It doesn’t make any difference how old or young you are. Age has nothing to do with anything. It is always the attitude of the heart. What you are willing to do to accomplish your goals. The people of Babylon thought they were greater than God. They built a beautiful kingdom. They all spoke one language. This was the cradle of civilization. They built a tower, so the king could shoot an arrow at God. Telling God that they were greater and didn’t need Him. God looked at them. He saw they were of one mind and one accord. God said there is nothing that they couldn’t do. Then God scrambled their language. Then He dispersed them to the world. The lesson learned is don’t mess with God. But more than that, it is being in one mind and one accord. We can begin again to accomplish a goal. It all has to do with your heart. It is who you are, where you want to go and how to get there. My heart is set on home, to be with my Father, God, and my older brother, Jesus.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

A vision is seeing yourself at a place you want to go. To get to this place, depends on what you do to make it happen. If you have a vision and do nothing, that is where you will end up. A vision is only part of the process. The vision is the first step. Then you have to figure out who you are. Where you are right now. Being truthful with yourself, whether it is good or bad. Then you need to figure out how to get to your goal. That is the next step in the process. Take an honest evaluation of yourself, to see your weakness and strengths. Then seeing where you can truthful build upon you understanding and knowledge. Knowing that you can learn, no matter how hard it is. The whole process requires persistence. I took an EMT course when I was 42 years old. I thought I was brain dead. But I passed the course and the national exams. Never give up your dreams. Press though and accomplish your goals. Then when you arrive at your vision, enjoy the fruits of your labor. For this is the gift of God. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I have enjoyed freedom for so long I take it for granted. Before I was able to vote, I had to served in the military. I learned the difference between duty and rights giving by our constitution. This country was built on duty, not freedoms. The freedoms followed after the duty was done. Those duties are responsibilities that we have to this country. Yes, over the years, our freedoms have grown in this country. But our responsibilities have remained the same. Each citizen must perform their responsibilities to this country on an on-going basis. I don’t like taxes, but our government would soon go out of business if we didn’t. Service in the military is another responsibility. People have come from all over the world to have our rights and responsibilities. This is still the best place in the world to raise your family and earn a decent living. We are a nation of laws that has afforded its citizens freedoms that we all cherish. I have the right to freedom of speech, of peaceful assembly, of religion, of the press and to petition the government for redress of grievances. These rights were given to me by the people of this country, who lived and died by its laws. And I am grateful that I live in this country, America.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

As a child, I always wanted to fit in with the people around me. It wasn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes trying angered me enough that I walked away. As I grew, I wanted people to accept me for me. I never thought that I was perfect, but still I wanted people to accept me. I had friends that I grew up with. But there was this nagging feeling that I didn’t belong here. It made me feel uncomfortable in certain situations. I began to choose me friends carefully. I would always talk to people, but never really open to them. I keep looking for the place that I belonged. One day, I did find out where I belonged. I ran into it or I should say it ran into me. It was always there in front of my face. I couldn’t see it because I was blinded by this world. It was as simple as asking. The place I belong has fresh air, green pastures, trees, comfortable temperature and a beautiful crystal lake. This place is perfect and I am a citizen of it. I am so homesick I can hardly stand it. So you ask, where is this perfect place. It is called heaven and my Father rules over it. And all you have to do is ask my older brother, Jesus, to come home.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Despite what people think, a leader is cultivated as they grow up. The first thing they learn is understanding. Seeing what is really true. Not clouded by opinions or dogma. Then understanding what needs to be done. Able to have a clear objective in mind. Then seeing how the objective can be done. This comes with experience. Being able to complete a task successfully. Then what you have is wisdom. Wisdom is understanding plus experience. As a person learns from childhood. They develop wisdom. This wisdom can be applied to the next task at hand. As a person moves forward in this process, people will see the person developing confidence in themselves. As people see this person has the confidence and experience, they will allow the person to do the task for them. As a person develops leadership skills, as understanding and confidence, they need to learn how to influence people. A true mark of a leader is that a person can influence people. Getting people to follow you is key in a successful leader. That skill come by understanding who you are, by being an example and leading with wisdom. The best leaders are the ones that people will want to follow. It all comes back to understanding, knowledge, confidence, wisdom and leading by example. Then you will be a competent leader. Line upon line, precept upon precept.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance: against such is no law. I have heard many teachings on love, joy and peace. But hardly ever on longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and meekness. We are warriors. Why are we to have longsuffering or gentleness? My son served in Iraq during the shooting war. They always carried small kick balls and candy into battle. It wasn’t for them. It was for the children of Iraq. The war had improvised them. They had nothing. I have pictures of soldiers giving candy and the kick balls to children. A kind word turns away strife, but grievous words stir up anger. We are lambs led to the slaughter. As sheep we are dumb before our shearers. Jesus was our example on this earth. He went quietly with the people who were going to crucify Him. To trust someone with your life is a great level of trust. We trust and believe God for our salvation, but what about the rest of our life? God wants us to have all of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

The day you chose God, was a day that a great burden was lifted off of you. Everyone, including myself, where so excited about the new freedom God gave us. As I looked around and saw Christians, in church, that lost the excitement. I wondered how they got there. I didn’t want to lose the wonder God gave to me. As I studied and read the bible, I learned about God. I learned who He was and how to function in the kingdom of heaven. Also, I learned that I had to make a choice to live the life, God had for me, daily. God doesn’t have a big stick and wasn’t going to hit me if I didn’t choose Him. His word says that, His mercies are new every day. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to pay the price for us. He loves us unconditionally. And God gives us the choice of following Him. We have to choose what we are going to do each day. I evaluate my position with God each day. I make my decision based on who I was and what God has done for me. My former life has nothing for me. My life with God has everything I want or need. So, I choose to serve God, each and every day. I am not perfect. I am forgiven.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Everyone wants the things of God. In this instant generation, they want it now. What God says, is that now is the time and today is the day of salvation. Time is the only thing that God guarantees now. Everything else is learned line upon line and precept upon precept. So, if God only guarantees now, you had better get busy. God gives everyone the measure of faith, when we are born again. It is to be used throughout our life. Jesus took 12 men + on a 3-year walking bible school. They didn’t have a hand-held bible to refer to. Jesus taught them through practical application. One of these applications was when a man brought his son to the disciples to cast out a demon. The disciples couldn’t. The man brought the son to Jesus. Jesus rebuked his disciples because of their lack of faith. Then He cast the demon out. The disciples later ask Jesus why they couldn’t. Jesus said this kind doesn’t leave except by prayer and fasting. You want to get next to God, it is only by prayer and fasting. Then you will see your prayers answered. Now is the time for everyone to get next to God with prayer and fasting.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I have been questioned why I am preaching the gospel and this is my answer.
1 Corinthians 9:18 “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

This morning is short and sweet. I’m saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and going on with the Lord. I pray that God will bless your day. Thank God, His intervention in the affairs of man. God loves you.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
Www.joseph1637.com