Welcome: This Will Be a Wild Ride!

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Starting this blog has been a long journey. It began with a webinar where the sponsor talked about what a powerful influence a pastor could make doing a blog. That put a calling on my heart to consider it. However, that just created more questions in my mind than answers. Like, what would my blog to address? Do I have something people want to read? Do I have the dedication to keep it going? After months of prayer and wrestling in a Jacob-like way with God. On January 15, 2016, my first blog was launched.

My personal faith journey is fascinating. I was brought up a Southern Baptist until I rebelled at the tender age of four. I didn’t understand what was happening in the church. It was loud, confusing and frightening. It drove me away, and I told my mom I was not going back. At the age of 4, I attended a Lutheran pre-school, and they had chapel services every Wednesday. I thought to myself, “Oh no here we go again.” This place was different, there was little to no emotion, at four that appealed to me. I convinced my mom this was the church for us. So at the age of six, I was baptized. I convinced my mom and cousins to join as well. My dad never really came around. I worked on him for years to no avail. The one time he attended a church member made a comment like, “Oh, look the prodigal son has returned.” They were joking, but it hurt him, so he never returned. My Father died 13 years ago this Christmas Day 2016. It is his story that drives my passion to share the Gospel.

So I pray you will sense my heart for those outside God’s grace from this blog. I do not claim to be an outreach expert. Many people have family members, friends and loved ones who have drifted away. Some have been hurt by the Church, for that I am sorry, it was not intentional, I believe we are sinners in desperate need of God’s grace and forgiveness. At times we are thoughtless. Some may have come to church hoping for all the answers and just left with more questions, don’t give up. Some have never come; I invite you because God wants all to come to the life-saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This blog will hopefully encourage you to keep seeking, keeping knocking because God is searching for you.

Since I launched it, every day God opens new doors and new ideas to share. I pray that you will find the insights here some that will encourage you. Things here that will challenge you in your walk with God and more than anything else remind you that you are loved by an Awesome and merciful God. One who loves you so much he sent his one and unique Son to take your place on Calvary’s cross because you are precious in His sight. If this sounds like this will be a blessing to you sign up to follow this blog and share it with your family and friends who are far from God. God bless you, and God bless his Church.

In The Service of An Awesome God,

Rev. B. Keith Haney

How can people invoke His name when they do not believe? How can they believe in Him when they have not heard? How can they hear if there is no one proclaiming Him?  How can some give voice to the truth if they are not sent by God? As Isaiah said, “Ah, how beautiful the feet of those who declare the good news of victory, of peace and liberation.” But some will hear the good news and refuse to submit to the truth they hear. Isaiah the prophet also says, “Lord, who would ever believe it? Who would possibly accept what we’ve been told?” Romans 10:14-16

 

Disclaimer

The information in this weblog is provided “AS IS” with no warranties and confers no rights.

This weblog does not represent the thoughts, intentions, plans or strategies of the Northern Illinois District. It is solely my opinion and if you know me or follow this blog long enough you will learn I have many. Some deeply insightful some may be the result of too much Cajun spice in my diet.

Feel free to challenge me, disagree with me, or tell me I’m completely nuts you would not be the first to do so. In the comments section of each blog entry, but I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, or anonymous comments) – so keep it polite, please. It’s just a blog. It is designed to be a place for people to come and be encouraged. And don’t we all need a little more sunshine in our lives?

 

87 thoughts on “Welcome: This Will Be a Wild Ride!”

    2. Reply
      bunga (@tclghm) says:

      Respected in the Christ ,
      Today fasting prayers will be stat at 12:30 PM
      Prayers timings: 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM daily three days In Atyutapuram village.
      29th day: pray for will be don on the Erath, His Glory, His Grace, Holy name, kingdom of God and his coming soon, daily bread by the Good News and Sustainable development of Ministry.
      30th day: pray for you and your family and day by day developing in the God.
      31. Church believers, orphanage needs and construction of church and orphanage children and who are troubles, worries, in the world.
      Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
      Colossians 2:6-7
      In His Love and Kindness
      Yours brother
      madhu

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Reply
      bunga (@tclghm) says:

      Today fasting prayers will be stat at 12:30 PM
      Prayers timings: 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM daily three days In Atyutapuram village.
      29th day: pray for will be don on the Erath, His Glory, His Grace, Holy name, kingdom of God and his coming soon, daily bread by the Good News and Sustainable development of Ministry.
      30th day: pray for you and your family and day by day developing in the God.
      31. Church believers, orphanage needs and construction of church and orphanage children and who are troubles, worries, in the world.
      Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
      Colossians 2:6-7
      In His Love and Kindness
      Yours brother
      madhu

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Reply
    dianasschwenk says:

    Thank you for dropping in to check out my blog and thanks for the invitation to check yours out. You have quite the story Keith!

    Sorry for the loss of your dad. I lost mine six months ago and I miss him very much. ❤
    Diana xo

    Like

  7. Reply
    Anthony Baker says:

    I see that my friend Wally left a comment before me. Oh well. Anyway, I, too, thank you for following my blog. It’s always nice to see a fellow believer doing so instead of some crazy site intent on marketing vacations, or worse (I always seem to get several of those in a row after a popular post).

    It was neat to read how that you put a lot of thought and prayer into the formation of your blog. Could I go back in time 6 years ago I would do the same. However, when I started blogging I had no clue what I was doing; I just jumped in. Now I write whatever’s on my heart, pastoral-ish or not.

    So, God be with you and bless you as the Gosple of Grace is proclaimed through your site. Preachers unite! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      Hi Anthony. Thanks for following. I think I beginning to find a niche. My goal is to be a positive place and that is the feedback I am getting. God is good. I look forward to seeing what God is doing through you now after six years. Preachers Rock on!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      It has given me way more joy than I thought it would. And the added blessing is that it is giving other joy as well. It is the best of both worlds. Thanks for following. I pray it is a blessing to you as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Reply
    Freedomborn ... Aussie Christian Focus says:

    I look forward to following you Keith, I have walked a rocky road in my life, even being a deceived Atheist for almost 30 years and than an uninformed, confused Christian but now after asking for God’s wisdom and empowering and receiving them, I know without doubt the reality of our God of Love who can and does the impossible and assurance also of who and what we are like in Christ Jesus.

    I Love to share God’s Truth, no one has to tell me to do so but yes as you said Keith we are lead by Jesus and we need to wait on Him to equip and to empower us and for you as you shared that is now with Blogging, which was something I never planned to do either but I have found much Joy in doing so since 2011 even if there has been problems too.

    “Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      I think people who have had a rocky life provide great insights into the heart of God. One of my best blogs my opinion is about finding God in the pain. It was a rough year. Lost my mom and father in law six months apart. It took a year to truly see GOD’s love again

      Like

  15. Reply
    Sparkyjen says:

    What a blessing to find enough passion in your faith to want to share your divine purpose with your readers. I loved reading of the many doors that have opened since you made a conscious decision to start blogging. When we do something from the heart that God has made, we are going to be lifted up. He will give us strength to continue. From what I have read, He is manifesting through you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      It has been an amazing journey. I wondered if I had anything to contribute when this all started. Daily God reminds me that he is using me to bless others. What a awesome God we serve? Thank you for faithfully following.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Reply
    Joanna Lynn says:

    Hi, Keith. I read your blog about allowing the Word of God to speak through prayer and tried to go to the site several times, but it just gave an error message each time. I loved it and it is so good to hear that God speaks to your through your iPod, too. That happens to me all the time.

    I also want to apologize if I freaked you out or said something upsetting in my comment on your post about Paul. I writes about what I wrote on my blog, but I’m sorry if it crossed the line writing it on yours.

    Like

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      Thank You Shawna. It has become a labor of love. And the neat thing is that it is opening new doors for me to become a published author. Never saw that coming. Never thought my writing was that good. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Keith Haney says:

        Yes I have been reminded of that. Also amazed that in just 10 months God lead over 2,ooo people to sign up to read this blog. So many people seeking encouragement. That has been my greatest joy.

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Reply
    thiaBasilia says:

    Keith, my Brother, you have done some serious reading my way, may I ask? Did His Presence in my heart touched His Presence in your heart? His Presence in your writings certainly deeply touch my being.

    Hope, there is always hope. Behold! The power of His love from on high. It never fails. It always avails! His plan to restore us to His original intent for our creation is coming along big time!

    He is joining us together. He is not coming back for a disjointed body. One by one, not the multitude, just like the ancients proclaimed it was to be.

    Jeremiah 3:14-15,
    Return, O faithless children of the whole twelve tribes, says the Master, for I am YHWH and Master and Husband to you, and I will take you not as a nation, but individually–one from a city and two from a tribal family–and I will bring you to Zion. Luke 15:20-22
    And I will give you spiritual shepherds after My own heart in the final time, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding and judgment.

    What a Mighty Yah we serve! Much love, thiaBasilia. 🙂

    Like

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      Hi Thia I am so honored that my writing has touched you. God has been moving in my life in some very interesting ways this past year. It has lead to a Bible Study that will be published on Healing Race in America. I started this blog because I needed a creative outlet. God has turned it into a ministry. I am humbled by the response from those who are reading. Blessings to you. And thanks for reaching out and encouraging what God is doing.

      Like

      1. thiaBasilia says:

        HE IS DOING BIG TIME! lol Not just in others lives but, mainly in our own lives.

        He is turning our heads in His direction. He is bringing us all to the First Commandment literally.

        Unless we keep that first commandment, there is no other way! That’s the meaning of Yahushua’s words.

        There is not to be any division among us. A Church, yes, A CHURCH not contained in a building or in any especific group or groups. A CHURCH built on Him and by Him on Yahushua the Son–the Father in the flesh.

        Mankind is in the valley of decision. Hear HIs voice coming from Keith. Coming from yours truly. Coming from that one the FATHER has CHOSEN to deliver HIs message.

        It is not about Keith. It is not about thiaBasilia. It is ALL about HIM–the GREAT I AM–the EVER EXISTENT ONE!

        It is HIS FAITHFULNESS not our faith. It is ALL HIS WORK not ours.

        We are only HIS AMBASSADORS. Nothing more. Nothing less. Why am I sharing this with you my precious brother?

        Because I see what is happening to you and me. Yes, we are that ONE of the city chosen to deliver this amazing message of restoration but! It is beginning to get to our heads.

        Father will not let that happen! This time you and I will remain in His chosen domain for you and for me in spite of our human deficiencies.

        I see the trend taking place. The trend to elevate us not Him. So subtle. So ever unnoticeable, so quiet, so peaceful, so loving, why?

        Because that’s the hook to get us chosen to deliver His message of the end. That’s the hook to drag us away from Him unto ourselves, our ministries, our churches, our groups….

        Whoa! I just woke up! Not just physically, mainly spiritually! So, that’s why I am so disturbed. Hundreds even thousands of likes and ‘awesome’ and? Oh Keith, what are we doing? Admiring ourselves? Smug from the admiration of our readers?

        O my Father, let it not be! Let it not be! I don’t want to sit under the apple tree with anyone else but THEE!

        Like Yahushua did after reaching the multitudes I will to do. I want to go to the mountain of Your Presence and be alone with You. Thanks for hearing and answering my plea.

        Much love, thiaBasilia. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Reply
    BrookeM says:

    Following from the Tampa Bay Area! (I used to live in New Orleans and my family puts Cajun spice on everything.) I especially enjoyed your recent post on missional communities. I would love to be in such a community, but they seem to be quite rare. I do, however, support a couple of InnerCHANGE communities. I love their intentional living among the poor. I’m also a huge fan of Dr. John M. Perkins and the CCDA. Are you familiar with them?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reply
      Keith Haney says:

      Hi Brooke. Thanks for checking out my blog. I visited Tampa Bay once. Great area. Cajun spice rocks. I am not familiar with Dr. Perkins but I will check him out. Thanks for the lead.

      Like

  33. Reply
    Shirley Morgenthaler says:

    God bless you, Keith Haney. I feel that I am barely getting to know you, and I am awed by what I am learning about you and you faithful walk with God.

    Liked by 1 person

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