Graceman’s Musings

     I recently heard a message from one of my favorite ministers, David Jeremiah and he brought a message and referred to one of my favorite passages in the Word. It is Habakkuk 3: 16-19

   I went further into the scripture and outlined it as follows….

3: 16 My Disposition in tough times – Wait Paitently ( Patience – to remain under with a great attitude )

3:17 The Desolation/Desperation – Even if the fig tree is not budding, no grapes in the vines and the olive crop is failing…..fields producing no food, no sheep in the fold and no cattle in the stalls…..

3:18 My DECISION – YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOUR……. ( If I am only rejoicing in the good times…I am a fair weather friend of God. If I rejoice at all times and especially the tough times then I am a Fierce weather friend of God. I recently went through a time of painful tendonitis where the pain was excruciating.. My only solace was found when I would pray and enter the presence of God. It even seemed that as long as I prayed and remained in his presence the pain subsided. I simply made a decision to rejoice even in the time of extreme pain.

3:19 The Deliverence – The Sovereign Lord is my strength…….He lifts me up to the High places. The World is always seeking how to get high. I get high every day as I pray…..He lifts me up above my circumstances……

I still have JOY because I still have God….I wrote this little poem…Hope it blesses you.

                                   Rejoicing In the Recession

                                   Goes along with Habakkuk 3: 16-19

In the Bible, God’s Holy book

Wrote the prophet Habakkuk

He wrote in times of deep distress

Like us his country was in a mess

He didn’t whine or complain

He prayed and gave God all his pain

He was content with what he had today

He’s praise the Lord and he loved to pray

He rejoiced when things were good or bad

If he was happy of if he was sad

He rejoiced in God who made him glad

No sheep, No cattle, No figs or oil

He praised the Lord till his heart would boil

Instead of walking all low in fear

He dwelt in the high places

Like the deer….

                 Written By Graceman 8/9/09

My High Priest
Poem by Graceman, July 4th 2009 – Goes with Exodous 28

I have a High Priest that loves me
The Bible tells me so
His garments show that he cares for me
From His heart true love does flow
On his head a band says ” HOLY”
He thinks good thoughts toward me
On his shoulders, he bears two stones
My name is there engraved
He bears my sorrows and my griefs
So thankful I am saved
On his heart he bears a plate
that bears my name
It hides the wound beneath
that took away my shame
He gave his life upon a cross
to set me free
And lives forever
Interceding
Just for you and me

Lately, I have been slipping and listening too much to the nightly news/talking heads and politicians on CNN/Fox etc.

When I do this I begin to think Worldly rather than “WORD-ly” . I repented and determined ( despite the conditions of the culture and the crumbling of civilization ) to be a man who BLESSES the Lord….

My Prayer ( hopefully yours )

Lord, I will BLESS YOU with my Life today, with my Lips today, with my Love today and with my Labor…..When I changed my focus from the World to the Worship and the Word my JOY began to return to my heart….Try this simple prayer and devotional activity…..Love,  Graceman

Rehearse these thoughts daily for a Joyous Life

1. Realize God loves you unconditionally – I Jn.3:1
2. You are Accepted in the Beloved – Eph.1 ( Loved and Accepted – How sweet it is to be loved by you ( Jesus )
3. Jesus is my High Priest – Heb. 4: 15 He is touched by the feelings of my infirmities ( weaknesses ) My name is inscribed on his shoulder plate ( He carries my burdens and is my strength ) and my name is written on his heart ( Like the breastplate of the High Priest had the names of the 12 tribes on them ) I am always on His heart and mind.
4. His mind is Holy – therefore he only has good thoughts toward me. ( Accusing, condemning thoughts are self induced or Satanically inspired )
5. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus – Rom.8:1
6. I John says ” When our heart ( thots and feelings ) condemn us God is greater than our hearts “
7. Reject Toxic thoughts whether from within, others, spirits or outside sources.
8. Isa. 55 Our thoughts are not his thoughts – therefore stop believing your thoughts unless they agree with God’s thoughts.
9. I need to have the mind of Christ and not be self absorbed – Phil.2 ( Also I need to focus on the needs of others first and God will take care of all of mine ( Phil.4:19 and Matt.5-7 )
10. I need to agressively cast down all false reasonings….II Cor. 10:3-5 (  Ill. God doesn’t love me, I have failed God and can never recover or be forgiven )
11. I Need to saturate my mind with the Word of God ( Ps. 119) till my spiritual blood (accd. to Spurgeon is Bibline)
12. Satan will continuously attack my mind ( He is the accuser of the brethren )  Rev. 12 says I can over come him by the Blood of the Lamb, Word of my testimony and living a selfless life of service )  Satan lies always – Believe not every spirit – I Jn. 4:1
13. I must walk by faith ( not fears, feelings etc )
14. I must operate spirit, soul, and body and not the reverse…Ill. Listening to my body, emotions etc. first.
15. He has great plans for me. Jer. 29:11
16. I am free in Christ
17. The JOY of the Lord is my strength…
18. I am a child of His Grace
19. My Position is I am Blessed…..

I will have some fresh material up later this week

Here is a poem/song called, One Blessed Sheep

Now I lay me down to sleep
I sleep real good
I’m one blessed sheep
My Shepherd watches over me
With loving eyes concerned for me
Even if I’m goin through some bad weather
My Shepherd helps me, come whatever
And though I walk through the valley of death
I know he guards my every breath
Some will think you just won’t make it
Your Shepherd makes you strong
So you can take it
You just watch what God can do
He will make your dreams
come true

Love, Graceman

Here is a quick update on our summer
Last week we ministered in Baltimore. We enjoyed time with family and dear believing friends. We were able to speak at a graduation, men’s breakfast and in dad’s church. Word seem well received.

Got to see our daughter Charity….How we love her.

Parents doing well and we were able to see family we cherish. Also got to see Annita’s sister and brother-in-law. Sweet fellowship. Also got to see some friends we ministered with 23 years ago…..and their son now 28.

Went to a viewing of a faithful Pastor and dear friend of my dad. He will be missed sorely. He was always kind to me as a kid.

( I will post several poems etc. later this week )

We had fellowship with believers we grew up with and have grown to love deeply. How sweet heaven will be to be when we are free of the struggle and fight of and for LIFE….Life….there is bios ( biological life ) and zoe ( Life of Joy ). Hurts to see this present economic fiasco hurting so many. So wonderful that the JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH…..

On the Florida front our dear friend Henrietta ( age 93 ) went to be with Jesus. I had her grandson hold the phone to her ear as I told her of our love for her, quoted the 23rd Psalm and told her really soon she would be in the arms of Jesus.

On the return from Baltimore we stopped to see some dear friends of faith near Camp LeJeune. To feel the pain of war in the air is literal as so many are affected. Families really struggle when mom,dad,husband,wife etc. go to war. don’t get me started….Our beautiful people willing to sacrifice for our freedom and are often caught in some political mess over oil and money and power. We were “promised” a reduction in war and now it is all ramping up again…

We saw the Kohs and they treated us with royal hospitality. We got to spend time with my old rottweiler’s ( sister puppy, now 9 ) My Rott. was named of all things Grace. Had to leave her with neighbor in S. Fla.

Word for Today

Do not focus on your fears , feelings or failures Do focus on your FAITH ( Father Abba ) and Future ( Brighter Day with HIM )

Do not focus on your Pain, Past or Present Pressure…Do focus on your Ever Present God who Positions us to Prosper and Bless and even sets a table of Blessing and Bounty ” IN the Presence of our enemies…….Fill us with Praise so that our JOY cup runs over…..

Love and Prayers,

Graceman

Some of you asked for graceman’s e-mail…..contactgraceman “at” yahoo “dot” com

Annita and I celebrated 30 years of marriage. She changed our date to celebrate from Dec. 17 to June 7th….Trying to confuse the Graceman… ( Note: Whenever our wives talk to us we appear dazed and confused. It is a defense tactic that has worked for me for 30 years. I love the little woman….what can I say. ) I am working on my new Runaway Best Selling Book soon to beat Joel Osteens ” How To Smile All the Time “….cause you are makin me happy buying my books )

My book is entitled ” How To Understand Women ” I have been working on the transcript for 30 years and so far I have not completed the first line. Pray for success in my endeavor…..( Just kiddin ya )

To Bless Those Going Through a Tough Time
Several years ago my two sisters were involved in a terrible accident and were struck and injured on the side of a freeway by a drug induced driver. Both were severely injured. My older sister Sherry’s hand was severely crushed and injured. She is an accomplished pianist. I believed God would heal her and would play again. God gave me the following poem to write for her. May it help you if you are facing incredible odds.

A Letter From Jesus
To Sherry, My Sweet Pianist
For all those years you played for me.
Your gift, my child, it came from Me.
Your hand was crushed. It hurt Me so.
I’ve seen your tears. You’ve felt so low.
But on the cross I played for thee.
A song of pain to set you free.
My hands were crushed-My gift to thee.
The Devil said with awful glee,
“That’s His last song. It’s plain to see.”
But oh, foul Devil, you were so wrong.
That was not My final song.
My death that day, it made you cringe.
I played for you, “I’ll Rise Again”
It won’t be long, my child, you’ll see
That you will play again for Me.
And when you play those songs for Me
With hands with scars that look like Mine
This truth will mean the world to THEE:
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Love, Jesus

Tho Storms are Near

I refuse to Fear

I Walk by Faith

Not what I hear

I refuse to submit to fear and fright

Tho it’s dark right now on this crazy flight

I know God’s my Pilot and He’s my Light

When your heart begins to quiver

And you think you’re gonna fail

Remember Paul and Silas in that

cold, dark  jail.

When you cannot see, the sun’s bright rays

Just life your voice and begin to PRAISE

Today may be full of darkness and haze

Tomorrow may be one of your brightest days

So, don’t give up and don’t turn back

You’ll win this thing tho on your back

It was just about twelve on that lonely night

Paul said to Silas ” Are you feelin alright ?”

Not so good, it’s been one of those days

Paul said  to him ” Let’s sing a song of praise ? “

They  began to sing around midnight

They kept on singin most of the night

When all of a sudden, the earth began to shake

Their chains fell off, what a noise did it make

God showed up it was plain to see

He’ll do the same for you and me

When it seems that you are down and out

Don’t whine , Don’t quit

Lift your voice and  Shout

Shout real loud, it’ll break your fear

Make sure it’s so loud , the devil can hear

When it’s really dark and really late

Satan hates praise, makes him irritate

So when you are down and feel like you’re  out

Lift your voice and begin to shout….

I Praise you God, you’re good to me

You love me and bless me that’s enough for me

The earth will shake and you’ll be free

My God the Deliverer is comin for me

O yes he is , just wait and see.

( Alternate ending….

My God the deliverer is comin for you…

I ain’t afraid of the Ole Pig’s flu….)

                                  Love,

                                   Graceman

     In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet , a line says ” The times are out of joint ” In my prayer time the Lord gave me a little prayer outline that I jotted down.

Like Moses….

Show me your WONDER  ie Your Glory, Lord ( As man strains in futility to find solutions for the mess he placed himself in…..)  These are the Bailout days…..The big commerce ship is sinking and man is bailing out the passengers…..

How I long to see God moving…even in all this mess…He is moving and perhaps even causing the shakedown…so that which cannot be shaken will remain…. O God intervene…..Looks like we are losing…. ( We are not up to bat yet )

Show me your WAYS – Goals ( I often try to figure life out and figure God out . Then I remember Isa. 55  His ways are not my ways…..Hallelujah !

Show me how to WALK ( How/Where ) in the “minefield” of this present world that John said ” Lies in wickedness ) Paul said in Ephesians ” See that you walk Circumspectly / Very carefully…Eph.5 )

Show me your WEALTH, Lord…..You are my Source/Resource ( Phil.4:19 )

You are my Jehovah Jireh/Alpha Omega…You know what fish has the coin in it’s mouth…You know where the ravens are ( ie: Elijah ) I will be content with Daily Bread….Help me not to worry about tomorrows bread right after you fed me…..If I am too fat, perhaps ” The Lord’s Lean Cuisine ” is best for me……May I should be Fasting instead of  ” Fatting”…..

Finally

Show me your WILL – Guide me with your GPS ( God Positioning Satellite )

so I do not end up off course. One teacher once said if a plane is one degree off course he could land you in the forest or ocean rather than your destination….

                                                    Love Ya,

                                                     Graceman

New Poem written after studying Psalm 1 ( Entitled ” One Blessed Man”)

I’m One Blessed Man, O yes I am

And that ain’t a lotta Green Eggs and Ham

My God he’s real good to me

Not just lucky, I’m Blessed You see

No Bling, No Blang, No Thing, No Thang

Can Bring me Joy

Cause REAL Life’s not about my latest Toy.

Psalm One is the place to be

That’s why I am One Blessed Tree

In order to be Blessed

and live a life not stressed

Don’t walk in the counsel of those without God

Don’t stand in the path of sinners while you

Walk this sod.

Don’t sit in the seat of those who criticize

It’ll mess you up more than you realize

Make your delight in the Word of God

Meditate on it daily though it may seem Odd

I don’t eat junk, I don’t drink Bud

I feed on the Word like a cow chews it’s cud.

You ask me why I’m so happy , so happy and  free

I’m planted by the River, I’m one strong tree

You’ll have tough times

You’ll have rough seasons

But when you bloom

It’ll be the right season

Don’t be like the chaff

Just blowin around

Let your roots go deep

On the Solid ground

You’ll go through some tough times

In your life – span

Don’t let go of God’s strong hand.

Now you see from this simple plan

Why I am one Real Blessed Man.

                 Love ya,

                  Graceman

Just a short post to encourage you in the Lord. I was recently back in South Florida to officiate in Madge Matadeen’s mother Linda’s Homegoing. It was a good service and I was overwhelmed to see many of the Grace Flock that Annita and I grew to love deeply. How we miss you all.   The best part was that many responded to the message of God’s Grace and love for them. I think  some people are getting tender as their securities in the natural are shaken. We told of Abba Father’s Care, Alpha and Omega ( Jesus ) Love and sacrifice and our Awesome Holy Spirit’s Comfort in time of grief. None of us will be able to make it through these tough times without Supernatural Intervention from the Lord. Love and prayers to all friends and loved ones. Keep in touch via E- mail at contactgraceman@yahoo.com also I had to learn to “text” in order to keep up with my daughters and their young friends. I am slow but getting better. I will write more later. Keep vigilant in Prayer and in your study of the Word. Keep Worship music playing all the time and we will weather any storm that seeks to shatter us. My dream for Africa is still alive and in His time will become a reality. My faith remains strong.

                                                 B.L.O.G. ( Biblical Logos Of Graceman )

                                                               Love You…….Earl

FUNNY HAPPENING – Yesterday while driving in country in Tennessee I came across a cool looking cow next to the street ( Brown hereford with white face )  I pulled next to him/her as he/she was grazing on some dude’s

beautiful  fertilized lawn. He had gotten loose. I got his/her picture on my cell. When I figure it out I will make these photos available to you so you can see the exciting things that I see…..

 

Devotional

Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John….

Here we see several beautiful ideas….

The Fountain and Flow of Revelation – God is the God who reveals important information to those that have an ear to hear. Today we have at our disposal hundreds of TV channels, XM Satellite radio and a gazillion talking heads….Most of which is worthless dribble. Often I will scan the remote looking ( foraging ) for a morsel of wisdom or faith filled Word. Even the TV ( Hypesters ) are not much different than the Home Shopping People. Hurry to your phone……It will be all sold out…..The Tele-clowns tell us hurry to your phone or God will not bless me… Memo to the Media Ministers…My Blessin is not dependent on You…..

GOD IS THE SOURCE OF TRUTH/REVELATION and Life giving Word…..

Everything else is like the Westerns where John Wayne comes to a polluted puddle looking for a drink and there are cattle skeletons everywhere. I only drink from one source….. The Father’s Fountain…The Son….delivers the Word via U.P.S. ( U.nexhaustable P.ower of S.pirit )

Next is the Future of Revelation – God gives us “tomorrows” newspaper today by showing us Inside Tips for living….For instance I am not at all surprised at the present crises in the World as it was written in my paper ( God’s Word )  Just read the RED ( red letter editions ) and do what he says.

Future – to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.

Finally – The Force and Fire of Revelation….

SENT – He sent

SUPERNATURALLY – and signified it by his angel – Signs and Angels ( How cool is that ? )

SERVANTS – Unto his servant John ( How sweet is this ? God reveals his heart to those that love, worship and serve him. Ever wonder why some believers JUST DON’T GET IT ?  You gotta love, worship and serve him and when close he reveals his heart to you……I NEVER share the inner recesses of my heart with anyone unless I can trust them and know they love me and will never violate my trust…..I don’t do chat rooms and face book etc. cause I do not Reveal my heart to just anyone……Hope this devotional helps You….Love, His ( God’s )  Servant , Earl

Here we are already slammin into 2009. I cannot believe that almost a week has already gone by. We took the tree down and the red and green storage boxes are headed back to the garage. We do still have some cool cinnamon oil stuff smelling up the house. I love it. The kids are back in school ( Praise the Lord ). Nothing better than kids with too much sugar from cookies, cakes and candies hyping up the sweety pies. Poor teachers leading classes of sugar detoxing sleepy heads.

Prophetic students – Are really on high alert as we know that the recent Mideast events have brought us into a new kairos ( critical time period ) on the Biblical counter. I personally believe that Jesus may come soon….

Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib…Guess what ? Jesus is coming and two out of three will be wrong. Personally I am Pre-trib. but not an idiot that believes that it will not get harrowing before the Lord’s return…( Rapture-Trib-Return of Christ in Glory)…All the signs are there and accd. to Matt.24 the birth pangs are getting closer every day.

Obama or McCain supporter ? ( or even Ron Paul ) We all better pray for the man in the White House….That’s my deal. God positions people good and bad ( ie: Pharoh ) to accomplish his will. I believe that Obama does have a decent and moral heart. The present crisis in economy, Mideast and India will drive him to his knees and I will be on my knees praying for him to seek the face and will of God. That is not a political statement but a spiritual one. Daniel flourished in Babylon ( of all places ) and Joseph flourished in Egypt and Esther flourished in Persia….

We will continue to put Jesus first and follow Matt. 6:33 and in the midst of this crisis will seek the manifest presence of God and will have a ” Blessed” year. Annita and I send all of our love to you. We love you and desire that you have a Blessed Year ( no matter what  circumstances we face )….

Hey, we have all been  through some stuff and are still here and still loved and cared for by Our Alpha and Omega ( Jesus ) …Our Jehovah Jireh ( Provider and Jehovah Nissi/Lord of Hosts….Our Protector….Other than my love for our precious Lord Jesus Christ I have come to love the fact that God is our Abba Father and does and will take care of us…

Added 1/8/09

I decided to make some more major life changes this year and encourage you to join me…..Starting off with Daniel Fast to detox body from holidays and get clear head and heart and body for the coming and challenging year. Not boasting on fasting just realize these are tenuous times and we all need to get out of the Party mode and realize we as a nation and church are in some trouble that needs divine intervention ( See Daniel 10 when Daniel had a vision of the times you and I live in . It caused him to have an internal meltdown ( comeliness turns to uncomliness )…..

1. Daniel Fast – No meats, sweets, bread ( Donuts are Bread…duh ! )

2. Get into the Word…….I am keeping Word Cd’s in my truck and programming my faith daily with God’s thots ( NOT mine and especially the slanted and bias of the modern media ( CNN etc.)

3. Focus on Worship – Fill heart and Home with Worship music ( Hillsongs etc. )… I love to put CNN on and mute it then play Worship music in background….makes for a brighter day and reminds me of the Sovereignty of God amidst the madness…..

Seek the Presence of God rather than the Possession of Goods….With the downturn in economy……amazing the depreciation of RV’s and boats and stuff…..They make wonderful yard ornaments and are mute symbols of what really does not matter…..Recent rash of suicides from Billionaires indicates money cannot make/keep you happy….

4. Focus on Loving and  Ministering to others….everywhere you go…bank tellers, coffee shop attendant, co-workers…..Make everyone’s day brighter as you encounter them…..

( Recently  saw an Italian Movie ( close captioned ) called ” It’s a Beautiful Life ” A father encourages his wife and child and causes them to laugh as he makes fun of Nazi regeime and saves life of his child and wife…..Bad circumstances…Good Attitude…Let us walk in JOY….for the JOY of the Lord is our strength….

5. Exercise – Amazing how the pheremones or whatever are stirred up when we exercise….I hate the exercise but love the results……Also try to eat right….After the holidays I was a toxological ( hope that’s a word ) mess….Hence the present detox.

Using my blender a lot and blending fruit etc and beginning to feel better……..Give the last holiday fruitcake to someone you do not like….. ( Do not call me and ask me who I sent mine too…If you get a fruitcake from me….you’ll know…”here’s your sign”

6. Love your mate, kids, friends etc. and give them the best life possible…..The other night Annita and I made a big batch of Chicken soup together…..cost of ingredients…. $9.00 / fellowship

together …….priceless….

Read the kids a book – cost is free/ take them to the park- cost is free ( Don’t need a Big Rat ( Mickey Mouse ) to make em happy….

Even Chuckee Cheese ( Another Big Rat will be costly…)

I take em to the park and then give em $2 for the dollar tree ( store ) and say …” Buy Anything in the store you want ” ( Secret…unlike Neiman Mark-Ups….Nothing over a dollar )

Praise the Lord in everything, Give thanks for all things….Keep eyes ( affection on things above ) and pray for the soon return of Jesus our preciousLord…till we see him…daily seek His presence…………. Love ya…..

                                                        More Later,

                                              Have a Blessed Year

                                                       Graceman

Hi dear friends, family and probably a few foes…..

Merry Christmas – Man, what beautiful words in these ” Politically correct days” . I recently passed a tire place in Tennessee where the proprietor had a sign…Merry Christmas/ Jesus is the reason for the season. I wanted to stop in and thank him for his boldness. With all the tensions re:Christians,Jewish People, Muslims etc. I want to wear a T-shirt that says ” I love everybody……( Not necessarily their beliefs but God said he so loved the world that he gave his son so everyone could be redeemed…..)

Annita recently got to go to C. Fla and S. Fla. to see her family and attend a wedding ( Dunnes…precious ones ) She got to see a lot of the Grace family and I got to talk to many of them  ( Pass around a cell phone style at wings and things…….Used to love that place….before I started my dietary regieme…..Wings contributed to my chubby problem……) Eat wings and you will never fly…..Or Eat things that are Fried and you will never fly )

It was precious talking to me Grace friends…..( the me…is that English kind of talk …not improper grammar ) I consider me Grace friends some of the Last Days Remnant…How I loved/love you so. We have an Eternal bond.

How cool is that. I do want to thanks those of you that supported my African Dream…..( presently deferred and detoured but not destroyed )

Your response by letter or gift was such a blessing. For those of you that did not respond for religious or political reasons…please grow up….I still love you.

In 09 I will be working on “The Jesus Project” ( A name the Lord gave me for a platform for ministry……) The motto is ” No One Unloved, Unfed,Untold ”

Annita and Vellas will help me with this project. You can too….You simply target someone and Bless them….with love, food, necessary items and when they ask you ” Why you are doing this ? respond with the message of God’s Love.  Kristin helped me get a Christmas package together for a Co-worker of mine who is yet without Christ but had a series of setbacks..Out of work for months/premature childbirth etc . We will make their Christmas a little happier . You can too by focusing on OTHERS Joy first. J-O-Y….Jesus, Others and You…..Remember my famous statement re: Worship and Life…It ain’t all about You…..( Yes I know ain’t is not proper ) Please call my complaint line…1-800-Who – cares….Just kiddin….

I got to meet with my Pastor last week at a Chinese Restaurant….( Not telling you the name cause then it will be too crowded….If you visit me I will take you ( blindfolded ) so you will not know where it is at. We met

( the Pastor and myself ) to strategize on reaching out city in 2009. We have a dream ” Every heart, Every home…..” Similar philosophy to ” The Jesus Project” . I will be working on my Jesus Project website and will get a link to you. Also I will begin posting Bible studies on the BLOG…..Sorry for the delay. I was working on the Africa trip……

Just a few words on the economy etc.. I do feel God is allowing this Economic Earthquake to hit America as  we have begun to worship the Golden Calf of Materialism rather than the true and living God. God is shaking things up from Wall Street, banks, real estate,auto industry,jobs etc.. to get our attention. I have personally been shaken by these things as I am sure you have been . My value system has been reevaluated and my most precious assets are my Abba Father/Awesome Jesus and /Amazing Holy Spirit…. & My wife and four beautiful daughters and their families as well as my family friends and loved ones. And my dear Grace friends, how I do love you. Always have and always will. This Christmas we have Jesus and one another…what more do we need?..Well I would like a Rottweiler puppy but Annita says we have to get one of those small house dogs…….I yield for the time being….I have Jesus and He has me and I love you and you love me and that is really all I need…..Merry Christmas…I will write more later.

                                                       Love ,

                                                      Graceman

This will be a short blog…More later. We learn to value certain things that are truly priceless. In GOOD economic times we are enamoured with trinkets, junk and material stuff. We take for granted the essentials. It’s like last month for a week or so gas went up to 4.99 a gallon. The trinkets and non essentials at the local Gas Mart or Wal Mart were simply overlooked. A gallon of gas and a gallon of milk were priceless. You cannot drive or eat some weird “widget” . The spooky people that control the economy found that after they plundered our pocketbooks for the 4.99 that we had nothing left for normal discretionary spending and “miraculously” gas dropped to 2.76 a gallon so we would buy their widgets.

Even going through the grocery store we looked at paying for the packaging or convenience and said no to that and yes to making it ourselves. We used to go out to eat ( in good economic times ) and drop thirty bucks on a meal and now realize we can make an “Entire POT ” of chicken soup for under ten bucks…..How cool is that. I cleaned an expensive gym’s pool area and they gave me a membership in lieu of paying for the membership. In hard times no one is joining expensive gyms so I work out in my “private ” multi-milliondollar gym virtually alone….The manager looks at me when I come in and realizes ” Oh, he’s the free guy” Most importantly I appreciate my Faith, the presence of God, my relationship with HIM ( God ) more than anything….I’d rather spend time with the Lord than watch a ball game or some inane show or movie. I learned this in Hard times. I also value my time with family and sitting with Annita as she drinks tea or talking about dogs with my daughter or calling one of my precious girls. I appreciate good worship and word at church and to all my true blue, fierce weather friends…I value you. As Paul said in the Word. I thank my God upon every remembrance of You. I have been so blessed by appreciating the change of leaves and the Fall and releasing kindness and receiving kindness.

I recently took a load of garage stuff to the Goodwill and was sidetracked as I met some poor people and shopping cart ladies. I decided it would be their Christmas. I passed out pillows and a lamp and a nice chair and some toys etc. Man did I have fun. Try it….The most valuable things in life are free. Did not our Lord say ” It is more blessed to give than to receive….” My daughter and I read a lot together and have a book with the pictures from the “Passion of the Christ” I show her the pictures so she never forgets what Jesus has done for us.

I also reflect  on all the sins I have committed and am most grateful for Jesus and for forgiving such a sinner as myself. You see we learn a lot in hard times. Perhaps we learn to think and meditate and pray and reflect and become appreciative for our daily bread.

                                                                            Love Ya..You are precious to me

 

                                                                                    Graceman

Good question re: my last blog entry ” Comfort for troubled times ”

My thoughts

I do not have answers for the complex questions regarding God and life. Some answers will have to wait till I reach Heaven. Perhaps I cannot see the whole picture now. It’s kind of like seeing the earth from a plane. There are gorgeous landscapes and beauty beyond description

and several miles later a tornado has ripped a town and lives apart. Good people, bad people

all afffected. Someone said ” God doesn’t make sense “…I disagree it is Life that does not make sense. It is like viewing the backside of a tapestry with knots and strings and all . When you turn it over the beauty will take your breath away. I see things from the ugly side and God is creating a beautiful tapestry when all is said and done and the earth is filled with the Glory of God….I am a simple man with a childlike faith. I feel often as the footprints poem … that I am being carried by the Lord. There are so many things I do not understand. All I can do is trust the wisdom and love of God. I must realize that I view things from an earthly/temporal perspective and God views things from a divine/eternal perspective. I will be on this pain filled, cursed earth with a lot of hurt and sorrow, disease, crisis and death

for a short season. I trust God for my present as well as a brighter future with him in My Father’s House ( John 14:1-6 ) While I am here I am on a mission to love Him and tell others of his love and when there are things I do not understand…I need to be honest and say I do not understand. I Cor. 13 ( I see through a glass darkly )…All I can do is offer my love and prayers, hugs and tears. The Holy Spirit uses people to convey the Love of God and to all who read this… I today convey His love and my love to you. It’s the best I can do. You may say ” that’s too simplistic”…..I agree, I am simply God’s beloved child and here to seek to alleviate the pain of my fellow human beings until I die or Jesus comes back for me….

I call upon my Abba Father and I wait and he comes to me with His manifest presence and assures me that it will all be OK one day. I trust not myself but I have learned to trust my Abba ( daddy ) Father…I walk by faith and not by sight. I do not operate by how I feel or by my fears but by my faith. Though I weep tonight, Joy comes in the morning…..May His Joy arrive shortly for you….The Joy of the Lord is my strength. Let’s all do what we can do to heal the hurts of others around us. PS. Pray for the remainder of my financial provision for my Africa Mission/Jesus Project.

                                               Love ,

                                               Graceman