Tis is our last day of vacation before returning to Indiana. Karen and I were having lunch in the home we are staying and both of us were standing together at the kitchen sink there was a loud boom and a very strong shake and then another strong shake then the house was shaking and all the dishes in the cabinets were rattling. We immediately looked at each other and said "EARTHQUAKE". We ran out into the back yard and the earth was shaking and we sensed it as a waving of the ground for about 20 seconds. WOW!! We had never experienced one before. The epicenter was only 8-10 miles away. It was 5.4 magnitude and it centered right in the population areas, so millions felt the effect. Pastor Bobby called me immediately and told me he and Ally had to leave their apartment for awhile. They are about 80 miles of where we are staying. What an experience! I am reminded of the scriptures which teach that there will be more and more earthquakes as we get closer to the LORD'S RETURN! The news reporters keep talking about this is not the "BIG ONE". Well the "BIG ONES" are coming. Thank God I will miss those, they will take place during the Tribulation and they will shake the whole world. This one was regional but still startling, can't begin to think how frightened the worlds people will be then. Well if we can still catch our flight we are to fly out tonight at 11:30 p.m. tonight and will be in at 6:30 a.m. in the morning. Appreciate all your prayers for safety.

 Yesterday during some study and research time I was able to listen to a 15 minute radio broadcast of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. which was originally recorded in the 1950s. Dr. Bob was first a great evangelist who preached across America in the 1920s - 1950s. He was a contemporary of Billy Sunday. He was used mightily to come into big and small cities and bring revival. Many times when he went into towns the taverns and bars were shut down because of the loss of business, people were so influenced by the power of God that they repented of many vices once practiced with ease. It was not uncommon that many new churches would be started because of all the new converts and the swell of many Christians who returned to once forsaken assembly. I remember reading his biography {you can get it from Bob Jones Press} and in this book it records some of his meetings and the results. It even records that he came to a small town in my area, Hartford City, and oh the results. I long for this again in America. 

Now here is the point! As I listened to this radio broadcast of the 1950s Dr Bob was speaking from the Word of God and really speaking from his heart. He was addressing the issue of how the church was becoming a machine instead of a ministry filled with power. How that the church was relying on its own power of programs,money, and its size. He was speaking about how the church was beginning to give the people what they wanted instead of what they needed. Whatever it took to get the attendances. He was predicting what might happen for these temporary gains at the expense of eternal gains. His message was powerful. I am sure many listened and held the line, but many didn't. I wonder what Dr. Bob would say today?

I was thinking maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for us to listen to the old timers more? Maybe we should read them and get some old tapes or broadcast. Maybe just stick with the old BOOK the BIBLE. Now I am not against change, we need to do that but don't you think it would be a good idea to have "SOME OLD FOR THE NEW"?

We are back on the mainland in Southern California. The flight connections were difficult so we were all up a long time, then we lost 3 hours in time zone changes so we are finally blogging again. This portion of our vacation is centered more on rest and study, so pray for us involving this. Yesterday our church planter Robert Cupps picked us up at LAX and as we drove down to Luguna Niegel in Orange County we talked the whole way about our church plant in Santa Clarita which is north of L.A. It was so encouraging to hear all the good reports concerning this ministry. The church is growing faster than normal for church plants, and already foundational families are being developed. The great need now is a new meeting place. Property prices and rent is very expensive here so please pray for the Lords provision. The Cupps want me to say thanks to all our church at Liberty for helping them in their effort of planting this new church. When we come to this area {11 million in L.A. county alone} we are reminded of the billions of people on planet earth who will all live FOREVER SOMEPLACE. I wish I had a thousand lives to go to a thousand places to preach the life changing gospel. Well that isn't Gods plan. He gives one life and plants us in one area to preach and Lord willing the gospel goes around the world from that one place and thousands and millions of other places. Take time today and ask the Lord to 'Lift up your eyes unto the fields of harvest". Lord please don't let us in all our doing's {even vacation's} forget those who are lost. Lord help each of us to share the gospel with someone TODAY!

Today we are leaving this island of Kauai. We are headed for another island Oahu. This is where Honolulu is and of course Pearl Harbor. We will leave here about 10 am{4pm Indiana time} take a 1 hr flight there and spend the day. Then we will fly out tonight at 10:pm tonight and take a 6 hour flight to San Francisco, then another flight out to L.A. and arrive at 10:30 am L.A. time, where Bobby Cupps will pick us up and take us to Orange County, California. Pray for safety as our family flies today. I am looking forward to being at Pearl Harbor today. I am so thankful for my freedom and I understand it didn't come at a cheap price. Thank the Lord for His freedom, "He came to set us free". May we each commit ourselves to help set people free by giving them the gospel. Have a great day! 

Sorry about not blogging for a few days but we have been moving pretty fast to see all there is to see on this island paradise of Kuaui. We have been entirely around this island now and inland as far as possible. What beauty!! As we were standing at the Northwest lookout point as as far as you get by road the beauty of the Na Pali mountains and coastline had to be one of the most breathtaking spots I have ever been. Each day we have seen some of God's most glorious creations on this earth. Pastor Ryan said that "God could have made it all the same but with His great power and wisdom He chose to give us such glory to see and to behold His Power". Yesterday I witnessed the most Glorious sight since coming to this place. We attended church in a little mountain town. I had done a little research on Saturday and decided to lead all the family to to particular church for assembiy on the Lords day.As we sat in the service it was evident he Lords hand was on this church. As we worshipped tears feel from my face and joy filled my heart. It touched me so deeply to know that wherever we go on this earth there is a common bond between believers.  This church was started in 1946 by a missionary. Their first emphasis was the children of this little town. They reached dozens of these children and today this church has a fine set of facilities and an attendance of nearly 300. During handshaking time we met the fellow in front of us, he was approximately mid 60s in age and I asked him how long he had attended this church. He said since 1946! He was one of the little children from the beginning. He attended Weaton college near Chicago and returned to this little town. He had been to Wabash, In so he knew of our area. His wife had attended Ft Wayne Bible College and as she was in Ft Wayne had worked and was a student with Ruth Rickner then Ruth Payne. It sure is a small world. As we continued to worship we sang songs in English, Spanish and Hawaiian. It was moving to say the least. As I sat there I was reminded that I was witnessing the most glorious of all the sights of these islands and that was Gods recreation of human lives. Here was a man that loved the Lord and had given his life to Him as a child because a church was planted and the Gospel preached and Jesus saved a soul and continued a work of recreating all these years. Here was a church full of people of 

all ages that God was continuing His creation in. Then I remembered our church back home where He is doing the same. I was overcome with joy and praise and thankfulness that the same thing was happening in me . Thank you Jeus!.    

 It is Thursday morning and just finished our walk/run. It is so beautiful here, all  people said it would be. If you want to see where we are go to a map and look at Hawaii and we are on the island of Kauai. We  are  on the south side of the island at a beach town called POIPU. It is supposed to be America's best beach. It is very nice. We also have breathtaking views of the mountains, as we are right in them. Green mountains, blue skies, white clouds, aqua ocean, multi colored flowers and plants, and as I type a double rainbow in the sky after a short rain and the sun is shining bright. I am reminded of heaven. Today is temporary, certainly to be enjoyed but I know we are still in this world of departures, delays and disappointments. But one day we will be at our destination and it will be better than any place this world has to offer. It will be eternal not temporal. When we get there we will not have Jet-lag and we will never have to leave and get back, always there , always there! I am praying for our church and all of you back home, I miss you, hey that is another thing we wont deal with in heaven because we will all be together in that paradise.

 I am sitting in the Holiday Inn at LAX airport. We arrived last eve in LA at 2:30 a.m. and got to the hotel room at around 3:30 am Indiana time. Our flight was to fly out this morning at 8:30 a.m. for Hawaii. Well you guessed it our flight is delayed and we now fiy out at 11:30 a.m. Now this delay causes problems on the other end as we will miss our hopper flight from Honolulu to the island of Kanui. We are working on that and will get it worked out. We will get into our rental 3-4 hours later than normal but we will get there LORD willing. We are still having a great time. We have met up with our children who had already come to California 3 days earlier so we are having vacation in our hotel room. With the right attitude you can decide to have a good time anyway. We can enjoy life even in the delays. I am reminded that God is sovereign , he has everything under control. I also remember that God is never late!!!! The delays allowed me to read the BIBLE and to spend time praying for many of you. Have a great day.

 We had another great weekend at Liberty. There was a wonderful spirit and unity. The Lord's presence was very evident. We have such a loving body of believers. In just a few hours I will be away on a two week vacation. I am really looking forward to the rest and relaxation. I always hate to leave but know that "IF YOU DO NOT COME APART YOU COME APART". I will blog some as we are away but not as much. Check in periodically and check it out but if you find nothing know that we are just basking in the sun and being restored in the Lord. I will pray for you often as each of you are on my heart. We love each of you! ALOHA

In these very troubling days which seem to be dark and hopeless, one of the most exciting things I see is that the Lord is raising up YOUNG PEOPLE with Hearts for HIM!! "YOUNG HEARTS" with a passion for the Lord! I pray about this all the time. I have prayed about it since I was a young man with a YOUNG HEART. I think one of the greatest enjoyments of our ministry is to see our own children have hearts for the Lord and then to see many of our church youth have a heart that beats for Jesus. That is what we need, it is what we must have and praise the Lord it is happening here at Liberty and around the world. Our God is fulfilling scripture as  Joel prophesied that in the end times God would raise up young people to make a difference in these difficult time. God is good and is doing a work in His church. At Liberty we have so many young people on fire for the Lord, let us pray for them and get behind them with whatever support we can throw their way. May we not discourage them. Yes we older folk like certain things certain ways and this younger generation likes things a little different but if it isn't sin may each of us compromise and find a way to work together and touch another generation. At Liberty we are attempting to fuel the passion of our YOUNG HEARTS, and one way we are doing this is on Midweek services {THURSDAY at 7p.m.} in the month of July we are having some of our choice young men preach. THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, AND WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO HEAR FROM THEM. Yes I know it will be a little rough around the edges, but God will speak loud and clear. It is important for our churches to work diligently to incorporate these Young Hearts into its ministry. Show them how by encouraging them to do it. "USE THEM OR LOSE THEM". I don't know about you but for me I plan on PASSING THE TORCH NOT DROPPING IT AND HOPING SOMEONE PICKS IT UP.

Yesterday I spoke with Larry Brooks via phone. For you Liberty folk you know Larry has battled cancer for 4-5 years now. It has been miraculous that Larry is still with us. The Lord has done many great things for he and Libby but the battle continues and just doesn't stop. I call them often to find out how it is going but this time he called me. He wanted me to know that the cancer was back again in his backbone. He is facing surgery again on August 8 , so may we each pray for his healing. As we were talking Larry reminded me that he trusted the Lord and then he began to tell me of those he went to visit in the hospital as he was there for his appointments. He was so tired and sick yet found time to visit others. This is nothing new, I have witnessed it many times as he and Libby visit, send cards, call others in their distress even while they are struggling themselves. Praise the Lord for hearts like these. Then just this morning I received another phone call from Tracy Gordon who shared yesterday she had an appointment at the cancer center and met a young lady who had just found out she has breast cancer. Tracy was calling for prayer {not for herself but for another}. What burden she had for this lady! This dear one had just found out she had breast cancer and was so fearful. Tracy was able to share her testimony and experiences in order to help this hurting one. Some purpose for Tracy's own illness is being revealed once again. Tracy was so exited that she will see this lady again, today and is requesting prayer for wisdom to share what will help bring this lady to the Lord. Again here is one with great need but focused more on the needs of others. These two testimonies really encouraged me to live for others , and i hope my sharing them with you today will do the same in you life today. Please pray for Tracy's healing ! 

 If you woke up this morning, and you are still here-GOD STILL HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE ! Some of you are having troubles today remember " It"s always to soon to quit and never to late to start". If you are having troubles don't let them sink you but use them to sail you. Just step up to the trouble and begin to work on it and to solve it. Don't get discouraged but get courage from the Lord and solve the troubles. If it is a person go to them and reconcile, get the trouble solved and regain a child , a parent , a friend. If it is finances get some advice, begin to work on the trouble. It may take time but God will help if you ask. If it is something that cannot be solved respond with faith and decide to have a right attitude about it, and then you will turn your trouble into triumph. Remember that this world is not without troubles. Think on this today     "WHEN TROUBLE COMES TO YOU AND DOSEN"T LEAD YOU TO WORSHIP GOD, YOU SURE HAVE WASTED A LOT OF TROUBLE".

Hey all the Liberty family remember to pray for Pastor Ryan an Beth this week as Ryan is preaching in a children's camp near Cleveland,Ohio. They will be back on Friday. 

 Thought I would ask a question, What is first in your life? Really, think about it and answer it. Be honest , don't be to hard on yourself, answer the question honestly, what is first in your life. It is a good exercise to ask ourselves that often. Get alone and take inventory of your personal life, what is first in your life? Some may say how can I really know that? Let me give you some pointers. What takes up most of your thoughts? What do you think about most of the time? That will tell you a whole lot. The Bible says ' As a Man thinks so is he". Another way is to look at your personal finances, what do they  tell you? Look at what you are spending your money on? And while you think on that , look to see what your personal spending does not include! How about your schedule? How is your time divided up? Who are you hanging around? That will help you to determine what is first in your life. I have found that if I am around people who put best things first that I am usually doing the same. Stop and look to see what your first thoughts of the day are, and what your last thoughts of the day are ,that can help to reveal what is first in our lives. Take a while to make some inspection in your life to see what is First. Now if we find out that Jesus and His ways are not first , may each of us pray and ask the Lord to help us make adjustments so HE will be in His Rightful place--that is FIRST PLACE!! 

 Wow! What a weekend! I didn't realize that I had not blogged since last Wed. Sorry about that, i really try to do it at least 4 times a week or more. I think it was because i took Friday july 4 th off and the long weekend was involved. Oh well i will try to do better. I really love to blog and hope you love to keep connected this way. Yesterday was another great day at Liberty. Andrew Phipps was our special speaker in both the morning services. He was a walking encylopidia of American history. Very impressive to hear him and I would suggest to every reader to get a CD of the morning service. If you attend another church have your Pastor bring this man in for a FAITH FAMILY FREEDOM DAY. Check him out at www.phippstours.com . We had wonderful attendance and many decisions to follow Christ. Also in the morning had a lady follow the Lord in baptism , Amen. Last eve we had a great Singspiration and great time of fellowship eating pie and ice cream. I Love America, and I am praying for the Lord to do the impossible. You say what is the impossible? It is to return this great land to its original greatness. Ezekiel 22:30  tells us that the Lord is seeking for a man to stand in the gap before me for the land, that i should not destroy it, but I found none. I want to be a man who will believe the Lord for the impossible and pray for revival. Nothing is to hard for the Lord, when we think there is no way we remember that He is the way. Have a great Monday eve and i will talk at you tomorrow morning!

 You know there are  lot of opinions out there! Now in just a few days we Americans will celebrate our Freedom, and each of us have the right to our opinions. But let me encourage you to have your opinions rooted in something far more solid then just what you think or what you want to believe. I have many opinions and the longer i live it seems I have more and I am stronger in the ones I have. I want my opinions to be built on something that is sure and True. Our opinions should be built on rock solid truth, and of course we know what is the only source of Truth is Gods Word the BIBLE. What a privilege we have in having a copy of Gods Word. When we are in discussions with people and we get to give our opinions it is so satisfying to say our opinion is rooted in what God has already said. Now there are times when it may just be a preference not a Bible based conviction, at times like that just say this is what I think, but when we know what God has said then our opinion has been shaped by God Himself. When we know what God has said then we can say "We Don't Have To Agree. You Have The Right To Be Wrong If You Want To".

May each of us not just have our own opinions but may we stand on GODS OPINIONS.

Let me leave you today with some thoughts worth pondering!

"It is better to be divided by truth than united in error"---------- "Don't let your conscience be your guide UNLESS GOD guides your conscience"

"It is better to be hated for telling the truth than loved for telling a lie"--

Through the years I attempted to read the newspaper and watch the news as best I could. I felt keeping up with the events of our world would help me in my preaching to people. I still believe this but I have to tell you the news is so bad most of the time it is getting easier for me to not really want to know what is going on in the world so much. Now I know that the Lord is up to so many GREAT things and there is lot's of good news but if you look at a world apart from Christ it is pretty bad. If we look at world conditions they seem bad. The worlds economy, wars, natural disasters, gay marriages, national debt, price of gas, price of food, "What is the World Coming Too" ? Well the Good News is "The World Is Coming To Jesus"! Won't be long and the LORD Himself will come and turn the news from being Bad to being Good! When King Jesus comes to sit on the Throne , He will rule and reign for a thousand years on this earth. Then He will rule for all eternity in Heaven. All the news then will be GOOD! Can you imagine that? So if you have received bad news lately it wont be long till our Lord changes that to Good news. You may say that is Wishful thinking, no I think that is Faithful thinking! That thinking is founded on the Word of God. You  may think I am just trying to live outside the realm of reality. No , I really don't know how anyone could live well today without the Hope that Jesus is coming and going to turn all the Bad to Good. What a Hope!! Now, I plan on Living today with Joy and rejoicing. I understand the Lord is on the Throne in Heaven , but what a day when He sits on the throne in Jerusalem and rules the whole earth . Saints keep working for him, keep allowing Him to work through you, keep abiding and you will rule with Him during that time. Wont be long for all the Bad News to become all Good News!

Hey by the way thanks for those who have  showed love to this preacher the last few days. The emails of appreciation, the black raspberry pie, the payday candy bars , the notes and cards, the lunches and diet pepsi. This and many other acts of Love. It is a real joy to be your Pastor and to be part of such a loving church!