Fifty Years Ago

Fifty years ago today I became a father for the first time. The big moment happened about 7:30 on Friday morning. We named him Mark and from that day till this we have been proud of him. He has always honored us and blessed us with his kind demeanor and wisdom beyond his years. Today his mother and I honor him, a son who never kept us awake at night wondering where he was or what he was doing, a son who became a father and led his family by example, a life that has become a light in his world, a light reaching to Haiti and beyond, a good teacher and writer and most important, a follower of Christ. Happy Birthday son!
jfs

THE KING IS IN THE HOUSE

I woke up this morning with the thought, “THE KING IS IN THE HOUSE.” I’m not sure what God is saying to me, and it may not make sense to you, but the thought simply will not go away. For all who feel God is a million miles away, the truth is, ”He is in the house.” It says to me that He is available and I need that assurance in a troubled world like ours. I plan to spend my day with HIM, conversing with Him and enjoying His birds and flowers. Like the song says, “I just feel like something good is about to happen today.” With the failure of the political systems of this world, I am glad God’s people have a forever King. Jfs
Ps 24:9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Ps 47:2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
TH

His Strength

A line in Psalm 86 caught my attention this morning, “give your strength to your servant” What a blessing to know that His Strength is available to us. Often we sail into storms too big for our sails. Rowing against the current drains us of all our strength. Our work on earth must be powered by heaven’s strength. What a joy to know that we have access to our Fathers strength. His strength is more than enough. As a boy I was always aware of my dad’s strength. I saw him lift things that were impossible for me. So I learned a great lesson, when you need more strength, just call on Daddy. Oh Lord, we look to you for strength to be all you want us to be, to live our lives in ways which bring glory to You. Amen! Jfs

Dinner with Jesus

If you could have dinner with anyone tonight, who would you choose? That is an easy one for me. I pick Jesus and He will come. We are having fresh greenbeans, new potatos, fresh tomatos and cornbread. If you don't believe He wants to have dinner with you, then read this verse. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Re 3:20 Some of us need to answer the door. As for me, I have taken the door off of its hinges. jfs

His Work

God's work is accomplished through relationship not intellect. It is not more brains the Church needs, it is intimacy with God. jfs

Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

A Teachable Spirit

"Show me Your ways, O Lord: Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5

Oh Lord give us a teachable spirit. jfs

Waiting

Mary Tramp and I sit on our sundeck while Mary reads Psalm 103. Do we have too much to do to be sitting? NO. Do we have lots of things on our plate? YES. You are not wasting time when you sit before the Lord. Open your eyes and ears and your heart will be blessed. As I write this I am thinking about you, my friends, who will read this blog. Take it from the old man, you are not wasting time when you make yourself available to the Shepherd. There is an old saying that idleness is the Devil’s workshop but business can also be his workshop. The journey is too important to get ahead of the Shepherd. When you don’t know what to do, you need to do some waiting. The first five verses reads: Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (NKJV)
Mary Tramp and I think you should take the time to read all of Psalm 103. jfs