Men, Prayer Warriors

The picture came from the web sight ‘Web Shot’.  What impressed me was the fact that the young man is showing off his ‘Soldiers Bible’.  I’m just guessing, but I think he has just graduated boot camp, no unit patch yet, probably infantry.  He has qualified as a rifle  marksmen.  A young warrior proud of his Bible.  Some one gave him the Bible, I don’t think it is U.S. Army issue.  My wife and I gave one to my son before he left to Iraq.

If you ever ask a soldier, what going to war is all about, they will all tell you the same thing, “it is what I was trained to do”.  I’ve been in training for thirty years, I’ve seen quit a few battles, won some and lost some. I have some battle scares to show for it.   The more I learn the better I get in battle.  I couldn’t imagine receiving all this training and not put it to good use.

I’ve been trained in Special Ops, like the Green Beret’s, sometimes I go behind enemy lines attaching key stronghold of the enemy.  Taring down communications, taking out key figures, gathering in-tell.  I learn the enemies, attach when he’s not expecting it.  I practice with my weapons so that I can be prophishiant, when called upon to use them.

I’ve been speaking in metaphors, for you see , the weapons of my warfare are not fleshly, but might before God for the taring down of strong holds.  I am destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and I am taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:4 & 5  ”it is what I have been trained to do”.  Posted by Steve Waltrip

Growing Old

What do you see when you look in the mirror?  I just celebrated another birthday, and I can’t believe I’m getting older.  I didn’t thank of it much when I was twenty, or thirty,  at forty, I started getting concerned.   At fifty, I starting to see it in the mirror.  I try to imagine what my dad thought when he reached fifty, and I was thirty.  My oldest son is thirty-three, about the same time relationship I had with my dad, and I wonder what he thinks about me, and the ageing process.  While I think you can make healthy choices, the Bible says,  Mat. 6:26 ” And which of you being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?” , I trust the Lord, when its time to go home,  I’m out of here.

When I was twenty, I thought I was 10 feet tall and bullet proof.  At fifty-seven I’ll just keep my head down, thank you!  I do think what is important is how you perceive the process.  I think if you act old, you’ll be old.   By that I mean, I know there are thing I can’t do any more.  I can’t run the 50 yd. dash in the same time I did when I was in Jr. High, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things I can do now, that I couldn’t do when I was in Jr. High.

I think, what is important, is to go through life with a good attitude.  At fifty -seven I can still have fun.  I still think as a twenty year old,  I just have fun with limitations.  I want to laugh, I just have a better perspective of what is funny and what isn’t.  Prov. 16:31, says, “A gray head is a crown of glory;  It is found in the way of righteousness.”                         Posted by Steve Waltrip The Norma Rockwell above came from ‘Webshot’

The Race

If you look at some of the faces of the people in this race,  some look exhausted,  some look perplexed,  and some look determined.  Paul, in 1Cor. 9:24, says we are in a race.  Went I was in Jr. High I was on the trace team.  The way we practiced was to run.  My youngest brother was on the Cross Country Team and the way they practiced was to run cross country.  So, get the point I’m trying to make?  Before your tested, practice.

You might ask, how do you practice  being a Christian?   First, have a daily Bible reading, many of the problems you will experience in life have all ready been answered in the Bible.  Second, pray, God will talk directly to you, and answer any questions you may have.  Be still, and listen to the still small voice.  Third, get out and get involved with people.  Learning from peoples experiences, and mistakes will help you in your Christian journey.  Plus, we are Christ’s representatives here on earth, if they don’t see Christ in you, how will they see Him?

Last, but not least, get in a Church where you fill the Spirit of God.  I belong to just such a Church.  A week ago Wed. our associate pastor was delivering a message about ‘Forgiveness’,  I’ve heard that message a number of times before.  But, I heard it in a personal way this time.  It was as though, God was saying, “Ok, I know you’ve heard this before, but now I’m talking to you”. Posted by Steve Waltrip

The Day After Christmas

With all the excitement of Christmas, gift exchange, visiting family, and the good food, there’s always the day after.  Did we spend too much, did so-n-so like what I gave him or was he faking it?  Or I ate too much and now I need to lose weight.   It may sound kinda dumb, but after every Christmas day there is always the day after.

I think, I did pretty good this year, I got my wife something she really wanted.  I could see the excitement on her face as she opened the box.  But I have, in the past goofed big time.  But once again, as I sit here, in the early morning hour, the Still Small Voice reminds me that I am missing the true meaning of Christmas.

To me, my real bless came from a young lady in Clarksville, Tn.  Terrie and I, had headed, out early Christmas Eve for some last-minute shopping.  After a long day, the stores were getting ready to close, I propped myself against a fruit stand to take a load off my feet and this young lady came up to me in Wally world and said,  Merry Christmas and God bless you.  A total stranger touched me with the love of Jesus Christ, at the end of a crazy day of shopping.  To me, that’s what Christmas is all about.

And remember there is always going to be a day after Christmas.  Joseph and Mary had to run and hide after Christmas day.  They were trying to kill Jesus.  Posted by Steve Waltrip

Testimony

Many years ago my dad and I had a conversation, about a persons testimony.  He had just attended a service where a man stood up and testified that he had been delivered from drugs and was serving the Lord.  And while I do agree that is a powerful testimony, I told him I thought a more powerful testimony was one where a man stands up and said, he was saved as a child and has been serving the Lord ever sense.

A few weeks ago Second Baptist Church participated in an event called ‘ Walk across Muhlenberg County for the Persecuted Church’.  One group of people that really touched my heart was a Sunday School Class of young girls.  Their teacher had impressed upon them the importance of being involved in missions.  They got together one Saturday and earned money for walking.  They took time out for one day to earn money for the Persecuted Church.  Mike and Cathy V. have a burden of training young Christians.  Thank you Mike and Cathy.  Girls thank you for your participation. Posted by Steve Waltrip