A Christ Follower: The Journey

      Okay, so here is what has happened: Since the early sixties, there has been a concerted effort to redefine our values. It still goes on to this day.  Yup! Since 1962 there has been an intentional move by folks calling themselves "progressives" to change our culture so that "everything is relative" and "there are no absolutes" kind of thinking.  This is especially true regarding  what constitutes marriage and the family.  This has resulted in some definite painful outcomes. You can check out the information below in red anywhere you would like, and your will find the data is right on target.        God set up a plan to provide healthy families and values. In these above mentioned changes virtually all these are being ignored (BTW: In the Bible, healthy and holy are interchangeable; what is healthy is predicated on what is declared holy and the opposite is also true.) Guess I need to quit saying families, in the parag...

                                  Luke 2:1-14       In those days Caesar Augustus  issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.   (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)     And everyone went to their own town to register.      So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem  the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.   He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him  and was expecting a child.   While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,   and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.       And there were shepherds l...

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,  and saves such as have a humble spirit. Psalm 34:18 Broken hearts are not uncommon during this "season to be jolly."  Grief and loss are a very real part of each holiday (holy day.)  One need only turn on our 24/7 news cycle to know for a fact that the families of 20 children and 6 adults will be journeying through the valley of the shadow of death during this season of Christmas Carols, Choir Cantatas, Christmas parties and Christmas plays. Brightly wrapped presents will be dampened because many of us are missing some very special people who are no longer present this side of eternity. Or we have lost a job... or a family member's health or our health is grieving us.  Yes indeed... a broken heart is a very real part of everyday living. Yet, as we commemorate the birth of the Son of God who is one with God, we might help ourselves to remember that this same baby is the "Wonderful Counselor!"  He ...

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, joy was lost. God expelled them from their garden home to prevent something worse from happening. If they had eaten from the tree of life after eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they would have lived forever in their misery.   Life outside the garden was not easy. Adam and Eve had to work hard for their food. The reality of death was everywhere, and animals preyed on one another. Even worse, the couple’s firstborn son murdered his younger brother. What could be worse? Sin had pierced their lives, and the couple could not stop joy from draining out.   But God had a plan to restore joy. Joy was lost in the Garden when death came, but joy returned through birth—the birth of God’s own Son. “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10). Jesus grew up to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and raise the dead. But this was just a taste of things to come. God entered our world, experien...

     For years I have been a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor with The American Association of Christian Counselors, and I am presently working to become a Board Certified Crisis Response Chaplain. Now I am not saying this to highlight something special about yours truly.  I only say this because AACC is leading the way helping folks cope with trauma.      Given the events of 12/14/12, where 26 innocent people were needlessly slaughtered... (most were children). The President of AACC, Dr. Tim Clinton, published this very short--but important-- article given to help people get through trauma. And the article specifically points to how to help children.  Please consider these words and pass them on.... especially to folks in Connecticut.   SoJourner      Six “T’s” for Helping Kids through Trauma Togetherness. This is a night where your kids need to have you close. They need to know they’re safe. Pul...

Put it on your calendar:    A DAY TO PRAY  January 20th 2013 .     This is a special day in the lives of Americans... not only because of what the date means (The Day Before The U.S. Presidential Inauguration)  but because of what a difference we can make when we pray.  This challenge is for all people of all political stripes.  And while it is a national challenge for folks in the good ole USA, I am challenging the people of the world to join us.   I am  not asking you to pray to convince our political leaders of anything that favors your own personal political agenda...nor my political agenda.  I am simply asking you to pray for God to speak to our leaders/your leaders in a convincing clear way about God's agenda, whatever that may be.  So I guess I am asking everyone to simply put aside your personal concerns and trust the ALMIGHTY GOD to make God's agenda clear.     ...

A Christ Follower: The Journey: The Right Thing : When you do the right thing God wants of you,   Be sure you go ahead and do that thing no matter what the cost or even the loss to you...