Be Thankful!

As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ""Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'' When He saw them, He said to them, "" Go and show yourselves to the priests.'' And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ""Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine where are they? "" Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?'' And He said to him, ""Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.'' Luke 17:13-19

Amazing isn’t it? Does this story remind you of anything? Read that passage again. Do you notice anything? Only one person came back and thanked Christ. Notice what Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well”. What about the other nine? They were cleansed but notice what the passage says. He was a Samaritan. Samaritans were a mixed breed of people. The Jewish community considered them low lives and minorities. They were not a pure race and yet he came and thanked Christ. Not only was his physical dilemma healed but also his faith healed him emotionally.

Colossians 2:6-7. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” One phrase stuck in my mind like being stuck in the mud. “Overflowing with thankfulness." It began to repeat itself over and over in my mind. It’s almost like singing a tune that’s stuck in your head from hearing it earlier in the day. Overflowing in some translations brings the mental picture of the Thanksgiving spilling out an abundant harvest blessing. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What is in my heart? Complaining? Selfishness? Pride? -- or Thanksgiving?”

Thanksgiving is an outward giving of myself and it blesses God the Father while my complaining points only back to me and feeds my pride and dissatisfaction. Thanksgiving towards God and man fits the Great Commandment like a glove, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. What better instrument than thankfulness to express love? Thanksgiving Day has always been a time of people and families coming together.

When you gather together for the holiday of Thanksgiving be thankful. Some do not have enough to eat. Some do not have houses. Some do not have families. The next time you take a bite of turkey, ask yourself this question: Am I being a turkey for not thanking others for what they have done for me? Life is too short! It will gobble your time away if you don’t take time to roost and to think about the blessings you have encountered.

God, Thank you for my wonderful friend, playmate, lover, and soul mate Tanya. Thank you for my wonderful children, Amber, Jon, Krista and Daniel. Thank you for my adopted mom and dad Jim and Wanda Crownover in Lubbock, Texas. Thank you for my grandmothers, Granny and Mama. Thank you for bringing me through tough times. What a life Father. It is a wonderful life. Much to be thankful. I can't wait to hug you! Amen.

So, be stuffed and overflowing with thanksgiving and be glad. Jesus died for you in order for you to live this Thanksgiving Day! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Will

Several things have come to pass the last four months in my life. When there is trouble like Joseph had, God turns it around preparing you for the better. Lesson learned: not to get discouraged in what happens to you, when others weaknesses seem to interfere. That interference is God working and communicating in you.


Storms rise and sometimes like fog blinds where we are going. Doing a Master’s course in Statistical Counseling is the fog. Getting a D (last two weeks of class) seemed uncertain and I doubted myself. When there is uncertainty in an outcome that seems bleak, you pray. This is allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf. Sometimes withdrawing like Elijah allows God to feed us; when we seem uncertain of the outcomes. Then God shows His “face” to give you strength. Fortunately, I received a B in the course.

Finally, I learned to test my faith through God. Romans 12:2, is one of my top scriptures I repeat daily; “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I have learned to test from Abraham. Yes, God told Abraham he will receive possession of the land. (Genesis 15:7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."). Abraham walked the faith and did what God told him. Notice what Abraham said, “ v.8 "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?".

Sometimes, we have to rely not on ourselves, test the Will of God and do it. I turned down two jobs. First job would have me in poverty even though it was a field of work I wanted to do. Second job was great money, but hours with family would have suffered. The third job was a temporary position. I prayed about it and said you provided this for me and I will follow. I turned two jobs down and followed Him. I am blessed. Today, I will find out if it turns out to be permanent. Praise God for whom all blessings flow.

When we face uncertainty I feel three things need to happen. First, step back and don’t doubt and allow God to feed you for a bit. Second, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to act on your behalf before the father. Finally, test the Will of God and allow Him to show up. It is when we allow God the opportunity to show up in our moments of uncertainty, that our uncertainty becomes most certain.

Flying High

Much has taken place since my last post. Needless to say people are going to talk no matter what. Even if they feel it’s a “concern” they feel it’s necessary to gossip. How this hurts those who are wounded and those who are healed to reopen the wound. What’s worse is they don’t have the facts straight.

In order for the world to be a better place it has to start with a renewing of the mind. This means we must sacrifice our flesh desires and look into the heart of spiritual matters. What does matter?

It matters that God values you no matter what others think about you. It matters that God sent His Son to pay it forward. We are sinless in His eyes as long as we continue to walk the journey with Him. What a journey. How is your journey?

Sometimes we tend to look down and see what we are walking on. What should it matter what we are walking on? Too often we take our eyes off of the prize. Peter walked on water. He looked down and took his eyes off the prize. He doubted what he could accomplish.

We can accomplish much when we recognize, we can’t do it alone. You are not alone. Life flows smoothly when God is driving. He is not the copilot. He is the pilot of your life. When He becomes the copilot you're saying you’re in control and only will talk to God when you get off course. Why not allow Him to be the pilot of your life. You will never crash. You fly high. Even when storms arise and He is more experienced in flying then you, and I are.

Ready to fly high?