Spring Fishing....

Long time, no post.
This looks like a good place to leave these.

I need to get back to writing as well as fishing. Both practices are good for the soul! This morning was a good renewal of the fishing.

The bottom four pictures are the same fish from different perspectives with the digital weight confirmation.

"Not fishermen are liars, it's just that a lot of liars like to fish."

 

Political Post... "The Continental Divide"

Dr. Tommy Nelson, Denton Bible Church

I look up to Dr. Tommy Nelson as a great Bible teacher. The sermon linked below closely reflects my beliefs and political stance.

Warning: Dr. Nelson's sermon makes political judgements. Please proceed to the link with your wisdom and wit engaged, not with a defensive stance, nor with intent to cause trouble in the comment section of this blog. Both of the main candidates and political party platforms are called out by Dr. Nelson.

If you proceed to the link, proceed as a Biblical Christian and moral person. If you are a staunch Democrat, it is likely you will have to be honest about some things, maybe even offended.
In the past, I have voted both Democrat and Republican, and think this is worth listening to no matter which party we ascribe to.

The Continental Divide - Dr. Tommy Nelson, Denton Bible Church, Denton, TX.

Post Revival, Revival Post

I'm writing a little over 24 hours since I finished a revival. I've been to revivals before, but this one was different primarily because I was on the other side of the pulpit.

Outside of the extensive preparation, I found it only slightly different, for God still revealed Himself. He spoke to me through my preparation and even in the midst of the "moment of truth" when I was preaching. More than once, there was a prayer prayed over the services and over me; that God would be in our midst and also move me aside to show off the Cross.

Time and again, I am amazed that God uses weak people to accomplish His great purposes.
There's no spot of perfection in me, not one little spot, but God used me anyway for His perfect purpose.
I know He did, because I have confidence in His word that will not return to Him void when we boldly proclaim it. I know because He allowed me to see it. There's no greater feeling.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says,

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Do you know that feeling of being used by God? You'll only know when you step out in faith. This week, step out in faith. Don't doubt, and don't look to find that boldness in yourself. Our confidence is in Him. 

On Target

I wanted a good excuse to post this somewhere without a lot of attention. Since no one reads my blog - this seemed like a good place. I have discovered a new hobby; target shooting. DISCLAIMER: There WERE two actual paper silhouettes harmed in the making of this post, and one tree. I know, poor tree; but it was already dying so the owner has designated it the shooting tree, and it has been selected to be a backstop.
What's really neat about the picture is that this was not just wasting time shooting but a church member visit. We talked about children, aging, and life in rural communities while shooting holes in paper targets tacked to a tree.

My thoughts turned to humanity as I was leaving. One of the most basic definitions of sin means to miss the mark. We aim at holiness, and are way off, we take aim at goodness and just cannot hit the bullseye. Without Christ as our guide and gracious sacrifice, this cycle of sin ends in guilt and frustration. But a life surrendered to Christ means grace and freedom from guilt and frustration. I am free to admit that I am not perfect, I don't have to live in the stained glass masquerade any longer. I can live life surrendered to the One who is perfecting me through Himself. He never misses the mark. His calling for me is perfect even if I am not. I lean on His perfect strength each day to accomplish the maturing process in me. This process happens through trust in the Jesus, by faith, In Him - not me. I KNOW I'll miss the mark. But He never does.

Galatians 2:20, says "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives IN me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." 




Bullseye!