Sunday’s Coming

Good Morning,

Greetings from the Texas Hill Country.

I have been reading a book by Jim Cymbala, You Were Made For More.  Yesterday, the chapter I read, “What’s Up With This?” made me really think.  It brought back memories of my basketball days, especially the beginning of the season.  The first practice was nothing but running.  We ran laps, bleachers, and what we called suicide drills where you start on the end line and ran to the the free throw line backwards.  We ran to the end line, then to the mid court line and back to the end line. Oh my!  Just thinking of this makes me hurt.  The next morning I hurt in places I didn’t even know I had.

This gave us a great foundation when games started.  We were in shape.

Hardships, trials and hurts produce a solid foundation in our soul.

Jesus told his followers that a life of faith would not be easy. 

John 16:33 (NLT) – “ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus is saying that God will accomplish his purposes, regardless of the disappointments and bumps that life brings our way

Trials are a part of the Christian life.  God shows us how to avoid some of them, but he walks through others right along beside us.

Praise the LORD!

1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 (NLT)

3 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, ² and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, ³ and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. ⁴ Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.

Sunday's Coming

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying:

'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.'

And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'

He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me.

Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'

He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal Pelieliu, and Okinawa .  He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time.

The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'

I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.

Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, OLD men like him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America .

Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.

Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

[Not a personal story. Received in an email]

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,


We had another great Sunday here at Kerrville, Texas. We had a small attendance but a great time in God's word. This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!... Your turn!


As I was reading this morning, the following spoke to my heart and I want to share this devotional from David Jeremiah.

"These Kids Need Jesus"
They were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God in me. ~ Galatians 1:23-24

During the hippy movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Pastor Chuck Smith of Costa Mesa, California, initially thought the dropouts and drug addicts just needed to cut their hair and get a job.

But his wife grew burdened for their spiritual condition. Seeing them wandering aimlessly on the streets, she said, "Honey, these kids need Jesus."

Eventually a longhaired kid with a beard and bells on his cuffs ended up at the Smith's home, where he stayed a month, and that started a new ministry for Smith, his family, and church. It could be marked as the beginning of the "Jesus Movement." Eventually thousands of young people came to the Lord, and from them a new era of praise and worship music was launched that is still affecting the church today.

When God opens an opportunity to serve Him, it might start with just one person. Don't miss that opportunity, and don't underestimate how God can multiply your efforts through that one for whom He gives you a burden.

The only thing that is secure and stable in this world is our faith in Jesus Christ. It is causing a real renewal.Chuck Smith

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.


Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had a great Sunday here at Kerrville, Texas. We had a small attendance but a great time in God's word. God is good! All the time!... Your turn!
As I was reading this morning I want to share this devotional from "the sower."

START WHERE YOU ARE!

A pastor once thought that it was his responsibility to change the world. For years he struggled and worked. He finally became so discouraged that he decided to quit. In a moment of insight, he decided to utilize a new strategy. “I’ll change my Elders. That’s the place for me to begin.” But he soon realized that this was not going to happen. Their resistance was fierce and he soon gave up.
“Since they didn’t respond,” he said to himself, “I’ll change my family.” That didn’t work either. Each evening when he laid out their tasks for the next day, they looked at him with blank stares.
Finally he identified his calling: “I must improve myself first and the others will follow.”

David got it right! He said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts.”
It is much easier to look at the lives of others and see things that we think they need to change. It is also much easier to want to change them than to want to change ourselves. But seeing what needs to be changed in others and wanting to change them is not the way God works through us. He wants us to begin with ourselves - to see the sin that is in our lives - the sin that He sees. And when He removes the sin from our lives we become like Him, we will become an example for others to follow.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us not to be concerned about what others need to change in their lives, but what we need to change in our lives to be more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.


LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We have made it to Kerrville, Texas!

I have been asked to do a short talk Friday morning, to a rally group here in the park and to preach on Sunday. God is good!

As I was reading this morning I want to share this devotional from "The Sower.”

WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?

When Harlan Sanders had turned forty he realized that he could not point to anything in his life that could be considered a success. Whatever he attempted to do, failed. One day someone said to him,
“Harlan, life begins at forty!” It jolted him in such away that it awakened his faith and he determined to begin again. After a time of prayer he decided to open a service station. Shortly after its opening he added a luncheonette. One of his meals was fried chicken. To make it tastier he came up with a “special” batter and called it the Harlan Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. People
enjoyed it so much that they soon recommended it to their friends. It brought him fame and fortune and the Governor of Kentucky made him a Kentucky Colonel. Soon people everywhere were buying the “Colonel’s” Kentucky Fried Chicken.

By God’s grace and the Colonel’s faith, what had been a life of failure and frustration became a life with a future and personal fulfillment. But his new life did not begin at forty. It began when God became a major part of his life’s “recipe.”  

When God becomes the main “ingredient” in our life, everything will become new. With Him as the centerpiece and His Word as our guide, we can overcome any obstacle or difficulty that stands in the way of our success.

Prayer: Let us always remember, Lord, that all things are possible when we trust in You and desire to honor You with the gifts and talents You have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us:  by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don


PS from LaVon:
I find myself totally without adequate words to express my gratitude for all the love and prayers that have been sent my way during my time with Mama Trudy and at her Home Going.  I am blessed beyond measure to have had her as my mother.  The last four months God gave me to be with her  and fulfill my promise to her, will forever be among the most cherished times of my life.  I feel like I finally did something right.  It meant so much to her to have both of her children with her during her last months; she could not believe that God had blessed her in such a way as that.  Over and over, she thanked me for being there with her.  It was an utter joy to serve her and love her and care for her.  God called me to her side to be His arms, His hands, His feet, and His heart.  All glory to God.  I miss her and can not believe she is truly gone.  I really just thought she would be with me forever, but she's now experiencing total joy with our Savior and I am so happy for her.  Heaven just got even sweeter for me.