Why You Can Be Strong in the Lord

• His love to you is ever-lasting.
• His comfort to you is ever-abundant.
• His help to you is ever-present.
• His Spirit in you is ever-active.
• His promises to you are ever-inspiring.
• His thoughts about you are never-ending.
• His presence with you is ever-more.
• His angels around you are ever-working.
• His will for you is ever-effective.
• His saints near you are ever-helpful.
• His coming for you is ever-near.
• His Word to you is ever-speaking.
• His counsel to you is ever-reliable.

Flesh It Out (10/09/17)

Read Psalm 3.

1.  David's great fear (3:1-2)
2.  David's great faith (3:3-6)
3.  David's good foundation (3:7-8)

Thesis:  If you want to choose faith over fear, then you must build and maintain a strong foundation.

This would make a good sermon for the first Sunday in January.

Change The Filter, See Things Differently

Roaring Run Trail, Kiski Twp., PA
Shot taken on December 25, 2016 at 1:09 P.M.

When I took this shot in color, it was a nothing-to-look-at, run-of-the-mill specimen.  When I edited the photo to black and white, something interesting "appeared."  Do you see the pair of beady eyes atop the wide deadwood? (Do you see the scant, eerie-looking "thing"?  What is that?)

Changing the photo from color to black and white didn't create the "eyes."  They were there before. My default (color) "filter" didn't accentuate them.

What is the situation, difficulty or challenge you are facing?  What "filter" are you using?  If you've tried common sense and haven't seen a way out, then going "old-fashioned" -- back to the Bible -- will yield better results.

It's New Year's Day.  Why not resolve to read the Bible?  Don't worry about reading it through.  Just read it regularly.  It will change your outlook.  You'll be amazed what you might "see"!

Beware Empty Pursuits (Prov. 29:18)

This photo makes me wonder, "How did things get this way?"  There is no evidence of "an act of God."  No, this was caused by an act of man.  Neglect.  Over time a verdict was issued.  Poverty (at least the appearance of it, anyway). 

The owner got distracted.  Before he knew it, time had taken its course.  It was easier to give up than to fix everything.  Isn't that the world we live in!

"He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty" (Prov. 29:18).

In 2014, beware empty pursuits.  So much depends on your diligence and wise use of time.  You don't have to allow overwhelm to lead to defeat.

Expectation Affects Experience

Yesterday Ashley and I walked at Roaring Run Trail.  Our purpose was to photograph birds.

Those that didn't fly south have a New Yorker attitude (It's a good thing.  If you live there you know what I'm talking about.), so they prosper through adversity.

Near the end of the walk, I aimed toward the brush at river's edge.  There was my shot!  I expected to photograph a bird.  My expectation affected my experience.

If you expect 2013 to be lousy, don't complain when you have lousy experiences.  Instead set yourself toward success.  Have great expectation for the new year.  Expectation affects experience.