Why the Church has Lost it’s Impact/Authority

A Re-post of a blog with some editing:

Why the Church has Lost it’s Impact/Authority

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7 NASB)

Introduction
This may not be pleasing to a lot of pastors and professing Christian believers. It is however, a conviction I affirm that has merit, howbeit, unpleasant.

Ι’ve made a lot of admonitions in my fourteen years in the pastorate.

I have warned Christians about their speech and behavior. I thought it was too easy for a Christian to stop cursing, drinking beer, wine, and liquor.

I have pleaded for Christians to stop the fornication and adultery. I didn’t think I was not asking too much. After all, when it boiled now to it, all I was doing was repeating the biblical admonition for Christians to ‘walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.’

Is it so unreasonable to expect a Christian to be disciplined in their walk with The Lord? I mean ‘Come On’ let’s be honest about your relationship with Jesus.

I. A Relevant Truth
Either God or the Devil is managing your life.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:1-2

My Christian Brethren, stop lying!

For years I stood proclaiming the glorious gospel of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Then, it happens.
I’m no longer preaching behind the sacred desk [pulpit].
I’m working the third shift as a stock boy for Ingles grocery store.
I’m without a home. My family, for all I can tell, is gone. I have ‘Christian friends’ to thank for most of that.
I’m ‘kept at a distance’ from my fellow pastors. Nothing more than a token attitude of piousness is received from them. Guilt, shame, and the general, ‘I want nothing to do with him’ was the prevailing attitude I got from my fellow pastors and Christians.

About now is when you begin thinking ‘he’s angry, bitter and just spewing sour grapes.’You are partially correct. However I am also spewing truth. Let me tell you another truth.

II. A Revealing Truth

Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:3 [living like You want to]

I did not realize how de-sensitized I was from the way people truly behaved. The profanity, openly sexual perversions, abundant alcohol consumption and alternate lifestyles were every where!

I do not believe pastors realize the epidemic of sin among the lives of ‘christians. Pastors are so de-sensitized to the wickedness in our world that they think christians want to live godly lives. No, they don’t. Not really. Besides that, it isn’t easy enough for them to live godly lives. It takes effort. There is no such thing as a casual christian. [People living and doing what comes naturally]

Pastors think christians care about versions of the bible. No they don’t. They could care less about your 1611 KJV or your NIV or even your Living Bible. Most cannot tell you the major leaders in the Bible much less within their own denomination.

Now let the leaders feud and they will give an ear. Let the holy pastors, religious leaders be revealed for their own sinfulness and they will flock to catch the latest news report outlining their ‘fall from grace.

Christians don’t care about hell, only about heaven. And they will claw at any thing other than God’s way of salvation to try and merit their entrance.

Now, let me ask, should we be surprised? Evangelists caught in sinful lifestyles. Pastor moving away from God’s Word and embracing sin. Churches accepting what God rejects.

I am reminded from reading God’s Word that this world is predicted to move away from God. It tells us ‘as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when Jesus returns.’

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:36-39 NASB)

James 3:10 tells us ‘blessings and cursing should not come from the same lips. These things ought not to be.’ But it does. Where I work at, we are admonished in our monthly leaders meeting to be professional. I can sadly tell you with great certainty that does not include our speech!

Christians curse as much as non-christians. Christian are just as filthy in their vocabulary as the wicked lost infidels. Christians whore around just like the hell-bound. That’s why the pastor and the church has lost it’s integrity.!

The church cannot tell the world to live righteously when they themselves do not. The pastor has lost his senses on how wicked the world is and how little authority and respect he has in this world.

Churches are doing all they can to get people to come to their place of service including letting them stay at home and worship in their pajamas via the internet. Perhaps reducing the sacrifices made by the people will get them to the word. Romans 10:17 does say, ‘faith comes from hearing the word.’ Trouble is most of the Word they hear is to ‘tickle their ears.’ If the Word gets too troublesome they can always ‘log-off.’

Pastors, y’all keep harping about the right translation of the bible to use. Keep bringing in the entertainers to ‘please the folk,’ and preach feel good sermons and enlarge the numbers on your roll. Maybe you’ll get a sense of accomplishment, Imagine how I felt at one of my churches when several of our members on our roll were buried out back in the churches’ cemetery!

I tell you a truth from these previous words. I too was once de-sensitized to the way christians lived. I actually thought they wanted to live godly lives. I thought they would truly let the Holy Spirit change them.

For example, I receive word recently where an acquaintance and her boyfriend were baptized on Sunday. The next day, they moved in together. Not married, but Christian?

The people in the church-house, including the pastors, have brought the world into the church rather than impacting the world. You don’t believe me? At the time of this writing, generally speaking, churches are getting ready to make their people feel good by honoring the graduating students and recognizing Mother’s Day. Both of these activities are sternly encouraged in the bible. [No, not really].

God bless those graduates and godly moms but I’d like to hear the testimony of the believers. How did they/you get saved? I’d like to hear some ole time preaching, Biblical, anointed, empowered by the presence of God.

The world believes they can live without you and your church.That’s why they don’t come. You will see them when you have something they need; like a show of love when they need help paying their light bill or tragedy hits home. Like ticks on a hound dog, they suck the life’s blood out of a church and give nothing back. Don’t get me wrong. We should help in God’s name and in God’s way. But face reality.

Pastors/Christians are de-sensitized to how wicked the world and the professing Christians, sitting in the pew, really are.

III. A Refreshing Truth

We don’t have to live in defeat.
We don’t have to live in sin.
We don’t have to live in unrighteousness.

Now God is making a change!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4-6

Why? So God might… show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

Conclusion
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB)

Until next time

Hoss

Living in a Dying World

Following is the message I preached this morning at Samaria Baptist Church in Batesburg, SC. I tied a passage from the Old Testament with one from the New Testament. I hope you will see the ‘truth’ of this message when you get near the end. Hopefully you find an insight that hasn’t been as clearly presented as I discovered. God Bless.

Living in a Dying World

Introduction

Many years ago I had the opportunity as a bible student to fill-in one Sunday at a church seeking a pastor. A really good arrangement since I was seeking a church.

During the morning service I noticed a woman sitting towards the back who kept wiping her eyes. Tears seemed to be flowing like a fountain. I began to conclude the message I was preaching regarding forgiveness must be something she needed to hear. Encouraged by her apparent conviction, I kicked it in another gear. I was thinking how wonderful it was for God to be using me to speak to this woman’s spiritual need.

However when the time of invitation came, she didn’t respond! Not a single move towards the front was made. It was a couple hours later when I was having dinner at the home of one of the members did I dare to ask about the woman. What I learned was the woman was deal with a bad case of allergies! She wasn’t under conviction at all.

God has a way of keeping me humble. And that is good. As humbly as I can I want to remind you of an Old Testament event, then a New Testament imperative.

Background Scripture: Numbers chapter 13 and 14

I. Research: 13:1-24
12 Spies sent into the Promised Land

II. Report: 13:25-33
2 spies give the call to take the land God is giving to them.
10 spies give the warning about the strength of the people and the giant stature of the people.

III. Reaction: 14: 1-45
A. Peoples: 1-10, murmurings
B. God’s: 11-12, 20-38; at first God’s reaction was to send pestilence upon the people. He was going to smite them and disinherit them. After the intercession of Moses God decides to deny the present generation entrance into the promised land. 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
C. Moses’: 13-19, 39-45; intercedes on behalf of the people

IV. Result: 14:33
A. Wondering in the wilderness
B. Wasted Opportunity

Transition:
In the Old Testament we have.. “O land, land, land, Hear the word of the Lord ! (Jeremiah 22:29 NASB)

In the New Testament we read…
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; (James 1:22, 23 NASB)

Focal Passage:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15:1-8 NASB)

I. Bearing Fruit.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;…”

Key Word: “Position” of abiding branches
A. What is the fruit? Converts
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10

II. Bearing More Fruit
“…and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”

Key Word: “Pruning” of abiding branches

III. Bearing Much Fruit
‘I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.’

Do you think the branch from a vine focuses on bearing the fruit or on the vine? Focus is on the Vine!

Key Word: “Possibilities” of abiding branches.

Bringing the Old Testament passage in Numbers and the New Testament passage in John into focus.

That’s the key word ‘focus.’

As a born again child of God, [AKA 'branch'], our focus is not to be on bearing fruit. That will come as a ‘natural result of our spiritual’ FOCUS on our intimate relationship with the ‘Vine’ “Jesus Christ.”

Just as a branch focuses on the vine and not bearing fruit so are we, branches, to focus on the Vine and not bearing fruit. It is the responsibility of the Vine to see that the Branch bears fruit.

Until next time,

Hoss

Make you an offer

For a good while now my step-son has been trying to sell four rims off his Ford Ranger. There are tires on the rims but not in the best of shape. I’ve personally talked with two different guys who came by the house to look at them. I remember one guy who drove just over an hour but didn’t buy them. I did not make him an alternate offer mainly because I didn’t have permission to do so. Besides $200 isn’t a bad price for all four.

It has occurred to me I can make you an offer of a different kind. Though there is not a dollar amount, there is cost involved. However, the price you pay is not anywhere close to the price paid making this offer available.

I want to offer you a life worth living rather than merely existing.
John 10:10b “I come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.”

I want to offer you an answer to every question worthy of an answer.
Every question you can take to a psychic is already answered. You don’t have to waste your dollars on a palm reader. Just yield to Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.’

I want to offer you a death that results in a second life rather than a life of two death.
I am referring to you dying to yourself once so you don’t have to die the second death [physical]. Those who die to self and live for Jesus Christ will only pass through the ‘shadow of the valley of death.’ [See Psalm 23]

What I am really after is to offer you an opportunity to connect with God. It’s an offer of relationship. Forget religious groups, programs, etc… and realize the connection with God through Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit as your path to an intimate communion with the One who loves you unconditionally.

Jesus Christ lived among mankind, died on Calvary’s Cross as the sin-bearer for all mankind, was buried in a borrowed tomb and with a thunderous display of divine power was resurrected from the dead to be ascended into the presence of our holy God to enable you and me to have forgiveness of sin, a miraculous relationship with Him on our way to an eternal home in glory!

Consider my offer. It actually originated from God. I’m merely passing on His offer.

For why would you perish? Truly the most devastating word in the english language, ‘perish.’

2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, Luke 13:5

Until next time,

Hoss

What > How > Why? — An explanation of Me!

My last blog had the second highest view rate for any one day viewing than all my other blogs. Part of the reason for this was the subject matter and it being recommended by a friend for her friends to read. I kinda hope this blog surpasses all my records in views, recommendations, and comments.

This is perhaps one of the strangest titles I have ever put to a blog. It really doesn’t clue you in on the subject matter. The reason for this title is simply because I could not think of a short one that explains this blog.

I just returned from a three-day team building conference my employer required I attend. The experience turns out to be a good one. it wasn’t the usually exercise in staying awake through lecture after lecture. We all know what challenges those bring.

We viewed a video presentation from http://www.TED.com on the last day. In that video was a statement which kept being repeated. The statement was, “People do not buy what you do but why you do it.”

Here is the link to the actual video: It is a little long. It contains business jargon but comes with sufficient explanation to make it worth the watch. In my opinion.
People do not buy what you do but why you do it

I fear I may have already lost your attention, however stay with cause I’m about to shift gears.

This presentation was geared to the business sector. I want to place it in the spiritual arena. And not just any spiritual arena. I’m going to put it in mine.

Why am I a Christian? Why do I discipline myself to biblical standards. I often fail. Albeit, I still aim to live by godly principles and precepts outlined in the Holy Bible. Rather than focusing on what and how I live, seek to understand my Why.

I believe there is no better way of life than a righteous attempt to live as God instructs.

So, to take the statement, “People do not buy what you do but why you do it.” as a position to tee off from, let me explain myself further.

I believe a selfless life of service is a better life than self gratification and self-glory. Therefore I am in favor of serving others selflessly. I am In favor of honoring God with your body, soul, and mind.

I believe a marriage of one woman to one man is a better lifestyle than any other arrangement. Therefore I buy into the biblical order of marriage over any other. It is not so much a stand against alternative lifestyles as it is in favor of scriptural mandates. To be in favor of Biblical standards of living naturally puts you in a place of opposition or at the least a place of non-support for any activity which is opposed to God’s order.

I believe sex should be between a man and a woman under the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Again my position is the author of the Sacred Word knows better than any one else what is good for you, therefore I choose to follow His prescribed plan. People think I am rude, cruel, judgmental, and on and on. I seek to be disciplined in my daily life according to holy standards. I do not always succeed. I fail.

I believe in a life in the here-after. Beyond what we call death is an existence of eternal bliss or eternal torment. Heaven or Hell are the only choices. Not annihilation, a continuous intermediate state, or a state of continuous sleep. Certainly not in reincarnation. My position should be viewed as one of favor to the Holy Bible. Folks often want to point out what I am against. Could you focus on why I am in favor of God’s Word?

I believe in God’s avenue to secure a home after death that brings us into His eternal presence. The avenue is referred most often as God’s Plan of Salvation.

I believe Jesus The Christ [Anointed One], is God’s Son who lived for us, died and bore our sins on Calvary’s Cross for us, was buried in a tomb defeating death, hell, and the grave for us, to be resurrected from the dead for us after three days to be ascended into the position of favor with God in His presence.

I believe there is no one who loves you like God does. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any less than He does right now.. There is also nothing you can do to make God love you any more than He does right now.

I could go on but I’ll try to bring this to some personal hard truths.

1. I am deeply saddened that family and friends want to focus on what I do not support without considering ‘why.’ The why is because of what I believe to be a better way of life and life after death.

2. I am torn from within that many whom I have baptized are no longer walking in the way of God. They display an attitude that ‘could care less what God thinks or feels.’

3. I am disturbed to the depths of my soul that family and friends have not bought what I try to sell with living the why I live as I do. “People do not buy what you do but why you do it.” My simple request is to see why I do, why I believe, as I do.

I have not successfully lived & communicated in such a way to where people will embrace God and righteous living. That is a pain indescribable with eternal consequences.

Until next time,

Hoss

De-sensitized Pastors

I left the pastorate in 2005 for what I thought was going to be a brief sabbatical. What was intended to be a time of renewal and repentance turned out to be a rejection. What I am about to share will not be pleasing to a lot of pastors and christian believers. It is however, a conviction I affirm that has merit, howbeit, unpleasant.

I made a lot of admonitions in my fourteen years in the pastorate with warnings about the speech and behavior of christians. I thought it was too easy for a christian to stop cursing, drinking beer, wine, and liquor.

The call for christians to stop screwing around as fornicators and adulterers was not asking too much. When it boiled now to it, all I was doing was regurgitating the biblical admonition for Christians to be ‘Christian.’

Was it so unreasonable to expect a christian to be disciplined in their walk with The Lord? I mean ‘Come On’ let’s be honest about your relationship with Jesus. Christian, stop your lying!

Then, it happens. I’m no longer preaching behind the sacred desk [pulpit]. I’m working the third shift as a stock boy for Ingles grocery store. I’m without a home. My family, for all I can tell, is gone. I have ‘christians’ to thank for most of that.

I’m ‘kept at a distance’ from my fellow pastors. Nothing more than a token attitude of piousness is received from them. Guilt, shame, and the general, ‘I want nothing to do with him’ was the prevailing attitude I got from my fellow pastors and christians.

About now is when you, the reader, is thinking ‘he’s angry bitter and just spewing sour grapes.’You are partially correct. However I am also spewing truth.

Let me tell you another truth. I did not realize how de-sensitized I was from the way people truly behaved. The profanity, openly sexual perversions, abundant alcohol consumption and alternate lifestyles were every where!

I do not believe pastors realize the epidemic of sin among the lives of ‘christians. Pastors are so de-sensitized to the wickedness in our world that they think christians want to live godly lives. No, they don’t. Not really. Besides that, it isn’t easy enough for them to live godly lives. It takes effort. There is no such thing as a casual christian.

Pastors think christians care about versions of the bible. No they don’t. They could care less about your 1611 KJV or your NIV or even your Living Bible. Most cannot tell you the major leaders in the Bible much less within their own denomination.

Now let the leaders feud and they will give an ear. Let the holy pastors, religious leaders be revealed for their own sinfulness and they will flock to catch the latest news report outlining their ‘fall from grace.

Christians don’t care about hell, only about heaven. And they will claw at any thing other than God’s way of salvation to try and merit their entrance.

Now, let me ask, should we be surprised? Evangelists caught in sinful lifestyles. Pastor moving away from God’s Word and embracing sin. Churches accepting what God rejects.

I am reminded from reading God’s Word that this world is predicted to move away from God. it tells us ‘as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when Jesus returns.’

The bible tells us ‘blessings and cursing should not come from the same lips. These things ought not to be.’ But it does. Where I work at, we are admonished in our monthly leaders meeting to be professional. I can tell you with great certainty that does not include our speech!

Christians curse as much as non-christians. Christian are just as filthy in their vocabulary as the wicked lost infidels. Christians screw around just like the hell-bound. That’s why the pastor and the church has lost it’s integrity.!

The church cannot tell the world to live righteously when they themselves do not. The pastor has lost his senses on how wicked the world is and how little authority and respect he has in this world.

Churches are doing all they can to get people to come to their place of service including letting them stay at home and worship in their pajamas via the internet. Perhaps reducing the sacrifices made by the people will get them to the word. The bible does say, ‘faith comes from hearing the word.’ Trouble is most of the Word they hear is to ‘tickle their ears.’ If the Word gets too troublesome they can always ‘log-off.’

Pastors, y’all keep harping about the right translation of the bible to use. Keep bringing in the entertainers to ‘please the folk,’ and preach feel good sermons and enlarge the numbers on your roll. Maybe you’ll get a sense of accomplishment, Imagine how I felt at one of my churches when several of our members on our roll were buried out back in the churches’ cemetery!

I tell you a truth from these previous words. I too was once de-sensitized to the way christians lived. I actually thought they wanted to live godly lives. I thought they would truly let the Holy Spirit change them.

For example, I receive word recently where an acquaintance and her boyfriend were baptized on Sunday. The next day, they moved in together. Not married, but Christian?

The people in the church-house, including the pastors, have brought the world into the church rather than impacting the world. You don’t believe me? At the time of this writing, generally speaking, churches are getting ready to make their people feel good by honoring the graduating students and recognizing Mother’s Day. Both of these activities are sternly encouraged in the bible. [No, not really].

God bless those graduates and godly moms but I’d like to hear the testimony of the believers. How did they/you get saved? I’d like to hear some ole time preaching, Biblical, anointed, empowered by the presence of God.

The world believes they can live without you and your church.That’s why they don’t come. You will see them when you have something they need; like a show of love when they need help paying their light bill or tragedy hits home. Like ticks on a hound dog, they suck the life’s blood out of a church and give nothing back. Don’t get me wrong. We should help in God’s name and in God’s way. But face reality.

Pastors are de-sensitized to how wicked the world is and the professing christians sitting in the pew really are. Course, they are looking back at you.

Until next time,

Hoss

PS. Some words display a harsh tone. It is my conviction. While I felt these words could offend, it is my desire they be judged for merit and then correct the course of our families. Then you will see the church, nation, and world in more harmony with God’s guidelines for righteous living.

A truth from the Resurrection

If I were to awaken from a dead sleep while lying in a grave, you know what I would do? I would get my full-figured body in gear and with all the strength I could muster I’d run as fast and far as I could.

I would not take the time to fold clothes. I would not be waiting around for company.

It was not the case with Jesus. He folded his grave-clothes. He placed them away from where he laid. What are we to make of this?

Even in death Jesus was in control.

Even in death Jesus was not afraid of death.

Even in death Jesus gives us evidence proving His body was not stolen from the tomb for what grave robber would take the time to fold grave clothes!

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. (John 20:1-9 NASB)

This is just one of the great truths found in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Until Next Time,

Hoss

I’m Going To See My Dad and …

I haven’t seen my dad since July, 1991. We haven’t talked since then. A lot of things he told me keep coming back to my mind. There is much I learned from him even though I wasn’t trying to learn it. I also believe dad was teaching me without him even realizing it.

Dad passed away in July 1991. I miss him. I wonder sometimes what our conversations would be like today. There were some times when dad gave me good advice and time when maybe it wasn’t so good. I think if we were to talk today he would agree. However, there was a lot of good things dad had to say. To this day I have not borrowed money from a finance company. Dad said that was not a good way to borrow money.

I believe dad is in heaven {trusting his late in life profession of salvation in Jesus}. There he can see. No longer hindered by blindness. He referred to his blindness as a hindrance and not a handicap. No longer is he wrapping his legs in gauze because of the phlebitis. It is gone. When I get to Heaven, I’m going to see dad.

In addition to dad, I’m going to look for Grandma J. She has been gone for a long long time. She taught me so much more than I realized. She taught me the importance of reading the Bible over and over again. I used to think she was strange the way laid in her bed with the little lite made into the iron headboard of her bed and read her bible every night. And then how she spoke of reading over again and again.

My thoughts were you should have gotten it the first time. I was young and did not have the smarts to know there was so much in the Bible to learn. I did not know it was alive. I did not know it was inspired.

She taught me the impact of the bible one Christmas when we were all together. She was near her journey’s end. She had dementia. I recall asking her if she knew what day it was? Even with the Christmas tree in the room and the lights blinking, she said she did not know.

When I asked her who the man sitting in the chair was, she did not know it was her son. At that point I pulled out a small green New Testament bible given to me by a Gideon. All the writing on the cover was gone. When I asked her what the book was, she said it was the bible. When she passed away I placed that Gideon New Testament in the casket with her.

Grandma J. taught me the bedtime prayer. She taught me not to dip snuff. She did this by dipping herself and leaving those cups sitting around. Nasty. LOL

My sister, brother and I spent a lot of time at grandma’s house. During the school week we would stay with her and walk to school and back. I might it was uphills both ways, with freezing temps and scorching heat. {perhaps a little exaggeration here} When I get to Heaven I’m going to look for Grandma J. and talk bible with her.

When most people hear the word Linberger, they think of cheese even though it is spelled ‘limberger.’ I think of my other grandma. She the one with the sense of humor. She’s the one who liked to try and embarrass my and my brother. She was fun. She was also seldom seen.

Grandma L. lived a long way from us and we didn’t get to see her that often. I think I’m the loser for not having been around her more often. When I think of her i think of:

1. The prank she pulled on me at a Publix grocery store when we went to Florida to visit.

2. The Chrysler New Yorker I bought from her. She sold it to me so cheap that the bank loaned me the whole amount! Yeah, it was an old folks car but it was clean and dependable.

3. The rule she had whenever you sat down at the table to eat. If you fixed your plate you had to clean your plate [that is eat all the food you put on your plate.] If she fixed you plate for you with the amount you requested, the same rule applied. If she fixed it without your assistance then you were not obligated to clean your plate. Same applied if you went back for seconds. To this day I blame her for being the full-figured man I am. Having to eat all on my plate you see.

When I get to Heaven I’m going to look for Grandma L. and tell her she has to clean her plate when she feasts at the Marriage supper of the Lamb! LOL

As you can gather by down as much as I look forward to seeing these and many others, when I get to Heaven it is Sweet Jesus I long to see. I ache to experience the look in His eyes, to touch His face and to hear the love in His voice.

Jesus is the lover of my soul, my salvation.

Jesus is the one who takes up for me when He speaks for me when God the Father wishes to know why I have acted the way I have.

Jesus justifies me in my salvation.

Jesus inspires me in my need to learn.

Jesus heals me in my sicknesses.

Jesus does all for me.

One more thing: When I get to Heaven I hope to see You.

THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Each day I’ll do a golden deed
By helping those who are in need
My life on earth is but a span
And so I’ll do the best I can

Life’s evening sun is sinking low
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done
Where there will be no setting sun

The only life that will endure
Is one that’s kind and good and pure
And so for God I’ll take my stand
Each day I’ll lend a helping hand

Life’s evening sun is sinking low
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done
Where there will be no setting sun

While going down life’s weary road
I’ll try to lift some traveller’s load
I’ll try to turn the night to day
Make flowers bloom along the way

Life’s evening sun is sinking low
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done
Where there will be no setting sun
No setting sun

Until next time,

Hoss