Category: - The Lord's Humbled

Under His Wing

5/17/2014

A friend of mine wrote poetry before he died. His name was Dallas Brown. He wrote two books: Intimate Voice of God, Heavy Rain and Light Breezes.

The following is an unpublished poem by him for me and my second wife after my first wife passed.

Under His Wing

Under the Wing of God

I found you

My love, my one and only,

We would have been married long

And happily

But your tragic death

Changed all plans.

Why? Why was I bereft

Of my youthful, loving,

My chaste virgin,

Who knew no man,

Who waited until we

Became one in our own home?

My love for her will not fade.

Healing trudged slow

And sadly, until a day

When he touched my face,

With a Light Breeze

Reminding me of his many

Blessings of life.

I could only love again,

By this power of God.

Don't think me rash,

Or hasty, or as giving up

On a dream I once had.

My dream remains

To do His Will!

If a friend join me

As a new wife

In the Lord,

We shall continue on

In His Steps!

First Fruits: Giving

10/2/2012

My parents were great examples of givers. They gave to God at their local congregation. They gave to help the needy and distressed. They gave to their family and they gave to each other. So, how come I have found "giving" somewhat of a continual challange.

I do give. I give my time and I give my sweat and tears. But I have struggled, in the past, with planning and preparing the gift of financial support. But I thank God that living debt free for almost 3 years helps me to be a better if not a more natural giver. It's natural because I plan to give and I work the plan. (Thanks Dave Ramsey).

Currently, I've been reading through the Bible in a 90 day program. I am passed 30 days. One of the things that I have been reminded of is how Isreal was instructed to give God of their "First Fruits" - their material wealth. I have a personal budget and plan all my spending, saving, and giving. But I realized that I usually give toward the end of the month in case some "surprise" happens and I need money for something else.

Well, this month I have resolved to give my budgeted giving its proper place - before all other things; i.e., "first fruits". First, this shows honor to God in putting him first before all my other wants and needs. Second, it shows my commitment to budgeting. Third, it reminds me that I love God.

Giving doesn't just happen because parents were givers. Giving happens because you want it to happen. Giving happens because one's focus is in correct form. Part of living the Christian life is to keep growing. One area of my lifestyle in Christ that is growing is my giving.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Bible Time With Your Family

11/2/2011

Last night our family started to read the gospel of Mark. Each of us took turns reading from Scripture. Afterword, we talked a little, had a prayer, and hugged each other on the way to bed.

There are benefits to studying the word with your family. (My oldest two children are 9 and 10 years old.)

Improve reading skills.
Improve study skills.
Improve family structure.
Improve dedication to God's word.
Improve relationship with God through an obedient faith in Jesus Christ.

We love our children. Yet, we know that if God isn't first in their life, because of our lack of teaching, we have done a disservice to God as parents.

Remain humble before the Lord.

The Lord's humbled
John A. Reeves

To Die For Christ

9/28/2011

I read an article on "Fox News" website about a Christian "pastor" who refused to recant his belief in Christ. According to the laws of his land, he must be put to death. Evidently, they (the Iranian court system) said that since his ancestors were Muslim then he must take on the Muslim faith or die. Evidently, the death penalty will be carried out today.

Pray for him and his family to have the courage to continue to stand for the name of Christ

A Tough World

7/18/2011

It's a tough world for people - even children. I talk about the tough world in a new article entitle "Plans A, B, C, or God's Plan". If you let your kids read these articles, I suggest that you read this one with them and guide them through some of these tough concepts.

Remember, be the Lord's humbled when looking for a plan to live by.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

The Thief

4/6/2011

Today, my family were victims of an attempted scam.

I put an ad in a local sales paper. From that, these people, called my phone number using a relay service that is normally used for the deaf. (The bank said this is a common technique.) This person promised payment in a money order. They said that they would need to use a driving service that would pick up the purchase from me. Yet, they also sent more money than needed. Their reasoning was so that "the driver service" could also pick up other purchases. Anyway, the bank caught the fake money gram and informed me of the fraud. Fortunately, there is no harm to my family and I thank God for protecting us.

Theives come in all shapes and sizes. Yet, they are cold and calculated - selfish to the core. It is no wonder Jesus said, "The thief comes to kill and steal and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10 ;cf. John 12:5-8, Ephesians 4:28, 1 Peter 4:15).

Christians must be wary of the thief because they are just like their master - Satan. They wish to destroy.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Make God Special For Others

1/11/2011

Hello everyone

I wanted to share an e-mail my boss sent out to our work staff. In it he, basically, shares how important it is to have Christ shared to others. God has been a wonderful blessing to me and my family. I am happy to glorify God through the kind words of another. Thanks Nathan.

Yesterday at Greenlawn church there was an unusual event. The sermon was on testimony and witnessing. After a brief introduction many Greenlawn elders came forward with prepared cardboard signs. Each sign held by each elder [. . .] had their sins or struggles written on one side. They presented this to the audience in silence one at a time from the center podium. Then they flipped the sign over and written there was the change God had done in their lives. For me, it was a powerful example.

The preacher then asked everyone in the pews to pull out a comment card and do what the elders had done. We were to write struggles and what God had done on opposite sides of the card. We were supposed to do it right then and the service paused for five minutes.

Some of the girls in cottage [. . .] and John and Crystal Reeves sat behind my family and I during the service. I had kept on eye on the teen girls, as always, and noticed that, as always, they were drawing pictures and reading books and writing notes. One was studying her softball playbook. They do this respectfully, but generally unaware of the sermon. They are teenagers.

However . . . apparently the elders action got their attention. I was able to read one of the girls notes afterward, offered freely. On the "Struggles" side of the note it said 'don't live with parents'. On the "What God has done" side it said 'God gave me two godly foster parents who love me'.

In case anyone forgot, what we do here matters greatly. We do it in the shadows it seems, and get very few pats on the back or big awards or recognition. Jesus tells us "Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." I have a hunch that the secret rewards will be worth the wait.

The Ark

1/3/2011

The biblical story of the world-wide flood crosses many ancient cultures in this world. It was a time of great evil against God when people did what was right in their own eyes (Genesis 6: 5-6). Yet, everyday, people need to be aware of a "flood" that may end their time - death itself.

When people die then, according to Scripture, their eternal fate is sealed. How important is it, then, for people to choose God now instead wait when it is too late? Teach yourself and others to be humble before God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Don't Run Anymore

8/14/2010

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.' But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD" (Jonah 1:1-3).

If you have ever studied the book of Jonah then you know of the difficulty Jonah has in carrying out the commandments of the Lord. Have you ever had similar failings in following the commandments of God? Have you ever wanted to "run away" from godly tasks. Please humble yourselves before God in all ways.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Overwhelmed?

8/6/2010

"The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot" (Proverbs 10:7).

Yesterday, my dog was taken to the vet. It turned out to be a situation of dire-straights. Surgery was needed or he would die.

It wasn't long ago that my wife found out that she had cancer. Talk about dire-straights. Well, she eventually died. I have never been so distressed in my life.

I was amazed at how the situation with my dog flooded me with emotions. I had to deal with a doctor, sickness, money, loss, lack of control, tears, and fear. It took me back to my wife and the love and challenges that came with illness.

But in all things, I remember that I can turn and should turn to God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves