Kelly's Birthday

Today is my Son-in-law Kelly’s Birthday. I love him like he was born my own son. I find myself comparing his life to my over and over. I guess I don’t see Peggy that way because she was there(in the past) with me. Anyway, now we both have found ourselves in Houston Texas during economic down turns. The big difference is Kelly has enjoyed the good economy for several years and when I came to town looking for a job the headlines read Boom Town Goes Bust. Some what discouraging to a 25 year old needing a job to feed his wife and child. Below is part of an article from NPR(NPR is not a conservative think tank).

Economy
How Does Economy Compare To Past Downturns?
by John Ydstie


Still, the total unemployment rate for this recession hasn't surpassed the unemployment rates in those two severe downturns — at least not yet. The latest data puts the current jobless rate at 8.1 percent, with most analysts predicting a peak of less than 10 percent later this year. During the recession of the early 1980s, unemployment peaked at 10.8 percent. And in terms of length, if the current slump lasts through April, which seems very likely, it will be longer than both those recessions.

The point I want to make is this, being bankrupt financially is not the worst thing that can happen. Being bankrupt spiritually is! "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are. Mat 6:19-21

Has anyone out there put anything in heaven this week? This month? This year? Ever?
Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.
All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. 2Co 5:17-18

If you are a Christian you have a job if the economy is good or bad, tell others about your faith in Christ!

That puts all of us in one of two groups, the group that needs to be saved by God’s grace, or the group that needs to be telling others how to be saved by God’s grace.

The Good Shepherd....Do You Know Him?

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.




Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Last week as Randy and I traveled through the countryside of Romania and up into the mountains, we saw many flocks of sheep grazing on tender green grass. Always, nearby was the faithful shepherd standing guard over his flock. What a perfect picture and beautiful reminder of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

As the shepherd leaves the sheepfold in the morning with his flock, headed for fresh green pasture, he knows exactly how many sheep are under his care and protection. They are his responsibility, his livelihood. I'm told the shepherds have their own "shepherding" songs they sing to keep the sheep calm and contented. The shepherd cares for his sheep, they aren't just a bunch of woolly animals to him. It is imperative the shepherd return back to the sheepfold in the evening with the same number he left with that morning, regardless of the cost or danger involved. The shepherd would put himself between his sheep and any wild animal that might try to attack and kill one of his flock.

Our Good Shepherd guards his flock carefully as well. He is constantly on alert for any predator lurking about to steal, kill or destroy one of his own. Should one of His flock falter or stumble and fall by the wayside, the Good Shepherd is there to reach down lovingly with his staph and help them back on the right path. We can only imagine how heaven and the angels rejoice when a lost sinner comes to the Good Shepherd with open arms and receives Him into their heart as a child. I'm thankful I know the Good Shepherd and He knows me. If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today, it is my prayer that you would seek Him, life is a vapor; there is no promise of tomorrow. The only assured walk in life is walking with the Good Shepherd.