Ring in the New Year (revised)

Let's face it. From all reports, things are not going to be any better for us in the USA during the coming year or years ahead. That is the world's point of view. However, if we are born again believers, we should and must look at it through the eyes of faith from God's perspective. Which is according to His word: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ)  The bible also tells us: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJ)

It is amazing to me that in 235 short years we have gone from a free God-fearing nation with principals based on Christian values and the Ten Commandments, to a nation filled with fear, hopelessness, hate, terrorism, anti-Christ principals, paganism, and anything goes mentality.

I believe it is only with a heart of true commitment  in all areas of our Christian walk, that will bring God’s blessings. I'm sure most of you reading this will agree we do need to humble ourselves and seek His face through prayer and heightened  standards of living---our wonderful America, that God so generously blessed for many years, now lies near destruction because we have failed to turn from complacency, doubt, and rebellion. It's time we stop quoting the scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 every year and start being doers of the word. Our great land  needs healing.

That healing depends not only on raising our standards of living, but on our returning to the basics of God’s word. Those include the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman, the restoration of family values, the sanctity of life, along with FAITH, TRUTH,  and  INTEGRITY in all our ways. We need to live Job 3:5-6.

My prayer for 2012 is that God will pour out His blessing on all spiritual leadership, whether it be pastors, associate pastors, youth pastors and leaders, missionaries, teachers, or those in ministries of help. I pray for a fresh anointing that will embolden all Christians to work for the common good of the gospel to bring hope and life to those who do not know Jesus.

May God grant you  a wonderful and prosperous New Year in every way. And may God also bless America and Israel with peace and protection.

Spring Is Busting Out All Over!

Literally, spring is busting out all over in my neighborhood. I absolutely love this time of the year when the spring flowers bloom and the blossoms spout on the trees that line the streets. It is one of the beautiful reminders in an unsettled and frightened world that God is still in control.

I have an enormous sense of community here in the (what some residents still consider a small) city where I live and I am so pleased that my first book signing event of the year is with an established Christian bookstore, Vine and Branches, that has just recently changed ownership.

In the current unstable economical climate, we are striving here to support our small businesses and keep our community afloat. It hasn't always been easy, because we've lost two of our major auto dealerships that provided a great deal of revenue. However, you won't find an open display of discouragement, because our goal is to survive the economical slow down and do so by backing our communities small businesses with as much support as we can with the means available to us. Since my past book signings created for my past hosts a good deal of foot traffic, I'm hoping that the same will happen at this event. So we are looking forward to the event On April 4th, at Vine and Branches Christian Book Store in Lodi, with faith and expectation for a great turn out!

Happy spring to one and all!