Independence Day 2012 finds our nation in a world of hurt, but the story has not ended yet. The world economy is teetering on disaster, America’s economy is in a terrible shape and our Congress, Senate and President are doing nothing to make it better. The American people are, for the most part, asleep at the wheel, far to interested the trivial lives of celebrities. After that rosy picture you may be wondering what the good news is, sorry, no good news. GREAT news, God is still in control! I take a great deal of heat from my city friends about being a hill billy, but as shown in the church sign above, a lack of sophistication can often lead to a simple truth! The answer to all our problems still lies in Trust in God.
The foolish among us live in fear, but God has a plan, and no matter how difficult the road ahead may become, He always delivers His own. Today celebrate our freedom and pray that we may continue to enjoy it!
Praise Him,
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
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This morning’s In Touch Daily Devotional was just too good not to share!
Galatians 5:13
New Living Translation (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
God has a purpose for your life. If that weren’t true, He’d have taken you home to heaven at the moment of salvation. Do you ever wonder why He left you here?
The Lord intends to influence others through you. Our purpose is to be a vessel through which Christ overflows to others–touching those who hurt and desperately need a Savior. Once we are saved, Scripture teaches, our involvement is threefold.
First, we love others. Jesus clearly stated that this was one of the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:38-39).
Second, we share the good news of salvation (Acts 1:8). Some travel across the world to spread the gospel, while others teach neighbors across the street. The Holy Spirit will direct us to the right people if we are willing to obey.
Third, we serve in a variety of ways, like helping those in need, sharing our resources, and lifting others in prayer. Jesus is our perfect example of all three. His entire life was marked by caring for people–both those who loved Him and those who did not. In fact, the Bible teaches that He humbled Himself and became like us, willing to give up His life for our redemption. There is no greater love; there is no greater act of service.
Scripture clearly defines the believer’s purpose. Aligning ourselves with God’s intentions for His children–loving others, witnessing, and serving– bring us great satisfaction. In fact, we’re still on earth not merely to hear more teaching but to act on it and share with others what we learn.
This leaves us with a major decision; will we seek our purpose, and ask God to help us fulfill it, or just continue to coast through life?
the pilgrim
*Photo Note: Shot with the iPhone 4s and the app Simply HDR.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
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I got an email this morning from John “The Snake” Barrett with a link to his website where he has poted a very helpful list of iPad & iPhone apps for photographers. The link is below:
http://johnbarrettphotography.com/2012/06/apple-apps/
One of my goals for the new website has been the distribution or sharing if you will, of helpful information about our craft, and certainly about faith. I’ve been very frustrated with the convoluted way the Word Press site processes comments, and please know I am trying to find a work around that is much like we enjoyed in the now defunct Mobile.Me days. Word Press is far more versatile and allows a lot more options, but it’s comment handling is the pits. Please, know I’m working on it!
I’mn finally home after almost one entire month on the road, I think I have been home all of 39 hours in June! Sure is good to get back home and I will use some of my next week to not only catch up on reports and expense reports, but to also try and make some progress on the website. I have a film to recommend. It’s not a Christian film but it does have a powerful message and is a fun movie to watch. It is the new release with Eddie Murphy, A Thousand Words. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 0%, which usually means I would like it, so it’s up to you, but you might enjoy it. I find it disturbing that most films that encourage us to look at our lives and make important changes are panned by the critics! Go figure. One thing is for sure, the last three words spoken in his 1,000 word ordeal are the three most important words in life! Now you will have to watch it!
I’m blessed to be home, and thank my Heavenly Father for the end of along run on the road.
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2012 at 1:45 pm
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Today’s devotional on the In Touch site was a powerful reminder of how we should pray. Below is the scripture reference for this lesson;
2 Chronicles 20:5-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’
10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
The lesson reminds us that we need to remember who God is, how powerful He is, and how much He has already done to prove His majesty to us. If we pray that way we put ht emphasis back on Him and take it off a wish list! We must remember that By proclaiming, “Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You” (v. 6), Jehoshaphat was praising God and at the same time reminding himself of the Lord’s greatness. As you pray, remind God of His mercy, talk to Him about His grace, and recall His mighty power.
If you want to unleash God’s power into your life, recognize Him for Who He is, and pray our of His strength, not your weakness. God wants to answer our prayers, but we need to let Him know that we believe that nothing is beyond His power and grace! That is where our faith meets His provision.
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Saturday, June 30th, 2012 at 1:23 am
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