Mid-Week Message - Carrying on His Mission

"This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command."  John 15:12-14 (NLT) 

When my daughter was in junior high school, she encountered a group of girls who were less than kind to her.  Although these girls had been together for several years in a small Christian school, when puberty hit, suddenly these young ladies began comparing themselves to one another and found the need to find someone to elevate themselves over.  Unfortunately it was my child they chose.   She handled it fairly well until one of her closest friends joined with the bullies.  That was simply more than she could handle.  She felt totally isolated and her self esteem fell to the point that her comment to me was, "I'd rather die than go to school."  

Friends have great power in our lives.  Who we choose to align ourselves with will influence our thoughts, our choices and how we see ourselves and others.  That is why it is so important to choose wisely.  So many lives have tumbled out of control by "getting in with the wrong crowd."  

Jesus laid down His life for us.  His command to us is that we love each other the way He loved us.  As He reached out to us with the love of the Father, so we are to reach out to others.  He says we are His "friends" if we do what He commands.  In other words, He wishes for us to align ourselves with His purpose, His mission to bring salvation to the world.  He wishes for us to spend our lives sharing His love and honoring the Lord.  The greatest friend we can be to someone else is by sharing the gospel message and by living our lives for Him rather than blending in with the depravity of this world.  In order accomplish this, we must be willing to allow Him to change us from the innermost parts of ourselves, to call out sin when we see it in ourselves and others, and to speak truth as it is revealed in God's Word.  This will definitely not make us popular with the world but if others are able to see Jesus in us and make a decision to follow Him, then that is the greatest gift we can give.  

My daughter's heart was troubled that she was not part of the "popular" circle.  We may experience the same feelings when we are scorned for seeking to live our lives for Jesus.  We live in a time in this country when more and more people are moving away from churches and are developing their own ideas of spirituality and what they want to have faith in.  False religions are becoming more prevalent and the idea that "all paths lead to Heaven" is becoming more acceptable.  Scripture tells us that the only way to the Father is through His Son.  That is the ultimate truth.  We are to be the messengers that boldly carry that message in a time when it is not popular.  This is one way that we "lay down our lives" for our friends.  We will be laughed at.  We will be argued with.  Many will call us crazy and tell us that we are believing in fairy tales.  However, we must not lose heart.  Too much is at stake if we give up.  

I know that what I have spoken about today is difficult.  None of us want others to turn their backs on us or slam doors in our faces.  Sometimes we tend to think that loving others means that we stay quiet about what we know is sin.  Jesus did not do that.  He loved, but He was truthful.  When we consider though that by not speaking truth we are aiding and abetting sinful choices, then we know that we are not truly being loving at all.  The greatest love is the love of God and it is honest and convicting and life changing.  I pray that we all examine our hearts, that we repent of the sin in our own lives and ask the Lord to help us fulfill His desire for us to carry out the mission He has laid before us.  With sincerity of heart, God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Loss of a Friend

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35 (MSG)

Her name was Deborah.  I would never have met her if my mother's health had not declined to the point that she was falling regularly.  After Mom had been hospitalized for two days for"failure to thrive" which had been decided upon by the emergency room doctor, we were told by the hospitalist that they could not keep her for that reason and she would be discharged.  My father was beside himself with worry because taking her home meant more middle of the night falls and visits by the fire department and EMT's to pick her up and check her over for any injury.  So (and if you know me this won't surprise you) I refused to take her home which did not please the doctor trying to discharge her.  Because of my refusal, however, he got her into an in-patient rehab program to help her gain strength. And her roommate just happened to be Deborah.  

Deborah was a fifty something year old black Apostolic preacher.  The first time I met her she was lying in her bed watching football, which she loved, with her Bible, which she loved even more, open upon her lap.  As Dad chatted with Mom, I struck up a conversation with Deborah.  She was more than eager to tell me about her grandchildren and to produce pictures of them from her purse. Most of all though, she wanted to know if I loved the Lord.  I found out that she was in the rehab because she had a massive stroke.  One that should have killed her instantly but didn't.  She had to learn to walk again but her speech was fine and she had no paralysis.  She was a living miracle!  I can't remember all we talked about but when it was time to leave and Mom was telling us what we needed to bring her during our next visit, I asked Deborah if there was anything she needed.  She was dumbfounded that I would ask but when I assured her I was serious, she meekly asked for some socks because she couldn't get her feet warm.

In the years following our initial meeting, we stayed connected through phone calls and letters.  She loved to write and get letters!  When my Dad passed away, and then my Mom, she was heartbroken.  She loved them though she only knew them from the rehab facility and through me.  And, God bless her sweet heart, she loved me.  She also felt like I was a part of her family so she felt comfortable letting me know when she was short on money or needed Bibles for her prison ministry.  I was glad to help her out as I could.  My husband and I had our ministry at the retirement facility and the money donated to us was used to help people in need, so we helped her.  At first she only asked occasionally, but later she asked in every letter and every phone call.  

When we moved to Georgia, we no longer had our ministry, therefore we had no donations and were unable to assist Deborah financially.  I felt so awful for having to say no each time, that eventually I let her letters and calls go unanswered and, after a time, they stopped coming.  She had always said she was afraid she would run me off and though I promised her I would never let that happen, I did.  

I tell you this because one night when she was on my mind  I "googled" her.  Sadly, I found that she passed away.  She passed without me telling her how much I loved her and allowing her any other chances to love me. I let my fear of telling her I couldn't send her money take away the last times that I would have a chance to tell her how much I appreciated her.  She always said I was her angel and she was very sincere.  And she was always so grateful when we helped her.  She really had next to nothing and her health kept her isolated in her home.  

Friendships are gifts. Some last forever, some eventually dissolve because of distance or as a result of friends growing apart, some are very toxic and need to be ended, but others, like this one, end for reasons that could be alleviated with honesty and communication.  The two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are to love God and to love each other.  We only have a limited time to love each other on this earth and we have no way of knowing when that time will end.  I know she is in Heaven now and knows the greatest love of all and one day I will get to see her again, ask her forgiveness and hug her for eternity.  

Mid-Week Message - Needing Each Other

 "These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."  Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)

These verses came to mind the other day while I was in the shower and I knew they were meant for this week's message.  I immediately began thinking about what I would say.  Then, as I was reciting my words out loud, I thought, "I can't use those verses!  I will alienate people!"  However, if God places it on my heart, it is for a reason that maybe I don't need to understand.  

I am well aware that the times we are living in are far different than they were in Bible times.  Women don't just stay at home cleaning house and cooking anymore.  And being "submissive" to anyone is looked down upon by more than just a few.  But I don't think that is why the Lord brought these verses before me.  

It used to be that we were involved in each other's lives.  We drew encouragement and knowledge from each other.  When we had a problem, we had plenty of people to turn to.  Churches used to be the source of help for families in trouble.  We knew our neighbors.  We could walk down the street and chat with each other by name.  Don't you miss that?

God created us to need each other.  But today we are being isolated more and more by technology and busy lifestyles.  Every moment is scheduled and when we do have downtime, we are in front of a screen of some kind.  We don't sit out on our porches and greet passersby and we don't turn to other Christians for assistance.  We "google" what we need to know or turn to an online community full of people we will never even meet face to face.

Although these verses reference women, the same is true for men teaching the younger men.  Older individuals have a lot to offer because of the years they have lived and all they have experienced.  I remember well the days when I had a young child that wouldn't sleep, or was teething or sick and I thought I would never make it through or that I must not be a good mom.  It would have been wonderful to have someone older step in and give me some reassurance and maybe a good healthy dose of advice.  That is what the scripture refers to.  We need to lift each other up and it is impossible to do that if we aren't even aware of what is going on in the lives around us.  We need to step out of our isolation and into each other's lives again.  

It is hard to communicate all I am thinking and feeling in limited space.  Hopefully you were able to catch the gist of it.  I wish for you, and for all of us, an expanding list of God-blessed relationships with those we both learn from and teach.  It is a basic need that God instilled in each of us.  Much love to you.

Mid-Week Message - Her Name Was Deborah

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35 (MSG)

Her name was Deborah.  I would never have met her if my mother's health had not declined to the point that she was falling regularly.  After Mom had been hospitalized for two days for"failure to thrive" which had been decided upon by the emergency room doctor, we were told by the hospitalist that they could not keep her for that reason and she would be discharged.  My father was beside himself with worry because taking her home meant more middle of the night falls and visits by the fire department and EMT's to pick her up and check her over for any injury.  So (and if you know me this won't surprise you) I refused to take her home which did not please the doctor trying to discharge her.  Because of my refusal, however, he got her into an in-patient rehab program to help her gain strength. And her roommate just happened to be Deborah.  

Deborah was a fifty something year old black Apostolic preacher.  The first time I met her she was lying in her bed watching football, which she loved, with her Bible, which she loved even more, open upon her lap.  As Dad chatted with Mom, I struck up a conversation with Deborah.  She was more than eager to tell me about her grandchildren and to produce pictures of them from her purse. Most of all though, she wanted to know if I loved the Lord.  I found out that she was in the rehab because she had a massive stroke.  One that should have killed her instantly but didn't.  She had to learn to walk again but her speech was fine and she had no paralysis.  She was a living miracle!  I can't remember all we talked about but when it was time to leave and Mom was telling us what we needed to bring her during our next visit, I asked Deborah if there was anything she needed.  She was dumbfounded that I would ask but when I assured her I was serious, she meekly asked for some socks because she couldn't get her feet warm.

In the years following our initial meeting, we stayed connected through phone calls and letters.  She loved to write and get letters!  When my Dad passed away, and then my Mom, she was heartbroken.  She loved them though she only knew them from the rehab facility and through me.  And, God bless her sweet heart, she loved me.  She also felt like I was a part of her family so she felt comfortable letting me know when she was short on money or needed Bibles for her prison ministry.  I was glad to help her out as I could.  My husband and I had our ministry at the retirement facility and the money donated to us was used to help people in need, so we helped her.  At first she only asked occasionally, but later she asked in every letter and every phone call.  

When we moved to Georgia, we no longer had our ministry, therefore we had no donations and were unable to assist Deborah financially.  I felt so awful for having to say no each time, that eventually I let her letters and calls go unanswered and, after a time, they stopped coming.  She had always said she was afraid she would run me off and though I promised her I would never let that happen, I did.  

I tell you this because recently she was on my mind so I "googled" her.  Sadly, I found that she passed away in April of this year.  She passed without me telling her how much I loved her and allowing her any other chances to love me. I let my fear of telling her I couldn't send her money take away the last times that I would have a chance to tell her how much I appreciated her.  She always said I was her angel and she was very sincere.  And she was always so grateful when we helped her.  She really had next to nothing and her health kept her isolated in her home.  

Friendships are gifts. Some last forever, some eventually dissolve because of distance or as a result of friends growing apart, some are very toxic and need to be ended, but others, like this one, end for reasons that could be alleviated with honesty and communication.  The two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are to love God and to love each other.  We only have a limited time to love each other on this earth.  I know she is in Heaven now and knows the greatest love of all and one day I will get to see her again, ask her forgiveness and hug her for eternity.  May you have a blessed week.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - 4th Kernel - Those Who Love Us

In today’s message, we will be looking at the fourth kernel of the Thanksgiving tradition started by the Pilgrims. As a reminder of God’s love for them during their first harsh winter in the New World, the Pilgrims placed 5 kernels of corn on their plates during the first thanksgiving feast which reminded them of how God’s provision got them through those hard times. The fourth kernel reminded them of the people that God put in their lives who loved them.

From the Heart - Friendship

As I prepare myself for the day, I am reflecting on a situation that occurred yesterday and how we can be blessed even under the most stressful of situations. Over the past couple of weeks, Karla and I have been going through some very difficult times and continue to face the unknown. There are so many parts to this story so I will not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, things are causing a lot of fear, uncertainty and doubt in our lives. We continue to pray and ask for discernment and wisdom to make the right choices.

Yesterday was an example of a right choice made not by thought but by the heart. Karla and I, through a mutual friend, met a wonderful couple, Jeff Todd and his lovely wife, Frances. We needed some work done around the house and, since we are still very new to Newnan, did not know who to call for help. A friend of ours, Allison, gave us the name of a handyman who could help us. It was the best thing that happened to us.


Jeff and Frances are both Christians. Both have a loving heart and truly exemplify the virtue of Christian love. Jeff and I had a long conversation regarding our faith and I shared with him my fears, uncertainties and doubts. Through his words, I gained a better perspective of my life and where things stand. 

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been consumed by worry over things outside of my control. Yes, even pastors have those types of moments. We all do. I, however, continued to struggle through my problems. I needed to hear the words of faith and trust spoken by another. Jeff ministered to me. We all need someone who has the spiritual gift of sharing the Word and the ability to bring things into crystal-clear clarity. 

So, I dedicate this article to Jeff Todd and Frances as well as his ministry. If you have a chance, please visit his ministry site, argseries.com. As I write this article, Proverbs 18:24 comes to mind.

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)

There are “friends” who destroy each other,
    but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

3rd Kernel of Corn - Friends

In my life, I have been blessed with friends who stuck with me through thick and thin. They provided words of encouragement when needed and rebuked me when I did something wrong. In short, no matter what happened they were there for me.

The test of true friendship is being able to reach out to a friend and ask him or her for help and knowing that he or she would help without even thinking about it. I have had several instances in my life where I have been the recipient of true friendship and have done the same for my friends.

As we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, we should think about the native Americans who helped the Pilgrims through their tough times. They showed them how and when to plant and how to survive the harsh winters. Without their help, there would be no American colonies or Founding Fathers. They truly were and continue to be a blessing to America. 

Just like the Pilgrims and native Americans, we are friends to everyone and brothers and sisters in adversity. We help where we can and there are no strangers to us. When I went to vote on Tuesday, a car was backing out of a parking space. The line of people broke up to let the car out and when the line formed, a group of people moved in front of me. They felt bad about cutting, but it turned out that it was the best thing that could have happened. We began to talk and shared our lives while we were waiting. This how a friendship starts.

Even at an airport, people share and take care of one another. I have seen that happen countless numbers of time. When there is a flight delay, we share a problem and each works to help others get through it. It always amazes me to watch total strangers bond together and become friends.

As we look at the third kernel on our plate, let us give thanks for the blessing of friends and friendship. 

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)