When I began with the Lord, I had no working knowledge of God or the bible. I wanted to find out what the bible had to say and who God is. So, I began by having a bible in my house, my car and at the office. I would read at stop lights. I was going to read the bible as a book to see where it was going. It took me 25 years to read it twice from cover to cover. God kept stopping me and teaching me about Himself. I use the KJV bible. I like the flowery wording. All along the way, I was learning about prayer. I carry on conversations with God about anything. God would come shopping with me. He would find deals for me and parking places in the front of the store. I would read about people who were God’s servants that talk to God all the time. I wanted this in my life. Then I realized that I had been doing this from the beginning. Jesus said that He would send a teacher and comforter, the Holy Spirit, into our lives. The Holy Spirit would teach us about God, because He is God. it was a step by step process. But everyone, included non-believers, hear God’s voice. In Jeremiah 31:33, God said that He would write His laws and commandment in our hearts. Do you remember when you were a child and you want to disobey your parents. There was a voice inside of you telling you not to do it. most people just dismissed it as your own conscience. Sorry folks, that was God talking to you. Over the years, the voice of God diminished, until you couldn’t hear it. You want to get your prayers answered and hear the voice of God again. Turn to God and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Then accept His healing and follow after God. This is prayer.

Crainb52@juno.com

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A young friend came back from fighting in Iraq with my son. We were talking about his wounds and battle. My son’s unit was stationed in Kuwait before moving into Iraq. The army was acclimating to the weather. My son said how brave they talked about the coming battle. They hadn’t tasted the string of battle. When they did, things changed. As I was talking to this young friend of mine, I told him that I would come to his house and tell him about the battles I have fought  yes, I’m in an army, but it isn’t of this earth. You see, my battles are heavenly. I don’t fight against flesh and blood.  I war against principalities,  spiritual wickedness in high places. The weapons of my warfare are mighty unto God. I have a helmet, breastplate, shield, shin guards,  sword and combat boots. I have been fighting this war for my myself, my wife and children,  family as and friends for 40 years. I have won many battles the grace and power of God. My hide is full of scars. They have produced the wisdom of God in my life.  My sword of the spirit is the Word of God.  I am more than proficient.  I am deadly.  But the weapons of my warfare aren’t carnal. I reak havoc on the enemy of God. The point is to read and study the Word of God, pray and do the will of God.

crainb52@juno.com

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We have all wondered whether or not God exists. Especially, when we went through tests and trials. We walk through unbelief and belief almost at the same time. Then we look at His creation and says there has got to be someone more powerful than ourselves. In our neck of the woods, we have giant oak trees. They are stately and tall. A live oak tree can live for a 1000 years. It roots grow as big as it’s trunk. It is home for birds and squirrels. It provides shade during the hottest day. When the wind blows through, it cools off whoever is under it. Hurricanes can’t topple these trees. It’s beauty is for everyone. The branches are so large and thick, they bow down to the earth. where they touch the ground, new roots spout out. This is to support the size of the tree. God created everything to show who He is. Creation, which we are a part of, is pointing in one direction. That direction is God, Himself. We don’t worship the creation, including man, but we worship God alone. But we can take comfort in the works of His hand, knowing that all creation groaneth for the revelation of the sons of God.

Crainb52@juno.com

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There are always two side to everything. It doesn’t mean that they are both right. One side must be right and the other, oh well. Today, I find so many people that are sitting on the fence. Who don’t want to offend anyone. But they are doing is not choosing. It is unfortunate that they don’t understand that they have chosen. They made a choice in their life not to do the right thing. We do the right thing because it is right not convenient. There are many examples of right and wrong. Morals and situational ethics are one. Morals are a standard to be lived up to. Situational ethics are convenient choices in our lives. And I will tell you a truth, situational ethics will kill you. God placed the moral standard in our hearts when we were born. This is why we want to do the right thing. Some how the world gets in the way. And we will lie, steal and cheat to get our way or win. There is another coin, faith and doubt. They are the same coin, because it is another choice. Faith will move mountains. Where doubt will destroy your life. God gives us faith to do the work of the kingdom. But when the enemy comes in, people wonder why they even started. It takes courage and persistence to accomplish your goals on earth, as well as in heaven. Faith is the key to our existence. Don’t lose it. It also the key to our life on this earth. So, are you going to flip that coin? What will come up? My God has paid the price for me and I don’t have to flip that coin. My faith is pleasing to God and I am part of His family. You will always have a choice to make. So, make the right one and live.

Crainb52@juno.com

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As I was growing up, my earthly father and I had a strained relationship. There was a time that we didn’t talk to each and only if we had to. I missed out on that relationship I needed to grow up healthy and normal. It wasn’t until I was 28 years old that our relationship was healed. I had 6 years of a wonderful father/son relationship before he died. God restored our faith and trust and love in each other. I miss my dad. The biggest thing I miss is my father seeing what I have become and him looking over my shoulder to see me. My children never knew him. God has taken his place. He has become my Father. My Father sees about me. God does fuss at me when I do wrong. But He tries to stop me beforehand. Also, He is there to encourage me to do right. God sees the future and knows what is going to happen. I depend on that knowledge to steer my life. In 2016, my home was flooded. We had to get out. When we came back to clean up, I was destroyed. My life seemed to be washed away with the flood. God stood behind me and put His hand on my shoulder. He kept telling me, it will be alright. If it had not been for my Father, I would have been completely destroyed. God turns all things to the good, for them that love Him and are called according to His purpose. My Father is there for me. At any time of day, my Father will listen, hear and answer me. He is always there, even if I just want to fellowship with me. He just comes to me and looks over my shoulder.

Crainb52@juno.com

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If God is willing, I have one more day. Everybody wants to plan for the future. But there is no guaranty for tomorrow. What we have is today. Or more actually, what we have is now. How many people do you know that can really handle now? Look around and see if you are living up to the full potential of now. Doing everything that you can right now. Opening your heart, loving people, feeding the hungry, praying for the sick, visiting the imprisoned or telling people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our world isn’t in the church. It is in the world seeing about the needs of people. Bringing to the lost and dying the truth of the gospel. God didn’t rescue us, clean us up and set us on the right path, to sit on our duffs. Yes, it may hurt like hell to do all these things. But God will use everything that we do for Him. Jesus gave His life, not only at the cross, but as He walked on this earth. Every day, as He said, I must be about my Father’s work. I takes courage and conviction to do that work. Open up to someone this day. Watch what He can do through you. You will be surprised how simple and wonderful it is. When I started with God, I was stopped at a railroad crossing. God says get out of the car and tell everyone that I love them. I froze. Then God began to teach me how to be bold. Everyone goes through it. I have spoken to princes and paupers. I just turn and speak to people. Some are surprised, but no one didn’t like me talking to them. What are you going to do with your now?

Crainb52@juno.com

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There was a song, back in the 1980’s, called “it’s just another day in paradise”. The first time I heard I knew that the songwriter not only had a winner, but he was exact right. The song was about people who believed that their lives were perfect and didn’t need to do anything about the misery in the world. It was quite a shift for this singer to sing that particular song. Because the 1980’s were about self-satisfaction. I worked at a Christian radio station. And it wasn’t a Christian song, but I wanted to use it on the air. It had a powerful message that people needed to hear. Back then, as today, everybody had a cause and weren’t interested in hearing about the misery in the world. Even Christians were doing the same thing. The Christians were wanting to be like the world and losing their identity. When people get enough of the world and come to Jesus for help. They changed into the image and likeness of God. Their life is turned around. They are set free from sin and instructed not to go back. Then they see the world again and say I have to power to resist and can go back and forth. The only problem is they get caught again in the same old problem. And Jesus has to set them free again. As a Christian we are called out of this world and set free to serve God. Yes, we have a free will but not to go back to sin. As believers it is another day in paradise, as we go about the work of the kingdom to see about the misery in this world. God picked us up and set us on our feet. He gave us a right mind and His eyes to see clearly. Look around, what do you see? Then prayer and ask God when and where you are to do something. When you do, you will see God move through you and do the work of the kingdom.

Crainb52@juno.com

www.joseph1637.com

Every day is a new day, with all the hopes and dreams that bring with it. It surprises me. The renewal that a night’s sleep will bring to me. Even if the night was bad, the rising of the sun brings hope. Why does it work that way? It’s funny how we need sun light in our lives. I have seen where in the northern states, especially in Alaska the land of 6 months of no sun, people receive light therapy. Where they have to sit in front of light to regulate their bodies systems. But the sun brings such hope. Struggles seem to cease with the light. There are always new ones to take their place, but that renewal we need each day to continue on. Life is a journey, from here to there. It takes a lifetime to get there. And everyone makes that journey. Some live to be a 100 years old or more. Some don’t make it passed 3 months. But what counts is the journey. It is how we make our way in this life. We must find out the plan for our lives and live it. If you don’t know by now, we were designed this way. Certain things in life were imprinted on our hearts. So, we could know what to do. We still have a free will to chose what we want. But choosing the right way always takes courage and fortitude on our part. As most people know life isn’t easy. But it is always simple. It is funny, because all we are guaranteed is now. There is no tomorrow. Where we can live and make that journey is now. We can’t live in the future or even in the past. They don’t exist. They are not real. Memories are real, but we can’t live there. If you want to get real, then live up to your full potential now. It is a new day. The sun has risen on most of the world. And there is an opportunity for each of us to live the life God has called us to. God gives the hope to each of us as long as we are alive. So, live up to the hope and calling that God has given. Because all you have is now. It is a new day.

Crainb52@juno.com

http://www.Joseph1637.com

This story is from the bible. You can read it in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus was invited to lunch at a pharisee’s home, named Simon. Jesus arrived and was seated. There was a woman of the street, who found out that He would be there. She bought with her a bottle of ointment to anoint Him. She snuck into the house, without anyone noticing. As she approached Jesus, she began to cry. Then she began to wash His feet with her tears and wipe them dry with her hair. Then she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then Simon and his friends began to say among themselves, if He is a prophet, He would know who is touching him. Jesus turned to Simon and said, when I arrived, you didn’t greet me with a kiss. Nor did you provide water to wash my feet. This woman whose sins are many, has wash my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She has anointed my head with oil. Jesus said, Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said to the woman, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. People perceived that because they are successful, they are better or more important than others. Jesus judges us by our heart. All the things of this world mean nothing. Prejudice runs deep in this world and is the opposite of the work God is doing in us. If you want to see clearly, you must look with God’s eyes. Then you will see the misery in this world and know that God will use you to help. To get God’s eyes, turn to Him and ask for forgiveness and follow after God.

Crainb52@juno.com

www.joseph1637.com

Once in a while everything works like it is supposed to. If you’re lucky. It’s an expression that I have said many times. Hoping that it would come true in my life. Everyone wants to be lucky, gambling, in love, in work or in any thing that would allow us to win. Some say that there is luck. Others say there is no such thing as luck. The way people gamble with their lives, they believe there is such a thing. There is even a god of luck in the Asian world. Unfortunately for us, there is no such thing as luck. Your destiny is determined by yourself. What you do with your life is what the outcome will be. We can be influenced by our surroundings, but ultimately it is our decision. This is why we are without excuse for our lives, because we make our choice each and every day. There is a popular notion that you can blame your bad choices on other people. Thinking that it relieves you of all responsibilities. And it is only when we come to the end of ourselves, that we can clearly see. When we do, your life is on the line. Making the right choice can be difficult. We need counselors that will actually help. Despite what you hope for, we, as man, don’t have the power to change our lives. We need a power greater than ourselves. There is only one person who has the power to change our lives. People don’t like to hear that name, because it shows them who they are. But you have to see who you are to begin the process of change. There is only one name given that will change your life. That name is Jesus. And if you call upon that name, He will come to you and forgive you of sin. Then your life can be healed. And it isn’t once in a while.

crainb52@juno.com

www.joseph1637.com