Hello, Mr. Bee!

I was amazed this early evening as I sat on my deck and enjoyed reading a book while hearing the water stream down the brook, soft music playing inside my home, birds chirping, the sun coming out and the wind blowing after a very hot and humid morning.  I felt like I was on vacation!  I noticed a couple big, fat, plump bumble bees.  I wondered if there was a hive nearby.  I saw them earlier as they actually hovered outside my sliding door.  And yes, this bee continued to do so.  He faced inside like he was looking into my living room.  "Hello, Mr. Bee!"  I said from my seat.  I felt oddly fond of this big bee, and not afraid.  He would hover a bit near me as well, as if to check me out.  I enjoyed his company.  He seemed to mean me no harm.  

I was in awe of his large body and small wings, remembering things I learned about bees, and how amazing it is that their wings can carry such a huge body around.  I began to whistle, "Mary Had a Little Lamb," because I thought I remembered learning that they enjoyed to hear people whistle.  As I heard the beautiful music coming from inside my living room, and sensing that the bee was attracted to my home because he kept coming back and hovered while he looked inside, I thought how love dwells here.  Could this bee sense it?  I don't know, but I liked to think so.  He may have been attracted to the beautiful music as well.  I've learned that plants grow toward classical music and away from rock music.  Maybe bugs can sense music vibes also.

I watched his wings go so incredibly fast as he hovered.  Then he darted off, going in one direction, and then quickly changing courses.  At one point the two bees collided, which startled me, but then they dove or fell downward.  I didn't see them again, so hopefully they didn't kill each other.  I took pictures of my deck to try to give you a sense of what this moment was like.  No bees, but it was cooling down for the evening so maybe their gallivanting was over.

I came inside and read from 1 Corinthians 1, and it caused me to think about the bee.  In verses 27-31, it says, 

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

We may be just ordinary people, but God will use us for His honor and glory.  What a privilege!  We don't have to be sad when we aren't great and mighty in the world's eyes.  We can just shine His love to those around us, and draw people to Christ.  When there is less of us, then there is more of Him.  John the Baptist said, " He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30).

God created the bee, and it still amazes me when I see one.  Seems like an insignificant creation, but it does much for the world.  So can we.



Choosing Music Wisely book trailer

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I Will Stand ch27 Are You Sure About Heaven

Are you sure you are going to heaven?  This final recording of my book, "I Will Stand" will show you how you can know for sure you are going to heaven.

I Will Stand ch26 Conclusion

Click on the link to hear the conclusion to my book, "I Will Stand."  I hope you are blessed and encouraged by it!

I Will Stand ch25 What if I Fail

What if you fail while trying to do what is right?  One of the final chapters of my book deals with this topic, and offers encouragement to get back up if you fail, staying faithful to the Lord in your perseverance.

I Will Stand ch24 What if I Get Scared

In trying to do what is right, what if you get scared or tired of doing it?   Join me as I read this chapter, nearing the end of the book but offering encouragement to keep on keeping on toward the goal of strong character.

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful day to celebrate today. It's Easter! It's Resurrection Day! I was thinking this morning about all the evil and unrest in the word. I thought about all the refugees from Syria and the millions in North Korea who this morning sit in a concentration camp. I thought those were done with Hitler, but they're not. That grieves me. Then I opened up my devotional book, and guess what the verse was? "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). I shared my gospel testimony on a site I was on this morning. The best way to overcome evil is to share the love of Jesus with others. I challenge you to try today or at least this week to share it with someone. That is their hope!

If you don't know Christ as your Savior, He is your hope. It is through Jesus and Jesus alone that we can be reconciled to God. When Jesus was born and the angel said, "Peace on earth, good will toward men," that was a spiritual peace, not military. We can have peace with God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life - that starts right now! Repent (say you're sorry) of your sins, trust Jesus as the One who died for your sins in your place, conquered death and the grave by rising again, and now sits on the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us. Ask Him to save you and forgive you of your sins, and then thank Him for saving you. It's an easy prayer, but a hard humility. It takes faith, but this is what He said we must do to have salvation from hell and spiritual death and life that will never end. I hope you trust Him today! If you already have, then share it! God bless you, and have a very happy Easter!

I Will Stand ch23 Faithfulness

Join me as I read the next chapter of my book, which is on faithfulness and dependability.

I Will Stand ch22 Righteousness

Do you think about the word "righteousness"?  What does it mean to you?  Do you love it?  Come join me as I read the next chapter in my book, "I Will Stand for Righteousness."

I Will Stand ch21 Honoring Authority

Join me for another chapter in my book, I Will Stand: I will stand for honoring my parents and those in authority over me.

I Will Stand ch20 Thankfulness

Are you thankful and content?  Come join me in my reading room as I read the next chapter from my I Will Stand book on thankfulness and contentment.

I Will Stand ch19 Generosity

I am enjoying reading from my book, I Will Stand.  Sit back and enjoy as I read the chapter on generosity.

I Will Stand ch18 Life

Join me as I read from my book, I Will Stand.  This chapter is on standing up for life.  It is sacred and precious, and is worth defending!

How Should We View Money?

When it comes to money, make sure it is serving you and not the other way around. Money is a TOOL. Use it wisely, and remember that it makes no promises. It's hard to earn, easy to spend, and makes no guarantees. But use it for your life, to help meet your goals, to allow you to give or minister where you deem fit, and to provide some security for a rainy day or unforeseen circumstances. Money can easily become a god, in which you are afraid to spend it, it looks down on you with angry eyes trying to cause fear. Flip that around and instruct it in what to do, because you are the boss of it. It is inanimate, and yet it can control our lives if we let it.

Invest, not just for earthly gain, but eternal. Those dividends cannot be taken away and come with them promises from God.

Luke 6:38: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Malachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Remember who owns the cattle on a thousand hills - Ps. 50:10: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."

God cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Be a good steward - 1 Cor. 4:2: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Trust the Lord; renew that trust daily because His compassion is new every morning, and He is faithful, money is not. Lamentations 3:22-23: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Do you find yourself in great fear when it comes to your security and your money?  Pray for God's leading with your spending.  Use it wisely, and try to have a healthy view of money, creating good things with it, not indulging in your own greed, or hoarding because you refuse to trust God, but utilizing it where it can be of good use for you, your family and others you care about.