We always have something to say...

When the Shunammite woman's son died on her lap she said, "It is well".

When there were five thousand to be fed Philip said, "There isn't enough."

When Job was sick his wife said, "Curse God and die."

When Israel stood on the brink of the promised land ten spies said, "We can't do it."

When Israel stood on the brink of the promised land Joshua said, "We are well able to go up."

When Jairus' daughter was sick his servants said, "Why trouble the Master your daughter is dead."

When Jesus heard Jairus' daughter was dead he said, "Only believe."

When the man with the lunatic child saw Jesus he said, "Your disciples couldn't help."

When Jesus heard the man with the lunatic child he said, "Bring him to me."

I think you get the picture. We always have something to say. We can either look on the dark side of things or we can look at things the way Jesus looks at them.

I have made a choice to look at things the way Jesus does. He has never been stumped as what to do. He has never looked at things the wrong way. His words always bring hope and peace.

What are you saying about what you are facing today? Would you consider saying what Jesus said, or what others in the bible said in their faith and trust in Christ.

Let's be honest. We are going to say something about what we are facing and the bible indicates that our words carry some weight. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue...

Chose today to speak life. Speak life into your home. Speak life into your friends. Speak life where you work.

We will always have something to say. Let it be LIFE giving.

Blessings,
Rick

Same thing only different.

Tomorrow I will start the process of radiation treatment. This is the second round of treatment. This time it will be a wider band of radiation.

I don't know what to expect from this. Last time I did have some side effects but not that bad.

This time because I have to tape on a part of my new speech device it could get a little sensitive. I will just have to wait and see about that.

Have you ever had to face the same thing in your life but it was at a different time and place?

Here is the good news! Jesus is the same. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

I am going to a different doctor, different hospital, even a different radiation machine.......same Jesus.

Whatever "same thing" you may be facing today although it is a different time and may involve different players, Jesus is still the same.

He will be with you in this time as He was before. Hebrews 13:5...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Now that is some good news!

Blessings,
Rick

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I am learning new things each day when it comes to talking and how to deal with the bumps in the road that try to obstruct moving forward.

It takes more time and effort right now to do what used to be just a few minutes but I am learning.

I know that my speaking will get better and clearer as I progress forward. The change will seem to be the norm after a period of time.

Speaking of change or new things that must be done in our lives; what new thing or change are you having to deal with right now in your life?

I realize that most of us do not embrace change overnight. I know there are exceptions to that but most of us like to hang on to the familiar.

Yet, if we are going to go forward there will always be changes taking place. Think about this. A newly married couple have to make changes when they get married, then when children come along more changes are made, then as the kids get older more changes, then when they move out more changes, then as their children get married that couple now have grandchildren and still more changes. I think you can see that there will always be something that changes.

So how can an "old dog" learn new tricks...

1. Don't fight the inevitable. If you need to change then change. I could fight learning how to speak in a new way and never learn or I can simply say, "This I must do", learn and move forward.

2. Embrace those things that need to change. That simply means to me that we need a right spirit when it comes to change. Don't begrudge it but embrace it.

3. Don't be intimidated by change. I know at first it was very difficult for me to try and talk in public. I felt embarrassed and very self conscious about it. One day, however, I made up my mind to just jump into it. This was how it was going to have to be right now so I decided I just have to do this regardless of how I felt. It really wasn't as bad as I thought.

4. Keep moving forward. The bible verse that I like so much when it comes to change and moving forward is this one: Philippians 3:13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,* but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, NLT

I am sure there are other things that will help us but these four things have certainly helped me to make the changes I need to make.

What is it today that you are struggling with in the area of change and moving forward. I want to encourage you to look into the Bible for help and direction. Speak to someone that can help and encourage you with sound advice and then "Go Forward".

When Moses went to God for help when facing the Red Sea this was God's advice to him. Exodus 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

When you think of what happened at that point (Red Sea split) it sure makes me to want to take God's advice.

I am an "old dog" but I am learning new things everyday.

Blessings,
Rick

It is good to know we are not alone.....

Today I went to another minister's fellowship meeting. It is great to know we are not alone in this life.

When I was going through all that surgery it was good to know that there were people there praying for me and people all around the world praying for me.

There is a great verse in the bible: Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.


There are those today who would say they don't need anyone. That is so sad. God created man so that He could fellowship with him. If God wanted to fellowship with man and we are created in His image then we need fellowship with one another as well.

Today as I was standing with the other ministers at that meeting I was so thankful to know that we are workers together.

If you are a loner today, stop and realize, you were not created to be alone. God even said: Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;

I am gaining strength each day. My voice is getting clearer each day. I still experience strain in my throat when I try and talk for a length of time. I guess I will never be accused of being a long winded preacher from this day on.

Blessings,
Rick

I believe I can do that....

Yesterday we had a minister's fellowship meeting. I am one of the presbyters so my responsibility was to open the meeting and close it.

This would be the first time I have gotten up front and said more then a couple words to a group of people.

Everyone seemed to be able to understand me. I am working at being able to talk at the correct pace.

I am going to be preaching my first sermon since this surgery on October 2nd, in our evening service. I am beginning a series entitled "UP" and I will then continue it on the following Sunday morning services in October.

There is still a lot of work to do to be able to talk for more then a few minutes but by then I hope to be there.

I will begin radiation treatments soon so I don't know how that will affect things. I will just have to wait and see on that.

At least for now I believe I am over the hump and hopefully the worst is behind me.

I love this portion of scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within who keeps us safe. TLB

Blessings,
Rick

There will be some things you can't do....

After my surgery I was reading some material about what to expect afterwards and some things I may not be able to do. One of them was water sports.

I am not a real water sports enthusiast anyway so it didn't really matter except I like to fish.

Of course I can fish off the bank but it is always better in a boat. Of course, you understand that if I fell in the water that water would come into my lungs with nothing to stop it. That would not be good.

Today I did go fishing. I went with a friend of mine. He has a great boat and he is a great fisherman and knows how to handle his boat.

It was great. We caught a few but it was just good to be out fishing. I did have fish for supper tonight.

There will always be things that we can't do and many times we focus on those rather then on the things we can do.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard a Christian say, "Do you mean I can't do that?" I realize Paul said, 1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

That leads me to believe that there were things that even Paul would not do. Things that would not edify. The idea here as you read on in 1 Corinthians is that he did not want to hurt others by what he did. He wanted to be a good example.

So there are things I will no longer be able to do after surgery just as after becoming a believer in Jesus Christ there will be things that I no longer want to do.

Ask yourself this question. "Do the things that I do lead others to want to know Christ or cause them to question my commitment to Christ?"

Something to think about...while fishing.

Blessings,
Rick

The high price of living.....

It is hard to believe the price of the device that I am using on my neck now. They are only good for a couple days and then you have to get a new one.

I can buy them thirty in a package plus I have to buy the adapter that sticks on my neck. They are not cheap either and they are only good for a day.

Today I was experimenting with one of the cartridges and realized I can take it apart and clean the filter. I think I can now get a few days out of one rather then just two days.

The other brand I am also using can't be taken apart without breaking it. I am sure as time goes by I will learn some other tricks to save on money without putting my health in danger.

When I say the high cost of living I am not just talking about bills but about breathing. Without these devices I would be hacking all the time and it would be very difficult to get out in the colder months. So it will cost but it will be worth it.

What about the "high cost of sinning"? The bible tells us in Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James says, James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sin brings death but Jesus gives life. Today might be a good day to look at your life and ask yourself..."Am I living or dying?"

Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

This verse reminds me of taking a multiple choice test in school, except here God gives us the correct answer. CHOOSE LIFE!

I encourage you today, if you haven't already, to choose life.

Blessings,
Rick