Here is a great article by Joe Thorn on how to pray for the lost:

“How do you pray for those who have not believed the gospel? I’m guessing you do pray for these friends, relatives and neighbors, but how do you pray? Do you simply offer up the prayer that God would save them, or do you seek God’s work more specifically?

Are you praying…

• That God would bring people into their lives to share the gospel with them
• That God the Holy Spirit would convict them of their sin and convince them of their need of a Savior through the ministry of the word
• That God the Father would draw them to Jesus
• That God would cause them to be born again
• That God would open their hearts to respond to the gospel
• That God would open their eyes to see the truth
• That God would set them free from the tyranny of sin and the Devil
• That God would grant them repentance

Prayer for the lost should be more than a hail mary pass to our father in heaven. Be specific. Ask God to do what only he can do. And as we pray let’s make every effort to share the gospel with them as well.”

The time has come for the Cheney household to part ways with Sassy, the cat.  Sassy is a good cat, lovable and has great perseverance.  Her perseverance comes from enduring Hannah who loves this cat and gives it lots of hugs; bear hugs.  The problem with Sassy is that Sonya is allergic to her.  Sonya cannot get over the shingles that is caused by the cat.

With much heartache:) the time has come to give the cat away to a nice family or even a mean one.  Anyone who will take the cat…she is free.  For a limited time, you will get the cat, litter box, litter scoop, litter, food and cat toys all for the very low price of $0.00.  If you are interested leave a comment and we will work something out.

Seriously, if you would like the cat let me know.  If not we will have to take it to the pound.

For many years, my heart has been broken when hearing the reports of ministers who have moral failures.  My heart bleeds for those pastors and especially for their families in the wake of immorality.  Certainly Satan’s attack on the church of Jesus Christ has become more evident in recent years as many in leadership have failed.

Is there an answer to the crisis that has affected God’s Church?  It is not Satan’s fault that man fails.  He is only  the tempter.  Somewhere, I believe, there is a disconnect from God when the man of God runs after worldly things.  Last night, I heard of yet another pastor who committed gross immorality and was arrested.  I went to bed with heaviness in my heart.

In my devotional time this morning, God gave me hope through His Word.  Hope that He is indeed triumphant over Satan and His ploys and His Word gives us the answer to this moral crisis that is shaking the church world.

Jude 24, “Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (HCSB)

The beginning of that verse arrested my attention, “Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling.”  Jesus Christ is able to protect us from stumbling.  Satan’s temptation is not a death sentence.  His plight to destroy the church does not go unanswered.  Indeed, Christ is victorious over Him.  Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”  We have a God who is on top of things.

The answer to this moral crisis lies in our willingness to partner with God and allow Him to protect us from stumbling.  Men and women of God are able to complete their race through life without falling away, because of the provision that has been granted to us through Christ.  We must cling to Him and His Word and stand against temptation and sin, knowing that we do not stand alone.  We must live holy and blameless lives while depending on His grace to help us live holy.

Peter gives the believer the prescription of how to live a fall-proof life.  Read closely:

II Peter 1:3-11, “For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.” (HCSB)

This text is too lengthy to discuss in depth but if we will live out these words and continue to add to our faith these traits, Peter says we will never stumble. Certainly we play a huge part by living our lives according to God’s Word and His character.  When we do our part, He will help keep us from stumbling.  I have decided that I will strive harder than ever to live these things out.  He has given us His divine power and everything we need for life and godliness.

Pray that you can stand…and pray for those who have fallen.  Pray especially for the families of fallen ministers.

Most people love it when the holidays roll around. Christmas seems to bring out cheer in everyone. I love the meaning of Christmas but despise the commercialism of Christmas. If Christmas was really about Christ I would enjoy it more. In our household there are a few things that I do that seems to drive the other’s nuts.

I won’t look at Christmas decorations/trees/anything Christmas until at least November 1st. I think it is ridiculous that we have to see Christmas decorations for sale in August. Ugh!

I don’t want to hear Christmas music played until December starts. The fact that retail stores start playing Christmas music at the beginning of November proves that it has become more commercial. They know Christmas songs make people buy more.

It drives me crazy that as soon as Thanksgiving day comes, it is Christmas music non-stop for the next 5-6 weeks. Can’t we at least mix Christmas music with regular music? Can someone please write some new Christmas songs? Radio stations play the same songs in 100 different formats.

For those of you who think I am bah-humbug, maybe you are right. My favorite Christmas music is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and my new found favorite is the following song by Punk band Reliant K. Now, this is the way to play Christmas music.

You see, Christmas for me is celebrating the birth of Christ, but it should be a year-long celebration of the Savior of the World. Christ came that He might save mankind from their sins. This Christmas, let’s keep the right perspective on what this season means. It is not about the presents, or the festivities, it is about the greatest thing that could ever happen to humanity. God became man that He might redeem them from their slavery to sin.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we spent a lot of time together as a family.  It was refreshing and we all had a great time.  There were a few conversations that Hannah and I had after everyone else went to bed.  Hannah and I seem to be the night owls in our house.

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Not too long ago, Sonya’s brother’s dog, Daisy, was run over by a car.  It was pretty tragic to their family that has two daughters around 8 and 9 years old.  Apparently, one of Hannah’s cousins was sharing the story of the tragic death of Daisy.

Hannah: Dad, do you remember Daisy the dog?

Me: Yes.

Hannah: Well she died.

Me: That’s what I heard.

Hannah: She got run over by a car and she’s dead.

Me: Oh, that’s sad isn’t it?

Hannah: You know what else?  You know where she’s at?

Me: Umm…

Hannah: She’s six feet under!

Me: Excuse me?

Hannah’: She’s six feet under the ground!

Me: Who told you that?

Hannah: Grace (actually it was her cousin Chase)

Me: Um…you want a drink before we go to bed?

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Friday night, we were at the hotel and Hannah and I stayed up late.  She was watching a movie and I was working on a sermon to preach for Sunday.  I had my Bible on the desk and around midnight, Hannah walks over to me at the desk.

She rubs my arm and looks at my Bible and…

Hannah: Dad, can I use your Bible?

Me: Yes, if you promise to be careful with it.

Hannah: Oh, I will…I am going to go up there and preach with you.

Me: Really?

Hannah: Yeah, we are going to go up there together…because I’m a pastor’s daughter.

Me: You are and you can preach with me anytime, honey!

After church Sunday, I said to Hannah, “you forgot to preach with me this morning, I missed you.”

Hannah replied, “I went to the nursery instead and talked to the teacher.”

There is always alot to be thankful for.  In spite of a rough start this morning: bad travel weather, the car making funny noises, etc, we have had a great Thanksgiving.  For the first time in several years, Sonya and all of her brothers have been together at her parent’s house.  We had a great lunch at Sonya’s cousin’s house and saw relatives we haven’t seen in years.  What a blessed day!

Some things I am thankful for today:

*Salvation
*Living in freedom
*My wife who loves me for better or for worse:)
*My kids who enrich my life and make sure it is never boring (or quiet)
*My father-in-law who said 4 years ago at Thanksgiving that it would probably be his last.  He is still alive four years later.
*Today I have been virtually pain free for the first time in two weeks.  Two weeks ago today, I threw out my back.
*My church family whom I love and look forward to many years together.  Our future is bright.

I could go on an on with things I am thankful for.  God has been so good to us!  I am thankful that, as the Apostle Paul said, “He has counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry.”  Life is good because God is good!

I thought I would share this again. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Dear Lord, for your blessings I am truly thankful
Even though, when I don’t get what I want, I tend to grumble

You give me guidance, favor and unlimited grace
But I always complain when things don’t go my way

I’m in awe of the lovely flowers that bloom in spring
But I really get upset when you send us the rain

I’m thankful for such a gracious and lovely wife
But I take her for granted because she’s stuck with me for life

Oh, I can’t forget my incredible kids that you gave to me
But Lord, couldn’t you at least have given them a little less energy

I know the tendency that I’m sure all of us have
To thank you for the things we like and not for the bad

We want our lives to be perfect, without any pain
All peaches and cream, everything going our way

But God, let me now put all joking aside
Help me not be selfish and help me lay down my life

To understand that the world doesn’t revolve around me
I’m thankful for you and my wonderful family

For the blessings you have so generously bestowed
And for the children that you have given me to mold

And, one more thing, Lord, the next time I want to complain
Remind me of Jesus, who endured suffering for my gain

-Danny Cheney

Yesterday morning, I was spending time in prayer and study of the Word.  It was around 6:00am and I was enjoying my quiet time.  Out of no where I was suddenly overwhelmed with temptation.  It was a temptation that seemed foreign to me, at least when I was spending time in prayer. 

I suddenly began to crave Mrs. Baird’s Cinnamon Rolls.  I could nearly taste them and I thought I could actually smell them.  I was literally salivating thinking about getting me some of those sweet treats.  I was somewhat stunned because that was an uncommon temptation for me, however, it came at a time when it was something that would tempt me.

You see, I have been on a diet.  I have cut out sweets and I no longer can fulfill my craving for such delights as Mrs. Baird’s cinnamon rolls.  I am on a diet, not only so I can get healthy but so that I can learn to discipline my life.  To give into that temptation would have been to become undisciplined. 

Is eating a cinnamon roll bad? No! Actually it is good, but when you are trying to watch what you eat it is bad.  Though this may seem like a flippant view of temptation, it is indeed a struggle for me.  Food has been my comfort and I am trying to rely on Christ rather than comfort food. 

Many might think this is spoken in jest but really it is about temptation.  Whether it is food or another addiction, temptation is real.  DISCLAIMER: Just because we have a craving doesn’t mean it is temptation but it is an approach the enemy might use.  Our flesh craves certain things.  In fact, our flesh longs for sin.  Maybe you are not tempted by comfort foods but is there something else that draws you away?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Temptation is common in all humanity.  No one is exempt and we are all tempted with different things. The truth of this verse is that God always makes a way of escape for us.  A way to deny our flesh and to win.  A way for us to pray through the temptation that comes.  When you feel tempted to fall into sin, remember, God has made a way for you to overcome it.  It just might mean that you have to deny yourself and follow Him.