Encouragements from Tim to travel life's journey together guided by the light of God's Word!
Saturday, May 23, 2026
"What Do These Stones Mean?"
I can imagine in my so called mind, many years later after conquering Canaan; Memorial Day Weekend and the summer vacations at the "Jordan River National Park." The children would run up to the grandparents or great grandparents, sitting under a shade tree, that had seen or heard about the crossing and ask: "What do those stones over there mean?"
"They are a monument for us to remember when God dried up that part of the Jordan, and our people walked safely across. We are here to remember and worship our God!"
I can see an elderly man say: "Thinking back these stones mean many things to us...."
"Yes sir?"
"These stones mean; God hears your cries. Like He did, when His people were in slavery."
"These stones mean; God delivers. Like he did His people."
"These stones mean; God saves by the Blood. Like He did His people when they applied the blood."
"These stones mean; God can trouble those that trouble you. Just as He did, drowning Pharaoh and his army in the sea."
"These stones mean; God leads you in your wilderness. Like He did our people."
"These stones mean; God can make a way where there is no way. As He did at the Red Sea and this river."
So now you can remember; God is in control and with God, all things are possible. What do you need today? deliverance? salvation? trusting God/faith? Let God meet you where you are. He can move in the miraculous for you, and then He can move in the miraculous through you. Love God Love Others!
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Thy Word is a lamp...
Before I closed my eyes for sleep last night, I read the last part of Psalm 118 and some of 119... I found my self desiring God the way David did.
He loved Gods Word. He read, memorized, applied etc, etc. He made me envious for that passion. We can be realistic and know we are on different rungs of the ladder or level of maturity. While David had this divine friendship with God. He was like you and I. He sinned.
Take away;
1. Endure like a good soldier
2. Faithful like a farmer
3. Disciplined as an athlete
Desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow by it. When we sin we can quickly repent and continue to run the race. Quiet time with God in the morning is huge, enabling you to go live out loud and demonstrate the love you have for the Lord!
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Invisible people
Being lonely in a crowd is a thing. Standing alone in the middle of the room, surrounded by the buzz of people talking and laughing, focused on catching up and making plans to meet again.
So many in the room that might even know everyone, yet invisible, as in a dream or as if you had experienced death and as some spirit, walked into a group of friends, the church, or the place you worked.
Can you imagine walking through the groups and joining in, but being ignored or treated as if you interrupted.
Let us be intentional about seeing everyone in the room. Let's be focused on others need to communicate and socialize. We can purposely meet and greet many at the event, church, school or break room.
What if everyone had that mindset? There would be less lonely and invisible people.
Don't let it happen. Not on your watch!
Thursday, May 14, 2026
ABC's of true Community Development
Better yourself
Consideration
Develop your community
Engage
Future vision
God
Have a dream
Invest time and effort
Just do it
Keep learning
Listen
Make it happen
No fear
Observe direction
Pray
Quit quitting
Resources
Study
Think positively.
Unity
Vision
Work
X ray your heart
Zest
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Step Up to the Plate
Bud Hillerich wanted to help a player in a slump and made a bat for him. He came out of the slump and players including the Babe came to have one made. Soon Bud had a thriving business. Bud Hillerich took over his father's company in 1894, and the name "Louisville Slugger" was registered with the U.S. Patent Office. It all started because one person wanted to help one person. Now millions are helped to be better. Be A PART of a great team!
Romans 12:9-12.
Philippians 2:1-4.
2 Corinthians 1: 3,4
Saturday, May 9, 2026
THE TOP THREE PLACES TO LIVE.
That's no way or place to live. A few of the people we often admire, even idolize, live life; mentally, physically and spiritually in sadness, loneliness and hopeless. In our nations, cities, and families we see those that are merely existing. Paul the Apostle wrote to the readers in Ephesus informing them they were at one time lost, without God, without hope. It's a dead, undesirable hellish place to be.
******************
We would love to live in a penthouse or a large flat or apartment in downtown Chicago or New York. We become thirsty when we see the mansion by the beach. We see the: "Great places to retire" stories on the internet. I worry about those that live on a mountain side in fear of mudslides. I personally do not want to live that way.
Whatever your career path or economics or education, ask yourself where do I live? Do my neighbors live in a different place than I do?
"What?"
Three great places to live: In Faith.
In Hope.
In Love.
Faith: In Christ
Hope: because of Christ
Love: Moved by His Love
Paul was speaking to a group and said: " For in God we live, move and have our being."
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and not of yourself it is the gift from God. Not of works lest anyone should boast."
Peter said that we have been called to a lively hope! Paul told us that we do not grieve as those without hope.
"There are three things that remain-Faith, hope and love- and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Those are three great places to live!
Thursday, May 7, 2026
NEW LIFE!
They used to say, "Don't trust anyone over 30 years old." Until THEY had turned 30. We thought we had some secret. We found out the secret was we didn't have a clue. Just because we lacked vision to see ahead, we shrugged it off.
We move on living a lot of life. We were 17 and woke up one day and we were 50+. We're thinking we have plenty of time one minute and impatiently make decisions before it's too late the next.
Spice and variety in life is cool but so is a "level stability" moving forward. Again, plan your work and work your plan is a great idea during the youthful years. It can also be incorporated in the golden years. Into a new life!
Life is far from over at an older stage of life. We've been given new life! There are opportunities that arise to correct bad decisions and wasted years. We can even make a difference in the circle of life God has placed us in.
Read, write, video, text, garden, worship God,
The older has some experience and wisdom to share to the younger. The idea here is don't waste any more time, have some variety, but while we enjoy new life at second half of it, be an encouragement, a team player, show those around you how to be a good follower or even lead the way.
In this new life we can be teachable, loving, kind, helpful, being a part not tearing apart.
Take this new life to work, home, and church. It's the season of life we can come to realize we have been blessed by God to be a blessing.
This is simple but it aint easy. Ask God to go with you!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Rounding the Turn!
When they round the last turn, it's usually where someone falls but gets up again to finish, (to many know, in life, I've fallen numerous times).
Most of the time a thrilling finish is the result of preparation long before the race ever begins. Life is a journey it's even a race against disabilities/handicaps, reputation, failures, low esteem.
Envision rounding the turn! Prepare for it now. That might include prayer, reading, taking a class, even starting slow to pacing yourself up to speed in whatever endeavor. That old saying of; "Plan your work and work that plan!" applies here.
I have to remember; it's not always how we start today's race. It's about when we round that turn to accomplishing a task, mission or God's plan... We then decide to leave it all on the track, office, keyboard, kitchen, garage, or pulpit. While rounding that last turn (In this stage of life, I feel at times, I'm on that last turn) a great cloud of witnesses are shouting: "Here they come!" People in your circle of life, are watching and many need you to win.
Bible says something like; "Let us run the race set before us!"
-Tim
Friday, April 10, 2026
RUN TO WIN!
Life has many hurdles that hinder others from running well or even coming out of the blocks. They watch as a spectator or "from the locker room" hearing the cheers for the other runners.
IT'S NOT JUST SHOWING UP!
TO WIN AT ANYTHING IT FIRST REQUIRES:
*Technique
*Strength building
*Flexibility
*Training
Winning the prize, promotion, job, class, degree, takes an intentional effort and preparation. The Bible writer says: "Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
YOU CAN WIN!
(author)
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Faith in God!
Throughout the Bible, you can read of times in history, that God proved faithful. Throughout the present, we see daily, the faithfulness of God.
Whatever the prayer, it says pray believing. If you have not already, you can place your faith, trust, belief in Christ and His work and righteousness, to be your only hope to spend eternity with God!
"Being justified we have peace with God through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Paul the Apostle.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Stay the course
I believe God's Word encourages/commands us to remain faithful or stay the course. With the Bible being our map, we might have to do more than glance at it. Some of us should ask ourselves are we on the RIGHT course. Many times, we say we are sincere in the direction we are headed. We know we can be sincerely wrong as well. Confession and repentance will change our mind as well as our direction.
If you and I are guided by emotions or culture's behavior, we will soon discover, we have slowly gone off course. The Word of God, prayer and depending on empowerment from His Holy Spirit is what the true Christian will need in order to navigate the "seas of life."
Truth will lead us where we NEED to go. Truth is not what we always want to hear. Paul writes to Timothy that in the last days we'll desire to hear only what we want to hear, having our ears tickled.
It is no secret that this culture and its paradigms are headed for the "rocks of life." The church in general, is joining the convoy as we veer off course away from God and his Truth.
We have been obsessed about painting the cruise ship, swabbing the deck (mopping?) Some are even down below sleeping in our bunks. We have lost sight of the mission and destination
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
We have been sent (rough waters and all) into all the world with the Gospel. We have chosen rather to dock in safe harbors on every street corner. We are singing the songs of the sailor while actually being land lovers. We have counted the cost and we're staying in safe waters. Ships are safer there but are built to handle the stormy seas.
Then there is joy and rest from a job well done.
We have been cruise ships far too long. We must also be rescue boats in the fog shouting "come aboard, come aboard!" We need all hands-on deck and full speed ahead.
Let's get the map out and read it. In these uncertain waters, we have to get back to the truth and stay the course!
Monday, March 23, 2026
Between the Cross and Resurrection
The disciples also were hiding in an upper room with the doors locked, listening for any footsteps coming up the staircase. Did they hide in embarrassment or was it in fear? Their witness would have to be silenced. Perhaps they were next in silencing/ killing the Jesus revolution.
Around their table questions and debates were whispered, maybe an angry shout from one. The hopeless notion that the attempt of a war or coupe would ever happen again, had been nailed to a cross and lying in a tomb.
There had been the high of the rally, the shouts of Hosanna. The healing of the sick and His teaching...His teaching may have got Him in trouble with the people with all the love one another, even love your enemies.
He had come to save the world. What was it all about? Couldn't the Christ deliver Himself from the pharisees? The Pharisees and religious leaders were busy having guards and stories in place. They spoke lies, but that is what seems to prevail on this day.
You can imagine, the disciples looking out the upstair window, seeing small groups talking, some in anger, some in sadness.
What Kingdom was He talking about? Jesus had been so sure, so powerful, so loving. They agreed with the cry of Jesus; "It is Finished."
It was a long day. Meeting Jesus had seemed like only yesterday. Yesterday though, seemed to be an eternity away. They sat around the table, attempting to piece together His actions, Words and teaching.
Maybe you have been there, or there now. In between Friday and Sunday and the only sound you hear...crickets and the beating of your heart. Sadness, fear and hopelessness is the future you see.
Fear not! As He enters into the room of your heart and mind saying; "Peace to you." Meet Him there.
He is Alive. He is Alive!
Receive that peace. Allow your sadness, hopelessness and fear to be resurrected to joy, courage and peace!
Receive peace with God, followed by the peace of God, through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. Receiving a new heart and new hope!
I pray you and I, from this day forward, will be like the apostles on Sunday. On Saturday they hid, by Sunday and beyond, many believed (John 3:16).
Go to the Bible, read John followed by the book of Acts. Moving throughout the letter to the Ephesians and beyond.
-Tim
Thursday, March 12, 2026
How did I get here?
You ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, you will get a list of careers, some you never heard of. We might be surprised in fifteen years when that young boy or girl has created that business, service or ministry we didn't have the imagination to achieve.
The young girl wasn't born a Doctor, or have all the needed.skills and knowledge at three years old. There would be daycare, she would attend elementary school. The parents had to drop her off at High school. She might be top of the class, yet not be ready to do surgery in the local operating room.
Policemen, lawyer, doctor, Pastor, soldier, CEO, fireman, truck driver, NBA/NFL star. all require steps of growth and training.
"Yeah, we know that!"
No matter the age of a person, you will become tomorrow, what you are making of yourself today! Some men and women even during prosperous times, sat in unemployment offices with their head in their hands. Why?!
That is what they trained themselves to do while in school, as they sat their looking at the clock with their head in their hands.
Teenager to senior citizen if you wish to accomplish some dream or career, begin now to develop yourself. Those in school, have a great time! Also study and receive an education, not just a letter grade.
"Lord, You are the Potter. I am the clay." -Amen
Monday, March 9, 2026
Your Moment of Truth.
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." You would think we would all be straining to acquire the truth. Paul wrote to Timothy: "There will come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, they will turn their ears away from the truth." It appears this is that time, our moment of truth, yet we are turning away.
Some reject the truth. Judas in his "moment of truth" decided to betray Jesus. Even the Apostle Peter denied knowing Him. Later we know that Peter got it and proclaimed the truth! Talking about Jesus he said; "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you receive the truth? Will we be guided by our emotions, bad theology, or the guidance and truth in God's Word?
Let us believe and follow the truth for an eternity spent with God and for our day-to-day life here and now.
YOUR MOMENT OF TRUTH
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."
Monday, March 2, 2026
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
WE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE
As in every battle there are casualties. The partner disciples are to come along side and help the other. No one left behind!
We do not look the other way or put our head in the sand and ignore the bad guy who is trying to destroy the glory God gets, as well as our influence in the community.
We will fight the enemy by going into the neighborhoods with the good news of Jesus Christ, in the power of Gods Spirit and the Word of God. This is not defending but proclaiming:
GOD'S TRUTH IS UNSTOPPABLE!
Friday, February 13, 2026
How's That Relationship Going?
To some, the relationship means nothing. The excitement, emotion and thrill are gone. They will intentionally never give or receive a gesture of love on Valentine or any other day... Soon a friend asks; "How's that relationship going?" To hear the answer; "It's gone."
Throughout the Bible and centuries, it has been the same for God's people. We "fall in and out" of Love with Him, often being unfaithful.
God told Hosea in the Bible to marry a woman that would be unfaithful. The amazing thing is not that Hosea obeyed but that he did come to love her! "How could you love someone who is continually unfaithful? It seems impossible and crazy." The correct question is "How could a Holy God, love and forgive a people that were always unfaithful to Him?"
Hosea's wife finally left and while he looked and looked for her (as God often looks for you and I), he found her. She had ended up at the slave table. "Stop. Leave her alone! That is my wife I shouldn't have to buy her but...How much does she cost?" Oh God, is that what you did for me? While we were unfaithful and breaking your heart breaking our relationship. We ended up on the Devil's slave table and you paid a great price.
God says in Chapter two; "And it shall be in that day, That you will call me my Husband and no longer call me my master." At the end of Hosea; "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely......."
*****************************************
A man from the crowd yelled: "Hey Jesus, What's the greatest commandment?" "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."
Let today be the day you decide to commit to following and loving Christ!
Remember GOD IS LOVE!
Sunday, February 8, 2026
FACE the BOOK.
God's book is Him, communicating to us. It is His revelation of Himself and His desire for relationship, reconciliation and love! Through the Holy Spirit the eyes of our hearts are enlightened by the Word as to what God's will is. Similar to someone commenting just a few minutes ago on Face book, this word written long ago is just as real, personal and fresh today!
As cool as everyone considers Face book (and Twitter), Don't even think, I compare it to the relevance and importance of this Holy Word.
No matter your education level, finances or percentage of body fat, we are to face this book and respond to what it is saying. Let me challenge us both to open its pages, and post back to God: "What are you trying to say to me?"
In the New Testament James wrote a post:
God had Paul post: "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God "
Paul also commented: "The wages or payment of sin is death." But the gift of God is eternal life.."
Jesus said: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." later Paul wrote; "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"
After we believe in Him and God miraculously makes us new? We share it.
It's time to face the music.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The Whole Armor of God
Be Strong....The Apostle Paul is not saying to stop crying, or big boys/girls don't cry. He is encouraging us to "Be strong, but in the Lord and in the power of His might." You can look around and see we are not and cannot build utopia, Some are trying hard, but how's that working for you? It all seems to be getting worse.
The Christian must not go into hiding or quit, in order to live in a comfort zone. Yes, we will spend eternity with God, all the while hiding in the safety of our homes, computer or an undemanding church life, full of self. That is living in defeat, not the victory, we are called to.
Therefore, put on the whole armor of God! This is a Spiritual warfare, and He said it was not by our power or might, but by His Spirit.
Who is attacking us? It is not flesh and blood but the ruler, authorities, powers and wicked Spiritual forces.
They fire the rockets and darts of; worry, doubt, fear, the list goes on. We must spend much time with the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word), in order to have true enemy recognition and stop wounding friendly forces!
Let's move forward in our circle of life that God has placed us in, sharing and showing the Gospel, armed with the mind of Christ.
1John 2:15-17
TRUTH
RIGHTEOUSNESS
GOSPEL OF PEACE
FAITH
SALVATION
WORD OF GOD
PRAYER
Be alert, watching as if we are on guard duty. Watching also for what God is going to do. Then having done all to stand, stand.
Remember we are the Church/Army of God we need His relationship and also the unity of others. Remember the idea;
Let us be a one another, body of believers! Standing fast, and strong in the power of His night.
EPHESIAN 6: 10-20.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Man You Were Dead!
By the time the reader completed reading to the group, there might have been tears of joy. Some men may have shouted "Amen" or Praise the Lord!" They had once again heard the gospel from the quill of Paul. They might have been experiencing persecution, false teaching, even temptation to return to religion. When they heard the phrase "Having done all, to stand..." they may have broken out in singing about "Victory IN JESUS."
Paul wrote: " And you He made alive, who were dead in sins..." and later... "even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit in the heavenly places.. In Christ"
Remember when he wrote this? "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any should boast."
............................................................................................................................................................
Don't forget when ol' Lazarus died. Jesus said to Martha; "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this."
Well do you believe? We would hopefully answer like some of those at the Columbine school shooting did: "Yes I believe." How then shall I live? We hear later about some of those at Columbine had died to this world long before that day. How's that?
"Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord". -Romans chapter 6:11.
Response time;
Would you pray or begin to talk to God this very minute.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Stagnant
That's not a good picture of a body of water. You and I don't look so inviting, when it describes our lifestyle.
Stagnant: Characterized by a lack of development, or useful activity; as in water/ economy.
Stagnate: To stop developing or advancing or usefully active.
What if we drained and cleaned ourselves and filled ourselves up with a flow of say; "Living water", that continually ran and overflowed to others. We could accompany that with; Gods Word, a good book, informative videos, making informative videos, getting out more and smiling at people, even sparking up a conversation. Attend Church, stay in prayer and renewing that relationship with God and man.
Text, post and tweet encouragements!
Let's be the warm running living current of God's healing water.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Moses, Give up!
Moses, give up. Can't you see?
Pharaoh will never set you free.
Give up? No, I've seen the burning bush.
Moses, give up. The seas to large. You'll never get around.
Quiet, and follow me we're going through on dry ground!
Don't lose heart.
Moses, give up. You could have had pleasure.
You could've taken part in Pharaoh's treasure.
This calling of yours is impossible.
Give up? No! I've seen Him who is invisible.
Has God given you, something good to do?
Never give up! Stand on The Word, that is true.
Friday, January 2, 2026
What Jesus wanted for Christmas
What Did Jesus Want for Christmas?
- You to become a follower.
- Our Worship.
- Your Trust.
- Your Life.
- Your Love
- Us to love others.
- your "Dirty Laundry".
- Our Broken hearts.
- Us to tell others the good news about Him
- A relationship with You!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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