I am trying to spend more time with the family since school starts back in a few weeks. Where did this summer go? Seems like just a few days ago I wrote 23 days down, 59 days to go and now we are on the short end of those 59 days left. The devil lied when he said I had more time.

That leads me to thinking about all the lies the devil tries to get us to believe. Have you heard the saying “man plans, God laughs?” Meaning of course that God is in control of all our plans. What about the man falls for devils lies, deceptions, and trickery and the devil laughs harder. Probably not since I just made it up but can you picture it? Devil tricks us into sinning then laughs so hard he falls out of his chair because he got us again. When we fall for the devils foolery, we fall farther away from God and that’s what the devil wants.

As many of you know I have been trying to raise $2000 to finish our cd. The devil knows that God will use my words and music to change someone. All it takes is for one person to change and the devil is defeated. This is how he tried to defeat me but I won’t allow him. My wife’s car broke down and we had to fix it. Cost $1430. My wife’s laptop then decided it would rather be a coaster than a computer. Since she needs it for her business we had to replace it. Cost $600. Do you think it’s a coincidence that when I could use $2000 to spread Gods word I get hit with $2030 in bills?

The devil will not faze me though, maybe in the past he would have but not now. God has had many people listen to the song and send me positive thoughts on it. I have many musician twitter followers so maybe God will plant the seed in them to collaborate with me. I don’t know God’s plan but whatever it is, it is good and it will happen in time. I just have to be patient. I waited five years to get this first song out so…  I know it will happen when God says it will happen.

We then get the opportunity to sign with a label in Columbus where I don’t have to worry about the costs and the devil throws another wrench at me. Lily says she isn’t for sure at this point in her life if she wants to pursue music as a career. She loves to sing and worship and she has a lovely voice but she is afraid that singing as a career might take the fun out of singing. Plus she is 19 and in college and is still figuring out her life. The old me would be discouraged and quit writing and give up, just what the devil wants.

The new me says ok God, one door partially closes, I will wait for another to open. Maybe it’s one of my new musician friends, maybe it’ll be Lily at a later time if God puts it on her heart. I totally understand Lily’s thoughts and I pray that someday, whenever that day will be,  she will see what an impact her voice can have on people. Until then, I will keep writing.

The devil says see, I told you you weren’t good enough. No one is even reading your stuff. You are just wasting your time. Go do something else. Fly a kite, twiddle your thumbs, whatever. Anything would be better than doing what you are doing. Put your thoughts out there and no one even reads them. Ha you are a joke.

God then has someone from Cambodia or Ireland or Cayman Islands or anywhere United States read my words. People I could never reach on my own. God has someone that is struggling with what I am struggling with read my words and tell me thanks for helping them. When I have nothing to say on my own, God says “keep going, write this.”

The devil says look at all the decay in this world. You people keep destroying fields that feed you to put up more office buildings, more houses, more parking lots. You people are greedy and I love it. More, more, more. That’s all you need. Destroy yourselves. You are all sinners. God doesn’t love you. Why would He let you go through this if He did.

God says:  Will you believe in Me when your faith is tested? Will you praise Me in the storms?

The devil says why would you want to suffer for someone you can’t even see? Look at all these people all over the world that have nothing to eat, no home, no water. Look at all these people that worship your God who are persecuted, maimed, killed for what they believe in.

Then God gives me an email get your free book. I ignore it for a few days then open it and decide to order it. Then I get another email for a free book so I order it also. What have I to lose? They are free (donate if you can). All I can say is I have not suffered enough. My life is too blessed. I haven’t read through all of these books yet but from what I have read..wow. These books have opened my eyes and my heart. They tell me they have suffered so much for what they believe in, I can do better to spread the word about what I believe in. If you get the chance to get these books please do. Hearts of Fire by Voice of the Martyrs and Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. I also get a monthly magazine from Voice of the Martyrs. They will change your life.

The devil won’t win. God will destroy him. It’s your choice to choose to let him defeat you or to choose joy in your life. I choose joy.

Don’t be one of the many that will look on in disbelief and say I didn’t know when Jesus returns and defeats the evil of this world.

You, the Room and the Devil on Your Shoulder by As It Is – 

You’re Not Alone by The Mowglis – 

I Choose To Be A Christian by The Erwins – 

Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell – 

Long Black Train by Josh Turner – 

Where The Light Is by Dan Bremnes – 

We Are Alive by Fireflight – 

What Beautiful Things by Dustin Kensrue – 

First by Lauren Daigle – 

Lift Your Head Weary Sinner by Crowder – 

We’ll Never Learn by Belle Histoire – 

Where You’re At by Allen Stone – 

Not Forgotten by Ryan Stevenson –