| Writing | | Posted by Billy on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12:39am | Writing is not an easy thing to do. Besides the grammatical considerations and theme development, there is the truth that what you write you become responsible for. I remember working for a pastor that would never write an article for the church newsletter because he did not want to be held accountable for what he might say. When you put pen to paper your words are forever recorded.
"The pen is mightier than the sword" is an old expression that is proved true in every generation. Many wars have ended with the stroke of a pen. Many conflicts have begun with the almighty pen. Words are powerful and dangerous. With words we can bless and curse from the same lips. With words we can express feelings and emotions, build relationships, give comfort, encouragement, praise, and even promotion. Words are a communication tool that is limitless.
God considered the importance of using words when He decided that His words were to be recorded. The Bible is a written record of the words, thoughts, actions and plans of God. Once written it becomes law. Once in print you can count on it, even base your life on His words.
We can speak before we think but can never "take back" once the words have rolled off our tongue. Thinking before speaking can save a lot of heartache and trouble. I am glad that God is very clear throughout His word. We can understand and put into action the very Word of God.
God could have had anything He wanted written down for us for all eternity. Knowing this helps me gain a new perspective and appreciation for the Bible. I know that the words recorded are the exact words that we would need for all our life. You can count on every word in scripture.
I encourage you to read the Bible very carefully and hang on every word. It is God speaking, God promising, and God communicating to you personally.
Words are important and His Word lasts forever! Inspirational
| | | | | OLYMPICS | | Posted by Billy on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 8:44am | Every four years the winter Olympics features the most aspiring athletes from around the world. They train for four years to perfect their sport in order to win a gold medal. They train hard because there is only one gold medal awarded for each event.
Thousands of hours of practice in preparation for just a few moments of competition. Their lives will be defined by a few milliseconds or one- hundredths of a point. All to determine who is the best at what they do. One little slip or bobble and their dreams are ruined. All this is done on a worldwide stage that is unforgiving. Add to this the pressure that the "favorites" carry as their country depends on their performance to let the world know how great they are. One tiny mistake and it all comes crashing down.
Those that do well are awarded not only gold medals but sponsor contracts that can add up to the millions. Their lives are determined by such a performance and many have not even reached the age of adulthood. The competition is great and the pressure even greater. No one forgets what they have done on such a stage.
I am glad that I live a life that is judged by the greatest Forgiver of all. God watches us, inspires us, trains us, picks us up and gives us the motivation to keep going. His critique is full of grace and mercy. He even gives us a "do over" when we fail. He is my Savior and my friend!
I may never gain awards for any accomplishments on this earth. I may never be noticed by mankind or sponsored by a soft drink or car company. I do look forward with full hope to hear God say, "well done my good and faithful servant." And THAT is worth more than gold! Inspirational | | | | | The Promise of Snow | | Posted by Billy on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 8:32am | As a child I remember the excitement over the possibility of snow. The weather reports would help build anticipation. Other than Christmas, these were the mornings to wake up early, bundle up and play!
Living in Alabama we really do not get very much snow so the promise of a storm was a huge event. Just a few flakes can shut the schools and the streets down. All motion stops when flakes begin to fall. School closings and a rush on the grocery stores for bread and milk. Why is it always bread and milk and not candy and cake?
If the snow did actually arrive it usually was not enough to make a snowman of any stature. But just having everything covered in white was exciting.
Then there were those days, like today, when snow was predicted (in a child's mind it was promised) but nothing happened. Wake up to the same scenery you went to sleep with. Visions of school being closed and riding a sled woke every child up early to not miss a minute of the fun. Sadly, no snow. The day goes on as usual. Promise made but not kept. disappointing.
God NEVER disapponts. He delievers! What He has promised, He will provide. His Word, the Bible, is not full of predictions but promises you can count on.
I am glad to know that each day I awake I will not be disappointed by God. I can look forward to the day knowing that He will deliever on ALL of His promises.
The forecast for tomorrow? I don't know. The promise of God, you can count on it! Inspirational | | | | | God Can Do | | Posted by Billy on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 8:57am | "I serve a risen Savior." What a great verse from the old hymn, He Lives. Christianity is the only religion that can make this claim. Because He is alive today He is active in our lives. So, what can God do? Many words come to my mind: everything, all things, anything, whatever He wants to do. I do believe that God will do what is in my best interest as His child.
"God can do more in one moment than we can do in a lifetime!" I heard this phrase at a conference and it has stuck in my mind. To have the perspective of the magnitutde of God's activity against what I may can accomplish is staggering. God spoke and the world came into being...I can't do that! My best work fails miserably in comparison to His mighty acts.
Because God can do so much, I can trust Him with the days of my life and the life in my days. He knows the future while I struggle with the next moment. He knows the outcome while I am searching for my next move.
Not only CAN God do but He WILL do! His promises are sure and His word complete. On the days when I am searching for answers...God is at work. During the times when I may doubt...God is at work. When I fail Him...God is at work.
I am reminded of the scripture that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Whithout Christ I can do nothing of any lasting value. My service must be "through Christ" and not in my own strength. I must work through His eyes, hands, and feet to see what He sees, do what He wants done and go where He wants me to go.
I am encouraged today to remember that God can do and will do His will in my life. Remember: God can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime! Inspirational | | | | | ONE BILLION | | Posted by Billy on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:28am | One billion is a lot. One billion is almost unthinkable. I just returned from a global pastor's conference that centered on reaching the next billion people for Christ. With over forty countries represented at the conference we heard messages from literally around the world.
I ate lunch with christian leaders from Uganda, Nirobi and several other countries. I heard of how the church is growing faster today than ever before around the world. Some countries need training for pastors as they have more churches than they have pastors.
Some of the staggering figures that stuck in my mind is that there are 1,000 churches planted every day, 125,000 people on average come to Christ every day. More muslims have trusted Christ in the last thirty years than in the last thirteen centuries.
The challenge of this conference was to double the number of churches worldwide in the next few years. 1.6 billion people worldwide profess Christ but there are 6.5 billion people in the world. We need to reach the next billion. There are 32 countries (language groups) that have never heard the name of Christ and do not have a single verse of the bible in their language. Even though the church is growing, it is not growing fast enough to keep up with the population growth.
Every Christian needs and must lead one person to Christ in order to reach the next billion. Every church needs to start a new church in order to double our impact around the world. My heart was stirred and I will never be the same having attended and participated in this conference. One great aspect of the conference was that it did not center on any denomination but only on Christ! I see hands joining across the denominational lines for the greater cause of reaching the world.
This blog cannot contain but a single drop of all I experienced and learned. I do believe in the coming weeks you will be able to read of the mighty things God is doing around the world. I hope you will continue to pray for me as I "get into the closet with God" for His divine leadership in my life. God is great and I know this very well! God and Country | | | |
|
About Me My Book  | Simple Living Soft Cover Retail: $11.99 Our Price: $8.75 ISBN:
1-4141-1190-8 |
 Buy This Book NowAnd Also ... Categories
|
Subscribe 
Print this
Permanent Link
E-mail a friend
Add a comment
View Archive
Top 
Authorized Log-In