Special Prayer Request

Posted in Christianity, My Family with tags , , , , , , , , on March 20, 2010 by The Hillbilly

The family of readers of this blog have become very special to me.  I’ve made some acquaintances that range all the way from Canada to Australia, and then of course many that live right here in my own city.  Many of you have sent your prayer requests from time to time, and sent encouraging words to me, so now I’m going to have to ask of you the same.

My 73-year-old dad began to get very ill Thursday night.  Mom, who isn’t well herself, tried taking care of him, but they ended up in the ER in my small home town.  With escalated white blood cells, a horribly dangerous fever, and even more dangerous low blood pressure, he was admitted on Friday.  Today (Saturday) he was transported to a large academic hospital in Knoxville, and as this is being written (late Saturday night), he is waiting to be taken to surgery.

My family covets your prayers, especially that the surgery might be uneventful and go well.  We pray for God to direct the surgeons hands, the direction of everyone involved, and for God to not only provide help to dad, but also to my mom.  She already is fighting her own challenges, and this is even more as she sees her partner of 46 years hurting.

I’ll try to update the blog as soon as we have more information, but please keep us in your prayers.

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Real Time Management – God Style

Posted in Christianity with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 16, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
 - Colossians 4:5 -

Having been not only in ministry, but also in the corporate world for years, I’ve seen how there is a complete industry around the whole concept of Time Management.  There are books about it, cd’s that one can listen to, seminars you can attend, and classes you can take to learn more about it.  And once you are considered good at it, people will praise you for it, envy you in your talent, and even ask you some of your tips.

But the funny thing is that many times we just become better at managing still the things that are only temporal and really don’t matter.  Don’t get me wrong, God expects us to be hard workers, do our very best at what our hands find themselves at doing, and to be dependable.  But we seem to just pack more of the meaningless into our lives when we become better at managing time. 

Hardly ever do you hear someone say, “I need to manage my time better so that I can spend time with a friend that is battling loneliness.”  Or, “I need to spend more time calling people I’ve not seen in a while to check up on them.”  And how long has it been since you heard someone say, “I need to manage my time better so that I can spend more time encouraging those around me.”  We seem to believe redeeming the time is important, but typically for our own purposes and desires, not necessarily for those of the kingdom.

A few weeks ago, my Senior Pastor, Jack Batson read this poem he wrote and it made such an impact on me, I just had to share it.  This is one of the wisest men I’ve ever met, and he has to be one of the most compassionate preachers I’ve ever had the honor of sitting under.  So, I truly believe there is wisdom in this poem, I hope it will challenge you as well.

Today
by Rev. Jack Batson – New Life Apostolic Church, Nashville, TN

I awoke in the morning
with questions on my mind.
About this life
And about this day in time.

What will happen today
That could change my tomorrows?
That I would be a better person, friend, or neighbor
To bring a smile and not sorrows.

For today is all I have
To do what needs to be done.
Yesterday is gone
And for me, tomorrow may never come.

Are there things that need to be made right
For wrongs that I have done?
Are there things that need to be said
And songs that need to be sung?

Are there letters to write,
And calls to be made?
We do not need to put off until tomorrow,
What needs to be done today.

The “I love yous” that you wished you have heard
And the hugs that you wished you had,
Have they been sown along the road that you have traveled today,
To all of those that you have met?

Are there friends you long to see
Who live in a distant place?
Go to where they are, and smile
As you enjoy their embrace.

Remember the time when you became friends
And chatted about old days gone by.
And how you had so many good times
And laughed until you cried.

Because our tomorrows become fewer
Each day that we live.
For us to receive of life’s fullest blessings
we must remember to give.

So give of your best while today is today.
Dream your dreams and reach for the stars
As you have heard people say.
For is there are no more tomorrows to come your way
You will have no regrets because you gave your best today. 

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Baked Chicken Salad Recipe

Posted in Hillbilly Recipes, My Family with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on March 13, 2010 by The Hillbilly

In the lives of us Hillbillies, most of the foods, and things that mean so much to us end up being so special because of the events they are associated with.  Maybe that special chocolate cake we loved so much was first introduced to us when a neighbor brought it over to celebrate the birth of a child.  Or maybe it was at a great family gathering where we first fell in love with a terrific chicken casserole, or peach cobbler.  You see, in a culture where many times we can’t be extravagant, we celebrate, and even mourn with food.

When I was in 4th grade, my papaw Craig passed away.  That was my mom’s dad, and he was a special man.  After my mammaw died, he took turns staying with different children, and he stayed with us for long periods of time.  He taught me to never get above my raising, taught me that there was no shame in not having much as long as you treated people right, and did your best, and was my checkers partner.  When he passed, it was the first death that really shook me, I was just old enough to know what it meant.  During his passing, of course so many of our friends, neighbors and family brought over tons of food to accommodate all our family that had come in and to make sure we didn’t have to cook. 

One such dish that was brought was by a great lady that was a friend of my mom’s.  And that dish was an amazing Baked Chicken Salad.  It was so good, and till this day whenever I fix it, I get warm thoughts of not only that sweet lady who has now passed on, but also my Papaw.  So I hope you enjoy.

Baked Chicken Salad

4 Cups of Cooked Chicken (Diced)
4 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)
1 Tblsp Chopped Onion
1 Tblsp Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Salt
Dash of Black Pepper
Mayonnaise (Must be a good Southern Mayo)
Tomatoes (6 Slices) or Canned Tomatoes (Drained)
1 1/2 Cups of Crushed Tater Chips ( Thick Rippled are best)
1 1/2 Cups Celery (Finely Chopped)

NOTE:  I recommend you only use JFG or Duke’s Mayonnaise.  They are the best.  Do not use Kraft, Miracle Whip, or any of those other city brands, they tend to break apart during baking and become just oil.

Combine Chicken, Celery, 1/2 of the cheese, onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper and just enough mayonnaise to moisten.  Don’t over use the mayonnaise because of the oil content when baking.  Toss it all lightly, and put into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.  Top with tomatoes.  Bake in a 350 degree pre-heated over for 35 minutes.  Combine remaining cheese and tater chips.  Sprinkle on the casserole.  Return to over until the cheese melts.  It is wonderful hot out of the oven as an entrée, at room temperature on sandwiches… and I’ve even been known to eat it cold out of the fridge, lol. 

So enjoy, and if you love it as much as I do, find a special reason to share it with someone and make a happy memory with it.  You’ll be glad you did.
 

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He Fell Down Daddy…

Posted in Christianity with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 8, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Over the last couple of years while writing the articles that make up this little website, I’ve been able to see God’s little lessons all around me. I’ve seen Him trying to teach me things via trips to the store, words said by a child, and even one time in a ticket I got by a trooper for driving in the HOV lane. Well, unexpectedly, it happened again over this past weekend.

The Men’s Ministry of our church had a fellowship meeting Saturday night, and as we were all sitting enjoying our steaks and twice baked potatoes, I had the great pleasure of hanging with the great men of our church. My best buddy was sitting next to me, and let’s just put it this way… his focus was on his plate. I think I could have burst into flames and he wouldn’t have known it while he was enjoying that steak.

But all of the sudden, his 5-year-old and 10-year-old came into the room where we were and his attention was diverted. His 5-year-old was escorting the 10-year-old and announced to my buddy and the whole room that his brother had fallen and was hurt. You could see the look on the older boy’s face that showed for sure, this was no little trip, but that he was scared, hurt, and wanted his dad.

I watched my buddy forget about the steak, the other people in the room, and everything else in the world, and totally focus on his first-born to make sure he was okay. He immediately began to make sure healing began for his son, started cleaning him up, and told him it was going to be okay. I then watched as the night progressed, and saw him hold both of his boys close, periodically pulling them closer, and giving them a gentle kiss on the head. My buddy is just that kind of guy, the very way he lives his life challenges me to be a better man everyday.

As I was reflecting on that last night driving home from church, impressed by the character of this prayer partner of mine, I thought about what Jesus said. In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”  Matthew 7:11  And then it hit me like a lightning bolt.

That dad that I watched loving and taking care of his boys is still a man of flesh that has a carnal nature, sometimes loses perspective, and sometimes makes the wrong choices just like the rest of us.  But he still cared when he heard the cry of a hurting child.

So how much more does God care about us when we fall down and get hurt?  If we being the fallen creatures we are have enough sense to clean up the fallen, encourage the scared, and provide compassion to those who need strength, then how much the more does Jesus want to pick us up when life has tripped us up.

Believe me, it’s one of the hardest lessons I’m learning right now, and maybe that’s the whole reason God allowed me to see those details Saturday night.  Maybe God wanted to give me a visual of just how much He wants to pick me up, clean me off, and wipe my tears away.  Maybe God wanted to remind me, if I’m scared, He’s ready to pull me close to Him, kiss me on the head and let me know it will be okay.

Do you need to be reminded of that today?  He wants to be that Father to you, He wants to love on you, and He wants you to let Him love on you.

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
 - Zephaniah 3:17 -

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I Want You….

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Get your mind out of the gutter folks!  LOL!

This blog has served as a tool of ministry for me since July of 2008.  It’s been an honor and privilege to share my life and thoughts with you, and we’ve been blessed to see our readers grow from an average of maybe 25 or so a day to now averaging over 290 visits a day.  In March, lord willing, we will have had over 90,000 visits in total, and be well on our way to breaking the 100, 000 visits mark.  All in under 2 years.  Praise the Lord!

Through this ministry, countless prayer requests have been shared, numberous Bible questions have been asked and we’ve attempted to answer, and we’ve even been privileged to enter into some Bible studies via email with some folks who have found us and asked more about Apostolic Doctrine and the Acts 2:38 Born Again experience.  Hopefully we can add to that many who have been uplifted, encouraged, or at least tickled a little bit from something we’ve said or shared. 

You’ve been able to share in my journey from a Credentialed Church of God evangelist, to finally being able to step into Complete Truth within the Apostolic Church.  It’s been challenging, a huge time of discovery and growth, and it’s been a joy to share that with each of you.

We have readers that range from members of my very own church family, to strangers around the globe in other nations that I’ve never met.  We have people of all backgrounds, ranging from those who are Apostolic like myself, to many that other faiths and denominations, as well as many readers that claim no faith at all.  It’s a great little hodge podge we have here, and I’m blessed that so many of you come back time after time.

So, what do I need you for?  I need you to share some of your favorite articles from the site with others. In March, we’re pushing for more subscribers and regular readers to The Inspired Hillbilly, and the way for that to happen is for you to share.  Find that article that you loved so much, copy the URL link to it, and send it to someone.  Or just tell them they should visit www.theinspiredhillbilly.com and look through our site.  We discuss everything from faith to politics, from humor to recipes.  There’s something for everyone, even Yankees!!!!

So, I need those of you that have found some comfort here, and join us regularly, please share the site with others.  In March, I’d love to see us hit 400 readers a day. 

Again, thanks for your help, your love, and your taking time from your busy lives to come spend some time here with the Hillbilly!

In His Service,
The Inspired Hillbilly

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Victory Is Sweet

Posted in Christianity with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2010 by The Hillbilly

I’m not really sure how most people approach this blog.  I know some don’t have the foggiest idea of who I am personally, what kind of life I live, or anything about what makes me the Child of God I am.  Others, know me, maybe even for years, and I’m sure especially as they read certain things I write, they can almost hear me saying them.

Though I’m not sure, and frankly it doesn’t matter how the readers of this site approach it, it’s my hope that even in times they find inspiration in something that I might say or write, that they realize I am a man of flesh just like any other.  And even in the times that God provides me some clarity on this journey we are all walking, doesn’t mean at that very same time I’m sharing God’s heart with you, that my own may not be breaking.  So many times when God is speaking through us, the irony is that we can very well be in our greatest storm, our greatest battle, and even at our very weakest point. 

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been writing a series that I know God placed on my heart, and I’ve enjoyed sharing regarding Spiritual Warfare.  And if they didn’t help or encourage anyone, I know the study challenged me and showed me where I need to be a more faithful soldier.  As I’ve been studying and reading, also I’ve found myself continuing to battle through a mental torment and anguish that I just can’t seem to get away from.

There are wounds that can cut very deep, even in to the most victorious among us, and sometimes it’s not as easy and quick to have those wounds heal.  We know all the things we should do, would say to someone else, and what God has promised regarding the situation, but for some reason, we can’t seem sense we are winning in the battle, and we continue to walk in defeat and despair.  And I’ve been there, frankly for months now.  It’s been the hardest time of my life.  And even when the physical circumstances have gotten better, my heart still hurts, and it’s not been easy to move forward believing I can climb out of this.

Today, I was reminded of an old Southern Gospel song I grew hearing.  It’s a great song, and so before I leave today, I wanted to share the words to it.  Friend, I don’t have all the answers, and I certainly know we are in the most trying times we have ever been in.  But each day, I’m trying to be consistent in doing what God directs us to do, and I am reminding myself, having the answers doesn’t really matter, as long as I know I have communication with the Answerer.

Victory Is Sweet

Verse I
When I’m broken from the battle,
And I’ve lost another round.
Satan whispers to my troubled mind,
Just lay your armor down.
Where are those you’ve loved and trusted,
Look around you, they’re all gone.
Would be easy to surrender,
When you’re standing all alone. 

Verse II
Then I bow my head in sadness,
As I ponder what to do.
I’ve been in God’s Army for so long,
And I’ve been a soldier true.
Then I hear a voice from Heaven,
Saying pilgrim it is I.
Lift your head and take new courage,
And turn your eyes toward the sky.

Chorus
And I see a great band of Angels,
Camped all around me.
And I see the Captain rising up,
The challenge to meet.
I know I’m safe from harm,
When I’m touching Jesus, Oh yes!
For the battle is His, and the Victory is Mine,
And Victory Is Sweet!

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“Weapon of Prayer” – Spiritual Warfare Series

Posted in Christianity with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2010 by The Hillbilly

This is our last installment for this series of teaching. In this series, each installment is building on information provided in prior articles.  To keep from being overly repetitive, please take a moment to read the earlier installments in the series. To view earlier articles in this series, please click on the article title below, listed from most recent to earliest:

“Sword of the Spirit” 

“Helmet of Salvation”

“Shield of Faith”

“Shoes of Peace”

“Breastplate of Righteousness”

“The Belt of Truth”

“Take A Stand”

“Strongholds vs. Truth”

This Week’s Installment…

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation,  and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
 – Ephesians 6:14-18 –

This is our final installment in the Spiritual Warfare Series, but there couldn’t be any more an important topic for us to cover.  I know most writers and teachers, when enumerating the armour of God, and individually teaching on each piece, really don’t look at Prayer as a piece of the equipment.  And though Paul didn’t specifically point it out as a certain piece, he most certainly believed it was important to the victory and success of a Child of God as he included it at the end of the armour passages.

One might first ask, if the Apostle Paul didn’t feel it was important enough to equate with a physical piece of armour, why was it important enough to mention.  I think that answer is actually the converse of that.  Prayer was so very important to Paul that paralleling it with any piece of armour that could be taken off and put on would almost make it sound optional.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe any of the armour is optional at all.  But I believe Paul was trying to make the point that Prayer had to be a constant and consistent part of the life of a soldier in the army of God.  Prayer had to be the constant flying banner under which we performed every aspect of our life, it had to be the very fiber of who we are and whose we claim to be.

Paul states we must pray “always” with all prayer and supplication.  Paul is stating, we must constantly be pouring ourselves out before God, a releasing of our wills, our agendas, our plans, and emptying ourselves of our own directions.  If we are constantly and always praying, it’s impossible to miss the mark.  It’s when we quit listening and talking to God that we begin to get ourselves in trouble.

And he said with “all prayer”.  What does that mean?  I’ve learned over the years there are prayers of praise, worship and adoration; and there are also prayers of intercession, where we seek God to intervene on the behalf of someone or a situation.  There are prayers of repentance, where we realize we’ve gotten self in the way and once again need to be plunged into the cleansing flow of Calvary.  And oh yes, those prayers of just conversation with God, not only talking with Him, but spending the quiet time allowing Him to speak to us.  All of these aspects of all prayers are so important.  And then there is the admonition for supplications.  The encouragement and challenge to keep one’s self poured out before God.  A vessel emptied before it’s Potter.

And all of these prayers, and supplications must be done in the Spirit.  We must be sensitive to His leading, His agenda, His plan, His direction, His desires for us.  We must allow Him to pray through us when we are at a loss to know how to pray.  We must be people who strive to live more in the Spirit than ourselves, following after the Spirit, and believing that the production of the Fruit of the Spirit is just as important as operating in the Gifts of the Spirit.

When this type of life is lived, and believe me, I am striving to live this type of life everyday; then we will find ourselves becoming watchmen.  Watchmen that realize this world is not our home, it is a place we are very uncomfortable in.  We become watchmen that realize there is an enemy of our soul, that is subtle, and many times will transform himself into an angel of light.  It is when we pick up this armour, and walk in this mode of prayer that we become aware, there is a Kingdom we are citizens of that is calling us to bear arms for the cause of Christ, so that men and women, boys and girls, might be Born Again… of the water and the Spirit.

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Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Posted in Hillbilly Recipes with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Okay, Okay… been getting some emails wanting more recipes.  So here’s one of my favorite desserts from my childhood, a true Hillbilly favorite… Coca-Cola Cake.  Yes, I’ve tried it with Pepsi (for my NC friends), but it just never tasted right, especially in the icing.  And being a true Hillbilly, I felt like I owed RC Cola a try in the recipe, but it was too sweet.  So, I’ll save my RC’s for when I enjoy a Banana Moon Pie, my Pepsi’s to sip and enjoy on a hot summer day, and we’ll keep Coca-Cola in our cake.

Cake Ingredients
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) of Blue Bonnet
3 tbsp. Cocoa
1 Cup of Coca-Cola
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Miniature Marshmallows

Icing Ingredients
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Blue Bonnet
3 tblsp. Cocoa
6 tbsp. Coca-Cola
1 Box Confectioners Sugar
1 Cup Chopped Nuts (Optional)

Sift and Measure your flour out.  Then Sift the Flour and Sugar together.  In a medium saucepan, combine oil, Blue Bonnet, Cocoa and Coca-Cola.  Bring to Boil.  Pour this over the Flour and Sugar. Add the remaining Cake Ingredients, stir to mix well.  Pour into long pan, probably 9 x 13.  Batter will be thin, so don’t get upset.  Bake at 350 degrees (325 for glass pan), for about 45 minutes.  Make sure it’s done, normal cake testing to see.

Let the cake cool a while, then begin your icing.  In a medium saucepan, mix the other Blue Bonnet, Cocoa, and Coca-Cola.  Place this on LOW HEAT.  Once it’s good and hot, remove it from the heat and add the Confectioner’s Sugar, Vanilla and optional nuts.  Mix until smooth and spread onto cake.  Allow icing to set up before serving.  Can be served at room temperature or from the refrigerator.  Great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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“The Sword of the Spirit” – Spiritual Warfare Series

Posted in Christianity with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 18, 2010 by The Hillbilly

In this series, each installment is building on information provided in prior articles.  To keep from being overly repetitive, please take a moment to read the earlier installments in the series. To view earlier articles in this series, please click on the article title below, listed from most recent to earliest:

 “Helmet of Salvation”

“Shield of Faith”

“Shoes of Peace”

“Breastplate of Righteousness”

“The Belt of Truth”

“Take A Stand”

“Strongholds vs. Truth”

This Week’s Installment…

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation,  and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
 – Ephesians 6:14-17a –

Christians are supposed to be meek right?  Lowly, gentle, never harm a soul and always walking around singing sweet songs of peace handing out lollipops, right?  We’re supposed to float on clouds, have song birds land on our shoulders while we bring peace and joy to the entire world and never raise our voice… right? 

In the last 3 decades, one of the greatest injustices the Church has done to itself has been it’s over emphasis on only one part of the character of God, therefore pushing unreasonable expectations upon those of us that bare His name.  I will agree that in years past, the Church has fallen short in displaying the love of God as we should, and our tank of compassion has been a quart low at times.  However, in our effort to find balance and display to the lost and dying world around us the goodness and grace of God, we’ve turned God into a weak knee’d feeble grandfather, and all of us into a lot of pansie acting, peace nicks who act like we have to ask the devil’s permission just to walk in God’s promises.

Well dear friend, that is not who we are.    No, we aren’t to be overwhelming brutes always spouting about the Holiness of God while ignoring the fruit of the Spirit mandated of us all, but also we are not second-rate citizens that have to sit back and take whatever life and the enemy hands us.

God has not only provided you and I with defensive weapons, but also with weapons that are to be used in attack. We have been provided with tools that will push back the gates of hell and assist us in maintaining our rightful place of authority in Christ.  The Scriptures plainly teach us that we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).  We have the mind of Christ (II Corinthians 2:16).  We are more than conquerors of the situations that face us (Romans 8:37).  And furthermore, we are able to do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).  The Word of God plainly shows me and you that we are winners, walking in Victory, and even though the valley may come, we can come out on the other side in Victory and overcoming the enemy of our souls.

And how do we do that?  With the Word of God.  Friend, the Bible is not merely literature.  The Bible is the very Word of God.  It is the written Will of God for my life and yours.  It is His desires for us, His commands for our living, and His very thoughts toward the quality of life He desires for us.  It is 66 books of His promises that He makes toward us, and He is not a man that He would lie.  His promises are true, and He will stand by them.

But we must take the Word of God and make it our contract for living.  We must know that Word, become aware of what it says, and use it as a sword to fight back anything the enemy or the world may send our way that looks contrary to those written promises of God.  We must fight any attitudes, feelings, situations, or circumstances that will cause us to be less than what God has said He desires us to be.  We must take that sword and not only put it into our hands, but put it into our hearts… make it a part of us, and when we take our stand… do it with our Sword as a firmly gripped part of our armour.

 

 

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