One of the biggest problems I have when talking to non believers or people that do not believe in Jesus, is trying to explain to them why I place my faith in the Word of God...the Bible. I can refer to certain passages in the Bible all day long and try to get people to understand why I believe the way I do, but if they don't believe it in the first place...quoting the inspired writings of Moses, David, Paul or even the words of Jesus will be rubbish to them.

I don't ever remember a time in my life that I did not believe the Bible to be the Word of God. That is because I was blessed to have a grandmother that loved the Lord and lived for the Lord. It was easy for me to believe, but what about the people that did not have that foundation? Trying to convince them to open the Bible and start reading (the Holy Spirit will do the rest) can be a tough challenge. 

I recently watched a YouTube sermon by Voddie Baucham Jr. and he was explaining why he chooses to believe the Bible. He said "In the Bible, we have a reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report super natural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecy. The writings are divine rather than human in origin." He is right. Scientists have tried to disprove the Bible for centuries without any success. Some people will also argue that the Bible has been interpreted so many times that it has lost it's original meaning.  Really?  The Bible has been interpreted several times but always from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts, not from the last interpretation. 

Think about this....when Jesus was being crucified, He cried out " ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" (Matthew 27:46).  Jesus was referring to the writings of David in Psalm 22. When David wrote Psalm 22, there was no such thing as crucifixion. That method of torture had never been used or even been thought of yet. David wrote that Psalm 1,000 years before Christ's crucifixion. Now, go and read Psalm 22. It is prophecy of what Jesus was going through on the cross. 

God wants us to know who He is. That is why He has given us His word....the Bible.

I'll be the first to admit that I have a problem with traffic and an even greater problem with inconsiderate drivers. My patience was really tried today as I was driving to Kroger. I was trying to turn left into the shopping center and the cars on the other side of the lanes would not move up even though they were at a red light and had enough space between them to open a path where I could slide through. Ugh! 

I finally got into the shopping center and the only space I could find to park had a grocery cart in it. That also irritated me to no end. I thought to myself "you lazy pig. Couldn't take a few extra steps and put the cart in the parking lot cart rack". So now you have an idea of how impatient I can get. Once in Kroger, I grabbed the few items I needed and then proceeded back to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription when the pharmacist told me my order wouldn't be ready for another 15 minutes. I looked at her and said "I called it in early this morning and the lady on the phone said it would be ready in an hour" (it was now 7 hours after I called it in). I just stood there until the order was ready. Now, I'm really frustrated and a little peeved at all the circumstances that have made my afternoon so miserable.

I walked away from the pharmacy and now I am standing in line to pay for my groceries when I hear someone yell out "Bobby, how are your girls?". It was Heather, a mentally challenged girl that works at Kroger. She is a member of the church I used to go to. I adore her, she is such a sweet person. I told her the girls were doing just fine, paid for my groceries and out the door I went. As I got into the car to leave I started thinking about Heather and how she made me forget about the bad experiences I had earlier. 

On my way out, I had to drive past the other shops in the center. I only got about four stores from Kroger when I stopped to let a mother and her young son cross the street in front of me. Her son had leg braces on and was struggling to walk. It was obvious that he had cerebral palsy or something of that nature. After they crossed, I exited the center and was on my way home. I kept thinking of Heather and that little boy and wow did it put my stupid traffic hangups in perspective. God used both of those situations to remind me how grateful I should be and how very blessed I am. 

During this Christmas season, many people will receive puppies as gifts. Puppies are wonderful; so full of life and energy, they offer you many years of unconditional love and loyal companionship. My Wrigley is two years old and I love her dearly. I also have Mattie. She just turned fifteen on December 1st. She has been a constant in my life and if it weren't for her faithful friendship and loving demeanor, I don't know how I would have dealt with the passing of my basset hound, Summer,  in 2009. 

If you are planning on adopting a dog, please don't overlook the older ones. They offer so much love and all they want in return is a loyal friend that will love them and take care of them until their time on this earth runs out.

Below is a poem I found about all those older dogs waiting to go to their new homes.

One by one, they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
They shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
Those younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond the cage

You took me home, gave me food and a bed.
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To You, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the angel who made my last days so dear.

Today is Mattie's 15th birthday and Wrigley's 2nd. Yes, they share a birthday. I brought Wrigley into our lives 4 months after the passing of my Summer. After a few days of Wrigley being in her new home I called the breeder to ask the exact date she was born. When she told me December 1st, I was dumbfounded. I remember calling a few people and telling them how coincidental that they shared the same birth date. I know the odds were 1/365, but still it was 1/365! No one seemed as shocked or surprised about their shared birthday as I was, but to me it was confirmation that I had not made a mistake.

On the long drive home to Louisville from Columbus with Wrigley on my lap, I couldn't help but wonder if Mattie would like her. I knew that Mattie was older and set in her ways, but I also knew Mattie was very lonely without Summer. I kept thinking Wrigley is so small, what if Mattie steps on her or what if Mattie chomps her in half? What if Mattie hates her? As the first days passed and they became familiar with one another all my fears were laid to rest. Wrigley took to Mattie as her new best friend and Mattie showed great tolerance for this bundle of energy that took the place of her best friend of 14 years. I couldn't ask for a better pair. I am so thankful to have both of these little creatures in my life.  Happy Birthday Mattie and Wrigley.

I am thankful for so many things that I really don't know where to start. I'm thankful for each breath I take, the ability to see, walk, hear, smell, feel, love, laugh, smile, run, skip (if I want to), sit, sleep, talk, scream, my health, shelter, transportation, food, friends, family, my girls, clothing, rainbows, the moon and stars, snowy days, puppies, the Grand Canyon..... I could go on and on and on.

I don't need a national holiday to remember all that I am thankful for.  I wake up every morning and give thanks to God for all that He has given to me and for all that He has kept from me. So as we go about our day today on this Thanksgiving, just remember that without God's common grace on mankind (those that belong to Him and those that do not), you wouldn't even be able to breathe. We all have so much to be thankful for!

I know the title of this post sounds a little disturbing. Just keep reading and I'll explain. I am not talking about diversity as it pertains to race or socioeconomic status. I am talking about diversity as it pertains to real joy and happiness in this very short life. I have many friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors that seem to struggle with issues of depression, sadness, guilt, anxiety, frustration, anger, forgiveness, gossip, deceit...I could go on and on with the types of issues that we all as the human race deal with in this world, but I think you get the gist. 

I too have dealt with all of those issues and I still battle anxiety when it comes to closed areas such as elevators and don't misunderstand me, I also struggle from time to time with forgiving others or keeping my cool in traffic and anger issues, but I have an inner joy and contentment that is so hard to explain to my friends or family. It's a contentment that only comes from God and knowing that I belong to Him and He will never forsake me or leave me. Gods promises are real and if you knew me 10 years ago, you would see the transforming work of Christ in my life and how my life has changed. To some of you reading this post, you will not understand where I am coming from. Until God drew me to Him many years ago, I wouldn't have understood this either. My life today is the complete opposite of how it used to be. I am not the same man I was before. Today I have a genuine love for people whereas before I didn't know what loving others truly meant. Today I have peace whereas before my life was always chaotic, always searching for the next big purchase or the next thing that I thought would fill the emptiness in my life. 

So, when I speak of diversity, I want everyone to be like me and to have the peace and inner joy  that I have. My prayer is that God will draw you to Him as He has me and that He will reveal His truth and open your eyes as He has mine. The song "Amazing Grace" has such truth in it, especially the verse "was blind, but now I see".

John Newton's "Amazing Grace"
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.


T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.


Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.


The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.


Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.



Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

In eternity, time stands still. 

God is just! He demands justice as you and I demand justice when we are wronged!

True repentance is becoming aware of the sin in your life and having a real hatred of it.

If you claim to be a Christian and you don't shutter at the sound of Christ's name being taken in vain, you are only a Christian in name. 

Most Arminians see the gospel as an insurance policy, not the life transforming gospel that it truly is.

"We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit." ~ AW Tozer

"A true convert does not receive the Gospel as an addition to his previous life but in exchange for it. To receive one is to lose the other." ~ Paul Washer

"At the moment of conversion/regeneration the outward signs may be less than dramatic, however the gradual effects will be monumental." ~ Paul Washer

"While You Were Sleeping"

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night

Beautifully delivered message of truth from Paul Washer. 

I was reading John 16 this morning and concentrating on how I sometimes feel so far away from the presence of God. No matter where I am in my life or what is going on, I know God is always with me as He has promised, but I, like many believers, often get so involved with the daily struggles of this life that I find it difficult to make time for my bible reading or time alone with God in prayer. 

Then as only God can do, He reminds me that He will never forsake me or leave me. I recall Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 41:10 and all of a sudden I start to sense His presence again. I know that with all the distractions of this world, it will be a battle to the end, but it's the battle of my life that I am so thankful to be going through. As I focus on Jesus's words in John 16:6-22, I know that I do not have to go this battle alone. Thank you Lord for choosing me and for sustaining me.