Facebook begins each post with “what’s on your mind?” Oh boy, my mind is running over. A dear friend passed yesterday, helping with the funeral, our son moving into a new home, family members with health issues, riots in our cities, the virus raging. Oh my, it's easy to get overwhelmed, discouraged. While thumbing through the scripture, this jumped out from Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”. I needed that. Do you? Thank You Jesus, amen.

I have a visit to my cardiologist today🙏. We have two hearts - the physical one that keeps the blood flowing and the spiritual one, the seat of our emotions, our spiritual life (the brain?) we all have one. It is to this heart that the Holy Spirit speaks guiding us, correcting us, empowering us for worship and service. Father, we ask for a healthy “heart", physically and spiritually, in Jesus' name, Who knows the condition of our “hearts”, amen.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin, it’s not just speaking against Him or cursing Him; it is denying Him entry into your heart and life. When the Holy Spirit calls you to come to Him, to be saved, to be in a right relationship with the Father through the Son, and you say no or maybe later - you have blasphemed Him. Don’t waste your day of grace. You may never have another opportunity! Sorry, didn’t mean to preach, but that’s the Spirit. Father, thank you for saving us, we ask that those who need to would say yes to the Spirit, in Jesus' name, amen.

We did it! No wait God did it ! Back in the “the church house” (that’s how we say it in south Ga.). I had tears of joy; it was an awesome experience - the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. Thanks is not enough to all those who attended, all those who labored to make it happen🎉. Now today, Father, we bow before You and praise Your Name for how You have blessed us, in Jesus' name, amen.

First services back inside the church in months🎉 and a little nervous. We want everyone to be safe. We’re taking all the precautions, masks, distancing, sanitizing the building etc., but we don’t want to be so involved in this that we forget the primary reason we are gathering...to worship the Creator God, our ABBA! Father, please help us today, we need You, in Jesus' name, amen.

The church sign said, “God’s blessed America, can you tell!” As I worry, pray, and reflect on the chaos in the land that I love, its people, that I and untold others served in our armed forces, God’s charge to King Solomon in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 came to mind. "If My people, who are called by My Name, shall 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 will heal their land.”  Father, we ask for forgiveness and healing, we repent before You, in Jesus' name, amen.

In Exodus 8, God sends the plague of the frogs. They had frogs everywhere in the oven, the cabinets, their britches😇. Pharaoh asked Moses to entreat the Lord to deliver them from the frogs. Moses said, "I will, when do you want me to do it?” Pharaoh’s interesting answer “do it tomorrow”. I have a message entitled “one more day with the frogs!” Father, we ask for deliverance from the virus and evils that plague us. We repent before You. Please do it now, in Jesus' name, amen.

We’re back in our church this Sunday🙏! Life has changed over the past months. Will it ever be the same? Probably not. God has used this to discipline us, to make us more appreciative, to not take anything for granted. I truly believe that we will emerge a stronger, more grateful church. Father, thank You for the lessons, they've been difficult, but we needed them, in Jesus' name, amen.

Blood work today, wife has dental appointment, prayer meeting, etc. - looking back on my work life how did we fit all this in? God made a way. In Exodus 33:14 "My presence will go with you.” Maybe my age, but I am more keenly aware of His presence in my life. Has this pandemic and our constant prayer made you feel His presence in your life? Oh, what peace we have in the midst of all of this. Do you feel it? I do. Thank You, Father, for Your peace and presence in our lives, in  Jesus' name, amen.

What’s your favorite verse of scripture? Of course we all love John 3:16, but one that I claim is Romans 8:1 NIV “There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” As the chief of sinners (Paul could only claim that because I had not been born yet.), I glory in the good news that all of my sins were erased by Jesus' blood on the cross - when it was applied by an act of faith in Him. No condemnation for those in who are in Christ Jesus. Say it with me. No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!! Amen and Amen!!

Last parking lot service was yesterday (we pray). We learned that you can truly worship The Father, regardless of the surroundings or circumstances. As we move back into the church building there so many things to consider so that our church family can truly worship and be safe. We will never take worship for granted again. Father, let worship of You be our highest priority, regardless of the circumstances, we ask in Jesus' name, amen.

When in doubt, read the instructions! Recently replacing a light fixture in our laundry room - I couldn’t get it done. I went to sleep, frustrated. God awoke me at 4 a.m. He said read the instructions! I did, got up and in fifteen minutes the job was complete😇! How do we live a life that is in harmony with the Father, our family and others , to relate to those who come against us? Read the instructions! The Bible. John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Me”. Father, help us to remember to read Your instructions, in Jesus' name , amen.

Last will and testament - have you written yours? In 2nd Timothy 4, Paul gives his last will and testament, "I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” Paul started writing his last will and testament when he met Jesus on the Damascus road. We start writing our last will and testament when we encounter Jesus. There is an appointment that we must all keep. Paul kept his saying, "there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." As we complete our last will and testament may we say with Stephen, "I see Jesus!” Father, help us today to keep the faith, in Jesus' name, amen.

Memorial day🇱🇷 - a line from a poem from World War One: "The torch be yours to hold it high. If you break the faith with us who die. We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, in Flanders Field. In Flanders field the poppies grow between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky. The larks still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below.” God, please watch over our service men and women and all our veterans. Thank you, for all those who sacrificed their lives for us. Thanks most of all for Jesus who died for all amen, God bless America🇱🇷🙏!

Long day and evening on the phone reaching out to church family. In this time of social distancing we need to use every means to stay connected to encourage each other. Jesus tells us in John 15 that we are to stay connected to Him. "I am the vine, you are branches. Those who are in Me and I in them shall bare much fruit;  without Me you can do nothing.” Father, in this time please help us stay connected to You and to each other. We ask in Jesus' name who will never leave or forsake us, amen.