What Makes Christians Different?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jf697It5jM

Bringing Hope to the Doorsteps of Hell

He Walks Alongside of You

What Secrets do you Have? Have you been Found Out?

Death of a Nation

The Jericho Principle Video Seminar Sessions 1-3

You Have Been Set Apart

When the Holy Spirit Comes

In Defense of Tradition

 

In Defense of Tradition

Can you imagine the Queens Guard Band marching to Buckingham palace playing a Tommy Dorsey swing arrangement in place of the traditional British March? I would imagine the ‘Brits’ would go ballistic, if not the Queen herself! But why would this elicit such a negative reaction?

Tradition, of course!

I have stood at Buckingham Palace and watched the Guards, from a distance, march down the Mall toward the Palace grounds. Given my British heritage, I found this to be a real thrill, even a 'heart pounding' experience. It was wonderful! It was ‘tradition’ on display in its finest form.

However, in this modern day and age, I think tradition is getting a bad rap! Those who find tradition meaningful are often criticized, if not ostracized, by friend and foe alike.  Get 'with it' they are told and leave such nonsense behind! Many think we should toss tradition aside in favor of more contemporary ways of doing things.

 Tradition has become an issue in the Christian Church also, especially as it regards music and the modern forms it has taken in the worship setting.

First, let me say, I believe everyone should worship in an atmosphere they are comfortable with and if that means the more modern offerings, then I say wonderful! However, be careful not to hold the 'traditionalist' in contempt. If traditional music is meaningful to some (I believe many), then let's encourage its use wherever it is appropriate.

Being comfortable in the worship setting is a prerequisite for true worship. I believe that is why many churches are offering two services on Sunday morning, one contemporary and one traditional. Of course, to do this you must have a sufficiently large attendance if you are going to separate the services.

 There is another point that might be made. Rick Warren once wrote, "Show me a radio station with a mixed format and I will show you a radio station bound to fail" (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church). His point being that people will listen to one genre' at a time and if you mix them on the same station they will tune out! Traditional and contemporary music in the same service may work for some, but not all.

 I seek out traditional music because it stirs my soul and brings me closer to God.  It enables me to worship as I should. I don't like being criticized for it.

I also like other worship traditions like the use of the choir, vocal and instrumental soloists and so much more.

For those who are seeking more contemporary music... more power to you, if that helps you get closer to God! As for me, I seek the traditional. I enjoy music that makes me 'feel good' and I don't apologize for it! I look to be moved by the Spirit as I sing the traditional hymns.... that is what is meaningful to me.

I doubt we will be listening to the Queens Bands playing swing style (on the march) anytime soon. They, no doubt, will continue to use the traditional British marches. Good for them! I applaud them for it!

 

 

 

 

 

Achieving Contentment in your Present Circumstances

How to be Imitators of God

THOUGHT for TODAY

Each day is a gift from God. I occasionally jest with others, "Any morning I get up is a good morning"! How true that is. Like most gifts it is to be handled carefully. Each hour will bring new opportunities to enhance our service to God and others. What will you do, today, to make this an even more special and impactful gift? Think about it!

"This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

The Power of the Resurrection

 

THOUGHT for TODAY

 

THOUGHT for TODAY

I am always surprised at those who play fast and loose with the truth. Many are prone to pick and choose which truth (falsehood) they will subscribe to. If it is such that it fits their world view or personal opinion, they will accept it.

Of course, truth is what it is. It is unchangeable, absolute; were it not so, it would not be 'truth'.   It does not change because one chooses not to accept it. You can believe that Abraham Lincoln was the first President, but that does not change the truth that it was George Washington! GDL

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  John 14 :6

The Supremacy of Christ

The Song 'Heavenward', by Gary Laws (Melody: Verse of 'At the Cross'.

 I wrote this in 2016 while contemplating the reality of heaven. Now, with my Susan gone, I think about heaven a bit more often. 'Some day I shall be like HIM'.

Heavenward (Melody: Verse of 'At the Cross'

I believe, above, there is a land,

Far from the toils of life.

A place where love and peace does reign,

No tears, no quarrels, no strife!

A place that has been set aside,

for saints and sinners too.

Who've had their sins forgiven by,

The One whose life is true.

It is eternal, lasting, real,

Where Christ has built our home.

In mansions fair, we will abide,

No more to wildly roam.

Tis' heaven, this place that Christ does live,

and we shall live with Him.

For all eternity we'll sing,

Our praises to our King!

This all is very real, you know,

Were it not, He would have told.

This promise is for you, for me,

for all who join the fold.

What Glory waits, what light doth shine,

upon the holy hill, where God doth sit, His

arms outstretched, for this, His blood did

spill!

(Gary Laws, 2016)

Is Your Message Getting Through?

Eggs, Cereal, Toast and Bacon- from 'Simple Thoughts from a Simple Man' by Gary Laws

 

CHAPTER THREE

EGGS, CEREAL, TOAST AND BACON

What a great morning! Rose at 5AM and headed for the kitchen determined to give my wife a treat. With breakfast in bed my goal, I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the eggs, bacon, and potatoes. I scrambled, diced and fried for the next half hour taking in the aroma along the way. I put on a pot of coffee and popped the bread in the toaster… all the time anticipating her surprise when it is served up. Even though my Vegan friends would have probably preferred hearing of me serving up a Peanut Butter Granola Breakfast, somehow this seemed to be the right way to go. You should have seen the smile on my wife's face as I proudly strolled into the bedroom, breakfast fare in hand! Boy was it good and it made for a wonderful start to the day. For years I never ate breakfast. I always liked to get in that last few minutes of sleep before rising, showering and heading out the door to work! Lunch and Dinner always seemed more than adequate most days.

Nutritionists, however, tell us that if we are to properly maintain our health we should recognize that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets the stage for kicking in the metabolism and helps us concentrate better at work and school. It is, generally, a must if we are to develop into strong, healthy human beings. It also helps us develop a "staying" power for all that will be required of us throughout the day.

Can There Be a Spiritual Application Here? As I think of this, it makes me wonder if the same is not true for the healthy development of our spiritual life! Can there be a 'spiritual' breakfast served up that will have a similar effect on our spiritual health?

I think of the example my mother set for us. She would rise very early in the morning, always before the sun would come up, and she would have a quiet time for herself and meditate. After a short time she would pull out her Bible and read several passages of scripture before falling to her knees for a time of prayer before God. Today I was thinking to myself, this was her recipe for a 'spiritual breakfast'. It included a quiet time for oneself, Bible study, and then a season of prayer.

It set the stage for her 'spiritual metabolism' to kick in. She always maintained that it helped her keep her focus, and asserted that it gave her the strength to be consistent and 'energy' filled throughout the day. I think Mom became spiritually equipped during this morning 'breakfast' of hers. She was better prepared to face the day and the challenges the day would bring. God bless her for the example she set.

How do you start each day? O, you say you have been a Christian for many years and you have already discovered this? Wonderful.....but are you doing it....every day? If you have fallen a bit by the wayside and your spiritual strength is not what it ought to be, try this recipe out! You just might be surprised at how well your day goes.

THOUGHT for TODAY

 THOUGHT for TODAY

There are many wonderful endeavors in life. None better than to be in the service of God Almighty. He is real and so our message is real. He is present, so our message hits home. He is benevolent, so our message is of love and kindness. He cares about all of His creation, so our message seeks to bring all people to His presence. He is omnipresent. We desire for our message of Good News to reach all people. He is the Lord and Master of all and we have submitted our selves, with contrite heart, to His authority. GDL

In the Service of the King- Congregational Singing

10 minute Devotion-Romans 8:1-6

 

Encouraging Word - One minute devotional in the word

No Condemnation

 https://youtu.be/IolG8-IoMlA

Why is it Taking So Long for the Return of Jesus?

 Frankly, I am growing impatient! We have been watching and waiting for the Lord to come again for two thousand years! Our world is sick. Its people seem farther away from Him than ever. Pain, agony, anguish, war, pestilence, and disease, all encompass us and there seems to be so little that we can do. However, regardless of what we may think or feel, Jesus DID promise

He would return and take all of His people to live with Him for all eternity.

Here is one verse found in Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). He is longsuffering, (patient) wanting to give the opportunity to all His creation to accept Him. In His own time, at just the right time, Jesus will come again and receive His people and take them home.

It would seem that the primary challenge of scripture might be summed up in one verse, " “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” We do not know when that will be, but we trust His promise.

1 Even so, Lord Jesus, come;

Hope of all our hopes the sum,

Take Thy waiting people home.

2 Long, so long, our blessèd dead

Wait, from out the grave’s dark bed

At Thine advent to be led.

3 Long, so long, the groaning earth,

Cursed with war, and flood, and dearth

Sighs for its redemption birth.

4 Wherefore come, we daily pray,

Wipe creation’s curse away;

Bring the resurrection day.

( Adoniram J. Gordon)

How about you? Are you ready? If not and you would like to explore this more, send me a PM and I would love to share some thoughts with you. GDL

Who Can Separate Us from the Love of God?

 

An Untold Story

An Untold Story

 

There are almost as many 'Andy Miller' stories as there are pages in the phone book. Colonel Henry Gariepy wrote a book on the Commissioner which chronicled many of them. We all have our favorites.

 

There is one story that is mine about the Commissioner which I have shared with very few over the years. Perhaps now is a great time to pass it along.

 

It takes place about 45 years ago when the Commissioner was the PR Secretary for the Greater New York Division. My brother, then Major Wes Laws, was the Corps Officer in Camden, New Jersey. He invited Miller to come and do a special Sunday meeting in Camden. It was a great service punctuated by several 'amens' and 'hallelujahs' from our special guest, often underscored by the rolling thunder coming from the outside thunderstorm. It was raining profusely.

 

The meeting was held in the old Camden Corps building. At it's front, on each side of the entrance doors were a park-like green bench upon which commuters would sit while waiting for a bus.

 

At the conclusion of the service when all others had gone home, Major Wes and I scurried outdoors to the parking lot on the side of the building and got in the Corps station wagon. We wanted out of the rain and we were, no doubt, in a hurry to get home and partake of the Sunday meal which had been prepared early that morning.

 

While sitting in the wagon waiting for our guest, Wes said, "Where's Andy". A moment went by and I was asked to go hurry him along. Upon reaching the front of the Corps, I observed Andy sitting with a man who was waiting for the bus. He was telling him about everyman s need for forgiveness and encouraging the very wet gentleman to accept Jesus as his Lord, the outside elements notwithstanding. Both were rain soaked. Miller told the man we would be happy to take him home and the man accepted the offer. All of the way he witnessed as only Andy Miller could do!

 

I can't tell you that the man found Christ that day but I can tell you of a young 19 year old who was deeply impressed and moved by this Salvation Army Major who never missed an opportunity to share Jesus. While my brother and I rushed passed this man and headed to the car, Andy saw the opportunity that God had presented him. Praise the Lord!

 

For me, this experience, more than any other, exemplified the life of Commissioner Andrew S. Miller. I have heard most of the stories, from his praying with Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office to his getting ill while traveling in a small plane with Arnold Brown. All great insights into the man. However, sharing Jesus is the Andy Miller I knew of and will always remember.