The Old Bow

The old bow is a tired thing it hangs in a closet on a hook by the string

The wood and glass, epoxy and glue that hold it together are no longer new.

It has been years since it felt finger and hand bend it and stress it and take it to stand

The man who owned it has said goodbye to a life well lived and left us to cry

But the old bow hanging in the closet alone, beckons me come and take it home

So I took it and held it and remembered a time when that man and I took a walk and a climb

In search of a buck to place in our truck, to laugh and brag all about our luck

Though we never bagged the deer we were after the hills rang and echoed with laughter

The freezing night, the arrows lost are memories that were well worth the cost

The old bow is now no longer alone it stays with me it has a new home

I will keep it and hold it and bend it by hand and maybe with luck take it to stand

And who knows some day when the sun is high the string may sing and an arrow may fly

To take that buck to place in my truck and brag about my good luck

But deep inside the bow and I will know it’s for the one we cried

 We know the man who left us alone is now at peace in heavens’ home

Until the time I join him there I’ll take the bow and arrow with care

So on that day when the bow and I cause an arrow to fly and a big buck dies

Somewhere along the golden shore my dad will know the bow and I are alone no more

Be Prepared

Matthew 17:15-21 –vs 21- But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.

When I was thirteen or fourteen years old I joined the Boy scouts of America. I did not stay long because of sports and other activities (girls), but during my time in the scouts I learned much.  If I had to pick one thing that stuck with me after leaving the scouts it would be the motto, “Be Prepared.” There is loads of information packed into those two words. It is applicable for every situation that a person will encounter in life.  The most important message that the motto communicates is “I am accountable for what happens to me”. It is no one else’s fault when things go the wrong way and I suffer, I only have myself to blame.  Of course not everything that happens can be planned for, but the majority of the time forethought and planning will save the day.

While reading the scriptures, I came across a passage that fits the idea of being prepared. In the book of Matthew, the seventeenth chapter and starting in the fifteenth verse Jesus is addressed by a man with a problem. This man, as Matthew calls him, comes to Jesus on his knees and begs for the Lords help. The man had a son who was an epileptic intensified by demon possession. Evidently the son suffered seizures quite frequently, and often he would fall into the fire or into water. The man was at his wits end trying to keep his son from harm.  He tells Jesus that he had come to the disciples but they were unable to help. Jesus expresses his disappointment and tells the man to bring the child to Him. Jesus cast out the demon and the child was cured.

There is much to be learned through this event, but I want to focus in on one thing, and that is what Jesus told the disciples’ when they came to Him scratching their heads. The disciples came to Jesus apart from everyone and asked “”Why could we not cast it out?” The answer may not have been what they expected. Jesus said it is because of your lack of faith, and Jesus adds, “But this kind can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.” The problem with the disciples lay in their lack of faith which prevented them from being prepared for the unexpected.  I am sure there are many reasons for the disciple’s lack of faith at that time, but the bottom line is they were not prepared, and Jesus was.

Since the disciples offer no argument, it is safe to say they got it, and Jesus was right.  The lesson is, by faith keep yourself prepared.  The basic preparation of the Christian is prayer and fasting.  Go where the power is. In the end we know that the disciples did get it, and went on to do more wonderful miracles through faith in Christ. The power still exists and it is still only a prayer away. Jesus said in verse twenty, “If ye have the faith of a mustard seed ye shall say into this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”   God through our Lord Jesus has all power waiting for you. Are you facing a challenge in your life that just won’t go away? Well, maybe verse twenty one is for you, “But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.”  I have something’s in my life that needs that kind of power. Do you?  Will you commit with me to give them over to the Lord with prayer and fasting and watch Gods power make small work of our challenges? I will be praying for you. May the Lord Bless.

Cliff

A New Start for the New Year

Today is the day you have been waiting for. Today is the day to make a change in your life. You have tried over and over to "Be a Better Person", or to stop doing those bad things whatever they are, but you can not stop. The reason you can not stop doing bad things or thinking thoughts that dishonor you, is because of one simple word, Sin. It is a simple word but has given mankind big problems throughout history. Sin is worse than cancer or any disease you can think of. The reason sin is so bad is that you feel fine, but you are already dead. Sin is separation from God. The bible tells us in the book of Romans, that we have all sinned and have fallen short of The glory of God. Also in Romans God tells us that the wages of sin is death. It sounds hopeless doesn't?

That is why what I am going to say next is called the "Gospel" or "Good News". The cure for this deadly disease know as sin is just one request away. The cure was provided over three thousand years ago when Jesus died on the cross and bridged the gap between sinful you and perfect God. All you have to do is accept Jesus as personal savior, repent of your sin (turn your back on sin) and follow Jesus. From one sinner to another it is the only way to live a fruitful productive life. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

This blog is dedicated to pointing the way to an abundant life on earth and eternal life after you leave this earth. If you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior Make 2012 the year you tell others about Him. If it is difficult for you to share Christ, then simply point others to places where they can hear and read about Him. I have posted a link on the right side of my blog "Gods simple Plan". It is a good place to send your friends.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior, then make today the day. Life is fragile and uncertain. Non of us know how long we have on this earth, and once this life is over there are no other chances. Baby Jesus grew up, and because He was all man and all God, He was able to provide the cure for sin. Accept Him today.

If any of what you have read on this site has helped, email me and let me know. My goal is to help you grow closer to the Living God of the Bible, and to grow closer myself. Your prayers are appreciated.

Happy New Year

Cliff

How Will You Do It?

Read The Bible This year

In keeping with "And The Lord Said..." It is time to think about how we are going to read through the scriptures this year. I am testing out a few options. I have started with the M'Cheyne reading plan, which takes you through the Old Testament once and the the New Testament and Psalms twice in one year. There are 4 chapters a day. I wanted to know a little more about how this plan was developed so I looked around on the web and found some information about Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Below are a few links.

http://www.edginet.org/mcheyne/info.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Murray_M'Cheyne

http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpmcheyne.html

The first link also gives a modified version of the M'Cheyne reading plan, and the other sites provide back ground on Robert Murray M'Cheyne.

Another resource for bible reading plans is the Zondervan web site. The link below takes you there. This is a very nice site because it offers bible reading plans based upon where you are in your walk with the lord.

http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan

These are just two suggestions. there are many more out there, almost to the point of over-load. Pick one and stick with it. Let 2012 be a year of growth and renewal, and find out what God wants to tell you.

Cliff

And The Lord Said....

And The Lord Said....

I love that statement. Think about it! The creator of the Universe is about to speak. The God who was and is and is to come wants to tell you something. The bible contains roughly one hundred and sixty-three verses that prepare the reader for the coming words of God Almighty by saying "and the Lord said...". Through out history, from Genesis to Revelation, the living God of the bible has spoken and made himself know to man. God also spoke audibly through man, as indicated by "Thus saith the Lord". This phrase is used around four hundred and thirteen times. There are other phrases used to indicate that God had something to say. The first recorded time God spoke to man was in the Garden of Eden. The bible records it as, " And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" Genesis 2:16-17.

When God speaks we should listen. The wisdom of the ages, directly from the heart and mouth of our creator, is at your finger tips. You walk by it on a daily basis, you may even set your cup of coffee on it in the morning as you prepare for the day. How often do you pick it up with the intent of listening to God. Through the personal and individual work of the Holy Spirit God has something he wants to tell you. Key to receiving this information is knowing that what you hear in your heart must match what is in the scriptures. God will never speak to your heart something that does not line up with his word. That may seem like an obvious statement, but in these last days our enemy is working over time introducing half truths and lies to confuse and lead astray the elect. It is important to compare any revelation, or word of knowledge with the bible, if it does not match what God has said in his word, then it is not from God.

So how do we guard our hearts and minds from being led astray? It is very simple. It is so simple that most people over look it and when told what to do, write it off as simple minded. Or when told agree, but soon forget the simple formula. I believe the answer to living a life that maintains scriptural integrity lies in three words, ask, seek, and knock. Jesus tells us in the book of Matthew "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" Matthew 7:7-8 ASV. Simple, but powerful. One of the first things that I had to learn about writing is that if you want to be a writer you must do one very important thing, and that is write. The same principle applies to living a genuine Christian life. If you want to stay on the "narrow way", you must keep the road map in front of you and read it frequently.

Have you ever driven in a large, unfamiliar city? It is a daunting task. Most of the the large cities I have driven in are criss crossed with oneway streets, dead ends, and strange oddities that defy description. Without a guide, or a clearly defined route you may be destined for a long and weary day of back tracking and chasing your tail. In the early days of a America many families made there way west in covered wagons. They followed the dream of independence and self sufficiency. But in the middle of this lovely country lie areas so desolate and uninhabitable, the unprepared settler was forced to turn back. If they chose to continue, they were forced to abandon much of their load in order to pass through these badlands. I remember seeing pictures of wagon trails strewn with possessions that settlers were forced to leave behind in order to lighten the load. Jesus said, "For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it" Matthew 7:14. Could it be that the pathway leading up to the gate to heaven is covered with tracks all around it where people have circled around and back tracked looking for something that was not there and left behind the dreams of knowing God to follow an imitation?

Psalms 119:103-105 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path." In my life I have had to do some backtracking looking for the trail that I lost while my eyes were not on the Lord. I always found my way back by going to the scriptures and letting my focus once agin be on God and applying the three principles mentioned earlier, ask, seek, and knock. How about you today? Where are you on the road to heaven? Have you lost the trail? My prayers are with you, don't give up. Ask God to show you the way and then move towards his voice. Remember these words, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me John 14:6.

Cliff

Hello

It is Monday night. I am finished with work and sitting at Starbucks writing. I had a good day. Yesterday I started editing my book. Actually, I am cataloguing scenes. It has given me the opportunity to read through the book. I see where I need to make some major changes. I also see that there is plenty to salvage. I have been reading Steven King's Dark Tower Series and in comparison, there is none. I see where I need a great amount of work. Description, and defining scenes are in need of work. The first draft is supposed to be messy. I have found out that it is not easy to clean up though. When you read in writing books about second draft and third draft, it sounds so easy to "just fix" it. But believe me it is not easy.

I am using my new keyboard and the iPad. I like it, it is not as easy to carry around as I thought. I need to get a case that I can stick the iPad and the keyboard in together. That way I might use it more often. I have not used it in a few weeks.

Tonight I am going to see Doyle Dykes play at a little music store in Manteca. They sell Taylor guitars and Doyle helps sell them. I saw him a few years ago at a Christian guitar conference. He is very good. He plays finger style guitar.

So if it sounds like I am rambling, I am. It has been a few months since I have posted, so I wanted to break the ice with something. I am sorry if I am boring your socks off. I am working on some new stuff, and will post soon. This year has been kind of a rough one and has knocked the wind out of me a little. I am on my way back though, and looking forward to new year.

The Wounded Hand of Grace

A few weeks back my granddaughter Grace Begines had a disagreement with a door. The door scored a point by snagging a hunk of skin and creating a river of blood, but Grace won the battle. She took three stitches in her tiny finger and had a huge bandage for a couple of days.  I promised I would put the pictures on my blog.  The phrase “The Wounded Hand Of Grace” caught my imagination. I tried to jot something down, but soon discovered the subject was not something that would allow me to scribble a few lines and be done, so here are the pictures of brave Grace’s hand, and latter a story, maybe.

Cliff