Category Archives: Issues of the Day

Challenge, Encouragement, Healing, History, Issues of the Day, Prayer

Thanksgiving, A Time of Hope, Remembrance and Healing

How great is it to have a National Day of Thanksgiving in the USA and many other nations, approximately eleven other nations celebrate a day of giving thanks.

It is thought the first Thanksgiving was celebrated with the Plymouth colonists in 1621. The Native American Wampanoag people shared an autumn feast with the colonists. For the next two centuries, thanksgiving days were celebrated individually by differing colonies in multiple states. Pilgrims were known for days of fasting and prayer along with days of feasting and giving thanks to God.

In the midst of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held in November, but that day wasn’t easy to come by. 

The woman who wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Sarah Josepha Hale, campaigned endlessly with governors, senators and presidents for 36 years. Lincoln headed her request in 1863 with the proclamation for all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.”

Wow, a day of thanksgiving to heal the wounds of a nation. We live in nations filled with the wounded. We see multiple wars on the earth today wounding so many more. To stop and give God thanks in an effort to bring healing to the many “wounded” around us, well, that’s just amazing and seems only right.

Giving thanks is something God’s word admonishes us to do repeatedly. To have a thankful heart helps us to not dwell on what we feel is wrong, inhibits complaining, releases others from personal judgments, and simply is a healthy way to live our lives spiritually, mentally and physically. So, to help you, here are a few thanksgiving verses:

Psalm 106:1 – Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 69:30 – Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 92:1-2 – It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 

Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

                    Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!!

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Encouragement, Issues of the Day, Just for fun

Honey, It Lasts Forever and so Does Something Else

Were you aware that honey has an endless shelf life? There was a not-so-scientific test performed on honey that was found in a tomb supposedly 3,000 years old. Yikes! However, it was still good to be consumed and still tasted sweet. 

Apparently, honey has some simple self-preservation qualities. First, it has very minute amounts of water in it. Little moisture means bacteria and microorganisms can’t survive. It’s thickness also means oxygen cannot penetrate it – another obstruction to bacterial growth. Finally, it’s very acidic and contains a special enzyme from a bee’s stomach that is called glucose oxidase. When mixed with nectar, this enzyme produces gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, products that kill bacteria. The key to long term shelf life is storing honey in a properly sealed container.

There is something else I found myself thinking about when I read these facts about honey, simply because very few things last a lifetime or anywhere near 3,000 years. That something else is the endless, incomprehensible, ineffable love of God. 

Jeremiah scribed these words inspired by God, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) And Deuteronomy records these precious words, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Two powerful forever verses speaking to us about God’s love and His continual presence in our lives as we walk with Him in obedience on a daily basis. Be assured of this love, this presence in your life and as you walk with this reassurance, this treasure, voice it to others. Everyone needs this hope today.

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Challenge, Encouragement, In the news, Issues of the Day, Men, Women

So Help Me God!

I am glad our nation celebrates a day every year to honor those who have served our nation through serving in one of the military branches. I can still remember taking that oath in May of 1972, “So help me God!” For me, those words were a prayerful and a bit scary confession. I needed God’s help and His call for the next four years of my life. 

The Bible is filled with stories of military warriors like David, Joshua, Deborah, and many, many more. 

David was a young and simple shepherd boy who ended up in a month-long standoff with a giant. His oath before God and Goliath was, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!” He said that it wasn’t the sword or the spear that would save, but rather the fact that the battle is the Lord’s.

Joshua is well known for his leadership at the battle of Jericho. God told Joshua the battle was already won. God’s strategy? March around the city seven times and then “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” (Joshua 6:16)

Deborah was an exceptional warrior. She was a respected judge, prophetess and wife who urged her people to return to their God. In a battle that Barak led with Deborah by his side, the scriptures quote her as saying, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” (Judges 4:14) 

“Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Another great confession from a woman of God recognized for her prophetic wisdom and skilled strategies. 

Lastly, let me add a New Testament example. Paul, in speaking to his spiritual son, Timothy, used some military style words when he wrote:

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. (II Timothy 2:3-4)

Soldiers give up their civilian life and learn about the military life through boot camp, through discipline, through suffering and by giving up certain rights and privileges. So, thank you to those out there who are serving and have served. Thank you for caring less about yourself and for caring more about others. Pray for our veterans today and be sure to tell them “Thank you.”

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle; He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. (Psalm 144:1-2)

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Challenge, Encouragement, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Men, Postmarital, Women

Missing Ingredients in Marriage

Can anyone out there identify with the following scenario?

Early on we really enjoyed our sexual intimacy, the frequency, knowing one another’s likes and dislikes, the freedom that comes from being committed to one person and having the bond of marriage between us. But in time, we lost something. The relationship outside the bedroom began to diminish in multiple ways. We lost the intimacy of conversation, prayer and worship together, and taking walks hand in hand. And yet, one of us still wanted the perk of sexual intimacy. I felt used and even became angry. I remember thinking, “You want me for this, but not for much else in life.” Resentment grew and feelings were hurt. 

I want it back. I want to be madly attracted to him again. I need the intimacy of conversation with each other and with God. I need him to hear my heart and touch my heart as I long to touch his. I want him to lead me and our family toward Christ’s mission for us.

What’s the impasse about? Where exactly does the silent frustration stem from? Is it purely a sexual need? 

What we want and desire most in marriage is connectedness, oneness toward our co-mission, and concern for one another’s spiritual care. How do I know this? Paul wrote in Colossians 1:28-29 that his biggest concern for his fellow believers and disciples was, “…to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ.” (TPT)

When we prioritize building Christ in our mate, we will connect in all the ways we as human beings, husbands and wives need and desire that connection to take place. From the yard to the bedroom, this connection hinges on our spiritual connections each and every day.

Are you praying and worshipping together? As you do, you will connect spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Insecurity, Issues of the Day

The Power of Fear

I recently posted a quote from my book, Identity: The Distinctiveness of You, onto Facebook that went like this: “Fear can be very real because the consequences are very real.” Not all fear is bad, but not all fear in our lives is filled with truth either. Often a “truth” we carry is not the truth. 

Fear will enable us to carry thoughts, emotions and reactions to beliefs that feel very real, but are based on lies. For example, if we fear snakes, we will be on the lookout for them as we walk a narrow hiking trail in the mountains. When we come across a brown or black crooked object on the ground, we may think, “SNAKE” and run. But when we take a closer look we discover it’s a stick and our heart returns to our chest. Fear is programed in our minds from a past experience in order to keep us safe from the object we fear. 

But the truth is: most snakes are harmless. However, that doesn’t matter when we fear them. We’ll fear all snakes. 

The scriptures remind us that perfect love casts out fear. (I John 4:18, 19) So, the opposite of fear is love. Let’s consider some everyday fears versus the reaction of love.

Fear requires us to perform. When love is present, we desire to do well.

Fear will not maintain a healthy relationship, while love will be what holds a healthy relationship together. 

Fear will impede your responses. Love will bring you the freedom to respond.

Fear will keep you from taking risks or chances. Love allows the freedom to be a risk-taker. 

Fear will hold you back from maturity. Love is an encourager and promotes personal growth.

When in fear, you will hold back. When in love, you will give away more freely. 

Fear will cause you to lack confidence. Love grows confidence.

Fear can be full of self, while love is selfless. 

Yes, fear is real, but love is far more powerful. Ask God for more of His love so that fear is overwhelmed and has to retreat. “For God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)

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Challenge, Children, Encouragement, Issues of the Day

I Love Growing Old(er)

I hear people complain all the time about growing older – aging. My 87-year-old aunt repeatedly said, “Don’t grow old; it’s the pits.” 

But I don’t think it’s the pits; it’s rather entertaining at times. I recently ate at a restaurant and asked the waitress if they had a “senior’s discount.” She told me she already gave it to me. I found myself laughing at her honesty and her observation of me.

Older people can get away with things because…well, we’re old. We have an excuse for being forgetful. We have an excuse for tripping over nothing and we have an excuse for just being slower. I actually read a social media meme recently that said, “I may not be that good looking, or athletic, or funny, or talented, or smart…I forgot where I was going with this, but I do know that I love bacon.”

It’s a fact that our hip bones get bigger and our pupils get smaller actually decreasing in size as we age. So, there’s two more excuses. One for gaining weight and one for not seeing everything.  

As I age, I find I have to make my coffee stronger. Is that failing taste buds? And as I age, I have discovered that sometimes senior citizens receive a free pass when it comes to doing something not so bright. People say things like, “Ah, he’s old; let him alone.”

As I age, my signature keeps getting shorter and shorter. Writing out my last name just takes too long. Now it’s Pro————- (illegible).

But honestly, the best thing about getting older? Every day I am closer to my eternal home. Every day I find myself thinking more and more about who I will become reacquainted with, who will approach me and say, “We never met on earth, but I read ________ and it changed my life.” With each passing day there is no fear of tomorrow, no fear of dying and no fear of loss. 

Do I want to leave earth unexpectedly? No. I am not requesting an “early out.” I do want to be able to say “See you later” to everyone. I want to bless my children and my children’s children. I want to be assured of seeing them later. I want to spend every minute that I can with my wife and my loved ones. I want to tell my grandchildren one more time, “Papaw loves you.” Because…

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. (Psalm 116:14,15)

PS I hope that you have enjoyed my 700th blog. I sure have enjoyed writing them and hearing your comments. :)

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Challenge, In the news, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Men, Singles, Women

Starting a Marriage That Lasts

Have you heard the newly coined phrase, “Starter marriage?” It comes from a book authored by Pamela Paul as she discovered many persons divorcing before age 30. It’s a sad phenomenon. 

Psychologists say it takes 5-7 years for a marriage to “settle.” Many of these couples are not even allowing for that time period. Being settled in my definition is that I am no longer trying to change you to be like me. I accept you for who you are. You accept me for who I am and we’re both changing for the better as we grow emotionally. 

So, what are the causes of marriages breaking up before age thirty? Here are a few reasons in no certain order:

  1. When individuals do not take responsibility to mature, grow up and ensure personal growth habits toward change. 
  2. When individuals or couples do not learn financial principles. They do not take the necessary time to acquire knowledge of how to follow a budget, use credit cards properly or save.
  3. When couples are involved in premarital sex. Premarital sex inhibits personal growth because it gives to (or takes from) another what belongs within the boundaries of committed love.
  4. Pornography use. Porn is addictive and usage will not stop after one says the words, “I do.” Porn addiction stunts personal growth and is an example of using another through lust vs giving love to another.
  5. There is nothing in their tool belt that helps them to resolve conflict. Many know how to have conflict, but few know how to resolve conflict. Learning to resolve conflict through premarital counseling is vital and can be a marriage lifesaver.
  6. They have not learned how to handle unmet expectations. Marriage is full of unmet expectations and disappointments. Facing them maturely and honestly takes wisdom and patience. 
  7. When one is unable to leave their “old hangout friends” in order to put first one’s spouse. In other words, they’re still acting single. 

You can plan the perfect wedding day, but without premarital and following up with postmarital you may struggle severely in that all important and foundation building first year of marriage. Check this book out.

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Challenge, Healing, Identity, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Men, Pornography, Women

Refining Our Souls; Pursuing Sexual Wholeness

Our smartphones today are no longer phones, but more so mini computers. Adults are now spending 20 hours per week on digital media. This means most persons will be faced with the option of viewing pornography. 

Similarweb reported that in 2021 the top three porn sites outranked Amazon, Twitch, Zoom and Netflix combined in monthly visitors. 

A nationally conducted survey among churches over the past five years revealed that 68% of men and 50% of pastors view pornography regularly (Pure Desire Ministries).  But, the most shocking was that 11–17-year-old boys reported being the greatest users – 85% and nearly 50% of young girls (From the web site Fight the New Drug).  Pornography in our country is a 4-billion-dollar industry.  More money is spent on pornography than pro baseball, pro basketball, pro football and the Super bowl combined per year.  Eleven thousand adult films are produced per year, which is 20 times the number of regular media films coming out of Hollywood.  The issue is sweeping through the church and with the present younger generation being exposed and involved, it is epidemic.  

Speaking of present generation, this is the generation that is actively fighting sex trafficking more than any other generation; however, this generation is also consuming porn faster than any other generation.

Too often we tell men and women caught up in this issue that it is solely a moral issue, but studies are showing that it is also a brain issue.  So, telling men to study more, pray more and simply to think pure thoughts is like telling a heroin addict to just stop thinking about and pursuing his/her drug – the brain is conditioned.

Studies are now indicating that when we are involved in sexual activity the brain releases a chemical called Oxytocin, along with other chemicals; it is the glue to human bonding. When we watch pornography, powerful neurotransmitters such as dopamine are also released and our brain then takes those images and creates a bond, actually interfering with human bonding and sexuality.  Dr. Tim Jennings, a neuropsychologist says that any type of repetitive behavior will create trails in our brain that fire on automatic sequence. 

Viewing pornography opens the door of our soul and spirit to spiritual oppression, confusion, hopelessness, hurt, control and domination in evil ways.  Women feel betrayed by husbands who use porn – cheated on really.  Women feel as though they cannot compete with the images their husbands are viewing.  It is an illusion that says women will do anything to please their man while no woman in real life lives within that kind of fantasy world.  It brings insecurities to her and can destroy her esteem.  She will question her attractiveness and her adequacy as a lover.  She can eventually think and believe that porn is more important to her husband than she is to him, an ultimate sexual betrayal.  

One thing we know from God, the Creator of sexuality, is that His love is completely satisfying.  One thing we know from the evil one is that lust is insatiable and can NEVER be satisfied.  Pornography and lust are a drive to serve oneself rather than one’s life mate or others. 

By viewing pornography and by going to their web sites, you are supporting the industry and helping it to grow.  You are contributing to the sexual exploitation of victims caught in this world.  You are adding to the sin of human trafficking.  You are saying yes to a multi-billion-dollar industry that feeds and preys on innocent men, women and children and can even lead to their abduction or death.  You are destroying those trapped in this industry (which today includes more teenage girls than ever), your marriage, your own family and yourself.  And then you excuse it and rationalize it.  You tell yourself it’s not that bad; just a quick look; it’s a natural desire; and some of you even change your theology to tell yourself…no, try to convince yourself that it’s actually ok with God.  Maybe even right now you have messages going to your brain saying, “But that’s not me.”

Here are a few things that the porn industry does not tell you:

Viewing pornography is addictive.

Viewing pornography will help to bring destruction to your closest relationships.

Viewing pornography brings feelings of shame.

Viewing pornography can lead to cheating on your spouse.

Viewing pornography can become very expensive.

I Corinthians 6:13 reveals, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord…” and verse 18 says, “Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”  Ephesians 5:3 also adds, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity.”

Jesus did not come to condemn you, but rather through grace and forgiveness to remove sexual shame from you. In John chapter eight He told a woman who was caught in adultery that He did not condemn her, but then told her to leave her life of sexual sin. 

Our heavenly Father is in love with you, understands you and has a course of purity for you to walk in. Confess your sin to Him, receive His forgiveness and then find accountability and steps of healing. Here is an organization that can help: http://www.Soulrefiner.com.

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Challenge, Children, Encouragement, Issues of the Day, Parents, Training

Raising Your Children in Church is no Guarantee

Parents mean well, but make mistakes. I know; I am one. Children make mistakes too. So, when I hear the comment, “Raise up a child in the way he should go, he’ll not depart from it…” spoken in a religious, pride-filled, I-got-a-guarantee way, I cringe. 

But, truth be told, we do not raise our children in a church so they can be perfect Christian specimens or simply do not sin and/or make wrong choices, because they do. Kids raised in a local church with their parents have the capacity to follow God or not; parents cannot force that. 

Your local church should be reinforcing your values as a parent, providing a healthy youth group and reinforcing through other like believers what you as a parent are teaching them at home. 

Our desire as parents in showing them the way of faith is to be preventative as much as it is to build eternity in their hearts. We want to give them the purpose and meaning of life so they walk in that purpose for themselves, maintaining the boundaries that God has written in His word. 

As well, when our children do mess up they have an advocate with the Father, His Son. They will know forgiveness and truth that sets them free. When our children fall short of God’s glorious ideal, just as we do as parents, they’ll know Who they can go to. They’ll know His love and His approval along with His love-filled correction. They’ll discover that even when they do wrong their heavenly Father never leaves them or forsakes them. In fact, when being honest with God, He’ll embrace them even more. 

Parents have the choice to offer unconditional love to their children on a daily basis. While the child may know this and take it for granted, it’s only when they mess up that they realize the grace and forgiveness found within true unconditional love. 

The fact remains, nothing can separate us from the love of God. And God’s discipline is a part of that love. When we as parents correctly, respectfully and without anger bring correction to our children, we are modeling the love of God to them. 

As a parent of three 30-40 somethings and four grandchildren, I will never apologize for training my children to love God first so that all good things from God can follow. I will never apologize for taking them faithfully to a local church, to church camp or encouraging them to travel with me around the world to minister to others. I will never apologize for taking the time to have family devotions, teaching my children the practical application of the word of God in their lives. All of these things are collectively fulfilling Colossians 1:28 and Galatians 4:19:

 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

    My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

As parents, our goal is not to build “us” in our children, but rather, to actively and by example build Christ in them.

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Challenge, Encouragement, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Men, Postmarital, Premarital, Singles, Women

Couples Who Fight About Money

We were one of those couples! Simply stated, we had extremely differing financial values. Mary called me a “tightwad” and I unappreciatively called her a “spender.” Neither term is endearing and of course settles nothing in the financial realm of marriage. 

It’s a dilemma for sure. We often carry our financial values into marriage from our parents or our family money values. If your family never took a vacation you may not see the value in spending money for a week or two of vacation. If your family overspent and misused a credit card, you may not know how to save for emergencies. 

In our marriage, we came to the point where we needed a strategy to develop a mutual agreement of understanding. James chapter four tells us that we fight and argue because we do not ask God. So, we asked God. When doing so, we discovered that we actually had the best of both worlds.

Mary was not a spender; she was a giver. I wasn’t trying to be a tightwad as much as I was attempting to save for a future investment. Giving and saving for investment. Now that’s a winning combo. 

Here are some points to keep in mind when it comes to family finance:

  1. It’s all God’s. You are simply stewards.
  2. God is your provider. Take a break and let Him be your source.
  3. In Him we lack nothing. When Jesus’ disciples returned from a mission trip He asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” (Luke 22:35) 
  4. Pray over your finances rather than fight or demand, i.e., ask God.
  5. Tithe or sow obediently into His kingdom first.
  6. Create a livable, life-giving budget.
  7. Allow for one another to have a reasonable spending allowance.
  8. Be generous with others.
  9. Pay all of your charges on your credit card monthly.
  10. Create an emergency savings account as soon as possible. (Start with $3,000.00 and then work your way up to three months of living expenses.)
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