Thanksgiving lives in our hearts.

As Linda and I go through the boxes of memories in the attic of our minds, we made a number of discoveries. Things that we had tucked away, sealed in a container and placed on the shelf in the storage space we call the brain. It is here we store the remnants of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the joy and the tears, and those special memories that bring a smile to our faces.

In a world fraught with turmoil, with violence, with hatred, we are so very thankful that here, right here where we make our home, God's wondrous peace wafts through the salty air. Every day we are direct witness to the august beauty of God's majesty in His creation, His sky, His clouds, His air that we breathe, and the smell of His breath with the passing breeze. Thank-you Father.

Even though we have suffered the loss of precious loved ones this year, we remain so very thankful that they were here, and that we had the honor and joy of being a part of each others lives. We are thankful that we will see them again when our turn comes to be ushered into the presence of Christ.

We must not forget that we have yet among us those who carry great burdens in health issues, pain, illness, seemingly endless trips to the doctor, procedure after procedure. Those who have no roof over their heads, no comfortable bed to rest within, no assurance of a meal when the sun sets. We are thankful that God gives us the patience and the strength to work through these tribulations as they progress. Faith that He includes us in His grand plan.

We are thankful for the power of prayer. For the privilege of having direct audience with the Creator of all that is, all that was and all that will ever be. Christ makes arrangement for us to send our voice into His ear and have Him respond with love, courage, fortitude and promise, in faith, that He hears every word. Prayer is the energy that brings change. Brings comfort. Brings promise.

Lastly, we are so very thankful that each of you are a part of our lives. Your sharing, caring, praying, and love is that strong fiber that binds us all into the fabric we call life in Christ. We are brothers, sisters, supporters one to another, and above all, we are children of Almighty God.

Father God, we ask for your patience as we stumble through this life, wearing this temporary tent. We thank you for the sacrificial cleansing given us by your only loving Son Jesus, the Christ. We thank you for the blessing and miracle of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us in our walk. We thank you for being God, and for the joy of being your people, your children, your servants. Praise you Father, in Jesus name, AMEN.

Thanksgiving lives in our hearts.

As Linda and I go through the boxes of memories in the attic of our minds, we made a number of discoveries. Things that we had tucked away, sealed in a container and placed on the shelf in the storage space we call the brain. It is here we store the remnants of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the joy and the tears, and those special memories that bring a smile to our faces.

In a world fraught with turmoil, with violence, with hatred, we are so very thankful that here, right here where we make our home, God's wondrous peace wafts through the salty air. Every day we are direct witness to the august beauty of God's majesty in His creation, His sky, His clouds, His air that we breathe, and the smell of His breath with the passing breeze. Thank-you Father.

Even though we have suffered the loss of precious loved ones this year, we remain so very thankful that they were here, and that we had the honor and joy of being a part of each others lives. We are thankful that we will see them again when our turn comes to be ushered into the presence of Christ.

We must not forget that we have yet among us those who carry great burdens in health issues, pain, illness, seemingly endless trips to the doctor, procedure after procedure. Those who have no roof over their heads, no comfortable bed to rest within, no assurance of a meal when the sun sets. We are thankful that God gives us the patience and the strength to work through these tribulations as they progress. Faith that He includes us in His grand plan.

We are thankful for the power of prayer. For the privilege of having direct audience with the Creator of all that is, all that was and all that will ever be. Christ makes arrangement for us to send our voice into His ear and have Him respond with love, courage, fortitude and promise, in faith, that He hears every word. Prayer is the energy that brings change. Brings comfort. Brings promise.

Lastly, we are so very thankful that each of you are a part of our lives. Your sharing, caring, praying, and love is that strong fiber that binds us all into the fabric we call life in Christ. We are brothers, sisters, supporters one to another, and above all, we are children of Almighty God.

Father God, we ask for your patience as we stumble through this life, wearing this temporary tent. We thank you for the sacrificial cleansing given us by your only loving Son Jesus, the Christ. We thank you for the blessing and miracle of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us in our walk. We thank you for being God, and for the joy of being your people, your children, your servants. Praise you Father, in Jesus name, AMEN.

Above Human Thought

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20

Prayer has to do with God, with His ability to do.

In God's ability to do, He goes far beyond man's ability to ask. Human thoughts, human words, human desires, and human needs cannot in any way measure God's ability to do.

Prayer goes forward by the power of God Himself. Prayer goes forth with faith, not only in the promise of God, but also in God Himself and HIS ability to do.

I thank you, God, for the knowledge in Your Word that you are able to do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine or ask. To YOU be all the glory forever and ever, AMEN

The Power of Prayer, E.M. Bounds

Above Human Thought

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20

Prayer has to do with God, with His ability to do.

In God's ability to do, He goes far beyond man's ability to ask. Human thoughts, human words, human desires, and human needs cannot in any way measure God's ability to do.

Prayer goes forward by the power of God Himself. Prayer goes forth with faith, not only in the promise of God, but also in God Himself and HIS ability to do.

I thank you, God, for the knowledge in Your Word that you are able to do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine or ask. To YOU be all the glory forever and ever, AMEN

The Power of Prayer, E.M. Bounds

AT THE CROSS #139

Alas, and did my savior bleed, And did my sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned up on the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut His glories in, When Christ the mighty Maker died for man the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face while Calvary's cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, Tis all I can do.

At the Cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day.

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

AT THE CROSS #139

Alas, and did my savior bleed, And did my sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned up on the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut His glories in, When Christ the mighty Maker died for man the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face while Calvary's cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, Tis all I can do.

At the Cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day.

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

PARIS, THE NIGHT THE TEARS BEGAN

In the hours since the terrorist attacks in Paris, I find solace in Scripture. These times, and events are but the herald of darker days ahead. I pray for the families of those killed. For those who now must carry on without their loved one. Carry on until that great day of celebration when believers meet again in heaven or the New Kingdom on Earth. Pray that our loving Father and our Savior will encompass those left behind with courage, strength, fortitude, mercy and most of all love.

1Th 3:3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

Psa 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Joh 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

2Co 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

2Co 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2Th 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

2Th 1:7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

When the news becomes oppressive, and it seems that there is nothing good remaining, seek Jesus, call His name, place your trust in Him. Use the most powerful weapon on the planet, the power of prayer!

Its in the Book! Have you read your Bible today?  

PARIS, THE NIGHT THE TEARS BEGAN

In the hours since the terrorist attacks in Paris, I find solace in Scripture. These times, and events are but the herald of darker days ahead. I pray for the families of those killed. For those who now must carry on without their loved one. Carry on until that great day of celebration when believers meet again in heaven or the New Kingdom on Earth. Pray that our loving Father and our Savior will encompass those left behind with courage, strength, fortitude, mercy and most of all love.

1Th 3:3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

Psa 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Joh 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

2Co 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

2Co 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2Th 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

2Th 1:7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

When the news becomes oppressive, and it seems that there is nothing good remaining, seek Jesus, call His name, place your trust in Him. Use the most powerful weapon on the planet, the power of prayer!

Its in the Book! Have you read your Bible today?  

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2015, 1800 HOURS CENTRAL

                                PRAY FOR PARIS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2015, 1800 HOURS CENTRAL

                                PRAY FOR PARIS

Everything is meaningless!

This is what Solomon declares in the book of Ecclesiastes;

Ecc 12:8 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" (NIV)

In this wonderful book, the King vents his frustration on worldly truths, truths that make no sense, truths that serve no purpose, and certainly fall well short of any eternal purpose or goal.

On Earth, as he writes, there is a “time for everything, and a season for every activity UNDER heaven”. [V3:1]

In his search for purpose, King Solomon tried and tasted every vice, every pleasure, every stimulation attempting to find that secret, that key to forever happiness and reason to exist;

Ecc 3:15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Ecc 3:16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there.

Ecc 3:17 I said to myself, "God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed."

Ecc 3:18 I also said to myself, "As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

Ecc 3:19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.

Trial after trial, attempt after attempt, month after month, year after year, the wise leader was forced to realize that the secret of our purpose cannot come from anything on this earth, nor of ourselves. The most robust and awesome conclusion was the simplest, and it was not of man;

Ecc 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Our mission, our purpose, our reason for being is simply to Obey, and bring glory to the God who fashioned us with His hands, from nothing. That's it! How beautifully, wonderfully, magnificently, and incredible is this epiphany that reveals the heart of our existence. Is He a wondrous God or what?

This story and others can be found in the book!  Have you read your Bible today?

Everything is meaningless!

This is what Solomon declares in the book of Ecclesiastes;

Ecc 12:8 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" (NIV)

In this wonderful book, the King vents his frustration on worldly truths, truths that make no sense, truths that serve no purpose, and certainly fall well short of any eternal purpose or goal.

On Earth, as he writes, there is a “time for everything, and a season for every activity UNDER heaven”. [V3:1]

In his search for purpose, King Solomon tried and tasted every vice, every pleasure, every stimulation attempting to find that secret, that key to forever happiness and reason to exist;

Ecc 3:15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Ecc 3:16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there.

Ecc 3:17 I said to myself, "God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed."

Ecc 3:18 I also said to myself, "As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

Ecc 3:19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.

Trial after trial, attempt after attempt, month after month, year after year, the wise leader was forced to realize that the secret of our purpose cannot come from anything on this earth, nor of ourselves. The most robust and awesome conclusion was the simplest, and it was not of man;

Ecc 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Our mission, our purpose, our reason for being is simply to Obey, and bring glory to the God who fashioned us with His hands, from nothing. That's it! How beautifully, wonderfully, magnificently, and incredible is this epiphany that reveals the heart of our existence. Is He a wondrous God or what?

This story and others can be found in the book!  Have you read your Bible today?

JOEY

This is a special request. Will you please join me and thousands of others tonight, Thursday, November 5^th, 2015 at 8:00 pm Central, in prayer for Joey Feek and her family. Joey is very close to making that great transition into the arms and presence of our Lord, as we all will do at our appointed time.

Joey & husband Rory have brought so much joy to thousands with their beautiful harmonies, singing the music generated in their loving hearts. Join us tonight and pray. Pray for a miracle, but most of all pray for peace in God's decision, His will, His way. Pray for those left behind, those who will carry the grief and tears for a time and the memories forever. 8:00 pm tonight, will you be there? In prayer land?

We ourselves have recently shared in the loss of two of our dear ones to cancer. The last was a short two weeks ago. The church really came together. Lets do that again for our long distant sister, Joey.

This video is Joey's final tribute to her loving husband Rory. It is beautiful, sad, cleansing, and so rich in honesty and in love. Please take a moment to watch it, and join all of us tonight as we collectively pray for Joey.

When I'm Gone 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpjSMmWUDw

Thank-you all and may God pour out his blessings to you and your families,

Brother Gary

JOEY

This is a special request. Will you please join me and thousands of others tonight, Thursday, November 5^th, 2015 at 8:00 pm Central, in prayer for Joey Feek and her family. Joey is very close to making that great transition into the arms and presence of our Lord, as we all will do at our appointed time.

Joey & husband Rory have brought so much joy to thousands with their beautiful harmonies, singing the music generated in their loving hearts. Join us tonight and pray. Pray for a miracle, but most of all pray for peace in God's decision, His will, His way. Pray for those left behind, those who will carry the grief and tears for a time and the memories forever. 8:00 pm tonight, will you be there? In prayer land?

We ourselves have recently shared in the loss of two of our dear ones to cancer. The last was a short two weeks ago. The church really came together. Lets do that again for our long distant sister, Joey.

This video is Joey's final tribute to her loving husband Rory. It is beautiful, sad, cleansing, and so rich in honesty and in love. Please take a moment to watch it, and join all of us tonight as we collectively pray for Joey.

When I'm Gone 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpjSMmWUDw

Thank-you all and may God pour out his blessings to you and your families,

Brother Gary

Quotation from Oswald Chambers

My Utmost from His Highest

“If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.”

Quotation from Oswald Chambers

My Utmost from His Highest

“If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.”