The power of a song

There have many songs that have had an impact on my adult life, but none like one I heard at a live concert in Lincoln Nebraska at the Wesleyan University. I was invited to go by this girl from another church that I knew and she had an extra ticket if I wanted to go.
During the first part of the concert, I was more interested in the girl than the music. As Doug Oldham started to share his testimony he would sing a verse of "Through it all", I have learned to trust in Jesus". I could feel the emotion in his voice and see the tears creeping down his face, sweat was on his forehead. At the time of the concert, he had just heard of a tragedy in his family and was praising the Lord and trusting God to help him through it all. He would continue to share and then sing another verse. I was so moved by the strength he had to stand up there and perform. It became a moment of change in my faith that God will help me THROUGH  IT  ALL.  I don't know if a voice spoke to me or it was an emotional feeling but I knew that song would be my strength for the rest of my life. Praise God for the mysterious ways he works in our lives.
Earl

Will I fall back into my old habits?

It is so easy for me to focus more on my daily tasks to do and solving my problems than it is to look to God for strength, help, and encouragement.
Being retired and staying home with my wife over the last three years, I have developed a daily routine of fixing meals and sitting at my computer doing research all day. Most of the time I am looking for ways to grow spiritually and healing the body of illness through the bible scriptures. Watching many videos and reading different devotions I have grown and matured in my belief in God and his ways of taking care of me. Many of my prayers that I have been so patiently waiting for have been answered and all of this has brought me relieving stress and great joy.

Lately, I have been restless and felt a need to be more physically active instead of just hanging around the apartment. A few months ago I was starting to dig into our savings for some special needs and medical expenses so I was praying for God to show me a way to bring in some extra income and also get some physical activity going by volunteering. After a couple of applications and two interviews, nothing was happening so I was getting discouraged. I also was feeling like I should be writing short stories about my life to show others how God's grace works through adversities. I have been doing this but not as faithfully as I should.

During my morning walk in the middle of winter, I saw two guys smoking outside and I stopped and asked what they did for work? They said they were part of the maintenance crew for the big complex there. I said that is the kind of work I have done also, and that I was looking for work. They encouraged me to go fill out an application, which I did and then last week I got a call telling me I was hired. Being in my late 70s and still very active I am sure this is where God wants me to be.

I am praying that I can keep my focus on the Holy Spirits leading as I start this new job and not regress into my old habit of putting a job before God. I still believe as I have said many times before. IT'S GOD'S PLAN NOT MINE.
Earl

Be careful what you say.

Be careful what you say.

I gave up cussing and using bad language many years ago.

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”

During my Army days, I picked up the bad habit of using as many swear words as possible in my conversations. Several times I was asked to leave the bars because my language was so filthy. I know now it was the environment and my rebellious attitude. I thank God that when I got back home I cleaned up my words but the thoughts were still in my mind. I had an internal battle going on between what I was thinking and what I was about to say

.
For 45 years I fought that battle between good and evil. By my outward actions, everyone thought I was a good kind and decent person never using bad language and very thoughtful. but inside my head, I would often curse and make a judgment against people and things. White lies became an everyday occurrence for me.
Then one day on my morning walk I was asking God for help with my finances and some health problems, Instantly he said you are not honoring me with your thoughts. I see your actions and know your thoughts, you have been serving Satan in your mind. I felt a deep need to repent not only to God but also to several people for the thoughts I had of them.
I am thanking God each day for the way he has changed my way of life and the freedom with joy and peace that is beyond understanding. I need to continually ask the Holy Spirit to guard my thinking and the words I speak so the people I meet each day will see your love through me.

Earl

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”