Memories… What are memories? The dictionary says memories are: The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

Well, my Grandma said; “memories were like starlight … they live on forever.” I believe she was paraphrasing a fellow named C.W. Mc Call, or maybe he was paraphrasing her.

The point is,  good or bad, memories are a part of our lives, hopefully, we use them to better ourselves and not to be used to twist and destroy our lives,… or others.

A wise man once said; If you live in the past, you’ll have no future.”

It’s great to recall a great memory, a smell waifs through the and it triggers a memory of a special dish your Grandma cooked just for when you were a little boy or girl.

The memory lingers for a fleeting moment and then you move on. I believe that’s how God intended our memories to work. Your memory should be a tool, not only for pleasant thoughts but for learning too.

When you were little and you touched a stove,… ouch, that hurt!

I bet that’s a lesson you’ve hung on to forever. Those kinds of memories aren’t the ones I’m concerned about… those are beneficial, not the kind that destroys.

My memories of my childhood had a lot of pain, the kind that could destroy a person if you let it.

I was pushed from foster home to foster home and most of them were not loving, more like indentured servitude, and filled with physical as well mental abuse. The only port in this storm of pain was my Grandparents. They would, somehow, take custody when they could afford it. They didn’t have much money and couldn’t keep me for long periods of time, so  I’d be shuffled to another foster home.

Could I choose to use this as an excuse to be less acceptable in my adult life? a lot of people do.

Many people use their childhood as an excuse for becoming criminals, if you don’t believe me listen to the fake news, or better yet, interview a career criminal for yourself. You’ll hear pretty much the same blame game coming from all of them, never taking responsibility for their own actions. This is the past I’m talking about that’s used to destroy you and others.

Not all people living in the past end up as criminals, some walk among us destroying their own lives as well as making friends family members miserable too.

Bringing up someone’s past mistakes changes nothing… You can’t change the past!… Let me say that again, you can’t change the past!

Here’s a thought, why not be truthful to yourself, maybe that’s a new concept to you, but in reality, you’re really dredging up the past to be hurtful to the person who caused your pain way back when. That’s plain and simple,… it makes YOU feel better if you can dish out some pain, of course, you say it’s all in the name of love, it’s part of your healing, that’s HOGWASH! If that was true, then why does it go on and on?

Now here’s a refreshing thought, take accountability for your own action and put the blame where it really belongs. Remember what I said at the beginning, “If you live in the past you have no future.”

Don’t let satan control life by stealing all that God has for you. Those feelings of darkness, hate, and anger don’t come from God, I promise you that! He gave us free will to chose the direction we want our life to go and the grace of forgiveness to take care of our mistakes along the way.

Satan has counterfeited everything God has made for good; John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. This includes what memory should be used for.

Hatefulness isn’t of God, but forgiveness sure is. True forgiveness, truly forgiving one another for their past mistakes, and never bringing them up again is what God wants … not an ongoing, winey, poor me, look at what you did to me back… blah, blah, blah. True forgiveness will take all the anger and hurt away and let you get on with a normal and productive life.

Your future, if you let it, has a lot more memories to be made and time is short. Remember, scriptures say we’re only are guaranteed today(Provers 27:1) Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Your hanging on to your past failures and mistakes or someone else’s mistakes are only a sure recipe for disaster and continued pain. We are here only for a vapor, so why not live our lives with consideration for others instead of always having me, me, me,  I, I, I, attitude, how about caring for our loved ones and the other guy more and a lot less of ourselves.

Will that make life all rosy?… Of course not, we’ll still be making those mis… I mean memories, some will be good and others not so good, it’s what we do with them that really counts. 

Life is way too short (James 14:4 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.) to carry hurt, anger and unforgiveness. Let’s be honest with ourselves, in the end, the only one with sustained misery is us, in other words, to put it bluntly; GET OVER YOURSELF! and move on. 

You know God loves you so much, He only wants the best for you. He never said it would be easy, but He did promise peace and understanding with some easy direction. (Philippians 4:6-7  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

We, here at “On The Road For Christ” care about you and your loved ones, so when you have a chance, drop us a note and let us know how you’re getting along. If you have a prayer request be sure and include that too.

Until we get together again … KEEP LOOKING UP! and many blessings to you and yours.

Semper Fidelis 

     Dusty

My prayer for you: 

I pray in the name of Jesus for Grace, mercy, and forgiveness for each of us. I ask to heal the broken hearts and mending of family relationships.

We, the world need a revival, a coming to you, that’s the cure for the ills of this world. Lord, you are the answer. We give all the praise and glory!

In Jesus name,

AMEN

This day started like any other day, waking up before daylight, putting on coffee, and then spending time with the Lord. That’s the way most of my days start now, but it wasn’t always so.

As we say now, back in the day … I and my faithful sidekick, Shadow Spirit (a beautiful white wolfdog) would be up before light and walking in the chilled air of a desert morning, waiting for one of the many glorious sunrises we’ve seen so numerous times before. While we walked the trails Shadow (Spirit) took great pleasure in chasing the rabbits she could never catch while I took the quiet time and solitude to commune with the Lord. As human nature, I was like any other person, I never foresaw these moments coming to an end. Now Shadow has gone on and it’s only me to walk the trails. It wasn’t soon after her passing I stopped all together walking the desert. She had been with us for 17 years and my wife (Sandy) and I miss her very much.

We all need to be more cognizant of changes taking place in our lives every day. Some may not be as dramatic as losing a loved one or a faithful pet but there are changes nevertheless. Look around you, not just your personal life but look at your town, state, country, and world. We’ve all been forced to wear a useless mask, does it work? science says no. All it really does is hide your smile, you know? that’s what we used to give to a friend or a strange we would pass on the street. We don’t shake hands or give hugs either, o’ don’t forget to stay six feet apart. Those changes that have been forced on us have certainly made massive changes in our lives. Our friendly nature has been forced to change whether we like it or not. It’s called forced control. Forced control by who you ask? Who’s making all these rules? I’ll leave those answers to you.

We all know about all the small businesses shutting down, the supply chain in chaos, fuel prices going through the roof, and being invaded across uncontrolled borders. Don’t forget a government whose agenda is to destroy our way of life, turning Americans against Americans over a shot that doesn’t work.

I forgot one other thing that’s failing in greater numbers than ever before, Churches … small Ministries. More churches closed last year in the United States than ever before. That doesn’t include traveling evangelists or small local outreaches. Spreading the word has taken the backseat to covid fear … I wonder what God thinks of that? Again I’ll leave you to come up with your own answer. You might want to start with what God says about fear … it’s in your bible, you know, that dusty old book on the shelf in your closet?

The only income these ministries have is the love offering given to help support the spread of the gospel where large ministries, for whatever reason fail to reach. Many travel ministries live from hand to mouth, many times giving what little they have to help out others. You might say these people are on the front lines of the battle with very little support doing what God’s word says, delivering the gospel message no matter the sacrifices.

Does that sound fair? Of course not, but it’s the way it is.

Love offerings are just what it says, it’s a love offering. If a ministry is doing God’s work and you recognized it as a vital part of doing God’s work and you’re capable of helping them … why haven’t you? I’m not just talking financial, how about a word of encouragement? O’ wait a minute, I forgot you’re busy with your Facebook and Twitter account, you don’t have time to read these silly blogs much less send an encouraging word if you do that, What’s next? these people will be expecting financial support. How could you do that, you might have to cut out one of your morning coffees at Starbucks.

Wait! you say what I’m writing isn’t fair? It doesn’t describe you. 

That makes me very happy to know. I pray you will continue to support whatever small ministry God has put on your heart, they are truly blessed.

God knows your heart, as you read this message He knows what you’re thinking this very minute. He knows ALL the changes coming in your life and mine, some good some bad, it’s inevitable but the good news is God never changes (Hebrews 13:6) if you go on and read down to verse 8 you’ll see He’ll never leave you or forsake you either. Isn’t that great news? His Grace and mercy will see ALL of us believers through ALL the changes as long as we keep the faith His forgiveness abounds and His comfort and peace WILL surround us. 

Conviction is God nudging your heart, if He didn’t love you so much He wouldn’t do it. What you do with it is your choice, it always has been.

Until we talk again may God’s peace and love follow you all the days of your life.

Semper Fidelis 

      Dusty

My Prayer for you:           

Father,

I am so thankful you never change and you are always there. In the days surrounding us, we need you more than ever and I pray more and more eyes are opened and hearts are willing to receive your Son, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Lord, I pray for a worldwide revival and the unjust be reviled. I ask forgiveness for myself and strength to do better and work harder for your Kingdom.

I pray for an end to this plague that circumvents the world and is being used for political power and control. I pray for answers and an end sooner than later. I pray for the miracle-working of your hand to intervene.

In The Precious Name of Jesus, I pray,

AMEN