Discipleship – Page 14 – Pathway Journey

January 18, 2022January 18, 2022

Quarters for Lunch

When I was in elementary school, my mother would tie up five quarters in a handkerchief on Monday for my week’s lunch money. Yes, lunch was only a quarter. Lunch was on a light green rectangle tray with sections for the different foods. White milk was our only drink option which means there were no drink options. I loved Fridays because it was either a hamburger or a hot dog plus the other stuff. The fish sticks with the dark spots I hated.

January 13, 2022January 13, 2022

Constant As a Tree

We have a big willow oak (similar to a water oak) in our yard. It is part of the image of our home. My children literally grew up with this tree. I remember tying some of our horses to it back in the day, when it was only about eight inches in diameter. Now this monster is about 32 inches in diameter and a crazy eight feet or so around.

January 11, 2022January 13, 2022

Pressing Forward

We have dipped our toes into the New Year and have the slate our future before us. I encourage you to look up and look forward. God has something good for you. Every day is a gift from God.

Life is difficult. Everyone deals with something. Yes, some folks have had it better than others, but no one leaves this earth without a scar. So, the heart of my remarks is not to belittle your difficulties but to encourage you move forward in spite of them. Some of life’s greatest victories were born out of great tragedies.

December 30, 2021December 30, 2021

Resolution: An Improved You or A New You?

Now at the flipping of the calendar to a New Year, all around us the marketing has begun to sell us a new diet plan, a book on how to be a better you, a program to get you out of debt, or a plan to get you a house on a cul-de-sac (country boys call it a dead-end). Some of that you may need but…

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.

December 20, 2021December 20, 2021

Christmas, More Than a Cute Story

Somewhere along the way, Christmas became morphed into a nice “Hallmark Channel” feel-good story told with hot chocolate in hand before a cozy fire. What is there not to like about a young couple away from home delivering a baby in a stable? Light the star, cue the shepherds and “Action!”

December 10, 2021December 27, 2021

Journey of Prayer

I think we all struggle with spiritual disciplines. We need to be diligent in the study of God’s Word and in prayer. I believe these are the two most important spiritual disciplines.

I have a small spiral notebook I use for my prayer lists. On the inside cover, I scribbled some points to keep me on track in my praying. Here are those points; perhaps they will help you in your Journey of Prayer. Use them as guide points in your prayers.

Journey of Prayer

Thank Him for what He has done

Praise and Exalt Him for who He is

December 8, 2021December 8, 2021

Journey Update: December 2021

December seems to be a busy month for most of us. Christmas functions and family get-togethers fill the calendar rather quickly. We pray you all have a wonderful season celebrating the birth of Jesus with your family, friends, and church family. His coming changed the big world and His coming into my life changed my little world. I would not want to imagine my life without Jesus. By His grace, I am a happy and excited follower of Jesus.

December 1, 2021December 27, 2021

Nothing But the Truth

We live in a time when technology puts mountains of information literally at our fingertips. I hope you know that information does not equal truth. We even have a catchphrase nowadays called misinformation.

One of the ten commandments is “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NKJV). We often paraphrase this as, “Thou shalt not lie.” God hates a lie and will hold us accountable for lying as evidenced by scripture, “…and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8b NKJV). It is evident that God does not like lying.

November 24, 2021November 24, 2021

Above Ground and Limber (Be Thankful)

Some years back, I called to check on a longtime friend; he answered the phone and I asked him how he was doing. His answer, “Well brother, I’m above ground and limber!” [Thanks Bro. William Borden for that one-liner; I have often used it since that day.] After the two years we all have been through, if you are reading this—you got through it. Yep, you are “above ground and limber!” Be Thankful!