We don't need more money....we need God, we need REVIVAL.

I realize the research is skewered in unemployment stats but I trust the Gallup Polls. Some workers have exhausted their benefits and are not counted but are still jobless. 500,000 gave up looking for jobs. Manufacturing fell 8000 in direct areas and associated workers fell 15,000 workers, many in small business. There are 330 million in America, many are retired, elderly, children, in school, c

ollege, etc. and 31 million are without work. 9% of the workforce are part time and some already hired are seasonal workers. This means they may be back in the unemployment lines by Feb. Our boast is 7.8% unemployment rate. Yet, we are going to head toward a budget showdown due to a divided congress, small business crisis, healthcare reform and continued imports from China. 42 million people are on Food Stamps and many are working at a below poverty level income. they cannot buy a house, a car, send children to college or have a vacation. Those charitable entities show a decrease in income and an increase in needy people. The American Dream lies shattered which grew out of the Great Depression, the belief in better times. Gas prices are still high and even a small drop is fragile. What we see in faces is fear, worry, confusion, some feel hopeless and turn to drugs. We look to the Government to save us and solve our problems. They are not the answer. If we are really concerned we would be on our knees in prayer, our churches would be filled, the filth and immorality around us would be cleaned up. In 21 days God can turn this economy around but we must be willing to repent. We don't need more money....we need God, we need REVIVAL. Consider what James wrote two millennia ago, " You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and and ask wrongly, to spend it on your own passions." James 4:3-4......shall we pray? Br. Larry

It is worth thousands.

Frank Lloyd Wrights Name on an a blueprint, and it is worth thousands. Rembrandts name on a painting and it is worth millions. Longfellows name on a poem and it is priceless. Handels name on a sheet of music, it is worth a fortune. But only Jesus Christ can wash a sin stained soul in His precious blood, place their name in the Lambs Book of Life and no value on earth can be placed on this eternal purchase. What can a man give in exchange for his soul? And you wonder if your valuable, important, needed and above all loved. "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son......" Br. Larry

My daughters

My daughters who I love equally, who are certainly not identical but special in their own unique way. Cristy, Angel, D'Ann, April and Shelly. You have placed gray hairs in my head and helped remove the rest. You have placed memories in my heart and removed any aspect of boredom I might have feared. You have taught me much about life, with amazing increase in my own personal prayer time. You have t

ested my faith and patience but at the same time toasted my life with treasure troves of love. You have provided me my own Book of Numbers, 17 grandchildren who are as much a blessing as you were when young. When my pockets are empty, my heart is full. As your father I will never wean away from the tendency to rush in when crisis occur to save the day. You have all made me embrace a gift I could receive from no other, pride in each of you. You have given me happiness and heartaches, laughter and tears but this overwhelming joy in knowing you love me outweighs all negatives. And as I look around our humble home, there you are on the shelves, walls and other one time photographs. Thank you dear daughters, the illustrations that spice my sermons, the inspirations that sprinkle my days, and the conversations that are part and parcel of my very life. I just wanted to tell you today how much your Dad loves you. However much maybe, as we measure love...I love you each one, most of all. You are prayed for, loved and appreciated today, tomorrow and forever. Please, walk with God daily, "There is no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth." II John 4
This is from the one who wears lifes most precious name tag, DAD

Never apologize for being an American.

Debates are over. All of the early appreciation of a novice in the White House four years ago bows to experience today. We have lended that trust again and again in any new Commander In Chief. As one Newspaper in liberal Canada spoke, "Without America There Is No Free World..." Let us not forget that all the nations that fell over the past two years in the middle east were craving the freedoms we

own. Never apologize for being an American. We have confessed our sins repeatedly of slavery, Japanese camps, Native American abuses of treaties but we all now fit under the same umberella of diversity. Patriotism announces not perfection but progress always in tenaciously holding onto freedom both here and around the world. I regret the hesitation of mentioning God in most debates. Yet, every patriotic song we sing and every pledge we make, every money we spend is vivid with His reference. I am a lover of God's America. I pray they bring Him back to forefront of our identity. No apologies. Br. Larry

My plan is to continue trusting God.

With all of our planning, 401-k, annuity, Soc. Security, Insurance and Medicare......My plan is to continue trusting God. I have seen the business world crumble and the Government shut down but I have never known God to be out of resources or ideas. God never needs a bail out, a vote of confidence or a look at what others are doing. Plan for tomorrow, live in today, trust God each day and the eternity of the better life will come. Abundant life here and perfect life there. It is interesting how so many worry so much about everything but their relationship with God. Father, what a wonderful title. He will take care of His children. Br. Larry

What do you really, really want?

They always ask those beauty pageant contestants what they want most of all.....common answer...Peace On Earth. Anyone ever ask you what you want in life? Really, what do you want out of life? Something big, beyond the normal, the unselfish wish that would bless others. Maybe those beauty queens aren't too far off after all. Do away with hunger, disease, crime, greed, child abuse, drug epidemic or

world peace, no more war. Well, let me tell you, all of those things are yours and much more in heaven. You are also given the abundant life in the midst of all the before mentioned trials. It is yours as a Christian. So, when we ask that humongous question to someone without a relationship with Christ, tell them what all you have and it is available to them also. I am absolutely convinced it is the love of God that leads to repentance of sin and faith in Him. What do you really, really want? I can only speak for me and this is my lofty desire.....I would like to see as many as possible come to Christ and be saved before they die or He returns. Think about it, what could be more valuable than that? I have more than I deserve, loved more than I ever expected and blessed beyond measure. Since I have so much, I want you to get in on it too. Trust your life to the Lord Jesus Christ now. Free and freedom all in One. Br. Larry

In The Sphere of Grief

In The Sphere of Grief

​I can’t remember all of their names; the hundreds of deaths performed each year, the tears, the pain, the grief.  Every experience of sadness leaves a notch upon your heart. You can’t help the hurting ones unless you enter the sphere of their pain.  A little more on the wagon of life, a little less on those in loss; pull the load a few days, then rest, set it off.

​I close my eyes and sometimes see an infant in early eternal sleep, or an aged saint in fragile pause, no more expelling breath.  The shrieks and cries of loved ones wage your own emotional stress.  A soul has left for Heaven or that other dreadful place; I can only wonder unless they somehow stated.  A soul carries no weight unless you watched it’s body die, then you carry it in your heart for awhile, or maybe more.  

​Health care, Rescue, Law Enforcement and Pastoral Care collectively are the major players in hurting and death.  The tear drop that almost fell, the collapsing body on shock of loss, the straight line on the monitor and the awful sound of no beeping.  All combine to beat up the inner man leaving bruises on the heart.  Yet, it is a blessing of God to be used in this unique ministry of God.  The message of Grace, God’s love and comfort resonates in times like death.

​Like the prophet of old who stood in the streets of a dying city calling for God’s help.  The Chaplain intercedes for the ones in pain.  They may disdain God, hate church, swear with every other word but they are hurting, in need and God loves them.  Never underestimate the power of genuine prayer; God does listen and He can change hearts.  So, when one heart stops physically, God may start another spiritually.

​Praise God for the blessing of service to Him by helping others.

​Larry Sparks