UNCONDITIONAL

       The word 'unconditional' is a remarkable word.  It means no conditions have been placed on whatever it is that is being deemed unconditional.  Take God's love for instance.  He doesn't do what we do.  We look upon someone and by their appearance determine whether they are good or bad, smart or dumb, wealthy or poor, pretty or ugly.  God does none of that.  Just like a parent sees their child as beautiful, no matter what others may see, so God sees us.  We are His beautiful, matchless creation.  He places no conditions on His love for us.  None whatsoever.  Why do we, who are hopelessly flawed, place so many conditions on our love for another?  We are shortsighted and narrow minded when it comes to others.  We judge even though we were not judged by our own creator.  If only we would begin to love others, all others, with no conditions placed upon that love. rlkeller

CAN'T B SILENT 4EVER

          It's seems that I have departed from the light, fluffy encouraging devotionals on my blog and have begun a string of instructional, be like Christ ones.  This is no time to soft soap the message.  This is no time to remain babies in Christ.  We must gird our loins.  We must grow in the spirit.  I believe difficult times may be coming for believers in Christ.  Does our lifestyle tell folks we are different morally and ethically than the mainstream of society or do we blend in?  Do we stand up for Christ or do we remain silent in the face of unbelievers.  Atheists are not silent.  False religions are not silent.  Only the ones who carry the true message of freedom, forgiveness and hope remain silent.  Stand up for what you believe.  Do not bow down to worldly ideals.  Seek to become more like Christ each and every day.  Am I being too harsh?  Am I?  Then what is your solution if it's not to live like Christ in a sin filled and dying world.  We have the cure to their disease.  Will we remain silent forever?  rlkeller

A 100-100 DEAL

          It's interesting that experts say marriage is a 50-50 deal.  I beg to differ ... it is a 100-100 deal.  You are either all in or it won't work, at least not as God intended.  It takes tolerance, patience, compromise, wisdom, empathy topped off with a massive dose of love.  Not the kind of temporal, lust filled love that the world offers.  True godly love that is unconditional and everlasting.  Apparently my 1st two marriages didn't have that type of relationship.  In spite of what others may say, both parties are instrumental in either making or breaking the marital union.  If God isn't the center of the marriage your chances for survival decrease incrementally.  rlkeller 

WWW.OPENDOORSUSA.ORG

          Yesterday I was deeply moved by an interview I watched online.  It was a webcast of an interview with Brother Andrew of Open Doors Ministry (http://opendoorsusa.org).  He is the man who wrote the well known book God's Smuggler, which talks about his smuggling of bibles into Communist Russia back in 1955.  He spoke in the interview of his encounters with head of terrorist groups in the Middle East, most specifically the Taliban in recent years, and how receptive they were to what Andrew had to say about Jesus.  Muslims view Jesus as a Great Physician, but not the Son of God, yet there was a common ground and a bond that was formed.  Andrew looks to be in his 80's now and is still very active in his ministry.  He said the muslims pointed out that Christians main problem is that they don't live like Christ.  They also pointed out that muslims problem was that they don't live like Mohammed.  Their solution for both problems was to go to "the book".  The book, of course, is either the Bible or the Koran.  I have been seeking to be more like Christ for years.  Too many folks do as they please in the name of Jesus and don't resemble Him as all in their words and actions.  May God help us be more of a reflection of Him.  rlkeller

WHY I WRITE WHAT I DO

       Some folks may wonder why my devotional blog can tend to be so heavy laden with instruction and edification and light on encouragement sometimes.  My answer to that is the following:  I live in a region that can tend to be pretty indifferent to God.  It influences what I write.  It is my general feeling that people are not as in tune with the Lord as they could or should be and many times they have no compulsion to draw any closer to God thinking they are just fine in their walk.  I struggle with the daily grind of life like everyone else.  I know what it means to become lazy when it comes to reading God's word or striving to be more like Christ in my daily walk.  My words are meant to get the reader to think.  Consider what I am saying and see if it applies to you.  I'm not writing from the standpoint that I have arrived, but rather that I am struggling too and believe I know how to combat the malaise we fall into at times.  The devil works on us day and night to make us ineffective for God.  We must sidestep his boobytraps and refocus on those things which are most important to us in this life, like God, family, brothers / sisters in Christ and then ourself.  rlkeller

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today is a happy day!!  Not only am I 60 yrs old today, but I am 36 yrs old in the Lord.  That's right, I gave my life to Christ on my birthday in 1979.  It's been a long, glorious journey with a lot of ups and downs, highs and lows, but it has made me the person I am today and I am thankful to the Lord for each moment of my life.  How do I feel today, being 60 and all?  The same as always, with my hands. (lol).  rlkeller

SELF-EXAMINATION

       The Lenten season is nearly over.  Have you taken the time to do some self-examination?  That's what Lent is all about.  To look at yourself in the mirror and see what areas of your life aren't pleasing to the Lord.  God is the One who can make the necessary changes from within.  They are not cosmetic changes or changes in attire.  They are behavioral changes that only the Holy Spirit of God can administer if we allow Him to.  Examine your heart today and see where you come up short, because we all fall short of God's glory.  rlkeller

WHAT'S TRULY IMPORTANT

        Another weekend has come and gone.  The snow is all melted.  The ground is damp from the rain over the weekend.  Baseball season is rapidly approaching, March Madness has arrived, the hockey regular season is winding down and the NFL draft is around the corner.  In the midst of all this stands God.  He goes largely unnoticed by the general populous. But for the faithful believers, everything else becomes less important in the face of His glory.  There's nothing wrong with following sports or shopping till you drop or going to the movies (unless they are vile and ungodly ... let the Holy Spirit be your guide) ... it's what you let dominate your life that dictates the path you take.  Choose Christ.  rlkeller

FRIDAY THE 13th ... IS NOTHING!!

     Did anyone happen to notice that it was Friday the 13th?  Some folks get freaked out about that.  They stay at home thinking some horrible things might happen to them if they go out anywhere that day.  Rubbish.  Friday the 13th is just another day, a number on the calendar.  It has no power over anyone unless you let it.  It's nothing.  Understanding that God is in control of all things helps you grasp the insignificance of a superstition like Friday the 13th or a black cat crossing your path or walking under a ladder.  It is all inconsequential, meaningless and has no impact on your life unless you allow it to control you.  Release the fear and embrace God instead.  He will never harm you but rather bring you to a place of confident peace. rlkeller

GOD'S GRACIOUSNESS

     The graciousness of God is pretty remarkable considering how ungrateful we can be at times.  Just as an earthly father has patience with an impudent child, so God is patient with us.  Don't take His patience for approval.  He is simply waiting for you to "get it".  Some never do, but many figure it out at some point.  Heaven awaits those who push forward in faith trusting God to lead the way.  We cannot do this thing called life all by ourselves. Give in to the will of God and be blessed. rlkeller

GENERALITIES

It's Wednesday and the snow is almost gone.  Warm temps and rain have washed it away.  The pups of napping as I write this.  Been having difficulties recently with my AOL inbox not appearing on my screen.  This doesn't allow me to email out my devotional.  It does still appear on my blog online though.  (www.minidevos.blogspot.com)

My current schedule is causing an interruption in my book writing.  While I am doing research and collecting info on occasion, my work schedule and home responsibilities chew up most of my time.  As God wills it.  I will never stop writing.  I still do my daily devo blog.  Over 50,000 views since its inception in 2012.  Very gratifying.  rlkeller

WEATHER / DEVILS / CHURCH

Hey folks, here we are facing another new week.  We're into March already (whoa, where does the time go?) and we have supposedly had our last snow of the season ... which I will believe when I see it (or don't see it, whichever the case may be).  Temps are up and the white stuff is melting fairly quickly.  Life is good and God is still great!!

Devils demolished the Flyers yesterday 5-2.  Ha ha ha.  Gosh I can't stand the Flyers. They are one dirty hockey team.  Although the Devils are playing much better lately, I think it's too late to make the playoffs this year.  12 pts behind the final playoff spot with only 16 games to go.  They'd almost have to win out.  It could happen but it's not likely.  But they are playing much better.  We have 3 more games to go to.  Looking forward to it.  

Church was inspiring yesterday as usual.  Pastor Joe is a great man and we love him very much.  He's very real ... down to earth.  No pretentious attitude or lack of humbleness.  He loves the Lord very much and its shows in all he does.  Yet he relates to us very well because he admits to struggling with the same things we all do.  God is using him in a special way in our church.  rlkeller

MY FRUSTRATION

     I get very frustrated when I make a mistake.  It's usually because I am doing something too quickly and not taking my time.  Everyone makes mistakes.  I hate to make them, especially if I really know what I'm doing.  Others around me tell me not to be so hard on myself.  I'm wired to beat myself up when I screw something up.  I get over it pretty quickly, but it stays in the deeper recesses of my mind and leaps out to the forefront  whenever I make my next mistake.  This isn't from God, but it is something I struggle with.  I consider myself to be detail oriented and so when I foul up it bothers me.  Lord help me.  After a lifetime of beating myself up for my slip ups, I'd like to quit that.  Please pray for me.  Thanx.  rlkeller

WEEKEND WEATHER / YANKEES / BLESSINGS

Another weekend has come and gone.  A couple inches of snow, then sleet, then rain, then freezing temps.  Not a good combination. But it didn't turn out so bad.  We're fine.  Roads are clear.  No worries.  Now they're calling for 1"-3" of white stuff for this Thursday.  Yeah.  At least the pups are enjoying it. lol

Baseball season is rapidly approaching.  What kind of season will the Yankees have this year.  They should be alright as long as they don't have too many serious injury problems.  GO YANKS!!

God is very good to us all.  We tend to focus on the negative and pine for what we do not have rather than the opposite.  If we would focus on our blessings instead of what we feel we need yet don't have, we'd be much happier people.  The Lord shall provide all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).