I went to join a business but I was terrible at selling.  What I found was worth more than anything. It took 3 months of talking about God before they asked me to go to church with them. I said Yes. The next Sunday I went with them and their families to church. There were about 500 people in that church.  They were meeting in a warehouse/ store front building.  My friend introduced me to people. I have no idea who I talked to.  We found our seats and I watched the people. They all stood up to sing and so did I. I watched them sing. Then we sat down. The preacher began. I was still watching the people. Everyone was watching the preacher when he suddenly stopped. He face the congregation. It was absolutely quiet. Then he said hello. It was an expression that only I used. No one else use that expression. I turned and looked at the preacher. Then I heard a voice speak to me. It said what more do you want?  I didn’t recognize the voice then. But I would come to know that still small voice Intimately. My friend asked if I wanted to go up to the front and pray with the pastor. I said yes. I’ll continue the story tomorrow. 

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

It took 28 years before I was ready or even willing to hear the truth about God. I have no control over the things that happened to me. I was planning my life but it never quite went away I was hoping it would. Roller seems that difficulties got in the way. I knew there had to be a better way. And I had to find it. There were 2 men who wanted my brother and I to join their business. At this point I was willing to listen to the truth. I met with these 2 men each morning to discuss business. We met for coffee each morning.  I was always there before my brother. I got my coffee and sit down and listen to these 2 men talk. They would talk about what Jesus had done for them. I didn’t participate in the discussion. But I was intrested. I never heard this side of God. They talked about how loving and kind God was. It amazed me. A God who is loving. I wasn’t sure who they were talking about. But I knew I wanted to hear more. I listen for 3 months before I was ready to do anything. I’ll continue the story tomorrow.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

I grew up going to church. We never missed church. I even went to parochial school.  We were taught religion. It was about rules and regulations we had to follow. I always looked at God with a big stick. If I got out of line I was going to get hit. It was how I was treated at school by the teachers. It isn’t a fair assessment of God. I was always told that God-loved me. But the words never lined up to the people’s actions. So I went about my life not knowing about the reality of Christianity. Like most people in this world I thought I knew who God was. Only the super religious went to church. As we grew older we didn’t go to church. It was only if our moms insisted on it. I live my life trying to be good. But if push came to shove I would do whatever was necessary. It never really worked out. I always felt guilty about sinning against whoever. But I was just living my life the best way I knew how. I wasn’t different from other people. But I just didn’t know the truth about God. And I really didn’t want to find out. I’ll continue the story tomorrow. 

Crain Blanchard. 

joseph1637@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

Today we’ll thinking about Thanksgiving Is a gathering of family and friends for food and football. We will eat until we are full then set and watch football. As I was thinking about today a song kept going through my head Phil Collins another day in paradise. The Jesus led me to a scripture in Matthew 25 versus 31 to 46. It is where Jesus called all the nations together in heaven. He said when I was hungry you fed me when I was thirsty you gave me water when I was a stranger you took me in. When I was naked you clothed me when I was sick you visited me when I was in prison and you came to me.  Then the people asked it when did we see  You or do these things. Then Jesus said when you did it unto the least of these my brethren you did it unto me. Then Jesus turn to those who didn’t do this and said depart from me for I never knew you. As we go about our Thanksgiving at into Christmas season, It is something to think about and do. I prave a blessed Thanksgiving for you and your family.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

When God gave Moses the 1st 5 books of The Bible, A mandatory sacrifice was written into the law. Everyone was required to give to this sacrifice during the year. It was for a sin Offering. Although this offering was mandatory God wanted people to give out of the abundance of their heart. So what God established was a free will offering. This was an offering that you could give at any time of the year. Just when you were moved by God and you felt that it was necessary to express Thanksgiving.  A free will offering is not given because you. It was given because you wanted to. Exact this is the only offering where the priest could eat from. In psalms 100 and says to enter his gates with Thanksgiving It is courts with praise. This is how you to give a free will offering by warning to give to God because he had blessed and kept you all join the year. And this is how God wants us to go to Him. This is our free will offering, A thankful heart.

Crain Blanchard 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

Did you ever run into a person who couldn’t understand?  You would try to explain something to a person and they just kind of looked at you like  What. Sometimes it’s frustrating to try to explain things to people. Which you always try to get your point . Sometimes to ill effect.  Did you ever try to explain something to someone and they got angry?  When that happens they understand they just don’t like what they hear. But in your heart you want people to understand what you’re saying. It’s called having eyes to see or ears to hear. Jesus went about teaching the Kingdom of God. Many people were excited about what he taught and accepted it and believed. What for the most part the people did not accept. This is when they became angry and wanted to kill him. The only person that can give you understanding of anything is God himself. If you are unwilling and resist God how can God give you the understanding. For if you see and understand then you become accountable to God. Having eyes to see and ears to hear.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

We are made up of 3 parts body, soul and spirit.  Our body is the dust of the Earth. Our soul is the life of God that combines our spirit and our body. Our spirit is who we are. it is our mind, will and intellect. We were given a free will by God. With this free will we can choose whatever we want. When we choose God, What God wants from us is a willing heart. The plan of God is to bring everyone back home to heaven. What God needs from us as children is to help him to bring people home. What that requires is a willing heart. God gives us basically everything that we need to work in the Kingdom. So our part is a willing heart to work in the Kingdom. With that willingness God can use us to work what he needs.  all along the way God provides what we need in our lives. A willing heart can change the world or one person. All it takes is one person with a willing heart.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com.

Www.joseph1637.com. 

Everything today is built for convenience. We like things to go faster to go easier without even thinking of what we do. We want our lives to be as uncomplicated as possible but to be as easy as possible. So we’ve given our effort over to a convenient machine. I’m using a smartphone to write my blog. I am not  complaining about it it’s just easier. But we are losing our ability to do it ourselves. I have a pen and paper which I can use to write and I do use it. It’s there just to keep myself focused on what’s real and what’s not. Our smartphones will not replace the interaction between people. I use my phone on daily basis I like to take pictures I like to blog I like to write it it’s easy for me to do that but I have a sense that it’s just separating us. There is nothing quite light just pressing the flesh, shaking hands and talking to people. It’s not convenient but it is a way to hone our social skills And to stay in touch with reality.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com 

To the The Nth degree. As I started thinking about the blog, I was talking to my wife. We were talking about money. it seems to be a conversation that most people have these days. Because it seems to be in short supply. But God never requires more than what you have. God does require what you have. When Jesus was at the temple watching the people put money into the Treasury, an old woman came in and put two mites or pennies into the Treasury. Jesus turned to his disciples and said that woman has put more into the Treasury then anyone else. The people would giving out of their abundance. This woman would gave all she had. Tribute to whom tribute is due. God requires that we give tribute to whom it is due. They held up the Roman coin in the temple and they asked him do you pay tribute. Jesus said whose inscription is on that and they said Caesar. And Jesus said you give tribute to whom tribute is due, honor to whom to whom honor is due. Then God asked me who do you give tribute to. I said you give tribute to the president, Congressman, governor, people in Authority. Then God asked who else. I said my boss, my wife, my pastor, all the people around me. God said it includes everyone. We give of ourselves all the time. it is tribute to that person. Then God asked me how do you give? To the Nth Degree.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The 1st prayer that God ever heard from us was the prayer of salvation. Before we came to the Lord God would not answer our prayers what he would do Is to get believers to pray for the person. Answered prayer is reserved for believers.  People need to understand that God will move heaven and Earth for a believer. So our prayer as a believer can be very effective if we will pray like God says. We can’t pray for things just to waste it on ourselves God will not answer those Prayers. God wants us to pray his will so that it can be done here on Earth. As we move into the relationship with God we began to see how effective I prayers can be and how much God wants to answer them. But everything depends on our relationship with God. 1st you must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Then your prayer will become effective.

Crain Blanchard. 

Crainb52@juno.com 

Www.joseph1637.com