God Is Good All the Time And All the Time God Is Good
ramblings from the rogue - "Farewell Bend"
why do i continue to...
jesus will set us free if we ask
jesus will set us free if we ask
7/15/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." Isaiah 23:19.
Of late I have been stricken deep in my heart. What if when the day comes, I stand before the Lord and He says to me, " I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:23
But Lord, didn't I hand out bulletins, didn't I work in the nursery, didn't I lead a home group. I did all those things.
Wasn't that good enough I might protest. What was the intent of my heart? Was it to fulfill someone else's dream for me. Was my desire to work hard for the Lord thinking my good work will get me to heaven? Was it because I wanted to be seen by men, and hear them say, " what a spiritual leader is he".
All the wrong motives.
This scares me almost to death. Maybe you are or have been a worship leader, perhaps a deacon or an elder. What was the intent of your heart, to be impressive or to be a true servant of the Lord.
Will you, will I, will we read these words and say, " na that's not me".
I suggest to each of us that we deeply consider our position in Christ. Are we truly His brother or sister? Is He truly our Bridegroom? Have we spent time with Him in quietness and stillness listening to Him speak to us?
Have we spent time in His Word learning of Him? Do we take the time to deeply appreciate what He did on our behalf? Or are they just words on a page telling a story?
We are in desperate times. Our enemy has strategically placed individuals in places of influence to twist scripture so that we think we are doing what is acceptable to the Lord. If Christ’s death and resurrection saves me from sin, why do I continue to commit sin?
Why do we indulge ourselves in wrongdoing?
Today is not too late to turn back, walk away, receive forgiveness. Accept the free gift we have been given. "Jesus please forgive me I want to follow you". Tomorrow might be too late.
"Do not be deceived God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth he also reaps. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of his flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting". Galatians 6:7-8.
Build your life on the Rock.
When we stand before the seat of judgement we want to hear the words, "well done good and faithful servant". Matthew 25:23.
We will if we do the will of our Father in heaven.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". Matthew 22:37-39.
Amen.
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
jesus will set us free if we ask
jesus will set us free if we ask
jesus will set us free if we ask
7/8/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Yesterday and for many days this year we as a nation have been celebrating our 250th day of Independence. A bunch of Pilgrims left Europe destined for a place where they could be free from enslavement. Free to worship their Creator in the way they felt was most appropriate.
They were tired of being told.
Told how to worship.
What to believe.
How to respond.
They were tired of being tied to the crown. They relied on the wind to take them to a new land. We can draw a parallel there was a wind that was blowing through our lives that caused the chains of sin to be loosed from you and I.
Think about it. Sin restricts us in so many ways. We become slaves. Our thoughts, our actions, who we hang out with, where we go, when we rise, when we go to sleep. Sin dictates every moment of our life. Jesus provides a way to be unchained from sin. The Holy Spirit has been blowing through the windows of our mind trying to clean out the dirt within.
We cannot break the bondage of sin on our own. Christ Jesus has the power to loose the chains of sin that enslaves you and me.
Let today be the day we turn our lives back over to Christ. Maybe you once walked closer with Him, but the cares of this world have drawn you away. It is time to turn back to the One who gave His life of righteousness for our lives of sin and disobedience.
Who the Son sets free is free indeed.
The Son, Christ Jesus will set us free if we ask.
Today and everyday could be a day of celebrating independence from sin.
The choice is ours.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13
We need to do everything we are encouraged to do. We must be careful not to think we have arrived at a place where we don't need protection. To think we can stand on our own strength.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
ABSOLUTELY FREE TO US
jesus will set us free if we ask
ABSOLUTELY FREE TO US
7/1/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Have you noticed, I am sure that you have. All the mention of "free". Free is an interesting word. It gives the impression that whatever it is will cost absolutely nothing to obtain.
The Fourth of July is coming up. Fireworks stands have popped up. I have noticed that they are giving away at no cost 50% more. You know a two for one, buy one get one free.
Here is the deal. They say it is free. But you must purchase the first part to receive the second. What they have done is inflated the cost of the first part to cover the cost of the "free" part.
Listen, hear me, there is nothing in this world that is free. That is not how the world works. The word free gets our attention. If you buy this car "today" I can throw in "free" oil changes for life. It's not free, that is just the hook to get you coming in so they can sell you other services.
I could go on and on. But I hear you saying, “please don't ".
There is a gift that is absolutely free to us. However, this gift is so costly, no amount of money can purchase it. That is the gift, that God Creator of heaven and earth sent to each person He created.
The gift of Salvation.
We can be salvaged from the results of sin.
Think of it this way. We were created a useful item. Let’s say you were created as a refrigerator. After a period of time, you have become rusty, you no longer keep stuff cold. There are two choices your owner has. To the dump where you will be crushed and covered up over time you will be reduced to nothing. Or you can be sent to the recycler to have parts salvaged and reused over and over. That might be a simple analogy, but you get the point.
You see during our lifetime we have been bombarded by the fiery darts of sin. Some have stuck and done significant damage so much so that we are destined for the garbage dump known as "a place of everlasting torment". The place where the fire rages and the worm that eats away at us never dies. A horrible place to spend eternity.
God has sent His Son Christ Jesus to salvage us. He can, if we ask Him. He can remove every sin we ever have or will commit. All we need do is ask Him to.
"Jesus forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart and make me a new creation".
When we ask Jesus with sincerity to forgive us He will. This is the only "free" anything that we will ever receive.
Do it today, do it right now.
Ask Jesus to forgive you and He will. You have His word on it.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
We can never hear this often enough.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
stay close to the lord
Another Storm He Saw Me Through
stay close to the lord
6/24/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - “This is a day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Do you suppose that was what Peter said in the morning of the day he betrayed his Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ? He likely spent time reading from the scrolls he likely spent time in prayer. Peter a man who had spent three years learning from Jesus. He stood fast in his belief that Jesus was the Messiah.
However, when confronted by a young maid of the high priest Peter did the unthinkable, he denied knowing Jesus. Only a few hours ago Peter said he would not be offended even though the others would be.
Mark 14:54 we read; “And Peter followed Him (Jesus) afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire”.
Is that you?
It could be me.
We once walked along side Jesus.
We served Him with a glad heart.
We watched as He healed and restored others.
We drew close to Him because we knew He was the giver of life.
Now we have slipped to the back of the pack. We have been hanging around in the enemy’s camp. We have heard the enemies of our Lord speak blasphemous words about Him. We have been warmed by their flames of fire. As a result, we have walked away, even denied Him.
It starts so insidiously. Inch by foot by yard we drift away. Let it not be said of us.
In a short while Peter will come to his senses. Mark 14:72, “And the second time the cock crew, And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shall deny Me thrice. And when he thought there on, he wept”.
Peter wandered away and that was the result.
Have we wandered away?
Are we warming ourselves at the enemy’s fire?
Know for certain.
If so, our conscious will be seared.
Don’t let that happen.
If it has, run as fast as you can back to that place that is close to His side. When we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. James 4:8. If we have strayed away in due time, we will be like Peter, weeping, because we betrayed the One who gave His life for ours.
When we stay close to the Lord. we will not be burnt at the fires of the enemy.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
heed his word
Another Storm He Saw Me Through
stay close to the lord
6/17/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - How do we navigate this life? The devil has been causing people just like you and just like me to give up on God.
Our adversary uses doubt to open the door to our sinful nature. He plants seeds of doubt, how could, why would, a loving God treat you this way? God proved His love that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. It is in response to His love; we should desire to be pleasing in His sight. “Follow me as I follow Christ” was Paul’s exhortation to us. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of how to live a life worthy of all acceptations.
Advice from Flavel.
I knew that would get your attention this advice is not from a cartoon character but from a real God fearing, Jesus loving, Holy Spirit follower.
Good advice from Pastor John Flavel (1628-1691). When you want God’s guidance:
• Get true reverence for the Lord in your hearts. Be afraid of grieving and offending Him. Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
• Study the Scriptures more and the concerns and interests of the world less. Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
• Practice and obey the Bible truths you already understand and then often you will see the next steps to take in life. John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do what I tell you?”
• Pray for God’s direction and enabling in the way you should go. James 1:5 “If you lack wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
• Follow the open doors of God’s providence only as far as they agree with His written word and no farther. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
These are a few of the many admonitions we find in God’s Word.
Jesus comes to us in the volume of the Book.
We must be careful and not listen to those who would twist God’s Word to further their own sinful practices.
“We did not follow cleverly devised stories . . . but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. . . . We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven. . . . We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable. . . . No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will.” 2 Peter 1:16-21
Why so foolish not to heed His Word?
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Another Storm He Saw Me Through
Another Storm He Saw Me Through
Another Storm He Saw Me Through
6/10/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - How did your week go? Someone asked me a few days ago, “What have you been doin’ lately?” I don’t know but I have been busy doin’ it.
As many of you know I have a boat that I built back in 2002. It took me 20 months to build. Five years ago,
I decided that it needed a wiring redo.
A slight interruption occurs lasting five years. Moving. A new house and a shop needed constructed. Now under the dash it looked like an advertisement for the Spaghetti Factory. I had bought a new switch plate panel for the project and that was five years ago.
Recently I decided this was the summer to get the boat in the water.
So far this year I have spent several days running new wire. This week was the time to see if what I had replaced was done properly. So, with a bit of “I hope this works” it was time to check it out. Two new batteries. Ready, set, go.
Let me back up a bit.
As I was thinking about today’s Ramblings and what I wanted to convey, a thought came to my mind. There was the boat needing a rewire. What if I made a sign and sat in the boat. “Please rewire my boat.” I could be praying God please rewire my boat so I can go boating this summer. What do you think would happen? You’re right, nothing. You see I have a part to play in this story. My part was to roll up my sleeves and go for it.
Back to our story.
The battery was hooked up, we have power. Now let’s check out the various parts that the wires go to. Lights, pumps, blower, gauges etcetera. Starting with the blower. Switch on, and off and on, nothing. GRR. Checked the blower using jumper wires, it works fine.
There was something strange going on. When I hooked up the wire to the blower panel the light would come on. What’s up with that. I spent the next day and a half trying to figure this problem out. I even asked the Lord for wisdom. It must be something simple that I am missing. I tried everything I could possibly think of.
No Worky.
There were several things that needed to be properly connected before it would work. The blower needed power, which meant the fuses needed to be in place, the battery switch needed to be on, the switch needed to be in the on position, a proper ground, the wires running to their proper place.
During this process nothing seemed to be going right. Not only GRR but, this stupid so and so, why am I so stupid I can’t figure it out. I called a friend, I posted on Facebook about this switch panel asking, “why”. I even prayed again.
Saturday rolls around. This most recent chapter started Thursday morning. As usual Lauralee and I read and prayed. I specifically prayed for help on this wiring project. Back at it. Grr over and over. Lord what is going on? Lord, help me figure this out. More GRRR and unmentionables.
To cut to the chase. There were six switches on this panel. Every stinking one was faulty. Here is what I think I am getting at. We pray, of course we do. We pray expecting quick results, of course we do. We pray knowing He hears our prayers, of course we do. We pray over and over asking for the same results, of course we do.
What did I learn from these many hours of frustration and blowing my top frequently and praying. Not to blow my top and don’t be frustrated because it doesn’t work out the first or the second or the third or the fourth attempt and to pray. Also, is everything in the correct position for the results I am hoping for. I have a part to play in all of this.
You see the Lord knew what I needed in this situation. Patience. Also, perseverance. I couldn’t give up it isn’t my nature. Why did the Lord have six switches that were brand new and that did not work? It wasn’t the Lord at all it was the enemy.
"How ya gonna handle this big fella?"
Here is what I do know, now that the blower is working, the lights light up, the pump works, the switch panel works as it should. I replaced all the switches. I know that the Lord is good in spite of my throwing stuff, hollering, acting like a three-year-old.
Another storm He saw me through.
The Lord promises to walk us through every difficult situation. When troubles come, we receive comfort from our past experiences where the Lord has been faithful and has seen us through. Faith tells us that God uses these tough moments to grow our character and show His ultimate strength.
How do I know this?
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not I am with thee; be not dismayed;”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know all things work together for good to them that love the Lord.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be though dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
How God Helps Us Through
• He gives peace: God offers an inner calm that does not depend on our situation.
• He provides strength: When we feel weak, His power shows up best in us.
• He builds resilience: Hard times help produce endurance and build up our hope.
• He connects us: Our struggles can help us empathize and comfort others later.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
forgiven much - loves much
forgiven much - loves much
forgiven much - loves much
6/3/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Paul in Ephesians 4:3 desires for us to live a full joyful life. A life void of strife and self-inflicted problems. What is one way to accomplish that? “Endeavoring to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Is a place to start.
In his letter to the Colossians in 3:13-14 he writes a similar instruction. “Forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness. And let the of peace of God rule in your heart”.
We are approaching the end of human history on this earth. We have been warned what to look for as the end approaches. Today we are experiencing many of what was told would be as the end nears. In Matthew we are told to learn of the parable of the Fig tree. The Fig tree representing the nation of Israel throughout scripture.
We are told to watch for its growth when the branches are tender, and the leaves are starting to show. The generation that experiences that will not pass away until Messiah returns for His bride. There are several more prophesies concerning Christ’s return that we see occurring today. Wars and rumors of war, we have false prophets speaking “another gospel”. Many have forsaken the true Gospel and have believed lies of Satan. Dark is light and light is dark, concerning our ability to discern right from wrong.
We are to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.
We are to encourage one another in the love of Christ.
This is not a time to be involved in petty bickering, backbiting, speaking rumors, talking down one another, finding fault, you get the picture. Satan has used doubt to get his foot in the door of our hearts. He uses lies and deception. He causes disunity among believers. When we are tempted to join in with him is disorder and disrespect of fellow believers, we can counteract his scheme.
Jesus in Luke’s Gospel tells of a woman known in her community as a sinner. She enters the room where Jesus is sitting and she kneels at His feet shedding tears with which she begins to wash His feet.
Jesus speaks the following, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47
This principle- often summarized as “whoever is forgiven much, loves much.”
We often look at others as missing the mark by a country mile. We judge others conduct and forget ours. Each and every one of us has been forgiven much. Have you ever sat down in earnest and thought about how much you have been forgiven. I have and it isn’t a pretty picture.
When we start to think on how much God loves us through Jesus our perspective of others will change.
Ephesians 4:32 which we are all familiar with; “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
We can defeat the enemy if we love one another. Paul in his letter to Philemon tells him that if Onesimus owes him anything put it on Paul’s account. Jesus would say to us today if anyone owes us anything put it on His account.
Finally, 2 Timothy 2:24, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach , patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
And finally. 1 Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men; for kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth”.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
what is your battle?
forgiven much - loves much
forgiven much - loves much
5/27/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - This morning I was reading in Joshua. Many lessons can be learned from his story. One that stood out to me was that if Joshua did what the Lord instructed him to do, they would be victorious.
March around the city of Jericho and blow a ram’s horn. That doesn't make any sense to us. However, they didn't question the instructions of the Lord.
What happened? The walls came tumbling down just as the Lord said would happen.
Next battle scene: Ai.
Initially the men of Israel did not seek the Lord. They devised their own plan to defeat the enemy. Failure was the result. After 3,000 men were lost Joshua fell on his face before the Ark of the Lord. He was broken. Joshua is feeling as if the Lord had abandoned them. And the Lord had abandoned them…sort of. "Israel hath sinned and they have also transgressed My covenant which I have commanded them". Joshua 7:11
Until the people sanctified themselves, they would face defeat at every battle.
Repent.
They did so.
In chapter 8 Joshua is told to fear not neither be dismayed.
Joshua and the people were obedient and were victorious over Ai. This is a perfect example of why it is vitally important to follow what the Lord is instructing us to do. If we expect the Lord to be in the battle with us then we must follow His instructions.
What is your battle?
Is it drugs, alcohol?
Is it pornography, adultery, idol worship, covetousness?
It could be anything that has separated us from the Lord. Have we turned your back and walked away in defeat? Turn back, repent, return to the time when we walked with and talked with the Lord. We need to give our heart back to the Lord. Victory over sin is ours if we will only be obedient.
Jesus reminds us,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself, on these two commandments hang all the law and prophets". Matthew 22:37-40.
Love the Lord.
No matter what the difficulty, no matter how big the enemy might seem the victory is assured if we will follow Jesus into the battle.
We can't, we won't be victorious unless we let Him lead.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
we will be glad
forgiven much - loves much
we will be glad
5/20/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - "I was glad when they said, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord'". Psalm 122:1
Why do you suppose David wrote that Psalm? Why does that still ring true today? David knew that when we enter the house of the Lord something changes within our being.
Matthew 18:20, where Jesus states: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them".
Gang we go to church because it is the right thing to do. Maybe it is out of obligation, perhaps we have been prodded into it.
Perhaps we are weighed down by guilt if we don't go. It doesn't really matter we're here and our spirit is joyful even if our flesh isn't.
Psalm122:8 “For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.” We are being bathed in peace.
2 Corinthians 3:17: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (or freedom)
This passage highlights that genuine spiritual freedom—liberty from sin, guilt, and the old way of living—comes directly from God's Spirit.
The weight of our present circumstances is removed. We are reminded that our sins have been removed by the Blood of Christ. We are free to seek the Lord; to worship the Lord, we can hear from the Lord.
In many places around the world this must be done in secret, yet they gather knowing it may cost them their life.
Let us be those who enter the house of the Lord with joy and expectation. The Lord will meet you and all the saints that gather in His name.
Give it a try see if it is not so.
We will be glad when we enter the house of the Lord.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Pleasing in his sight!
Who are we going to believe?
Pleasing in his sight!
5/13/26
Ramblings from the Deschutes - We're on a different river this day. Thinking on "grace" this morning. “But He giveth more grace, wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:6-7,10
We have used "grace" as a license to do what we know is against the will of the Lord in our lives. This verse comes from the Book of Job*.
Job learned humility when he submitted himself to the Lord. It was a tough lesson to learn. It can be for us also or we can learn from Job and humbly submit ourselves to the Lord. Not My will but thine be done, were Jesus words. Jesus submitted Himself to God’s will and look at the results we have been redeemed.
God’s way is always best.
Quit using grace as a license to be disobedient.
Job resisted the devil.
He was given double of what he had lost in the beginning. The Lord wants what is best for His children. When we resist our lives will be pleasing in His sight.
Blessings, Dan
*Job 42:6 “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Listen to his heart
Who are we going to believe?
Pleasing in his sight!
5/6/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Our God is an awesome God who reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love our God is an awesome God. Words to a song you might be familiar with.
Do you know that same God, our Heavenly Father is a jealous God. He loves us so very much that He doesn’t want us to waste our affection on another. One of the commands God gave to Moses for His people was, “thou shalt have no other gods before Me”. Exodus 20:3
We became His people, His children, when we confessed with our mouth and believed in our heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. And as such we should obey His command. Why do you suppose He is jealous for you and me?
He knows that if we follow after other gods, other philosophies, idolize something contrary to His nature it will destroy us. Our Father desires the very best for us. When we put our trust in another besides Him, we are on a path that leads us away from Him and His very best for us.
How do we know if we are on the right path?
Easy peasy.
What does God Himself say about the direction we are headed. God comes to us in the volume of the Book. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God”.
There ya have it.
What you think the Spirit is saying to you will be found in Scripture.
Always be careful to read the whole context as there are those who will twist His Word to make it seem to say something that was never intended to say.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths”. Proverbs 3:5/6
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16/17.
Don’t listen to your own heart listen to His.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Who are we going to believe?
Who are we going to believe?
Who are we going to believe?
4/29/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - I come to you today with a warning. For those who once believed in the work of Christ Jesus when He was hung on a cross, died, and rose from the dead have now turned their back on Christ you are in danger.
We read that in the last days there will be those who venture away from the truth. Romans 2:22 "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools".
There are those who are filled with an evil spirit parading as teachers of truth who are leading folks away from the truth. It started in the garden of Eden.
The serpent spoke almost truth. "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden." Genesis 3:1. After God said, "You shall surely die". Satan said, "Ye shall not surely die".
Who are you going to believe?
As we read further denying God's word leads to separation. According to Matthew 7:15 false teachers are wolves in sheep’s clothing who introduce destructive heresies, deny the Lord Jesus, and twist truths to exploit believers for personal gain. They bring "damnable heresies" and "pernicious ways," leading many astray through greedy, deceptive words, and their ultimate destruction is certain.
Don't get caught in their web of destruction.
How do we identify such teachers.
Here are a few ways. They use made up words and examples to exploit believers. They teach immorality. They follow and promote immoral lifestyles. They are arrogant speaking evil of Divine authority, perverting God’s Word. They teach of freedom and liberty while being slaves to Satan.
Our defense is to stay away from lying tongues and deceiving spirits. Is what they teach truth? What is the context? What are the verses before and after what they have "cherry picked" to make their point.
What is the spirit behind their teaching. Is their teaching leading to heaven or hell.
Stay in God’s Word. Search to see if these things be so.
Gang, our eternal dwelling place depends on who we believe.
Jesus was hanging on the cross between two men. Luke 23:39-43 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him saying, 'If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us’. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, ‘Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we justly; for we receive the due reward for our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss’. And after he said unto Jesus, ‘Lord remember me when Thou come into Thy kingdom’. And Jesus said unto him, ‘Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise’."
If today, this minute you drew your last breath, where would you take your next breath heaven or hell.
This is a dire warning do not chase after those whose destination is everlasting darkness, separation from Almighty God Creator of heaven and earth. Who became a man, the man Christ Jesus and received the penalty that you and I deserve.
He hung and died in our place.
The choice is ours.
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". 2 Peter 3:9.
This is truth spoken in love.
Please heed the warning do not harden your heart.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Forgiven...when...
Forgiven...when...
4/22/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Perhaps this is just a reminder for you.
Maybe you know someone who needs to hear this truth.
Be Gentle.
Do you know the wages of sin is death? Of course you do.
Maybe you didn't know that there are three deaths that occur to every human who sins. Death does not annihilate; it only separates. In the Garden of Eden, it separated man from God spiritually; this is spiritual death. In natural death, it separated the spirit and soul from the body; that is physical death. In final death, it separates man from the mercy of God forever; this is eternal death.
The wages of sin is spiritual death. Just as sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him from the presence of God out of the Garden, so sin will separate us from God. "But your iniquities (sin) have separated between you and your God, and your sins have His face hidden from you, that He will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
Sin causes physical death. We were all born in sin. “In sin my mother did conceive me." Psalm 51:5
The wages of sin is eternal separation from God. "The soul that sinneth, it shall surely die." Ezekiel 18:20.
Once the soul passes beyond the portal of hell it is lost forever. Eternal death separation from God.
However, there is a remedy.
Confess your sins.
He is eager to forgive us of all unrighteousness.
Cease from the sin you find yourself wallowing in.
Ask the Lord God Almighty to forgive you.
Repent and return to the Lord.
His blood was poured out.
He died.
He rose from the grave that your sins might be forgiven.
Go your way rejoicing we have been forgiven...when we believe in Him.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
shema - to hear
Forgiven...when...
4/15/26
“Ramblings from the Rogue - Blessed, delightful, beautiful morning to you.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
These verses are referred to as the Shema.
Shema is a Hebrew term for hear.
Hear the first word of the verse. Shema is further rendered to mean, hear, to listen, to understand and to obey. How often do we read or hear scripture, and it goes in one ear and out the other.
Many of us have something else that has our attention.
When the Jewish folks recite this Shema, they often close their eyes as to pay closer attention to what they are reciting. They recite this twice a day.
In my two past careers loading weapons on aircraft and fighting fire if I hadn't paid close attention, understood what was being said and applied that knowledge, more likely than not I would not be sharing this with you.
It is vitally important to heed God’s Word our life here and our eternal state depends on it.
How are we doing?
Jesus refers to these verses in Mark 12:29-31 when the scribe asked; “Which is the first commandment of all? The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Jesus added mind.
The place where understanding, feeling and desire occur. The deepest part of our being.
My point is this, am I, are you, are we just hearing or are we listening.
That is, are we paying attention to God’s Word.
Are we Hearing, are we Listening, that is paying attention, understanding and obeying?
Are we following Shema.
After all this life and the one to come depend on our putting that into practice.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
we celebrate the rising of our lord
we celebrate the rising of our lord
4/8/26
Ramblings from the Rogue
Happy Easter or as we like to say Blessed Resurrection Sunday.
The day we celebrate the rising of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.
Paul in his letter to us laid it out quite plainly. Take the time to let these words sink in.
Read slowly.
Lord open our eyes our ears our heart we want to see Jesus.
“…To the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;
8 wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:
10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:
11 in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:
12 that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
14 which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
20 which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:1-23
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
are we paying attention?
4/1/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - In Scripture, God’s Word is given to us that we might learn from it. Within are many examples. It all boils down to one basic example. Paul said it best, "follow me as I follow Christ". The Old Testament has many stories that are meant to teach us.
Joshua 1:3, the Lord is speaking to Joshua. He tells Joshua that every place the sole of his foot treads shall belong to the children of Israel.
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua is a Hebrew form of Jesus, meaning Jehovah is salvation.
Joshua 1:8; "The book of the law shall not depart from out thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written within: for then thou shalt make thou way prosperous, and then shalt thou have success".
Moses points to the law. He brought the children to the edge of the promised land.
Joshua, Jehovah is salvation brought them into the promised land. You see when we follow Jesus, we will be led into the land of promise.
Recall Jesus words when asked "what is the greatest command", Jesus replies, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength". Matthew 22:37-40, echoing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5).
This means aligning life choices, thoughts, and energy with God's will.
Is what we are doing, do our lives reflect what is pleasing to the Lord or are following the lust of the flesh, the pride of life? (1 John 2:16) It is a choice. In order that we might enter into the promised land we must follow the "command" given us by Christ Jesus.
We owe Him our lives as He gave His that we might have life everlasting.
"Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9
The Lord is next to us guiding and directing, are we paying attention?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
rocks
3/25/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Spring has sprung. Time to do the planting that has been put off. In late fall I purchased some trees. A couple of small firs, one gallon size, a red Maple ten-gallon size and our live Christmas tree a twenty-gallon pot. Time to plant. We picked a likely spot.
We are located next to the river. Over the millenniums the rocks were deposited on our little chunk of riverbank.
As I was digging, trying to make a hole large enough for the trees I asked the Lord to use this as a learning experience.
What is it that You would like me to know? What is it that I can pass on to others.
Rocks, that’s it.
Rocks among the soil.
Buckets full of rocks.
All kinds of rocks.
Big ones, little ones, smooth ones, rough ones, rocks of different colors and shapes.
I was on my hands and knees digging out rocks.
Yah, you guessed the Parable of the Sower. Jesus speaking Matthew 13:5-6 "Some (seed) fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root they withered away."
How does this parable fit.
I was planting already established trees. As seedlings they were placed in ideal soil, given plenty of water and nutrients so they would be hardy and well established. You know, like being brought up in the church. Now, into rough, rocky soil they were placed. A totally different environment. The rocks must be removed. The hard ground had to be opened up, the rocks removed and good nutrient rich soil placed in the hole.
Many of us and/or our children were raised in a fertile environment. We were fed the "Word" and prospered. At some point we/they were transplanted. The new environment is stony ground. The stones must be removed. Perhaps the stone must be rolled away to see that the tomb is empty. Christ has dealt with the stones in the new environment.
How can we remove the rocks from their situation.
Pray.
We can't remove the rocks, but the Lord can.
When the stones are removed, it becomes good ground producing abundantly. We are to pray, not doubting.
The Lord wants to give us the desires of our heart. He asks us to bring our worries before Him to place them at the foot of the Cross. In due time the stones will be removed. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you and He cares for them as well.
Keep praying, keep asking.
You wait, you watch, you will see the stones removed.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Is Your heart warming up?
Is Your heart warming up?
3/18/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - In case you hadn't noticed Spring is upon us. In this part of the world the northern hemisphere creation is waking up from a winter nap.
The birds are starting to sing, the flowers are starting to open up, trees are starting to bud.
Easter is just around the corner.
Easter a time when those who believe in Christ Jesus as Lord celebrate.
Celebrate a risen Savior.
Our part of the physical world breaks forth in celebration also. How are we doing individually? Are we celebrating?
In the far north things are still frozen. Most of us are living in an area where the soil is warming up. Is our heart warming up or is it still frozen to the things of the Lord. It might be time to do a heart check.
I will, won't you?
This last season might have been rather rough. Maybe we are living out consequences of bad decisions.
Perhaps it has been a long battle with sickness. A loss of a loved one. Or doing those things we know are contrary to the will of God. It has just been a rough one.
There seems to be no end in sight.
Hang on just a bit longer.
“Be patient therefore brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husband man waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7-8.
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in due season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
There it is.
Get yourself firmly planted in God's word and you will spring forth with much good fruit. His Word is all we need to get us to a place of peace and comfort, a place where the Son shines eternal on our dry and thirsty souls.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
listen to the voice of our father
3/11/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - As we see all that is happening around our community and around the world, we must ask ourselves, "Is harvest time near"?
Harvest time when the Lord with a sharp sickle will thrust it into the earth to harvest a crop of souls. Take a look at what Revelation 14:15-16, "And another Angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him (Jesus) that sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time of harvest of the earth is ripe. And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped'."
We know this occurs after the tribulation period. The church, the bride of Christ, has been taken to heaven for a seven-year honeymoon. Back on earth there is much pain, sorrow, and desolation. Where will you be, where will I be?
Follow me to Matthew 21-32 Jesus is in the temple where He is asked concerning His authority. His reply is to ask them a question concerning obedience. Two sons are given a command to work in the vineyard. One says "no" and yet after a while goes to the vineyard and works. The other son says he will go to work yet does not.
The question is which one did the will of the father. Some will appear to be obedient. They will say all the right things appear to be following the Lord yet never set foot in the vineyard.
Others who initially appear to be defiant followed the will of the father.
Are we just going through the motions of being followers of Christ? Those that are "just going through the motions" will be left behind.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to be around during the tribulation period where God pours out His wrath on a Christ rejecting world.
Listen to the voice of our Father.
Be obedient.
Be true followers of Christ.
In God’s Word there are so many examples of those who missed out on the marriage feast. Only a foolish person will ignore what the Lord is saying.
Don't be that foolish person who built his house on the sand only to have it washed away when the storms came.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Be led by the spirit of god
3/4/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Today there are those who say that if you are "saved" God is so gracious, so loving, so kind that anything goes. After all they say, "God wants you to be happy".
Do not be led astray. As I have said before, scripture can be tortured to say whatever the speaker desires. We are in the end times. Satan knows the return of the Lord is at hand. He desires to sift us like wheat. God’s word is very specific concerning what we see unfolding today.
Take the time to read these verses. Read them slowly let the word of God speak to your heart. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul writes the following. Galatians 5:16-26
"This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another".
If you find yourself caught up in these sins know this, God is for you. His desire is that none should perish. Make today the day of your salvation.
Turn around.
Do a 180.
Turn your back on the sin that Satan himself has devised to be a pitfall. After all he is a murderer and a liar.
Jesus in John 16 having spoken of how He has overcome the world. He is telling His disciples He is about to depart to go to the Father. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you that you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have overcome the world".
Take heed to God's word. We will be without excuse.
Gang, be led by the Spirit of God.
Jesus could come back today and if not today tomorrow.
Are you ready?
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
protection from wolves
protection from wolves
2/25/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - There is a storm brewing. Are you ready?
Musk Ox are always at the ready whether it is an Arctic storm or wolves. When danger approaches the Ox circle up together the more mature are on the outside of the circle the younger and more vulnerable are in the center.
If an Ox fails to be part of the herd, they usually fall victim to the storm or wolves. You see there is protection when one is part of the herd.
Are you part of the herd or are you standing alone in the wilderness? The church, the Bride of Christ is the group we should all be part of. Even though the Ox is an Ox he only receives protection when it is linked in with the herd. The same is for a Christian. If we believe and receive Christ Jesus and His work for our redemption we are saved, part of the church the bride of Christ.
However, if we are not part of the herd, we too can fall victim to storms or wolves.
We shouldn't try to endure the storm or the wolves alone.
Hebrews 10:22-25 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Be wise like an Ox. Be part of the body, the herd. When storms or wolves approach you will find that the body will surround you in prayer. Just as those Ox gather around one another for protection.
Hebrews 2:11-12 “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call us brethren, Saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.”
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the House of the Lord.”
Take the time, make the effort to go into the House of the Lord, you too will be glad.
You have His word on it.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
i found the cure - praise hiim!
2/18/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - How was your week? Was it filled with joy and happiness, perhaps it was just another week as time marches on. Maybe it was a week filled with sadness and uncertainty. Life is like that. Some days are diamonds and some days are coal.
In my searching for a remedy for those so-so days and those filled with sadness and uncertainty I think I have found a cure.
Praise. Yup. Praise.
When we Praise the Lord, our focus is on Him not our surroundings. God’s word is full of times when Praise chased away the darkness.
Psalm 111:1a, 10 “Praise ye the Lord, I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, .....
:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth forever.”
God's commandments are not difficult when we realize that not following them causes death. The bottle said, "Poison do not drink". Do we pick it up and drink it? Of course not.
Don't drink from the cup of sin. When the darkness starts to surround us, when the enemy comes in like a flood with temptation and promises.
Drown him out with Praise.
Turn on the light.
The devil hates it when we Praise the Lord.
Remembering it is praise that our enemy desires. When we sin it is giving praise to our enemy.
“Praise the Lord with our whole heart, lean not on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
We can Praise Him, when we read His Word, when we sing songs to Him, when we sit in His presence, when we obey His commands.
Psalm 147-150 the last chapters of the book are all about Praising the Lord.
Psalm 147:1 "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant: and it is comely."
Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord, Praise ye the Lord."
Darkness will flee, sadness will be turned into joy, uncertainties will disappear, when we give Praise to the One who gives us life and life everlasting.
Praise ye the Lord.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
our sins are removed
2/11/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - "Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly in Christ". Ephesians 1:3.
God is blessed because He has blessed us through Christ. God was pleased to send Jesus Christ to Earth as a deliberate act of love and mercy to reconcile humanity to Himself, redeeming them from sin and death.
How is it that the very God that created the universe would be pleased to send His only Son to earth to be sacrificed, to be slain as a lamb?
He was pleased because He knew that through Christ Jesus all mankind would be redeemed. Our sins would not only be reconciled but removed.
How can this be? By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know we know this. It does good for us to rehearse it in our own minds.
Think with me for a moment all Christ endured (...............) that we might be saved from an eternity of hell.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16.
Which one of us would be willing to sacrifice our only child so those who caused their death would be saved from the penalty of death.
Read that again.
Gang it will take all of eternity for us to comprehend what is the height and the depth and the length of the LOVE that God has for those who love His Son.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
connecting with one another
connecting with one another
2/4/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - In Utah there stands the largest living organism on earth. Pando, a group of Aspen trees that originate from the same tree. Pando means, "I spread". They are genetically the same. Their roots are interconnected.
Each is clinging on to others. The root system of each is individual is connected to other Aspens making it a part of the whole body. They maintain their strength and vitality due to their connection to each other.
Christianity is similar in that we each came from a single individual. Christ Jesus is our beginning. We maintain our vitality due to our interconnections, that is in fellowshipping one with another.
Pando is being threatened by insects, and over browsing which are weakening the whole.
Again, we see a similar occurrence within Christianity. Hebrews 10:24-26, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”
Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
When we fellowship, that is staying connected, we grow in strength and we are able to withstand being spiritually sickened. Just like Pando when the bugs come and chew on the trees, they become sick and some have even died.
In Pando there is sharing a collective strength and resiliency that can overcome stresses and challenges like disease and fire. This is due to their connectivity.
We as Christians must maintain that connection to one another.
Our connection to one another encourages accountability. Recalling Hebrews 10:26, “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”
Sin quickly follows when we lose our connection to the body of believers.
We are to encourage one another.
We are to hold each other up.
When we are alone, separated, cut off from the body of Believers the insects, sin, starts chewing away, eventually causing a falling away and death.
We have seen three examples in God’s Word of why we are to stay connected. There are more.
Don't be like the lone Aspen that dies because insects chewed away at it.
Stay connected.
Stay strong.
We will endure to the end.
Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.
Are we spreading out, connecting to others or are we standing alone?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
what makes him so special
1/28/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - What do you, what do I, what do we do with the person Jesus Christ?
Jesus is His first name; Christ is His title.
Christos is Greek for anointed one.
Anointed by GOD.
There is nothing more important than what a person believes about Jesus Christ.
The very GOD that created the universe and everything in it.
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not".
John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth".
Now that it has been established who He is. What makes Him so special?
He came to take away the sins of the world. Your sins and mine. This was accomplished by Jesus being perfect without sin, Jesus was sacrificed, Jesus died.
What sets Him apart from the other sacrifices of the Old Testament?
He, Jesus was GOD in human flesh. The perfect sacrifice, removing our sins. They were not covered by His blood, they were removed.
Don't you think in response to His love for you and I…we owe Him respect?
We owe Him our very lives.
If it weren't for His life, death and resurrection we are destined for an eternity of wailing, gnashing of teeth, a place of everlasting torment.
What do we do with the person of Jesus the Christ?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
am i really going to heaven?
1/21/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Have you, have I, have we ever asked ourselves the question, "Am I really saved, am I really going to heaven to spend eternity with Christ Jesus."
I think that is a question that bears much consideration. Perhaps one metric might be, does my life reflect a close relationship with the Lord. How does my life stack up against the Ten Commandments? A good place to start is can we recite the Ten Commandments? Are they written on the tablets of our heart.
Wait a minute you might say. I thought Jesus came to fulfill the Law.
Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled"
Jesus didn't come to replace the Law. Oftentimes we think because Jesus came, died, and rose from the grave the Law was done away with. Not so. The Law is still in full force and those who break the Law are going to reap the reward. Sin has consequences.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap." Galatians 6:7.
Romans 6:1-23 look it up read it for yourself. *
Are we to continue in sin NO.
Does the blood of Christ cover our sins?
Absolutely.
Why then should we continue in the very thing that Christ suffered and died for. When we practice sin, our prayers are not heard. Psalm 66:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”
If you find yourself practicing sin, stop, turn around. Jesus is waiting to receive you.
Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
All of us are dealing with sin daily.
Let's not let sin rule and reign in our heart.
Blessings, Dan
* Romans 6:1-23 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: 6 knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. 10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, His servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Where We Spend Eternity Depends Upon It
Where We Spend Eternity Depends Upon It
1/14/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - Mornin’, who are you, who am I, who are we following?
God’s Word reminds us that in the last days there will be those who are sent out by our enemy to deceive us. These people, some are pastors, others seemed to have gained credibility on Social Media. These wolves in sheep’s clothing will quote scripture out of context only telling part of the story.
We are told that in the last days some will call black, white and white, black.
We are admonished in Matthew 24:3 … Jesus saying, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying; I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
When we read or hear someone saying something that heretofore we were in disagreement with.
Stop.
Take the time to verify what is being said.
“Did God say…”.
That tiny seed of doubt was enough to start Eve doubting what God actually said.
You see there are those who want us to believe their way is correct.
There is an agenda.
Satan wants us to believe living in sin is ok.
Remember God hates sin.
Why does God hate sin, because it kills His kids. Who are His kids, you and I. Don’t fall for half-truths. Take what you hear, check it out, verify it against scripture.
Read the whole story.
Paul in 2 Corinthians speaks to us a warning. In Paul’s warning of false leaders in chapter 11, he concludes in verse 14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Their works will end in destruction.”
Make sure what you are hearing, what you are reading, what others are telling you concerning something coming from scripture is true.
Where we spend eternity depends on it.
We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The finish line is in sight
1/7/26
Ramblings from the Rogue - A new year is unfolding before us. I suggest we start the year with a question.
Who or what will guide me this coming year?
Joshua as he was coming near the end of his days had this to say. Joshua 24:15-16 "Choose this day whom you will serve."
Joshua was saying there are choices out there of whom we can serve. There is only one choice that does not lead to destruction. He went onto say, " but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
How many of us made that declaration when we were first saved?
As time has passed, we found ourselves getting a little weary. We experienced worldly temptations that once turned us away are not so offensive now. This is not the time to become weak and frail. Satan the toothless roaring lion is seeking whom he may devour. Don't fall for his attempt to get you to become lukewarm in your walk.
God’s Word is as powerful today as when it was written. Stand strong for the truth of God’s Word. Don't let others talk you into believing times have changed. They will say we need to adjust our thinking to come in line with worldly ways.
No, we don't.
The Word of God can be tortured to say what is contrary to what is truly being told.
God would rather have us hot or cold. If we become lukewarm, He will spew us out of His mouth. When we are lukewarm, we are apathetic, spiritually useless, compromising.
Revelation 3:15-16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.”
The finish line is in sight.
Return to your first love, Christ Jesus the Lord.
He is waiting for you, me too.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
I resolve to be more like christ
12/31/25 Ramblings from the Rogue - The end of the year is a couple of days away. Seems as though a few days ago we were complaining it was hot outside, now it is freezing.
My, how time flies. Seasons may come and go. Years may fly by. There is one constant in all of this, God’s Word. It is the same as it was when it was first written and will endure throughout eternity.
I would like to share a thought from Ephesians 1:9. “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.”
Wow.
The mystery is the Gospel, God became a man, dwelt among us, was sinless becoming the perfect sacrifice, died, rose from the dead, will return to claim the Church.
You see this was the plan from the beginning. God knowing man would sin and that sin requires payment. God could have come up with another way it would seem. We are told there is no other way.
God didn't need to create us, but He did. He wanted you and I to experience being in His presence. A place that is so wonderful and perfect our minds cannot conceive of its magnificence.
It was His pleasure to do so.
Many folks make New Year's resolutions. Some last year, others not so much.
How about you and I resolve to be more like Christ this coming year.
In fact, let's get a head start resolving to be more like Christ today. It's the goodness of God that brings repentance. As Christians that is little Christs, we have an obligation to be good to others.
“Be ye kind one to another forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
He had a plan to redeem you and I from the fires of hell.
He did His part, will we do ours?
Our part is simple to receive salvation and walk in His ways.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
The Christmas Gift of Forgiveness
The Christmas Gift of Forgiveness
12/24/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - This Ramblings is from a few years back. I don't know about you, but I felt it is necessary to revisit this verse.
You see I still carry a grudge about several situations perpetrated by folks who I know and by folks I have never met. When I look at the world today, I start pointing fingers at this or that group and putting the blame on them for my troubles and all the troubles around the globe. Cede would say, " why can't we just get along".
A simple reminder is, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood”. The evil in this world is perpetuated by Satan and his demons. People like you and I are the vehicles he uses. Some of us have fallen for his lies. Don't blame them.
Romans 2:1-4 reminds us not to judge others for we will fall into the same trap.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Paul concludes this axiom with; ”that the kindness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”
Let that same kindness of God work through you and me.
With that in mind.
How's your Christmas shopping going? Are you done yet?
I didn't think so I have an idea
Make it easy on yourself and give the gift that will return back to you many times over.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.”
Let it go
Forgive everyone, of everything, your burden will become much lighter, and they will be Blessed.
A simple Christmas gift Try it, I know, you will be much richer.
If it doesn't work, you can have your money back.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
feed my sheep
12/17/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - Sunday I heard a great message. "Where are you" the first question God asked of His children. The point being they, Adam and Eve had walked with God in the cool of the morning and now they seemed to be hiding. Why? Sin had separated them from God.
Where are you, where am I, has sin separated us from God?
The last question asked by our Lord Jesus, (God in the flesh) was to Peter.
Recall that Peter had denied Him three times. John 21:15 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah lovest thou Me more than these’? He saith unto him, ‘Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee’. He saith unto him, ‘Feed My sheep’."
“Do you love Me? ”Jesus asks each one of us the same question. How do we exhibit our love to others? We share the same love that Jesus gave to us.
"Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. "John 15:13. The greatest gift Jesus gave to us is that He laid down His life for yours and mine.
Paul describes love as this; "Charity (love) suffereth long, is kind, charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself
(is not pushy). Doth not behave unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Rejoith not in iniquity, but rejoith in the truth. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Jesus says to Peter “if you love Me feed My sheep”.
If we love Jesus, we too are to feed His sheep.
Share the Gospel, love folks like Jesus did. Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all He laid down His life for you and me.
Jesus, teach us to be more like You.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
no matter how far we've strayed
12/10/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - How are you doing so far this day? Some of you are cruising along quite nicely. Others are feeling like they are in the midst of a storm.
Storms will come and storms will go. Today might be a blue-sky day, there will be days that the sky is dark and dreary. That is just the way it is.
Whether it is a blue bird day or a stormy day we all need help to make it through.
How we gonna make it?
Where do we find our hope?
Psalm 121 gives us the answer. "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
This Psalm goes on to describe how He will protect us. We are in His presence always. He will never leave or forsake us.
8 "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and forever more."
The hills we are to look to are located just on the outskirts of Jerusalem. A hill called Calvary. The place where all that which kept us from a relationship with the only true, living and wise God the maker of heaven and earth, was dealt with. The hill where Jesus suffered and died to take away our sins, yours and mine.
The Blood of Christ was poured out for you and me.
The Blood of Christ which provides atonement, forgiveness, and redemption from sin, making those who believe, righteous and offering eternal life through faith.
No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how many times we have turned away from Him, no matter how many times we have denied Him, His mercy endures forever.
The Lord will sustain us.
Look to the hill of Calvary where Jesus reconciled us to Himself. Our sins were removed, just as if they never occurred.
This could be the best day of our life if we would look to the hills where our help comes from.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
The last drop of blood fell
The last drop of blood fell
12/3/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - We recently discussed being filled with all the fullness of God.
My hope and prayer are that each of us would have thought on that prayer of Paul for us.
It seems as though Paul knew what he was praying for. He spent three years in the desert of Arabia with the Holy Spirit.
When Paul prayed for us to be filled with all the fullness of God, I believe it was due to the fact that he had experienced that very thing. When we look at the life of Paul, we must wonder how could he go through all that he encountered unless being totally convinced it was worthwhile.
Paul received the Gospel from the One who the Gospel concerned.
He tells us, Galatians 1:11 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Where are you going with all this background, Dan you might ask.
Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
When we know the love of Christ it is then that we will experience the fullness of God.
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,(and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
We also read in Philippians 2:5-7 Paul speaking; “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Jesus the Christ, (God in human form), was wrongful accused and convicted, He was tortured, beaten with a scourge, placed on a cross, nails driven into His hands and feet, raised up on the cross for all to see.
After hours of suffering the last drop of blood fell to the earth.
He died.
He was placed in a borrowed tomb. There His body lay. Three days later the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty.
Jesus had conquered death.
Jesus went through all that just to prove His love toward you and me.
And gang He will return just as He promised
When we fully grasp that truth it is then that we will be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Blessings,
Dan
Dan,
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
To Be Filled with God
11/26/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - Ephesians 1:1 “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
The faithful...that’s us; we are faithful if you do what Jesus commanded us to do.
Jesus said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself". Matthew 22:37
Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote what for me has become life changing.
This portion of Ephesians is Paul praying for the saints in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ. This prayer being inspired by the Holy Spirit which of course is the whole of scripture.
Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
What is the fullness of God that Paul prays for us to have?
The fullness of God is the totality of everything God is—His attributes:
His character.
His perfection.
His holiness.
His power.
His love.
His creativity.
His joy.
His mercy.
Everything that makes God, God.
The desire of the Holy Spirit as spoken through Paul is that we would be filled with God in such a way that we would perfectly reflect who He is.
The goal of every Christian is to be filled completely with God, so that His character, His attributes, and His love define our existence.
Clark in his Commentary on this verse put it this way; "To be filled with God is a great thing; to be filled with the fullness of God is still greater; but to be filled with ALL of the fullness of God, utterly bewilders the sense and confounds the understanding".
Be filled with all the fullness of God.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
the lord will fight for you
11/19/25
Ramblings from the Rogue, Exodus 17:8 “Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, 'Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.'
So, Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the Lord said unto Moses, 'Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.' And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi: 16 For he said, 'Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation'.” Exodus 17:9-16
A moving true story. What part are we playing?
Are we Moses holding the power of God in our hands?
Maybe we are Aaron or Hur encouragers by being there when Moses becomes weary holding up his hands.
Or perhaps Joshua and the troops fighting.
At any given time, we could be one of these mighty men.
Are we holding up and proclaiming the mighty power of God?
Are we there when one who is going through a difficult situation, and they have become weary because the battle is long. Perhaps we are on the front lines. If we are, know that someone is praying for us and the power of the Lord is over us. Whatever position we are in whatever part we are playing know this,
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14.
As you read the story; Jesus is the rock that Moses rested on. The sword used to defeat the enemy is the Word of God.
The rod is the Power of God.
Amalek is our fleshly desires.
Take heart we are not in this alone. Jesus is closer than a brother. Be strong and courageous.
You see the battle was won on the Cross of Calvary.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
are we a stumbling block?
are we a stumbling block?
11/12/25
Ramblings from the Rogue, "Get behind Me Satan," Jesus said to Peter. How many times have you or I deserved that admonition?
What have we done that is contrary to the Lord’s direction in our lives?
No, the Lord Jesus was not calling Peter Satan. When we miss the mark, He doesn't call us Satan. What I believe He is meaning in this context is, Pete you’re acting like Satan. Pete you are, in your way tempting Me. Pete you are a stumbling block.
You see Jesus knew what was necessary for Him to do to save Peter, to save you, to save me, and to save all those who would follow after Him.
Peter's flesh was rearing its ugly head. Jesus is reminding Peter; God’s ways are higher than ours.
Peter having spent countless hours with the Lord, didn't want Him to go through what Jesus had just stated was about to happen. Matthew 16:21 “From this time forth began Jesus to show His disciples, how He must go into Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
How many times after hearing from the Lord...do we become a stumbling block?
Do our lives reflect a close walk with the Lord?
In 16:16-17 Jesus asking His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered, some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, others Jeremiah. He saith unto them, " But whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus tells Peter that the God the Father had revealed to Peter that Jesus indeed was the Christ.
Which Peter are you, which Peter am I?
Do we reflect that Jesus is Christ, that He was sent to earth to suffer and die and be raised again the third day. Or are we a stumbling block?
Do our lives reflect a trusting relationship with Jesus the Christ?
Do we profess Christ and cause folks to stumble because our actions define our lack of obedience?
Later we see Peter after denying Christ three times weeping bitterly. Will we weep bitterly because we failed to give worth to the work Jesus Christ did on our behalf? Will we weep bitterly because we caused others to stumble?
We should be praying that we don't become a stumbling block.
Dan,
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
11/5/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - As I sit here looking towards the East the sky seems to be saying, "Sailor take warning". We are seeing many signs of rough days ahead.
We know of friends who are enduring all sorts of maladies. Cancer, strokes, Parkinson's, and such. We know of folks whose marriages are falling apart. We read of people being killed for their belief in Christ. We see pictures of people being killed trying to protect what is theirs. We read of stabbings and shootings. It isn't a pretty picture.
The whole world is in turmoil.
Here's the deal, we should not be surprised. We are told this is what we are to expect. Our enemy is not disease, our enemy is not the other guy with a gun, our enemy is not our spouse or our family member. Our enemy is Satan; he knows his time is limited. He knows the scriptures. He knows.
What can we do to stem the tide?
An interesting thing just happened. A few moments ago, the sky was starting to turn pink on its way to red. My thoughts were focused on Jesus as I write this "Rambling". The sky is no longer pink. There are blue skies ahead.
I am reminded of a simple truth.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face and the things of this world will grow dim in the light of His glory and grace".
The song continues.
"His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell"!
When folks come to you and to me broken hearted, bodies broken, hopeless. Remind them, remind ourselves; The verse is from the Bible, specifically Acts 3:6, and reads: “Silver and gold have I none; but what I have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk”.
In this passage, the apostle Peter is healing a lame beggar by using the power of Jesus Christ, demonstrating that spiritual power is more valuable than material wealth.
Gang it is ALL about Jesus. He is the answer.
We are told to turn our eyes toward Him. His desire is that all would be healed from the devastating effect of sin.
He came, He died, He rose from the grave and glory hallelujah He is coming again.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
God’s Word Left Unopened
10/29/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - Recently I came across a letter from a man. This fella had gone to church in his early years, went to war in Viet Nam, came back home and for quite some time was caught up in the world. Finally settling down, married, raising a family.
At some point he decided to return to church. He had been chewed up and spit out by the world. He had been used and abused. He was wandering around trying to make sense of it all. There was an emptiness that he had tried to fill yet was unsuccessful.
He remembered back to his youth. He met a man who had given his life to this fella. He was exposed to truth. How that all mankind were born in sin. We as a species had been given the opportunity to live a life without sin, however temptation was too great, and we fell into a trap. The trap was set by the Serpent.
You see this serpent thought he was equal with God and convinced one third of those dwelling in the heavens to follow him. God being just kicked he and his followers out of the heavens. They took up residence here on earth deceiving and destroying mankind.
This fella remembered what he had learned in those Sunday meetings he would attend. He remembered how that even though there was sin in the world there was a way to not be given over to those sins. How that sin has consequences. How that sin leads to death. He also learned how the very God who created heaven and earth became a man and took the penalty we earned and how that His death wiped all of our sins away.
With remorse and regret of all those wasted years this man wanted to start fresh. He wanted his family to be brought up in the ways of the Lord. In the ways he had learned of yet foolishly walked away from.
He wanted to find that place where on Sunday he and his family could come and worship, learn about, hear truth and know he was doing what was right.
His greatest desire was to bring up his family in the ways of the Lord. He would tell them of his experiences and his regrets. Of the mess his life had been. He wanted more than anything to spend eternity in the presence of God in the heavens with his family.
He set out to find a place that he could take his family to hear about truth. Hear about how there is sin in the world.
How that sin carries a penalty. How that there is forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
For many Sundays he searched for such a place. What he found were buildings filled with people who had little Hope.
These were meeting places where a person in front spoke of headlines, divisiveness, of hatred. Of how if you were good enough and followed so many steps. God's grace would overlook all your sins.
There was no mention of the sufferings of Christ, no mention of what scripture had to say about living life, no mention of the penalty of sin. No mention of eternity in hell. He said whatever he could to tickle their ears. The pews were full of a bunch of folks who were being fed cotton candy. There was no truth in what they were hearing.
God's Word was left unopened.
He eventually found a place where his and the needs of his family were met. A place where every Sunday God’s Word was opened.
They heard the truth about heaven and hell. They heard the truth about the wages of sin. They heard about Christ Jesus who came to pay the price for their sins. They heard of a God who loves them and wants the very best He has to offer.
They are doing fine. They are walking in the truth, and the truth has set them free.
How are we doing?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Lamps Filled - Wicks Trimmed
Lamps Filled - Wicks Trimmed
10/22/25
This morning the cease fire in Gaza was broken. News reports that Hamas fired an anti-tank missile at IDF forces. For those of us watching from the sidelines, during this process, could not help but to recall what the Prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel had to say concerning peace. The Lord declares in Jeremiah 6:14 & 8:11."That they will declare Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
The story is quite similar. Judah was being dealt with harshly because they had turned their backs on the Lord. The battle that goes on in Gaza is because, Israel has allowed an idolatrous group, Hamas to control land that was given them in the beginning in Genesis. All the attempts to trade land for peace have ended in death and destruction.
God will not have His land shared with those who hate His people, those who are bent on the total annihilation of the nation of Israel and all of its people.
Ezekiel 13:10 & 13:16 "...the Word of the Lord through Ezekiel said :10 Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo others daubed it with untempered mortar; Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall."
That wall of peace has once again fallen.
All this is to say that until the day God delivers His people from the hands of those who seek their destruction there will be no peace. That day will come as a thief in the night.
Will you. will I, will we be ready to meet Jesus in the air to spend a seven year "honeymoon" with Him in the heavenly's as hell is poured out here on the earth?
Are our lamps filled with oil are our wicks trimmed? Matthew 25:1-13 [1]
"Lamps filled and wicks trimmed" is a phrase that has both a literal and a symbolic meaning, most famously from the Biblical parable of the ten virgins.
Where it refers to maintaining an oil lamp by adding oil and trimming the wick to ensure a steady, bright flame. Symbolically, it signifies being prepared and watchful, with the oil representing the Holy Spirit and the trimmed wick representing a clean, well-maintained heart and spirit, ready for a significant event, the return of the bridegroom.
As much as folks work toward, as much as the world desires, there will not be lasting peace, where the lion lays down with the lamb, until Messiah, Jesus the Christ sets up His Kingdom here on earth.
Until then as much as we hear of peace, peace, it will not happen until He returns.
Keep looking up, we're going up, if not today, then tomorrow.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
[1] "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five werefoolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
10/22/25
Ramblings from the Rogue, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-7.
A powerful truth indeed.
Saturday was one of those days that started out a total jumbled mess. As some of you may know I am driven. Driven to accomplish something of worth. Of course I am the one who makes the determination.
Brush to be trimmed, including a big pile of blackberries, 20x40x8 ft in size. It has been months since my shop floor was swept, vacuumed. To add to what needed to be done, there was a memorial service for a friend at 1:00.
How was all that work going to be done? Maybe I won't go to the memorial. After all, why would I go to a memorial for a guy who I haven't seen in years?
This guy was a man's man. A logger, a rancher as hard working a guy as there is. I had worked on his ranch haying and working cattle 40 years ago. Two of his kids were in my 4H club back in the day. To top it all off I didn't know how he stood with the Lord.
There was quite a wrestling match going on as whether to go or not.
Lauralee and I had started out the day reading from a devotional. We discussed my dilemma. Which by the way has been somewhat of a lifestyle. We prayed for our children and asked for guidance and wisdom for our day.
It is time to get after it. Maybe I'll start with cutting brush. Should I go to the memorial or not?
Grab the hedge trimmer. That _____ won't start. I get fuming because the spark plug wrench is in the shop 150 yds away. Stomping down the driveway to get the wrench. Should I go to the memorial, the argument continues.
When I get to the shop maybe I should clean the floor. I'm here, why not. I do. It takes about an hour and half.
If I go to the memorial, why am I going?
With a bag of tools back to the house I go. The back and forth continues about the memorial. Why is there such an argument going on about the memorial? Is it the enemy attempting to keep me from going?
The trimmer starts right up. Nice. Trimming I go. About an hour and half later all is looking good.
It is now 12:00. During the trimming it dawns on me that I should go to Dwain's memorial. Maybe I will be called on to say a word or two. Probably not. I must go.
On my way to the service the Lord listens to my carrying on.
What is this all about?
What to expect when I get there.
What will I say?
On and on. I arrive a couple minutes late. There is fellow, perhaps a pastor sharing scripture and song. My heart jumps for joy. This fellow goes on for some time reading scripture singing a song pointing to Jesus and how my friend had walked with the Lord for nearly all his ninety years.
I can't tell you how overjoyed I was to hear that Dwain was in the presence of the Lord. Dwain's son spoke of Dwain's life. Then Chris Cross, Dwain's grandson an Army Chaplain spoke about leaving a legacy of pointing to Christ. Of being a leader of the family guiding and directing in the ways of the Lord. Dwain did that.
When the service was over, I met with Casey Dwain's daughter. As I talked to her tears fell down my cheek, words were slow coming. There was extreme joy in my heart to know Dwain's was one of His.
That day I asked the Lord to guide my thoughts, to give me wisdom, to be pleasing in His sight.
He gave more than I had ever dreamed of. The shop was clean, the brush was trimmed, my friend was in heaven, and there was time left to mow the lawn.
What a glorious day.
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”
I know this is long. Just one more thing.
I sent this to a couple of my kiddos a couple of days ago. As I read it again, I thought maybe this is for me also.
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
You’re going to be okay. God knows you're exhausted not because you gave up, because you've kept going.
He sees the nights you cried, the days you kept pushing through, and the moments you showed up anyway.
You're not alone in this. He's been guiding you through the quiet. Right now, even you can’t feel it God is clearing a path He is removing what needs to go.
He's arranging what's about to come.
Don't lose heart. You’re closer than you think. He didn't bring you this far to leave you now.
Stay ready, what you prayed for is already on the way. And when it comes, you'll say: "God, this is more than I asked for."
Truly it was a struggle.
Tears were shed.
It was more than I could have hoped for.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
that is kindness
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
10/8/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - Paul concludes his thoughts in Ephesians 4 by exhorting us; “Be ye kind to one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
C.H. Spurgeon explains "be ye kind".
"This gives us an assurance of forgiveness – that it is for Christ’s sake. “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven thee. Get hold of that grand truth, and hold it, though all the devils in hell roar at thee. Grasp it as with a hand of steel; grip it as for life: ‘God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven me,’ – may each one of us be able to say that. We shall not feel the divine sweetness and force of the text unless we can make a personal matter of it by the Holy Ghost.”
It is the kindness of God that brings us to repentance.
God’s kindness is exhibited by His coming to the earth as a man.
The man Christ Jesus.
Becoming sin Who knew no sin.
Being the perfect sacrifice for your sin and mine.
Being nailed to the cross, died.
After three days He rose from the dead.
Death could not hold Him.
Jesus Christ has promised He would come again and receive those who have believed in Him.
He forgave you; He forgives us. Our sins have been washed away.
That is kindness.
Let us start today by letting the love of Christ reign in our hearts and lives.
Be kind to one another just as God for Christs sake has been kind to you and me and has forgiven us of all our sins and iniquities.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
all the goodness of god
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
all the goodness of god
11/11/25
Ramblings from the Rogue, "Get behind Me Satan," Jesus said to Peter. How many times have you or I deserved that admonition?
What have we done that is contrary to the Lord’s direction in our lives?
No, the Lord Jesus was not calling Peter Satan. When we miss the mark, He doesn't call us Satan. What I believe He is meaning in this context is, Pete you’re acting like Satan. Pete you are, in your way tempting Me. Pete you are a stumbling block.
You see Jesus knew what was necessary for Him to do to save Peter, to save you, to save me, and to save all those who would follow after Him.
Peter's flesh was rearing its ugly head. Jesus is reminding Peter; God’s ways are higher than ours.
Peter having spent countless hours with the Lord, didn't want Him to go through what Jesus had just stated was about to happen. Matthew 16:21 “From this time forth began Jesus to show His disciples, how He must go into Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
How many times after hearing from the Lord...do we become a stumbling block?
Do our lives reflect a close walk with the Lord?
In 16:16-17 Jesus asking His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered, some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, others Jeremiah. He saith unto them, " But whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus tells Peter that the God the Father had revealed to Peter that Jesus indeed was the Christ.
Which Peter are you, which Peter am I?
Do we reflect that Jesus is Christ, that He was sent to earth to suffer and die and be raised again the third day. Or are we a stumbling block?
Do our lives reflect a trusting relationship with Jesus the Christ?
Do we profess Christ and cause folks to stumble because our actions define our lack of obedience?
Later we see Peter after denying Christ three times weeping bitterly. Will we weep bitterly because we failed to give worth to the work Jesus Christ did on our behalf? Will we weep bitterly because we caused others to stumble?
We should be praying that we don't become a stumbling block.
Dan,
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
10/15/25
Ramblings from the Rogue, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-7.
A powerful truth indeed.
Saturday was one of those days that started out a total jumbled mess. As some of you may know I am driven. Driven to accomplish something of worth. Of course I am the one who makes the determination.
Brush to be trimmed, including a big pile of blackberries, 20x40x8 ft in size. It has been months since my shop floor was swept, vacuumed. To add to what needed to be done, there was a memorial service for a friend at 1:00.
How was all that work going to be done? Maybe I won't go to the memorial. After all, why would I go to a memorial for a guy who I haven't seen in years?
This guy was a man's man. A logger, a rancher as hard working a guy as there is. I had worked on his ranch haying and working cattle 40 years ago. Two of his kids were in my 4H club back in the day. To top it all off I didn't know how he stood with the Lord.
There was quite a wrestling match going on as whether to go or not.
Lauralee and I had started out the day reading from a devotional. We discussed my dilemma. Which by the way has been somewhat of a lifestyle. We prayed for our children and asked for guidance and wisdom for our day.
It is time to get after it. Maybe I'll start with cutting brush. Should I go to the memorial or not?
Grab the hedge trimmer. That _____ won't start. I get fuming because the spark plug wrench is in the shop 150 yds away. Stomping down the driveway to get the wrench. Should I go to the memorial, the argument continues.
When I get to the shop maybe I should clean the floor. I'm here, why not. I do. It takes about an hour and half.
If I go to the memorial, why am I going?
With a bag of tools back to the house I go. The back and forth continues about the memorial. Why is there such an argument going on about the memorial? Is it the enemy attempting to keep me from going?
The trimmer starts right up. Nice. Trimming I go. About an hour and half later all is looking good.
It is now 12:00. During the trimming it dawns on me that I should go to Dwain's memorial. Maybe I will be called on to say a word or two. Probably not. I must go.
On my way to the service the Lord listens to my carrying on.
What is this all about?
What to expect when I get there.
What will I say?
On and on. I arrive a couple minutes late. There is fellow, perhaps a pastor sharing scripture and song. My heart jumps for joy. This fellow goes on for some time reading scripture singing a song pointing to Jesus and how my friend had walked with the Lord for nearly all his ninety years.
I can't tell you how overjoyed I was to hear that Dwain was in the presence of the Lord. Dwain's son spoke of Dwain's life. Then Chris Cross, Dwain's grandson an Army Chaplain spoke about leaving a legacy of pointing to Christ. Of being a leader of the family guiding and directing in the ways of the Lord. Dwain did that.
When the service was over, I met with Casey Dwain's daughter. As I talked to her tears fell down my cheek, words were slow coming. There was extreme joy in my heart to know Dwain's was one of His.
That day I asked the Lord to guide my thoughts, to give me wisdom, to be pleasing in His sight.
He gave more than I had ever dreamed of. The shop was clean, the brush was trimmed, my friend was in heaven, and there was time left to mow the lawn.
What a glorious day.
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”
I know this is long. Just one more thing.
I sent this to a couple of my kiddos a couple of days ago. As I read it again, I thought maybe this is for me also.
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
You’re going to be okay. God knows you're exhausted not because you gave up, because you've kept going.
He sees the nights you cried, the days you kept pushing through, and the moments you showed up anyway.
You're not alone in this. He's been guiding you through the quiet. Right now, even you can’t feel it God is clearing a path He is removing what needs to go.
He's arranging what's about to come.
Don't lose heart. You’re closer than you think. He didn't bring you this far to leave you now.
Stay ready, what you prayed for is already on the way. And when it comes, you'll say: "God, this is more than I asked for."
Truly it was a struggle.
Tears were shed.
It was more than I could have hoped for.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
that is kindness
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
10/8/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - Paul concludes his thoughts in Ephesians 4 by exhorting us; “Be ye kind to one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
C.H. Spurgeon explains "be ye kind".
"This gives us an assurance of forgiveness – that it is for Christ’s sake. “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven thee. Get hold of that grand truth, and hold it, though all the devils in hell roar at thee. Grasp it as with a hand of steel; grip it as for life: ‘God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven me,’ – may each one of us be able to say that. We shall not feel the divine sweetness and force of the text unless we can make a personal matter of it by the Holy Ghost.”
It is the kindness of God that brings us to repentance.
God’s kindness is exhibited by His coming to the earth as a man.
The man Christ Jesus.
Becoming sin Who knew no sin.
Being the perfect sacrifice for your sin and mine.
Being nailed to the cross, died.
After three days He rose from the dead.
Death could not hold Him.
Jesus Christ has promised He would come again and receive those who have believed in Him.
He forgave you; He forgives us. Our sins have been washed away.
That is kindness.
Let us start today by letting the love of Christ reign in our hearts and lives.
Be kind to one another just as God for Christs sake has been kind to you and me and has forgiven us of all our sins and iniquities.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
all the goodness of god
A Dilemma: What to Do-What to Do
all the goodness of god
10/1/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - This morning as I sit perched 1000 feet above the Pacific looking at the beautiful blue Ocean, I have a strawberry rhubarb popover sitting in front of me. Yesterday Lauralee and I shared one it was fresh and delicious.
So it is with great anticipation that I am anxious to take a bite. Oh. As expected, it was just as delicious this morning as the other one was. The rhubarb had just the right tanginess and the sweetness of the strawberries made the perfect combination. It is so good that I want more. I think you get the picture.
You see we should be looking at our time in God’s Word with the same enthusiasm. We need to be expecting our craving for a closeness with our Lord to be filled.
I want us to extract every bit of goodness that we can from the following passages in Ephesians 2:1-6.
As we read these verses, we need to read slowly, taking each word and extracting all the goodness that it holds.
When we take a bite of our favorite steak, or dessert we chew on it and allow all of the goodness, flavor and nutrients to be released. We don't just gobble it down. I suggest we do the same with these verses. Before we dive in one more thing.
Something that recently became evident to me. Forgive me as I am often a little late to discover such things.
John, in his epistles, wrote several times, " My little children". We often read in the Old Testament, "The Word of the Lord."
This declaring what follows...is the Lord speaking. I often read scripture and think it is Paul or John or Samuel, or some other author is writing their thoughts down. Not so. They are writing what the Holy Spirit or the Lord Himself is instructing them to write.
Hopefully, prayerfully that is so with Ramblings.
We just hold the pen.
Ephesians 2:1-6.
“And you who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewithal He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; and hath raised up together, and made sit together in heavenly in Christ Jesus: In the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: the gift of God.”
Ephesians 3:17
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the goodness of God.”
Chewing slowly, allow all of the goodness, flavor and nutrients to be released.
Let these words fill you to overflowing.
The words that the Lord Himself speaks to you and me this day.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
It Is Not Too Late...
9/24/25
Ramblings from a Rogue - "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Timothy 4:1-2
In Genesis 2:1 "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman,' Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden.'"
That is NOT what God said at all.
You see living up to God's description of the serpent, "more subtle", the serpent, the devil, a seducing spirit, the father of lies, is seemingly quoting God. What he is saying is partially true. There is just enough truth to start Eve believing a lie.
Gang...that was way back in the beginning. That serpent has had a few thousand years to perfect his delivery.
Today we are seeing some who walked in rightness have fallen away because they listened to a partial truth. There are just enough of the fiery darts of doubt that hit the vitals of the intended victim.
The devil isn't stupid he is very clever. He doesn't know our thoughts he relies on our actions to discover our weaknesses. Once he sees a weakness he attacks. His attacks are the same as in the beginning.
"Didn't God say"... (fill in the blank).
Some of us may make decisions based on what we think will make us happy, then experience despair when happiness never comes.
People who assume that God wants them to be happy may justify activities clearly prohibited in the Bible by arguing that such choices are necessary for happiness.
Happiness is like cotton candy it looks to be full of fluff, when we take a bite, it is mostly empty full of air. Our pursuit should be for joy.
Joy comes from a close relationship with the One who saved us from the penalty we so justly deserve. Jesus paid for our mistakes; He paid for our wanton disregard for the truth.
Just because we fell for the lies of deceiving spirits, just because we fell for the lies of Satan, it is not too late to repent.
Change direction.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".
Gang here is a tip to cut of the fiery darts.
Ephesians 6:16 " Above all, taking on the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one".
No matter how tempted we are God has provided a way of escape.
Where we will spend eternity depends on the decisions we make daily.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil". Ephesians 6:10-11.
It is His power that will lead us on to victory.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
we can learn from our mistakes
9/17/25
Ramblings from a Rogue - Have you ever wondered, "What is God’s will for my life"?
Certainly, that has been a question I have asked several times perhaps daily.
Maybe you have.
I know I have.
Looked back on the day or a week and said, "I think I missed it".
What I did that day or that week was a complete waste of energy and or resources? What I did wasn't pleasing to the Lord, so I thought.
Seemingly I missed it.
But in reality, maybe not.
What do ya mean?
As I looked back, I saw where I took a wrong turn or went in a total wrong direction. The sad part is I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway.
Here is the thing gang, we can learn from our mistakes.
We can learn from our wrong turns.
When we do, we can put that in the column of, I don't want to make that mistake again. Pray it in. Ask the Lord to remind us the next time we are at that junction where that wrong turn led.
God is merciful. Our offenses, our sins, carry a death penalty. Jesus died in our place so we would not have to. He took the punishment that we deserved to Calvary and died in our place.
1 Timothy 2:3-6 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all.”
Micah 6:6-8 “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
The Lord doesn't require sacrifices. His desire for you for me, for us is...
8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”
Daily we should ask the Lord to direct our path.
That He would give us wisdom and understanding.
That we would be pleasing in His sight.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
unchained and set free
unchained and set free
9/10/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - This rambling comes from Acts 12.
Prayer is still something I don't totally understand. What I do know is that God hears the prayers of those who have put their trust in His Son Jesus Christ.
Peter was imprisoned. Herod had killed James and saw it pleased the Jews and wanting to be in good graces with them, so he threw Peter in prison. Acts 12:5 "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
The church prayed without ceasing for Peter.
Peter was in lock down.
Chained between two guards and two guards at the door. Escape seemed impossible. An angel showed up and told Peter to wake up, put on your sandals we’re leaving this place. My words.
We are not told how they prayed only that they did. Might I suggest it was simply, "Father please release Peter from prison". We are to approach our Heavenly Father from a position of humility. After all He is God, we are His creation, we are subject to Him.
Our prayers are only requests not giving orders. We might think we have the solution. It is best to let Him work out the details. Not my will but thine Jesus said to the Father. God's plan is perfect.
So, what was the result of the church praying?
Peter was released. We are given a detailed account of what occurred in Acts 12.
The church prayed, and Peter was released.
As the church, the body of Christ, we know of folks who might be of the church and those outside the church who are captives, who are chained and prisoners.
Church, are we praying for captives to be released?
We should be, we need to be. It was the prayers of the saints, those in the church that got you, that prayed for me to come to Christ and be set free. We need to do that for others that they would be unchained and set free.
Blessings,
Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE
7/29/26
RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE
7/22/26
Ramblings from the rogue
Ramblings from the rogue
7/15/26