My encounter with demons...

Can the dead come back and visit as ghosts? I believe the answer to that question is no. Once you die your spirit does not roam the earth looking for people to scare. So what about those encounters with the spooky images and noises some people refer to as ghosts? I believe there are two types of supernatural beings that are present on the earth. Evil spirits and/or demons and good spirits (not really a spirit) called angels. The Bible says one third of the angels were cast out of heaven with Satan. So those angels are around doing the devil's evil deeds.

When I was around 18 years old I had a scary and unusual experience. I was singing and playing the guitar in a Christian coffee house. The owner of the establishment asked me if I would pray with him for a young man who had come into the house. He said the young man thought he was demon possessed. I had recently seen the movie " the Exorcist" so fear swept over me. I reluctantly said yes. I put down my guitar and the three of us went upstairs to a room used for prayer. After I had been praying for a short time, I opened my eyes and looked at the young man. I could not believe my eyes. I saw two figures above his head laughing and dancing. Above them was what I can only describe as a very evil presence. The two figures started reaching for me. I was scared, shocked and doubted what I had seen; I closed my eyes and continued praying. After we were done praying the young man left and I started to tell the man that was with me what I saw. He stopped me and said he had something to tell me. He said he saw two figures above the young man and before they could reach over and touch me a dove landed on my head, opened his wings and they disappeared. I was beside myself. I explained what I saw and that his story validated mine. I believe the dove represented the Holy Spirit's protection on my life. I have had some other demonic type experiences but what happened at the coffee house years ago on that particular day tops them all. You may say that you find his very hard to believe and if you do I don't blame you because I doubted it myself. It took someone else seeing what I saw to make a believer out of me.

I believe there are spiritual battles occurring all the time, we just can't see them. I am thankful that God's Holy Spirit protected me that day and continues to do so. We do not need to fear demons or Satan. Demons fear the very name of Jesus. Let Christ fight your battles and you will live a victorious life.

Lord, keep me humble...

So there I am getting ready to sing before a large group of people and I lose my voice, my musical equipment fails or some other malfunction makes me look like a dork. When this happens I smile and say "the Lord is keeping me humble." A few years back I would have gotten very upset. The reason I got upset was that I worried people would not like my singing. Pride got in the way of my service to the Lord. If I am worried more about my performance and less about reaching others for him there is a problem. Every time I pick up a microphone or play my guitar I desire it to be for the glory of God. I want to see others turn their life over to him. I can either be a part of that process or be a hindrance to it.

Christians what is your motive? Is it to serve God or to serve and uplift yourself? Ask God to help you keep your motives pure. This is my desire and I pray it is yours.

Debris, debris, debris...

Kentucky was hit hard by a snow/ ice storm resulting in fallen trees, limbs scattered, and power lines down. Most of the power lines have been restored but the debris will be around for a while. When we have storms in our life they tend to cause damage as well. We may be able to repair just enough to keep us going but often there is debris (baggage) left that takes a lot of work to get rid of.

God help us to let go of the past and to focus on our future (with you). By your mercy we are forgiven, by your grace we are protected, by your love we will have everlasting life.

Disaster in Kentucky...

It has been a difficult time for people who live in Kentucky. Several inches of snow and up to an inch of ice blanketed the state causing thousands to lose electric, closed schools and caused numerous accidents. My heart goes out to those who are suffering from the frigid temperatures.

Many thanks to the emergency responders and the electric utility companies. Companies traveled long distances to come to Kentucky to assist local utilities in restoring the electric service. Most worked 16 hour days going well beyond the call of duty. Although the state has a long way to go to get things back to normal, much progress has been made. Kentucky's motto is "United we stand, divided we fall". The united efforts of many will return our state to it's pre-storm condition.

Pray for Kentucky; it's responders, utility companies, 911 Centers, nurses, doctors, road crews and the many others. Most of all pray for Kentucky's citizens.

Thank you.