Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine

      “Over there, is Cumberland Island,” The elderly man said as he pointed Northwest of us across the marsh and the intracoastal rivers. I stood there on the boat ramp shielding my eyes from the sun, soaking in the primal smells, and the salty aroma of the coast. I was almost there. I love the Coast and the wildlife sanctuary at Cumberland, it has always been at the top of my list of places to make a part of me. Camping only, with no hot water, no malls, no stuff. I was feeling sick of the ‘stuff’ world I live in. We give away stuff to make room for more stuff. We go in debt for more and more stuff that has little or no value soon after it is purchased. For a few days I was going to leave all the bills and the stuff behind and walk around with God and my camera.

          After the long ride, I tied my little Ogeechee river boat to the pier, letting out a sigh of relief. My little skiff was not designed for the open coast and brackish water had been licking over the sides at times when the water was choppy. From the dock at St. Mary’s, the island seemed so close, but it took me forty five minutes on the winding waterways and then across the open waters of the Sound. I looped my rope around one of the thick wooden posts at the dock. I decided to leave my gear for later and walked the long pier and path to the ranger station. I had not made a mistake in coming here, the twisted oaks and saw palmettos, though familiar to me, were different here. Each tree painfully shaped by relentless sun and ocean winds, told its own story. They were each joined at the canopy to provide almost complete cover. From the canopy down to the top of the saw palmettos were masses of twisted limbs so distorted that they could have been their own abstract art piece, seeming to have no rhyme or reason in their lines. Indeed, this was a very special place; very old, very worn, very strong, very independent.

          The next morning I awoke long before daylight, which is unusual for me. I had a sense that God was saying, “Get up, I have something to show you.” I was wide awake immediately, no coffee. I stepped out of the tent. It was very dark, still too dark to see the fog, but I could feel it as it embraced me like a blanket. I looked around, but could not make out any shapes. God didn’t say a word, but there was an overwhelming desire to get ready for something that was about to happen. I felt around for my camera gear. I found my tripod and my large format camera. In a moment I had my Hasselblad, which any photographer knows is one of the greatest cameras of all time. They took it to the moon for a reason, with the right photographer, it can make iconic images, clear and brilliant, but with feeling. I decided to leave the large format camera and just take the ‘Hass’ and tripod. It was a good decision.

          By memory, I headed toward the beach. If I ran into palmettos, I was off the path, it was simple. I was thinking, as I fumbled along with my gear in tow, about how early it was and how out of character this predawn jaunt was for me. After about fifty yards or so, God showed up. I looked up from following the path and there they were. Angels seemed to be breaking through the thick tree canopy and the fog in beams of light. It was indescribably beautiful as they tickled the tips of the palmettos and spilled onto the ground. I could now begin to realize just how thick the fog was.

          I headed towards the tall dune that defined the island interior, to go out towards the beach. As I came closer to leaving the interior, I sensed I should stop, but I wanted to catch the sunrise. “Turn around.” I heard the words, very soft, very distinct. I sat my gear down and turned around. Beautiful beams of light were cascading through the canopy and dancing on the twisted limbs and palmettos of the island’s interior. It was a symphony of light, shadows and shapes. It was breathtaking and magnificent. Only God could paint something that was so beautiful it seemed as if you could see, hear, and taste its intensity. I must have shot a dozen rolls of medium format through the Hasselblad in the few moments that I had. I realized that I was losing the moment, the fog, the angel lightshow. I was alone in a stand of palmettos looking around and soaking up the beauty and the sea air rolling in. A lone twisted old oak with long low branches, stood near the path leading to the ocean. The dune was high behind it and was nearly as tall as the tree.  The fog seemed to be holding there next to the back of that dune and the beams of light were still there dancing to some heavenly tune. I got into position and worked around the tree as a breeze rustled the leaves and the birds were beginning to sing.

      At some point I just stopped tripping the shudder and I stood there taking in all the smells and sounds and the glorious sunshine filling the earth as it pushed out the darkness. There were no words, just peace. I knew that my Lord had taken me, His son, for a walk. It was unbelievable. I later told God that He was just showing off that morning on Cumberland Island, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

{This was a trip in 2006, a much needed break. I used to enjoy photography in the days when black and white photography was still dominated by film. I still haven't been able to get the same results from digital technology so I rarely carry a camera these days ....miss my film rolls!}

Kissin' and Cupcakes

Kissin’ and Cupcakes

          I remember the first time that I kissed a girl. I liked it …. a lot! When I think about the kiss, it was actually kind of odd, but in a good way. We had been playing hide and seek in my backyard when there was an overwhelming chemical reaction that even my ten year old brain realized was about to result in a kiss. Being a young lady and resident brownie scout, she decided that this kiss shouldn’t occur in this location. The giant tree we were behind shielded us from prying eyes, which I thought to be quite an adequate place for a kiss. But I am a male, so my opinion was politely dismissed. This wouldn’t be the last time I had to wait on a woman.

          I don’t recall how, but we ended up on the couch in the living room and she was giving instructions. On the count of “three” we were to kiss. Man, when “three” got there, I think my left shoe popped off. Wow! You never forget your first kiss. I thought for sure this would result in marriage and some kids. But alas, it was a short romance, mom’s footsteps were coming down the hall. Mom came in the living room with some cupcakes and milk and I was pretty sure that it wasn’t going to get any better than this, right here and now, kissin’ and cupcakes.

          Fast forward a few decades and I have had a lot of ‘firsts’. First date, first drive, first homerun, first touchdown, first truck, first girl wrecking truck, first daughter, first job, it’s a long list. With each first came a thrill and a sense of accomplishment or guilt, according to the nature of the “first”. Most of us have a tendency to chase that thrill or reminisce longingly for the thrill of a “first’ or of youth. I have chased that rabbit and I bet most of you have too. If we aren’t careful, chasing that ‘first’ rabbit can lead us down into some deep dark holes where things get ugly. When we allow ourselves to become bored or discontent in our life, you can bet that the devil will send a rabbit, i.e. temptation, our way. How do we find ‘lasting’ contentment which is the opposite of chasing the rabbit, the momentary thrill? Philosophers, psychiatrists, and ten cent self-help gurus have written volumes on the subject of contentment or happiness.

          It is a basic human need to be loved and accepted. Without this basic need being satisfied, we will never receive lasting contentment and joy {what a wonderful word}. Where does one find such love and acceptance? God, who created us in His image, is Love. 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In order to be content, we must know that we are valuable enough to be loved. God made us to have a relationship with Him. God doesn’t make mistakes; He made you exactly as He wants you to be. God even sent His son, Jesus, to become a sinless sacrifice covering our sins with His grace to make us righteous and able to have a relationship with Him! When we give our self to Jesus, we become a child of God, and in that relationship we find the ultimate love and joy.

          Why are there so many sour faced Christians then? We have trouble receiving Gods love. His love is tremendous and wonderful, but we don’t fully trust God. We block our own blessings. It is our nature to take care of problems, to make plans, to do it on our own. We lack faith in God to handle our “little” problems. We are supposed to leave our cares and burdens at the Cross where Jesus died for us. We take our bag of burdens to the Lord and we get on our knees and pray about our burdens. The problem comes when we finish praying. We pick our bag of burdens up and get back to our routine. We pull our burdens back out and speak negatively about them and cry with our friends about them. We make plans to solve our problems and even create a mental wheelbarrow to carry our burdens, all because we never trusted God to take care of them! Peter walked on water in the midst of a storm as long as his eyes were on Jesus. He got into trouble when he saw the waves and doubt crept in. His faith was compromised when his thoughts became negative. He sank because he doubted. I certainly am not looking down on Peter. He walked on water with Jesus. How awesome is that?!

          To be happy, to have joy, to know love, we must learn to trust God in His promise to take care of His children. Seek the Kingdom of God first and all these things will be added unto you, says the Lord. Pray, obey God’s commands, bless others and put God first. If we can do these things then we will avoid most joy destroying, self - destructive behavior that the devil has taught us! In this world, the prince of darkness will find a way to hurt us through a loved one or a boss or some other means. But, we know, that God will work ALL things to the good of those who love Him! We can be content if we choose or we can chase rabbits. Being content doesn’t mean that we don’t strive for better for ourselves and others. We just have to make sure that we don’t put ourselves first, but God and neighbors. To know true joy, we have to learn how to truly be thankful for Christ’s love and what we already are blessed with.

Keep walking,

Kenton

          

The Greatest Lesson I ever learned

The Greatest Lesson I ever learned

          I grew up in the shadow of a giant. My dad was a Georgia Bulldog fullback and evidently a really good one. As a skinny little kid growing up, I had other giants like Vince Dooley and Erk Russell that would slap me on the back and say something like, “I hope you’re as good a ballplayer as your Dad was.” Grown men felt compelled to tell me about how Ronnie Jenkins ran through them in practice and they awoke in St. Mary’s hospital a couple of days later with nuns praying over them.

          Imagine a tiny 9 year old sandlot football hero suiting up in full pads for the first time. After the pants pads and the giant shoulder pads, then they capped me off with a 27 pound helmet. I fell over. The fullback stood me back on my feet, “Alright Bigboy,” that’s what he called me, “go get ‘em!” I hustled out onto the field, sideways until I got my head straightened and joined the huddle. Another overdressed kid handed me the ball and I zigged and zagged for a first down. As they tackled me that first time my helmet mask filled with grass and dirt flew into my mouth. I stood on shaky legs and examined myself. Nothing was broken, I noticed that I had dirt and grass stains all over my previously clean uniform. Then my teammates were shouting for joy and jumping all over me. This was goooood stuff. I had found heaven on earth.

          I scored a touchdown or two and then, out of the blue, tragedy struck. I ran the ball right up their gut, right in the middle for about a five yard gain. In the following huddle a kid yelled, “Hey! Your bleeding bad.” Sure enough, I looked down and discovered that my left pants leg was covered in blood. I realized that my left middle finger had a gash on one side that was deep. The warrior was wounded. I squalled like a banshee. I was crying so hard that I couldn’t find the sideline. Eventually me and my mortal wound made it to the sideline and the big fullback was there waiting on me. I distinctly remember that he had on his favorite blue pointer overalls. I was sobbing uncontrollably as he examined the wound. He loved me and spoke words of comfort as I began to settle down. He turned my finger and opened the cut while I watched. “Hmmm, that is pretty deep.” He said. I realized immediately that stitches were required. I had gotten stitches several times already, so I knew about those. He took the middle finger of my left hand and gently pressed it together with the one next to the wound to stop the bleeding. With his right hand he reached into his back pocket and pulled out the biggest red handkerchief that I had ever seen. He talked to me as he snugly bound the fingers together with the red handkerchief. I remember wondering whether there were any doctors still working because it was nearly dark. I was startled back to reality from my thoughts of ambulances and lovely nurses when my hero slapped my shoulder pads loudly and said, “Alright Bigboy, go get ’em!”

          “Huh?!” was all I could muster. I stood bewildered, as I looked down at my still outstretched hand, now bedazzled with a giant red handkerchief tied in a large knot. But I am injured, I thought to myself. I looked up at the giant in disbelief as he stuffed some chewing tobacco into his jaw and gazed out onto the field at the game, which to my utter disbelief, had continued even in this moment of tragedy.  I was just staring up at my dad, trying to process all this, when he looked down at me and said, “Whatcha’ waitin’ on?” He turned me towards the game, my hand still outstretched in front of me, popped me on the but, “Go get ‘em!” And then he shoved me back across that white line that separated the warriors from the cheerleaders.

          It wasn’t long before I realized that I could still function. I even scored another touchdown. I did get stitches, but more importantly, I got a backbone. All because my Dad wouldn’t let me lay down and quit. I learned that win or lose, hurt or not, you never stay out of the game for long. I realized that there is a time to cry, but in the end, you have to get back in the game.

          I wonder how Jesus felt as he cried out to the Father to take the cup from him. He already knew what His fate was and He knew the pain he would have to suffer to save the world from death in sin. In the garden of Gethsemane He laid on the ground and poured out His soul to His Father as blood dripped from his nose. His friends slept soundly as He lamented His fate, even though He had asked them to stay up with Him this one night, they slept. I know that it is an unfair comparison, but when I notice that little scar that remains on the side of my finger, I think of how Jesus’ Dad must have told Him that He had to finish. Jesus’ didn’t have friends cheering him on to touchdowns. Jesus had people mocking and spitting on Him. They beat Him and tore the flesh from His body and made Him carry His own cross as people mocked, not cheered Him. He did all that and more for me ….. and you.

          When this old world hurts me and I want to quit and give up, I think about what Jesus went through for me. People submit to the evil in the world and hurt each other either to raise themselves or just because the evil in them gets joy from breaking whatever is good and of God. Jesus warned us that this was the way the world and the prince of it had treated Him and that we could probably expect the same to some extent if we took up our cross and followed Him. I have trials and sorrows but my heavenly Father loves and comforts me. I know that a promise awaits me. I know that when I finish the race that my Father awaits with open arms. I know that I will celebrate life as it was meant to be with my brothers and sisters in Christ and the beautiful angels. I may be hurt, but I know that I am already saved and that whatever problems arise, I already have the solution. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Get back in the game and love…. finish the race.

Kenton J

          

Father's Day Gift

Father’s Day Gift

          I gave my Dad an unusual Fathers Day present. I was at a loss as to what to buy him since he is the quintessential, impossible to buy for, Dad. He doesn’t need or want much and he already has every tool made. After some thought, I realized that “we” were what he wanted. He loves his family and friends. His favorite thing to do these days is meet new people and share stories. He has been so looking forward to getting together with his old football buddies at the UGA - Tennessee game this coming season. The alumni will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Coach Dooley’s first UGA team. As many of you already know, my Dad was fullback on the team. Well, the thought of the stories I have heard, and some are outrageous,  got me to thinking about his love of the shared memory and what to get him for Father’s day.

          My gift to Dad was an empty journal. I have heard thousands of interesting stories about his growing up in the woods logging in Glennville, Georgia and life as a college football player. The crazy characters and their lives such as the eight year old cousin that stayed home from school sick and the uncle that hid a bunch of mason jars of moonshine under the covers with him because the sheriff made an unexpected visit. How about the time his mother set her pistol on the counter at the Dairy Queen as she rifled through her pocketbook looking for her wallet to pay for the ice cream. The checkout girl ran to the back screaming. Grandma Betty just looked up and said, “What in the world is wrong with her?” The boys were in the floor laughing as the pistol just sat there on the counter looking completely out of place.

          My point is not for my Dad to live in the past, but for him to share his and my mother’s life with us. Just yesterday after lunch, we laughed as he was telling about he and Uncle Mike would race the little Ford tractors they pulled logs with. They got stuck every way you can, turned over and thrown off. “it’s a wonder we didn’t get killed!” he said. I believe people should enjoy being who they are and not try to be something else to impress the world. Ronnie Jenkins likes being a man. What you see is what you get, no politics and no fluff. He’s always enjoyed being greasy and dirty and satisfied that he stuck with the job until he whipped it. I am glad that I have been greasy and dirty beside him for a good portion of it.

          I hope my Mom and Dad adjust to this new season in their lives as Dad is recovering from open heart surgery and I am sure that Mom is having to adjust to more together time with Dad. He is used to barking orders at a skinny boy who isn’t holding the flashlight just right to see the nut to turn so we can get that old log truck back to work at 5am tomorrow morning. What could be so wrong with reminiscing about a full and honest life?

          Dad’s life is changing. We move into new seasons in which God has new plans for us. I know my life certainly has changed. I hope Dad enjoys putting some of his memories into ink for generations of Jenkins’ and Olivers’ to enjoy. God gives us each day new, to be lived, loved and enjoyed to the full. Everyday God renews His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, we have no excuse that should allow the devil to steal our joy. If you are not in a new or different season in your life, you soon will be. Each day is a gift that we should accept and live fully in Christ so that when the day is done, the way we lived the day can be our gift back to God. Count your blessings and not your problems.  God loves you…. Love Him back with the life you live.

He prayed for me

He Prayed for Me

In the garden of Gethsemane He prayed. He prayed with such intensity that blood dripped from his forehead,. He prayed that our Father would ‘take the cup’ from him. It was not to be. In order for Kenton to be saved from evil and sure eternal damnation Jesus had to suffer greatly at the hands of evil. He would not be allowed to fight back. Jesus would have to submit to the punishment of demon controlled people. Jesus would have to go to the cross for me willingly to remove satan’s power over humanity. Jesus had the power to destroy all his enemies, but to regain the power over death and Hell that Adam had given away so freely…. to silence the accuser, He had to submit Himself as a spotless sacrifice. He even healed one of the men that came to take Him back to the Sanhedrin for the destruction of His flesh, so that they could so that they could spill the blood that would have the power to wash away my sins.

          How can we crucify Jesus over and over in our selfish lives by choosing the ways of the world of death instead of walking in the light. How can someone choose to satisfy a fleshly desire instead of the love of their family and God? Why does the greedy man hold on to things when so many are starving and suffering? Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to live in us to guide our spirit and our flesh to God’s will. He created us for Himself.

          There is an old song that says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” Jesus suffered, died a sinners death, and was resurrected so that I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, I can live in the light of his Truth, in the knowledge that I am one with Him and on some tomorrow He will present me blameless before my creator. Not because I lived a blameless life, but because His blood washes me clean and makes me righteous. I refuse to recrucify Jesus by following the the world, my flesh. I choose to follow Him, to love Him, no matter how narrow the path gets or steep the grade. God has blessed me so much. I pray that somehow I may be a blessing to Him. I love you and I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful walk. If you aren’t, then maybe you should check your heart and ask Jesus to wash all the filth from it that can accumulate  from this life.

Romans 12:2

Granddaddy Doss' teaching on love

Granddaddy Doss’ teaching on Love

          The greatest sermons are the ones that we "see" lived out by someone important in our life. As a teenage boy, I was spending the summer at my mother's parents. The Grandfather clock chimed its news that it had for us as I turned down the hallway toward the bathroom.  I saw the bathroom door swing open and was about to turn my eyes away when I realized that both of them were in their pajamas. Bath time, I would soon realize, was an ordeal as my Grandmother Doss was stricken with osteoporosis and the disease had nearly immobilized her. I saw my Grandfather lean his seventy  plus year old body over and scoop the little lady up in his arms before I could offer to help. He had her night gown on her, and Frances, although small in stature, was delivering her bedtime orders as usual. She was chattering away, “now Bonnie, you make sure those apple fritters get covered up and set in the oven and wipe that table good and see to it that ……” He winked at me as they came through the doorway. He laughed his funny sideways laugh, “Yes, yes, yes, Frances, I will take care of it.” He had a way of picking at her and she would just shake her finger and out would come his sideways laugh again. That laugh of his would really ‘stir her soup’ and they would go back and forth talking until he got the covers pulled up just like she wanted. Then she would send him to tidy her kitchen. Then, regular as the sun setting, he would sit at the table in the middle of the little kitchen and have a glass of buttermilk and cornbread stirred to just the right consistency. Grandma would call him to come to bed and he would only stop to brush his teeth on the way. I could hear his prayers drifting through the house. I pictured him in my mind, on his knees, beside his bed as I had witnessed many times.  

          To this day, seeing my elderly grandfather carry his bride out of that bathroom was and is the greatest act of love I had ever witnessed. It spoke volumes of the commitment and unwavering dedication that he demonstrated daily. He labored with a smile because he was glad to serve as his Lord and his circumstances required. I never heard him complain about anything, save possibly the crooked politician or a weak preacher who wouldn’t stand up for God's Word. He studied his bible daily. Pastors and Sunday school teachers could be found occasionally in their living room testing the soundness of their doctrine with Brother Doss. He planted a bigger garden than we thought he should, every spring with a push plow. Grapevines, chickens, cows and horse apple trees made their homes there too. On the back porch there were mason jars and old cans full of all kinds of things from leather shoe laces to straightened nails. Nothing was wasted and everything had its place. Be careful, because there is not a rail around the back porch. If you make your way down to the root cellar you would find lots of sweet potatoes laid on the cool red clay steps that were hand cut out of the earth and mason jars filled with wonderfully tasty fruits and vegetables.

          As a teenager, I thought he was crazy for not selling his little 9 acre farm in the middle of bustling Lawrenceville, Georgia. The fancily attired real estate agents would dramatically set the grand figures in front of him and I would dream about all the boats and lake houses and toys that I could buy. Grandma would refill the tea glasses as he politely said “no thank you” for the umpteenth time. What I realize now, that I was blind to at the time, is that you can’t buy that kind of life with money. The kind of life they had has to be sweated out and prayed for and worked through to the finish, in love.

          It took many years to sink in, but in watching their life I have come to realize a few things about love. Love does not sell itself short to the world nor can it be exchanged for currency. Love does not allow you to put your own wants in front of another's needs. Love does not flatter with empty compliments that make you think too much of yourself. Love never accepts disobedience, but disciplines in kindness and truth to circumcise the uncircumcised heart. Love finishes the job no matter how hot it is. Love will carry you through to the end. Love of Jesus is the most important thing that there is. I saw my grandparents walk out all of these principles and many more. I did not appreciate the fullness of their faith and love at the time, but now I see what a privilege it was to have such Godly people guiding my heart through the way they lived.
      I surely do miss standing on Granddaddy’s back porch listening to the chickens fuss and the cow’s lowing. I can smell the fresh cut grass and see the red clay patches here and there in the drive that swung around the house. I’d give anything to draw a bucket of that cool clear water out of the old well. I look forward to seeing my grandparents again when the Lord calls me home. I now appreciate who they were and would love to sit down with them and just talk a while at that little kitchen table. Maybe Grandma would make us a batch of apple fritters to give our hands something to hold while we talked. I will call my cousins in from all around and just listen to the funny things they did to get through the "depression" or watch again as Grandaddy dares my poor cousin to take one bite as he himself chews on a home grown hot pepper. I can still hear my cousin squealing as he lunged for the sink faucet and Grandaddy smiling, "What's the matter with you?" Yes David, I still enjoy laughing at that precious memory still so real for all of us.

God bless us all. Kenton

Baseball baseball baseball

         It really stinks to get older. That is how I feel about it.....STINKS. After being at the ballfield all evening watching my nine year old play ball, I realize that my hips hurt from sitting in an ill designed walmart chair. You know the kind, when you sit down the sides of the seat fold up against your booty and squeeze the blood out of your hips while the front of the seat feels like it has cut into the bottom of my legs to the point that I may require a physician.
       So... our team lost the game and my nine year old is blubbering ... sobbing about the call at first base on his last hit..... "His foot was NOT on the bag when he caught the ball!" More blubbering and sobbing... Yadda yadda yaddda. "Man up, Bigboy" I said, as I limped to my truck because the circulation in my legs wasn't circulating. I'm telling him to "man up" while I'm thinking about a cushy $100 folding chair that I saw a while back at a sports store... at the time I thought,"That's an old man chair". Now I am thinking I want to be more comfortable as I WATCH him play hard. What's next....Preparation H, Dentures, blood pressure meds, some whippersnapper yelling at me to watch where I am going?
        I guess things could be worse... some new ballpark friends from Louisville told my wife they found a dead body six miles from their house... black woman that had beaten to death with a brick. Now that is bad day. I've never been rich, but you must be mighty poor when your only choice of weapon is a brick. That has to be a lot of work..... horrible to think about. How do you pray for someone who would bludgeon someone to death with a brick? We have to love everybody... I just wish it was easier to like most of them. I gotta quit this whining... maybe I need some testosterone... what am i thinking? Of course I need some ..... I'm blogging for heaven's sake!!

Say your prayers... love Jesus and bless your enemies so they won't be enemies anymore

Dunamis ... True Power

True Power

          What is power? Merriam-Webster defines power as the ability or right to control people or things. Kings, presidents, generals, industry moguls, dictators are among the people brought to mind when we speak of power. These are people who control money, fame, and have influence over masses of people. What we often don't realize, is that power in the physical world is temporary. A presidents term of office expires, industry moguls often lose their wealth or are displaced by another. Kings and dictators being overthrown and destroyed are commonplace in history. A thug with a gun has temporary power over his or her victim. An entertainer has whatever power his or her fans give them at a given moment in time.

          Many people chase after some form of power their entire lives only to realize when they have attained the position or power they sought, that they are holding nothing more than an empty cup. How many actors or musicians have overdosed trying to numb the pain of realizing how empty their lives are. How many people who put their trust in money have taken their own lives after a stock market crash? How many thugs are killed on the street or spend their life in prison chasing after easy money.

          True power is not temporary, but is everlasting. There is only one true power, and that power created the world as we know it. True power is setting the sun to bed at night or making a tiny seed into a giant tree. True power is parting the sea so that your loved ones have safe passage. True power uses a little shepherd boy to bring down a mighty warrior using only a sling simultaneously bringing a nation of people to its knees. True power commands lightning with only a word. True power brings ordinary men out of a furnace of fire to change the heart of a King forever. True power directs the butterflies on their migration and feeds the sparrow on its way. True power heals the scrape on a child's knee. True power is available to you.

          It is really quite simple. To obtain true power you join forces with the one who yields true power. Why would the one who has this “true power”, want to join forces with you? That is the simple part. The one who created this earth, who makes the wind blow and babies smell new, is the same one that created you. He is the great I am, the God of Abraham, He is Jehovah. God loves his creation, you, so much that He sent His son in the form of a man to suffer and die as a sacrifice for your sins and the sins of your fathers and mothers. Why would this great God want to share anything with you? He desires a relationship with you and He wants to live in you, to put his spirit in you so that you may experience His love and know His mercy for eternity.

          We don't live long, do we? The power of healing, creativity, mercy, love, wealth and great strength is available to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ's blood sacrifice that washes away sin. That person becomes new with Him as lord of their life.

          Every choice you make affects your life. How do you truly feel about the choices you have made? Are you sure of your future tomorrow,,, next week.... next year... twenty years from now, eternity? How would you feel if you knew that your future was in the loving and protecting hands of God? How would you like to have God's Holy Spirit in you, guiding you? How would you like to have a hedge of protection around you and your loved ones?

          We rely on the Word of God to reveal God's plan and promises for our life. The Holy spirit in us guides us using God's Word. We seek God and Jesus through the Word. How can you claim to love Jesus or the Father and rarely read your Bible? The Word of God is complete for instruction and just to become familiar with our God by discovering who he is by how he reacts to people's actions and how He responds in different situations. If you were in love with a person and considering them for marriage then you would certainly want to know them intimately by discovering their likes and dislikes. Do they keep their promises? Can I trust this person? What makes my new love happy? If you truly love God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit then you will seek them in the Word, the Holy Bible and prayer.

         

          God's Power: He created all. He can do more than we can even imagine. Through faith you can have the power that is God's made available to you.

 

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

          Jesus is the Way: The early church referred to itself as 'The Way' which meant that the only way to God and his gifts was through accepting Jesus as Lord of your life and recognizing His shed blood as the final sacrifice for your sins through His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb.

John 14

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

          Faith: For the Spirit of God to manifest as physical power and healing in your life the you must believe in Him and not doubt.

James 1:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Matthew 8:5-10

New International Version (NIV)

The Faith of the Centurion

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

          Love: God is love. The word Christian means “Christ-like”. He calls us to do all things in love. If you have not love then you will have nothing.

          Matthew 22:35-41

New International Version (NIV)

35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have  loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you  love one another.”

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

          Power for the Believer: Because of God's Word we now know that through the love of God and living a life of faith we have the power of God available to us through Jesus. You must first ask Jesus to save you from your sinful nature. Then you must retrain your mind and body to the nature of Christ. That is to love and encourage.

 Romans 12:2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]

Mark 11:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

          Salvation:  The act of being saved from sin or evil. Evil brings curses into your life and robs you of joy, peace and power. Even saved Christians often leave a door open into their life for satan and his demons by not following the will of God, by negative talk or behavior. By returning to their “old ways” of the flesh and not pursuing Christ's way, we leave a place for satan to regain a  stronghold for evil in our life. Romans 12:2 We are in spiritual battle!

          Romans 10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

What do you want from life?

What do you want from life?

What do you want from life? That was the question I asked my daughter who was trying to decide what her college major should be. An immediate answer is not necessary, but it will affect the rest of her life. That simple question weighed heavy in my spirit. I realized after all these years as an introverted woodworker, dreamer and artist, I had never asked myself that simple question.

          So, what do I want from life? My mind at first goes to travel and riches..... but that would be in the end, an empty life. Oh, there would be pictures and keepsakes to jog the mind to recall a place or time where a good time was had, but in the end it would seem fairly fruitless. Power and wealth ....no,no,no.... that conjures images of cruel and heartless persons that no one really wants to be around but we are because of their status and connections.

          I began seriously contemplating what is important to me. You see, after over four decades on this revolving ball, I realized life had unfolded over the years and in a way it feels like I have just been along for the ride, despite that I have been self employed and seemingly, in control,  most of my adult life. If I had a go at life again from the age of the bright eyed girl in front of me, what would I want from life? What is important to me?

           Is money important to me? I truly have never had a love of money. For me money is an object. I have to have it to live and provide for my family. I've never held a desire to accumulate it, although I often have wished that I was more determined in that area. Power is distasteful to me. I picture a politician or corporate big shot making deals by talking out of both sides of their mouths with empty promises that play on some persons weak dreams and then laughing about it over golf and  exspensive whiskey. What do I desire?

          What do I desire? I love to be loved. I want to be appreciated. I want to be told that I did a good job. I want my wife to still have a desire to “make out” with me in the car when we are fifty. I want my children to think I am Superman, at least for a while. I want to make a positive difference in a fatherless child's life. I want to be wise. I want to be a good best friend. I want to be funny. I want my God to smile when He comes across my name in His Book of Life. I want people to enjoy the things I make. I truly love to make things. I enjoy building furniture, pottery, oil painting, making useful things from junk, chicken coops, glass casting; just about anything that you do with your hands that you pour all of one's self into.....that is what I love to do.

          Before I pass from this world I want to learn how to surf. I don't have to be in an exotic place, but I hear Costa Rica is a great place to learn! I want to go to Italy and put my hands on Michelangelo's statue of Moses. I want to see and run the tips of my fingers across the chisel marks that I'm almost sure that I will find in out of the way places. At least I hope I will find them and be assured that even one of the greatest of artists was human too. Surely he tired of polishing and had deadlines to meet and bills to pay as I have. I want to stroll along two thousand year old streets and see some Roman architecture. I want to see Mt. Zion where Jesus ascended into heaven in front of his closest friends. I want to stand in front of Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' for hours. I want to go to Amsterdam and laugh away a week of afternoons in the cafes with good friends.

          As wonderful as all that is, I wouldn't miss my seeing my son pitch a middle school baseball game to experience it. I wouldn't miss my daughter cheering or dancing to walk that ancient cobblestone road. I coached my youngest son in his first football game in real pads today. I wouldn't trade seeing that competitive sneer and afterwards that smile on his face for anything. So it seems that for all my wants, in the end, I want to be with the people I love, that love me. I wonder if that is how God feels? After all, we are his children. I believe that God loves to walk with us every day, cheering us on in our struggles and even giving us a little help to climb that mountain or finish that report. I know I enjoy Him.

Peachey

Peachey

          I didn’t remember Peachey very well. My elderly friend recounted the event for me. “You remember,” he insisted, “when Phil (my father in law) fell on the river bank and cut his arm, she helped you with him!” While I remembered that accident and frying fish afterwards with our small group, I couldn’t remember Peachey. That was the name he used for the apparently sixty something lady that helped us up that river bank several years ago. Peachey had noticed my bad case of psoriasis and my friend said that she regularly asked about me. I was almost in tears when he told me that Peachey prayed for me regularly and wanted to know how my condition was!

Caring is a gift from God that has to be nurtured. It is a selfless act that considers others needs before your own. I found myself ashamed that I do not recall Ms. Peachey, but I thank God for all those like her who He has put in my life. I thank God for those who pray for me, for those who God sends ahead of me to prepare the path he has for me. I pray that God will teach me to remember others needs and that He will give me the strength to be a loving servant.

I told my friend that my skin condition was much better. God had given me a wonderful physician who was able to find a medicine that worked for me. But I earnestly requested that Peachey never remove me from her prayer list and that I would add her to mine. I still don’t know or remember Peachey’s face but I do look forward to one day hugging her neck and enjoying the company of a true sister in Christ and a friend that I didn’t even know that I had.

Kenton