Ole Friends!

In this path of life, I am convinced that God allows us to come in contact with people for a specific reason.

Nearly 40 years ago when my wife and I were Pastoring in a small town in Kentucky we had a neighboring Pastor that we became friends with while we were there.

In fact, there was an occasion where we even preached for each other, we became friends, prayer partners, even had dinner together and many times we would enjoy our times together just discussing the Good Word of God. Then the time came that we moved away to another city, and so did he.

Our friendship became a parting of our ways, sad to say we lost touch with one another, almost 3 decades have slipped by not having one word with this ole preacher friend, we had become what I will call, let's just say, "long lost friends".

Down through the years not knowing whatever happened to this precious man, I would still pray for him when he would cross my mind. There were even times when I would travel through the town where we once lived on my way to a revival or to see relatives and I was reminded of him and not knowing where he had moved off to I would still call his name out in prayer.

I was reminded of the kindness that we received from him and his precious wife.

Talking with another dear friend of mine here just a few days ago about a computer problem that I have been having, he made arrangements to put me in contact with a close friend of his that works on computers, now this guy is sorta like a genius on these computer issues and he is also a fine christian man.

We worked for several hours over the phone trying to resolve my PC issues, during this time we are of course exchanging stories of what we have each done over the years of our lives and we were having an enjoyable conversation and all the while trying to resolve my computer headache. 

We start talking about places that we have lived, different jobs we have had over the years, and then we talked about this town in Kentucky where I use to live, he at one time had a business that would take him to that same town periodically.

Now keep in mind, this gentleman now lives a couple hundred miles from that town that I'm referring to, as he is talking he begins to mention his church that he attends, one thing leads to another in our conversation, all of a sudden I stop him! and I mention to him a name, he says YES! That's my Pastor!

Well!! Guess what?  ...I found my ole "long lost friend", I was so excited when he gave me his phone number so that I could call him and I did that very thing tonight, you talk about a surprise! I talked to him for a while on the phone even before I told him who I was, then I mentioned my name and he knew me immediately!

I thank God that he allowed our paths to cross nearly 40 years ago, but even happier, that he allowed us to re-connect over the many years that have now gone by.

You know what else I'm thankful for? it wasn't one of those things where he or I dreaded the re-connect, like somebody that you had hard feeling against, or somebody that you owed money to and never paid them, and when you saw them you had to try and dodge them or disguise yourself or perhaps look the other way.

He and I are both looking forward to the opportunity that we will have to enjoy a much longer reunion to reminisce when our schedules permit. 

Oh! By the way!  This Computer Genius that lead me to this man I just told you about, well, in our discussion, I also found out that he knows people that my wife knew back in her childhood over in Eastern Kentucky, now I know what you're thinking! " Ain't this a small world?".

Let me say this, be nice to folks that God allows to cross your path in this life, you may meet them again somewhere here down the road. Who knows! If you're a christian and they are likewise, if not here, you certainly want to meet them in Heaven!

One more thing, this preacher and I that I'm talking about, we're really not that OLD, that's why I said "ole" not old!

Live for God like there's no tomorrow, because you're tomorrow could start today.

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

with all thy heart...

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

When we really care about something, we usually give it all we've got! We are commanded by God in his word to love him wholeheartedly, meaning, leaving nothing back. Why is it, that many times we are so willing to put out all effort in somethings, but hold back in other important areas of our lives?

God loved us so much that he gave himself for us, holding nothing back, he surrendered ALL. 

I've heard people say, talking about Jesus, that they took his life, but that is NOT true at all. He gave his life for us that will allow what he did to benefit us when it comes to Salvation.

Salvation doesn't simply come to everyone, but only to those that will receive it. 

This is one of the very reason he instructed us to love him in return, holding nothing back.

I'm reminded of the old song, "I surrender all" 

Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) was raised in a Christian home. At age 17, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He graduated university with a degree in art and was employed successfully as a teacher and administrator of high school art. He traveled extensively, visiting the various art galleries throughout Europe.

Van DeVenter also studied and taught music. He mastered 13 different instruments, sang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his Methodist Episcopal church and eventually found himself torn between his successful teaching career and his desire to be a part of an evangelistic team. This struggle within himself lasted for almost five years.

In 1896, Van DeVenter was conducting the music of a church event. It was during these meetings that he finally surrendered his desires completely to God -- He made the decision to become a full-time evangelist. As he submitted completely to the will of his Lord, a song was born in his heart.

I Surrender All was put to music by Winfield S. Weeden (1847-1908 ), who published this and many other hymns in several volumes. Weeden so loved this song that the words I Surrender All were put on his tombstone.

The words and melody of I Surrender All have appeared in many hymn books around the world. 

I Surrender All

All to Jesus, I surrender;

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him

, In His presence daily live.

Refrain:

I surrender all, I surrender all,

All to Thee, my bless'd Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power;

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender;

Now I feel the sacred flame.

O the joy of full salvation!

Refrain

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Does it really matter what people think?

We've all heard it said, "I don't care what people think!". Well! the truth of the matter is, "We really should!". Especially, if we call ourselves Christians. 

We live in a world of compromise, and many times, it's compromising on the wrong things. 

When someone should really be standing their ground on an issue that really matters in the grand scheme of things, what do they do? yes, they give in, but then, just the opposite happens, they won't budge when it comes to other areas of life that are just not all that meaningful.  

I know we can't go out and change the whole world, but we can certainly change our world around us individually! 

If we live our lives and don't care what people think, we may be the only one that is impacted by that kind of selfish mindset.

As Christians we should really strive to make people like us. The bible teaches us in:  

Pro 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: 

Perhaps the challenge is this, let us be mindful and work at what people think about us, and in our own world we can make a difference and then realize, it really does matter, "what people think".

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

The Hallway of Praise!

Sometimes you wonder, just WHEN will it happen?

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Just stay with the task my friend, victory is coming!

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Sometimes our lives feel like a puzzle.

We have all had times in our lives where we felt like we were just trying to find all the pieces, and then once we find them we ask, where do they all fit?

We deal with so many various situations in life, we wonder if, or how, it will all come together.

Here's what I have found, when we surrender all things to God, he knows how to put our lives back together, many times he's just waiting for us to let go and let God!

I've watched the lives of individuals that were in utter chaos (a state of utter confusion) and once they gave their lives over to the Lord, he began to put all of the pieces together so they made sense.

3Jo 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

You can begin to see in the verse above, that we have it on good authority, that God wants the best for each and everyone of us. 

The key, is turning our lives completely over to him and letting him put the pieces of our lives where they belong. 

He has done it for others, he will do it for you!

praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

   

Seven things you will never regret!

1. Showing kindness to another person.
2. Saying "I'm sorry" when you've hurt someone.
3. Refusing to destroy someone's reputation through gossip.
4. Refusing that is wrong.
5. Doing something that is right.
6. Giving honor to your parents.
7. Giving God the priority he deserves.

Obviously, the list could go on and on!

But doesn't it just make you feel good when you have accomplished things that you absolutely know are good and right things to do?

Having done some motivational speaking in the past, one of the things that I have taught and enjoyed doing was this, teaching people how to be kind on "purpose". 

Almost making a game out of it!

Like, purposely letting someone getting in front of you in line, NOT because you weren't ready, but because you just wanted to show kindness on "purpose"! 

Here's one we use to just love doing, driving through a TOLL BOOTH on the highway and paying the toll for the person behind you, and not even knowing them. 

They would just drive past you and start waving and probably asking themselves, " do I know them?". 

Or paying for someone's meal in a restaurant and telling the waitress/waiter not to tell them who it was.

A principle that I have lived by and have taught to many down through the years is this, " we only get to keep, what we give away!". 

Let's be kind on PURPOSE! not just because it's the right thing to do.

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,

Recently, I was attending one of our home church services, and the question was asked, of all of the prayers you've prayed this past week, would any of them cause somebody to be saved?  WOW! What a sobering thought. 

The truth is, if we will use this moment to be honest with ourselves, we pray many prayers through the course of the week (if some pray at all) asking God to do various things in our lives, but do we ask God to save lost souls?

This has become a greater challenge in my own heart, because I certainly don't want to be guilty of forgetting about those that are lost. Especially as a minister of the gospel.

Do I pray for the lost? Yes, but my commitment is to intensify my prayers that I might not only pray in order to be able to say that I did, but to pray with such a diligence that I will see results as the fruit of my labor.    

The Scripture teaches us in: 

Pro 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 

I want to be (wise) a soul winner, whether that be through personal contact or through the act of fervent prayer for the lost.

I remember a chorus that we use to sing when I first got in church many years ago, you don't hear it much anymore, sad to say, but I want it to be not only a song to sing, but the cry of my heart.

I've included the words to the song below, I hope it gets a hold of you as it has me, just think, if it does, what a difference it will make for the kingdom of God.

Lord! Lay some soul upon my heart, and let me (Frank Mc Gee) do my part, to win that soul to thee. 

praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,

  And love that soul through me;

And may I bravely do my part

  To win that soul for Thee.

And when I enter your beautiful kingdom

and the saved all around me appear,

I'd like to hear somebody say

it was You who invited me here.

Some soul for Thee, some soul for Thee,

  This is my earnest plea;

Help me each day, on life’s highway,

    To win some soul for Thee.

Lord, lead me to some soul in sin,

  And grant that I may be

Endued with power and love to win

  That soul, dear Lord, for Thee.

To win that soul for Thee, my Lord,

  Will be my constant prayer;

That when I’ve won Thy full reward

  I’ll with that dear one share.

May God Richly Bless You!

Spring forward in time, but only 1 hour!

Here is your reminder!
It's that "Time" again, we spring forward one hour tonight.

Psa 115:18  But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. 

The word "Time" appears over 600 times in the Bible, just think, there will come a day when "time" shall be no more.

It's hard for us that live by the clock on a daily basis to even imagine NO MORE TIME! It's difficult to comprehend when you've grown accustom to living by it for so long. Along with the absence of time, there will be no more tears, death, sorrow, crying or pain, it will all vanish with time!

There's a longing in the hearts of the children of God for that day, and friend that day shall surely come. Figure this out... and then, "won't we have a time, when we get over yonder?"  ...I told you it's difficult to comprehend!

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

May God richly bless you as you live for him.

praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Casting out FEAR!

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

1Jo 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.   

Greetings to my blog readers! You know the enemy of our soul tries his best to laden us with fear, doubt and unbelief. The feeling of impossibility, but according to the scriptures above, they give us good instruction not to even consider these things. 

You may be facing a battle today in your life as so many are, but friend of mine, you can be victorious in Jesus by trusting in him and walking in the POWER of HIS might. 

We pray continuously for those of you that read our blog and I am trusting God with you, that you will be victorious and encouraged in the Lord!

Recently, I was ministering on the subject of FEAR, as I was preaching, I began to break the word fear down into the acronym  F.E.A.R.

F= False

E= Evidence

A= Appreaing

R= Real

You see, many times in our lives the enemy wants to bring things against us that are first of all FALSE, he does this by trying to produce Evidence that only APPEARS to be REAL, but when we as Christians do according as to how we've been instructed, by repenting and putting things under the BLOOD of Jesus my friend, they are gone! 

Psa 27:1   The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

Take courage my friend! let the word of God be a strength to you THIS DAY!

praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~ 

Turning the page on a New Day

Have you ever known somebody that just seemed like no matter what, they just couldn't get it all together?

Try as they may, they fall again and again. We've all known people like this at one time or another, or maybe it's you!  Maybe you feel like, if I only had another chance,  I'd do things different this time.
...A fresh start would be good!

You know the beautiful thing about that very thought, sometimes you just have to give that chance to yourself. Sometimes after falling, you just need to pick yourself up, brush yourself off and go after it again. Just think, as you work at it and you've finally come to realize, it's now or never, sometimes that's all it takes. 

We are all prone to mistakes, interestingly enough, when it comes to NOT making mistakes, nobody has the corner on the market! The idea is to get back up and determine in your heart that you're going to do better. You might say," So you think it's that easy huh?

Well! maybe not easy, but it's a start, and guess what? it's a new one, it's FRESH! It's an opportunity to show those around you that you really can be what you need to be, and what strength you can get from just being willing to give yourself that chance. 

I heard a story the other day and wanted to share it with my readers.

A story was told about how after Thomas Edison's team had finished working twenty-four hours to produce a particular light bulb; a young assistant was given the task of carrying the bulb up a flight of stairs  for testing. 

The young assistant unfortunately dropped the bulb as he nervously climbed the steps. Another twenty-four hours was required for the team to produce an identical bulb. When the time came for the replacement bulb to be carried up the stairs, Edison assigned the task to the young assistant who had earlier failed. Edison would not allow him to remain a failure. 

No doubt about it; we all need second, third, and at times even more chances. Thank God, he gives them. We should too. 

I hope this story gets a hold of your heart and allows you to give that chance to someone, even if they have failed before or perhaps, even if that someone is you!

Remember! 

I'm praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~                            

Revival Fires Start in the Heart

Revival Fires Start in the Heart!

Knowing the hour in which we live, I have such a heart felt desire for REVIVAL!!! 

I've always been a revival preacher, because that's where we glean our strength in our times of difficulty. 

The Fire (Power) of God does something on the inward part of a person when the flames are fanned upon and the fire once again begins to ignite what God has placed on the inside of those that will love and obey him. 

Many times when we have allowed things to keep us from the FIRE, it's then when we become that which God has not intended. Fire brings forth Strength, Purification, Light into darkness, and a  Reassurance to ones soul.   The Scripture teaches us to Strengthen things that remain. 

• Rev 3:2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:  

We need to go after those that are getting away from the fire, when individuals begin to remove themselves from the fire they eventually die a spiritual death.

One of the beautiful things about strengthening those that remain, this allows you to have reinforcements to go after others that have lost their way and to bring them back before it's eternally too late. 

Just recently, at our home church in one of the youth services, we were so blessed to watch our young people as they began to worship and praise and magnify God in such a way that you could see and feel the strength they were receiving from the worship they were giving to God and the power of the Holy Ghost was being poured out in a marvelous way.

Another great thing was this, as they would begin to receive their blessings the older folks began to enter in also and we were all being blessed by this REVIVAL power being poured out. 

How many times have our precious young people been in services and would begin to avail themselves to God and then the elders would start being blessed, Oh! friend, this thing is spontaneous!!

Once again, in one of the youth revivals at our home church a few years ago, one of the elder ladies in her 80's received the Sweet Holy Ghost in the midst of a youth REVIVAL! Yes! a youth revival. it's happening folks, but it starts in the hearts of the individuals.

praying with you in mind,

Don't let the Revival Fires die down, 
let's help our young people create the Blaze!

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Built Lord Tuff!

2Ch 20:15  

... Thus saith the LORD unto you, 

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 

Many times during the oppositions that we as Holy Ghost filled Christians face on a daily basis, if we are not mindful of the God in whom we serve, we can easily forget about the power that lies within us.

It's easy during the attacks to get so caught up in the midst of the battle, we forget who our Captain really is and that he is leading us to the Victory.

Remember : Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

The enemy of our souls wants our minds to become so clouded with the things going on around us and the troubles that we are facing, if we are not diligent and willing to persevere no matter how intimidating our situations may be, our Victory becomes so obscured we tend to lose focus and we become defeated.

Living for God all these years, has helped me to realize that he has placed a tenacity way down on the inside of us, Yes! through that sweet Holy Ghost,  we can become battle hardened and then we are capable of winning every battle that comes our way. 

Yes it's true, we have become Built Lord Tough!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y 

That's the Christians Battle Cry!!

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~

Bye! ...Gone days.

       Remembering back in the 60's & 70's when we lived up north in Chicago. Mom & Dad would work hard all week on their jobs, as soon as the week end would come around many folks were headed to Lake Michigan to go to the beach, every weekend we couldn't wait to go to our Grandparents house, by the way, it was always what we called, "the Green House" yep! you guessed it, it was green, out in the western suburbs, a tiny little town at that time, called Keeneyville, Ill. just a few miles west of Addison, Ill. on Hwy. 20 also called Lake st. in Chicago. 

We had a very large family back then and we would all get together and it was always a lot of fun, getting together with all my Aunts & Uncles, Grandparents, Mom and Dad, not to mention the rest of our immediate family and of course all of my cousins.

Many times, with all of the relatives that would show up, we would easily have anywhere from fifty to a hundred people and sometimes perhaps slightly over. Food! Oh man, whatchu talkin' about! Of course, Grandmother's cookin' was more than just good, it was wonderful!! ...Oh! not to worry, there was always plenty. 

In fact, not only would Grandmother cook, but they would even bring food. We didn't have restaurants back then with buffet's, we never even heard of that back then. Fast food places had not even really caught on yet, like the golden arches, or burger king. I do remember KFC, but our family chicken dinners would easily knock the socks off of any of those places, after all, there's nothing like good ole' Home Cooking.

My Grandmother's name was Dovie, she was a beautiful lady, she always wore her hair up in what was called a "dovie knot", I never saw my Grandmother in anything but a dress and it would swirl every time she would turn around. I can still see my dear old hard working Granddaddy in his bibbed overalls, his name was Bill McGee, his real name was William, but folks that knew him called him " Bill" but of course he was Granddaddy to me. 

He was born and raised in Moscow, Tennessee back in the late 1800's. in Fayette County, just a little southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. But as with most people back in those days, jobs were scarce, and with the big family they had and needing to take care of all those kids, they loaded up in an old truck and headed north, everything had to go with them, chickens, chicken coups, goats and other animals too and moved to the Big City of Chicago.  

Daddy said the reason they took all those things was so that when they got to wherever they were going they wanted it to feel like home, sorta like they never really left. They often referred to that trip like the old American realist novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939 " The Grapes of Wrath".

After we all got together and would eat till we were plum full and of course everyone pitching in an getting all those dishes done, the older folks would all gather round sitting on couches old cane chairs, lawn chairs and even some sitting on buckets, us kids would end up sitting on the floor. they would start telling story after story and then they would get out the guitars and other instruments and they would sing song after song, us kids would sit at their feet and just listen, folks just don't do that anymore. The fabric of the family has deteriorated so much down through the years, it's rare that you hear of families doing this any longer.  This is where I got the thought of  "Bye! ...Gone days" hence, the story you are reading. 

Think about what has become of the family, people say they just don't have time anymore, technology has consumed them, I certainly appreciate technology, I use it everyday, but some are satisfied with just a text message, or perhaps a tweet, or maybe even an email occasionally, but I still enjoy that face to face time, being with folks that you love and appreciate being around, for me nothing will ever take that place.

• Here's an idea! wouldn't it be good to use the technology we've all come to enjoy and start contacting those that you care about and love and say something like this, hey! just wanted you to know that we're all getting together ( pick a certain place and a certain time ) and wanted you to bring a dish and we're just going to sit around and enjoy one anothers company while we sing and talk about the " By Gone Days!".

I'm making my plans now!

Hoping you enjoy!!      :-)

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~