Reb Rev's Blog

Having never heard of King Alfred the Great, or the author, I was not sure what to expect from this book. What I found was a compelling page turner. It was not only well written, it was also very informative.

King Alfred lived and reigned in the 800’s and is responsible for the development of legal code, design of towns and warfare. We are given a short history of the Viking assaults on the Anglo Saxon people and countryside and the efforts of a Godly king who believed in protecting his people and standing with them against adversity.

He is not a man without fault however, and the author points that out for us as well.

As one who has never been a student of that era of England’s history, I found it refreshing the author took time to explain customs and practices without becoming boring or making the book read like a text book.

“The White Horse King” is a fascinating book and would make a great gift, but make sure to buy a copy for yourself as well.

I post these reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program J

I was reading Lifeway.com’s Wellness Connection Newsletter by Branda Polk which started me thinking about my thankfulness.

Of course I am thankful for my family, friends, church family, my work and material blessings, and so forth. But, she asks, “Do you consider struggles, difficulties, and loss opportunities for gratitude? Gratitude is so much more than a warm-fuzzy emotion we call up during happy times.”

I am well aware of the admonition in scripture to be thankful “in” things, and being thankful “for” all things is quite another thing altogether. Yet, there are so many opportunities for gratitude we overlook because they come our way in more of an “undercover” capacity.

I think of my own struggle this year with a heart attack and the aftermath of it. How could that be a blessing? Yes, it didn’t kill or cripple me, but beyond that, what is there to give thanks for?

Let me list just a few things.

– It prodded me to get back into shape in a healthy fashion. There are numerous folks who have taught and encouraged me to exercise and make healthy choices in eating.
– I met some great people through the rehab process who inspired me and hopefully, have been a blessing to them.
– Indeed I was given a second chance and am reminded everyday, I am here for a reason (this is true for all of us).
– I got some great sermon illustrations out of the whole thing (that may seem small, but you preachers know how it is!)

I want pass this challenge along today. Look beyond the outward appearance of your life experiences and find thankfulness in the challenges, struggles and difficult parts of your life. Some of the greatest blessings show up in some of the oddest ways.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – I Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
In law enforcement, after every major event we did an “after action report.” We look at the event, what went right and what we might be able to do better next time.
 
I’d like to do that for a moment with Thanksgivings past. Think about Thanksgiving in general or maybe one specific Thanksgiving.
 
As you do, no doubt, there will be memories of food. Maybe some time in front of the TV watching football. Maybe it was one of those 3 AM shopping trips the day after. (I am much more inclined to be out at 3 PM on Christmas Eve).
 
As you think about these days, do you recall a Thanksgiving which stands out because you were truly THANKFUL?
 
That was the whole point of the day – remember? It’s easy to forget sometimes.
 
But, our thankfulness is a reflection of how we are doing in so many other ways. In fact, our thankfulness is a good thermometer of our spiritual health. In the verses above, our gratitude is linked closely with rejoicing and prayer. 

Our thankfulness is reflective of our spiritual health.  
 
So, as we make those last minute trip(s) to the grocery store, as we stuff the turkey and ladle the grave, let’s pause for a moment and remember it’s not all bout the food, football, family and friends – it’s about being Thankful.
 
My prayer for you this week is that you will be overwhelmed with an attitude of gratitude.

I was not really sure what to expect when I began reading “The Power of Respect” – except the discussion is one which is desperately needed in our culture today. Deborah Norville’s approach is not the “tolerance at any cost” message we so often hear under the banner of respect today. Rather, respect begins with self and is best earned when given. She goes on to discuss the setting of expectations and demonstrating leadership in helping other meet those expectations. Respect is earned, but it can also be learned.

There are plenty of examples of the “Power of Respect” implemented and the results are encouraging. Most everyone will be able to identify with someone in the book. I would imagine people who take the time to read the book will be ones who already practice respect, but if every reader is able to inspire one other person to learn and practice respect – it will make a profound difference.

I did not find “The Power of Respect” to be an easy read, I’m not sure if it was the meat of the subject or the style – but I do believe it is worth it. I would recommend every parent, teacher, business owner and anyone else is a leadership role read this book.

(These book reviews are posted as a part of the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program – J

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12

I remember one day, while assigned to Professional Standards, I was standing at the records window and then Chief of Police, Roger Halbert, walked up and looked at me and said “justify your existence.” I guess he could tell by my dumfounded look I either couldn’t or didn’t understand. In either case, he said, why should I keep you here? What have you been doing?

Fortunately, as the initial shock wore off, I was able to mumble something about accreditation and he was satisfied he should keep me around.

Now, let me say, I thought the world of Chief Halbert and he was an extremely fair man, but I was scared of him. I got to know him better over the years and I was still scared of him. So, his question, which he meant as lighthearted still struck a fearful chord in me.

In the verse above, we are told we are going to stand before One stronger and more fearful than any Chief of Police, Sheriff, Governor or any worldly leader. And, when we do, we will be told to give an account for what we have done with all He has given us. That justification begins with what we have done with His Son, Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, all of our good works are worth nothing.

I never expected that question from Chief Halbert on that day, so I was caught off guard. When we stand before God, we know the question is coming so, don’t be caught off guard!

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
– Hebrews 11:13

As many of you know, my wife, Eileen, and I enjoy hiking in the mountains. It is often challenging physically and sometimes mentally, when you just have to set your mind to going on – even if you don’t know how far it might be until you get to “the end”.

One of the things I have discovered is when you get to the top of the mountain there is much reward. Sure, there is the satisfaction of having accomplished the task, but often there is a great view. Sometimes you can even see the trail you hiked to get where you are.

Such was the case this summer. As we stopped to rest on the way up the mountain, we looked back and saw the trail – a very long trial, I might add – which got us there. It wove up and over several smaller mountain tops and disappeared through some other places which were all but overgrown.

Often our spiritual “walk” is just like that. We can’t see where we are going and it often seems to be uphill at a steady climb. But, when we stop and look back we can see the path we have come and rest in the fact that even the hard times have been a part of getting us to where we are now.

Also, while we may not be able to see where the journey ends, or how rough it may get along the way, we do know there is One Who knows every step of the way. Trusting Him allows us to take every step in confidence.

The verse above follows a long list of Old Testament saints Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah among them, who took God at His word and believed His promises – even when the journey got tough. My prayer for you this week is that you will have just that kind of faith.

Physically speaking, especially in law enforcement, night vision is a good thing. The thing about night vision is the longer you stay in the dark, the better it seems to get. You begin to adjust and one can even get to the point where the light is uncomfortable.

You know, the same thing happens spiritually. If we stray from God’s presence, get out of fellowship with Him, we wander into the darkness and tend to get more and more used to it.

I John 1:6 says “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

While physical night vision can be an asset, spiritually speaking it destroys our ability to communicate with God.

While we might think we can see pretty well in the dark, and we may see better than others, we can all see better in the light.

My prayer for you today is that you will “walk in the light, as He is in the light.”

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

I received an e-mail this week from a friend. It said “I make $300 online with . . . “ and  gave a web site. As soon as I saw it, I knew my friend’s e-mail had been hacked. We are close friends and I know he doesn’t go in for get rich schemes and if he had come across a really good deal he would tell me in person not via e-mail.

I was able to discern this because I know him, I know his work ethic and I know his heart.  It just didn’t sound like Charlie – someone was using his good name to try to scam me.

In the verse above, we are told many folks get spiritually scammed because they cannot recognize God’s Word. Many folks cannot discern the Word and will of God because these things are spiritually discerned. That means we must know God, we must know His ways and His heart in order to be able know when we hear or read something if it is consistent with His will.

Many folks will use His name to try to scam you.

How do we get to know God well enough to tell when you’re being scammed? Just like we get to know our friends, by spending time with Him (in prayer) by listening to Him (in His Word, the Bible).

That is a sure way to keep from getting spiritually “scammed.”

“Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World” is David Jeremiah’s follow-up to “What in the World is Going On?” It is not a sequel per se, and I must admit I did not read “What in the World is Going On?” although I did purchase it.

I found “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World” a very difficult read. It is overstuffed with illustrations, anecdotes and other material which seems forced and actually distracts from the author’s message as opposed to enhancing it.

The message of this work is an important one, and it is this – In spite of the mess this world is in, as Christians, we can live with confidence because of the promise of Christ’s return. That is an important message and one of which we need to be reminded, especially in difficult times.

On October 8^th, “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World”, was number five on the Wall Street Journal’s best selling list in the non-fiction category so, obviously, many folks are buying it.

It almost seems the text was a compilation of sermon transcripts. This seldom works without some editing, and it did not work (at least for me) in this case. As much as I love listening to David Jeremiah teach and preach, I cannot recommend this book.

(I will be posting a few of these book reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program J

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” – James 3:18 ESV

I came across the following story recently and it reminded of many of the things we teach in leadership. However, it is certainly a beneficial truth for many areas of our lives.

It seems there was a farmer who was well known for his blue ribbon winning corn. In fact, he became somewhat of a local celebrity for his corn growing abilities. Once, a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

“Why do share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “don’t you know? The wind spreads pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

 He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves.

 John Maxwell calls this adding value to the lives of others. So many folks try to make their way up by tearing others down, it is sometimes easy to get drawn into that way of thinking. However, by adding value to the lives of others, you find the benefits really come back to you as well. 

If you want to live well, you must help others to live well. In order to pursue happiness, help others find happiness. The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.