I SOUGHT THE LORD AND HE HEARD ME

Photo provided by Marion Poole

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: 

the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and 

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, 

and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:2-4

PROSPEROUS SEED

Photo provided by Debra Martinez 

For the seed shall be prosperous; 

the vine shall give her fruit, and 

the ground shall give her increase, 

and the heavens shall give their 

dew; and I will cause the remnant 

of this people to possess all 

these things.

Zechariah 8:12

WHERE IS JESUS IN YOUR BOAT?

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Have you ever been in the middle of a great storm and 

wonder where the Lord was?  I know I have.  It's not

easy when you don't see the Lord taking care of things

the way we think He should be.  

I have several storms going on in my life right now. 

My body is in great pain every day and my career 

life isn't helping the pain one bit.  As I struggle with

this, there are times I have become extremely angry

and have said things that I shouldn't have said. 

Some times I think, "Now Lord I know you 

have the power to control this whole situation

and yet you chose not to.  You could instantly

remove my pain, but you chose not to. 

So where is He?  What is He thinking?  

Why isn't He in the middle of my dilemma?

Why only silence? Doesn't He know that 

if my pain level is so extreme; I am not able

to walk and if I can't hardly walk; I can't 

give my books away, and I honestly

don't feel like speaking with people when

my pain level is so extreme.  Does He 

just not get it?  

 He is still in the boat!

He may not be standing right beside 

me calming the storm, but He is in the

boat.  It may seem He doesn't care;

but He never got out of the boat.  

He is there, I just need to wait

until He knows the timing is  

perfect.  When that moment 

arrives and He steps from the

stern of the boat and makes 

 His presence known, then it will

be plain to see why He chose to 

wait.  He may be using my

pain to bring someone to a

closer walk with Christ

or my pain to bring some

one to know Christ as 

their savior.  He may us my 

pain to help someone else make

it through their pain.   We never

totally understand what the Lord

is up to but may we wait and not

be filled with fear and anger 

while He waits for the perfect

moment to display his power

and glory over the situation.

May we wait and see what 

miraclous things He has is 

store for our lives. 

Seek the LORD and

 his strength,

seek his face continually

OUR UNCHANGING GOD

A devotion by Steve Long 

Spring has sprung

Fall has fell

Winter’s over

And it’s hot as…..   all get-out!

Every year the seasons come and go. Our lives are like this too.

Our circumstances seem to change from day to day. We may be rich one day and poor the next. We may be well one day and extremely unhealthy the next. We might go from being on top of the world to being friendless soon after. Our life’s graph might look like the Stock report.

Because of life’s yoyo effect, our feelings may go up and down too.

There is not much in this world you can count on, but you can always count on the Lord. As a Christian, there will be days where there is no sunshine. No matter, God’s grace is steadfast. With him “there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1.17) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13.7)

We often look for solidity out of things that are made of cardboard. We become disappointed and disillusioned when our “glory” fades away. However, we can never be disappointed over something in which we have not placed confidence.

As we behold Christ, we learn of his consistent faithfulness. Things may look bleak but his promises are sure. Life may appear to have dealt us a lemon but “we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8.28) God’s love and grace are constant while all else may waver. God’s holiness remains. His promises are as certain now as they were two thousand years ago. You can trust them. You can trust Him.

Years ago, after a hospital visit, I was ready to go home. While walking down the hospital hallway, though, I noticed a large, white object appearing about half-mast in one of the rooms. When I turned back to see what it was, I saw a young lady with her leg in a cast which was elevated to about forty degrees. I felt compelled to stop and talk to her. Within only a short time of sharing the gospel with her, she began to weep. I could see the Holy Spirit was convincing her of her lost condition. I led her to Jesus, prayed with her, gave her some further guidance and left.

Leaving the hospital that day, I was filled with joy and exclaimed to the Lord, “God, you are so good!”

Immediately I felt a twinge of conviction. The thought crossed my mind, “Why don’t you praise God like that when days are difficult and you are seeing no visible results of blessing?” It was as if God were saying to me. “I am always good.”

You know what? He really is. We just don’t always see it as clearly as we do on other days. May the Lord help us to praise him and proclaim his goodness every day of our lives.

Here is the chorus of a song I wrote that day.

My God is the same 

when the sun is shining, 

As in the darkest night.

He’s the same when things 

are going wrong, 

As when they’re going right.

He’s the same today as yesterday

And evermore shall be.

And though my God has never changed,

He sure is changing me.

“For I am the LORD, I do not change; 

Therefore you are not consumed, 

O sons of Jacob. 

Yet from the days of your fathers 

You have gone away from My ordinances 

And have not kept them. 

Return to Me, and I will return to you," 

Says the LORD of hosts.”  (Malachi 3.6-7)

  

He never changes but we all need Him to change us.

  

WHAT IS TRUE WISDOM?

What is true wisdom?  That is the first thing that came to 

my mind after I felt astonished, shocked, overwhelmed 

and filled with sorrow. 

As I was working at the office today we got word

that my nephew by marriage had been in an 

accident.   The family wasn't sure if 

he was going to pull through.  

Can you imagine the horror or finding

your mate laying in a pile of blood

with their entire body mauled by 

an animal?  

He had walked outside looking for 

their small dog and the neighbors dog

came over and nearly killed him.  

The news came, his toes and fingers

are intact and the dog didn't get his 

eyes.  This was the only good news 

that we was hearing as the rest of 

the news was that of devastation.  

The neighbors dog tore over four

feet of his flesh.  Can you even

imagine getting one foot of your

flesh torn to shreds?  Were not 

talking about a few bites, we are 

talking about his entire body being 

torn with gashes from top to bottom.  

Now, let me reflect back a month or 

so ago when my sister was attacked 

by a very large dog.  She was pretty

angry because she had to get 11 stitches

on the arm pit of her arm going down 

toward the elbow. 

She asked the owners to get rid of the dog.

You would have thought they would have

gladly gotten rid of the dog but instead, 

they got rid of their friendship with 

her.  She was told she was over reacting.

The fight continued because when my

sister believes she right she sticks to her

beliefs unless proven wrong.  

I seen a post on the families page 

that said they wanted to give the dog

away to someone.  They said, he's not 

child friendly as they had seen with 

the one child they had and also had

another one fixing to be delivered.  

Also stated that the dog gets jealous 

and is very protective.  

So they knew the dog was not child

friendly and was very protective 

because this was not the first time

this dog had attacked and the dog

had been deemed as dangerous.  Yet 

they were angry when my sister stood 

her ground and insisted they get rid 

of the dog.  She didn't just insist, 

she told them if they didn't get 

rid of the dog, she would sue

them.  

Sometimes drastic measures 

must be taken when there is 

danger to a child or even

another person.  It's one thing

to have a dog and endanger your

own life but it's totally different

if you let the dog threaten

someone else's life. 

Their friendship is totally broken and 

every family member who has been

like family to her for probably 30 years 

has all cut off their friendship.  

Now, for my opinion.  True wisdom is 

standing up and fighting with every 

ounce of your being to save the life

of one of those children, even if 

it cost you your friendship and the

pain is so great from losing those 

friends.  

True wisdom is not thinking 

selfishly and giving in to their anger

and frustration of having to get rid 

of this family pet whom they loved

so dearly.  

True wisdom is taking the hard 

road and probably saving someones

life.  It is not always easy to use

true wisdom but after hearing the

news of my nephew, I say my

sister deserves a round of applause 

for taking a stand and holding it out 

to the very end.  

I would rather them be mad and have

listened to her than to have insisted 

they keep the dog and then one day 

find one of their children or a friend

lying in a heap of blood and then being

so angry with themselves for not 

listening to the voice of truth. 

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, 

that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Proverbs 19:20

BE NOT HASTY IN THY SPIRIT

Photo provided by Katie Peace

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: 

for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Say not thou, What is the cause that 

the former days were better than these? 

for thou dost not enquire wisely 

concerning this  Wisdom is good with an 

inheritance: and by it there is profit 

to them that see the sun. For wisdom is 

a defence, and money is a defence: but 

the excellency of knowledge is, that 

wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Consider the work of God: for who 

can make that straight, which he 

hath made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:9-13

THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOREVER

The LORD shall reign for ever, even 

thy God, O Zion, unto all 

generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD: for it is 

good to sing praises unto our 

God; for it is pleasant; and 

praise is comely.

PSALM 146:10 - 147:1

WHAT IS A CULT?

What is a Cult?

What is a cult? How would you know one if you saw one?

The word “cult” comes from a Latin word cultus which meant “worship.” But a cult is more than just a group that worships. Some dictionary definitions of the word “cult” include:

• A system of religious belief, esp. one not recognized as an established religion, or the people who worship according to such a system of belief:[i]

• A  religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also :  its body of adherents[ii]

• A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.[iii]

Some of the common misconceptions of a cult one might hear are a religious group which is: small, regarded by others as strange or sinister, excessive, misplaced, and – a splinter group. But just because a group is small, it does not make them necessarily wrong. Just because they are considered “strange,” it doesn’t make them a cult. That which is true is often considered strange by the people of this world. If a faction splinters off of another, this doesn’t mean they are outside the realm of orthodoxy. Even though many of these characteristics are often common in many cults, I think we would be wise to consider a more biblical definition of a cult.

True Christianity is a cloth that is woven with many groups and denominations. Even though some may claim they are the one true, mother church and that all other groups are not legitimate, this is not so.

The existence of many different groups, some of which believe a little differently, does not qualify any of them as a cult. Most denominations have statements of faith which define their doctrine. You will notice a common core belief system from most of them too, though they may differ on the non-essentials.

I have been a member of Baptist churches ever since Jesus saved me from my sin. Most Christians recognize Baptists as true Christians. However, when a team of us went up from Texas to a northern American state to do some ministry up there, I found out that many people of the groups there regarded Baptists as a cult.

In Poland, where I went several years ago, the Baptist churches had felt the need to put “Christian Baptist Church” on their signs so that they would not be regarded by others as a cult but as Christian. They had suffered some persecution from some. Many Poles believed that Christians should all belong to their one group.

What I’m saying is that it is easy to place the label “cult” upon any group that does not believe exactly like us. This is wrong because when we use only the worldly definition of what constitutes a cult, it is possible for any group of Christians to label any other group of Christians as a cult. This causes even more division among the people of God.

A false definition of a cult, however, does not negate the true definition. So let’s look at the true definition. A cult is a group of people who profess Christianity but whose practices and beliefs are in direct disagreement with the core beliefs of Christianity. These core beliefs include reliance upon the bible as God’s word; God as Creator and giver of the moral law; belief in the unity of God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); recognition of the sinful nature of mankind; belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; salvation by grace through faith in Jesus; heaven and hell as the final destiny of all humanity; and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

John, the Apostle of Jesus, wrote:

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.[iv]

Here are some biblical characteristics of a cult or a false group: All cults have most, if not all of these ways about them.

• Teaches doctrine which is foreign to scripture, especially in the area of Jesus Christ and Salvation. Most often, in cult teachings, they deny the Godhood of Jesus Christ.
• Requires unquestioned devotion to a human, fallible leader. This leader is often accountable to no one else.
• Isolates its members from all other groups. The bible teaches us that we are to be separated, but not isolated from the rest of the world.
• Extra-biblical revelation. The cult will add books, writings and teachings from within to be regarded as equal to or superior to the bible.
• Adheres to prophecies which are proven to be false.
• Often the group, in obedience to its leader, teaches and believes that there is no salvation apart from itself.

Just because it may be popular to label a group as “a cult” does not make them one. There are many legitimate groups of Christians who may be outside the mainstream but which do not resemble any of the characteristics of cultism. And just because someone is a member or connected to a cult group does not necessarily mean they are unsaved. They may just be confused. We trust that God will truly lead them to the light and bring them out.

Finally: If you know someone who is in a cult, they are not irredeemable. Pray for their salvation and for their enlightenment to the truth, and if God provides you the opportunity, share the gospel of Jesus with them. God may use it to draw them unto himself.

THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS IN ALL HIS WAYS

Photo provided by Katie Peace

The LORD is righteous in all 

his ways, and holy in all 

his works.  The LORD is nigh 

unto all them that call upon him, 

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that 

fear him: he also will hear their cry, 

and will save them.  The LORD 

preserveth all them that love him: 

but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise 

of the LORD: and let all flesh 

bless his holy name for 

ever and ever.

Psalm 145:17-21

SOUL MATTERS

FOR THE BELIEVER!
NUTRIENTS FOR THE DAY

Your soul will not 

graze from the same pastures your 

(flesh) body grazes from, but your body 

will graze from the same pastures your 

soul grazes from.

If you find your soul has lost life, 

it may because your feeding from 

the wrong pastures.

Graze from the Word of God and let it 

fulfill your desires. When you do so, it 

will fulfill your every need. The places 

your spirit goes, your body will yield to. 

Walk in the ways of the Lord and let 

him sustain you!

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the 

lust of the flesh.  For the flesh 

lusteth against the Spirit, and the 

Spirit against the flesh: and these 

are contrary the one to the other: 

so that ye cannot do the things that 

ye would. But if ye be led 

of the Spirit, ye are not under 

the law.  Now the works of the 

flesh are manifest, which are these;

 Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, 

lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, 

hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, 

strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, 

murders, drunkenness, revellings, and 

such like: of the which I tell you before, 

as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things shall 

not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the 

fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 

faith,  Meekness, temperance: against 

such there is no law.  And they that 

are Christ’s have crucified the flesh 

with the affections and lusts.  If we live 

in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

GALATIANS 5:16-25

IN HIS STEPS

Photo provided by Steve Long

For what glory is it, if, when ye be 

buffeted for your faults, ye shall 

take it patiently? but if, when ye 

do well, and suffer for it, ye take 

it patiently, this is acceptable with 

God.  For even hereunto were ye 

called: because Christ also suffered 

for us, leaving us an example, 

that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile 

found in his mouth:  Who, when he 

was reviled, reviled not again; when 

he suffered, he threatened not; but 

committed himself to him that judgeth 

righteously:  Who his own self bare 

our sins in his own body on the tree, 

that we, being dead to sins, should 

live unto righteousness: by whose 

stripes ye were healed.  For ye were 

as sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and 

Bishop of your souls.

II Peter 2:20-25

NOT USING YOUR LIBERTY FOR A CLOKE OF MALICIOUSNESS

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers 

and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, 

which war against the soul;  Having your 

conversation honest among the Gentiles: 

that, whereas they speak against you as 

evildoers, they may by your good works, 

which they shall behold, glorify God in 

the day of visitation.  Submit yourselves 

to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s 

sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Or unto governors, as unto them that are 

sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, 

and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well 

doing ye may put to silence the ignorance 

of foolish men:  As free, and not using your 

liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, 

but as the servants of God.  Honour all 

men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. 

Honour the king.  Servants, be subject 

to your masters with all fear; not only 

to the good and gentle, but also to the 

froward.  For this is thankworthy, if 

a man for conscience toward God 

endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be 

buffeted for your faults, ye shall take

it patiently? but if, when ye do well, 

and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, 

this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: 

because Christ also suffered for us, 

leaving us an example, that ye 

should follow his steps:  Who did 

no sin, neither was guile found in 

his mouth:  Who, when he was 

reviled, reviled not again; when 

he suffered, he threatened not; 

but committed himself to him 

that judgeth righteously: Who his 

own self bare our sins in his own 

body on the tree, that we, being 

dead to sins, should live unto 

righteousness: by whose stripes 

ye were healed.  For ye were as 

sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and 

Bishop of your souls.

II Peter 2:11-25


HAPPY JULY 4TH

GOD'S ALL SUFFICIENT HAND

Yesterday I wrote a blog called, "When
Pain becomes Victory and Death
becomes Life."

How far in advance does God see and
make prevision for your needs? 

For Rebecca Jones the wife of  Mark Jones,
God was watching over her and
preparing the way months before
Marks accident. 

Kristy Long, who was struggling not
knowing where to send her children
to school the next year, finally chose
a school in Richardson Texas.
After visiting many schools and almost
enrolling in one, but missed the final
meeting for enrollment, she finally
made her choice. This school is
the same school that Rebecca
youngest child, Asher attends.
On the first day back to school
in the fall, Asher will have his best
friend Noah Long at his side
everyday and any time that Rebecca
isn't able to take Asher to and from
school; it's right on Kristy's way.
God is Good!  All the Time!

All the Time!  God is Good!

Only five days has passed since 

Mark left this world and in those five

short days that have seemed an

eternity already to Rebecca and 

her dear children, there has been 

$21,520 raised to assist the family

with their needs.  

Mark believed and repeated often,

God is Good! All the Time!

All the Time, God is Good!

If in this life you change the 

world by your presence and

leaving this life brings more

glory to the heavenly father and 

reaches more souls for Christ than 

staying, than when this life is all 

said and done; how great will the 

crown in glory be that you ran the 

race with the highest honor. While 

running it, you passed to baton

to so many others desiring to run 

the race as you did.  Running it

so many souls would be added to 

the kingdom of heaven. 

Walking the new path will not be

easy each day as this family learns 

that God is the provider, sustainer

and comfort.  Mark left many stepping

stones for them to place their feet 

on and to follow in his path; this 

is exactly what I see this family 

doing, as they venture to live their

lives without his guidance.

Many times instead of drawing out of the

grace, love and mercy account, I have

ran to the fear account and have taken a 

full withdrawal.  The times I ran to the 

Lord for my strength and comfort, he 

always proved himself to be faithful. 

I remember many years ago when 

our son had to have emergency surgery

due to a freak accident.  The doctors x-rayed

his arm but didn't catch he had a hairline 

fracture in the bone on his left arm.  He was

at the same time exposed to the strep 

virus and the strep went straight to the 

bone, requiring two major surgeries

  No insurance, no money, just us sitting 

in the hospital wondering what God's 

plan was going to be to provide.  

Sitting beside Josh's bed one morning 

after his second surgery, his doctor 

walked in and started discussing the 

next thirty days and what would have 

to be done.  Twice a day, shots would 

have to be slowly injected into 

the subclavan that ran tubes straight to 

Josh's heart.  Each dose cost $400.00 each. 

Dr Kerr stopped and said, "You

will need to make plans with the school

for Joshua to be taught from home for the

next thirty days."  This was not an issue,

as I told Dr Kerr that we home schooled 

our children. Instantly he stopped and

said, "I love home school parents." 

He rallied doctor's and pharmacist

together to reduce prices and to bring

assistance that brought our hospital and 

prescription bills down 75 percent of what 

they would have been.  

This is how our doctor proved to us his love 

for the Lord and his love for home 

schooled parents.

God is Good!  All the Time!

All the Time! God is Good!

We may suffer in this life, 

we may have pain and sorrow, 

but this one thing I know, 

if we allow God to use it for

his glory, he will do that very

thing and in the midst of this 

wilderness journey, we will see

the roses bloom, and the springs 

filled with the water flowing from 

the throne of God.  We will see it

is far better to trust than to be 

filled with fear and anxiety. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very 

present help in trouble. Therefore will 

not we fear, though the earth be 

removed, and though the mountains 

be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and 

be troubled, though the mountains 

shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof 

shall make glad the city of God, the 

holy place of the tabernacles of the 

most High.  God is in the midst of 

her; she shall not be moved: God 

shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms 

were moved: he uttered his voice, 

the earth melted./  The LORD of 

hosts is with us; the God of Jacob 

is our refuge. Selah.  Come, behold 

the works of the LORD, what 

desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end 

of the earth; he breaketh the bow, 

and cutteth the spear in sunder; he 

burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: 

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

 PSALM 46

WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE

This story begins in Richardson Texas, a quaint suburb in the Dallas - Fort Worth area, where Mark and Rebecca Jones lived. Mark never made the headlines of the New York Times or appeared on Good Morning America. But this man made news in Heaven on June 28th, 2017, when he walked through the gates of heaven and into the arms of the one he so loved, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark, the Worship Leader at Trinity Church in Richardson Texas, did far more than just lead his people in song. He led them to the throne of God.

On June 2, 2017, Mark’s life would no longer be the same. Leaving the house on this rainy day, Mark fell down the steps, tearing all the tendons and ligaments in both legs. He went through knee surgery on both legs and began physical therapy, but what he learned during those days was not as important as what he taught others during that time. As he was learning to walk again after the surgeries, he taught other people how to have a new walk also.

On June 4, 2017, Mark posted a video with these words to his friends. 

" Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

On June 9, 2017, Mark posted these words, 

"My heart and flesh may fail

The earth below give way

But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord

Lifted high on that day

Behold, the Lamb that was slain

And I’ll know every tear was worth it all

Though you slay me

Yet I will praise you

Though you take from me

I will bless your name

Though you ruin me

Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need"

(Shane and Shane-"Though You Slay Me")

On June 11, 2017, Mark posted a video of him lying in the hospital bed, singing the song called, "Blessings" and these words.

'Cause what if your blessings
come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are
Your mercies in disguise"

"What if the sole purpose of being in your life, and all (sic) brings with it, is for the sole purpose of making you more like Jesus?"

On June 16th Mark posted these words  

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b    My Friday morning proclamation regarding My Good, Good Father....

He remains, good, all the time! He remains, faithful!

He remains, merciful!
His grace is sufficient!
His love is everlasting!
He is with me in this storm!
He is working all things for good and for His glory
and that is good enough for me!
He is fully trustworthy!
He alone is my Healer!
His presence is full of joy!
His people are amazing!
His plans are perfect!
His timing is without error!
His strength is perfect, when my strength is gone!

Thank You, Father for entrusting me with this trial. I'm not worthy, but You are. May I be faithful to this call. I love you.

On June 25, 2017 mark posted a video singing from his hospital bed, "In Christ Alone", and posted these words.

No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."
"....on Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

On June 28, 2017, Mark posted these words, not knowing this would be his last day on the earth, and the beginning of watching his pain become a victory and his death bringing forth life. 

Today's Nugget – Find a way to (continue or begin) to serve your bride that says, "I love you and I'm thinking about you" and do it today and everyday that God gives you breath.

One of the ways that I've been able to serve my bride, over the years, is to make her coffee in the morning. No matter what time I got up or what the day held, for a very long time now, one of the things that Rebecca knew that she could count on was that her coffee, half and half and Chinet, comfort disposable travel cup with lid, would be waiting to greet her at the beginning of her day.

To say that was a blessing to her is a tremendous understatement. One of the things that I miss most about not being at home since my accident is that I am not there to make her coffee for in the morning.

As I heal more, little by little, day by day, I look forward to the next time I can stand in my kitchen and grind coffee beans and prepare her morning "happy" to start her day.

But it also reminds me, once again, that we cannot wait to say or do the things that we want and need to do. We are not guaranteed the next moment, our next breath or our next step.

So fellas, whatever that is for you, do it today. Do it right now and every day that God gives you breath! And count it a joy and a privilege to do whatever that is that says, "I love you and I'm thinking about you babe!"

She'll be eternally grateful for your doing so.

Shortly after Mark's death, a young couple who had lost a very young child suddenly, watched the videos on Mark's facebook page of him praising, worshipping and loving his Lord, and it gave them a new perspective and is helping them walk through the dark days they are experiencing.

This morning as I was praying about what to title Mark's story, I felt the Lord lay this title on my heart, "WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE".   I questioned the Lord about that topic, but as I have learned over the years, God knows what he is fixing to do; I just need to hold the pen.

This topic came to me around 9:00 AM so I sat down and started writing, deleting and writing again.  Then I received a message from my daughter-in-love that said, Mark's son was sitting by the pool this morning with his mother and prayed and accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. I knew instantly why God had pressed on my heart to call this blog, "WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE." 

So now I must ask this question. What will the last few days of your life look like? Will they be filled with stepping stones that will lead someone else into peace, joy and eternal life or will you leave the stepping stones that bring sorrow, anguish and fears?

We have but one life, may our last days look like those of this godly man, Mark Jones, that as people go through life and start to sink, they can find the firm stones he left behind, place their feet onto them and stand and move forward in a path that will also provide great stepping stones for others to follow. 

THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 

by the will of God, to the saints 

which are at Ephesus, and 

to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace be to you, and peace, 

from God our Father, and from 

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 

hath blessed us with all spiritual 

blessings in heavenly places 

in Christ:  According as he hath 

chosen us in him before the 

foundation of the world, that we 

should be holy and without blame 

before him in love:  Having 

predestinated us unto the adoption 

of children by Jesus Christ to 

himself, according to the good 

pleasure of his will,  To the praise 

of the glory of his grace, wherein 

he hath made us accepted 

in the beloved.  In whom we have 

redemption through his blood, the 

forgiveness of sins, according 

to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded 

toward us in all wisdom and 

prudence; Having made known unto 

us the mystery of his will, according 

to his good pleasure which he hath 

purposed in himself:  That in the 

dispensation of the fulness of times 

he might gather together in one all 

things in Christ, both which are in 

heaven, and which are on earth; even 

in him: In whom also we have obtained 

an inheritance, being predestinated 

according to the purpose of him who 

worketh all things after the counsel of 

his own will:  That we should be to the 

praise of his glory, who first trusted 

in Christ  In whom ye also trusted, after 

that ye heard the word of truth, the 

gospel of your salvation: in whom also 

after that ye believed, ye were sealed with 

that holy Spirit of promise,  Which is 

the earnest of our inheritance until the 

redemption of the purchased possession, 

unto the praise of his glory.  Wherefore I 

also, after I heard of your faith in the 

Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Cease not to give thanks for you, 

making mention of you in my prayers;

That the God of our Lord Jesus 

Christ, the Father of glory, may 

give unto you the spirit of wisdom 

and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being 

enlightened; that ye may know what 

is the hope of his calling, and 

what the riches of the glory of his 

inheritance in the saints,  And what is 

the exceeding greatness of his power 

to us-ward who believe, according to 

the working of his mighty power,  

Which he wrought in Christ, when he \

raised him from the dead, and set him 

at his own right hand in the heavenly 

places,  Far above all principality, 

and power, and might, and dominion, 

and every name that is named, not 

only in this world, but also in that 

which is to come:  And hath put all 

things under his feet, and gave 

him to be the head over all things 

to the church,  Which is his body, 

the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 1