We place value on everything we have. Value is assessed according to our own standards. There are things that we use and throw away. It served its purpose and there is no need to keep it. Then there are things that we wouldn’t get rid of if our life depended on it. My grandfather’s watch is one of them. I waited for that watch to be given to me for most of my life. It was treasured by my grandmother and myself. I just spent a lot of money to have it restored. Just recently, I had to reevaluate my value system. When the flood came last year, we had to throw away many things that I valued. It still bothers me greatly. But if it comes down to just me, I still have my value system. If it cost me nothing, it is of no value. My favorite stories in the bible are about King David. He was a man after God’s own heart. He wasn’t perfect, but he knew where to go if he sinned. God told him not to count the number of people in Israel. And David did it anyway. A plague broke out in Israel. David knew he caused it. God told him to sacrifice at a certain place. David went to the owner to buy the land and supplies. The Owner would have given all to him. But David knew if it didn’t cost him, it wouldn’t be worth anything to himself or God. David gave out of his need, not from his abundance. Then he knew that his sacrifice was worth something to God and himself. If it cost you nothing, where is the value?

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Tomorrow the promise of the future for us. What will happen tomorrow? Who will I become? Will I even recognize that person? Do you know that we are not even guarantied tomorrow? The only thing that God guaranties for us is now. Today is the day and now is the time for salvation. So our tomorrows are based upon the good graces of God. All the best laid plans of mice and men aren’t worth a pile of beans without God in our lives. So what are supposed to do? How are we going to live or survive this world? Man wants what he wants. The heart of man will strive to create something for himself. Even though it will not last past our lifetime. Man will continually strive to build or make for his glory. When you look at the grand scheme of it all, what man can do is no more than a joke. God didn’t design us to be alone. God’s plan is for us to be part of His plan. He designed us to accomplish His plan on this earth. The bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. What was shall be again. Why isn’t there something new? Why can’t we have original thought? God didn’t design us to be frustrated. God wanted us to live our lives in peace and harmony on this earth. He wanted us to enjoy the life His gave us. It is man because of sin, who thinks that he is god and can do anything. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, their eyes were opened and they saw that they could walk away from God. And man has been doing just that ever since. Tomorrow is guaranteed when we join with God and His plan for us. All you have to do is ask God for help. And He will answer you.

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We all look at the past as something cherished. Even if it was the most horrible time in our lives. We all compare our lives now with what we had. It isn’t fair because the past is gone and can’t be changed. No matter how good or bad it was, it will remain the past. The only thing that is real in our lives is change. It can be good for some and bad for others. But it will happen. God designed us that way for our benefit. He wanted us to have the opportunity to be able to improve our lives. Sometimes it looks like what we are doing is just useless. But there is a plan for our lives and it does unfold in our lives. Whether you can see it or not. It is funny to watch people who think that they can stop God or His plan. Yet people think that they are greater than God. They tried even to the point of death to do their thing. You have heard me talk about a death spiral. It is the last effort of someone or something to stop what they put into motion. There is only one person who can stop a death spiral. That is God Himself. God designed this world to the very detail of life. There is no one that knows what to do except God. We are the image and likeness of God. He wanted to share His life with us. Our spirit, who we are, will never die. We are eternal beings. That is where we get the idea and sometimes misguided that this flesh will live forever. This flesh that we wear will return to the earth where it came from. Our spirit will go on to be with God or not. That is the question that every person must answer in this life time. As we say, it is time to pick your choose.

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Today actually turn out like the weathermen promised. Surprise, Surprise, it was a beautiful day with no clouds and plenty of sunshine. But it didn’t get above 37 degrees. Right now, it is at freezing. We are talking about the deep south. I have said over the past few days, that I feel sorry for the people up north, with white outs, blinding snow, and blizzard conditions. If the temperature got over 0 degrees, they were doing good. The weatherman said that by Tuesday, it will be 70 degrees and rain. There is an old saying in Louisiana, if you don’t like the weather, wait a couple of hours and it will change. This crazy weather is only a symptom of a greater problem. There has been tsunamis’, droughts, floods, hurricane, typhoons, tornados, and every kind of destructive weather every year now for 16 years. It isn’t going to stop any time soon. Until the root cause is weeded out, we will have no peace. There is every explanation in the world out there. But there is only one reason. And I am not being simplistic about this. If you look at every nation in the world that has risen and fallen. There is only one reason why they fell. Most people didn’t want to hear that reason until it was too late. The answer is found in the bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (KJV).

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I live in the deep south and it rarely snows. An artic front came through today. It pushed the warm front out of the area. This only means one thing, rain. This morning when I got up, it was 35 degrees F, outside and raining. This is a perfectly miserable day. You can’t escape the wind, the rain and the cold. Unless you stay inside and don’t go out. But if you work that isn’t an option. People should be slowing down as they drive, but no. I fully expect a lot of accidents on the road. The front is supposed to blow the rain through by tomorrow. The weathermen predict sunshine and 30 degrees tomorrow. It would be a blessing. I like cold weather, but not the rain. The cold and the rain are depressing. I am not sure why that is. But a good book or video and hot chocolate would be nice, in a warm place. It is funny how weather affects people so drastically. People who live in areas with less sunlight, need light therapy. This is where they sit by a bright light for hours. I have always known that the full moon affects people. And I am not talking about vampires or werewolves. There is a major increase in violent crimes during a full moon. People do the strangest things during a full moon. So, we are physically affected by the changes on the earth. It is too bad that we aren’t affected spiritually by the changes in our lives. God place the earth and stars in motion to help us. it was not only to tell time or seasons, but to be able to see the hand of God changing lives. For all creation groans for the revelation of the Son of God.

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Trust and Respect are 2 things that have to be earned. I greatly value both trusting and respecting someone. I have never given those 2 attributes freely to anyone. I have always been friendly and congenial to most everyone. I will start with a smile even if the person growls at me. It is funny, I find people who show their emotions are easier to talk to. Even if they are angry and yelling at me. Now I may back away if they are really angry. But it doesn’t stop me. If a person will talk to me, within minutes of our conversation I’ll know who they are. Everyone will tell you who they are if you will just listen. When I began with God, I was shy and didn’t say much. People would walk up to me and ask questions. God would always open the door. Then I would see who they are and talk to them. God knows in advance what we need in our lives. He always goes before us to make the way for us. God’s word says that it is better to have a good name than riches. I have always tried to be trustworthy to anyone. I don’t say that it is easier, but it is what is necessary for people to hear the truth. Trust and Respect is what you need to earn and give to those who earn it.

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What is exciting to me is that each day is new, a new beginning. It gives me an opportunity to accomplish what I didn’t yesterday. Each day doesn’t mean that I will accomplish something significant. There are plenty of days, that I just slept or read a book. But I have a drive inside of me that won’t let me stop. I have always had a project to do. I could never just sit idlily by and watch the world go by. I have been studying my family history for at least 10 years. I studied the New Testament of the bible. It took me 25 years. Then I studied the Old Testament which took me 5 years. I have written 5 books. I haven’t published them. But I am hopeful for the last one. That book took me 2 years to write. My projects have never been about busy work. I was interested in a subject and studied to learn for myself. I like to read to understand things. I never take anyone’s word at face value. I always proved it to be true. I want to know it is real. Once I proved a truth to be true, I will believe to the end. I was raised in a good home and went to church. But I didn’t believe what people said God was saying to me. I began to prove what God was saying for myself. You know what I found that God isn’t a man that He should lie. What God has said is the truth and can be trusted. You that have ears to hear and eyes to see, believe that God is real. And He will prove it to you. Just like He did for me.

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Faith is believing and trusting in something greater than yourself. I know that our faith in mankind has been tested beyond the point of trust. Many times, our faith begins to wane. It is because of the horrible things we see what people do to each other. We didn’t start out being faithless. We had hope of a bright and wonderful world. We wanted everything to work out right. We believed that things would correct itself so our faith would be justified. If you look at the situation with man, you have to look at how we started out. Why does a baby know how to lie, steal and cheat? You would think that a proper upbringing would correct those defects in man. But it doesn’t. Man is born corrupt with sin. Only God can change the heart of man. There is no hope that man can be disciplined, educated or made to change into a non-corrupt human. The only way is through God Himself. When we ask for forgiveness and walk with God, things will change in our lives. God will begin to change our heart into His image and likeness. This is where our faith is renewed and we begin to trust again.  We understand that through faith the worlds were made by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

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On December 7^th, 1941, the empire of Japan attacked the United States. Everyone knew that war was coming, but no one knew when or where. The United States was unprepared for war. No one wanted to hear or even consider that war would come to the US. The US had to use what it had to defend itself. It took them almost a year to be able to take the offensive to the enemy. Yet all the signs were there for war. We all want this world to be safe and secure so we can live a good life. God established governments to keep the peace in this world. But they are human beings and are as good as the people they serve. You ever heard of the expression, holding their foot to the fire. It means making a person accountable for their actions. If you want different results, you are going to have to do things differently. It can’t be the same old same old. In 1941, there were people who knew that the Japanese were going to attack, but they were shouted down by the fear of the people. The military has an expression, you prepare to go to war to prevent it. There is truth in the saying. It says in I Corinthians 14:8 “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (KJV). There is a battle raging and most people don’t even see it. And what is unfortunate is that they don’t want to hear about. The trumpet has been sounded and will be sounded until the end. So, who will prepare himself for battle?

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I have never been known as the most socialable guy around. I have always tried to be congenial to everyone. It was always hard for me to reach out to people, but I had to do this for my sake let alone others. Not being so socialable, it didn’t endear as one of the boys. I went to a new church and really no one was talking to me. I asked God what do I do? He said, if you want friends, show yourself friendly. So, the next Sunday I stood in the lobby of the church and greeted everyone who walked through the door. It’s funny, I wasn’t the only person who felt that. People began talking to each other and sparked a comradery amongst the members of the church. I have strived to greet and introduce myself to anyone who was willing to talk to me. Then I began to work with the socialably unacceptable people. This change me in more ways than I can describe. Everyone, from the most important to the least of all, wants to be loved and accepted by someone. I will still shake anyone’s hand who looks at me and greet them. I still open doors for people and try to be as polite as I can. I wasn’t always like this. My brothers and cousins can attest to this. But when I met the Lord and began to follow God, it changed me. It changed me so much that I wanted to reach out and to love beyond a reason.

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