What Next
Posted by Donald on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 8:57am
I thought I've seen everything until I read the following headline on my Internet provider home page. It said, "How To Have A Midlife Crisis On A Budget." I never had one in my prime and I'm too old now to consider riding a motorcycle, wearing those expensive and flashy gold chains, having my hair styled or attending all night parties. Golly, I'm in bed before these parties even begin. There was a time however when I yearned for change, a change from a selfish and constant sinner to one who follows Christ. It took almost an entire lifetime to accept His invitation but in an instant of reflection and a moment of remorse we became friends. Only by His gracious mercy do I have a future promised by grace and assured by faith. My life is now filled with purpose. It is an exciting life of reaching out and introducing people to Jesus. It is a life of putting others before self and a life of authoring my journals as Christian encouragement and spiritual inspiration to my readers. It is called being born again. Hear the words of Jesus from the book of John, "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3 I now have a joy I never had before, peace as never before and the heavenly promise of everlasting life. When you seriously consider the alternative the choice is simple as well as eternal. No more fear of what's to come after death and certainly no anxiety about the Devil's fiery pit of hopelessness. Closet regret is now a thing of the past as is any intentional and conscious sinful behavior. Read the summary written by John, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 Maybe I did have a midlife crisis. If so, I'm very thankful. 1 John 1:9
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The Delaware
Posted by Donald on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 10:12am
When I was a young boy my family took our summer vacations to a farm in Pennsylvania. One of the nearby attractions was the Delaware River where we would fish for small and large mouth bass, enjoy hours of boating and do lots of swimming. One year it was particularly dry as rainfall amounts were slim to none and the river's level reached an all time low. One afternoon my Dad and I met at the river bank and with his infectious grin asked me to accompany him across the span of water to the other side. Walking! "You must be kidding?" I asked. He wasn't. He loved to explore and a few days before he found a large sand bar a few feet below the surface. That day a father and his young son, walking hand in hand, crossed the Delaware River. Upon hearing of our adventure my Mom asked if we just had a Joshua moment (Josh. 3:15-16) There was another Delaware crossing. The year was 1776 and General George Washington was leading his ragtag Continental Army to Trenton to confront 800 well trained and fully equipped German soldiers fighting for the British. It was a snowy Christmas Eve and these brave and freezing men, most without boots, their feet wrapped in burlap, crossed the river by boat and captured the entire outpost. This was the beginning of our freedom and independence and is part of our heritage and should never be forgotten. We are fighting another war, this time for independence and freedom from the ultimate conniver and cunning master of disguise, the Devil himself. It is a fight again evil and forever darkness. Listen as Paul discusses the preparation for the confrontation, "Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11 He goes on by giving us the weapons to use when that day arrives. He says to stand firm with the belt of truth, wear the breastplate of righteousness, have your feet fitted with readiness, take up the shield of faith, use the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, be alert and pray for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:14-18) The password for the historical Continental Army was,"Victory" and the response, "Or Death." The same can be said today as we battle daily against our eternal foe. Ephesians 4:27
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Shortcut
Posted by Donald on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 11:31am
Last evening I attended the monthly marketing meeting at my church. It is a wonderful group of talented writers, photographers, graphic design artists and computer experts. They are a dedicated bunch eager to spread God's Word both here and around the globe. The building is undergoing a major remodel so were relegated to the coffee shop just inside the front door. From where I was sitting I had the perfect view of the main entrance with its winding pathway and manicured rows of newly planted shrubbery. Facing the parking lot was a large sign proclaiming, "Please Use Sidewalk." I watched as people arrived for the evenings many activities and noticed most of them cutting through the landscaped area. They completely bypassed the sidewalk, using instead a shortcut cut to front door. We are fighting another was, this time for our independence and freedom from the ultimate conniver and cunning master of disguise, the Devil himself. It is a fight against evil and forever darkness. Listen as Paul discusses the preparation for the confrontation, "Put on you full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11 These days shortcuts are a way of life. They are designed for the impatient, initiated by the hurried and endorsed by the masses. Even our computers are equipped with shortcuts to find our favorite web pages, supposedly saving time and stress for the user. Yes, I have a high speed internet connection but I subscribe to the economy version. It is cheaper and a little slower but more than adequate for this patient writer. Born again believers understand there are no shortcuts to the eternal pleasures of everlasting life. Only large doses of submission, faith and commitment will deliver us through the promised gates of perpetual love. Listen as Jesus describes the path to endless life, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 Pretty specific wouldn't you say? There is no possible way to reach our ultimate destination without the permission of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Only by the acceptance of the sacrificed blood of Jesus and our willingness to follow in His footsteps will the gates of peace and hope remain open. Read the followinf words of summary written by Paul during his imprisionment in Rome, "But now in Jesus Christ you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13 And all who believe say, "Amen."
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Interrupted
Posted by Donald on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 10:23am
The other day I was talking on the phone to a good friend. She was asking me how the sales were going for Volume 1 and we began to discus a new web site I found a few weeks ago (google.com/alert). It is a fascinating tool. I simply typed in a few keyword like God is Everywhere or D.A. Cobb and anytime someone "googles" them I receive an email giving me the source of the inquiry. Mostly they are from global bookstores. You can now purchase copies from Great Britain to Australia but my favorite is a distributor in India selling my book for 771 rupees. I found myself bragging about the exposure and really getting into myself. I was just going on and on while taking full credit for my achievements. Then it happened! The phone went dead. That's right, the battery needed to be recharged. It was as though God was telling me to remember we are a partnership in this writing process and I needed some recharging on my own. I immediately thought of this verse from Proverbs, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 I prayed for a large dose of humility and to be washed clean of my ever present pride. I cannot recall how many times I have said, " I write for Him not me." These are not just fabricated words but a deeply held belief in His power to direct my thoughts and design these compositions. There is a fine line between pride and humility and my human nature leads me across the inviting threshold time and time again. Sometimes I find myself aware of my less than humble ourbursts but more often I am renewed as I respond to His displeasure at this thoughtless writer. It is only by His healing grace do I sit and craft my next volume. I now understand without Him nothing good is possible. I ask for His presence at all times to guide my footsteps knowing without Him I would remain a perpetual sinner with no future and certainly no hope. Listen as we read together these words spoken by Jesus found in the Book of Luke, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
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His Blood
Posted by Donald on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 11:04am
Last evenings sermon was devoted to the Holy Scripture found in Hebrews 11:4 and the story of Cain and Abel. We were taught in no uncertain terms that there is no absolute forgiveness without a true and unselfish sacrifice and the shedding of blood culminating in the Crucifixion of our beloved Jesus Christ. Near the conclusion of the service we were asked as Christians to participate in the sacrament of Communion sharing together the body and blood of our fallen Messiah. As the trays were being passed yours truly spilled his cup and watch in horror as the symbolic blood splashed onto the pew and seeped slowly and silently into the cushion. It was an incident of justified embarrassment and sincere remorse and I immediately prayed to the Father for His loving understanding and eternal forgiveness. In that instant I felt God's surrounding peace and spiritual comfort. I became completely detached from the remainder of the service and do not remember any of the closing minutes normally filled with uplifting music and the pastor's departing prayer. I must have traveled down into my inner soul for only a brief moment, a sacred place where only He and I can visit, a place reserved for two with no interruptions, a place of peace and love and a place of tender mercy and Holy grace. Even during difficult moments like these He is there with us to share in our conflict and soothe our tattered emotions. He is a gracious host in this, His earthly home, as the doors are always open to all while His invitation remains welcoming and sincere. I am so blessed to have found this church, one bleeding with the Holy Spirit and to able to worship our Heavenly Father surrounded by so many true and loyal friends in Christ. And I will forever smile as I remember a stained pew cushion for turning this clumsy worshiper into a renewed and grateful follower. "I love this house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells." Psalm 26:8
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