Dear friends and readers,
Recently I have published some pretty heavy duty articles and have several more in the hopper for publication. Today however, I just want to speak from my heart to yours. But first, thank you so much for your support and encouragement. We are pleased to report readers in 36 countries and growing. Please do take time to look on the right side margin of this blog and sign up under "followers". In so doing you will help me get the word of God out to a far greater audience. Also please take time to send links for my articles to your friends and relatives. Thank you and God bless.
It strikes me that almost all the news we read about and hear on T.V. these days is bad. There is so much negative stuff floating around that it is easy to become discouraged. Fires, floods, earthquakes galore. Mass killings, terrorist attacks, stolen children, martyrs in many nations and do we even want to think about political snipping and power struggles on every front?
I've got a lot more years on this old hide than many of you and while there have always been problems in the world, it seems to me things are definitely moving now at break neck speeds. I remember very many years ago when I first began teaching publicly about Biblically prophetic events. I knew all this end times stuff would eventually happen but to actually see and experience it now is kind of mind boggling.
I myself have had to remind myself that there are still some very good things happening in this world, some really great people, and above all, as a Christian, I am not alone.
Setting aside the complete depravity of many of our fellow humans, there is a lot to be thankful for. First and foremost of course is our salvation and a great future for all of eternity that was given to us as a free gift, paid for in full by someone who loved us before we were even born. I could quote all kinds of scripture here but that really would be like preaching to the choir. The point is that we serve a God who has all the answers and nothing that will happen to us or this planet in the future is a surprise to Him.
It seems to me that every time Christmas roles around, out come the "He is the reason for the season" signs. What a great thought and also true. But, what if we were to invoke that thought throughout each and every season of the year regardless of what is happening around us? What if we took the time each and every day to look around at---stuff? Stuff that God created?
I like to get out often and ride my quad. My sweet wife has one also and it is so refreshing to get away from the computer, cell phones, Face Book and Twitter. It's nice to ride a country lane and say hi to some cows. Did you know that they listen? Probably don't have a clue what you are saying but even cows like some attention. Have to ever eaten a mouthful of alfalfa and then watched as a horse smells your breath? You will become a friend in seconds. They put that big ole head right on your shoulder and "snicker" at you. In fact over the years some of my best friends have been horses and dawgs. But then I am country through and through and proud of it.
I have lived in cities and I know some folks like that kind of environment but it's just not my cup of tea. Too much traffic, teeny little yards, malls galore and seldom do folks actually know their neighbors. Wow, in my mind neighbors should look after one another.
I remember when kids in neighborhoods were kind of every ones responsibility and woe be it to anyone doing them harm. But, even if you are a city fella, country gal, mountain man or flat lander, God's creation is all around us. Waiting each and everyday to be re-discovered. I wonder how many gorgeous flowers come and go without ever being noticed by mankind?
A couple of years ago some friends went with me to the back country. Like as in NO HUMAN BEINGS within 50 miles in any direction. We packed in on our quads and ate in the desert, on the beaches, slept under the stars and talked. What a concept, no cell phones, just talked to each other or were quiet for hours on end and happy being so. The desert was absolutely beautiful. By the way, who ever decided that a weed was a weed? I have some weeds growing in my back yard right now who's flowers are more beautiful and more hardy than those I spent big bucks for at the nursery.
Have you ever just decided to disconnect for a few hours? No devices, No television, No man made sound? Just sit quietly, wherever you may reside and just let your mind wonder about the glories that God has blessed us with? Felt the fresh wind on your face, the refreshment of a little rain fall, the sound of birds just being.
Or how about a cup of coffee or tea on the patio with a loved one. No need to talk, just enjoy. A good ole dawg chasing a tennis ball, your child on a bike---just being a kid and loving it.
Last week I heard someone say my home country was "POST CHRISTIAN"! Balogna, out there in the highways and byways are gazillions of great little churches and pastors teaching their hearts out. Great folks who do understand where their blessings come from. You know my birthday was last week and some one asked me how old I am. I said, I am 73 and nine months old today. The person asking was a Christian and looked at me like "a calf at a new gate". What do you mean, "and nine months"?
I said, well think about it, I came from my mothers womb 73 years ago but God gave me life and a soul 9 months before that. What a thought. And the great thing is that my life (and yours by the way) will never ever end. The only question is where we will spend it?
What if we took time out each day and thought about that? When is the last time you turned off the T.V and just went outside and gazed at the stars? What a fantastic creation there is around us.
My son is 23 years old, 32 inches tall, 33 pounds and can neither speak nor walk. Past our salvation, he is the greatest gift God could have given to my wife Brandy and I. Do you know what Santiago loves to do best? Go outside each evening and look at the moon. It's his moon, created just for him. And simple as he is in his thinking, he understands that. Ah, to live in his world?
Friends, no matter how bad it gets in this world, for believers, there is a far far better one just around the corner. Life is so short but it can be enjoyed when were look at the simple things most folks have long since lost track of.
I am thankful to my God, for my family and my friends, for life in general and for so many little things that God has provided for me. How about you?
"And lo, I am with you, always, even to the end of the age" Amen.
Have a great day in Jesus and be encouraged
Pastor Rance.
P.S. What would happen if the next time we were about to say something negative about another person, we did NOT do that? What if we looked hard for the smallest spot of gold in that person and concentrated on that?
Recently I have published some pretty heavy duty articles and have several more in the hopper for publication. Today however, I just want to speak from my heart to yours. But first, thank you so much for your support and encouragement. We are pleased to report readers in 36 countries and growing. Please do take time to look on the right side margin of this blog and sign up under "followers". In so doing you will help me get the word of God out to a far greater audience. Also please take time to send links for my articles to your friends and relatives. Thank you and God bless.
It strikes me that almost all the news we read about and hear on T.V. these days is bad. There is so much negative stuff floating around that it is easy to become discouraged. Fires, floods, earthquakes galore. Mass killings, terrorist attacks, stolen children, martyrs in many nations and do we even want to think about political snipping and power struggles on every front?
I've got a lot more years on this old hide than many of you and while there have always been problems in the world, it seems to me things are definitely moving now at break neck speeds. I remember very many years ago when I first began teaching publicly about Biblically prophetic events. I knew all this end times stuff would eventually happen but to actually see and experience it now is kind of mind boggling.
I myself have had to remind myself that there are still some very good things happening in this world, some really great people, and above all, as a Christian, I am not alone.
Setting aside the complete depravity of many of our fellow humans, there is a lot to be thankful for. First and foremost of course is our salvation and a great future for all of eternity that was given to us as a free gift, paid for in full by someone who loved us before we were even born. I could quote all kinds of scripture here but that really would be like preaching to the choir. The point is that we serve a God who has all the answers and nothing that will happen to us or this planet in the future is a surprise to Him.
It seems to me that every time Christmas roles around, out come the "He is the reason for the season" signs. What a great thought and also true. But, what if we were to invoke that thought throughout each and every season of the year regardless of what is happening around us? What if we took the time each and every day to look around at---stuff? Stuff that God created?
I like to get out often and ride my quad. My sweet wife has one also and it is so refreshing to get away from the computer, cell phones, Face Book and Twitter. It's nice to ride a country lane and say hi to some cows. Did you know that they listen? Probably don't have a clue what you are saying but even cows like some attention. Have to ever eaten a mouthful of alfalfa and then watched as a horse smells your breath? You will become a friend in seconds. They put that big ole head right on your shoulder and "snicker" at you. In fact over the years some of my best friends have been horses and dawgs. But then I am country through and through and proud of it.
I have lived in cities and I know some folks like that kind of environment but it's just not my cup of tea. Too much traffic, teeny little yards, malls galore and seldom do folks actually know their neighbors. Wow, in my mind neighbors should look after one another.
I remember when kids in neighborhoods were kind of every ones responsibility and woe be it to anyone doing them harm. But, even if you are a city fella, country gal, mountain man or flat lander, God's creation is all around us. Waiting each and everyday to be re-discovered. I wonder how many gorgeous flowers come and go without ever being noticed by mankind?
A couple of years ago some friends went with me to the back country. Like as in NO HUMAN BEINGS within 50 miles in any direction. We packed in on our quads and ate in the desert, on the beaches, slept under the stars and talked. What a concept, no cell phones, just talked to each other or were quiet for hours on end and happy being so. The desert was absolutely beautiful. By the way, who ever decided that a weed was a weed? I have some weeds growing in my back yard right now who's flowers are more beautiful and more hardy than those I spent big bucks for at the nursery.
Have you ever just decided to disconnect for a few hours? No devices, No television, No man made sound? Just sit quietly, wherever you may reside and just let your mind wonder about the glories that God has blessed us with? Felt the fresh wind on your face, the refreshment of a little rain fall, the sound of birds just being.
Or how about a cup of coffee or tea on the patio with a loved one. No need to talk, just enjoy. A good ole dawg chasing a tennis ball, your child on a bike---just being a kid and loving it.
Last week I heard someone say my home country was "POST CHRISTIAN"! Balogna, out there in the highways and byways are gazillions of great little churches and pastors teaching their hearts out. Great folks who do understand where their blessings come from. You know my birthday was last week and some one asked me how old I am. I said, I am 73 and nine months old today. The person asking was a Christian and looked at me like "a calf at a new gate". What do you mean, "and nine months"?
I said, well think about it, I came from my mothers womb 73 years ago but God gave me life and a soul 9 months before that. What a thought. And the great thing is that my life (and yours by the way) will never ever end. The only question is where we will spend it?
What if we took time out each day and thought about that? When is the last time you turned off the T.V and just went outside and gazed at the stars? What a fantastic creation there is around us.
My son is 23 years old, 32 inches tall, 33 pounds and can neither speak nor walk. Past our salvation, he is the greatest gift God could have given to my wife Brandy and I. Do you know what Santiago loves to do best? Go outside each evening and look at the moon. It's his moon, created just for him. And simple as he is in his thinking, he understands that. Ah, to live in his world?
Friends, no matter how bad it gets in this world, for believers, there is a far far better one just around the corner. Life is so short but it can be enjoyed when were look at the simple things most folks have long since lost track of.
I am thankful to my God, for my family and my friends, for life in general and for so many little things that God has provided for me. How about you?
"And lo, I am with you, always, even to the end of the age" Amen.
Have a great day in Jesus and be encouraged
Pastor Rance.
P.S. What would happen if the next time we were about to say something negative about another person, we did NOT do that? What if we looked hard for the smallest spot of gold in that person and concentrated on that?
