🕊️ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 🕊️

James 1:21-27

🕊️ Dare to be a Daniel, 

Dare to stand alone, 

Dare to have a purpose firm, 

Dare to make it known 🕊️

Philip Paul Bliss

In my early life, I spent my time doing my own thing, going where I wish, when I wish, not accountable to anyone. I was rebellious, headstrong, and fearless. Along my early journey I somehow avoided many of life’s perils and consequences. It was as if i had a guardian angel with me, watching over me. My self destructive nature continued into my early adult life but after a failed marriage, and at my lowest state, about to lose my freedom and enter the pit of hell, God rescued me and opened my mind to His Word and His Way! Thank you Lord!

I believe God saw my roughness, which everyone else saw, but He saw something else; a desire to be a helper, to protect others, to be a servant, the ability to go beyond societal norms and acceptable behavior. Speaking truth in the face of those who would not, bringing light into the darkness, standing up when no one else would, unwavering devotion to truth and protecting the weak. These traits served me well while doing various ministry work, evangelism. In one ministry I served as a lay minister to seniors, bringing them the Word and visitation. In another ministry I served as an assistant jail chaplain, preaching and teaching the Word and individual counseling. In yet another ministry, I served as a Christian scout leader for boys from the age of 7 on up to 14.

I pray O Lord, as a rough diamond, You have led me through the most gratifying of all my work, serving You in ministry. The most painful of my experiences, the most destructive was betrayal by a loved one, and that suffering went on for years, followed by learning of the extent of that betrayal by all those I trusted in my life. There is only one other suffering even greater, the loss of a child at birth, and then the loss of a son to suicide. In all my travels, Lord, You made the difference in all of it. You have always been there for me and with me. You have been the best, most trusted path to truth one can imagine or seek to obtain. Thank You Lord, for Your allowing me to be myself as I served You all these years. I pray now, in my older years, I might serve You more, gleaning from all the years of my life and sharing these experiences with others, as a strength, and as an example of how to follow Your Word and Your Way, in all we say and do, in Jesus’ name Amen!