Road Construction Ahead!

Mrs. Blake and I are preparing for our twice-yearly migration pattern: south to north in five weeks and then north to south at the end of summer. This will be our first entire cycle of migration.  One thing you always see when driving the highways is ubiquitous “orange barrels.”  They seem to sprout up like tulips this time of year.  We like the finished project and the accompanying improvements, but…

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Losing Control

These two stories take place on the water.  Jesus and His disciples and lessons to be learned.  Being a disciple of Jesus does not mean that you know all you need to know on day one.  Trusting Christ and relying upon Him totally seems to be a process reinforced by the reality of life and our growing dependence on Christ. The disciples did not put their faith in Jesus all…

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A lesson learned in a garden

Recently some landscaping was installed at my house. The shrubs and flowers significantly improved the looks of the yard. As I surveyed my yard, I could not help but be proud of the difference. Things are different now, I thought, there I can check this off my to-do list. Mission accomplished! Plants, like all living things, require certain things. They have to be watered and tended, and the area around…

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Being Before Doing

There always seems to be tension between being and doing. Being is about who I am on the inside. What are my values, what is my purpose, and what am I passionate about? Being is what you will find when you peel away the layers of life. Doing is about activity, the actions that I engage in also give life meaning. In addition, most of us are wired in certain…

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Your Invitation is Awaiting.

Jesus extends an invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus extends an invitation. The invitation is simply “come…

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Teen Camp: A Place That Makes A Difference

Recently I went to teen camp. Not because I am a teenager, but because I was asked to bring greetings and to serve communion. The trip was a wonderful walk down memory lane. While there at Shiloh Park, I remembered that it was 50 years ago this summer that I was entering the 7th grade and I attended Jr. High camp at this same campground. Remember I was just a…

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Running from God

I just recently preached from the Book of Jonah. The story is familiar, The Word of the Lord comes to Jonah and tells him to go to Ninevah and preach. Jonah decides not to go to Ninevah and runs from God. He goes to port and gets on a ship going the opposite direction from where God asked him to go, and while on board he falls asleep and a…

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Back To The Basics Part #3

Back To The Basics Part #3 1 God-focused Deuteronomy 6:42 Christ-following Luke 9:233 Spirit-filled 1 Thessalonians 5:234 I am fully-loved John 3:16Today I will look at the final three:5 I am shepherded-faithfully Psalm 236 I am living-fulfilled Galatians 2:207 I have an eternal-future Rev. 21 The Psalmist wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie…

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Discipleship 101

    I was reading a book about missions. Both world and local mission, evangelism was also discussed at length. While I did not agree with all of the authors’ conclusions, there was a section that caused me to pause for prayer and reflection. The author quoted several Bible verses, I have included three of them: Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is…

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Peace Be Still

Jesus was traveling with His disciples on a boat, everything seemed normal, that is until a storm happened.  I think we can relate to the disciples.  There have been times of tranquility and peace in my life.  One can begin to think that it will always be that way.  Some storms give a warning that they are coming, most just ‘pop-up.’   Jesus was resting and was sleeping through the…

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