Testimony of a Good Friend

I have a friend who has a very compelling testimony about her salvation experience. She was raised in a very loving home, but not a Christian home. Her mother became very ill from cancer. While she was in the hospital, a woman approached her and her family and asked if she could pray with them. Her father said, "we don't do that". Her mother, Sue Ellen passed away soon after that. An avid reader, she came across the series Left Behind. It was intriguing and interesting to her. She soon began attending church services at Emmanuel  Baptist Church in Enid. Feeling a little uncomfortable she would always sit in the balcony. During one particular service she became overcome with emotion and begin to weep almost uncontrollably. An older lady approached her and begin to comfort her with words and hugs. After she settled down somewhat the lady told her that she would be there to help her any time that she needed it, and her name was Sue Ellen. To this point we have never found a woman in that church that was named Sue Ellen.
Today my friend and her entire family are members of God's kingdom and have all been baptized.
I truly believe that God sent an angel (Sue Ellen) to comfort and guide my friend, resulting in salvation for an entire family.

Jaris' son, Brett is a professional motocrosser racer/ambassador. He works for Motorsports.com - a large motorcycle superstore in Portland Oregon. 

He travels the nation representing the company with his positive attitude and friendly personality. He also volunteers at many FCA-MX (Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Motocross) events each year. At these events riders of all ages are coached by professional riders and presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm sure that Brett interacts with hundreds of people annually representing not only Motorsports, but Jesus.

Look back to Jaris, one person, influencing her son, he is an Ambassador for Christ to many.
My two cents is this, if you can reach one person, you could open the door for many.

Much love, Dennis

John Hagee

I listen to John Hagee weekday mornings. He is a tell it like it is preacher. Many times he throws in some "attempted humor" with his sermons. (Sound familiar)?
He offered this on Friday.

An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he didn't seem too concerned about it.
 
 One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects:
1. Bible
2. Silver Dollar
3. Bottle of Whisky
4. Playboy magazine
 
I'll just hide behind the door, the old preacher said to himself. "When he comes home from school today, I'll see which object he picks up."
"If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be!
"If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a business man, and that would be okay, too.”
"But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum, and Lord, what a shame that would be.”
"And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer."
The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and heading for his room.
The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table.
With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.
-          Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm.
-          He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket.
-          He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired the magazine's centerfold.

     Lord have mercy, the old preacher disgustedly whispered.  He's going into Politics!!

Much Love, Dennis

Newsworthy?

I live in small-town, our population is currently around 2600, but fluctuates with the rise and fall industry. We have two stoplights, a small police force, a newspaper, and a volunteer fire department. I wouldn't trade my town for any other.
I enjoy reading the newspaper every Thursday. There is always plenty of bad news, but sometimes it's enjoyable to read about somebody missing a bull, or the police/sheriff's department assisting somebody who has locked their keys in the car. Not that I want someone's livelihood adversely affected, or somebody in a tight spot to not get help, but that it's rarely about extreme violence or missing people.

There is always good news in the devotional written by Grace Curby. She offers a Bible Scripture and follows it with real-life experiences that relate to her chosen Scripture. I don't know for certain, but I'm assuming that she receives no compensation (here on earth) for her efforts. I am certain that Grace is laying up for herself treasures in heaven.

Her Devotional Message is sponsored by individuals, businesses, and churches. I'm Very Thankful that those people have invested in something that shares the "Good News".

As happens with all good things, at times they will be misused. I make it a point to look at those who contribute and only on a couple of occasions have there been additional contributors. One of those was during a local election. Someone thought it would be good PR for a candidate to support the devotional message and they did so for several months leading up to the election. Shortly after the election, their name disappeared from the list and has never been on the list since.   Coincidence?

I never like to end my posts without something positive so here's another attempt at humor.

I was visiting my daughter this week and asked her where her newspaper was. 
 She laughed and said, “Dad, it’s the 21st century. We stopped buying newspapers years ago. It saves trees. But you can borrow my iPad.”

Okay, fine, whatever. 
But that lousy housefly never knew what hit it.

Much love, Dennis

Bible Reading

I have just finished Leviticus in my daily Bible reading. It is about the covenant that God had with Moses. I didn't count, but I've been told that there are over 600 laws in addition to the 10 Commandments that the Jewish people were to follow in order to maintain a pure relationship with God. I've read through this before, but I never actually put myself in their shoes.
I now have a different perspective on the covenant that I live under as a Christian, Grace.

Romans 10: 5-10 (amplified Bible) 

 5 For Moses writes that the man who [can] practice the righteousness (perfect conformity to God’s will) which is based on the Law [with all its intricate demands] shall live by it.

6 But the righteousness based on faith [imputed by God and bringing right relationship with Him] says, Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into Heaven? that is, to bring Christ down;

7 Or who will descend into the abyss? that is, to bring Christ up from the dead [as if we could be saved by our own efforts].

8 But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach,

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.


 It is so simple to understand and many people still think that living a good life will get them into Heaven. I do believe that as Christians we should strive to do good things and show unconditional love to everyone. I know of someone who expresses this well.

Here is something that concerns a law, but it is a law that we live by today.

Slow or Stop

A guy blows a stop sign in Philly and gets caught by a policeman. Cop says, "License and registration please." Guy says, "What for?" Cop says, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign." Guy says, "I slowed down, and no one was coming." Cop says, "You still didn't come to a complete stop. License and registration, please." Guy says, "What's the difference?" Cop says, "The difference is, you have to come to a complete stop. License and registration, PLEASE!" Guy says, "If you can show me the difference between slow down and stop I'll give you my license and registration." Cop says, "Okay, exit your vehicle sir." At this point, the cop takes out his Night Stick and starts beating the crap out of the guy and says, "Now sir, do you want me to slow down or stop?"

Much Love, Dennis

A New Season

Now that flu season is winding down, my Dr. and Nurse are allowing me to venture out into public settings.

 Saturday evening was the annual Valentine celebration hosted by the Methodist Mens Group at my church. 

They had several different entertainment portions during the evening,

here's a link to the skit that I enjoyed the most.

http://youtu.be/GhQvSirjCsI?t=1m30s

I could have made a small contribution to their skit.

I was able to attend church for the first time in many weeks.

 Another public event that I have been missing but made it on Monday evening was the Fairview High School basketball games. Since I am a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I know most of the athletes on both teams. I am partial to one particular person, my niece Karly Boyer #12.  It was Parents Night and as you know, everyone in the gymnasium from Fairview knew there was a VIP not physically in attendance, my sister-in-law Gretchen. I know there were many tears shed before the game and a few during the Parents Night celebration. I'm very thankful for the support given to Alan, Gavin, and Karley (through God)  by those that truly care for them. 

Much love, Dennis

Old Friends and New Friends

It's been a good week, I've had several visitors and as always enjoyed each one. A longtime friend and Christian man, Vinton Baker stopped by for a short visit. He would have stayed longer, but unfortunately I had a doctors appointment in Enid. I went to school with his daughter Delia.

My mother-in-law and I both had appointments dam the St. Mary's medical complex in Enid on Thursday. She got a very good report on her shoulder and they are just continuing with rehab for now.
I am down to one skin breakdown on my left ankle. It is slowly healing and I'm looking forward to the day that those pesky breakdowns are a thing of the past.

On Friday Dan and Gwen Willits stopped by and brought with them Mike and Patty O'Brien. Dan and Gwen are part of my group of special people, and my Brother and Sister in Christ. It was an honor to meet two of their good friends. Those four were on a tight schedule and so they were unable to spend very much time here. I did manage to brag about my computer and coax them into a picture just before they left.

I have a group of "Special People" and I love them dearly. They know who they are because over the last 7+ years I have learned to tell them. It was not something that I was accustomed to or comfortable with, but I have changed a lot over the years. Saying  "I love you" is much easier than putting it into practice. Right now the Lord as been teaching me to practice love. I'm not talking about the easy kind of love, but kind of love that we are to have for those that we don't even like.


Matthew 5:42-48  Amplified Bible 
42 Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow at interest] from you.
43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;
44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?
47 And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?
48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Here is a quote that I think my friends understand about me. :-)

 "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

Much love, Dennis

Cheri's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Attractive, Awesome, Amazing, Alluring, Affectionate, Active, Agreeable (sometimes), Attentive, Wife. Cheri Olson Boyer. As you can see she earned straight A's on her annual review.

I'm thankful that God gave me the ability to lip-sync.

A husband and wife were golfing when suddenly the wife asked, "Honey, if I died would you get married again?"  The husband said, "No sweetie."  The woman said, "I'm sure you would."  So the man said, "Okay, I would"  Then the woman asked, "Would you let her sleep in our bed?"  And the man replied, "Ya, I guess so."  Then the wife asked, "Would you let her use my golf clubs?"  And the husband replied, "No, she's left handed."

Much Love, Dennis