Milestones

I use a Bible reading plan (available in the tab above) that keeps me in God's word on a regular, daily basis. I've heard some criticism about using a plan like this, as being too mechanical, not allowing the Holy Spirit of God to direct or teach as we read, or not really "studying" the word. That might be true in some instances. However, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, so I must discipline myself to do those things which will help me stay strong in the faith, grow in Christ, feed the inner man on God's word, and get the whole counsel of God. Some days that might feel mechanical, but it's good for me, and I do it regardless.



 

 

Finishing up the Book of Revelation on July 1, 2019

The reading plan I use takes me through the Psalms and New Testament twice in the calendar year, and once through the Old Testament. That means come July 1st, I finish up Psalm 150 and Revelation 22, and start through this portion of scriptures again.

 

It is a comforting feeling to me to hit these milestones through the year, if I can call them that; a time of reflection on what God has brought me through, my victories, my failures, plans realized, plans that fell through. Perhaps it is sensing the flow of time, feeling the guiding hand of the Almighty in my life, and being thankful. Being content.

 

Andy Rau, former senior manager for content at Bible Gateway, wrote a blog post back in 2012 that reads, in part:

"Just as our bodies need a balanced diet, our souls require a steady diet of Scripture. Our spirits cannot survive without the Word of God. God sets us a banquet. He offers us 31,173 nutrient-rich verses about himself and encourages us to feast! We nourish our hungry souls when we devote a balanced and generous amount of time to feasting on the truths of Scripture. It doesn’t take long to notice the change. The Bible is life-giving—it revives every famished heart and breathes resurrection power into deathbed souls." (https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/08/the-benefits-and-blessings-of-reading-scripture/)

I like that thought: the word of God breathes resurrection power into my life. Just what I need!

 

If you don't have a regular plan for reading through God's word, you can download the one I use from the tab above.

How to be Truly Free

This Saturday, July 6th, 2019, is the Fourth of July weekend, and I wanted to get down to the Des Moines Farmer's Market and read the Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, as has become an annual tradition for us. Jesus tells us in John 8 that He alone has the power to set us free, really free, and that we need to be "made free" from our bondage and slavery to sin (John 8:31-36). I pray you know this freedom in Jesus Christ, and if not, take a listen to the message via the link below, and think seriously about Jesus Christ and your eternal soul. Contact me if you have questions.

Here is where I set up on the corner of Court and 3rd:

View of corner looking east down Court Avenue towards the river.

It was raining slightly when I got into the metro Des Moines area, but that passed and it was fine for the rest of the morning. Frank, another brother who speaks down at the Market stopped by to say hello as I was setting up, and Terry Daniel came across from his corner as well. I got to talk with Terry a little afterwards, and then Frank Chirico met me at the parking ramp and we got to have lunch together and catch up on life, etc.

You may listen to the audio by clicking this link: https://archive.org/details/20190706dmfmfreeindeed

Here are some shots from the corner looking south down 3rd, west on Court, and then northwest up 3rd Street, where you can see Mr. Soder's honey stand. You can't see him, but Terry is located right under the red traffic light in the 2nd picture down, looking west from my location down Court Avenue. As you look at the folks passing by, remember that all of them need Jesus Christ, and all will spend eternity somewhere, based on what they do with Jesus Christ and His message of true freedom because of what He did for us on the cross.