I was praying for a friend this morning. She has won a great fight against
cancer. The Dr's now are concerned about some other findings and are doing
tests this week. As I was praying for her, I began to remember the lyrics to
a great song from the 80's. It was sung by Russ Taft and the Imperials
called "PRAISE THE LORD". The lyrics have stayed with me all these years and
have been an encouragement to me on many occasions. I trust they will
encourage you as well.

WHEN YOU'RE UP AGAINST A STRUGGLE
THAT SHATTERS ALL YOUR DREAMS
WHEN YOU'RE HOPES ARE CRUELY CRUSHED
BY SATANS MANIFESTED SCHEMES
WHEN YOU FEEL THE URGE WITHIN YOU
TO SUBMIT TO EARTHLY FEAR
DON'T LET THE FAITH YOUR STANDING IN
SEEM TO DISAPEAR
PRAISE THE LORD!

HE CAN WORK THROUGH THOSE WHO PRAISE HIM!

May you be encouraged today!
May your faith be strengthened!
May you know you're not alone!

Remember: A Believer Cannot Be Defeated - If We Do Not Quit.

May God's Love and Grace Bless You Today.

PMT

I woke up thinking about an invitation I have to attend a special function.
I was debating as to why I could justify not going. Then I thought about the
significance that this institution has had in my life. This will most likely
be the last event of this kind I will be invited to attend. I don't know the
person that is being honored personally, but I am going to chose to honor
him and the institution. We live in a day where Honor is not easily found.
True Honor, Honor from the heart. We are called to Honor God (Pro Ch 3).
Scripture also helps us understand the foundation of Honor. Interesting
enough it is Humility. Scripture tells us that we are to Humble ourselves
unto God, that in "due season" (His time is always the best time), He will
exalt, promote, Honor us. I will choose today to Honor God. I will also
choose today to Honor others. Doing the right thing is seldom, if ever,
easy, but it is always right. JUST A THOUGHT!

"Life Is For Living" is a slogan for our Church (Life Church of
Bartlesville). It's more than a slogan or saying. It should be a goal, a
goal that all of us pursue with all diligence. Far too many of us, far too
often are existing. There is a vitality of life that we seem to miss. It is
available always. God's word promises us that "No Good Thing Will He
Withhold From Us". A life with nothing missing - nothing lacking - every
need met. Filled with Peace and Joy. Sounds way too good to be true, but it
is. When Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came that we would have an
abundant life, He meant what He said. May we believe it. May we live it. May
we encourage others to do the same. God Is Altogether Good.

 Live Life To The Max!
PMT

Woke up early, felt like a morning to start at Starbucks. Good coffee, good
time, morning music In my ears. What an amazing day we live in. The
technology, the ease, the prosperity. Life is so good, but it all starts
with the right heart, the right perspective and the right attitude. Life is
full of choices. No matter where you are right now, no matter what time of
the day, you have choices. Choose to have peace, chose to live in joy, chose
wisdom. Today, right now decide to be right and do right. It would be hard
if Jesus hadn¹t already provided God¹s grace for us. Listen, obey and flow
in His grace. God is so good!
 
Hey - Join the Life Church Family this Sunday for "The Masterpiece".
 
PMT

We all know the song Amazing Grace, but how quickly we can take something
for granted. I was just reflecting on the last two weeks, and how I haven't
felt well physically. No major deal in comparison to what many people have
to deal with, but I hadn't realized how abnormal I had felt until two days
ago when I began to feel normal again. I realized today how much God's grace
had seen me through those two weeks. All of us have been through more
difficult times, and some of you are going through much more difficult times
today. I do want to encourage you however to thank Him for his grace. It is
a force, a comfort, a strength, a help through any and every difficulty and
problem we are facing. I read a statement recently that for every obstacle
there is corresponding measure of His grace. I believe that and want to
encourage you today to flow in the unforced rhythms of His Amazing Grace.

 PMT

Thinking this morning about a situation yesterday. Not a real big deal
actually, but it came to mind this a.m. I was thankful that I did not react,
but rather I responded. No greater example of this for me than when John The
Baptist was beheaded, and Jesus (The Son of God) could have reacted, but
instead he went away and prayed. A good lesson for us all. Yesterday was a
special day and I desire more like it. I only had two appointments for a
total of about 3 hrs. The rest of the day until about 7pm I took time to
speak to and hear from the creator of the universe. Isn't it amazing that
it's me who has to schedule in time for God? It was great and I'm looking
for more of the same. May you and I learn to Respond and not React. May we
spend more time listening to the creator of everything. Including us. Next
week "Masterpiece" at Life Church of Bartlesville.
 
Have a wonderful blessed day!
 
PMT

Enjoying a Saturday morning here on the pond. A couple of guy's are top
water fishing for bass and just came by our shore. I am listening to John
Foreman's "Psalm" and it is so expressive of the basics of life. A Father -
His Children - Being Right and Doing Right - Enjoying His creation. I
realized how blessed I am with the current assignment God has given me. I so
enjoy being pastor of Life Church of Bartlesville. The Peace - The Pace -
The Progress - God is so good. May I encourage you today to seek after Him
with all your heart. As you do His Peace - His Pace - His Progress will
begin to be evident in your life. Today, may all that we say and all that we
do be acceptable in his sight. May we learn to know His ways - His will -
His plan and follow it with the peace that He intended for us. Have a
blessed day.

Getting ready to do a new series called "Masterpiece". A cornerstone of this
teaching is a video by the "Skit Guy's". As I have started thinking about
all of this the key concept comes back to a fundamental point or two. Do we
believe God is altogether good? Does He really love us unconditionally? Do I
trust Him? Well, the answers are yes, yes, and I pray that you do. You are
after all His Masterpiece!

For years I have endeavored to make reading a chapter of Proverbs a day a
part of my morning routine. I'm not saying I'm a wise man, but I don't even
want to think about what I would be like without reading this great book of
wisdom. Why don't you start today. The first day --- the first chapter - It
will help you and guide you.

 A Manual for Living
 1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
  David's son, Israel's king‹
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
  to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
  for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
  and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
  still a thing or two for the experienced to learn‹
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
  the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

 Thank you Eugene Peterson for the Message translation.

 Have a blessed day - Filled with wisdom and favor
PMT