Sunday's Coming...

Good morning,

Hope all is well with you today. Today is my birthday and just a quick thank you to the emails I have received. You continue to encourage me.

I get to preach this evening at Cowboy Church here in Norman and tell about the ministry God has called us to. As I was thinking about all He has done through us, I read this devotional today and would like to share it with you.

Success or Fruitfulness?

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. —Matthew 7:17-19 (NASB)
And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.—Matthew 13:23

It may not occur to you when you see fruit growing on a tree or laying on a shelf at the local grocery store…you may not think that, from God’s perspective, He wants you to be more like a fruit tree than a successful corporation. We might look at profit margins and stock portfolios to measure a person’s importance in the world. We might be impressed with nice cars and big homes as measures that a person has “made it” in our culture. How different that is from the picture that Jesus gives us as He speaks of the Kingdom of God. Success isn’t the goal for a person who follows Jesus…fruitfulness is!

Here are a couple of things to think about when it comes to fruitfulness:

* first of all, every tree is supposed to bear fruit. If it doesn’t, you would assume that something is wrong. When God plants His Spirit within you, something should be happening. Not only should we be able to see deeper devotion but also a growing influence on the relationships and circumstances that fill our lives. That’s fruitfulness.

*Secondly, every tree only bears so much fruit. In other words, there isn’t an infinite amount of fruit that comes from a tree. Every tree has its share of fruit for which it is responsible. When God moves in a believer’s life, He calls us to bear fruit in the sphere of life that we find ourselves day in and day out. We are not responsible to change the world… we ARE responsible for making a difference in the place in life where God places us.

We are not called by God to be successful… we are called to be fruitful! Let’s pray today that God will bless us with the ability to bear MUCH fruit to the glory we are called to be fruitful!

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

John Budd is in the hospital

I received this email from the manager of Quail Run RV Resort. Glad you are feeling better, but very sorry to hear about John. Give him our love and tell him we are praying for you both.

Jeannie wrote:

"Hi Don and LaVon

Thank you for email so glad you all are well.

Please keep John in your prayers, he has been sick for awhile and now he is in the hospital with a celeulitis of the foot. It is bad.

I finally got over being sick but still trying to get my strengh back.

Thank you for listening to me, but the prayers will help.

Thanks
Jeannie"

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

I know it has been a while and God impressed upon me to send something out today.

We are in Norman, OK and will be here until May 15th, then on to Tulsa for a few days.

We are going to Branson for the summer and will be preaching in two parks again this year. Keep us in your prayers that God continues to use us and safety as we travel. Also, for the support we need to live each day.

I read this today and it tells so much of how I feel.

Back in the 1980's Bette Midler came out with a song that has alwaystouched my heart. The song's title is "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings". The words of the chorus are especially meaningful. Notice them, "Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, 'causeyou are the wind beneath my wings. It might have appeared to go unnoticed, butI've got it all here in my heart. I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it; I would be nothing with out you."

Actually I hadn't heard or thought about that song for a long time then I ran across an amazing story.

Notice this wonderful testimony to a caring heart:
"Astonished, I watched the man roller-skating toward me on the bicycle path. An owl, wings outstretched, clung to a leather patch on his shoulder. As they got closer, I could tell that the giant bird had lost part of one wing.

The skaterstopped for a breather.

"Twice a day we go out so he can pretend he's flying," the man told me.

"I'm sure he would repay you if he could," I replied.

"He already has," the skater said. "I used to weigh 25 pounds moreand I smoked."

With that, man and bird took off again". ("Life In These UnitedStates", Readers Digest Magazine).

As I contemplated this story, I wondered how many of us have a person who is or has helped us to fly, perhaps to soar when the world has tried to push you down. And I also wondered when might be the last time we thanked them? I am continually astonished! I have many wonderful people in my life that are a constant encouragement to me and I hope I in some small way to return the favor.

There are times that my wing is broken and I am flapping around in circles on the ground then someone comes along. Maybe unknown to you, you help me to fly again and I am astonished at you. Astonished that you care, astonished at God's love seen through you!

Thank you for your love and support, those emails you send, the phone calls just at the right time. You help me to fly again.

Just this week I spoke to a dear friend and he talked of the times he is ready to call it quits and resign from his church then some saint says some encouraging words and he is off and flying again.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

First let me thank you for your prayers, we are on the road and yesterday was very windy. We are off to Waco today pray the wind is calm and no rain until we get there and set up.

Our time in Arizona was tremendous we met so many great people and made lasting friendships. God used us in such a mighty way.

Thanks to you who gave to our ministry for without you we couldn't do this.

As you read the following think of us for it speaks volumes.

We Had Joy, We Had Fun...
-----------------------------------
A mother was telling her little girl what her own childhood was like,
" We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."

The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

"Instructions For Life"
Believe in love at first sight.

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

Sunday's Coming

Just a note to let you know that we will be leaving Arizona on Monday, March 31st. We have one more service and then we are off to Waco for a couple of weeks then on to Oklahoma.

We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel and thank God for how He has used us here.

May the Lord bless and keep you!

Have a great day, love you pass it on.

Don

How To Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'


True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.



With all the jokes and fun that is in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

("Thank You" to Dave Sutton for sharing this with us.)

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

It is a wonderful day, no matter what is going on.

I pray you share the same attitude as me today. We live in a world where people become discouraged, are hurt by others, but we Christians have something very special: God's promises!

"When trials come we can count it all joy."

He is always with us and will do the best for us.

We need to look for someone who is feeling down and share the love of Jesus with them.

My prayer for you today is, first, that you are alright and then, that God will use you today to brighten someones life.

Thanks for being a part of our lives and for the encouranging words by email and phone and in person.

I'm sending along 2 attacments. All you have to do is click on them and read. They are worth the time.

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

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