Whadda Ya Think?

Posted on 2024/08/10 by JimR, Chaplain

God is a good God. I’m still recovering from surgery. It will be three weeks this coming Monday. At my age I’m finding it difficult to get back to normal. I’ve developed a pain in the upper center of my chest externally when I exert myself. It goes away pretty quickly when I stop. Since school got out for the summer, I’ve had my implanted lenses laser polished and it made a lot of difference. After my exam earlier this week it was noted my vision had improved after the procedure. My visit to my urologist was good and bad. When they put me under for the procedure they found a stone in my bladder that they crushed so it could pass. The healing process was coming along very well, but the bad news was the biopsy of my prostate showed an adenocarcinoma. The good side of that is it was so small and insignificant that the doctor said there was no need for treatment and about 95% of people with this type cancer survive for most of ten years even without treatment. However I will be going back in November for another biopsy just to be sure.

Now back to the chest pain. I went for my usual six month checkup with my cardiologist and he couldn’t seem less worried about the chest pain. He leans the way that I do that it is likely muscular in nature and unless it become intolerable we are simply going to keep watch on it. I go back in February unless needed.

One morning this week I had a strange occurance. I couldn’t say if I was semi-awake or asleep. I had a dream I suppose that I saw a blackness, then in the center came a small blue area. As it grew it broke open with a bright white light. Then it closed and opened again. It seemed to reopen a few times in various ways and then would close. The light was very bright white. I conveyed this to my wife. She wouldn’t respond as to what she thought. For now, inless I experience that again I’m leaving it to my permanent memories.

I’ve recently been swinging between depression and sanity. All my life I’ve practiced diversions to the depression. I feel I’m pretty good at maintaining stability. I had a brother that committed suicide. I’m nowhere near that. Getting older has become a challenge. From this there is no escape. God has been very good to me in softening the landing on this fact of life. In fact I’ve learned the loss of my body does not end my life. Upon accepting Jesus having given me a way, all of us that have will bypass death and enter eternal life.

I don’t love God for selfish reasons. Perhaps it could have had such an inkling of such when I was young, but that has long gone away. I feel I can lay down my body and let Him take me without issue. This isn’t a proclamation of my demise. It’s a simple statement from me today. I love God for His love for me. I appreciate what He has done for me. I wish all that reads my words could let them come alive in themselves. It would create a peace within that does indeed pass all understanding.

Posted in Abundant life, Christian, Common Sense, Death, Failure Not An Option, Follow God, Maturity, Mental Health, Old Age, Patience, Ponderings, Priorities, Respect for Life, Salvation, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Need a Little Jesus?

Posted on 2024/08/05 by JimR, Chaplain

I carry these little figurines in my pocket everywhere I go. God will prompt me, and sometimes I can just read a face that is troubled. I will ask them if they need a “little Jesus” at the appropriate moment. Many of them say “yes” or “I do all the time”. My hand is already in my pocket with this little rubbery representation.

It’s not an icon. It is something for when you feel down you can reach in your pocket or look up from your desk and get a fresh reminder of God’s grace and mercy. I’ve only had two refuse it and one of the two thanked me for thinking of them anyway. Most give me a smile and tell me they really needed it at that moment.

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Pursuing God

Posted on 2024/08/03 by JimR, Chaplain

I woke up this morning with the knowledge that God takes care of me. Not only me, but all of you that read and haven’t read this. Believe it or not, I still have to struggle through some days. But I’m no different than you. Don’t tell me you don’t.

However, there is one something I do know. We have a sure foundation on which to stand and His name is Jesus. He is the one that gets me through. Not around or out of, but through. Doing so will only strengthen my coming through. Testings and trials are what brings maturity. They solidify knowledge of where our strength comes from. You have a mission in life. A calling if you will. In the pursuance of God through the good times and the trials, I would say not only will you see the maturity of your life, but the lengthening of your days.

Some of you know that my family didn’t have a long lifespan. My dad died only months after turning sixty. Three of my brothers died in their fifties. One remaining brother is in his fifties. My mom passed away at sixty-six. Here I am almost seven-four. You tell me the breaking of familial curses can’t be broken and I’ll tell you that you don’t know what God will do by principle.

Pursuing God has been a goal for me for most of my life. There was a time when I fell, but God picked me up, I brushed myself off and started back to following Him. Don’t let your present circumstances overwhelm you. Stop looking at them. Refocus your vision on God. Open your arms and run to Him. Surrender yourself to Him and you will be restored and make it through the storms in life.

Posted in Absolute(s), Abundant life, Biblical teaching, Christian Mission, Common Sense, Failure Not An Option, Family, Follow God, God's Calling, God's Guidance, Home, Maturity, Mental Health, More of God, Old Age, Patience, Ponderings, Salvation, Sobering Thoughts, Spiritual | Leave a comment

Sitting Alone

Posted on 2024/08/02 by JimR, Chaplain

My wife attends a ladies group meeting the first Friday of every month. She told me this is the fourth year anniversary since the start of this ministry called WINGS. I don’t remember what it stands for. She goes for a time of sharing, prayer, a devotion and food. She usually doesn’t get home till close to midnight. I used to go with her and sit in the house with the husbands of the women. I can’t deal with the late night thirty minutes from home. When I get sleepy I’m no good.

I left out of the house this morning with a goal in mind. I was going by to see my school bus supervisor only to realize they don’t work on Friday during the summer, so I stopped back by our church and talked with the pastors present. I brought them up to date on my surgery progress and inquired about the pastor’s wife that is due to have a baby the 26th of this month. They are really having issues with this unborn child. From what my wife knows (having worked in an OB clinice for a while) this child will likely not survive without intervention from God. They’ve already assigned an oncologist to the birthing team. It’s not good. I’m going to let God do what He does best.

My wife and I had a long talk last evening while we lay in bed. I finally got it out what I’m feeling inside. God has opened up a lot of doors of understanding for me here at this end of my life. I told my wife God had initially told me I had 74 years on this earth. However He has spoken to me that he was extending my days because of my faithfulness. I still want to finish my second book. I also have a wedding ceremony to perform in October. With all that God has shown me I have become sober-minded to what lies ahead. I have a few more years and I will cross over into the heavenly realm. Untill then I’m surrendered to that fact of life. I am completely convinced of my relationship with God through Jesus. I don’t take it lightly.

I still have unresolved issues that I cannot change without change from the other side. My former wife is a bitter woman and I have written that off as a lost recovery of at least some semblance of civility. My heart breaks for my sons. Their wives dispise me. One plainly said that if I were not their husband’s dad they would have nothing to do with me. I love this one. She was like a daughter to me. The other wife has no respect for elders. It’s her way or the highway and I can’t change that. My sons have to live with them and I will not interfere with their lives because of their lack of forgiveness and understanding. I have four granddaughters that I have no input into their lives. Three of them I have not seen in five years this week. I have no harsh feeling for any of my family. I ache for their lack of understanding of God’s grace.

All in all, my recommendation to anyone that reads this is to at least make an effort to connect with family that is estranged. If they don’t want to respond, the load is off of you. It becomes their issue to resolve. What bothers me is that the last time I saw my elder son was five years ago this week. He turned fifty this year. I’m giving them nothing in my Will since I don’t think it will be appreciated. I have a nephew that will likely have something. He and his wife have a son, so passing along family items to them will likely stay in the family for some years to come.

What I’m proud of is my wife. She has prayed for his son and daughter. Both have come to a place that I consider the right road over time. They were both in a mess when I met my wife. The son and his family are now attending church and her daughter has seemingly settled down with a Christian guy whose mom and dad are great people. It’s the answer to my wife’s prayers. I’m very happy for my wife to see this. They, too, had disowned her when she filed for divorce, but oh what a change. They came to realize their dad is an abusive, selfish and controlling man. They have cut him off after repeated trys to make amends with him.

Tonight I’m completely settled in my spirit. I’ve come to accept the inevitable. I know longer fear the future. I have an eternal home. Why don’t you, the reader, make a decision such as I have to allow you the peace you need in your life?

Posted in Absolute(s), Abundant life, Children, Common Sense, Divorce, Dreams, Failure Not An Option, Family, Follow God, Love, Marriage, Maturity, Old Age, Patience, Ponderings, Priorities, Respect for Life, Sadness, Salvation, Sobering Thoughts, Spiritual | Leave a comment

What Now?

Posted on 2024/07/31 by JimR, Chaplain

I almost named this post I’m Tired, then I remembered a few posts back I have one of the same title. I’ve been home recovering from a short hospital stay for a TURP procedure to help me with my old man problem. Peeing blood everyday has almost worn me out. Today is the first day I’ve been clear. My second post-surgical follow-up is tomorrow. From my research the total recovery time can be up to two months.

So far this summer I’ve had my post-cataract lenses laser polished and then this. I’m doing okay with keeping my glucose level stable, but it has trended up about ten points. My blood pressure is pretty much normal. For seventy-three years old, I am doing okay. One thing at a time. My next project is to take care of my plantar fasciitis. My right foot is really painful.

We got a new baby in the house. We already had Beau and Luke. One is a wire-haired Dachshund and the other is a slick Dachshund. We got Rose through Little Paws Adoption for Dachshunds. She was rescued from a puppy mill where she was constantly bred for about ten years. She was badly abused and cowers when approached. She came to us a few days before my surgery, so we are adjusting together. Beau has taken to her seemingly knowing she’s hurt in some way. Luke was not to kind to her at first but has become better with her. Luke is the slick coat one. Rose is on Fluoxetine or better known as Prozac.

We take our time with Rose and she is coming around. She meets us at the bedroom door in the morning when she hears us stirring. The boys sleep in the “big bed” with us, so they jump down and greet her.

I would have something to say about the goings on politically and what happened with the Olympics, but I just get so concerned. . . well, angry with Christians that have no depth in their walk. God has blessed me with knowledge from studying that I don’t take for granted. I had one of the most gifted mentors in the world. He totally rocked my theological thought processes when I first heard him and it made me angry. That anger spurred me to dig and dig deep to try to prove him wrong, but logical study in what God revealed to me proved I was wrong. He was not the only one teaching the depths of scripture that I came to understand. You can look him up. His name is Dr. Kelley H. Varner and one of his like minded teachers is Dr. Lynn Hiles. There are few men like them. There is another by the name of Dr. Stephen Everett.

My wife has been a quick study and is approaching my level many times quicker that I have. Mine has had to savor over time. Neither of us have a corner on the market so to speak. I’m blessed with the knowledge I’ve gained from many years of sitting under ministry to learn. More than thirty years worth.

Where I stand now lends me to crying over the Christians I see today that have frozen in place for one reason or another without desire to excel in the Word. We need a fresh move of God in the earth. I pray for this to happen. I need change. You need change. It’s how we grow. Our place in the heavenlies is already here. We need to act on it.

Posted in Abundant life, Christian, Christian Mission, Common Sense, Failure Not An Option, Follow God, Fur Babies, God's direction, Growing up, Health, Love, Maturity, More of God, Old Age, Patience, Ponderings, Possibilities, Prayer, Respect for Life, Salvation, Sobering Thoughts, Spiritual, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Investment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Compromise

Posted on 2024/07/14 by JimR, Chaplain

I cannot for the life of me understand why Christians take up for sin when sin (in this case a slap in the face of Christians) will take up for this Olympic show of the things we are to hate. Namely sin. Sin is described as coming short of the glory of God. This so-called Pastor Jacob Whitehead has a mistaken reaction to it. I’m not angry with people. However, I don’t like their sinful nature and expose’ of it in the form of a depiction of the Last Supper. It’s wrong folks. Totally wrong.

We are told to understand that all the Apostles and others were unclean in sin at some point, but don’t take into consideration they turned (as in repentance) from their shortcomings and made themselves right with God. These folks in Paris aren’t and as of yet done so. They are reprobates (given over to do whatever they desire in their flesh).

Jesus’ sacrifice was to reconcile all men, but He has not smiled on sin. YOU have to make an acknowledgment of your sin. Did this “show” cause anyone to feel the Holy Spirit convince them of their sin and need for salvation? I don’t think so. Take into consideration the woman caught in the act of adultry. Jesus didn’t condemn her. Neither would I, but the kicker is Jesus freed (forgave) her with the stipulation to go and sin no more.

Nicolaitans taught a doctrine of compromise. As Christians, we can’t do that. In Rev 2:1-6 we see the Church at Ephesus was admonished yet they hated the Nicolaitans doctrine.

Don’t compromise your faith in God. Be decerning. Don’t be deceived. I will likely not be liked over this, but I will not compromise my Father’s Word.

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Healing

Posted on 2024/07/12 by JimR, Chaplain

I have often considered the decisions of either praying for someone to be healed or to pray for God’s will. I’m sure I’m not alone in this world over these two directions we should consider for someone who requests we pray for them in what comes to an end-of-life situation.

Several years ago I was called to a friends home that was dying from cancer. On the way over I didn’t know what I was to say. I spoke with his wife when I got there about the dire nature of the situation. Her husband was in an in-home hospital bed in the living room area. His wife told me he was wanting to wait on dying until his step-son came home. He was enroute from Japan. He was in the Navy at the time.

I sat down next to his bed. He was quiet. I sensed death hovering over him. His end was near. I admired his desire to see his step-son one last time. I had a decision to make. Live or die. How should I pray? I could not depend on my own decision to be the final say in the matter, so first and foremost I prayed to God for His mind in the matter before proceeding. In moments like these I have to listen, hear and follow His direction. Then the answer came. God spoke to me to tell him it is okay to go. There was no dishonor in death. Everyone concerned would understand. So I leaned over to his ear and whispered “If you have to go it will be okay”. I also noted I knew he was tired of fighting and the balance between staying and going was weighing on him. So I repeated that it was okay to go if he felt to do so.

He died during the night many hours before his step-son got in. I know it’s human nature to want this type of situation to end with his step-son finally arriving and seeing his dad before death took him. But that is the crux of the matter. What God’s will is overrides our thoughts and wishes. This thought can present an emotional response, but we must remain faithful to God’s thoughts of what is best. He works all things together for those who love Him.

Posted in Biblical teaching, Christian, Common Sense, God's direction, God's Guidance, Health, Mental Health, Ponderings, Prayer, Priorities, Respect for Life, Sobering Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Answer the Call

Posted on 2024/06/28 by JimR, Chaplain

There is such a gamut of discussion on Christianity. Everyone seems to have their on renditions of what this word entails. We all seem to agree to foundational truths, but it fans out from those truths.

God has always been. There is no beginning or end to Him. If you want a picture of this just think of what has had me spellbound all my life. Space. We live in a limited earthly existance. But leave this planet and where does that place called space end? There is none. If you could travel in eternity, you would never come to its end. But then again, what if there is an end. My next question would be what’s on the other side of limited space. God is limitless. He’s everwhere. Even if you made your bed in hell He would be there.

He knows the beginning of all things we know. He knows the end. Why? Because it’s always out there to be seen by God without limits of the idea we place on time. Past, present and future are the realities we place on this earth. Jewish people have only two tenses where we have the three. The Jewish timeline is like a line that runs in continuum. Where they are at any given moment is a mark in that continuum.

God knows all that is going to happen. That’s because He spoke everything into existence. He’s omni-everything. God was not alone in His existance. He has a counsel. We need to read the Book of Enoch I. Read it all the way through. The Jewish people still consider it valid. It’s included in the Apocropha. It seems God wanted a people to have fellowship with a creation of His own making that voluntarily gives themselves to Him. So, He created man in His image. This also leds me to wonder how many men were not created in His image. To aleve any thoughts coming from that statement, I believe those who accept God’s redemption are changed over to His image now. Just like the first Adam was, which was lost. The last Adam is Jesus, who came into this world, fulfilled the Law of Moses, thereby redeeming the lost ones in the first Adam. Where the law kills, the new creation is redeemed by God’s love to never taste death of the individual that accepts Him as their Savior.

If we do not accept the gift of life, God sadly will allow you to end your existance by your own decision. He’s waiting for you confession of need for salvation. God does not condemn anyone to death. He has made a way. It’s up to us to make that pivotable decision to turn around and fall in His arms. I love my God, my Savior through Jesus’ atoning blood sacrifice. It was a one time for all sacrifice. It has covered all those who are called. You are called. Answer that call.

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I’m Tired

Posted on 2024/06/17 by JimR, Chaplain

That title sounds like a negative confession. Maybe, maybe not. My mind is still going well. My body? That’s another story. A year ago my wife and I embarked on our last huge project. We built a deck. A huge deck. Twenty-four by sixteen feet to be exact. Shortly afterward we hired out the replacement of the double window seen in this picture.

Now a year later, I can say it was my last big project. I asked God to allow this and He did. By the end of the project I was barely able to do more than a few minutes at a time. I had dehydrated myself quite a bit. I would get dizzy and weak. But it was done except for the cover. We are still debating the type of cover.

This summer I plan on doing cleanup around the yard. I plan on a little here, a little there, but no big projects. I do start one money making job tomorrow for two or three weeks for students attending summer school. I will have an air-conditioned bus thank goodness. I got out on my new trike and rode the route to make sure I make the right stops.

This post isn’t devoid of my devotion to God. In fact it is to give Him all the credit for allowing me to still be on the earth in this realm. He has been extremely good to me. He gave me a wonderful wife to accompany me in all my endeavors. She constructed a sidewalk last fall after the deck was finished.

I’ve stayed busy all my life. Since I was able to do work on the farm I have not stopped. I will seventy-four about four months from now and I have kept up a pretty steady pace all my life. One thing I find myself doing now. I am pacing myself. I only go so far for so long. Then I stop. My old body is weaker now than it was a year ago.

Although I don’t want to slow down I have no choice. In it all though I feel I have accomplished as much as humanly possible all my life. I’m still available to God for whatever He asks of me. Weekend before this past, I ministered in a local church in leiu of their pastor being out recovering from surgery. It was two morning services and I enjoyed imparting the Word to them. They blessed me monetarily and invited my wife and me to a dinner after the latter service. I also have a wedding to perform in October for a friend and her soon-to-be husband. These type of things I plan to continue.

There is so much going on inside my spirit in these days. God has opened up so much to me and has been preparing me for what lies ahead. I’ve reckoned His unconditional love to be true and fulfilling. I have eternal life ahead of me. No. I’m not predicting that to be soon. I’m just rearranging priorities to make my last years count more than any of the previous.

Posted in Absolute(s), Abundant life, Christian, Common Sense, Failure Not An Option, Follow God, God's Calling, God's direction, God's Guidance, Health, Hope, Love, Maturity, Mental Health, More of God, Old Age, Ponderings, Priorities, Sobering Thoughts, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

I Am Blessed

Posted on 2024/06/01 by JimR, Chaplain

My wife and I came home this evening after spending it with her classmates from 1974 for their 50th anniversary graduation dinner. This year would be 55 years for me.

God has blessed me with a wonderful woman in my wife. She was recognized as Rev Libby Rowe, which is who she is. When we met it was under difficult circumstances as both of us had separated from our spouses. We eventually moved in with each other out of wedlock due to the fact she was living in a rented room in a house occupied by drug addicts and I was not going to let her continue to live there. She was not a drug user, but if the place ever got raided she would likely be arrested simply because she lived there.

Over time God moved for us on several occasions that I can look back on now and see plainly how He did that. When I was ordained she came to realize this was her direction in life as well as mine. Three years of study later she was also ordained. By this time we had been married five years.

This July we will have been married nine years. She has been blessed as well. God can take a dire situation and make it for His glory. He has forgiven us for our foolishness from fifteen years ago to who we are today. We settled for Him in our lives.

When I look back I see that mere weeks after I separated from my wife God promoted me two GS level in Civil Service. That is an almost ten thousand dollar raise in pay. Of course I lost my shirt, so to speak in the ensuing divorce, but God blessed us with an abundant income to let us live what I consider a good living condition which included a just over a grand a month in alimony. Now that I’m retired I’m still shaking my heard over the fact I make more money a month than I did when I was working. That’s even before I count for my part time income.

God is a good God. He loves me. He loves my wife. He has blessed us. If you’re questioning God’s love for you I beg you to understand He loves you as well. You can’t outgive Him. Theologians will always discuss and argue the finer points of scripture and doctrines. I push all else away with just the one thought. God loves me. I love Him. He loves you Make the knowledge of this the main thrust of your meditation for a few days. Let Him speak to you. You will find you, too, are blessed.

Posted in Christian, Common Sense, Divorce, Failure Not An Option, Follow God, Love, Marriage, Maturity, More of God, Patience, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment