Podcast appearances and mentions of kenn blanchard

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;   The sin of not praying. Prayer is communication with God.  Jesus told us to always pray.  You can tell a spiritual contender from a pretender by their prayer.   The Spirit knows spirit.  Luke 21:36 There are people that stand up in church and start TALKING but they are not praying.  There are people that in their minds they are praying but their words are not going further than a few feet in front of their mouths. How do you NOT do that? Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.   First, you focus on the greatness of God rather than the greatness of the problem.  A good prayer starts off with thanksgiving.  Giving thanks for the greatness of God.  Praising Him for being God.  There are many gods in this world.  Make sure you do as Jesus did when he said “Our Father which art in heaven” (King James Version).  Be specific.  This prayer is actually more about who God is than anything else. Great prayers always are.  When you focus, putting your spiritual aim on the Kingdom of God.  And take your eyes off the world, you can see.   Secondly, pray God's words back to Him.  That is why David said “this words have I hid in my heart”  You have to learn the words of the Bible for yourself.  No priest, preacher or clergy person is needed to pray for you.   “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. First, the New Testament does not teach that there are to be priests in the New Covenant. Instead, the New Testament teaches that all believers are priests. 1 Peter 2:5-9 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood.” Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 both describe believers as “a kingdom and priests.” In the Old Covenant, the faithful had to approach God through the priests. The priests were mediators between the people and God. The priests offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. That is no longer necessary. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can now approach God's throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The temple veil tearing in two at Jesus' death was symbolic of the dividing wall between God and humanity being destroyed. We can approach God directly, ourselves, without the use of a human mediator. Why? Because Jesus Christ is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; 10:21), and the only mediator between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5). The New Testament teaches that there are to be elders (1 Timothy 3), deacons (1 Timothy 3), bishops (Titus 1:6-9), and pastors (Ephesians 4:11) – but not priests. And this is why many people have become disillusioned with God or their faith has been shattered.  They have relied upon infallible man to pray for them or to.   And don't just repeat the same prayer.  Repeating the Lord's prayer is a vain repetition.  The Bible says not to do that.  We have adults still saying “now I lay me down to sleep”.  When are you going to grow up from that? The early believers actually prayed God's promises and God's words right back to Him. We should pray on His promises, too.  Thirdly, pray specifically for your response to the situation.  Consider the model prayer meeting in Acts 4:24.  The powerful council that had arranged for Jesus' crucifixion has now ordered Jesus' disciples to shut up about Jesus or else. Peter and John reported this to the believers a very volatile situation. Here was their response. "When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. 'Sovereign Lord,' they said, 'You made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through Your servant David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?' Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against Your holy servant Jesus. They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs...'" Now, here's the result of their prayer: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the Word of God boldly."  Here you go: powerful prayer - explosive results. Let's pray like that if you want to get results like that. We can learn some of the secrets of dynamite prayer from how these early believers prayed under life-threatening pressure.  Here's the recap: First, you focus on the greatness of God rather than the greatness of the problem. This prayer is actually more about who God is than anything else. Great prayers always are. Secondly, pray God's words back to Him. The early believers actually prayed God's promises and God's words right back to Him. We should pray on His promises, too. Thirdly, pray specifically for your response to the situation. They prayed for boldness. The situation isn't what will decide this. It will be how you choose to respond to the situation.  Finally, pray for things only God could do - boldness when you feel like running - miracles to show people God's glory. Frankly, our prayers are often so small, so predictable, so unworthy of the great God with whom we're talking. When you pray to a very big God for very big things, beginning with big things to happen in you, prepare for something explosive to happen. That will be the sound of your God blowing the lid off things! You see, I am not a just a preacher of the Gospel.  I didn't learn this in school.  I learned this in life.  I am a recipient of God's blessings.  I'm jaded.  You can't impress me because I know God.  You can say anything you've done that I won't give him credit for.  I know the author and finisher of my faith.   You know it is a sin not to pray.  You can't represent God as an ambassador without a prayer life.  You can't really be a real officer of a church without a prayer life.  Don't fool yourself.  And don't surround yourself with other fools that agree with you.   Practice makes saints.   guitar-for-hire.com blackmanwithagun.com    Love you, Kenn 

Mother Teresa said, be faithful in small things because it is in that your strength lies. You are listening to Faith Journey and I am your host Kenn Blanchard.   I hope I didn't shock you too much with our change last week.  It was all of a sudden for some.  Missed a few episodes and then BAM what happened?  I know.  Its like that sometimes.  What did you miss? If you don't know I can't call it. This week, I want to talk about the journey of a prophet that didn't want to go to a big city and give bad news. It was kinda like when you are doing the right thing and finally got your act together and the Lord wants you to testify, witness, preach, sing, visit, feed, basically work.  And sometimes, you haven't got yourself together yet, you are waiting for something and the Lord says move.  You second guess Him.  You pretend you didn't hear Him.  You hope you didn't hear Him.  You even convince yourself you didn't hear HIM.  In your Faith journey your mileage may vary. God however does not change. He is the real deal. The only consistency in our lives. His values don't change with the culture. He doesn't deviate from his nature, His Word, or His Will for us. At the time of the release of this episode I am Missouri. I got the opportunity to preach in at Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Norwood, Missouri. I believe I was sent there.  I will find out why when I am there.  How I got there was as sudden as the change of this podcast. More on that later. The question of the week is Where would you find the story of Nicodemus? And the answer to last weeks question for those that found it in the show notes is John 2.  I missed saying it on last weeks episode but posted it in the show notes. Ah haaaa.  Bonus points if you saw it there.   Get your bible and find the Old Testament book of Jonah.  While I was studying this minor prophet's journey, I pictured that he was swallowed by a Grouper.  They are pretty big fish that can gulp down their prey and 2000 years ago, it was probably as large as minivan. The big city that Jonah had to go to was called Nineveh. It was somewhere near Mosul, in modern day Iraq. This story is interesting. In far more ways that the fish story.  Jonah, first didn't want to go, then he basically wanted to commit suicide, the Lord wasn't having it, then he got his mind right, did what he was supposed to do and then got mad at God when the people did right.  He was hoping they would not and get destroyed.  He wanted God to still slap them. I see a lot of Jonah in other people. But it doesn't end there. God had to still talk to Jonah like a spoiled child later and show him something.   Jonah's journey was more than spending three days and nights in the belly of great fish. Your journey is bigger than the predicament you are in. your situation, your sin, your short coming, your frustrations. God is not finished with you yet.  IF He didn't quit on you, why are you selling yourself short?  Why are you giving up?  Why are you settling? Why have you stopped praying?  Why have you stopped believing in faith? Voltaire said faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. Prayer Bad music. Love you,   Kenn   

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.   Solomon said Psalm 127 1-2: Unless the Lord builds the house,     those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city,     the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early     and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;     for he gives to his beloved sleep.   Ephesians 5:16-17 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.   Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend ~ Theophratus….   Don't waste time or time will waste you   Time waits for no one.   Please continue to pray for yourself, your family, your friends, your enemies, this country, and this guy.   Shalom, Baby, Rev. Kenn Blanchard  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net 

Rev. Kenn Blanchard asks you to respond to a couple of questions in this episode.  Please respond by email or text.   kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net   

False Guilt = not good enough    Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 1 Corinthians 8:7    False guilt can result in depression and spiritual paralysis. Someone suffering from false guilt may feel that God has given up on him and despair of ever being sanctified. False guilt tends to be very “me-centered,” rather than God-centered. The tendency is to think we'll never be good enough and focus on our shortcomings.   The cure for false guilt is the gospel. If you're a Christian, start by confessing any known sin. The promise of God in 1 John 1:9 is for believers: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Remember that, once a sin has been forgiven, it's forgiven for good. God separates our sin from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).    

I thought I didn't have anything to share with you this week but I do.   God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13   God is faithful. Prayer for you. Love you, Rev. Kenn Blanchard

Key Verse: “He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.” (Isaiah 40:29) Context: The 40th chapter of Isaiah addresses the dire situation of God's people during the Babylonian exile. It speaks of God's comfort, forgiveness, and liberation for those held captive. The focus is on God's transcendent nature and enduring love. Aims: Reflect on God's bigness and ability. Consider God's love and understanding of our troubles. Understand how waiting on the Lord renews our strength. Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net   

Restoration can be defined as the act of returning something to its former condition. Making something new again. Restoring can also make things better than their current state. The Bible says a lot about this. Our Heavenly Father's restoring power is one of the greatest promises from Scripture.  God loves us and wants us to have a relationship with him, but the entrance of sin into the world separated us from him. Yet God graciously provides a way for our relationship with him to be restored through his son, Jesus Christ.  God can restore your mental and physcial health, your spirit, and your circumstances. Projects: https://www.musicbyspoon.com Book: ow Not to Go to Hell After Spending Your Life in Church. https://a.co/d/6Twaj2p   If you have questions, please email me: pastor@speaklifechurch.net or kenn.blanchard@gmail.com      Giving   https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard     

The Anti-Christ- who is this joker? 666 Apostasy    Praying for you.   musicbyspoon.com is still a thing as I transitioned from gun rights to blessing other through music.  Pray for me on that one.   If you have questions, please email me: pastor@speaklifechurch.net or kenn.blanchard@gmail.com      New book is out on How Not to Go to Hell After Spending Your Life in Church.  https://a.co/d/6Twaj2p       Giving  You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard 

Additonal study text for the end of times. Presence of false christs and false prophets (Matt. 24:5, 11) War, (Matt. 24:6-7; Luke 21:10) Persecution of the faithful, (Matt. 24:9) Apostasy, (Matt. 24:10; 1 Tim. 4:1) Lawlessness increases and love grows cold, (Matt. 24:12) Earthquakes, famine, and plague, (Luke 21:11) Increase in selfishness, (2 Tim. 2:2) Lovers of self, money, and pleasure.  Arrogant, disobedient, ungrateful, and unholy. They will be haters of good, conceited, appearing godly but are not, (2 Tim. 3:2-5) Mocking of Jesus, (2 Peter 3:3-4; Jude 17-19) Increase in knowledge, (Daniel 12:4) Rise of spiritism, (1 Tim. 4:1) Decay of marriage, (1 Tim. 4:1) False teaching, (2 Tim. 4:3–4) The gospel will be preached to the whole world, (Matt. 24:14) Signs in the heavens, (Luke 21:11) Sun and Moon will be darkened, (Matt. 24:29) The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, (Matt. 24:30) Abuse and destruction of the earth and its resources, (Rev. 11:18) All the nations of the earth will gather against Israel, (Zech. 12:3) Rebuilding of the Temple, (2 Thess. 2:3–4) Arrival of the Antichrist, (2 Thess. 2:3–4; Rev. 13:14–17) Enforcement of the mark of the beast, (Rev. 13:17) Repentance of Israel and the Jews coming to faith in Christ (Rom. 11:25-26)     let me know if you want a copy of the new book when it drops! kenn.blanchard@gmail.com  Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard 

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”   ~ Genesis 22:1    check out my new site for my nursing musician project.  www.musicbyspoon.com    Pray.   Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard 

Psalm 73:16-17   Candid conversation about what's going on and being thankful and grateful to God.  Choosing to appreciate God no matter what.  Two sides of everything that happens.  It's our perception.    King James Version 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.       Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Acts 11:14  and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.    Reasons the world isn't an accident but a Divine Incident. pt 1   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Read the three lessons in Luke 15 1 Corinthians 13 Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

https://blanchardnetwork.com     Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Talking about HOPE this month. It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, four days without water, four minutes without air, but only four seconds without hope.    thank you for listening,   Rev. Kenn Blanchard 

Luke 10:38-42   Martha and Mary   38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord's feet, and was listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with [a]all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving [b]by myself? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”     We get so busy doing church stuff that we are no heavenly good.  I call it a Martha Moment. MUCH SERVING.  oh you are always in church but your marriage is failing.  you are always in church so your kids don't come.  you are in five choirs,   the martha moment   john 11 :17-27   Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[c] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”     2 Tim 3:5.  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Faith: Righteousness and Depression Understanding Faith, when you are still jacked up from the neck up.  Answering the questions of righteousness and depression in a modern time. Speak Life Church Podcast with Rev. Kenn Blanchard

Rev. Kenn Blanchard talks about personal responsibilty and gun ownership. Sponsored in part by Crossbreedholsters.com and friends at https://patreon.com/blackmanwithagun check out https://blanchardnetwork.com and the new shows there like Clay Miles  https://www.blanchardnetwork.com/show/clay-miles-this-is-some-bs and the new story telling podcast: https://www.blanchardnetwork.com/show/never-fry-bacon-naked-and-other-life-lessons

On this Mother's Day, I send you my love and blessings. May the Almighty be with you every step of your life!   May God bless all mothers, for putting their children first instead of themselves, Wish you all a happy mother's day.     Faith of a child   ~ Matthew 7:11   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.      https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713    

What motivates you to do what you do?   I love to fish.  If I fish in freshwater, I take a smaller rod and lighter line.  I use artificial bait that looks like a bug or edible thing to a fish that might find its way by accident into the water. In saltwater, I have to go heavier.  Anything is possible but I am not capable of anything so I have to moderate.     We are all fishing for something.   Earthly accolades, wealth, something of value, women, men, forgiveness, acceptance, to belong, for love,    Men pleasers- Ephesians 6:6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Gold/wealth- Matthew 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? Treasures-Proverbs 10:2 - Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. Lust of the flesh- Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.   What's in your tackle box?   If all you are catching is hell?  You might want to change your bait.  You might want to change your tackle.  You might want to mend your nets.   Simon Peter, and Andrew had already joined him, now he was asking the sons of Zebadee. Matthew 4:21  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.   James and John, quit fishing for the wrong thing.  So what are you fishing for?   Nets were used back in this time for everything.   I am fishing for the people with a mind for God.  I am fishing for the hurt and the lost people of God.  I am fishing for the one.  The mini, not the mega.  I am not fishing for attention, recognition, accolades, or compliments. I am fishing to bring families back together.  To bring wives back to their husbands, husbands back to Christ.  I am fishing to bring parents back to parenting.   I am fishing to let young men, be men.  I am fishing to make old men wiser, revered and loved again.  I am fishing to put you back in right order with God.  And I will do it by hook or by crook.  Fishing hook or shepherds crook.   Only you can bring back your crazy kids.  Pastor can't do it.  if you kids have strayed, its your fault, own up to it, and minister there first. Oops, just lost some folks.  You were with me until I went there.    Deuteronomy 32:46 And he said to them, Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. Ephesians 6:4 And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord   So what are you fishing for?  (4 points)  Fishing requires patience.  It requires the right equipment.  It requires commitment.  It requires knowledge.  Patience (Rom 5:4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation   Equipment -That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:17)   Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12  Commitment Proverbs 16:3  Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.   Knowledge A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. (Proverbs 14:6)   Wisdom and knowledge are granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like. 2 Chron 1:12   Mark 1:17  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.   What's in your tackle box?      “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God…” Ephesians 4:11-13     Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, 14713 Kent Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

This is a short convo about striker fired sidearms.  Maybe you are carrying one now.  Maybe it should be your next/first purchase.  I am giving you three to try at the range under supervision/training. Revolvers are still good.  Don't count them out. Warning on social media. Trying to get my mojo back, let me know if you are listening, and/or have questions.  blackmanwithagun@gmail.com https://buymeacoffee.com/kennblanchard    Shalom Baby   Rev. Kenn Blanchard   

Sharing some commentary and seeking your thoughts on what I said.  Sharing what it takes to get started as a gun owner in Maryland and giving kudos to the Virginia Citizens Defense League, VCDL.org for leading as a gun rights organization. https://vcdl.org/mpage/VCDLLegUpd012723 The state of Maryland isn't quite up to the level of New York or California when it comes to gun control, but it ain't for lack of trying. Maryland has tons of gun control laws on the books, and none of them have made Baltimore any safer, but that won't stop them from doing more. https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/Firearms/HandgunQualificationLicense.aspx Thanks for sharing,   Shalom Baby, Rev. Kenn Blanchard blackmanwithagun@gmail.com    https://patreon.com/blackmanwithagun 

Its been awhile since my last episode, (April) but I am still here.  A little tired from what I have been dealing with the illness of my wife.  Had a chance to do a bike blessing and a group ride.  Loving my 21 Indian Challenger and will be sharing my pros and cons this week.   I've had some fails trying to get cohost and content for the show.   More promises than product.  More excuses than I care for.  This show may go away this winter.   Nobody's fault but mine.  Look for a guitar tech biz I'm starting in the Fall to pop.          Stay up,   Rev. Kenn Blanchard      

1 CHRONICLES 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.   HE CALLED THE RIGHT ONE. ASKED TO BE BLESSED AND ENLARGE HIS TERRITORY/MINISTRY AND THAT GOD WOULD BE WITH HIM AND THAT HE WOULD KEEP HIM FROM EVIL, SO THAT IT WOULD NOT SLOW HIM DOWN.   2 Corinthians 3:5-6   Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.   ACTS 1:8   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   ACTS 2: 23-31  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.     ACTS 2: 42-47 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.   EPHESIANS 3:19 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.   2 CHRONICLES 16:19  For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713      

Loneliness is part of the human experience.  How often do we think about it and its affects? Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. - Numbers 11:14   David said I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. Pslam 102:6 Jeremiah said For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Hebrews 13:5-6 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Do you have more than your fair share of troubles? Do you think you are having more than you can handle? There is a popular cliche that says that God doesn't put more on us than we can handle.  I know that is not correct.  he Bible simply doesn't say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. This is a misreading of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.”   God always puts more on us than we can handle. Sometimes the Lord, in his sovereign purpose, crushes us (Hebrews 12:4-12). He breaks us so that he can remake us. Think of how Jeremiah cried out in Lamentations because God has left his nation, city, and people utterly desolate and decimated. Think of all the psalms in which the psalmists cry out to God for bruising them. Think of our Lord Jesus in whom “it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10).   2 Corinthians 4:8-12 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. Prayer.   New Feature:  Question of the Week.   Send it to pastor@speaklifechurch.net or  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com  Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  240-200-0713      

Rev. Kenn Blanchard inspires, educates and shares some wisdom on a cyclical view of time and culture, and how it connect to gun rights activism.  He also has commentary about the proposed 2022 assault weapon ban. His origin story and tons of motivation.   Check out Lil Spoon the puppet and subscribe to https://spoonsays.com on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd1P7LN9a1SAZjrKK2OKSqA      Support: Https://patreon.com/blackmanwithagun  Https://crossbreedholsters.com    The bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1808/text

Lessons from your child  Trust  Expectations (Faith) Hope Love —Want to be with you   And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3    Child of God- Are you one?   LOVE #1.    Homework:  What is the verse I asked about near the end of the podcast episode?       Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713    

Thank you for listening this week. John 14:15-31   15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.   John 16:33. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”   What do you want Lord?     He wants a relationship You get that by prayer and learning who he is from his word. He wants us to study his word He wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves   Matthew 22:36-40   Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.   God is looking for Unity Divisions are of this world but not of GOD.   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.        https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713  

Whose Side Are You On?   The story of 4 men that thought they were doing right but weren't. 7 ways to do better when you feel like the world is against you. A prayer for you.     Numbers 16 King James Version     16 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? 4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? 12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation. 20 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. 27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. 30 But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord. 31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses. 41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. 42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 44 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. 47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.   Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713  

Who do you trust these days? We asked the question daily.  We used to trust the news.  We used to trust politicians that we voted for.  We used to trust our parents.  We used to trust teachers.  We used to trust our neighbors.     I am here to remind you that you can still trust God.     You can't trust in your good looks, personal strength or knowledge.  All of that goes away as we age.  We get wrinkles, scars, we hurt muscles we get injuries, we start to ache.     But you can trust God.     I hear people complain about the politicians in Washington DC.  After they get here they change.  DC is Hollywood for ugly people.  They are still celebrities.  Don't get it twisted they can't fix anything.   But you can still trust God.   I would like for you to be confident in that whatever God put in you, is still in you.  Your gift, your talent, your art, your power for Good.       Phil 1:6 - For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.   Phil 4:13 Hebrews 10:35-36 Hebrews 6:12 1 John 5:14-15 Proverbs 3:26 Ephesians 3:12 On Confidence, and Trust in God      Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713  

What happens when we die?   We live in crazy times.  The Bible says it will get worse and you don't have to be a prophet to see that is true.  One of the things I would like to do is to make sure you don't stay a babe in Christ.  There a lot of church people that are still in "Sunday school."  They never graduated.  This is unfortunate because they teach and speak with authority to others and even mislead their children.  A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.  Today, I want to give you some food for thought about what happens when we die, from the biblical standpoint.  It's not as popular as thinking we will become angels or that our parents are up there looking down on us.  That is a beautiful picture but not true Scripturally.  Oh and how about the thought and thinking that grandma spirit is in her room?  Also dangerous because any spirit in there is not your loved one. If there is a spirit there, you might want to cast it out. The Bible often compares death to sleep. (Psalm 13:3; John 11:11-14; Acts 7:60) A person who is fast asleep is unaware of what is happening around him. Likewise, the dead are not conscious of anything. Yet, the Bible teaches that God can awaken the dead as if from sleep and give them life again. (Job 14:13-15) For those whom God resurrects, death is not the end of everything. People who have died do not go to heaven. They are “sleeping” or resting in their graves. That “sleep” isn't permanent. The Bible contains the good news that God will wake them up—in a resurrection from death! For true Christians, that will occur at the return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul makes this clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [are dead]. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” When Jesus Christ returns, as the apostle Paul stated it, “the dead in Christ will rise first” (verse 16). For one to “rise,” one would have to come up from somewhere. If one had died and gone to heaven already, then the individual wouldn't be rising from the grave when Christ returns. He or she would be descending from heaven. Paul is clear that the dead wake up from their sleep and rise. Jesus Christ speaking: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). The apostle Paul writing: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). What happens after death depends on a single choice that you make during your life.  Are you saved?   We do not become angels when we die. Humans are one kind of God's creation, and angels are another. To say we become angels is to say we stop being humans. I know this is heavy but I'm not trying to entertain you here but save your soul.   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting this ministry.  If you have questions feel free to call or write me about this so I can explain it better.   Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713  

John 4:23   But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.   The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age   Matthew 24 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, [b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.   2 Timothy 3:1-5 Paul said    3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.       Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713    

Luke 21:34 ESV “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.   NIV Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.     Want less stress?   I got a chance to speak and hear from the Lord this week.  The Message was Simple. Live Simply.    1 Cor 7:35- And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.   the last part of this scripture says to serve the lord without distraction.     1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.   Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.       Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713

Merriam-Webster : very despondent : DEPRESSED     Hope is the last thing we lose.     "It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, four days without water, four minutes without air, but only four seconds without hope."   Hope gives. Choose hope.     “Heads that are down can't scan the horizon for new openings. helplessness leads to hopelessness."   “Soon I will be done, with the troubles of this world…” -  Mahalia Jackson, Negro Spiritual    Psalm 39:7 English Standard Version (ESV) "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.    Psalm 33:18 (ESV) Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,    Psalm 31:24 (ESV) Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!      Psalm 71:5 ESV For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.    Want to sponsor me to come to you?  Let's plan on it.       Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.      https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713      

  Plans fail. So what can we do about it?         But as for me, I will look to the Lord;      I will wait for the God of my salvation;      my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;      when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness,      the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord      because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause      and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light;      I shall look upon his vindication. Then my enemy will see,      and shame will cover her who said to me,      “Where is the Lord your God?” My eyes will look upon her;      now she will be trampled down      like the mire of the streets. (Micah 7:7–10)   Karen Update:   Found out yesterday that my wife may never walk again.  She has some improvement in her arms but is still a quadriplegic.  She still has a feeding tube but is eating regular food too.  The therapist thinks she can go home now, and I am trying to prepare myself for what that will look like over the next few weeks.  Gotta get the house set up for long term care, and probably get a live in nurse.     Mentally, she is 80% herself.  She thinks she's ok, (with bouts of memory loss and dreams she remembers as real events ).  I know she is not.   Seeing how she has already survived 3 brain surgeries, two bouts with pneumonia, two blood clots and a usually fatal case of fungal meningitis, she might be dancing by Christmas, 'cause that is how we roll.  Thank you for supporting us.  https://gofund.me/a098f55b       Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713    SHARE THIS!!     

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:44-46)     Spoonsays.com (still doing this)      Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.      https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com 240-200-0713 

 “It Is Finished.”   Then Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:30   Spoonsays.com (still doing this)    Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.   Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com 240-200-0713

The Fifth Word(s) from the Cross | Ep. 232    I Thirst (John 19:28)   This statement is traditionally called "The Word of Distress"    "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips." (John 19:28-29)     Depression (personal)   Spoonsays.com (still doing this)      Giving Links   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.       Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772   Rev. Kenn Blanchard  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com 240-200-0713

Prayer The Third Word - "Affection" Update on my wife Spoonsays.com https://gofund.me/20414f54 John 19:25-27 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"  and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."   Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  https://blanchardnetwork.com   

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Thank you for being a part of the Speak Life Church and this podcast audience.  Your presence encourages me.  Your emails and calls motivate me. Your support blessing all of us. This week we are thinking and studying the second Word of Jesus from the cross in our series.  I hope there is something new for you here to glean. I am praying for you. https://www.Spoonsays.com is the new youtube channel.  Please subscribe to it and see the updates.  Also looking for help with this project.  It is now a part of the Speak Life Church, Inc. Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  240-200-0713 pastor@speaklifechurch.net       

Happy Resurrection Sunday 2022.  On this episode we will begin a series of the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross.   “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” — LUKE 23:34 “TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” — LUKE 23:43 “WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON.” — JOHN 19:26 “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?” — MARK 15:34 “I THIRST.” — JOHN 19:28 “IT IS FINISHED.” — JOHN 19:30 “FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT.” — LUKE 23:46 The first theme is Forgiveness. SpoonSays.com has launched.  The new Youtube channel project.  I am hoping to play on street corners this summer with encouragment and support for the hurting.  Pray for me.  I am using this character, "Spoon," to reach people in crisis. The Mrs. is doing better each day.  PRAISE GOD!  I am still going through though stuff mentally though. I'm a little BroKenn.   Thank you for your prayers.  Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  pastor@speaklifechurch.net 240-200-0713       Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN      

Happy Palm Sunday. Who Was Judas Iscariot? Why should you care?   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.   Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  240-200-0713 pastor@speaklifechurch.net  Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN    

I Will Praise Him Reflecting back the light of God Praise and Worship Update on my wife and I Suicide awareness ministry plan -http://kennblanchard.com/2022/03/31/if-this-saves-one-life/        Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.  Psalm 63:3-4   I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1   The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7   Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1   Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14     Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  pastor@speaklifechurch.net 240-200-0713   Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN    

The News -Jimenez Arms -Ghost Guns Sterling Arsenal 201 Davis Drive, Unit FF, Sterling, VA 20164. 571-926-8705 Https://crossbreedholsters.com  Update on my wife's condition    Winners of my question last week.    Victor  V.  Aaron S.  Linwood J   One suicide is too many  I created this design to remind you and everyone that sees it that one person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes.  I decided to dedicate my whole guitar playing future to support this and help as many as I can. https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/29034266-one-suicide-is-too-many?ref_id=6142&store_id=152990      http://kennblanchard.com/2022/03/31/if-this-saves-one-life/      Please continue to support me at https://patreon.com/blackmanwithgun    Rev. Kenn Blanchard blackmanwithagun@gmail.com 240-200-0713    Thanking you for being a part of my extended family.  If you want to contribute to the family gofundme thing for my wife.  https://gofund.me/a098f55b      Next week •5 Things You Must Know About ghost guns   SHARE THIS:  HTTPS://BLANCHARDNETWORK.COM   

https://www.blanchardnetwork.com/show/speak-life-church  Does God really care about you? Or are we just an insignificant speck in an obscure corner of the universe, alone and forgotten?  To put it another way, are we only here by chance? Or did God deliberately put us here, and is He deeply and personally concerned about each one of us?  From one end of the Bible to the other, the answer is a BIG yes! How do I know this? I know it first of all because God put within each of us a desire to know Him. We may mock it or deny it—but our hunger for God is still there, and it can only be satisfied by coming to know Him in a personal way. But I know it most of all because of Jesus Christ. He was God in human form, who came into the world to demonstrate God's love for us. You will learn much about God by looking at the world He created—but you'll learn far more by looking at Jesus Christ. Open your life to Him today. The Bible says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God … has made him known” (John 1:18). It's all through the Word of God (Bible).  I am going to quote a boatload of Scripture this week for you to examine, read, and signify personally.  Trust but verify!   “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13   God doesn't simply send an angel to hold your right hand. The God of heaven and earth personally holds your right hand. This is a figurative expression of his closeness to us and his personal care for us. He says that we are not to fear because he personally helps us – “I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 Here God says that he personally will be with us, strengthen, help and uphold us. For this reason, we need not fear or be dismayed when facing or going through tough times. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43.2 We will all “pass through waters” and rivers of hardship and uncertainty and walk through the fires of life. But God promises, “I will be with you.” Personally. Presently. In the midst of the fire, like he was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32.8 This is one of my life verses. God himself, the fountain of infinite wisdom and knowledge, promises to personally instruct and teach his children. And he promises to counsel us with his eye upon us. He is watching over us every second. He never slumbers nor sleeps. And he counsels us step by step, day by day, with his eye constantly watching over our every step. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23.1-3 In this, one of the most well known passages in the Bible, God tells us he cares for us intimately and personally. He leads us. Feeds us, gives us rest in him. Our good shepherd feeds us and refreshes us in his word – in green pastures. He personally restores our souls when we are weary and drained. He personally leads us in paths of righteousness for his name's sake – so that we will bring glory to his name. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 Our good Shepherd gathers us in his arms and carries us “in his bosom,” a picture of intimacy and closeness and deep care, and he gently leads us. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5.6-7 God isn't so busy running the universe that he doesn't have time for our petty worries. He tells us to cast all our anxieties on him. Why? Because HE CARES FOR YOU. He cares about you. He cares about your children and grandchildren. He cares about you in your job. He cares about your church. He cares for you, that you would have joy and strength. As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40.17 The Lord takes thought for us individually – “the Lord takes thought for ME.” You personally are always on his mind. He knows us intimately when we're “poor and needy” spiritually, emotionally, or physically. And because he takes thought for us he is our help and deliverer. So cry out to him! When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34.17-18 Are you brokenhearted? Crushed in spirit? The Lord is near to you. He is with you and identifies deeply with you. If God tells us to weep with those who weep, how much more does he feel for us in our sadness and pain. And he tells us to cry for help, because he hears the cries of those he has made righteous by the blood of Christ. And our personal Savior will deliver us out of ALL our troubles. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2.13 We were once far off from God, but when we believed in Jesus, God brought us near by his blood. How near? We are one with Christ, in union with him. Adopted as God's children. No longer far off, but family. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13.5 God will never leave nor forsake us. This is how we can be content in every circumstance. We have God himself, the fountain of life and every good thing, and he will never abandon us.   No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 Talk about intimacy! Jesus calls us his friends! Intimate friends. Friends are intimate and share with each other. And Jesus makes known his Father and his Father's words and ways to us.    A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18.24 Jesus is closer to us than any brother, than any family member could ever be. And he sticks close to us.   Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49.15   There's been plenty of times when I've had overwhelming troubles and thought, does God even care about what I'm going through? Reflecting on the hard times, now I can see God's comforting presence through my struggle. Here's what God says about hard times. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV). And scripture tells us God sees and saves our tears. Did you know somewhere in Heaven your tears are being collected and your sorrows documented? “You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8 NASB).   How precious is that? God not only does He preserve our tears, but He also keeps a record of all the times were sad! I like to think He records the reasons for our sadness. He cares enough to take note and can turn things for our good. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18. No matter what kind of problem you face, God knows what you are going through and He will do whatever He can to help! So cry out your prayers to God. Sometimes the greatest prayer is simple. God help me! Q:  What do you need to do if you want gifts from God? A: You keep on seeking God and asking of God.     The loving care of God is a theme that runs all throughout the Old and New Testaments (1 Peter 5:7). But God's care is not one dimensional. He cares both for us physically and spiritually; that is, He cares both for the body and the soul. Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, teaches us about the second of the above. Asking of God was the emphasis in the Lord's example prayer in Matthew 6. Now, in chapter 7, Jesus reasons with us as to why we should ask of God (Matthew 7:7-11). Jesus shows us that we are dealing with a God different to the gods of human imagination. They are usually fickle and often cruel. The true Father in heaven is anxious to give good things generously, to all his children who ask of him in the proper spirit (2Corinthians 9:8; James 4:3).   The gifts that God gives in answer to our requests are never disappointing gifts. Jesus pictures a son who asks for bread, and his father picks up a stone. A stone might have a similar shape and appearance to a small loaf, but it would be no use to a hungry boy. Or maybe the son asks for a fish, and his father catches an eel or a sea snake. A Jewish boy could not eat such a "fish", because it would be unclean food to him. God is not a father like that. When we ask of God, we receive good gifts.   Paul put this principle in very strong words: God is "able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" and we can be "filled up to all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:14-21). John says, "We know that he hears us in whatever we ask, so we know that we have the requests which we have asked from him" (1John 5:14-15; 3:22). No wonder Jesus says, "Ask and it shall be given you".  Human mothers have a deep care and affection and concern for their nursing children. Human mothers have deep compassion on their infants. Yet sometimes, they may forget. Yet God has more compassion and care for us than the most loving mothers on earth. He will never forget to care for us or fail to have compassion on us. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When we are afflicted, we can run to “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” And there is no affliction he will not comfort us in – he comforts us in “ALL OUR AFFLICTION.” So much so that we can pour out God's comfort on others in their pain. I hope these verses encourage you as much as they have encouraged me through the years. Isn't our God wonderful? God cares for you. God knows  "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:7-8). God hears  "The cry of [the oppressed and mistreated] has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts" (James 5:1-5). God remembers  "You have taken account of my wanderings, put my tears in your bottle; are they not in your book?" (Psalms 56:8).   God cares "Cast all your cares upon him, because he cares for you" (1Peter 5:6-11).   Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.       Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  240-200-0713 https://www.gofundme.com/f/karen-blanchards-medical-bills?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet    Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN  

Prior Proper Planning Pays Off   Saving money in the shooting sports Update on my wife:  https://youtu.be/gcNlD7EVmZs Not A Sermon     Unless you are wealthy, recreationally shooting is expensive.  The firearm can cost $400-$4500.  Range time for indoor ranges is $15-25 an hour.  Ammunition, targets, and safety equipment vary. If you are on a budget, good with your money or want to save a few dollars here are some tips that will help you do that.  This will be the first in a series, I will provide for you from time to time.  You don't like blowing money do you?  Firearms, pistols in particular are almost impulse buys.  They are advertised by movies, screen heroes and the cool kids wherever they are these days.      Range fees have stayed the same for the most part but there are so many new shooters now that it is now unheard of to have an hour wait to use an indoor range.  Believe it or not, that wasn't the case just a few years ago.    Ammunition increased during the Trump years and hasn't returned to normal.  Your gun food is important.  Back in the day, when firearm tolerances varied and you had to get gunsmiths to “work” out the rough edges and give love to a handgun just so that it was consistent, ammunition was crucial.  Not all guns worked well with all the brands and grades of ammunition available.  It is a little less the case now although you will find out that with practice, there is some ammo that works best for you.  Different loads, bullet weights, etc. in your firearm do different things when you are behind it.  You won't know that from the box or necessarily from the recommendation from your shooting partner.  Depending on your shooting schedule, goals, type of firearm, I suggest you buy your ammo in bulk. I'm talking about 1000 rounds of practice ammo.  And 100 rounds of self-defense stuff.    At the onset, 1000 rounds seems like a lot but if you are shooting a semi-auto handgun that has a ten round magazine because you live in one of THOSE states like I do. And you have three magazine that's 30 rounds.  They sell the good stuff at 25 rds a box typically so you might pay $21-49.00 a box of 25.   Practice ammo- seller & ballot, Winchester, magtech, blazer, Remington, federal     Ear Pro, eye pro and targets,   Invest in a range bag   an Emergency Personal Injury Kit (EPIK)  a rapid-application tourniquet.  eye and ear protection.  a notebook and pen (for recording your rounds fired and perhaps notes on your training and performance)  a cloth for wiping down your firearm and magazines after training.    If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.Success if being able to continue just one more time after failing or falling.As crappy as things are for you right now, they will be the good old days for your kids, nieces and nephews.Somebody.   This is a little update on the situation.  If you have been following me for the past ten months you know that my wife had a brain tumor removed that incapacitated her. The family has been devastated.  Last Friday, after recovering from being bedridden, and having pneumonia (twice), two blood clots, and fungal meningitis, she had surgery to relieve pressure in her brain.  God clicked the switch and she is talking again.    She's almost 100% back mentally.  She wants to eat and was able to swallow water.  It's amazing and so God!    Make sure you have health benefits. Get long term care insurance. Have someone that will advocate for you if you can't speak.   Visit the sick. Believe and worship God. He is worthy! Thank you for your prayers and friendship.    Thank you for supporting us.  https://gofund.me/a098f55b     Your friend and brother from another mother, Kenn  blackmanwithagun@gmail.com https://blanchardnetwork.com Sponsored by:  https://crossbreedholsters.com      

Psalm 25:14 says, “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” Is the God you believe in real to you? How do you reconcile that relationship?   How can we have a deeper friendship with God? How can we grow in intimacy with him, so that he reveals himself in such a way that we can more effectively worship him and serve others? I was down in the dumps, you know that is where I hang out now since my wife had her surgery, the dumps.  And I was drinking my morning coffee trying to get the caffeine to perk me up a little.  I was readying a text a long test from a musician and guitar builder.  He went all in and told me in the longest text message of 2022 this:    I am an atheist and don't understand faith in a higher power but know there will never be comfort in atheism.  I will tell you for the last year or two, I have been getting signals from somewhere on a daily basis. I am thoroughly convinced there is something more. I personally think both the the concept of a god as well as the concept of evolution are completely and equally absurd. No way evolution is naturally occurring and no way there is a god controlling everything. It's also absurd there are only 2 possibilities ever discussed.  I have this conversation regularly with a friend who is a Greek Orthodox, born again Christian and an Injury Lawyer. He is finally agreeing with me. It's clear to me the Bible is man made. There is zero evidence of a higher being. All the stories contain only things that were known to man at that time. Any conversation with a higher being would have contained content not known to man “at that time.” When you talk to a scientist, they don't tell you things you know. They tell you things they see under a microscope. Things you clearly do not know from your vantage point. A higher being who created all we know and all we don't know would have revealed something! Things under the ocean, animals not indigenous to that area, the single celled animal…something in outer space, other planets or galaxies. There would have been a clue or some clear evidence of something people could not have known.  Their are 100 billion stars in our galaxy. Stars are suns, suns have planets. What is occurring here on earth would have to be occurring a zillion times on other planets. A hundred billion stars. Do you realize how many that is? If you could count one integer per second, it would take about 35 years to count to a billion. So figure 3500 years of seconds. Each one of those “seconds” represents  a star in our galaxy.  Each planet, like ours can have 6 billon people. A hundred billion planets times 6 billion people, a calculator doesn't calculate that high. And, there are other galaxies! Tell me how a higher being can have any control over a single person. Nobody does the math. You won't hear that in a church.    It's right up there with Santa Claus can fill up a sleigh with toys for ever kid living on the planet, travel around the world, hit every home in a single night…all powered by reindeer that can fly. And, can eat a cookie at every stop! And I only know one thing for sure. We will never know…and we have to be satisfied with that. Just take things as they come. Fight the fights you can win and surrender to the ones you can't.  That's my 2 cents of unsolicited therapy. Sorry if it goes against everything you believe. Hope you don't find it offensive.  Happy to hear you are doing better. Let's talk soon if I didn't offend you with my view of life.    I sipped my coffee, re-read his post and thought about it all for a minute.  You ever wonder about all of this stuff?  You ever wonder if it is a load of crap?  I took a sip of coffee and texted him back.  Hey man, good morning.  I received your text.  God has been my friend since I was a kid.  We are close.  He wrote back, I am happy for you.      I have never seen God, but I know Him.  I have heard His voice.  I have seen where He has been.  I've seen His Work.  I've read His Word.  I talk to Him often.  He has saved my life physically several times. I love Him.  And scared of HIM. But like you and I – we have never met. Do you have friends you have never seen?  What do you consider me? Aren't we friends?  How would you get to know me better?  FaceTime, video chat, call, write, visit in person.   It is not that God didn't have many friends in Scripture, he did. But there were some he was closer with. Abraham was one of them. In fact, one of the greatest forms of intimacy is going to somebody's home. God visits Abraham's home in physical form and shares intimate secrets about Sodom, that even the Sodomites and Lot, who lived there, were unaware of. God had a deep friendship with Abraham, which afforded him many great privileges. The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him… (Genesis 18)   What are characteristics of God's friends? How can we grow in intimacy with our Lord?   In this text, God miraculously shows up at Abraham's home in the form of a man, with two other men who were angels. Abraham prepares a feast for them, and God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham. He tells him that within a year's time, Sarah would birth a child. When the three visitors are about to leave, God decides to share with Abraham his plan to visit Sodom and Gomorrah, confirm their sins, and then destroy the land. Then we see Abraham intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah and move God's heart.   Can one have friends without first showing himself friendly (Prov 18:24, KJV)? James even declared, “Draw near God and he will draw near you” (James 4:8). It seems clear that Abraham knows these visitors are special and that one of them is God. In fact, he calls one of them “my lord” in verse 3. One of the three was clearly prominent, as he was God incarnate. To further support this, Abraham said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by” (v. 3). The implication is that Abraham had a previous relationship with the prominent one; otherwise the comment wouldn't make sense. He had just met these gentlemen. It seems like a fair conclusion that Abraham knew the man was God with two angelic guests.   Worship is a natural response for those who know God intimately. Worship comes from the fact that one recognizes how “worthy” an object or person is. Abraham had known God for over twenty years; he knew God's beauty and his characteristics. Abraham, therefore, bowed in worship to the Lord and reverence towards the two angels.   Giving Links    https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Rev. Kenn Blanchard  kenn.blanchard@gmail.com        Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN    

    1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   Asking God to forgive your sins is an important process. It is important that you admit what you did wrong and truly feel sorry that you did it. You must come to God, pray using scripture, and ask Him to forgive you. Then you must believe that he has. Sadly, we realize that most people take sin far too casually.  Some in the world don't even believe in the reality of sin while others just pass it off as something that everyone does, thus it is not a “big deal” and we shouldn't allow it to bother us! Yet those who believe God and His inspired Word know that sin is what will condemn, destroy, and lead most people to eternal ruin! (See 1 John 1-5) Thus, we must carefully read God's Word and study the meaning and results of sin. Further, we must realize that Jesus is the answer to the disaster of sin for He gives us forgiveness! With this in our mind, let's study a list of sins mentioned in the New Testament!   A few sins.   Murder, adultery, lying, stealing, gossiping, pride, greed, lust, gluttony, envy slothfulness,      Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.     Psalm 51 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. 5Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. 6Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 9Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. 14Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. 15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. 16For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 18In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.   We Must Recognize Our Sins. To repent, we must admit to ourselves that we have sinned. ... We Must Feel Sorrow for Our Sins. ... We Must Forsake Our Sins. ... We Must Confess Our Sins. ... We Must Make Restitution. ... We Must Forgive Others. ... We Must Keep the Commandments of God.         Asking God to forgive your sins is an important process. It is important that you admit what you did wrong and truly feel sorry that you did it. You must come to God, pray using scripture, and ask Him to forgive you. Then you must believe that he has.     Giving Links  https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  240-200-0713     Want to start your own podcast?  Use this affiliate link.  https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=KENN