Sunday, August 31, 2014

God's Attitude Adjustments (For Me, Anyway)


This morning God used this pellet stove to deal a much needed attitude adjustment to me. The stove has been waiting silently there in the corner of our living room ever since the weather warmed up to the point we no longer needed to fire it up every morning. There it sat, waiting for me to drag the vacuum cleaner out of the closet, remove all the various firebox parts that need cleaning, suck out all the accumulated ash and soot, clean the window, and just generally get it ready for Fall days approaching. The job isn't all that difficult. I just conveniently had "other things to do" that gave me a good reason to avoid it. Besides, the stove wasn't going anywhere! I could get it cleaned whenever I wanted.

I did have the job on my to-do list, however. And, so it was that I determined this morning the stove project was my number one agenda item for the day.

Breakfast over: check. Vacuum cleaner ready: check. Brushes and probes located: check. New collector bag installed in vacuum: check. Plugged in: check. Open the stove and begin suctioning . . . ok! Here we go!

It was really a mess in there. Ugh! Black soot and grey ash swirled into the hose. I did my best trying to avoid spilling it out onto the carpet or getting it all over my hands.

Then, without warning, the Lord started with the attitude adjustment thing.

No, I wasn't grumpy about this job, and honestly, I didn't mind it all that much. That really wasn't an issue.

The problem, instead, was a tendency I have once in a while to silently criticize other people for not acting or being the way I think they aught to act or be. I don't usually even confront someone, or try to correct their ways. I just make a mental note of their deficiency and file it away in some memory box where I can visit it from time to time. Not good.

You see, we bought this pellet stove several years ago. We were very happy to see it sitting installed there in its corner, and loved the clean radiant heat pouring out of the vents. Wonderful!

As with most purchases, the stove came with complete instructions printed in the literature, and also delivered by the sales people and the installer. One of those instructions said that for best results the fire chamber should be thoroughly cleaned on a weekly basis.

Ok. I'm good with that. So every Sunday morning my first task for the week was to separate all the parts, vacuum out the week's worth of ash, clean everything spotless, and finally put it all back together so we could enjoy another week of warm comfort. And I was faithful to the task. Yes, indeed! I did it every week, and I did it right.

Then, we chanced to visit some friends who also had a pellet stove. It was winter time, the stove in their sitting room was roaring, and it was a pleasant time. We enjoyed the visit.

Except, I couldn't help but notice . . . their stove was DIRTY! And, of course, I immediately compared MY FAITHFULNESS in proper care and keeping of a pellet stove with THEIR obvious neglect.

Ah, pride, why dost thou continuously raise thine ugly head? Now, here I was, cleaning out many weeks, nay months(!) worth of dirty ashes from my own neglected stove. Hypocrite? Judgmental attitude? Not outwardly, of course. But, then, Jesus did have something to say about the Pharisees whom He called "whited sepulchers" - beautiful on the outside, but inside filled with dead men's bones.

Yes, this morning God used that pellet stove to convict me of a sinful attitude of pride and judgement.

But, He wasn't finished.

My dear Lord then proceeded to gently remind me of other incidents from my distant past. Like the fat kid in grade school I saw across the playground. I had a rock-hard belly 'cause I was a farm kid and worked hard every day, both before and after school. That kid's belly was soft and poochy. I felt nothing but disdain for him then, but didn't even think about it afterwards. Until the other day I looked at my own belly again. Uh  . . . soft and poochy? Oh, Lord! Unfortunately, very much so! And once again I heard God's whisper, drawing me to repentance.

Now, I suppose someone might be tempted to say, "Really? Is that the worst you can come up with?" Unfortunately, no. But it serves God's purpose to open my heart to Him. I sincerely desire nothing more than to live with His Spirit in me. And I rejoice in these little, seemingly insignificant moments, when He speaks so gently, yet forcefully, to my spirit.

Even when I need an attitude adjustment!

LLF

Friday, August 29, 2014

My Alfred E. Neuman Fresh Peach Pie!


My Alfred E. Neuman Peach Pie!

Ha! Here's something I've never done in 69+ years! I baked a fresh peach pie  (with my wife's help, of course!). She said I should cut some slots in the top crust so I tried to create a smiley face. Had no idea it would come out of the oven looking like Alfred E. Neuman! LOL

Looks like it might go pretty good with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on a nice big slice . . . what do you think? Sorry, there won't be any left by the time you get here! :)

Loren

No Greater Love.FM - Soft Southern Gospel Music on the Internet!


Hey, check this out! 


Do you love soft Southern Gospel music? We do! And we just discovered this Internet radio ministry that broadcasts over 21 hours a day of Southern Gospel! You can listen online anytime! 


There's also a facebook page you can visit at: 


Enjoy!


Sunday, August 17, 2014

How to post an audio file on Blogger????

I've been trying to find a simple audio media player to embed in a Blogger post, which I can then link to mp3 files for playback. Seems much more complicated than it aught to be, but I guess that is normal for just about any learning curve dealing with compters, etc.

If you have any workable suggestions for me I be glad to hear from you! You can email me directly at lfenton@charter.net .

BTW, I do have a placeholder site on Google where the files can be stored for online access. What I need is a media player I can embed on the Blogger post to enable readers to listen to the mp3 file.

Thanks, anyone(!) who can get me through this final step!

Blessings,
Loren

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Prayers Requested

The Only Real Hope for Our World
This afternoon I received two messages in close succession, both of which saddened me.

The first was a note from one of our Zurvita 2nd-level Consultants saying that her father had lost his life in a tragic automobile accident this morning. Here is an early brief report of the accident that happened south of The Dalles, Oregon on Hwy 197: http://www.kptv.com/story/26282176/one-man-killed-in-two-vehicle-crash-on-hwy-197-south-of-the-dalles#.U-1KlVUv8Ko.facebook

The second message reported that a long time friend, Chuck has been diagnosed with cancer that has spread through his entire body. I am deeply touched by this, as I had the privilege of baptizing Chuck nearly 35 years ago. He and his wife have remained dear friends all through these many years.

So, this post is not something we necessarily "love to share." Nevertheless, I know that each of you who has subscribed to our blog either through email or otherwise would surely we willing to lift these friends of our Heavenward in prayer.

Many thanks to each of you. May God bless you today.

Loren


Sunday, August 10, 2014

Amazing Grace: A Church for Men

Amazing Grace Video



Awesome story of church growth! If you've got 14 minutes, this video could set YOUR church on a path to significant growth and spiritual health.

If you are a lay person in your church, please share this with your pastor or church leadership team. 

Take it from someone who has struggled with these issues for over 40 years in ministry and church leadership roles. Men are HUNGRY for a place where THEY feel at home, where THEY feel valued, and both the message and environment are relevant to their needs. 

When the men come to church because it speaks to them, they also bring their families. 

This insight is ONE significant KEY to building a HEALTHY CONGRETATION

Friday, August 8, 2014

Team Fenton Call-in Conference Call 08.07.14

Dr. Loren and Ruth Fenton

Hey, everyone! 

Here's a link to our Zurvita Team Fenton call-in conference on 08.07.14. Just click on the link below and listen on your computer speakers. Time: 27:20

Have a wonderful day!! God bless.