The above statement if not original with me. My wife Ruth has been saying it often since she heard it. In fact, I got tired of hearing it and asked her to stop saying it. However, the more I think of it, the truer I realize it is. While we tend to think of our lives in terms of years, each year is lived day by day. Not only that, but I think God designed our lives to be lived daily.

The Scriptures are full of admonitions for us to do just that—to live in the now, to live today rather than tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Jesus himself admonished us not to be concerned about our tomorrows in Matthew 6 25. James adds to this in James 4:13-14.

Jesus gave His disciples some basic principles of prayer in Luke 11:2-4. It is most interesting to note that His instructions were to ask for our “daily bread” not tomorrow’s bread. Just as the Israelites had to trust God for their daily “manna” (Ex. 16:13-19), He has asked us to do the same.

I might add that Jesus’ instruction started with “When you pray” and included with “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” (Lk.11:4). God’s forgiveness is linked to our own forgiveness of others (Matt. 6:14-15).

Yes, life is so daily, and the challenge is for us to live it that way. The older I get the more I realize the truth of a acronym by the great football coach Lou Holtz: the key to winning is deciding What’s Important Now.

To use the WIN principle, it seems logical that in our daily now we concentrate on seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33) and laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20). In so doing, we will have less time to be concerned about our tomorrows or to worry about them, and we can trust fully in Romans 8:28.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

Though you will receive a notice, if you have a Fleetwood Encounter or Storm or a Coachmen Catalina travel trailer, check with the dealer to see if your unit is affected. You should get this recall fixed immediately. See this release for more information.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

reprinted with permission

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will continue to waive day use and camping fees for active service military personnel and DoD civilians who are on mid- or post-deployment leave from duty involving deployments in support of overseas contingency operations.

The Corps began waiving recreation fees for active service personnel on temporary leave from duty in Iraq in 2003. In August 2008, the Corps expanded the waiver to cover DoD civilians and active service military personnel on mid or post leave from deployments.

“Our intent is to recognize the selfless service of these men and women to our nation and the world,” said Steve Stockton, the Corps director of civil works. “The more than 2,200 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide provide excellent opportunities to find renewal, solace, and to reconnect with families and friends.”

Active service military personnel and DoD civilians on leave will be required to show identification and leave orders/forms upon arrival to the recreation sites to obtain the waiver. The waiver will also apply to all immediate family members accompanying them on their visit. The waiver will be applied to day use and camping fees.

Fees will be waived on a walk-up and space available basis, as well as for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center at 1-877-444-6777. However, fees will not be waived for on-line reservations made through Recreation.gov.

In addition, state, local and other managing entities of recreation areas located on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of fees in the areas they manage.

The Corps is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 350 million visitors per year. The Corps estimates that nearly 89 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas and provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages.

For more information, visit www.CorpsLakes.us

SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers press release

Yes, I would trust Him for my salvation, but the storms of life are raging all around me. I like Peter had reached out my hand to receive His gift of eternal life and was striving to follow Him. However, now the sea of life was raging with a tempest I had not known before.

I had been forced to close my business and with little other income been forced to go through bankruptcy. This was not what I had expected when I came back to my faith. I owned nothing, as it was all in the hands of the trustee.

My lovely wife Ruth was being drug along on this journey with me. It was highly probable that we would lose our home that she treasured so much. Where would we go? We had learned we could not rent an apartment until all this was over, some 18 months from now. She did not deserve this after 57 years together. I was embarrassed and humiliated. I was full of doubt, unbelief and stress.

Then I cried out, “Lord, if you are in this with us, save us.” I seemed to hear His words, “You of little faith, why have you doubted my words?” (Matt. 14: 22-32). As I reached out my hand, He took it and led me to the green pastures of His Word.

There I was reminded that I still had more than He ever had (Matt. 8:20); that what He had given me was of more value than any earthly possession (Matt. 6:19-21); that He would continue to supply my needs (Matt. 6: 25-34); and that I could take none of this stuff that now seemed so important with me upon leaving this world (I Tim. 6:7).

However, I must really believe Him rather than just read these words. Yes, He was willing to go with us through this storm if we invited Him to do so. He had promised “surely I am with you always” (Matt. 28: 20).

Finally, I called our mortgage company directly to discuss our dilemma. Now Jesus was in our boat and the storm was about to subside (Matt. 14:32). Although they would not send a statement or take the payment from our bank account, if we would mail the payments they would accept them and we could keep our house.

If you are in the middle of a storm in your life, I encourage you to take the hand of Jesus. Invite Him to go with you through your storm, climb into your boat, and calm the waves.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

We have all heard since childhood “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Yet at times many of us have questioned if those words were really true. When all is going well in our lives, it is so easy to repeat those words with a feeling of assurance. However, when things seem to be going south on us—we have lost our business, our job, perhaps our homes, and we don’t see any light at the end of our tunnel—don’t we sometimes question those words.

This may shock you, but I have been there. My wife and I were sitting at our kitchen table when she said, “I love you.” My response to her was, “I know you do because you show me in so many ways but, the way things are going, I’m not sure God loves me?”

I was in a state of despair. All earthly visible signs were growing worse and, without my being aware of it, Satan was in control of my mind at that moment. He is so cunning that we must be on our guard constantly so that “Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).

At that moment I had lost awareness of Satan’s schemes. He was using the same old scheme of getting me to question God. The same scheme he used on Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Hath God said?” But I wasn’t listening to God’s Word or to any of His promises. I was like others, even His disciples, whom He said were of “little faith” (Matt 6:30).

However, later that evening, as I sat in my doubt and unbelief, my mind reached heavenward. I thought of Christ on the cross. Now feelings of remorse swept over me as I recalled His words, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).

How could I have doubted God’s love for me even for a moment in my despair? Yes, Jesus loves me! It was for my sins that He willingly laid down His life. My sins were included in His atonement, so that I though unworthy might have eternal life with Him.

Yes, Jesus does love you and me. Our faith in that love must convince us with Paul that “nothing in all of creation” will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

There is more to this story. Join John next time for the rest of his story.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

As we travel in our automobiles we observe warning signs along the way. We learn from the driver’s manuals that they are posted to warn us of unsafe curves, speed limits, and other dangers. If we pay attention to them, we are likely to arrive safely at our destination.

So too has God placed warning signs in our lives to help us arrive at our spiritual destination safely. However, if we do not consult the Bible, the manual He has provided, far worse tragedy may overtake us. That is why it is so important that we not just read the Bible but that we also hide it in our hearts (Psalms 119:11) so that we may recall the meaning of those warning signs.

My own experience in straying away from God (www.faithrescued.com) was the result of my not having His warning signs deeply rooted in my heart and mind in order to recognize those first temptations to partake of a forbidden fruit.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we are warned that Satan does not give up but that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Paul admonishes us: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (I Cor. 10:12).

History records many who started the race but failed to finish it. That is why even Paul declared a consuming desire to “finish the race” and said “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor. 9:27).

Paul warns us that in the last days “men will gather around them a great number of teachers” who will cause them “to turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim.4:2-5).

God has placed warning signs so that we may avoid a spiritual wreck along our lifelong journey. The examples of others have been given “as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1 Cor. 10:6) and “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).

May each of us hide His word in our hearts and minds that we may recognize the schemes of Satan.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

A number of would-be RVers have asked about medical transcription, one of the options mentioned in the article. My advice would be to get the training and get started before hitting the road, if possible. If you are already established with an agency or a practice, it is much easier to then continue it while traveling. One thing noted by one RVer medical transcriptionist is that there are a couple of different specialties and that some companies are going to voice-recognition software where they don’t pay as much. The agency mentioned in the AARP article is one other RVers have used and are happy with.

You would need a good Internet connection. If you primarily move from one RV park to another for extended times, you could get a phone line. Internet satellite would work if you are not blocked by trees. The business plan, though more expensive, might work better if you’ll be online quite a bit. An Aircard can work well too, in many areas. With both the satellite Internet and Aircard, you’d need to be sure you did not exceed your allotted bandwidth. And, no matter what the connection you usually rely on, sometimes it does not work. Have a Plan B! If you work for an agency, they might be willing to be flexible and not give you assignments when you are traveling and have an iffy connection. Having established a good relationship before RVing could be helpful here.

The advantage to this kind of work is that, assuming you have an Internet connection, you can work from most anywhere. Some costs would be deductible since you are an independent contractor or self employed. Working at home AND on the road is a nice way to earn money!

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

reprinted with permission

Pick up most any publication and you will find one or more articles dealing with our nation’s and the world’s problem with obesity. Governments are spending tax dollars to educate us about the problem and to assist us in living healthier and longer lives.

Every athlete is aware that excess weight is a deterrent to their success. While they know that muscle mass is important to their success, they also know that fat weight hinders their performance. This has been proven through research. It also proves that obesity can affect the quality and length of our lives. What we consume is important to our overall health.

While this growing concern about our diets is good, there is another aspect of our lives where our diets are even more important because they affect the quality of our spiritual lives. Just as we abuse our physical bodies with improper diets, so we as believers sometimes abuse our spiritual beings with improper diets. Paul seems to address both the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives in 1 Cor. 3:16-17 with the words, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple” and warns us not to destroy God’s temple.

For the spiritual side Hebrews 12:1 admonishes us: “let us lay aside every weight; and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Spiritual diets, like physical diets, require the discontinuance of some things we have been consuming and adding others we have either not been consuming at all or enough of. I do not know what weights you need to lay aside. It may be what you are watching on TV or reading. It may be the people you are spending your time with. It may be habits that interfere with your spiritual growth. I do know that if you are sincere about knowing what weight you need to lay aside, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you if you ask (John 14:26).

As to what you may need to add to your spiritual menu, Peter indicates that we need the spiritual milk of God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2). Psalms 119 is an excellent section of the Bible to consider what we should consume for our spiritual growth. Philippians 4:8 lists things we should consume for our spiritual growth.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

Is this a great teacher hanging there being mocked by soldiers and those who passed by? Is this the miracle baby born to a virgin and laid in a manger? It this the one whose birth was announced to shepherds and wise men by voices and a chorus of angels from heaven? Is this the one who went about doing good? (Acts 10:38)

Yes, it is all of these, but more also. Hanging there on the cross that day was God’s only Son (John 3:16). However, He was not there by the force of Roman armies (Matthew 26:52-54). He was not there because Judas betrayed Him. He was not there because of those who unjustly accused Him before the high priest (Matthew 26:59-60; Luke 23:13-25). He was not there because Pilate handed him over to be crucified (Matthew 26:23, 26; Luke 23:24).

He was there fulfilling the Law (Matthew 5:17). He was there doing what He came to earth to do (Matthew 26:39-42). He was there of His own free will and choice (John 10:17-18; Matthew 20:28; Isaiah 53).

So often we forget this amazing fact. Yes, Jesus Christ was in a sense murdered by the mob. However, we must never forget that He was their willing victim. This was His greatest temptation: to save Himself in response to the taunts of the crowd who cried out, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One” (Luke 23:35).

Today’s world cries out the same taunts as they did that day, constantly asking for some scientific proof that there is a God who really loves them. The events of that infamous day are recorded in history. God has already provided the most vivid picture of His love for man through Christ’s willing sacrifice of Himself on the cross.

While many continue to reject Him to the end, two got it right: the centurion in Matthew 27:54 and the thief on the cross beside Him (Luke 23:39-43).

Who is this hanging on the cross? It is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, becoming the sacrifice for the sins and disobedience of all mankind. He is willing to be the sacrifice for your sins as well. Will you accept Him now as Your Savior? (John 3:16).

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

My first experience with a speed camera was actually in New Zealand while RVing with my granddaughter. Out in the middle of nowhere a sign warned that we were approaching one. Later in our trip, we read in the newspaper that a man was contesting his ticket – he had to speed to get around someone. I doubt he beat the ticket with that excuse.

Arizona has had them set up on highways, more than any other state. In January, on our way to Quartzsite in our RV, and then back to Phoenix, we passed several on each trip. That is now changing. In an article at Yahoo News, Arizona is ending its program to use speed cameras along Phoenix-area highways and in vans deployed across the state. While governor, Janet Napolitano instituted the program, anticipating that it would bring in $90 million in revenues in the first year, it failed to meet its goal. In fact, many people ignore the tickets with apparently no consequences.

Governor Jan Brewer is ending the program when the contract is up on July 16. The program had received many complaints and has been the target of an initiative measure proposed for the November ballot. Local cities can still use speed cameras though not for both speeding and running red lights. (Now that makes no sense to me.)

Supporters say they slow down speeders and reduce accidents. Detractors see them as opening the door for wider “Big Brother” surveillance and are more about making money than safety. Personally, seeing how fast many Arizona drivers go, I’m in favor of them. You don’t get a ticket unless you are going at least 11 miles over the speed limit. Isn’t that enough leeway?

So, what do you think? Thumbs up for getting rid of them? Or thumbs down for caving? Or is it thumbs down for another reason?

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

reprinted with permission