This time of the year allows me to focus on those who have died while fighting to keep our country free.  They gave their all, they made the ultimate sacrifice – They Gave Their Life!  These men and women didn’t return to their families.  Many of them left spouses and children behind.  When I contemplate this it saddens me to see so many people who are not thankful for the sacrifice that has been made.  We have those who burn the flag and those who won’t stand for the National Anthem.  This is total disrespect.  Yes, they have the right to do these thing,  but the only reason they have this right is because of the men and women who have died and gave them that right.

I also think about those who have died while sharing the Gospel.  Many Godly men and women have gave their all, they too have made the ultimate sacrifice – They Gave Their Life!  Just as Christ made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could be saved from hell.  His death has given us life.  His death has allowed us the choice of excepting Him as our Savior and following Him.  His death has given us Heaven if we choose!

There were memorials that were wrote about in the Bible.  These memorials where put in place so that we wouldn’t forget who God is and what He has done.  The Passover was used not to bring death but to show God’s Grace and Mercy along with the gift of Life.  The blood on the door post brought life when death was expected.  It gave mercy to those who believed what God said and obeyed Him.

There have been other memorials in scripture, such as:

To remember the manna God provided in the wilderness (Exodus 16:32)

When Joshua led the people into the Promised Land he placed a stone as a witness to keep them from denying God (Joshua 24:27).

I want to now talk about Communion.  I never really stopped to think about this being a memorial, but it is a very significant one.

Luke 22:14-20(KJV)

¹⁴ And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

¹⁵ And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

¹⁶ For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

¹⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

¹⁸ For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

¹⁹ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁰ Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus instituted communion so we as Christians wouldn’t forget the sacrifice He had made.  The disciples didn’t fully understand at the time what Christ was doing.  If you stop and think about it can you imagine how they felt after the death and resurrection of Christ?  They had the message of communion personally explained to them.

By the Guidance of the Holy Spirit Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 to continue to do communion as a way to memorialize Christ’ sacrifice.    When we think about the elements used to partake of communion we have a picture of what Christ went through.  The bread represents His broken body and reminds us of the healing He has brought us.  The cup represents His shed blood and shows us that he is healing our inward man offering us salvation.

Memorial Day is celebrated once a year even though for some they remember the sacrifices of their loved ones daily.  The Biblical memorials all have different guidelines placed on them as to how often to remember them.  If we look at how often we are to do communion, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he comes.

We should partake of it often and always remember the death and resurrection of Christ when we do.  We can never take it for granted.  We are to remember why the bread and cup were gave to us.  It should remind us of the life we are now able to have in Christ.  Communion is most likely the most precious memorial there will ever be given.

The last couple of months has been a time of uncertainty for our nation.  We all have experienced things we have never seen before.  It has been difficult at times and at other times no big deal.  We now are getting tired of the situation and are ready for it to be over.  Ready to return to normal.

Through all of this, there has been one constant.  That constant is and always will be God!  He has been consistent, He has been available, He has been our provider and so much more.  Yet, so many of us have felt like we have no hope and that we are all alone.  Why do we forget that God is always there waiting?  If we would just acknowledge Him, He is there for us.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We get so busy listening to the news and taking everything they say as the truth.  Then we have many people who want us to stay shut down because they are afraid. We must remember that we have no reason to fear. God is with us!

Luke 8:22-25

²² Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

²³ But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

²⁴ And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

²⁵ And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Yes, we need to take precautions, practice good hygiene and respect each others fears and concerns but we cannot let this situation take control of our lives.  We must pray and trust in God and move forward and live our lives.  We each need to determine the path we will take.

What waters are you taking your ship through? Are you afraid to move into uncharted waters?  If so why?  Stand still and let God lead you. Let God help you decide how to live your life.  Stand up and don’t be afraid to make the boat rock!  God is in control!

Matthew 14:25-31

²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

We can see here that Peter put his life in God’s hands.  He walked on water as long as he kept His eyes on Jesus.  We can see through this that as long as we keep our eyes on our Savior He will keep us on course, our ship won’t sink.

The Lighthouse

By the Hinsons

There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed it sends out a light, tis a light that I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead us o’er.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, my ship would be no more.

And I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse and from the rocks of sin;
He has shone a light around me that I could clearly see,
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse tell me where would this ship be.

Everybody that lives around us says tear that lighthouse down.
The big ships don’t sail this way anymore, there’s no use of it standing around.
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light;
Yes the light from that old lighthouse that stands up there on the hill.

And I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse and from the rocks of sin;
He has shone a light around me that I could clearly see,
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse tell me where would this ship be.

If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, tell me, where would this ship be?

Most of the time when we see the flowers and trees start to bloom all we think about is spring is here. We forget that Spring is a time of renewal. It is a sign of newness and regeneration. It brings hope after the long winter.

We get excited thinking about all we can do outside. We don’t think about what creation is shouting out to us. We’re to concerned with our own wants and desires.

Let’s take a minute to look at what creation is declaring to us during the Springtime. Creation has a timeline it follows. It blooms in a way to point to Christ resurrection.

The colors that start to emerge first come from the golden rods and yellow bells and the red bud trees. These two colors are gold and purple which signifies the royal lineage of Christ. They declare His majesty.

About this same time you have white wisteria blooming which declares his purity.

Then the dogwood blooms at the true Easter time again it points out the purity of Christ and the red tips and the flower blooms in a cross pattern that declares Christ’s victory over death on the cross.

Spring also brings about the births of animals and the butterflies emerge from their cocoons. This signifies the new birth of a Christian.

So as you spend time with your family this Easter think about all of the signs of creation and remember the debt that Christ paid for you.

His foundation is in the holy mountains. Psalm 87:1

As we travel through the Rocky Mountains we are continually reminded of the majesty of God. We are truly blessed by God through His creation. These mountains are grand yet our God is more Awesome!

When we pastored at Melbourne, Arkansas our song leader would sing this song. This song describes how the Rockies make us feel.

Yesterday I said that we had seen the cattle on a thousand hills.  I had no idea that it was only the beginning.  It is amazing to think that we are so blessed with all that God has provided and yet so unknowing of the complete picture.  God has given us the means to maintain and provide and we don’t take the time to learn to truly appreciate all He has put in place. 

We take so much for granted.   For instance, Heaven we as Christians know we are going to meet our Savior one day so what do we do about it?  Unfortunately, nothing most of the time.  The above picture is a memorial marking a quest by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, a Spanish nobleman, who set out from Mexico in 1540 to find the fabled cities of gold. He had thirty horsemen, some foot soldiers, guides and a Franciscan Friar who went with him on his quest. 

On June 29, 1541, after enduring much hardship, the group crossed the Arkansas River, near present day Fort Dodge, Kansas. Father Juan de Padilla held a mass of thanksgiving on the nearby hills, the first Christian service held in the interior of the continent, predating the landing of the Pilgrims almost 100 years. 

Even though they hadn’t found the cities of gold they still knew they had to give thanks to God and that’s what they did.  They brought God to a desolate land.  This was not their initial intention yet in the end they acknowledged where their help came from and this started the move of Christianity as we know it here in America today. 

It is probably a good thing that we present day Christians hadn’t been led on that journey. We probably would not have persevered.  If we would have persevered, would we have been willing to worship God with out cities of gold or would we have blamed Him for not finding them? 

I hope as your reading this, that you will stop and think about your relationship with Christ. Ask yourself just how far you will go for Him.  Are you willing to go that extra mile to reach lost souls for Him? Will you help those in need, or will you just try and worship Him in your own little corner?  

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.                                                                                                                                 1 Timothy 4:16

Sources:

http://kansashistory.us/fordco/coronado.html

Today marks the beginning of our vacation to Colorado and it has been a good day.
The above picture was taken as we were traveling across southern Kansas. Chris stopped so I could get out and take a picture of the beautiful sunset. The picture doesn’t do it justice.
When we reached the Copa Inn at Medicine Lodge Kansas we were ready to stop for the night. The manager greeted Chris with a warm smile and was very accommodating. In talking with her he discovered that her and her husband were Christians. It is truly a blessing to meet other Christians in our travels.
After we were settled into our room we started discussing the picture of the sunset. That brought the following scripture to mind: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1 As we traveled through parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas today we were able to look upon his creation: the rivers, creeks, hills, and plains. His handywork is amazing. We saw the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Our God is an Awesome God!

This time of the year is when more people are depressed or commits suicide. Why is this when it should be the most joyous time of the year when we are to be celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ? It is because we loose focus of what Christmas is all about.

People are very busy this time of the year. Everyone is busy buying gifts, cooking supplies or party supplies. People are busy wrapping gifts, baking goodies, cooking big meals, going to parties, having family gatherings, trying to be sure they have made all the required appearances and many other activities. We all get so busy that we don’t take time to think about what Christmas is all about.

We all need to take a moment everyday and think about the birth of our Savior. Last night one of our cousins shared a Christmas Challenge on Facebook. The challenge is to read one chapter of the Book Luke every day for the first 24 days of December. There are twenty-four chapters in Luke so you will have completed it on Christmas Eve. You will then wake up on Christmas morning with the understanding of the meaning of Christmas.

We saw the challenge and started it last night. We know that this is day 2 of the challenge but we want to encourage everyone to take this challenge. Sit down and take a few moments to relax and not think about all that you have to do. Have your children join you as participate in this challenge. Make this a family tradition.

This time of the year is when memories are made in abundance. One of our best memories is of my husband’s momma taking time to pray and read the Christmas story straight from the Bible before we opened any gifts. Her love of her Savior touched us all and helped us to understand the meaning of Christmas.

It is now up to you, take the challenge and start forming traditions of your own. Start making those memories that will last an eternity.

Over the last few weeks we have had to deal with typical everyday farm life. We went to get a load of hay and the clutch in the truck went out. Chris and I put the clutch in ourselves. It took us a couple of weeks to repair partly because we didn’t have all the fancy tools and because we ordered the wrong one at first. I am proud of us even though I now have seen more of our truck than I ever intended to, but we saved a lot of money and I realized I could do something I never thought possible.
After getting the truck going again we decided to take it on a test run before we went to get more hay. The best way to do a test run for us is a Road Trip to a restaurant we like to eat at because who doesn’t like good food? When we got to the restaurant it was very full. We were standing there waiting for a table and this lady there noticed the shirt Chris was wearing. She said I like your shirt. Chris told her thanks He is my savior. She smiled and very excitedly said He is mine also and was giving Him praise. We were able to briefly talk with her and gave her one of our cards and told her to look us up.
We have to make ourselves available and be willing to make that connection when the chance arises. We are trying to come up with better ways to reach out and we encourage everyone reading this to do the same. Let people know you are a Christian by how you respond and by your actions.

One of the ways we are to be servants of Christ is through our witness. Do you ever think about the impact your life is having on others? Have you ever felt that you are not able to witness because of where you are or what is wrong with you? Over the years I have made excuses and have had many tell me why they don’t feel they are able to be a good witness. We let our circumstances hinder us.
We had a friend pass away over the weekend and he is at this moment walking on the streets of glory. He had unshakeable faith in God. He knew he was saved by grace and he knew that the health issues he had would all be healed when he reached heaven. He lived his life to be a witness for Christ.
It didn’t matter that he was handicapped. He didn’t let the fact that he lived in a facility for the developmentally disabled in the middle of the country stop him from witnessing. He was always smiling. This Godly man always found the positive in the negative. He was always praying for others.
As I have been reflecting on his life and reading through Facebook at the comments being made I realized that he could have made the same excuses so many of us make in regards to being an effective witness for Christ, but he didn’t. Instead he has touched doctors, nurses, teachers, preachers, farmers fellow residents, his caregivers, church members from the different churches that have gone to minister at the group home and numerous members of the community. The residents would go shopping or on other outings so I’m sure that the list of the different people he witnessed Christ to would just go on and on.
Now I ask myself why are we not sold out to Christ in this way? Why isn’t our first thought each day of being a witness for Christ? We that have been given so much from God yet we give so little back to God. How is it that we let ourselves become so busy that we forget that God is why we are here? We become so occupied with what we have been blessed with such as our homes, families, jobs, cars, etc. that we fail to take the time to share this with others. We convenience ourselves that we have nothing to offer so why would it make anyone want to know Christ?
It is all about living our whole life for Christ. People see how we live, how we react and how we treat others. Our attitude reflects the love of God in us. We must be bold enough to speak about what God has done for us. Use our daily life to reach out to others as friends then share our love of God with them and how he has revealed himself to us. Don’t try to be someone you are not just be yourself a child of God and this will draw people to you and to Him.

 
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.            Matthew 5:14-16 (kjv)

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and as I am out on the farm repairing some fence I think about my own dad the impact he has had on my life.  How he has always been there for me no matter what he had to sacrifice.  Then I began to think about those dads that don’t sacrifice, those that don’t seem to care or even try to be a dad, the ones that end up classified deadbeats.  I think about being a dad myself and I just can’t understand these dads.

As all of this is running through my head, I’m walking across the old garden spot where my wife and I taught our kids to plant a garden so that they would be able to grow their own food.  Then this thought comes to me, Why, do fathers do what they do?

Once more I’m drawn back to the example my dad has always been to me.  Let me take some time and tell you a little about him.  Let me start off by saying how I have been blessed with a great father.  My dad served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and I am thankful that he served our country and I am very proud of him for his service.  My dad has always been a hard worker, he provided well for his family and he was also our protector.  He taught me many different things from how to work on cars, how to hunt and fish and how to plant a garden.  Because of these things and being disciplined out of love he taught me to be self-sufficient. He made sure that I didn’t have to depend on others.  He taught me how to take care of my own needs.  In other word’s he raised me to be able to take care of myself.

Why, do fathers do what they do?  This thought now has formed and taken shape and is answering itself upon reflection of my dad.  Father’s work hard to support their families, they are there for them and they love them because they want to be good examples for their own children and for the other children who cross their paths.  Father’s teach their kids to grow up and care for themselves so that they have the opportunity to have a better life than they themselves did.  They want their children to be good citizens that help improve the world around them.

I am so thankful that I was raised by a Christian Father.   My dad has been much more than just a Father he has been a DADDY in every sense of the word.  He has been a true pillar in my life and I am very thankful for my Daddy.

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. (hcsb)

Proverbs 3:11-12

Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in. (hcsb)

As we were in Jonesboro, awaiting the blessed arrival of our fifth grandchild, I was walking through the hospital and I took note of the many people who filled the waiting rooms and halls.  Everyone there was going through different things.  Some were experiencing the joy of the birth of their new child, as with our family, while others were facing the loss of a beloved family member. Others were facing the storms that cancer or other diseases may be bringing to them and their family.

I noticed the differences that surrounded these people in regards to their support system.  Some were connected to a church and had a family of faith which is great and a blessing to see.  Then there were others that didn’t have a connection with a church or a family.  There were many that didn’t have anyone, they were all alone.

This is the reason why I feel God has called us into our ministry.  We are able to be there to allow you or your family to have a connection with us and we would love to pray for you and your family.  So please feel free to share our page with anyone you feel my have a need to connect with a minister for the needs I have mentioned or for any other needs.  Maybe it’s just so you or someone else can make a new friend, have someone to email or message on Facebook.  We all need someone that can help us pass the time.

I know from personal experience that going through the ups and downs of this life can become the loneliest place to be.  Everyone needs a kind word spoken from time to time.  So, just know we are here for you.  May the Lord bless you and keep you is our prayer for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.(kjv)

As Memorial Day approaches we are reminded of all those who have served our country through each branch of the military. Most of us have family members who have served and many of us have loved ones that never returned from their tour of duty. Thinking about this brings to light what it means to lay down one’s life for his friends.

These men and women served us all and some of them gave all so that we can still have and maintain our way of life. My dad James Poe served in WWII in the Army and saw things that he couldn’t even describe because of the images and anger it would bring about. My Grandpa Poe served in WWI in the Army and never wanted to talk about what he went through either. My Grandpa Stevens served in the Army also though I never heard him talk about his time in the service. All three of these men I loved and adored have gone from this earth now but I remember the sacrifice that they made so that I can live my life of freedom and so my kids and grandkids can also.
As you prepare to have your picnic or go spend your weekend at the lake or on the river take a moment and think about the sacrifices these men and women have made. Show them honor and respect by remembering them this Memorial Day. Then enjoy your time with family and friends.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – kjv

Proverbs 31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

We see in the above verse that King Lemuel was taught by his mother and that has caused me to think about what my mother taught me during my life.  Let’s reflect on this verse for a moment as Mother’s Day approach’s.

First, I want to say how very thankful that I am that I had a momma that taught me. She taught me a variety of things, many of which are now very precious to me as a parent and grandparent.  The one thing that I will cherish the most and I will never forget is that she taught me to pray.  She started off each day and ended each day with Prayer.

My mom used Prayer and God’s Word to teach me and help me become the man I am today.  Without a doubt I know for sure that this is the major reason I have enjoyed my life as I have.  At a young age I learned that you can take your troubles to Jesus because he cares for you as 1 Peter 5:7 tells us.  Although I know that I ain’t always lived as I should’ve I had a momma that spent plenty of her time praying for me. I’m sure she spent a lot of her day in between the morning prayer and evening prayer on her knees praying for me.  Her prayers were a labor of love pleading to God to get me back on that right path as it says in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (NIV).  I am so glad that she and God never gave up on me.

My momma went to be with the Lord about five years ago now but the great thing about prayers is that they have lasting effects and are being poured out on the altar in heaven. Mom was sure enough the true meaning of a prayer warrior and I’m grateful that I was one of her biggest problems that she had to pray for.

I want to encourage you if your mom is still here take the time to tell her you love her while you can.  Tell her you appreciate her and all that she has taught you.Feel free to comment on this blog or email our ministry and share with us about your mom.  We would love to hear about the wonderful mothers that have blessed our world and would love to share your stories with your permission with our other readers.

To all you moms out there keep praying for and teaching your children to talk to God it’s one of the greatest things you can do for your children.  Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

We want to wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day and we pray God blesses you with many more.