Daily prayer: Father, we desire to clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus, whose Spirit resides within our hearts. We pray that our behavior would honor You as we seek to behave decently and live according to the pattern of Holy Scripture, for “we were taught, regarding our former way of life, to put off our old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of our minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness.” May lust of the flesh be burned up by the fire of the Spirit that ignites us as we redirect our affections, energies, and time to that which is righteous and eternal. Make us like You, Father, as we follow after You in righteousness and holiness. In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Tattoo stories: We meet a lot of interesting people in the course of life. Not only do we see many people in our chaplain ministry but we make it our goal to let Christ's light shine through us wherever we go and whomever we see.

We were in a Lowe's home improvement store and the young lady checking us out had a tattoo to the left temple of her eye that read "Jeremy". Well, those of you who know me also know I'm not too bashful (much to Brooksyne's and Ester's embarrassment at times), so I inquired, "Who's Jeremy? Your boyfriend?". She paused and then blew out a puff of air as she replied, "Oh no, that's a long story" and went on to inform us that Jeremy was in prison and no longer in her life. Normally she tries to conceal the tattoo with make-up but lacked the time to do so as she dressed that morning.

We met a young man named Casey who has had a very hard life, including time spent in prison (Rikers Island in NYC). His tattoo, "Forgive me" above his eye, caught our attention so I asked him about it. Anyone who has a tattoo applied to their exposed skin should be prepared to answer questions since their body is like a sign for others to examine. And they wouldn't put it there if they didn't want it on display for others to see.

Casey's tattoo was a testimony of his new life. He really wants to live right and follow the Lord and we had the opportunity to encourage him to do so. He told us he wanted the tattoo to read, "Lord forgive me" but was told there wasn't enough room!

Evidence of darkness of sin: Friday we saw a man with a t-shirt that read "When we meet back up together in hell the first drinks are on me". Suffice it to say this man has a very faulty view of eschatology and the final judgment!

"After Your Heart"  Video  A song written by Tyler Noel, a musician in our church. Yesterday we concluded the summer series on David's life and Tyler wrote the song based upon our studies of David, a man after God's own heart.

"Just As I Am (I Come Broken)"  Video  Travis Cottrell   Outstanding song with excellent visuals. This song really breaks it down to the truth that it’s all about Jesus and not what I have to offer Him. The contemporary arrangements and additional lyrics to this traditional hymn really gets your attention in a fresh, new way and will surely touch your heart. Today we dedicate it to several we know who are carrying burdens such as a couple who have an adult son who has a rare form of cancer who is now addicted to pain killers, another couple with a son in prison and a grandmother deeply burdened for her granddaughter.

Today we will share several of the many photos we have posted of Mollie through the years.

Mollie in the van with Ester when we brought her home from the animal shelter in 2011.

When young she had remarkable athletic abilities and determination that could not be deterred. She eventually gets the ring every time.

She still likes to fetch the frisbee or her ring toy and normally catches them on the fly in the air.

When Sadie came along she had to learn to share! Friendly at first until she'd met her match with Sadie's strong grip. Overall they're very good playmates.

Yesterday I completed teaching a five week series in the Sunday School class we attend at Calvary Church. I invited Nick, a longtime friend to attend and he sat on the front row and snapped this photo. I considered those reading this material who have heard me preach or teach going all the way back to the mid-seventies. "I was young and now I am old" (Psalm 37:25b)

In our daily text Paul specifies six specific deeds of darkness those who live in the light are not to practice. Revealing the timeless truths of the Bible each of these sins of the flesh are common in our age and every age among those who walk in darkness. They are expressed in three groups of two, what one commentator calls “negative couplets”:

“Not in orgies and drunkenness”; The Greek word translated “orgies” (“ehavior” in some versions) was used generally of “feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry”. Today’s the “let’s party” outlook that so many have is nothing new. We who strive to live as children of light do well to heed a timeless woe expressed in Isaiah 5:22, "Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink". The apostle Peter firmly issues this call, “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

“Not in sexual immorality and debauchery”; The first word refers here to sexual intercourse outside of marriage. The second word means licentiousness and unrestrained lust. Other translations use the words “indecency”, “promiscuity”, “sensuality”. The New Century Version states, “There should be no sexual sins of any kind.” Sexual morality can be simply expressed as sexual intimacy expressed in a covenant relationship (holy marriage) between a man and a woman. Although we live in an age with a massive attempt to redefine marriage and morality the faithful contender for truth must not budge. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

“Not in dissension and jealousy”; These are relational sins that we often shrug off as no big deal. But they are opposed to the second greatest commandment, which is to love others as we love ourselves. Leon Morris observes, “Both indicate a determination to have one’s own way, a self-willed readiness to quarrel. All six of these vices stem from self-will; they are all the outreach of a determined selfishness that seeks only one’s own pleasure.”

“Carousing (orgies) and drunkenness.” Paul lists drunkenness and carousing as deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:21). But such things are not appropriate for believers. I’ve always had trouble understanding why people go to wild parties and get drunk. To me such parties are superficial and stupid. But venturing a guess, it helps them, at least for an evening, forget about their troubles. From hearing them brag about how wasted they got, it must give them some sense of being cool, at least with their fellow drunks. And, it often lowers inhibitions and leads to sexual encounters, which appeal to those who do not have satisfying marital relationships.  I’ve known a few who claim to be believers, but they still go out partying and drinking. But these are deeds of darkness, not fitting for children of light. (Pastor Steven Cole, Your Present Walk and the Coming Day)

“Sexual immorality and debauchery” It is also a deed of the flesh (Galatians 5:19), characteristic of unbelievers, not of believers (Ephesians 4:19-20). God has given the marriage relationship as the proper place for sexual relations. To engage in any sexual activity outside of marriage is to participate in the deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:3-12). Let me remind you that no one who is walking in the light, suddenly and without warning, falls into sexual immorality. Sexual sin always begins when we toy with it in our minds. We relish lustful glances by replaying them in our thoughts. We sneak a peek at pornography, which leads to more frequent and longer looks. Eventually, the temptation to flirt with a tempting woman comes and it sucks us into the fatal act (see Proverbs 7). The key to avoiding it is to judge every sinful thought as quickly as it happens and to make no provision for the lusts of the flesh. Much of our sin can be traced to the fact that we made provision for it by toying with it. (Pastor Steven Cole, Your Present Walk and the Coming Day)

For these quotes from Pastor Steven Cole and other insights into this passage see the Precept Online Bible commentary on this passage.

Ester attends the Yo Pro (young professionals) class at church which includes people who are unmarried and are part of the work force. Generally speaking these are adults in their 20's and 30's who have a lot in common, especially their love for God. Many live independently and others live with family members.  Ester hosted about 20 last night in our back yard. They visited together before eating hot dogs right off the grill.  Afterwards they indulged in ice cream sundaes made with many different toppings and spreads and rinsed it down with cold rhubarb punch. Many got to see the sun set over the corn field, such a beautiful thing we enjoy daily. They were a great group of young people who were friendly even with the older hosts of the gathering, that's Stephen and me!

Finally today 2:

Here's a real photo of us in our early 30's visiting Guatemala with Marvin and his sister. Marvin was here in the states in the late 80's for medical care and we still stay in touch with him. He is a forester in Guatemala, has a wife and kids and above all serves the Lord!

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