He will do what we ask that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Many times we go before Him and ask His assistance.  He tells us what we must do, but we are unwilling to do that, we just want Him to take care of everything and not be bothered with the details or having to change the way we are doing things.

God answers prayers.  Much of the time we feel it is to our benefit because it heals us or resolves a problem – but that is not the criteria He uses. 

He answers prayers so that others will see His works, He answers prayers so that others will be drawn to Him, He answers prayers that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

It isn’t about us.  It is about Him.

We raise our children to be independent.  We praise them for their ability to make good decisions.  It is important that they stand on their own two feet and be responsible adults.

But how often do we say that the gifts they have are from God and that in every way we must give Him the glory.  A lesson my children pretty well know – but not necessarily a lesson they learned from their father.

We go to God with requests like we would a genie in a lamp.  ‘This is what I want, Lord, now do it.’  We expect that our prayers be answered without having to do anything, change anything ourselves and then get discouraged when we don’t get what we want.

Sometimes the glorification of the Father is done because we remain faithful to Him even when our world is collapsing around us.  We do not waver when we talk about Him. 

Others see us in our struggles and the peace we have through the Holy Spirit and in that they are drawn to God – because that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

No matter our circumstances we can still be a light that will bring others to God, His mercy and forgiveness through His Son.

Later, Art :-)

amazon.com/author/artlabrousse

Looking outside at clouds and a bit of rain – just enough to spot the cars and make them need washing.  Not enough to make a difference in the garden, which will need more watering via irrigation.

Down to just about three or four hummingbirds, now.  These are the ones that will stay with us through the winter.  As it gets much colder I trust that I will be able to keep the feeders fresh and unfrozen. 

All the cats are now coming into the house and finding multiple places to sleep.  Even Abbey who loves it outside is coming inside now.  As soon as I can figure out why I can’t get some photos off my camera’s memory card I will post a couple of them.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also

The first two verses are easy for us, we have peace, we have access by faith and we rejoice in the glory of God.

It is the last three verses that make the difference in a Christian that wants to make a difference in the world around him.

Paul was not speaking from high Ivory Tower.  He was speaking from experience; his trials and tribulations are well documented.  Yet, he continued to preach Christ, to help others understand the need to not only accept Him, but follow Him.

Paul was an example of what he preached; he was the genuine article and deserves our respect and his examples are to be followed by us. 

Our decision to follow Christ is a lifelong commitment.  It is not a magic key to solve all of our problems; it is a lifestyle and a relationship with God that helps us deal with all of our problems. 

It is a belief that no matter what befalls us, or where we are, God is with us and wants only the best for us.

When we, or a loved one, are ill or involved in a life threatening accident it is often difficult to accept that God will make something good out of our suffering, but He does.  It may take years for us to have an inkling of what it was, and sometimes we may never find out until we are with Him – but, nothing God allows to happen in our lives is for naught.

I struggle to glory in tribulations, but I do know that somehow He will use my struggles to make me a stronger Christian and to help others come to Him.

Later, Art :-)

The first day of Fall and it actually feels like Fall.  Still no color changes in any of our trees, but it won’t be long.

I love this time of year.  I love the beauty but I also know that my allergies are not as bad now, and I can venture outside and not be attacked by pollen from all the plants.

Getting better each day.  Today, for the first time in several weeks I was able to walk for half an hour without having to rest – and felt good afterwards instead of feeling dragged out.

My primary physician, actually a Physician Assistant, has moved to Hood River in partnership with an old friend from years ago.  My first intent was to do what so many other of his patients have done and that is follow him.  He is good, he knows his patients and does a good job of helping them maintain or improve health.

I am rethinking following him over there.  Not because I think someone will do it better, but, as one doctor told me, my case is complicated.  Here they have access to my very large file at the click of a button.  My PA will not have access to those records and even though he will get them all, they will be harder for him to update so others doctors I deal with on a regular basis can communicate with him.

We shall see.

Psalm 12:6-7  The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

⁷ Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Through the years the Bible has been proven authentic and accurate in both history and preserving the words that were written by the early authors – who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The challenges have been many and merciless, but still the Bible prevails.  Its words teach and comfort those that accept it.

While seemingly harsh at times, the message that God loves His people and wants only the very best for them is reinforced over and over again.

In this day and age when anything is permitted, where charlatans can preach hatred of God and His Word, it still stands.

Where society tries to twist and turn the words to allow their life style to be considered natural, a quick evaluation of their message compared to the Word of God is shown to be false.  It is a deadly interpretation they would bring to others and leads all of their ‘believers’ away from God.

So many people today do not want to accept the standards that God requires.  It is easier to declare they are their own arbiters of what is right and wrong rather than accept God’s Word.

Today there are those that say there are no absolutes, even manipulating the laws of physics and mathematics to attempt to prove their point.

If there are no absolutes than nothing can be trusted.

Yet, the Word of God proclaims there are absolutes and they are found throughout the Word; there are no conditional judgement, they are all determined by God.  Where there are conditions it is how people respond to Him, if they believe and obey they are fine – repenting is the primary condition – but sin is still sin and sin is separation from God, period.

The world likes to think that if they obey their own standards that the God of this universe (when they admit there is one) will accept those standards and allow them entrance into heaven.

But, that is not what His Word says. 

2 Timothy 3:15-17  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

With so many things that interfere with our worship, where society tries to subtly lead us to follow their false leads and doctrines, it is important that we read what God has said and reaffirm, daily, our trust in Him and His Word; striving to do His will and show others His love.

Later, Art :-)

Love fall days, cooler weather and freshness in the air.  Sunlight is different, to me it is softer.

It hasn’t frozen the produce, yet, so we are still able to harvest fresh vegetables and use and/or can them.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

How many times have we heard or read the statement ‘Jesus is coming soon?’

Several times a week if we have contacts with other Christians or their writings.

When I accepted Christ over 50 years ago that was the chant, ‘Jesus is coming soon.’  It has not changed much through the decades.

I have to admit, I am a very impatient person – I can see your heads nodding in agreement.  When I ask God for something I figure He should give it to me immediately, after all that is when I need it.

However, God doesn’t work on our time tables.  The Jewish people waited thousands of years for their Messiah, unfortunately for many of them, when He came they didn’t accept Him.

It has been said that the early Christians would greet each other with the question, ‘have you seen Him?’

There was an expectation that when Jesus said He would be coming back soon, that it would be in our time, not God’s.  And it is the same today.

It doesn’t matter if Jesus comes today or a thousand years from today, His expectation is that we live our life so that others can learn of His salvation AND that we are ready at any time for Him to come back.

Much of the training a Police Officer goes through is never used in actual service.  However, he must train and be ready to act when necessary, or his or others may lose their life. 

I can remember once when we had a car chase that ended up in the suspect’s car going off the road and down a steep grade for a couple hundred feet.

One of the other officers asked me to go down and check on the occupants because I had the Emergency Medical Technician training and it would appear the suspects would probably need it.

As I ran down the hill I kept thinking, I wish I had the book right now!  When I checked out the car all suspects had disappeared into the brush.  We did capture then later that morning.

I had to be ready to treat those suspects, if needed, until an ambulance arrived on the scene – having the book would not have helped me, I had to be READY.

It is much the same when we expect Jesus to come.  We never know when it will happen – and through the last 2000 years, many have passed away to become face to face with Him – if they were not ready when they faced Him, it was too late.

While it is good to feel the urgency of His coming so that we keep on track, to worry about it is counterproductive. 

He WILL come on HIS time, it is up to us to continue to serve Him until that time comes; whether in our death or seeing Him come down from the clouds.

For those of us that are impatient and once we pray we expect that prayer to be answered immediately – and become disappointed when it doesn’t happen on our time frame, we need to pray for patience.  It doesn’t do us any good to get anxious and over wrought He answers those prayers as He sees fit.

Doesn’t mean that we should stop asking, or that we should give up, it just means that HIS time for us is not yet.

Later, Art :-)

Having a round steak this evening, I fix them like I do pot roasts.  Beef comes from Rose’s steer.  Teresa processed some soup bones from the steer and produced some bone marrow gel some of which we will add to the can of golden mushroom soup and dried onion soup.

Those are the only two items not from home.  We have carrots and potatoes fresh from Carla’s garden that will be cooked along with the steak.

‘tis always nice to have homegrown food where you know it has been raised correctly.

Doing better, still muddling through but doing better.

Proverbs 6:5-8 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

⁶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

⁷ Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

⁸ Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

I was watching a car commercial that said the engineers and designers took their cue from the elephant’s skull.

They then showed a brief example of the interior under the outer ‘skin’ of the car which was honeycombed.  They said that in doing so the car was lighter but stronger than a solid piece of steel or whatever they are using now.

The elephant skull, from what I can discern (according to photos I was able to locate on the web) is indeed honeycombed, I would assume to make it strong and put less strain on the neck of the elephant since it is so large – the honeycomb affect would make the skull lighter.

I have read of other discoveries made by scientists and engineers in the world of nature that have been applied to modern day devices.

By studying the animals not only do they learn more about the animal but they learn how they were created and many of these studies have turned into man’s ability to adapt and have an easier and safer life.

Romans 1:19-20  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

It truly baffles me that those who make it their life work to study God’s Creation believe in the religion of evolution.  They believe that the universe was created from a small dot to what it is now – or at least what it has become right now in the process of billions of years.

They do not see the design of a creator – yet they use these dependable designs and information from God’s Creation to try and have a better understanding of what our universe is and in doing so are trying to also create, from God’s examples, a more efficient or safer or whatever lifestyle.

They study God’s Creation, not to worship God, but as an almost worship of the creation itself.  Focused on what has been created and not the God that created them, they deny God’s existence.

I do have concern for them.  God has made it very clear that these people are going to have to stand before Him in judgement and it will be a very bitter experience.

Verses 21-25 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

What an incredible world we live in.  No matter where we reside or travel to, God has complex animals, plants or minerals that survive in that environment and provide energy, shelter and even food for those living there.

We don’t have to look very hard or long to see His Hand on everything around us.

Later, Art :-)

Interesting couple of years.  Last few weeks following in line, sort of, with everything else.

I had a deadly bacteria in my intestinal track that could have done grave damage.  There was a good reason for the haz-mat suits the nurses and aides used.

Got rid of it through antibiotics and the under the watchful eye of the people at MCMC I improved and was released.

Still trying to get some balance in my system so while I appear to be out of the woods, I just have to get back to a regular process – it is coming slowly but surely.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The last couple three years have been challenging times for me, physically. 

However, I never ask, why.  I will ask how and what can I do to treat or prevent the problem(s) from reoccurring – because there is usually a medical remedy.

But, I never ask, Why?

First of all, He knows why I am going through anything I go through.  If He has allowed this to happen to me, there is a reason for it that will, if I trust in Him, will be used for HIS glory.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I believe that, yes, there are times I struggle with it, especially when in pain and losing focus, but I know that He directs my path and will guide me through it all.

I know He is with me at all times.  There are times I may not ‘feel’ His presence, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there.

It is like a small child lying in bed asleep with the parent looking over him from above and saying a prayer for his safe keeping, the child may not feel the presence of the parent, but he is there none the less.

Mathew 28:20 ....and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What a wonderful promise we have from our God!

Later, Art :-)

Interesting how Summer is turning into Fall here in our neck of the woods so much earlier than in the past.

Not that it can’t change to much warmer, but temperatures are forecast to be in the 70’s this next week.  It makes it easier to get outside chores done; but also just might be confirming the Farmer’s Almanac’s forecast of a long cold winter.

We shall see.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

We know what we are to be doing with our life in Christ.

We know what He expects of us.

His Word is very clear.

The teachers and Pastors we have served under have told us what God expects of us; and, while they are not always ‘right’ we can proof their teachings using God’s Word.

But it isn’t as if we are on our own, the Holy Spirit resides within us to teach, guide and help us live our life for Him.

Where we seem to falter is not applying those truths in every aspect of our lives.

We get lazy and let others tell us what the Word says, instead of reading, studying and learning directly from the Bible for ourselves.

We get too busy in our life to take time out to talk to God and listen to Him so we can do a more effective work for Him.

Applying the Word of God to our lives is not an easy task.  It takes determination, perseverance and a sincere desire to place Him first in our lives.

But, again, He doesn’t require us to do it all by ourselves, His Holy Spirit is always within us.

Faith in God and work for God starts with small steps, just like a new job – no one expects us to do the same work the first day we are there that others, who have been there much longer, can do.

But if we do not improve in our employment we run the risk of losing the job – and there is no do overs.

With God, while He fully expects us to grown in our ability to serve Him, if we falter He is there to pick us up and help us move forward.

I need time with Him, daily, or I find that slacking off one day and saying I will make up for it the next turns into two, three days and before I know it a week and even months pass by.

Hold fast the form of sound words

We can’t do that if we let go of our relationship with Him and don’t maintain that relationship, affirming it, every day.

Later, Art :-)

Pulled some chuck steaks from Ken’s farm out of the freezer yesterday, they are thawed out and ready to barbecue when Carla comes home from work.

Home grown beef and vegetables from Carla’s garden, can’t get much better than that.

We have the butcher package our meat for two people – there was a time that we would easily have consumed the meat at one setting; now, we have leftovers for at least one meal and often two.  Good stuff though, even as leftovers!

We have some homemade ketchup canned up.  The Bell recipe book says it will not be as thick as what come from the store, however, it is thick enough and I like it better than any we have purchased in the store.

A good rich tomato taste with a slight bite to it; and, NO we will not be putting it on Ken’s good beef!

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”  Roy Disney

Isaiah 48:17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Read both of these this morning and thought they complemented each other quite well.

We sometimes get lost in what we are trying to accomplish by focusing on the details – forgetting that there is a ‘big’ picture, part of which is making sure we are basing our decisions on our values.

Not always are we remaining true to those values, and when we sway from them we become ineffective in the long run.

The values we have as Christians must always line up with God’s Word.  To do that we must study His Word and take time to find out and understand what a ‘good’ follower of Christ should do.

We are fortunate that we do not have to go it alone.  The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, helping us to understand how what we are doing is honoring God.

No matter our circumstances, no matter what others may think we must remain as true to those values as we possibly can.

We are also fortunate that when we falter or even fail at times, He is forgiving and will bring us back into His fold.  Even during those times of falling away from God, the Holy Spirit speaks to us – we just don’t listen or even worse, we hear, understand but choose to go our own way.

Through the years there are times I have not been malleable, times that, rather than seek God’s guidance in my decisions I just went ahead and made them.

Most decisions were okay, but others were borderline disasters and it was my own fault for not seeking and then following His guidance.

The reason for our remaining in the world after accepting God’s Son as our Savior is so we can lead others to Him.

In order to lead others to Christ, we must first be sure our lives are on the right path.

I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Sounds simple enough, but takes determination, courage and a willingness to bend our stiff neck, bow to Him and acknowledged He is the leader, we are but His follower and trust in Him to know the path He wants us to follow.

Later, Art :-)

Cool day yesterday, bit of rain but for us that was fine.

Warmer, not hotter, today.  Nice wind blowing through our open window, through the house and out the back door, cool.  Didn’t use the air conditioner yesterday and it looks like it will be off today.

Meanwhile the animals are much happier AND enjoying outside.

Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

This is a verse that I have used far too infrequently, as most of you can attest.

All too frequently I just say what I think – and while it may be valid, it can also be hurtful.  

What I have found though, considering general conversations, is that the truth of this verse comes through.  I do not cuss, although I use euphemisms and I must be careful of doing even that.

What we say, apart from our statements on our relationship with Christ, can have a serious impact on others – non-believers, but believers as well.

I was watching a show the other day.  One of the characters is a Christian – however, he was using language that not only is unfit for a Christian to be using, but 20 years ago he would have been censored for saying some of the words in public.

By doing this, in my opinion, he hurt his testimony.  He was just one of the ‘guys’ not separated from the world, but actively participating in the decrepit language of the world.

We need to even be careful of what we hear – or how we react to the statements of others, including jokes.

A friend of mine was a good example to me.  He was in a profession where rough language was a way of life.  His fellow employees would tell ribald jokes and of course many WERE funny, however, not something that is appropriate for a Christian to be involved with.

But, like many of us, he couldn’t isolate himself from his fellow workers, he had to interact with them – it was part of the job.

What he chose to do was not to laugh at the joke, but in good time he would tell one of his own.  A clean joke.

His delivery was always good, as was his timing, and what I heard about his method was that his jokes were always funny and often much funnier than the dirty joke was.

As time went on, fewer jokes and off-color comments were made around him.  They respected his views.

We live in a world today where cursing is the freedom of speech, while preaching the Gospel is a hate crime.

But as Christians we DO know the differences.  God holds us to a standard far above and removed from the standards of the world.  It is our responsibility to watch what we say, to make sure that it does not discredit God.

I need that little angel that is a guard at my lips – and need to listen to him, more.

Later, Art :-)

First rain in a while, smells good as it hits the ground.

The garden is going to feel a bit better – although there isn’t much, it is enough to perk up the leaves, somewhat.

Making some ketchup tomorrow, not sure how much yet.  We don’t use a lot of it, a good piece of meat doesn’t need it.  But it does taste good on a hamburger or hotdog sandwich.

Revelations 6:15-20 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

¹⁶ And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

I remember being a kid and thinking I was sneaking and getting away with something.  Engrossed I was pleased with myself and focused on the action.

When I turned and there stood Mom.

There was no denying what I had done, there was no excuse for not obeying.  She saw it all.

Now, how I felt is pretty well portrayed in these verses.  I wanted to run and hide from the penalties I was about to receive.

But it was too late, all I could do was take the punishment.

So many are going to find it is too late for them, that God’s wrath and judgement is going to crash down upon them like a hurricane and there will be nowhere to hide.

They will be like the child that has been told over and over again that they must not do something – and they must act in an appropriate manner.

There will be no excuses, there will be no blame laid upon others that God will accept. 

These people will be like those that felt they were above the law.  But when the judge strikes his hammer on the desk and tells them his verdict, the full consequences of their crime will shake them up and they finally realize they are being held accountable for their actions.

While there are appeals from some court systems (depending on the country) there are none from God.  He is the final authority and either we have accepted His Son, or we have not.

We hear how there is no black and white in the world today; everything is a shade of grey - it is just a matter of perspective or situational. 

Because the world feels that way they can justify anything they do.

But God is quite clear, there are no grey areas.  Without Jesus sitting there as our advocate we have no choices, we have nothing and no way to defend ourselves.

There is absolutely no way to try and weasel out of the verdict.

God is very clear:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

But the beauty and relief is that we do have an advocate with the Father; we do have someone we ‘know’ that can get us past God’s Judgement and into heaven.

In this case, it IS who you know that will get you past being judged.

All we have to do is accept Him.

Later, Art :-)