"The moon is at her full, and riding high,
Floods the calm fields with light.
The airs that hover in the summer sky
Are all asleep to-night."
William C. Bryant

The story of mankind began in a garden and ended in revelations. From beginning to end, it’s lit by that same full moon. Welcome to the August newsletter.

TIME FOR GOD

How much time do we set aside in our busy lives for God? Many will be sure to be in church Sunday morning and most churches accommodate busy people with extra services on Saturday and Sunday. That’s wonderful and it helps a church membership grow when they offer those extra services.

We reach out for Him when we are sick or when a loved one dies. We thank Him for His presence at special events. At night, it’s comforting to think of Him watching over us as we sleep. He is always there for us but are we willing to be there for Him?

Bigoted attacks on Christianity in general and individual Christians by Atheists and other assorted groups have made Christians shy about showing their faith. The courts are always entertaining cases of one or two people attacking the rights of whole groups of Christians in an attempt to eliminate our faith from our culture.

The attacks are usually silly in nature. They say they are offended by the sight of someone praying in public and over the years have taken prayer out of schools and any public place. They are even trying to eliminate Bible studies in private homes. To avoid public humiliation and fines, Christians give in to a very small, bigoted minority.

Since the time of the book of Acts, Christianity has been attacked. I say, “Bring it on” because with the Lord on my side, who can defeat me? But, alas, the days of Acts was so very long ago. Time has worn us weak like the weakest link in a rusty old chain.

With all that our Lord has done for us every day throughout time, it seems to me that we should make Him the number one priority in our lives. I strayed for many years of my life; wasted time! I thought I could do things so much better on my own. I knew God was there if I needed Him but I was tough and could go it alone. Yeah, Right!

I was, what I call, a lazy Christian. I believed in Christ but I rarely, if ever, gave my time to Him. I have come to realize that time is the biggest commodity we have to tithe to our Lord. By not giving up some of our time or worse, acting like we’re embarrassed to be with Him, we are no better than those bigoted fools that try to steal our faith like so many cowards skulking around in the night.

Now I realize that even if you partake in every activity your church offers and you pray a lot that still is a small percentage of your time. You don’t have to be a monk to give more time however.

Next time you see a movie or read a book with a Christian theme, think of someone who may be helped by that and pass it on. Give the gift of a Bible to someone who is lost. Call a friend at the end of the day just to hear their voice because each voice is the result of His wonder. Reach out and pray for those that don’t know Him.

I’ve learned that a million people could stand and laugh at me for praying but I can’t care what people think. It is one freedom that can never be taken from me. They are welcomed to join me but my time on Earth is relatively short, in the grand scheme of things and I haven’t spent enough of that precious time with God. He is not embarrassed to spend time with me and I’d like others to know Him.

There’s been a big change in my life since I quit being a lazy Christian. The best has been that I’ve helped others find Christ. I know that from emails I’ve received and I’m overwhelmed. If I can get just one other person to give more time for Christ, maybe it will make up for some of the time I’ve wasted.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4: 12 -13

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20