Running Persistently...

Bob Kempainen was determined to make the 1996 U.S. Olympic marathon team. He was willing to go to any lengths, no matter how gut-wrenching.

On a hilly course in Charlotte, N.C., he won the trials -- but was sick five times in the last two miles. Kempainen, the American record holder in the marathon, has experienced stomach troubles since junior high school. But that hasn't kept this medical student from pursuing marathoning.

"To stop was out of the question," he said when asked about his physical condition. With the goal in sight, he knew there would be plenty of time to rest after the race and five months to prepare for Atlanta.

When God puts a desire in your heart to achieve a specific goal, you can have the confidence that He will give you the strength and the ability to accomplish it.
Every person has their own obstacles to overcome in life. In Kempainen's case, the condition of his stomach is trying to hinder him from winning the marathon race at the Olympics. In your life, it will be something else. But we all face difficulties and challenges on the road to success -- and the difference between those who succeed and those who fail is simply persistence.

Life is not a level, smooth path, but rather a series of hills and valleys. There are times spent on the mountain top, when everything seems clear and perfect. Then, there are those times we feel like we are wondering around in a dark cavern, feeling our way around and trusting God for every step of faith we take.

A runner gets a "second wind" after forcing himself to go on when he feels like he can't. We feel the joy of God's Spirit lift us up and carry us on when we choose to continue in faith, no matter how we feel or what's going on around us.

Take a moment to set your heart to be persistent in your faith -- faith in God to lead you, pick you up when you have fallen, give you strength to go on, and ultimately bring you to victory!

2Samuel 22:33-34 says, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to stand on the heights."

Running!
MT

Harvestime...

HARVEST TIME!
(From, “A Year in the Now” daily devotional by Jim Swilley)

“And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season, we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” (Galatians 6:9 – AMP)

1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am ready to receive the first fruits of my harvest, and I will not give up until I have reaped the full manifestation of what is growing in my field of dreams! I refuse to give up, I will not quit. I will not throw in the towel. I will not let discouragement cause me to doubt. I will not let fatigue cause me to fail. I will not let the waiting cause me to waver!
2. Today I will refuse to give up on the reception of every heavenly blessing in Christ. God is rebuking the devourer for my sake, so I will not be afraid to aggressively defend what belongs to me – the product of my seed sown – the confirmation of the law of Genesis that everything must produce after its own kind.
3. Today I will be energized by the Zoë – the resurrection live of the living God – the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. I am alive and alert, quickened by His two-edged sword. Regardless of what happens today, or how my harvest is threatened, I can handle it – valiantly rising to the occasion!
4. Today I will keep doing what I am doing until the Lord of the Harvest tells me to do something else, or to work in another field – and I will willingly work with a winning attitude, doing what my hand finds to do with all my might. I am strong in the Lord, and the power of His might, and the sun shall not smite me by day.
5. Today I will be sustained by the living vision within me that produces a second wind, allowing Him to be strong in my weakness. I will not give up. I will never give up. I will in no way give up. I will by no means give up. I will find it impossible to give up. I will be incapable of giving up. I will simply refuse to give up. I will renounce any thought of giving up. I will not listen to those who tell me to give up. I will know that I can’t give up. I will admit that I don’t know how to give up. I just won’t give up. Not now. Not ever!
6. Today I will run and not be weary. I will walk and not faint.
7. Today, I will open my spiritual eyes and see the harvest around me. . . no complaining . . . no worrying . . . no intimidation – jut believing and receiving today. Today I will know that the field is the world, and the world is the field, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to know how to reap in due season today.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

It's Harvestime!
MT

Vapor

James wrote that our life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Tonya and I was called to the hospital Thursday night for a man in our church that was hit by an car while walking on a sidewalk. This man was in his late 60's. He was never married and never had any children, but he was a man that was strong in his faith. He received a lot of injuries in the wreck and later passed into the arms of Jesus in the hospital ICU. His sister and her sons who were some of his closest relatives are rejoicing that Jack is where he always wanted to be -with Christ.

The Dr. came to the family room after surgery on Jack and made a powerful statement to us; "Life is hard to predict. At times it is a very small thread that keeps us from slipping into eternity. At other times, life fights to hang on with a tenacity". In ministry I get to see both sides often. But it made me begin to think about what James said. Many times I've watched steam rising from a cook top of a teapot and tried to follow the path of the vapor until it disappears.

Life some times seems to pass at a crawl - math class, doctor's offices... At other times, we are all going at such a rapid pace that we do not take the time to say what needs to be said at any given time. Walking out of the hospital, we all came to realize again that we never need take for granted the time that we have with each other and in God to say those powerful words: I LOVE YOU!

"Father, help me to appreciate and value the gifts You have given to me today, especially the gift of today. Help me in all I do to give You glory in this gift of Yours". Amen!

"Just a vapor",
MT

Love You in Christ!

He Is Our Healer!!!

Yesterday (Tuesday) was one of those days when you're on the phone constantly; making calls on people, following up on church business, and taking calls from people. It seemed that every call that came in was a call for prayer about sickness. Already this morning, I've had calls about: 2 people with heart attacks and 1 battling chemo treatments for cancer. I'm not complaining, I'm just explaining...

We all know that Jesus spoke about the last days being days of great trouble and that they would become worse and worse as the days speed along. It is easy to become over-whelmed by the amount of need, but the Lord reminds us that He is MORE than able! We must always stand in faith, in the hard places, that God will bring us through. We know what God has said about healing in the Bible, that's what 'wise' people build their life upon - the Word of God!

Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.
Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race.

Stand strong today with in faith in God! He is still the same, He has not changed one iota. If He said it, and He did, than he will bring us through every battle that we might face. There is healing in the Lord today for you and me. Let's stand in the face of adversity and declare what the Lord has said! He says - I AM HEALED! So let that be our witness and testimony. Click here to watch/hear some testimonies of overcoming!

Someone once said, "There be no testimony, without a test".

"For With God Nothing Is Impossible",
MT

Courage

For the past several years we have been mailing out to our church families, a quarterly copy of the devotional: "The Word For You Today". In today's blog I'm going to borrow a little from the devotional for July 22nd.

General Omar Bradley said, "Bravery is the capacity to perform properly, even when scared half to death". It's easy to be brave when you are strong; it's much more difficult when you are weak. We mistakenly believe that learning is passive, that we learn by reading a book or listening to a speaker. The learning process is summarized in these 5 steps: 1) Observe, 2) Act, 3) Evaluate, 4) Readjust, 5) Go back to step two.

Sometimes, courage involves getting it wrong before you get it right! And it always takes the 'high' road. The frustrating thing is that too many never seem to 'get it'. We must always remember that while God created the earth for us, it is not 'our' playground, but it is His! The Bible speaks about "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2:10.

Dr. James B. Mooneyham writes, "When we keep score of wrongs committed against us, we reveal a lack of maturity". Theodore Roosevelt once said, "The most important single ingredient in the formula of success, is knowing how to get a long with people... Remember this: committing an injury puts you below your enemy; taking revenge makes you even with him; forgiving him sets you above".

As Christians and especially in ministry, we must be; "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" Matthew 10:16. We need to ask ourselves today, How am I doing on that today? I think we get it backwards sometimes. Courage? Taking the 'high' road? Making mistakes along the way? You bet we all need the courage to do the right thing! When you come to the 'Y' in the road ahead, pick the 'high' road, it will lead you to a better end!

Blessings,
MT

Albert Pujols

Tonya and I went to a St. Louis Cardinal game on Saturday. It was Christian Family Day at the ballpark. IT WAS HOT - 110+ on the thermometer. Anyway, the game started rough, but ended up as a 'W' for the Cards. Albert Pujols is a man. He brought in 4 RBI'S in the game and the Cards ended up winning 6 to 5 - GO CARDS!

Albert Pujols:

1. 2001 NL Rookie of the Year
2. 2003 NL Batting Champion
3. 2005 NL MVP
4. 2006 World Series Champion
5. 2006 NL Gold Glove at 1st Base (The 3rd position he’s played for the Cards)
6. .333 Lifetime Batting Average
7. The only player in MLB history to open a career with 7 straight 30 homerun seasons
8. Voted the most feared hitter in all of baseball by 30 major league managers

But, the thing that makes Albert special is what is in his heart and what he does off the field. On November 13, 1998 Albert made what he calls, “The Best decision of my life,” when he gave his heart to Jesus Christ and asked HIM to become LORD of his life. He goes on to say, “People ask me if I believe how quickly my career has taken off. I just tell them Jesus Christ is my strength. God has blessed me and I will continue to do my best for Him. That is more important than anything I could ever do in baseball.” Albert is my brother in Christ, so I pray that God will use him for His glory!

"Go Cards",

MT

The Chrysalis Factor

Transformation - we hear so much about that today. We all know about the transformation that happens when we come to Christ: sin to righteousness, darkness to light, etc... But are continuing to become more and more like Jesus? W.W.J.D. is a great idea, but isn't it more than the marketing?

The Chrysalis Factor: Before it becomes a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through a growth stage called a "chrysalis." On the surface it may not look like much is happening, but the delicate chrysalis process changes the fuzzy caterpillar into an awesome butterfly with wings of intricate designs and intense colors. The chrysalis process symbolizes how Christ can transform you into something beyond your dreams. It happens when you grow beyond yourself, opening your life to Jesus' power and love.

I've been asking God for MORE lately! Asking God to grant dreams and visions to His people, so that we will continue to reach for something greater than where we are! I know that it might sound like such a simple request, but I believe it to be the heart of God. That's why Christ came, to restore everything that was lost in Eden - fellowship with God. Maybe we are all in our own little cocoon right now waiting for the breakout! If that is the case, then "even so come quickly Lord Jesus".



"In The Process",

MT

Grandkids...

The Bible tells us that "Children are a heritage from the Lord". I BELIEVE THAT! God has blessed Tonya and I with 2 great kids, a wonderful daughter-in-law and 2 of the best grandkids that any 'Papaw' could ever want. I get more and more joy out of my grandkids every time that I see them. They have a way or wrapping themselves around your heart and always warming your insides.

Yesterday, on my way home from Corydon, Indiana, we got the news of our newest granddaughter Abigail being taken to the hospital for tests. She had been running a 101 fever, which the Dr said that was very unusual for infants. Well, Meme came from Mt. Vernon and I came right there from my travels to St. Mary's. She ended up getting stuck on each arm and foot, twice on most of them. Then they ordered a spinal tap - yikes! Well, it didn't work in the ER so they tried again upstairs after admitting her. Needless to say Papaw was ready for this to be over. Well, finally it was and now the wait is on for any cultures to grow.

I know that kids can be truly resilient, but it hurts when you see your kids/grandkids hurting. I believe the same goes for our Heavenly Father. He said;

Luke 17:2, "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones".

God keeps track of us all! His love is so far reaching that we could never be lost from His sight. That you Lord for the joy of having grandkids. I thought I wasn't ready for them when they came, but I warmed up to it very nicely!

Lovin Being Papaw,
MT

Work or Service...

Jesus had a discussion with some of the disciples one day about being great in the Kingdom of God. I don't really care about greatness in Heaven, I'm just glad I have a reservation! The answer that Jesus gave was one of rebuke to them, but also instruction to us;

Mark 9:35, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

As most of us get back to the work place today (Monday), let us always remember that Jesus taught more about 'service' than 'work', and more about ministering to 'others', than 'ourselves'. He may not ask you to wash feet today, but he may ask you to go above and beyond the first mile. Let us all realize that its in our service to others that God uses to reach the hearts of people. Isn't that what Jesus did at Calvary, laying down His life for His friends - WOW!

By the way, our will never be done until he says, COME HOME! And remember; "The hardest thing about milking cows," observed a farmer, "is that they never stay milked."


Let's Keep Milking For Jesus,
MT

It's Not What It Looks Like!

The enemy of our souls wants us to walk in fear. We know that God has not given us a spirit of fear. F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real. In Genesis 37 we read about Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery. His father Jacob was crushed by the false report of his brothers. The devil specializes in making something that is NOT real appear to be real. He is an illusionist!

For example:

1. Peter walking on the water feeling that he was about to sink!
2. Elisha and his servant surrounded by the enemy!
3. David watch all Israel run in the face of Goliath!

Notice that David never called Goliath a GIANT. Saul and all his army and David were all looking at the same problem. While Saul decided he was too big to eliminate, David said, This is just an optical illusion, I will not focus on Goliath, but I will lift mine eyes to the hills from where my help comes!

Whose report are we going to believe? What it looks like now, is not what it really is! God's report says,

1. I am healed!
2. He is my provision!
3. He that the Son has set free is free indeed!

Trust Him Today!
MT

Significance...

Significance is something that we all reach for in life. Making impact on a generation. Having a meaning! As I approach my 50th year on earth, I am really taking account of my efforts and asking myself the hard questions. There have been a lot of unexpected events in my life as most of you could say about your own life. Things happen to us. However, isn't significance about our reaction to those unexpected things and not the events themselves?

Jesus has placed His Spirit within each and every believer. If that is the case then we have within us the 'God' ability to overcome each and every curve ball the enemy throws against us. God has promised an escape hatch for every temptation that satan (little 's' because he doesn't deserve the cap 'S') throws at our life.

So, stop complaining about those curve balls and ask the Lord, "Is this my opportunity for significance". God will help you take those curve balls of the enemy and jack them out of the park! Remember, that God will always cause you to triumph over the schemes of the enemy when you place your trust in Him!


BLESSINGS!
MT

Timing...

In last Sunday morning service I spoke to the congregation on the subject of: Grace vs. Performance. I'm learning myself how to walk more in His Grace. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I must watch going after the approval of men, rather than my Heavenly Father. It was one of those messages when I asked myself later, "Did anyone get it?"

Grace: we are brought into the kingdom by grace; sanctified, motivated, called to serve, strengthened by grace. We cannot earn it, buy it or demand it. But we can walk in it!

A Definition of Grace: Grace is God's free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment. It is the love of God shown to the unlovely. It is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.
(Jerry Bridges - Author of "Transforming Grace")

WOW ~ There's no other word for grace but amazing! He shows up on the doorsteps of our lives gently knocking and saking to come in for supper & fellowship. Yet we still think thatthere are some things we still need to do oursleves to make the house ready for Him. Doesn't He already see inside and have knowledge of everything about us? YES HE DOES!!!

Well, God continues to grant to us the GRACE we need and at the right time we need it. "Did anyone get it?" oh yea! I opened my mail on Tuesday and received a note from a lady in our church. She went on to tell me how that the Lord freed her up from the performance trap on Sunday. She said, "I am so happy, thrilled, relieved, grateful, filled with hope and bubbling over..." God's timing - WOW!!!

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal through human effort? (NIV)

Lord, help us all determine to be motivated by God's grace and love, which will produce in us the godly character and good works that You desire in our lives. We are saved by GRACE...

Walk In His GRACE Today & Find His Timing Is Perfect!
MT

The Power of Words...

Words are the way we communicate to each other. The words of the Bible convey to us God's plan, purpose and direction. Paul said that;

2Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

Also in:

Matthew 8:16, "He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick".

Wow what words!!! The great thing that the Lord has been reminding me about is that I have that WORD sitting right next to me now. But even more, I'm in the never-ending process of depositing that Word into my heart. Always remember that the Word is alive. Jesus and the Word are 1 and when we receive the Word, we take in more of Him - hallelujah! Know that His Word is available to us all right now!

Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"

Have An 'Word-Filled' Day,

MT

Praise The Lord!!

Sunday was a great day. The presence of God was present and what more can we ask for. Our Worship Pastor; Frank Yazvac and the Praise Team did some patriotic worship in the service - IT WAS OUTSTANDING! You know God is moving by His Spirit, just as He promised He would do. There was such excitment in the air as people were filled with the Holy Spirit and also a sense of patriotism. While we still have problems in our nation, I still believe it to be the greatest nation.

The Bible says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach..." Let's continue to pray for America and ask "God Shed His Grace On Thee"


BLESSINGS!
MT

Football...

Yes, I'm going to get it out of the way, I'm a Miami Dolphin fan. Ever since the 1972 UNBEATEN season, I've been a fan of those from Fins from South Florida. Bob Griese who played for the Dolphins is from the old Rex Mundi Catholic High School in Evansville, Indiana. Yes, I know, it's been a long long dry spell since the last championship! I was sure that Marino would have led us to the trophy, but he couldn't do it alone.

After the Big 'Tuna' arrived, the dust still hasn't settled. We've embarked upon a rebuilding process that finally has some hope. Everyone knows our record from last year: 1-15. While some threw in their hats, I still hang on. Who knows maybe this year we can triple our wins from last year - not everyone could say that :-)

We have some young guys that we can hopefully build upon. Jake Long, Ronnie Brown, Ted Ginn Jr and with renewed lines both offense & defense. So it's going to be a long haul, but there is hope in Miami again. The owner has sold 50% - finally - and now maybe we will have something to look forward to every fall. The coaching carousel is over with Sparano now guiding the team on the field, but make no bones about it, the guy sitting upstairs (Parcells) has a hand in it all! So go ahead and laugh but maybe, just maybe we're on the way to something, I do not know what, but it will be something - lol.

Questions about the faces that are gone: JT, ZT and a few others. You know you've got to be willing to let people go at the right time sometimes. We shall see - if Jason Taylor is in Miami this Fall, we'll take him, but if not we move on. I hope he and Zach do well, they're great players.

Go Dolphins!

MT

The Power of Trust...

One day, while my son Zac and I were out in the country, climbing around in some cliffs, I heard a voice from above me yell, "Hey Dad! Catch me!" I turned around to see Zac joyfully jumping off a rock straight at me. He had jumped and them yelled "Hey Dad!" I became an instant circus act, catching him. We both fell to the ground. For a moment after I caught him I could hardly talk.

When I found my voice again I gasped in exasperation: "Zac! Can you give me one good reason why you did that???"

He responded with remarkable calmness: "Sure...because you're my Dad." His whole assurance was based in the fact that his father was trustworthy. He could live life to the hilt because I could be trusted. Isn't this even more true for a Christian?
Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, pp. 46-47.

David said, 1Samuel 17:37, "The Lord who delievered me from the paw of the lion... He will deliever me from the hand of this Philistine".

We may be tempted to trust in our own strength, but it is always safer and more effective to trust in the Lord. God may never ask of you to place your life into the hands of another, but know that your Heavenly 'Dad'; He is always there to "Catch You".

Psalm 20:8-9, "Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but I will remember the name of the Lord my God".

You can place your life, family health, finances, etc... into the hands of God and trust Him with it all. He will keep you from falling into the grip of our enemy.


He Knows My Name,
MT

The Favor of God - (F.O.G.)

The Favor of God (F.O.G.) is a powerful thing. It is the smile of the Father over our life, it is the rain that falls, it is that which opens doors that no man can shut and shut those that no man can open. The Favor of God is our Father grants to us 'opportunities'. Opportunities are 'favorable times', according to http://www.dictionary.com/ Living with the realization that everyday is a specially designed gift from God.

2Corinthians 6:2 NIV For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation

Favor Activates Victorious Outrageous Results!

I've found the need to; Pray for it, Acknowledge it, Sow it, Confess it, Call for it and Expect it. Favor can break through any barriers that the enemy has placed before us.

Psalms 5:12: “For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with a shield”

Everyday is a gift for you and I, a package of God's divine favor. The people you meet, the events that happen are all possible opportunities for God to bring His favor to you. Don't squander the opportunity, don't curse it or rehearse it, for God will reverse it! "You are the apple of His eye".


BE BLESSED TODAY!
MT