How do you start off your morning? Do you start with praise to our Father that has given you this day by His grace? In Psalms 66:2 Sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious. Read how Charles Spurgeon writes about this in a morning devotional.
[It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God’s most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his grace, is bound to praise God from day to day. It is true we have no authoritative rubric for daily praise; we have no commandment prescribing certain hours of song and thanksgiving: but the law written upon the heart teaches us that it is right to praise God; and the unwritten mandate comes to us with as much force as if it had been recorded on the tables of stone, or handed to us from the top of thundering Sinai. Yes, it is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute obligation of his life.]
Wow! Have you ever thought of it that way? I haven’t but once your heart is filled with Him, you strive to become like that. If you ever wanted to see what Heaven is like it sums it up in that sentence. As our Pastor once said, “If you don’t want to praise Jesus all the time, then why bother going to Heaven?” Sounds harsh but in reality it should make some Christians stop and think, “why don’t I feel like this?”
[Think not ye who are always mourning, that ye are guiltless in this respect, or imagine that ye can discharge your duty to your God without songs of praise. You are bound by the bonds of his love to bless his name so long as you live, and his praise should continually be in your mouth, for you are blessed, in order that you may bless him; “this people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise”; and if you do not praise God, you are not bringing forth the fruit which he, as the Divine Husbandman, has a right to expect at your hands.]
You were created for God’s pleasure. Everything that is, was created for that purpose. What is truly amazing to me is He gave us the choice to praise Him or not praise Him.
[Let not your harp then hang upon the willows, but take it down, and strive, with a grateful heart, to bring forth its loudest music. Arise and chant his praise. With every morning’s dawn, lift up your notes of thanksgiving, and let every setting sun be followed with your song. Girdle the earth with your praises; surround it with an atmosphere of melody, and God himself will hearken from heaven and accept your music].
Charles Spurgeon says it so well like this;
[“E’en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing,
Because thou art my loving God,
And my redeeming King.”]
This morning like all mornings now I say it this way;
With my eyes may I search,
With my ears may I listen,
With my feet take where,
Your Son’s-light glistens.
With my hands may they reach,
Your lost flock of lambs,
With my heart may I give You,
All that I am!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Two or Three Meet in My Name
Today I had a doctor’s appointment for being a new patient. What I didn’t realize was I was about to get a complete physical before I was through. After I was finished, leaving behind a little blood and coughing when told to, as I was walking to my car I saw a man smoking a cigarette and I was prompted by the Lord to go speak to him. I wasn’t sure what the Lord wanted me to say to him but that cigarette was a good opening.
I told this gentleman that I quit in 1982 and it was one of the best things health wise I could of done. As I was saying this I was also thinking to myself, “who am I to tell this person anything?” But God had a reason for our meeting. See His timing was right on, the time it took for the physical and this gentleman’s craving. It says in Matthew 18:20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. See it wasn’t about this person’s habit of smoking or my need to tell him how bad they are for you; it was just as it says in that Bible verse. As we talked we shared out testimonies, and we discovered we had that one awesome connection, Joe and I loved Jesus. We were not ashamed to tell each other about that.
Joe’s heart was heavy thinking all about his wife and that was why he was at the medical center today. But the one thing he made sure I understood, as much as he loved and devoted his life to his wife, he loved the Lord more. He also told me without that love for Jesus he would have a hard time getting through each day, especially now with the love of this life, his wife, being so sick constantly. He told me how draining it is mentally and physically. I told him I could relate, for the God’s Love Outreach Ministry ministers to God’s wounded almost daily to so many like his wife Mary and also so many more that are worst off.
Amazingly as we talked we also found that we had a few things in common. Both were in the military, both smoked, both were borderline alcoholics, and both understood the importance of the wedding vows! Joe’s eyes swelled with tears as he said, yep, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. He had a hard time with the ending, until death do we part. Joe spoke of being blessed with what worldly possessions he has and his financial soundness, but also said it was all from the Lord and if it took all that to help make his wife well again, then so be it. He understands as I do the importance of living one day at a time and the importance of having God in your life each day.
As I was leaving the parking lot I noticed he was helping a woman get into a car. I quickly turned into another parking place, walked over to the car and said, "Mary so nice to meet you. God bless you and Joe!"
God blessed me with this poem in April of this year. Today Joe and I really felt His presence.
Do You Feel His Presence?
The amazing part of God’s love is
no matter where you are,
He is always there with you
not distant from afar.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you unsure when you speak?
Do you still think He is just for,
the lost and the weak?
Are you still like so many
that want Him in your heart,
but struggle with each passing day
wondering how do I start?
I believe God is just waiting
for you like He did with me.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you longing to be free?
Well, if you are like most
and waiting on God you must be,
please understand He is waiting for you,
just like He did with me.
Please don’t wait too long
for the next minute could be your last,
and eternity you couldn’t spend with Him,
all because you did not ask!
E. P. Shagott
4/6/09
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
I told this gentleman that I quit in 1982 and it was one of the best things health wise I could of done. As I was saying this I was also thinking to myself, “who am I to tell this person anything?” But God had a reason for our meeting. See His timing was right on, the time it took for the physical and this gentleman’s craving. It says in Matthew 18:20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. See it wasn’t about this person’s habit of smoking or my need to tell him how bad they are for you; it was just as it says in that Bible verse. As we talked we shared out testimonies, and we discovered we had that one awesome connection, Joe and I loved Jesus. We were not ashamed to tell each other about that.
Joe’s heart was heavy thinking all about his wife and that was why he was at the medical center today. But the one thing he made sure I understood, as much as he loved and devoted his life to his wife, he loved the Lord more. He also told me without that love for Jesus he would have a hard time getting through each day, especially now with the love of this life, his wife, being so sick constantly. He told me how draining it is mentally and physically. I told him I could relate, for the God’s Love Outreach Ministry ministers to God’s wounded almost daily to so many like his wife Mary and also so many more that are worst off.
Amazingly as we talked we also found that we had a few things in common. Both were in the military, both smoked, both were borderline alcoholics, and both understood the importance of the wedding vows! Joe’s eyes swelled with tears as he said, yep, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. He had a hard time with the ending, until death do we part. Joe spoke of being blessed with what worldly possessions he has and his financial soundness, but also said it was all from the Lord and if it took all that to help make his wife well again, then so be it. He understands as I do the importance of living one day at a time and the importance of having God in your life each day.
As I was leaving the parking lot I noticed he was helping a woman get into a car. I quickly turned into another parking place, walked over to the car and said, "Mary so nice to meet you. God bless you and Joe!"
God blessed me with this poem in April of this year. Today Joe and I really felt His presence.
Do You Feel His Presence?
The amazing part of God’s love is
no matter where you are,
He is always there with you
not distant from afar.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you unsure when you speak?
Do you still think He is just for,
the lost and the weak?
Are you still like so many
that want Him in your heart,
but struggle with each passing day
wondering how do I start?
I believe God is just waiting
for you like He did with me.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you longing to be free?
Well, if you are like most
and waiting on God you must be,
please understand He is waiting for you,
just like He did with me.
Please don’t wait too long
for the next minute could be your last,
and eternity you couldn’t spend with Him,
all because you did not ask!
E. P. Shagott
4/6/09
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, September 25, 2009
"I Was"
My dog that had to go outside awaked me at 3:30 am this morning. What I found with a pet that is 12+ yrs. of age, you get up quick and react fast or pay the consequence. When I returned to try and fall back to sleep my son’s dog decided it was time to play. Well, that I tried to settle the issue quickly. At that time in the early hours I can’t see the ball let alone play with it with her.
What I found was I was having a little trouble falling back to sleep. God used that time to speak to me with a poem titled “I Was!” Let me tell you what a wonderful time it is spending with God when you can’t sleep. I told Him, please don’t let me forget this poem Lord. I didn’t want to get back up for sure the dogs wouldn’t want to go back to sleep again.
So here is the poem that He gave me. After reading it please read His comments that He wants to share with each of you.
I Was
I was a sinner, now I’m a Saint
I was lost, now I’m found,
I was blind but now I see
that my God is all around.
I was hurting but now I’m healed.
I was bound but now I’m free.
I was confused but now I know,
Jesus’ love He has for me.
I was addicted, but now I’m not,
I was struggling but not anymore.
I was the abuser, a curser, the enemy,
but God was not keeping score.
Everything that I was,
that He definitely is not,
He took it all upon Himself
and left it all nailed to the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
9/25/09
Of all the 100+ poems that He has blessed me with this one is truly special. It speaks of everything we are in this earthly world. A world that was fallen to sin that started with Adam and Eve back in the Garden of Eden. But what the poem also speaks of, “I WAS”, past tense. See even though we live is this sinful world; we don’t have to be part of it. The choice is ours. I choose not to be part of the lost, blind to His love. No more with the hurts, being bound to sin, and the constant confusion we live in without Christ in our lives. Praise God for I am free from this world of addictions and the constant struggles within. Free from abusing by words or deeds. I do not want to be part of the enemy’s army but in the Army of God!
Yes, thank You Jesus for all that “I Was”, was left nailed to the Cross! As Martin Luther King once said, “Thank God I am free, free at last! I encourage all who will read this blog, that if you do not have that freedom, to grasp on to it now before it is too late. A friend of mine has given me a small pamphlet that is titled, “If you were to die today are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven?” Are you? There are four things you need to know in order to go to Heaven for sure;
You need to know you are a sinner.
You need to know that there is a penalty for sin, you can’t pay it for yourself.
You need to know that Jesus loves you so much that He has already paid the penalty for you on the cross!
You need to know that Jesus offers you the free gift of Heaven, just accept.
Romans 10:13 For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
My friends when I was 15 years old I said this small prayer that was the beginning of spending Eternity with Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father please forgive me of my sins. I understand I am a sinner and believe the blood of Jesus has cleansed me of all my sins. Please come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Where is your “if”?
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe.”
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
This is an awesome devotional that each one must question within ourselves.
[A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “Nay, verily,” he seemed to say, “there should be no “if” about my power, nor concerning my willingness, the “if” lies somewhere else.” “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return.]
In this next paragraph Charles Spurgeon teaches us a lesson even in today’s times.
[There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me-”if” he can give me grace to overcome temptation-”if” he can give me pardon-”if” he can make me successful? Nay, “if” you can believe, he both can and will. You have misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith standeth in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King’s horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord to-night?]
This was truly a great devotional like most of Charles Spurgeon’s devotionals. Earlier in the year I was privileged to be in a discussion group that learned about the power of prayer. We must believe in the Bible verse Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. Where is your “if” today? Are you praying to God, “If You can heal me of this disease?” “If You can get me financially strong?” “If You can free me from this addition?” “If You can save my marriage?”
Mark 11:23 For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
This is an awesome devotional that each one must question within ourselves.
[A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “Nay, verily,” he seemed to say, “there should be no “if” about my power, nor concerning my willingness, the “if” lies somewhere else.” “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return.]
In this next paragraph Charles Spurgeon teaches us a lesson even in today’s times.
[There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me-”if” he can give me grace to overcome temptation-”if” he can give me pardon-”if” he can make me successful? Nay, “if” you can believe, he both can and will. You have misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith standeth in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King’s horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord to-night?]
This was truly a great devotional like most of Charles Spurgeon’s devotionals. Earlier in the year I was privileged to be in a discussion group that learned about the power of prayer. We must believe in the Bible verse Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. Where is your “if” today? Are you praying to God, “If You can heal me of this disease?” “If You can get me financially strong?” “If You can free me from this addition?” “If You can save my marriage?”
Mark 11:23 For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, September 21, 2009
“I will rejoice over them to do them good.”
Jeremiah 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will truly plant them in this land with all My heart and all My whole soul.
Devotional by Charles Spurgeon
[How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God’s people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies, that they may rather lament our infirmities than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us.]
What a wonderful scripture that is. Just knowing our God rejoices over us surely brings warmth to my heart. As I was reading this devotional today it is amazing how from back in Charles Spurgeon’s time till today, it appears not too much has changed. Yes, we have more modern conveniences but we are still groaning, have many burdens, and we are very conscious of our sinfulness and unfaithfulness. Well, if we are not then we should be. I know I am happy that the Lord does rejoice over me. When you walk with Christ you can be sure the Father rejoices over those that choose to walk in His Son’s-light.
[We do not read anywhere that God delighteth in the cloud-capped mountains, or the sparkling stars, but we do read that he delighteth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that his delights are with the sons of men.]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! That means me and you.
[We do not find it written that even angels give his soul delight; nor doth he say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, “Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, for the Lord delighteth in thee”; but he does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by his grace. In what strong language he expresses his delight in his people! Who could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, “He will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” As he looked upon the world he had made, he said, “It is very good”; but when he beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus’ blood, his own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer, but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy. Should not we utter our grateful response to such a marvelous declaration of his love, and sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation?”]
That paragraph was so good I couldn’t find a place where to inject my thoughts. When I got to the part “of being purchased in Jesus blood, His own chosen ones,” what can you say but “thank you Lord”! Yes I want to utter my grateful response because of Christ’s love for me on the Cross.
Next month the God’s Love Outreach Ministry will be presenting the Program Seeds of Tradition from the Seeds for Christ series. It is a collection of older hymns and as I am singing them to God’s many wounded I will also be singing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation!” as Charles Spurgeon so wonderfully wrote in this devotional.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Devotional by Charles Spurgeon
[How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God’s people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies, that they may rather lament our infirmities than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us.]
What a wonderful scripture that is. Just knowing our God rejoices over us surely brings warmth to my heart. As I was reading this devotional today it is amazing how from back in Charles Spurgeon’s time till today, it appears not too much has changed. Yes, we have more modern conveniences but we are still groaning, have many burdens, and we are very conscious of our sinfulness and unfaithfulness. Well, if we are not then we should be. I know I am happy that the Lord does rejoice over me. When you walk with Christ you can be sure the Father rejoices over those that choose to walk in His Son’s-light.
[We do not read anywhere that God delighteth in the cloud-capped mountains, or the sparkling stars, but we do read that he delighteth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that his delights are with the sons of men.]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! That means me and you.
[We do not find it written that even angels give his soul delight; nor doth he say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, “Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, for the Lord delighteth in thee”; but he does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by his grace. In what strong language he expresses his delight in his people! Who could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, “He will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” As he looked upon the world he had made, he said, “It is very good”; but when he beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus’ blood, his own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer, but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy. Should not we utter our grateful response to such a marvelous declaration of his love, and sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation?”]
That paragraph was so good I couldn’t find a place where to inject my thoughts. When I got to the part “of being purchased in Jesus blood, His own chosen ones,” what can you say but “thank you Lord”! Yes I want to utter my grateful response because of Christ’s love for me on the Cross.
Next month the God’s Love Outreach Ministry will be presenting the Program Seeds of Tradition from the Seeds for Christ series. It is a collection of older hymns and as I am singing them to God’s many wounded I will also be singing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation!” as Charles Spurgeon so wonderfully wrote in this devotional.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Perfect for a Sunday
Someone sent me this via email a couple years ago. When I was going through some of my saved word documents I came across it again. I just got back from church where we had a very good Sunday school class, "Experiencing God", and then a wonderful hour praise Jesus and listening to a sermon "Being in this thing together" with scripture from the book of 1John1: 1-4, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life, (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full.
I think this blog is a nice way to bring it all into perspective today, well, any day to be honest. May you take some time from the football or whatever else you have planned to say, "Thank You Jesus!"
The Choice
He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground.
All of the Garden's inhabitants paused to witness the event. Hawks hovered. Giraffes stretched. Trees bowed. Butterflies paused on petals and watched.
"You will love me, nature," God said. "I made you that way. You will obey me, universe. For you were designed to do so. You will reflect my glory, skies, for that is how you were created. But this one will be like me. This one will be able to choose."
All were silent as the Creator reached into himself and removed something yet unseen. A seed. "It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice."
Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.
An angel spoke, "But what if he..."
"What if he chooses not to love?" the Creator finished. "Come, I will show you." Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow. "There, see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter."
The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness. Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters.
He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at the warmth.
"Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest creation."
"Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter." A stench enveloped the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed,
"What is it?"
The Creator spoke only one word: "Selfishness."
The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties. Children of the creation wandering blindly in lonely labyrinths.
"This is the result of choice? the angel asked.
"Yes."
"They will forget you?"
"Yes."
"They will reject you?"
"Yes."
They will never come back?
"Some will. Most won't."
"What will it take to make them listen?"
The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until he stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then he could smell the hay that would surround him.
With another step into the future, he paused before another tree. It stood alone, a stubborn ruler on a bald hill. The trunk was thick, and the wood was strong. Soon it would be cut. Soon it would be trimmed. Soon it would be mounted on the stony brow of another hill. And soon he would be hung on it.
He felt the wood rub against a back he did not yet wear.
"Will you go down there?" the angel asked.
"I will."
"Is there no other way?"
"There is not."
"Wouldn't it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn't it be easier to not give the choice?"
"It would," the Creator spoke slowly. "But to remove the choice is to remove the love."
He look around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind. Men clad in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio. They played games in the dirt and laughed.
Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought by killing this false one.
Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill. Speechless. Faces tear streaked. Eyes downward. One put her arm around another and tried to lead her away. She wouldn't leave. "I will stay," she said softly, "I will stay."
All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command.
"It must be done...," he said, and withdrew.
But as he stepped in time, he heard the cry that he would someday scream: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He wrenched at tomorrow's agony.
The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful........"
The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love."
They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within him. He had died for the creation before he had made him. God's form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened.
But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped. Perhaps it was the wind that said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:
"It looks like ... it appears to so much like ... it is him!"
The angel wasn't speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside - at the soul.
"It's eternal!" gasped another.
Within the man, God has placed a divine seed. A seed of his self (A seed of choice). The God of might had created earth's mightiest... And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.
Now it's our choice.
Author Unknown
From God's heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
I think this blog is a nice way to bring it all into perspective today, well, any day to be honest. May you take some time from the football or whatever else you have planned to say, "Thank You Jesus!"
The Choice
He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground.
All of the Garden's inhabitants paused to witness the event. Hawks hovered. Giraffes stretched. Trees bowed. Butterflies paused on petals and watched.
"You will love me, nature," God said. "I made you that way. You will obey me, universe. For you were designed to do so. You will reflect my glory, skies, for that is how you were created. But this one will be like me. This one will be able to choose."
All were silent as the Creator reached into himself and removed something yet unseen. A seed. "It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice."
Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.
An angel spoke, "But what if he..."
"What if he chooses not to love?" the Creator finished. "Come, I will show you." Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow. "There, see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter."
The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness. Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters.
He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at the warmth.
"Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest creation."
"Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter." A stench enveloped the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed,
"What is it?"
The Creator spoke only one word: "Selfishness."
The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties. Children of the creation wandering blindly in lonely labyrinths.
"This is the result of choice? the angel asked.
"Yes."
"They will forget you?"
"Yes."
"They will reject you?"
"Yes."
They will never come back?
"Some will. Most won't."
"What will it take to make them listen?"
The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until he stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then he could smell the hay that would surround him.
With another step into the future, he paused before another tree. It stood alone, a stubborn ruler on a bald hill. The trunk was thick, and the wood was strong. Soon it would be cut. Soon it would be trimmed. Soon it would be mounted on the stony brow of another hill. And soon he would be hung on it.
He felt the wood rub against a back he did not yet wear.
"Will you go down there?" the angel asked.
"I will."
"Is there no other way?"
"There is not."
"Wouldn't it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn't it be easier to not give the choice?"
"It would," the Creator spoke slowly. "But to remove the choice is to remove the love."
He look around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind. Men clad in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio. They played games in the dirt and laughed.
Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought by killing this false one.
Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill. Speechless. Faces tear streaked. Eyes downward. One put her arm around another and tried to lead her away. She wouldn't leave. "I will stay," she said softly, "I will stay."
All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command.
"It must be done...," he said, and withdrew.
But as he stepped in time, he heard the cry that he would someday scream: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He wrenched at tomorrow's agony.
The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful........"
The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love."
They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within him. He had died for the creation before he had made him. God's form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened.
But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped. Perhaps it was the wind that said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:
"It looks like ... it appears to so much like ... it is him!"
The angel wasn't speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside - at the soul.
"It's eternal!" gasped another.
Within the man, God has placed a divine seed. A seed of his self (A seed of choice). The God of might had created earth's mightiest... And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.
Now it's our choice.
Author Unknown
From God's heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
Saturday, September 19, 2009
“Sharing”
I am always amazed how we now have so many ways to share with others. With email we get abundance of good and sometimes bad stuff. Today’s blog is titled “Sharing” for I know the Lord wants us to share the good so somebody may benefit from it. I also know He blesses the good, for He is good! In the Bible Gen 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
I want to share two stories one I will write from memory and the other one that was recently sent to me by a wonderful friend of mine.
“The View” – First story
Two gentlemen were sharing a hospital room. Everyday the one gentleman by the window would describe what he saw out the window. His description of wonderful views helped the other person get through the day. It gave that person hope of what would be there when he got well and was released from the hospital.
One day when the gentleman that was in the bed by the door he didn’t hear anything being described by the voice by the window. See there was a curtain that separated the two gentlemen. When the nurse came into the room he asked about the gentleman by the window. She told him he passed away during the night.
The man asked if he could be moved by the window so he could get to see the great views. The nurse looked puzzled but granted him his wish. When the man looked out the window he could only see a brick wall!
Two Horses – Second story
There is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him .
This alone is amazing.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the
sound of a bell.. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.
Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell..
It lets the blind friend know where the other
horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the
blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for
the bell and then slowly walk to where the other
horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter
of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and
looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't
too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not
throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our
lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others
to find their way....
Good friends are like that... you may not always
see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...be kinder than necessary-everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
I want to share two stories one I will write from memory and the other one that was recently sent to me by a wonderful friend of mine.
“The View” – First story
Two gentlemen were sharing a hospital room. Everyday the one gentleman by the window would describe what he saw out the window. His description of wonderful views helped the other person get through the day. It gave that person hope of what would be there when he got well and was released from the hospital.
One day when the gentleman that was in the bed by the door he didn’t hear anything being described by the voice by the window. See there was a curtain that separated the two gentlemen. When the nurse came into the room he asked about the gentleman by the window. She told him he passed away during the night.
The man asked if he could be moved by the window so he could get to see the great views. The nurse looked puzzled but granted him his wish. When the man looked out the window he could only see a brick wall!
Two Horses – Second story
There is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him .
This alone is amazing.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the
sound of a bell.. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.
Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell..
It lets the blind friend know where the other
horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the
blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for
the bell and then slowly walk to where the other
horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter
of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and
looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't
too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not
throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our
lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others
to find their way....
Good friends are like that... you may not always
see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...be kinder than necessary-everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, September 18, 2009
“And they follow me.”
Everyday I spend time reading devotionals. I always enjoy reading Charles Spurgeon who was a preacher in the 1800’s. I once read that he preached to over 25,000 people at one time with out using a microphone. When I am doing a God’s Love Outreach Ministry program I need to use a microphone unless it is in a very small room. What attracted me to Charles Spurgeon is his love for Christ. I am impressed how as I am reading what he has written so many years ago I can understand it today. That is also true about the Bible.
Now in this devotional Charles Spurgeon references the Bible verse, John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I thought what would be interesting would be to see how I understand this devotional and share it with you.
[We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price-let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood.]
As humans I believe one statement that is so very hard to overcome is “we are not our own.” A lot of us will fight that probably to the end, but I found it to be a very true statement. Especially now, that I have given control to Christ. I remember the hymn “where He leads me I will follow! Yep!
[The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander.]
How true that last sentence is. In the Bible the book of Matthew chapter 4 Jesus saw two brothers Peter and Andrew. In verse 19 Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” So what did they do? They immediately dropped their nets and followed Jesus!
[Submission is our duty. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road?]
The hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is ringing in my head right now. All our sins and grief’s He bares for sure. Yet so many question to follow.
[The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”]
In the program that The God’s Love Outreach Ministry presents during this month of September, there is within one presentation called “Sharing Thoughts.” It is filled with great sayings and the one that comes to mind after reading the paragraph above is “God doesn’t guarantee a calm passage, only a safe landing!”
[“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant.” Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow our Beloved.]
Mark 4:39 And He awakened and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. I am amazed as I was reading the story of Jesus in the boat with His disciples, how they were so afraid. Jesus was in the boat with them and still they were afraid.
[Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after thee.]
Amen, amen, amen!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Now in this devotional Charles Spurgeon references the Bible verse, John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I thought what would be interesting would be to see how I understand this devotional and share it with you.
[We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price-let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood.]
As humans I believe one statement that is so very hard to overcome is “we are not our own.” A lot of us will fight that probably to the end, but I found it to be a very true statement. Especially now, that I have given control to Christ. I remember the hymn “where He leads me I will follow! Yep!
[The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander.]
How true that last sentence is. In the Bible the book of Matthew chapter 4 Jesus saw two brothers Peter and Andrew. In verse 19 Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” So what did they do? They immediately dropped their nets and followed Jesus!
[Submission is our duty. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road?]
The hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is ringing in my head right now. All our sins and grief’s He bares for sure. Yet so many question to follow.
[The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”]
In the program that The God’s Love Outreach Ministry presents during this month of September, there is within one presentation called “Sharing Thoughts.” It is filled with great sayings and the one that comes to mind after reading the paragraph above is “God doesn’t guarantee a calm passage, only a safe landing!”
[“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant.” Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow our Beloved.]
Mark 4:39 And He awakened and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. I am amazed as I was reading the story of Jesus in the boat with His disciples, how they were so afraid. Jesus was in the boat with them and still they were afraid.
[Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after thee.]
Amen, amen, amen!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Mountain or Valley, Both!
It is easy to praise God when we are on top of the mountain, but do you praise Him in the valleys too? He is the same God and deserves the same praise. When we are on the mountain and our stomachs are full, our debts are few, and our families are healthy probably most don’t praise Him. For sure when we visit the valleys of our lives, and we will some day, for Jesus said we will in John 16:33, it is hard to be praising Him but we should for He is God of our ups and downs.
The God’s Love Outreach Ministry was called into the valleys of people’s lives so many times. For one hour being a part of they’re hurting, they’re confusion and they’re searching for peace in their lives, all valleys for sure. On Monday I was at a Convent where a Seeds for Christ program is normally presented to 10+ Sister’s that have dedicated their lives to Christ. But this time, only a handful, due to so much sickness there. Are these Sister’s praising God in their sickness, I would say yes, you would be hearing their voices ring out from the valley. They love God that much. When you love Him like that you then realize it is all about Him! The Activity person asked me to keep them in my prayers.
One day a few years ago I went to church with a very heavy heart. I was spending time in a valley. I was so confused I didn’t even realize how bad the weather was and the church was closed because of wintry conditions. Very seldom churches close but if it may cause some people to have unnecessary problems it is done. On this day I walked to church because I knew I had to be there. The weather was bad but I didn’t pay it much attention. When I got there the door was locked but I had a key, because of being an elder.
As I sat there I just prayed, and prayed and prayed. My burden was being lifted from me. I picked up a Bible from the pews and started to read the book of Job. If you ever think, “woe is me”, I recommend you read Job but leave yourself enough time for Job had problems. It was truly a valley he was in, deep valley! In the very first chapter, Job 1:1 it states, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil. That spoke well of Job. In verse six is where satan enters the picture. Satan tried to tell God that Job would curse Him. God told satan all that Job had was under satan’s power but he couldn’t harm Job. Well this was the start of Job’s valley but after you read all 42 chapters you will find Job stayed perfect and upright throughout the valley, even through everything he lost, everything.
So as I was in the church that Sunday I picked up a pew hymnal and started singing praises to my Lord and Savior. I was there for 1½ hours and walked out understanding the God of the mountains is still God of the valleys. So the answer is in the pudding as they say, Job 42:12 And Jehovah blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.
This is a poem that the Lord blessed me with when I was thinking of the many wounded people that the God’s Love Outreach Ministry, His ministry, ministers to, that seem as though they just can’t get out of the valley they are now in.
Please, help Lord!
I need your help today Lord,
for it seems I can't go on.
Everything in my life today
appears to be all wrong.
The beauty that you created for me,
my eyes are failing to see.
There is disease through out my body Lord,
that is slowly killing me.
My smile seldom appears now,
over taken by grief and pain.
My spirit is slowly being broken,
Lord, please touch my heart again.
May my focus always be on you Lord,
so my problems seem far away.
Thank you for this time Lord
Yes, I need your help today….
E. P. Shagott
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
The God’s Love Outreach Ministry was called into the valleys of people’s lives so many times. For one hour being a part of they’re hurting, they’re confusion and they’re searching for peace in their lives, all valleys for sure. On Monday I was at a Convent where a Seeds for Christ program is normally presented to 10+ Sister’s that have dedicated their lives to Christ. But this time, only a handful, due to so much sickness there. Are these Sister’s praising God in their sickness, I would say yes, you would be hearing their voices ring out from the valley. They love God that much. When you love Him like that you then realize it is all about Him! The Activity person asked me to keep them in my prayers.
One day a few years ago I went to church with a very heavy heart. I was spending time in a valley. I was so confused I didn’t even realize how bad the weather was and the church was closed because of wintry conditions. Very seldom churches close but if it may cause some people to have unnecessary problems it is done. On this day I walked to church because I knew I had to be there. The weather was bad but I didn’t pay it much attention. When I got there the door was locked but I had a key, because of being an elder.
As I sat there I just prayed, and prayed and prayed. My burden was being lifted from me. I picked up a Bible from the pews and started to read the book of Job. If you ever think, “woe is me”, I recommend you read Job but leave yourself enough time for Job had problems. It was truly a valley he was in, deep valley! In the very first chapter, Job 1:1 it states, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil. That spoke well of Job. In verse six is where satan enters the picture. Satan tried to tell God that Job would curse Him. God told satan all that Job had was under satan’s power but he couldn’t harm Job. Well this was the start of Job’s valley but after you read all 42 chapters you will find Job stayed perfect and upright throughout the valley, even through everything he lost, everything.
So as I was in the church that Sunday I picked up a pew hymnal and started singing praises to my Lord and Savior. I was there for 1½ hours and walked out understanding the God of the mountains is still God of the valleys. So the answer is in the pudding as they say, Job 42:12 And Jehovah blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.
This is a poem that the Lord blessed me with when I was thinking of the many wounded people that the God’s Love Outreach Ministry, His ministry, ministers to, that seem as though they just can’t get out of the valley they are now in.
Please, help Lord!
I need your help today Lord,
for it seems I can't go on.
Everything in my life today
appears to be all wrong.
The beauty that you created for me,
my eyes are failing to see.
There is disease through out my body Lord,
that is slowly killing me.
My smile seldom appears now,
over taken by grief and pain.
My spirit is slowly being broken,
Lord, please touch my heart again.
May my focus always be on you Lord,
so my problems seem far away.
Thank you for this time Lord
Yes, I need your help today….
E. P. Shagott
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
You’re Going the Wrong Way!
Over 5 years ago I was asked to do a Lay service when our Pastor was away. I was thinking of the movie “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” that I really liked with Steve Martin and John Candy in it. In one scene they were driving down the interstate with John Candy behind the wheel. It ended up he was going the wrong way and the people on the opposite side of the road were yelling at them, “You’re going the wrong way!, you’re going the wrong way!”
How interesting it was for me standing behind the pulpit and looking out at the congregation, trying to explain to them, not yell, “you’re going the wrong way!” Yes, even in churches there are some that are still trying to live most of one day with God in their lives, then its down the wrong street again. Now let me set the record straight I do believe in the quote, “We are called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges”, but I understand the wrong way streets for I was traveling them for a long time. At one time seven days a week. So I am speaking from experience. I was not being judgmental, for that is up to only God.
I really wished at that time in my life someone would of yelled at me. Maybe they did and I just closed my ears to them. In the Bible it is written Mark 7:16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Plus we have so many distractions from our fast paced lives today. Running here and there with little time to stop and listen, not even thinking of “smelling the roses”, as they say. Now what I always find interesting is what is listed under the current news. This was from just last night! Now does this list sound like we’re going anywhere?
Colo. man denies terrorist ties after NYC raids
Carter: Rep. Wilson comments 'based on racism'
Police find 'person of interest' in Yale slaying
Police: Blagojevich aide apparently killed himself
NY dad told soldier-son killed in war _ he wasn't
Probably a lot of people are asking right now, “So what is the right way?” Well, I found that in the Bible in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. Very seldom now I ever watch TV, for anything there has very little meaning on it. Not much good news for too many is going the wrong way. All those constant commercials are poisoning our minds. Too much violence and forget censorship not very many go down that road anymore. We really did make a ”U” turn somewhere and started going the wrong way. As our church sign shows, a lot of churches are missing “U” (you!).
I truly believe it is time if you are going the wrong way to stop and ask someone for directions before it is too late. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day. Psalm 119:35 Cause me to walk in the path of Your Commandments; for I delight in them.
The path we choose is of our own choice. This poem the Lord blessed me with is about choice and how time is running short. I am so glad that I am now traveling on God’s awesome highway.
Running Out of Time
An angel entered the throne room
and found his Master seated on the throne.
Looking in amazement he asked,
“Lord why are You all alone?
Where are all your worshipers,
that appeared to sing your praise?
What about all the beatings, the whippings
the crown of thorns, what still keeps them all away?
You sent them your disciples,
the Apostle Paul, the Prophet Isaiah and more.
Your Word was left so all would know.
Please tell me Lord, what was it all for?”
The Lord of Lords looked down and said
“Oh special angel of Mine,
ever since the Garden of Eden
man’s been running out of time!
I loved them so and always wanted
not one of them to lose,
a chance to be with Me forever
all I asked was that they choose.
Heaven is now ready for them,
I haven’t changed My plan.
Salvation and a relationship with Me
has always been up to man!”
E. P. Shagott
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
How interesting it was for me standing behind the pulpit and looking out at the congregation, trying to explain to them, not yell, “you’re going the wrong way!” Yes, even in churches there are some that are still trying to live most of one day with God in their lives, then its down the wrong street again. Now let me set the record straight I do believe in the quote, “We are called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges”, but I understand the wrong way streets for I was traveling them for a long time. At one time seven days a week. So I am speaking from experience. I was not being judgmental, for that is up to only God.
I really wished at that time in my life someone would of yelled at me. Maybe they did and I just closed my ears to them. In the Bible it is written Mark 7:16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Plus we have so many distractions from our fast paced lives today. Running here and there with little time to stop and listen, not even thinking of “smelling the roses”, as they say. Now what I always find interesting is what is listed under the current news. This was from just last night! Now does this list sound like we’re going anywhere?
Colo. man denies terrorist ties after NYC raids
Carter: Rep. Wilson comments 'based on racism'
Police find 'person of interest' in Yale slaying
Police: Blagojevich aide apparently killed himself
NY dad told soldier-son killed in war _ he wasn't
Probably a lot of people are asking right now, “So what is the right way?” Well, I found that in the Bible in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. Very seldom now I ever watch TV, for anything there has very little meaning on it. Not much good news for too many is going the wrong way. All those constant commercials are poisoning our minds. Too much violence and forget censorship not very many go down that road anymore. We really did make a ”U” turn somewhere and started going the wrong way. As our church sign shows, a lot of churches are missing “U” (you!).
I truly believe it is time if you are going the wrong way to stop and ask someone for directions before it is too late. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day. Psalm 119:35 Cause me to walk in the path of Your Commandments; for I delight in them.
The path we choose is of our own choice. This poem the Lord blessed me with is about choice and how time is running short. I am so glad that I am now traveling on God’s awesome highway.
Running Out of Time
An angel entered the throne room
and found his Master seated on the throne.
Looking in amazement he asked,
“Lord why are You all alone?
Where are all your worshipers,
that appeared to sing your praise?
What about all the beatings, the whippings
the crown of thorns, what still keeps them all away?
You sent them your disciples,
the Apostle Paul, the Prophet Isaiah and more.
Your Word was left so all would know.
Please tell me Lord, what was it all for?”
The Lord of Lords looked down and said
“Oh special angel of Mine,
ever since the Garden of Eden
man’s been running out of time!
I loved them so and always wanted
not one of them to lose,
a chance to be with Me forever
all I asked was that they choose.
Heaven is now ready for them,
I haven’t changed My plan.
Salvation and a relationship with Me
has always been up to man!”
E. P. Shagott
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
“and He walks with me, and He talks with me”
You may recognize this as a lyric from the hymn, In the Garden. This was one of my mother’s favorites. Every time I hear or sing it, she comes to mind. But what also comes to mind is how this describes a relationship, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For many years I hadn’t, because until you do it is hard to understand. We think of relationships with people that we can see and/or touch. In the Bible it states in 2Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight; and in Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. My friends I see Jesus in my mind and definitely feel Him in my heart. I see and feel Him in His Word!
I also see Jesus in all of His creation. On a bright warm sunny day or yes, even in the winters cold with the grayness of the sky. In all His creatures and the beauty of the many colors of the summer flowers. Even in the leaves of the tree changing in the fall. I see Him so often in the children faces, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!”
One time I was running a little late to do a God’s Love Outreach Ministry program. As I was driving I said, "Jesus, if you can keep the traffic lights green it would truly help me!" Guess what, not one turned red and I got to my destination with a little time to spare. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Now on the way back that was a different story, but if I would of asked and if it would of brought glory and praise to Him they would have been all green also. In the Bible in John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
Just recently I was at a hospital eating my lunch, by myself, outside of the Skilled Nursing unit at a picnic table, where I was to do a program shortly. I said, “Lord, the next person You bring to this table I will witness to them about You.” Within a few minutes a woman came up to me who was from the Activity department. We started talking and as we did I heard the Lord speak to my heart, “Well, I did my part!” I tried my best to do mine but came up a little lacking due to the fear and the rejection part, that I mentioned in my previous blog. A few days later a friend of mine from church, I was telling this story too and he gave me a small pamphlet that our church was passing out at a community BBQ this summer. He said, “Maybe this will help the next time when you ask the Lord to bring someone to you.” Guess what, that afternoon I was doing a program and a woman came up to me, Jesus wasn’t waiting for me to ask this time, and we started talking about God’s blessings. When I was getting ready to leave I said, “I’ll see you next month.” She said, “Or maybe not!” She said, “I could be dead by then.” I said, “Or maybe I might go first, tomorrow isn’t promised!” I also told her that if she goes first wait by the gate, if I do then I would wait for her. She said she liked that but wasn’t sure she would be in Heaven. I told her, "I have something for you in my pocket that might help her." Out came the pamphlet.
On the way home I was talking with God and said, “Better this time?” His answer in my heart, “We’ve got work to do!”
“And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own! And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known!”
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
I also see Jesus in all of His creation. On a bright warm sunny day or yes, even in the winters cold with the grayness of the sky. In all His creatures and the beauty of the many colors of the summer flowers. Even in the leaves of the tree changing in the fall. I see Him so often in the children faces, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!”
One time I was running a little late to do a God’s Love Outreach Ministry program. As I was driving I said, "Jesus, if you can keep the traffic lights green it would truly help me!" Guess what, not one turned red and I got to my destination with a little time to spare. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Now on the way back that was a different story, but if I would of asked and if it would of brought glory and praise to Him they would have been all green also. In the Bible in John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
Just recently I was at a hospital eating my lunch, by myself, outside of the Skilled Nursing unit at a picnic table, where I was to do a program shortly. I said, “Lord, the next person You bring to this table I will witness to them about You.” Within a few minutes a woman came up to me who was from the Activity department. We started talking and as we did I heard the Lord speak to my heart, “Well, I did my part!” I tried my best to do mine but came up a little lacking due to the fear and the rejection part, that I mentioned in my previous blog. A few days later a friend of mine from church, I was telling this story too and he gave me a small pamphlet that our church was passing out at a community BBQ this summer. He said, “Maybe this will help the next time when you ask the Lord to bring someone to you.” Guess what, that afternoon I was doing a program and a woman came up to me, Jesus wasn’t waiting for me to ask this time, and we started talking about God’s blessings. When I was getting ready to leave I said, “I’ll see you next month.” She said, “Or maybe not!” She said, “I could be dead by then.” I said, “Or maybe I might go first, tomorrow isn’t promised!” I also told her that if she goes first wait by the gate, if I do then I would wait for her. She said she liked that but wasn’t sure she would be in Heaven. I told her, "I have something for you in my pocket that might help her." Out came the pamphlet.
On the way home I was talking with God and said, “Better this time?” His answer in my heart, “We’ve got work to do!”
“And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own! And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known!”
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Harvest
Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth laborers into His harvest.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It to me tells of the need for Evangelism. So many people (the harvest) that need to hear the message of God’s saving Grace (the seed) and so few that understand in their heart the need to deliver it (the laborers). The God’s Love Outreach Ministry has understood this more than ever over the past few years. Even though it was founded in the later part of 2003, its real impact has only been understood recently.
I truly believe our human aspect always makes us look for the truly bigger picture as they say, rather than the child like answer that God is trying to get across to us. Possibly this could be a reason that as Christians we understand the message (the seed) and to each of us have trouble, grasping in our own minds, His saving Grace. So if we are still having this trouble, how can we (the laborers) tell someone else (the harvest)? What about the fear, that we might sound, Holier than thou? Oh yes, what about the rejection part? No one is ever excited about that!
What I have experienced as more and more I (a laborer) pursue spreading the message (the seed), it is more important to think of it as a tiny seed that I am planting. God will take care of the watering and nurturing part. I love the saying, “Be ye fishers of men, you catch them, He’ll clean them!” In the Book of Psalms it states, in chapter 22 verse 30 A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of Jehovah to the coming generation. I believe this seed is the message (Seeds for Christ). How can the non-believers (the harvest) know of Him if we (the laborers) don’t speak and demonstrate through our daily lives what it is to be Christ-like? In the Bible 1John 5:10 He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. This confirms that to me.
This is also a powerful verse, 1John 4:9 In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Praise God for that wonderful message of Salvation and Grace!
One time I was listening to Joyce Meyer a wonderful Evangelist say, “If at the end of my life I find out I was wrong then I have lost nothing, but if at the end I find out I was right, and I know that I am, the non-believers have lost everything!”
May each of you that read this understand how blessed we are that we now have this in us and may we find the boldness that we release the Holy Spirit to work though us because my friends, “It is harvest time!”
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It to me tells of the need for Evangelism. So many people (the harvest) that need to hear the message of God’s saving Grace (the seed) and so few that understand in their heart the need to deliver it (the laborers). The God’s Love Outreach Ministry has understood this more than ever over the past few years. Even though it was founded in the later part of 2003, its real impact has only been understood recently.
I truly believe our human aspect always makes us look for the truly bigger picture as they say, rather than the child like answer that God is trying to get across to us. Possibly this could be a reason that as Christians we understand the message (the seed) and to each of us have trouble, grasping in our own minds, His saving Grace. So if we are still having this trouble, how can we (the laborers) tell someone else (the harvest)? What about the fear, that we might sound, Holier than thou? Oh yes, what about the rejection part? No one is ever excited about that!
What I have experienced as more and more I (a laborer) pursue spreading the message (the seed), it is more important to think of it as a tiny seed that I am planting. God will take care of the watering and nurturing part. I love the saying, “Be ye fishers of men, you catch them, He’ll clean them!” In the Book of Psalms it states, in chapter 22 verse 30 A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of Jehovah to the coming generation. I believe this seed is the message (Seeds for Christ). How can the non-believers (the harvest) know of Him if we (the laborers) don’t speak and demonstrate through our daily lives what it is to be Christ-like? In the Bible 1John 5:10 He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. This confirms that to me.
This is also a powerful verse, 1John 4:9 In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Praise God for that wonderful message of Salvation and Grace!
One time I was listening to Joyce Meyer a wonderful Evangelist say, “If at the end of my life I find out I was wrong then I have lost nothing, but if at the end I find out I was right, and I know that I am, the non-believers have lost everything!”
May each of you that read this understand how blessed we are that we now have this in us and may we find the boldness that we release the Holy Spirit to work though us because my friends, “It is harvest time!”
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God’s Way!
All the month of September the God’s Love Outreach Ministry has been presenting Seeds of Music from the Seeds for Christ series to shut-ins that are unable to seek out God’s presence and love on their own. Within the one-hour program are various songs that have touched my heart and life, as I believe they have touched so many others.
Songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “You, You, You”, “Que Sera, Sera”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and many more older favorites. Even in this program are newer great songs like “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, and “Hello, Again, Hello.” But the song that I really enjoyed singing to God’s many wounded children is “My Way” which is the last one before the closing.
I tell everyone there I changed the very last lyrics of the song. Lets take a close look at some of the lyrics of this song and maybe I can share how my life, I did it “my way!”
“And now the end is near, so we face the final curtain!” Well, as I’m getting older that really hits home. I think of when I heard one of the Gaither’s singers, George Younge say one time, “I have more days behind me than I do ahead of me!” Yep, but as a Christian, only on this earth. I like the verse in Amazing Grace that states, When we’ve been there ten thousand years! Wow.
“My friend I'll say it clear, I'll state my case of which I'm certain” Thinking back to when I was a young man to be honest I wasn’t certain of anything. Getting married at 21 and bringing my wife 3500 miles from a different country, I indeed didn’t understand what certain meant. Keep in mind I wasn’t walking with the Lord then, if I needed Him I would call out and He did answer each time.
“I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway” No, I must admit though in the military I did get around there were still, and still are, a lot of highways I haven’t been on. As for the full life, well, now that Christ is in control of it I am richer and fuller by the minute.
“And more, much more than this I did it my way” That was the selfish part for sure.
“Regrets I've had a few but then again too few to mention” Yes, I can agree a lot with that. This all comes down to His blessings though I was doing it, or trying to do it, my way.
“I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption” Nope, there were exceptions for sure. Sometimes I must admit I tried to take the easy way out. Turn my head rather than confront what I thought was right.
“I planned each charted course each careful step along the byway” Yea, sure. A lot of times I was flying by the seat of my pants as they say!
“And more, much more than this I did it my way” Selfish, bullheaded, stubborn, need I say more?
“Yes there were times I'm sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew” If I was singing this to my family they would all be shaking their heads yes! I remember when I was young, just starting out with a family. I had a Volkswagen bug which was only 2 years old. Probably paid for and I wanted to get a Chevy Malibu convertible. My wife of two years said we couldn’t afford it and we should save the money for a house. Guess what? I did it my way! So we lived in an apartment a lot longer than what we should of.
“But through it all when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way” Well, let me tell you when there was doubt, without God in your life it is hard to stand tall. I probably did a lot of spitting out and running to get away from the doubt. Oh, by the way, you can’t outrun God!
“I've loved, I've laughed and cried, I've had my fill, my share of losing” Now this sentence is what life is all about to many people. Remember in the Bible John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation” a lot of people stop there and say “woe is me” but you have to read the end of the verse where Jesus says “but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” Praise God for that ending to a wonderful verse!
“And now as tears subside I find it all so amusing” Very seldom when we are crying we find anything amusing. Especially when you are losing. But tears of joy, those are my favorites! If you read the Book of Revelation we know as believers we don’t lose!
“To think I did all that and may I say not in a shy way, oh no, oh no, not me,
I did it my way” My friends for most of my life I’ve done everything in a shy way. But not anymore, God is in control and there is nothing shy about Him!!!
“For what is a man what has he got if not himself then he has not” Nope again! Our selfish pride tells us that but God tells us to put your trust in Him! The 23rd Psalm verse one in the (CEV) states, (A psalm by David.) You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.
“To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels” Please keep in mind my friends this Bible verse Philippians 2:10 “So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.” Jesus is the only one I will knell to!
“The record shows I took the blows and did it my way” By now you know the answer to that as for me that is. The only record that counts for me is in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
So I hope you can also understand that this is how I end the song during the month of September. I changed the ending just a little but it has so much more meaning for me and I hope for you.
“But if I was smart, right from the start, I’d of done it God’s way!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “You, You, You”, “Que Sera, Sera”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and many more older favorites. Even in this program are newer great songs like “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, and “Hello, Again, Hello.” But the song that I really enjoyed singing to God’s many wounded children is “My Way” which is the last one before the closing.
I tell everyone there I changed the very last lyrics of the song. Lets take a close look at some of the lyrics of this song and maybe I can share how my life, I did it “my way!”
“And now the end is near, so we face the final curtain!” Well, as I’m getting older that really hits home. I think of when I heard one of the Gaither’s singers, George Younge say one time, “I have more days behind me than I do ahead of me!” Yep, but as a Christian, only on this earth. I like the verse in Amazing Grace that states, When we’ve been there ten thousand years! Wow.
“My friend I'll say it clear, I'll state my case of which I'm certain” Thinking back to when I was a young man to be honest I wasn’t certain of anything. Getting married at 21 and bringing my wife 3500 miles from a different country, I indeed didn’t understand what certain meant. Keep in mind I wasn’t walking with the Lord then, if I needed Him I would call out and He did answer each time.
“I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway” No, I must admit though in the military I did get around there were still, and still are, a lot of highways I haven’t been on. As for the full life, well, now that Christ is in control of it I am richer and fuller by the minute.
“And more, much more than this I did it my way” That was the selfish part for sure.
“Regrets I've had a few but then again too few to mention” Yes, I can agree a lot with that. This all comes down to His blessings though I was doing it, or trying to do it, my way.
“I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption” Nope, there were exceptions for sure. Sometimes I must admit I tried to take the easy way out. Turn my head rather than confront what I thought was right.
“I planned each charted course each careful step along the byway” Yea, sure. A lot of times I was flying by the seat of my pants as they say!
“And more, much more than this I did it my way” Selfish, bullheaded, stubborn, need I say more?
“Yes there were times I'm sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew” If I was singing this to my family they would all be shaking their heads yes! I remember when I was young, just starting out with a family. I had a Volkswagen bug which was only 2 years old. Probably paid for and I wanted to get a Chevy Malibu convertible. My wife of two years said we couldn’t afford it and we should save the money for a house. Guess what? I did it my way! So we lived in an apartment a lot longer than what we should of.
“But through it all when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way” Well, let me tell you when there was doubt, without God in your life it is hard to stand tall. I probably did a lot of spitting out and running to get away from the doubt. Oh, by the way, you can’t outrun God!
“I've loved, I've laughed and cried, I've had my fill, my share of losing” Now this sentence is what life is all about to many people. Remember in the Bible John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation” a lot of people stop there and say “woe is me” but you have to read the end of the verse where Jesus says “but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” Praise God for that ending to a wonderful verse!
“And now as tears subside I find it all so amusing” Very seldom when we are crying we find anything amusing. Especially when you are losing. But tears of joy, those are my favorites! If you read the Book of Revelation we know as believers we don’t lose!
“To think I did all that and may I say not in a shy way, oh no, oh no, not me,
I did it my way” My friends for most of my life I’ve done everything in a shy way. But not anymore, God is in control and there is nothing shy about Him!!!
“For what is a man what has he got if not himself then he has not” Nope again! Our selfish pride tells us that but God tells us to put your trust in Him! The 23rd Psalm verse one in the (CEV) states, (A psalm by David.) You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.
“To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels” Please keep in mind my friends this Bible verse Philippians 2:10 “So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.” Jesus is the only one I will knell to!
“The record shows I took the blows and did it my way” By now you know the answer to that as for me that is. The only record that counts for me is in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
So I hope you can also understand that this is how I end the song during the month of September. I changed the ending just a little but it has so much more meaning for me and I hope for you.
“But if I was smart, right from the start, I’d of done it God’s way!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Touching Lives!
Until I became so involved in the God’s Love Outreach Ministry I never knew how important it was to make a difference in someone’s life. Throughout my many years either at work or with family it always seemed life had the same pattern. You get up, go to work, come home, relax, go to bed, then repeat for four days. Finally came the weekend and if you had nothing planned you took away going to work and extended each of the others or just one of them. Of course other peoples live maybe were more involved but mine was virtually that. For a lot of years, a lot of years, God wasn’t in very many of my days. Not by His choosing but by mine. If you read my first blog and my testimony you know I was saved at 15 years of age. Now you’re probably wondering how can someone be saved and not have God in their lives? Well, to quote our Pastor, Christ is as close to you or as far away as you want Him to be. Yep, many, many years I chose it that way.
In the Bible in Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. That was surely myself for almost 35+ years. In the book of Romans 12:2, it states, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. I should of kept reading my Bible and renewing my mind from when I first started Sunday School.
How could I touch someone else’s life when my eyes were just on me? The answer I found out is, you can’t. Once I got my focus on Jesus, then I understood a servants heart. In the book of John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. Though Jesus is a King as Son of Man He was a servant. Praise God!
As I share this God’s Love Outreach Ministry journey with you I also want to share some of the reaction from the lives Christ has touched by my obedience to Him. I will always remember one day when I was doing a program for the Sisters at Immaculate Conception Convent. One Sister told me, “You have a very close walk with Christ!” With tears running down my face I looked at her and said, ”I know.” Not only did Jesus touch their lives that day, He also touched mine.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
In the Bible in Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. That was surely myself for almost 35+ years. In the book of Romans 12:2, it states, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. I should of kept reading my Bible and renewing my mind from when I first started Sunday School.
How could I touch someone else’s life when my eyes were just on me? The answer I found out is, you can’t. Once I got my focus on Jesus, then I understood a servants heart. In the book of John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. Though Jesus is a King as Son of Man He was a servant. Praise God!
As I share this God’s Love Outreach Ministry journey with you I also want to share some of the reaction from the lives Christ has touched by my obedience to Him. I will always remember one day when I was doing a program for the Sisters at Immaculate Conception Convent. One Sister told me, “You have a very close walk with Christ!” With tears running down my face I looked at her and said, ”I know.” Not only did Jesus touch their lives that day, He also touched mine.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Morning of September 12th
The Lord just blessed me with this poem. A half hour ago as I was walking my dog, He gave me the first part. How awesome He is!
The Morning of September 12th
It was the morning of September 12th,
something was different indeed.
A piece of every American,
was missing and we no longer felt free.
The churches became full again.
Many cried out to God.
Many probably blamed Him,
because they were so mad.
How could God let this happen,
probably so many did ask?
But His children knew the answer,
it was man’s choice like all the rest.
Now also in that morning,
if you listened to Heaven above.
3000 plus souls were returning home
and once again surrounded by His love.
So to all of us that were left behind,
our job is still so great.
We must tell everyone about God,
before it is too late!
E. P. shagott
9/11/09
The Morning of September 12th
It was the morning of September 12th,
something was different indeed.
A piece of every American,
was missing and we no longer felt free.
The churches became full again.
Many cried out to God.
Many probably blamed Him,
because they were so mad.
How could God let this happen,
probably so many did ask?
But His children knew the answer,
it was man’s choice like all the rest.
Now also in that morning,
if you listened to Heaven above.
3000 plus souls were returning home
and once again surrounded by His love.
So to all of us that were left behind,
our job is still so great.
We must tell everyone about God,
before it is too late!
E. P. shagott
9/11/09
Meet Me in the Stairwell (9/11/2001)
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found.. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following:
Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father'
'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'
In the end, it's between You and God. It was never between you and men at all!
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found.. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following:
Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father'
'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'
In the end, it's between You and God. It was never between you and men at all!
Thinking back to 9/11
I will always remember like most Americans where and what we were doing 8 years ago on this day. It was a Friday morning and on this day I had the day off and was having my morning coffee preparing to start my day. Who would of thought it would change so many lives forever.
I got a call from a church member passing on a prayer request whose family member was working at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She said to me, "isn't all this terrible?" I replied, "What's terrible?" She said, "haven't you heard a plane hit the world trade center." Well, I hadn't for I normally don't watch TV in the mornings. So this started the beginning of a day that will stay with so many of us. In remembering that tragic day I want to share two poems the Lord blessed me with that I wrote shortly after 9/11/2001. May God be with each of us on this day and give us His comfort and peace.
What's Happening Here?
Buildings are tumbling to the ground
Germs are in the air
Warplanes are in the skies above
What is happening here?
Enemies and friends look alike
Relax you mustn't dare
Children look to their parents and ask
What is happening here?
For the answer we must go back
To the fall of man
When tested by Satan the choice he made
Was not in God's plan.
So Christians don't give up hope
And please do not despair
The place that God has made for you
Has no trouble there.
But you must believe in Christ, His Son
Who died to set us free
And waits in Heaven with His Father
Patiently for you and me
E. P. Shagott
Perfect World
I tried to envision a perfect world
Where everyone would be free
A world without suffering and pain
Where all lived in harmony.
A world without bitterness
A world without shame
A world without differences
A world without blame.
Never having to say you're sorry
For you never did any wrong
A world filled with laughter
A world filled with song.
Could there ever be such a place?
Yes, for it is in God's plan
We would all be their now
If not for the fall of man.
So people don't get discouraged
Remember to think before you do
Until we get to our "Perfect World"
This one will have to do.
E. P. Shagott
I got a call from a church member passing on a prayer request whose family member was working at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She said to me, "isn't all this terrible?" I replied, "What's terrible?" She said, "haven't you heard a plane hit the world trade center." Well, I hadn't for I normally don't watch TV in the mornings. So this started the beginning of a day that will stay with so many of us. In remembering that tragic day I want to share two poems the Lord blessed me with that I wrote shortly after 9/11/2001. May God be with each of us on this day and give us His comfort and peace.
What's Happening Here?
Buildings are tumbling to the ground
Germs are in the air
Warplanes are in the skies above
What is happening here?
Enemies and friends look alike
Relax you mustn't dare
Children look to their parents and ask
What is happening here?
For the answer we must go back
To the fall of man
When tested by Satan the choice he made
Was not in God's plan.
So Christians don't give up hope
And please do not despair
The place that God has made for you
Has no trouble there.
But you must believe in Christ, His Son
Who died to set us free
And waits in Heaven with His Father
Patiently for you and me
E. P. Shagott
Perfect World
I tried to envision a perfect world
Where everyone would be free
A world without suffering and pain
Where all lived in harmony.
A world without bitterness
A world without shame
A world without differences
A world without blame.
Never having to say you're sorry
For you never did any wrong
A world filled with laughter
A world filled with song.
Could there ever be such a place?
Yes, for it is in God's plan
We would all be their now
If not for the fall of man.
So people don't get discouraged
Remember to think before you do
Until we get to our "Perfect World"
This one will have to do.
E. P. Shagott
The start of the Journey!
As I was beginning to bring God’s love to so many that were unable to seek Him out for themselves, I really didn’t have a pre-designed plan. The good Lord blessed me with computer knowledge and I wasn’t aware that when I would retire I would be using that same ability that I was using to make a living to bless others and make so many aware of Him. I started out by knocking on doors and showing the activity people at various nursing homes what God inspired me to design. I really didn’t understand at the early part of this ministry, His ministry, just how many lives would be touched by my obedience and love for Him.
Of course one of the first questions I was asked was, “How much is this going to cost?” I loved to look at their expression when I said, “Nothing, it has already been paid for. God’s love is free!” This definitely was a selling point for the ministry. So now you are probably wondering what is this ministry about? What does he do? OK, here it is. I have a laptop computer that I hook up to a projector and show slides with music and the words to the songs on the screen. This is done using Microsoft PowerPoint. The music is linked to words or a picture to begin to play. I stand up in front of the residents with a microphone and sing to the music. Each slide has a picture on it with part of the lyrics to the song.
When I first started out, as I mentioned above, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, or how I was going to do it. The first couple times I would be facing away from the residents. Also I didn’t have a microphone. After I was finished a woman said to me, “That was very nice but we couldn’t hear your voice.” So the Lord had me go out and purchase a music amp. It also had two inputs so I could use one for my microphone and one to put next to the small computer amp that I had. What also was interesting was all this equipment, computer, projector, small computer sound system, large amp, and wires had to be able to pack up so one person could carry in and out plus fit in the car.
Now fitting it all in the car the Lord had it all planned out. See He let me believe I was going to Florida so I went out and purchased a SUV. I even bought a carrier for the top but haven’t used it yet. As I said in my previous blog I still might get to Florida it’s now all in God’s hands. So I guess you can start to see how little, by little it was all beginning to take shape. In the beginning my computer would crash, my sound system would fail, I would loose my place, my voice was weak but these were all tests to see if I would stay true to His mission. To tell you the truth each year when I am finished I ask the Lord, “Do You still want me to do this? His answer is always the same, “Do you love Me?” Then just as He told Peter in John 21:15-17, when He asked Peter that question three times, Jesus said, “Then feed my lambs!”
I now understand I have a calling on my life to feed His wounded. How awesome that is. Praise God! All future blogs will be used to take you all along on this wonderful journey that I want you to share with me called, “God’s love!” We may take some side trips via poems or inspiring stories but it will always be meant to bring you all closer to Him!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
Of course one of the first questions I was asked was, “How much is this going to cost?” I loved to look at their expression when I said, “Nothing, it has already been paid for. God’s love is free!” This definitely was a selling point for the ministry. So now you are probably wondering what is this ministry about? What does he do? OK, here it is. I have a laptop computer that I hook up to a projector and show slides with music and the words to the songs on the screen. This is done using Microsoft PowerPoint. The music is linked to words or a picture to begin to play. I stand up in front of the residents with a microphone and sing to the music. Each slide has a picture on it with part of the lyrics to the song.
When I first started out, as I mentioned above, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, or how I was going to do it. The first couple times I would be facing away from the residents. Also I didn’t have a microphone. After I was finished a woman said to me, “That was very nice but we couldn’t hear your voice.” So the Lord had me go out and purchase a music amp. It also had two inputs so I could use one for my microphone and one to put next to the small computer amp that I had. What also was interesting was all this equipment, computer, projector, small computer sound system, large amp, and wires had to be able to pack up so one person could carry in and out plus fit in the car.
Now fitting it all in the car the Lord had it all planned out. See He let me believe I was going to Florida so I went out and purchased a SUV. I even bought a carrier for the top but haven’t used it yet. As I said in my previous blog I still might get to Florida it’s now all in God’s hands. So I guess you can start to see how little, by little it was all beginning to take shape. In the beginning my computer would crash, my sound system would fail, I would loose my place, my voice was weak but these were all tests to see if I would stay true to His mission. To tell you the truth each year when I am finished I ask the Lord, “Do You still want me to do this? His answer is always the same, “Do you love Me?” Then just as He told Peter in John 21:15-17, when He asked Peter that question three times, Jesus said, “Then feed my lambs!”
I now understand I have a calling on my life to feed His wounded. How awesome that is. Praise God! All future blogs will be used to take you all along on this wonderful journey that I want you to share with me called, “God’s love!” We may take some side trips via poems or inspiring stories but it will always be meant to bring you all closer to Him!
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Who would of thought!
Well, this is blog #2 which is all about Jesus. I titled it “Who would of thought!” for that is exactly how I felt thinking back prior to founding the God’s Love Outreach Ministry. In January 2003 I just got through putting in my retirement notice. I was blessed being able to retire at 60 years of age. If you remember back to my first blog (not too far back since this is #2) I shared my testimony on how I gave Jesus control of my life in my mid 50’s. So even though I was starting to think about retirement my mind was not on starting an Outreach Ministry. Oh, I loved the Lord but He definitely had work to do in me.
I was starting to look for condo’s down in Florida and had contacted a realtor who was starting to look for what I was interested in. My plan was to live up north six months, then six months in the south when the cold winter weather was going on. Those three plus months with very little sunlight got less appealing as I started to get older. But keep in mind this was my plan, not God’s. His plan did not have me in Florida, so far.
Two days before I retired I was making my way around the plant where I worked for 31 years. I had a lot of goodbyes to say to so many wonderful people that I had the privilege to work with. As I walked into this large room I saw a movie screen laying on the floor with a tag on it that said, “scrap!” I asked someone nearby if it was broken, they said, “nope it is just not useful any more.” Well, they should of checked with God first for He still had use for it. He was just waiting for me to ask about it. Yep, you guessed it they let me take it. Not bad thinking I did not have a projector at that time. So what was I going to do with it? If you would of asked God back then He would of told you but I had no clue. I can tell you today through the God’s Love Outreach I have shown as of today 890 programs to over 25,000 shut-ins. (http://www.upc4god.org/data.htm). Who would of thought!
By clicking on this link http://www.upc4god.org/about_this_ministry.htm you can learn about this ministry. It was also founded on this scripture; 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Now as I was trying to understand what God wanted for me to do I started to use man’s thinking. I knew I was not a singer so I tried to get choir people from our church to help, nope! Since I was not a public speaker I tried to get people I knew from church who were so good at speaking, nope. I tried to seek the help from area churches, nope. But God is so awesome He had me talk to a Baptist minister who asked me, “Is this something you can do by yourself?” I said, “Yes, I guess.” Then He said, “What are you waiting for?” See I truly believe that was God speaking through him to me. Who would of thought?
So in January of 2004 the 2nd program was performed to the first nursing home of a list of 61 various caring facilities this ministry, His ministry, that I have had the privilege to bring the message of God’s love to.
The next blog will be describing some of the incredible journey I have experienced through my love and devotion to Jesus.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
I was starting to look for condo’s down in Florida and had contacted a realtor who was starting to look for what I was interested in. My plan was to live up north six months, then six months in the south when the cold winter weather was going on. Those three plus months with very little sunlight got less appealing as I started to get older. But keep in mind this was my plan, not God’s. His plan did not have me in Florida, so far.
Two days before I retired I was making my way around the plant where I worked for 31 years. I had a lot of goodbyes to say to so many wonderful people that I had the privilege to work with. As I walked into this large room I saw a movie screen laying on the floor with a tag on it that said, “scrap!” I asked someone nearby if it was broken, they said, “nope it is just not useful any more.” Well, they should of checked with God first for He still had use for it. He was just waiting for me to ask about it. Yep, you guessed it they let me take it. Not bad thinking I did not have a projector at that time. So what was I going to do with it? If you would of asked God back then He would of told you but I had no clue. I can tell you today through the God’s Love Outreach I have shown as of today 890 programs to over 25,000 shut-ins. (http://www.upc4god.org/data.htm). Who would of thought!
By clicking on this link http://www.upc4god.org/about_this_ministry.htm you can learn about this ministry. It was also founded on this scripture; 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Now as I was trying to understand what God wanted for me to do I started to use man’s thinking. I knew I was not a singer so I tried to get choir people from our church to help, nope! Since I was not a public speaker I tried to get people I knew from church who were so good at speaking, nope. I tried to seek the help from area churches, nope. But God is so awesome He had me talk to a Baptist minister who asked me, “Is this something you can do by yourself?” I said, “Yes, I guess.” Then He said, “What are you waiting for?” See I truly believe that was God speaking through him to me. Who would of thought?
So in January of 2004 the 2nd program was performed to the first nursing home of a list of 61 various caring facilities this ministry, His ministry, that I have had the privilege to bring the message of God’s love to.
The next blog will be describing some of the incredible journey I have experienced through my love and devotion to Jesus.
From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
In the Beginning!
With this being my very first blog I thought how everything has a beginning. Praise be to God as His children and believers that His Son Jesus died for our sins (John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.) for with Him there is no end. But to be sure the Bible tells us also in the book of John, (John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.) thanks be to God.
So to many of the readers who do not know about the God's Love Outreach Ministry let me explain how God has used a wretch such as myself to touch many lives in a short span of 5 1/2 years. I like using the word wretch for I now understand it's meaning as stated in the hymn Amazing Grace. See it was God's grace that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see! Praise God!
For a long time I thought a wretch was just a nasty person but now I understand for me who was mainly a good person for 66+ years, I was like so many without Christ in my life, lost! Something was missing. Jesus was missing! I guess this is a good place to give my testimony. My mother, my best friend took her (3) sons to a small white Presbyterian church in Blasdell, New York in the early 1950's. I was around eight years old when I started to go to Sunday School. I think like most children my mind was wondering all over the place during our Sunday School class and the Sunday sermons. I really didn't know it at the time but God was preparing my heart for the day I would say, Jesus forgive me of my sins and become my Lord and Savior. That happened at the age of 15 years at a skating rink of all places. Isn't it amazing that it can happen at any place or time. It is all up to the person.
Halfway through the skate we would stop and they had a speaker or speakers come and talk to us about Jesus. As I was sitting there listening, all of a sudden it was like no one else was there, just me and this over whelming feeling of love, God's love! Now as I think back I can't remember what happened when we got back at church but I do know something happened to me and it was left like that for so many years. I didn't know how to talk to anyone about this. I wish I did and also there would of been someone there that could of helped me understand about a relationship with Jesus.
So like so many I would call out to God when I needed Him and He was always there. But still no real relationship. See I now understand that a lot of people ask Jesus to be their Savior but struggle with the Lord aspect which is so important. A favorite quote of mine, which I am not sure the author, is "If God is your co-pilot, swap seats!" I gave Jesus control and made Him Lord of my life in my mid 50's. One day I believe it was a Sunday I wasn't even attending church back then, I was sitting on my couch with my little dog at my side and was thinking though I had everything, cars, house, family, a few friends, financial security I really had nothing. Please don't think family and friends are nothing but I just want you to understand Jesus is so much more! What I really didn't have was a relationship with Him. Was I saved all those years, yep. What I just wasn't doing was fulfilling His purpose, God's purpose in my life. Until you give Him control you can't. I said on that day, Lord You take control of my life for I have made a mess of it. Why was my life a mess? Because He was not the center of it. I remember at that moment I felt a cool sensation start from the top of my head go throughout my body to the bottom of my feet. I sat on the couch crying saying, "Thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus!
Wow what a way to start my first blog! See as I now tell my church family, "It's not about me, it's not about you, it's a message for them, that's all about Him! Praise God!
In my next blog I will discuss how through my love for Him, He has in trusted me with an outreach ministry to minister to His wounded.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
So to many of the readers who do not know about the God's Love Outreach Ministry let me explain how God has used a wretch such as myself to touch many lives in a short span of 5 1/2 years. I like using the word wretch for I now understand it's meaning as stated in the hymn Amazing Grace. See it was God's grace that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see! Praise God!
For a long time I thought a wretch was just a nasty person but now I understand for me who was mainly a good person for 66+ years, I was like so many without Christ in my life, lost! Something was missing. Jesus was missing! I guess this is a good place to give my testimony. My mother, my best friend took her (3) sons to a small white Presbyterian church in Blasdell, New York in the early 1950's. I was around eight years old when I started to go to Sunday School. I think like most children my mind was wondering all over the place during our Sunday School class and the Sunday sermons. I really didn't know it at the time but God was preparing my heart for the day I would say, Jesus forgive me of my sins and become my Lord and Savior. That happened at the age of 15 years at a skating rink of all places. Isn't it amazing that it can happen at any place or time. It is all up to the person.
Halfway through the skate we would stop and they had a speaker or speakers come and talk to us about Jesus. As I was sitting there listening, all of a sudden it was like no one else was there, just me and this over whelming feeling of love, God's love! Now as I think back I can't remember what happened when we got back at church but I do know something happened to me and it was left like that for so many years. I didn't know how to talk to anyone about this. I wish I did and also there would of been someone there that could of helped me understand about a relationship with Jesus.
So like so many I would call out to God when I needed Him and He was always there. But still no real relationship. See I now understand that a lot of people ask Jesus to be their Savior but struggle with the Lord aspect which is so important. A favorite quote of mine, which I am not sure the author, is "If God is your co-pilot, swap seats!" I gave Jesus control and made Him Lord of my life in my mid 50's. One day I believe it was a Sunday I wasn't even attending church back then, I was sitting on my couch with my little dog at my side and was thinking though I had everything, cars, house, family, a few friends, financial security I really had nothing. Please don't think family and friends are nothing but I just want you to understand Jesus is so much more! What I really didn't have was a relationship with Him. Was I saved all those years, yep. What I just wasn't doing was fulfilling His purpose, God's purpose in my life. Until you give Him control you can't. I said on that day, Lord You take control of my life for I have made a mess of it. Why was my life a mess? Because He was not the center of it. I remember at that moment I felt a cool sensation start from the top of my head go throughout my body to the bottom of my feet. I sat on the couch crying saying, "Thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus!
Wow what a way to start my first blog! See as I now tell my church family, "It's not about me, it's not about you, it's a message for them, that's all about Him! Praise God!
In my next blog I will discuss how through my love for Him, He has in trusted me with an outreach ministry to minister to His wounded.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
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