Sunday Sanity 5/3/26

 Hey Friends,

Today finds us still in Mississippi. We are enjoying getting to spend a little extra unplanned time down here. We will get to be in church with our adopted Mississippi family, which is always a great blessing for us. 

Here is a little Sunday Sanity for you. Bro. Kenson Wilson made this statement recently. It reached out and grabbed my heart. 

“A family’s survival is revival!”
Reverend Kenson Wilson 

Apostolic Faith Church Trinity 

Sallisaw, Oklahoma 

Oh, God, we must have revival for our families to survive. Please make me an instrument of revival in my family!

Thank you for reading. 

Odie

Prayers For The Hurting Matter

 Hey Friends,

My heart is heavy for several precious people tonight. We have had 3 friends recently make their Heavenly crossing. 

No, we do not hurt for the men and women of God, who finished their courses. They were all fighters until the end. Their race is finished, and they won the ultimate victory!

They have now experienced complete healing and wholeness. Friends, you and I can only dream about the glory they are experiencing. No more pain, heartbreak or the burdens of life to bear. They have reunited with loved ones already gone on!

Most of all, they have met Jesus. They are worshipping Him face to face! Oh, Hallelujah, Heaven is wonderful. I can not wait to go!

We do hurt and grieve with the family members left here! Now they must figure out how to go on. I am certain they are asking questions. What now? How do I move forward?

I do not even pretend to have their answers! All I know is you make it one day at a time. You lean on the grace and promise of God! Thank the Lord that we can rest in Him! He will sustain them!

The prayers from fellow saints really do matter! No prayer is too big or too small. I know from experience that God strengthens us through others' prayers! I have a job to do! I must pray for the family and friends who are hurting!  

Please join me in praying for the families experiencing grief. I know you are thinking of some right now. Here are a few families I am praying for today. Their road of grief is fresh!

Every grieving family needs prayer!

The Tussey Family 

The McDonald Family 

The Roney/Morris Family. 

Here is a scripture that came to mind as I prayed for these precious families. 

Thank you stopping by to visit. 

Odie

Keep Your Eye On The Sky

 Hey Friends,

Yesterday was a high weather alert day that affected a lot of our friends. Storms spanned many states. 

In Ohio, overnight, we had strong winds and heavy thunderstorms. As far as I know, we did not sustain damage. We will see in the daylight today. 

Mom and I were busy doing our cyber storm chasing yesterday. Thankfully, we were safely in my house. Storms have been plum wild the last several days. 

I am grateful for the professionals who keep us informed. Ryan Hall is our preferred weather guy. He and his team are amazing. His motto is, “Be prepared, not scared.” We try to stay prepared. In case we have to go to the safe room. 

As I hear warnings about areas we are familiar with, I try to pray for my friends who could be affected. 

Yesterday, I kept thinking of this scripture.  

We must keep our eyes on the sky! Our Lord will soon return. No man knows the day nor the hour. We must keep our hearts and minds ready.

On high weather alert days, my eyes open and ears alert. Even so, I am reminded of my need to stay “prepared and not scared” for the coming of the Lord. Oh God, please help us all be ready!!

Just something I have been pondering. Thanks for pondering with me today. 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 4/19/26

 Hey Friends,

Today's Sunday Sanity is straight from the word of God. I read this verse yesterday, and my heart rejoiced!

Rest in the fact the the Lord is near us. Seek Him for your needs. He will hear!

Thanks for reading. 
Odie

Sunday Sanity 4/12/26

 Hey Friends,

Everyday is made for the worship of our Almighty God! Sundays are extra special, because we get to gather with fellow Christians for our times of public worship. 

God is with us at all times. We have the privilege to be able to worship Him any time anywhere. It is an honor to worship God. 

I just want to publicly thank Him for His grace, goodness and mercy in my life. My life would be miserable without Him by my side. I am thankful today for the privilege of worship!

Today's sanity is a statement my pastor said.

“Worship is not a drudgery.

It’s a refreshment.” 

Pastor Bennie D. Sutherland 

DRPC Moraine, Ohio

So let's go to church today with our soul ready to be refreshed in worship. 

Odie

Forever There

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for stopping by. Yesterday, I was working on some technical stuff that required a username and password to access the information. 

Everywhere you turn, there is another account and password. I am lost without my saved passwords on my phone. Last night, I was trying to link my thermostat and Alex back together.

I was so aggravated that the saved password did not work. Then I changed the password, and it still isn't working. 

Finally, I decided not to sweat the small stuff. This can wait until another day when I have a clear mind to think properly. The thermostat still works. The app still works. Alexa can wait.

Thank God, the password never randomly stops working, or I don't have to go through the steps of changing it. We can always access God.

Anytime, any place, any way I can call on Him, and He hears me! Earlier this week, I was reflecting on where I have been and the things the Lord has done in my life. I had a clear connection to God for the moment.

He dropped a little reminder in my heart. Something that I've always been aware of. It was just encouraging to have a reminder for that very moment!

“You are thanking me for what I've brought you through and done in your life. You are also praying about what tomorrow holds. 

Just as you don't know what tomorrow holds, you didn't know what yesterday held either. I brought you through yesterday, and I can bring you through tomorrow.

He never changes! All I could do was cry and worship Him even more. Do I have clear answers? No, I am still going to keep trusting, praying, and waiting.

 Friend, God is trustworthy. He is holding us today! Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow!

Odie

Sunday Sanity Easter 2026

 Hey Friends,

Happy Resurrection Sunday! It is still a weekend of remembrance. We have reflected on the crucifixion and the day in-between. 

Now we are on Sunday, the rest of the story day. He has risen! Friends, our Savior arose from the grave on the third day! 

Hallelujah, satan and the tomb could not hold Him! Because He is alive, we have hope forevermore!

My Dad posted this poem every Easter. He Wouldn't Stay Dead was his favorite poem! Mom and I were talking last night. It would not be Easter if we didn't share this poem today.

Please take a moment and watch the video below. He first posted this video in 2022. I am so grateful that we have this recorded. He always shared this poem on Easter!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday! 

Odie

He Wouldn’t Stay Dead

by: Willard G. Thomas

This video was from 2022.

He Wouldn’t Stay Dead

by: Willard G. Thomas

They laid His body in Joseph’s new tomb

And filled His disciples with sorrow and gloom

They did not remember what He had said

That He would die, but He wouldn’t stay dead

Mary came at the break of day

And found the stone was rolled away

She saw an angel and in terror fled

And told His disciples that He didn’t stay dead

In that cold dark tomb, He would not stay

He conquered death and walked away

And now that old grave has lost its fear and dread

He lives again! He wouldn’t stay dead

Full atonement and pardon were made

And forever the sin debt was marked fully paid

The price was His blood as it flowed crimson red

And I’m thankful today that He didn’t stay dead!

Let’s go to our churches and cry aloud

Let’s go to the marketplace and talk to the crowd

Let’s go to the mission fields that lie up ahead

And tell the whole world that He didn’t stay dead!

Because if Jesus Christ had only died

Then the gulf between us and God would still be wide

But thank God He did what He said

He got up out of the ground, He couldn’t stay dead!

Last Stanza by Davy Boggs

The In-between

 Hey Friends,

I am still in reflection mode. This weekend in History is one we reverence and highly esteem. Yesterday was Good Friday. Click HERE to read my thoughts. 

Saturday was the in-between time. Can you imagine the grief and heartbreak of those who love Jesus? He had told them the cross was not the end. But in the midst of the current situation, it would have been difficult to see the big picture. 

Everyone has their own way of grieving. There was fear and uncertainty. What is next?

Last night I read this passage in Luke’s account. This was between the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Luke 23:50-56. 

Here is a depiction of a tomb. Imagine the finality of placing Jesus in a grave such as this one. 

 Stay tuned for what happened on Sunday. The story of Jesus is not over!

Odie

The Good In Good Friday

 Hey Friends,

It is Good Friday 2026. This is a Holy holiday for Christians. We remember the sacrifice of our Savior’s life on Calvary. 

He willingly became the Human sacrifice. His blood still flows today to cover all of our sins. 

Jesus paid a sin debt that you and I could never pay. I am a Christian, and His blood has been applied to my life. I can shout it from the rooftops, my sin debt was enormous. Today, I AM DEBT FREE!

On the cross, Jesus experienced rejection, scorn, pain and agony. He was beaten and bruised for our iniquity. Jesus bore the stripes from the whip so you and I could be healed. 

He did it all without complaint, but He had you and me in mind. I do not want to forget the precious gift that He gave us on Calvary!

I had a weekly email devotion show up in my inbox yesterday. It was asking the question, “What is good about Good Friday?”

This devotion was jam-packed with good food for thought. I did not think it would be right for me to share the whole thing here without permission. 

Here is just an excerpt. This comes from the pen of singer-songwriter extraordinaire Matthew West. I do not know Mr. West personally, but his way with words sure resonates with me. Join me in pondering this thought today. 

“The cross wasn’t good because of what Jesus endured. It was good because of what He accomplished:

sin forgiven,

shame erased,

hell defeated, 

and the love of God revealed

in every drop of His blood. 

That’s what makes it good. 

That’s why we call it Good Friday. 

Mathew West

Thanks for stopping by to visit on Good Friday!

Odie

Come Jesus Come

Hey Friends,

I hope you are having a great week. We survived March. Winter is behind us. Warmer weather had been teasing us. 

Through it all, we are a blessed people. I thank God for His blessings, peace and hope! Without God, we are all miserable. 

We live in a dark world that is sin-cursed. I rejoice that we, as Christians, have hope. This world is not our home. I am Heaven-bound. 

This song has lived in my brain for weeks. It is never far away from my thoughts. I find myself singing it daily. I also pray it a lot! Come, Jesus come!

Friend, if you are not a Christian and you wonder about the eternal hope that I am talking about. 

His name is Jesus! I encourage you to call on Jesus. He is waiting for you. You to can have Hope in Him!

Thanks for joining me today! Take a few moments to listen to this song and let it soak into your heart.

Odie

Come Jesus Come

Stephen Mcwhirter / Hank Bentley / Bryan Christopher Fowler / Tara Mcwhirter

Come Jesus Come lyrics © Capitol Cmg Paragon, Songs By That Dog Will Hunt

Sometimes I fall 

To my knees and pray

Come Jesus come

Let today be the day

Sometimes I feel 

Like I'm gonna break

But I'm holding on

To a hope that won't fade

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long

For the day You return

To heal every hurt 

And right every wrong

We need You right now

Come and turn this around

Deep down I know 

This world isn't home

Come Jesus come

There’ll be no war

And there'll be no chains

When Jesus comes

Let today be the day

He'll come for the weak

And the strong just the same

And all will believe 

In the power of His name

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long

For the day You return

To heal every hurt 

And right every wrong

We need You right now

(Come and turn this around) turn this around

Deep down I know 

This world isn't home

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come

One day He’ll come

And we'll stand face to face

Come and lay it all down

'Cause it might be today

The time is right now

There's no need to wait

Your past will be washed 

By rivers of grace

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long

For the day You return

To heal every hurt 

And right every wrong

We need You right now

(Come and turn this around) turn this around

Deep down I know 

This world isn't home

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come

Sunday Sanity 3/29/26

Hey Friends,

Here is a nugget of goodness that I gleaned this week at PFYC. 

Bro. Matthew Wilson made this statement. He was tag team preaching with Bro. Ryan Markee.

I quickly grabbed my phone and put ut in my notes to share with you today. It definitely gave me some food for thought.

“Serve God with inward passion, and an outward action.”

Bro. Matthew Wilson 

Bristow Holiness Church 

Bristow, Oklahoma 

I want to serve God will a full heart! I pray that my love for God show up in my every action. I definitely do not just want to go through the motions. I want my Christian walk to be heartfelt, and to be on fire for God.

Thank you for reading.

Odie

Thankful For Gods Traveling Mercy

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for visiting. We appreciate your prayers yesterday. Our travel day went smoothly.

There were a few hiccups, but overall, the traffic was good. Thankfully, we had sunshine and warm weather for most of the day.

I am very grateful to God. He protects us and helps us so much! Mom and I talked yesterday about all the miles we have traveled through the years. The Lord has been with us the whole way.

We have had breakdowns, minor accidents, and problems, but God always helped us get through them. We have also experienced many miles of uneventful travel. I will forever be grateful. 

We pray for God’s guidance and protection. He is so good to answer those request for us. I want to pause and thank God with a full heart.

See you tomorrow!

Odie 

Sunday Sanity 3/22/26

 Hey Friends,

Welcome to the first Sunday of spring in 2026. I hope the weather is sunny and warm for you!

We are in Florida today. We will be in both Sunday services at Beams of Light Holiness church. We have thoroughly enjoyed a quick visit with the Deanes!

Sis. Deidra has a plaque in her house,  and the saying stuck with me. I decided to share it with you. 

“In a world where you can be anything…

be like Jesus.”

Ponder that for a while today! I want to be more like Jesus!

Odie

Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem

Hey Friends,

Mom and I had a terrific Sunday yesterday. We were in church twice at two of our favorite places. It was great to see people that are dear to our hearts. 

We were blessed in both services! I think it was ordained by God for us to be in both services. 

Sunday morning we got to hear a masterpiece by Pastor Kenny Morris. He preached “Jerusalem My Ancestral Home”. 

This is a message that everyone needs to hear. We all need the reminder to stand with Isreal and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

I have included his scripture text from Psalms below. Please go to YouTube to listen to the message. I can not get the video to post in this blog. 

Click HERE to go to First Assembly’s YouTube for the message. The sermon begins around the 24 minute mark. 

  Psalms 122

(A Song of degrees of David.) 

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

2

 

Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3

 

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4

 

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

5

 

For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6

 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7

 

Peace be within thy walls, andprosperity within thy palaces.

8

 

For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9

 

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

I think this message may require a few listens for me to grasp it fully. I think it will speak to you as well. If you listen leave them a comment. Tell them Odie sent you.😀

Thank you for reading! 

Odie 

Sunday Sanity 3/15/26

 Hey Friends,

May God bless you on this beautiful Sunday! I hope you have an excellent Lord's day!

Today, I have chosen a little nugget that stood out to me. Bro. Brian Thompson was preaching at our home church when he made this statement.

“Don't let your current circumstance be your epitaph.”

Reverend Brian Thompson 

DRPC 

Moraine, Ohio

This thought has stuck with me for several weeks. Our circumstances do not have to rule our life. Yes, things are difficult. At times, life stinks. I refused to dwell on the negative.

We can overcome the obstacles. There is definitely more to life than our horrible problems! I am not diminishing anyone's troubles. It is all terrible! Often times I am wondering how in the world am I gonna survive? 

Let me remind you of the one life changing factor that we ALL have in our lives, GOD!  He is our hope For yesterday, today and tomorrow! He will forever be there with us!

Thank you for reading. 

Odie

Heaven Is Sweet

 Hey Friends,

We often say Heaven grows sweeter each day. That thought is so true in my life. 

Lately, it seems we have had several friends, family and acquaintances complete their life journeys. Our hearts ache for the loved ones left here to face life. We are praying for God to comfort and strengthen them. 

Here are just some of the wonderful highlights of Heaven that I am thinking about today. We long for the Promised Land, where we can be with our Savior! 

I am anxious for a forever home where sin, sorrow and strife will be no more. There will be no pain, sickness, or goodbyes. I am looking forward to a grand reunion day with my loved ones.  

Oh, hallelujah, Heaven will be glorious!! I am so grateful for the blessed hope that we have. This life is not the end, but there is a better place. 

The half has not yet been told. We can only dream and imagine what Heaven will be like. I made my plans years ago to be there, and I can not wait. 

Below is a picture of my Dad with

precious Sis. Faye Riddell. They were reunited this week in Heaven. 

Thank you for reading, as I dream of Heaven. See you later. 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 2/22/26

 Hey Friends,

Happy Sunday, I hope you have a blessed day. Here's a word for your Sunday.

Our pastor, Bro. Bennie Sutherland has been preaching excellently! This is one of the nuggets that I gleaned recently. 

"The burden was never meant to handle you. You were meant to handle the burden. He may not take the burden. He may give you the strength to carry it."

Pastor Bennie Sutherland 

Dryden Road Pentecostal Church 

Moraine, Ohio

I hope this speaks to you like did  me. This encouraged my heart greatly. 

Thank you for reading. 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 2/15/26

Hey Friends,

Happy Sunday! May God bless you and keep you today. We will be in church in Mississippi today. 

Last Sunday, we were in Evansville, Indiana. Pastor John Eaton taught us that grace and thankfulness go hand in hand. Both characteristics are extremely important. They affect all aspects of life. It was a heart-challenging lesson. 

Here is a quote that I thought was a good nugget for today. I hope this speaks to your heart as it did mine. 

 “Salt brings out the flavors in your food. Grace does the same practice in your speech”

Pastor John Eaton 

Full Gospel Mission 

Evansville, Indiana 

Thank you for reading. 

Odie