Why I Worship

What Is Worship, Why Do We Worship, How to Worship

“I Never Promised You A Rose Garden”

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I’m really going to show my age on this one…

Do you remember the song “Rose Garden” written by Joe South in 1968 and made popular by Lynn Anderson two or three years later?

Here is an excerpt from the chorus of that song:

“I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine, There’s gotta be a little rain sometimes.”

These words have been ringing in my head for a day or so.

Many times, we Christians believe that, since we belong to God and have made Jesus the Lord of our lives, we should never experience anything that is uncomfortable. We believe that we are in some sort of exclusive “club” where everything is always pleasant and easy.

The reality is, however, that we are not exempt from trouble. We do not posses some magical “get out of trouble free” card that we can play whenever we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations

Matthew 5:45 says this “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

In other words, trouble comes to us all. Whether it comes through relationships, finances, or even our health, we will experience trouble. But wait! We Christians DO have something up our sleeve… JESUS!!! He said in John 16:33,”These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Has there been a time when you felt that everything was turning against you? Has there been a time when you wondered “What did I do to deserve this?” Or maybe you’ve said these famous words: “I’ve been doing everything I know to do and now this…?”

How did you handle it? How did God prove Himself faithful? How did you “Take Heart?”

Let’s talk… tell us your stories and be an encouragement to someone…

Joey

Public, Private, Online, or Home School? Let’s talk…

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Jill and I were recently faced with the decision of where our youngest son, Josh, would attend High School. He was slated to attend one of the public schools in our city but, we had some very hearty reservations about him spending the next four years in that atmosphere.

We were very blessed and surprised to find an option that really suited our needs and schedules. Josh is now attending The Oklahoma Virtual High School.

I know there are many folks out there who home school their children as well as send them to private schools,etc.

I would like to hear what you think about this issue. If your children are home schooled, why did you make that decision? If you have them in private school or if you’ve made a conscious decision to send them to public school, I would like to hear you reasons.

So, let’s talk!!!

What are You Waiting For???

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Ok, let’s imagine for a moment; you’re eighty five years old. You’re sitting on your back porch in the rocker. You begin to reminisce about your life and all of a sudden the thought crosses your mind; “I really regret that I never got to …”

Take a minute and let that sink in.

Now, what is it? What is that one thing that you will regret not accomplishing or achieving as you approach the end of your life? Getting that degree? Learning to play an instrument? Taking that trip to Europe or Hawaii? Or maybe it’s as simple as learning a second language?

As a young man I dreamed of singing and being involved in music professionally for the rest of my life. I would stand in front of the mirror with Tom Jones playing on my record player (I know! Now you know I’m not as young as I look!); my white, collared shirt unbuttoned way lower than it should have been, singing into my mom’s hairbrush until someone would eventually come and make me turn the music down!!! I always knew; without any doubt, that this would be the way I would spend my life!

But then, this thing called L-I-F-E happened. I got married, had three children, bought a home and fell into the same trap that; no doubt, many of us fall into. I allowed “obligations” and “responsibility” to steal my hopes of ever being able to live my dream. I mean, after all, I was an adult now and those were just childish dreams, right???

WRONG!!! I’m so thankful that God allows us second, third, and sometimes fourth chances!!! Psalm 37:3-4 says “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

I had always been a person who loved God and sought to find His will for my life. Eventually, as many of you know, I was presented with the opportunity to live my dream again. Now, I get to get up every day and do something that I absolutely love to do. What could be more fulfilling than that?

Now let me ask you a very serious question… What are you waiting for? What is keeping you from going after your dreams? God wants you to be happy! He gave you those dreams and he loves you enough to give you another chance! Don’t let years of life pass you by without becoming all He created you to be.

It’s your life…. So live it!!!