You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

      I remember hearing Dr. B.R. Lakin preach a long time ago. He made a lasting impression on my young mind. As a barefoot young boy, he recalled plowing in a hot West Virginia field. He said sometimes the plow would be deep and hang a root, causing the plow handles to fly up and bloody his lips or nose. He said he would drop to his knees in the blazing sun and look up to heaven and cry out to God. He would say, "Oh God will I ever amount to anything? Will I ever be anything in this life?"
      Then as a godly, seasoned evangelist, he was in much demand, particularly in his later years. Through the years he was frequently invited to preach at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Often the Pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell would send for him with a small business jet. Once as Dr. Lakin was flying for a preaching engagement, he looked down on the rugged hills and country side, and thought about the words of a then-popular television advertisement. He mumbled in his mind, "You've come a long way baby!"
      I am a nobody to this world, but I too, have thought about just how far God has brought me. I was raised in the backwoods of Mississippi, in poverty like most folk in that day. We lived in old houses with leaky tin roofs and lapboard siding. There was no insulation and it was just as cold inside as it was outside. There was no inside bathroom, and only one light bulb hanging down on a cord. We had no modern conveniences like we take for granted today.
      Most days I would play under the front porches of the old houses. My "toys" were a snuff bottle, a Prince Albert can, and an empty spool my mother gave me. I would cut little notches in the outer edges of the spool, and then use a rubber band and a crayon to make a fine "tractor". I could entertain myself all day, making little roads and bridges out of sticks. I had the most healthy imagination a little boy could have. I too, wondered if I would ever win car races, star on a football team, or ever have anything or amount to anything.
     But in God's time and grace, He drew me to Himself and saved my wretched soul. He lifted me up out of a horrible pit and set my feet on a solid rock. He gave me a new life, a precious wife and son, and called me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. What an unspeakable privilege!
      Years ago I thought about Dr. Lakin as I flew into Detroit, Michigan to preach. As I looked out over that huge city, with butterflies and insecurity, I wondered silently, "Dear God, who am I and what am I doing here?" But God has opened doors and blessed my life beyond measure. Mere words cannot explain what He has done. He who knows me best, still loves me the most. Even though I have a long way to go, God has brought me a long way too. He doesn't always call and use the ones we think He might or should. God is pleased to use nothings and nobodies like me to accomplish His purpose and bring glory to Himself.
      I love Jesus my Lord and Savior with all my heart. I count it a privilege to serve Him, and could never thank Him enough for all He has done for me. That is why grace is so amazing! Bless His holy name!

     

Flag Day in America

       Today is Flag Day in America. I love the Stars and Stripes and I am a patriotic American who had the distinct privilege and honor of serving in the armed forces of the United States. My three brothers and I, all served in the U.S. military; two in the Army, one Marine and myself in the Air Force. I proudly served a four-year term in the United States Air Force, which included a tour of duty in Thailand. I never actually served in the country of Vietnam, but our fighter planes flew missions in Vietnam every day. Two of my brothers fought in Vietnam, were wounded and received multiple Purple Hearts. They will have service-connected disabilities the rest of their lives.

       So many died for the freedoms that our flag represents. Let us never forget those who died for the freedoms we enjoy today, even for those who want to burn the flag in the name of "free speech". Yes, I love that "ragged old flag" and I love America. I would serve again and defend our nation all over again.

       May God continue to bless America  and may God bless and keep our military safe. Let us never take our freedoms for granted, and may we ever honor and respect our flag, and proudly fly her colors. I love America, the country where I was born, lived and where I will die and be buried.  

Oseh Shalom

Testing my new mobile blogging app

Heaven Will Be So Grand!

     The more I live in this world, the more I am glad this world is not my final home. I am just passing through. I cannot feel at home in this world anymore. I am a citizen of two countries; earth and heaven. Sometimes it seems that I cannot wait anymore and I must get to my "long home" as it is called in the Bible (Ecclesiastes 12:5). But on the other hand, I want to stay here as long as my Father wants me to. I want to do His will and serve him, and be light in a dark place. 

     Heaven is the place that Jesus has gone to prepare for all his saints. Jesus said in John 14:2-3, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

     Heaven will be a grand place where everyone acts right. No one will be mad, estranged, jealous or hateful. Love will be the rule, no hatred, bitterness or strife will ever enter our eternal home. Families will finally get along and church members will be in one accord. They will finally worship the King of Kings the way He should be worshipped. There will be no more murders, rapes, wars or child abuse. No one will grow old and have mental or physical health problems any more. Everything will be in harmony and one accord, and the best part about it, is that it will never end. Here on earth, when things are right, we hold our breath, wondering when it will fall apart again. We seem to live from crisis to crisis, from one tragedy to the next, but oh how wonderful Heaven will be!

     There is so much that will make Heaven the glorious, indescribable place that it is, but the main, central figure of Heaven is Jesus Christ, my precious Lord and Savior. HE is what makes Heaven, Heaven. I want to see Him, and bless His holy name forever. I want to bow down at His nail-scarred feet and thank Him for dying for my sins and saving my wretched soul. I want to sing a song of thanksgiving to Him. I do not think I will be interested in dancing for Him, but I will bow down before Him in praise, humility and adoration. Oh for a thousand tongues to sing praises unto my King. Bless His holy name! I want to see Jesus.

     I do not know what my Father has in store for me. I do not know what my future holds, but I know WHO holds it! I may face long hard days of physical sickness or other adversity. I may grow old and lonely in a place I have never wanted to be. But I am more interested in God's will for my life, not my own will. I know that just because I am a Christian, I am not exempt from heartaches, sickness and pain. But I have prayed for a long time that if God would be pleased, that He would let me lie down in my bed one night and wake up in Heaven. His face is the first I want to see. It will be wonderful to see my loved ones, family and friends who will be there, but I want to see Him more than all.

     To those who read these words, please make sure that you know you are going to Heaven when you leave this old sin-cursed world. Make sure that you have the peace of God that comes only by trusting in Jesus' shed blood to save your soul. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). I want to see you in Heaven, for I WILL be there. I will not be there because of any good works, because my salvation is by grace through faith, not of works. If I ever take one step inside of Heaven, it will be all because of His grace, and grace alone, apart from works. I have no righteousness on my own either. My righteous is from Jesus, He clothed me in His righteousness when He saved me. As a hymn writer said, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

     Heaven will be so grand! I hope to see you there. Even so come, Lord Jesus!