I went to Wendy’s and got two four for fours. Fortunately, my wonderful helper suggested “you might as well write it down.” That was a helpful suggestion. We also made it the same for both
orders, so that helped too. That’s the easy part.

Now for the confusion, the senior struggle. Wendy’s is on the right once I turned on the road just past the interstate. I knew this and was confident in it. But for some reason, I didn’t see it when I turned in, so I kept going until I could make a U-turn and go the other side of the road. I thought I remembered it wrong.

That wasn’t right either, so I did another U-turn and saw what I was looking for – Wendy’s, right where I thought it was.  List in hand, ready to order, no problem. I got up to the register and told them what I wanted – two four for fours, both the same – oh, and two chocolate Frosty’s … and a senior citizen discount. (That’s too many details for me to handle with any confidence.) Fortunately, I got the discount, so a praise there. (In my mind, I was wondering “what’s in the four for four? Does it include the Frosty’s? Did I mess up the order?)

I say all that to say this – if you suffer from confusion, your value has not decreased, God’s love remains unconditional, and grace is still in full force. When this confusion occurs, it is okay to be frustrated (at least I hope it is), but its not worth hanging on to. Confusion is not who we are, and does not determine our worth. Jesus still died for us, and we still belong to Him. This is the truth that you and I need to hang on to.

Seniors may have moments of confusion or memory loss, along with other struggles – we all have them … but they are temporary. This is what I need to remember, as I refocus my attention back on Jesus.

A little long, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Blessings,
Pastor John

Has the Grinch Stolen Your Christmas?
by Dr. Jeff Schreve

Without a doubt, Christmas is to be a time of GREAT JOY. On that first Christmas night, the angel announced to the shepherds “good news of a great joy.” The Savior has come!! WOW!! Those shepherds were so excited. That announcement changed their lives forever. They were filled with joy and wonder and praise.
At Christmas time, are you filled with joy and wonder and praise? Or has the devil, the original Grinch, the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, stolen those things from you? If so, there is still time to get it back!
Think about the angel’s announcement, “There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” What does that really mean for you and me?
1. The Savior has come to save you from a dark past. So many people are suffering with intense guilt over bad things they have done in the past. The devil beats them to death with shame and guilt. But be beaten no longer! All the terrible, horrible things you have done are no match for the Savior’s blood that He shed for you on the cross. The moment you confess those sins to God and repent of them, you are forgiven!! Remember what the Savior said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy” (Acts 10:15).

2. The Savior has come to save you from an empty present. Many people are surviving and not really living. Jesus came at Christmas not to fill your empty stocking, but to fill your empty life! He has a purpose and a plan for you. Come to Him. Surrender to Him. Let Him lead you. He wants to bring you joy and peace, regardless of your circumstances. He wants to use your life to make a difference in others, a difference that will last for all eternity. It makes life worth living to know that everyday is an exciting adventure with the Lord, an opportunity to touch another person with the love and joy of Jesus.

3. The Savior has come to save you from a hopeless future. Everyone without God is without hope. No one comes to the Father without the Savior, Jesus Christ. But now He has come, and we can really know Him personally, and we can be assured of His presence and provision while we live … and His heaven when we die. Paul said, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). WOW! What a future is in store for the child of God!

My friend, do not let the devil steal from you and your Christmas time any longer! The Savior has come, and He has come for you! Receive the good news and rejoice in the truth!

Laying Things Down

I have a habit that drives me nuts, and causes me a lot of anxiety. At this moment, it is frustrating me and discouraging me. That is not helped by the fact that I have a headache. The habit I’m talking about, is laying things down and not being aware that I have done it.

Just a few minutes ago, I was looking for an allen wrench. The tube on the cat tower came off, and I was trying to tighten up the connecting piece with that wrench. I had it in my hand, trying to tighten the piece back on. I took the tube back to show Karen, came back out, and thought “I’ve got to tighten up that connector. Maybe by the time you read this I will have found it. (Pencils and pens also get misplaced when I “lay down my burdne.”) I also know that the devil would have me dwell on that weakness. I will not do it. I have stated it, confessed it, and now I’m letting it go.

And that’s the main point of this writing – we need to lay down our burdens at the feet of Jesus. Heb. 4:15 says “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Another translation says that Jesus is “touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” Jesus understands and does not condemn us for our weaknesses.

Until next time,

Pastor John

Where has our country gone?  This proclamation was made in 1789. And to think that people still miss the point that our country was founded on Christian Values.  Even in this time of Chaos, we have so much to be thankful for.  Take a few minutes and reflect on what God has done for you and your family, and thank him. He deserves our unwavering devotion and our best foot forward.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Unresolved Life

By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

The post Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 appeared first on The Hagmann Report.

I want to take this opportunity to thank several people that have made, and continue to make, a difference in my life, and made this writing and this opportunity possible.

First, I want to thank my wife, Karen, for supporting me in whatever ventures I feel God is leading me into, including my writing. She supports me with encouragement, creativity, and reminders – a constant need. (“Have you submitted that writing to Unresolved yet that you said you were going to do?”). Its never fussing, but always just good practical help – she knows my memory, and often she is my memory!

Secondly, I want to thank this website’s hosts, Michael and Teresa Blaes, for giving me this opportunity to share whatever writing the Lord has laid on my heart. They are both real, compassionate, and creative. They work together as a team, which is always good.

Finally I want to thank Jesus for leading me to Teresa first as a Facebook friend, and then to Michael, who has helped me to establish my own website. More than that, I want to thank the Lord for saving my soul. That’s not religious talk because I’m supposed to do that. That’s reality – Jesus really did die for me, to redeem me in body, mind, and soul, and to give me the free gift of eternal life in Him.

Thank you Karen, Michael, Teresa, Jesus, and thank you to anyone who is reading these words. God bless you.

Talking to My Soul

Vs. 1
Sometimes I have to give myself instructions. I have to say things to my soul. I don’t want to head into destruction, so I listen to these words to make me whole.

Chorus:
“Rest in God alone, not your thoughts, not your phone. He is your rock and your friend. Your fortress around you. His presence surrounds you. He stays with you right to the end.”

Vs. 2
If only I would listen to that voice inside my head, the one the Lord has placed there for my good. He tells me what to do, what to say, and where to go. If only I would listen as I should.

Chorus:
“Rest in God alone, not your thoughts, not your phone. He is your rock and your friend. Your fortress around you. His presence surrounds you. He stays with you right to the end.”

Tag: I remember now: Jesus is my friend.

Ps. 62: 5-8

5Rest in God alone, O my soul,
for my hope comes from Him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock;
My refuge is in God.

8Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.

Senior Hymn

Verse 1:

I give you tribute. I give you praise. Lord if I’m able, my hands I’ll raise. My heart says thank you for staying near. Even when I’m weary, one thing is clear.

Chorus:

You have been faithful. You have been true. You’ve taken old things, and made them new. You’ve stood beside me, and been my friend. I know your love, will never end.

Verse 2:

Lord, you are worthy. Lord, you are strong. That’s why I’m trying to sing this song. At work within me, my strength, my rest. Though I’m sometimes troubled, I still am blessed.

Chorus:

You have been faithful. You have been true. You’ve taken old things, and made them new. You’ve stood beside me, and been my friend. I know your love, will never end.

Lord, you have seen me through. Amen.