Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Here we go again. It’s getting a little boring, but I am still going to say, Let’s forget these two words, “politically correct.” Excuse me, but I’m getting tired of hearing “someone may be offended.” Hey, this is our country and we love the land of the free! I will never understand why those who oppose want to take away the joy of this time of year. It is Jesus’ birthday. Why is it other beliefs are never attacked? (Some are even given more privileges.) Jesus sacrificed for you and me. Name someone else whose grace and...
We may never know where or how our prayers are answered, but be assured they are. I was privileged to know an answered prayer that happened in a doctor’s office many years ago. “Have a seat, and the doctor will be with you shortly,” the young receptionist said. She then answered the telephone with her cheery voice. Immediately she screamed, wailing in severe pain, crying her heart out. The doctor came running in and learned the young lady’s mother had just been taken to emergency room, not expected to survive. Boldnes...
Someone has said, “Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.” How true! Each one of us can make a difference in our world. You may think you are only one person and that you cannot possibly make a difference. Wrong! I heard a story about a king who was a very hard taskmaster. He demanded strict obedience to his dictatorship. Anyone who dared to disobey was imprisoned. The people began to unite. They refused to obey the king’s unreasonable demands. The king had each one imprisoned. At last, the prisons were filled and t...
Freedom doesn’t come cheap. It comes with blood and tears. Soldiers have been separated from loved ones. Who among us can know their pain, loneliness and willingness to fight for freedom? The military personnel have given their time away from families, yet they think of protecting those they love, our country and freedom They are fighting against tyranny or a dictatorship that wants to destroy the American way of life. May I say it: “It’s called freedom!” I cannot help but honor the military of the greatest country on the pla...
Remember the day you enclosed your tiny baby’s hand in yours? Remember holding that toddler’s hand when he or she took the first steps? Remember the first day of school when you had to let go? Remember that teenager driving for the first time? My tears fell on Lance’s feet as he held me in his arms and whispered, “Mom, a Christian never says goodbye for the last time.” Memories flashed as my husband and I boarded the plane to get back home. We don’t get to visit Lance and his family often, so a one-hour flight is better than...
Do you ever have a time when problems seem insurmountable? Is it a time when “quit” looks good? Sometimes we grow weary in the fight. Our strength wanes, and our hope diminishes. The dark cloud of depression obscures our vision and steals our peace. “Joy,” the fruit of the Spirit, is hidden under our preoccupation with the problem at hand. I have good news! God’s Word tells us in James 1:2: “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chanc...
October has been designated to honor our ministers. Of course, we honor our preachers every day, but we are asked to specifically honor them during the month of October. Have you ever thought how sad it would be without these wonderful people who help us through trials and problems? Ministers perform a very special service to the public. They work long and hard hours ministering to hurting people. In addition to conducting funerals, they perform marriages, visit the sick and shut-ins, prepare sermons, conduct seminars, teach...
Life has a way of being “daily.” We sometimes slide into complacency, taking life for granted. We are not guaranteed our number of years, but we can agree with Job 7:6 that our “days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.” It is so important to come to the end of our lives with no regrets … to leave good memories to those around us. It would be sad indeed to not even be missed like the wicked kings in the Old Testament. So what would you do on your very last day? Would you be critical? Disagreeable? Fault-fin...
The Biblical scholar can’t help but know how this country has come to the state it’s in. All through the Old Testament, people who turned their backs on God found themselves surrounded and overcome with enemies. The Ten Commandments have been taken down. Prayer has been removed from the public. The Bible has been forsaken. Abortion has taken away the younger generation who would be paying for Social Security. Now I hear hints of euthanasia. With a pain pill and counseling, Medicare money will be saved for some other pork or...
Last weekend my brother, my husband and I attended a community activity that gave me a reassurance of wonderful people who love God and this country. All three of us at one time lived and grew up in Melrose. The celebration and reunion of those who once lived and loved in that little town filled it with hugs and camaraderie. The parade touched my heart. Main Street was decorated up and down with “Old Glory.” People of all ages stood on either side, and children squealed with delight as the parade passed by. People filled the...
It’s back to school. Where did the summer go? When I pass by a school and see teachers getting ready, I wish I could do it all again. I become nostalgic when I see a school bus go by. My students have grown up and still remember me, and that makes my day. They have children and even grandchildren getting ready for school. Looking back upon my 31 years of teaching, I have suggestions for your child’s success in school. Pray together. One of the most important principles comes directly from God’s Word: “Train up a child i...
What is your faith temperature, and how is your thought life? Do you make a definitive decision to stop negative thoughts, or do you allow them to run over you? If so, you become totally depressed and unaware of the progression of negative attacks. A perfectly good day can be ruined by the onslaught of “stinking thinking.” The enemy of our souls causes torment by worrisome thoughts. “How are we going to make it?” “What if the test comes back positive?” “Will I have the money to pay bills?” “What if I lose my job?” In times...
What is your faith temperature, and how is your thought life? Do you make a definitive decision to stop negative thoughts, or do you allow them to run over you? If so, you become totally depressed and unaware of the progression of negative attacks. A perfectly good day can be ruined by the onslaught of “stinking thinking.” The enemy of our souls causes torment by worrisome thoughts. “How are we going to make it?” “What if the test comes back positive?” “Will I have the money to pay bills?” “What if I lose my job?” In times...
I love to hear the mockingbirds sing. One night I heard a mockingbird singing all night long through a terrible storm. Thunder crashed and lightning snapped. The severe storm raged. During the lulls of the storm, I heard the mockingbird singing as if nothing surrounded him. To me, it seemed he sang to his mate to reassure her all was well. He could have been blown away. He could have found a safe place, but he stood his ground and pursued his calling in life. The next morning diamond dewdrops kissed by glistening rays of...
The first time I saw him, fireworks ignited and a “pop-pop-pop” went off in my heart. It wasn’t even the Fourth of July then, but rockets exploded anyway. This high school girl had never seen a more tall, dark and handsome man. The English teacher’s assignment required a theme paper on “lumberjacks.” I didn’t know anything about lumberjacks, but when I saw all the kids surrounding Emmitt in the library, I pushed my way through the crowd. Of course, he had a distinct advantage over all of us. His artistic talent left little r...
Those who have lived under freedom in “America, the Beautiful,” have been blessed. My great-grandparents, my grandparents, my parents and my generation have been blessed indeed to live in a country that has been “the land of the free.” It saddens me to see what has been happening in my beloved land. In the Old Testament you can read about history repeating itself over and over again. Every time God’s people turned their back on God, enemies overtook them. I am making a plea for America. We have seen two generations appear wh...
I heard a story about a daddy and his two little girls, ages 9 and 5, who lived close to the beach. One day they all decided to go for a swim just a little way out into the ocean. Before the daddy realized it, a current had taken them out too far. Realizing the danger, he told his older daughter, “Honey, listen carefully. I am going to swim back to shore to take your sister. Daddy loves you, and he’s coming back for you. You stay afloat right here, and I will be back to get you. Remember I love you very much.” The father safe...
Remember when people saluted the flag with pride? Men removed hats, and hands were placed on hearts. No one talked when the flag went by, and many had a teary eye. I admire those who salute the flag. I also admire parents who teach their children why we honor the flag and why they should, too. Flag Day is Sunday. It is a day to honor “Old Glory.” Let’s display the flag and what it represents. I love my flag, and I respect it. I’ll not leave it out in the wind until it is in shreds or is blown around in storms. When I see the...
Time was created for man. In God’s eyes there is no time. He always was and will always be. He is the great “I Am.” Our time is limited. Children grow up and leave the nest. Did we spend precious time with them? Our grandparents and parents grow older and are gone. Did we make the moments count? Time spent loving and listening to a mate, a friend or a child is time well spent. Yet time spent worrying about tomorrow drains the life of “now.” God’s word is for the “now” of our lives. I keep a little sign on my refrigerator th...
Does discouragement hang around your door? Are you tempted to throw in the towel? Whenever I see a sign “Under New Management,” I think of new life under spiritual “New Management.” To me, new management implies something new and different. I heard a friend tell a story about two men. One man claimed God talked to him. The other man challenged him. “I’ve been a sinner so long God couldn’t forgive me.” “Of course he forgives you,” the friend replied. “That is why Jesus came, to save sinners.” “Then when you go to bed tonigh...
My husband looked forward to Sunday lunch at Mother’s house. He longed to eat her light, crusty, piping-hot rolls. Try as I might, I could never duplicate Mother’s homemade rolls. I used the same recipe, but they never turned out right....
In the midst of national trauma comes an outpouring of prayer. From Omaha Beach in World War II to Columbine, the Oklahoma City bombing and the horrendous 9/11, we need prayer more than ever. On May 7 we will pray in deep hunger for spiritual renewal. Throughout history, Americans of faith have sought the Lord’s help in meeting life’s challenges and adversities. We especially will be a corporate body in praying for our nation on May 7. The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “Prayer … America’s Hope!” Fe...
I still have tears at the beginning of school and the ending each May. A teacher and student have a bond neither can forget. My students will always be my “babies.” With another school year ending, I am reminded of the many blessings I have received from my teaching career. I guess I would have taught forever, but my husband said, “You have to quit while the kids still like you!” I learned many lessons in those 31 years of teaching. Interwoven into these lessons I found love, faith, hope, courage and forgiveness. Here ar...
