If you want to get emotional at all, you just have to look at the evening news. The circus on TV is really a bad joke. There is enough trash in this world to divide us over anything. The enemy of our souls, #1 tool against us is to divide and conquer. So, what are you going to do about it? Is it to talk to everyone about your anger or is it to where you know that you can get an answer. If you get angry about anything, you have lost the battle. The real purpose is to frustrate the enemy. How can you do this? This is how I overcame the world. First, I gave my life to God, for Him to clean it up. Then I follow after Him and began to read and study the bible. When I learned a truth, I could stand against the lie. With this my faith became stronger and stronger. And my relationship with God became closer. I am not perfect. I am forgiven. Now, I can see the truth and recognize a lie. This is how God’s plan works in us. There is very little that I don’t recognize as a lie and can do something about it. Everyone has needs, but now I can do something about it. I know that this is one of your needs. it isn’t by sticks and stone we overcome. It is my faith and trust that we can overcome the world.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I am looking at my cat and seeing her needs. She is an inside cat and has needs because of it. She needs food, exercise and a bathroom. But more than that, she needs my attention. She will go to great lengths to get my attention. She will sit on the back of my big chair with me in it and sleep. If I don’t give her enough attention, she will run back and forth from room to room. It is just like she is crazy, but she is getting her daily exercise. Cats and dogs need to be engaged on a daily basis. They are social animals and need. As for man, we have needs that are as important on a daily basis. We need food, lodging and clothing. But we need attention also. We are social beings. Although, we may not be a sociably acceptable, we still have needs. Our interaction with people is a basic need. As they say, no man is an island. Yet our need can cause great pain. But we still have the need. It is interesting how we were designed. If everything in our lives works correctly, we are an example to the world. But if everything goes wrong, we are an outcast. But there is someone who can correct and mistakes that we make. Even if the mistakes are on an ongoing basis. If you are willing to change, there is hope for us. God will accept us as we are and bring us home. As long as you are willing, God will change our hearts and meet our needs.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

What is the difference between faith and feeling? Your feeling are your senses. There are 5 senses, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. We use these senses to gather information about this world. Right now, I am listening to some of my favorite music. It helps me focus on writing and block out the world. It becomes real as the song is memorized by heart. And the feelings flood by into me. But we have to remember that this world is temporary. In the end, this world and all things of it will disappear. So, where will all those feelings go? Now on the other hand, faith isn’t about feelings. Faith is belief. What we trust and believe can’t be touched with our feelings. It is great to be in the presence of God and feel His glory. But that isn’t what I believe. What I believe is the there is only one true God, The Father, The Son, Jesus and The Holy Spirit. They are the Godhead. I believe that Jesus came to earth and died for our sins. God raised Him from the dead and made Him King of kings and Lord of lords. I believe that when I die, I will go to heaven and live with God forever. Feelings are great, but faith is best. What do you believe?
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

How many times do we ask that question in a day’s time? If we don’t have a watch on, we have multiple clocks in our home. Our phones always have a display of time and temperature. So, why is time so important to us? Why do we have to be reminded? Did you know that clocks have been around since the 5th century BC. Most people would just look at the sun. Then they would put a stick in the ground to measure time. It’s called a sundial. The Chinese discovered a water clock in the 5th century BC. Clocks are based on 60 minutes an hour and 60 seconds a minute. Ever wonder where they got that? It’s your heartbeat, the rhythm of your body. Do you know why the oceans are so soothing? Because it’s the rhythm of your heart. It’s interesting how God put all this together. Why did God give us time? It’s to measure seasons and years. Back to the question. What time is it? Now is the time and today is the day of salvation.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
Www.joseph1637.com

There are many virtues that we can have. Many are outstanding qualities that we need as a human beings. Our parents tried hard to teach us many of these virtues, such as hard work, persistence and hospitality. Virtues that are important for a good life. We need to exercise these virtues, not only to perfect them, but to live peaceably with the people around us. You have seen people who do nothing but fuss and fight. No one wants to be around them at all. We would like everyone to be nice and hospitable all the time. There is a virtue that nobody wants, but everybody needs. It’s patience. If we could have this virtue already installed in us, it would be great. But the only way we can have patience is to learn it. We have to go through trials and tribulations to learn how to be patient with people and situations. Once we have learned how to be patient and have gone through the trial, we can have peace, sometimes. This is where God comes into play. To give us peace after we have overcome the trials. Even if we don’t ask for patience, we are going to learn it, one way or the other.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

God, from the beginning, planned to share His existence with us, man. Then He started with 2 people in the garden, a beautiful place to live. Everything was perfect. God had only one rule, don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God walked with Adam in the garden and made a helpmate for him. They lived happily in the garden. Until they sinned against God and broke His one rule. But God didn’t abandon us to our fate. God has promised and fulfilled that He would send a Messiah. Jesus is His name. With all that has gone on, God still has only 2 rules. And anyone that will follow those rules, not only are His sons and daughters, but will go to heaven with God. Those 2 rules are so incredible simple for man to follow, but he hasn’t. You know that a 2 year old can follow those rules easier than an adult. So, what are these simple rules? The first one is, to love God with your whole heart. The second is like the first, to love your neighbor as yourself. In this is all the laws and prophets contained. So, it’s your choice. What are you going to do?

What proof do you have that this world is real? What proof do you have that what you believe is true? What proof do we have that anything is this world is real? Did you know that what you see is a reflection? This is the only way you can see. Everything is in a constant state of flux. We are made up of atoms that are moving constantly. What seems to be solid isn’t. And this world is temporary and will disappear in time. So, what proof do you have about anything? It is interesting that the invisible things of God are clearly seen. All creation shows the presence of God. The attributes of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance are clearly seen in this world. It is the proof of God’s presence. A Gallup poll was taken in 1983 during the Year of the bible in America. They asked 1500 random people, what is the three most important thing in your life. The answer was as amazing as the Year of the bible. They say the three most important things in their lives, was love, joy and peace. The proof that God is here and now. What proof do you have that your world is real?
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

I have heard it all my life. I will live forever, and nothing can stop me. It is that old saying, you are full of spice and vinegar. Everybody thinks of themselves as immortal and unstoppable. That feeling can last a lifetime. But in all actuality, it is just a feeling. Now we do have a part of us that is immortal. That is our heart or spirit. It is the image and likeness of God. So, there is some truth to living forever. We sometimes bank on that to get us through the situation. And we get through it by the skin of our teeth. And sometimes we hit walls and it knocks us down. Unfortunately, some are out for the count. The one thing we have going for us is the will to win. Our survival is the most important thing we have, earthly speaking. Our will to live is a driving force, not to be taken lightly. So, part of us is immortal. But we aren’t unstoppable. Where does eternity fall into all of this, since we are immortal? Where do we go after this world? There is a place called eternity. As if you didn’t know, God has a plan for us, including eternity. The thing about eternity is that nothing will change there. We have to make the changes here to get there. So. To answer the question, how far away is eternity? It is only a heart beat away.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Some would ask what in the world are you talking about. There is nothing like it anywhere. I have a desire that just won’t quit. This desire is in my heart. My heart is who I am. It has consumed me for the better part of 40 years. It is a driving force in my life. It doesn’t control me. It compels me. And I want it to. It is a love that fills me with compassion for this world. It burns like fire but doesn’t consume me. But again, it does consume me. This fire is everlasting. It has existed forever. It is there for anyone who wants it. It is a gift from God, Himself. It is the fire from the altar of God. It is the same fire that Moses saw on the burning brush. Sometimes I want to scream and holler out what God has done for me. It is the fire that burns in me. So, I quietly speak the message in this blog or teach in a church. I also speak to people about what God has done for me. If you see me, you can see the fire as it consumes me. Sometimes it burns brighter than other times. But that all depends on me. But the fire is there. And all you have to do is ask me a question about God and it will come out of me. And I am not the only one. Anyone who wants to follow God and give their heart completely will be consumed by the fire of God.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com

Everybody has their own opinion about what good works are. So, do I. But my opinion doesn’t matter. What matters is what God says about good works. The Apostle Paul talked about having faith. But what he said was if you don’t use your faith in the kingdom of God, it is worthless. What God gives to you is to be used in the kingdom. If we don’t use of faith, it will die within you. Jesus talked about taking care of people’s physical needs, food, clothing and shelter. So, that people will hear the gospel and respond. Then He talked about people at the last judgement, who did all their works. He told many to depart from Him for He never knew them. So, it is not only faith and good works, but having a personal relationship with Jesus. The disciples began to see what God is calling us to. As He saved us from hell and set us on the road to heaven, God wants everyone else to see the transformation. Good works are a natural extension of beginning a Christian.
Crain Blanchard.
Crainb52@juno.com
http://www.joseph1637.com