WHAT KIND OF MAN IS DONALD TRUMP?

Within today’s column I am placing a recent article written by psychologist, writer and political commentator Charles Krauthammer. Although he is bound to a wheelchair because of a swimming accident many years ago, this man still stands tall in his ability to discern men and matters and express his thoughts in unique and revealing writings.

I personally took issue with him early on related to his writings about our nation’s 45th President which were not complimentary and often overly critical. But now things seems to have changed and in recent times Mr. Krauthammer appears to have matured in his understanding of Donald Trump as being a non-political pragmatist who honestly loves America.

During my four personal meetings with Mr. Trump, beginning in the early 1990s through to the 2016 election, I have found our President to be both open and straightforward in our discussions about everything from his personal faith to his methods of business success. In open discussions he pulls “no punches” but tells it like he sees it (right or wrong).

With that in mind, I believe the article below will help all in better understanding the man and his methods to ‘Make America Great Again.”

 

Charles Krauthammer – MY TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP
A non-political agenda.

Donald Trump Is Not a Liberal or Conservative, He’s a “Pragmatist.” (Definition: A pragmatist is someone who is practical and focused on reaching a goal. A pragmatist usually has a straightforward, matter-of-fact approach and doesn’t let emotion distract him or her.)

We recently enjoyed a belated holiday dinner with friends at the home of other friends. The dinner conversation varied from discussions about antique glass and china to theology and politics.

At one point, reference was made to Donald Trump being a conservative, to which I responded that Trump is not a conservative.

I said that I neither view nor do I believe Trump views himself as a conservative. I stated it was my opinion that Trump is a pragmatist. He sees a problem and understands it must be fixed. He doesn’t see the problem as liberal or conservative, he sees it only as a problem. That is a quality that should be admired and applauded, not condemned. But I get ahead of myself.

Viewing problems from a Liberal perspective has resulted in the creation of more problems, more entitlement programs, more victims, more government, more political correctness, and more attacks on the working class in all economic strata.

Viewing things according to the so-called Republican conservative perspective has brought continued spending and globalism to the detriment of American interests and well-being, denial of what the real problems are, weak, ineffective, milquetoast, leadership that amounts to Barney Fife Deputy Sheriff, appeasement oriented and afraid of its own shadow. In brief, it has brought liberal ideology with a pachyderm as a mascot juxtaposed to the ass of the Democrat Party.

Immigration isn’t a Republican problem, it isn’t a Liberal problem, it is a problem that threatens the very fabric and infrastructure of America. It demands a pragmatic approach not an approach that is intended to appease one group or another.

The impending collapse of the economy wasn’t a Liberal or Conservative problem; it is an American problem. That said, until it is viewed as a problem that demands a common sense approach to resolution, it will never be fixed because the Democrats and Republicans know only one way to fix things and the longevity of their impracticality has proven to have no lasting effect.

Successful businessmen like Donald Trump find ways to make things work, they do not promise to accommodate.

Trump uniquely understands that China’s manipulation of currency is not a Republican problem or a Democrat problem. It is a problem that threatens our financial stability and he understands the proper balance needed to fix it.

Here again, successful businessmen, like Trump, who have weathered the changing tides of economic reality understand what is necessary to make business work, and they, unlike both sides of the political aisle, know that if something doesn’t work, you don’t continue trying to make it work hoping that at some point it will.

As a pragmatist, Donald Trump hasn’t made wild pie-in-the-sky promises of a cell phone in every pocket, free college tuition, and a $15 hour minimum wage for working the drive-through at Carl’s Hamburgers.

I argue that America needs pragmatists because pragmatists see a problem and find ways to fix them. They do not see a problem and compound it by creating more problems.

You may not like Donald Trump, but I suspect that the reason some people do not like him is because:

(1) he is antithetical to the “good old boy” method of brokering backroom deals that fatten the coffers of politicians;

(2) they are unaccustomed to hearing a president speak who is unencumbered by the financial shackles of those who he owes vis-a-vis donations;

(3) he is someone who is free of idiomatic political ideology;

(4) he says what he is thinking, is unapologetic for his outspoken thoughts, speaks very straightforward using everyday language that can be understood by all (and is offensive to some who dislike him anyway) making him a great communicator, for the most part, does what he says he will do and;

(5) he is someone who understands that it takes more than hollow promises and political correctness to make America great again.

Listening to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders talk about fixing America is like listening to two lunatics trying to “out crazy” one another. Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Marco Rubio are owned lock, stock, and barrel by the bankers, corporations, and big dollar donors funding their campaigns. Bush can deny it, but common sense tells anyone willing to face facts is that people don’t give tens of millions without expecting something in return.

We have had Democrats and Republican ideologues and what has it brought us? Are we better off today or worse off? Has it happened overnight or has it been a steady decline brought on by both parties?

I submit that a pragmatist is just what America needs right now. People are quick to confuse and despise confidence as arrogance, but that is common among those who have never accomplished anything in their lives (or politicians who never really solved a problem, because it’s better to still have an “issue(s) to be solved,” so re-elect me to solve it, (which never happens) and those who have always played it safe (again, all politicians) not willing to risk failure, to try and achieve success).

Donald Trump put his total financial empire at risk in running for president and certainly did not need or possibly even want the job; that says it all. He wants success for the U.S. and her citizens because he loves his country.

CAN ONE MAN SAVE THE WORLD?

The greatest question for the world in these times would be – “Is there one man who can save our world and how would that happen?” Well, yes, there is one man and He is the Savior of the world Jesus Christ. Let’s see a true story that helps to explain how that could happen.

Years ago, the Rockefeller Report gave an account of a West African named Acebe, who supplied from his veins the very first blood from which the vaccine for yellow fever was derived. Acebe contracted yellow fever but miraculously recovered. This made the antibodies in his blood precious to those who were seeking a cure for this deadly disease. Acebe allowed his blood to be taken for this life-giving purpose.

In 1937, the yellow fever vaccine was first manufactured from that one man’s blood. The original strain of the virus obtained from that humble man has gone through the earth – from laboratory to laboratory, from hospital to hospital – providing immunity for millions. The Rockefeller Foundation stated that through science, the blood of one man in West Africa had been made to serve the whole human race.

The untainted blood of only one man could provide the cure for an epidemic known as sin that had been attacking the human race since the time of Adam. Only one man, the precious Lamb of God, could yield the cure – not by donating some blood, but by shedding it all in His sacrificial death on the cross.

“For if the many died by the trespass of the one man (Adam), how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.” Romans 5:15

Isn’t that good news? There is indeed a man who can save everyone in this world! That man is Jesus, who gave His pure and sinless blood for the sins of all. Let’s tell others about Him!

Devotedly,
Dr. Richard Lee

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE BAD NEWS

Bad news seems to be the only news that receives any news these days. Of course there is a lot of bad news to report, but I am fully convinced there is equally, if not infinitely more good news that deserves to be promoted.

After all, the Word of God teaches us clearly that, “whatsoever things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and are of good report, if there be any virtue and praise, think (meditate) on these things”  Philippians 4:8.

Simply put He tells us that, even as the bad news comes into our minds, we must strive to allow the things of God to dominate our thought life. Here is a personal example:

Recently I was listening to a speech given by President Ronald Reagan on June 8, 1965 titled “How Long Do We Have?” Here is what the President said,

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:

  1. A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.
  2. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.
  3. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by dictatorship.
  4. The average age of the world’s greatest democratic civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years.
  5. During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
  • from bondage to spiritual faith;
  • from spiritual faith to great courage;
  • from courage to liberty;
  • from liberty to abundance;
  • from abundance to complacency;
  • from complacency to apathy;
  • from apathy to dependence;
  • from dependence back into bondage

When I heard that and was reminded of the state of affairs that currently exist in our nation, my first thought was, “Oh Lord, if this is true, the only thing we face is back to bondage!” But after clearing my thoughts, I realized that this is not totally true, at least concerning America.

Here is the GOOD NEWS about this apparent BAD NEWS.

America is not a Democracy. Democracies fail because they are dependent upon the wishes and whims of the masses. Those are nations that are ruled and shaped by the “mob of current opinions.” America would be doomed if we allowed such in our society.

America is a Constitutional Republic.  Our system of government and laws are based upon the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments and not on the whims of some political or social group with their current agenda.

That is why the liberal/progressive/socialist leaning media, judges, educators, politicians etc., are constant in their efforts to attack and change our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

This one document, founded upon common sense and the principles of the Judeo-Christian faith is America’s strong and lasting foundation for freedom and liberty both now and tomorrow. But far above all is the hand of God who has shaped us and preserved us as a nation.

 

So there you have it…a classic example of moving our thoughts from the fearful and negative mindset into confidence and hope for tomorrow. Forgetting politics, the confusion of the news media and all the rest of the sewerage that competes for our thoughts, we can ‘think on that which is good.”

Dr. Richard Lee
There’s Hope America

 

RATS IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

Are there really RATS in the White House? Oh yes, along with cockroaches, ants, flies, maggots, spiders and other large bugs.

Now I bet you thought the title of this article meant something else, but the truth is – the home of our nation’s First Family in Washington is infested.

There are numerous reports about this problem of out of control vermin by Newsweek, the Huffington Post, Newsmax and other “fake news” outlets. And you can be sure that no one knows more about “out of control vermin” than the fake news media stationed in D.C. – so it must be true!

After two centuries of use, the wear and tear catches up. The last real renovations took place in the 1950s, but many of the inner walls remain as they were originally.

I remember Mr. Trump telling a few of us in a private meeting, long before he became President, that he was ashamed of the worn-out dining area of the White House and personally called the sitting President’s Chief of Staff and offered to give an anonymous gift of several million dollars to see that this room, in which visiting Heads of State eat their meals, would be clean and well-furnished to represent the American people in the proper way. He went on to say that he never got a response from anyone at the White House.

According to Newsweek, White House records indicate that the Staff Situation Room is often invaded by mice and officials have asked the exterminator for “more traps.” The West Wing is described as having a “Rodent Problem” and traps need inspected “because they’re smelling something like dead mice.”

Other recent requests include a new toilet seat to replace the worn-out one in the Oval Office and cleaning up the “large yellow spots,” whatever that means, that were left in the carpets during the days of the Obamas. Yuck!

Now as you think about it, these are a few more reasons you might not want to be President. It makes me wonder, “Are there Rats in Congress too?”

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”
Proverbs 30:28

For God and Country,

Dr. Richard Lee

 

 

 

WHY LIBS HATE AMERICA’S HISTORY

A couple of years ago, while sitting in a classroom listening to a University professor drone on and on about how the popular notion of America’s exceptional history was pure fabrication, and “now that we have been enlightened” this nation, and its founders, were far from being exceptional but instead were downright unfair, unjust and undeserving of any token of our honor and respect.

That day, as I listened to his foolish gibberish, I wondered why it was that liberals hated America’s history so much. Why so bitter, why so willing to lie? Even to the point of attempting to erase the nation’s true record from the coming generations through false indoctrination, civil disobedience and the twisting of truth.

For Example:

  • The defacing and destruction of public monuments and statues of our nation’s notable founders and greatest heroes.
  • From the early Pilgrims and our national Thanksgiving Day, the Declaration of Independence and our U.S. Constitution, to others like Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and more.
  • Then there is the rioting and destruction by so called students and the social justice warrior/thugs who are instructed and rewarded for acting out like spoiled rebellious little brats instead of maturing young adults studying how to improve their lives and the lives of others.

And that’s only the tip of the iceberg of liberalism’s acting out. And then how about the radical liberals in the U.S. Congress? They turn to the left more often than Nascar drivers!

But why? Why do these people despise the very nation that has given people so very much to so very many, and even now, sends its Armed Forces to fight and often die for liberty and freedom throughout the globe?

Why? I have come to the conclusion that the reason is a moral and spiritual one.

It is because the true history of America is inextricably linked to the founding principles of the Judeo-Christian faith. It’s the classic war between good and evil.

America’s beginnings, its founding documents, its historic set of Laws and Order, and its self-evident truths are all drawn from the teachings of the Holy Bible.

That is the very reason that throughout the American Patriot’s Bible and the many other writings we have compiled, God’s handiwork in shaping our nation is clearly demonstrated. President Andrew Jackson was exactly right when he said about the Bible, “That book sir, is the Rock upon which our republic rests.”

So, with that in mind, the next time you see some idiotic act against America, don’t fall into despair for the God that has held our republic together in the past, can also serve to do so in the future. Have faith and carry on.

For God and Country,
Dr. Richard Lee

THE ALL TIME RELIGION

MTD or “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism,” is a postmodern view of God that seems to currently dominate the religious views of many, if not most, church going Americans today.

When MTD is clearly defined, we better understand the rise in the “feel good – watered down” religion of our day which has brought with it a radical reduction of Christian evangelism and clear moral convictions within Christian circles.

While the cults and pagan/secular religions continue to undermine our nation’s Judeo-Christian foundations and attack America’s Christian heritage, Christian are, for the most part, remaining silent and increasingly fearful to stand in the academic or public arenas to defend their historic biblical beliefs. By their guilty silence they are telling lost souls to just “go to hell” rather than making themselves uncomfortable in contending for the faith delivered to them by the Scriptures. Jude 1

The five tenets of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism are:

(1) A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.

(2) God wants people to be good, nice, fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.

(3) The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

(4) God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.

(5) All good people go to heaven when they die.

Now, do you see that reflected in churches near you or by preachers and religious teachers on television or in local pulpits? SURE YOU DO!

Dr. D.A. Carson wrote:
“In other words:  God exists, but only to make us happy and nice, which is the aim of existence.  Otherwise God minds his own business.  That’s how I read the Bible, and who are you to say something different?

By contrast, the truth of the Bible, focuses on our rebellion and need as God sees them, and on God as the ruler, sovereign, judge, and gracious Savior who alone can rescue us from our sin and reconcile us to himself.”

Some poor soul thinking that he or she has a new and better faith than that of the Bible might ask in a condescending way, “Isn’t that what Christians believed before they were enlightened, isn’t it the “Old Time Religion?” No my friend, it is the “All Time Religion.”

Devotedly,

Dr. Richard Lee

WHY 2018 PROMISES TO BE A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Over the next few days, as we end 2017 and open 2018, we will hear the words, “Happy New Year” time and again. I don’t know who started that saying, but this coming year it promises to be just that, a happy year in so many ways.

If the short radical loon leader in North Korea behaves himself, the world will not blow itself apart and there will be peace on earth for numbers of people.

Here are a few reasons to rejoice in looking forward to 2018:

TAXES WILL BE LESS IN 2018

Now that is amazing. Who would ever, ever, ever believe that Federal Income Taxes would be lowered enough to allow average Americans to have more money to provide for themselves and their families.

The signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by President Trump doubled the child tax credit to $2,000 putting an extra $600 billion in the pockets of American families.

Almost doubling the standard $12,000 deduction for families to $24,000 which will mean an additional $1 trillion tax cut for middle income families.

Cutting taxes on small business, raising the estate tax threshold to $11.2 million for individuals and $22.4 million for couples, eliminating the Obama Care penalty for those who choose not to participate, and much more. Simply put – 2018 will be a year of a little less government intruding upon and badgering its citizens.

Occasionally I hear someone say that they are exciting that the government is giving them money. That’s a long way from being true – reducing taxes is wonderful, but never think the government giving you money – it is the government taking less of your money (your hard earned money) which totally and completely belongs to you before the IRS comes demanding to be paid. Government itself produces no money – they simply take it from you! Tax reduction means that Big Government is just confiscating less. And that in itself, is somewhat of a miracle of grace.

THE UNITED NATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO BULLY
AMERICA AND ROB US OF OUR RESOURCES.

If you haven’t heard the speeches of Ambassador Nikki Haley and Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon to the United Nations just before its vote on standing with our President and nation concerning Jerusalem being the justified Capitol of Israel, you will greatly appreciate hearing them. https://youtu.be/WMzNSCug7Hk

The United Nations is one of the most corrupt organizations on earth. It has, and continues to, receive billions of US Dollars which are funneled to Dictators, illegitimate Leaders and radical groups across the globe.

Our President and his cabinet have said, “Enough is Enough” and is now in the process of clamping down on America’s support of this corrupt organization. Thank God for a President who has courage and puts it into action!

THE HUNGRY WILL BE FED– AND PEOPLE WILL BE SAVED.

As 2017 closes, for our There’s Hope for the Hungry Food Ministry it has been a good year as we have seen 508 people pray to receive Christ and had the privilege of feeding 30,326 people throughout North Georgia 273,648 pounds of food to sustain them and their loved ones.

In the morning hours as the trucks and trailers filled with food from our warehouse head into the poverty stricken areas of our state, we know that we are pleasing the heart of God by, not just saying to the poor and needy that “Jesus loves you” but by putting His love into action.

2018 looks like it will be even a greater year for this ministry with the opening of many new opportunities to help others with new locations and workers.

ABORTIONS ARE DOWN IN 2017 AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO FALL

According to a recent study from the CDC here in Atlanta, abortions have dropped 20% in America over the last 10 years. That means that thousands of beautiful little babies will escape the butcher’s knife and live as God intended His little blessed ones to live. There are millions of Christian Soldiers who combat the evils of Abortion, independently and through other ministries each day.

Hopefully, America will one day cease to follow the brutality of child sacrifice to the gods of “personal convenience” and become a civilized society once again.

THERE’S HOPE AMERICA – 2018

There’s Hope America this coming year will be especially active in its work to educate and motivate the American people to recognize God’s rightful place in every facet of our society. In religion, government, education, politics, finances, the military, home and foreign policy, in every corner of America, godly principles have their rightful place.

From the nation’s earliest beginnings to the present day, Americans owe a tremendous debt to the God given Judeo-Christian foundations that, as given by His grace, our forefathers used to forge this nation and still undergird our freedoms today.

Each day, through radio, the electronic and printed media, There’s Hope America points America back to God. 2018 should be a year that will be our largest and best for His glory and the sake of the nation.

Blessings to All,

Dr. Richard Lee

LIES FLY AND TRUTH COMES LIMPING AFTER

The writer Johnathan Swift wrote these words in the year 1710 and although that was a long time ago, they are certainly “spot on” today. Here is what he wrote about truth and lies:

“The vilest Writer has his Readers, so the greatest Liar has his Believers; and it often happens, that if a lie be believ’d only for an hour, it has done its work, and there is no farther occasion for it.

     Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when men come to be undeceiv’d, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale has had its effect.” 

The swiftness of lies being believed and having their effect before truth is even discovered began in the Garden of Eden when Satan deceived Eve and has been used as a tool against truth since that day.

Our Government and its three Branches know it, the Democrats and Republicans know it, those who write and report “fake news” (outright lies) know it, the television and social media folks know it, Granddad and Grandma, Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters know it and most of the world knows it – a lie will be believed before the truth is ever known and the lie will be forever preferred to be believed when truth limps its way to being revealed.

Why? Because that is the nature of human nature.  Remember Eve in the Garden? She fell hook, line and sinker for Satan’s “fake news” about the fruit of one tree and the truth that God had told her. Later she wished that she had not believed that lie but then it was too late. Evil had already done it’s work and the Deceiver had discovered his greatest tool for destruction – The Lie.

So let’s be careful what we are told to believe. Let’s give Truth a little time to catch up to what we are told to believe and it might save us a lot of unnecessary pain. What if Adam and Eve had not been so quick to believe the lie of the Devil?  What a wonderful world this would be!

YOUR GOOD WORK WILL NOT COST YOU A DIME

“Those that are hungry shall hunger no more.” I Samuel 2:5

It might surprise you to know that the State of Georgia has one of the highest number of people in the nation who go without food on a daily basis.

According to the Federal Government 20% of Georgians – or nearly 2 million people go hungry each day in the state with 700,000 of those being children.

That’s why There’s Hope ministries has been feeding the poor and needy in Georgia through its There’s Hope for the Hungry food ministry since 2003.

During these past 14 years, hundreds of thousands of boxes of food have been delivered by our trucks to people across North Georgia as well as distributing winter clothing to protect them from the cold.

So far, this year alone even before the holiday season, There’s Hope for the Hungry has delivered 245,000 lbs. of food to 26,539 hungry people as we shared the love of Jesus and the work of Christian charity.

Most of you could never imagine what we see on a daily basis. Hungry families in a state like Georgia often hide in plain sight, but believe me when I tell you it would break your heart to see the many parents who live in desperation each day for food to feed themselves and their children.

From our food warehouse in Cumming, Ga. our trucks travel to locations across the mountains and valleys of Georgia meeting these needs and you can help us too, especially during this holiday season.

And your good work WILL NOT COST YOU A DIME and here’s how.

AmazonSmile is a simple and way for you to support There’s Hope for the Hungry – Cumming, GA. When you shop at www.smile.amazon.com, it’s identical as shopping at Amazon.com but with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to There’s Hope for the Hungry.

The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The 0.5% adds up quickly with the shoppers that utilize this bonus for charities.

Just follow these simple steps:

  1. How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

Simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device.

You can use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.

  1. How do I select There’s Hope for the Hungry to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select There’s Hope for the Hungry – Cumming, GA.) to receive donations before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

If you want to know more about our food ministry, visit www.thereshopeforthehungry.org.

Dr. Richard Lee
There’s Hope America
There’s Hope for the Hungry

 

LEARNING THE ART OF ATTENDING CHURCH

Sometime along life’s way I read an article about how to develop and refine the “art” of attending church each week.

I agree that there is far more to know about church attendance than the average person realizes but church attendance that benefits the attender is something that must and can be learned and constantly developed to be effective.

There are certainly several categories of churchgoers. How about those who attend Sunday Morning worship out of habit, those who attend because a sense of community and friendships and finally, those who attend expecting and receiving an encounter with God. Personally I am determined that the last category is the one I want to be.

But as we work to refine the “art” of getting the most out of church attendance, here are 7 recommended steps to weekly church going success.

  1. Beginning each Saturday night prepare yourself for church the next day. Get your bath, select your clothing, try to follow a specific routine on Saturday night so that your Sunday morning will not be filled with pressure and haste. Also try going to bed a little earlier than usual, you’ll find the extra rest beneficial.
  2. Arise early enough on Sunday morning to give yourself, and your family a calm and unhurried journey to the Lord’s house. This step is not easy but if it is put into practice over and over it will eventually become a natural occurrence.
  3. Try to attend church with a clear purpose in mind. It may be to rid your heart of fear, anger, bad emotions or many other things. As you journey through your personal life, changes will happen each week, so your purpose in hearing from God will change as well.
  4. Ask God to speak to your heart in a clear and definite way as you attend church. He may speak to you in a song or a sermon. It may also come from a scripture read within the service or a Bible Study group or even in a time of silence before Him. When you are in His house with His people, His voice often becomes clearer to your heart.
  5. Carry your Bible with you. I know we have iPhones, iPads and who knows what additional contraptions that have Bible apps, but there is nothing like holding your own personal copy of God’s Word. It will contain your personal study notes, marked scriptures etc., that enhance your Christian life.
  6. Leave the thoughts of the world and its troubles on the church steps and enter the building focused on the fact that God loves you and wants to meet you there. It’s almost impossible to worship with a cluttered mind.
  7. Don’t watch your watch! Don’t try to put God on a clock. Yes, the music may be long, the sermon longer, but you are there for an encounter with the Spirit of God and not just to fulfill a weekly obligation or fill up an hour to help a guilty conscience.

Anything worthwhile takes a little time and so does effective worship!

I challenge you to try these steps for at least 4 Sundays in a row and I believe you will discover the real “joy” of attending Church.

 

Dr. Richard Lee
There’s Hope America