🫡Greater Love🫡

 “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges forget in time that men have died to win them.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

John 15:13 (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

THANKS IS THE ONLY WORD I KNOW AND THAT SEEMS SO SMALL FOR ALL YOU GAVE

DUST

We were young, strong and fool hearty.
We were men of steel who rode iron horses.

But steel and iron rust away.

Soon we shall all fade, as did the life we led.

And we shall return to the dust from whence we came,
leaving only a fleeting memory and a name upon a wall.

One Charlie Niner Hotel (1C9H)

Memorial Day is not a Christian holiday, it’s a time we set aside to honor those who gave all. It’s important to acknowledge and remember those who have died so that we might live in a free country. And as Christians, we can also use this day to celebrate and remember the Biblical values of sacrifice, courage, and love.

The holiday originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War. The first observance of Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Over time, Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day, and the holiday began to honor all Americans who died while serving in the military. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday, and its observance was moved to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for Americans.

I would like to give thanks to Wayne J Stokes from Stockbridge GA for his great sacrifice. 

U. S. Army PFC Wayne J Stokes KIA

 2 December 1967

PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service

9th Infantry Division

Length of service 0 years

His tour began on Nov 22, 1967

Casualty was on Dec 2, 1967

In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM

HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY

GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE

Body was recovered

 Panel 31E - Line 26

🚪No Hope😱

  Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. Helen Keller

Those were the words my friend James heard in a doctor's office one afternoon. The doctor asked James and his wife to come to his office. When they arrived he had them sit down. The doctor told James that he had a brain tumor that was inoperable. There were treatments available but the truth was he had a short time to live. Then the doctor said “do you or your wife have any questions?” James' wife sat there in unbelief of what she was hearing. James on the other hand unstood completely what he heard. James stood up and learned over on the doctors desk and said “yes I have one question.” What was James about to ask? James looked the doctor in his eyes and said “yes I have one question and that is do you know for sure that you are going to heaven?” “For at a time like this that is all that really matters isn’t it Doc.” A few months later James left for heaven. No Hope, are awful words to hear if all you have is here on this earth. The Bible is a book full of Hope. Somehow this word hope has become a word we use as maybe. We use it and hear others use it that way. John, are you going to………then you hear John reply by saying “I hope we get to go.” The word HOPE can have that meaning. Not long after I asked the Lord to save me, forgive me of my sin, we moved to the country. A small town outside of Atlanta. That's when I heard people using this word hope. Someone would get sick and couldn’t get the crops harvested. Then friends would say “Miss Hall we are going to hope you. At first I thought they were saying help you in a country way. No that is not what they were saying because I kept hearing it over and over again. Then I learned what they meant by using that word hope. The word hope has another meaning: “Confidence in a future event.” When these old timers said hope, what they were saying is you can have confidence that I will be there. Fields where cattle once grazed and crops once filled the fields and words of confidence filled the air are no more. Now there are houses standing and subdivisions with roads crisscrossing and people rushing back and forth. The word Hope has become maybe and not confidence. Our Bible on the other hand has not lost that meaning of confidence. For when we read that word Hope it carries the meaning to expect with confidence.  

When the Apostle Paul writes about Redemption he uses the word Hope 4 times in one verse.

Romans 8:24 (KJV) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

We are saved by confidence in what the Lord Jesus has already done. We are looking ahead with confidence. Hope is a word of confidence but take that word hope and put a no in front of it and you get not any confidence.

Ephesians 2:12 (KJV) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

No confidence and without God in this world. Wow that is an awful place to be. Then we read in 

1 Thessalonians,  of having confidence that there is confidence of a better place. Don’t be sorrowful for we have confidence in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is a side note: the word HOPE is mentioned 130 times in our Bibles while  NO HOPE is only mentioned 5 times. In conclusion, God wants you and I to have confidence in what He has done for us. That is why James didn’t get all unset when the doctor told him there was no hope. James knew better for he knew and had confidence in his future home, heaven. The bad news is coming but if we know Jesus Christ as our Savior then it’s not bad news at all it’s our way out of here. 

😵‍💫Confusion 🤯

 The most confused you will ever get is when you try to convince your heart and spirit of something your mind knows is a lie.”

Have you ever been confused? Perplexed by disorder? In the book of Acts chapter 19 we read of a whole city being in confusion. What was all the confusion about? The Apostle Paul was in Ephesus telling those there that there were no gods made with hands. Acts 19:26 (KJV) Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: Then we read of a man named Demetrius who made silver shrines for their god Diana and made a good bit of money by doing so. Now there’s a big problem, Paul has now gotten the Ephesians thinking and because of that the livelihood of  Demetrius is in trouble. Not only his livelihood but the livelihood of the other silversmiths too. So Demetrius call a meeting of all the other silversmiths  

Acts 19:25 (KJV) Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

When what you believe troubles others you will always have confusion. Here we read of a whole city in confusion. Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion:  why was there confusion? Because people got to thinking. Is Diana god or is God, God!  Joshua asked the people he was leading the same question.  

Joshua 24:15 (KJV) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Paul got people to think and now they are confused. Is Dana god like we were taught and told or have we been led wrongly? Don’t forget Demetrius, was he even concerned about what was right or was he afraid of losing his wealth? We are told. 

Acts 19:27 (KJV) So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

First things first “our craft is in danger” not rethinking if what we are doing is right or wrong. In my business I have a price for doing my trade. The quote I give a person is not based on how much wealth they have or don’t have. A person told me one time that he would price jobs higher if the car and home and the neighborhood were up on the high end. I said why? He said because they could afford more. Demetrius didn’t care about God he only cared about his income. Therefore he helped in the confusion of the people. Here is what I know, God is not the author of confusion. We have that in writing. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

God not Religion. With religion comes denomination and religion mixed with denomination brings confusion. Which one is right? Start reading what denominations believe and teach and you will be confused. That is if you hold the Bible as the standard and know what it teaches. Then the confusion goes on, which version? Here is the answer to all the confusion: ask yourself three questions: do I have Jesus? Do I know I do? How do I know? Paul said 

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) Examine yourselves, (For what purpose) whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Don’t wait until the end to examine yourself. Has there ever been a day in your life that everything changed? 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:18 (KJV) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Have you examined yourself? Oh, how important that you do.

😒Dead or Alive🤗

 Waking up to see another day is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. Make it count and be happy that you’re alive. 

Two men die but this man Jesus we are told says “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” then we are not told that Jesus dies but instead we are told that He “gave up the ghost.”

Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

He is taken from the cross and buried. It’s done, the man Jesus is now gone. No more crowds, no more miracles where the blind receive their sight, the lame leave walking, the hurt leave forgiven, the hunger leaved filled yes He is now gone. Wait, is that really true? I heard that the tomb was open! The body is gone! The news is that women went to the grave early this morning and the stone was rolled away. I heard that Peter ran in and found, well they said he said there was no body to be found. Can this be true? What happened to His body? Then this woman, you know that woman, I think her name was Mary. The one; you know that woman, who used to make money, you know that house where men would stop by a lot. You mean Mary Magdalene? Yeah her! She kept hanging around over there at the tomb and Jesus showed up. That’s hard to believe that Jesus would first show Himself to an ex prostitute. I would have to see that in writing to believe that. 

 John 20:15 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

John 20:16 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

So you are asking me to believe that because one person saw this man Jesus alive after they buried Him? Not only that, this woman might be a little questionable. Oh no there’s more Jesus disciples say the same thing. Ok, are you serious? This woman whom is questionable at best. Now these men who have run off and hid. Do you think that is enough for me to believe that this man Jesus just got up from the tomb and walked out? What, there’s more? Did you say more than 500 people saw this man Jesus alive? They sure did. 1 Corinthians 15:6 (KJV) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

There’s more. 1 Corinthians 15:7 (KJV) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

How can we not believe that Jesus rose from the dead after all these witnesses to the fact that they themselves saw Him? That would be like you or I being on trial and over 500 witnesses said we didn’t do what we were being tried for and then found guilty. 

🏃‍♂️‍➡️The Rush 🪎

The five o’clock rush but nothing moving.

You may have never heard of James Wilson Marshall from New Jersey.  James was a carpenter working for John Sutter to build a water-powered saw mill. Marshall one day discovered flakes of gold. He said “I was certain it was gold and my heart Thumped.” Sutter tried to keep the gold a secret but somehow the news got out. People began to move into the town which would later be named  Sacramento by the 1000’s. They came from as far as China over 300,000 came. They left their farms, their families' and towns became ghost towns for the fortune to be made.

As the gold seems to be a non-ending source of wealth. In 1848 the population was 20,000, by 1852 it was 380,000 and some 81 million dollars worth of gold had been pulled from the ground. With wealth comes others who  saw another way of getting their hands on the gold without the work.  Gold mining towns had sprung up all over the region, complete with shops, saloons, brothels and other businesses seeking to make their own Gold Rush fortune. While reading about the gold rush of 49 what were you thinking? Were you thinking maybe if you lived in that time you would have packed up and left the family and headed out for the fortune to be made. Well many did. As you read did you notice what wasn’t in the gold towns?  There was the saloon, the shops and the brothel but there was no Church. Now fast forward to our day and time. There is no gold rush going on or is it? Now before you get to thinking I am against having wealth I’m not. Wealth can be great to have but it can also be a nightmare. Gold may make one happy for a while but it will always fail in the end. We see that from the gold rush of 49. If gold was all that was needed for happiness and joy. Then why was there a need for a saloon and brothels? Never forget all that shines is not gold. I must never forget the enemy. I'm well aware of an enemy and what the enemy can do. I'm thankful for knowing what an enemy is and what the enemy can do. I learned that in the military. 

The enemy loves to catch you unaware of what is going on around you. Matthew 13:25 (KJV) But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Notice “while men slept” while they were unaware what happened “his enemy came” best stay alert in this world don’t go to sleep and think all is well.  

So who is our enemy?  Matthew 13:39 (KJV) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

The devil temps  Matthew 4:1 (KJV) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. “You better think.” We will not escape the enemy’s sowings. Be careful not to get into the Rush of 2026. So busy that we missed the blessing of God today because we are chasing the gold of tomorrow. 

These are my thoughts about one Friday

 There is always a light. Are we brave enough to follow it?

 

One Friday not too long ago I got to spend the whole day with my grandson. It was 8:30 and we took off for a 75 mile ride just me and him. We talked about a lot of different things on the first 75 miles and if you go away 75 miles you will have to return 75 miles.  It was on the return trip I told him things about myself he didn’t know for I don’t talk about them ever. I wanted him to know about the darker side of my life before Jesus saved me. You see he never saw me but one way a Pastor, a person who loves people and wanted to help where I could. My wife and I worked 20 years helping those that had let alcohol and drugs wreck their lives. There was a dark side that he never knew and I wanted him to know what great things God had done. You might say that I should have just kept quiet. I might have except for a few things that he said over the past few months. One night he and I were sitting in our living room and he said “I want to be more like you.” Oh wow I realize that what I do and say does affect others. Then at Christmas time he wrote in a card these words “You mean the world to me.” Then he went on to write “I look up to you in so many ways.” Then he wrote “ I hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren respect and love me the same way yours do.” Then he closed out by writing “there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you I love you.” That meant the world to me and he will never know how much. Well I just felt like he should know I haven’t always been like he knows me. God has done a great work without doubt in my life. As we got closer to home I just didn't want the day to end. At the end of the day I’m sure he enjoyed being with me. What to him may have seemed like an enjoyable day he got to spend with his Papa. To me meant the world and a day that will be in my memory for the rest of my life. Am I sorry for telling him all I told him? No and I didn’t share half. What I am sorry for is that I really did those things in the first place. You say yes we have all done things we wish we had not done. True! Here is the best part: God who knows all, refuses to remember and will never bring it up. We got that in writing. Psalms 103:12 (KJV) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

🫈Know 4 Myself🧑🏻‍💻

 Not knowing" is often a place of anxiety, but it is also a space for growth, creativity, and the beginning of wisdom.

Nicodemus was a man that had to find out for himself. Have you ever had to find out? know for yourself? Or are you one who just takes someone else’s word? To find out for yourself takes time. Nicodemus was one of those people who took the time to find out for himself. You have to admire someone like that. Now Nicodemus was a Pharisee which tells us that he was strict in his religion. We are also told that he was a Jew and that he was also well known “a ruler of the Jews.” We are told all that and then we read in John chapter 3 that he wanted to see for himself. We read in John chapter 3 and verse 2 that he came to see for himself one night.  

John 3:2 (KJV) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

I’m not sure who Nicodemus was referring to when he said “we know.” So first of all let’s see what Nicodemus knows. Nicodemus knows that Jesus was a teacher that came from God. He also knew that the average person could not do the miracles that Jesus was doing unless God was with Him.  Then Jesus stops him and says these words “Verily, verily which means in truth, in fact and certainly.” Then Jesus goes on and says “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Then Nicodemus said “how can a man be born again?” Great question Nicodemus. Then he comes up with his own question “can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Jesus answers and uses those words verily, verily again or truly, truly. What is being discussed? “Entering the Kingdom of God.” Then Jesus says “except a man” Jesus doesn't say Nicodemus, Jesus uses the term man as in mankind. First mankind must be born of water? What is Jesus doing here? Is Jesus  painting us another word picture? There is a lot of confusion about this water and I’ll be honest I’m not sure either but here is what I see. Jesus uses the word born of water and of the Spirit. What is interesting is that the very next verse Jesus says this John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Could water which is a natural substance be a picture of our natural person? Because seeing the Kingdom of God one but be born naturally and spiritually. Once we are born we can never be born naturally again. Now our spirit which communicates with God  

John 4:24 (KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  The spirit died with Adam and Eve. 

Genesis 2:17 (KJV) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

We know that they both partook of that which they were told not to. We also know that they did not die physically. Their way of communicating with God died because they went and hid themself and didn’t want to talk with God. Until that spirit is reborn in us we can not communicate with God our Heavenly Father. Nicodemus wanted to know for himself so he took the time to do so. We may not be right on everything but the one thing we must be right about is Jesus Christ. Too many argue about the water and miss what Jesus is really saying. You want to communicate with God? Then something is going to have to be born and that being your dead spirit. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit.