Author Archives: normdave

Luke 15: 11-32 “Come home with me,” said the prodigal son. “We’ll sing and dance and have lots of fun. “We’ll wine and dine with women and song. You’ll forget you’re a pig before very long.” So the pig slipped out while the momma was asleep, Shook off the mud from the mire so deep.Continue reading “A Pig is a Pig…”

“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Brightness,” the outshining, brilliance, radiant splendor- Jesus Christ! The raysContinue reading “Sun,Son…”

Computers have been around for a long time1.  Around 2000 BC the Chinese invented the Abacus board to calculate simple arithmetic solutions.  In 1642 Blaise Pascal developed the first automated mechanical calculator.  The Differential Analyzer appeared in 1930 as the first electrical computer, able to perform 25 calculations in a matter of minutes.  The ElectronicContinue reading “Pastor Tom…”

‘And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he criedContinue reading “Man of the Tombs…”

“A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it. God Himself is here waiting our response to His Presence. This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality.” A. W. Tozer.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly toContinue reading “Homeward…”

“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.””‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.””‭‭Acts‬ ‭21‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “The WILL of the LORD be done.” Amen…

Picture yourself tied to a tree, condemned of the sins of eternity. Then picture a spear parting the air, seeking your heart to end your despair. Suddenly-a knight in armor of white, stands in the gap betwixt you and its flight,And shedding his Armor of God for you – bears the lance that runs himContinue reading “The Suffering Prince…”

“Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ThereforeContinue reading “OTR- Day 2…”

“Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.”‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭16‬:‭30‬-‭32‬Continue reading “On the Road…”

Interest [on debt] never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work nor discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours. … Once in debt,Continue reading “Debt….”

“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” F.B. Meyer “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldlyContinue reading “Chaplains conference day 3…”

The second session covered, “Theological Foundations for Religious Liberty.” Some take aways. Align with Truth and live it out in your life. Live it out sincerely. Temporary authority/Eternal authority. “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher,Continue reading “Chaplains Conference day 2…”

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Then Paul stood in the midstContinue reading “Chaplain Conference Day 1…”

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭46‬-‭47‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Every morning and all hoursContinue reading “Chaplains Conference…”

Halloween is a long-gone memory, but zombies are in the news.  Zombie debt and zombie debt scavengers are prowling in personal and corporate financial fields1.  Zombie debt refers to obligations you once had, but thought the matter had been settled.   They are raised again to haunt you.  You may have legitimately had a debt dischargedContinue reading “Doctor Tom…”

Are you one of the elect? Can we look over God’s shoulder to see if our names are written in His book? Probably not. We can know, beyond a doubt, if we are one of the elect! “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For HeContinue reading “Who are the elect???”

This was just too funny/true to not share. I really couldn’t find an appropriate photo… A couple years into my medical residency, the stress of 105 hour work weeks, hospital food and too many carbohydrates caught up with me. . .  One memorable afternoon, I found myself calling my gastroenterologist because of blood exiting fromContinue reading “Too True…”

““There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came andContinue reading “Heaven and Hell…”

A parable with three men and three philosophies. “Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him,Continue reading “Three…”

Psalm 55 are words we can learn from and a promise we can claim. David cries out to God, all seems lost to him. He is in anguish and is paralyzed by fear. Verse 1. “Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.“ No one is immune to trouble.Continue reading “A Promise to God’s children…”

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18. The cross of Jesus Christ. What do you think about the cross? Three words in this verse- “Message”- in the Greek means word. The word ofContinue reading “The Cross???…”

Manching is a German town in the Bavarian region.  In 1999, while excavating at a site near the town, archaeologists made an unusual discovery.  U-shaped Celtic coins, dating back to the third century BC, were uncovered.  The museum in Manching placed 450 of the gold coins on display.  On November 22, 2022 the museum wasContinue reading “Doctor Tom…”

The Bible is a love letter from God to us… The Bible is a letter God has sent to us; prayer is a letter we send to him. Matthew Henry

The Dead Sea (aka Salt Sea) is about ten times saltier than ocean water.  Since ancient times water from the Jordan River, and other smaller tributaries, flowed into the Dead Sea; but with no natural outflow, water evaporated, leaving behind minerals that increased the salt content. At 1400 feet below sea level, the Dead SeaContinue reading “Sea Doc, Pastor Tom…”

Someone has said that the reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail more than his tongue…

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. When you pray and you have the Spirit of God and the WordContinue reading “God’s point of View…”

This is from our former Disaster Relief volunteer and instructor…Thanks Tom… It was the first Monday Night Football game of 2023. The Cincinnati Bengals, on top of the AFC North Division, were the home team against the Buffalo Bills, leaders in the AFC East. The Bengals scored a touchdown on their first possession; the BillsContinue reading “Know Doubt from Tom…”

“Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:33. Whatever you do, eat, drink or whatever, do it all to the glory of God. Living like this makes us a testimony to the world. Those who areContinue reading “Tracts or Tracks…”

“Mine answer to them that do examine me in this, Have we not power to eat and to drink?” 1 Corinthians 9: 3-4. The word ‘answer’ in the Greek means defense. Paul says, My defense to them… Like being in a court of law. We have the right to eat and drink, liberty. Liberty thatContinue reading “Free Will…”

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ If you have been married for 47 years today, (like us), you will have been together 17,155 days, 411,720 hours or 24,703,200 minutes, 1,482 million seconds. Like us, you would have sharedContinue reading “Forty seven years…”

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Six different materials to buildContinue reading “1 Corinthians 3: 12-13…”

“God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9. In the first nine verses of First Corinthians Jesus is mentioned Nine times! “God is faithful.” Men and women, not so much. Even other sisters and brothers in Christ, are not always faithful. ButContinue reading “1 Corinthians 1:9, Key Verse…”

“Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was alreadyContinue reading “Greek…”

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I alsoContinue reading “1 Corinthians 15: 1-4”

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘DoContinue reading “Money…”

“Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do youContinue reading “What do you think???…”

“They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.””‭‭Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This guy came in for a landing, gliding, and looking very majestic and in charge…

“Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spiritsContinue reading “Begone…”

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill withContinue reading “The storms of Life…”

Hebrews 10:24-25And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the alter we lay, For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 Wisdom is seeing things from God’s point of view…

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Mark 1:Continue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 31…”

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell inContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 29…”

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Come, Holy Spirit, every cloud dispelling, fill us with gladness, through the Master’s name; bring to our memory words that He hath spoken, then shall our tongues His wondrous graceContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 27…”

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.Deuteronomy 31:6 You must… remind yourself of God, Who God is, and what God is and what God has done.D. MartynContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 26…”

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.Cecil Frances Alexander “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.2 Timothy 3:12 I had surveyed the danger, measured the obstacles, and counted the cost, and consider[ed] none of them sufficient to cancel the command, “Go ye into all the world.”Jacob Chamberlain

 He who has been forgiven much, ought to love much (see Luke 7:47). We ought to be like that lamb with the broken leg that just nuzzles the shepherd and stays close to the shepherd so that He might lead it and guide it so that it will never go astray again.  When are we goingContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 23…”

“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives inContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 22…”

“St. Peter’s saying to Cornelius has been well noticed as a fit motto for this gospel: ‘God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed of the devil.’” Bernard. I read in a book where a man called Christ wentContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 21…”

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hastContinue reading “Hurricane Ian, day 18…”