Yesterday I went to visit an old friend who lives in Calera, OK. We had lunch together around 2:15 p.m. He took me to a place called Hillbilly Barbecue. The barbecue there is to die for. The ribs were tender and the sauce was out of this world.

When I got home this morning around 2:15 a.m. I slowly crawled into bed hoping not to disturb Robin. She woke up, gave me a kiss, and then asked, “What have you been eating?” I didn’t realize how bad it was until this morning! The bedroom was filled with a bad odor and that odor was coming from my mouth.

Those ribs were delicious. They looked good, smelled good, and tasted good, but I never realized until this morning what they’d do to my breath. Isn’t that the same way we look at sin. Sin smells good, looks good, and taste good, but we don’t realize the kind of effect it has on us and others until it’s to late!

I want to let you in on a secret, we don’t have to sin, it’s a choice we make each and every day. Let’s stop blaming the devil! He didn’t make us say it, do it, or think it! We have a choice to make today, are we gonna live in sin or be Holy as He is Holy?

Leviticus 20: 7 says, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God!”

56 Years ago today Hank and Tommie Mannon were blessed with a baby girl named Robin. Little did I know I’d meet that girl in college, date her for two weeks and marry her.

Next to my salvation she’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. We’ve been married now for 36 years and God has blessed us with six children. Four of them are married and we have been blessed with five fantastic grand kids.

There’s an old song found in the hymnal which goes something like this. Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done! It’s a fact, God has blessed us with good health, a fine family, and wonderful friends.

Take some time today and write down 7 blessings God has given you and share them with your family around the dinner table tonight. The blessing I’m most thankful for today is my bride. Robin, you’re a blessing to me and those who know you!

Yesterday Robin and I were sitting on a bench outside Caleb and Lindsie’s house in OKC. As we sat there a beautiful black bird perched himself on the top of the neighbors house. I said, “Robin, I wonder what we look like through the eyes of a bird.”

She said, “That is a very interesting question!” As I thought about that this morning I began to wonder what I look like through the eyes of my Lord. When He looks at me, is He pleased with the things He sees? Does my actions, my speech, my thoughts and the way I live please Him?

Proverbs 5:21 says, “For the ways of man are befoe the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth all his goings!”

There are times when I act like a spoiled brat and yesterday was one of them. Robin and the girls were driving from Houston to OKC. Robin called and asked me if I wanted to go to a Book Fair when they got to the city!

I didn’t want to go because I wanted to go eat first. I made a big to do over nothing and made her mad. During the conversation she said something that I had used in one of my sermons this past week.

She said, “Why don’t you stop sucking your thumb and grow up?” In other words, quit acting like a baby. Now, let’s be honest, we all act like babies every once in a while!

I need to continue to grow physically, mentally, but most importantly, spiritually. The reason being is, the closer I get to the Lord the more I act like a full grown, spirit filled man!

James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded!”

Hello Folks,

I went by the church this morning and got the final numbers from the revival this past week. Are you ready to hoot and holler? Are you ready to act like a bunch of school kids on the playground? Here ya go!

Salvations (22), Rededications (24), Coming for Baptism (8), Coming to join the church (1), Coming for special prayer (11), Coming to learn more about God (6), Coming for assurance of salvation (2), a grand total of 74!

Look what your prayers have accomplished! God bless you as you continue to pray for me and God’s Ministry!

What saves a person? Many people think it’s the love of God that saves them, but it’s not! You see, God loves everyone but He can’t let everyone into heaven because of His love! John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

It is not God’s love that saves us, it is His grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Let me encourage you to STOP right now where you are and praise God for His LOVE, MERCY and GRACE!

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God loves you and me today, and if we truly realized how much it would probably break our hearts and fill our eyes with tears.

You can’t keep God from loving you, but you don’t have to receive God’s love! Let me give you an example: You walk outside this morning and the sun is shining. You can’t keep the sun from shining, but you can put an umbrella up and keep it from shining on you!

There are two umbrellas we can put up to keep from receiving God’s love. 1. The Umbrella of Resistance to His Will! It is God’s will that no one perish and go to hell, but people are dying and going there everyday. They have said no to the one who died for them, and because of that they’ve refused to receive His love. 2. The Umbrella of Sin. Sin separates us from God. Sin keeps us from receiving His love and it breaks all communication with Him!

If you have your umbrella up, take it down so that you can receive the love God has intended for you!

I’m staying in Lawton, OK. with the Peterson’s. They are a very nice couple who loves the Lord and loves sharing their home with those of us who are in the ministry.

The Peterson’s have a little dog named Pepper and she’s a delightful little creature. She reminds me of Miriam’s dog named Tinkerbell. After the Peterson’s arrived home Sunday afternoon Pepper went straight to my room and peed on the carpet in my room. 

I called Miss Peterson in and showed her the yellow spot informing her that Pepper had done the deed and not me. It’s funny how God uses things like this to make a point to His people.

I shared the story with the folks at church that evening. I told them that Pepper had made her mark, it wasn’t a good mark but she did it anyway. I then said that we as Christians make our  marks in life to, some good, and some bad! Everyday you and I make an impression or leave a mark on someone!

Think about King David! The Bible says he was a man after God’s own heart, but what do many people remember him for? They remember David as thief, he took another man’s wife and played kissy face with her.

There are consequences to the marks we leave! II Samuel 12:13-14 says, “And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David, the Lord has forgiven you of your sin; you shall not die. However, because of this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, and the child also that is born unto you shall die!”

Last night Robin and I pulled a good one on Miranda. She went to a friends house to eat and she was told she needed to be home by 9:30. She called Miriam later asking what time she was to be home because she had forgotten. Miriam told her 9:30.

She walked in the house around 9:26 and I said to her, “Miranda, you are late! You were suppose to be home at 9:15! You are now grounded for a month! She said, “I called Miriam and she told me I was to be home at 9:30!” I said, “She made a mistake, you should have called me!”

She looked so shocked and so sad that I couldn’t yank her chain any longer. I said, “April Fools!” April Fools Day comes once a year, but people are being fooled every day of their lives. They believe money, cars, homes, and fame will bring them happiness, but they are fooled, because true happiness comes only from knowing the Lord!

Psalms 144:12b says, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”

As I travel across the United States it surprises me about the number of Christians who are so sad and so depressed! Some folks look like they’ve eaten a whole jar of soured pickles, for there is no joy in their lives!

I can understand getting down in the dumps every once in a while, but living in the dumps is out of the question for me! Folks, we serve a risen Saviour and and he lives within us today. If you can’t find great joy and happiness in that fact then something is dreadfully wrong!

I have the answer for depression and sadness! Get busy and go to work for the Lord. Love your brothers and sisters in Christ, pray for people, and tell them about Jesus. When God starts using you to change the hearts and lives of others you’ll have unbelievable joy!

It’s time, no, it’s past time for Christians everywhere to stand up and proclaim the joy of their salvation!                  

Psalm 32:11 says, “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”