Your Chariot Awaits

It's 2009 and the chariot has arrived. It was dispatched by God and driven by an angel straight to your doorstep. There is an ample seating capacity to accommodate your whole family. This heavenly chariot has come for no other reason than to take you on a journey. This journey will be filled with adventure as well as challenges. However God has promised that he will be with you every mile of the way. Sometimes you will cross deep valleys and sometimes you will glide through the clouds but you will always keep moving. It is your chariot of destiny. It was designed just for you. When this year is over, you will not be where you are now. In fact, you will be a long way from where you are now. Destiny will happen. You will not have to chase it or claw and dig for it. Destiny will chase you and overtake you even as you ride in the chariot. With the winds of life blowing through your hair, it will envelope you and empower you. Why? Because God sends personalized destinys for everyone. Real destiny cannot be chased down because it is not running from anyone. If you chase it you will in fact run from it. Real destiny pursues the person it is assigned to. When the time is right, it overtakes it's subject in obedience to God's ordained will and executes all assasins that would hinder it.

Remember Gideon when he was visited by the angel and hailed as a mighty man of valour and commissioned to be a deliverer for Israel from Midianite oppression? Remember David when he was tending the sheep and was sent for by the prophet Samuel to be anointed for his kingship over Israel? Remember Saul when the light shone from heaven and he fell off of his horse en route to Damascus. He became the greatest Apostle of the early church. Consider how the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and how Gabriel announced to her how she was highly favoured of God? We all know what that resulted in.

Your chariot awaits! Get in and hold on!

Something Old Something New

New Years day is just around the corner. As I was thinking about that fact, I reflected on a message that I preached a couple of weeks ago entitled "Something New". I was sharing some thoughts about that message with a close personal friend of mine tonight via a telephone call. As 2009 approaches, I truly want something new from God. At the same time, I still want to cling to something old. And what I mean by something old is actually something that has been around for ages, will be around for eternity, and yet is new and fresh every day; the knowledge and experience of God's saving grace! Therefore, I want something old and something new.

This phrase is used in the old saying concerning the preparation of a bride for her wedding; something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. When my wife and I were married over 18 years ago, my wife prepared for the wedding using the guidelines of this timeless phrase.

I truly desire something old and something new in 2009. Maybe I can say The Harvest is Mine in 2009. That would be the something new and the saving grace of God would be the something old (yet always new). In fact, Ruth and I were just discussing the thought of a Harvest this evening. We believe, and I encourage anyone who reads this blog post to believe, that we have not yet received the harvest on many seeds that we have sown! And get this, we believe that we will not only receive a harvest on the seeds that we have sown, but we will also receive a harvest on seeds sown by our earthly Fathers. For example, Ruth's Dad, Bill Catlett, was a giver. He would give his time, his efforts, or anything he could to help people. He lived for the chance to help somebody. If you never got to meet him you missed out! He has received his heavenly reward, but those seeds that he sowed here on earth are still going to yield a harvest. My Dad, Herbert Schlinker, was also a giver. He spent many years preaching the gospel and doing mechanic work, both of which yielded little monetary gain. He too has gone on to his heavenly reward, but I still believe that there is going to be a harvest on those selfless seeds that he sowed here on earth. Well I didn't intend to go this far with this thought but I am more excited now than when I started this post about 2009. I have got my spiritual combine fired up and I am ready for a Harvest. I am looking for something old (timeless) and something new next year!

I encourage you to raise your expectation level in 2009. You are special to God and he has special things in store for you. Check out these scriptures.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

May the blessings of God overtake you,
Ronnie and Ruth

Christmas Eve At The Schlinkers

It's Christmas Eve 2008 at the Schlinker house! We want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a "Merry Christmas" and a Blessed and Prosperous "Happy New Year".

We also want to say "Thank You" for taking this journey with us. We are enjoying sharing our lives with you and hope that we have been a blessing to you during 2008. Our best wishes to each of you.

Keep watching, Jesus is coming again!

We love and appreciate you all!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our house to yours. We hope that you have the best Christmas ever! We wish to give praise to the ultimate gift ever given; God's only son. His name is above every name, including Santa Claus. He is faster than a speeding sleigh, jollier than any old fellow, truly knows who has been naughty and nice, gives gifts year round, and comes to town more than once a year!

Christmas is Still Christmas !

I don't care what the atheists or agnostics say, Christmas is still Christmas! I am appalled at how many times each year you see Christ removed and replaced with an X in the word Christmas. There... I said it. Do they not realize that taking his name out is not going to change the fact that he was born. Nor will it change the fact that he lived and died for our sins or change the fact of his eminent return. They can take his name out, but they can't take HIM out!
I believe that we must stand on what we believe and not be moved with what the world is doing. Let's celebrate Christmas as always. Blessed be his Holy name now and forever. The world needs him now more t han ever. He is our Saviour. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus! I love him and he loves me. I know this because the Bible tells me so! I am weak but HE IS STRONG!!! Jesus loves me this I know! If you don't know him, try him.

Thanksgiving

In a third world country, someone is hungry right now. In the United States, someone is hungry right now. In Arkansas someone is hungry. And yes, even in Booneville, more than likely, someone is hungry right now. Are you hungry? I am not. For this I am thankful. In fact I am thankful that I am not facing eviction, walking the streets,living under a bridge or holding a sign somewhere at an intersection that says will work for food. I am glad I am not in a halfway house,mental institution or county jail. All of these scenarios are a reality. What does it tell us? First of all we must make a commitment to thankfulness. Next we must put our hands and hearts to work to help those who are in need. Even if they landed their self in the situation they are in by making bad decisions. It is one thing to suffer the consequences of bad decisions, but it is another for people to serve a lifetime sentence of public disdain because we try and convict their character. WHO ARE WE to judge? Jesus never bragged on the judges but he said a lot about the real "neighbor" who stopped to help the man on the side of the Jericho road who was beat almost to death and robbed. He never promised anything to the critics, but he did say "Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me." (Matthew 25:45) Done what? "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matthew 25:35-36) This Thanksgiving let's be thankful, but let us also commit ourselves to helping those that do not have the things that we are thankful for.

Rayne's First Birthday Party

Rayne, our first grand baby turned one year old on November 12th. Here she is eating birthday cake. Bless her heart, she had been feeling bad and running fever. Nevertheless, she is a doll! She has started talking more. She said "ball" the other day for Nana. She said "Nana" for me as plain as day about a week and a half ago. And yes, she has been saying Pa Pa some recently as well.
Go Rayne!!!

Our Story: A Saturday To Remember

It was cold and windy. Grayson was so ready to get down from the tree stand. I admit that after about an hour and a half, I was getting there too. It was about 7:30am. I said that I would like to at least try to stay on the stand until 8:00am. I knew from hunting with my Dad as a boy that around 8 to 9 was when the bigger bucks sometimes stir. I told him that I was proud of him for being tough enough to get up that early (4:30am) and come out and sit on a tree stand for that long at 7 years old. At approximately 7:15 to 7:20 Grayson had used the grunt call one more time and we had waited in anticipation for a buck to show up. I had confidence in the buck lure we were using at the time also. We had been hearing a squirrel or two playing in the leaves behind us in the woods all morning. Then suddenly about 15-20 yards away over our right shoulders I heard a crack that was indicative of a much larger animal than a squirrel. Then in about 5 to 10 seconds there he was. An eight point buck!

The rest is history. Grayson was so excited because it was our first buck together! So was I to say the least! We had missed an opportunity at a little smaller buck last year in the same hay meadow. However this day would prove to have a different outcome! It was truly a Saturday my son and I will never forget.

Courage Under Fire!

When soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War, they didn't have repeating rifles. They had muskets. It was imperative that they have courage under fire. It took unspeakable nerve to reload their weapons and not drop everything while the Red Coats were constantly hurling lead in their direction; not to mention trying to maneuver and communicate through heavy smoke and ear splitting explosions of musket fire all around them.
As Christians, we must find a way to remain courageous under fire. Yes, we are under fire. We are under a heavy barrage of agnosticism and outright rebellion to the God of Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob. We are under fire due to the offence of the cross! On that thought I have two scriptures to share with you.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16

The other one goes well with it.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. I John 5:4

Here is one more. Read it and take courage!

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Calling all prayer warriors! Our nation needs revival! When a well known actor/Christian stands up as Stephen Baldwin(youngest of four Baldwin brothers in Hollywood)did and says (paraphrasing) that "our young people from 8, 9,10 on up to 19 are further from God than any other generation in history" (where Evangelical values are concerned) folks, we need a revival. If that is not enough, how about this statistic found on barna.org, Half of born again Christians (46%) agree that Satan is "not a living being but is a symbol of evil." (2007) What's missing is the fear of God! That is why so many people are so mixed up! In short it is time to pray like we have never prayed! The Bible says in Psalms 111:10 "The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever". There is a great lack of "good understanding" in our church culture. in general. It has been replaced with other motivations. We are overdue to get back to the basics. The only way to defeat satan and have a revival is to get back to the Bible and stay there. The same Bible that teaches that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." in James 5:16.
Prayer warriors man your battle stations, defend the faith, and stand for God!

The Wall! Get Over It!

Do you have a wall that it seems that you can't get over? Get over it! David said in Psalms 18:29, For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. Walls are sometimes made to appear bigger than they really are by our enemy. Almost everyone has faced, is facing, or will face a wall that seems unscalable. The key in David's testimony is that he said "...by my God have I leaped over a

wall". Walls can be emotional, spiritual, physical, or financial. Some even face social walls. Whatever it is, get over it. It may be a relationship with a friend gone bad, and you just can't seem to forgive and forget. I have three words for you. Get over it! Forgive!Your wall maybe a spiritual or emotional battle that you have fought for a long time. Get with God, get fired up and then get over your wall. It won't move voluntarily. You either have to shout it down like Joshua or leap over it like David. Paul was let down over a wall in the night by his friends. Take your pick. Just get over it!

Image accessed on wikimedia.org 11/02/08

Tests Tests Tests!

Tests Tests Tests! Life is full of tests. I have two midterm tests to take this week. I'll be glad when they are over. However, the tests never quit coming. Only God can prepare us for the real tests. The tests that prove our loyalty to him and to his cause. Those are the ones that one must be prepared for. Someday the tests will end. But until then we must be vigilant about staying prepared at all times. The bible tells us to be instant in season and out of season! Lord help us to stay prepared.

Radio Broadcast

I was told that the message we preached at Clarksville Trinity Chapel last weekend will be broadcast on KWXT 1490 AM out of Russellville and also on the following web address... http://www.kwxt1490am.com/program%20listings.htm

We invite you to listen in if you have time. I hope that our songs will also be on the air but I do not know how long the broadcast is. God is good!
Have a blessed day!

Still Busy

We have been ministering the last two weekends and will be ministering this weekend at Clarksville Trinity Chapel. We had a wonderful day last Sunday. We sang and the Lord was with us and blessed us tremendously! I preached on "Re-Captured" in the am service, dealing with rekindling a close, personal, servant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Sunday night we ministered on "Thinking Outside The Box" and used Apostle Peter as an example referring to when he requested to walk on the water to Jesus. We will also be minsistering at Magazine Pentecostal Church of God when we have an opening per my conversation with Bro. hank Weaver, the Pastor, several days ago. Also we may be traveling to Bakersfield , California to be in service for two Sundays and a Wednesday night if the Lord leads in that direction. This would be for the purpose of trying out for the Senior Pastoral position at a church located in Bakersfield. Please help us in praying about this possibility.

Busy Busy Busy!

Listen To Our Pastor

Hey, I wanted to let you know about the ministries of Lighthouse Church in Booneville, Ar. Our pastor has a daily program on Power Worship 89.7 in Fort Smith, AR., called Lighthouse Church Broadcast with Pastor Donna Golden. The program airs Monday thru Friday at 11:15 am and 8:00 pm . Above I have pasted a coverage map directly from the Power Worship web site by way of a link to radiolocator.com,copyright 2005. This is the predicted coverage area for Power Worship 89.7 Booneville. If you are in this area, you should be able to pick it up. Lighthouse Church has been established in Booneville for about twelve years. If you are in the area and don't have a home church or plan to move to the area, stop by and visit Lighthouse Church. There is a spirit of revival and a lot of friendly people that attend there!

Still Breathing

Hey. We're still here. We have been so busy that I haven't found the time to blog lately. However, I am ready to fire things back up again. I have been subbing a lot in Booneville Schools. We are still praying earnestly for God's guidance in our ministry. We are still taking college courses at UCA and ORU. God has been good to us. Please send some thoughts or comments. It doesn't cost a thing and we would love to hear from you!

There Is Something About Prayer

With the last few seconds ticking off the clock, and trailing in his first ever High School football game, my nephew, Brock, threw the ball to the end zone, hoping for a miracle catch. It happened! With two seconds left,and under pressure, he connected with his receiver, who was heavily defended, for the game-winning score! When I congratulated him, and called it a miracle finish, he graciously remarked that he had "said a little prayer down there". Upon my wife Ruthie's congratulation of Jordan, the receiver, he also remarked that he had said a prayer. What a connection, and what a result! What an example of the power of agreement. If it will work in a football game, how much more can it work in the game of life!

Three Important Words

It was said that Winston Churchill once rose to speak to a group of college students who anxiously anticipated a long eloquent speech. To their surprise, he only uttered three words. Those three important words were "Never give up!". Why did Alexander Graham Bell find the breakthrough that led to the invention and patent of the telephone? He never gave up. Why did Orville and Wilbur Wright succeed in building an airplane? They never gave up. Why did the United States of America win the Revolutionary War? They never gave up. When you succeed in seeing your dreams come true it will because you adopted these three important words...never give up!

Go Ahead and Laugh

Yeah to those who automatically get these postings through email, I misspelled the word learned. :) I said I leaned a lot my first week in grad school. I guess that's true too! To everyone else; well, you would have never known it had I not blew the whistle on my own self. It's just that when I edit it is too late for direct mail readers.

School School School!

I started graduate school this week. It is pretty cool! I am attending the University of Central Arkansas. I am enrolled in the College of Education's Master of Arts in Teaching program. I have learned a lot in my first week. I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with a BA in History in 2007. Ruth graduated from American College in 1988 as an Automated Office Specialist and from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with an Associate Degree in 2006. She is currently working on a Bachelor's degree in Christian Care and Counseling from ORU. We have 3 children in Booneville Schools; Grayson in 2nd grade, Katie in 9th, and Emilee is a senior who is working hard to prepare to attend UAFS to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education and become a teacher. Our next older daughter Sydnei, has attended UAFS for one semester and is preparing to go back in the spring to resume classes and work toward a degree in education and is thinking about becoming a basketball coach. Our oldest daughter has attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello for one semester and is now considering DeVry University to become a medical transcriptionist. Let me catch my breath. It is my desire to lead my family to pursue their goals and dreams. I hope I can leave a legacy to never give up!!! I am so proud of my family's desire to succeed. To God be all the glory!!!!!!!

Read and Response: Mega Churches

A mega church is considered to be a church averaging at least 2000 people on any given Sunday(according to wikipedia). Also according to wikipedia the Hartford Institute's database affirms that there are over 1,300 Protestant mega churches in the United States. I want to ask a series of questions and I hope that you will respond.
1. When you hear the term mega church does that illicit a positive or negative response from you?

2. Are mega churches carrying out the role of the new testament church according to the bible?

3. What can smaller churches learn to do from mega churches?

4. What can smaller churches learn not to do from mega churches?

5. Why do so many people flock to mega churches?

Please respond....

The Invaluable Measure of Faith

Romans 12:3... For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
There is absolutely no way that you can appraise the value of the measure of faith. Without faith there would be no hope and without hope we would all be miserable. Thank the Lord that God has given us the measure of faith! This means that everyone is born with the capability to believe in God and to believe in the power of prayer. What is the last thing that you exercised your measure of faith to receive? When was the last time? That's too long! The enemy of our soul does not want us to use our faith. he wants us to be controlled by our senses and through our emotions. He has been using the senses tactic ever since the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6 says... And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Faith is a guard against the weakness of the senses. The bible says in Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. So we know that with faith it is possible to please God. Use your measure of faith, even on the small things. I challenge you upon reading this post to make a decision to use your measure of faith today on three different scenarios and see what happens. Remember, God is not moved by circumstances, he is moved by faith.

Updates and Testimonies

Ruth is doing much better. She even ran a little on her knee yesterday. She has definitely regained mobility after almost three weeks of pain, stiffness, and swelling. In Jesus name we believe for complete healing in her knee. Praise the Lord!!!

Now for an update on Neal's condition (after gall bladder removal surgery). As of last night he was doing well. He mainly has soreness from the laproscopic incisions. Neal's Dad, my brother Terry had been told that he had 70% blockage in his carotid artery after the first initial test. Last Wednesday he had an arteriogram which resulted in 0% blockage and following that he had a second test on his carotid artery. After several days of prayer, he now had 0% blockage in the carotid artery. Praise the Lord!!!

Sherry Hughes is currently taking chemotherapy treatments in Russellville. In 5 weeks, she is going to evaluate her progress. If she is not considerably better, she has made plans to fly to Italy to seek treatment from a doctor there who has an extremely high success rate for total recovery. I know a doctor who has a 100% rate. His name is Jesus. Sherry is also trusting in him for complete healing. Ruth was able to minister to Sherry over the phone yesterday evening, and in the conversation told Sherry that she was believing for her complete healing.

Prayer Requests

I have several prayer requests, so I thought I would dedicate this post to that purpose.
1. Pray for my wife Ruth Ann for total healing in her left knee. She has a Baker's Cyst and an extensive amount of calcium deposited in the miniscus area of the knee.
2. Neal Schlinker. He undergoes surgery to remove his gall bladder tomorrow. He is our nephew and is 28 years old.
3. Sherry Hughes. She has been diagnosed to be in stage 4 of cancer. She is one of our long time friends (and my brother Johnny's sister-in-law).
4. Judy Schlinker. She will undergo some heart tests in September. She is our sister-in-law and (my brother Terry's wife and Neal's Mother).
5. All the school kids. Most schools start tomorrow. Pray for their safety and success.
6.Sydnei and Hannah. Our two oldest daughters who need the Lord.
7. Johnny St. Cin. His heart only functions at about 33%. He is my father-in-law.
8. Me and Ruth Ann. We need a pastorate position or I need to find a a school teaching position!!! I have almost 30 years of experience as a minister but am also certified to teach Middle School subjects, but so far ( since my place of employment burned in March) we have not been able to find a pastorate and I have not been able to land a teaching contract. I know God has something in the plans!!!
Thanks for your prayers.
God Bless you.
P.S. Please vote on my poll to the right, regarding reasons for lack of church growth, while you are here.

Breakfast of Champions

For decades Wheaties cereal has touted itself as the "Breakfast of Champions". You have to agree that this is one of the greatest slogans ever. There have been many pro athletes whose photo appeared on the Wheaties box, adding them to the list of Wheaties promoters. Some examples are Bruce Jenner in 1977 (artist's rendition), Walter Payton in 1986, Michael Jordan in 1988, and Tiger Woods in 1998.
I want to look at another breakfast of champions. In the late 90's when Ruth and I pastored at The Friendly Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, our bible quiz teams in the church adopted the famous Wheaties slogan and had it put on their team t-shirts. Our 17 year old daughter, Emilee, still remembers those t-shirts and what their team motto was. I'm sure if we had a quiz manual she would still remember some of the questions, and most importantly, the answers found in the Word. I am thankful that she still reads the bible, even as a teenager. If you want to try a breakfast that is filling and will stay with you, not just throughout the day, but throughout the years, try the breakfast of champions, the Word of God.

The Power of Relationships

Relationships are very important. They are not only imperative for social pursuit, they are vital to spiritual progress. Paul built relationships with people. He viewed Timothy as his spiritual son. Timothy viewed Paul as his spiritual father. This proved to be very effective. Key relationships not only produce spiritual progress, they lead to spiritual success. The bible is full of other examples that prove the power of relationships; Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, David and Jonathan, to name a few. Moses groomed Joshua for leadership while Elijah left a double portion of miraculous power for Elisha. David showed mercy to Jonathan's son giving him a permanent place at the king's table because of the covenant relationship he had with the boy's father. In fact, all of these examples of relationship are covenant type relationships. In other words, they were committed to being there for each other no matter what. We must seek out covenant relationships in order to make it to our destiny in the Lord. If it was necessary for these biblical patriarchs, how much more is it needful for us?

Is Your House Ready For Jesus?

Guess what? Jesus is coming soon. Is your household saved? One of the worst tortures of hell will be the active memory; relatives remembering their family that went to heaven to be forever separated from them. It is a very sobering thought. It helps you to realize that you can never pray too much and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can never say too much that might somehow or some way contribute to the salvation of a lost member of the household. In reference to angels, the writer of Hebrews said in chapter 1 verse 14, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? We need to pray more fervently than ever for a fresh squadron of angels to be deployed to gather in our children and loved ones so that we can all go to heaven together. What a thought that after, say a million years of continuous praise and worship in heaven, we can join hands as families and stroll over heaven together without anyone missing!!!!!!! Praise the Lord and pass the prayer cloth.

Inspired After All

Check out what Job had to say after he had lost everything.
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth: And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God: Job 19:23-26
I would conclude that Job had things in the right prospective. Think about it. He had lost his sheep, oxen camels, servants, all 10 children, his health (stricken with boils form head to toe), and his wife had advised him to curse God and die. Then three guys come along to comfort him, of which Job says in Job 16:2b...miserable comforters [are] ye all. Job was in bad shape but after everything had befallen him, he was still upbeat about his knowledge and relationship with God. The word says, in Job 1:22 after the death of his children and the loss of his livestock, In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. I would say that he was inspired after all! I feel that we should strive to stay inspired. If God was good to us yesterday , he'll be good to us today. You don't have to second guess the goodness of God. If He was worth praising yesterday, he is still worth praising today. No matter what happens, the important thing to remember is "I know that my redeemer liveth!!!".

Golgotha

Take a few seconds to look at the photo of Golgotha that I uploaded onto this site. John 19:17 says this.. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: What a story! The best part of the story is that the story isn't finished. Jesus, our saviour, who bled and died there is coming back again! He is not just a fairy tale. He is more real than the air we breathe. I thnk about the words of that song that says..I just take one more look at mount Calvary, and it gives me the strength to go on. I want to give praise to the King of Kings who gave his all for me. He is worthy of all of our highest praise and every moment of true worship!!!

Endurance

Matthew 10:22 says this..."And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." In the Greek language the term endureth is defined as the following.
2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee
a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ
b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments
In the day and time in which we live I feel that people are losing their ability to endure. The misfortunes and trials of life are claiming new victims every day. Why? I believe that many people are trading endurance for an easy way out. It's so easy to say everything is going wrong and I don't think that I can take it any more. Consider the ant that spends hours building an anthill just to see it all washed away with a downpour, or worse, to see it tore down by a human being or animal. But have you ever seen an ant that just stopped moving and gave up? I haven't. Proverbs 6:6-8 says Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest. If an ant has it figured out, then why not humans? Trouble will come but we must endure. Persecution will occur, but we must endure. There will always be people that try to tear down everything that you do. But if you will endure, you will be enjoying the fruit of your labor and the warmth of God's love when the harsh winter arrives.

Legacy

The term legacy, as defined by dictionary.com is anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor. Therefore if this definition says anything, it says that a legacy can be good or bad. Many times when we refer to a legacy we are referring to it in the sense of leaving behind something for our kids and grand kids to hold on to. I think that we can conclude here that everybody leaves a legacy. However, the total value of your legacy is not yet defined if you are still living. I think that we can also agree that there are many who are deceased whose total legacy value is not determined as of yet. For example Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States left a legacy that is still growing even though it has been 143 years since his death.
A legacy is not something that you can buy on eBay, it is a summary of your life that yields valuable tools to those left behind. In every graveyard the dash between the year of birth and the year of death on the tombstone is but a shorthand reference to a person's legacy. For some, the legacy may have formed over a 105 years and for some 105 minutes. If we could only know how many people would like to come back and relive the dash, we would be surprised at how many of them are famous people who everyone thought lived the ultimate successful life. Therefor what makes up a good legacy may not be easy to discover.
In my opinion, a good legacy will include an influence to do better and to succeed, and most of all to go to heaven. If I leave behind nothing else, I wish to leave behind an inspiration to my children to make it to heaven. Everything else is subsidiary and falls well below in rank. Sure, i want to leave behind a motivation to be a lifelong learner and to seek happy and successful relationships, but making heaven is the priority.

Has Anybody Seen Jesus?

Has anybody seen Jesus lately? No, really, have you seen him.? I'm not talking about in a picture on the wall or in a movie. I am talking about in real life. I don't have to see him so I can believe in him. I want to see him because I know that he is needed in a serious way down here. I admit that I have seen him a few times. I saw him in the tears of my wife as she wept over the struggles of a 14 year old boy named Travis who is battling cancer. I saw him in the eyes of my Mother as she took her final breaths before running on to meet him. I saw him on the street corner the other day waving a bible and preaching to people as they came by and telling them to repent. By the way I think he is partial to that style, (on the street corner). I saw him all over the face of our granddaughter as she played peek-a-boo with me from the other side of the couch. But I must admit, I want to see him more often. In fact, I would like to be Jesus in shoes for a day. I would love to be able to give someone who is struggling financially a step up; like, maybe paying the electric bill for someone who is older and needs an air conditioner more than I do. I would love to hold an abused child up close until all their fears were swept away. I would love to encourage someone who feels like they have no hope. After my day of being Jesus in shoes, I would love to do it again the next day. I know that we all can be Jesus in shoes if we really want to be. Anyway, has anybody seen Jesus? If you have, let me know, we really need him down here.

The Power of Connections

Someone once said that snowflakes are small, fragile, and vulnerable things but when they stick together, they can stop traffic. A chain link by itself doesn't have much purpose but a thousand linked together and hitched to a source of power can pull a stump out of the ground. A single sheet of paper can be easily ripped but a thousand sheets bound at the edges cannot be torn. It is the power of connections! Jesus said this to the woman at the well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." John 4:10 KJV. That is what happens when we are connected to the right source. Jesus plus you is the majority. Jesus also wants us to connect with each other, James said "Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16 KJV So many people are suffering in the body of Christ for lack of good connections with others. Exodus 32:26 says Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who [is] on the LORD'S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. It is important for God's people to rally together and be bound by relationship. The bible says in Proverbs 18:24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother. The Message Bible says it like this, Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Have you had connections that came and went in your life? Maybe it is time to get connected to true friends and lasting relationships that are not here today and gone tomorrow. By ourselves we may be fragile but when we stick together we can stop the rampages of hell!!!

Image Obtained From news.bbc.co.uk

We're Back!

Hey, we're back. It's been several days since I blogged. I have a lot to get caught up on. Ruthie had to go to the doctor today after battling problems with her left knee and leg since last Wednesday. The doctor alarmed us by suspecting that she might have a blood clot in her left leg and set up a veinous doppler study on her left leg at Sparks Hospital yesterday (Monday afternoon.) Thank the Lord, it wasn't a blood clot but it was a 4-5 inch Baker's Cyst that wrapped around her leg from one side to the other going underneath her knee cap. She has been in excruciating pain for the last several days; actually almost a week now.
In the mean time, we also had a friend from Grace Church in Booneville that went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning after having cancer for some time. We were scheduled to sing at the funeral and the doctor's appointment lasted right up to the funeral time at which time Ruth's sister took her on to Fort Smith for the test. Katie, (our youngest daughter), Grayson, and I then went to the funeral and Katie helped me sing. Grayson and I then rushed to Fort Smith and arrived at the hospital as Ruth, and her sister Rachael, were walking down the hall following the test; which I missed! Ruth told me that she found out what was wrong with her leg and that she would be staying a few days! I said "What's going on?" Then she grinned, and told me she was kidding, and that it was a cyst. She likes to get me like that, ha ha! The news didn't help the pain, but at least a cyst is far less serious than a blood clot. Please pray for her to be relieved of pain and to make a full recovery.

On a funnier note, Grayson fell into the lake the other day when he, I, Katie, and her boyfriend Marco was fishing. He was fishing for perch but was also trying to scoop them up into a net as they were coming close to his hook and line. He leaned over a bit too far and started falling and sort of twisted around and fell almost head first into the lake! I immediately jumped up out of my lawn chair and into the lake and picked him up and set him back up the bank. In the process, he got wet from head to toe and I was wet from the waist down, which included my cell phone!!! Thank the Lord, it started working again the same evening. But most of all, thank the Lord that he wasn't hurt and we can all laugh about it now. Check out this picture of Grayson a couple of summers ago.

In closing be looking for our new website at http://www.covenantconnections.com/ coming soon! This is an outreach ministry that the Lord has laid on our hearts, which will have several interesting features including devotionals,a prayer requests page, ministry resources and special features such as "Jesus In Shoes". Our vision is to connect with people. We all need connections that provide strength, inspiration, support, and hope. We need Covenant Connections as we bond together as Christ has bonded with the church. We are very excited about it. Ruth is a great inspiration to me. I refer to her on our pastoral resumes as a "Second To None People Person". You will enjoy hearing from her on this blog site and on our new website!
God Bless You All,
Pastors Ron and Ruthie

Life is grand!

Hey. Life is grand. Ruth and I know now why they call it Grand pa and Grand ma! Check out the pictures below to the right of our first grand baby Rayne. She was born November 12th. She has brought a lot of joy into our lives. I wonder if that is how the Lord feels about new born Christians? I do know that angels party when a new Christian is born. (Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. KJV) The Lord must be overjoyed as well.

Fun With The Son

Today I had a great time with my seven year old son Grayson.
We went fishing and caught 5 Perch and 2 Catfish. Grayson caught the biggest fish. He was so surprised that when he jerked he had a catfish on his line. We should never quit expecting things. As a christian, our life should be full of expectation. If we have not it might be because we ask not or expect not. Jesus said "ask and ye shall receive".

Comments, Yeaaaa!

Hey guys, thanks for your comments. By the way, even though our given names are Ronnie and Ruth, we sometimes go by Ron and Ruthie but we answer to just about anything :)
Hey, isn't God good? The other day, we saw a beautiful rainbow. You know, God is the ultimate artist! His color mix is unequalled. In fact, all other artists have to borrow form God or they would not have anything to work with. It reminds me of the scientist who thought that he was so smart that he would challenge God to a contest to see who could create the best man. When they got ready to start, God reached down and scooped up a handful of dirt. When the scientist proceeded to do the same thing, God said hey get your own dirt! My answer to those who exalt their knowledge above that of God, and want to tell us all how the world should be ran is "hey, go make your own world and then you can tell your people how to run things"!!!

[[A Psalm of David.]] The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they
that dwell therein. Psalms 241

Jesus Is Lord!

Peter said "thou art the Christ, the son of the living God". In other words he said you are the one. You are God's son. There is only one thing that will satisfy the soul of a human being. Jesus is the one!

Hello!

This is our first day with a blogging site. This site is under construction, but we hope to have it set up in a couple of days so you can get to know us better and we can get to know you!