Our lives are centered on so many first opportunities. The opportunities often have people cheering us on with outstretched hands saying, “You can do it!  Just decide to take that first step! Everyone is doing it.  I know you can also! It is not as hard as you think. Give it a try!”

The Bible states clearly, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” Psalms 37:23. There are some extremely important guidelines to follow when considering opportunities. The first consideration is whether the opportunity is ordered from the Lord, or is it a selfish act pushing your own agenda? The second consideration asks the question, “Is it jump in and see if you sink or swim?”  Another question is raised: Do I have to say yes immediately?  Personally, you might take a hard look at the question, “Will this opportunity help build your reputation or will it tear your good name down?”  It is always wise to consider: would this opportunity please your Heavenly Father?  We must all realize that just because you can does not mean you should.  Finally ask yourself, “How will this opportunity affect those around me?”  Be sure to seek wise counsel, because those first steps you take will determine your direction and reputation.

The wheels are turning in the mind of our little girl. She is taking her FIRST STEPS!

Thoughts raced through my mind as I stood by the empty tomb. This was a place of sadness.  Our Savior lay inside as the centurions outside guarded so that no one would steal His body.  The demons of hell were present at one time to show their mighty force and determination to not allow our Savior to live again. The Romans placed their seal on the tomb to announce no one could open the tomb without their authority. This was a major effort to stop our Savior from rising! One major problem to consider:  He was the Son of God. He would rise again.

Christianity is the only religion with a risen Savior. All others have a founder that lived, died and was buried.   Jesus Christ rose from the dead, just as He said! Corruption never settled in His body. The grave could not hold Him. Hell could not restrain Him. The demons could not keep Him. He rose the third day! The Bible states in Matthew 28, “…the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.”    The angel spoke clearly to Mary and others at the tomb, “Fear ye not, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”  Amen!

There was a class for 4 and 5 year old; Sun Beam Department.  I learned a song and knew that Jesus wanted me for a Sunbeam. I decided I would be a sunbeam for Him, pretty important, right? The teachers taught “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world”. I can hear the song now; I’m smiling.

The first truth that comes to my mind is “God is love”. I stood on the platform with my hands in my pockets singing as loud as I could-“ God is love, God is love!” Now I stand behind the pulpit and preach “God is love, God is love”. Sometimes I even say it in an old-fashion way, enthusiastically and loud.

What does it mean, God is love? Simply, He is the source, the reservoir, and is love. All love comes from the source, and there is plenty of love for all to receive. We just need to stay connected to the source, or we will run out of love. Even though the gas prices keep climbing, I still have to go to the gas station (reservoir) to keep my vehicles from being empty. People need to keep building their relationship with the Lord God to keep the love of God flowing to their empty tanks. So often people drive by the gas station and fail to make or take the time to fill their tanks. They will stop eventually, maybe even on the side of the road, leaving what is important behind only to make a required stop. Imagine a whole family learning of God’s love and enjoying His love flowing through each individual. The family would have unity, harmony and less division and strife. It really is not hard to understand. Every individual points to Christ and aims in His direction.

The place to get help for your family concerning the love of God is the church. Put your family in your vehicle and take them for a drive to the church (gas station). Let God’s love be the FIRST TRUTH taught to your family.

I remember when we struggled at our house; I was a teenager. Mom always managed to have people over for Sunday dinner, instead of going out to eat. Popcorn an apples were a late night snack. I remember we made an extra effort to enjoy each other’s company. I think of the board games we played, SORRY, MONOPLY and occasionally a card game called Rook. I remember the laughter, the conversation, an occasional argument on who won. We really enjoyed Sun tea. Our family would spend the time together.

Trying to survive, saving your pennies, keeping your sanity requires an extra effort and going the extra mile. Someone has to make the sacrifice to plan the evening and put the ingredients together for an enjoyable night.  Yes it is true, we might need to be a servant to the people we love; knowing they may not help to organize but they  might join in on the fun if it looks exciting. You might have to wrestle the phone away or schedule a time out; no phone included. It may fail one night, but get up and try again. I’m sure someone in the household will have a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction in their heart.

Going the extra mile has a price, most good things cost something. Pulling your family together, enjoying the evening, playing kick ball in the yard, or sitting in a lawn chair on the front porch cost so little. Give it shot, go the extra mile and receive the extra smile.

I grew up attending church.  My perspective concerning God matured as I gained more knowledge through His Word. I wanted to know how big God was.  I always heard He was big enough to rule the mighty universe, yet small enough to live within my heart!

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 40 that God measured the waters in the hollow of His hand. He weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance. He measured the heaven with His hand.  He declares the nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust of the balance. The Word of God continues to say He could sit on the circle of the earth, and the people compared to Him are the size of grasshoppers. It continues to declare that He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.

God is big! There is no problem too big that He cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall that He cannot move it. He could carry the world, and He can carry you.

Our perspective is so important regarding the decisions we make. Our attitudes and actions affect our outlook on the circumstances and the challenges we face every day.

We can take great comfort in the fact that nothing is too big for God. He can help us with our fears and calm our storms with a “peace be still”. His desire is for us to trust in Him and turn our hearts to Him for guidance.  Aim in His direction and take the next step.

Now the perspective changes drastically. The more knowledge I have of Him the smaller I become.  Challenges require greater wisdom, and the work piles a mile high. I need that big God!  So I sit back in my chair and I ask this question.   “Is He big enough for me? Yes! Now get to work!”

Years ago our son was having difficulty in the area of writing his alphabet. He seemed to do quite well sitting at the table while his parents were looking and making sure the movements were just right. His penmanship had plenty of room for improvement, but come on, he was only five! I had never received an award for my great penmanship either. As a matter of fact, I received a low grade in my early school years, so I was prepared to stand up and be counted for my son.

I remember my dad working with me to make sure I could do these neat circles that look like a tunnel to crawl through. However, I couldn’t make them. I had heard about all the awards he received; he was the best writer in his class. We stayed up late one night; the atmosphere was really tense, and my hand just would not let me create those long tunnels.  My father decided that we had both had enough and it was time to go to bed. No ice-cream and defeat was my thought as I laid my head on my pillow. In the middle of the night my father entered my room to find me standing on my bed, writing on the wall with a crayon, making those neat tunnels in my sleep!

It is important as parents to make sure your children are being taught, and that they learn how to apply their newfound knowledge.  Spending quality time and teaching them the Word of God is always helpful along the way.  Teaching and learning can be a family experience by attending a church and listening to the lessons.  Spend a few minutes of time reviewing with your children the truths learned before they lay their head on their pillow at night.

My son’s teacher still complained that his hand writing was not consistent and up to par for a five year old. He would do well tracing the letters, following the pattern, and writing the words; but he could not do it without looking.  One evening, his mother sat him down at the table to practice. I had a major flashback! “God help my boy!”  As he started to write his alphabet, we noticed that he turned his head and looked up, away from pen and paper. He was writing his alphabet, without looking!

Learn More About Little Lights Preschool & Daycare:
A phonics reading program
A traditional math program
Computer literacy
Music appreciation
Daily prayer and Bible instruction to reinforce home taught values
Accepting 6 months and up
After school program

Contact Little Lights Preschool & Daycare today at 765-293-4184 for more information

Standing for right is not always popular, but it’s right. Standing for the right may require standing alone or with a small selected group! It may require shouting from the mountain tops! Sometimes it might require us standing tall looking into one’s eyes and remaining silent, not budging! Right is always right! Noah was right even though his teachings were not accepted in his day and he stood in the minority. Truth prevailed and wickedness did not go unpunished.

It is easy sometimes to bend, compromise, and take a passive approach. Many times it’s hard or takes time to gather the facts to access the circumstances. Often the truth is covered with intent to purposely hide the facts.   There are times when the wrong is or was mingled with the truth unintentionally.

It may be difficult to get the truth, but the real difficulties come when you stand for the right!  It is always wise to teach those you are influencing; you’ll stand for the right, and if the stars fall, do right! Right will be rewarded in the end and sometimes not as quickly as we wish, but it will be rewarded.

Our true enemies are the things not true!  Jesus said Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”   Truth is always pure, untainted by evil! Truth is always represented by light and in truth there is no darkness, spiritually! Truth is not shaded or colored to fit a given situation.

The enemy is strong, sly and untiring. The Lord is our champion and His strength fails not! Keep on pressing onward!  We know our cause is just! Stand for the right with all your might! Don’t give into the enemies demands! Hold to God’s hand and take a stand! Our hope is in the Lord, STAND FOR THE RIGHT!

Here is the video of Bro Matthew’s testimony.

Here is the video of the song he sung. The theme of the ordination was “The Master’s Call”.