25 years and counting! ~ {Mar}

The truth! ~ March 25th, 2022

Well, this is a very interesting picture for sure. Hard to look at for the realization of what it is, hits home. Now here is an interesting thought, it will apply to all of us at one time in our lives. Of course when we are young for sure we think not us, but we all know death can and will be a part of each of us. Hmm, maybe not those that will be taken up with Jesus at His return. If you believe that which the Bible says and I do.

Now I found this written about death and was so taken by it, for they surely didn't leave anything out that I am aware of. A good read for all of us.

When you die, don't worry about your body...

Your relatives and funeral staff will do it. I know this first hand. I’ve done it myself…

They will take you out of the house and deliver you to the funeral home of your family’s choice.

They will take off your clothes

They will wash you

They will dress you up

They will even apply makeup to make you look presentable

Many will come to the funeral to honor you.

Some will even cancel their plans and ask for leave to go to the funeral.

Your things--things you hate to be borrowed will be sold, donated or burned.

Your keys

Your tools

Your books

Your CDs, DVDs, games

Your collections

Your clothes...

And be sure the world won't stop and cry for you.

The economy will continue.

You will be replaced in work. Someone with the same or even better ability will take your place.

Your property will switch to heirs.

And don't doubt the small and big things you have done in your life will be spoken of, judged, doubted and criticized.

People who only knew your face will say, ′′Poor thing!"

Your good friends will cry for a few hours or several days, but then they will laugh again.

Your pets will get used to the new owner.

Your pictures will be hanging on the wall for a while, then they will be put on furniture and finally stored at the bottom of the box.

Someone else will sit on your couch and eat from it.

Deep pain in your home will last a year, two, maybe ten... Then you will join the memories and then your story will end.

It will end among people, end here, end in this world.

But your story begins in a new reality... in your life after death.

The things you once have will lose their meaning. You cannot bring your earthly possessions here.

the beauty of your body

last name

property

loans

working position

bank account

the house

the car

academic titles

Classmates

trophies

Friends of the world

man / woman

the kids

the family...

In your new life, you will only need your soul.

"The only property that will last is the soul."

The big question is: Do you know where your soul is going after this life is over?

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

The Bible is clear that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3).

John 3:18 explains in the simplest terms who will go to heaven and who will go to hell: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." So, those who go to hell are specifically those who do not believe in Jesus’ name.

Simply, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, by grace alone, through faith alone, you will spend eternity in heaven. If you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will be eternally separated from God (Matthew 25:46).

The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

We can choose to trust in Jesus’ payment for our sin, or we can choose to pay for our sins ourselves—but we must remember that the payment for our sin is eternity in hell.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31)

God's love and grace to you all!

2 peas in a pod! ~ March 21st, 2022

I found this posted on Facebook which I thought was well stated and I totally agree with. Well, now that I am on my way, to the "80" year old club, I smile when I think of my greatest achievement, my relationship with Jesus. See, everything else, "everything" comes because of Him. My achievement was asking Jesus in my heart and also making Him, Lord of my life! Now many out there would think "FANATIC" and I don't have a problem with that. Yep, it is all about Him!

God's love and grace to you all!

Light of my life! ~ March 17th, 2022

Well, for sure Jesus is my Light! For sure, like so many other blessed with a life, there are many periods of darkness. Despair and doubt visits us all at one or many times in our lives. As the scripture states below Jesus lightens my darkness.

2 Samuel 22:29

For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.

This song is about an old man who had a mission to help the needy and share God's love. He ended up in a nursing home and when a person went to vist him he always asked the same question, "Does the light still shine?" Hmm, a good question for each of us today!

God's love and grace to you all!

If tomorrow never comes! ~ March 15th, 2022

Now here is a topic not many people think about or want to think about. I say many because for some it is we don't worry about that. It was only the other day I told a gentleman I only met for the first time, "My last breath here will be my first breath there!" Yep, I truly believe that. Of course as we age or as we see bad things happening around us we do tend to think about it. Think about what people in Ukraine must be thinking as bombs are dropping on their country?

I truly believe that this world is just a temporary stop. It is hard to believe that 70 or 80 plus years is just a short stop but as we see the years fly by we start to realize that. One thing I like about singing is you have to pay attention to the words. in the song "Believe" one of the song lyrics states, "You can't tell me it all ends in a slow ride in a hearse!" Also in another song "You'll Be There", a line in that songs says, "I never seen a hearse with a luggage rack!" Hmm.

My friends we are living in a dangerous world, that is changing very quickly. I pray you all will take just a minute out of your busy day and think, "what if"?

God's love and grace to you all!

Two stories, a comment, scripture and a song! ~ March 13th, 2022

Story #1 ~ "An old cowboy goes to church!"

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The men of the congregation were all dressed in expensive suits and the women in fancy dresses.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."

"I did," replied the old cowboy.

"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here? asked the preacher.

"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church before."

Story #2 ~ "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"!

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Garo, Assam, north-east India.

About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales & England. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, north-east India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes. The tribal communities were quite primitive and aggressive by nature. Into this hostile and aggressive community, came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the message of love, peace and hope of Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:

"I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times)No turning back, no turning back."

Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”

But the man sang these words in reply:

"Though no one joins me, still I will follow. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back."

The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”

In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines:

"The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times)No turning back, no turning back."

He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some remarkable power behind the family's faith, and I too want to taste that faith.”

In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

A comment.

I loved the truth behind both stories. For sure there are people that see a church and automatically think God is there. Well it is a building and if God is there it is because the people want Him there. It is a heart issue between each of us and God. It appears that the only person that experienced God was the old cowboy for his worn out Bible proved that.

As for the 2nd story, which is a true story, highlights the true love for God. He was faced with death of his family and himself if he did not deny his faith. Praise God, that man stood strong in the Lord. See, I do believe that this man and his family are with the Lord "AND" the chief plus all of the village that accepted Jesus. Wow!

Scripture!

Luke 9:23-26

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

God's love and grace to you all!

What are you growing? ~ March 11th, 2022

When growing up back in the late 40's through the 50's I always remember my dad having a garden. Even when we moved and had a smaller amount of land he found a place to grow vegetables behind our garage. One time he walked into the house with this large zucchini. He carried it in with two hands. My mother looked at him and said, "What am I to do with that?" My father smiled and said, "My job is to grow it, yours is to cook it!" Well, they both did their jobs very well.

So what about your garden?

For sure God will do His part, that is the growing part. He needs for every believer to do their part and plant the seed of His love. I pray you listen to Him talk to you as He did me, many years ago.

Please Let Me Use

Please let Me use your heart,

the one that you gave to Me,

so all my wounded children can feel

the love that they desperately need.

Please let Me use your eyes

so from My Word you can read.

Teach them what was written

and just how important it is to Me.

Please let Me use your hands,

to reach out and touch for Me,

to hold My children ever so close

for that’s so important for them, you see.

Please let me use your time

before it all runs out.

Please let me use your being

for that’s what it is all about!

E. P. Shagott

8/28/09

God's love and grace to you all!

Hello God! ~ March 9th, 2022

Genesis 6:6

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Now fast forward to Genesis chapter 7

11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Now fast forward to Genesis chapter 18

23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

and

26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

Now fast forward to Genesis chapter 19

24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Now fast forward to the year 2022

Wake up America!!!

Time Is Wasting

Time is wasting, chances are passing us by. One day the Lord will come, and some will say, “Why didn’t I?”

Each tick on the clock, is another chance to know Him. Time is wasting by my friends, a chance for your new life to begin.

Don’t get caught up in worldly things, grab hold of a Bible and begin to read. See all these days are opportunities, if only you will open your heart to see.

Yes, time is wasting. One day on this earth it will no longer be. Please don’t be one that looks above and say, “Lord, why not me?”

E. P. Shagott 2/2/2011

Has God Got Your Attention?

Has God got your attention yet? He is waiting on you! He created you for a reason, He has work for you to do.

Has God got your attention yet? If not, what more does He has to do? What will it take for you to realize, it is about Him, not about you!

See, He loves you so much that He gives and gives and gives. In return all He wants from us is our obedience to Him as we live.

My friends, He got my attention, so many, many years ago. My life is for Him now, because I love Him so.

So please don’t wait any longer, always remember this important question, when things are happening in your life, “Is God trying to get my attention?”

E. P. Shagott 2/9/2011

God's love and grace to you all!

Happy Birthday to me! ~ March 5th, 2022

Well, for me it is just another day. As I went on Facebook this morning, as part of my daily routine, I saw a memory that I posted 5 years ago. It was one of my many poems that I have been blessed with titled "Just Another Day".

Just Another Day

Just another day, that’s what birthdays should be, but you must remember to say thanks to God, your Mom and Dad, you see.

For without them there would be no you or me, see, the celebration is in the love and that's how we came to be.

Birthdays are also a time to reflect back another year gone by. What did we do with the days given? Did you reach out to others, if not, why?

I believe our lives are not ours, they belong to God above. We were given birthdays for a reason, for me I know it’s to share God’s love!

E. P. Shagott 3/5/17

See, I believe that last part of the poem speaks volumes of truth. Well, for me it does. OK, 79 years in the books, praise God. I really didn't think I would be on this side of the grass, as they say, that long. As I look back over the many years the one word that comes to mind is "BLESSED"! If anyone would ask me why my answer is in this picture.

It was 64 years ago, at a skating rink of all places, that I asked Jesus into my heart. Now at that moment my name was written in the Lambs Book of Life. At that moment this "short" life, yes, 79 years is short compared to eternity, took on a different meaning. Now another awesome poem I was blessed with is titled "Salvation". this poem was written in the early 1990's. God was and has been working in my life since that night at the skating rink in 1958. Of course there were many times I didn't listen to His direction but His plan for me was taking place and in 1997 became a reality

Salvation

The title of this poem is salvation, a word that says it all. For within it's nine letters you will find life's answers since the fall.

Love, hope, praise, and honor contentment, peace is there. These are also some of the words that we seek when asking in prayer.

Each one of us must seek salvation out, for surely sin is not the way. And through Jesus Christ, the Son our God cares for us today.

Humiliated, despised and riddled with shame, yes, these words are in there too. His Son was nailed to the cross so salvation could be there, for me and you.

So please, don't take this word lightly and pray that all might find, that because of the price He paid for us, not one has to stay behind.

E. P. Shagott

I thought a good way to close this blog, my "special day" blog, is with what I believe life is all about. If you take the time and read each scripture below, I pray may will help someone to come closer to Jesus. When you click on the arrow next to the scripture it opens it up.

God's love and grace to you all!

In His hands! ~ March 2nd, 2022

My friends, if you put your life in Jesus hands it doesn't get any better than that.

One pair of hands formed the mountains

One pair of hands formed the sea

One pair of hands made

the sun and the moon

Every bird every flower every tree

One pair of hands formed the valleys

The ocean the rivers and the sand

Those hands are so strong

so when life goes wrong

Put your faith into one pair of hands

One pair of hands healed the sick

One pair of hands raised the dead

One pair of hands

calmed the raging storm

And thousands of people were fed

One pair of hands said I love you

And those hands were nailed to a tree

Those hands are so strong

so when life goes wrong

Put your faith into one pair of hands

God's love and grace to you all!