Saved memories

It was a nice Christmas spent with family. Christmas eve was spent with my wife's family, and Christmas day with mine.

My brothers and I went in together a few weeks ago and purchased family protraits for our parents. Oddly enough we never had one when we were children, and when my parents were divorced when I was 14 it became one of those things "never to be". Over the past few years though my parents, although still divorced, have begun getting along really well. They visit each other, and are together with us on the holidays. They were willing, and excited to have the pictures made. Thought I would post some here!



Mom and Dad before they were married.


Mom and Dad about three weeks ago!



..and with my brothers and me..


..and their daughters inlaw..

...and their grandkids!

I think most of us love when we have gotten people a gift you know they will love.


I think we succeeded!

Happy Christmas!

My great uncle's funeral a couple of weeks ago was as good as those things can go. I believe the Lord covered it and gave me the words to say. My focus was on treating each other with the kindness of Christ which assumes, of course, a relationship with Christ. Not the folks who aren't Christian can't be, or aren't, kind, but growing in Christ is walking in the Grace and Love that is birthed in us, remembering Whose ambassador we are - to seek to be as He is in this world. I spoke of remembering the fatherless, and the widow.

Christmas has been good - at our house we seem to carry it on for several days :)

The kids opened their gifts last night, and seemed to like the things they received. I'm glad to say that my children don't seem all that overly spoiled. There were no complaints and only smiles. Of course they got what they asked for, but ours isn't a family that can drop a couple grand for gifts.

My wife was the surprised one! We had decided earlier to forgo gifts for one another because we were expecting to have some things done around the house this fall. We were hoping to have a bathroom done, and an addition better insulated. We had folks come out and give estimates for both, but couldn't seem to get anyone to actually do the work...go figure. Anyway - since we didn't have the work done I bought her a few simple gifts; clothes, boots, a CD, and a movie. As our daughter passed the gifts to her from beneath the tree my wife began crying. She said she felt bad about not getting me anything because we had talked about not doing it, but I told not to worry about it. Her surprised an glad reaction was gift enough. Even if we had had the work done on the house I still would got her something. I don't like the idea of her not opening anything from me on Christmas.

I have mentioned before that we left our church of 14 years. I'm still not really ready to write about it, and will always love everyone there, but I will say this - thank God for His eternal salvation that is in Christ that can never be lost once given!

Merry Christmas to all who read!

May you and yours be blessed!

Grace and Righteousness

So often we as Christians are accused of bigotry for believing and voicing the opinion that the grace of God will lead to righteousness and away from sinful and destructive behavior. The ungodly are all too ready to accept wickedness (adultery, homosexuality, etc..1 Corinthians 6:9-10) while being offended by those who believe the truth of the gospel –that the grace of our Lord Jesus will lead (and it will lead!) to righteousness.

Grace and righteousness. Side by side, hand in hand. Eternally coexistent, yet the question is which begets, or is dependent upon, the other?

The understanding of many is that grace is the result of righteous living. It is believed that the grace of God is the reward or payment from the Almighty for living according to His laws (that would be His old covenant laws; i.e. the 10 commandments) and that in living righteously we have earned the right to become a part of the body of Christ. To the legalist (and neither Jesus nor Paul were legalist) grace is a controversial concept, and those who promote it live in danger of being seen as approving of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth, for to preach grace is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How? Because according to the gospel of John grace is what Jesus brought - "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" -John 1:17.

On the one hand is works of the law; on the other is simply trusting Jesus. (John 6:29)

Any “gospel” message that leaves out the grace and truth of Jesus is not a gospel message at all. The “truth” of this message? That Jesus is the only way. (Jesus saith unto him “I am the Way the Truth and the Life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me.” –John 14:6)

In many ways the issue of works and grace for the believer is one of identity. Are those who call themselves Christians called so by works of righteousness (overcoming sin by their own efforts and will) or is it by birth?

If the answer is that we are Christians by overcoming this world and our human nature then truly grace is produced and earned by our own virtues and we have something of which to boast. However Paul says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

What the New Testament teaches is that we are sons of God, born of the Spirit John 1:13, John 3:3, John 3:6, 1Peter 1:23 , and that righteousness is not earned, but imparted as a result of that birth! The righteousness of God is imparted by grace through faith! (“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness”- Romans 4:5)

So am I saying that one ought not to seek to live righteously? Not at all! This is something Paul was accused of in his preaching of the gospel (“And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”- Romans 3:8), rather it is Gods grace that enables us to live righteously by virtue of the Spiritual nature that is born of Him, for as Paul also said “…How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? " – Romans 6:2

Grace is the unmerited favor of God, that teaches us “.. that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” –Titus 2:12, and as it teaches us it never ceases to be the unmerited favor of God! ; “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us….” Titus 3:5

The Christian Life is never about proving our worthiness by our own merits, but it is always about Jesus! The “Author and Finisher of our faith..!” Hebrews 12:2

a difficult funeral....

A great-Uncle has passed away from complications with prostrate cancer.

He was 83 years old.

He passed away a day before his wife let any of his children know. Perhaps she was too distraught, or maybe past animosity with his children - she is not their mother - stopped her. Whatever the cause there is much friction in that family, and I have been asked to perform the funeral service this Wednesday.

When I visited his home for a few moments on Thanksgiving I told my wife that didn't think he would live much longer. Knowing it's coming doesn't make it easier.

Dear Lord speak through me and grant words of peace. Allow to me to send our uncle off with dignity, and bring comfort to people on all sides who are dealing with grief from loss, and the pain from years of what they wish had been.

Jesus, Grace, and the Judgment Side of God

Reading different Christian blogs around the web can be somewhat intimidating. Some of the Reformed folks, and others, are so well educated that I wonder what in the world must I be thinking to attempt posting some things? I am uneducated, and come - religiously speaking - from a Pentecostal background. These folks are so knowledgeable, and I enjoy reading them, yet I feel compelled to humbly offer what I have been given in the hopes that it adds something to someone. If nothing else, and if no one else reads, I am provided an outlet to write down some things as I overcome, by God's grace, the legalism and fear inherent in so much of what passes for Christianity. Jesus is the only way to God -and He is Love.

Grace Harbor will serve dual purposes I suppose as a diary at times, and a place to share my personal studies and what I believe the Lord has given me.

Following is a personal study I have entitled -


Jesus, Grace, and the Judgment Side of God

Lately I have wondered at the grace of God that saves us and influences our lives, and how this message of love at times divides. (Matthew 10:34-39)
Often we give great lip service to Grace while seeming afraid to let it sink into our hearts.

We read that we have been saved by grace through faith (Eph.2: 8-9) and we remain unwilling to trust completely in whom and what saved us.

To Him Who said My yoke is easy and My burden light (Matthew 11:28-30), and of Whom it is said to cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7), we say "‘Not all Lord. Let me keep a portion."

So many times when we speak of grace we qualify it with an untrusting "but". "Yes, we are saved by grace but..", or "Yes, God is love but.."

What are we so afraid of? Are we afraid that in teaching grace by faith in Jesus and nothing else that some, particularly new, believers will use this as a license to sin? Cannot those who are mature, by example, help the weak along being confident that God will complete what He has started? (Romans 15:1-2) (Phil.1: 6)

Consider for a moment you who are born of the Spirit, living according to the Nature of God that has been birthed in you; do you really have a desire, being dead to sin to live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2) Or have we by habit and tradition found it easier to walk by sight and not by faith?

Instead of the narrow way of faith we choose the broad way of righteousness by our own works, unwittingly substituting good deeds and our own efforts for grace and the love of God.
The Gospel is a message of truth and beauty. How is it that we are so easily swayed from this message of grace?

We sing songs and speak of Jesus as being all that we need and within a matter of sentences, and the way we live our lives, we take it back!

We say that we believe God made Him Who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, and that we trust the Lord completely! All the while we worry what our responsibility and work is - as if the gift of God could be earned. Jesus said, "this is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29)

Jesus. Period.

Sometimes, somehow, we muddle that truth with some sort of initial salvation that the scriptures never speak of and dilute the message of grace, as though now some sort of works were necessary to remain saved. If anything the Apostle Paul told the Galatian church to stay with what they had initially received. "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Galatians 3:2-3.

Instead of Jesus came that we might have life, and more abundantly, what is often preached is Jesus died to make a way for us to keep the Old covenant law if we'll try really hard and then, maybe, we might be worthy of eternal life. Instead of a son and joint heir with Christ in our own house we become servants earning our keep in someone else's house. Fearing the hard Master of the house we forget whom God has birthed us to be (His people) and that perfect love casts out fear.

Often we seek for a balance between law and grace when no such balance exists. The scripture doesn't say the law came through Moses and grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, it says but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17), signifying a completely different covenant. Is the Moon balanced by the Sun or is it totally out shone?

Sometimes we speak as though to say that God is love (which the scriptures teach) and that all we really need to do is trust Jesus (which the scriptures teach) is somehow flawed because we become so concerned with the wrath and the "judgment side" of God. Yet, have you noticed that while the scriptures teach that God is a God of justice, they do not teach, "God is judgment"? They do teach "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love " I John 4:8. The very nature, the very fabric of God is love! This is why the scriptures also teach that.."mercy rejoiceth against"(or triumphs over)"judgment." James 2:13.

Is there a "judgment side" to God? All judgment for sin was placed upon Jesus, and certainly God judges between good and evil as He also teaches us to do, yet ".. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

Condemnation comes when men and women reject Jesus and, by disbelief in what He accomplished for us at the cross, seek to achieve salvation by their own works. So yes, there is a "judgment side" to God, but those with the love of God shone abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost are not appointed to wrath. (I Thes. 5:9). "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth" (disciplines) "every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" Hebrews 12:6-7. So we see that even the judgments of God are based on His love!

"Like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He knows we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14.

As a Father loves his children so the Lord loves us and has filled us with His love. And love fulfills the law. (Romans13: 10)

We love to say that Jesus didn't destroy the law but fulfilled it! This gives us an excuse to hold on to our thoughts of earning (this is unbelief in what Jesus accomplished for us) the love and pleasure of God. And it is true that Jesus didn't destroy, but fulfilled the law - yet, what does it mean for the law to be fulfilled?

The Bible is composed of two testaments or "contracts". The "Old Contract" and the "New Contract".

The "“Old" is called old for a reason. The Apostle Paul said in that God promised a "New" that the first was decaying (obsolete) and vanishing away. (Hebrews 8:13). This means that it is no longer binding.

If an electrician and a painter are contracted to work on the same house the provisions of their contracts bind them until the house is complete. Neither person has anything to do with the others contract and as each one's task is complete, when the house is painted and the wiring connected, each is free to move on to other contracts with different provisions - they being no longer bound by contracts that have been fulfilled.

The "Old Contract"(or the law) that God gave to Moses was good and Holy, yet it did not impart righteousness. Paul said that it was a ministry of death (II Corinthians 3: 7), and again that ".. as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" "And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live by them." Galatians 3:11&13.

God made this Old contract with the nation of Israel, and no one else, before the coming of Christ. Isn't it interesting how concerned so many of us are with a law that never applied to us? (If I were the electrician why should I be concerned with the painter's contract?)

The "New Contract" was promised 430 years before Moses received the "Old" (Genesis 17:2-7: Galatians 3:17), so the "Old" was given with the knowledge that there would be a "New"; one that is written on hearts and minds. (Jeremiah 31:31-34: Hebrews 8:8-13.)

What the Old covenant was in the shadow of outward works the New covenant is in reality in the hearts of believers’ -The righteousness of God! (Romans 3:28 - 31: II Corinthians 5:17- 21)

No longer is there a standing "contract" of God working as an outside motivator for servants of God to perform works of righteousness. Now those who are born of the Spirit are moved inwardly by their nature to perform and be what they are naturally, as children who have inherited the character and characteristics of their Father. (Ephesians 4:22 - 5:10).

First however someone had to fulfill the old contract. - Jesus!

Tempted in all points as we yet without sin! (Hebrews 4:14-15) The Lamb of God found worthy! (Revelation 5: 4-14) The mediator of a better covenant! A covenant of the heart! (Hebrews 8: 6-13; 9:15)

No, the law was not destroyed, but it was fulfilled and is no longer binding.

It is finished. (John 19:30)

Beginning Again...

So it looks like that whole "community" blog thing was a bust. I had really enjoyed the idea of ongoing online conversations, but I can understand that those who had expressed an interest didn't have the time, nor the at first thought inclination, to post. It remains an open idea though, and if any of you become interested again let me know. Until and if that happens Grace Harbor will continue as what it has become - my personal blog.



Thanksgiving was very good. My brother that we had almost lost in the motorcycle accident this past August was with us, and well!
He has been completely released from all physical therapy to the great surprise of his physical therapists. They are amazed at how quickly he regained, and continues to regain, strength. His voice has moments of weakness from where the trachea had been, but is improving. Though he is not yet working, or driving, these things are only a matter of time as his doctor continues to be impressed with how well he is doing. His arm and leg tingle some, but that continues to decrease. He proudly did a couple of push-ups for us on Thanksgiving. There has been no brain damage that doctors can tell, and his memory -except for the accident - is just fine. He is a bit thin, but well..and getting better all the time!

God is good. All the prayers have meant more than we can say.

My wife and children and I have still not settled into a new church, although we find ourselves visiting one in particular often. Leaving our home church of 14 years has proven to be much I think like what a divorce must feel like. Sadly various circumstances had come to the point where I felt no choice but to leave. I keep telling myself I will write about our leaving sometime -but is such a long, sad story involving people that I love dearly that I have not yet been able to bring myself to it.

Your grace ever covers us O God. I trust in You.

Brother update/ Thoughts on THE journey

A week after my last post my brother went to the rehabilitation ctr, and things have been moving along. He came home last weekend, and though still recovering, it is good to have my bother back. Oddly enough, even though I had said in my last post that he had come to himself, as far as he is concerned he didn't wake up until he was at the rehab ctr. To him he has only been awake a bit more than two weeks! He responded to us in the hospital, and much better his last week there, but he doesn't really remember the hospital. He remembers waking up after he was moved. He has remembered everything since rehab, and I think even his short term memory seems ok for the most part ( he has his moments still), but nothing about the accident , or having been in the hospital for more than a month.

The important thing is he is home with his family. The rehab doctors wanted him to stay another week, but somehow the insurance company decided they knew better. He has out patient therapy three times a week for now to help with his left arm. He will be having an MRI performed this week to see if there is a torn ligament or something. With his right arm and hand he can lift 109lbs, with his left only 35lbs. His voice still doesn't sound quite right yet, but his sinuses were crushed in the accident and still healing. He has, after all, only been speaking for a couple weeks now. He is alive and recovering, and God has indeed spared him. This Thanksgiving will be very special in my family.

It has been an eventful year, and much has happened that I have not written about lately because, of course, my brothers condition has been my over-riding concern, but I would like to mention a couple of other things I have been thinking about

I am a Christian who struggles with overcoming a legalistic background.

My history is mostly Pentecostal. I was not raised in a Christian home, but my mother's understanding of God was very works oriented, and I was always a child who by nature wanted to "be good" to please my parents. When we spoke of Jesus it was in terms of "being good" to go to heaven. Jesus loved "good" people.

I always had an interest in God even though my parents never went to church. When I was 7 I went by myself a few times to the Pentecostal Church of God nearby in the small town where we lived. When we moved to Louisville my brothers and I were invited to a Baptist church that sent a bus around on Sundays so I went there quite a few times, and enjoyed the classes and outings they had for kids my age. I was about 10 years old.

When I was 11 I heard a woman preaching at an Apostolic church across the street from my house. I told my parents I was going to over there and tell her she should not be preaching because she was a woman. At 11 years old I was going to straighten her out! My parents told me I could go, but not to say anything. I went and stayed for two years. The young lady who was preaching became a model of Godliness to me, and gained my everlasting regard. She was not the Pastor, who was a nice man, but she preached better than he. I went there until I was 13. It was, like many Pentecostal churches can be, a very works oriented religion, but I didn't know that when I was 11 - I just knew I was treated with kindness, and I came to love everyone. That church was small and eventually fell apart.

I went no where again until I was 19, and came to the Lord with my heart committed to Him for good -come what may. I again, mostly because of my memories, and my presumed familiarity, went to a local Church of God. This time however, I was not a child, and while the people were great I began to see things differently in the scriptures. I went to an independent Church pastored by a wonderful Godly man who loved the Lord and truly sought to see the scriptures as they are. I was part of Rick McConnell's church for three years. He was killed in Nov. 1989 trying to direct traffic around some barrel hoops that had been lost on an interstate. His ministry is still with me to this day, and I expect it will always be. I miss him. He was a good friend, and mentor.

Two years later I began attending a small church with my girlfriend, who became my wife. We were married there and this past August, a week and half before my brothers accident, a culmination of differing events led us to believe that it is time to go. From the Pastor, to everyone else, we love all. We have attended this church for 14 years, and leaving is not easy. Whether it is us, or the place, God knows for sure. For now we are searching for a home.

I have been thinking about the following-

I know that sin is done away in Jesus. Jesus takes away sin, and does not consider us as anything but righteous according to His cross and the working of His Spirit. I believe we have a human nature that God created and sees as good, but I find that in my flesh is still the law of sin - the one who knows he is saved by grace. If I am honest with myself I have to confess there are times I am selfish, and something in me wants to be selfish. There are times I am lustful and something in me wants to be lustful. There are times I am prideful and something in me wants to be arrogant. At the same time these ugly impulses raise their head there is an immediate revulsion within me that causes me to know that I need to cry out unto the Lord my God. I know the weakness of my flesh, and but for Gods grace would be continually ruled by it. I find that I must subject these things to Christ, or be subjected to them. What is done away within me is the desire to be one with those impulses, and what is created within me by grace is the desire to have them subjected to, and ruled by,the Spirit of God. God has done away with sin, and sin is no longer held to my account. He has given me eternal salvation.

I struggle with my past legalistic thinking that would make everything -sinful or not - wrong, and make me responsible for rescuing myself. I also struggle with the true fight of the weakness of flesh, and subjecting vanity to grace. Yet that is the walk of transformation, and the call to be more than we are in this world. The call to hold Dad's hand and trust Him.

Without God I am altogether lost and undone. At times I am all the things I mentioned above and more.

But I am not without God, and am promised that I never shall be.

I love Jesus.

My only saving grace.

Recovery moving in a good direction!

My brother continues to improve, thank God.

He has been out of ICU since Wed and, though not yet speaking, he is able to communicate. He has finally, truly, came to himself. He writes, and mouths words. He asked why he was there, and was incredulous at how long he has been in the hospital. His left arm is still very weak, and has not yet walked which he is very concerned about. He has been told that he will walk, but the accident and the month in bed have left his legs weak and he needs to be strengthened. He is, Lord willing, to be transferred to a rehabilitation center this week to begin physical therapy. He knows that God has had His Hand on him.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.

Update on My Brother

This week marks over 25 days since my brother was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident.

He opened both eyes late last week, and is recognizing us as he sees us although he is still unable to speak. He has a good grip with his right hand, although his use of it is still limited. His left arm he does not move at all, and moves his left fingers just a little. I lifted his left arm in my hand Saturday and it was limp weight, but we know he has feeling in it. He was supposed to go to a rehabilitation center this past Monday to begin physical therapy for his left arm, speech, and his walking, but Sunday he was put back into ICU with pneumonia and dehydration.

This week he has begun doing much better, and responding, as the fluid is taken off his lungs. He has been wide awake and asking for something to write on. He asked what happened, and why he was there? When his wife told him he had been in a motorcycle accident, and how long he had been there, he eyes were wide with surprise. He also made a walking motion with two of his fingers asking if he could walk. She told him yes, but his legs were weak form having been in the hospital for over three weeks. He is in good spirits. He shook his father-in-law's had and began trying to thumb wrestle. He is expected to be in ICU for most of this week. We are hoping he begins physical therapy soon after.

Things are moving slowly, but they are moving in a good direction! He was hurt badly. I had at first thought he would just suddenly wake up and have a massive headache, but of course he was hurt worse than that, and was literally at deaths door but for the mercy of God. The important thing is he is recovering, and he will be fine. It will just take time. I am so very thankful for the life of my brother.

I have no doubt that God has been with him, and my family continually and, as always, we are thankful for your prayers.

A very good quote

"The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome...religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey'. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference." -Dr. Timothy Keller

Yep.

My brother's continuing recovery

My brother Mark came through the surgery well. The facial surgery was performed through the roof of his mouth. He has two titanium plates, and fifteen screws, in his face. He is no longer on the respirator, but has a trachea through which he is breathing and coughing on his own. The MRI showed nothing significant so there has been no stroke. We were very excited Thursday as he began responding to our voices again after days of heavy sedation.

He hasn't opened his eyes, or been able to speak yet, but he responds to requests like "squeeze my hand", or "hold up two fingers". Mostly he sleeps, but we are being told that is the best thing for his brain right now. He becomes agitated when the nurses move him around, and also begins to move about at the mention of his daughter's name. We are anxious for him to open his eyes and recognize us, but are blessed that God has shown us mercy in that Mark will do this in time.

There is a growing suspicion with the authorities that he was not the only one involved in the accident. It had been believed that he somehow hit a neighbors mailbox, which was found knocked down, but his motorcycle is not badly damaged, and the front fender hardly at all. His motorcycle landed on one side, but it is the mirror on the other side that is broken. At the accident scene there are skid marks and tire tracks that do not belong to my brother, and we do not know who originally called 911. We had thought it was the neighbor in front of whose house the accident happened, but emergency team arrived just after she came outside to see what was going on.

When he awakes he may not remember, and we may never know for sure what happened. If my brother was hit by someone else we are thankful that at least 911 was called.

We are thankful for continued prayer.

We are thankful he is alive and recovering.

We are thankful that he will soon open his eyes.

Prayer request

It's been a while since I've posted but a lot is going on.

I have three brothers. As I write one of them is going into surgery. He was in a very bad motorcycle accident this past Sunday morning at 3am. He was not wearing a helmet. He has several facial fractures, a broken rib, as well as being pretty torn up all over. The bone at the top of the nasal cavity and the forehead is broken, and they will be placing a metal plate at that point over the next few hours to keep it from spreading open. While they are in there the medical team will attend to the other fractures in his face as well.

He has not been fully awake since the accident, although he responds aggressively when being given a shot, or IV, etc. He is obviously in great pain. I do think he recognized my voice Sunday afternoon. As blood was being drawn from his arm he began to struggle. I told him I was there and asks him to be calm so we could work on getting him home. He started patting the top of my hand with the palm and fingers of his, and then squeezed my hand tightly as the nurse withdrew the blood.

That same evening the doctor loudly called his name, and asked him to raise both thumbs. He did, and thankfulness to God washed over me.

We are now being told that he may have had a stroke since he has stopped moving his left arm. An MRI will be done before the surgery to try to find out. All day Sunday, until the x-ray proved otherwise, everyone thought his left arm was broken. It is very badly beaten and bruised, and much skin has been scraped off. I believe he may be in too much pain to move it.

The doctors have told us that a cat-scan has showed some bleeding on the brain. They are unsure if this is from an old injury, or from the accident, but it is a place in the brain that cannot be reached. We are told where it is the brain will absorb it back in time. They have said they think there may be some brain damage, but believe it will be the kind that affects his short term memory. He may have trouble remembering where he left his keys, that sort of thing.

So I sit here typing to occupy myself as I wait to hear something. I know God has spared him. I know he will come home. It is not a matter of if, but when.

I am anxious to hear my brother speak.

God bless you my friends.

And pray for my brother.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR GRACE HARBOR RESIDENTS

Note the subject line says residents, and not readers :)

Grace Harbor appears to be turning into a personal blog. My intention has been to form an online community, beginning with some friends, where we could converse honestly as Christians from a Christian perspective about anything we liked, but if that is not to be that is ok. I have several member listed, but almost no one is posting but me. In seven days from now if no one is posting then I'll begin removing folks from the list.

I appreciate the initial interest. If it is to be a personal blog then the occasional absence of one person is probably not as blatantly obvious as the continual absence of many. Perhaps you meant to join in and found you would rather be a reader than a writer -that's fine. You are welcome to read, and I hope you will, as often as you like! No hard feelings at all. If this is going to be a personal blog then we'll just go that way until such a time, if any, that others might want to join in.

In the mean time visit, read, and hopefully enjoy the time. If this is something you are interested in now then please post in the next week. Every week or two, or more, would be great - at least a couple of times a month. If you become interested later just let me know.

A New Drummer!

Things have moving within the band, and are on the upswing with the mighty ONE ACCORD. Our drummer of 15 years, Steve, felt that it was time for him to do something else. We have ministered together for a long time, and our prayers and best wishes are with him. He was, is, and will ever be our friend.

I sent out an email letting some folks know our predicament and requesting prayer for the band as we prayed about another drummer. We are a very good band with good songs. People really seem to enjoy us , and worship the Lord when we play. At this point in time we need someone who is a skilled drummer now, not someone who is learning. Someone we can hand our two Cd's to and have that person play it essentialy like that the next week. The new drummer must love the Lord, and be willing to work with the band as a team. We have a date scheduled in September, and I received a response from the drummer of another band we are friendly with offering to help out and fill in until the Lord supplied a permanent drummer. Very nice of him and them.

As it has turned out I was able to speak with a man who has already been part of the ONE ACCORD family in the past. A good and solid drummer who is the son of our guitar/keyboard singing married couple in the band. He has before played bass, as well as percussion, and occasionally drums. He knows the songs and is a natural fit. While we are We are excited to have him join us!

Welcome Brian!

Be Real

As quoted from MSNBC-

Jessica Simpson is telling some Christians to take a walk.

A group called The Resistance has accused Simpson of looking like "a stripper" in her video for "These Boots Were Made for Walking." In the video, the "Dukes of Hazzard" star washes a car while wearing a barely-there bikini.

But Simpson, a pastor's daughter, says that sort of attitude is why she didn't pursue a career as a Christian singer. "It didn't really surprise me because I grew up with a lot of that backlash," Simpson said, according to World Entertainment News Network. "That's why I didn't end up going into the Christian music industry. I think that if they're really good Christians the judgment wouldn't be there."


I wish some folks would just do what they do without claiming Christianity.

Number 1 - I don't believe this is "the attitude" that hindered Ms. Simpson from pursuing a career as a Christian singer. I believe that is how she excuses herself for not pursing a Christian life. It's the same attitude that says "I would go to church if it weren't for the hypocrites". Our relationship with God is dependent upon God -not others. Folks who make such statements usually don't want to go to church anyway, but want to shift responsibility elsewhere. In the same way I suspect Ms. Simpson has not desired a "Christian" singing career but has been, and is, pursuing the career she wants.

Number 2 - "Really good Christians" are actually expected to make judgments concerning right and wrong, and uphold standards of right as defined biblically. The apostle Paul said he who is spiritual judges all things.

Jesus' words from Matthew are surely some of the most abused in scripture. His admonishment against judging was never intended as a sieve through which iniquity would pass and be transformed righteous. It is only through His Blood that dead people are transformed alive. The context of the passage from Matthew is about condemning others while being guilty. It is not our place to condemn, but it is our place to judge right from wrong; Holy from unholy. Further in the passage Jesus says to not to give what is Holy to dogs - how would we know the difference if we were not to judge? Do not condemn others -but judge matters righteously -in love.

Sadly Ms. Simpson is not the only person who would name the Name of Christ, but take no time to understand, or be taught, who He is and the modest way we should conduct ourselves because of who we are in Him -if so be that we belong to Him. It is just this time it was she who gave the media another opportunity to portray Christians negatively. Had she said how charitable Christians are, and what an example of God's love can be found in the Church, I'm sure MSNBC would not have taken the space to report it.

I have nothing against Ms. Simpson. I'm sure she is very talented, and no doubt much smarter than the caricature she portrays on TV. I hope she knows the Lord and grows to know Him in an ever stronger way. To her, or anyone else I would say wear what you want, say what you want, but if it doesn't reflect the modesty and humility of the LIFE, but is concerned with arousing lust in someone - and suggestively dancing around while soaping up a car in a "barely there" bikini for a music video just might qualify - please don't say "Jesus" when you do it. And if you have said "Jesus" beforehand please consider Whom you represent to a lost world that already knows about lust, but far too little about LOVE.

It is befitting for those who are children of the King to behave with the dignity of our Father.

Vacation Bliss!

Vacation!

It goes too quickly, and we just finished another great, if wet, one!

Rain everyday! The remnants of hurricane Dennis gave us some much needed rain but we still had a great time. We spent the first part of the week visiting, and having a great time with family. Thursday we went to Holiday World in Santa Claus Indiana when the rain chances were smaller. As it turned out there was a steady light drizzle for most of the day while we were in the water park, but it stopped raining when we began to ride the amusement rides. The sun even came out for a while!


This trio just in from the parking lot was not yet sure how the light rain was going to affect their day. They need not have worried! And who is that muscular Grace Harbor resident in the center? ( That's right - muscular! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)


While the rain did make the water too cool for the wife to jump in - the only one upon whom it had this effect - it did not stop her from enjoying the day poolside!




This fearless brother and sister duo know no amusement ride too high, nor too fast! This ability must be a special endowment from the Lord as it is a courage their parents do not posess! :)

Notice the setting SUN in the background! The rain had ended!



Falling from a tremendous height at dazzling speeds you can see that....


...the kiddo's are bored, and looking to move on, while Mom is ecstatic to have survived!


And just because he missed they rain they had all enjoyed earlier Dad had to end the evening with a water ride! It sure made for a cool ride home!

Oh well -back to work tomorrow! What a great week!

How blessed my life is in Grace Harbor!

Thank you Lord!

You're right Lyn. Marriage is under attack in our culture, and sadly even some who call themselves "Christian" are failing to uphold the righteous banner. The church must be willing to meet the sins of homosexuality and divorce with the light of scripture and the love of God.

One of the things that stuck out to me in Steve Camp's post was his comment about church discipline. If the church will not deal with things inside it's own walls, how shall it be a beacon to those without?

I don't believe we should be in the business of condemning anyone, but at the same time I think we in the church should walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called.

I have often considered Paul's example in 1 Cor. 5 , which in turn acted to the benefit of the person trapped in sexual sin, as well as the church as a whole in 2 Cor. 2 . Individuals, being dust, will sometimes fall into things they should not, but while all are susceptible to the falling it does not mean the thing fallen into should be approved.

The standard for the Church is Christ. What is written in the Book is for our admonishment. I have never seen 1 Cor. 5 in practice, but I confess I have wondered what effect it's application would have with those who have left their spouses for others, or those involved in some other sexual sin. While I think anyone should be welcome to a church meeting, I have wondered what would happen if, instead of pretending that all was as it should be, those Christians choosing to live contrary to the scriptures were made to understand they could attend, but not participate with, or hold a place in, ministry? Might they not be encouraged to repentance and the restoration of their families? And in so doing better learn the voice of the Lord, and the joy of life with a clear conscience? Is the inaction on the part of church to approach those ensnared by sin in reality an unloving act that destines unrepentant individuals to hypocrisy while concurrently hindering church growth?

As I said, I have not seen it in practice but it worked for Paul. The man in question at that time was restored and the integrity of the church was intact.

A lighthouse both warns of danger, and shines as a point of safety. If our light is darkness we can do neither.

I have to agree with Steve Camp

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Lyn".


I have to agree with Steve Camp when he said - " The esteem of Biblical truth has been rapidly on the decline for years now and we are beginning to see the evidence of what neglect of the truth of God has produced. Even within the local church the authority of Scripture, justification by faith alone, the transcendence and holiness of God, "His absolute sovereignty, His ineffable holiness, His inflexible justice, His unchanging veracity" are seldom preached; repentance from sin is barely mentioned and church discipline is all but deemed an archaic past remembrance of a more Puritan, simple naïve time."

I heard this morning that the United Church of Christ has voted to allow same-sex marriages. And I couldn't believe my ears. They said that it was time to show "love and acceptance" for all people. Well...

The simple biblical truth of marriage is being denied - it's in the bible, just being denied. It will never change, it will always be the truth no matter who says differently.

I believe people misunderstand the love of God. His love is so divine that He will not leave you in a mess. When you come to Him, He changes you. From the inside. You are not the same again. What doesn't change is His word. And on the subject of marriage it is very plain. To show love and acceptance to all people is exactly what true Christians do. They love people enough to tell them the truth and lead them to the One who will change them! They do not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth.

Thanks for the link.

A Blog Recommendation

A Christian artist who I have enjoyed for over 2 decades now is Steve Camp . A musician whose lyrics have substance, he now has a blog with the same bluntness and clarity. Check him out. I think you will enjoy the reading. This is from a post entitled Where in the World is the Church?

"Persecuted for righteousness sake” has been reduced to mean the secular media disagrees with some evangelical leaders political, moral, cultural ideology and harsh names have been hurled. That's not being persecuted for righteousness sake; that's just politics. They're not suffering for standing for Christ and heralding His gospel of sola fide, sola gratia, or solus Christus. But for the less than heavenly goal of trying to promote and create a cultural morality absent of His gospel.

America is a pagan nation, beloved; it has been for many generations. We live in a fallen world and, therefore, a crumbling society. The esteem of Biblical truth has been rapidly on the decline for years now and we are beginning to see the evidence of what neglect of the truth of God has produced. Even within the local church the authority of Scripture, justification by faith alone, the transcendence and holiness of God, "His absolute sovereignty, His ineffable holiness, His inflexible justice, His unchanging veracity" are seldom preached; repentance from sin is barely mentioned and church discipline is all but deemed an archaic past remembrance of a more Puritan, simple naïve time.

See what I mean? Words rightly spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver.

It's good stuff.

Further Clothed Upon

I wrote this a couple of years ago.

There are moments that are frozen in the mind.

Moments joyous in the happening and heart breaking in their brevity at the same time, and if one could live there forever you would do it in a heartbeat.

For me many of those moments have happened since I was married 10 years ago, and contain the hugs of our children, their laughter and a good night kiss.

My seven-year-old daughter provided such a moment recently.

She has her own bedclothes, but many times she likes to sleep in her mother’s gowns or her big brother’s old tee shirts because they are loose and comfortable on her. I had just gotten her out of the shower and while she stood by wrapped in her towel I was going through fresh laundry trying to find something that she would like to wear. It was one of those times when she wanted to wear none of the clothes I suggested.

Finally, I lifted from the basket a shirt of mine that would drape over her and reach to her feet. I asked if she would like to wear that?

She took my shirt into her hands, buried her face into it, and inhaled deeply.

“Yes”, she said thoughtfully and in a soft voice. “It smells like you”.

At such moments I am speechless. Teary eyes and a gentle hug are the only response I have before such obvious and innocent love from this child who has my heart, and always will.

How I long for the scent of my God. How I love knowing the presence of my Father; to feel the safety and comfort of being wrapped in Him.

How I desire to be further clothed upon.

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you” He said.
Can we be secure in God?

Yes.

The mighty ONE ACCORD played this past weekend at Gospelfest in Charlestown Indiana. Overall it was a good time, even though we were the only band that wasn't Southern Gospel. That's OK - the folks who invited us knew who we were when the invitation was given. It was outside and the weather was perfect! We ministered Jesus! That is what we do. We were invited to another church by someone who was in the audience, and even heard a new label for our style of music as the person who was the emcee for the event spoke to those in attendance after we finished playing - "aggressive contemporary" :)
It's Jesus music, and there are folks blessed by it -that's all I know! I am still floating on the wonderful and worshipful concert we did a couple of weeks ago! Thank God for His Presence and Love! What a great night!

While I enjoy the outdoor events with other bands -whatever the musical style - I am getting to the point where I prefer the dates where we use our own equipment. The shared sound systems are nice time wise, but the sound often isn't quite the same. Nonetheless, as God grants opportunity we are glad to take it.

I also thought I would share a couple of interesting links this evening. The first is strictly for fun and is called miserable melodies -Real songs by real people, some more famous than others, done really bad. My personal favorites so far are William Shatner doing "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", and Burt Ward (yes, Robin from the old Batman series) singing something called "Boy Wonder I Love You". It's not so much that I like making fun as it is that I like to laugh. For me these fall under the category of "what were they thinking?!?!"
It's ok to have sense of humor in Grace Harbor.

The second link is more serious. It is called PostSecret and is both thought provoking, and often sad, all at once. It is a blog where people anomonysly share never before revealed secrets. Some are silly, some even disgusting, but then some are just heartbreaking in their vulnerability. Be warned - PostSecret is not a Christian site, and there is some language that may offend. It is, however, astoundingly honest. Some things revealed will make you want to weep.

It has been a bit quiet around the Harbor lately. The other residents must be hanging out at the fish place down by the wharf. Can't blame them -it is hard to resist good fried fish on breezy evenings in Grace Harbor!

I have always heard music in colors. I don't say it often because I figure it probably makes no sense, but it's true. Some songs are blue, some are red. I've always liked the blue ones best, and actually a lot of the songs that I have written are a nice shade of blue. Red has it's place, and is often good depending on the mood, but it's hard to beat a good blue!

See what I mean? As you're shaking your head remember I said it probably didn't make sense.

Tonight as I was running through channels on tv I stopped on an old Journey video. It was Steve Perry singing "Open Arms". My 10 year old daughter said "I know him. You play that CD in the car sometimes. When I was little and would hear his voice I would see a blue tree."

That's my girl!

Balance

I believe strongly in the Grace of God.

I believe it is the Gospel.

I believe the whole Bible is true, and because I believe that I believe the Old Testament, in as far as it's laws and regulations written upon stone relate to our lives, is passed away.

I believe Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant - the New Covenant written upon our hearts by the Spirit of God.

I believe nothing can separate me from His love.

I believe it so strongly that I have even seen others upset by this stance on what appears to me to be basic Christianity when properly understood.

Jesus saves. He saves completely.

Whoever comes to Him will not be cast out.

I have been told, “You speak so much of grace and love, yet the Bible contains two covenants. Is there not a balance in God?”, as though the covenants were equal and the condemnation of the first could equal the mercy of the second.

The answer is yes, there is balance in God for a “..just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1) , but the balance to grace is not law!

The balance of God is given to us in the scriptures. “For the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1: 17).

The Grace and Truth that Jesus brought is the balance of, and in, God!

A just balance requires an equal weight. On a balancing scale only 7 pounds is equal to 7 pounds; 6 just won’t do! So neither is the letter (the law) that kills equal to the Spirit (grace) that gives Life!

The bible tells us that God is One and that He is Word (John 1:1) and Spirit (John 4:24) , and herein lies the just weight; for only GOD equals GOD and only the Word (GOD) that is truth is equal to the Spirit (GOD) of Grace!

The prophet Zechariah prophesied of the truth of Gods grace to come in the New Covenant by the word of the Lord; “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn”. (Zechariah 12:10) , and Jesus prayed in the garden the night before His crucifixion, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

When was the Spirit of this Grace, spoken and brought by the Word of Truth, poured? Was it not purchased at Calvary and shed upon the church at Pentecost?

Demonstrating that the partakers of the New Covenant are the “inhabitants of Jerusalem” who are the recipients of this grace, as well as displaying that Earthly is not equal to Heavenly (nor Old to New), the writer of Hebrews says, “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,” (the Old Covenant – the law) “And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion,” (the New Covenant – Grace and Truth!) “and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things” (mercy) “than that of Abel” (vengeance). (Hebrews 12: 18-24)

Of this same Spirit of Grace the writer of Hebrews says, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29) , warning that to trust in anything but the sacrifice and shed blood of Jesus, to seek to balance God with anything but God, is to count the grace by which we are purchased an unholy thing!

Can the sacrifice of bulls and goats equal the sacrifice of the Son of God? NO!

Is seeking to be justified by the works of the law equal to being justified freely by His grace (Romans 3:24), No!

Is Hagar (the bondwoman) equal to Sarah (the freewoman) (Galatians 4:21-31) NO!

Is the servant equal to the son? NO!

Are not they who are led by the Spirit the sons of God? (Romans 8:14) YES!

As only GOD Equals GOD, so only does Word balance Spirit, and is Grace balanced only by Truth. Let us trust only in the just weight of the living God that is found only in the love of Christ Jesus. For God is Love. (1John 4:8)

His love washes us completely from all sin. His mercy leads our lives. He dwells in us, and wherever He abides is Holy.

Welcome Starr and TechCard!

A big Grace Harbor welcome to you both! I know that Lyn, Harpazo, and myself are glad to see neighbors moving in! Make yourselves at home! Amidst the thoughtful posts by Lyn, and the encouragement by Harpazo, (not to mention the ocassional word by yours truly :) ) I'm sure you will enjoy it here!

While we await a post from TechCard allow me to say "well done" to the below post by Starr.

He is God! There is no other!

What is Lord?

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Starr".

He is Elohim, Creator,

the Omnipotent Who rules.

He's the Sovereign King of glory

& earth is His footstool.

He's the Alpha & Omega,

the beginnig & the end.

He sends forth lightning that later

checks back in with Him.

He speaks worlds into existence

& spin tehm out in space.

He gives orders to the morning

& shows the dawn its place.

He prophesies the future

then orders it fulfilled.

He bears fruit from a landscape

that man has never tilled.

He feeds the beast of the field

from the palm of His hand.

He watches while they bear their young

then teaches them to stand.

He gives the seas their boundaries

& hides His creatures deep.

He teaches eagles how to fly

& nest upon the steep.

He makes the clouds His chariot

& rides on wings of wind.

He champions the victim

& brings proud me to end.

He is Immanuel, God with us,

come to earth through Christ.

He is the kinsman Redeemer,

who paid the slave man's price.

He is King of Kings & Lord of Lords,

worthy is the Lamb!

He holds the keys to life eternal

where the dead in Christ now stand.

He's enthroned between the cherubims

& great is His reward.

The devil's His defeated foe,

the weapon His swift Sword.

The story has a moral,

so I'll hasten lest you tire.

Whoever you perceived He is,

Aim a little higher.

What a busy month!

Wow! The month of May is almost gone and it turned into a busy one!

I am blessed to minister and play in a local Louisville Christian band called ONE ACCORD ( http://www.geocities.com/oneaccordky/ ) and we had a great time his past Saturday!

Most of the songs we play are songs the Lord has given me to write, and I am honored to play music with folks who have confidence in those songs, and play them well. There are 5 people in the band, 6 including our sound man, and all love the Lord. Three of us attend the same church, the others attend various churches.

This past Saturday evening we ministered at the church I attend for the first time in probably 10 years. From the platform it looked like a mostly full house with an audience of some folks we go to church with, but a whole lot of visitor's too! The Lord blessed! It is our desire that ONE ACCORD not just play songs about Jesus, but minister the Gospel of Jesus! I believe that is what we do, and this past Saturday was another night of just that! As people stood and worshipped God, clapped along with us, and came forward for prayer, I truly felt the presence of the Lord! What a geat time sharing God's Grace in Christ!

We normally end the evening with a song by Don Francisco called He's Alive. It is a song that always has the crowd on it's feet lifting their hands to the Lord. We have recorded two CD's of original music, but have not recorded this song because someone else wrote it and we are unsure of how the copyright laws, and obtaining permission, work. A friend likes the way we do this song so well that she found Don Francisco's website and passed it to me so that I could email him and ask directly for permission. I thought that was very nice of her to do, and must say that Don Francisco has a very impressive site! It is full of ministry and music. I haven't yet read all the articles, but there is one called "If we Confess Our Sins...." that, if I may be so bold as to say it, reads like something I would've written! Check out his website at http://www.rockymountainministries.org/

As for He's Alive, I haven't yet sent the email, but I shall. Who can tell? We may actually get a positive response!

It's been a good month here in the Harbor! My little girl turned 10 years old last week! She is beautiful! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and mercy's scent is on the breeze!

What? You don't feel it? How do you get to that wonderful place called Grace Harbor? You can't get there by car, or plane. It is a place to be born into.

Grace Harbor is where Jesus is just by inviting Him.....

In you.

It Goes Too Quick

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Lyn".


There is a commercial on television that goes something like this:

A baby is born and he's given a red blanket with, I don't know, some kind of design on it. And then we see certain times of his life highlighted including playing with his friends, practicing the drums, going off to college, sitting with his girlfriend, then, holding their baby daughter and always that blanket is there. Then we see him pulling his daughter, appr. 6 yrs old, in a wagon with that red blanket wrapped around her. I really don't remember what company the commercial is for, I only know that a 30 sec. commercial pretty much sums up how fast your life passes.

Our oldest daughter (we have 2) had a birthday today, May 2, and she is now 29 yrs. old. Where did that time go? I hardly remember a lot of things. I do remember certain parts of her life, such as that commercial would show, but I couldn't hold on long enough to keep the memory alive. She grew up too fast! I wish sometime to call back the years and enjoy each moment even greater than the first time, but as is the plan of God, this is how it has to be.

I'm thankful she is a beautiful Christian lady with a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children, who are my heart, along with our other 2. I'm thankful that she grew up healthy and happy and I'm thankful she's my daughter.

How is it possible to be so happy and so sad at the same time?

Call it what it is

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Lyn".


The recent newstory about the "runaway bride" from Georgia has given me some interesting thoughts. If you're not familiar with the story, follow the link.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,154983,00.html

My thoughts were that people just don't call things as they are anymore. The news reporters were saying "she told a tale". "She made up a story". Well, what she did was lied. She put her family and fiance through hell and she lied about a kidnapping. And there will be no penalty for her behavior.


Why do we have to make things sound so "pretty"?

"Extra-marital affair" is - Adultery!
"Living together" is - Fornication! (which by the way, I couldn't find that word in the dictionary)
"Partners" usually is speaking of - Homosexuality!
"Overeating" to beyond full is - Gluttony!
"They gave me too much change, it's their fault" is - Cheating"!
"I want this - I want that- is - Coveting!
"Our four and no more" is - Selfishness!
"Making up a story" is - Lying!

And I'll go one further.

"Nothing can separate us from His love" BUT us. - Not believing what the apostle Paul wrote and what Jesus has done!

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Thirteen years ago today I married Elaine. Thirteen Years!

Elaine had actually proposed to me the previous February of that leap year 1992, though we did not set a date. She had been divorced for what I consider biblical reasons, and her little boy Tony was 18 months old when we met.

I was 28 years old, and while I had always hoped to be married I had become accustomed to living alone in many respects. Not that I liked living alone, but it was what I knew. The Lord was with me, but I had not much human company and God knew my heart.

April 29, 1992 I went to work and stopped at the time clock. I turned around and left to find a pay phone. I called Elaine and asked her to meet me for lunch late that morning at Ryan's.

I have always had a habit of acting impulsively. It's not a habit that I am proud of, and often times causes me a great deal of second guessing and regret. That morning in Ryan's I told Elaine if she wanted to marry me we should do it that night at church after our regular service. It was spontaneous, and I did not think of some of the thoughts it would cause in peoples minds ( NO NO NO -she was not pregnant!!!).

We loved each other and if we were going to do marry I wanted it done! I didn't want to just think about getting married anymore. We got our rings, got our license, called our Pastor, and were married that very night after church.

Thirteen years later we still love each other, that little boy is a 6'2" sophomore in high school , and our beautiful daughter will be 10 years old next month. Money is tight, and we are constantly too busy. Life is flying by, and I feel ill prepared for much of it, knowing only that God sees us and knows my steps and what we have need of.

And I know at least one impulsive act 13 years ago that I do not second guess, nor would I change it. I am no longer alone, and I go to sleep every night in a home with people I love more than I can express.

I am a blessed man.

Welcome Harpazo!

A hearty Grace Harbor welcome to our new resident Harpazo! The Sonshine is warm today and we are glad you have joined us! I expect others will be moving into our inviting shores soon. The conversation is good, and the mercy abundant! Our neighbors are kind, and as my <harumph> waistline might betray I enjoy the harbor fish shop down by the wharf a little too much, but I love speaking about the good things of God, the issues of the day, or really just whatever, here in the harbor! And because I (we) have committed this to be a place of honesty about our thinking, and as a result of a recent conversation with a fellow believer, allow me to propose the -

Question of the Day!
Can/Should Christian couples with children remain unmarried?

And again - I am talking about those who are Christians - not those who are not. No that one group is better, but isn't one group expected to walk in the tenets of faith if professes? Not really even a question for most of us I admit, but not quite the straw man that it appears at first, although you think it would be with the scripture's clear teaching on fornication and adultery. Some believe "true" marriage to be beyond the state -which it is - and hence not in need of a marriage license.

While the culture at large has had an ever growing lax attitude towards marriage for sometime I fear that same attitude has made it's way even some within the Church. Believe me -I'm not trying to judge anyone as lost, or of less worth than anyone else. I know that God's grace is eternal and forever. I don't decide, nor do I want to, who gets in or out; still I can't help but believe that we who are in Christ have a standard based on, and defined by, God's love. Doesn't a relationship with God mold us to His character? He is committed to us. Marriage without a full commitment is not marriage, but rather playing at it.

Not that I know a lot of Christian folks in these circumstances, but they are not unknown to me either.. If a man and woman aren't willing to commit themselves legally and completely before God then should they consider themselves married, or in obedience to God? Surely their children are deserving of the loving protection and stability that marriage is intended to impart to them. The love of God is selfless, but holding back this kind of natural commitment from those that are professed to be loved the most is nothing but selfishness. How wonderful is God's plan!

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4

The judgment is evident in the broken homes of so many of the fatherless, or motherless, children who long for what they have never known -loving stability.

Thank God that no matter where we are, or what we've been, He cleanses us by His Blood, by His Love! Those who call upon Him can find freedom from sin to walk in the true love He has for us! I am not talking about being "holier-than-thou" I am speaking of truly living the life in humility, and in deed. I am not speaking as though we are without fault, but rather admitting them to our selves and to God with the intent of being REAL. it is a sword that cuts both ways I think. If I seek my will in His name and as His child excuse my blatant disobedience I have misunderstood the Grace that has saved me. At the same time if at any point what we call "being real" leads to some sort of sanctimonious self righteousness we have also missed what being REAL is. Let he who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

The only way to stand is in humility.

And on the lighter side of things, and because of my interest in things musical, how did Constantine get voted off American Idol last night?!?! Just wrong!

We must protect our spirits

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Harpazo".


The enemy uses subtle ways to keep us from reaching our potential in Christ.Often life may seem to become too busy to serve and worship our Lord Jesus.We need to put on our armor daily.We also need daily scripture reading,prayer,worship,fellowship,and christian service.If we do this,than God will be our Mighty fortress!!!!! If you listen closely,you can hear the footsteps of Jesus coming to call His Bride home!!!!!! Time is short and we need to win souls.

Allowed to die?

The parents of 18-month-old Charlotte Wyatt have lost their legal battle to overturn a court order allowing doctors not to resuscitate her.

First Terri Schiavo's parents and now this in England. There is something very wrong in the world that prefers not to give life a chance. I know little about English rights, but why aren't the parents granted their God given rights in this one? God help this family.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4466855.stm

Well said Lyn!

If I were to choose what is often time referred to as a life verse for me it would be Romans 8:38-39! How I love the mercy that is embedded within these words! NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE!

How I dread hearing these words taught with the dreaded but added at the end. It changes the plain meaning of Paul's words. To add something to the effect of "we can leave Him". Such a statement does not reside in the lexicon of eternal grace! Such thinking seeks to change the substance of eternal life, but Jesus did not come that we might have temporary life - He came that we might have eternal life! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

In my mind the but in this instance belies an underlying doubt, a belief that we must add to the cross, yet there is nothing that can be added! The cross reconciles us to God! He saves us, and He will keep us!

An interesting thing that I have experienced personally is the accusation that because I believe so strongly in God's grace (and I do!) I am willing to let any manner of sin go. I am just the opposite of that accusation, even more so I sometimes think than those who would suggest it!

I believe that God saves eternally and to the uttermost! That what He does cannot be undone! He loves us , He saves us, He regenerates us! He causes us be more and more like Him. The transformation is not all at once perhaps, but over time even as a mustard seed becomes a great tree so does the faith implanted within us grow to fill our lives. God's righteousness molds us because He loves. We are not saved in sin, but from sin. In the same way that I cringe when someone inserts a but into God's ETERNAL plan of salvation I cringe when someone will say that "God loves everybody" as a blanket for that that He abhors. Jesus makes people free from sin and the symptoms that include -

adultery
homosexuality
thievery
drunkeness
idolatry
etc.

God loves the world, but He does not love everything. I am not talking about temptation, but rather the willful "I know it is wrong, and specifically spoken against in the scripture, but I'm going to do it anyway" attitude that some who confess belief in the bible take upon themselves. Sometimes I believe folks think they are being merciful if they try to cover what they know to be wrong for themselves and their loved ones with a generic "God loves everybody", when the real mercy is in the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. This leads not to covering up, but a washing clean of the conscience allowing the one who has sinned to stand confidently before God, and maintains the integrity of the standard - God's true grace that saves from sin! As much as we want everyone to "feel" good about themselves, we do no one any favors by seeming to approve of things of which God does not approve. That is not to say that I believe anyone should be treated unkindly, or with rudeness. It is to say that I believe that we can treat others with kindness and still hold to the right.

I have thought about this over the past few days, and am thinking that those who would substitute a conditional "but" into God's grace, and those who would try to use God's grace as an excuse for sinfulness are but different sides of the same doubtful and untrusting coin. One doesn't trust Him completely for salvation, and the other doesn't trust Him completely to change lives. If we trust Him we can trust Him to shape our lives into His image, and desire to bear the characteristics of our Father. If we believe that He is our Father then as a loving Father we can believe that He will never let us go. I can't walk away from who I am. I am His!

Just a few of the things on my mind lately here in Grace Harbor. Thanks to my Grace Harbor neighbor Lyn for her good thoughts! And thank you so much Lyn for the book recommendation, and for quoting my favorite verse! I never get tired of reading it!

More neighbors will be moving in soon! I am so thankful for the thoughts already expressed, and those that will be!

So Lyn.....the book you've recommended - is that a library book, or one you own and lend out freely? ( hint, hint!) :)

The Gift for all People

Something odd is happening with blogspots posting - it is stamped as though posted by Gabriel, but this post is actually by "Lyn".


I just recently finished reading a book called "The Gift for all people - Thoughts on God's Great Grace". What a wonderful book.

I realize everyday that but not for the grace of God, I could go where I would not want to. His grace keeps me from harm's way, safely in His arms. His grace shows me how much He loves me even when I am unlovable - and I am! I love living under the grace of my Jesus.

I've recently had a discussion on the scripture in Romans that says "for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38 -39. People say that they agree with this scripture, BUT we can separate ourselves from God's grace. However, we are under the title of creature, as we were created. Paul so plainly says that Nothing can separate us. I really believe that. I'll stand on that. And when I stumble and fall, He keeps me. His love keeps me. On that I can trust.

Well, the forementioned book, just reminds you how much He loves us and He will never leave us, never. It's a good read!

It supposed to rain and turn cold in Louisville over the next couple of days, but here in Grace Harbor the forecast through the weekend is sunny, a high of 74 degrees, and a nightly low of 62 degress with no humidity! Nothing in the sky today but the occasional seagull, and a white cloud here and there against a canvas of blue! There is a breeze off the morning ocean, and I expect there will be much sailing today!

And on the lite side of things I completely agree with Lyn about American Idol last night. Scott is the luckiest guy on the stage! I thought he would've left two weeks ago! My personal top three are, in order, are Constantine, Bo, and Carrie. A few weeks ago I thought Bo would win, but Constantine has been consistent, and his rendition of Queen's "Bohemian Rasphody" was a season highlight. The guy, frankly, just nailed it.

I've been thinking a bit about a quote I read lately that said, and I'm paraphrasing, religion teaches obey and you will be accepted, but true Christianity teaches only when we know that we are completely and without question accepted can we obey. I love that! That is what Jesus did for us -made us accepted in the beloved!

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6

Amen!

I feel mercy's mist in the wind again now! God is shaping up another good day here in the harbor!

The Harbor is open

Ah....a world of peace and honesty - isn't that what we want? A place for Christians to speak their minds and fellowship with other believers without fear of what you really think about a particular thing causing offence. A true place of honesty where friendships can grow in an atmosphere of trust. If we agree we are friends; if we disagree we are still friends. At the end of the day it will be as it was in the morning -we still belong to the Lord.

It is my hope that this harbor will become a true place of refreshing. That our population will grow as a friendly community of believers. Visitors are welcome, and for now the comments are on, and will stay on as long as the peace of Grace Harbor's residents is not disturbed by profanity, or yelling. Those who become permanent residents know but one rule - the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. We treat others with kindness.

We can speak of anything as the waves gently splash against the dock. Things deep and things not so deep. From our favorite scriptures, our most lingering spiritual questions, to our favorite movies or simply things that we like to do. We are friends here.

We will be new at this for a while - let us learn together! But right now it is a quiet night in Grace Harbor, and a cool breeze is blowing in from the shore. There is hint of fried fish from the harbor restaurant down the way, but I shall walk in the other direction now and feel the wind off the water lightly in my face.

It is a good night in the harbor.