{"id":1543,"date":"2014-10-18T00:01:26","date_gmt":"2014-10-18T07:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/?p=1543"},"modified":"2014-10-17T13:17:29","modified_gmt":"2014-10-17T20:17:29","slug":"just-checking-in-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/just-checking-in-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Checking In Today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Just-Checking-In.mp3\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-474\" src=\"http:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio-300x86.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"86\" srcset=\"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio-300x86.jpg 300w, https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>The older I become, the more God reveals to me how much I have blown \u201cit\u201d (\u201cit\u201d being defined as doing the right and correct thing). All too many times for all too many reasons,&#8230;mostly conveniences,&#8230;or out of total ignorance, or even selfishness,&#8230;I have bought into wrong thinking, ignorant teaching, or wrong associations without even knowing what I was doing. Have you ever known anyone who did something like that? I didn\u2019t know that what I was doing or believing was incorrect or wrong at the time. I was just saying, doing, or thinking that which had been passed onto me from or by others who were involved with me in both business and nonbusiness transactions. Because of my blatant words or actions,&#8230;I was \u201cguilty by association\u201d in most of these such instances in which I found myself. More often than not, the damage had been done before I could extricate myself from being classified and identified as being an affiliate with those people, places, or things that others readily understood as being acceptable, when in fact they were not correct and not acceptable. The old phrase,&#8230;<strong>\u201cIgnorance is Bliss\u201d is not a true statement.<\/strong> If it is your desire to become successful,&#8230;I must tell you that ignorance is nothing to be proud of or classified with as you live out your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> What has taken me over almost seven decades to learn&#8230;\u201cthe hard way\u201d&#8230; is that no matter who you are affiliated or operating with,&#8230;it is your own personal responsibility to do the necessary research to make certain you are conducting your life in the honest, correct, and proper manner and way. <strong>Never just listen to someone and do exactly what they say or what you think they are saying, without first knowing they are correct.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Now obviously in order to be able to do what I have just suggested that you should do,&#8230;you must first know <strong>The Truth. In order to learn and know the truth, you must go to the source of truth,&#8230;there is only one source of true truth,&#8230;the infallible Word of God,&#8230;The Holy Bible.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> We know this is the truth because God\u2019s Word tells us that it is true.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> In The Book of John, Chapter 18, verse 37 (NKJV), Jesus tells us all about <strong>The Truth<\/strong> when, as He was being tried by the Roman Leader, He says in response to Pontius Pilate:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> (37) \u201cPilate therefore said to Him, \u2018Are You a king then?\u2019 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Jesus answered, \u2018You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the TRUTH. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.\u2019 \u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> One very obvious conclusion can be drawn from these words of Christ, and that is: <strong>You are always standing on solid and holy ground whenever you are acknowledging and standing on the principles and precepts of The Word of God. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">As you go about the living of your own life, there will be many different types and kinds of people who will walk into and out of your life. Always remember&#8230;.<strong>Only true friends, real true friends will leave footprints in your heart.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The Bible tells us how and why we should always be bold in our convictions, beliefs, and speech about God, His Son, and The Holy Spirit. It is all recorded in The Book of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 32 and 33 (NKJV): Jesus Christ is speaking:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">(32) \u201cTherefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">(33) \u00a0But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Never cease praising and thanking your Heavenly Father. <strong>Remember without Him, you would not be here today.<\/strong> It was indeed God who knitted you together in your mother\u2019s womb. You were and are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has a great plan for your life. Your submission and obedience to His Laws will be what determines whether or not His Plan for your life comes to fruition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> May God hold you in the palm of His hand and may His angels watch over you and protect you against any and all harm. Please share this message with any or all of your family, friends, relatives, or even some strangers. When you know to do good and right and you do it, it is very pleasing to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Have you ever walked by a person who is in need or in apparent need,&#8230;and you failed to stop and offer your assistance? Have you ever been asked to help a stranger and you failed to respond to the request? Have you ever failed to visit a hurting person you knew who was hospitalized or imprisoned? Do you all too quickly make excuses as to why you cannot get involved in another person\u2019s life who is in great need,&#8230; rather than immediately coming to that person\u2019s assistance? These are tough questions aren\u2019t they? I am guilty of not helping enough,&#8230;.are you?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Permit me to share with you a poem that was passed onto me by a dear and precious friend who lives in the pristine coastal area of Southeast Alaska. <strong>This poem puts it better than I ever could, about the love and care that God Almighty intended for all of His Creation to learn from and then to start living by.<\/strong> A word of caution, get a box of facial tissue out before reading or listening any further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> If you like this poem and its story and are not ashamed of your confessed belief in Jesus Christ, please pass it on to all those people you know who might be encouraged by its message.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>This Is Me\u2026\u2026..JUST CHECKING IN TODAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar just to see who came to pray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Just then the back door opened, and a man came down the aisle. The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn\u2019t shaved in quite a while.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> His shirt was torn and shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> In the days that followed at precisely noon, the preacher saw this chap. Each time he knelt for just a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Well, the minister\u2019s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear. He decided to stop and ask the man, \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The old man said he was a factory worker and lunch was half an hour. His lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. I stay only a moment because the factory\u2019s far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> \u2018I just came by to tell You, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other\u2019s friendship and You took away my sin. Don\u2019t know much of how to pray, but I think about You every day. So, dear Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The minister feeling foolish, told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome to pray there anytime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> \u2018It\u2019s time to go, and thanks, \u2019 Ben said as he hurried to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Then the minister knelt there at the altar, which he\u2019d never done before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> His cold heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, he repeated old Ben\u2019s prayer:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> \u2018I just came by to tell You, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other\u2019s friendship and You took away my sin. Don\u2019t know much of how to pray, but I think about You every day. So, dear Jesus, this is me, just checking in today.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Ben had not come. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> At the factory, he asked about him. Learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he\u2019d given them a thrill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The week that Ben was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joys contagious. Changed people were his reward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The head nurse couldn\u2019t understand why Ben could be so glad, when no flowers, calls, or cards came,&#8230;not a visitor he had.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse\u2019s concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile; \u2018The nurse is wrong, she couldn\u2019t know, He\u2019s been here all the while.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Every day at noon He comes here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> \u2018I Just Came By To Tell You, Ben, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found This Friendship, And I Took Away Your Sin. I Think About You Always And I Love To Hear You Pray, And So Ben, This Is Jesus, Just Checking In Today.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> And now from my heart to yours as intimately and personally as I am able to make it. May I say to you the very same words that The Lord instructed His servant, Moses, to speak to his own brother Aaron and his sons so many years ago as is recorded in The Book Of Numbers, Chapter 6, verses 22&#8211;26, NKJV:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> \u201cMay The Lord, bless and keep you; May The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious unto you; May The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"> Peace And Love To All Of You&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.Poppa Bear<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The older I become, the more God reveals to me how much I have blown \u201cit\u201d (\u201cit\u201d being defined as doing the right and correct thing). All too many times for all too many reasons,&#8230;mostly conveniences,&#8230;or out of total ignorance, &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/just-checking-in-today\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1543"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1546,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1543\/revisions\/1546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}