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Enter His courts with Thanksgiving – come into His presence with Joy. Another has written that PRAISE puts us in the position of truly believing that the One within us is “greater than he who is in the world: (1John 4:4)” Praise gives us “confidence to enter the MOST HOLY PLACE by the blood of Jesus,” allowing us to draw near to God with a single heart in full assurance of faith” and to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”(Heb.10:19,22-23).

An e-mail friend told me recently that when she praised the Lord for what was going on in her life she felt better and the more she praised the better she felt. I’ve heard it said many times that the lower you get and the harder life is – then is the time to praise the Lord! So when you are down and out and the battle seems to be going against you – there is only one thing to do. Sing Praises to the Lord!

Praise leads to faith, which leads to boldness in prayer, which leads to an outpouring of God’s Spirit. Which leads to confidence and boldness in action. (Some of the above is from Michael Youseff’s book I Praise You O God.)

“And now by faith I say to You, “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”(Psalm 13:5).

Today---------------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that we can reach our God who dwells in the Praises of His people. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

Human kind has a tendency to forget. No one is exempt from this trait. Like everything else some are more proficient than other in this area. I recall many incidents in my life when forgetfulness had a part. Once I was standing beside a highway waiting for my wife and kids to pick me up. They drove right by without even slowing down. When I called after they got home they had simply forgotten they were supposed to pick me up

I was greatly embarrassed one Sunday afternoon @ 4:00 o’clock. I suddenly remembered that I was to have been in an ordination service at a neighboring church at 2:00 o’clock. I was ready for that service, having written out and rehearsed my speech for several days. Then I completely forgot to go. I swallowed my pride, called the pastor and apologized for forgetting.

The Bible reminds that some things are to be forgotten. God takes our sins, removes them as far from us as the east is from the west, and remembers them no more.

On the other hand, we are instructed in Psalm 103 to praise the Lord and FORGET NOT all his benefits. In Ecclesiastes we are told that there is a time for everything.

Today------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that he will help us remember what the Lord has done. Have a TERRIFIC WEEKEND!!!

October is designated as the month in which we express appreciation to the leaders in our churches. In retrospect I could wish for this emphasis through the years of my ministry. Nevertheless, people were good to us. Have you ever experienced an old fashioned “pounding?” We praise the Lord for the people who have been a part of lives.

However, all is not well these days. In the parlance of the space program, “Houston, we have a problem.” I read just last night of a study that says 1500 ministers leave the ministry every month for one reason or another. The same study reveals that about 50 percent of minister’s families will end in divorce. Ministers say that 85 percent of their problem is with problem people.

Now that I no longer serve as a pastor but am just a member of a local church, I want to be sure that I am not one of those problem people.

Problem people are problems because they themselves have problems. Their problems are basically caused by pride or selfishness. People so often speak of “my rights.” A third grade pupil told the teacher who was reprimanding him, “I know my rights.”

As a Christian I no longer have “rights.” Why? “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.” Paul writes In Gal.2:20 “It is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me.”

It is my desire not to be a problem for the pastor to have to deal with, but to a member who supports the pastor by praying for him every day and by encouraging him in every way I can. Show your pastor and church leaders that you appreciate them. Tell them in person, send them a card or by whatever means the Lord puts on your heart.

Today-----------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for calling those who serve as pastors and leaders in our church. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

Because of comments from people who have called me or talked with me I got to thinking about this idea of communication. I've always considered communication as being talking to another person. This can be face to face conversation. It can be a phone call. Writing letters is another way of communicating. In these days I find the use of e-mail to be a quick way of getting a message to another person. It is almost instantaneous and you never get a busy signal or that irritating message, "Your call is important to us, please hold for the next available operator."

I learned something else about communication when I looked in the dictionary. The first definition of 'communication' was, "a transmission." Transmisssion is not always by words. For example - a couple visited us recently. The wife had called earlier to be sure a visit would be okay. After they sat down she said, "You made my day when I talked to you this morning. I was feeling down and your up-beat attitude just lifted my spirit." Communication by transmission of an attitude.

As a Christian, a member of the family of God, I hope I can always transmit an up-beat spirit. I realize there are times in every life that all things are not well, that sorrows and heart-aches are a part of the human experience. I try to remember that "For the joy that was set beffore Him Jesus went to the cross." I think about Paul and Silas in the confines of a prison with their feet in stocks, yet they sang Praises to God. They transmitted the joy of the Lord by words and attitude.

Here it is, Monday morning. Outside it cloudy and chilly. But inside my soul the Son is shining and I can rejoice because Jesus is my Savior, God is my Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit is my constant companion. God help me to transmit my attitude of joy to bless the lives of all who come into contact with me this day.

Today--------------------------out loud and on purpose Praise the Lord that He transmits His love to me by His Word and by His Spirit to my spirit. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!!

There are many days in our lives that we consider to be happy days. The day we were born was a happy day for our parents. The day we started to school was a happy day for our mother! Do you remember your first “crush” on that littler boy or girl who you fell in love with?

A happy day for most of us was the day we married the most wonderful person in the world and promised the love would last for the rest of our lives. Our 63^rd anniversary was a happy day because God has blessed us with this many years together.

One day that stands out in the mind of many of us is that day when Jesus Christ became our Saviour and the burden of our hearts rolled away. I can tell you of the time. I can take you to the place where the Lord saved me by His wonderful grace.

Today-----------------------------out loud and purpose give Thanks and Praise to the Lord for the happy day when Jesus saved you. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

I grew up in a culture that, as I look back, seemed to put the worship of God as something done on Sunday. Indeed, Sunday was designated as the day of worship. Businesses were closed on Sunday. Our cities had “Blue Laws” forbidding the operation of certain businesses and keeping the movie theatres closed. In the late 30’s these laws were repealed. The theatres were opened. Stores opened in the afternoon. One grocery chain stayed open 24 hours so working people would have the opportunity to buy groceries. Sunday as a special day was ingrained into the thinking of people. I remember going to a Sunday baseball game and feeling very guilty about going to a ball game on Sunday.

Much of the literature I read gives emphasis to the fact that the worship of God is not just a Sunday thing. It is a lifestyle. Christians are to practice the worship of God everyday. Some will say, “Woah, that’s taking it too far.” Lots of people do not even consider that God is a part of week day life. He is a Sunday God. Keep Him in church.

My son-in-law gave me an article about worship that tells about Brother Lawrence who lived over three hundred years ago. He was one who worshipped God everyday.

He wrote a book, Practicing the Presence of God setting forth his belief in worship. As he was on his death bed he was heard to say, “I am not dying.” He was asked, Then, Brother Lawrence, what are you doing?” His reply was, “I am doing what I have been doing all my life, I am worshipping the God I love.”

Worship is a lifestyle. We are worshippers everyday. Dear Lord, I love you. Help me to show the world by my lifestyle.

Today-----------------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the privilege of worshipping our God everyday and in all things. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

As I think of access I am thinking of being able to reach the top person in an organization, whether it be a business, a government office, a religious ministry. In some cases it is almost impossible to gain access to the top person. They are surrounded by people who are to protect them from whatever. An e-mail to a top person is answered by someone who intercepts it. Try reaching your Congressmen or Senators. They have people who are trained to answer your phone call, your letters or your e-mail.

I wrote to a ministry leader who appears daily on television on several channels each day. I addressed the letter to the individual, marked it “Personal” because I had some information that was I thought was vital to the integrity of the ministry. One day I received a call from a person in the organization thanking me for the information I provided which did result in a change in some of their telecasts. But not a word from the top man.

In Rev.3:20 Jesus is presented as knocking on the door of a person’s heart. He is saying if you open the door I”ll come in and get to know you. We will have fellowship together. Here, the Son of God, whose name is above every name, is available for a “personal relationship.” PTL!.

One of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible is John 3:16 in which we are told that “whosever believes” will be saved. Anyone, everyone, whosever – no one is left out or excluded. The least can come into the presence of God Himself. We have access to the Creator of the Universe. Hallelujah!

People think of birthdays differently. There are those who never allow their age to be known. The old Jack Benny answer to how old are you was – “39 and holding.” I always wondered what they were holding.

Children are always glad to tell how old they are. In the mid-teens sixteen jumps out at you. This is the age when you can get a driver’s license. At age eighteen a person is legally able to vote and is considered under the law as an adult.

Somewhere along the way comes the year in which we get married. My SS teacher reminded me in an email that one should always remember : “The most difficult years of marriage are those following the wedding.”

Think about your birthdays through the years. I’m told that I had to learn to walk a second time when I was three. I had been so sick one doctor told my dad, “You’re going to lose your boy.” Praise God another doctor had a different attitude. By the grace of God and the help of this doctor I lived.

Around my 7^th b-day my father died. Mother was left to care for five children ages 5 mos. to 7 years. I was the oldest. Along about b-day number 12 I went to live with an uncle and aunt. I lived with them through high school. Several very good things happened during those years. I learned to do everything that needed to be done in the home from taking care of babies to washing, ironing, doing dishes, mopping floors. God was preparing me for things that were to be in my future. PTL.

In August before my 20^th b-day Hazel and I were married. Fifteen months later the first of our five children was born. We have two boys and three girls. In 1945 I was called into the ministry. I went to C-N-C and SE Theological Seminary. We lived in NC five years. Our youngest daughter was born just after I graduated from seminary. The years flew by. We moved back to TN. I was a pastor until retirement at the end of October 1984 at age 65.

Many changes came. We had bought the house Hazel’s parents built. Her mother lived with us until her death in the blizzard of ’93. My mother died one week earlier. In early ’98 Hazel’s body just seemed to wear out. She did not have strength to walk. Our last time in church was Feb. ’98. Other changes included the selling of our house to our oldest daughter and her husband. We put up a double-wide mobile home. It is very spacious and comfortable for Hazel and me.

Today is b-day number 84. I praise the Lord for His mercy and grace. Our God is good all the time. He keeps me physically strong enough to care for Hazel. He gives me the opportunity to write and send PTL’s five days a week to all you wonderful people who pray for us.

Today------------------------------out loud and on purpose join me as I lift my hands in adoration and my voice in praise to our God for His blessings. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

The lottery is not yet up and running in TN. We are, however, paying the director the highest salary of any lottery director in the US! There are five others with salaries in six figures. The target date for beginning selling tickets is Feb. 2004.

Meanwhile the highways leading to neighboring states that have lotteries are seeing a lot of traffic as people who can’t afford it go to play the lottery. The bigger the pay-off the greater the amount of traffic.

I had a call last week from a man working in an industry that enlists handicapped people to sell items with inflated prices to help those who are handicapped. He was laying it on pretty good. He said his buddy sold enough to get a check for $20.00 while he only had one for $4.00. In our conversation the subject of the lottery came up. He and his mother go to KY frequently to buy lottery tickets. I did not buy anything.

I ain’t gonna win the lottery because I’m not going to play the lottery. I’ve been taught all my life that gambling is wrong. My uncle got on me for playing marbles for “keeps” when I was in the 7^th grade (and I was winning!) But the teaching took root and grew.

I try to put my money to better use. By giving $25.00 to the Rescue Ministry I can help feed several people at their annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The “Love Kitchen” gets a contribution once or twice a year to help feed the poor. I don’t have much money but I’ve helped drill water wells in Africa and India and helped build a house in one of the poorest countries in the world.

My monthly gift to my denomination’s “Adopt An Annuitant” program helps a retired minister or his widow buy food or medicine.

How do I manage to have money for these gifts when I live on a “fixed” income of Social Security and retirement? I follow God’s plan. It is found in Malachi 3:8-10. Read it in a modern version. Do you cheat God? God instructs us to bring all the tithes into the storehouse (for me that is my church). If you do this God promises blessings. Then He says, “Test me!”

I HAVE NEVER KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THIS AND NOT BEEN BLESSED. GOD IS TRUE TO HIS WORD. DO YOU DARE TO TEST HIM?

The first check I write every month is to my church for my tithe or more. First because the “first fruit” belongs to the Lord.

Today------------------------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for blessings bestowed on obedient followers. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

1.      A feeling that what is wanted will happen; desire accompanied by expectation.
2.      The thing one has hope for.
3.      A reason for hope.
4.      A person or thing on which one may base some hope.

Everyone has built within us this element we call hope. As a Christian I have learned to place my hope in God and the Word of God. God and His Word are reliable.

The Psalmist says in 42:5 – “I will put my hope in God.” Psalm 62:5 –“I wait patiently before God, for my hope is in him.” Psalm 119:74 –“for I have put my hope in your word.”

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

Today------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that our God is the One we can trust and rely on to meet our every need. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!

In Ephesians 5:15-21 Paul writes about how we should be living our lives. I have read this many times. I have determined that this is the way I should live. But I get side-tracked. I have a need everyday to get into harmony and agreement with God’s Word.

Paul tells us (The Christian Standard Bible) that we are to pay attention to how we walk. I have a need to understand what God’s will is. I have no problem with getting drunk with wine. Drinking has never been a part of my life-style. I am a teetotaler. But I have a need to be filled with the Spirit. When the Spirit is in control we can speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We make music in our heart to the Lord.

Then, here it is. The thing we are to do that I and many others have a problem with. Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul repeats this in I Thes. 5:16-18. Pray without ceasing. Rejoice always. Thank the Lord for everything-FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD.

The Psalmist says, “ Praise the Lord. Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord. Psalm 22:3 “God is enthroned in the praises of His people.”

I have a need in the midst of my trouble to praise the Lord. I have a need when all is well to rejoice and praise the Lord. When I praise the Lord for what appears to be a bad situation I am declaring my faith that God will handle the situation.

I have experienced that there is power in praise. I have rejoiced as God has unraveled and solved problems. Yet, I have a need to be constantly reminded to praise the Lord for everything.

Today---------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for everything that is a part of your life today. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!