Apart / Together

On the Cross of Calvary, Jesus let His own life fall apart so He could put our lives back together. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

ZIP Codes

My wife and I have been packing over these last two days to change our ZIP Code by one digit. Yes, we are making a move across town. These days have been like a whirlwind, yet the presence of the Lord has been very real as our strength and our peace. 

Here's our day and a few yesterdays in photos:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Know

In seasons of change, chaos, and transition, we must trust Who we know rather than what we feel.

"If you are going to hang your head, hang it up so you can see the face of God." -- Capt. Billy Willis ⚓️

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Worth It

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

"Where I Belong"

This song expresses my heart's cry today:

https://youtu.be/he32vwlKQPY

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Greater Hope

Kathy Kipps, Director of Greater Hope Ministries, began her vision sharing at the annual banquet to raise funds and awareness for the relationally and sexually broken with these Old Testament  words:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Bold Verses

These verses on Boldness are true and powerful. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Iron Men

Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that "as iron sharpens iron, so one man (person)  sharpens another." 

Our yearly Keepers of the Light Men's Retreat to the Outer Banks of North Carolina proves this verse true to me. 

Photos below:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Lantern Waver

My Instagram post today:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Ocracoke 2017

Today, was a perfect day on planet earth as our 23rd Keepers of the Light Men's Retreat attendees enjoyed Day #2. Here are a few photos:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

 

Retreat #23

Today, is Day #1 of our #23 Men's Retreat to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I am so blessed to be with these souls for so many years. Keepers of the Light is our name and we hope we won't leave the coast the same as when we came. Presence of the Living God be with and within us! 

Click on images from previous retreats:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Happy Birthday

Today, my wife and I celebrated her birthday. She's a real classic. 

Grateful 

Easter Verses

For Easter, these are the verses from God's Word that I used to preach on God's Mercy:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Glorious Day

We closed our Easter Celebration Services singing this awesome song by Passion titled "A Glorious Day!" It was joy to turn our sanctuary into Holy Ground for dancing on the tombstone of death itself.

 https://youtu.be/LfzpfqrPUDo

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Holy Saturday

Click for info:

Sunday's coming!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Good Friday

Love's Greatest Expression!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Maunday Thursday

"Maunday" in old French = "something commanded", in Latin "commandment".

In John 13:34, Having washed the feet of all His disciples and having instituted The Lord's Supper, Jesus said: (34) "I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (35) Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other."

(Click for full-frame illustration of Love.)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Dennis Kinlaw

On November 17, 2009, I had the sacred privilege of meeting a hero of the faith in our lifetime, Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, in Wilmore, Kentucky. 

His writings and teachings had drawn me to the Francis Asbury Society Retreat, especially his devotional writings titled "This Day With The Master!"

When Dr. Kinlaw entered the room, he took a seat right beside me. The countenance of Jesus was all over him. I felt unworthy to be present but was glad I belonged.

This week, yes, on Monday, April 10, 2017, of Holy Week, Dr. Kinlaw went to be with the Jesus he loved and served. Born in 1922, he lived his life for the Lord and has now entered his rest. 

While at the retreat, Dr. Kinlaw autographed my copy of his devotional writings I mentioned above. He included Philippians 1:21 -- his life-verse. 

I give thanks to God for this man's life and look forward to meeting him again on That Beautiful Shore.

(Click images below:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Psalm 118

My friend, Jim, shared this verse with me today. It's Psalm 118:17. Powerful indeed!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Passion Week Remembrance Underway

As the Passion Week Remembrance is underway yet again, let us visualize the victory Jesus won for us through great suffering and sacrifice. Let us be glad that God loved us so much... too much!

Grateful

We Overcome

We defeat the enemy, yes that ancient serpent of old known as the devil by living out Revelation 12:11.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Their Misery

As I have been reading through the Old Testament of The Holy Bible, seven words in Judges 10:16, touch my heart deeply. Basically, God's people had once again turned away from Him to worship other gods, but when the enemy came to kill them they cried out to God for help. At first God said, "I will not rescue you anymore!" However, as they put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord again, these seven words are written: "And He was grieved by their misery."

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful     

Thank You

As my wife and I traveled to and from North Carolina recently, there was a sign we kept seeing different places and in various yards. It was like a real estate sign or a political season sign except these three words were painted on them: "Thank You Jesus!"

Tonight, at supper those three words seemed right to write with a crayon on the paper table cloth at the restaurant.

Click for full-view:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

 

A Funeral

Today, my wife, Kim, and I are honored to drive about 650 miles roundtrip to attend the funeral of my dear friend, Steve Thigpen's beloved dad, Mr. Willie Mack Thigpen, in North Carolina. 

(Click images below for full-frame view.)

Church window at site of funeral 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful. Very.