Dog Lovers Get Ready For Joyful Tears

This video of a dog reunited with its master is proof our dogs don't forget us:

Click here: AOL.com Article - Dog goes wild when reunited with 'dad'

Grateful 

Sunday Night Inspiration -- Benefit Sing

(Heartland Bluegrass Singers -- If full image is not displaying, click on image.)

Sunday night a musical brother in our local church planned a benefit sing for my parents, Capt. Bill and Lady Melba. It was two hours of pure inspiration. I am grateful to Brother Harold Arbogast and his Bluegrass singing group called Heartland. Also, other singers took part including Dave Napier, The Stoner Family, Brenda Straits and a Southern Gospel group known as Southern Grace.

A love offering was received to assist my parents with expenses due to Dad's recent unemployment in the wake of his cancer season. Approximately $5,000 was given. It was a night of celebration as Dad's latest cancer results came back as "ALL CLEAR".

We are so humbled and grateful to God and to God's people.

The final song sung tonight was by Southern Grace and is a favorite of my parents. Here's a recording of the tune:

Click here: Randy Travis - Will The Circle Be Unbroken (w/ lyrics) - YouTube

Grateful

"No Longer Considered Sinful!"

This passage below so inspires my heart, realizing that Jesus, My Redeemer, not only has forgiven my disobedience, having pardoned me from my sins of rebellion, but He also has purity and power enough in His Shed Blood to rid me of the Disposition of Sin itself. Hear for yourself these wonderful words from God's Holy Word promising the double-cure, yes indeed, the double-blessing:

Romans 4:7-8

GOD’S WORD Translation

(7) "Blessed are those whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sins are pardoned. (8) Blessed is the person whom the Lord no longer considers sinful."

Grateful 

"He Already Has!"

In my quiet time in the Lord's presence this morning, I prayed for my only son these words and texted him the specific prayer I was praying to God on his behalf:

"Praying for you this morning, knowing that God will surely prove to you His trustworthiness and kindnesses in life."

This was my son's three-word reply:

"He already has."

My two-word response:

"Good perspective."

Grateful 

(Recent photo of my son, Grayson, standing at the entrance to the Temple Courts in Jerusalem.)

"If Christ Lives in You!"

These 17 verses beginning Romans 8 are so powerful and hope-filled to me. See if you agree?

"So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned. The standards of the Spirit, who gives life through Christ Jesus, have set you free from the standards of sin and death. It is impossible to do what God’s standards demand because of the weakness our human nature has. But God sent his Son to have a human nature as sinners have and to pay for sin. That way God condemned sin in our corrupt nature. Therefore, we, who do not live by our corrupt nature but by our spiritual nature, are able to meet God’s standards in Moses’ Teachings. Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature’s attitude. But those who live by the spiritual nature have the spiritual nature’s attitude. The corrupt nature’s attitude leads to death. But the spiritual nature’s attitude leads to life and peace. This is so because the corrupt nature has a hostile attitude toward God. It refuses to place itself under the authority of God’s standards because it can’t. Those who are under the control of the corrupt nature can’t please God. But if God’s Spirit lives in you, you are under the control of your spiritual nature, not your corrupt nature. Whoever doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ doesn’t belong to him. However, if Christ lives in you, your bodies are dead because of sin, but your spirits are alive because you have God’s approval. Does the Spirit of the one who brought Jesus back to life live in you? Then the one who brought Christ back to life will also make your mortal bodies alive by his Spirit who lives in you. So, brothers and sisters, we have no obligation to live the way our corrupt nature wants us to live. If you live by your corrupt nature, you are going to die. But if you use your spiritual nature to put to death the evil activities of the body, you will live. Certainly, all who are guided by God’s Spirit are God’s children. You haven’t received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him."  (Romans 8:1-17 GW)

Grateful

Want to Hurt Your Pastor?

A dear friend of mine and of pastors everywhere recently sent this information to me. It's sobering stuff:

So, if you really want to hurt your pastor, follow these guidelines carefully: 

1. Criticize the pastor’s family. Few things are as painful to pastors as criticizing their families, especially if the criticisms are related to issues in the church 

2. Tell the pastor he is overpaid. Very few pastors really make much money. But there are a number of church members who would like to make the pastor feel badly about his pay.

3. Don’t defend the pastor. Critics can be hurtful. But even more hurtful are those who remain silent while their pastor is verbally attacked. Silence is not golden in this case. 

4. Tell your pastor what an easy job he has. It can really sting when someone suggests that the pastor really only works about ten hours a week. Some actually believe that pastors have several days a week off. 

5. Be a constant naysayer. Pastors can usually handle the occasional critic. But the truly painful relationships are with church members who are constantly negative. 

How do you know you’ve succeeded in this regard? The pastor runs the other way when he sees you.

6. Make comments about the pastor’s expenditures. I heard it from a pastor this past week. A church member asked, “How can you afford to go to Disney World?” Wow!  

7. Compare your pastor’s preaching and ministry unfavorably to that of another pastor. Many times the member wants you to know how much he or she likes that pastor on the podcast compared to you. If you really want to hurt your pastor, you can make certain he knows how inferior he is.

So, if your life’s goal is to hurt your pastor, one or more of these approaches will work just fine.

Grateful 

"The Debt of Love I Owe"

Click here: Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed? - YouTube

This old hymn has been hanging onto my heart these past few days:

1.    Alas! and did my Savior bleed, 
    and did my Sovereign die!
    Would he devote that sacred head 
    for sinners such as I? 

2.  Was it for crimes that I have done, 
    he groaned upon the tree? 
    Amazing pity! Grace unknown! 
    And love beyond degree! 

3.  Well might the sun in darkness hide, 
    and shut its glories in, 
    when God, the mighty maker, died 
    for his own creature's sin. 

4.  Thus might I hide my blushing face 
    while his dear cross appears; 
    dissolve my heart in thankfulness, 
    and melt mine eyes to tears. 

5.  But drops of tears can ne'er repay 
    the debt of love I owe. 
    Here, Lord, I give myself away; 
    'tis all that I can do. 

Grateful

"I Am a Debtor..."

“I have an obligation to those who are civilized and those who aren’t, to those who are wise and those who aren’t.” Romans 1:14 (GWT)

"I am a debtor..." Romans 1:14a (NKJV)

The Living Bible is my favorite rendering of Romansv1:14 -- "I owe a great debt to you and everyone else..."

20 years ago, I told the congregation As your pastor, there are some things I owe you:

1. To be a godly man

2. To be a man of prayer

3. To be a role model

4. To be a good steward

5. To love you

Today, we celebrated 20 years as pastor and people, so I echoed these five debts of love that I owe, again.

Grateful 

True Love is Marked by Giving, Not Getting.

I officiate a scared ceremony of Holy Matrimony today. This passage is included in my message -- Ephesians 5:21-33 -- from The Message Paraphrase of God's Word:

²¹ Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

^22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.

^25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.

^29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

Grateful

One of My Dad's Favorite Faith Songs

If you read my blog post yesterday, you already know that my Dad's pet scan and bone scan have both now come back as "ALL CLEAR OF CANCER!" While, Dad will still experience fatique for maybe a year and he has some measure of discomfort with his left leg, we are surely exhaling in praise to Almighty God for The Good News.

This is one song that has helped Dad endure these past 7 months or so. I pray listening to the song will strengthen your own faith. The song by The Gaithers is titled "My Faith Still Holds".

Click here: Gaither Vocal Band - My Faith Still Holds - YouTube

Grateful

Capt Billy's Bone Scan Report Just In

Friends, my Dad's bone scan report is just in: "ALL CLEAR!" A few weeks ago the pet scan found no cancer in the body and today the bone scan reveals no cancer in the bones.

We are speechless with gratitude for God's goodness and your prayers.

Grateful... Indeed.

"I'm Reading Revelation 21."

The Saturday evening before Father's Day, I called my Dad, Captain Billy. When he answered the phone it seemed I had caught him crying. I said, "Dad, what are you doing?" He said, "I'm reading Revelation 21."

Here it is in King James Version:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:1-27 KJV)

Grateful 

"The Sinless One"

A dear friend sent me these inspiring words below for today's faith focus:

“Search for the LORD and his strength.

Always seek his presence.” 

1 Chronicles 16:11 GWT

"Abide in Jesus, the sinless One--which means, give up all of self (self centeredness) and its life, and dwell in God's will and rest in His strength. This is what brings the power that does not commit sin." 

-- Andrew Murray

Grateful 

"Heaven Calling"

This sacred song came to my heart and out of my mouth today after leading our pastoral team in prayer. It's a song my parents played often on the old phonograph when I was a boy. It's Dottie Rambo singing, "The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me":

http://youtu.be/Cv6KkUpGOG4

Grateful 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to YOU, my Loving ABBA FATHER God! I believe in You and I belong to You!

I sense Your embrace on this sacred day. And for that, I am eternally...

...Grateful 

The Lovely Name

The Name by which our souls are forgiven of sinful deeds and purified of Sin's disposition is noneother than the lovely Name of Jesus.

No one could ever sing about the lovely Name of Jesus more beautifully than Teddy Huffam and The Gems. 

Listen now by clicking the link:

http://youtu.be/NEN_7zh5o8w

Grateful

All Scripture is Inspired & Useful

“Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for...

1. teaching, 

2. pointing out errors, 

3. correcting people, and... 

4. training them for a life that has God’s approval.” 

-- 2 Timothy 3:16 GWT

Grateful

Whatever Happened to Yesterday?

"Whatever happened to yesterday?

It picked up my lil' children 

And stole them away."

Somedays I miss my "little" children. Glad for memories and photos like these:

(If photos do not fully display, click individual image.)

Grateful for my son, now 27, and my daughter, 25.

1 Kings 13 on June 12, 2014

Today, is an essential day in my life. Yes, 50-plus years ago :-) I was born in North Carolina (in a hospital about 200 yards from sea level.) I decided to take a vacation day today. Taking a vacation day as a pastor is a funny idea. But anyway, it's been sweet so far. Many greetings from all kinds of different devices have come my way. I even got a few old-fashioned cards in the mail this week. And to those who sing to me year-after-year on my voice mail, I am forever indebted to. 

A beautiful gift was a phone call that I was on for 50 minutes this morning. A precious 23-year-old that was recently part of our church family as a university student and who during those years became very dear to my wife and me, called from Texas. Her name is Jillian. She had some questions during her personal Bible study time. I told her, "I know 'some' answers."

So, together on the phone, we studied deeply a passage and sought the Lord to make clear to us the meaning of 1 Kings, chapter 13. The Lord really helped us. I have never fully studied this passage, so I was only familiar with the story. But now after engaging in the Holy Word of God, I feel as if her call was a surprise birthday gift from God. He had someone hungry for His counsel to call me on my birthday. We concluded after 50 minutes in the Word that to obey God carefully and prayerfully and always fully is of paramount importance in our lives.

I invite you to read and pray over 1 Kings 13. As we say back home, "It's a doozy." May the Lord make known to all of us the marvelous mysteries of His "Love Story" written to us -- "The Holy Bible".  

Grateful (Okay, I'm 53 today. Hard to believe I'm 30 years older than Jillian, but that's my true age.)

Need Perspective? Song of Desperate Faith!

This song of Desperate Faith has been strong on my heart and mind for the past day or so. I first heard it while speaking at a Summer Camp for Teens along the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The song touched me so deeply and my wife as well, as that was the same week her father passed away.

Pray this song from the depths of your soul. It will help give you perspective! I promise!

Click here: Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship (LYRICS ON SCREEN) - YouTube

Grateful

"Clean Hands and a Pure Heart..."

These words from Psalm 24 have been stirring my soul with holy anticipation since early morning:

(3) Who may go up the LORD’s mountain?

Who may stand in his holy place?

(4) ⌊The one who⌋ has clean hands and a pure heart.. (GWT)

* "clean hands" = "outward sins/acts/deeds forgiven"

* "pure heart" = "inward Sin/Attitude/Disposition cleansed"

Grateful 

Faith Forces Us Forward

Like strong winds beneath the wings of an eagle, steady faith in God forces us upward and forward. We must live our lives believing God will lift us, not supposing He will let us down. Let us keep our eyes fastened on Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. 

Grateful 

"I Choose Jesus!"

Moriah Peters singing "I Choose Jesus!"

http://youtu.be/M3IZ64J9gD4

Grateful

Blog Post #1732. 5 Years & Counting. Jesus Cares.

In case you're curious, I've been blogging on this "Beautiful Feet -- RomansTenFifteen" page for about 5 years. This is my 1732nd blog post. My blog averages about 3,200-3,500 visits per month. I'm humbled and amazed by it.

While, many people from many countries have signed onto my encouragement blog over these past five years or so, these are the top 10 countries that have kept up with my writings over the long haul:

1. United States
2. Russia
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Canada
6. Malaysia
7. France
8. Ukraine
9. Latvia
10. India

Here are the top 15 countries signing on in the past month:
1. United States
2. Russia
3. Israel
4. Germany
5. China
6. United Kingdom
7. Ukraine
8. Canada
9. France
10. Belgium
11. Italy
12. South Korea
13. Lithuania
14. Indonesia
15. Sweden

I am totally humbled that there remains a strong audience signing in for what I truly sense the Lord wants me to say for His glory and for the good of eternal souls. I try to post daily. I beleive if something fresh is uploaded day-by-day, I am being a better steward of encouragement. Please pray that the Lord will manifest through me His messages that will help in the redemption of eternal souls.

Though I will never meet most of the people who follow my blog here on earth, in Heaven I hope to meet each one of you. Until then, I'll pray for you. You pray for me.

My prayer is this: "In my life Lord, be glorified, day-after-day. May it be said of me: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.'"

A gospel song written by the Ross Family back in the 1980s is my message for you today:

"Just remember Jesus cares. He cries when you cry.
And He lifts your case to the Father up on high.
Place your trust in Him today. For He is the only way.
And remember Jesus cares. Just remember Jesus cares."

I care, too.

My Other Avenues of Encouragement:
* You can also find me on Twitter @PastorKerryW
* My son and I host a free podcast at www.frontporchtalks.com
* And our church web-site for weekly sermons, etc. is www.abeaconofhope.org

Grateful

Please Pray for My Childhood Friend

Please join me today and in the days ahead in prayer for my childhood friend, Ken. He got a health report that is disheartening. The medical team is not giving him much hope but this does not intimidate The Great Physician, Jesus.

I met Ken when I was 5. Many people throughout our school years thought we were brothers. We both liked that. Still do.

Also remember his dear wife, Melinda. I am praying for a miracle and for peace for them both. Please join me.

Grateful

Begin Today!

Trust The Lord with Everything;

Begin today!

And find the joy that comes 

When Jesus has His way!

-- selected

Grateful

"May the God of All Grace..."

As I prayed the Benediction at the close of our 10:30 a.m. worship service this past Sunday, these words of blessing just spontaneously came to my mind and out of my mouth. May it also be a blessing to you today.

"May the God of all grace, the God Who sent His Son to take your place...

May the God Who knows your every care... meet you this week every day and everywhere.

May you know the peace that only Heaven gives, and during your days may you proclaim: "HE LIVES!"

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Go in Peace.

You are Loved."

Grateful

Capt. Billy Update -- Cancer, The Holy Spirit, Steak and Sundaes

Before I begin, let me say, "Thanks for your interest in and intercessions for our family."

Here's my Dad, Capt. Billy, praising our God before the doctor came into the room to reveal the latest pet scan cancer report yesterday.

We got good news. While Dad still needs to have a bone scan to check his spine, the doctor said he sees no cancer in the body. He said it appears Dad has responded fully to his chemo treatments. He believes Dad to be in remission, dear friends. The doctor and Dad embraced after the doctor said, "The Holy Spirit is helping you, sir."

In three weeks the spine report will be revealed, however, until then we fully celebrated yesterday with hearts full of humility and gratitude. 

Yes, after the doctor's visit, I immediately drove Mom and Dad to Dad's new favorite restaurant, Longhorn Steakhouse, for a steak supper and afterwards we made a giddy stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream sundaes. Dad had his favorite, pineapple with coconut, while mom ordered her usual, chocolate with wet walnuts. I had a mini Heath Bar Blizzard.

Yesterday, Dad awoke with this song on his heart: "God Will Take Care of You." In good days or not-as-good days, we know God is Good!

http://youtu.be/-ORXnfjQAXA

Grateful 

Faith in God

Faith in God is the essence of life. 

Trusting in Him brings triumph o'er strife.

We can't please God until we believe.

Standing alone on His Word, true help we receive.

All of our trying will not bring us peace.

Yet looking to God, all our fears will decrease. 

So, whatever our plans are for this day,

let's anticipate victory as we expectantly pray.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen

Grateful 

Children of the World Choir -- "Never Once"

Blessed at our local church today by World Help's Children of the World choir:

When these precious children from Uganda, Nepal and The Philippines sang "Never Once" it went straight to our hearts.

http://youtu.be/722zPX1npcA

Grateful