Author Archives: normdave

”You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ God counts our wanderings. The Lord knows every trip we have all taken. For just us alone, that’s a lot of trips. If only we had access to that book, God’s book… “Sometimes, in olden days inContinue reading “Psalm 56:8…”

”You uphold me because of my innocence you establish me in your presence forever. Blessed be Adonai the God of Isra’el from eternity past to eternity future. Amen. Amen.“‭‭Tehillim (Psa)‬ ‭41‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CJB‬‬

“Thank God for the starlight, and He will give you the moonlight. Thank Him for the moonlight, and He will give you the sunlight. Thank Him for the sunlight, and by and by God will take you where He Himself is the Light.” Anonymous

”Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭41‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ”Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭41‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Psalm 41 begins and ends with “Blessed.” Blessed means Happy. Begin your life with Happy and end it with Happy…

Psalms 22,23, and 24 come together to give us Jesus Christ in the Old Testament… Psalm 22 gives us the Cross, our Savior, a firm Foundation, His death, past, and gives Life… Psalm 24 presents the Crook, Satisfier, Manifestation, Jesus is Alive, Present and gives Love… Psalm 24 displays the Crown, Sovereign, Expectations, Jesus isContinue reading “A Trilogy…”

”I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: But he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, Into which the righteousContinue reading “This is…Resurrection Day…”

Easter is considered by most believers as the most important Christian holiday.  It requires faith to accept the truth of what the Bible describes.  Yet Easter represents a divine supernatural event that is hard to picture in human terms.  A man dies on a cross, is put into a sealed tomb, then three days laterContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

”I will love You, O Lord, my strength.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Tell God you love Him. He loves us. ”The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ This is how we needContinue reading “Psalm 18…”

”Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Kiss the Son is the Old Testament way of saying, ‘…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…(Acts 16:31).”Continue reading “Psalm 2:12…”

God is watching us today. Does that mean anything to you? God is testing us today. Does this affect your life? God wants us to turn to Him. It is the only thing we can do. When our legs are taken out from under us, we have a righteous God that we, as believers, canContinue reading “Psalm 11, verse 4…”

”Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.“‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭34‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By Nebo’s lonely mountain, On this sideContinue reading “The Death of Moses…”

”“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of the Lord your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, norContinue reading “God Revealed…”

The other week I was doing research into the origins of some commonly used words or phrases.  One of them was the word “bummer.”  In the 1960s it became a slang expression for a frustrating experience.  For example, “Bummer, I flunked the history test.” I also discovered that “bummer” has been applied to some newbornContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

That is the Law. There is no mercy in the Law. We can praise God today that He does judge as by the Law. God saves us by Grace. Never can we measure up to the Law. Jesus paid the price, the cost of the Law. The penalty so we could live free, pardoned sinners.Continue reading “The Law is…The Law”

”“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he mayContinue reading “The Word…”

The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they should not interfere with God’s divine will. At the Baptist church, the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistry.  The deacons met andContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

”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

”And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against the Lord your God—had made for yourselves a molded calf! You had turned aside quickly from the way which the Lord had commanded you.“‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭9‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Why? It is our character to be phony. Everyone, believers and nonbelievers. Can this be fixed? Yes, if you areContinue reading “Search Me…”

A recent article in Christianity Today1 described the dilemma of Christian churches in Indonesia receiving donations from questionable sources.  Last year, a Cabinet Minister donated thousands of dollars to Catholic churches, the money coming from a multi-million-dollar telecom bribery scheme.  The official was given a 15-year prison sentence.  Catholic leaders vowed to return the money, on theContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statues and judgements which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.” Deut. 5:1. Step #1. Hear it. Step #2. Learn it. Step #3. Keep it. Step #4. Do it. Get the WordContinue reading “Four Important Steps…”

Super Bowl LVIII is in the history books.  Analyses have begun on what we saw, or thought we saw.  The largely undisputed fact is that the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime.  I say “largely” because some 49ers fans thought they were cheated.  Yet we know cheating is prohibited.  ButContinue reading “Pastor Tom”

The Book of Ecclesiastes uses the word ‘Vanity’ 37 times. Vanity means Empty, Purposeless… “Even if we possess the whole world and all the things that men consider necessary to make their hearts content, we learn we cannot be satisfied without Jesus Christ.” Dr. J Vernon McGee. “…He has put eternity in their hearts.” EcclesiastesContinue reading “Our Hearts…”

The cities of refuge do what Jesus Christ is doing for us today, sheltering the sinner, you and me from judgement. ”God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ”I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of theContinue reading “Cities of Refuge…”

”So Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and each of their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods; and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses placed the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. Now it came to passContinue reading “Life out of death…”

In one of those rare moments of leisure, I was reading some articles on military history, when I came across one about Audie Murphy 1.  I had forgotten that he was the most highly decorated serviceman in World War II.  In addition to three Purple Hearts for being wounded, he earned two Bronze Stars, two SilverContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

If you had only 90 seconds left to live, what would you do?  Panic?  Laugh? Pray?  Kiss your loved ones?  Finish your cup of coffee or glass of wine?  Do nothing?  Your response would probably depend on how serious you took the news. On January 23rd the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced the Doomsday Clock had only 90Continue reading “Pastor Tom…”

Are you planning to go to Punxsutawney, PA for the annual gathering on February 2nd to see whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not? Phil and his groundhog ancestors have participated in the superstitious prediction of weather in North America since 1886. Canada, of course, has its own Groundhog Day, as do many otherContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

In our modern world we are confronted with defining when a life begins and when it ends.  The beginning and end are bookends for human existence.   Ancient civilizations recognized the beginning of life was somehow connected to pregnancy.  They also practiced ending life prematurely through wars and executions; abortions were done for a variety ofContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

Be Prayed Up. A prayed up heart is a ready witnessing heart… Know God’s Word. Put it in your heart and in your mind… Show Love and Respect. Use words if you have to… Be Patient. Love, be love, show love, when others can’t or won’t… Talk about Jesus…Be bold, He changed your life, shareContinue reading “Be a Witness…”

”But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies isContinue reading “Numbers 13…”

”For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,“‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The Apostle Paul is telling us the foundation of the Gospel message.Continue reading “The Scriptures…”

We have a mixed multitude in our churches today. They are unconverted members, one foot in the world, and one foot firmly planted in the world. They run, with enthusiasm, in both worlds… This mixed multitude is unable to desire or understand Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life, our manna. They chase after thatContinue reading “Mixed Multitude…”

College football is big business.  It costs money to recruit, train, equip, and feed the 105 football players allowed under NCAA regulations.  Plus, you have the salaries of all the coaches, staff, and administrators.  The top 25 head coaches have a salary of $6.3M – $11.4M, not counting bonuses; these incomes are a bit moreContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

”Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”“‭‭Numbers‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ An invitation. This couldContinue reading “Come with us…”

”For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.“‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ What are you thinking? Experts believe we have 25,000 to 100,000 thoughts a day. ”casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,Continue reading “What are you thinking about???”

The Father- “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Son- “The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;” The Holy Spirit- “The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

There are plenty of images and decorations for Christmas.  Because of Constitutional concerns over separation of Church and State, you don’t find many of them displayed on government property.  The state of Iowa is an exception; it permits religious displays on government property during holiday periods.  A Nativity set was put up on the rotundaContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

”For with God nothing shall be impossible.“‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭KJV‬‬ ”Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.“‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Every time we call Him Jesus we are saying, God with us (Immanuel), He is God, He is God withContinue reading “Jesus”

The Right Kind of Help By Oswald Chambers And I, if I am lifted up…will draw all peoples to Myself. —John 12:32 Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus Christ died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of Christ is an absurdity and there is absolutelyContinue reading “Day 22…Home…”

”“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.“‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Pearl of great price…

I have only one photo today, as usual, everyone can take pictures, videos and even fly drones, but not us. I only complain on almost every post because I love to take photos and display them on this site. All of our recovery work will cease tomorrow. We have a sort of a job thatContinue reading “Day 20…Lahaina Fire…”

”He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.“‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “The heart will blaze the trail that the feet will follow.”

The Gospel is written a chapter a day By the deeds that you do and the words that you say. Men read what you say whether faithless or true. Say, what is the Gospel according to you?

Love incarnate, love divineStar and angels gave the signBow to babe on bended kneeThe Savior of humanityUnto us a Child is bornHe shall reign forevermoreNoel, NoelCome and see what God has doneNoel, NoelThe story of amazing love!The light of the world, given for usNoel

A typical day for us, prayer, breakfast, vans, ice chests, screens, tarps, shovels, five gallon buckets, gloves, tyvex suits, N95 masks, pump sprayers, golf carts, walking, searching, praying, talking, digging, lunch, more digging, sifting, cleaning, driving, paperwork, showers, Bible study, dinner, prayer, debriefing, prayer, meetings, bed, and rinse and repeat, same tomorrow… We would notContinue reading “Day 14…Lahaina Fire…”

After church we had a great lunch with North Carolina Mike. We had some plans to visit some more of Maui, but eventually just hung out and rested for the remainder of our day off… What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing butContinue reading “Day 12-13…Lahaina Fire…”

“Man of sorrows!” what a name For the Son of God who came Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! what a Saviour! Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood; Hallelujah! what a Saviour! Guilty, vile and helpless, we; Spotless Lamb of God was He: “Full atonement!”Continue reading “Day 11…. Lahaina Fire….”

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, AndContinue reading “Day 10…Lahaina Fire”

This a great way to end a beautiful ministry opportunity that the Lord provided for us, lunch at the ocean. Our teammate Mike was under the weather for a while and then decided he would rather hang out with the Incident Command team than us. So we had lunch at the beach and ate iceContinue reading “Day 9…Lahaina Fire…”

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not,Continue reading “Day 8…Lahaina Fire….”

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy ofContinue reading “Day 7…Lahaina Fire…”

This is Henry. He is a decorated war veteran and we had the privilege of finding three of his four war medals that he really wanted to recover. A Navy veteran…

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight isContinue reading “Day 5…Lahaina Fire…”

A warm day of work. Our team was able to assist two families today. Both jobs were difficult due the type of construction of their homes. Our team consists of me, from Arizona and four fellas from North Carolina. We are probably the best team in Lahaina!