A Morning View

God makes all things good.  God takes every misstep we make and somehow makes them good.  God desires us to follow God closely, but when we fail God keeps us close in our repentance.  Are you holding on to a misstep and keeping God from making all things good?  Confess, repent and let go of the shortcomings in your life and watch God make all things good.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28 Peace, PB

Advent is the season in the Christian Church where we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. We celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world as well as look forward to the Second Coming of Christ.  I look around the world and cry out, COME LORD JESUS COME! Come and take your people home.  But then I think, there are many who really do not know you Lord. So come to them in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit revealing Yourself to them as they receive your gift of amazing grace.  “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”” - Acts 4:11-12 Come Lord Jesus, Come! Peace, PB

My dog Gabby is so demonstrative when she badly wants something. She dances, prances, talks and woofs over and over until she gets the desire of her heart. Even when she is told no and sent to her crate, she will come back boldly demanding her desire. She does not give up. You know God's love for us is greater than this! God is in relentless pursuit of your love. God does not give up on any of us. But God will allow you to choose. Whom do you choose? “So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going ...

Perhaps since the Thanksgiving Holiday was yesterday, we just need to continue to give thanks everyday. There is always something to be thankful for around us. Even as we struggle through the difficult of our lives God shows up with us. It is alright to struggle, but we need to give thanks for all things.  “Live in peace with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are disorderly. Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil. Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blamele...

I give thanks for a wife who loves me as unconditionally as a human can love.  I am thankful for a family who loves me. I a thankful for friends who love me, call me and check on me. I give great thanks for Aley Church and their love for God and others, especially me!  I especially give thanks to God who provided a way for eternal life through Jesus Christ for all of us.  “Come, let’s sing out loud to the Lord!     Let’s raise a joyful shout to the rock of our salvation! Let’s come before him with thanks!     Let’s shout songs of joy to him! The Lord is a great God,     the great king over all other gods.”                                                   - Psalm 95:1-3   I receive more than I deserve. Thanks be to God!  Happy Thanksgiving! PB

Give thanks.  Live as an example of Christ. Sing praises to God. Make your actions follow your words. “The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.”   - Colossians 3:15-17 Thank you Jesus. Peace, PB

There is death around us. People are very ill. It is getting worse, not better.  Where are you God?  Do you not know what is happening? Have you turned away from your creation?  I do not understand. You can make this all go away. Heal your land oh God. Wait, you were seen in the moment. You were right there with your children. Your glory shines through our darkness.  People, turn you hearts to God.  Hold onto the Creator's everlasting love. Surround yourself in God's Glory. Live as the believer you proclaim. Come Holy Spirit Come. Peace, PB

Stop looking at everyone and everything else and pointing fingers. There is really nothing new going on in our world, it is just packaged differently. Is your faith and hope in God or is it in humanity?  Do you justify your thoughts, ideas, beliefs and actions because you are better than others or because it benefits you?  Do you look at everyone else's sin and justify your own as not that bad? Do you benefit from sin?  Well PB, you just do not understand! Really???  Check your heart, check your sin and truly run from it. God will help you out. God understands.  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”   - 1 Corinthians 10:13 Peace, PB

Have you ever been given advise when all you want is loved and understood? I wonder how often people who come to me just need heard. It seems to be a strong human nature to fix others. We seem to think we have all the solutions and ways for others to get beyond their struggles.  Have you ever had someone say, "well, I will pray for you?" Instead of investing in you personally they blow you off by praying. I believe they are sincere in praying, but before diminishing my struggle with the answer, perhaps it is important to love on me with an intent listening heart. I do passionately believe in the power of prayer, but I believe it is most impactful when we spend time with another and support it with prayer.  We live in a time where hearts are hurting and people are lonely. We seek one another. Be a representative of God before pushing God on them. Then pray with them, not just for them.  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giv...

Do you strive to please the Lord?  Do you live to bring glory to God?  Do you strive to live a Godly life?  Are your intentions selfless or selfish?  Is it all about me or thee? “When a man's ways please the Lord,     he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” - Proverbs 16:7 Peace, PB

Do you have faith? Do you live in faith?  Is faith a good idea or a way to live?  Do we trust in the mystery and often against the grain acts of faith we are called to walk in?  Do we have all the faith in the Lord, yet just stay away from the action of works within the faith we have? Do we just talk about our faith and do nothing about it? James 2:17 says, " Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?"  “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see. It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those w...

This song was in my head this morning. “God of Wonders” - Third Day   Lord of all creation Of the water, earth and sky The Heavens are Your Tabernacle Glory to the Lord on high God of wonders, beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of Heaven and Earth Lord of Heaven and Earth How about we pause from the struggle and bring praise to God?  How about we who proclaim Christ as Lord live as Christ is Lord?  God is so much more than we can fathom.  Let us turn our hearts and lives to God. “Do you not know?     Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,     the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,     and his understanding no one can fathom.” - Isaiah 40:28 Peace, PB  

I wonder how many of us live like the Romans scripture I am sharing today?  Do you live as a slave to your sin? Do you live free as a slave to God? “So what? Should we sin because we aren’t under Law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, that you are slaves of the one whom you obey? That’s true whether you serve as slaves of sin, which leads to death, or as slaves of the kind of obedience that leads to righteousness. But thank God that although you used to be slaves of sin, you gave wholehearted obedience to the teaching that was handed down to you, which provides a pattern. Now that you have been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. (I’m speaking with ordinary metaphors because of your limitations.) Once, you offered the parts of your body to be used as slaves to impurity and to lawless behavior that leads to still more lawless behavior. Now, you should present the parts of your body as sl...

Are you a growing Christian studying the word of God? Are you reading and studying for knowledge sake or are you reading and studying for transformation sake?  Read the Bible, study the Bible, be changed by the Bible. Be transformed and live transformed. Become a doer and not just a hearer. “Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you. You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves.”   - James 1:19-22 Encouraging words for discouraging times.  Peace, PB

Friends,  I see, feel and hear the angst ramping back up. I am not saying any and all of us need not be concerned with the world, but is God first? As a believer in Jesus Christ, I ask you is Jesus Christ first?  What is your first reaction to whatever it is that pushes you button? Is it anger, fear, aggression or irrational thinking? Before you go down the path of lashing out do you pray? Do you seek the Creator in the moment? Are your responses from God or from self?  “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for e...

Live today without complaining.  Find ways to turn lemons into lemonade. If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. Stay positive when if feels necessary to lash out.  Share the love of Jesus Christ to those you believe deserve it the least.  Make a difference.  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ...

What is happening in our world? What is going to happen next? I am afraid of what my grandchildren are going to face in this world. What can I do? How will this ever be cleaned up and fixed?  "I say to God my Rock,     “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning,     oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony     as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,     “Where is your God?”   - Psalm 42:9-10 Where is God in the middle of all of this?  “So do not fear, for I am with you;     do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;     I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 How in this world do we persevere? “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” - Matthew 6:34 Remember God...

If someone is willing to talk about others to you, are they willing to talk about you to others? “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:29-32 Don't do it!  Peace, PB

"He touched me, Oh He touched me And oh the joy that floods my soul Something happened and now I know He touched me and make me whole"  The surgeon said this was the song my dad was singing when he came out of his emergency stomach surgery. I was 10 and was facing the possibility of growing up without my dad. But God healed my father with the surgery and God's healing TOUCH!  This is also the song some good friends and I sang at my father's celebration of life. He went to be with Jesus in the early morning on this day 9 years ago. There are many days I would love to have just a few more minutes with my dad talking about life, smelling the Irish Spring soap and gleaning the many years of wisdom he would share with me. I miss my dad. He taught me to always do what is right. He encouraged me to be positive and told me that I was born to make a difference in the lives of others. Dad, I try and I hope I bring you joy in your place with Jesus!  I also believe I will see him...

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918 the Armistice with Germany ending WWI went into effect. In 1954 Armistice Day became Veterans Day and has been honoring ALL who served in the United State Military ever since.  Today is Veterans Day 2020. Today I give thanks to all who have served. I have heard it said that when one signs the paper to join the military, they are signing a commitment to, if necessary, give their life for their country. Today I say thank you to ALL who signed and have served.  Today I especially give thanks for the ultimate gift of life in Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly went to the cross to take on the sins of the world. He is risen from the grave and sits on the right hand of the Father.  I give thanks!  May God Bless all who have served.  Peace, PB

It is so awesome when others check on their pastor or share words of encouragement. I am so blessed with a congregation who does send cards, text messages, emails, phone calls and even stop in the office just to show their appreciation. Pastor appreciation at Aley Church is not the month of October, is is all the time. But even with the best situation I experience, there can be loneliness.  It can be a difficult journey as a pastor. But when the Spirit of God nudges my friends in the congregation, they listen and make a large difference in my life.  Not all pastors have the same experience. There are many who barely get a card of appreciation during a month set aside for recognition. Many deal with extremely negative comments and situations from people who only care for themselves. All they hear is what is wrong and the only time they are called is when others need something. They are lonely and often wonder if it even worth the effort they share with the people. Many consider...

Yesterday I spent some time with people in Hospice care. They are sad and struggling with the understanding that the one they love will be passing from this life into life eternal. Yet in both visits they have said that they are ready for the one they love to go to Jesus for eternity. It will be difficult, but there will be great rejoicing in knowing that there is no more pain, no more suffering and a glorious time worshiping the Savior of the world.  Are you confident in your eternity? “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” - Philippians 1:21-23 Peace, PB

Question of the day. Whom do you serve?  There is much happening to draw our attention away from our first love.  Where do you spend your money? How do you spend your time? Who and what is the number one priority of your life? “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b Peace, PB

I am left handed. It is difficult to be left handed in a right handed world. This became a simple reality to me as I was constantly spilling coffee from the coffee pot while pouring it with my left hand. I tried every possible way to adapt to pour the coffee with my left hand and did not have success. No matter how hard I tried, at times with minimum success, I eventually had to pour the coffee with my right hand to avoid the constant spills of the coffee on the counter.  Sometimes I try to impart my will, desires and understanding into the will, desire and understanding of God. No matter how hard I try I can find myself having minimum success but missing out on the smooth dripless pouring out of the Spirit of God. When my sinful desires overtake the striving for God's desires I create a mess. Often it is not as bad as other time, but sometimes there is a great amount of spillage to clean up.  “This is what the Lord says—     your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I...

I had this thought yesterday. Unity must be mutually inclusive. If not unity will not exist. We must be willing to include all who call upon the name of the Lord. Christian unity must be focused on the foundation of the gift of Jesus Christ. Honestly, nothing else matters. Yet everything else matters. We will never get along as long as Christ is not the focus. We must choose unity with the other over self indulging beliefs. We must be willing to learn from one another while not compromising our core foundation of Jesus Christ.  Who is the #1 priority in your life? Does your relationship with Jesus Christ drive every part of your life? Do you spend time seeking Jesus in every decision you make? Sounds crazy! But if I am sold out for the Lord and Savior, then I need to be sold out.  Perhaps we spend too much time striving to change another, while in fact we should allow the Holy Spirit of God to change us while the Holy Spirit is changing another. “I have a serious concern to br...

Today I share more scripture and less thought. I have many thoughts and emotions right now. Honestly I need to sort through them and see what is from God and what is not. So I found this passage to share with you today. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to ...

Please remember that our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is our foundation. I often wonder if all who proclaim Jesus Christ put God first. Honestly, I catch myself not keeping God as my priority.  As I ponder my thoughts this morning after the election, I wonder what it would be like in our areas of influence in the world if each believer in Christ would sell out. I think of all the energy and money spent to be elected to a government seat and I think what would the world look like if Christians rallied their energies and money for the Kingdom of God. I wonder what it would look like if Christians acted like Christians and invested in something more than programs inside the church (which are important) and truly went outside the building to the people who need Jesus Christ.  Personally, I wonder why I have not done the same. As a servant leader I often get caught up in maintaining the institution. The institution needs managed, yet the institution is here to transfo...

Election Day 2020 I have heard it said that this is the most important election is the history of the United States. By the way, in 2016 I heard the same statement made.  It really is an important day. No matter who wins the election, God is still God and God is in control. As followers of Jesus Christ we must remember it is all about our relationship with Jesus Christ and our relationship with one another, regardless.  Yes but.......  No buts, we must live and treat all of humanity as children of God created in the image and likeness of God. WHAT???? Yes! Live the new commandment!  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35 Today is the day to love.  Peace, PB

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 The Message Pray for our leaders not to do the work of the church, but to provide a way for the church to do the work of the Lord.  Live in such a way that God is glorified in all we say and all we do.  Peace, PB

Today we honor the Saints who have gone on before us. We remember their gift to us while on this earth.  There is great thanks for their love for us.  We share in a great celebration of God's embrace for them in their eternal home.  Thankfulness in our weakness is raised to the heavens for God's eternal gift. It is good to weep tears of loss and share tears of celebration for all who stand worshiping at the mercy seat of God. Never say goodbye, but look forward to reuniting at the best feast ever with the Glorious one. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” - Revelation 14:13 Peace, PB