WHAT'S INSIDE ME

          Can you believe tomorrow is November already?  Wow!  Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then comes Christmas!!  This is my favorite time of year.  

          I grew up in a middle class home near the Jersey Shore (Middletown Township) and was raised by non-Christian parents to be honest, responsible, dependable, kind, respectful and gracious to all.  While my parents are both gone now, they instilled in me a certain level of stability that I still have today.  I know God has been in me by His Holy Spirit since March 21st, 1979, when I gave my life to Christ.  He alone is the reason I still stand.  He graced me with a good upbringing and a love for life.  Now, with Christ as my example, I attempt to challenge others in the faith and outside the faith to embrace Christ and allow God to alter the path they are currently on.  rlkeller

WHAT'S HAPPENING ...

          Things may be leveling off at work.  Stabilizing just a bit.  Day shift supervisor quit.  His replacement comes from within.  I've been working at fixing incomplete customer orders or orders that have some sort of problem with them.  It's challenging and interesting.  Been doing that for the last couple weeks.  I had been seriously considering looking for another job due to the high level of chaos and disorganization, but there is a distinct possibility that we may be slowly turning a corner.  We need to. 

          I have been considering having a shirt made up with something spiritual written in Spanish, since the vast majority of the workers in our warehouse speak Spanish.  I also have in the back of my mind having at least my first book translated into Spanish.  I have some contact info that I received from a Spanish speaking brother at a book signing a few months back.  It's not a top priority for me, but it's been rolling around my head.

          It would appear that my next book, which is progressing very slowly due to the limited time I actually have to write, will definitely be a male perspective on divorce called DIVORCE THROUGH MY EYES.  We'll see how that all develops.  Have a super blessed day!! rlkeller

WHY WORRY?

       Life can be hairy sometimes.  Worrying about things that may never happen and usually don't is counterproductive.  In spite of that fact I find myself being concerned, which is a much nicer way of saying I worry, about things I have no control over as if God were unaware of the situation.  It's so easy to fall into the 'pity party', 'woe is me', 'what next?' mind set.  When the dust settles on any given day I manage to pull it together and come once again to the realization that God truly is in control and nothing will take place in my life that God doesn't already know about.  

       Do you worry about things that are out of your control?  That is a normal reaction.  None of God's children need worry for He's got it covered.  Nothing will take place in our lives that He hasn't caused or allowed to take place for His own purposes.  You may rest assured of that.  So live for Christ knowing that you are in very good and capable hands ... the hands of Almighty God.  rlkeller

TRYING TIMES

          These are trying times for many people.  Jobs are scarce and a workman's wages are not nearly enough to compensate them for the work they are asked to do.  Was there ever a time such as this when God was more needed. Perhaps throughout history we could find other times when the will of people was so sorely tested.  But this time we are closer to the day of Christ's return.  Christians the world over need not panic.  They need not wring their collective hands. God will not fail us.  He never has and never will.  While our faith is tested He is observing to see who will stand up to the test or fall down.  God will lift up those who fall and cause those who have stood up to continue to stand in the face of the fury that is pounding against them.  Where is God in all this?  Right where He always is, on His throne and in our midst, all at the same time.  Trust in God completely. rlkeller

TOTAL DISINTEREST

It has become painfully clear to me recently that people who say they believe in God and even read the Bible have no interest in drawing close to Him in a personal relationship.  They are content to sit in the same pew each Sunday morning and do their due diligence as if it were some religious requirement.  I submit to you that there will be folks who will have gone to church every Sunday morning and perhaps evening as well all their life that will not enter into heaven because they simply did it out of a sense of obligation and not to grow spiritually.  Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’  Playing games with your eternal destination is not a good idea.  God desires for us to receive His blessings but they come with one small condition, that you seek His will and not your own.  I don't understand why people are so resistant to growing spiritually.  Perhaps is stems from the fact that all men, not just those who are unsaved, don't like being told what to do.  Submission to the will of God will lead to fulfillment in all areas of your life over time.  It's not instantaneous, it's progressive.  rlkeller

THE 3 R's - brief excerpt

·     What does it mean to carry our cross?

o  It means quite simply to be willing to die to self.

o  We must count the cost to complete the job.

·     God has given us any and every resource needed to succeed in this life. 

·     We only need to surrender our will over to Him. 

o  It’s not designed to be a painful process. 

·     God has proven over time to always have His children’s best interests at heart .  

                       

         [from RL Keller's teaching entitled "The 3 R's: Reflection, Reassessment & Reconnection"]

NOT MUCH OF A READER

          It's funny how I went through a reading spurt where I read about 4 or 5 books in rapid succession.  Now I seem to have no interest in reading.  I've never been much of a reader which I find amusing since I write quite a bit.  With 3 books to my credit I may come across as a conceited fellow who thinks no one can write as well and I do, therefore they are not worthy of my time to read them.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The only reason my writing has any worth or value at all is because it is inspired by the Lord.  And that's a fact.  rlkeller

PROFANITY ... AGAIN

          I know I've mentioned people's use of profanity a number of times lately, but it is somewhat shocking to me the regularity with which it spews forth.  We went to a hockey game Saturday night and it seemed as though everyone around us had a distinct inability to speak without cussing repeatedly.  Lately I've been wondering if God is drawing my attention to its prevalence as a means of getting me to think twice before I open my mouth.  It's certainly possible.  Men, women, young girls and boys ... dropping F-Bombs and a variety of other colorful words.  They flow from them like water.  Now you won't go to hell for cussing, not at all.  You will go to hell for rejecting Christ and His saving work on the cross.  However, what comes out of our mouths speaks loudly regarding what we feed our minds. All this has made me all the more conscious of my own use of inappropriate verbiage.  May God have mercy on us all.  rlkeller

TWO PROJECTS BEING WORKED ON

          I have two projects going on right now: 1) Stark Raving Obedience which is a book on biblical obedience to God & 2) Divorce Thru My Eyes: A Male Perspective.  The Lord seems to be filling me with ideas for the book on divorce at this time.  I'm still formulating the content.  It will speak regarding my mistakes, what, in my opinion, goes into a good marriage and what things can cause problems in a marriage.  There will be much more to it of course.  I am in the research part of the creative process.  Just my opinion is hardly enthralling reading.  I need to back up what I'm saying with factual information from folks who are seen as experts in their field.  I will be straight forward in my approach (as I always am) and even somewhat blunt in my delivery as a means to make my point regarding a difficult subject.  May God continue to bless my efforts as I seek to glorify His name with my writing.  It is the gift He has given me and I shall use it up for His glory always.  rlkeller

OUR UNFAILING GOD

          I've fallen into the trap of becoming downcast regarding the amount of money I am earning at my job.  How people can be expected to survive on such meager wages is amazing to me.  This is why families become fractured; because both parents must work to make ends meet.  Many times the husband must work 2 jobs.  That leaves any children they may have at home alone much of the time.  

          The trap is that I've temporarily lost sight of my purpose in this life.  My wages are inconsequential.  God has and will continue to meet my needs.  He has never failed me.  I am working where I am because it's where God wants me to be to be a light among unsaved people.  I have been able to minister hope to several folks and that makes everything worthwhile.  God knows what He's doing all the time.  Our trust needs to be amplified.  Like David says in Psalm 37:25 "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."   He will never fail us!  rlkeller

TEMPTATIONS

          Temptation lies all around us.  As believers, we need to recognize it as such and turn away 180 degrees from it and walk in the opposite direction.  Why do Christians have to deal with temptations?  They are there to test our resolve regarding our relationship with God.  What is more important to us, satisfying a temporal desire that will last mere seconds or minutes or turning away from it in favor for an eternity with our Lord.  I have faltered several times in my life and know from personal experience that temptations are evil mistresses that will drag you down a perilous path to destruction.  It's a long road back to righteous living.  I made it and use my mistakes as a teaching tool to other believers.  The grass is NOT as green as it initially appears on the other side of the fence.  Nothing and no one is perfect except for the Lord.  Serve Him and not your selfish, self-centered temporal desires. rlkeller.

TODAY'S MIND SET

          Well, we finally reached our normal schedule at work. Five 8 hr days with weekends off.  Thank You Jesus!  Starting today I will start work at 3 pm.  

          I struggle with the general attitude of younger people these days.  The profanity that freely flows from males and females alike is pretty shocking to me.  Now I'm not void of any foul language.  It comes out when I am most frustrated or upset about something, which is absolutely no excuse and never alright.  I am only pointing out that it doesn't so much offend me as astound me that women in particular speak in such a manner with no shame on their face.  Wow!  There is no doubt in my mind that there are multiple reasons why the Lord brought me back home in 2011.  The church in general is struggling to be relevant, believers are weak and shallow and non-believers simply don't care to hear about Christ saving blood.  They believe in a way they are most comfortable with, a way that is least intrusive and easiest for them.  They cry out to God when things are at their worst and disregard Him when things come together.  It's sad.  I can only do my best with the Holy Spirit's assistance to model Christ's life in front of them.  I'm planning to have a couple shirts made with challenging statements regarding God in spanish, since approximately 70% of my coworkers are spanish speaking.  I can also pray for God to intervene in their lives.  May the will of God be done.  rlkeller

A TROUBLED SOUL

       How does one deal with a person who admittedly has multiple issues?  This individual has ADHD and has no filter whatsoever.  He claims to have been in a few mental institutions in his younger years and was prescribed some meds but refuses to take them.  He is rude, profane, vulgar and will literally say whatever comes into his mind loudly for all to hear.  He is a co-worker of mine.  Everyone appears to love him and the off color, insensitive things he says, showing it by laughing loudly at each and every statement he makes.  Please pray for this man.  He is a very troubled soul.  rlkeller

LIFE IS GOOD!

          Life is good!  I always like to say "I woke up this morning above ground and breathing, so it's gonna be a good day!"  God is good!  I am nothing without Him.  I'm going to strive to have a good day in Christ today.  Yesterday I was a little down.  6 wks of 60 hr days will tend to do that to a person.  But I am up today.  I credit the Lord for that.  He knows my comings and my goings.  He will not allow me to fail unless I insist upon it.  He will provide for and sustain me and help me steer around, over or thru any obstacle.  I am victorious because He purchased the victory for me.  The neat thing is that all this is true for you too if you believe in Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  Amen?  rlkeller

WORK

       Been tired lately.  60 hour weeks ... mandatory!  Slowly wearing down.  God is my strength.  The company is bringing in an army of temps.  Things are somewhat chaotic.  Running out of supplies, like copy paper and reinforced paper tape.  Whoever is doing the buying is clueless.  Naturally, when I offered my services telling them I have over 28 yrs experience purchasing, no one was interested.  I suppose they'd rather continue stumbling along.  The scary part is the bosses freely admit publicly that they have no idea what they're doing.  At times its like the Keystone Cops ... running around aimlessly.  Oh well, what do I know, I'm just a pion.  A pick/packer.  Let the chaos continue.  I figure all the hours is a way the Lord is providing additional monies to help us get caught up with our bills.  Praise the name of the Lord.  Man's best efforts are futile.  With God everything works out to our greatest benefit and His greatest glory. rlkeller

WORK / A NOVEL IDEA

Hoping to get on our regular work schedule in several weeks.  Hope so.  Got much needed break yesterday when the server went down.  Only worked a half shift.  Needed that break very much.

Got an interesting idea for a Christian novel.  THE CHOICE.  Based on personalities I have met throughout my life.  It may include a believer, an atheist, an arrogant believer,  a number of fence sitters ... I was thinking about it on the way home from work yesterday.  Must get some ideas down on paper before I forget.  Life is filled with choices.  But there is one choice that everyone must make and it involved eternity.  Could be good.  I'll keep you informed.  rlkeller

GOD'S SPIRIT IS MOVING AT WORK

          I'm back.  Been a rough stretch of 11 hr work days with only 2 days off over the last month.  Ugh!  I'm sore and tired, but God is still God and I'm still serving Him.  

          Relating to the world is an interesting endeavor.  I listen to the nonbelievers talk their mess and observe.  I don't judge or preach at anyone.  What they are saying or doing will not send them to hell, only their rejection of Christ.  I look for ways to challenge others regarding their beliefs or lack there of, whatever they may be.  God is using me in some small way to minister hope and peace to those at work.  I feel the Spirit moving.  It's a very cool thing!  rlkeller