Preaching on a Harley Davidson

Last SundayI preached on a Harley Davidson that belongs to Will Edwards. My sermon was called "Treasures in Heaven" from Matthew 6:19-24. I had several props but my favorite was the Harley. I'll never forget when Will started his bike and rode it out. Jesus said "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions"( Luke 12:15). It won’t last. It will captivated your heart. Distort your vision. Make you a slave and ruin your life.

However, if you hold on loosely, love God with all your heart, see things clearly, and make Jesus Christ your Lord you can enjoy all of these things and use them to God’s glory. 1 Timothy 6: 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Paul didn’t command the rich to give all their possessions away. The only person Jesus said that towas the rich young ruler because his possessions were his god (Luke 18:22). If that describes you the best possible thing that could happen is for you to loose everything you have so that you can trust Jesus Christ.

But I don’t think that describes you. I believe 1 Timothy 6 describes you. Paul gives you seven commands and specifically tells us that this is how to store up treasures in heaven. 1. Don’t be arrogant. 2. Do not put your hope in wealth. 3. Put your hope in God. 4. Enjoy what you have and thank God for it. 5. Do good 6. Be rich in good deeds. and 7. Be generous and willing to share.

Notice that v.19 specifically says that when you do these things you are storing up treasures in heaven. It says 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. If you think the things you have now are good wait till you get to heaven.

I Killed a Deer Today

My friend Dana Edwards obtained permission from the Game Warden to the kill deer that are damaging his property. Dana gave me permission to hunt the deer. Today I killed a doe. I'm not allowed to kill bucks until October 1st. Last Sunday Bruce saw the monster I hunted last season. I'm happy he made it. I will hunt him come October. Another friend, Mike Shepherd, is going to help me plant winter oats on the point above Bruce's house. I have also been watching some nice bucks in another field that Stewart Kaiser owns in Miller. From my stand I saw three eight points and a nice ten point buck. I can't wait for the season to begin. Until then, I get to hunt does and I am happy!

A post from Mom about Dad

This post was written by mom. Jeanie typed it and now I'm posting it. It appeared the the Sonshiner's Bulletin this month.

God's Word

"My husband was a Bible scholar—especially an Old Testament Scholar. People came from near and far to ask him Old Testament questions. He preached and taught classes for 40 years. Never a day went by that he didn’t have his head in the book and his knee on the floor. I used to wonder how he could learn anything new after studying all those years. I had studied the New Testament but thought the Old Testament didn’t apply to us and it was too hard to understand. How wrong I was!! About two years before he died I began to study the Old Testament. I learned that the Old Testament was an unfolding plan for Jesus to come with wonderful prophecies about Jesus. "As I began to study, I made a lot of notes and used workbooks. Then I got the idea to become a scribe. I found that I could remember so much more if I wrote it down. So I began with Genesis and wrote the Old Testament by hand. I have forgotten much of what I studied but remember so much more than I would have if I hadn’t written it down. "My husband is in heaven now. He has joined the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on that we read about in Hebrews chapter 12. He is saying 'read it, write it, memorize it, and teach it. It is God’s word.'" written by: Betty Garrett

A Buck Attack

Check out this video of a buck attacking a hunter. It's wild! Just click on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIylw1vPhxA

My Girls made the Volleyball Team

I was more nervous than they were. We prayed that both of them would make the volleyball team and they did. I am happy right now. It's the beginning of another year of school for our girls. I pray that God will help them in school, in sports and with their friends. I pray that it is a great year for all three of our girls.

Fred Peatross

My friend Fred Peatross has been on a blog sabbatical from March til' August but he is now blogging again. Check out his blog at http://fredpeatross.blogspot.com/

My Brother-in-law is a Movie Star

Hollywood came to Allen and Jeanie's house to interview Allen. You will see this inteview when the movie make's it to DVD. Warner Brothers will release the "We Are Marshall" movie in theaters December 22, 2006 and I can't wait. Allen is my hero! It's an amazing story and Allen is right in the center of it. Watch this movie trailer at http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wearemarshall/featurette/.