Refocusing

I want to express thanks to all those who have followed and encouraged my blogging over the last year. At this time I am refocusing my energies in other areas of ministry and will cease blogging at this spot for the next few months.

I intend to stay connected through Facebook and will be writing a weekly Thought For The Week on the church's website, lintonag.org, under the heading "Explore the Bible", then click Devotional.

Thanks for reading along!

Merry Christmas!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! I will be taking a few days off and will start blogging again in early January.

A Christmas Classic To Be

So much music, so little time! Only 18 days until Christmas.

Here is another Christmas favorite of mine. Nice musically with a thought provoking message; it is a classic in the making.

So Much Music, So Little Time

I love the music this time of year. Some are light and fun, others are packed with deep meaning. Here is a favorite of mine. Good music, great message. I hope you will be encouraged by it.

Thanksgiving Road Trip Ramblings

The glow of Thanksgiving past is starting to wear off, including a couple of the extra pounds gained over the weekend. Here are a few thoughts from the weekend:

Enjoy and cherish time with family

The Jake & Izzy show is the funniest (a pug and puggle)

Even losing isn’t bad when you know you’ve been defeated by the dominoes dominator

Beef and ham are not bad at Thanksgiving

Why is pumpkin pie fattening? It is a fruit, right?

Who would get up at 3am to go shopping on Black Friday?

It is meaningful to worship while away from home

It seems like good-byes get harder every year

Why is Thanksgiving only one day a year?

As we rush headlong from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, don’t go so fast that you miss the “God moments” in each day. Savor His presence and give thanks!

Never Out Of His Sight

As a young boy I walked to school. The path I followed sent me right past my grandparents’ house. Even though I was not aware of it, my grandparents would watch me all the way to the elementary school. They were looking out for me.

God is watching and aware of everything we do, including both our actions and our motives. For the follower of Jesus that should bring more comfort than pain. In fact, it should encourage us to be bold and strong for Him. In 2 Chronicles 16, God is expressing his disappointment with King Asa for not trusting Him, and in verse 9 we hear God’s purpose behind watching over us: “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…."

God is looking out for you to strengthen you. Be bold for him today.

Sharpening The Ax

I am just getting back from a couple days away, meeting with the healthy church life cohort of the Indiana District Assemblies of God. It is a great time of mind stretching fellowship with other pastors who are committed to personal growth. “Iron sharpens iron” in that setting.

In Mark 12:30, Jesus calls us to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Getting away occasionally for study and interaction with others in a learning environment helps me to do that.

It has been said: If you want your car to run for 200,000 miles, change the oil. If you want to cut down a forest, sharpen your ax. And I would add, if you want to be your best for God, keep growing.