Good morning, from the RGV,
We are saying "Adios" to many, but this week has still been very busy. That is good because it makes the time go by faster.
My sermon this week is “How Can I Make my Prayer Life Fresh and New?”.
Does Prayer Always Work?
An avid baseball fan was sitting next to a priest during a baseball game. Aware of the need to speak religiously, the fan did his best to speak of Godly things.
A player came to bat, and before stepping to the plate, bowed his head and made the sign of the cross. On the first pitch he hit the ball over the bleachers and out of the park.
On his next trip to the plate he followed the same routine. On the first pitch he hit another home run. Amazed, the man turned to the priest and asked, “Does prayer always work out there?”
"It does," said the priest, "if you can hit."
We can never assume that prayer is a substitute for hard work or intense practice. We must always be aware of the fact that God has given each of us skills, talents, and abilities. However, we are also responsible for applying ourselves diligently to develop them to the best of our ability- then pray.
James 2:17- Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
1 Timothy 2:1 - First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
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
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday's Coming!
Good morning, from the RGV,
Many are leaving but there is still much to do. We have several in the hospital and we have others with surgeries scheduled this week. As always, we receive prayer request from many who read our devotional. A lot of you are beginning to travel to your summer destinations. So I urge you to stop this morning and join us in prayer for all those in need and that includes us.
My sermon this week is on “Prayer and Fasting” . I have told this story a number of times but it never grows old.
Daddy's Empty Chair*
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me, he said.
'No, who are you?" said the father.
The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up."
"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, 'Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'.
Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.'"
"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though, if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey....Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.
"Did he die in peace?" he asked.
"Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death.
Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
Mathew 6:6 - But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
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
Many are leaving but there is still much to do. We have several in the hospital and we have others with surgeries scheduled this week. As always, we receive prayer request from many who read our devotional. A lot of you are beginning to travel to your summer destinations. So I urge you to stop this morning and join us in prayer for all those in need and that includes us.
My sermon this week is on “Prayer and Fasting” . I have told this story a number of times but it never grows old.
Daddy's Empty Chair*
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me, he said.
'No, who are you?" said the father.
The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up."
"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, 'Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'.
Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.'"
"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though, if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey....Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.
"Did he die in peace?" he asked.
"Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death.
Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
Mathew 6:6 - But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
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
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sunday's Coming!
Good morning, from the RGV,
It has been busy around here and I have had a cold, as well, but praise the Lord, I feel better this week.
Last Sunday, we told the congregation that we will be back next year and to my surprise we received a round of applause. We have been torn in the process of making a decision about next winter season, but we trust the Lord and as we have been praying, God has brought people to us encouraging us and telling us how God is working in their lives. The "topper" came last Friday when a lady came over to ask some questions. We answered her questions but I could feel there was one she didn't ask. I asked her about her salvation and she wasn't sure and she wanted to be sure. She prayed for forgiveness and asked Jesus into her heart and life. Praise the Lord!!!!
My sermon this week is on “A Helping Hand” and how we can help others.
Breakthrough
It was the first time she had competed in the Special Olympics. Winning the fifty-yard dash was more than she could ever expected. In her excitement, the young girl ran to her parents and shouted “Mom and Dad, I won, I won the race!”
Standing in front of the crowd, a medal for winning the race was placed around her neck. Her parents looked on with great pride, eyes filled with tears that ended streaming down their cheeks onto their swelled chests.
An offical who was puzzeled by their tears approached them and asked,”Is something wrong?” “No said the mother. We just heard our daughter speak for the first time.”
It is easy for Christians to do good works and kind deeds in the name of the Lord without mentioning His name. Thats alright, but we must also be willing and without hesitation, boldly tell others of His redeeming grace and salvation.
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
It has been busy around here and I have had a cold, as well, but praise the Lord, I feel better this week.
Last Sunday, we told the congregation that we will be back next year and to my surprise we received a round of applause. We have been torn in the process of making a decision about next winter season, but we trust the Lord and as we have been praying, God has brought people to us encouraging us and telling us how God is working in their lives. The "topper" came last Friday when a lady came over to ask some questions. We answered her questions but I could feel there was one she didn't ask. I asked her about her salvation and she wasn't sure and she wanted to be sure. She prayed for forgiveness and asked Jesus into her heart and life. Praise the Lord!!!!
My sermon this week is on “A Helping Hand” and how we can help others.
Breakthrough
It was the first time she had competed in the Special Olympics. Winning the fifty-yard dash was more than she could ever expected. In her excitement, the young girl ran to her parents and shouted “Mom and Dad, I won, I won the race!”
Standing in front of the crowd, a medal for winning the race was placed around her neck. Her parents looked on with great pride, eyes filled with tears that ended streaming down their cheeks onto their swelled chests.
An offical who was puzzeled by their tears approached them and asked,”Is something wrong?” “No said the mother. We just heard our daughter speak for the first time.”
It is easy for Christians to do good works and kind deeds in the name of the Lord without mentioning His name. Thats alright, but we must also be willing and without hesitation, boldly tell others of His redeeming grace and salvation.
Psalms 107:1 - 2 (ASV)
1 O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
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
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday's Coming
Good morning, from the RGV,
Thanks for all your prayers. Our trip to Waco was without any problems. We were able to witness God's power. Our son-in-law's mother, that was on life support, was transferred to a long-term care facility yesterday and is doing much better. The prognosis is for her to be there only a short time for physical and occupational therapy, then home to live her life. Praise the Lord!! Just a few short days ago, thoughts of a funeral loomed in our minds. God is faithful when we pray and believe.
We have the privilage to pray for people daily and the most requested prayer is for a loved one going through cancer. As I was reading this morning, I read the following, a word of encouragement.
What Cancer Cannot Do
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do.
Cancer cannot shatter hope.
Cancer cannot corrode faith.
Cancer cannot eat away peace.
Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life.
Cancer cannot quench the spirit of God and
cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
That's how limited cancer is! - Adrian Rogers
Laugh for the day:
Open MicrophoneWhile my son was on the Navy carrier USS George Washington, the air wing was busy with training missions. After talking to a pilot, one air-traffic controller accidentally left his microphone on and remarked to a nearby buddy, "That guy sounded just like Elmer Fudd."
The airwaves got strangely quiet as everyone listened, realizing that the pilot had also heard the comment. After about ten seconds, the pilot broke the silence by announcing:
"Be vewy, vewy quiet. We aw hunting submawines."
Smile! God loves you! Thank Him for humor.
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
Thanks for all your prayers. Our trip to Waco was without any problems. We were able to witness God's power. Our son-in-law's mother, that was on life support, was transferred to a long-term care facility yesterday and is doing much better. The prognosis is for her to be there only a short time for physical and occupational therapy, then home to live her life. Praise the Lord!! Just a few short days ago, thoughts of a funeral loomed in our minds. God is faithful when we pray and believe.
We have the privilage to pray for people daily and the most requested prayer is for a loved one going through cancer. As I was reading this morning, I read the following, a word of encouragement.
What Cancer Cannot Do
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do.
Cancer cannot shatter hope.
Cancer cannot corrode faith.
Cancer cannot eat away peace.
Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life.
Cancer cannot quench the spirit of God and
cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
That's how limited cancer is! - Adrian Rogers
Laugh for the day:
Open MicrophoneWhile my son was on the Navy carrier USS George Washington, the air wing was busy with training missions. After talking to a pilot, one air-traffic controller accidentally left his microphone on and remarked to a nearby buddy, "That guy sounded just like Elmer Fudd."
The airwaves got strangely quiet as everyone listened, realizing that the pilot had also heard the comment. After about ten seconds, the pilot broke the silence by announcing:
"Be vewy, vewy quiet. We aw hunting submawines."
Smile! God loves you! Thank Him for humor.
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
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sunday's Coming
Good morning, from the RGV,
Well, it is warm again and the wind is blowing, Praise the Lord! I pray all is well with you. For those that have sent us prayer concerns, know we pray for them the moment we receive them and also later, until you tell us the prayer has been answered.
LaVon and I had lunch yesterday with a couple who are going through "the fire." She has Alzheimers (for 19 years) and he takes care of her. He told us he could be laughing on the outside but on the inside his heart was breaking. He just needed to talk to someone. Sure glad we were able to be there for him.
My sermon this week is on “Friendship” and how we can encourage others.
Strength for the Journey.
“Why are you sitting there just staring off into space?” one friend asked another.
“Well, this year has been awful. It's the worst year that I can remember. Nothings gone right. So I'm trying to figure out the worst thing that has happened to me, but there's too much competition for first place.”
These trials, misfortunes,troubles or afflictions are a part of everyones life. We can get through them with the help of a superior source.
All Christians have God's Spirit in them who can work through them and He will fight the battle for us and through us.
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
Well, it is warm again and the wind is blowing, Praise the Lord! I pray all is well with you. For those that have sent us prayer concerns, know we pray for them the moment we receive them and also later, until you tell us the prayer has been answered.
LaVon and I had lunch yesterday with a couple who are going through "the fire." She has Alzheimers (for 19 years) and he takes care of her. He told us he could be laughing on the outside but on the inside his heart was breaking. He just needed to talk to someone. Sure glad we were able to be there for him.
My sermon this week is on “Friendship” and how we can encourage others.
Strength for the Journey.
“Why are you sitting there just staring off into space?” one friend asked another.
“Well, this year has been awful. It's the worst year that I can remember. Nothings gone right. So I'm trying to figure out the worst thing that has happened to me, but there's too much competition for first place.”
These trials, misfortunes,troubles or afflictions are a part of everyones life. We can get through them with the help of a superior source.
All Christians have God's Spirit in them who can work through them and He will fight the battle for us and through us.
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ASV) 15 and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat: Thus saith Jehovah unto you, Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
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
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sunday's Coming
Good morning, from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).
We had an interesting week... we had an ice storm here! They say it was the worst in 20 years. It didn't last long but did give us a little winter.
We continue to stay active in the park. There seems to always be something to do. Sunday afternoon they had a 50th Anniversary Celebration in which I volunteered to serve the couples along with another gentleman. We had a great time and what an honor to serve so many that have stayed married for 50 years.
My sermon this week is, REAL LOVE, 1 John 4:7-4:21. Remember He loves you, so we need to show others that love. Happy Valentines Day!
“God is our reduge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1
May God be with you in whatever is going on in your life today.
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
We had an interesting week... we had an ice storm here! They say it was the worst in 20 years. It didn't last long but did give us a little winter.
We continue to stay active in the park. There seems to always be something to do. Sunday afternoon they had a 50th Anniversary Celebration in which I volunteered to serve the couples along with another gentleman. We had a great time and what an honor to serve so many that have stayed married for 50 years.
My sermon this week is, REAL LOVE, 1 John 4:7-4:21. Remember He loves you, so we need to show others that love. Happy Valentines Day!
A preacher during a revival message. The preacher shouted, "The good Lord can take us through every difficulty, every trial, every evil thing that comes at us and everyone who tries to hurt us.” He raised his arms in triumphant gesture and shouted,Our Lord is always with us. We don't have to wait for Him to show up. You see, He loves us and is there in every occasion. Nothing is ever so large that it is beyond His power, or so small that it does not concern Him.
"Hallelujah!"
But a deacon noticed a small pistol tucked in his jeans. After the service, he asked,
“Preacher, why the gun?”
“Well brother, that's to hold off the enemy until the Lord gets here.”
“God is our reduge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1
May God be with you in whatever is going on in your life today.
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
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday's Coming
Good morning, from the RGV,
Well it finally happened, winter showed up last nite. We fell below freezing. Not happy. (Just kidding!) Counting it all joy.
We read a devotion this morning that talked about going through the four seasons how they work together to bring life and growth. Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in our life as well. These seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us. We grow through these seasons and use the experiences to show Jesus at work in our lives. We need to be a reflection of Jesus in our daily lives so others will want what we have.
My message this week is Living Our Life Like Jesus. Titus 2:7-10
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
Well it finally happened, winter showed up last nite. We fell below freezing. Not happy. (Just kidding!) Counting it all joy.
We read a devotion this morning that talked about going through the four seasons how they work together to bring life and growth. Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in our life as well. These seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us. We grow through these seasons and use the experiences to show Jesus at work in our lives. We need to be a reflection of Jesus in our daily lives so others will want what we have.
My message this week is Living Our Life Like Jesus. Titus 2:7-10
Cab Driver EtiquetteWe need to live our lives so others can see Jesus in us because we know God is good, all the time and all the time God is good. Rejoice and Praise the Lord today!
On a business trip to India, I arrived at the airport in Delhi and took a taxi to my hotel, where I was greeted by my hospitable Indian host.
The cab driver requested the equivalent of eight dollars U.S. for the fare. It seemed reasonable, so I started to hand him the money. But my host grabbed the bills and initiated a verbal assault upon the cabby, calling him a worthless parasite and a disgrace to their country for trying to overcharge visitors. My host threw half the amount at the driver and told him never to return. As the taxi sped off, my host gave me the remaining bills and asked, "How was your trip?"
"Fine ... until you chased the cab away with my luggage in the trunk."
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
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