The chorus that keeps running through my mind has words like this... Here I come to worship, here I come to bow down, here I come to say that you're my God....  I am sure that many of you out there know that chorus better than I do.  But think about it for just a moment, if you would.  Have you really ever thought why you were brought on this earth?  Why, you are where you are?  Why, you have to face what you face?  There are many answers that could be given to those questions, but how about this one, it really is or should be the only true answer... You were and are created, made for Worship... yeah, that's right, Worship.  God made you in His image, He made you so that you would bow down and worship Him and Him alone.  Is that so hard to do?  Some of us think it is... way too hard.  Too many distractions, too many problems, too many whatevers.. Well my friend, I have come to realize that when I do worship Him, I find more peace, more joy, more love and more comfort through and in Him.  I have been recently trying to just do that in whatever situation I find myself in, just stop and worship HIM.  What a difference in my life when I find the peace and serenity that I need.  So when you are down, distracted with this world's view of things, remember... Here I come to worship, here I come to bow down, here I come to say that YOU, LORD, ARE MY GOD!!! Hallelujah! Rejoice in Him... May God richly bless you today..Love and prayers, mjrdad <><

 Ephesians 5: 15,16 " Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." 

This New Year has me thinking, oh, I know what you're thinking about that, watch out!  Seriously though, as I was traveling back from North Carolina after several days of family festivities, I realized that I haven't really been givng God all my time.  I picked up a new devotional by Walk Through The Bible and started with the first day of January.  How precious is your time?  What do you do with it?  How exactly will you spend it?  Janice and I have been giving some thought about an early retirement, we have give 40 years of service to the Army and I am ready for some time with family.  My brother said the other day that I needed to just let the Lord have my time and allow Him to tell me when it should be complete.  Believe me I have placed this before Him many times and yes, I am waiting till I know for sure that my ministry is complete.  But then, when is our ministry every complete, or finished or done or whatever?  Everyday is an opportunity for new and exciting things, new times are ahead, and God has special things for us when we allow Him to use our time for Him.  So as of today, His time is my time and I pray that I will always be faithful in using that time in the right way.  God bless each of you that are still working in His vineyard, continue to grow in His grace and trust in Him completely.  With love and prayers I salute you for your faithfulness.  Love and prayers, mjrdad <><

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me with the time that I do have to spend with you and to share You with others, Amen

The chorus," Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son." keeps ringing in my ears.  Lately Janice and I have been praying for something to happen to our corps.  We are facing financial stress, spiritual battles and just plain old "the drabs".  You know, situations that you can't do anything about, circumstances that just come and you aren't sure how to handle them.  Well, even in this God has reminded me of just giving Thanks... Thanks to Him for first of all saving me from sin, thanks to Him for loving me so much, thanks to Him for the beauty I see outside my windows at home, the changing colors, the bright reds, oranges, yellows and even the brisk browns.  He reminds me that He does this, and if he can change the leaves of the trees, he certainly can change the hearts of men and women.  Praise Him, giving THANKS for all situations, for all circumstances that are beyond my own control and even realising that HE is in control of it all. 

"Heavenly Father, THANK YOU, for loving me, for caring for me and for watching me as I strive to do Your will, helping me up when I slip and fall.  Holding me next to Your loving and warm heart, and even just as You forgive me when I do silly and dumb things.  You are always there. Changing me as you change the colors during the fall time.  THANK YOU, I love you so much."  Amen

Trusting Him folks, and give Thanks for what He has done for you today and for what He will do for you tomorrow.  Love and prayers, mjrdad <><

CCLI # 1305193

Celebarte... Remember the old 60's song, Celebrate, come on.... Or how about the newer chorus that says, Celebrate Jesus.... Well this past week-end we did just about both.  We celebrated 100 years in Middlesboro, Kentucky as a Salvation Army unit.  We had a great turn-out, with the celebration on Oct. 12th. and then a luncheon, and then a Southern Gospel Sing in the afternoon.  The state representatinve Rick Nelson, brought a proclamation from the Governor's office, proclaiming the celebration of The Salvation Army for it's 100 years.  The Mayor proclaimed Saturday, Oct. 11ths and Salvation Army day for the 100 year Celebration and it seemed everyone had a great time.  Lt. Colonels Ted and Lou Arrowood were our guest for the week-end and God really used the message of that Sunday.  All this just reminds me that everyday should be a day of celebrating Jesus in our lives.  Giving Him the glory and honor due his name.  We recognized the soldiers of 73 years, down to 16 years of service.  Giving attention also to volunteers who give of their time daily in service to the Army as well as to the community.  Again, celebrating Jesus in all that we do.  Have you celebrated Jesus today?  If not, stop now and give Him the glory for what He has done, is doing or will do in your life. Just remember Celebrate, celebrate, Jesus.  God bless and have a great day.  mjrdad <><

In my devotionals lately Paul has been speaking to me through the Scriptures.  As he writes to the people of Philipi he reminds them to rejoice.  Have you thought lately about rejoicing?  Well let me tell you something, in the last year as I have struggled with my ministry here in this appointment, rejoicing has not been in my vocabulary.  In fact the other day, my son said to me, 'Dad, your messages seem to lack something lately, there is no zing to them anymore'   Zing, zing indeed!  Then I looked back and tried to figure out just what was missing.  Yeah! You're right, no rejoicing!  We just came back from our  Southern Territroial Bible Conference at Lake Junaluska and we had our General, his wife, Colonel Clive Smith and Major Mark Tillsley, W O W is all I can say.  God really grabbed ahold of me during this past week and now I can really and honestly say REJOICE!  My son and his wife also were blessed as well as my wife.  We had her family with us and of course my daughther and son-in-law and our newest addition of soon to be adopted grandchildren (3 to be exact) W O W God is really in control.  Rejoicing isn't just about shouting and clapping and jumping and any other emotional way of showing that you have been gotten ahold of by The Holy Spirit, it also is letting people in your daily walk of life know that there is a true and living God, a Saviour that loves and cares for them, rejoice in your salvation, rejoice in your placement of life or as Mrs. Commissioner Helen Clifton say 'where God has placed you in your arena, allow Him to use you there.'  W O W again, in my own little arena, playing field, or just the simple little corps that I have now, rejoice! Thank You, Heavenly Father, for showing me that just living my life for You isn't rejoicing enough.  That I need to rejoice in all things that You have given me,  Where You have placed me and where You are willing to use me as I allow You to use me.  Thank You Heavenly Father for rejoicing with me. 

Philippians 4:4  "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice."    

REJOICE !  folks, God is working in you every day, so REJOICE ! !  Love and prayers, mjrdad <><