Welcome back everyone! Wow the weekend is here and gone. Time seems to fly as I get older. Thank you to those who have commented about the special edition blog on Outlaw Christianity. I am often humbled that the God of all creation chooses to speak to me, the lowest of His creations. Then, He blesses me with  a great family and surrounds me with wonderful friends. Many would look from the outside and say that I don't have much. I step back and say, "Thank You Jesus for all I have."
     This brings me to my thought for tonight. After the mid-week post, I began to think about how people might respond to this new Outlaw Christianity. You see the very same people who will tell me that I should not judge them will be the first to cast judgement on me and my friends as we embark on this new adventure. Now the Scripture says that we should not judge or we will be judged, doesn't it? Well the truth is Jesus said that in the manner we judge, we will be judged. This truth helps me to be more compassionate and understanding to the ones who are beaten down . It also causes me to be less understanding toward those who have tasted the goodness of grace and now don't want others to experience its wonderful effects.
     I'll let you in on a secret. People will always judge us. Jesus knew that. Our opportunity is to live a live worthy of His honor and not be so judgemental to those who are downtrodden due to live's difficult journey. I found out that today was reformation day. This would be a good time to reform our lives to the Scriptural truths and leave man-made religion behind. I have noticed several things over the years. One is that people need a hand to help them, a shoulder to lean on and a heart to love them. This will be impossible with a harsh judging heart. Another thing is that most people know they fail, so they need help to overcome not hinderances to hold them down.
     I told you that this outlaw christianity will not be for everyone, but the ride will be worth it. Why not mount up and head off toward the Son.
     Til next time, be true to Him and ride safe.

   Well I am always amazed at how fast a week comes and goes not to mention two weeks. Hopefully, the pattern will get settled and I will be more timely with my posts.
   A lot has happened since we last met. My family and I joined a local congregation this morning. In that same event, an opportunity presented itself to preach in a pulpit again. I know the calling and giftedness that God has placed on my life. Please pray for me and my family as opportunities come along. This afternoon we took a much needed ride with our chaplain/pastor Darryl Bates. On the ride, we met a couple of riders from Eufaula. God always seems to have His agenda planned perfect for us when we ride. Try it out sometime. All you have to do is be available. He takes care of the rest.
   This leads me to my thoughts. God is Sovereign. This simply means He has the power to work things His way. There are two things you will never hear God say. "Oops." and "I didn't see that one coming." From this, we can be assured that His plan will not fail. I know that He trusts us to choose the right way. If we don't, He has the power to move things toward His plan and put us where He wants us if we only seek Him and His glory. You see, God saw us before we were formed in our mother's womb and He had a plan and a purpose for us before our parents ever met. (I'll come back to this one day in the future.)
   I am not so smart to think I know it all. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Who holds tomorrow. By the time we meet again, life will take many turns. Some will be good. Some not so good, but He promises that all things will work together for good if we love Him and respond to His calling. The greatest assurance we have in thia uncertain life is that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. In all of life's ups and downs, He will walk us through each step and help us bring Him all honor and glory.
   My challenge to us this week is to continue to seek Him and His righteousness. As we do, He will establish our steps!
   Til next time, keep looking up and ride safe!

   Well, another week has come and gone. This week has had ups and downs. (Sounds like a pattern) I know that life is a journey and the road is never straight or boring. An old song has the title of "Great Adventure." this is where I have been "riding" lately. This week was full of new opportunities with many possibilities on the horizon. Over these past weeks, I have been reminded of God's love for us. 1 John 3 tells us that God has so great a love for us that we can be called children of God. Ponder that for a while...
   This love impacts us and those we encounter if we will let it permiate our lives. The love of God does three things for us.
I. It covers our sin. This is not a "look the other way" or "turn a blind eye." Jesus died to pay our penalty. Check out Romans 5:8
II. It compels our service. This love drives our devotion to the Kingdom causes. Each one of us has a special calling to follow and accomplish special tasks along the way. Check out 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 
III. It completes our sanctification. As the Lord draws us closer to Himself, He contiually sets us apart for His work. No one is unusable to the One Who created him or her.
   Love is the one thing that more people need but few are willing to show. Sure, it is risky. Anything worth doing has risks, but, we who have experienced this love have no option but to grow and show what He has done for us!
   Remember, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we can be called children of God."
   I am a child of the King! You can be too if you will only accept His Sacrifice. If you have been forgiven, don't wait. Live in His love and then share that love with others! My challenge to us this week is to experience again the love that reached out and touched the darkest heart to bring the Light of the world inside it.
   Till next week, Love God, love others and ride safe!