Who Wrote That? 

Greetings dear reader,

Are you like me? Sometimes asking yourself; where did that come from? I have a cherished Christian brother that "sees" less of himself than what others see of him through their eyes; in his mind his prayers, actions towards others, spiritual growth, etc., are less than what God is expecting of him because of his judgmental nature. I suggest being aware of a weakness is the first step towards fixing it.

      I believe many of us walk in a lack of discernment of when/how our father God has answered our prayer of needing spiritual enlightenment.

     I was attending a recent Bible study facilitated by this gentleman when he shared the beginning words of a song of love that was on his heart that he never completed because he couldn't find the words to do so. The starting words are: "Lord let your light so shine through me, that I'm impossible to see. When others look my way, they'll see Jesus." My heart opened to this man's written word that God had given him his answer many years ago, the song is complete! My friend, as all of us must put love in our heart as the first foundation towards complete unity with our father God. I quote from the Bible:

John13:34-35

"As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

1Corinthians 13 v 4-8

" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Ephesians 5:2

"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

     My friend has the direction that God put on his heart to write many years ago, as the great apostle Paul said, die to self, I suggest when we do, let us be reborn with the heart of Jesus, a servant's heart.

All blessings, Joe the "Senior"

ANY QUESTIONS? HERE"S THE ANSWER

Greetings all,
     as we walk through our life with all it's highs and lows,joys and sorrows,have you ever asked yourself,like me,why am I here,what's my purpose,my impact,my defining word,defining action,Gods plan,the "end" game?Wouldn't it be wonderful if you had a mentor in your life that could clarify all of these questions and more,as a matter of fact,answer the ones you hadn't even thought to ask yet?
Here comes "THE GOOD NEWS."WE DO!!Here comes JESUS when you "Pick up the shovel" and make the decision to accept his guidance, brought to you with everlasting,immaculate love.
     I want to discuss in his own words why I can say he is all you need now and forever!Let's see what he had to say about himself.I will ask the question and Jesus will give the answer.

.Why are you here?
From the book of John,chapter3v16,17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

.I want eternal life,what do I need to do?
From the book of John,chapter6v29 "The work of God is this;to believe in the one he has sent".
 Book of John,chapter3v3"I tell you the truth,no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again".

.Next question:what happens when I believe in you ,accept you in my spiritual heart,ask you to forgive my sins,and totally recognize you as my Lord and Savior,in other words,be spiritually born again?

From the book of John,chapter6v37-40"All that the Father gives me,and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me .And this is the will of him who sent me,that I shall lose none of all that he has given me,but raise them up on the last day.For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,and I will raise him up on the last day".

Wow,such a gift from your love for me!Thank you.Now what do I do?

From the book of John,chapter14v8,12-17"This is to my Fathers glory,that you bear much fruit,SHOWING YOURSELVES TO BE MY DISCIPLES.My command is this:love each other as I have loved you.Greater love has no one than this,that he lay down his life for his friends.You are my friends if you do what I command.I no longer call you servants,because A servant does not know his masters business.Instead I have called you friends,for EVERYTHING I have learned from my Father I have made known to you .You did not choose me,I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.Then the Father WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME.This is my command:TO LOVE EACH OTHER".

My questions are over.How about you dear reader?Don't you want to be a disciple?

     My son,Joe and I were talking earlier today and we agreed Jesus wants us to have a living,breathing relationship with him.I suggest,a starting point is to know how he thought by knowing what he said."Pick up the shovel" start reading the bible .Understand he is waiting for you to make the move toward him.His arms are wide open,know his answers come from his love for you.
What great joy awaits you.
                             Continued blessings in his name,Joe

     

The Ultimate Contract

Greetings to all,
     I haven't posted in a while,not because I have nothing to say[my family and friends know better}.Toni and I have been busy with the end process of life.We were with Toni's father Frank for 3 months in Ohio loving,supporting and helping Frank transition from this life to his eternal reward.We spent two weeks in Arizona attending the memorial for my brother-in-law Ed,spending quality time with my sister Joan,Ed's wife,and their family,sharing the joy that Ed's pain and suffering are at an end and he ,like Frank,is praising and glorifying our Father God,His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit for all of eternity,thank you Jesus! We also spent great times with Toni's niece Randy Ann and her family,Christians all. My son Joe flew in to Arizona on business and he had an opportunity to spend time with his aunt Joan, his cousins,topped off with dinner with Toni and I to celebrate my 70th birthday.Joy mixed with sorrow,is that not the process of our life?
     Joan was sharing with me all of the paperwork she had to sign to complete the legal process of Ed's passing,I related with what she said after seeing Toni go through the same process on Frank's passing.Medical,social security,legal,funeral,etc.etc.All contracts to complete and finalize.
     Now the heart of the reason for this letter;WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE CONTRACT TO COMPLETE? We hear many times,particularly,in Christian conversations,God has a plan for you!I want you to consider the following as God's bottom line plan for all of us;our Father God says believe I exist,created all things,sent my son Jesus to die for your sins,to invite Jesus into your heart,ask Jesus to forgive your sins,and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.IF you do this,I your Father God promise you ETERNAL LIFE!I believe that is God's eternal contract  available to every one of his creation.
The word of God,the bible says;I quote from the NIV study bible:John chapter 5v24"Ïtell you the truth,WHOEVER hears my word and BELIEVES HIM who sent me has eternal life and will cross over from death to life".John chapter 6v29"The work of God is this:TO BELIEVE IN THE ONE HE HAS SENT".Are you looking for the ultimate contract to sign,to live by,to see come to fruition,I say sign me up Father God!I will read and follow the "fine print,"your word,the bible,to keep my end of the contract for all the rest of my life.At the end of my earthly life,I will be signed,sealed,and delivered to you,just as you promised.You are my heavenly Father,I want to spend eternity with you in your house.How about you,dear reader?Are you ready to sign THE ULTIMATE CONTRACT?
All blessings to you on your journey to Him.
With Christian love,Joe
    

Franks Transition Is Complete.

Greetings,
My father-in-law,Frank Heck, made the transition from this life to his eternal reward at 6:00 p.m. Sunday 9/09.
     As a reflection on his life ,I want to share a story of two men,[Frank and Jesus the Nazarene] and an attitude of a "servants heart".
The first man in this story is Frank Heck ,and the legacy he left behind as seen through the eyes of several people who knew him for a substantial part of his life,or in the case of his daughter Toni ,and one of his grandchildren,RandyAnn all of theirs.
Ferd grew up in the neighbor hood with Frank.Owen came into Frank's life in the 9th grade.These men remained a major part of Frank's life right up to the burial of their dear friend.In answering the question as to why Frank remained their closest friend for so many years,their answer was eloquent in its simplicity;Frank left a legacy of loyalty,trust,honesty,and NEVER said a negative word about anyone,also,my interpretation from their words,Frank possessed a "servants heart".By the way,a consistent theme from everyone who knew him;from the post office men,Dan and Brett,where Frank worked right up to the DAY he was taken to the hospital ,to the ladies at the Dorcas Library of Carey,where Frank worked for over 25 yrs.Owen shared with me that Frank's passing was a 3 dimension event in his life;the passing of his youth,his connection to his home town of Carey,and most sadly,he lost his closest "bud".Toni will always carry in her heart ,a father that loved her unconditionally,no matter where or what was happening in her life ,never questioning,always answering.Randy Ann;the patient and loving answers from a grandfather who took the time to let her know ,from a little girl to a grown woman that she was important to him.Pam ,Shari and Randy,the stepchildren,to know that Frank,as Pam said it,"Frank made us feel as he loved us as his own".
     The most important part of this story is;the part where Frank found Jesus the Nazarene in his life through the ministry of Billy Graham,one of the most known evangelists of our time  and culminated in the giving of himself to Jesus,our lord and savior, at the kitchen table ,with his beloved daughter Toni and me several years ago.All glory to God!
     Jesus was the only man that said "I am God,You will kill me and three days later,I will come back from the dead,and he DID.That is why we have faith in being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.I quote from his word,the bible,John chapter 5v24"I tell you the truth,whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will cross over from death to life".John chapter 6v29"The work of God is this:to believe in the one he has sent".
Frank has made the transition,he trusted and believed Jesus told the truth,John chapter 3v16 "for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".
    When are you going to be able to say,I have been transformed to a new person,I believe in the words of Jesus the Nazarene?Frank Heck; a legacy indeed!
I am praying for all blessings on your journey towards YOUR eternal reward,Joe

   
   
   
   

Have You Seen Ed?He Was Just Here!

Greetings,
     One of my brothers-in-law Ed, is in the end stages of Alzheimer disease;a terrible,debilitating to both mind and body scourge for the person;and a physical sapping,faith challenging, trial for the family.
Eds mind is not there for us anymore.Where is it?Where has it gone?The only answer for some people is, we don't know,and we will never know.Can there be another truth,another answer,another something?You be the judge;based on the following experience my sister Joan,Eds wife, shared with me today.I want to give you some background,we have been praying that in spite of what we see,that our father God is letting Ed know, in his spiritual heart, that He is with him, and will never leave him. Jesus said,in Matthew,chapter11.vs29 and 30"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me ,for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls,for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
     Ed, most often,  does not recognize Joan or his children.He does not speak coherently,however,this is what he said to my sister.'I want to go through the gate"My sister asked ;is there a light?Ed replied,"yes,it is beautiful,there are many people there."Is our prayer being answered?Is father God letting us know that we are not to worry?Is Ed protected by his promise,he will never leave us?God says his love for us is all encompassing ,does that mean Ed has spiritual peace?Psalm 23;verse4"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ,I will fear no evil,for you are with me,your rod and your staff,they comfort me".
As a Christian,I believe Ed is being comforted by our God as he goes through this valley, the end of his earthly life.Who are we to poo-poo what we don't know,and not grasp what our father God 's word tells us?
   I pray for Ed,Joan and their family,when God speaks to us ,let's discern his truth from our unwillingness to hear it.Where is Ed?Where God wants him:In his arms.
May you find God's eternal truth in your walk through this life. Joe

Let Me Be Frank;About Frank

Greetings,
     My wife Toni and I are in Ohio visiting and caring for her father Frank,whom has various types of cancer throughout his body.The doctors give him anywhere from 3 to 6 months to live.
     Toni and I are comforted by the fact that Frank is a born again Christian, and with his body breaking down ,he is ready to leave this life and start his eternal one with Father God,his son Jesus,and the Holy Spirit.
     The purpose of this letter is to share with you,from my perspective, the legacy that Frank will leave behind.My vocation in life caused me to live in various states in my career and to travel to many company retail stores throughout the United States sharing my expertise to "partner"in  their continued success.I met and worked with many company executives all the way up to the CEO;also ,I was very active in various community areas which caused me to meet many community leaders and various politicians, to include the president of the United States.I am only sharing my experience background to give some validity to my comments about my father-in-law Frank Heck,valid observations,in my opinion.
     Frank has lived all of his 84 years in a little village called Carey Ohio,a community of approximately 4500 people ,with Toledo,Ohio 45 minutes to the north,and Columbus,Ohio,the state capital,one hour to the south.
Frank had a typical upbringing in an agricultural setting that remains basically unchanged to this day.He graduated from Carey high school in 1946,he served in the navy during world war 2[he doesn't know how to swim,pretty ironic,:)],he returned to Carey and had various jobs including,owning his own garbage pick up business,his own dry cleaning store, drove a school bus for the Carey school system for 20 some years,was a janitor for the same system ,head custodian for the Carey library,and lastly,CONTINUES to be employed at the Carey post office.Frank is, and I quote from the ladies at the Dorcas public library at his retirement gathering"One of the most knowing people on the ins and outs of Carey's most successful businesses and influential citizens".He has been inducted into the Carey High School Hall of fame, and is considered a man of trust and integrity by the whole of Carey,Ohio.
     The Bible says,and I quote from Mark ch8vs36,37"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,yet forfeit his soul?Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
I frankly say that Frank Heck has gained the love of the whole community of Carey Ohio,because of the generosity of his being, and Father God will welcome his soul to be with him for all of eternity. I also, am frankly proud to say I am the son-in-law of Frank Heck,a man to be emulated.
Until next time,all blessings to you,Joe

What Is The BB Club?

Greetings all,
     The transformation of my life from an "earthly"driven life to a" spirit" filled life has evolved over a period of time as I matured in my Christian faith.
     I promised our Father God that whatever amount of time I have left on this earth,I would spend it giving Him honor and glory by using my "gifts" to bring more of His children to Him .I asked the Holy Spirit to help me prepare my heart to listen to Him  as He guides me to fulfill God's plan for me.It was time for me to "pick up the shovel"and make myself available to see the opportunities.I have been teaching a Bible study at one of our manufactured home parks,I have been involved in my home church, Faith Assembly of God,He has given me a servants heart to follow through wherever the leadership felt I was needed.The heart to expand beyond the church family along with my brother in Christ, Mr.Ted Gaines.Our prayers are being answered as we recognize and develop new ministries involving other faith based organizations.We are starting a "Living Free"series Monday at our local mens Teen Challenge.We are in conversation with Lee County Correctional Center to start a program from" F.amilies I.n T.raining " out of Bradenton Florida.A program for men that are in the transitional phase towards being released into society.There is much opportunity and I am in a hurry.I humbly ask for your prayers as Ted and I embark on this journey.
     What does all this have to do with a BB club?What is a BB club?It all has to do with my being transformed {see first sentence}The BB club is this:
                                      "We are Blessed by the grace of God
                                        We are a Blessing by emulating Jesus."
This is the "Club" I want to belong to ;I recognize the wonderful gift of eternal life our Father God has given us through his son Jesus"s death on the cross;by his stripes,by his grace. I want to be a blessing by emulating Jesus for the rest of my earthly life.{recognizing the spirit is willing ,the flesh is weak},However,I will stay the course.
     Have you been transformed by his saving grace?Are you not blessed?Don't you want to emulate Jesus?If you answered yes to these three questions,you are a practicing member of the "BB Club".
For those of you who know me,you will hear me sharing the fact that you are a BB person,as I see you emulating Jesus through your words and actions.Now you know what it means.Let's spread the word!
                                                      With Christian love,Joe