Blessed are the merciful!

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." – Matthew 5:7

When I see this verse I immediately think of the story of the Good Samaritan who nursed and cared for the down-trodden traveler that was left for dead by the side of the road, while others even crossed to the other side of the road to avoid the man that was so desperately in need.

We are all guilty of being busy...so busy that we tend to forget others that are in need. My prayer is that we....I...can be a lot more merciful toward others in need. I'm not just talking about writing a check to give to those in need, even though that can be good in and of itself.

I know there have been times where I should have given my neighbor food..or clothing. I should have written that card to encourage. I should have given that phone call, or made that visit to one in need.

Jesus calls us to be merciful to our fellow man. As Christians, he tells us that we too will be rewarded with mercy! After all....we all deserve death and separation from God, but because of His mercy, we have eternal life for those who believe in Him!

A lot of people talk about how our American culture has gotten so insensitive and self-centered. Can you imagine what a change we could make if we were a lot more merciful toward each other? Let's pray that we can be more loving and merciful with a pay-it-forward mentality. God bless you! Blessed are the merciful!

Wow! What a quick football season!

What a fun football season it was this year! It always is for me.

I enjoy watching my youngest boy, Josh play "rec" league. The "Scouts" recreation league is well organized and will really improve Worland's football program in years to come. It's always fun to see these little guys knocking each other around on the gridiron!

I really enjoyed watching my middle boy, Jacob, play on his freshman football team this year. No longer in the middle school green this year, it was fun watching him play in the Worland orange and black. He really wants to lift weights early to get ready for next year's season.

Caleb finished off his senior regular season playing in the Worland orange and black. He is now looking forward to playing the Wyoming State Shrine Bowl coming up this year.

As for college football, I was able to catch a few great games. I love watching it too, but not nearly as much as I do watching my kids and NFL.

Speaking of the NFL, it was a disappointing season for my Dallas Cowboys. Every time they are picked to go to, or win the Super Bowl....they choke. I know....I know....a lot of you are thinking... that's okay... because you don't like the Dallas Cowboys...but when a majority of your family is from Texas and you are raised with the Dallas Cowboys....you get the picture.

Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers! You played a great Super Bowl game. It was great to see Aaron Rodgers get the win as the new franchise quarterback! Favre...I believe is now in the past for Green Bay. What a good young team the Packers are. As for the Pittsburg Steelers...good season.

Well....it's tough to see football go for another season....can't wait for next fall!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." – Matthew 5:6

Have you ever felt so hungry that you thought you could eat a horse? Maybe you have craved a huge cheeseburger? Have you ever been so thirsty after working hard out on a ranch, or after a long mountain or desert hike in the wilderness that you want to drink a huge big gulp of water? These may be physical needs for food or water, but that is not what Jesus is talking about in this verse.

Jesus is talking about the spiritual hunger and thirst that we have inside. Only God can satisfy that hunger. First to overcome the spiritual hunger and thirst that every man lacks, we must come to Christ and believe in Him, being baptized by the Holy Spirit. As God allows us to grow in Him by praying each day, and by reading His word, He has the desire for us to seek His righteousness! We should have the hunger...the thirst..and desire for His righteousness too! He wants us to be more like Him as His children. As we hunger and thirst for His righteousness, we will be filled and satisfied.

In the world's eye view, people are hustling and bustling, hungering and thirsting for THINGS: money, power, prestige, fame, glory, success....passions, that ultimately won't satisfy.

How many of the world's most famous and wealthiest people have you come across, that are truly happy? It seems like they are always searching, searching for something or someone. There is a missing piece...a void in their lives. The missing piece that they are looking for is Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Christians, we will eventually receive all of His riches in glory when we are with Him. I know that He is building me a mansion in heaven!

I'm thinking of the old hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus". Here is just one verse that sums it up for me, "I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;I’d rather be His than have riches untold;I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain: Than to be the king of a vast domain, And be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.

Great words, huh? I don't know about you, but I don't want to be in sin's dread sway. I'd rather be filled by his righteousness.

Thank you Lord. Amen.