Bible – Pathway Journey

June 23, 2022June 22, 2022

Tag Along With Me to Jail

I have been involved in local jail ministry for the most part of thirty years. It is not glorious work. It is not scary as some might think. I have never felt threatened and most of the guys are usually respectable and appreciative.

The jail we visit is set up like a dormitory with bunks on two sides and tables in the middle. Lately, our jail ministry team has been alternating weeks and I have been going alone twice per month.

There is nothing fancy of what we do. No fanfare, no bells and whistles. Just an old buzzard of a preacher telling the story of Jesus to a bunch of jail birds.

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022

Disappointment

I suppose disappointment is a human condition that affects us all. We often wallow in the disappointment in ourselves and boil over our emotions in the disappointment of others.

There is a portion of scripture I often default to in times of disappointment that shakes me back into reality. It is in Proverbs 13:12a (NKJV), “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” My paraphrase is, “Expectations not met, breaks the heart.”

May 7, 2022June 23, 2022

The First Woman’s First Day (Mother’s Day)

The fellowship of Adam with God was complete. His worship of God was flawless. This was why he had been created. Mankind was the reason God had created this lush, verdant creation called Earth.

God so desired to bring all of mankind from one created being, all people would be of one blood. In Adam was all who were ever be conceived. He was the complete creation formed and brought forth by God. Through him, all others would come forth from his genetic pool.

May 3, 2022May 1, 2022

Suffering and the Kingdom

I remember some of the old timers from our valley and ridges talking about folks who were going through difficult times and using the rhetorical phrase, “I don’t know how they have ‘walkin’ around sense?”

That’s the truth. When you look at the suffering of some folks, you think, “How do they keep their senses about them?” I am amazed how some people go through horrific things and seem to weather the storm with supernatural strength. Well, it is with supernatural strength. God gives the that extra “Umph!” to get them over the line.

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022

Old Men

I remember when I was a boy looking at old men in wonderment. They were either my grandfather or someone else’s grandfather. I knew my granddaddy was once a farmer and he still dabbled with farming. He helped my Daddy with a few things, had a garden, and sometimes had a little patch of corn. He got a few dollars every month from the plan put in place by FDR.

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022

Whatever a Man Sows…

Springtime is just around the corner and some of us with a need for dirt under our fingernails, plant a garden. Anyone who plants a few seeds revisits the ground in a few days to look for the seedlings bursting forth from the ground. The small green sprigs give a hint of a harvest to come.

February 22, 2022February 22, 2022

Navigation of Life

Without getting too far into the weeds, navigation is basically knowing where you are in relation to where you started. Basic navigation needs two known points to measure the current location.

The old explorers did not wander aimlessly into the seas. They plotted their course to determine where they were in relation to where they started. If you read some of their exploits, you will be amazed at their expertise even with the crude instruments of their time.

Are you wandering aimlessly into the seas of this world?

February 15, 2022February 14, 2022

Like a Child

Featured Photo: That pitiful looking kid with the big head and little shoulders was taken about sixty-three years ago when I was about three years old. I still look like that when I’m in my Heavenly Father’s arms.

Most little kids will wear whatever you pull out of the drawer. It does not matter if it is purple checked pants with an orange stripe shirt. Their hair can be a mess, with candy smeared across their face, and they will still meet you at the door with a chocolate smile. Their self awareness has not yet morphed into pride.

February 2, 2022February 1, 2022

Starting Points of Discipleship

So, what’s next?
Great question! You have repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord—and now what?? There are some very important steps we need to take on this journey with Jesus. We need to be intentional in our life with Him, not haphazard. Every Christian whether just beginning or well into their journey, needs to have some important disciplines in their life with Christ.

December 28, 2021December 28, 2021

Ingredients for the Joy Cake

Well, it’s the week after Christmas and days before the calendar flips to a new year. We are into winter regardless of the temperature and for many folks it is a dreary time of year. Presents have been opened, decorations will soon be stowed away, the daylight is short, and a new year looms just days away. The hype that made many happy a few days ago has wilted in the wind.

Being happy does not necessarily make us joyful. Happiness depends on a happening and when the happening ceases many get the mulligrubs. Joy is a peaceful and deep contentment that does not sway like the happiness barometer. Joy and her twin sister Peace swing from the same tree.