Mayfield our Black Friend

Mayfield Our Black Friend

 

Our roofing business began as a sole Proprietorship with only Robert installing asphalt shingle roofing, but God had other plans.

Robert’s cousin was out of work, and we decided to hire him to carry the shingles up to the roof and soon Robert began training him to install roofing. 

Then Robert’s mother and his step-dad LD moved to California and needed work.  LD was experienced with the hot tar and gravel roofing, and we began to receive requests to bid on this type of roofing.

We decided to purchase a tar kettle and Robert’s uncle was out of work and offered to man the tar kettle.

As time passed, we began to bid and accept larger jobs and now we needed an extra man.

One day at our shop, a young black man named Mayfield showed up and said he was recently married and needed a job.  Robert put him to work and he was a good worker.

Mayfield loved his wife and their small child and he became part of our family.

On Friday nights he enjoyed playing poker with his old buddies, but he always drove home that same night to be with his little family. 

One fateful Friday night it was storming and Mayfield may have had a beer or two.  As he drove home his car skidded and went off the road hitting a tree and killing our friend. 

We were saddened, and the entire crew showed respect to attend his funeral. 

Later Mayfield’s Uncle phoned us and asked if Mayfield was covered with insurance and a death benefit.  Our secretary told him she would find out and get back to him.

Naturally we had Workman’s Compensation, but this death was not work related. 

As we talked it over, we decided to take funds from our personal account in the amount of $5,000 and give it to his family. 

His wife appreciated all we could do for her and her little girl, but she never knew the whole story. 

Sometimes you just do what you gotta do and this was one of those times!

 

 

Who’s the Boss

Who Gave You Authority?

^{Matthew 21:23} Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

Pastor Jerry took his sermon from Matthew 21:23-32 and broke it up into two parts.

1. Authority verses 23-27
2. The will of God verses 28-32

In the school yard, older children may be assigned to keep order and if there is a scuffle; usually the smaller children argue, “You’re not my boss.”

Where does authority come from?  Often it is assigned, although it may be by age, education or status.  Then there is the power of money and politics.

We remember when Jesus marched into Jerusalem and entered the “Mall” in the temple chasing out the vendors.  Who gave Him the authority to do this?

There are no easy answers, and when Jesus was questioned by the priests and elders the final answer was: “If you can’t answer my question, then neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The second portion of scripture was about who is doing the will of the Father?

Boys, Go work in my Vineyard!

A father asked his two sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son refused to do the father’s bidding.  Soon he had second thoughts and went to obey.

The second son said, “Yes of course I will go,” but he was busy and failed to follow through.

Jesus asked which son did the will of the Father?

The scribes answered that it was the first son who finally changed his mind and went.

The Scribes were known for their many words, but were short on their good deeds. 

Doing the Will of God is not lip service but is in the action.

Today, what is our response?  Do we often lag behind, and finally come around and pitch in?

Pastor illustrated with a story about a minister who was asked to spend a week end at a church located 300 miles from his home.  He was glad to oblige and drove the many miles, spoke at many workshops, did some counseling, preached two sermons on Sunday and was exhausted.  As he prepared to leave the treasurer handed him an envelope which he stuffed in his pocket and drove the 300 miles back to his home.  When he arrived home, he opened the envelope and inside was a blank check with the words written across it, “THANKS A MILLION!" and it was signed by the treasurer.

Sometimes words are NOT enough.

Do we volunteer or do we let others do the job?  In our mind do we say, “I will,” but fail to step forward.  Do we say in our mind, “Not me,” but then relent and take up our cross.

It is sometimes difficult to live up to promises we make to God and to others.

Jesus said in Matthew ²¹“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

If you have not already done so, it is time to sign up, to put on the uniform and prepare to fight the battles ahead.  Be willing to listen and be quick to move to do God’s will.

 

America is in Trouble – Time to Pray

 

America is in Trouble and is being infiltrated by Islam and ungodly forces.

Recently I read an E-book I received from Bookbub.com.  I knew some of this information about the kingdom of darkness, but the book opened my eyes to what Satan is planning against our United States of America.

The book is “Redemption of an African Warlord by Joshua Blahyi.” 

Joshua Milton Blahyi is a dynamic man called by God to serve Jesus, after spending fourteen years as a devilish and murderous African Warlord.

This book was written to expose the deeds of the kingdom of darkness and to reveal the awesome power and tangibility of God’s love to humankind.

As an African Warlord, Joshua Milton Blahyi was responsible for the deaths of many including women and children.  In error he believed he was destined to this task given to him by the god, Nya-ghe-a-weh.

God in his mercy also set in motion events to bring this man Blahyi to his senses and to save his soul.

~ ~ ~

The influence of Satan is hidden, but is actively working behind the scenes influencing many governments, leaders in high places, entire nations, certain areas of land, creating Wars, terrorist attacks, and even stirring up discord within businesses, families and  marriages.

Our enemy the devil has a demonic organization and structures he has set up to rule and reign; as humans give their permission to be used by Satan’s many lesser gods. 

Once permission is granted, Satan has the legal right to possess and use these individuals and their domain.

Those persons who are agreeable to be used in this way, will at times become possessed with unusual abilities but are often required to provide human sacrifices in exchange for this power.

As we begin to understand the unseen world of demon powers, it gives us insight on how to pray for our own country and leaders. 

 

We must pray in the Holy Ghost and take our authority over the wicked hosts that are directing the brainless and foolish decisions being made by our leaders to open our land of America to Islam and those who oppose Jesus Christ as Lord.

If you are filled with the Spirit, then please do most of your praying in other tongues, because this is a direct line to God on the throne and Satan cannot understand the heavenly languages.

If you are not spirit filled, then at least pray that the evil forces orchestrating these unwise actions will be pushed aside and our leaders will instead make wise decisions.
 

"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, "I have installed My king on Zion, My holy mountain." Psalms 2

 

2Timothy_3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

This post is shared at Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

 

Why do Bad Things Happen?

None of us are free from mishaps and even tragedy.  The storms of life will sometimes bring us many ups and downs. 

Often we ask the big question, "Why did God allow this to happen?"

Some people think God sticks pins in us and then laughs because we cry in pain.  No a million times NO !!  Our God is not like that, when we suffer, he suffers too. 

A simple answer to the WHY question - - is that bad things happen because we live in “LIFE, after the fall of Adam and Eve.” 

 

Naturally some things happen because of our own failure to listen to the Holy Spirit or our excitement to do it ourselves.  

We must not blame God for misfortune our old enemy Satan brings to us and to those loved ones around us.  

When we get an inkling (premonition or intuition) that trouble is ahead, it is time to pray, or rather to SAY. 

Yes, go ahead and speak to the forewarned trouble and command the problem to leave and not return.  Yes tell trouble to NOT enter your domain or your sphere of influence.

Tribulation, Problems and Messes are a Nuisance and we do not have to put up with them. 

Jesus spoke to the fig tree and later reminded his disciples to SAY to the mountain, “Be thou removed," to believe it and it would be done.

So what do we do next if we don’t quickly see an answer?

1.     Stand fast and praise God that He is working on your behalf.

2.     Finally and last, work on your doubting attitude by “Replacement Therapy,” meaning Binding and loosening.

Identify each negative attitude you are holding on to that is preventing you from total Faith to believe that God is in control; such as doubt and unbelief, fear, worry, anxiety, fretfulness, imaginations of terror and all the What if’s.  Yes, go ahead and speak to that attitude and tell it to be removed and cast into the sea of forgetfulness.

Now is the time to find a positive opposite for each negative one; such as believe, boldness, calmness, relax, quietness, composure, harmony, confidence to name a few.  Claim the positive replacement attitude and make it YOURS.

Praising God and having an attitude of gratitude will help you focus on the goodness of God and not on the bad things that often happen.

 

 

Check out what my blogger friend TC has to say with post

 The Why and the Who

This post is shared at Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays  Do travel over there and enter your story at her lovely site.

 

 

THE BREATHS OF GOD ARE COMING

Simple Prophesy - Sharing Good News with Others 

My post on Sunday was about Prophesy, Dreams and Visions.  If you missed it click on The Future is Now.

 Prophesy takes many forms.  There are actual Prophets who operate in the Five Fold Ministry. 

Then there is US as we (prophesy) and share Good Words from God.

Are you ready for some eye opening words from Kathie Walters? 

"THE BREATHS OF GOD ARE COMING"

Kathie Walters, Macon, GA
 

Words - Arrows From the Lord

Kathie is stating:  Recently, I had a vision of a golden angel. He had a golden bow and golden arrows.

The gold represents "the glory" and the arrows are "Words from the Lord".

The bow represents His servants, the prophets, but not necessarily as in five-fold ministry prophet, because the Bible says that we may all prophesy one by one (1 Corinthians 14:31).

(So any one of us can prophesy and encourage one another.)

A Prophet, as in five-fold ministry, is someone that operates at a high level with the Lord, and who can discern the Word of the Lord for many situations.

Now is the time you can believe for a word for yourself (an arrow), or be open to give one.

The breaths of God are moving everywhere... blowing away the dust of “Religion.”

Do you know that every move of God develops its own religious ways and religious traditions eventually? Which later on have to be broken in order to receive the new things that God is bringing to the Body of Christ.

You can believe for an arrow, A Word, and you can chill out and relax because you can't earn anything from God.

But you can believe that, "God is working in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

Your Spirit Man

Your spirit man is the real you, isn't it? Because He is eternal and the eternal Holy spirit dwells in you.

Your spirit man lives in the spirit realm. He doesn't jump in and out. He always lives in the spiritual realm. Your spirit man prophesies all the time because he is prophetic. Your spirit man has visions continually because he lives and dwells in that realm.

So it's not unusual for us to have visitations from God and visitations to heavenly places.

The spirit of “Religion” always tries to make you do what only God can do. The spirit of religion always promotes striving and trying of your own-self.

Those are the very things that take you OUT of the spirit realm. Your spirit is not striving and "working at it."

Everything you have is a gift. I want to add that living in the spirit and moving in the spirit is not hard. It's very easy and sometimes that's a problem because a lot of people struggle with the fact that there is nothing we can do to qualify or earn points.

Jesus and all He represents; salvation, healing, deliverance, baptism of the Spirit, all is a wonderful gift from God. He wants us to receive it.

If I gave you a precious gift from my heart and then you came to see what you could do to earn it, I would be very upset. It was a heart thing not a legal thing.

Jesus came to establish the New Covenant. The New Covenant is all about God's heart when you think of it. He even gave you a new heart to match His! "A new heart and a new spirit I will put within them," (Ezekiel 36:26).

As I travel all over the world, I see the same things happening. People who were content a couple of years ago, are hungry again; and when you are hungry God can move in you and on you because you are open.
 

The Breaths of God Are Coming

The breaths of God are coming, and with a refreshing. I think of the famous prophesy that was given to Arthur Burt and a small group of people in the 1930s in England. It talks about the end-time move of God. It talks about the breath, and then the rain and then torrents. In fact, I have placed it here for you to read. It's good to know where we are in the plan of God.

"No Ebb" prophecy by Arthur Burt:

"IT SHALL COME AS A BREATH,
AND THE BREATH SHALL BRING THE WIND,
AND THE WIND SHALL BRING THE RAIN,
AND THERE SHALL BE FLOODS AND FLOODS AND FLOODS,
AND TORRENTS AND TORRENTS AND TORRENTS.
SOULS SHALL BE SAVED LIKE FALLING LEAVES FROM MIGHTY OAKS SWEPT BY A HURRICANE.
ARMS AND LEGS WILL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN…
AND THERE SHALL BE NO EBB."

Kathie Walters - Good News Ministries
Website: kathiewaltersministry.com

Kathie Walters is an international speaker who brings freedom to those who feel they have to "qualify." She also ministers in the supernatural and believes that the supernatural realm is for everyone.

 

THE FUTURE IS NOW

Jacob had a Dream

Our guest minister Pastor Roy was reading from Acts chapter 2 as I took notes and edited his sermon for today:

 Acts 2:16-18 New King James Version (NKJV) But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; Your young men shall see visions; Your old men shall dream dreams.  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

Looking back at Moses on the mount of Sinai, there was fire, smoke and a voice from heaven and the delivery of the Torah.  God formed them into a new people to become a new nation. 

The Passover was God’s liberated Word.  On the day of Pentecost there was fire, smoke and voices of men speaking the Words of God.

The crowd that accumulated did not understand and many eyebrows were raised at the strange happenings that day. 

Peter began to explain as he quoted the above passage from the Prophet Joel, reminding them that prophesy is natural and not weird.  It is not predicting the end of the world but is a declaration of how God sees His world.   It is words of peace, hope, how to treat your neighbor right, and to show your love. 

Each one of us as Christians are called to declare the Good News.  We are NOT prophets of doom and gloom but we bring Good News. 

Sinai ends and the future is NOW; God’s new reality.  What do the “Last days,” look like?  Will there be a burning up and destruction?  No - -

Peter quoted the Prophet Joel and said in the last days there will be dreams and visions and prophesy.  Dreams and Visions to see what God can and will do in this generation.

We are never too young or too old to start dreaming.  Today is a time for God’s fresh presence to be established in this place.

Our city exists now.  May we not push everything to the future?  May we not be guilty of saying “One of these days?”

Just when is it that God’s presence will be manifested?  When we dream, imagine and envision it.

As we scan the news each morning it usually is bad news.  Instead let us grasp a proper perspective and reflect on the Scriptures to begin our day.

It seems human nature to tend to be morbid, but rather might we rejoice in God’s blessing and not put a damper on what He is doing.

We are called to participate in God’s dream.  Swing wide from those who are negative and pull you down.

We are in the Last days when God’s reality begins in the NOW.

Go out and proclaim yes prophesy and speak the reality as God sees it.

Committees are quick to tell all that is wrong with a proposal.  Instead let us see the reality of God’s grace breaking out and celebrate God’s goodness.  Good things are happening.  Speak it out and be prophetic. 

We are not experiencing a complicated religious touch, but allow the Holy Spirit to work through us.

Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream.” 

Begin to see reality differently and declare with our lives and words “Reconciliation.”

May I challenge each and every one to pursue to dream and prophesy as we allow God to become fresh and alive in us to see a different reality at all times to all people and to know the future is NOW.

 

Consolation When Things Don't Go Well Guest Post by R.T. Kendall

 

Consolation When Things Don't Go Well

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines ... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. —Habakkuk 3:17-18

The very things Habakkuk had complained about—the fig tree wasn't blossoming, no fruit, no herd in the stalls—were still not there, and yet he was rejoicing. He wasn't complaining now. What changed his mind?

There were three things that consoled him. The first was that he could see that God was what he saw: "The Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it" (Hab. 2:2, KJV). What a relief to know that God sees!

The second thing that consoled Habakkuk was the knowledge that though full intervention might not come as soon as he wanted—"Though it tarry, wait for it" (v. 3, KJV)—it would nevertheless definitely come. There was a plan; there was a time schedule. Maybe it's a little longer that you want it to be, but wait for it; it will come.

The third thing that consoled Habakkuk was the understanding that God imputes righteousness to the man or woman who lives by God's faithfulness. When we say, "God, I don't understand it. I don't know why You have let me wait this long. I don't know why You haven't stepped in sooner.

But I am trusting you," we are cleansed in that moment and given rest of soul. He says, "I like it when you trust Me that way."

Are you looking for the vine to blossom before you can rejoice? Are you waiting for the raise in pay? Or for that answered prayer?

Are you waiting for everything to fit in before you start praising the Lord? If that is so, then turn in your badge now and give up.

As Proverbs 24:10 says, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (KJV).
Like Habakkuk, you will be given grace to trace the rainbow through the rain.

 

Excerpted from Worshipping God (Hodder & Stoughton, 2004).

Take Your Hands Off My Car

 

Our Associate Pastor Tom, knew we were leaving soon for our move to Oklahoma, and we would probably be selling our almost new Oldsmobile Station wagon.  

 

Tom drove an old rattle trap of a car, but he was happy it still ran.

One day he playfully placed his hands on the hood of our car and said, “I claim this car for my youth ministry." 

 

We joked back at him and said, “Please take your hands off our car.”

That evening my husband and I had a talk and later spoke with Tom.  We told him if he was serious, we would offer him the car for about half of what it was worth Blue Book. 

Tom was elated and took the information to his bank and they told him they would be happy to finance the entire amount as the car was worth that and more.  In fact they added some to the loan so he was able to pay a large amount on his student loan.

This worked out good for us too, as we were happy about giving him a good deal for the Lords work. 

In life if there is something you need (or desire) from God, it is good to place a name on it.  Tell God all about it and if it is a serious need, request others to pray along with you.

Don’t just think in your mind, but verbally say with your mouth what you require. 

We planned to use the payment Tom gave us toward a Ford Van so we could pack it full when we moved to Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible College.

We needed a Ford Van with only front seats. 

 

My husband spoke in Faith to me and said, “Hazel we will pay cash for the Van, you just wait and see.” 

 

I did not know where the money was going to come from. 

Selling our car brought a good part of it and then - - unexpectedly we received a large refund check from our Work-man’s Compensation Insurance company because we had no accidents.  We were almost there, when another surprise refund check from a previous year arrived that covered the rest of the van. 

We must have been a sight when we finally left for Oklahoma with our Pick Up Truck full, our Ford van full, and our two daughters driving their own cars full.  We had with us; two dogs a cat a bird and angels watching over us. 

The next year 76/77 was an exciting time, and God performed many miracles along the way.  

God desires to bless you and prosper you so that you can bless others.  Ask in faith believing and be brave to speak out and say what you are needing God to do for you.

 

 

GOD IS NOT FAR FROM US

GOD IS NOT FAR

 

Our church was blessed with Pastor Roy, a guest speaker today who read from Acts 18:24-28, the oration of Paul at Mar’s hill.

He asked us to consider the location of Athens Greece a beautiful place in the classical world, but full of religious temples to various gods. 

Paul was uneasy with the many kinds of idols and couldn’t help himself to share Jesus.  Some wanted to argue and discuss with him, this new religion.

The people requested that he come with them to Mars Hill and speak of new things which they were always willing to hear a new thing. 

Many were excited and curious to hear about Jesus, while others were suspicious, quoting some of their own poets.

These men believed all sorts of things.  Paul may have wondered, "Wow God must be a long ways from here.  How did I get myself in this place? "

Where do we find God?  Most Jews looked to Jerusalem, where the temple was consecrated. 

In Greece there was the Parthenon and many temples representing a variety of gods.

As Paul spoke, he quoted some of their own poets and told them “GOD IS NOT FAR FROM US. 

As we think about our own local city, there are lots of disturbing things around us, strange ideas and often life is upside down.  We think, “Where is God?”

Then we remember, “GOD IS NOT FAR FROM US.”

A Rabbi once said, “The world is not derelict, it belongs to the Lord.”

Imagine yourself with Paul standing in a place where every belief imaginable is there, but God IS present there with us.

We don’t need to go some other place to find God.  There may be a temptation to leave and search elsewhere, but accept the fact that; "Here is where I belong."

The beauty is that we can be in a moment of illness or grief, yet GOD IS NEAR.  People disappoint us and circumstances are not always to our liking, but GOD IS NEAR.

Don’t focus on buildings and temples made with man’s hands, and you will find stability to discern that GOD IS NEAR.

God doesn’t need a Holy mountain or an icon; HE IS NEAR.  What ever circumstances you find yourself, God is NOT far.

We do not know what this new week holds for us, but let us be a carrier of Good News to those people who we meet. There are enough people who seem to know where God IS’NT.  May we bring good news and not doomsday tidings.

It makes no sense to travel to find God, for He is already near us.

Will we be open to share this Good News and cause others to realize that GOD IS NOT FAR?  HE IS WITH US EVEN NOW.

 

 

What Is the Work of the Ministry?

 Guest Post by Rev. Rick Joyner

What Is the Work of the Ministry?

The basic work of the ministry that we are called to as members of the Body of Christ is first to be the extension of Christ on the earth today.

His Body is what He works through now, just as His literal body was what He worked through when He walked the earth. He wants to do everything through His people now that He did when He walked the earth. (Photo via Wikimedia)

When Jesus walked the earth, He taught, healed the sick, and set the captives free. He trained His followers to do what He did and then sent them out to do it.

Today most of the ministry of the Church involves teaching, with some charitable work, and a few that also include healing and deliverance.

With those that include healing and deliverance, it is something they do, but rarely release others to do. Some do a little more by training people how to pray for the sick, prophesy, and be the evangelists we are called to be, but where is there even one place that all are being equipped and released to do the whole work of the ministry?

Watching God Move

John Wimber may have been one of the most effective leaders to break this mold and train and release people to do the work of the ministry. The Vineyard Movement that he raised up sent great shock waves throughout the worldwide Body of Christ as multitudes were trained, equipped, and released to do the works that Jesus did. While this was happening, The Vineyard Movement was the most exciting in the world to be a part of. (Photo via Wikipedia)

The Vineyard Movement was messy as the people learned and matured, just like the Lord's own meetings tended to be. One thing The Vineyard was not was boring. I was in more than one meeting in which a raging demon-possessed person would come screaming and thrashing about. Yet each time, the person left "in their right mind," free.

In many meetings, we witnessed extraordinary miracles. Such grace from God was upon The Vineyard for a time that there was a sense of awe and wonder greater than the world's entertainment could match.

There is nothing more interesting than God and nothing more exciting than watching Him move. There is nothing more boring than religion, and we are about to be delivered from religion to follow the Lord, not just men.

We can also be sure that He has again saved His best wine for last.

 

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
Email: info@morningstarministries.org
Website: morningstarministries.org

Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History, and Church History. He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be. Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.

 

Remember 9/11 Help my Unforgiveness

Help my Unforgiveness

Lord I believe, Help thou my unbelief!

These words were sincere as the man spoke,
He had asked Jesus for a miracle to spare his child,

His words came with expectation and with hope

Oh Lord today we remember the devastation

Caused by those who thrive on terror

Hate nourished their very thoughts and minds

They were void of even considering their error.

We grieve those who were lost in the rubble,

Children, men, and women, all innocent of this deed,

Our sorrow knows no bounds as we moan our loss,

Why, why would men be so vile? What was their need?

I cannot find it in my heart to forgive those terrible men,

From their souls came seeds of destruction they have sown.

Lord, help me to draw upon your forgiveness,

Because I have nothing left to forgive on my own.

Give me peace where there is none, and bring me grace,

Let me understand how you are able to forgive,

Even these awful men who sinned against you,

Teach me Lord, show me your heart and the way to live.

When you breathed your last, I know it was for all,

Did you love those who hated you even as you died?

And still the miserable sinners who devise wickedness?

Did you have me in mind when you gave your life?

I must pray when I do not feel the energy to do so,

I pray for those who lost family, and those who survived.

Lord Help my unbelief, help my un-forgiveness,

Teach me to forgive as you have shown us by your life.

images courtesy photobucket.com

Asphalt 2

This Story is taken from my book "Rescue the Stories, Book Two."

 

Hot Asphalt on a Roof

Our young neighbor girl stood at my front door and asked if she could walk with us to school.  I invited her into the house and gathered my brood so we could all walk together.  

As I looked at our little friend, I asked her, “Is your daddy a roofer?” 

She looked up at me and said, “Yes, how did you know?”  I told her, “Our daddy is a roofer too, and we mothers just know some things.”   

The truth was I knew, because one look at the blouse she was wearing, and I could see a tiny black dot of asphalt. 

Her mother had the same problem in her laundry that I did.  Although I was very careful to wash my husband’s clothes separately and hang them on the line, it was inevitable that a speck or two of asphalt was deposited and hidden in the washing machine.  It would then be transferred unknowingly to our other clothing. 

Energine Spot Remover was the chemical of choice to remove asphalt from my washer, and it often worked on clothing, but it did not always remove everything.  

Paint on Fabric

More than once, I took out my “Tri-Chem” fabric paints and drew a flower on my girl’s dresses.  The boy’s clothes seemed to escape the asphalt, how I did not know. 

One day the wife of our roofer friend asked me how I dealt with the asphalt in my life. 

 

She informed me that she would get so angry to the point of tears, and she simply could not cope with this problem.   

I suggested that because roofing work was our bread and butter, that we should accept asphalt as a necessary evil and try to live with it.  I told her that in life there are a lot of situations we must simply put up with, and in our case asphalt was one of them.  

Understand that I am not suggesting that we put up with sin and filth in our lives, but as we age and get older, there are many changes in body and lifestyle that can occur. 

 

In some situations we must put up with aching joints, hair falling out and other signs that we are not as young as we use to be.  

 

Learning to be frugal has always been my practice, but there are many ways we can become skilled in saving money and stretching our dollars.

 

Loosing a spouse, by death or divorce can bring unwanted anguish and unplanned change, and even anger, depression and despair.   

With God’s guiding hand, He can facilitate what ever changes are ahead and He can smooth the progress, no matter what are our circumstances.   

You are not alone.  Many are experiencing similar situations.  One thing we must always remember is that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

 

Is There Another Way?

 

Today’s sermon has been edited and digested by me as I took notes while Pastor Jerry gave the message.  He was reading from Matthew 18:15-20. 

Conflict is all around us.  This world is engaged in horrendous challenges in Nations, our families and even in the church.  At this point, we are sinners and we tend to fight and argue.   

Is There Another Way? 

We all know the Golden Rule:  “Do unto other’s as you would have them do unto you.” 

In the Bible even Peter, Silas and Paul had disagreements.  Yet they respected one another and the bonds of love knit them together in peace even as they went separate ways.

 

Matthew 18:15-17 New King James Version ¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, You have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ¹⁷And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Pastor went on to tell four stories about conflict and arriving at a peaceful settlement. 

He was preparing our members to realize change is in the air.  Our church will very soon need to face some hard facts about growth and not everyone will be happy about answers that need to be considered.

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 My thoughts went further and the rest is what I edited from todays sermon. 

 

Jesus asked that question as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane;  Is There Another Way?  The answer echoed back: “There is no other way.” Jesus cried out, “Not my will but thine be done.” 

We have many religions in this world, and they all have their requirements to reach heaven.  For some it is selling magazines, others must go through certain rituals and obey certain rules; then for some it is killing Christians to secure a place in heaven. 

Even Christians place a heavy burden on many of their members, by requiring particular clothing, certain hair styles, and abstaining from anything that appears worldly. 

The Bible is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to reach heaven.  Salvation is a gift and cannot be earned.  The simple truth is to believe on Jesus Christ that he died for your sins, rose from the dead on the third day and that He desires to be number ONE in your life.

Is There Another Way? 

The answer is very clear!   

Absolutely Not !!  There is no other way.