Behold!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we BEHELD His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

I love to read about Jesus in John chapter 1. To me John is doing his very best to describe God’s Son. He first tells us that the Father and Son are together and that they created all things. Nothing just happened by chance, it was all created. It was a dark world when Jesus first came to this earth. The Jews had mostly turned to a set of man’s laws instead of God’s laws and if you go to Israel today you will find that it is still that same way. The book of the rabbi’s carries more weight than the Torah.

Jesus comes into this world and shines in the darkness and John says, “we BEHELD His glory.” Beheld His glory! I can’t wait till the day comes when I see Jesus face to face and BEHOLD His glory. What a day that will be. If I ever need to be just cheered up all I must do is read John 1.

In Revelation 21:5 we read where Jesus says, “Behold, I make all things new.” I hunt and fish and run all over the place and can see God’s beautiful creation everywhere I go. I can’t even imagine how glorious it will be when the Creator makes all things new. I can’t wait to BEHOLD it.

In Revelation 22:12 He says, “And BEHOLD, I am coming quickly…” Well, this is how I end my prayers every day before I go to bed, “Even so, come Lord Jesus! That I might BEHOLD Your glory, that I might be with You where Your are.” I want to BEHOLD Jesus.

Amen

Jesus calms the Storm

Who is Jesus?

As I was reading Matthew 14 tonight I came across a couple of verses that I just had to slow down and think about for a while. Verse 24 says, “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.” You see, while I was in Israel the last time Dale and I went to see the “Jesus boat” that was found and dated to the time of Christ.

I learned that during the time of Christ that the sail was used but they hadn’t learned how to use it when the wind wasn’t blowing in the right direction. In other words if you wanted to go west you needed a wind coming out of the east in order to use the sail. If it was out of the south say, you would have to put away the sails and use oars instead.

I have had trouble running a boat with a 25 horse motor when the waves were high and the wind blowing me sideway and such. I am sure that the disciples were struggling that night. And then verse 25 and 26 comes along where Jesus comes walking on the water toward them. Jesus says in verse 27, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter says, “Lord, IF it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” We all know the rest of the story how Peter comes out of the boat walking on the water but when he begins to look around at the waves and all he gets scared and begins to sink.

Now the next time Peter talks to Jesus he is sinking into the Sea of Galilee which I also learned while in Israel can be over 100 feet deep in some areas. This time there is no “IF”. He cries out to the only One that can help him, “Lord save me!”

When all was said and done the disciples came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Instead of the latest praise music they only had the creaking of the boat but they worshipped Him. I am sure in my own mind that they bowed before Him and confessed that Jesus was (not if) the Son of God.

So bare with me for just a moment as I confess myself that Jesus IS the one and only Son of God! It has been almost 33 years now but I can still remember as if it was yesterday crying out to God, “Lord save me!” and He did. Now for all of these years I bow down before Him and I worship Him. Jesus, my Lord, my Savior and my God.

alight

Today while I was reading Romans chapter 1 I came across something I thought was very interesting. In verse 29 I found right in the middle of all kinds of horrible sins was “whisperers”. I mean on one side of whisperers was sexual immorality and murder and on the other side was haters of God and inventors of evil things.

I am taking it that whisperers means gossips. There are many scriptures about gossip like Proverbs 26:20 which says, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out: and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”

Yeah, gossip is a bad thing but does it deserve to be in the middle of all those horrific sins? I guess so, it is there. Ephesians 4:29 says for us to, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Gossip spreads and what was meant to be just casual conversation ends up being very destructive. It was once described to me like taking a feather pillow and tearing the end out and slinging all the feathers to the wind, they go everywhere. Fixing the harm that gossip causes is like finding all the feathers and putting them back in. Will Rogers once said, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” I believe I will take this good advice.

alight

I know how Paul must have felt.

I was thinking about my next trip to Africa when I began to read 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. I know exactly how Paul was feeling and what he was thinking as he wrote the chapter because I have felt and thought the same way.

Like he said in verse one I know that my coming to those on the mission field was not in vain. Too many people saved and too many new churches started and are still going strong. (vr 1)

The only suffering I have been through has been sickness, flight problems, coming up with lots of money and for the past 4 or 5 years my trips have taken me out of the country at the worst possible time. But I wouldn’t change a thing. (vr 2)

God has entrusted me with the gospel and that is exactly what I share with them. I could entice them with another gospel and promise them riches and that everything will be rosy but I don’t. Some do. (vrs 3,4 & 5)

I go as an ambassador of Christ. A missionary, yes but not to lord it over people. Missionaries are held in high esteem in many places but I try to be just another man just like they are. (vr 6)

I have fallen in love with all the different peoples I have been blessed by God to go into their world. Saving my money up, praying for God’s Spirit to go before me long before the actual trip takes place. And while there I am always looking for ways that I can be a blessing. (vrs 7 – 12)

I’ll never forget the time a man told me that he had heard the gospel before but never understood it until I presented it to him. That it was clear and now he understands. (vr 13)

I’ve had to deal with religious people who did not want me to go and be there and have tried to make things hard on me. Some from my own church and some from the mission field but it always backfires and I am more determined to share the gospel. (vrs 14 – 16)

The people that have prayed to receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, now approaching 500 souls are so dear to me. Not only have their names been written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life but I have written them down myself. I never plan on forgetting them, ever. I want to go back and check up on them to see how they are doing but I must trust them in the hands of other people and to God. When I soon go again it will be to share the gospel with new people that I have never met but will never forget. (vrs 17 – 20)

alight

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Let’s see if I got this right. For true revival to come we need to humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and then we are to “turn from our wicked ways”. Now wait just a minute there! It like to have killed me to humble myself. Praying wasn’t too hard that is when I had time. Seeking God’s face is for sure a life long journey but I am game but to turn from my wicked ways?

Now I have been a Christian and going to church for 33 years. I tithe and give and love to help others, why I go on mission trips all over creation. You mean to tell me that I have to open my closet, the closet that I hide stuff in? Now I don’t mind commenting on other people’s closet but my own? What will people think of me if I come clean?

Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” But I am a saint, I leave a trail of feathers behind me when I walk, I give the best advice to those who are on the bottom and are having a hard time getting back up. They would never listen to me again!

Turn from my wicked ways? Now surely that will be an easy one. This step in getting revived is a piece of cake. Shoot, I don’t smoke, drink or cuss; I don’t cheat on my wife or steal from the company. I have to admit that I am a pretty good guy!

Well, I did slander my boss but he deserved it and the drug dealer up the road. Well, he doesn’t have a job, how else could he afford to live like that? And that time I looked twice at that woman wearing that revealing outfit, hmm brings cold chills all over me to think “how dare her”. And that time I lied when I said that I just looked twice and it was more like three or four times.

But isn’t this all just nitpicking? I am afraid not. The bible has said all along, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” And again, “But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” And to know that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) it would do us good to examine ourselves closely and swing open the closet doors and “TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS”.

If we really want true revival in our lives we must take heed to all the steps God has laid out. You know it and I know it that real happiness and joy is being right with God and close enough to His side that we are touching. And if we do our part then God promises to do His part. He goes on to say….. (Oh no, I think I hear deer coming, I’m in the Penthouse typing this by the way, I’ll just have to finish later.)

Blessings,

alight

Philippians 4:13 In Context

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul was discussing with those at Philippi things that he had learned while on his missionary journeys. Some of the time he was blessed with all that he needed to keep going. Sometimes he had dire needs and had to do without. There was no doubt that it was God's will for Paul to travel across the country spreading the Good News and starting churches. Sometimes we he faced opposition and sometimes he found faithful followers who insisted on helping him anyway that they could.

There were times when he was hungry and didn’t know where his next meal would come from. And there were times that he sat down and had a feast with his friends. Food was not readily available on every street corner as it is in our country today. I am sure there were times when Paul ran out of money and just had to do without.

There were times when churches would take up offerings to send him on his way. But there were also times he had to stop and work to make a living. Paul was able to continue through the good times and the bad because he learned some very important things. He says,”I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

He was able to do both because of the strength he received through Christ Jesus. Paul needed the strength that Christ gives not just when he was in need but also when he had everything he needed. Relying in our own strength will usher in pride and keep us off our knees.

Beware when all is well. We will still need the strength of Jesus, maybe more so. Relying on Christ Jesus and His strength, hmm, something we must learn.

Blessings,

alight

Changes

Today while I was out running I noticed the leaves turning to all their brilliant colors that they do every fall. Just three days ago everything was green but we had a frost and that changed things. This year it looks like all the different trees will turn at the same time. It will be so beautiful in Tennessee in less than a week.

I will soon have to grab my camera and hop into my pickup and head down the road looking for that perfect picture. The problem will not be finding beautiful hill sides or trees around a lake. No, it will be picking out the best of the best pictures. I will save them like I will never ever see such sights again. Funny, it turns fall every year.

The great thing about Tennessee is that we have 4 seasons and most of the time we get to enjoy all 4. Fall may be my most favorite because I run and hunt. The weather is cooler for running and it is time to spent time in the woods. Most changes I have trouble with but not the seasons. In Tennessee you get bored with one season just wait it will change soon.

Life has its changes too. Some of the changes are like the first frost or the first big snow. Or some are like the first thunder storm with high winds. Like our seasons they soon pass and the frost and snow melts and the storm blows over.

Speaking of changes, oh at the changes in my life! Some for the good and some well, not so good. But I am so glad that God had a plan for me. Raised poor and needy the Lord gave me a good job, then a wonderful wife and daughter. Then He put in my heart to be a soul winner. Later the burden to go into all the world on mission.

I am thankful that as a poor boy in Tennessee I was not forgotten. It is so neat that Almighty God cares for little ole me. The plan for my life does have its ups and downs but as long as God is with me I don’t care. I know that the plan will work.

Blessings,

alight

How can the U.N. be so blind?

Tonight I finished watching the speech made by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.N. He told of Israel's desire to have peace with her neighbors and of the threat of Iran to his country and others.

He stood up to the cowardly U.N. and more or less shamed them for their conduct. What I am ashamed of the most is the fact that the U.N. is in the United States. Oh how I wish that we would close the doors and ship the U.N. off to some other country. It is powerless anyway and only creates more trouble than helps.

I am a proud Israel backer. I salute their P.M. and thank him for his courage and wisdom. If only we had a man like that in charge. Benjamin Netanyahu only spoke the truth. Did the U.N. finally see the truth or will they continue to be blind, time will tell. My guess is that nothing will change.

My definition of the word ignorant is "one who ignores the truth". The U.N. is ignorant. As I watched the one Palestinian representative walk out while he was speaking I once again realize that they do not want peace with Israel but want them to be gone and I might add, by whatever means necessary.

God bless Israel and may God have mercy on those who oppose her.

Dwight

I celebrate with my friend

I went to Christianblog.com today and checked out some of my favorite bloggers and low and behold, "K" had posted her 500th blog. As usual it was a keeper. Some people are just so gifted at writing down their thoughts. I am jealous.

This lady you just have to know. She is so bright and very easy to understand. Most of the time that I write a blog I post it thinking that no one will understand what I am trying to say. Not so with K.

Well, congratulations to my dear friend for a huge milestone. I look forward to reading the next 500. To go and check out K at Christianblog.com here is the address http://www.christianblog.com/bio/kreynolds/

Many blessings to my dear friend,

alight

Gone Fishing 2

Today my brother from Indiana and I went fishing again and we fished most all day. We started at 7:00 am and came home at 1:00 pm for a couple of hours. I went and ran 4 miles and biked 3 1/2 and then we went back fishing at 3:00 pm. We fished until almost dark catching several more bass.

Well, I caught the big one today. The bass weighed 6 pounds. Tomorrow we will be going back (if it doesn't rain) and hopefully catch a boat load. I will try to let him catch the big fish but no promises.

The sky today was mostly cloudy but enough sun would shine through to paint the sky the most beautiful colors. I couldn't help but keep looking up and thinking "what an Artist". Thomas Kinkaid can't touch that!

Blessing,

Dwight

What did Paul look like?

Those who know me know that the Apostle Paul is my hero. When I go on my missionary journeys I want to do things that Paul would have done. Like spreading the Good News and starting new churches. Ones I was hit with a rock and an apple core from people who didn't want me to shut down the dental clinic that day. I thought of Paul and rejoiced that I was counted worthy to receive such a blessing.

I have been a part of starting 12 new churches. I preached the first sermon in 2 of them. I have prayed with almost 500 people to receive Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then I read 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 and I drop back down to earth. I realize that there is no comparison between Paul and me.

Verse 24 says, From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. If my math is right that would be 195 stripes. Can you imagine what his back must have looked like? Verse 25 says, Three times I was beaten with rods. Hey, that had to have broken bones and left him extremely disfigured. Verse 25 also says, once I was stoned. Stoning was a capital punishment, they meant to kill him.

Acts 14:19 says, "...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." Can you imagine what Paul looked like after the stoning? Then can you imagine what he looked like after they dragged him (probably behind a horse) out of the city. He had to have been so broken up and the road out of town would have left him cut and scratched up all over.

No, I'm no Apostle Paul! Don't even come close! When I read where Paul is telling them about what large letters he writes with his own hands, I think, no wonder, his hands must be so disfigured that it takes 2 hands just to hold his pencil.

My hero, the Apostle Paul was, I believe in the center of God's will. The best place to be no doubt but not the safest but that is another blog.

Blessings,

alight

Alight?

Some of you may be wondering about the name "Alight" and I thought that I would explain. Alight was my name that I used at Christianblog.com. I wanted to have a blog name that made a statement. I was listening to a song one day and heard the phrase "be a light". Well, that phrase stuck in my mind and I knew a-light would be my blog name.

I love to take pictures and every chance I get to take a picture of lights, sunsets, the moon, etc. I do it. Jesus said, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." I believe my job as a Christian is to shine the light of Christ into a dark world.

I go on many mission trips, always to a dark part of the world. Where I live there is a church on every corner so I have a burden to go where there are no churches.

So now you know!

Blessings,

Dwight/alight

The sunset picture was taken in the Great Rift Valley right in the middle of the Serengeti, Africa.

First day in the Penthouse

Today was the first day that I hunted my Penthouse stand. It's deer/turkey archery season in Tennessee. I took my bow and camera and was in the stand at 3:00 pm. About an hour later these 5 does came out. They left 30 minutes later and several more does showed up.


Then here comes a small buck. He was eating like he was trying to get fat. I have a "trail camera" set to take pictures of whatever moves in front of it. It hangs on one leg of the tree stand. I had my computer with me so I checked the pictures it has taken over the past week and several does and 2 bucks had their pictures taken. So I know that I have 3 different bucks using the area.


I hope to take many more deer pictures. If I take a buck with the bow he will have to be a big one. I would rather take pictures. I want to thank the Lord for blessing me with such a beautiful place to live.

Blessings,

Dwight

Gone Fishing

For a couple of months now I have been planning a week of fishing with my brother from Indiana. He will be coming down to Tennessee next week and I am taking a week of vacation and all we are going to do is fish, fish and then fish some more. We are both excited and can't wait. I have 4 more days to work and then I am off for 2 weeks. The hours at work are starting to drag by. I am worse than a kid at Christmas time.

The water is cooler now and Kentucky Lake has dropped to it's winter pool (about 5 feet lower than in the summer). We will have to change everything that we were doing in the Spring. The places that we caught tons of fish this Spring will be bare ground now. We are up for the challenge.

For years and years now I have been waiting for another event. The soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ to take us so we can be with Him forever. The waiting has been so hard but I know it will all be worth it on that Day.

I call my brother from time to time to be sure he is still coming. Each time he excitedly tells me that nothing will stop him. I believe he is more excited than I am. Well, from time to time I have to go back to the scriptures and read where Jesus says that He is still coming back. He promises us that He will and in alight's translation it says, "I wouldn't miss it for the world".

Come Lord Jesus!

alight

Save Me!

When I was about 17 years old a couple of friends and I were hanging out at Kentucky Lake. There is this island about 2 or 3 hundred yards from the bank. We decided to swim to the island and back. Well, off we go and about halfway across in about 20 feet of water one of my friends just stopped swimming. I was about 25 feet ahead of him and for some reason I looked back.

I went back to him and said for him to come on. He said that he couldn’t swim anymore. I told him that if he didn’t he would drown. He said, “I can swim anymore!” Guess what, he didn’t and started to sink. I told him to not fight me and I will help him to shore. I looked around and noticed that we were a little closer to the island than back to the shore so I flipped him over on his back and took him to the island.

I was not going to touch him if he was still kicking and flinging his arms. If I did he would have drown us both. Once he completely gave up I was able to save him. Hmm, which reminds me that God is the same way. God wants to save us from our sins but until we stop fighting with Him, He just waits. When we come to the point that we realize that we can’t save ourselves then God steps in and takes a hold of us and forgives us of our sins and breathes new life in us.

Blessings,

Dwight

Amost Persuaded

Acts 26:28 & 29 says, Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

As I read these sad words I think of all the ones that I have witness to but did not except Christ as their Lord and Savior. Many times I have thought afterward that maybe I should have said different things or used different scriptures. I am not the type to pressure anyone or try to scare them with Hell (but I do mention it). Sometimes I wonder if I should use more pressure.

What I have decided is that I cannot persuade anyone to be saved. It is the Holy Spirit who must do the persuading for the salvation to be real. I am glad it is not my job to save people but just to tell the Good News.

Dwight

I'm getting too old for this!

This evening our running club went to race a local high school's cross country team. I have not raced in years but I was game. We met at the school and found out that they had a very nice course on campus that was 5-K (3.1 miles). Starting off you run down this small hill and then through some muddy flat land. Next you ran into the woods and the trail winded between trees and across ditches and creeks. Then you came out of the woods and up through thick grass with lots of 90 degree turns and lots of twist and turns.

I am use to running on roads and this was very different. I am just too old to take the jumps and sharp turns. I am writing this today before the soreness sets in. Tomorrow I might not want to talk about it. But today I was very happy with myself that I could hang in there with the young boys. I finished in a time of 22:02 and was 4th overall.

One day I will have to slow down when it comes to mission trips and soul winning. But that is not today! My prayer is that the Lord will allow me to keep up the pace and even someday let me retire and do missions full time.

Now I am going to find the Bengay and the heating pad.

Blessings,

Dwight

Who are you trusting in?

Yesterday I noticed that a banking stock that I owned stock in went "poof". The ticker symbol GFG was delisted because the bank failed. It was the second largest bank in the U. S. to fail this year. It operated 160 banking centers in Texas and California. Mainly financing houses in the California area was it's downfall. Too many 110% loans on houses that were not worth 60% will get you in trouble.

According to the FDIC that makes 82 bank failures this year in the U. S. Losing $17,000 was not the end of the world but it was a setback to my retirement. Oh well! There is a lot of things in this world that we cannot trust in completely. Thank you Jesus that You are trustworthy and will never fail us. You are always faithful even when we are not.

Blessings,

Dwight

The Penthouse

This afternoon I finally finished the Penthouse. The Penthouse is the name of what we call in Tennessee a fancy deer stand. It will be used mainly to photograph wildlife. Although I do hunt deer and turkeys most of the time I prefer taking pictures.


I built the Penthouse just like you would build a house. It has 3 insulated windows and a insulated door just like in my kitchen at home. The walls are insulated as well as the floor and ceiling. It gets cold in my part of the world during the winter and I plan on staying warm.


I will be heating with a propane heater. I will enjoy watching the blue flame that this heater uses to heat with.



OK, it can be very warm during September and October so I found this very quiet fan that I will be using. Oh, I forgot to mention the Penthouse has electricity. With lights I will be able to read and write and work on the computer. I made the curtains myself, took forever. As I was hanging the front curtains a wild turkey came walking out of the corn. When I hung the back curtains a doe and her fawn came walking in from the woods. The fawn had to be only 2 or 3 days old. It was so small.


I am standing on the porch taking this picture of the field that is planted in clover, wheat and other salad type things. All it needs is a little rain and it will be green in just a few days. The crop to the left is corn and soybeans. On both sides of the fields is clover and grass. Behind me is another field already planted in wheat and clover.

I look forward to spending many hours in the Penthouse reading my bible and maybe some blogging too. I will be taking some awesome pictures and will surely post some for you see. So come on back some time and see what I am up to.

Blessings,

Dwight

Can we talk snakes?

Of all the subjects to talk about in my blogs I never thought that I would talk about snakes. Well, I am a country boy who still lives in the country and we have snakes. Mainly I see black snakes and chicken snakes but from time to time I see poisonous rattlesnakes and copperheads.

As I was mowing the grass this evening after work (7:30 pm) I ran upon a very large copperhead crawling across the front yard. I saw it right before (oops!) I ran over it. The event happened so quickly that all I could do or think about was to raise my feet up as high as I could. I will save you from any further details except for the fact that there is one less copperhead in this world.

It is against the law to kill rattlesnakes and copperheads so don't ask me if I have ever done such a thing, especially on a regular bases. My wife is a pet sitter so the snakes are not welcome in our yard but every now and then one shows up. Most of the time I am the one who spots them and will always tell Dale about it so she will be careful when outside walking the dogs.

I am reminded of that ole serpent the devil (d-evil) how he comes around uninvited and can be so dangerous. Sometimes he announces his presences like a rattlesnake but most of the time he is quiet like a copperhead and you never know he is there until you are right on top of him. In both cases he is to be respected for his danger and harm that he can cause.

I was told one time that most snake bite occur when someone is trying to kill a snake and secondly when someone steps on a snake not seeing it. Either way you are bit. When Satan shows up and is making a lot of noise like a rattler then it is best to keep your distance and continue to move away. I suggest that you turn and face Jesus. It will be the opposite direction in which you see Satan I assure you.

The times when you are right on top of the ole serpent before you know it, well, be very careful or you will get bit. Cry out to the only One who can take care of the problem, again, Jesus. He will know what to do every time.

Now I will have to pray, sing praise songs and read some bible before going to sleep tonight or guess what I will be thinking about?

Blessings,

Dwight

I heard from a dear friend yesterday!

I was blessed yesterday by hearing from a dear friend. We are separated by the Atlantic Ocean and I truly thought that I would never hear from my friend again. I was smiling the whole time I read the email and while replying back. My wife noticed and asked me if I was having fun. I said that I was and told her what had happened.

To me Jesus is such a dear, dear friend and I also can't wait until I hear from Him again. Oh, I see His handy work everyday but one day I will see Him face to face. What a glorious day that will be! Come Lord Jesus!!

Today I start my 4 days of 12 hour shifts. I dread the long hours and by Wed. it will be going nuts but Thursday at 6:30 pm I will be off for 8 days. This wait for Jesus to come back is also long but the time and eternity we will be together will make the waiting worth it all.

Oh if God only wore a watch He could see that it has been a long time. As I try to look at it from God's point of view I see that He is waiting for that very last soul and for everything to take place that He said in His Word to take place. I know that all that He does is good and perfect and will come to pass.

Well, it is time to head out the door so here we go again. I will be watching the clock and the clouds.

Blessings,

Dwight

Rain, rain and more rain!

I don't know if July was the wettest July in history but I know it had to be close. For the past 2 years it stopped raining about the last week in May and didn't start back up until October and October is our driest month. Now today, the first day of August guess what? More rain.

I can't help but thank the Lord for the rain and all other blessings that we for sure have no control over. Rain, unlike some I love to see it rain. I like to sit on my porch and watch it come down. I even like to watch the thunder storm clouds come racing through. Now I am a golfer, fisherman and hunter (mostly picture taking these days) and even though rain keeps me at home I welcome the rain.

My many trips to dry parts of Africa also reminds me that rain is good. So when you hear about rain moving into Tennessee you can know for sure that there is one boy praising the Lord!

Blessings,

Dwight

Watching the Space Shuttle and Station one more time.

Tonight my wife and I went outside to watch the NASA Space Station and the Shuttle connected for one more time. Rumor has it that the Shuttle is going the way of the dinosaur. Who knows but we did get to see it and that was neat. Tonight it came across from the west to the south so we mainly seen the dark side of it but it was still bright.

Two nights ago we went up on a hill behind my house to a large field and watched them come across from the north to the east so we got to see the sunny side of them and it was so bright. I told my wife that they were 250 miles up in space and probably a thousand miles to the east and she was amazed that it was still so big. I must admit that it was a sight to see.

I am also amazed that it goes so fast. In an hour and thirty five minutes it will be back around but being in the shadow of the earth it is not visible. What you see is like the moon, it is the sun shinning on the side and you see the reflection.

Our Christian life is very similar to watching the Space Station. People only see the reflection of Jesus shinning on our lives. We have no light of our own. If you look up and see a blinking light in the sky then you are looking at an airplane. The satellites will not be blinking. If you see someone whose light is shinning just to bring attention to himself it is not the light of Jesus but man's light.

Just Praising The Lord, That's All!

Today my wonderful wife joined me at church for the first time sense her hair came out due to chemo treatments. I was such a wonderful service with lots of singing and an excellent sermon. She was a bit nervous that her wig would slip to one side or that everyone would notice something but all went well.

It was good to have my wife next to me again as I praised the Lord. As I continue to pray for her complete healing I am compelled to stay on my knees. That is always a good place to be. Tomorrow she has another treatment and will be sick for 4 or 5 days. Thank You Lord for the good days! May I have many, many more with my dear wife.

1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." What an awesome statement to make. My prayer is to become such a follower of Christ that I can say the same thing to others. The truth is many people are watching us and following our example. We should remember this and live our lives accordingly.

"Lord Jesus, I pray that You would completely take control of my life and open my eyes to the things that are not pleasing to You. May I bring nothing but praise and glory to Your holy name."

Dwight