As most of you have read in previous blogs, I love the writings of Warren Wiersbe.  He writes on the book of Psalms and today's reading dealt with grace and glory.  I just love one of the verses of scripture pointed out in his devotional.  It reads, "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will  He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11)  He went on to explain that grace is what God gives us at the beginning of our spiritual journey.  It's through God's grace we are saved from eternal death and freed to live victorious in Him.  One day when we are called to our eternal home we will experience God's glory.  But how do we live our lives between grace and glory?  From the time you become a Christian until God calls you home, there are joys and sorrows; happiness and difficult times; valleys and mountain top experiences, but how do you personally deal with each situation?

The verse above tells us that the Lord is a sun, which Mr. Wiersbe relates to being our provision and sufficiency.  The shield is related to being our protection and security.  We begin with God's gracious gift of grace and we hold tight to our faith knowing God is true to His promises and He will keep us protected with adequate provisions sufficient to secure us in our journey until we meet Him in glory.  Isn't that good news?  God bless, my friends.  Have a wonderful day!

Three years ago today my buddy, David, went to be with the Lord.  It's hard not to recall where I was and what I was doing when I received that telephone call.  It seems like yesterday and then again it seems like a long time since I sat and talked with him.  They say as we grow older heaven gets sweeter.....I didn't truly know the meaning of that phrase until David passed away.  After all, older grandparents and relatives do pass away, but young people?

It brought home the realization that God calls us home at all stages of our earthly life.  Some enter heaven as babies; some before their ages have hit double digits; some teenagers; some young adults and some that have lived a full, happy life.  I now have known individuals in all those categories and heaven does grow sweeter with each passing year.

So on this cool, crisp morning in which the birds are chirping so loudly they awakened me, I give thanks that I was able to know and experience the craziness of high school, college and adulthood with my buddy, David.  (By the way, David, I'm taking good care of Cathy.  I tallked to her this morning and we're both missing you and laughing that if you are still that handsome guy when we get to heaven looking much older, we'll be upset!)  May God bless each one of you, my friends!  Have an awesome weekend!

Ever have one of those days where the time just flies by?  Today is one of those for me.  I started out bright and early and I'm just getting around to blogging.  Sorry, friends for the delay.  I don't know if I included this fact yesterday, but my book made its way into my hands from the publisher.  You can't imagine the shear joy of holding that manuscript and flipping through its pages!  What an absolute blessing from God.  He has truly given me the desires of my heart!  We are now seeking venues for book signings....can you imagine? 

I'm also excited that I have been given the awesome blessing of speaking at two retreats this fall!  Talk about elation!  But for now I'm going to join Gary on the porch for a bowl of watermelon.  God bless, my friends....

Okay, I'm not going to give it away, but the Holy Spirit was teaching me bunches this morning as I rode my bike and noticed that just about everyone was listening to their ipods.  What a world of technological advances we live in.  Some pros and some cons, but nice music makes a workout go smoother and quicker.  Stay tuned to a devotional thought that will be posted regarding this subject.

When I returned home I decided the flowers were crying for a drink of water, so i got out the hose and began (in 90 degree heat) to spread coolness and refreshment on my little guys.  By the time I finished I needed to jump in the shower and immediately thanked the Lord for air conditioning.  That, too, could be a devotional.  In fact, my entire life is a devotional waiting to be written.  How about you, my friends?  How is God moving and speaking in your ear today?  Grab a journal and begin to pen the ways God speaks to you.  It will be treasured for family members in years to come.  God bless, my friends....stay safe and have a wonderful day!

This morning I decided to hop on my bike and ride in the early hours.  Now, to me, an early hour this summer is before 9:00 a.m.  So, I did.  I hooked up to my ipod and begin to peddle on the shaded trail I love so much.  As I was admiring the beauty of the morning and enjoying the cool breeze, a song came on my ipod that I usually skip.  It is sung by a country artist, Toby Keith and the title is "American Soldier".  Not that I have anything against a song about a soldier, but after living through 13 months with my mom when my oldest brother was serving with the Air Force in Da Nang, Vietnam, I don't readily listen to songs or watch movies about war.  It was war enough to watch the news every night with her and then watch and listen as she went into the bathroom and cried.

However, today I listened.  Today I was reminded of the sacrifices our military makes on our behalf.  Not that I didn't already know it, but when you put a face to a name, it means a lot more.  So, here's the rest of the story.  Yesterday, I was looking on Facebook to find one of my son, Nicholas's, friends that just became a father.  As I was scrolling through all the pictures trying to find this young man, one of the pictures was another young man, about Nicholas' age, in military fatigues.  I looked intently at his face and then continued scrolling.  After hearing the song this morning, it seemed God began to nudge me to look up this young man and send him a note to thank him and encourage him as he serves our country.

This young soldier will probably think I'm nuts, but when the Spirit moves, I listen.  I don't know what will become of my message to him, but I pray that today he will be uplifted knowing someone cares and appreciates the job he's doing.  After all, he's an American Soldier.  God bless, my friends.

Usually Monday is a day most of us don't look forward to.....it means the beginning of a work week, or the start of five days of routine.  However, after days on end of heat and humidity, this morning is gorgeous.  It's so nice that Gary and I finally got to turn off the air conditioning and open the windows and I can't tell you how much I love open windows.  I am currently hearing sirens blowing; but the sound of traffic, birds and dogs barking are a pleasant change of pace.

I am working in the office currently catching up on correspondence, but I would ask that if you are a regular reader to this blog to pray for an upcoming Sounding Board event.  We are sponsoring a women's retreat in October and I would appreciate your prayer support in this endeavor.  Gary and I both feel this is an event that is needed and we are praying God will supply the individuals He draws to attend.  This is a tough economic climate we are currently living in and there are many women desiring to come if the finances were available.  Please pray that God will provide and meet every need for this weekend of fellowship and spiritual growth.  Thanks so much, my friends.  God bless and have an awesome Monday!

This morning following an outstanding lesson taught by one of our pastors, I was waiting for a church business meeting to begin at the conclusion of our service.As I waited I was approached by a dear brother-in Christ concerning an upcoming retreat his Sunday School class is planning this fall.  The leaders of this class have asked me to speak at their retreat and this dear one was asking how he might specifically pray for me as I prepare.  It was so heartwarming and assuring when he asked if he could pray for me.  I guess when you are in ministry; leading Bible studies and spending blocks of time reading, researching, praying and writing, you don't think about prayer needs you might have for your own spiritual preparation.  I pray that God would help me, show me, instruct me and teach me so I can assist others, but today I was reminded it's important for others to pray for me also.

So I am grateful that God reminded me that I need the prayers of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters as I continue to work for Him.  So I request that if God laids it on your heart, will you pray for me?  Will you pray that God's Will be done in my life and in this ministry and that I will keep my eyes firmly affixed on Jesus?  I want God to be honored and that it will be Him that readers see and not me.  God bless, my friends.....and thank you.

"And now, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the Lord's teaching will continue to spread quickly and that people will give honor to that teaching, just as happened with you."  II Thessalonians 3: 1

What a wonderful morning....I love getting up earlier than expected and getting my day started while the house is quiet.  The coffee smell begins to permeate the house and I have a few moments alone with Bible in hand.  As I read the devotional publications I reach for each day, I was reminded by Warren Wiersbe that I am a vine attached to the branch of Jesus Christ.  I can only witness and proclaim my faith vibrantly as I stay firmly attached to my source.  Mr. Wiersbe pointed out that one of the greatest tragedies in life is wasted opportunity.  I think we would all agree with that statement and have probably heard those words many times over.  However, think about the wasted opportunities we have missed doing what God has called us to do.

God has uniquely planted us in our towns and communities for a reason.  We might not agree with our locations, but we're there because God has a plan and a purpose.  When I first moved to Pittsburgh, thinking I'd only be here for a couple of years (28 years later), I was part of the local Newcomer's Group.  Their theme was always, "Bloom where you are planted" and I used to chuckle to myself, "Yep, bloom in Pittsburgh...now that's a joke."  But you know what's happened over the course of 28 years?  I have reached many goals; a college degree, teaching, committing my life to full-time ministry, teaching in adult church settings; writing a devotional book, and let's not forget the numerous students, parents and friends I have met and befriended.  Pittsburgh, my friend, through the grace of God, is my current earthly home.

So I'm passing those thoughts on to you this morning.  Whatever is going on in your life, God has placed you, as a Christian, at your current location to do His bidding.  Don't regret a wasted opportunity.  God bless, my friends.

As most of you know, we attended a wedding a couple of weeks ago in Blacksburg, Virginia.  During our short stay in the area, Gary and I drove around the campus of Virginia Tech before departing.  I've only visited VT once before and that was years ago when a high school friend of mine was a student and invited me to spend a weekend with her.  Of course, the campus has changed greatly, but it is a beautiful college located in the mountains of Virginia.

As we drove through the campus we came upon the memorial built for the 32 individuals senselessly killed by a young Korean man who had extensive mental issues.  As we walked around the memorial reading the names of each person etched into stone on individual pieces of what they term "Hokie Stone", I couldn't help but question why did this happen?  I'm sure I'm not the first and probably will not be the last to ask this question that took the lives of these 32 students and faculty who began, what they believed to be, an ordinary day on April 16, 2007.

This subject is the core of the devotional thought for next week which will be posted on Sunday morning.  Relating this issue to the brevity of our earthly lives, it still serves as a stark reminder that life on earth is only a vapor that appears for a while and then it is gone, as the book of James comments.  We need to make every minute of every day count, friends.  We never know when the existence of our earthly vapor will no longer will viable and we'll be called to our eternal home.  Do you know your destination?  God bless, my friends.

This is the kind of morning I truly enjoy....having my coffee and reading my devotional material, coupled with scripture is the absolute best way to begin the day.  We had a storm last evening and as I looked outside this morning everything looks greener and "washed" in newness.  Oh that our spiritual lives would get that anointing each morning as we start another day.  And what better way to attain that goal?  Grab your Bible, a cup of java and a nice, quiet space somewhere in your home or on your porch; and open the scripture and your mind to what God has to say.  You'll be amazed at what you will learn....if only you listen!  God bless, my friends.  May you feel God's presence today.