We rescued a calico kitten. But before she could live in our house, she had to be accepted by Olivia. Olivia is a small black Yorkie mix, who is the mistress of the house. This is the second kitten Olivia accepted as one of her puppies. Olivia looked at Calli and began cleaning her like her mother would. The kitten fell in line right behind Olivia. Where Olivia went the kitten would follow. Olivia adapted Calli like one of her puppies. Calli would sleep with Olivia. Calli also eats dog food. Calli has learned to open doors. Our home of course is pest free. Olivia is afraid of lightning. She shakes violently. Calli would sit next to Olivia until she stopped shaking. Calli has grown into a passionate cat of God. She will do what God has called her to do with passion. She will always be in sight of me. If I move she will find me. She will sit beside me quietly and sleeps in my bed. One day I watched Olivia and Calli play. It is the job of a mother to teach her children. Olivia was teaching Calli how to hunt like a cat. It was one of the most amazing things I ever saw. I know that God sent that kitten to our home. Calli has grown and she is a beautiful orange, black and white calico cat. God gives gifts not just to me but to everyone. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (KJV).

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Everyone has preconceived notions. They are learned growing up from your parents, family, friend and circumstances. They can direct or control your life in any direction that they go. Some are good and some are for the trash can. I have found people who wouldn’t give them up come hell or highwater. I recently went to California for the first time in my life. I had preconceived ideas. I worn my US Air Force hat and thought that people would get ugly about that. California being known for extremism. My friends and I even talked about the popular ideas people have about the people there. To my surprise, people in California were polite and friendly. Yes, there are ideas that are common to everyone that I wouldn’t agree with. But on the whole, it was a wonderful trip. People went out of their way to make me feel welcome. You have to understand that I am from the Deep South. It is steeped in conservatism and hospitality. I am not unrealistic that there are parts of California that I wouldn’t be welcomed in. But for the most part, my preconceived ideas went by the wayside. I was able to do that because God had changed my heart so many years ago. And I was able to change my mind. God has given me a heart that seeks the truth, no matter where I find it. And the ability to change my mind, when I see the truth. This is a truth. God is able to lift you up and gives you the ability to stand on His word. And all you have to do is to turn to God and ask for forgiveness. Then to follow after God.

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Nonsense means nothing at all. When I write my blogs, I try to make sense of a particular subject. I put everything I say in order, so it makes sense to anyone reading. I am very careful about my words. I don’t use extra words to describe any subject matter. I am very deliberate about what I say. I have a saying that I have always believed, say what you mean and mean what you say. I am not perfect by any means. But I try my very best to obtain perfection. I get angry and say things I really don’t mean. Then I have to go back and ask for forgiveness. The only thing about that is that those words are out there, and you really can’t take them back. I learn long ago that my words have power and can accomplish things I send them to do. I also learn that my words can destroy just as easily. You wouldn’t want to know me before I met God. My words were hard and destructive. But what happened is that God changed my heart. And with that my words became softer and gentle. People could hear me and understand. Our lives are so complex. It takes God alone to change our hearts. I give God all the glory. And anyone can receive a new heart from God. All you have to do, is to turn to God and ask for forgiveness. Then follow after God.

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The presence of God is real and alive today. The bible says, He is an all consuming fire. If you let, God will consume you. it is like the bushing bush with Moses. Moses saw this bush on fire but not consumed. God will surround you like a blanket. When you walk into the presence of God, there isn’t anything else in the universe. And yes you can live in the presence of God and in this world. It was a lesson I learned not to long ago with a squirrel. God showed me, the squirrel lives in His presence always. Going about it’s life as God directed. God showed me the squirrel was praying for me. All creation groaneth for the revelation of the sons of God. Jesus was the example of how we can live in God’s presence. Jesus said, when we do that, we will do greater miracles than He did. His life was pretty miraculous. But we can live like Jesus on this earth. To start, turn to God and ask for forgiveness and then follow God.

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Have you ever wondered why we are drawn to the oceans? For one thing, the pulse of the waves is the same as our pulse. We are made up of mostly salt water. It gives us great peace. It has a very calming effect upon us. Have you ever wondered? It isn’t anything that man has done. It is an unseen hand that has been there since the beginning of time. And will be there until the end of time. God was and is and will be forever more. He was in the beginning and made all creation for us to enjoy and live. And all of this wasn’t His greatest creation. Although, it doesn’t look like it, man is God’s greatest creation. He made man in His image and likeness. So that He could share His life with man. If you look with your natural eyes upon man, it doesn’t look like it’s happening. But if you look with God’s eyes, it is a different story. People are responding to God’s call. And there isn’t one person who hasn’t received the call of God. and when you hear your name called, turn around and face God. Then say, here I am, Lord. Then confess your sins. Then He will forgive you. Then follow after God.

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A second chance, how much do people need that chance to restore their lives? I’ll tell you a truth, no one deserves it, that includes all peoples on this earth. But God is the God of the second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance. God has given me multiple chances, even after I became one of his sons. Yes, I am one of God’s sons. There are millions of God’s children. His message is to love God above all else and to love your neighbor as yourself. This has been the message from the beginning. It seems to have gotten lost in translation. But God has always had a people who follow Him, here on earth as well as heaven. You see, to be a Christian is a journey from here to there. It isn’t a handshake, or one time confessing your sins. Christianity is a life style. It is a daily choice that you must make to get to heaven in the end. God talks about a runner who completes the race. This is the Christian that goes home. Going home is the goal of Christianity. And all you have to do is to turn to God and ask for forgiveness and follow Him home.

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I went to California last week on vacation. It’s the first time I have ever been. I arrived home last Sunday. And this week has flown by.  I don’t remember time moving so fast. I was so blessed by friends,  that I really didn’t want to come home. They treated me so wonderfully,  I felt like a king. But what it did to my spirit, was to refresh me. I was a new man. People who love you can do this for you. It is what God says, so do unto others as you would have do to you. Short message this morning.  Love ya’ll.

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I keep pieces of the past because of the uncertainty of the future. I have my great grandmother’s dresser. I also have my grandmother’s china hutch. I have my mother’s secretary desk. I kept them because they are a comfort to me and because they are beautiful. It still doesn’t replace them in any way. But reminds me of who they were and the life they led. We restored my mother’s buffet and let our oldest son have it. It is made out of walnut. Our other sons don’t quite appreciate those things yet. But I know that one day it will come to them. It is important that we remember the past because of the future. My great grandparent’s walked across this country after the Civil War to settle in Louisiana. They were cotton growers. Many of my family left their homes in Europe to come to America. Most of them had no money and carried the possessions on their backs. They were farmers, merchants, doctors, lawyers and even privateers (pirates). They built a life for themselves and their families. Many things were handed down from one generation to the next. My mother had a wedding quilt from her grandmother. It was over a 100 years old. My great grandmother’s dresser is 150 years old. I had it restored and one of my sons will get it. So that he can appreciate the effort his family from the past put into providing for his future.  

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Everyone knows what it means to be caught between the rock and the hard place. It’s not the place  you want to be in. You want a good and comfortable place to be in. David was chosen to be king of Israel when he was a teenager. He had to grow into that position. But before he became king of Israel, king Saul tried to kill him. He was on the run for a year with his family. Joseph, son of Israel was sold into slavery by his brothers. God allows us to be placed into those positions to learn. It is to develop character in our lives. And we learn or it’s one more time around the mountain. It means you learn or just keep struggling with it.  How many times around the mountain are you going to go? When are you going to stop and let God have his way? This what being caught between the rock and the hard place means. And all you have to do is turn to God and ask for forgiveness.

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How far do you trust anyone? Do you include the people around you? To what level do you trust them? Depending on where you live and work really is the judge of how much you trust someone. Do you see the people around you as trusted friends that you can confide in? More and more I see that the trust matrix is being broken down. When I was young you could leave your doors to your house unlocked. That began to change drastically as the crime rose in our community. It wasn’t certain who you could trust. The murder rate in this country has risen drastically over the last 30 years. Of which I believe it is due to one event in 1973. It was the US Supreme Court decision for Roe vs. Wade. The decision to allow abortions in this country. You see there is no law protecting the sanity of life. If you can kill babies then why not adults also. The government has dug a hole that they can’t get out of. One of the greatest efforts of that decision is lack of trust one person has for the other. So it is black verses white. And Hispanic verses black. The lack of trust is so wide spread that nothing real or substantial is being done in this country. No one trust anyone. The media will tell you a half-truth to make you believe a lie. So how do we get back to trusting each other? Trust is always earned. It is developed over time by people who are consistent in their lives. There are trustworthy individuals out there. You are just going to have to find them on your own. And when you do trust will build your security. Trust and believe in Jesus. Let Him be your security.

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