They tell us to drink lots of fluids when the temperatures are this hot, and try as I might, that doesn’t even seem to be an easy thing to do. You see most vending machines have “their own system” and you have to know the code. You see in our vending machines where I work, if you want an orange soda-you press grape, and if you want a grape soda-you press orange. You have to know the system. And yes it does reject certain dollars, and at times require the correct change only. But if you hold your head just right and put in the correct change and hit “the right button” you are sure to hit the jack pot and receive your soda.

In all  seriousness though, try to stay cool and enjoy your summer!!

July has come in as a “scorcher” here; as I am sure it has in most parts of the country.

There seems to be a lot of people “out and about” enjoying the beginning of summer; I hope you have  a wonderful season as we begin this July. Keep it safe, and try to stay cool.

We have the complainers-who just complain and go on with life. We have the fixers-who try to fix everything. And we have the avoiders-who try to avoid anything that is uncomfortable to them. And then we have the walk-offs-who just leave at the first sign of trouble.

Life is not always comfortable or pleasurable; but we are called to do the best we can with the situation we are given. Sometimes we can change things; and sometimes things are beyond our control. But how we handle uncomfortable situations tells a lot about who we really are.

Stay as cool as you can, and enjoy another sizzling summer!!

On a recent trip to Wal-Mart, he wanted a new fishing pole, but his mother explained to him that he didn’t need a new fishing pole because he already had one. Well, it seems  a few days later, that his old pole somehow managed to find it’s way under his daddy’s jeep, and his daddy backed over it and broke it. Of course amid all of the tears, his daddy promised him a new pole. Now, I ask you; coincidence, or a little politician in the making?

I had a “born again” experience when I was only twelve years old, and since then I have seen the wonders and miracles and power of a living God. I know He is real.It is too late for me not to believe, because I have felt His Spirit. I have seen Him do miraculous things.I have felt His love.I can’t go back to being a non believer; nor would I ever want to.

Does that mean that I get everything that I want? Absolutely not! And it is a good thing at times that I don’t. There is a country song called, “Thank God for unanswered prayer.” And it is so filled with wisdom. If we got everything we prayed for, sometimes we would find ourselves in a terrible situation. Only God knows what is truly best for us, and He is not some “Jeannie in a bottle” waiting to grant our every wish. Unfortunately, there are people who think that they can do anything they want and God still loves them above all others. God may still love you if you sin, but He is a righteous God who cannot tolerate sin. And there will be a price to pay.

Living in today’s world with all of the destruction, malice, immoral values, and people who profess to love Jesus, and then do whatever they want to do; sometimes with little difference between “believers” and “non believers”, I think if I wasn’t already a Christian, I just might become an atheist. If you had never had a spiritual experience yourself, and you looked at some of those who professed too, how would you know that He is real?

Do I live a perfect life? Absolutely not!! But I really try to. And I do love God with all of my heart. And when I do something wrong, I really know it. And it grieves me in my spirit until I confess it and try to make it right. You can’t always right all of your wrongs, but you can do the best that you can.

We all have different experiences that make up our belief system, and I am not about to judge someone who hasn’t experienced God’s love for themselves. I only ask that they allow me the same privilege to believe the way that I do. And I sincerely pray that they will feel God’s love for themselves before it is too late.

The world doesn’t have the answers. The Devil is a thief, a liar, and a destroyer. Only Jesus Christ can give you true peace. Don’t let Satan deceive you. I could never convince someone to believe; only God can do that. But it is too late for me; for I am already a believer.

For those of you that are undecided, please choose Christ. And may His love and peace guide you, and may He bring a joy into your life that you have never felt before, and may your days be prosperous and full of hope. Love to you all.

The Bible clearly lays out a plan for our peace and happiness, but the Devil comes behind us and whispers sweetly in our ear, “But wouldn’t you rather do this instead? Wouldn’t it feel good? Who cares what anyone else thinks about it? You know you want to.” And God’s Spirit quietly gives you a warning signal–”Beware!!! Danger ahead!!!” Which do you answer to?

We have an inner signal that will try to warn us of trouble ahead of time, but do we heed the warning, or go blindly on our way heading toward destruction, screaming, “Leave me alone, I will do what I want to do.” And then we fall suddenly into the ditch. We look around and cry, “Please help me, God!” And you know what? He does! He loves us that much! But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we would use our senses to avoid the ditch in the first place.

We don’t always heed the warning signals because the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:24-25 that there is pleasure in sin for a season; but the wages of sin is death it states in Romans 6:16.

We try so hard to ignore that little quite nudging of our spirit to avoid the danger. At first we are a little uncomfortable, we know it is not right, and then we feel a little less and less uncomfortable as sin progresses until we don’t feel the warning signals any more. The Bible states that sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay.

Don’t fall into sin’s trap; it is much easier to avoid the danger of sin than to get out of it once entrapped. Don’t fall victim to sin; heed those early warning signals!!

With all of the divorce statistics, I do hope that all of these bride and grooms are fully prepared for their future together.

The vows do say “in sickness and in health”, sickness may come….

“for richer or poorer”, a person’s financial situation could change…

“for better or worse”, worse days will surely arrive at some point….

If you do not want to be with this person should any adversity arrive, and it surely will at some point, do not make this kind of commitment to this person.

Marriage is an honorable, binding, commitment between two people who love each other, and is not to be taken lightly. Joys will come, and so will pain and suffering. They are all a part of the marriage contract and this thing called life. Do not attempt to make this journey without someone that you can truly make the commitment to be there no matter what your life together may bring.

I wish joy, peace, and love to all of you beautiful brides, as well as your handsome husbands. May all of your days together be joyful, prosperous ones.

I wish you a very joyful one with your family and friends! As we wave the flag and consider the cost of the ones who have left their all so that we may enjoy the freedom we enjoy, let us take a moment to thank them and remember them and then let the festivities begin!!!

Have a wonderful week-end!!