Picture of the Day - Springtime in Texas Means Bluebonnets

It's springtime in Texas and that means it's Bluebonnet time!  Woohoo!

Picture a Day - The Drummond Ranch

For those folks for love watching The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network, you know why I was excited to visit Ree Drummond’s new store The Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. 

On the way to the store, we passed the now famous Drummond Ranch. 

Beautiful countryside in Oklahoma, even in winter when things are brown and bare. 

Picture A Day - Behold the Man - Thorncrown Chapel

Even on a cold winter day with the trees bare and a cold breeze blowing the Thorncrown Chapel was beautiful.  From the outside, we could see the warm glow of a light inviting us in.  A somber and beautiful place.  I couldn't help but reflect on the crown of thorns that Jesus willingly bore on His way to the cross.  He willingly went to the cross to bear our sins.  His atoning death on the cross paid the penalty for my sin.  My sin debt was paid in full that day over 2,000 years ago.  Thank Father for giving Your Son.  Thank You Jesus for bearing my sin, so one day I could be clothed in Your righteousness.  Thank You Holy Spirit for opening my eyes to see the truth in Scripture of my sin and my need for a Savior, Christ Jesus is the Promised Messiah.  Jesus alone is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes unto the Father except through Him.  

Has your sin debt been paid in full?  Have you been clothed in the righteousness of Christ?  

If not, today can be your day of salvation if you will repent of your sin, believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and confess Him with your mouth.  

Wouldn't you like to know with absolute certainty, that no matter what happens to you in this life, your eternity in heaven is secure in Christ Jesus?  

Picture a Day - Looking Forward

I'm looking forward and very excited at the prospects of hummingbirds soon returning to north Texas.  It will be a few more weeks, but they are likely in route from Central and South America.  They will only be around for six months, but I hope to enjoy them each day they are here.  

This little girl's picture was taken in central California back in 2011.  

Picture A Day - Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Feeling grateful today.  After some significant knee pain for about a month, I went to the orthopedic doctor.  He was able to give me an injection in my knee and already the pain is significantly lower.

I know that all health and healing is from the LORD.  I know that He uses sickness and pain in our lives for His good purpose and plan.  I can trust God who is good and sovereign in all things. 

I’m prayerful that the pain relief will last and today give thanks with a grateful heart.  I give thanks that He has helped me each day in dealing with the pain. 

Abraham Living the Life of Faith by Gregory Brown – A Solid Bible Study That Will Challenge You and Help You Grow

I’m grateful when I come across a Pastor or Bible study teacher who is sound in their theology because it’s rooted and grounded in the Bible.  Pastor and teacher Gregory Brown is one of those men.  He studies to show himself as a workman approved and accurately handles the Word of Truth. 

That’s why, I was eager to read Pastor Gregory Brown’s newest Bible Teacher’s Guide, Abraham: Living the Life of Faith.  I’ve been privileged to study the book of Genesis in-depth several times under solid Bible teachers.  Even though I’m familiar with Abraham’s story, Pastor Brown shares some sound interpretation of the passages and brings some new insights in this man of God who is foundational to both the Jewish and Christian faiths.  He does this through the sound exposition of the Scripture.

Not only does he examine Abraham’s life and his faith, both his victories and failures, but Pastor Brown helps the reader to ask some challenging questions and apply what they are learning to their own lives.  

You may wonder, what you can learn from a man who lived over 4,000 years ago.  Is his life relevant to you today in a much different day and age?  I can answer that with a resounding yes.  Abraham, who was called by God and is known as a friend of God, is a Patriarch whom we can learn much from. 

Do you ever wonder if God still calls people today?  As a Christian how well do you respond to trials?  Do you know any believers who seem to be falling away from their faith or are friends of this world?  Do you ever do battle with fear, doubt and discouragement?  Ever find yourself struggling with a sin, time and time again?  Can you have victory over that sin?  What promises in the Bible belong just to the people whom God spoke to and which ones can you as a Christian know with confidence belong to you too?   These are just some of the areas Pastor Brown delves in to. 

If you want a quick one minute Bible reading for each day with a clever quote, this book may not be for you.  But if you want to better understand the Bible and who God is as He has revealed Himself in the perfect and inerrant Word of God, Abraham: Living the Life of Faith may be just what you are looking for.  If you want someone who will deal with you straight, someone who preaches the Word in season and out of season, someone who will reprove, rebuke and exhort you with patience and instruction, then I encourage you to read Pastor Gregory Brown’s newest Bible Teacher’s Guide – Abraham: Living the Life of Faith.  This book would be good for a group study and also for the individual. 

I would like to thank Pastor Gregory Brown for the opportunity to read Abraham: Living the Life of Faith.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

If you would like to know more about Pastor Gregory Brown, please take a look at his website:  Gregory Brown.  On this website, you can learn about additional resources that are available.