God at the Olympic

The Paris Olympics are over and all the metals have been handed out to the winners. Most of the fans and spectators have gone back home or to their countries. Some were celebrating and others were left dealing with disappointment or failure as the results of certain events. As I watch a few events from my laptop here in Paraguay, I saw many different human expression and emotions on the faces of the fans and also on the faces of the contestants-- from extreme joy to rivers of tears on their faces from lost hopes, dreams and goals captured by the camerias of ever present news media photographers. Some complained this was an invasion of a private moment to deal with their grief, but others saw it as a revelation of their humanity, not the confidence or arrogance they may have projected before the event of the race. What makes these individuals do what they do? The hours of training, day after day, year after year. Was it really for just a gold metal, or a moment in the spotlight or representing their country. What was waiting for them at the finish line or to stand on the top of the podium to hear your national anthem sung and played across the stadium. What would you be willing to do or sacrifice to fulfill your hopes or dreams? Years from now many will wonder if it was worth it all. As king Solomom said it. "vanity, vanity all is vanity". How do these events or goals of their or yours, stack up compared to all eternity? It's just a very, very small slice of time on the clock of life. Some would wonder if God really cares who won or not, and if He even had a part in it all. I believe God was there at the Olympic as He is in everything that takes place on earth, because He is God and His spirit is everywhere and the Lord God knows the heart and thought of every man or woman, regardless of their age, race or sex. He is the Eternal Father, and these are all His children which represented most of the nation of the world, yet most don't even realise how much He cares and loves each of them. Why some win and others don't, I can't say, only God knows. However I do know He also sees and honors those who love and obey Him and want to see Him glorified throughout their lives and those who don't. Those who are humble will be exalted and those who don't will be brought down at some point in time. God also made a promise to Abraham, that He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who don't. Your friends are my friends and your enemies are My enemies. I saw an example of this promise to Abraham in one of the events that took place in a judo match. It involved an Arab man and an Israeli. At the end of the fight the Arab won and as the custom at the end of each match was to shake hands with their opponent, However, the Arab refused to shake hands with his opponent even though he won and then he said, "Alla Akbar", which means Alla is god and mohomid is Prophet. This was like a slap in the face and God was not pleased with this. In the next match the Arab's next opponent hit him so hard that it dislocated his shoulder and was unable to finish the match, and left the phatforn crying. God was there and kept His promise to Abraham. In another race I saw a man brag that he was going to win the Gold medal and he did at the last second by less than an inch, and he continued to brag that he did it in his way and strength. I wonder what he will say when he stands before God at the end of his life. Then I saw another example of God's favor on those who honor Him. A young lady by the name of SydneyMcLaughlin-Levione, an American runner in the 400m hurdle race who won by over 30 teet ahead of her next closest opponent. And when she was asked what she had to say, It was,"Thank you God." She has a large following on instagram sharing her Christian faith walk. Later that day, she posted, giving "all the glory and honmor to God and Him alone." Wow, that is true humility. Then there was the dark side of events that started off the French Paris Olympic on the opening day there was a drag show scene of the famous "Last Supper" painting that offended all Christian and even some of the Arab world leaders. But the Freach in Paris justified it with their Woke mindest beliefs. Then the next night there was a video of an unexplain power blackout that lasted about an hour over most of the city, causing trafic problem and dark stores and hotels thoughout the city, except one large Christian church in the background, and it was all lit up by itself on top of the hill. God will not be mocked. We are the light of the world. At the end of the Paris Olympics, a young lady,Walsh Jennings, on the American volleyball team, who won a gold medal said, "America is the light of the world, it's not about politics but who we are and that other countries will someday recognize this and want to follow the Light." I believe this was a prophecy from God, who came to the Olympics.

More than Enough

Earlier today I read an article about a family of five that went to a friend's wedding. After the beautiful wedding the guests went to the reception dinner and were seated at numbered tables to be called to the buffet table. As the husband watched all the other tables called ahead of them , he noticed that some of the guests had finished their meal and were going back for seconds, by the time their table was called there was hardly any food left, just a few scraps. But instead of getting angry he decided to order some pizza from a restaurant close by and in a short time he was able to pay for them at the door when the pizzas arrived and his family could now satisfy their hunger and still enjoy spending time with other friends of the bride and groom. This situation reminded me of some experience in Jesus ministry. On two accoations Jesus fed a multidude of thousands with some bread and dried fish, and they were all satisfied and there was still baskets of food left over. There was more than enough for everyone. Also at the beginning of Jesus ministry He was invited to a wedding along with His mother and some of His disciples. Toward the end of the day Jesus was informed by His mother that they had run out of wine. She also told the servant to do whatever Jesus said. Even though He was reluctant to help at first, He finally told the servant to fill six large water jugs that held between twenty and thirty gallons of water. I don't know about you, but to me that seems to be more than enough to satisfy anyone's thirst for wine. We too as Christians have been invited to a wedding feast and I can assure you that there will be more than enough of everything we could ever think of imanine. And we can start our meal now instead of waiting for some time in the distant future. When we are "in Christ" we can feast on Him daily by giving His love to others in the same way He did. He poured Himself as a drink offering.For God so love the world He gave His all.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Like 6:38)

Humility

"5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:5-7

The other day I had an experience that made me laugh. and I thought I would share it with you. My sleeping pattern has changed lately to where I sleep less at night and take more naps during the day. I don't know if this is due to aging or a God thing, either way it has led to some interesting and sometimes awkward moments to say the least. The room I sleep in, was the office of Luciano at his warehouse that he runs with his two younger sons. There is a five gallon water dispenser in this area as well as my bed, there is no closet or shelves so my stuff ( food and some clothes} are piled on a chair, a counter, and his desk, plus over my three suitcases. There is an electrical cord that is no longer used so it now hangs across the ceiling for my shirts to hang on ten hangers and pants, I eat my meals on his office desk and I bought a small microwave to reheat my food that I cook in the kitchen, that is fifty feet from my room and the bathroom is also in another area about fifty feet away. There is no hot water, so I take cold showers and rinse with a pot of warm water that I heat from the stove in the kitchen and carry back to the open shower next to the toilet. Also in the middle of this triangle area is where they store a lot of stuff; like coils of black piping, large water tanks and bags of concrete along with other stuff.The hole area is very old and has metal roofing and tarps to keep the rain out, got the picture now, however, I'm sure it's much better than where Jesus was born. Plus I have wifi and a heat pump that keeps me warm or cool depending on the weather. So from time to time they come into my room after knocking to get water for their coffee thermos or fill a large empty pop bottle to drink from during the day even when I am taking my naps. They start working at 7am until 5pm for their customers. And it's the only door that they use to enter for work that's on the main street of traffic and for certain deliveries, because the two rollup steel doors that open to the public are locked from the inside at night. I have no complaints considering Luciano does not charge me anything for rent so I can use that money also to help the poor. However, I have no phone or alarm clock to wake me up. I just depend on God to do that for me and it usually works fine. Plus I just enjoy being here knowing that God has brought me here to do work for Him and love the people of Paraguay. So back to the beginning of this short story, I was taking a mid morning nap, and as usual I don't sleep with any clothes, and because of all the humidity. When one of the sons knocks and then comes in and sees me in bed again, however Lusiano then comes in and says on his phone that they have a delivery that needs to pass through my room to get to the storage area, and so I say, okay. Then I watch three men carry bags of concrete, two at a time, and one of the men carries the two bags on his head, through my room while I'm laying there stark naked with just my covers over me, I tried to cover my head and pretend this was not happening, but I eventually sat up and just smiled as they passed through my room about a dozen time each. When they were all through with the delivery, they thanked me and then left. I just sat there in bed for a moment and laughed at one of the most inbarrassing monents in my life and thanked God that I'm here to enjoy all this, because of His love and example of humility. Then I got up and dressed and went next door to where there is a supermarket and bought some special candies and a cake that I have never eaten, but they sure looked good and gave them to Luciano and his sons to show them how much I loved them. Phil. 2:3

3 Do nothing [a]from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

The Trump Pump

The shot that was seen around the world. Who will ever forget the iconic photograph of President Trump getting up after being shot and then pumping his fist in the air three time and shouting "fight, fight, fight" with the American flag flying in the back ground. We need to fight for our faith is God, fight for our freedom and fight for justice in the Kingdom of God. For our fight is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.(Ephesians 6:12) That day, July 13 at 6:11pm, God had his angels there to make this all happen the way it did. There is no such thing as an accident, where God is concerned, sepecially for Trump and America. God has a plan to make Donald Trump and the United States, a light to the nations. An example for all His children (sons and daughters) to follow here example as they follow Jesus Christ the Son of God. We are to be molded into His image by our faith and love in Him and Him alone. By the power of God we will see millions of maricles and His will done on earth as it is in Heaven. We will walk in Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit and see this world transformed one soul at a time: who have a heart for God and take up the fight, fight, fight for such a time as this. True peace will come into our lives and we fight the fight of Faith in Christ. Satan has no power it has been given to us the sons and daughters of God.

God is Good

 Good evening, greetings from Paraguay. 

 It is hotter here than it was in Brazil when I left there and this is supposed to be the beginning of their winter, hope it will get cooler here soon. I had a few challenging moments at the airport, but everything worked out with the help from an angel God sent, and her name was Vania, which means God is Gracious. She helped me find my way to the boarding gate by taking a shuttle bus, which was separate from the main concourse, where my flight to Paraguay was to leave on my second leg of my trip. After checking in we had to board the plane using a portable staircase, I asked someone to help me get my heavy carry-on bag up to the door of the plane. After a half an hour delay we finally took off, because they couldn't get the staircase to separate from the plane. I had friends who would be waiting to pick me up in Paraguay. When the plane landed a flight attendant asked me while I was still buckled in my seat, if I would like some help after leaving the plane, I thought, why not, I was tired from all the moving of my luggage. But when I got at the door of the plane there was a man waiting there with a wheelchair, At first a was reluctant but I felt God wanted me to take it so I did. We past everyone and got to the luggage area first and I started to get off the chair, but he motioned for me to stay and so I pointed to my two suitcases and we were off again to the immigration area where I went to the head of the line and after that we were off again to the exit where I met Martin waiting for me. And then I understood why the man who was pushing the wheelchair was so insistent on helping me as he asked Martin for a tip for all his helping me.

That evening my new friend Martin and his teenage son picked me up at the airport and have been a gracious and wonderful  host. He bought me coffee and cookies after we left the airport and then paid for my hotel room, it was getting late, and I had only one hour of sleep the night before, because I was so excited about how God was working through my life. I was beat when we got to the hotel. I crashed in bed at 10:30 and was out cold and had to get up a few times to pee, but was back to sleep in seconds and finally got up at 7:30. Then when to the window and opened it up and prophesied out over the country of Paraguay. Then went down and got a free breakfast of juice and a large grilled ham and cheese sandwich that was included with my stay.

Martin arrived at 10am and we left, but after searching we were not able to find a hotel or apartment that I could rent, with a kitchen, in his town or close to where he lived and the one hotel without a kitchen was $350 a month However, while driving, Martin offered me a place in the back of his hardware store that has all the basic things I need, but in three different rooms. Where I sleep had a bed and A/C that was his office. The best part was that he offered it to me for free, but was to embarrass to mention it, because it was not has nice as the places we had looked at. I told him the more I spend on a place the less I have to give to the poor, so he offered my living quarters for free. The only thing lacking is a TV to pass the time, I can live with that, and I have Wi-Fi and A/C. There is also a supermarket right next door, with a deli section with a variety of hot Paraguayan dishes. Also, there is a bank close by that he took me to so I could withdraw money from a bank machine in Paraguay currency. Their 100 bill is equal to $13 in American money. It helps me know the cost of things when I buy at the market. and so far they are very reasonable, a large whole rotisserie chicken is about $4.00

God is sooo Good. He keeps bringing more and more people into my life to love and bless and restore. 

Climate Change?

 Buuur, baby it's cold outside: 34 degrees here this morning in Carapegua, Paraguay. Now that may not see cold to you, but for me it is considering two weeks ago we were breaking record highs for this time of year, close to 90 degrees, and now were near record lows. Last night I piled extra clothing and towels on my bed to keep me warm.

A couple weeks ago, Sheldon David a prophet and a good friend of mine, if you read some of my older post. The Lord told him that He was going to display Himself powerful through the weather around the world And from what I have seen on the news God is doing a very good job of it. Despite how we might feel about it all, seeing so many people suffering. The people are crying out for help from anyone, insurance companies, and especially the government that seems to have their hands to do anything about the weather or offer any real hope or long term help. And most from the media, say that this is all do to Climate Change, because of all the pollution mankind has been putting in the air for decades. But I don't see that as the real problem. I think it goes much deeper than that, like maybe it has to do with peoples hearts.        

In Bible times, God often used the weather to judge the nation on Israel, because they had turn their backs on their God and worshiped (love) other gods: things that were made by their hands or that hands of other men. Plus, they often neglected the widows, and the orphans and the poor. or mistreated their neighbor or slaves. All in all not so much different than our worldly society today.

Most of the complaints from people today has to do with the extreme heat, with record breaking temperatures around the world. Instead of people crying out for help from the hands of men, I think they should be on their knees, begging God for forgiveness for their selfishness and love for the things of this world. And receive His gift of forgiveness and follow the example that His Son Jesus Christ set for a lost world. Maybe with all this heat God can melt some cold, cold heart. I sure hope so.

Pharaoh in the White House

                  "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the people go."

For some time now I have felt this would be the stance president Joe Biden would take, as he wrote in a letter today to the Democrats party, regarding his run to the November 5th election. Which stated, "they will stay strong together to the end." However, the United States of America is about to see the true power of God due to this man's defiance and foolish thinking. God is in control of everything, including Biden's heart and mind. Amen!

The Lord also says, there will be a major rebuke coming to this nation and that He will also prove Himself mighty through the weather systems in the U.S. and around the world.

Face of an Angel

                                       Face of an Angel

 Wow, here I am in Paraguay. Last year ate this time, I was in Chile. I have been to Argentina, Brazil and now here in Paraguay.  A lot has happened since then and most of it has been good and wonderful. I have met a lot of wonderful people and made many new friends. However, the saddest part is when I have to leave them, as I told Luciano, my new friend, yesterday. I took a walk this evening and it was about 70 after a high of 82 degrees. but it will be cooling down more with rain showers coming tonight and going down to 60 for the high, and near 40 in the morning with more rain in a few days.

I had another wonderful time and meal with Pablo and his family last Sunday afternoon. We were celebrating his father-in-law's birthday, who was now feeling great especially after God had healed him a couple weeks before. At the table there was joy and laughter, Luciano seemed to be the clown of the family, who was often teasing his father during the meal and his wife kept saying and motioning with her hand, that Luciano was crazing in the head.  

After the meal Pablo and I went outside and talked. He shared some of his upbringing, that when he was a child he was raised by his stepfather after his mother abandoned him before he was even a year old. Which he didn't learn until he was much older. I also shared more of my life and faith as we talked for over an hour. I told him I really loved his family and enjoyed being with them and sharing a meal, He said they all love me and that his mother-in-law had told him that when she first met me, that I had the face of an angel. I was taken aback by that, since when I look in the mirror I would be inclined to disagree, however, Bless her heart, I will take her word for it.

Have a great night and God bless you. 

Chile

 It has been a long time since I posted a blog. I'm in the country of Chile and expecting God to do wonderful things. I'm seeing lives changed, healed and restored by the love and grace of God. His kingdom is being establised on earth as it is in heaven, through His sons and daughters, to the glory of God.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, let praise always be on your lips and forgiveness in your heart for all those who have hurt you and for those who are lost and need to know the truth, Jesus Christ himself.