Author Archives: normdave

Reading and studying through the book of Judges,we came across this… The parallel between the life of Samson and that of Jesus Christ- An angel announced both of their births… From the womb, they were both separated to God… Both were Nazarite’s… The Holy Spirit gave them their power… Rejected! They were both rejected byContinue reading “Compare and Contrast…”

This year I missed the live telecast of the Little League World Series championship game.  Kathie, however, saw it and gave me a recap.  Subsequently, I did watch video portions of the game and the post-game interview. The Lake Mary, FL team represented the Southeast region of the US.  Chinese Taipei represented the Asia-Pacific region. Continue reading “Pastor Tom…”

“So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand toContinue reading “Judges 7:5-7…”

Othniel, Deborah, Barak, and Gideon judged Israel 40 years. Ehud, twice 40 years. Eli judged Israel 40 years. Saul, David, and Solomon each reigned 40 years. At the Flood it rained 40 years. Moses fled Egypt at the age of 40, was in Midian 40 years, was on the mount 40 days. Israel wandered inContinue reading ““Forty Years.””

youtube.com/watch

“In this day of gathering storms, as moral deterioration of political power spreads its growing infection, it is essential that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve the religious base upon which this nation is founded; for it has been that base which has been the motivating impulse to our moral and nationalContinue reading “Downfall…”

Last month there was a colossal failure in computer systems around the world.1Airline flights were cancelled, financial markets disrupted, and industrial operations faltered.  The failure appeared to involve just business computers using Microsoft Windows systems.  A cybersecurity company, CrowdStrike, delivered a defective update that produced the computer crashes. When computers crashed in 1993 while usingContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

Caleb, along with Joshua were the only two spies to give a positive report. We have the Lord of the universe, we can take this land. The nine tribes and the half are to have their inheritance by lot. Caleb obtains Hebron, by privilege! Caleb had found the fountain of youth- the first is toContinue reading “Watch Fire, wrap up…”

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;”‭‭Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? BeContinue reading “Watch Fire, day 5…”

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One hot afternoon in Apache Junction Arizona. We left our truck outside their gate as AZDR Bryce came to our rescue. He hauled us and the Recovery unit to Globe. We have been working nonstop to setup a workable team at Trinity Baptist Church. The conditions are not the best, but we are ever gratefulContinue reading “Watch Fire, Day 1…”

The 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing this week.  Regardless of the sport, I enjoy the awards ceremonies and the playing of the national anthem of the country that won the gold medal.  Particularly interesting are how the athletes react when their anthem is played.  I became curious about the words in each anthem,Continue reading “Pastor Tom…”

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.””‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The law of appropriation. God gives, but we must take. “Only be thou strong and very courageous…” “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Anyone wishing to become a U.S. Citizen must pass a test.  The first part requires understanding the English language.  The second part is a 10-question oral exam where at least six questions must be answered correctly.  If you can read this, you understand English.  Now, answer 10 questions taken from the USCIS study guide. 1.       WhoContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

Back to the desert… “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭89‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭122‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬

Holes where trees used to be… “For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life ofContinue reading “South Fork Fire, day 17…”

“For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth— The Lord God of hosts is His name.”‭‭Amos‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.”‭‭Divrei-HamYamim Bet (2 Ch)‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭CJB‬‬

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.Continue reading “South Fork Fire, day 14…”

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ My favorite Disaster Relief verse…

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭9‬Continue reading “South Fork Fire, day 12…”

So many events in our lives today that our Lord Jesus Christ had His Hand in!!! “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”‭‭Philippians‬Continue reading “South Fork Fire, day 11…”

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Not only memorizing God’s Word, but Obey His Word. Memorization- good, Obey- best… “It is strange that of all of the pieces of the Bible which my mother taught me, that which cost me the most to learn,Continue reading “Ruidoso NM Fire, day 7…”

Psalm 119. The longest Psalm and longest chapter in the Bible. With 176 verses praising God, (with the possible exception of two). We all need to praise God by reading His Word! Why not start with this Psalm? A challenge to yourself… Psalm 119- Praise to the Word of God…

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭117‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ This Psalm is the shortest Psalm and shortest chapter in the Bible. So much is said in these two verses! An explosion inContinue reading “Ruidoso NM Fire, day 5…”

“O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

http://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/disaster-relief-responding-to-new-mexico-wildfires/

Psalm 88- We can have confidence in God in the midst of suffering… “O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭88‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “God of my salvation…” The one ray of hope in this Psalm… The Psalm closes with the word, “darkness.” “The Psalm ends with an energeticContinue reading “Psalm 88…”

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭87‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ This same view was expressed before in Psalm 48… “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.Continue reading “Psalm 87…”

youtube.com/watch If you served in Lahaina from September to December of 2023 as a Disaster Relief worker, this is a good video and will definitely bring back memories… God Bless…

I have been on three medical mission trips to Haiti in the years following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed 220,000 people in 2010.  I felt reasonably safe, given the country’s history of armed gangs.  Gangs and gang violence were not as prevalent following the earthquake; in large measure because the UN Peacekeeping Force wasContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

I have been on three medical mission trips to Haiti in the years following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed 220,000 people in 2010.  I felt reasonably safe, given the country’s history of armed gangs.  Gangs and gang violence were not as prevalent following the earthquake; in large measure because the UN Peacekeeping Force wasContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.” Psalm 86:7. Call out, you will never be put on hold, God will always answer your heart cry…

Opinions are shaped by how we interpret evidence.  Sometimes, though, different opinions can arise from the same factual evidence, as in the case of two witnesses to a car accident.  Witness credibility comes into play.  Suppose one witness was not wearing their prescription eyeglasses; they did not lie, but did not see clearly.  It wouldContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

Douglas Hegdahl was a Seaman Apprentice on the USS Canberra in the South China Sea in 1967.  When the Littoral class combat ship fired its 5-inch guns, Hegdahl was blown off the ship’s deck and floated for 12 hours before being captured by the North Vietnamese. As a guest at the Hanoi Hilton, Douglas convinced his captorsContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

“Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Amen!!!

“That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭83‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Our recovery team worked their last site today, all of them will fly home tomorrow to California and Utah/Idaho. They have been a blessing to serve with and have shown Jesus to this community. Arizona and some New Mexico DR workers will be here till Monday. “Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, butContinue reading “Texas Flooding, Day 13…”

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Our evening devotion/debrief always wraps up with a song. Thanks DR Marie…