Grandma Aaycock and the Rapture

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Andy and Ice Cream Jesus

Andy and Ice Cream Jesus

After I heard a popular Christian radio personality rail against being “legalistic”, I realized he was talking about me and my beliefs and the beliefs of many of my Christian brothers and sisters. No one wants to be put down with what the world considers an ugly word like “legalistic”. Am I deceived, am I wrong, are others deceived? Satan certainly is the father of lies and deception. It bothered me that this radio personality, supposedly full of grace, attacked obedient minded people. But something happened that made me feel better, almost immediately. The Holy Spirit moved in me, bringing to my remembrance verse after verse, teaching after teaching, and I realized that the true Jesus obeyed and taught obedience with even love being a command, not just worldly affection, but true love that works in unfavorable conditions. The world and many in the church today would call Jesus “legalistic”. Many fans of Jesus just memorize the “sweet” teachings, the ice cream dessert, and ignore the difficult “legalistic” teachings that Jesus gave as requirements to be a true follower and not just a fan of Jesus.

          Can we separate Jesus from His Father’s commandments or “law”, as some refer to God’s will? Did Jesus separate Himself from having to be obedient or is it now that we no longer have to obey the commandments given to us through Moses? Does His sacrifice at the Cross give us an automatic pass into the eternal life with our Holy Father?

          Can we separate Jesus from His Father’s law? Did He? In Jesus’ great ‘Sermon on the Mount’, He teaches us that not only does He expect us to keep the commandments, but Jesus’ presence now demands a higher standard than the original law. Jesus said that not only can we not be sexually immoral in the physical, but we must now also control our thoughts along with our flesh! He teaches about the other commands in the same manner. This teaching is in Matthew 5:27-30, His sermon on the Mount . Jesus demands a higher standard because He is with us and in us. How could one who claims to be saved, with the Holy Spirit in them, live in unrepentant, continual sin? I am not speaking of temporal sin, repented of, but choosing daily to satisfy your flesh and starve your spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin so that we can repent of it, which means to turn away from sin and back to God. If we continue in sin we remove ourselves from God. God never moves away from us, but when we choose worldly sin, we reject Him, turning our back to him.

 Hebrews 10:26 27

26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 

27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 

               ‘There no longer remains a sacrifice for their sins’(26b). Grace to cover our sins is a result of Jesus’ sacrifice at the Cross. Just as God is eternal, so is salvation and grace. So how is it that our sins can cause us to lose our salvation? If we continually sin, we choose world over God. The sin does not have power over salvation but shows our true heart and Spirit, which does affect our eternal salvation. Continual sin is the result of a broken relationship with Jesus. Salvation itself was eternal before we received it. We were not yet saved, because we had not accepted or embraced the salvation available to us. Salvation was there in front of us, eternally available, but it was not until we renounced our sin and made Jesus our Lord and Savior, that we received the salvation that had always been available to us. When we receive Jesus as our Savior we do not lose our freewill. We are free to choose sin or God. We are not forced to serve God. We have to choose daily to be a servant and child of God. This is a constant theme throughout God’s Word. Peter said that we would have been better to have never known the love of Jesus than to have known and turned away from Him to sin again (2Peter 2:20-22). Jesus sternly warns that He will not allow anyone into heaven that does not DO the will of God  (Matthew 7:21-23). Obedience is paramount to a positive relationship with our Father and front and center in God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus made it clear that His life was devoted to obeying God the Father. Jesus never changed God’s will for us, but He became our advocate to be able to come to God with repentant heart and be forgiven. Jesus announced that He only says and does what His Father says and does (John 5:19). Obviously Jesus obeyed God, upheld His commandments and did our Father’s Will. Every time Jesus was asked how one could receive eternal life, His initial response always was, “Have you kept the commandments?” So the answer is “no”, Jesus did not separate himself from His Father’s commandments and neither does he allow us too.

               Andy Stanley uploaded a video teaching to the popular youtube, announcing to his thousands of followers that homosexuality was ok and adultery was not. He went on to explain that people who were involved in homosexual activity could be leaders in the church, but adulterers could not. This is completely unbiblical in every way. The bible clearly defines and declares any sexual immorality a sin resulting in eternal death and damnation if left unrepentant, which Andy is encouraging. False teaching that feels good and is sweet to taste, is a dangerous trap. Anyone can be forgiven for their sins if they repent, turn away from them, and follow Jesus. But, continual unrepentant sin, results in eternal death says God.  Andy is preaching Ice Cream Jesus. If it feels natural and you don’t hurt anybody else, then it is ok with Andy and Ice Cream Jesus, as long as you wear a smile and are courteous. You see, Ice Cream Jesus is an imaginary Savior. Ice Cream Jesus agrees with popular world ideals and distorts actual truth as it is written God’s Word. Teachers serving up various flavors of this tasty eternal damnation, are always happy and smiling because they are satisfying their customers who are looking for someone to assure them that satisfying their flesh will not set them in hell. Those customers come in droves throwing their money into the buckets because they are thankful that Ice Cream Jesus forgives them of their continual sin that they will not repent, and turn away from. By the way, without repentance, there is no forgiveness. Forgiveness is also eternal, but like salvation, has to be asked for and received. For that to happen, you have to confess and repent…… even Apostle Peter had to repent.

               Disclaimer: I am not picking on believers with homosexual tendencies, I love you. I have my own temptations to overcome as does everyone. It is just a popular sin that is perverted as being acceptable to God in this time. God and His Will have not changed. God loves you, no question, but that is not all that is required for eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Deny yourself, (fleshly wants and desires) take up your Cross and follow me says Jesus.  I am picking on Andy though. Shame on you, Andy, using all the popular keywords like love, forgiveness, and your smooth, polished delivery to do satan’s work of perverting the Word of God. By the way, Andy, why did you think you have the authority to redefine sin? That is putting yourself over God. May the Lord rebuke you.

               Ice Cream Jesus brings the sinners and leaves them in their sin. The poor folks tote a bible but seem to be none the wiser. How do we know whether Ice Cream Jesus or the King Jesus of Nazareth is teaching us? The quick method is one you shouldn’t completely trust, but is a good initial test. Do you feel elated and justified, pumped up as a teenager at a rock concert and everything is pretty much ok, that you are on track with God? That is usually Ice Cream Jesus.

               Jesus of Nazareth assures us that we are loved, but we have sins that we are hiding from ourselves which we haven’t given up to God. We will realize we still have to guard ourselves from temptation and be wary of the world. King Jesus teaching always has a strong element of sin conviction delivered, as promised, by the Holy Spirit. In the presence of the true Jesus we are humbled in Spirit as the Apostles were, not self-justified. Remember that continual sin is the result of a broken relationship with Jesus, who removes sin. Sin has no power to condemn, but shows the true self-serving spirit in a person.

1 John 2:3-6English Standard Version (ESV)

³ And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵ but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

               Best test to avoid getting run over by the Ice Cream Jesus truck, is the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation. Don’t trust pulling a single verse or two. Truths run as threads from the old through the new testament. Yes, old testament. Jesus and the Apostles refer to the Old Testament as THE SCRIPTURES. If all of this has you freaking out, then you have been eating ice cream every Sunday Morning. Get your Bible out and google a subject …. Study and learn. God said that we perish from lack of knowledge!

               Calling the Word false and ‘just stories’, is the only way that a person can justify trusting feelings and redefining sin. Andy, unfortunately, has also done this publicly, as have many other ice cream teachers. If the Word of God is not true, then you have NO savior. If you can’t believe that the God who created the universe and you, could put together a book that is true, then you don’t believe in the Sovereign Creator Father. I had a bible study member ask me once if I thought a donkey could really talk! (Numbers 22:28) “Yes, I believe that my Father, who created everything, setting the sun in place, the universe in motion, hung the moon, designed birds feathers to fly, who made the donkey itself, who creates babies from two separate people, would have no problem making a donkey speak!! That would be a simple thing for Him.” It would be funny, if it were not so pitiful, how arrogant we humans are in our ineptness. We uphold science and man’s ‘discoveries’, yet we cannot cure the common cold, much less change the course of the weather or create true life from nothing. So, the question becomes, what do you truly believe?

               I am not judging or condemning anyone. That is God’s job, thankfully not mine! There is going to be a judgement. My desire is that through the Truth in God’s Word, we will all pass into the arms of Jesus and not be rejected because we lived a life led by the false teachings of an Ice Cream Jesus. We want our God to be what we want Him to be, unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Thankfully God is steadfast, loving, unchanging and Holy. God told Moses, “I am who I am.” Because of man’s sins, Jesus had to be sacrificed so that we MAY be able to approach our Holy Father. Ice Cream Jesus says we can be nice, smile and stay positive, your sins are forgiven with no changes or repentance from sin. My King Jesus warns us sternly to be obedient or He will not grant us passage into the Kingdom of God. Jesus warns us sternly at the end of one of His greatest teachings …..

Matthew 7:21-23English Standard Version (ESV)

I Never Knew You

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

        ‘Lawlessness’, yes, it is translated from the original greek writings correctly. Ice Cream Jesus and his false teachers tell you that God’s law doesn’t matter anymore. That is a lie, a deception. We need to learn to pray for God to show us our sins, so that we may repent of them. I have been amazed at the pride and self-serving heart I fight. I have been amazed at the anger and unforgiveness in me, much of it from my far past. I am not a stiff neck legalist. I just love God and His powerful Word. I ride a motorcycle, drink the occasional beer, and laugh with friends as much as possible. I won’t beat you over the head with the Bible, you are free to believe or not believe. I simply do not want us to be deceived and fall into satan’s many traps. Jesus requires all of our being, for we are bought with a price, a very high price. Jesus sets us free in Him to love and be forgiven.

          May God bless you, Kenton

PS.     The Church is not a civic club or community fun group. The Church is the Body of Christ dedicated to bringing glory to our Father and the good news of the Gospel to the many nations. He does not obey us, we obey Him.

I Was There

I Was There

       I beat Him with everything that I had. I whipped Him. I cursed Him as He bled. I mocked Him. I spat on him. I laughed at His torment. I reveled in His pain.

       You see, I was there two thousand years ago when they crucified Jesus of Nazareth, and you also were there in Jerusalem. As difficult as it is to imagine, it was for our sins that Jesus was crucified. He was crucified for the sins of all men; past, present, and future. King David, Elijah, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther, you, me; we were all there. Our sins put Him on that Cross and on that Cross my sins were washed away by His Blood. Everyone who has repented and turned to follow Jesus has left their sins on that bloody old rugged cross. Jesus made the final sacrifice that day that was so powerful, so pure, that nothing more needs now be done. He makes all things new. He made clean what was unclean. He made a way to the Father for the prostitute and the Leper, the adulterer and the thief. He made a way for us all.

      I will never be ashamed of Jesus because he was not ashamed of me. I will not look around a restaurant to see who is looking and then pray so quietly my children can't hear me. I will keep my Bible near me always. I will keep His Word on my heart and my lips always. I will pray at school. I will not tolerate things that my Father says are evil.

      Jesus died on the Cross and then rose from the grave, and because He lives, I can face tomorrow with hope in Him. I know He has conquered the grave, satan, and holds the keys to hell. He is King of kings, the Lord of Lords and every knee will bow to Him. But the greatest of them all is to know that He is mine!

Revised: Grandaddy Doss' teaching on love

Granddaddy Doss’ teaching on Love

By Kenton Jenkins

revised

          The greatest sermons are the ones that we "see" lived out by someone important in our life. I am grateful that God blessed me with great parents and grandparents that ‘walked out’ their faith daily. As a teenage boy, I was spending the summer at my mother's parents home in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

       The Grandfather clock chimed its time 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 now 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. Afterward, 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 can still 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 about 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, 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 from 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 my Grandparents generation did to get through the "depression" or watch again as Grandaddy dares my poor cousin to taste one of his home grow hot peppers, as he himself chews on one, then laughs that sideways laugh of his, as my cousin runs for the sink squealing. Yes David, I still laugh at that.

Bob the Builder will fix it. Yes he can!

    Bob the Builder

       I can still hear the theme song ringing in my mind. "Bob the builder, can we build it? YES, WE, CAN!" In the cartoon they played it every time Bob was needed. Bob is a cute little generic construction worker with blue overalls, a yellow hard hat, and a tool belt. Bob along with his buddies, who are living tools and machines, can fix anything. Bob, being told about a problem, will whip out his toolbox and the theme song plays. Then Bob, with a smile, begins fixing the problem with the ease and positive attitude that only a cartoon character can muster. 
      In Bob's cartoon world, the animator, who created he and his story, is his God. How often do we try to fix the problems in our life without our true God? "Move over God, I got this." We say to ourselves. While we can do all things through Christ, we can do nothing good without God. Nothing that we do in our own power will stand for long, but what God builds will stand forever! Only prayer to the Lord moves Heaven and hell and can bring the eternal fix or change that we need. It is only when we remove ourselves and turn everything over to God, that we can begin to see problems in our life get fixes that truly change for the good and last. We have to choose to remove our self pride, self confidence and trust God, not ourselves. That is hard to do. The world preaches self reliance and self confidence. Jesus teaches us that we can do nothing without God!
      The greatest fixit men live their lives on their knees in prayer, because they know that only God brings good and lasting change. God can soften and change the hearts, minds and thinking of our enemies or business associates to our good. God can destroy our enemies and lay them at our feet. All the gold, silver and everything in this world belongs to God. God can move money or anything else from one place to another to make provision for a saint of His at anytime. Our Father works in ways that we wouldn't think of or can even comprehend.
      To be truly successful, we must turn our lives over completely to the Lordship of Jesus and trust Him to make a way for us. We should fight our battles on our knees, in prayer about all things in our life. We have to take everything, in humility, to God. This is not what the world teaches us, but Jesus taught us that we can ask anything in His name and it will be done.
      I know how impatient I can be. One of the most difficult things for me to do is to wait on God, in prayer and thanksgiving. Often God holds us still while he prepares a blessing or miracle to come to pass. He goes ahead of us softening hearts, preparing the way for us and in His time He opens a door for us. When that door opens, we have to choose to step through the door and receive what He has prepared for us, in thanksgiving.
      I don't know about you, but in that time of waiting, I am like a race horse in the starting gate. I fram around in the gate, fussing and complaining, while I wait on God to pull the trigger on the starter pistol and the gate to fly open releasing me into His blessings. But God waits on me to calm down and he teaches me to be thankful and content where I am. I need to learn contentment, humility, thankfulness in the midst of my trials. The apostle Paul never prayed for our situation to change, but that we endure with thanksgiving. Jesus was beaten, humiliated in many ways and even betrayed by those closest to Him. He NEVER complained because he knew our Father despises murmuring and complaining. God sent His chosen people of Israel around the mountain in the wilderness for forty years during a journey that should have only taken a couple of weeks, because they would not stop murmuring and just be thankful for their freedom! They were even receiving Manna from heaven every day and yet, they still complained. Complain and you will remain. We have to learn to live on our knees praying with a thankful and contrite heart that we are being led by God. 
     Let us give thanks where we are and pray out our life to God, all of our life, things great and small. Let us renew our minds to the mind of Christ and hold all thoughts accountable to His word. Let us be lights in this world. While our salvation is personal, Jesus makes it clear that it should never be private. We should always be prepared to give our testimony. We should always be looking to guide the souls to God, that he chooses and calls to Him. It is ok to be anxious to fix things like Bob the builder, but always fix the 'things" in your life in the strength and mind of Christ. Then our 'things' will truly be 'fixed'.
      Peace and joy be yours in Christ.      Kenton

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]