I love Thanksgiving when we pray,And July 4th and Labor DayWith picnics, ants, and hungry flies,And barbecue and hot French fries,With Cokes and chips and apple piesBeneath some hazy, lazy skies.
I love Miami's royal palmThat oozes forth a healing balmBeside the ocean's quiet calm.
And Betsy Ross, and Orville Wright,And dear Ben Franklin's flying kite;And Thomas Jefferson's mightly quill,And Alamo, and Bunker Hill,And Paul Revere's midnight ride,And Wilbur Wright's successful glide.
I love United's friendly skies;And baseball when the umpire cries,"Play ball!" as thousands quietly riseTo turn their moistened sober eyesToward waving flag that proudly flies.
And Casey Stengal's Stengaleze,And Dairy Queen, and Tastee Freeze,And cotton candy at the zoo;And corny dogs and Big Macs too;And Burger Kings, and shopping malls,And hockey pucks, and basketballs.
And Mississippi's cotton fields,And Holland, Michigan's spinning wheels;Monotonous midwestern plains,Florida's sun, Seattle's rams.
Atlanta's lovely, dogwood trails,And Santa Fe's long clicking rails.I love the Rocky Mountain peaksBeneath a sky which mutely speaks;
And Disney World, and Disney Land,And Georgia's fertile blood-red sand:The Mississippi, and Rio Grande;Wisconsin's cheese and dairy land.
I love McDonald's chocolate shakes,And Minnesota's thousand lakes;The Royal Gorge's mighty yawn,A sleepy Alabama dawn;The harvest moon that shineth on.
I love to gaze at YellowstoneWhile licking on an ice cream cone;And Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge;And Ford, and Chevrolet, and Dodge.I love the stately Empire State,And San Francisco's Golden Gate.
I love St. Louis' friendly arch,The Statue of Liberty's burning torch,The Washington Monument's prickly goad,And Colorado's trail ridge road.
I love "My Country, Tis of Thee,"Oh, blessed land of liberty.Long may our glorious land be bright,With freedom's wondrous holy light,Protect us by Thy matchless might.
I love to stand with hand o'er heartAnd think of those who did their part,Who left a mom a lone gold star,Whose bodies rest 'neath fields afar.
I love New England's rolling farms,Its quaint decor and blushing charms.I love the azalea's freshened blooms,East Texas' roses sparkling plumes.
I love it when my church choir sings, And know the peace that worship brings.
There beats within my breast a dreamThat that small faint and flickering gleamWill soon become a mighty flameTo spread to all His matchless name:That those dear four who call me "Dad"Will know the country I have had;Where freedom's flag flies proud and high,And those dear ones may loudly cry,"I'm free! My dad helped make it so.That faint small gleam is now aglow!That Christian land that he once knewIs now the kind that we know too!God's judging hand has now been stayed,So I and mine are not afraid,For churches like our own aboundIn every city, village, town! We're free to witness, visit, teachThe same dear truths we heard Dad preach! And now we vow to God aboveTo pass it on to those we love."
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Devotion for Friday, July 3rd, 2009 - "Be a man!"
I Corinthians 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
Here in our verse today, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to stand up "be a man" if we were going to put it in a more modern slang. Let's take a few moments to closer examine this verse.
1. Watch ye: As Christians we must be always watching out for those things around us that might be harmful to us. We do that as parents. We watch when our children play outside. We don't let them play in the street, play with chain saws, or throw knives at each other. I know those are extreme examples. But what in our spiritual lives? As God's children, are we "playing" with spiritual knives or chain saws that could slip at any moment and cut us? We must be watchful.
2. Stand fast in the faith: It is of vital importance that we keep our faith strong. Unwavering faith will get us through the attacks of the Devil. The Bible tells that the shield of faith is the most important piece in the Christian armor. Stand fast, don't sit down, keep on standing, hold your ground and don't give up ground.
3. Quit you like men, be strong: "Man up" "Don't be a sissy" "Be a man" "Quit whining" that's what Paul may have written if he were writing it today. Bravery and strength are generally characteristics given to men. Not that women cannot be brave or strong, it just that men are expected to be the things. As Christians, all men, women, and children need to be brave and strong in order to repel the darts that are sometimes hurled at us by the Devil.
So today, "be a man" increase your faith, and take a stand against sin and the Devil.
Here in our verse today, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to stand up "be a man" if we were going to put it in a more modern slang. Let's take a few moments to closer examine this verse.
1. Watch ye: As Christians we must be always watching out for those things around us that might be harmful to us. We do that as parents. We watch when our children play outside. We don't let them play in the street, play with chain saws, or throw knives at each other. I know those are extreme examples. But what in our spiritual lives? As God's children, are we "playing" with spiritual knives or chain saws that could slip at any moment and cut us? We must be watchful.
2. Stand fast in the faith: It is of vital importance that we keep our faith strong. Unwavering faith will get us through the attacks of the Devil. The Bible tells that the shield of faith is the most important piece in the Christian armor. Stand fast, don't sit down, keep on standing, hold your ground and don't give up ground.
3. Quit you like men, be strong: "Man up" "Don't be a sissy" "Be a man" "Quit whining" that's what Paul may have written if he were writing it today. Bravery and strength are generally characteristics given to men. Not that women cannot be brave or strong, it just that men are expected to be the things. As Christians, all men, women, and children need to be brave and strong in order to repel the darts that are sometimes hurled at us by the Devil.
So today, "be a man" increase your faith, and take a stand against sin and the Devil.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Devotion for Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 - "Two Things"
Proverbs 30:7 "Two things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die."
Love God & Love Others! I almost stopped the devotion right there. I figured, what else needs to be typed other than, Love God & Love Others. I know that Proverbs 30:7 is not talking about these two things. However, my mind immediately went here. What two things have been required of me? Love God & Love Others.
"Two things have I required of thee:..." LOVE GOD & LOVE OTHERS! Period. That's it. LOVE GOD & LOVE OTHERS!
Love God & Love Others! I almost stopped the devotion right there. I figured, what else needs to be typed other than, Love God & Love Others. I know that Proverbs 30:7 is not talking about these two things. However, my mind immediately went here. What two things have been required of me? Love God & Love Others.
"Two things have I required of thee:..." LOVE GOD & LOVE OTHERS! Period. That's it. LOVE GOD & LOVE OTHERS!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Devotion for Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 "Consider Your Ways"
According to Thorndike Barnhart Advanced Dictionary, the word consider means "to think something over, to give it some careful thought before making a decision about it".
In Haggai 1:5 & 7 the Lord told Israel to "Consider your ways" Of course as God was speaking to Haggai He was refering to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem when He said to "consider your ways"
For the Christian, we are told in I Corinthians 6:19 about our temples, "What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" As we realize that our body are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we must, as God spoke in Haggi, "consider our ways."
What do we do? What do we say? Where do we go? Who are we? What do we allow to entertain ourselves? How do we respond? Consider your ways. You are building a temple for the Holy Spirit. Consider.
In Haggai 1:5 & 7 the Lord told Israel to "Consider your ways" Of course as God was speaking to Haggai He was refering to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem when He said to "consider your ways"
For the Christian, we are told in I Corinthians 6:19 about our temples, "What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" As we realize that our body are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we must, as God spoke in Haggi, "consider our ways."
What do we do? What do we say? Where do we go? Who are we? What do we allow to entertain ourselves? How do we respond? Consider your ways. You are building a temple for the Holy Spirit. Consider.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Devotion for Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 - "Missed Opportunities"
Galatians 6:10 "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith."
I found the phrase, "as we therefore have opportunity" to be very interesting. Galatians 6:10 closes out a set of verses about bearing one another's burdens, and deals at length with sowing and reaping. Then you get to vs. 10 and the Bible says, "as we therefore have opportunity"
We have all had some missed opportunities in this life. As I think about the ones that I've missed, I could almost kick myself as I wonder, "what could have been" or "where would I be now if I had..."
I think most of our missed opportunities are missed because we are focusing on the wrong thing, ourselves. Look at the rest of that verse, "let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith." The verse is talking about us taking the opportunity to do right, on purpose, by other people.
Think about the relationships that we have with others. Now think about the relationships you used to have. How many of the old relationships aren't there today due to a missed opportunity? Take full advantage of the opportunities that are placed in front of you today, and do right by all men, but especially those that are closest to you. Don't let the opportunity pass.
I found the phrase, "as we therefore have opportunity" to be very interesting. Galatians 6:10 closes out a set of verses about bearing one another's burdens, and deals at length with sowing and reaping. Then you get to vs. 10 and the Bible says, "as we therefore have opportunity"
We have all had some missed opportunities in this life. As I think about the ones that I've missed, I could almost kick myself as I wonder, "what could have been" or "where would I be now if I had..."
I think most of our missed opportunities are missed because we are focusing on the wrong thing, ourselves. Look at the rest of that verse, "let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith." The verse is talking about us taking the opportunity to do right, on purpose, by other people.
Think about the relationships that we have with others. Now think about the relationships you used to have. How many of the old relationships aren't there today due to a missed opportunity? Take full advantage of the opportunities that are placed in front of you today, and do right by all men, but especially those that are closest to you. Don't let the opportunity pass.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Devotion for Monday, June 29th, 2009 "Perfect Peace"
Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
We hear so much about peace these days - world peace, peace in the middle east, lasting peace. We hear statements such as, "help us to keep the peace." The truth of the matter is, the only place where there IS peace today is in the heart of the believer.
Peace is the exact opposite of strife, discord, and conflict. All we need to do is stop, look, and listen. We live in a world that is filled with discord, strife, and opposition. There world is not able bring the peace of mind it tries to offer. There is no pill prescribed by a doctor that can bring peace into someones life. It amazes me the number of people that try to fill there heart with peace, do so with drugs, alcohol, sex, and anything else they can get there hands on.
No one but the perfect God could provide the perfect peace that people are longing for today. Through the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary, God provides perfect peace for all who will receive peace on the terms of the Gospel.
Don't try and fill yourself up with the cares and distractions of this world. Let God have his way in your life and then you can have the peace that you have been longing for.
We hear so much about peace these days - world peace, peace in the middle east, lasting peace. We hear statements such as, "help us to keep the peace." The truth of the matter is, the only place where there IS peace today is in the heart of the believer.
Peace is the exact opposite of strife, discord, and conflict. All we need to do is stop, look, and listen. We live in a world that is filled with discord, strife, and opposition. There world is not able bring the peace of mind it tries to offer. There is no pill prescribed by a doctor that can bring peace into someones life. It amazes me the number of people that try to fill there heart with peace, do so with drugs, alcohol, sex, and anything else they can get there hands on.
No one but the perfect God could provide the perfect peace that people are longing for today. Through the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary, God provides perfect peace for all who will receive peace on the terms of the Gospel.
Don't try and fill yourself up with the cares and distractions of this world. Let God have his way in your life and then you can have the peace that you have been longing for.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Devotion for Sunday, June 28th, 2009 "Let's get Excited"
II Corinthians 9:2 "For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many."
Excitement is a wonderful thing. We get excited about plenty of things. Vacations, holiday's, birthday's, parties, raises at work, days off from work, television programs, etc. When we get excited about these things we tell other people. We tell people and even count down the days till our vacation, holiday's, birthday's, etc. The fact of the matter is, is that excitement is contagious.
What separates a growing business from a non-growing or shrinking business? I believe it is excitement that separates them. When a CEO or owner that's excited about the business that excitement trickles down to the employees. The key to growing a business is excitement.
What about in a church? What separates a growing church from a non-growing church? Again, I believe that, just like a business, if a church is going to grow it's members are going to have to be excited about what God is doing in their church. In order for a Christian to be excited about their church, that same Christian must first be excited about what God is doing in their lives personally.
Notice the last phrase in the verse here, "...and your zeal hath provoked very many." This church at Corinth was excited about what was going on in and through their church. Let God have His way in your life today and let may "zeal" provoke many to doing what God would have them to do. Get excited about what God is doing, because just like excitement, negativity is also very contagious. Let's get excited!
Excitement is a wonderful thing. We get excited about plenty of things. Vacations, holiday's, birthday's, parties, raises at work, days off from work, television programs, etc. When we get excited about these things we tell other people. We tell people and even count down the days till our vacation, holiday's, birthday's, etc. The fact of the matter is, is that excitement is contagious.
What separates a growing business from a non-growing or shrinking business? I believe it is excitement that separates them. When a CEO or owner that's excited about the business that excitement trickles down to the employees. The key to growing a business is excitement.
What about in a church? What separates a growing church from a non-growing church? Again, I believe that, just like a business, if a church is going to grow it's members are going to have to be excited about what God is doing in their church. In order for a Christian to be excited about their church, that same Christian must first be excited about what God is doing in their lives personally.
Notice the last phrase in the verse here, "...and your zeal hath provoked very many." This church at Corinth was excited about what was going on in and through their church. Let God have His way in your life today and let may "zeal" provoke many to doing what God would have them to do. Get excited about what God is doing, because just like excitement, negativity is also very contagious. Let's get excited!
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