THREE CHORDS & THE TRUTH: WAITIN' ON A WOMAN

"Country Music is three chords and the truth." - Harlan Howard

 

 

WAITIN' ON A WOMAN
Writer: Wynn Varble and Don Sampson

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman

And I don't guess we've been anywhere
She hasn't made us late I swear
Sometimes she does it just 'cause she can do it
Boy it's just a fact of life
It'll be the same with your young wife
Might as well go on and get used to it
She'll take her time 'cause you don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I've read somewhere statistics show
The man's always the first to go
And that makes sense 'cause I know she won't be ready
So when it finally comes my time
And I get to the other side
I'll find myself a bench, if they've got any
I hope she takes her time, 'cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman
_________________________________________

Thankful for my wife and daughter!

I am so blessed!!

"Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind Waitin' on a Woman!"

Soli Deo Gloria,
allan

We Live in a Boken World ...

The horrible brokenness of this world is on full display today in the horrible evil that happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

My heart is so heavy for the victims of today's shooting in Connecticut. Praying for all the families and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. May they receive the grace and peace that can only come from the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)
It is so senseless and unexplainable other than to say we know it is because of SIN.  Words are so in adequate for tragedies like this.

This horrible evil is a terrible reminder that we live in a dark time and Satan is  still on the prowl. It brings to mind the reality that Paul told us in Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."  This is the season we celebrate His first Advent, but it is also a time we should be looking forward to His second Advent. We know that Satan is still on the loose and spreading his carnage on this sin cursed world. Praise God, Satan's days are numbered. He is ultimately a defeated foe. Thank you Jesus!

Horrible evil like we saw today also reminds us that Satan especially hates children. The taking  of any life should "provoke outrage but there is something especially condemnable about the murder of children."(see Russell Moore's article on School Shooting and Spiritual Warfare)

 

Thus says the Lord:

"A voice is heard in Ramah,

lamentation and bitter weeping.

Rachel is weeping for her children;

she refuses to be comforted for her children,

because they are no more."

Jeremiah 31:15 ESV

Last, this tragedy is a reminder that America desperately needs a spiritual awakening and revival.
The days are dark and seem to be getting darker.

God help us! Have mercy on us and send revival.  Help us to be "salt and light" and make an impact on our dark world for Your glory.

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,
ah

Praise & Thanksgiving

Praise and Thanksgiving from Arthur G. Bennett’s The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions (p.15)

O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

 

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for

• the soul thou hast created,
  • for adorning it,
  • for sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
• for the body thou hast given me,
  • for preserving its strength and vigour,
  • for providing senses to enjoy delights,
  • for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
  • for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
• for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
  • for a full table and overflowing cup,
  • for appetite, taste, sweetness,
• for social joys of relatives and friends,
  • for ability to serve others,
  • for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
  • for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
  • for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
  • for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
• for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

2 PRINCIPLES, 1 PARADOX (3 Great Books From Randy Alcorn)

LIFECHANGE BOOKS by Multnomah

small books BIG CHANGE

These books live up to the their billing.  LIFECHANGE BOOKS & small books BIG CHANGE!

These small books from Randy Alcorn address three key areas: Money or Finances, Purity and Christlikeness (Grace & Truth). Each book is packed full of biblical truth. Money, Purity and Christlikeness, who doesn't need to be challenged and encouraged from God's word in these areas. If you invest a small amount of time and read these books, you will find that your investment will pay great dividends in your life and in the life of your family.  I highly recommend you make the investment. _ ah

The Treasure Principle

Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving

DISCOVER A JOY MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD!

The Purity Principle

God's Safeguards for Life's Dangerous Roads

A Higher Pleasure Is Within Reach!

The Grace and Truth Paradox

Responding with Christlike Balance

 

GRACE OR TRUTH... OR BOTH?

______________________________________________

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries and the author of many award-winning and bestselling books. He and his wife, Nanci, live in Gresham, Oregon, and have two grown daughters, Karina and Angela. 

ARE YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER?

Are your priorities in order? A good question to ask anytime, but especially at the beginning of a new year. 

Below is a resource I came across in the book "Confident Parenting" that provides a guideline for reflecting on the different components of your life. Are you being intentional about the Legacy you are leaving behind? Do you want more of Jesus in 2012?  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER IN 2012!

Soli Deo Gloria,
ah
"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." William Carey

_____________________________________________________

Keeping all of the different components of your life in order is no easy task.  For your sake – and for the sake of your family – evaluating your priorities is an important step in keeping your life on track.

1. Relationship with God

Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind?  (Matthew 22:37,38)

Are you seeking first His kingdom and righteousness?  (Matthew 6:33)

Are you spending regular time in prayer and in His word?

Are you growing in Christ-like character? Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

2. Relationship with your spouse

Are you loving your spouse sacrificially and unconditionally as Christ loved the church? (Ephesians 5:25-28)

Are you meeting your spouses’ needs?

*          Emotional

*          Physical

*          Spiritual

*          Romantic

What would your spouses’ answer be?

3. Family

How often does your family only receive your leftover emotional scraps?

Do you view your children as gifts from the Lord? (Ps. 127:3)

Are you encouraging your children, are you comforting them, are you urging them to live lives worthy of the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Are you taking the responsibility and privilege of mentoring your children in their faith? (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Are you loving, enjoying, and spending sufficient time with your children? How about your extended family?

4. Work

Are you being a good steward of the gifts, opportunities, and resources God has entrusted you with in your work for the benefit of God's kingdom? (Matt. 25:14-30)

Are you enjoying your work as a gift from God?  (Ecclesiastes. 3:22)

5. Ministry

Is your involvement in ministry …

*          Appropriate to your giftedness?

*          Sufficient (too little/ too much)?

*          Fruitful?

*          Rewarding? (Ephesians. 4:11-12 & 16)

Are you active in reaching the lost world for Christ? (Matt. 28:18-20)

6. Friends

Are you spending and enjoying time with good friends?

7. Personal

Do you like the person you are becoming?

How is your health and physical fitness?

Are you continuing to grow mentally?

Are you spending time and developing personal interests or hobbies?

Are your priorities in order?

by Jim Burns, Ph.D.

More resources from Jim Burns, Ph.D. available at HomeWord.com

The Dash Between Your Dates

Charles Spurgeon said "Dying is but going home. Indeed, there is no dying for the saints." Six years ago today my Daddy went home.  This post is in memory of him.  He made his dash count. I will see him on the other side when it is my time to go home. - ah

 

"A beginning and an ending, dates upon a stone

But the moment in the middle is how we will be known

Cause what defines us can be found within a line

Finding reason for our time"

... What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes

James 4:14 (ESV)

What will you do with the dash between your dates?

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

only what's done for Christ will last."

- C.T. Studd

"The measure of life is not its duration but its donation." - Peter Marshall

"Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes." - Dr. James Dobson

We must be intentional if we want to finish well. Remember Luke 9:23:

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

chorus:

And the years go by, how they seem to fly

They’ll all be over soon

When our life is done, did we live and love

The way we wanted to

Cause everyday that we leave behind

Goes on to tell the truth

Of how we lived in the line between the two

The line between the two

So teach us to number out days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalms 90:12 (ESV)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,   making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:15-16 (ESV)

"Will I walk straight, will I be true

Will I finish strong

Will I stand up for the moment

When I could right a wrong

Because the legacy we have will never change

It’s how we spend our days"

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Cor 16:13 (ESV)

In 2 Chronicles 26 we read about the life of King Uzziah.  Uzziah started strong. In verses 1-5 we find him seeking the Lord. In verses 6-15 we see the Lord giving him success, but in verse 16 his life takes a tragic turn. Through all of his success and blessings from the Lord "when he was strong" Uzziah grew proud and it led to his downfall in verses 16-23. 

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chron 26:16 (ESV)

"I could live a life for just myself

Or I could live a life for someone else

But I’ll live and die just to hear

You say

Well done my son come and be with Me"

 

The question is less "what is God's plan for my life?" and more "how does my life best fit into God's plan?" - Alvin Reid

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
Psalms 71:17-18 (ESV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Tim 4:6-8 (ESV)

Be determined to make your dash count! Have a battle plan and be intentional about finishing strong.  Be able to say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Don't be like Uzziah. Remember it is not how you start but how you finish. FINISH STRONG!

The song "The Line Between The Two" was written by Mark Harris, Jeff Moseley & Pete Kipley. 

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

Created in Christ Jesus for good works

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.    Eph 2:10 (ESV)

We Will Work Till Jesus Comes

Elizabeth Mills

(1805-1829)

O land of rest, for thee I sigh!
When will the moment come
When I shall lay my armor by
And dwell in peace at home?

We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
And we’ll be gathered home.

To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;
He bade me cease to roam,
And lean for comfort on His breast
Till He conduct me home.

We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
And we’ll be gathered home.

I sought at once my Savior’s side;
No more my steps shall roam.
With Him I’ll brave death’s chilling tide
And reach my heav’nly home.

We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
We’ll work till Jesus comes,
And we’ll be gathered home.



____________________________________

Mr. Meant-To has a comrade,

And his name is Didn't Do;

Have you ever chanced to meet them?

Did they ever call on you?

These two fellas live together

In the house of Never-Win,

And I'm told that it is haunted

By the ghost of Might-Have-Been.

"Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you may be hindered tommorrow.  One today is worth two tommorrows; never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."  - Benjamin Franklin

________________________________________________

Work for the Night Is Coming

Annie L. Coghill

1836–1907

1. Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work 'mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man's work is done.

2. Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute,
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.

3. Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man's work is o'er.

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

One-Year Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Here is chronological Bible reading plan that is available for free.

"In the plan that follows, the material of the Bible has been

organized to flow in chronological order. Since exact dating of

some materials or events is not possible, the chronology simply

represents an attempt to give you the reader the general flow and

development of the Bible’s grand story. Some passages are placed

according to topic (e.g., John 1:1–3 in Week 1, Day 2; and many

of the psalms). There are six readings for each week to give you

space for catching up when needed."




Download a PDF of the Full Reading Plan or view each weeks reading on-line


This plan was developed by George Gutherie and is included in his book "Read The Bible For Life - Your Guide To Understanding and Living God's Word"  (I have not read this book but do plan to use this chronological reading plan for 2011.)

More information about the Read The Bible For Life Initiative is available at this link.

Are Your Priorities In Order?

How are you doing?  Are you fininshing 2010 strong or are you limping to the finish line?
The end of the year is always a good time to reflect on the year that is ending and make adjustments for the new year.  Below is a resource I came across in the book "Confident Parenting" that provides a guideline for reflecting on the different components of your life. Are you being intentional about the Legacy you are leaving behind?

Soli Deo Gloria
ah

_______________________________________________

Keeping all of the different components of your life in order is no easy task.  For your sake – and for the sake of your family – evaluating your priorities is an important step in keeping your life on track.

1. Relationship with God

Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind?  (Matthew 22:37,38)

Are you seeking first His kingdom and righteousness?  (Matthew 6:33)

Are you spending regular time in prayer and in His word?

Are you growing in Christ-like character? Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

2. Relationship with your spouse

Are you loving your spouse sacrificially and unconditionally as Christ loved the church? (Ephesians 5:25-28)

Are you meeting your spouses’ needs?

*          Emotional

*          Physical

*          Spiritual

*          Romantic

What would your spouses’ answer be?

3. Family

How often does your family only receive your leftover emotional scraps?

Do you view your children as gifts from the Lord? (Ps. 127:3)

Are you encouraging your children, are you comforting them, are you urging them to live lives worthy of the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Are you taking the responsibility and privilege of mentoring your children in their faith? (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Are you loving, enjoying, and spending sufficient time with your children? How about your extended family?

4. Work

Are you being a good steward of the gifts, opportunities, and resources God has entrusted you with in your work for the benefit of God's kingdom? (Matt. 25:14-30)

Are you enjoying your work as a gift from God?  (Ecclesiastes. 3:22)

5. Ministry

Is your involvement in ministry …

*          Appropriate to your giftedness?

*          Sufficient (too little/ too much)?

*          Fruitful?

*          Rewarding? (Ephesians. 4:11-12 & 16)

Are you active in reaching the lost world for Christ? (Matt. 28:18-20)

6. Friends

Are you spending and enjoying time with good friends?

7. Personal

Do you like the person you are becoming?

How is your health and physical fitness?

Are you continuing to grow mentally?

Are you spending time and developing personal interests or hobbies?

Are your priorities in order?

by Jim Burns, Ph.D.

More resources from Jim Burns, Ph.D. available at HomeWord.com