If Only I Could Go Back And Change This

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you went back in time and changed some of the things you did that weren't the best decisions in your life? You know, the old "hindsight is 20/20" thing can be somewhat appealing when the notion of changing your past to give you a better future is involved. This is something we've seen in movies and television shows which causes us to figure this could be a good thing, regardless of whatever effect it would have on the space/time continuum.

I used to think that going back to high school knowing what I know as an adult would be a good thing. I'd do things differently, make a better effort to learn things and be nicer to the people that I maybe wasn't as nice to as I should have been. But this morning as this thought crossed my mind, I began to think about where I am as an adult, and truthfully I wouldn't be where I am if some of those things in my past were taken away and replaced with other options.

Yeah, I wish I would have been nicer to some of the kids in my school. Not that I was a bully or anything, at least not in my eyes, but what they actually saw in me could have said otherwise. I wish that I had not been bullied, or at least would have stood up to a few of those who picked on me instead of cowering down in fear.

I remember one time in like the 5th grade that my friend Terry and I decided to bring our G.I. Joes to school to play with during recess. Man, how I would like to go back and change that. We were harassed endlessly for days for playing with Barbie dolls, it didn't matter how many weapons our soldiers had. And it was about that time that I lost interest in them, and a part of my childhood died that day.

How many things did you give up as a child due to bullying or the attitudes of your peers concerning those items that you loved? This may be one of the reasons that I have always told my children not to care what anyone thinks of them except Jesus. And there in is the crux of what I'm trying to say. You see, if I had not taken my G.I. Joes to school with me, and been ridiculed for playing with them, would I have been as adamant with my children about not caring what others think of them?

So you could say in a round about way that what I learned in my childhood, even as discomforting as it was for me then, has helped my kids become better people today. So if I were to go back and change that day in my history, what kind of kids would my kids have become? I think that sometimes we romanticize our past, and wish to change it for the sake of making our lives back then easier, when in reality we would be destroying part of who we are today. After all it is those things which happened to us in our past that has helped to make us who we are.

There has been much change in my life lately, and I guess I've been doing a little bit of reevaluating because of it. And since I've always said, "If I could only go back and change this, I would be so much better off." this morning I've come to realize that those things in my past are important. They are important because I would not be the man I am today without them. So yes, while there were some hurtful things back then, changing them would change the outcome of who I am, and truthfully looking at who I am right now, makes me appreciate in a different light who I was back then.

Don't let your past hinder you in your future. Also, don't wear the things that happened to you in your past like a badge of honor, instead let's do like the Apostle Paul instructed us, and forget those things which are behind us, and let's press on towards the mark of the prize which is in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

Trusting Him Especially Now

You know since I have started this journey of not having a job to go to each day, I can honestly say it has been very interesting. I seem to be way more observant of what we have in the bank, pantry and my soul. We have cut back on our spending, only doing what is absolutely necessary of course. I'm not gorging myself like I used to either, not living in lack, but thinking more frugally for a change.

The biggest thing for me however, is to be aware of my soul and what I am believing. First off, understand that when I use the term soul, I'm talking about my mind, will and emotions, not my spirit man. My spirit man is the part of me that is made in the image of God, is born again and filled with God's Spirit. My soul, is the part of me that reasons, feels emotionally and retains information.

What I'm finding is that all of that time I have spent over the last several years putting God's Word into my heart is paying off. When situations arise that I don't know what to do, God's Word comes up out of my spirit and I begin to quote it to myself and the circumstances change. Let me give you an example of my day yesterday, and how this looked in my life.

I was going to go to Broken Arrow to help some guys mow a lady's yard. She goes to church with us, and doesn't have any yard equipment, so we were going to help her out. As I was heading in that direction, I first needed to stop by the shoe store and get the store's deposit so I could take it to the bank for my bride. As I was walking across the parking lot to the store, I heard something and looked back at my truck only to find radiator fluid flowing out of my truck onto the pavement. So, instead of driving the truck, I took the van.

Now as I was gassing up the van, I thanked God for His provision. This is something new for me, as I've not always done that before. Now I thank Him for providing gas for my vehicles each time I fill up and check the oil. I got to Broken Arrow, mowed the lady's yard and headed back to Sapulpa to pick up my daughter and take her to work. About half way back, the check engine light started flashing and the motor starting acting funny. Talk about coincidence! Two vehicles in less than three hours, what the heck?

I was reminded in my spirit of that Scripture that says that God is our very present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) I immediately reminded the Lord of His Word and followed that up by saying, "Lord, help! I'm in trouble!" So I made it home, waited for my son to arrive, took the car he's been borrowing (he blew the motor in his car a couple of weeks ago) and took Sissy to work. When I got back to the shoe store I checked on my truck and found out after talking with a friend that it looks like my water pump may have gone out, the leaking was due to something called a "weeping valve" or something like that. (actually that was good news for me, that's an easy fix with some of my friends of course)

It seems with all that has gone on in my life the past few weeks, my faith has been tried more than ever before. Maybe because I have not really had to trust in my God like I am having to do now. Proverbs 3:5 - 6 has become my life Scripture; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will show you which path to take." Thank You Jesus, for helping me and my family learn how to stay closer to Your heart and experience this full life You promised us! (John 10:10)

Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

And So It Begins...

DC Talk put out a song a few years back called Nu Thang, and the opening lyrics go like this:

"Ya know He's doin' it,

God is doin' a nu thang."

Well I'd like to say that there is something new going on with the Felts family. And yes, I do believe that God is in it.

One of the things that I love most about the Bible is the stories that God tells us. Really, there is a just about any type of story you might want in there; from romance to action to horror. God loves a good dramatic story too. Look at the story of the three Hebrew children for instance. God didn't rescue them, until they were thrown into the flames. What about Moses? He leads the people out of Egypt only to be pursued by Pharaoh and his army. And it is not until their backs are up against the wall that He tells Moses to raise his staff so they could pass through the Red Sea. I mean, He could have had angels wipe the army out, He didn't have to make the people wait like that did He?

God isn't cruel, and He doesn't like to see mankind suffer, or just play games with us, no He likes to show off! I'm convinced of that the more I read through the Bible, and live on this planet. After all He's God, He could have smote all of the Egyptians and just let His people leave any time that they wanted to, but instead He chose to send Moses, and let the story play out that way.

The Bible was given to us to be an inspiration and instruction manual. Like the acronym says:

B. asic

I. nstructions

B. efore

L. eaving

E. arth

That is what the Bible can be, to those who will receive it. The instruction manual which helps you to know the who's, what's when's, where's and why's of this life. But unlike what most of us would prefer, the Bible/God does not give a step by step, play by play, this is exactly how things are going to go way of following Him. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) God wants us to trust Him, and to do that we have to live by faith. And faith doesn't work if you have all of the answers, all of the time.

And so that brings me to the announcement that I want to make this morning. Faith and trusting God. Something that the Felts family is now going to get to live out in a much bigger way than we ever have before. And it is exciting, and a little bit scary at the same time. You see, after today I will no longer be Dave the shoe-guy. After 19 years as Sapulpa's shoe-guy, the decision has been made that I must step down from the store and pursue other employment.

With the effects of the present economy, and new retail shoe locations popping up all around our area, business has been off for the past couple of years. As we looked at the numbers from the beginning of this year, our losses have just about equaled my salary. The decision was made that if my salary was taken out of the business, then it should begin to at least break even. And as I'm sure you are aware, a business that is losing money cannot stay in business. (Despite what our government thinks.)

So as of 6 PM today, you will not find me at Felts Shoes in Sapulpa. (Unless I happen to be there to take lunch to my bride. She is staying on to help out for the time being.) But before you think that this is a bad thing, I am excited about the opportunities that lie before me and my family. Yes, it might be tight financially for a time, but it is also a great time for God to show up in our lives and save the day, so to speak.

For many, many years now I have counseled men to not just take a job to make money, but to go out and find what it is that makes their hearts come alive and then to go out and do that. Because what this world really needs is men who have come alive. And if you find that work which God has for you to do, then it really isn't work at all. And what I have seen in the lives of those who have done this, is that the money follows them. Okay, and for those of you who think that I'm going to sit around and wait for God to bring it to me, that is not how He works, so I will be looking for gainful employment to provide for my family, my focus is just not going to be just about a paycheck.

God's Word is true. God is a faithful God. Me, and my family are right in the center of His will. And while I know that, this does not mean that we haven't had to reevaluate some things, and ask Him if in fact this was caused by sin in our lives, or an attack of the enemy. Cheryl and I feel as if we may have missed God a few years back and should have left the store then, we've asked the Lord to forgive us for not listening closer and following His leading back then, but you know when you have the security of a paycheck, it can be distracting to the leading of the Holy Ghost. It shouldn't be, but it was in our case.

The really amazing thing is that God is a redeemer and a forgiver. And I believe that at 47 years of age, my best days are ahead of me. I told Cheryl one night not too long ago, that I wanted the last half of my life to be better, and for me to do more for the Kingdom of God than the first half of my life. And I believe that with God's help, it will be! So be on the lookout for a new man after today, God is amazing, and it is my honor to get to serve Him and learn a nu thang for sure!

Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

Oh, and if you haven't pre-ordered my latest book, "God's First Knight: In Service Of The King" click the link at the top right hand corner of this page and get your copy pre-ordered today.

People Need Jesus, Not A Jackass

In John 13:34 - 35 Jesus said, "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." The Greek word that Jesus used for love is the word "agapao" which means, "to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly".

Today's blog may be a little too much for some people, but I know that I need to hear this, and if I need to, others do too. In my life, the love walk is probably the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. I can dismiss a person in a matter of seconds, without even really thinking about it. That's sad to admit, especially when the whole reason that Jesus came and took that beating and died on the cross was because of love. He loved us so that we could love others.

So since I realize that I have a hard time with this, what is at the heart of me not wanting to love others? Being a jackass. You heard me correctly, the reason that I don't love is because I am a jackass. Okay, here is the definition I found of the word jackass: A foolish or stupid person; a blockhead. Now I understand the power of confession, and saying the right things, but if I don't do what Jesus says, that is foolish and stupid. That is me being a blockhead.

I think selfishness is at the heart of the whole thing. Love is hard, it takes something to give of yourself to others and not look for anything in return. If there is any hint of selfishness, then you won't be able to give love, it will stop up the flow of God in your life. And this is the really stupid thing, I know better, and I bet you do too.

Sometimes for me, I just allow myself to get distracted by the cares of this life. We all have things that we have to do, that is part of this life. But what we must not do is let those little things come in and cause us to miss out on the opportunity to give love to someone who may be in a place of great need in their lives. Remember, some people are really good poker players. They may be looking like they've got it all together on the outside, but on the inside there could be a tremendous storm raging.

What I need to do is let the love of Jesus shine through me, and be Jesus to the people that I come into contact with, instead of thinking of myself and acting like a jackass. If you would like to do the same thing, then pray this prayer with me. Father, I ask You now according to 1 John 1:9 to forgive me for withholding love to those around me. Holy Spirit, I ask You to remind me when I see others to let the light of Jesus shine through me, and not show my own selfish ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.

So let's be Jesus and not jackasses! Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

What Is Faith Really?

Hebrews 11:1 NIV says, "Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for, and the assurance of what we do not see." In the Amplified it says, "NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

If you have ever wondered about faith, then you are in good company. I wonder about faith all the time. Am I standing in faith, acting in faith or even truly in faith. Hebrews goes on to say that if we don't have faith, it is impossible for us to even please God. And that is because we have to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who "diligently" seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith is probably one of the most important things that we will ever learn about. Because I want to please my Father, and it takes faith to do that.

Let's take Hebrews 11:1 apart a little bit and investigate it closer. Look at how it starts out, "Now faith is..." from this it would appear that faith is a right now thing, not a going to be thing. For us to truly be in faith, then it has to be something that is present with us, not something that we will wait to have. It is a present thing, not a future one.

So faith is a now thing, and it also says that it is the confidence of what we hope for. Faith is the confidence of what we hope for. The amplified calls it the "title deed" of the things that we hope for. The definition of the word hope is: the feeling that what is wanted can be had. So we could also say that faith is the feeling that what I want can be had. So faith tells me that what I hope for can be had.

It goes on to say that faith is the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Look at that last sentence, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses. You know, the five senses; hearing, sight, touch, taste and feel. So regardless of what these five senses tell us, faith is the proof that we have what we've hoped for already.

So what I'm gathering this morning from this, is first off I have to be hoping for something. So many people are waiting on God to show up and bring changes to their lives, or bless them with things, when they actually have no hope or expectation for anything in the first place. A lot of times people are like this because they think they are being spiritual. "Well brother, you know if God wants me to have something, He'll give it to me." Why? Why will God give you something? From what I've seen here, in order for us to really be "in faith" we have to have hope for something. I love how it doesn't say, faith is the confidence of what "spiritual" things we hope for either, that tells me that faith will work in every area of our lives.

So we see that faith is a now thing, it is what we are hoping for (so we have to start hoping for things) and it is the title deed to those things. Now I know that some people are going to have a problem with the "things" portion of this blog. When I'm talking about things, I mean everything that you can imagine. There is one catch to this however, and that is that whatever you are using your faith for must be according to God's Word.

So find a promise in God's Word for you, and apply your faith to it, believe that you have it now, and thank God for it daily until it shows up. I remember a minister saying one time that faith is like calling for your dog. You walk out on the front porch and begin to holler for Fido saying, "Here Fido, here Fido!" Even though Fido is not on the porch, you're calling for him to get on the porch. You expect that when you call Fido, he'll come a running. If you didn't believe that, you wouldn't be out there in the first place. Well faith is just like that, you are expecting that those things that you are hoping for are going to show up when you call.

So let's get out there and please our Heavenly Father, by operating in faith today. The really cool thing is that He wants to bless us even more than we want to be blessed, and He has given us the avenue by which He can bless us. Thank You Jesus!

Why Don't We Ask God?

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that when problems show up in my life, the first thing I do is to begin thinking of solutions to them. Now this is typical I think of most people, and it was the instruction that God gave to Adam in the Garden, “Take care of it.” (Dave’s paraphrase.) But how often do I run off fixing things, only after the fact realizing that I never once included God in on the process?

I do believe that as Christians we are called to be problem solvers, but as I look at Proverbs 3:5 – 6 I see that I am supposed to trust in the Lord with “ALL” my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge Him in all my ways and then He will direct my paths. That does not look to me like we should rush off to fix things until we've first consulted the Lord. This is something that I know I have been negligent about, and that concerns me greatly.

Trust in the Lord with all my heart. What exactly does that mean, to trust with all of your heart? Well first off to trust with all your heart is a spiritual thing, and not a mental one. Scripture doesn’t tell us to trust in the Lord with all of our reasoning; it says to trust with all our heart. The heart is the most central part of who we are, and don’t forget Scripture also states that out of it (The heart.) flow ALL the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

The first thing to do so you can trust the Lord with all of your heart is to get your mind out of the way. Now I don’t mean to empty your mind like a lot of Eastern religions encourage, no that can lead to you being led by the enemy, what I’m talking about is putting your reasoning aside so that your heart (Which is the core part of who you are.) can do what it does, believe what God’s Word says.

Scripture tells us that in order to appropriate any of the things that God has for us, we have to first believe, second confess what we believe and then we’ll see the manifestation of it. (Romans 10:9 – 10 / Mark 11:23 – 24) This is how everything works in the Kingdom of God, and if we expect that we will see any of the promises of God come in any other way, then we are going to be disappointed in life.

God tells us that we have not, because we ask not. (James 4:2b) Basically that means that if we don’t ask, God can't work on our behalf. I know what you are thinking though, He’s God, and He can do anything that He wants to do. That’s not exactly true. He cannot do anything on planet Earth unless we ask Him. Once we’ve asked Him according to His Word, and this is the essential part here, He will move Heaven and Earth to see to it that we have what we’ve asked for. But don’t think if you just ask anything it will be answered, it has to be according to His Word and you have to ask in faith. Remember, He said that He watches over His Word to perform it, not our wishes.

If God was moved because we had needs in our lives, then there would never be any needs in the world. God is not moved because you or I have a need, He is moved by faith. We have to operate in faith in order for God to move on our behalf. This is not because He is unjust, mean or wants to teach us a lesson. It is a legal situation, plain and simple. If we never ask, He will never answer. My friend Joe McGee says it this way, “You stare at God, and He’ll stare right back at you. But if you draw near to Him, He’ll draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

It’s all in our perception of things. What are we looking at, what are we seeing? If our heart is the central thing, and we are instructed to trust God with our whole heart, then perhaps we aren’t seeing things correctly when we look through the eyes of reason. After all the realm of reason is where the enemy lurks. We are instructed to take every thought captive, (2 Corinthians 10:5) thoughts happen in your own understanding. Remember God speaks to us through our hearts, not our heads.

So when things show up in your life, instead of just rushing off to figure out the solutions, let's take a few minutes, bow our heads and talk to the Father of all creation and get His idea for how to handle things. This is something that I am getting to learn daily right now, and while it at times seems overwhelming to me, I know that God has my best interest at heart, as long as I take the time to find out what that is.

Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

How Sharp Are You?

Hebrews 6:11 - 12 "Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent."

There is one thing that God thinks is more important than anything else, besides loving Him with all your heart, and that is to love your fellow man. Paul states it in this passage that we are to keep on loving others as long as life lasts. Well seeing that we are spiritual beings, that is a very long time huh?

The thing that I found interesting in this passage today however, was that while he is admonishing us to keep on loving others, he explains that if we will do that, then we won't becoming spiritually dull and indifferent. Spiritually dull? I don't know about you, but that doesn't seem like the thing that I want to be known for.

If we stop loving people, then we are in danger of becoming spiritually dull and indifferent to the things of God. This is a dangerous place to be because once you become dull to something, it ceases to amaze and stir your heart. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get to the place in my life where I am not amazed at the things of God anymore.

So what I saw here this morning is that if I want to stay sharp spiritually, I'm going to have to continue loving others as long as my life lasts. It's like loving people is the wet stone to sharpen your spirit, and keep it from getting dull.

Let's keep loving people, and never stop so that we can stay spiritually sharp towards the things of God and not grow dull and indifferent, what's say?

Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!