The Angel Bike Rider
Charles R. Woodson states, “The important and decisive factor in life is not what happens to us, but the attitude we take toward what happens.”
It was about nine o clock, on a hot summer Wednesday evening that my secretary came up to me after the worship service, and said ,” Pastor, there is a man on the telephone that would like to speak to you.” Little did I know that in a few seconds my reaction and attitude would have a profound effect on a biker ultimate future!
I said, “Hello, this is Pastor Smatt,” Replying in a low tone.” “Did you call me?” A terrified voice said on the other end of the line,
“No?” still speaking in a low tone, “Yes you did, I have it right here on my caller I.D. that you called me!” “Is this a joke?” I replied.
The man said, “No! I am sitting here with a gun to my head and I was about to commit suicide when this call came up with your caller I.D and the church telephone number!“
He continued speaking in a loud, terrified voice, “God, told me that you are a Godly man and that you are going to lead me to Jesus.” I was totally stunned and numb at first.
In a low, calm voice I said, “OK’” The man then spoke in an elevated voice, “I need to know Jesus!” I then proceeded to share with him the scriptures concerning Jesus’ Birth, Death, and Resurrection. I also shared with him the steps to salvation. I said, “What you need to do is to repeat after me, dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me!”
The man repeated these words and immediately I heard of sigh of relief.
The man then spoke excitedly,” My wife has just walked in the door, hey honey! Guess what I just did, I invited Jesus into my heart!” “Pastor Smatt, I will be in church this Sunday and I will tell everyone what I just did!”
“I will see you Sunday, Reverend Smatt.” He hanged the telephone up.
I was stunned and a feeling of deep awe at what had just taken place came over me, it left me speechless and praising the Lord in my heart!
Sunday came! I was so excited to see what God is going to do. The service started but there were no new faces in the congregation. My heart sank as the service moved on and there was no sign of the man.
Then it happened, quickly and suddenly! I was standing in the pulpit giving the announcements when I looked out the window and there in the corner of my eyes I could see a man, dressed in white suite drove up on a motorcycle...
In a few seconds the door in the sanctuary had swung back and forward and a tall man dressed in a white suit, with a pony tail, sat in the back of the church!
Silence came over the church, as if you could have heard a pin drop! I then proceed to share with the congregation what took place Wednesday night and the telephone conversation between caller and me.
When I finished, the tall man dressed in white suit, with a pony tail, stood up and his face just glowed and he had the sweetest smile on his face.
In a sweet voice he said, “This preacher is telling the truth! This happened to my friend and I am here to testify to it! My friend got saved!”
He then walked out and the doors just swung back and forward! I could see, through the window the man getting on his bike and he sped off!
There was a tremendous feeling of joy and awe that swept over the congregation that day.
Even today, I will never forget this awesome experience of the visitation from God, the angel biker rider and the positive attitude that I had taken to produce an everlasting result.
Dear friends today are you going through a valley, a struggle deep within your soul, as an old hymn states,” Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full into His wonderful face and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”Come to Jesus, today!
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Angel Biker Rider
The Angel Bike Rider
Charles R. Woodson states, “The important and decisive factor in life is not what happens to us, but the attitude we take toward what happens.”
It was about nine o clock, on a hot summer Wednesday evening that my secretary came up to me after the worship service, and said ,” Pastor, there is a man on the telephone that would like to speak to you.” Little did I know that in a few seconds my reaction and attitude would have a profound effect on a biker ultimate future!
Charles R. Woodson states, “The important and decisive factor in life is not what happens to us, but the attitude we take toward what happens.”
It was about nine o clock, on a hot summer Wednesday evening that my secretary came up to me after the worship service, and said ,” Pastor, there is a man on the telephone that would like to speak to you.” Little did I know that in a few seconds my reaction and attitude would have a profound effect on a biker ultimate future!
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Winning Attitude is rooted in Your Heritage!
Page 3 The Winning Attitude is Rooted in Your Heritage!
Deuteronomy 6:1-9. This text is about how to raise your children. To teach them to love God, to serve Him and keep His Commandments! So that they can live long and be prosperous!
This Wednesday, July the 13th in the year of our Lord 2011, my son, Brian William Smatt is going to be ordained as a Deacon and he has a beautiful, Godly wife, April Brown Smatt. My wife, I, and April’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brown, have taught our children the principles set out in these biblical passages above.
In flashback, his spiritual upbringing has a lot to do with his heritage. Rev. Edward George Smatt, Brian’s dad and his Uncle Robert William Smatt were raised by a Godly mother, Hypha Bardowell (Bardawil) and William Smatt. Hypha Bardowell (Bardawil) was raised by Godly parents, Amelia and George Bardawil. Brian also has uncles who are in the ministry: Lloyd Bardowell,Raymond Bardowell who are ministers and Ralph Bardowell who is a deacon in the Roman Cathloic Church.We also have ministers in California and great uncles and relatives whom have been serving God as minister’s dating way back to the Middle East.
The name Bardawil is very interesting in world history. There is a Lake named Bradawil in Egypt which was named after a Crusader. Brian’s family roots are from Beirut, Lebanon (Al-Smart, Milkie and Bardawil).
History tells us that Bardawil is related to King Baudouin, ninth, French (Baldwin, British) known as al-Bardawil (Arabic), a Crusader. He fought during the fourth crusade and he went to Lebanon.
History also states that this crusader is from the House of Flanders, Belgium. He was a young, valiant, very pious and very strict to the code. He also has connections, through his wife’s families, to King Richard the First, and King Philip of France. His family was also related to the King and Queen of Jerusalem, (Baldwin), whom provided food and shelter for the Knight Templar’s and he was also Emperor of Constantinople.
Brian’s Great-Great grandpa had a church in the mountains of Lebanon called St. George. It was named after him because according to word of mouth, he was healed when he stepped in a certain pool and then later on he became a minister. This ministry has passed down from the ages.
Brian’s mother, Donna Lynn Throckmorton Smatt, whose mother is Evelyn Hair Throckmorton were also very pious people. Evelyn’s father from Dalton, Georgia was a country- riding preacher. One day, Rev. Charles Moody, a gospel music writer happened to be in the congregation when Rev. Hair was preaching on the subject “Kneel at the Cross and Christ will meet you there”. Upon hearing this powerful gospel message, Rev. Moody went home and developed a hymn named, “Kneel at the Cross.”It has been a great gospel song passed down through the ages.
So friends, raising your kids according to the principles in Deuteronomy chapter 6 will always bring a blessing and the “chickens will always come home to roost”. They have in turn, Brian, Justin, and Angela love the Lord Thy God and has married Godly spouses. They are: Kevin Bowden, married to Angela; April Brown Smatt married to Brian; and Erika Kraph Smatt married to Justin. The Godly traditions carry on. After Brian, who will be the next preacher, deacon or teacher of the Word? Only God knows!
Onward Christian soldiers of the cross of Jesus!
Love,
Eddie
Deuteronomy 6:1-9. This text is about how to raise your children. To teach them to love God, to serve Him and keep His Commandments! So that they can live long and be prosperous!
This Wednesday, July the 13th in the year of our Lord 2011, my son, Brian William Smatt is going to be ordained as a Deacon and he has a beautiful, Godly wife, April Brown Smatt. My wife, I, and April’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brown, have taught our children the principles set out in these biblical passages above.
In flashback, his spiritual upbringing has a lot to do with his heritage. Rev. Edward George Smatt, Brian’s dad and his Uncle Robert William Smatt were raised by a Godly mother, Hypha Bardowell (Bardawil) and William Smatt. Hypha Bardowell (Bardawil) was raised by Godly parents, Amelia and George Bardawil. Brian also has uncles who are in the ministry: Lloyd Bardowell,Raymond Bardowell who are ministers and Ralph Bardowell who is a deacon in the Roman Cathloic Church.We also have ministers in California and great uncles and relatives whom have been serving God as minister’s dating way back to the Middle East.
The name Bardawil is very interesting in world history. There is a Lake named Bradawil in Egypt which was named after a Crusader. Brian’s family roots are from Beirut, Lebanon (Al-Smart, Milkie and Bardawil).
History tells us that Bardawil is related to King Baudouin, ninth, French (Baldwin, British) known as al-Bardawil (Arabic), a Crusader. He fought during the fourth crusade and he went to Lebanon.
History also states that this crusader is from the House of Flanders, Belgium. He was a young, valiant, very pious and very strict to the code. He also has connections, through his wife’s families, to King Richard the First, and King Philip of France. His family was also related to the King and Queen of Jerusalem, (Baldwin), whom provided food and shelter for the Knight Templar’s and he was also Emperor of Constantinople.
Brian’s Great-Great grandpa had a church in the mountains of Lebanon called St. George. It was named after him because according to word of mouth, he was healed when he stepped in a certain pool and then later on he became a minister. This ministry has passed down from the ages.
Brian’s mother, Donna Lynn Throckmorton Smatt, whose mother is Evelyn Hair Throckmorton were also very pious people. Evelyn’s father from Dalton, Georgia was a country- riding preacher. One day, Rev. Charles Moody, a gospel music writer happened to be in the congregation when Rev. Hair was preaching on the subject “Kneel at the Cross and Christ will meet you there”. Upon hearing this powerful gospel message, Rev. Moody went home and developed a hymn named, “Kneel at the Cross.”It has been a great gospel song passed down through the ages.
So friends, raising your kids according to the principles in Deuteronomy chapter 6 will always bring a blessing and the “chickens will always come home to roost”. They have in turn, Brian, Justin, and Angela love the Lord Thy God and has married Godly spouses. They are: Kevin Bowden, married to Angela; April Brown Smatt married to Brian; and Erika Kraph Smatt married to Justin. The Godly traditions carry on. After Brian, who will be the next preacher, deacon or teacher of the Word? Only God knows!
Onward Christian soldiers of the cross of Jesus!
Love,
Eddie
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Page 2 How to develop a Winning Attitude- "Trusting in Jesus, alone!"
Page 2
“Whatever the mind can conceive and I will dear to believe with God’s helped, I will achieve.” By Dale Galloway
Famous motivational speaker John Maxwell stated, “Today’s accomplishments were yesterday impossibilities.”
Well it happened! The day after losing the church ministry and facing my wife illness deep feelings of rejection and loneliness began to creep in my soul!
Friends in the ministry began to ask me sickening questions as to what you did wrong! I felt like Job in the Bible whose friends came to question him on what he did wrong!
I too, came to question, “God did I do something wrong.” He said back to me in a still voice, “No, my friend you did nothing wrong.”
God then pointed to me to a scripture verse in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.” God was telling me, Eddie trust me! For I am the real one and the only one to guide you through this valley!
Here is a lesson to help us through this valley of loneliness, Jesus; the Son of God is the only one that God has given to help us through this valley! There are many religions but only Jesus who rose from the dead can guide us through.
He is the only one that can give us the winning attitude!
“Whatever the mind can conceive and I will dear to believe with God’s helped, I will achieve.” By Dale Galloway
Famous motivational speaker John Maxwell stated, “Today’s accomplishments were yesterday impossibilities.”
Well it happened! The day after losing the church ministry and facing my wife illness deep feelings of rejection and loneliness began to creep in my soul!
Friends in the ministry began to ask me sickening questions as to what you did wrong! I felt like Job in the Bible whose friends came to question him on what he did wrong!
I too, came to question, “God did I do something wrong.” He said back to me in a still voice, “No, my friend you did nothing wrong.”
God then pointed to me to a scripture verse in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.” God was telling me, Eddie trust me! For I am the real one and the only one to guide you through this valley!
Here is a lesson to help us through this valley of loneliness, Jesus; the Son of God is the only one that God has given to help us through this valley! There are many religions but only Jesus who rose from the dead can guide us through.
He is the only one that can give us the winning attitude!
Friday, July 8, 2011
How to Develop a Winning Atttitude!
How to Develop a “Winning” Attitude!
Jesus said: I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.”
Over the course of these years in our lives many things has happened to take the wind out of our sails. There have been many events that have thrown a loop in our lives.
Ten years ago, Donna and myself, faced some devastating events, that rocked the very foundations of our lives.
One major life changing event that happened to my wife, was when she fell at work and developed what they call RSD, (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) .This caused her chronic pain all over her body which made her unable to work anymore. Two years later she was diagnosed with M. S. (Multiple Sclerosis).
Another major event at time was that I resigned as pastor of a church due to my wife’s condition, the church’s future and also for concerns for my own health.
All of these events had an immediate emotional and financial impact on us and our children! I felt so lonely, at loss, very angry and at first paralyzed. I cried and wept for many days and years, deep within my soul asking God, why? Why me? What did I do? Why now? How will we survive?
I will share more tomorrow, because I want to explain to you that we have a great, loving God and with God’s help we can develop a winning attitude and become over comers!
Love, Eddie
Jesus said: I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.”
Over the course of these years in our lives many things has happened to take the wind out of our sails. There have been many events that have thrown a loop in our lives.
Ten years ago, Donna and myself, faced some devastating events, that rocked the very foundations of our lives.
One major life changing event that happened to my wife, was when she fell at work and developed what they call RSD, (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) .This caused her chronic pain all over her body which made her unable to work anymore. Two years later she was diagnosed with M. S. (Multiple Sclerosis).
Another major event at time was that I resigned as pastor of a church due to my wife’s condition, the church’s future and also for concerns for my own health.
All of these events had an immediate emotional and financial impact on us and our children! I felt so lonely, at loss, very angry and at first paralyzed. I cried and wept for many days and years, deep within my soul asking God, why? Why me? What did I do? Why now? How will we survive?
I will share more tomorrow, because I want to explain to you that we have a great, loving God and with God’s help we can develop a winning attitude and become over comers!
Love, Eddie
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Overcoming Our fears by Controlling Our Emotions!
We previously saw, that to help us to overcome our fears we need to develop and maintain close friends and to have a powerful prayer life.
Jesus, as he was approaching Calvary, to suffer and die on the cross; faced his fears by getting away with close friends and by talking to his Father!
The last, most exciting thing that Jesus did was to control his emotions. In Mark 14:42 Jesus said, “Rise up, lets we go…”
Jesus never surrendered to his emotions, because he gave his emotions to God!In Luke 22:44 it states that he never gave in. He gave control of his mind to God!
I believe that if we allow our emotions to control us in difficult times, we will lose our focus of what we need to do. I also believe that we need to trust in God, rise up and go about our daily lives.
God loves you very much!
Love,
Eddie
Jesus, as he was approaching Calvary, to suffer and die on the cross; faced his fears by getting away with close friends and by talking to his Father!
The last, most exciting thing that Jesus did was to control his emotions. In Mark 14:42 Jesus said, “Rise up, lets we go…”
Jesus never surrendered to his emotions, because he gave his emotions to God!In Luke 22:44 it states that he never gave in. He gave control of his mind to God!
I believe that if we allow our emotions to control us in difficult times, we will lose our focus of what we need to do. I also believe that we need to trust in God, rise up and go about our daily lives.
God loves you very much!
Love,
Eddie
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Simple Thing to Do to Overcome Fear
A Simple to thing to do to Overcome Fear
In Mark 14:33 “And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the might pass him.” Jesus prayed in distress.
What can prayer do for you in difficult times that cause you to fear?
When you pray you begin to take your eyes off of yourself, your problems and your focus is on God.
When your mind is redirected you begin to have hope and you begin to have a can do attitude.
The other day, the principle called me into his office and told me because I had less seniority than the other teachers I was to be surplus. My heart just fell! I felt so lonely, useless. Floods of despairing thoughts came rolling in my mind and fear began to build up. A voice said to me,” Eddie how about praying to me.”So, as I began to talk to God I felt my heart being lifted and hope began to creep into my heart again!
Jesus felt this way, even though he was to go to the cross to suffer and die for our sins, he arose and new life has begun!
Dear friend, has a disappointing thing happened to you today! Talk to God and he will lift you up! Your fears will roll away.
Love, Eddie
In Mark 14:33 “And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the might pass him.” Jesus prayed in distress.
What can prayer do for you in difficult times that cause you to fear?
When you pray you begin to take your eyes off of yourself, your problems and your focus is on God.
When your mind is redirected you begin to have hope and you begin to have a can do attitude.
The other day, the principle called me into his office and told me because I had less seniority than the other teachers I was to be surplus. My heart just fell! I felt so lonely, useless. Floods of despairing thoughts came rolling in my mind and fear began to build up. A voice said to me,” Eddie how about praying to me.”So, as I began to talk to God I felt my heart being lifted and hope began to creep into my heart again!
Jesus felt this way, even though he was to go to the cross to suffer and die for our sins, he arose and new life has begun!
Dear friend, has a disappointing thing happened to you today! Talk to God and he will lift you up! Your fears will roll away.
Love, Eddie
Friday, July 1, 2011
How to Overcome Our Fears
How do we overcome our Fears?
How did Jesus the Son of God handle His fears?
Jesus spent time alone with friends. In Mark 14:33 we see Jesus moving away from the crowds and moving to an isolated place with a few trusted friends.
I believe that in times of distress, anxieties and fears we need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and get away with a few closes, trusted friends. Why? We need to spend time in conversations and prayers.
Here are some examples of some people to get away with: Your pastor, family member, friends, and a Christian councilor.
Jesus also got alone to sought things out! Why? He was facing His crucifixion John 10: 17-18, He was going to lay His life down for us Matthew 20:28, 2Cor. 5:21.
In time of fears, worries and anxieties we need to get away, alone and also find a good few friends to converse with and pray with.
God love you very much! He understands our struggles and fears! For he been there and done that!
Love,
Eddie
How did Jesus the Son of God handle His fears?
Jesus spent time alone with friends. In Mark 14:33 we see Jesus moving away from the crowds and moving to an isolated place with a few trusted friends.
I believe that in times of distress, anxieties and fears we need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and get away with a few closes, trusted friends. Why? We need to spend time in conversations and prayers.
Here are some examples of some people to get away with: Your pastor, family member, friends, and a Christian councilor.
Jesus also got alone to sought things out! Why? He was facing His crucifixion John 10: 17-18, He was going to lay His life down for us Matthew 20:28, 2Cor. 5:21.
In time of fears, worries and anxieties we need to get away, alone and also find a good few friends to converse with and pray with.
God love you very much! He understands our struggles and fears! For he been there and done that!
Love,
Eddie
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