If you don't succeed at first try, try again.....

We have all heard that statement. Last Sunday when I used my hands free device it blew out (wouldn't stay in) in a few minutes.

This week I used it again and it stayed where it was supposed to for the complete message.

It looks like it is going to work and for that I am thankful.

So many times we want to give up when something doesn't work the first time. If it is the right thing to do then keep on trying until you get it. You may have to go at it from a different angle but you will eventually get it. I had to do a few things differently but it worked.

I know people who have given their lives to Christ and then quit serving Him because they say, "It didn't work". I guess what they are thinking is that when one submits their life to Christ that everything is going to get easier. My experience has been just the opposite, sometimes life gets tougher.

The devil wants you to give up so he will throw road blocks in your way. The three Hebrew Children got a fiery furnace, the Children of Israel got a Red Sea, David got a giant and the list could go on and on.

Christ never promised smooth sailing He just promised He would sail with us. That is good enough for me.

If you have given up on serving Jesus why not give Him your life again, only this time keep on, keeping on.

2 Cor 4:15-16 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Be Blessed,
Rick

Look mom no hands....

This Sunday was the first time that I preached with my hands free device installed. I have been using it since last Wednesday and it works great.

While I was preaching I blew it out and it would not stay installed so I had to revert back to the other way to talk by covering my stoma with my thumb.

The problem is my neck has swollen because of the radiation so it does not hold as well. I believe it will be OK once the radiation is finished and the swelling goes down.

I am continuing my series "UP" and this Sunday was "Listen Up". One point was: if you feel like quiting, listen up, don't quit. I had the illustration, first hand, by continuing on even through the hands free device was not working.

It is easy to get frustrated and feel like quitting but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. The point is...you can't give up when things don't go as expected. You stop, refocus and keep moving forward.

What has not gone the way you thought? Has it stopped you or just caused you to refocus and move on? Bottom line...we cannot quit or give up in times of adversity.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is 1 John 4:4 You are of God little children and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world.

Next Sunday...Look mom no hands...and away I go.

Blessings,
Rick

Are we there yet?

We have all either said that or we have been asked that when traveling on a trip. My answer was always, "We will be there when we get there".

I am half way through my radiation treatments. At least with these I do know the ending day. I am almost there.

Today I should get my hands free device. This is one of those things that you can't 'try and then buy' but it is just the opposite, 'buy and then try'.

I am fairly confident that it will work. It will be nice, especially when speaking, to be hands free.

I have been blessed thus far with very little side effects from the radiation.

Back to the question, "Are we there yet?" If we think about Christ and His return I can say that we are almost there. No man knows the day nor hour but we can surely see the signs of His coming.

Gordon Jensen's song says it best:

Redemption Draweth Nigh

Years of time have come and gone
Since I first heard it told
Of how Jesus would come again some day
If back then it seemed so real
Then I just can’t help but feel
How much closer His coming is today

Wars and strife on every hand
And violence fills the land
Still some people doubt He’ll ever come again
But the Word of God is true
He’ll redeem His chosen few
Don’t lose hope soon Christ Jesus will descend

Signs of the times are everywhere
There’s a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head redemption draweth nigh

Keep looking up.

Blessings,
Rick

P.S. I will let you know next week how the hands free device worked.

What a great day. I am continuing the series "UP" on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday was "Get Up" and this Sunday was "Wake Up". My voice seems to be getting clearer and stronger each week.

I hope to have my hands free device before long. I am looking forward to seeing how that will work.

Radiation treatments are going well. I have eight done and only twenty-two more to go. The treatments only last about thirty seconds. I am learning things every day concerning this "new normal".

Emotionally at times it is more difficult then physically. Some days it all hits me but I push through with God's help.

I am grateful for all the prayers that have been prayed for me and will continue to be prayed for me.

Blessings,
Rick

"Your voice is clearer now then it has been for two years." That is what was said to me tonight after preaching.

What a joy to stand behind the pulpit and share God's word. I began a series tonight entitled "UP".

Tonight it was "GET UP". When Paul was stoned and left for dead the believers gathered around him and he "GOT UP". Acts 14:19-20 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. NLT

You never know what your part of helping someone get up will be. A kind word, a prayer, a handshake or some other kind gesture just may be what helps someone to get up from being knocked down by the enemy.

Being knocked down can come any many forms and ways but it is not being knocked down that will keep you out of commission; it is not getting back up.

I want to encourage you today to get back up. I know it can be easier said then done but the good news is, IT CAN BE DONE. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Let's "GET UP" together.

Blessings,
Rick