The Committee members are growing!

So a group of vultures is called a committee. This experience has been a nice learning adventure for me and my children.  

Not much going on today as babies were put in a corner to behave (nap) while momma is out and about. They seem pretty content. Caught a nosy lizard checking in on the little ones. Cool little world going on outside our building here at work. Fun to watch.

Stay Focused!

Here are some verses that can help us remain focused on Jesus even when the task at hand may seem stressful.

My encouragement to everyone who professes to be Christian is to stay focused on Christ. Only He can sustain us!

Remember, it’s not about us but instead it is all about Jesus our Saviour.  If we count ourselves as dead and hide ourselves in Jesus then we can do all things through Him. Do it all for His glory and God will do a good work in us indeed!

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Colossians 3:2-4

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Philippians 2:13-16

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Proverbs 4:25

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

God can do mighty things through us but first we must lay our lives down for Him!

Christian, Are You Part-Time or Full-Time?

This has to be a reality check for most who profess to be Christian today.

Part time Christians or lukewarm Christians actually do not exist as per the Bible. 

You are either for Him or against him, you cannot be on the fence. 

You either pick up your cross daily and follow Him or you are not for Him. 

You either obey Him or you do not love Him. 

You either obey His commandments or you do not abide in Him.

Also, remember, the lukewarm God will spue out out of His mouth.

Most importantly, if you do not truly believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh then you are considered an Anti-Christ and will die in your sins. You either bear good fruit or get thrown into the fire (hell).

For those who do not recall these concepts from their daily or weekly or monthly or yearly or their once in a great while Bible readings here are the verses to help orientate yourself towards these truths: 

 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  Matthew 12:30  

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  Matthew 16:24

If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  John 14:15-21

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 

Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.  John 8:21-24

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 1:7

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:19

Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord!

This will brighten even the darkest of days!

We were at Lake Gladewater up in North East Texas on Monday April 6, 2015. There is a pavilion there with great acoustics so Paula and our youngest four made some joyful sounds for our Lord.

Here are a few from our youngest, Faith. She loves to sing for Jesus as you can tell. God can use a small child to melt the hearts of the most hardened sinners IMHO.

Here is Boaz singing one of his favorites, Rescue the Perishing. His big brother Elijah had to come in to rescue the ending...

Here is Elijah standing up for Jesus.  

Shalem is happy today, oh yes she's singing today, in Jesus Christ she's praying today, because He's taken all her sins away and thats why she's sharing her faith.

He's still working on me!

We have a need indeed and that is to do His Will!

 

 Yes, I married a Godly women with an angelic voice for sure. Here is my wife Paula singing Make Me a Servant. Our family added some lines to this classic last month. This is our family's vision song.

 

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Be fruitful and multuply: Man's first command from God

After creating man God gave us a specific command. You will find this recorded in the first chapter of the Bible. What you will not find anywhere in the Bible is God revoking that command. Instead you find reminders to do this command along with encouragement through God's blessing when a man obeys God in this capacity.

Sad thing is, I thought it was wise to go against God's command to be fruitful and multiply. I went along with the world's counsel and I literally broke what God had so perfectly designed.

Since that time eighteen years ago I have truly repented and today I went to a good Christian doctor who performed the reversal operation at or really close to cost.

I praise God for Dr. David Wilson in Ft. Gibson, OK (https://www.thereversalclinic.com/) He helped me attempt to fix what i broke and now it is in God's hands.

Regardless of the outcome it is all for the glory of God. He takes pleasure in the the selfless sacrifices of His saints.

I wanted to make clear that God's Word is absolutely correct in regards to God's purpose through man here on earth. The church, for the most part, and the world today have it all wrong. Birth cintrol and abortion run contrary to God's will. That is the Biblical position so thus it is mine as well.

Here are some verses that highlight God's intention and command for man to be fruitful and multiply.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:27-28 KJV

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 KJV

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : and the fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. [5] Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5 KJV

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. Genesis 9:1,7 KJV

Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: [13] And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. [14] Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 KJV

I included the following verses to ensure that any dispensationalist who may read this will not take any of this out of context which they tend to do. Keep in mind who are considered the children of God today. If we are Christ then we are Abraham's seed.

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:5,7 KJV

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13 KJV

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 KJV

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him , that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:14-19 KJV

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:1-2 KJV

Below is a reminder of God's core commandments. These are needed for us to remember on top of God's first command, to be fruitful and multiply. Deuteronomy chapter 7 indicates a conditional component to God's blessing of multipling one's seed which we are told to do anyways by God's command (Genesis chapters 1 and 9). It’s cool that when we do what we are told to do then He blesses us with the ability to do so. God is indeed gracious!

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. [4] Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; [6] And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. [7] Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. [8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is , and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. [12] Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. [13] Thou shalt not kill. [14] Thou shalt not commit adultery. [15] Thou shalt not steal. [16] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. [17] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Exodus 20:2-17 KJV

Do this often...to shew the Lord's death till he come

I use this time as well as many others throughout the year to teach my children that we ought not entrench ourselves in man-made traditions which tend to diminish or completely change God’s original intent.

What I mean is that many tend to think that this is the one time of year that we should set aside to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul told us to do it often and in the form of communion such as what Jesus did with his disciples the night in which He was betrayed.

I cover the following verses with my children on this and many other days throughout the year so we can “shew the Lord’s death till he come”.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

Also, we  give no heed to the ungodly pagan rituals that have been "adopted" into so-called Christian worship (egg, bunny, etc). Haggai the prophet was told by God that we cannot take what is unclean and incorporate it what is good and thus call it good. The unclean will always corrupt the holy. 

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 

If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.  Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.  Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.  Haggai 2:11-14

Family portrait and close ups of babies | 4-3-2015

I was finally able to get some shots of mom and dad together and some closer shots of the little ones. I hope to chronicle these little one’s journey to the air! So far so good!

The Snake Kings!

I could not help but steal the name Snake Kings from a great movie, Courageous, for the title of this post. That was a funny scene in an otherwise very serious movie about the importance of a Dad's role in the family.

I have very fond memories of spending quality time with my son Zachariah. Not ever moment was spent in utter seriousness but most were a mix of fun but we always found time to keep the focus and conversations around God and His Word.

I ran across a couple of videos taken from some of the times Zachariah and I would go out hunting snakes. We indeed were the Snake Kings. Our experiences help us have a better understanding of how incredible God's creation is.

The first video was of a nice sized western diamondback rattlesnake we caught in Walburg Texas.

The other video was of another diamondback snake but of the non-venomous and non-rattler type. It was a diamondback watersnake. Many times people mistaken these for water moccasins. The Diamondback watersnake, as you can see in the video, are very aggressive. They tenid to not be shy and appear very curious. If you are not alert when fishing you may find your stringer of fish the target of these guys. When they lay claim to one of your fish they can often times bite into the fish and hold on with a vengeance as if fighting you in a battle of tug of war over your fish. They can come across a bit crazy. A true adversary of the Snake Kings for sure.

The pic of the coral snake was the latest snake we caught and eventually skinned.

Over the years we have caught many different types of snakes to include: rat, rattlesnake, Diamondback water snake, rough green snake, ribbon snake, copperhead, Coral, hognose, Earth snake, etc. You may want to call us crazy but we prefer, the Snake Kings...LOL.

Baby Vultures at Dell's Round Rock campus | Update Week of 3/30/2015

They were hatched sometime around 3/27. I was off work and out of town that day but I was able to get some pics and a short video this last Monday and Tuesday (3/30 and 31).

                                      

Do we judge others for judging us?

We should welcome criticism and be humble to admit when we are wrong and not be selfish with our feelings or be easily offended.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15 KJV

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. [19] Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. [20] Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. [21] Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man , that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 3:18-21 KJV

This was important enough for God to include it once again in chapter 33.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 KJV

Tribulation verses the Wrath of God

Too many Christians today, especially in the USA, have two very important biblical concepts confused. They mistaken tribulation (man on man such as the great tribulation) with the wrath of God which is God's wrath on the non-believers especially in the last days.

For those who are giddy and excited about being raptured up before the great tribulation ought to go back and study the Bible more and understand that the great tribulation will be prior to God taking anyone out.

Case in point is seen in what has happened recently in Kenya. This is a prime example of tribulation that occurs to those who refuse to deny Jesus, even when death is immanent. This is the wrath of man upon man and not the wrath of God upon non-believers. There is a huge difference and people need to get this straight so we can stop giving people the wrong expectations as to what is coming (I.e. Left Behind, etc).

Tribulation on believers in the news today

Exert from the news story:

Collins Wetangula, the vice chairman of the student union, said when the gunmen arrived at his dormitory he could hear them opening doors and asking if the people who had hidden inside whether they were Muslims or Christians.

"If you were a Christian you were shot on the spot," he said. "With each blast of the gun I thought I was going to die."

His Grace is Sufficient

72 years old and stuck in his ways. That is until a stroke almost sent him down the same path that his father died on years ago. His dad died of a stroke at 69 years of age but apparently that was not enough to motivate him to take care of the body that God had given him. His dad drank, smoked and ate with no boundaries. Most likely it was the diet that was the main root cause of his Dad's ultimate demise.

My Dad's most recent take on things was "at my age I deserve to eat whatever I want". This may be true but selfish stubborn behavior as such come with consequences and in his case it was almost death.

I spent the night with Dad in the hospital last night to minister to and to serve him. I read Psalm 91 to him and talked to him about the grace of God and why things happen. This sadly brought to mind a couple of sermons my family had heard lately where the pastor talked about visiting someone whose Dad was dying. He said on several occasions that he did not know what to tell the family in regards to what was happening to their Dad. That is sad because God's word is more than enough to give us the 'why' and Paul stated it clearly and it is as simple as this, God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

I shared the grace of God with my Dad and told him that he now had a chance to serve God by taking care of the temple that He gave him. My Dad I think finally gets it as he was telling his nurse as I was leaving that he wanted to do what I had done and that was to lose the weight and start eating right. I prayed over him, thanked the nurse and left for work. Now it is up to a repentant soul to find joy in serving God and I am praying that my Dad will be that soul.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In Him always,

John