I will never forget THANKSGIVING 2009 because it was a day of GIVING one of of our churches best members to the general assembly in Heaven. Nora Faye Renbarger, 90 earthly years old was translated from this earthly kingdom to the heavenly kingdom at about 8:25 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve. She was one of the original members of Liberty, when Karen & I came to Liberty in 1987. She took us in and we always knew she loved us and supported us in the ministry our Lord had given here at Liberty. She loved her Lord , her family , her church, her neighbors and pretty much everyone she came in contact with. Not only did she love but she was loved. She was loved by her Lord, her family, her church, her neighbors, and pretty much by everyone she came in contact with. She was faithful to her husband Wayne until he went to heaven . She was faithful to her children, she was faithful to her church. Nora Faye and Liberty Baptist Sweetser were one in the same. She was made up of the same fiber Liberty Baptist is made up . She was a model of what we as good members of our church should be like. Faithful to services, kind and cheerful. Never gossiped or spoke critically of another. She was always greeting people, for most of her years at church,  she would do that at her assigned entryway, the last several years she did that in a chair in the foyer or in her pew. Through the years she was the first point of contact for our church as first time visitors would be greeted by a little lady with a smile that would move from your eye to your heart. She would speak and you knew you were really welcomed. Many through the years would purposefully use the entry way Nora Faye was at, just to be greeted by her. She stood at her post understanding hers was a divine assignment. Through the years she watched this preacher get more and more busy and when he did not have as much  time to come by and see her as often as the years before she would come to the front of the auditorium after the service and ask for a hug and then she would say I needed that. I appreciated her desire to be close with her pastor. Several years ago we decided to always seek her out in the service thinking it may be our last time to see her. The task wasn't hard because she and Walter  usually arrived  early for services and Nora Faye would be sitting in the foyer. I loved our visits at her house. I wouldn't know how many times we sat with her and Wayne and then her and Walter {She called him Wally}. I well remember visiting her years ago when her cat" Troubles" was alive. She loved it when that cat would "Trouble" this preacher. You see Nora Faye had a little orneriness in her. She was full of spunk! That spunk is what kept her so healthy and active these 90 years. No doubt her family will miss her and just as sure our Liberty Baptist family will never be the same without her as part of us. I want to say clearly that this preacher will never be the same without her. She made me a better person and pastor and there will not be a time when I won't look at where she sat and rejoice that I knew her and that she gave to me the privileged of being her pastor. On Wednesday night as we spent our last moments with her she smiled at me and said, Praise The Lord! Then we prayed and thinking she had gone back to sleep the family and I continued to pray. As we finished with an amen she joined us with a her strong verbal AMEN! She was praying with us and how that blessed the family and of course this preacher. THANKSGIVING 2009 was one of "GIVING" for certain. Jesus gave Nora Faye her reward of heaven. He gave her the great gift of seeing her beloved Wayne again, of seeing her parents and siblings again. But most preciously of seeing her Lord and Saviour face to face. THANKSGIVING 2009 was one of "Giving" for the people of this church here in Sweetser. We gave one of our brightest stars to that heavenly canopy. Yet we are THANKFUL for the blessed truths that she is alive and better in that home of all believers . We are Thankful that we will see her again and one day we will be in that BETTER PLACE. THANKSGIVING 2009 what a fitting day to take this dear sister home one who lived a THANKFUL life and one who knew the true meaning of GIVING. PRAISE TO JESUS WHO WAS AT THE CENTER OF NORA FAYES LIFE AND TODAY HAS GREETED HER AT HEAVENS DOOR AND I SUSPECT HAS ASSIGNED HER TO A GREETERS POSITION IN HIS HEAVENLY CHURCH!

Many of you know that back in August Karen & I lost our dog Mattie to her battle with cancer. About three weeks ago Karen & Beth were on a walk and they were two miles from home when a beautiful dog began to follow them. They tried to make him stay but he continued to follow them. He ended up at our house and just stayed. He is a wonderful pup of about 10-11 months of age. We spent the next two weeks trying to find the owners with no success. He had no tags and no one has reported him missing so we came to the conclusion he had be abandoned. We were not sure we wanted a dog at this time but we wanted to care for him so we did and at the same time began praying if the Lord wanted us to keep him. It sure seemed like he had been brought specifically to our home. Long story short we have kept him and have grown attached to him and he seems to know that he is a "blessed boy" to be at the Bishir home. Because we took time to find the owner and then some time to decide if this is what we should do we did not name him at first but seem to have settled on a primary name now, COOPER. In the process we had many ideas of names and our children got involved in this process. Our son Matt wanted the name Jim Bob or Little T  as the children have given dad a nickname, Big T. Beth liked the name Chase. Other names were tossed out by all. But in the process I have called him many names because of his actions. I have called him Gooffer, Goofball, Loverboy, Dingbat, Smartboy, Playboy, Boy, Baby, Nutcase, My Man, and a few other names I am not sure would be wise to mention. I think I will usually call him Coop but Goofer will always be an endearing name I am sure I will personally call the mutt. I wonder some times what name the Lord has for me? I wonder what He thinks of when he has me on His mind? I hope he enjoys me as his child. I hope I bring a glimmer to His eye when I draw near to Him. That should be the goal of each of our lives to know He is well pleased with us and that He has a special name just for us. I wonder "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?'

In just a few days we will celebrate our national holiday of THANKSGIVING. The irony of it is there will be very little true thanks given. I have been reading Psalm 105 today and it is so helpful in how we are to give thanks. Several ways we can accomplish giving thanks are, 1st I can give thanks by Singing. Nothing makes you Aware of God's presence faster than singing praise to God. "Christianity is a Singing Faith." We need to learn to sing our thanks back to God. 2nd I can give thanks by Praying. We are to pray with Thanksgiving in our hearts. Over 20 times in the New Testament God says ask and when you do do it with thanksgiving. Make a list and count your blessings , acknowledge what God has done for you. Express thanks thru prayer. Faith is thanking God in advance and thanking Him for what we recognize his hand has already done. 3rdly We give thanks by our Testimony. Sharing publicly what our Lord has done in our lives. 4thly We give thanks by Giving to Him. As we give our Time , Talent, and Treasure we are THANKS GIVING. 5thly We can give thanks by Sharing with others about Him. "Nobody can give your testimony like you!"  Think about these 5 ways of giving thanks and become better "THANKERS" and I know That is not a real word but be one anyway! 

Liberty folk be in prayer for Nora Faye Renbarger, who was taken to the hospital last eve and is in serious condition. Also pray for the family of Mike & Joel Pulley. They just began to attend Liberty 2-3 months ago and have been faithful in attendance. Both of them made decisions for Christ since attending. Mike had a massive heart attack yesterday and has gone to heaven. Please pray for Joel and the family. Mike was just at the altar Sunday asking the Lord to help him in his walk with God. He desired the Lord's deliverance over things in this life. Today he has such. Amen for Gods grace and His drawing this man to Himself before it was to late. Please send cards to Joel Pulley at 4291 East 100 North Marion, Indiana 46952

 What a weekend for the Lord. I am a little tired today and I am sure others at Liberty are tired as well. It was the weekend and for some that is their time, but for hundreds here at Liberty it is a time they use mostly for the Lord. Early Saturday morning we had men at the church by 6:30 a.m. fixing some breakfast for the men prayer warriors who met at 8 a.m. Others came to visit the bus routes along with others who went out to visit the hospitals and many homes. Some were up all night with the teens as they had an "All Niter." Folk were here cleaning the buildings getting ready for Sunday and yet others were here in the classrooms getting ready for the next day of teaching their students. On Sunday morning servants were here by 6:30 a.m. Getting the facilities open and ready for the day. checking the heat and air, making sure everything was just right for the day. The P.A guys arrived early as well as the instrumentalists and the Praise team to practice for the services. The Media guys were here getting cameras and recording equipment up and working. Those making coffee and others in their classrooms prepping for class. The ushers and the greeters in their places before the crowds began to show. The bus workers getting the buses started and leaving for their Sunday routes. On Saturday the teachers were home studying their lessons and praying for power to present the lesson. Others calling a friend and inviting others to church. Just before church in the morning others showing up to pray for power from the Lord for all that would go on. Some of our people went by another's home to pick up someone and bring them to church. 

Then after the morning service many stayed to sit up the Life-Center { nearly 300 settings]  for the afternoon Thanksgiving Dinner. A special team of 15 women cooking and getting the 13 Turkeys and 4 Hams cooked for the meal. Others preparing their carry in dishes. About 4 p.m. the workers for the meal join others who had been here all day to help serve the meal. The ensemble and the choir members arrive for an early practice and then join the others at the dinner for a GOD HONORING time of fellowship. What a service we had at the 6 p.m.. evening Praise Service. All the hours of practice that was put in by so many over the last several months was worth it all as our LORD was Glorified.

Yes I am a little tired today and I am sure many others are but it is a good kind of tired. Not like the kind of tired that comes by self indulgence or sloth. But a kind of tired that is worth having, a kind of tired that feels good to have. I know our Lord has promised rest for those who are tired with that kind of tiredness.  To all of you at Liberty who helped make yesterday a great day of Praise let me say to you THANKS. Let me also say to you your being tired today will be worth it all in Glory.  

 God says in Hosea 8;4 "They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes , and I knew it not." The people did not seek God in their choice of leaders, so they didn't have God's will to guide them. He was not part of the process. WICKED RULERS ARE ARE GOD'S REWARD FOR WICKED PEOPLE. It seems in our nation that everyone WANTS TO BE POLITICALLY RIGHT BUT MORALLY WRONG. Yet NOTHING IS POLITICALLY RIGHT THAT IS MORALLY WRONG. The argument today is that as long as a person can lead, their personal character doesn't matter. I beg to differ. You can have great ability to lead but be leading down wrong roads. roads that lead in directions opposing Gods good will. We are being led down roads today that are contrary to the Lords ways. The roads we are traveling in Finances, marriage, sex, gay WRONGS, etc are only taking us to destinations which will be very difficult to get out of. God demands for leaders to have good character. I would like to suggest a few traits that a leaders in every area of life should have. 

1. Good Leaders must be people of Righteousness -{Proverbs 16;12} An unrighteous person is unfit for leadership.

2. Good Leaders must have Wisdom - {Proverbs 8;12 } Not just smarts but wisdom from walking with God

3. Good Leaders must be absolutely Honest-{Proverbs 17;7} Liars are like their real father the Devil. Lies are of the Devil. Who wants to follow a Liar?

4. Good Leaders choose Wise leaders. -[Proverbs 25;4-5} You will be like who you hang out with.Like who you have listened to all your life. 

5. Good Leaders must be Sexually Pure.-[Proverbs 31;1-3]

6. Good Leaders must Protect the Weak and Innocent -[Proverbs 31:8-9]

We must pray for better leaders in our land. We must pray for bad leaders to be replaced not with others just like those they replace. We must have GOOD LEADERS in all arenas of life. May each of us be the kind of followers we want our leaders to be.

 Psalm 34:1 says "I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES:HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH." I want that to be my testimony and the reality of my life. "I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES." Good times, bad times, up times , down times, prosperous times and non-prosperous times. Our praise for our Lord should not be affected by what kind of times we are having! Times change but our great God never changes. Verse two of that Psalm goes on to say "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." For us to have praise in our mouth we must have praise in our souls. Whatever gets in my mouth I must put there and for us to have praise it involves our outlook and our attitude. Our attitude is affected by what we are focused on, what we are looking at and thinking about. Verse 3- 5 goes on and says "O magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord , and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened-and their faces were not ashamed." We are to magnify the Lord, that means we are to look at Him and give Him credit for who He is. It says when they looked at Him they were lightened, refreshed and their attitude was turned from downcast to upcast. They were delivered from all their fear and now there was faith and energy to move forward. PRAISING  THE LORD IS A POWERFUL PRACTICE! I love verse three " O MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME, AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER." Corporate praise is a mighty thing in the Lords church today. Yes we need to privately and personally have praise on our lips every second of every day but we need scheduled times of coming together with the distinct purpose of PRAISING OUR LORD TOGETHER. This Sunday evening we have a Praise Service scheduled at Liberty for this particular purpose, I can hardly wait for this service. I am sure God will be well pleased. Hope to see each of you and spread the word ! 

It is a rainy Monday morning here in Northeastern Indiana. The farmers in our area are not so happy because many don't have their corn in yet. This rain will slow down the harvest for sure but I am sure they will get it in eventually. Kind of reminds me of the hindrances of reaping the spiritual harvest, but when the hindrances and slow downs come we just need to wait for the times we can get back in the fields and pick the crop. We had a very good day yesterday at Liberty. We had over 700 in morning attendance and last evening again was a full auditorium and a good number of children in other classrooms. Pastor Ryan preached in the morning service using the book of Joshua encouraging us to build spiritual memorials for ourselves, our children and for the world to see. He took us back through the years at Liberty as we traced our history and we were reminded what God has done here through the years. Pastor Ryan has great ability in teaching and he is so creative in using technology to enhance his teaching time. He showed us over 40 slides of people and events of the past to help us see afresh what the Lord's hand has accomplished here. Then he challenged us that greta days are still ahead of us. I agree. Amen. Last night we spoke our first message on the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit." I always enjoy teaching on this and look forward to the next several-Sunday eves. Each of us believers need to Discover or Gifts, then Develop our Gifts, and then Deploy our Gifts. 1st Corinthians 12:1 tells us we should not be ignorant {Unaware} of our Gifts. I hope you already know your gifts and that you are allowing the Lord to use them in you for His glory. If not make special effort to be here at Liberty the next several Sunday evening services. 

Yesterday after the early morning service I noticed a fellow who had been sitting half way toward the front on the east side of the auditorium. Some of you may have noticed because he was dressed in Western garb. I didn't know who he was so I ran to the foyer to catch him and tell him we were sure glad to have him visit and I asked him if we had ever met? He said "I reckon we have, I am Carlan Stratten." I said Carlan Stratten how are you doing? Carlan and I were good friends in High School{ over 40 years ago}. I have seen him maybe twice through the years. I said Carlan what are you doing in Indiana? He said "Just passin through." Carlan was always a cowboy. He was reared on a farm by his grandparents and at 18 years of age took off for the west. He settled in Colorado and has lived in the wide open spaces all these years. As we talked I said have you seen Karen yet and he said he saw her playing the piano. We went to see Karen and had a great short time between Sunday School. He told me he had been married for 27 years and had 4 children. He showed pictures and then said his youngest daughter is 14 and she was to be baptized next Sunday. I said Carlan are you going to church and he said yes we attend a good gospel preaching Baptist church. It was so good to here him say that. Karen & I went to Sunday School class and Carlan left to go take care of some family things. Won't heaven be a wonderful place of seeing many of our friends & family who will be there and many who we haven't seen for years and to see they are there. To sit down and listen to all their stories of how the Lord drew them in to His wonderful Kingdom. 

Hope you have a great day today!

 Slow down, Slow down a little more. Now stop and get to a quiet place. Don't read, don;t even think much. Just LISTEN! Listen carefully, listen intently, listen for a little while. Can you hear the Lord whispering to you? Can you hear Him say He loves you? Can you hear Him say everything is OK? Can you hear Him say I have it all under control, chillout a bit, calm down it will be just fine in a little bit! Can you hear Him say, I AM COMING SOON? If we would slow down and listen we would hear the calm confident voice of our Lord! I AM COMING SOON, I AM COMING SOON, I-----AM------COMING------SOOOOOON!! Are you listening? Are you ready? Are you longing to see your saviour ? I sure am.  "OH WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE WHEN MY SAVIOUR I SHALL SEE! SOON AND VERY SOON WE ARE GOING TO SEE OUR KING! HALLELUJAH, PRAISE HIS NAME!

 Some people believe we need to cut back on America's military, but I disagree. I believe America needs a strong military if we are to continue to enjoy God's blessing and protection.

                  1. WE MUST DEFEND OURSELVES BASED ON PROTECTION NOT PROVOCATION . 

                       There is nothing wrong scripturally with protecting  ones family and likewise there is nothing wrong with protecting ones country, when based on the sense of protection not provocation. Obviously we should never start a fight with a peaceful nation. But we should be prepared militarily to defend  ourselves and other innocent nations  who are attacked and preyed upon by vicious nations and terrorists. Nehemiah 4 is an example of how we are to build and yet have a sword in our hand at the same time to defend what we are building. With one hand they worked and with the other hand were prepared to fight.

                   2. WE MUST DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST ENEMIES WHO HATE US.

                         I am all for diplomacy as our first line of defense, but there are unreasonable nations who refuse to negotiate peacefully. Radical Islamic terrorist  are a real serious threat to American security. "While it is true that  most Muslims are not a  terrorists, it is equally true that  most terrorists are Muslims." Fundamentalist Islamic  terrorists hate western culture, America, Israel, the Jew and democracy in general. Their hatred is seen in comments like the president of Iran , WE will wipe Israel off the face of the map." America can't let anything like that happen. We also have enemies in Communists-nations like North Korea. As long as this world has been in existence Satan has seen to it that there were some evil leaders of nations who attempted to destroy peace loving people . 

                     3. WE MUST HELP DEFEND OUR ALLIES WHO DESPERATELY NEED US. 

                           Ask where would England be today if it were not because of America ? What about France and Europe if it were not for the American military. What about South Korea? What about Kuwait. Where would Afghanistan and the people of Irag be today?  Where would the nation of Israel be today if it were not for Americas military might?  I'll tell you where they would be in the Red Sea. We are in a BIG world. We must have allies, we cannot fight all the enemies alone. 

                       4. WE MUST DEFEND AND PROTECT THE  FREEDOMS AND PRINCIPLES WE CHERISH.

                            Without a strong military we could not enjoy the daily freedoms upon which this nation was built. There would be no economic trade as we know it. There would be no opportunities of education or for improving ones station of life. Our elections would be falsified and chaotic like the nations where most terrorist regimes exist. With out our strong military our institutions of freedom would fast be done away with including our Bible Believing churches which are preaching the truth of Jesus Christ. I believe we should give our military our best training, the best equipment and pay as well as our  respect and prayerful support.  WHAT SAY YE?

 I have told Karen my wonderful wife of 34 years, many times that "If you ever leave me , I am going with you." I am so thankful for the wife the Lord gave me. She isn't perfect although she has it together a lot more than me. And although she isn't perfect she is the women GOD gave to me and I am blessed for His gift of this wonderful Christian wife. She and I have chosen through the years to focus on the positive traits of each other rather than the negative ones. It really has made a BIG difference. I heard Dr. Adrian Rogers say years ago "If you marry a child of the devil, you'll get the devil for a daddy-in-law." I don't know how many times I have rejoiced because I married a Christian and a dedicated one at that. Every young person out there let me encourage you to only marry a true believer and watch for a good amount of time to see if they really are in love with the Lord. If you can't find one , DON'T GET MARRIED! It is that simple. A great thing to teach our daughters is " That what they are depending on to catch a man is what they will have to do to keep him. If he loves them because of their beauty, what are they going to do when the beauty is no longer there?" Both men and women need to understand there are more important things in a relationship then outward beauty. When you see a man or women who loves the Lord and are dedicated and submitting to His Lordship you are seeing what will always make a marriage work. I have learned that "The more I learn about Jesus, the more I Love Jesus, the more I love my wife." In my counciling through the years I have discovered that it is human emotions that seem to get in the way of truly loving our mates or loving any other in a relationship. Our human emotions are generally selfish and always operate on feelings. Praise the Lord we believers have something better than emotions to live by we have Holy Fruit. One of the fruits we have is Forgiveness. "FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN EMOTION; IT'S A CHOICE." Just like love, forgiveness can be chose to be given through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ in the heart is the most important ingredient in any relationship especially a marriage. There is so much more than the outward man or the outward possessions that keep us together for a lifetime. It is the inward man and the inward possessions which make all the difference. I asked Karen, "Will you love me when I'm old and gray?" She answered, "Sure I do."  I am thankful for the Love of God today in giving to me my wife and I am thankful  for my wife who gave herself to me. I will choose to focus on the best of her not the least. And I sure hope she does the same for me, I think she will. How about you today? In any relationship if you choose to do the same it will make the difference. 

 Good Monday to each of you. I appreciate all those who made a comment over the last several days letting me know you are listening and desire to keep doing so. It helps me to know someone out there is listening and gleaning from our blog. We had a great weekend of services. We had several saved in the adult services and many decisions were made for the Lord. The altar was filled both morning services with people crying out to God for help in their personal lives and in the life of our nation. Sunday evening service was packed with visitors and what a service. We honored every VET in a special way. The Media Presentation was the best ever. Pam Wilson did a great job filming and developing this wonderful DVD in honor of each of our veterans. Thanks goes to Pam for all her hard work. We had great attendances each morning service and as we said the evening was a full house. Thank you Lord for drawing people to this house of worship. "HE" must think this is a place worth drawing people too. Amen. It is already 5:45 p.m. on Monday and I need to get home , but early in the morning I will take some time to spend blogging as I have some things to share from my heart. Speak with you then. 

 Good Friday to each of you. We had a great Midweek service last evening. We started our Fall II electives and got off to a great start. Before church last evening I preached a funeral at 6 p.m. It was the funeral of a 42 year old lady who was related to some of the bus children who ride our buses. I received a phone call on Wednesday asking if I could help and my first response was not on Thursday not just before church and then the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts and reminded me I had been asking for more opportunities to share the Gospel. So I said yes to the funeral and am so glad I did. The funeral was filled with many hurting and lost people. We were able to teach them from Johns Gospel chapters 11 and 14. We were able to tell them how much God loves them and that He sent His Son to die for them and to raise again for them. Many heard the Gospel. Would you pray for the Cruz family today and ask that the devil not be able to snatch away the seed sown and that some would receive Jesus even today. Tomorrow at Liberty we have another funeral. Some of you may remember Karen & Dick Jones who used to attend Liberty. Karen passed away late Tuesday evening and her funeral will be Saturday morning at 11 a.m. here at the church. Again we are reminded that "Life is just a vapor that appeareth for a short time and then vanisheth away." We need to make our life count every single moment we have for the glory of our God. This Sunday we will have a great day of services. Andrew Phipps will be here with us preaching on Patriotism. In the evening service we will be honoring all VETERANS in a very special way. There will be a wonderful Media Presentation along with a Memorial Flag March. Andrew Phipps will present a very meaningful narration for all veteran. Great music and a special gift given to every Veteran. This is a good time to invite all your veteran friends and their families. 

One last thing for today. I have been thinking lately of how effective our blog is. I love doing it and would love to continue but was wondering if any are benefiting from the Bishir Blog. Here is what I would like for you to do. First, who is reading? Could you just make a comment and let me know who is out there? Second, is the blog helpful to you, do you like making the connection? Take a few seconds and click on { posting  a comment} area below and let me know what you think. Have a great weekend. 

 On Tuesday I asked each of you to think about the tools that our Lord has already given us, those tools which we already have available in our lives on a daily basis. I hope you have been thinking about that question. So often we seem so overwhelmed-and defeated in our daily walk and all the time our precious Lord has already done so much for us and has availed the very tools for us to overcome the day instead of be overwhelmed by the day and its circumstances. I have found that often in times like these that we will actually BLAME God for not loving us or keeping His promises to us . We feel as if others are treated  more fairly and that God is a respecter of persons, when the reality is those we think are treated better are those who are simply using the tools God has already given. They have chosen to respond by faith, they have chosen to have the mind of Christ, they have chosen prayer, they have chosen patience, they have chosen forgiveness, they have chosen submission, they have chosen to use what God has availed to them. What are some of the tools God has given each of His believers. He has given His Son to die for our sins. He has given us the forgiveness of sin. When we are forgiven and we appropriate this it is life changing. I can live in forgiveness I can forgive others, this sets me free. We have been given the Holy Spirit, God lives inside of us. We have been given the Holy Scriptures, from which we gain principles and comfort and so much more. We have been given the power of prayer, wisdom from heaven, Gifts of the Spirit, Fruit from the Spirit. We have been given Promises and Power to live by. We have been given Spiritual Brothers and Sisters, we have been given His Church. We have been given Hope, and the we have been given eternal life. I could go on and on and on! But the problem is if we don't take what God has given us and avail it in our life we will live sub par Christian lives. Each of us need to understand that the problems that come to our lives have solutions found in God's Provisions. We need to stop blaming God and begin Praising God for His loving kindness in providing all we need for life. Pick up your TOOLS and begin building the life God has planned for you! 

 Life can at times be overwhelming. Pressures, offenses, problems of all sorts, health, finances,emotions, people, the list goes on. Life can get the best of us if we don't use the tools that God gives us for living life. The greatest tool is His presence. Just to have Him inside of us 24 hours a day. Now that tool must be asked for. We must repent of our sins and receive Him as our only hope our only saviour. Then He moves into us through the Holy Spirit. If we would learn how to walk in the Spirit life can be overcome instead of overwhelmed. If you think about it we believers already have the tools to live abundant lives. They are available through the Lord Himself. Some of the tools we have already, some we need to ask for on a daily basis. If we would just appropriate these tools life would be so much more controllable, so much more manageable. If I needed to nail some things together and I had the nails and the hammer wouldn't it be silly to just use the nails and try to get the nails driven without using the hammer? It seems that we believers at times do the same in our lives. We have tasks to do, lives to live and we are trying to drive the nails in without using all the tools available. Thus our buildings are shoddy and weak, being held together somewhat until the winds of problems come and then they come tumbling down. 

I would like to get some feed back from you! What tools has the Lord given us for this thing we call life? I have been thinking of many but I want to hear from you.  Think about it, what tools has the Lord given us that we so often fail to use. And why do we fail to use these tools? 

Had a great weekend at our Annual Marriage Retreat. Had 35 couples and Larry Fowler taught on Love on Fire. He used as his text the Song of Solomon. What a great job he did in expounding on God's truth about deep intimacy in our marriages. Yesterday we had good services at Liberty in both morning and evening. We had over 650 in the morning attendances. We still have a lot of absenteeism due to illness. We are beginning to see some of our snow birds go to Florida and Texas and other warmer climates. We miss them and for those who have gone south for the winter we want to let them know how much we love them and will miss them till we see them again. Karen And I want to also say thanks to each person who in the month of October during {Pastors Appreciation Month } sent a card or honored us in some way. THANKS so much!  We are so thankful for our Liberty family they mean so much to us, each and everyone. Speak with you tomorrow if the Lord doesn't come back tonight.