God is good all the time...here's why!

I could not access the first one. Any suggestions? The second one was very special to me. He speaks of learning a commitment to God and Country in scouts. My husband is an Eagle Scout, one son is a "tenderfoot" Boy Scout, and one is still in Cub Scouts. Scouts is very faith based and often the only connection to God many of our boys experience.

Thanks for sharing

 

I think I have the 1st link corrected now about the Naval officer surprising his son.

I inadvertently deleted the link on my server. Sorry.

Thanks for letting me know.

I remember with great fondness my time in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. We had great adult leaders who I still love and admire today.

Kent

 

My husband's troop just had a 35 reunion to honor his Scoutmaster. They also raised $$ to build and name a new trading post after him at Camp Durant. It was a wonderful night with former scouts from all over the country reuniting for one cause. Some say scouts is for "dorks" and "Geeks" but I'd love for them to try it, stick with it, and see the truth for themselves.

 

Thank you. Saw the video. That was beautiful. God bless that sweet child.

 

As most of you have probably heard, Ruth Graham, went home to be with the Lord yesterday.

Link: http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/1501731/

What an awesome woman she was!

To paraphrase Dr. Graham, "Without a Ruth there would have been no Billy."

Kent


The Christian Ideal of an Excellent Wife - by Lynne Chapman

In the book of Proverbs, in the Bible, there is a description of the biblical ideal for a wife and mother, - the kind of wife that parents wanted their sons to marry.

As you read Proverbs 31:10-31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs 31&version=49) you will see a description of what an excellent wife looked like in 970 BC.

The terms may sound strange and outdated, however, like the rest of the principals of living found in the Bible, these traits are practical today.

The woman pictured may sound intimidating. Who can live up to this image? I think that these passages were probably not written about one particular woman. They were, more likely, a composite of the best qualities of a godly woman.

You will notice that the ‘excellent wife,’ while she is very conscientious of how she manages her home and that her husband is well taken care of,

“She brings him good and not harm.” She shops to find special food and “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family,”

She is not confined to the home and to housework. She is also a business woman, shrewdly making the decision to invest in her business and working hard to make it successful.

“She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

She is strong and she works enthusiastically. She watches over her affairs. Money is used wisely for the family and home and business. She is a wise manager but is not selfish with her time and money.

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

In the book of Proverbs, the “excellent wife” is rewarded for her faithfulness and diligence. She is praised by her husband and honored by her children. This is an ideal result, but we know that often it is not the way things turn out.

You may be in a situation that you are working hard at emulating biblical qualities, but your husband or family or friends do not value your efforts. This can be very disheartening and makes it hard to continue. It is important to note that more important than all of the accomplishments of the ‘excellent wife,’ is that she fears the Lord. It is this relationship with God that brings the wisdom, zest for living and godly qualities. Being faithful to God and diligent in following His word, brings its own reward.

Remember that your Heavenly Father sees the intent of your heart and He values you beyond measure. What better reward is there than that?

Here's the link to the above article - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art22686.asp

 

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

As an LEO, I recently had to serve a Magistrate Summons on a 19 year old young man for damages done to his former apartment. I’ll call him Joe.

The landlord was suing Joe and his former roommate for about $1,500.

I located Joe at his parent’s residence and handed him his summons.

When Joe saw the amount the landlord was claiming for damages he said in a loud voice, “Jesus Christ!”

I firmly but calmly asked Joe, “Since you spoke His name, do you know Jesus Christ?”

This caught Joe totally off guard and as he stared at me with his mouth gaped open, I asked him the same question once again.

Joe said sarcastically, “Well, no, not personally.”

I said, “Maybe if you did know Jesus personally, you wouldn’t be having the problems you’re having now.”

And I spent a few more minutes trying to plant some sort of seed that hopefully would be watered down the road by another brother or sister.

Did I expect a front-porch conversion at that moment?

No, but it would have been great if it happened and I would have been prepared to assist that young man make that life-changing decision.

Was this a witnessing opportunity you would have taken time to explore? Or would you have just overlooked Joe's outburst?

Are you actively seeking opportunities to share the Gospel with those who are lost?

Was my encounter with Joe a test from God to see if I would be faithful in sharing my faith?

I ask God each day to help me recognize every witnessing opportunity and the strength and courage to act on it.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Kent

 

Kent, your testimony is a good reminder that we don't have to leave the US to act as missionaries! :-D

 

ready2cmyking: 10-4 on sharing the Gospel locally and globally!

I've just got through watching the Memorial Service for Ruth Graham, and it was terrific.

I especially love hearing Anne Graham Lotz speak on any occasion.

Here are the links to the service:
Part 1: http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/1506775/
Part 2: http://www.wral.com/news/video/1506527/

Kent

 

I had to search all the way to page 5, but I'm bringing it back......

I had a "God is good" week. I praise Him for it. We just finished our week at Vacation Bible School. I have been the director for the past 7 years. I have often felt discouraged that more children did not choose that week to make a profession of faith and come to know Jesus as their Savior and friend. It has troubled me and caused me to think that I was not properly doing my job. Over the past 5 months in preparation for this past week I have been praying for peace in this. God helped me to realize that I may never see the fruits of our labors here on earth but that one day I would rejoice in Heaven when I was able to see many of the children. I accepted that my job was to PLANT the seeds and that God would cultivate until harvest time. My heart is in children's ministries and I have a real love and burden for them. This past Friday night I was approached by a 9 year old child that has attended our VBS faithfully for the last 6 years (althought he does not attend our church). Through God's word I was able to lead this child to Christ......praise God.

So, just a reminder. Do not lose heart when you do not immediately see action from your work. Work for God selflessly. Know that your reward is in Heaven. I got a taste of that reward this Friday night. My heart is so full and I just wanted to share that with all of you. God Bless.

 

Kent-

You sound wonderful.

Have you ever thought of relocating to the Johnston County Sheriff Dept?
You would be a wonderful addition!

 

mommy3: loved your story; keep the faith and keep up the good work for the Lord.

Ray Boltz has a great song called "Thank You" and you fit perfectly in there because you do matter and you have already made a difference in those young people's lives.

Here's the lyrics, but I encourage you to hear the song:

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Kent

P.S. - I was getting kind of discouraged that no one was submitting anything for awhile. I didn't want to act like I was monopolizing the thread just to keep it active. You've blessed me with your testimony. Thanks.

 

TheAntHillMob: love your name, and thanks for those kind remarks. I appreciate it. I think working with Sheriff Bizzell and the JCSO folks would be great.

By the way, I have a praise I've been holding back.

My wife works for a major bank in N. Raleigh and they were robbed last week. No one was hurt and the suspect was caught shortly thereafter.

My daughter and I had just left the bank about 15 minutes before the robbery. I had taken off that day and we had gone by the bank to show off my daughter's new puppy to my wife's co-workers.

Thank you, Lord, for protecting those bank employees and my family.

Kent

P.S. - Does anyone have any testimonies from the Greg Laurie crusade? I didn't attend but have been watching the taped version on his website.

 

My son went on Sunday. He had seats in the 10th row. He called me during the invitation time...."Mom, you would not believe this". He had a tear in his voice and I could tell how moved he was. Let me remind you that this is an 18 year old boy. He took pictures and woke me up when he got in to share them. I wasn't even there and I was truly moved. The exciting thing to me is that there were so many teens there. I know many of them went to see the bands...but they were there. He said it was an awesome message and he wished he could have gone all of the nights.

 

I know the song very well but thanks for posting it for others to read. The first time I heard it I wept. It's a great reminder of how our actions influence the lives of so many.

 

I find it bothersome when churches measure their "success" by the number of people lead to Christ...especially children. Certainly that is the ultimate goal but there is a lot of seed planting and biblical learning to be done before and afterward. The sole purpose of ministry should not be to attract new believers. You also need to feed the sheep you already have.

 

If you will re-read my original post you will see that I said that it HAD been a struggle for me. I realized that my job was to teach and plant the seeds. God will handle the rest. I believe that He puts people in our path that lead us toward growth throughout our entire life. I also believe that you should grow in Christ until you leave this earth....no matter your age (my grandfather did not accept God's gift until he was 72). I would also like for it to be understood that we spend a tremendous amount of time "feeding the sheep" that are already in our fold. My post was meant to be uplifting to those who doubt themselves as leaders/teachers....never to boast about "success" . If you knew me you would know how many times I have used the phrase "it's not about numbers". I do hope that your post was a general one and not one directed at me. As I said, my comments/testimony was meant to be encouraging to those in doubt as I once was.

 

Good morning, all.

I was cleaning out my email folders and came across this link that I thought I'd share with you.

The talents and gifts that God gives to each of us is amazing.

I can't draw a stick man, but this guy is gifted.

Hope this blesses you as it did me.

Have a great week in the Lord!

Kent

Jesus Painting: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/470445/jesus_painting/

 

Thought I'd pass along 2 items I recently received from a good friend:

1. Billy Graham story

https://webmail.pas.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=13083&folder=INBOX&isSeen=true&x=-1837870887

2. Little Boy story (That's God)

http://www.passionup.com/mp/blank/b...om&f=imkld@yahoo.com&cfp=1&h=7a49f7e8064d5e26

Kent

 

My comment was not directed at you. Your post made me think about how frequently I hear about programs being dropped or deamed unproductive because the program(s) did not draw enough new people.

 

Here are 2 great versions of "Days of Elijah", one of my very favorite praise and worship songs.

I love singing this song in church, in my car, where ever.

Praise God for Robin Mark for writing this song.

Have a great July 4th holiday week.

Kent

1. Paul Wilbur's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4HWj1jrJA

2. Robin Mark's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC8yzW89YKQ&feature=PlayList&p=70AF7E954494BF0B&index=11