The Known Unknown

 So He said, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob., but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Genesis 32:27-28

      I was doing my churches Bible reading plan and was reading Genesis 32 about how Jacob feared seeing his brother Esau after he had flee him 20 years prior because he tricked Isaac his father into giving  him a blessing that his father Isaac wanted to give to Esau. To say that Jacob was a mischievous scroundrel in his younger days would be an accurate assessment. He was able to con Esau out of his birthright because Esau made a bad trade because of a weak moment spiritually in his life. He was more concerned about his physical needs than the spiritual needs and role as te first born son. God had foretold that two nations were in Rebekah's(Isaac's wife's) womb and that the older would serve the younger. God knew how things were going to play out and the decisions they would make. Rebekahs sent Jacob to her homeland to find a wife and apparently he had a thing for the farmers daughter but it turns out they were cousins. Rachel was Laban's daughter and he was Rebekah's brother. The thing was God used  Laban to teach Jacob some hard lessons. First off Laban tricked Jacob into marrying his homely looking daughter and also for the 20 years he lived with him he kept cheating him in payment for livestock and such. After serving Laban 14 years and another six years taking care of his father-in-laws flocks. He felt God tell him it's time to return home to his father's land. Of course the known unknown awaits him.

          Jacob has to go home and face the past and the sins which he committed.  Esau his brother waiting for him and he was scared to death. He wrestles with a Man all night. Many believe that this encounter was with Jesus before He came to the world in Mary's womb. It is called a Christophany. Jacob in his fear he goes before God alone, afraid, frustrated, and he was unrelenting. The Man in his struggle with Jacob dislocates Jacob's hip but Jacob refused to surrender until he was blessed by the man. That's when the man changed His name to Israel. So what is the moral of the story?

           The thing is it's okay to wrestle with God when times are hard and things are uncertain. It's hard to step out in faith when God has called to do something and we can't see how it's going to end. We don't know what we're facing and the known unknown is a scary place. Trust me I get it. When you take a step in faith make sure you're holding onto Jesus with all your might and don't let go. If you're holding onto Jesus in your journey of faith you're always going to be heading in the right direction. 

I hope this blesses you and if it does share it with a someone you know who needs it. May God richly bless you. 

Here I Am Lord Send Me

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your word." And the angel departed from her. 

     

                 I was listening to my pastor preach on the Luke 1:26-38 this past Sunday and I kept thinking about other sermons I've heard other than his and those lessons from those sermons too. My pastor pointed out there was nothing remarkable about Mary. She was an ordinary teenage girl. She was young, in love, and had a her whole life ahead of her. Then the angel of God Gabriel shows up and tells her that if she submits herself to God's will she will be the mother of the Savior which the prophecies foretold. It was abig thing when the prophet Isaiah stepped up and said, "Here I am Lord send me." She was called out from amongst her people and she had the free will to tell Gabriel to say no. She could have turned God down. She didn't. She stepped out in faith knowing that her friends, family, and ther townspeople were going to judge her harshly. She knew that she could be accused of adultery and stoned to death. But God had other plans. When there's But God in the Bible you're going to see God do something miraculous. While Mary was visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary sings her song saying that all generations will call her blessed. She is probably the most celebrated woman in all of history. She was nothing special. She was a lowly poor teenage girl from Nazareth. Wha made her great was she stepped out in faith and said let it be done to me. She did not have a clue what lies ahead for her. She didn't know she was going to have to watch Jesus suffer right in front her. She said Lord sign me up. Who else could honestly say that they literally have that kind of faith? Moses didn't have this kind of faith. Whined and cried and found every excuse to say Lord I can't do it. But God said he could and he did. Joseph went through the same ridicule as Mary. He was an upright man from the house of David. He wanted to do what is right and was willing to divorce Mary quietly so that she wouldn't be harmed or put to shame. Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death but he loved her so much he could not do it. He obeyed the angel of God by faith and took Mary as his wife and they faced the challenges of being the earthly parents of the Messiah.

              So what? This story is 2,000 years old. It doesn't apply to today's society. Actually the Bible is just as relevant today as it was over the 1,600 years that it was written. What is God calling us to today. We are here to share the hope we have. Mary's hope was in looking forward to the coming our Savior. We get to look back and see how God orchestrated all of this. Now the question is today what is God calling us to? We're supposed to share the reason for the hope that is in us. Our hope is Jesus, His birth, His life, His death, and most importantly His resurrection that punched our ticket to Heaven. Let this message sink in and ask yourself a question of self-examination have you been churched or have you been changed? Have you been baptized or have you been born again? Are you on the church role or are you on God's roll? What's the most important thing to you in your life? I want to be wholly surrendered to God and His calling on my life. What has God called you to? Sometimes once you surrender to His calling on your life it might feel like the gates of hell are unleashed on you. It migh be His will to allow times of suffering after you submit to teach and train you to walk by faith and not by sight. To learn to trust God even if you are all alone it feels like. God told Elijah go tell King Ahab and Queen Jezebel that because of the sin they had lead Israel into it wasn't going to rain until God told him to ask for it. God told Elijah if you do this I'll take care of him. Elijah went into a ravine for a year and God dropped food down to him by ravens and he had water to drink from the brook of Cherith. He was sent there while he has a bounty on his head. God sent him there so that He would learn to trust God and walk by faith. Then Elijah was sent on a dangerous journey to Zarephath the hometown of Jezebel. God sent him on a dangerous journey through hostile territory while there's still a bounty on his head. Guess where he went and was sent? He was to a poor widow that had only enough food to make one meal for herself and her son. She was prepared to starve to death. Guess what God wanted to save this one widow through His prophet Elijah. Elijah asked this widow for a drink of water and a piece of bread and this woman responded that surely as Elijah's God lives she only has one meal left. God gave this widow the miracle she needed because she literally gave her last meal away to God by giving God's prophet her last meal and by this God rewarded her faith by miraculously replinishing the oil and flour everyday for about two and half years. 

              In this new year what do want God to see in your life? What has God called you to do and asked you walk by faith in 2026? Sometimes God will ask the impossible of you so that whatever you accomplish it can be explained by no one other God Himself. Jerry Falwell said in a sermon that a Christian is at his greatest potential when he crushed so diffuculties that are so severe that if God doesn't intervene everything is lost. God might call you to do something that you don't fully understand but learn lessons from Mary, Joseph, and Elijah. When you know that truly deep down in the bottom of our hearts and we are fully submitted to the Lord God tells you something and you say Lord here I am send me. We answer the call of like Isaiah and Elijah and your faith is tested time and again by the devil, your flesh, and the lost and dying world in which we live we have to remember to fight the good fight and run the marathon of the life of faith. We can't do it in our own strength. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." I pray that those who read this surrender their hearts fully to the Lord's call on their life in 2026. Fight the good fight and continue your race until you can say what Paul wrote to Timothy that I am ready to be poured out as a drink offering and my time of departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. If you read this and it's touched your heart leave a comment. I pray that this touches your heart and God speaks to you through. Have a blessed 2026.

Not Enough Hours In The Night

     The Hand of the Diligent Will Rule. But the Lazy Man Will Be Put to Forced Labor. Proverbs 12:24

And Whatever You Do, Do It Heartily, As For The Lord and Not to Men, Knowing That From the Lord You Will Receive the Reward of the Inheritance; For You Serve the Lord Christ. Col. 3:23-24 

        Sometimes when I'm at work and I have a long distance to drive. Sometimes it takes a couple hours or more one way. Chasing white lines doesn't seem like it's all that hard but it can be physically and mentally taxing at times. That's the life a truck driver. I personally haven't tried to drive over the road but from what I have gathered I would probably hate it. I spent nearly 16 years welding and I eventually got burned out building the same things everyday. Even though I admit the burnout happened years before God opened the door for me to move on to my current profession I still gave it my best.

        I've always been one to not miss work for anything. Seven out of 16 years at my first job I had perfect attendance. At my current job I've missed a few days due to sick kids and a hospitalization. What brought this to the forefront of my mind was on a long drive back from West Virginia today and old country song that is a blast from the past and a favorite of mine can across my Youtube Music App. It's by a country artist named Doug Supernaw. The song is called not "Not Enough Hours In The Night." My wife probably wouldn't like it because it's "too old" for  her liking but she chose to marry this country bumpkin. 

        What hit me about this song is the husband's desire is to spend more time with wife in contrast to what his job requires of him. As a husband and a dad the hardest job a man can have is balancing work and home. My wife probably thinks I like being at work more than being at home with her and the kids but that's never been the case. I was raised with blue collar parents who worked sick or well and I knew that one day I would have to figure out how much I could physically endure when being under the weather or there was other things I would rather do such as stay home with my Mama Bear. It's hard as a blue collar man who does try to serve the Lord and be the breadwinner. I feel like as the man it's my job to provide and it's the wife's job to help. It's not an issue of who makes the most money but the role of the husband to be the provider and protector and it's the wife's job to help. They aren't meant to do it separately but together as a team. A team of horses can't get very far working against each other. They have to pull that plow together and sometimes you have to lean on the other because one of you gets tired or wore down. Sometimes I'm fortunate that my boss says hey we don't need you in the early morning right away because we need to save you for something else and I get a couple extra hours in the night snuggle with my wonderful bride before work and maybe we can sit on the front porch and I can do my morning devotions while she has her coffee. I love starting my day that way but I know that if the Lord doesn't come before the my retirement day comes my plan is to that everyday together until the Lord calls us home. 

        I love going to work because it's how God makes it possible for me to provide for my family and the Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." Sometimes I want to stay home with my family and it's hard especially when you've had a great time off on vacation or stay-cation. What should drive us all is out of the love The Lord Jesus showed us is to love our families so much that we can and do rush off to work and give it our very best as if we're working for the Lord Himself and hurry home to pour out the love Jesus put in our hearts for our family with our remaining time we have. The same enthusiasm we have for our favorite sports team should be nothing in comparison to our love for our Lord and Savior and our families. All too often it's the other way around. I get it because I love football and wife loves it too because she gets more time with me because I make homemade popcorn and she gets over three hours of uninterrupted snuggles. 

        So what I'm really trying to say is that get up and go to work and take pride in what you do as if Jesus Himself was standing there watching you and then go home to our families and love on them with them every remaining minute because we don't know how many minutes we have left. If you're reading this God isn't finished with you yet so get to work and then get busy loving on your families because life is too short not to. May God richly bless you.

https://youtu.be/us4D1H5EiZ4?si=VtUCmapbLaShbJ2M   

That's the link to the song that inspired this post.

When God Laughs

 "For I know the thoughts and plans I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

     It's my ninth Father's Day and I must say if I thought the life I'm currently living was God's plan I would have laughed about it 20 years ago. My plans were nothing like this but if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. Most pastors and evangelist go to college and seminary somewhere. Well being a husband and a dad isn't for the weak of heart. We all live through the seminary of life. It has its ups and downs. My wife and I have been reminiscing about what I was dressed like when she first saw me. Looking back I think you actually thought I was cute even though I dressed like a goober doing improv skits at church during VBS. Come to find out my old Sunday School assistant told the associate pastor at the church of my ability to tell Bible stories to kids and make it entertaining and full of truth at the same time. If my old assistant hadn't told the pastor about me my now wife would have never met.

Why do I tell this story? God has a plan for all of us. We don't know what it is or understand what it is until God reveals it to us daily. This life is a daily walk (Luke 9:23). Pastors may go to seminary but life is often the best seminary. Moses spent 40 years in Sinai Seminary, The Apostles walked with Jesus for 3 1/2 years and one of them betrayed Him, David was a boy when he was anointed king but was chased and persecuted by King Saul until he died in battle, and Abraham was a idol worshipper that God chose and was willing to sacrifice his son upon the altar and because Abraham trusted God it was accounted to him as righteousness. Enoch walked with God for 300 years and he never saw death because God called him up to Heaven. God uses life to teach and transform us for the life He has purposed us for. I don't fully understand everything about God showing us His plans. I do know that the hardest job is being a husband and a dad. The only thing that's harder is being a step-dad.

When I met my wife she had a seven year old son. I told her on our first date that if things were to work out I would be willing to step in and be his dad and love him as my own son. She nearly cried when I said that because no one else had ever been willing to step up to plate to take on the role. It's not an easy role and the relationship between my son and I has had its share of struggles but deep down we love each other and I'm glad that I get to call him my son. Crazy thing I was actually married one other time and my ex-wife claimed that she was pregnant and had a miscarriage after she left me but she had a D and C done without telling me. The child she was carrying would be around the same age as my eldest son now. So God gave me a son to raise and I didn't know it yet. Through all my trials, failures, triumphs, and victories God has worked out everything in His perfect timing and will. 

God uses us to accomplish His will. He has a purpose and a plan for all of us and at the end of the day His will get done. The longer my wonderful bride and I are married the sweeter our love has become. Henceforth my in-laws now live with us and we help look after them and they babysit for us a lot. We have become a tight knit family. Being a husband and father is the highest of callings because the first institution God created was and is the family. 

We don't set out to be mediocre husbands and father's so this Father's day remember what God has called us to be. So love your wives and kids like Jesus loves us like we're commanded. To my wonderful bride I love you and thank you for loving me. To my kids I hope you realize how much your daddy loves you. May this remind us all of what we are called to be in Him.

Remembering Your Life's Purpose

And Jesus came and spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20

Sometimes in life you get busy and easily distracted. It's hard to believe 15 years ago, I never missed a Sunday morning service, a Wednesday night, and my life revolved around serving God in church. I never would have started work day without communing with God. It was the same as breathing to me. Well when you make the devil angry doing the Lord's work he doesn't like it. He's going to be pulling overtime to get out of the fight. The devil wants to get you to start sinning but if he can't he's gonna find another way.  The number one I think the devil likes to get us is make us busy. The late Dr. Charles Stanley once said, "If you are too busy for God, you're asking for trouble." Martin Luther said on a normal day he said he would pray for two hours. On his really busy days he would pray for three hours because without God's help he would never get anything done. 

The struggle in this world is it's always changing faster and faster. The fear of being left behind is a real concern because it's flashy advertising and the human desire to be liked and fit in. Mankind used to work only during daylight hours and now we start before the sun. Now with the way the world is it wants mankind to run itself into an early grave due to the lack of proper rest. We're so distracted by cell phones and social media platforms that we miss out. My wife always fusses about me being distracted by movies and TV shows playing in my ears while doing stuff around the house missing what the kids are saying to me or even worse when she says something. It's not bad things that often distract us but good things. A lot of good things keep us from the best things. I got into a habit of sleeping as much as possible because I have to be up early for work so showering went from mornings to evenings and breakfast was reheat and eat but the past few weeks God's like hey dummy remember Me? Whom you used to spend an hour with every morning? Remember your first love? If truly love God or someone you never lose that love, you only leave it. God reminded me that hey there is more important things than breakfast. Jesus told the devil in the wilderness when he went there to fast and pray, that man doesn't  live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) As important as breakfast is and physical nourishment spiritual nourishment is even more because the devil is like a roaring lion roaming about the earth seeking those he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Without seeking God in the morning and getting your mind and heart fixed upon God our day is more likely to go south in a hurry because our perspective isn't focused on what it should be. I know that if consistently you choose good things over the best things the devil can lead you astray and you become vulnerable to a multitude of sins. Then one day you wake and realize how far you have drifted away from God's call upon your life. God has called all of children who love loved Him and His appearing to walk with Him and share the love He has for us with others and why we have the hope we do. 

What did Jesus command us to do? Go and make disciples of all nations but what does that mean? My life verse comes from the "old man psalm" Psalm 71: 14-15 which says, "But for me I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more. My life will tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation though I know not it's measure." Our hope isn't in jobs, people, or things but in Jesus Christ. The author and finisher of our faith. I understand that when times get hard and nothing seems to go right and it's constantly one issue after the other we might get angry with God or sometimes anything and everyone and bitterness and hurt settles in. That's when the devil finds a way in. In Isaiah 50: 10-11 scripture says, "Who among fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant. That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon His God. Look all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and the sparks you have kindled- This you shall have My hand: You shall lie down in sorrow(torment)." When life is hard and nothing seems to make sense and you're frustrated and in darkness that God has allowed just remember what Dr. Adrian Roger's said, " Those of greatest devotion may know the deepest darkness." Remember if you have been living in His will and according to His word cling to Him and trust the Master's touch. The late Dr. Jerry Falwell said we will never get out of trouble because it is the basic need for spiritual growth. God comes in and takes over when we finally say Lord I can't handle this anymore. If we try to find our way out of the darkness when it's God ordained the Lord said we will lie down in sorrow. When we look to ourselves and not wait upon God to fix everything and make a way to endure the time of darkness. God doesn't give us strength for tomorrow. He gives us strength for each moment. That's why we need our daily bread. That's what God was talking about in Luke 9:23 , "If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me." It's a daily walk. It's like a parent with a child. He wants to lead us through this life hand in hand. After a near brush with death God showed me how vulnerable I am. I have had all kinds of tests done to determine what caused me to have a random blood clot go to my right kidney and cause me to lose it. Literally die inside me. A hematologist at the local Cancer center ran every test available and she said that she has no idea and the chances of it happening again are less than 0.01 percent. I pretty much figured out what God was doing. He's like wake up because I could have ended your life that day. I found out that I might be a tough man but God showed me how weak and vulnerable I was. That blood clot could have went to a different organ or I could have been behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler and wrecked from the pain. I don't feel worthy of the call God has put on my life. God has given us all gifts to love Him and others with. I once had a dream to serve the Lord in the same manor as Dr. Billy Graham. I don't feel worthy to do so because of my sins and failures. But the thing is neither did Isaiah. In Isaiah 6 He said woe is me but God made him ready. God has a calling for all of us. He called me years ago to preach and teach the gospel. I've never really been sure what He is leading me to but day by day I pray that I get there but it's my job to continue to seek and figure it out just the same as it is for you to seek out His will for your lives. I pray that we all become everything that the Lord Jesus is calling us to be. Thank you for reading. God bless you and your family. 

Life's Little Lessons

 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6

   One thing I've learned over the past couple of years is how to face or so I thought this world alone. When you spend over two years behind the wheel of a truck by yourself it's hard to make friends or make plans to do anything. For one I never know what time I'll be done with my route. It could be an early day and be done by 3pm or for me it could be a long day and be 7pm. For me usually I usually take longer than most because I was a welder for almost 16 years and if your weld fails it could mean someone's life and its hard to not strive for perfection for me. Granted taking pride in your work is important. Some of a man's identity is found in his work but we forget sometimes who's we are and whom we belong and that should be our identity.

  It's easy to become a loner and live by yourself even if you're married it's hard to talk to your wife/spouse about what's troubling you. For me especially I hate showing any signs of weakness or vulnerability. In my mind if she looks at me and sees that I'm not worried she might not worry as much. I have discovered that being strong and looking like a man of faith is different than being one. The devil never quits doing destructive things. The number way the devil loves to come after people who do love God and try to live for Him is to get them too busy. When you get so busy that God becomes second you're asking for trouble. The late Dr. Charles Stanley said, "if you are too busy for God you're asking for trouble." The late Jerry Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church said as young pastor in Lynchburg his dashboard would become his altar but sometimes he would have to pull over his car, take his shoes and go for a walk up a creek barefoot and get alone with God and commune with Him. It's definitely hard to do that but Jesus got up early while it was still dark to commune with our heavenly Father. I know that years ago before I was married and had kids I would spend 30 minutes to an hour every morning doing Bible study and prayer. I have found that it's easier to be lazy and get a few minutes extra especially knowing that you're facing a 12 hour day ahead.

    Last year God sent me a wakeup call and was like hey I just want to remind you of something. The scariest thing is it was smaller than a head of pin. It showed me exactly how fragile this big tough man is. I had just finished an overnight bulk route and was picking up a few empty pallets and shells when it hit me. I collapsed as if I taken a right hook from Mike Tyson. I went from being on my knees to being on back and I reached for my phone and my first was my wife. The pain was so intense I could barely talk. For those who know me say that's hard to believe.  All I remember saying is honey where are and how fast can you get to me? She said at least an hour because she had just picked up groceries. I was too embarrassed to call out to my coworkers on the dock who were calling my name looking for me. I thought this just a kidney stone or something you wimp. Get up and quit being a crybaby. Well one of my coworkers finally found me because of the flashlight on my phone. He's like Mark are you alright? Um I don't know but i need to get up and out of here. He went and found a couple warehouse and they helped me to drivers check-in room. After multiple attempts one of the supervisors answered and Hey Mullins what's up? I'm in a meeting. I said I don't know what's wrong but I need help. I need to go to the emergency room. Well the supervisors transported me to closest ER which is a 1/2 mile away. After being there for about 3 hours and a couple CT Scans the doctor walks in and says well I've got good news and bad news. The good news is it's not a kidney stone. The bad news is that's it's much worse. You have a blood clot shutting off the blood flow to the kidney and the organ is dying. I was floored. Never would I have thought it was that. The doctors said it was a 0.01 percent chance of this ever happening to someone in their 30's. At the time it only made me think about how glad I was that I wasn't driving when that pain hit. I would probably wrecked or been killed and probably someone else along with me. After spending five days in the hospital we were no closer to finding a cause. I honestly do believe it was divine intervention. I could have died multiple ways that day in October including the the transport ambulance wrecking with me in it. Yes they got into an accident that day on the way to hospital. I had to be transferred to another ambulance to get to the hospital. 

    I guess the main thing that I've learned through this whole ordeal learn to bend your knees before breaks your legs. God expects and deserves first place in your life. Not the leftovers. I'm not pretending to be an expert on the subject. A lot of people have to learn the hard way like me. I am grateful for His second chances. They seem to fix or make a lot  things better. Thanks for reading and God bless.

The Doors God Leads You Through

And to the angel of the church of Philadephia write, "These things says he who is holy, He who is, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens." ' I know your works. See I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, kept My word and have not denied My name."

Revelation 3: 7-8

It's not every day peoples lives change forever. Most days our lives stay the same. We walk through the same doors day after day and nothing ever changes. It makes me think of the story of Joseph in Genesis beginning in chapter 37. He was a boy who was somewhat cocky and arrogant and he was his daddies (Jacob) favorite kid. Started bragging about his dreams around the when they were gathered together. Naturally his brothers were extremely jealous of him and his attitude poured gas on the fire. So to shorten the story in fit of jealously they sold there brother into slavery and lied to there father to cover it up. He ends up in Egypt and bought by Potiphar pharaohs captain of the guard. With God watching his back Joseph excels at everything he does and ends being in charge of all the servants in the house. Naturally Potiphar's wife is totally infatuated with him and tries repeatedly to seduce him but he constantly says no and flees. Well the last time she gets his cloak as he runs away from her she lies about him trying rape he. He gets sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit.

While in prison he meets the pharaohs butler and chief baker and interprets the dreams of these men. He told the butler he would be restored to his former position in three days. The baker was all excited and spilled out his dream and Joseph told him he would be executed in 3 days. The butler was told by Joseph to remember him when he was restored to his position but the butler suffered from amnesia. Joseph spent another two years in prison and eventually ended working for Pharaoh and was governor of Egypt because he eventually was remembered by the butler when Pharaoh had dreams that terrified him and needed someone to interpret them for him. Now you're wondering why I am writing this today....

There comes a time in life when God says it's time to close the chapter on one area of life and move forward into another. Not many people can they are still working the same job they were when they entered the work force but I can. Since I was 18 years old I walked into a job arranged by my high school welding shop teacher. Didn't know what to do there but do what the guys I was working with told me to. As I grew and learned the job I became top notch welder by my work ethic and my willingness to do whatever is necessary to complete the tasks I was given. My work effort set me apart from the pack and earn a group leader spot after six years. Well after about 6 years and 11 months as a group leader I accused by another associate of discrimination because the person was female. Everyone knew it was joke but it was he said she said situation. Kind of like Joseph I ended up in trouble because of someone who lied on them. I stayed at my current job for another two years despite my demotion, put my best foot forward, and proved myself above reproach. Several other things happened in those two years that wasn't right but I stayed and remained until God started speaking to me through my wonderful bride. She nudged at me to try get my CDL. Well I had the books and I started studying. Between the books and free phone apps I passed all the test and the physical to land to get my CDL learners permit. I started filling out applications on Indeed. Out of 6 applications I received a phone call from one company for a phone interview. In 10 minutes of a phone interview the company I was offered a job and the person interviewing me said he has no reservations about giving me an opportunity. I am not a prophet but I do see the similarities between Joseph's story and mine. I believe that God has great things in store for me. After reading Coca-Cola's mission statement the day after turning in my resignation. It says Our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence, and grow profitably. To me that was God saying follow me and I will take you where I want you to go. God's closing one door and a major chapter of my life and opening another door where God opened it and all I have to do is walk through and work like His word says I should and He will take care of the rest. To quote Dr. Charles Stanley, Obey God and leave all of the consequences to Him." I pray that God clearly opens doors in your life as clearly as He opens them in mine. God Bless.

Lessons In Love and Sacrifice

 John 15:13-16

"13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." 

    It's not everyday you meet a hero. Sometimes you wake up and wonder what it's like. For those who call themselves Christians our hero is Jesus Christ. I will say that it's not everyday you take the time to stop and remember what it's like to really think about what it's like to have a hero that loves you so completely and unconditionally. Sometimes on this earth you have the privilege of meeting your childhood hero's but for some reason the real hero's get overlooked. It's not normal for people to sacrifice everything of themselves for others. Since this world health crisis began we have heard nothing but praise and glory for healthcare hero's from every news outlet or politician. I must say that everyone isn't as fortunate as me.

    Pretty much for a solid year the woman I have many pet names for ranging from Mama Bear to My Wonderful Bride has found the faith and courage to go into the fire call the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit knowing that Jesus may call a patient in her care home. It takes a special kind of person to throw their heart and soul into their work when it seems like it's a no win situation. I have watched how she has sacrificed of herself to try to save those whom she doesn't know. Only a person that God has a hold on their heart can throw themselves into losing situation and continue to fight. I know that people say who that's admirable and I definitely will not disagree. There has been times I've had the pleasure of being the shoulder she's cried on, the ear to vent to, and the man to love her troubles away. I know that's what a husband is supposed to do but I can't take credit for loving her because as humans we can never love our spouses correctly unless Jesus has first put His love in us to understand and know what true love is. You have to know our story to understand why I am writing this.

    Our relationship began six years ago in October of 2015. We had been dating less than a month when catastrophe struck for my wife(girlfriend at the time); her hot water quit working. She called me crying and all upset and I asked if it was gas or electric. Well I told her that I would get the parts and fix it. Needless to say she doubted my handyman abilities at the time but once it was fixed and working she was very much impressed and surprised. I guess you can say I had the opportunity to "save" her. My humorous term is her knight with a shiny belt buckle. I noticed that this woman threw herself at me even though we hadn't been together that long and really pour out the love she had in her heart for me and I didn't know what to think because it wasn't what I was used to. She was so loving and so giving I felt undeserving and inadequate because I'm nothing special. What I loved about her then and now is that she might not be a theologian or Biblical scholar but she can love someone according to the scriptures better than I can and God granted me the opportunity to stand behind the sacred desk many Sundays in my life. The way she loves is amazing. Chris Young's song "Who I Am With You" speaks volumes to me because it came out right after we started dating and has been our song ever since. She shows me everyday how to be a better man because I get to be with her and be enveloped in her love. When I met her I thought I was getting a damsel in distress who needed a man to save her and sweep her off feet. As it turns she ended up saving me. She has constantly sacrificed of herself since before we ever said I do. 

    Since the beginning of this health crisis she has been given numerous accommodations for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty at work. I wasn't surprised that my respiratory therapist did. She has been that way since our first date. Things got even harder for her since December 2020. I found out I had a torn rotator tendon and bone spur on the tip of my collarbone and I had to have surgery and put me out of work for awhile. What does she do? What you would expect from a sweet Godly woman; she willingly started picking up extra shifts to make up the difference. The weekend of Valentine's Day this year she got me my favorite cut of meat to make BBQ out of. She ordered a whole beef brisket for me. Of course that weekend we had back to back ice storms which knocked out our electricity for 24 hours. She posts something on Facebook about me staying up most of the night to keep a fire in the fireplace going and what real love is. The funny this she's the one who showed me first. 

    

    Those who are reading this may wonder why I chose to take the time write this. To me it's simple. First my wife deserves praise for being the wonderful woman she is. The second is to take a minute to share what Jesus can do in and through a person that loves Him. You can save lives. Sometimes they might be in the hospital or they might be person you say I do too. Allison you are a not only a healthcare hero you're my hero, my lover, my confidant, my wonderful bride, and my best friend. Sweetheart just know that you are loved, cherished, and admired by those you live with at home.

    For those of you who have someone who loves you and treats you like my darling wife treats me and her children make sure you don't them for granted. It's rare to find someone who empties themselves willingly for others. Jesus did it for all of mankind on the cross and my wife does it daily for her family. I hope this touches your hearts in some way. May God bless you. I know that He has me.

Keeping It Between The Lines

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way that is easy leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For narrow is the gate and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

   I must say it's been a long time since I have had the inspiration to write but it feels good to open up and share what's on my heart. It's been a tough year dealing with all of the changes I have had to endure but I am so very blessed to know that the God of this universe is still by my side and He sent me a helper to hold onto in the good times as well as the tough times. More and more everyday I continue to see how God has blessed me. Tonight God used an old country song while I was giving my two babies a bath to remind me that all I need to do is keep it between the lines.

    Tonight was a not a normal night for me. Usually my sweet children get the tired daddy and the leftovers from what my job has taken from me. I got a little more sleep last night than usual and actually took a power nap with my toddler that fell asleep on my lap. For dinner my two youngest children headed to out about 5pm to go run a couple errands and grab dinner from Burger King. Of course you have snap a couple of photos with cardboard crowns on their heads. When we got home I grabbed the double stroller and took them for a walk around the neighborhood. Since it's a Saturday night my babies needed to be cleaned thoroughly before we go to church in the morning. I was in the mood for some old school country music. Not this junk they call country music today. I had an old favorite song called, "Keep It Between The Lines" by Ricky Van Shelton come across my Youtube feed on my phone. Of course like everyone else I started singing along and at the end of the song the lyrics struck me at the core of my being. 

    I remembered what Dr. Charles Stanley often says, "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him." The lyrics brought tears to my eyes and I nearly cried. I just looked my two babies and thought how they look at me like I'm perfect and I can see in their sweet eyes that they look at me as their hero. Then I had a thought that's how God looks at us through His Son Jesus when we choose to believe in His death, burial, and resurrection. How my kids look at me melts my heart and it is humbling because I see myself next to the true measuring stick of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It's so hard to know that you're the measuring stick for your kids and when you look at yourself in the mirror you see all of your flaws and faults. Thank God for His saving grace and forgiveness because I know that if the way to heaven was based upon my good works I know that I wouldn't stand a chance. The lyrics in the song Keep it between the lines talks about walking with God essentially. Keeping it between the lines is walking in and meditating in His word will transform your life. I need to be a better example for my wonderful bride, our sweet children, and for everyone that God allows to cross my path. I've got a long way to go but as i run this race of faith it's a marathon. It's not a sprint. One thing that I am learning to do is cherish every moment with my kids. They are growing up so fast. They are changing day by day. Who you are and how you are living today might be how your kids remember you for the rest of your life. Your legacy is your children. Keep it in between lines because Jesus died because of His love for you. Keep it between the lines because you love wife/husband and you're supposed to demonstrate who Jesus is in the home. Keep it between the lines because you want your kids to grow up to love Jesus and be better person in society that what you were. Just remember that those little eyes are studying every move you make. I hope and pray that it honors God. It's getting late and I have children and a wife I take to Sunday morning worship. May God bless you all and goodnight.

Lessons Learned at Midnight

For I know the thoughts I have towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

         Tonight after returning home from my first cruise I seem to be struggling with sleeping tonight. Maybe it's because my dinner wasn't as large as it was on the cruise ship or it could be Good wanted me to take the time to jot down some things He has been saying for a long time. 

         A few nights before we were to leave on the cruise my aunt called me to tell me she was proud of me and said that I have a pretty good understanding of the sovereignty of God. Looking back over things maybe I do and maybe I don't. I do believe that I learned something tonight in the middle of my struggle to relax and sleep how God is continually reminding me of how much I am already blessed. I have learned that living in the past only leads to lots of depression with all the would have, could have, and should have thoughts. God took me down a trip of memory lane. I got to thinking about how He brought my wife to me and I wasn't even looking for her. 

          Flashback about three years and it was probably the first time my now wife ever saw me. It was Vacation Bible School at Fincastle Baptist Church. I was working with the kids as I was accustomed to doing most of the week every year. I didn't know who she was and I didn't even remember her face but she remembered mine. Flash forward October 18 she happened to oversleep that morning and didn't make it to first service and ended up going to second service where I was accustomed to ushering and helping people find seats. Of course when you are the guy passing the offering plate at church and you are one of only eight people standing you are easy to spot. My now wife became that much more determined to find out who I am. Naturally the easiest route to stalk people is Facebook and of people to hunt you down through is your pastors friend list. Later that afternoon I received a friend request on Facebook and a message about how this woman knew me from somewhere and had couldn't remember where. Naturally being myself I am always up for making conversation and a new friend so I corresponded. Looking back at everything tonight after two and a half years of marriage, one inherited son, and one handsome baby boy (that's what everyone on the cruise ship said about him) borne to me, I'm finally starting to understand who God is and how He works. 

           This is something that you never see coming or predict. I know that I am blessed beyond measure. Don't get me wrong marriage is tough especially when you have kids. The Bible says when two people get married they become one. Guess what when blend two things together it's really messy but when brings it together no matter how messy life gets He holds the two people together but only if you do Jeremiah 29: 12-13 which says, "Then you will call upon Me and go pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all of your heart." 

         When I was working at VBS and ushering on Sunday morning I was doing what was accustomed to me. I wasn't looking for a wife. I had been praying for one for years. No one ever seemed to fit the bill. This past Mother's Day a friend of mine who is like a mom to me I wished her a happy mother's day P31. For those of you who aren't Christian or might be knew to the faith P31 is short for Proverbs 31. She responded back by saying that she was happy that I have my own P31. If it wasn't for God's handy work in this whole deal I wouldn't have met her. In God's sovereignty He brought this life I live about. Without Him I wouldn't have my wouldn't have my wonderful bride(my P31), my two sons, or the loving support system I have gained by God laying it on one sweet woman's heart not to give up until she found the other person that God made for her. I'm so blessed that person is me .

Allison I love you Momma Bear. Thank you for always being that P31 I need and our family needs. You're truly a heaven sent blessing. You're amazing and very much appreciated by me. 

The Sweetest Blessing This Side of Heaven and One More

And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone: I will make him a helper comparable to him. Genesis 2:18

         I must say that as I get older every year I think life goes by faster and faster. I think deep down everybody wants somebody. I have spent the majority of my first 27 years in this life as a bachelor. Being a single man has it's advantages. I had my entire life set up in a daily routine. I loved it. No one to answer too but myself. I will say that when the lights would go out and there was no fun to be had or chores to do the walls seemingly closed in. I am very much a people person and love talk and get to know people but the nights alone and staring at the walls trying to sleep. I would be lonely. I truly believe that there is a man for every woman and a woman for every man and they are supposed to spend this life together until death do they part. I am a firm believer that God designed marriage to be between a woman and a man for a lifetime. I wanted that with someone. I searched for several years because I believed that God didn't mean for us as His Word says that we aren't meant to go through this life alone. Now for some they can but the majority of us don't have that calling. I knew in my heart from when I was a teenager I wanted a family of my own. At the young age of 16 a beautiful sweet little girl came into this world my niece. Holding that precious little angel for the first time changed my life. From that day on I wanted to be a dad someday. I didn't know when that day would come but I often prayed for the my future spouse and thought I might be staring at her a few times before but for some but for some reason it just never quite worked out. Now I know why.

         Looking at my life since last October it has underwent rapid change and been turned upside down. I went from being the male bachelor to the old married man with a seven year old son. Needless to say it wasn't what I had planned. I started looking at myself and praying that God I am definitely not ready to be a husband or a dad. I didn't think I was mature enough or responsible enough to lead a family just because I doubted myself. Sure I can handle the pressure of being in a leadership role at work but it doesn't mean I am ready to be husband or especially a dad. The truth is no one is ready to be a dad but the odd thing is that's when God shows up.

         I was visiting my parents and watching tv with them when I received a friend request followed by a Facebook message. The message was from someone claiming that she knew me from somewhere but couldn't place me. That person being Allison Whitlow. A 29 year old single mom with a seven year old son. I found out later she just saw me at church a few times and thought I was a tall drink of water and was looking for an angle to get my attention. Well me being me I continued the conversation just being my normal self. She hinted she wanted to go see the new Left Behind movie with Nicolas Cage. I was like well if you want to go I wouldn't mind taking you to it. I found out later that my Allie couldn't believe that it would be so easy to get me on a date. I figured that it would be one and done. I had no expectations and actually thought it would never go anywhere but at least it just might be fun. Well I must say it went surprisingly smooth. We one date turned into two, and then more followed. I remembered thinking in November that this is going to smooth and can't be right. I didn't see any red flags and her parents were really nice to me which hasn't always been the case. I was looking for a reason to run but something in me said stick it out. Well I came down sick and needless to my Allie was a good nurse. She took care of me. By the time December rolled around I started seeing the reasons why I should stay. It wasn't to get more Christmas presents I assure you.

           I realized who and what I had. Allison Whitlow had/has one of the sweetest servant hearts that I have ever seen. It was the first time I found someone that I couldn't out do. Then I started thinking I might want to keep this one. Well I must say that I am glad I did. I went to Kay Jewelers after figuring/finding out what ring she would love. I was standing there in the store at the mall trying to make up my mind if I was sure. Well I said to myself this will be the final time I purchase a ring for the purpose of asking a woman for her hand in marriage. I purchased it and then asked her parents for permission. To hear her dad say to me that I was answer to prayer touched my heart. I have been a whole lot of things but that isn't one I hadn't heard before. I proposed on December 27, 2015 at the Mill Mountain Star I knew that I was going to have the privilege of being a husband and a dad. I must say that I didn't know how quickly my life would change.

           We said I do on May 2, 2015. Allison Whitlow Mullins and Courtney Landon Whitlow became my wife and son. Looking back at life since October 2014 I must say that I wouldn't want to change a thing. I love being a dad and I thoroughly enjoy every minute with my son. I adore my wife. She is the sweetest blessing this side of heaven. What inspired this was hearing the song a sweet little girl named Grace sang at our wedding. The song was by Matthew West entitled, "When I Say I Do." Allison all I want to say to you is I can't thank you enough for loving me. I can't thank you enough for what you and Court have added to my life. You and our son are answers to my prayers and have added a whole new dimension and purpose and meaning to my life. I have no doubts that there is a God in heaven because without Him I never would have met you. I love you so very much my wonderful bride and not to mention our stinker butt.

           To my in-laws Bob and Jane thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter and helping her with our son until I came into the picture. Thank you for the love and kindness you have shown me. I love you both mom and dad. 

            To anyone who might read this my prayer is that it isn't just a love story but it's how God answered the prayers of many to make a happy marriage and complete a home that was missing a daddy. I'm so thankful that I am that daddy. Lastly to those who haven't met the right one, just be patient. God is omniscient meaning He knows everything and He knows who the right person is and when you two will meet.

May God Richly Bless You

Life Beyond The Rio Grande

 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28: 18-20

       Hello my friends. It has been awhile since I posted on here but I felt lead to talk about my latest adventure south of the Rio Grande. I recently was gone on a mission trip to Rio Bravo Mexico. I must say that it was life changing experience. Here in America I enjoy everyday what the average family enjoys(smart phones, laptop computers, WIFI internet, Starbucks, climate control, satellite television, and so on). I was able to enjoy a some time spent without any modern technology or should I say modern conveniences. After this trip I don't know that I want these modern conveniences anymore. I am beginning to think that they are modern inconveniences to be honest.

        I was preaching this morning a sermon that I called Fearless Following Day Nine. God gave me this while I was laying sick in bed with the stomach flu on Day Seven of an eight day mission trip. Tom and Debbie Turner granted me some time to lead a devotion in the airport while we were waiting to board our plane Monday morning. The passages of scripture were Joshua 1: 1-9 and Matthew 28: 16-20. Joshua was commanded by God to be strong and very courageous three times in the first nine verses and the way to be prosperous was to meditate in the book of the law day and night. God was commissioning Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. Jesus commissioned us to go tell the whole world who He is and what He did for us on the cross. I started asking myself why don't we go?

       God hit me with a song called "If We Are The Body" by Casting Crowns. I am being convinced that a lot people don't go because they don't know. Then I started asking why don't they know? God revealed something about myself and I am sure many of you can relate that we are too busy with our daily lives. What I really mean is our modern conveniences have us distracted. I love sports, movies, and keeping up with my friends but the danger is that can consume your time and you leave your first love out of the equation. In Mexico I had little to no cell phone service, no television, no Facebook, no air conditioning, but what did I have? I had my favorite Bible, a book by David Platt called "Follow Me", and my prayer journal. To be able to have the time I had to commune with God and develop my relationship with my Savior is something that I didn't know that I was missing. The only way to be strong and very courageous is to pour God's word into you. It's what gives you courage. You read what God did in the lives of the Bible saints and it inspires us to trust and go forward in faith that God will do the same thing for us today. The Bible saints were ordinary humans with extraordinary faith in a great God. Maybe that's what the church needs is a transformed heart especially myself. What can God do in us and through us if we would take the time for Him to prepare us for it. It's like the story of two farmers. Both of them desperately needed rain, and they prayed for rain but only one of them prepared his fields for it. Who really trusted God to send the rain? Who received the rain? The one who had the faith to prepare his fields. We need to start preparing for rain in our lives and realms of influence. Do we really want to serve Jesus and follow His commandment to love one another as He loved us? It would cost us something but the cost for Him was much greater. It may cost us some time and money but it cost Jesus His life. If we were worth dying for how much more would the church be able to impact the lives if we loved like He did. God will open the doors for us to witness but we need to prepare ourselves first. Right now I would love to give up all of my modern conveniences in able to continue growing my faith and in my walk with the Lord like I was in Mexico. I felt a peace that I can't even begin to describe. I can honestly say that it is well with my soul. Sometimes you are the one that ends up being the most blessed when you go somewhere on mission for God. To be honest I saw how happy these people were and some of them live in houses that I wouldn't call a good barns but they were happy and they had Jesus. I am beginning to see that all of our modern conveniences are really just inconveniences. Maybe what we really need is to lose these modern conveniences and be left only with Jesus for awhile. For me I can honestly say that it changed my life in eight days. I am striving and planning on living my life like everyday is Day Nine. Live as if the mission trip never ended. Live with purpose of pouring out His love on those around me. Maybe it would change your life if you were to have the same experience that I had too.

      Lastly, to all my friends I made on this trip and some of you I already knew I thank my God upon every remembrance of you(Phil. 1:3). I consider myself blessed beyond measure to have been able to spend this time with you. The memories I have from being on this trip will last throughout the rest of my life. I love you all and thank you for your testimony in Jesus Christ. Your faith helped inspire mine. I look forward to fellowshipping with all of you again. May God Bless You! 





This Crazy Little Thing Called Love

"Just as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be subject to there husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her," Ephesians 5: 24-25

          Of all days for a football guy like me to writing a blog post is the night of the Super Bowl. Needless to say when God speaks I listen. Being Super Bowl Sunday I have to set my 5th grade Sunday School class up with quite a spread of goodies to celebrate. Needless to say I love my kids and getting to spoil them but I love how they listen when it's time for the lesson. Today's lesson was on the building of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Why was the Tabernacle built? Simply because God was wanting to dwell among His people. Why because He loved them. God chose to love them and manifest Himself to the rest of the world through them.

         Since Jesus came to die on the cross we now have a new covenant and God has chosen to manifest Himself in a new way. He now manifests Himself to us in our hearts. He wants to manifest Himself to the world through His children by us allowing His light to shine through us. How does this apply in the realms of dating and marriage relationships? You have to look closely at the mans' role in the relationship. 

         Jesus willing chose to go to the cross in order for all of mankind to be reconciled unto God. Jesus loved sacrificially even though some would reject Him. Jesus Himself said no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them. It is God's will that not any should perish but all have everlasting life. So now let's take a step back and look at the actions of Jesus before. Jesus paid our sin debt that we might be brought back into fellowship with the Father. We didn't do anything to earn it. It was a free gift. Now let's apply that to the man's role. The man should sacrificially love his wife or girlfriend and focus on taking care of her the same way Jesus does for Him. He is supposed to be the one to portray Christ's love in the relationship. Loving your wife or girlfriend requires action. It means to spend time with her and serving her.  It means investing in your woman. Where you spend your time and money determines what we has humans value. So what I am saying is this send your lady flowers, send her text or give her a call to let you know you're thinking of her, turn off the ball game to take the time to be relational and share your heart and events from your day, open the door and pull out her chair, and lastly do not be afraid to show that you have a sensitive side. If you tear up or even let one fall I promise it's not sappy. It's the old idea of chivalry with a modern twist. In order for a woman to want to submit to you as the man you have to be a man of Godly character. As men we to focus on our character and that should be what the woman in our lives says is the sexiest thing about us. We need to be men our ladies can respect. That's what we men need is to know our lady thinks we are respectable. If you really want to know what it means to love sit down and study 1 Corinthians 13 and see what Paul says about love. 

          Now ladies it is natural for y'all to love and that's why Paul didn't give you that commandment. In a relationship you are supposed to let the man pursue you. Jesus pursues us and made all the effort. In the same manor we respond to Jesus pursuing us you should respond to your man the same way.Salvation is a free gift and that is how a man is supposed to love you. A man is supposed to make the woman he loves want to pursue him and the man should make himself available to her to do so which requires time together. Now just so you know you shouldn't try to take advantage of your man's generosity because you are supposed to be submissive to your mans' leadership. If he loves you as the Bible says he should you have a man worthy of respect. Even if he's not a believer or isn't loving you right you still are supposed to submit yourself to him. It is easier when he loves you right to be submissive. If you have a man who genuinely loves you as Christ loves the church that should make you want to be submissive to him because He is living out God's word in your relationship. If a guy loves you with a God given love and is a gentleman always. What this means here in America is that your man opens the door, brings you flowers or has them sent to you at work. Now I will say if your man does show his feelings around you he is not sappy. Jesus showed his feeling and the Bible says He didn't just cry Jesus wept. It means he does the little things to show that you matter to him. It's okay if a guy tries to go the second mile for you all the time. Jesus tells us that we should go the second mile. Jesus preached that in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:38-42. There's nothing wrong with a man trying to be the perfect guy. We are supposed to be striving to be the only perfect guy to exist. Just like you take the time to get to know Jesus take the time to invest in your man. Some guys will appreciate a letter in his lunch box, maybe making him his favorite food for dinner or if he works second shift surprise him at work with a hot cooked meal. I mean after all we are men and the way to our hearts is through our stomachs. It the little things that sweeten a relationship. It may mean going to a gun show or a ball game. It might require watching a NASCAR race despite how boring you think watching cars go around circles is.

          Lastly to both men and women I would like to say that don't let your relationships be one sided. If you feel like you can do more to make your relationship better take the time to do it. A better relationship between you and your significant other can begin today. If we began to love one another as Christ loves us how many marriages would be saved? How many couples would stop living in a state of resentment towards one another? I will say until you are born again believer and your sins have been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ you do not know what love is. Until you have experienced His love you don't know what love really is. If you haven't begun with the Lord Jesus already will you consider it today? The Bible God's Holy Word says we can as sure of heaven as if we're there. If you want to know more about Jesus and heaven look me up on Facebook and I will talk to you gladly. My name is Mark Nicholas Mullins from Roanoke Virginia. I hope you have a great day. God Bless!!!! 

     

A Few Heaven Sent Blessings

               I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

Philippians 1:3

            It's not everyday you meet someone who changes your life almost instantly. Just something about them strikes you differently. You are intrigued by them immediately and it remains a constant theme anytime you're in each others presence. You feel a special bond to them. That peaceful easy feeling that you don't around just anyone. They're your true friends. They're people whom God Himself set in your path to help keep your eyes and heart focused upon Jesus and the cross. That's the most important question in this life do you belong to Jesus? I have several friends who have been willing to stand my side and always show loving support. They have tried to help me keep on pressing toward the goal. Really I wouldn't just call them friends they're my extended family. 

           I remember listening to a sermon by Dr. Jerry Falwell and he mentions that a friend, a true friend is someone who walks in when the rest the rest of the world walks out. Granted your basis of support shouldn't just be your friends or family, we have to allow God to be that cornerstone. Jesus should be our best friend and the one we cling to the most. He should be number one but we still need to remember to give credit to those whom He blessed us with.

          Casey, I would like to begin with you. You and I have similar backgrounds. You're always a joy to be around. You help turn my ADHD into a humorous moment which always makes everyone cheer up that's with us, especially me. You're constant encouragement matched with your sense of humor always is refreshing.

           Pastor Steve Witt, my dear brother. You've been like a dad to me. The love you poured out upon my family before you even knew who we were and vise versa just exemplifies who Christ is. You took me under your wing and showed me more about being a follower of Jesus than I ever could have on my own. I just hope you're still proud of me and where God is taking me.

         Justin what can I say buddy. We have shared our most intimate secrets and struggles together. We have become pillars of strength and accountability partners for each other. I can always shoot you a text letting you know I could use a prayer and I know you will. You're my best guy friend except Jesus. Thanks brother.

        Mitch, I have had the pleasure of getting to know you and your family. I taught your oldest daughter in Sunday school. I know that poor child. You've been helping to strengthen me and keep me on the straight and narrow. Pushing me to grow and regain that passion for loving and serving Jesus. Thank you for what you've done thus far and what plans you have for helping me grow spiritually.

        Reverend Doctor Brian Horton you were a great friend and mentor. I miss you being at Fincastle. I miss being able to enjoy coffee together while wrangling preschoolers. You helped ignite a fire and a passion in me for children's ministry and there's nothing I'd rather do than be a children's pastor. I hope God continues to bless you and your family.

        To my second mom's Momma Lisa and Momma Long thank you for everything. Momma Lisa we've known each other for seven years now. Through an accident we were able to get to know each other. You really do make me feel like a son. You invited me to your church which immediately became my church home. We have had some much fun between work and church. I always look forward to seeing you and your hugs. You encouraged me through the worst times of my young life so far You will always get a Mother's Day card from me. You definitely earn it. Momma Long, I have been so very blessed to know you for four years. You didn't know what to think of me at first and I understand why. Getting to know you and your family has truly been a blessing. You actually let me date your oldest daughter twice and you still talk to me and always encourage me. You always give me Biblical counsel when I ask for it. You are truly incredible. 

         Lastly I conclude with the sweetest person I have ever known. Jenn you mean the world to me. I have always said I could write a book telling the world just how wonderful you are. This world is a better place because you're here. Thank you for everything you have done. You're an example of what a friend should be. Seeing the woman you're becoming in Christ amazes me. Reading your blog An Altogether Different Heart truly touched my heart. You understand ministry and how to love and serve Christ better than me by far. I don't know what all I can really say about you other than I wish you knew how blessed I am to have you in my life. I am eternally blessed. I thank God for you. 

Sacrifice For The Greater Good

                It never ceases that God finds a way to speak to my heart through a song. As it turns out this one broke through all my defenses. The walls walls that encircled my heart were no match this time. I was at work on my lunch break and I started watching music videos on phone. Well I came a across a song called The Car by Jeff Carson. I listened to it a few times and my heart began to ache. Lunch ended shortly thereafter and I hustled to the area I was working in to hide my face from my coworkers. The song was about the relationship between a father and a son. I've been working long hours with lots of overtime for quite awhile and God gave me a revelation. I saw my daddy in me. For the majority of my childhood my daddy wasn't home and never had much time to spend with us because he worked long hours and lots of overtime. There was times he never had a day off for months. As you can probably already tell I'm very close to my daddy. As anybody that knows us will tell you if you've met one then you've met the other. I saw   the decision my daddy had to make as parent that day. I realized my dad had to choose between providing for us or spending time with us and he did what he had to do. It really hit home for me because I'm doing exactly what he did. He sacrificed his time and himself to take care my momma, my brother, and me. He went to work in some of the dirtiest places doing the toughest jobs industrial construction has to offer. In the end he sacrificed his health. He ended up paralyzed at the age of 45 because the love he has for us. Praise God that He made it possible for him to walk again. I was at work trying to run what is called a seamwelder machine and all of those thoughts were swirling in my head as tears poured down my face. It really made me think if how much I missed getting to spend time with him. I felt a longing to just clock out and go see him but  like him bills have to be paid and there's got to be food on the table and that came first. Then another thought entered the back of my mind my heavenly Father reminded me that He was missing time with me even more so than my daddy. Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." God sacrificed His Son for all of mankind. He gave us His very best. I see the heavenly Father in my daddy. My daddy gave his all to doing the type of work he didn't enjoy doing to make sure I had clothes on my back, food to eat, and a place to sleep. The measure of a man is his heart. Not his wallet. How do you measure God? You can't. How do I know that? He's omniscient. He's everywhere all the time. In closing just remember to say a prayer of praise for your daddy. He's the only one you'll ever have. Lastly, lift up a prayer of thanks to the One who sent His Son to die for you. 

Have a wonderful day. God Bless

Taken Home on the Wings of Angels

             For I am ready to be poured out as a drink offering out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is as hand. I  have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

2 Timothy 4: 6-7

             A dear friend and long time member of Fincastle Baptist Church received his promotion to heaven after 91 years of dwelling among us. I remember the first time I ever met Charles Judy was a couple years ago when the entire church went Christmas caroling and I ended up with the group who went to visit the senior shut ins of the church. Our last stop was Mr. Judy's house and I remember how his face lit up that night. After we sang a few carols for him he started talking with me. I don't recall the topics mentioned in our conversation but I remember his spirit. A man who still was focused on keeping on keeping on. I learned a lesson in faithfulness from this man. A man in his 90's who rarely missed a church service or choir rehearsal despite his ailments. I noticed when our church went to two Sunday morning services Mr. Judy would come to the early service when a lot of people around my age couldn't get there if we tried.There was times I would sit next to him in choir rehearsal and this little 100 pound man would sing with everything he had on every song. To me in my heart he was the anchor of the Fincastle Baptist Choir bass line. I learned more just last night that shows who his heart belonged to and about his faithfulness. He out lived his wife by several years. The last six years of her life she was extremely ill. He took care of his wife every minute never leaving her side those six years. He never even left there home. He had one last great victory. The youth started having an annual car show to support the youth program and the ministries it was involved in. Mr. Judy decided to enter his 1964 Ford Mustang. He hadn't done anything to it. It was all original. It was a stock mustang straight from Ford Motor Company. It was in showroom condition. He won First Place at the car show last year. That's one time I wish I could have been present to see the smile on his face. I can't wait until I see him in heaven with that huge smile on his face with his wife at his side. I know he's in heaven anchoring the bass line in Heavens choir. I just hope I remember the legacy Mr. Judy left with us. Always be faithful in serving the Lord in my church. Be a faithful husband to my wife until she takes her last breath. Just by doing these two things made him an inspiration to us all. Mr. Judy I just hope you know you are very much loved and greatly missed. 

Mr. Charles Judy March 23, 2012 

Safely Home 

It's Good to Have A One Track Mind

Psalm 1:2
But they delighted in the Law of the Lord meditating on it day and night. (NLT)

        I sit here and just think about meditating on God's Word. Our world is so busy I'm convinced that we put God in a box. We compartmentalize everything already. We try to fit everything in by giving it a time slot. I'm convinced we give God a two hour time slot in our lives on Sunday morning and think I've got my weekly dose of God for the week. We act like we've done Him a favor by sitting in Sunday School and Morning Worship. Then we hear on the news how much this nation has declined from a moral standpoint.We ask questions why is the divorce rate so high? Why is homosexuality and abortion considered to be okay? Why is a man and woman living and sleeping together outside the confines of marriage is just the norm in today's society? I could make a list of questions a mile long asking God why our nation is experiencing such moral decline but that's not what I'm being lead to focus on here.

        I learned that there's only one solution to the escalating moral decline in America; we Christians get right and get real about Jesus. Lastly after we get right and get real; you have got to get radical. If we (myself included here) people who call ourselves Christians would get as radical about serving Jesus as the lost world is about serving satan God through wouldn't just make hell backup. We would put the fires of hell out. The question is how do we get the kind of faith and courage to charge the gates of hell with a water pistol in one hand and a Bible in the other? I am convinced there is only one way possible to do so and that is to have a set daily quiet time. It's a MUST! There is no other way to walk purely in the eyes of the Lord. As Charles Stanley said do you honestly think you can go out and face the world, the flesh, and the devil without preparing yourself? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! I remember a Methodist minister told me this while we were having dinner at two tables adjacent to each other and his word of advice to this young whipper snapper was keep your eyes up and your knees down. I can not post this without referencing Joshua 1:8-9 which says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written in it. For then you will make your prosperous and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid , nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."(NKJV) Right here is God's formula for true success. Here's how to have victory. Here's how you can overcome addictions. There is NO OTHER WAY!!!! How can we sin if our minds are set upon God? This is how we rip the gates of hell down people. Here's the promise that comes with abiding in Him in Psalm 1:3, "They are like trees planted on the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never whither and they prosper in all they do."(NLT) My friends let this  be a reminder to us to call upon His holy Name daily and have fellowship with Him.

This post was inspired by my dear friend Uncle Skip. I may have only spent just spent few hours with you but you will forever be my friend. You are such an inspiration to me because you are a man after God's own heart. Meeting you has forever changed my life. You will always be one of my hero's of the faith because I haven't met any man up until now that loves our Savior like you. If I never get to see you again on earth I will long for the day we can have fellowship in throne room of God with Him together.

May God Bless you all. Goodnight.