God Holds Me In 2019

Hey Friends,

Happy New Year from Odie! We survived another full year and we are now 5 days into 2019. I am always excited to begin a new year, I like the fresh start. I have some hopes and dreams for this year, but only God knows the full picture for 2019. 

2018 was a fabulous year for me. I had many joyous days that I will fondly remember for the rest of my life. I owe many people thanks for making 2018 a year that was unforgettable! Most of all I thank God for His provision, guidance and blessings in my life!

Last year is now history and I can not live in the greatness of the past, nor is it possible to change the few horrible days of the year, but I must live for today. I can only change how I respond to today. 

When I look ahead to the future it is easy for me to worry and fear the unknown, but I must remember that God is in control of the unknown. I can not fear God. He holds me and He holds tomorrow in His mighty hand! 

So I choose to look ahead to the coming days with joy and anticipation. I know that troubles and trials will come. I am not asking for them, but I know that God is on my side. I will trust Him to see me through.

One of my favorite scripture passages is found in Psalms 118. I was reminded of this portion, Psalms 118:1-6, when I was pondering this post.

1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Today I boldly proclaim with the Psalmist that the Lord is Good and that His mercy endures forever. I can call upon the Lord in 2019 and He will hear me. The Lord is on my side even right now.

I have wonderful news for you, my friend! God is not a respecter of persons. He holds you in the palm of His hand. You are valuable to God! Whatever you are facing today or in the future, He is there with you too!

I will close with the lyrics of I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. This a classic song was written by Ira Stanphill. I love the message of this song. It gives me hope for my future. Click here to view The Isaacs version of this song.

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me. Have a wonderful weekend. 

Odie 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Verse 1

I don't know about tomorrow 

I just live from day to day 

I don't borrow from its sunshine 

For its skies may turn to gray 

I don't worry o'er the future

For I know what Jesus said

And today I'll walk beside Him 

For He knows what is ahead

Chorus 

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand 

Verse 2

I don't know about tomorrow

It may bring me poverty 

But the one who feeds the sparrow 

Is the one who stands by me 

And the path that be portion 

May be through the flame or flood 

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood

Chorus 

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow 

And I know who holds my hand 

Tag

But I know who holds tomorrow 

And I know who holds my hand

Songwriter: Ira F. Stanphill

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

Catching Up A Bit

I think I need to catch up with a few bits of news before the weekend rolls around again. It has been a busy week and thankfully we survived with no lasting damage that we can tell.

We knew it would be quite a while before we would be back home and close to Acapulco again so we ate lunch at Acapulco Tuesday and Wednesday. I love eating there two days in a row, but at least I had an excuse this time.

One evening Kelly Jo prepared tacos at home too. I have to say I would rather have her tacos than any I have ever eaten. Trust me when I say, that takes in a bunch of tacos and territory!

Odie's new microwave/convection oven arrived unexpectedly on Wednesday. Her original one purchased in July quit a few days before Christmas after about 30 days use. We called the manufacturer and they sent a local repairman out with a couple of parts. He replaced the parts, but that did not fix it.

That first visit from the repairman was only a few days before Christmas so Odie had to do without an oven to cook for Christmas dinners. He returned a few days after Christmas with more parts and still no workie. When he left, he planned to come back a third time, but evidently the company decided to cut their losses and ship a new unit.

We were told it would arrive next week, but it showed up on the porch while we were gone to lunch Wednesday. Yay!

Here is the happy camper with the new microwave/ convection oven in its place and the old one on the counter.

Wednesday night we were scheduled to preach for Pastor Todd Hatcher at Victory Pentecostal Tabernacle in Hamilton, Ohio. It had been a few years since we had been to Victory and we were thrilled to go back. Bro. Todd is from our home church and is doing a great job as a pastor. We sure appreciate him thinking of us and inviting us. We had a great service.

It was wonderful to have Bro. Michael Alexander from Dryden Rd. playing bass for us Wednesday night! We love Michael!

Yesterday morning we were raring to go. Kelly Jo and Odie had worked hard Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday to be ready to leave and all of that diligent work made leaving Thursday morning pretty painless. Dad and Mom came out to see us off and I used Dad's truck to pull the tent trailer into the barn for safekeeping. By 10:10, we were ready to go.

We did forget one thing before we left. We left our mobile internet hotspot in the barn. Duh! Dad mailed it to Mississippi and it should be waiting for us when we arrive. I am using Kelly Jo's phone as a hotspot to post this.

There were a few construction slowdowns on the way to Tennessee, but we were able to make a whole lot better time than our last trip to Vonore in November. That trip took us 8 hours and 13 minutes to travel 328 miles. Yesterday we traveled 320 miles (No bypass around Cincy so 8 miles shorter) in 5 hours and 40 minutes. That is quite a difference.

We were met by Alan and then Jeff when we pulled into East Tennessee Luxury Coach and we had a good visit with both. Jeff is the owner of this fine establishment and a dear friend. The BoggsMobile is always in good hands here and we are thankful for it.

We had arranged earlier to meet Bro. Herman and Sis. Margaret Woods for dinner. We drove the Green Machine about 20 miles back the way we came to Ruby Tuesday's in Alcoa. They drove about 40 minutes over from their home near Kingston. We had a wonderful visit with our dear friends and parents in the Lord.

Finally, it was back to the bus and time for a long winter's nap. Speaking of winter, it does not have quite the same grip on things in Tennessee as it does in Ohio and it feels a lot better! Hallelujah!

That pretty much catches you up. Thank you for dropping in.

Davy

Working Harder and Smarter

I ran across a few pictures from July 2017. I meant to show you back them, but I must have forgotten.

I find myself repeating a phrase more often as the years roll by. I need to learn to work smarter. However, there are times when we need to add in a big dose of hard work to get the job done. 

Smarter is better, but do not discount the value of brute strength in a pinch.

While we were building the house in June 2017, we preached a revival at a "local" church in New Miami, Ohio. Since we were working every day on the house, we drove the 40-50 minutes to church each night rather than take the bus over and park. 

Pastor Steven Allen asked me if there was a way to install a proper electrical hookup for an evangelist with an RV. I told him a 50 amp plug could easily be added to the side of the fellowship hall and that I would do it when he needed it.

One day in July Dad and I drove over in the evening to install the 50 amp plug. Fishing the wire through an existing hole was no problem. Opening the panel, inserting the breaker and hooking up the wire inside, no problem. Wiring the 50 amp plug outside was not a problem. 

However, drilling holes in the concrete block so that we could attach the box to the outside of the wall with a regular drill was definitely a problem. We remembered to take everything with us but the hammer drill. We needed a hammer drill.

Dad and I had already worked all day at the house. Adding a two hour round trip to fetch the hammer drill was not an option. Surely we could drill these little holes. Come on, Davy, it is only two little old holes.

Nope. I pushed with all I had. Dad pushed with all he had. These blocks were old and tough.

We finally struck on a solution. Dad helped steady the drill and hold the box out of the way. I operated the drill and pushed on it. Bro. Steve pushed on me.

Bro. Steven is a young man. Bro. Steven is a strong, stout young man. The first time he pushed on my shoulder I buckled into the wall, literally. I had to arrange myself into a firm stance, get my arms locked in a straight position and begin drilling. Then Bro. Steven pushed on me.

All three of us combined turned a regular Milwaukee electric drill into a hammer drill. We only put in two screws. Someday I will go back with a hammer drill and attached the box even better, although as far as I know, it is still hanging in there.

Sometimes you worker harder, sometimes you work smarter. Sometimes you do both.

Thank you for checking in today. Now, go take on the day.

Davy