The Almost Disciple

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17).

Do you remember the sad story of the rich, young ruler? He came to Jesus with so much going for him. He had plenty of money and lived a privileged life. Even more important, he'd been a faithful Jew all his life, keeping the laws and commandments. And now, he came seeking Jesus, calling Him "Good Master," and wanting eternal life.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21).

The young man had come to the right place. Jesus, seeing the good in this man but knowing his heart, asked him to give his possessions to the poor and follow Him. Of all the things Jesus could have said, the young man had likely never imagined this. It was the one thing that made him struggle because he had extensive wealth.

And he was sad at the saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions (Mark 10:22).

In the end, his wealth meant more to the man than following Jesus, and he went away grieved for he wanted both. We know that God won't accept us putting anything above Him in our lives. To the man's credit, his decision still grieved him, but he thought he'd been asked to give up too much, so he gave up being one of Jesus' disciples. In actuality, what he gave up -- Jesus -- was so much greater than what he kept -- his possessions. Can you imagine the joy and peace of following Jesus in the flesh, learning at his feet, and being one of his special friends?

But before we judge this rich young man too harshly, would you be willing to give up every possession you have, all of it, and become homeless if you felt God commanded you to? We would hope so, and we might even think so, but when it came time, could we do it? It would mean losing all earthly security, all means of making a living and trusting God completely for everything. Now, God doesn't ask us all to do this, but if He did, He wants us to put Him before our possessions. I pray that we all would have that much faith, trust, and commitment because God won't accept anything else. He won't be second best in our hearts.

You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37).

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 Reece Is Coming

The last book in my six-book series, A Match for Reece, is publishing on Friday (Nov. 1, 2024). This is a series within a series. The Matchmakers - Agatha Returns is a multiple-author project where different authors are writing about the matches made by Agatha Sinclair. 

In A Match for Reece, the sheriff of Pinyon Falls, Texas, Reece Felps has always thought lawmen should never marry because of the danger and uncertainty that comes with the job, but as he enters middle age, he begins to reconsider. A friend convinces him that he should write to the matchmaker in Chicago with whom so many others in the area have found success. Meanwhile, Adrianne Clark and her brother live a meager existence in Chicago. When she sees a brutal murder and they learn the mob is involved, they decide she needs to leave the city, so she goes to her best friend’s aunt, a matchmaker.

Matt Griffin’s new job as deputy sheriff suits him just fine, and he begins to notice Ginny Harris for the first time. Then the new schoolteacher comes to town, and she’s different: sophisticated and refined. No one else seems to appreciate her, but she makes him feel special. However, when they all become caught up with someone trying to harm Adrianne, things get complicated, and Matt starts to realize things might not be as he thought they were.

All six of my books are set in Pinyon Falls in the Texas Hill Country, and the reader gets a wrap-up of all the main characters in this last book. Still, it focuses mainly on Reece and Adrianne and Matt and Ginny. Readers of the series won't want to miss this one. It's full of adventure, suspense, and romance.

A Match for Marshall (the cattle rancher)

A Match for Cord (the horse rancher)

A Match for Silas (the blacksmith)

A Match for Merle (the land speculator)

A Match for Milton (the barber)

A Match for Reece (the sheriff)

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 When We Don't Get What We Pray For

Several days ago as I was doing my morning devotion, I ran across a poem that touched me in many ways. It's honest, true, reflective, and gives one a lot to ponder. Today, I thought I would do something different and simply share it with you. Perhaps it will impact you the way it did me.

I asked for strength that I might achieve; 

He made we weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do great things; 

He gave me grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

He gave me poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

He gave me weakness that I might feel the need of God.

 I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

He gave me life that I might enjoy all things.

I received nothing that I asked for;

He gave me all that I had hoped for.

 (Michael P. Green, ed., Illustrations for Biblical Preaching.)

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Blacksmith and Livery in 1880 Town

In some of the smaller western towns, the blacksmith and livery might be combined, but in 1880 Town, they were separate buildings. Of course, the blacksmith worked with forging metals, including horseshoes, tools, household utensils, nails, etc. He was a necessary part of the community.

In my novel, A Match for Silas, Silas Barrett is the blacksmith in Pinyon Falls, Texas. In a moment of desperation, he sends for a mail-order bride, but he specifies that she be from a poor, common family. He doesn't want to marry a woman who couldn't be satisfied with a blacksmith the way his mother was. Who does the matchmaker send? A lady from high society.

A Match for Silas

The livery mainly boarded or rented out horses as well as wagons, buggies, and other conveyances. His building was usually larger than that of the blacksmith because both the horses and the vehicles took up more space than the forge. Sometimes a livery might have the horses stabled in a separate place from the wagons.

In Carmen's Wedding Dilemma, Holden Judd owns a livery in a small Utah town. He goes to buy some new horses from a local rancher and finds some magnificent horses with Spanish bloodlines. He also finds a beautiful daughter that draws his attention, but he knows his prejudiced mother will never accept her Spanish heritage.

Carmen's Wedding Dilemma

*1880 Town is in Midland, South Dakota

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 Missions

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

If you've read many of my blogs, you may have noticed that I've done both short-term and longer-term mission work. Some of it has involved construction and church programs, but the long-term assignments have been teaching missionary children whose parents are working to get the Word to people groups who don't have the Bible in their language. 

. . . remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

When someone volunteers to spend time in the mission field for the first time, they go with the idea of helping those less fortunate or sharing Jesus with those who don't know Him. However, when they return home, they realize they've been blessed even more than they've been a blessing. It's hard to explain unless you experience it, but I've never known it not to hold true. You go to give, and you come home blessed beyond measure.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king (1 Peter 2:17).

It's always more fulfilling to have a giving heart, but less fortunate people have also shared precious gifts with me. I've never met people more in love with Christ than I have in places like Oaxaca, Mexico, or Davao, Philippines. The love they shared with me will stay with me forever. The lessons of faith they taught me have been invaluable. Never be condescending or look down on anyone. God expects us to treat everyone with love and respect.

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