Tue, 31 Mar 2020 07:08:56 -0700WeeblyThu, 19 Jul 2018 23:00:39 GMThttp://roryckeel.com/blog/the-old-dog-left-the-porchIn memory of My Dog Strabo who passed away in June.


The old dog left the porch today, 
And went to where dogs run in the great beyond. 
Where they chase rabbits and ducks in a bigger pond.
 
The old dog left the porch today, 
after the morning in the cool of the day. 
He wanted to sit, roll over and play, 
but he could only sit and stay.
 
The old dog left the porch today,
With a gleam in his eyes at the sight of his treat,
And matched by the slobber running down from his chin.
If only I could, you know I would… so I gave it to him anyway.
 
The old dog left the porch today,
the place where he did faithfully guard.
With a bark and a growl, and very long howl,
he seldom ever left the yard.
 
The old dog left the porch today,
where he was raised through thick and thin. 
He chased rabbits and herded goats,
he even helped raise all the children.
 
The old dog left the porch today, 
no more fetch for me to play. 
Ninety-eight in doggy years means it’s time to rest.
So Strabo left the porch today and found a shady spot to lay.
]]>Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:27:24 GMThttp://roryckeel.com/blog/the-missing-piecesLuke 5:1-8                                                                    The Missing Pieces

“Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”      Luke 5:5 (NKJV)

“I can’t do it. I’ve tried,” cried the young boy as he stomped his feet, flailed his arms, and then flopped onto the floor. In reality, he had worked the small puzzle for only a few minutes.

His father watched the frustrated child’s tears fall. “Let me help you with it,” he offered.

Pouting the boy said, “It’s no use!” Then his eyes grew large with amazement when he saw the beautiful picture appear as his father placed the missing pieces into the puzzle.

Confident in our own abilities to accomplish the task at hand, sometimes we fail. Frustrated with problems confronting us, we throw our hands up in defeat not understanding that there may be missing pieces. If we look to God and follow His direction, He can help us see the big picture.

Prayer: Gracious Father, Help us as Your children to look to You in times of frustration, guide us with the right teachings of Your word that we may see the bigger picture of our lives. In Jesus Name.


                                                                                By Rory C. Keel]]>Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:01:32 GMThttp://roryckeel.com/blog/sticks-and-stones1Sticks and Stones
By Rory C. Keel

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me?” Sure you have, and you probably heard it the same time every one else heard it – After you were hurt by someone’s words.

You see, this saying isn’t true! We only use it to try and sooth the pain and hurt that already exists.

Did you ever tell a lie or say hurtful things about someone else, then when they’re clearly in pain you tried to “Fix it” by saying, “I was just kidding!” or “I really didn’t mean it!” –It’s too late, your words hurt them.

The Bible says that words can be as hurtful as throwing a flammable substance on someone to burn them, or as deadly as shooting them. The Bible describes it this way, “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?” Proverbs 26:18-19

The word of God teaches, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

When you open your mouth to speak, you are the deliverer of words that can deliver pain and suffering or words that can build someone up!

]]>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:31:14 GMThttp://roryckeel.com/blog/speaking-of-the-devilDon’t speak like the Devil!

by Rory C. Keel



It seems too easy to hurt the people closest to us, the people we love the most. Many times we only realize this when we see the tears of pain falling from their eyes because of hurtful words. A lifetime of friendship are often severed for years, and relationships destroyed simply by speaking evil about them.

God has always taken speaking evil against brethren seriously. His anger grew hot against Aaron and Miriam when they were not “afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12:8

The Evangelist Timothy received instruction not to even accept a charge against an Elder “but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Tim. 5:19

So serious is it for brethren to speak against another that when we do, we dethrone the Lord and lift ourselves into His place presuming judgment upon others. “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11

When you speak evil against one of your brethren, you are speaking like the devil. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12:10

Don’t speak like the Devil. Consider what the Lord did, when the Devil stood before him and accused YOU!
]]>