Hilly, Shepherd’s Grip Ministry and I (Hilly is my service dog) went downtown to the Phoenix Veteran’s Hospital for a doctors appointment. As always, I added extra time to evangelize before or after my appointment (s) for witnessing to the Veterans or staff while at the hospital. With God’s Promises books in my backpack, we walked down hallways looking for whom ever the Lord would send us. Hilly and I met a few Veteran believers, praise God, and continued walking. Then the day took a turn that I never thought would ever happen. Two young Interns, turn right into Hilly’s and my pathway, praise the Lord! As they were walking, I began talking to them until one of them said, “I don’t know why you are wasting your time with us because we are atheists.” The only words that I could think of were, “I‘m glad you believe in something, I’ll pray for you, and I did”. Then Hilly took us down a hallway that I had never been down before. Though I knew the hospital, I was turned around and lost my direction. Just as we were making are way down this unfamiliar hallway we then made a right turn, bam, right in front of us was this weak, frail Veteran on a hospital bed. As I stood there, he motioned me to come closer. As I looked into his eyes, I knew his time on earth was close at hand. With all of his energy, his words will always be with me, “You can pray for me!” as he excepted the Lord, just then I could feel the chills running down my back, how did Hilly know? The hallway I have never been down before. Therefore, the next day I went back to the hospital only to find out that he had passed away. I was happy that he was with the Lord, but sad because I did not know his name. Someday, I will. Shepherd’s Grip Ministry
Monday, September 24, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
DOUBLE DOWN!
Every year millions of people go the Las Vegas to make it rich, some bet their life savings to make it "Big" but only to lose it all. Feeling sick to their stomach, they knew that if they would just hedge their money they would surely win, only to lose. Ninety-eight percent of all the people that bet on something without first weighting the odds will lose.
The assurance that only we that believe in the Christ will go to heaven is not as our culture often sees, or explains it. The sad thing is they do not know the odds, only to lose their salvation. However, let us be very clear on this, He (Jesus) is the Truth and the Way and the Bible teaches us and proves that. The only way to the Father is through the Son.
Nevertheless, is it really worth chasing the fables of the "World" of our "Cultures," only to lose our eternal "bet" with heaven? Ninety-eight percent come up short without knowing the odds. It is your turn to make the bet, just as it was with "Tom." Do you know your odds?
The assurance that only we that believe in the Christ will go to heaven is not as our culture often sees, or explains it. The sad thing is they do not know the odds, only to lose their salvation. However, let us be very clear on this, He (Jesus) is the Truth and the Way and the Bible teaches us and proves that. The only way to the Father is through the Son.
Nevertheless, is it really worth chasing the fables of the "World" of our "Cultures," only to lose our eternal "bet" with heaven? Ninety-eight percent come up short without knowing the odds. It is your turn to make the bet, just as it was with "Tom." Do you know your odds?
Thursday, September 20, 2012
AN ACT OF HUMILITY
Nearly everyone reaches a moment, when the only thing he or she can think to do is pray. Tragedy,uncertainty, fear, insecurity can bring the most-assured individuals to their knees. Americans are nervous and the days ahead are sure to be filled with many prayers for protection, prosperity, patience, and peace. But the one thing that we must keep in mind is; Prayers are not a transfer of information to God, but rather an act of humility. See the Lord knows all before we do or say something. He already knows are thoughts and needs before we do. The only reason why we turn to prayer is, that it is the most personal way to experience God at His love and grace or when we cry out for help and praise. Have you prayed today? Prayer in not a transfer of information, but rather an act of Humility
Sunday, September 9, 2012
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST 1863-1951
William Randolph Hearst 1863-1951 built the Nation's largest newspaper business in California. Mr Hearst built what is now the Hearst Castle in central Calif. It sits on 250,000 acres and has over 90,000 sq ft living area. It has 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting areas. Needless to say, the man was wealthy. Mr Hearst was also a prolific buyer and purchase of art and antiques to furnish his ...home and to "own" as much as he could, to have in his collection. Mr Hearst built his home to accommodate his bulging collection of art he had acquired and kept in many different warehouses.
One day Mr Hearst read an article in an overseas news paper about a painting that "he had to have in his collection". He called for his trusted buyer to seek out and buy that painting at any cost. Finally, after searching for two months his trusted buyer gave him the news about the painting. Mr Hearst asked him if he bought the painting and his answer was no. He informed Mr Hearst that the painting he was sent to buy was indeed already bought by Mr Hearst years ago and was sitting in his warehouse with many other paintings. Is Jesus in your warehouse and you don't even know it? "Don't get lost in the collection mode"
IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd's Grip
One day Mr Hearst read an article in an overseas news paper about a painting that "he had to have in his collection". He called for his trusted buyer to seek out and buy that painting at any cost. Finally, after searching for two months his trusted buyer gave him the news about the painting. Mr Hearst asked him if he bought the painting and his answer was no. He informed Mr Hearst that the painting he was sent to buy was indeed already bought by Mr Hearst years ago and was sitting in his warehouse with many other paintings. Is Jesus in your warehouse and you don't even know it? "Don't get lost in the collection mode"
IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd's Grip
Saturday, September 8, 2012
CAPTAIN SCOTT; UNITED STATES MARINE
The year was 1985, and I was a young but old 25 year old United States Marine Staff Sergeant. I had about 50 men under my charge and an Officer in Charge (OIC) name Captain Scott. We had just gotten back from a pretty hard Deployment (away from our families) and it was time to reunite with our children and those who were married, with their wife's.
Capt Scott was a prior enlisted Marine which w...e called a Mustanger. He was as good as they come and a great OIC, as he would stay out of my way when it came to leading the "troops" on the day to day routine stuff and he would handle the "Brass" stuff. I believe he was as good as doing that as I was, but he had more on his collar (rank) then I did, but we both didn't like the dog and pony show thing, but it had to be done and he did it the right way.
The other thing we did good together was, "Give us a Mission" and let us go, get out of our way, and we would get it done right and come home as quickly as we possibly could. Not one second to early, not one second to late as long as the "Mission" was complete and the job was done correctly. That also meant a boat load of paper work and gear to be cleaned upon return, plus helping the young Marines put their lives back on track (if that was ever possible). There was always something or someone we would pull out of the base brig (jail) all in a days work.
Troops, this is where Capt Scott and myself had a heart for, our young Marines. He had a gift about himself and was able to take the most impossible task and get it turned around quickly. That's what I loved about this man, his love for his Marines, their families, and their issues, and yes at 18-35 we men all have issues. His leadership meant so much to me and to all of the troops that loved him dearly... and I mean dearly, with their lives. Capt Scott was a Leader among men.
I always hated that late 2 am or 3 am phone call in the early mornings, because it seems that the information you get is not good. I remember that call, as if it was yesterday. It was a normal Friday, we all left early and Capt Scott had a date night with his wife and 3 other couples. As far as I knew, it was what they would do when the unit got back from a deployment. Eight went out to dinner, and nothing out of the normal that day or night, until the phone rang. "Staff Sergeant Jones", the Sergent Major asked, I said, "yes this is", and with little words he told me to get into work right away and forget the uniform. This is not good.
None of my family was hurt, I made that call and all were mad at me because they thought it was about me getting hurt. As I drove into the compound I could see the Commanding Officers' car, the XO car, the SgtMaj car and that was it. It didn't really hit me until I got up stairs to the offices that Capt Scotts' car was not in the parking lot. As the SgtMaj was calling me into the office to tell me what happened, Capt Scott's wife, their 4 children and the Chaplin showed up. I knew it was not going to be good news, and then it hit me hard, real hard.
Capt Scott had hung himself and his wife found him at 1:00 am in their home. Why you ask would a young man with it all going in the right direction do this kind of thing, we will never know, that's why its the silent killer. I will always know him as a great leader, man and a great Marine Officer that loved his family and men. He was really hurting to take his own life. This is the time if you know or have a loved one on Active duty or a Veteran. ASK the question, "How are you doing?" Pass out this number (800)-273-8255 press 1 "It's your call" this is a "Crisis Hot Line." all calls are confidential.
note: I only used Capt Scott's first name, not his last.
Capt Scott was a prior enlisted Marine which w...e called a Mustanger. He was as good as they come and a great OIC, as he would stay out of my way when it came to leading the "troops" on the day to day routine stuff and he would handle the "Brass" stuff. I believe he was as good as doing that as I was, but he had more on his collar (rank) then I did, but we both didn't like the dog and pony show thing, but it had to be done and he did it the right way.
The other thing we did good together was, "Give us a Mission" and let us go, get out of our way, and we would get it done right and come home as quickly as we possibly could. Not one second to early, not one second to late as long as the "Mission" was complete and the job was done correctly. That also meant a boat load of paper work and gear to be cleaned upon return, plus helping the young Marines put their lives back on track (if that was ever possible). There was always something or someone we would pull out of the base brig (jail) all in a days work.
Troops, this is where Capt Scott and myself had a heart for, our young Marines. He had a gift about himself and was able to take the most impossible task and get it turned around quickly. That's what I loved about this man, his love for his Marines, their families, and their issues, and yes at 18-35 we men all have issues. His leadership meant so much to me and to all of the troops that loved him dearly... and I mean dearly, with their lives. Capt Scott was a Leader among men.
I always hated that late 2 am or 3 am phone call in the early mornings, because it seems that the information you get is not good. I remember that call, as if it was yesterday. It was a normal Friday, we all left early and Capt Scott had a date night with his wife and 3 other couples. As far as I knew, it was what they would do when the unit got back from a deployment. Eight went out to dinner, and nothing out of the normal that day or night, until the phone rang. "Staff Sergeant Jones", the Sergent Major asked, I said, "yes this is", and with little words he told me to get into work right away and forget the uniform. This is not good.
None of my family was hurt, I made that call and all were mad at me because they thought it was about me getting hurt. As I drove into the compound I could see the Commanding Officers' car, the XO car, the SgtMaj car and that was it. It didn't really hit me until I got up stairs to the offices that Capt Scotts' car was not in the parking lot. As the SgtMaj was calling me into the office to tell me what happened, Capt Scott's wife, their 4 children and the Chaplin showed up. I knew it was not going to be good news, and then it hit me hard, real hard.
Capt Scott had hung himself and his wife found him at 1:00 am in their home. Why you ask would a young man with it all going in the right direction do this kind of thing, we will never know, that's why its the silent killer. I will always know him as a great leader, man and a great Marine Officer that loved his family and men. He was really hurting to take his own life. This is the time if you know or have a loved one on Active duty or a Veteran. ASK the question, "How are you doing?" Pass out this number (800)-273-8255 press 1 "It's your call" this is a "Crisis Hot Line." all calls are confidential.
note: I only used Capt Scott's first name, not his last.
Monday, September 3, 2012
IS IT TIME FOR A "GUT CHECK"?
The Bible talks a lot about sheep and their relationship with their shepherd. The thing with sheep is they need a shepherd around them at all times to guide them, guard them, water them, and even help them with their normal daily routine.
King David, a shepherd at his young age knew of his “Shepherd.” A passage in the Bible begins, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. . . ."
Sheep need to be told when to eat, when to sleep, and when to drink. They will not even defend themselves when danger comes. This is why the shepherd is with them 24 hours a day, to protect them and guide them. We have the “Holy Sprit” to guide us and protect us at all times. However, we are not sheep, and in the military, there is a saying that we call “Doing a gut check” or “Something is just not right.” We need to either, fix it or change the habit that nobody else knows about that could hurt others in the “Unit.” This is why we need our Shepherd “Jesus the Christ” to guide and protect us with our daily routine, 24/7- 365 days a year.
Does your life style need a “Shepherd” to guide you? Is it time that you do a “Gut Check” and follow through with your “Mission at hand.” Maybe we need to face down the enemy in our life style that blocks us from our “Shepherd.” Everybody knows that we are our worst enemy!
I know I need my “Shepherd” 24/7 - 365 days a year to complete my “Mission”!
IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd’s Grip
King David, a shepherd at his young age knew of his “Shepherd.” A passage in the Bible begins, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. . . ."
Sheep need to be told when to eat, when to sleep, and when to drink. They will not even defend themselves when danger comes. This is why the shepherd is with them 24 hours a day, to protect them and guide them. We have the “Holy Sprit” to guide us and protect us at all times. However, we are not sheep, and in the military, there is a saying that we call “Doing a gut check” or “Something is just not right.” We need to either, fix it or change the habit that nobody else knows about that could hurt others in the “Unit.” This is why we need our Shepherd “Jesus the Christ” to guide and protect us with our daily routine, 24/7- 365 days a year.
Does your life style need a “Shepherd” to guide you? Is it time that you do a “Gut Check” and follow through with your “Mission at hand.” Maybe we need to face down the enemy in our life style that blocks us from our “Shepherd.” Everybody knows that we are our worst enemy!
I know I need my “Shepherd” 24/7 - 365 days a year to complete my “Mission”!
IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd’s Grip
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