You're Never Too Old

I recently had the privilege of ministering in a great church of about 100 people on a Sunday morning. The worship was powerful and the Holy Spirit was present in a wonderful way. The people were friendly and welcomed me like a long lost family member. I shared a message about being ready for Heaven and then extended an invitation to come forward for prayer to those who had a need or felt the Lord nudging them to get things right in their relationship with Him.

The response was overwhelming. I began praying with people for their specific needs as the Holy Spirit led me to pray. I was impressed to ask some for direction in how I could pray for them. Toward the end of our prayer time I noticed an elderly woman who was sitting on the platform portion of the church that also served as an altar or place for folks to come and kneel to pray. I walked over, sat down next to this lady of many years and asked her how I could pray for her—thinking that she might have a physical ailment or some other non-spiritual need. She began to weep and said that she had been running from God for so long and needed His forgiveness. We both began to pray and cry and thank God for His unending forgiveness that was available to all who run to Him.

In that moment I was reminded of Jeremiah’s cry in Lamentations 3:22-24, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” What a joy to know that it is never too late for God’s forgiveness in our lives; that He’ll set aright our relationship with Him when we let Jesus Christ regain his rightful place in our hearts. In addition, I was given a great lesson: Never take it for granted that someone has a right relationship with God no matter what their age—even if they are sitting in your church right next to you.

Be blessed!
Marshall M. Windsor, D.Min.

My Cajun Family

I recently had the privilege of ministering in Houma, Louisiana for a men's conference with additional church services on Sunday. I had never really been to southern Louisiana for any length of time, but realized when I arrived that I was in a culture-rich environment where the people were genuine and the home-made Cajun fare was too. Gumbo, Jambalaya, white beans, potato salad, rolls, and some great friends just to name a few of the wonderful things awaiting our family when we arrived.

But it was the people of southern Louisiana, with a rich French heritage, that struck a chord with me; and reminded me of my early years growing up in a large family. We found some authentic folks who are genuine, down-home, salt of the earth people who depend on the land, sea, and God for their livelihood. My wife Nancy said it best:

"While in Houma, Louisiana we had the opportunity to experience some of the different aspects of the southern Louisiana culture: the warm hospitality of the people; some of the best gumbo and jambalaya in the state; driving through some of the shrimping communities south of Houma; and just sitting and listening to the people talk. If you listened closely you heard traces of a culture that once was the beginnings of the making of America."

As a Christian who travels a bit, when I run across folks who treat me just like family, it makes me stop and realize just how special that feels--especially when I am among folks who may be culturally or ethnically different than me. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) says it best: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 

When we allow Jesus Christ to have lordship and leadership of our lives, we join a pretty awesome family that's as diverse as anything imaginable--similar to those wonderful folks in Houma, Louisiana. I pray that you will let Christ have that special relationship with you today--because there's always room for one more in God's family.

Blessings!

Dr. Marshall

God's Greenhouses

Over the years I have appreciated God's wonderful way of growing and preserving his saints. We often start out with an emotional high after our salvation experience—when we asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives—and end up tempered for leadership through the challenges and disappointments of life. This process often begins in a divinely protected environment whereby God begins to teach and transform us to be his disciples. For you, this may be a loving family home, a church, a Bible School, or some other more miraculous scenario.

It was this appreciation that got me thinking about God’s greenhouses – those “safe” places where we can begin to step out and exercise the spiritual gift that God may be nudging us to use. This has nothing to do with the “Greenhouse Effect” that we learned about in science—where thermal radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-radiated back in numerous directions to the surface originally radiating the heat; thereby raising the temperature. The greenhouse I’m thinking about are those you find in plant nurseries where air and heat are trapped inside with a protective covering to keep the inside area warm and safe so the plants can grow. No matter what the temperature is outside, when a greenhouse is working properly, you can walk through the door into a nice, warm, moist environment full of green, healthy, growing plants!

The Psalmist talked about that kind of protection no matter where we find ourselves in life. David stated in Psalm 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Now, you may not see your greenhouse as clearly as the one at your local plant nursery, but when God’s presence surrounds you, there is a peace that passes all understanding—keeping you in His greenhouse as He protects and strengthens you through the valleys and mountaintops of life.

So the next time you feel God nudging you to step out and do something a little bit out of your comfort zone, or seem to be wading through the hardships of life, just remember the greenhouse effect. He’s with you and longs for you to trust Him with all your heart, because His plans for you are greater than you could ever imagine.

God's best!
Marshall