RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

10/21/26

choices

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

10/14/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - Last message I briefly spoke about the "Prodigal". How that after wallowing with the pigs his father greeted him with loving kindness.

In our "ministry " meeting Mike La Montagne took us through that parable.

As we were discussing that story a couple of things were revealed that I had not seen before. The prodigal was a Jew. Duh. It is likely he was brought up in a strict home. As he was growing up his father taught him everything he should know to make it through this life.

Scripture has specific instructions at least we are told how it was in Biblical times. When a specific instruction is omitted, it is for a reason. That is..." why was that not mentioned". there is a lesson to be learned.

There is no mention of the father trying to persuade the son not to take the inheritance and leave. Is it because the father knew it would be a waste of time? That the argument might drive the son away? We always want to leave the door open for the "prodigal" to return.

What about where he found himself. With the swine. Jews had no dealings with swine. It was considered "deviled ham" to them. Yet that is where the son wound up.

Something else that caught my attention was there is no mention of the son getting cleaned up before going back to his father. Remembering Jesus was telling the Pharisees that washing of hands was man's ordinance and Gods ordinances were so much more important to follow.

Two take aways for me in this story is like the son we have been given instructions through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit how to live life. When we head out the door to spend our lives in "riotous living" we have made a choice. No one will be able to talk us out of our decision. We find ourselves in a pig pen.

Another omission in the story that is very important is it is not necessary to "get cleaned" up before we make it back to the Father’s house.

The Lord is waiting patiently for those of us who have made foolish decisions. No need to get it together before we return just head back toward home and the Father will run out to great us.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

When we find ourselves on the side of the road and wonder how we got here.

It is because of the choices we made.

We knew better but went anyway.

No one could change our mind.

The door is open for us to return.

It is not necessary to stop by the bath house and get cleaned up.

The Father is waiting and will run to meet us just as soon as we decide to return to His house.

He has everything we have need of.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

when we give into...

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

when we give into...

10/7/26

Ramblings from the Rogue – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12

We are being tempted all the time from all directions. Our enemy is looking for weak spots in our protective armor. The armor that comes from spending time in the Word. Ephesians 6 is a great place to find armor specifically designed to thwart the fiery darts sent our way.

When we give into temptation…

That is when we give into the seduction…

When we believe the lie…

When we attempt to fulfill the lust of our flesh…

We find ourselves starving, broken, the smell of pig wallow...

Without hope…

BUT when we resist…blessings await.

After all, how fulfilling is it to be wallowing with the pigs.

Remind yourself of the parable of the prodigal. He decided he would rather spend his inheritance on riotous living than be satisfied with living on his father's estate. Soon he found himself hanging out with the swine. He had no money he had wasted it all.

He was starving.

He had fallen into temptation.

He had believed the lies.

After he came to himself, perhaps his father would take him back if only to be a servant. At least then he could survive. His decision to return home was not what he expected.

When his father saw him afar off, he was greeted with love and compassion. He asked his father to forgive his foolishness. He had overcome the temptations set before him in doing so he was blessed.

Have we fallen into temptation only to find ourselves starving? Go back to your Father’s house. There you will be received with love and compassion and the banqueting table will be set before you.

What house?

I suggest the house where the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit dwell is in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, God’s Word. There we will find shelter in a storm, food for a hungry soul, assurance of better days to come, all that we need to be sustained.

You, me too, we will be blessed when we resist temptation.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

the other type of fear

The lord's gonna get me there

the other type of fear

9/30/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - What is it that strikes fear into your heart?

Is it spiders, perhaps snakes, those are most common developers of fear. For others it might be speaking before a crowd, it could be a knock on the door. If you ask ten people you might get that many different answers. For most of us there is that something that causes us to jump or scream out. That is one type of fear.

I want us to think on the other type of fear.

What is it that causes us to fear the Lord?

I remember Pastor Chuck telling a story about when he was young and snuck into the movies and was so afraid that the Lord would come back while he was there that he couldn't enjoy the show. The movie wasn't a bad one it was that the church he attended said that it was a bad thing to attend the movies. They had many restrictions concerning dress, make-up and such. That was religion. We can make it to heaven because we adhere to the rules, the interpretations of those in charge. I suggest that is not fearing the Lord. Rather fearing what man thinks.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10

Who among us seeks to be wise?

Everyone should be raising their hand. Solomon wanted wisdom and was given wisdom by God. Yet he did not fear God. He thought the command given to others did not apply to him.

We as believers in Christ are to reverence the Lord. We are to hold Him in such high esteem that we endeavor to obey His every command.

What we often forget is that the Lord wants the absolute very best for us. His thoughts toward us are of good not of evil. He is not a “meany” withholding good things, just the opposite. "Every good and perfect gift comes from above." James 1:17

Go back to the garden. Eve desired the fruit because it was pleasing to the eye. It looked good, she desired it. She became disobedient and took and ate of it even though God had said not to. Was God withholding something good? No. He didn't want them to experience evil. That tree would expose them and all that followed, that's us, to evil. It was God’s desire that they would not take a bite. They did and you know the rest of the story.

You see love demands a choice. Will we choose to Love the Lord and follow His commands?

They are not grievous.

His commands come with the courage to fulfill each and every one.

Breaking His commands is committing sin. That grieves Him.

He knows that sin destroys us.

When we sin, we don't want to look Him in the eye. We are ashamed. We often run and hide. To fear the Lord is to be in such a state that you welcome His presence. How would our lives be different if we knew the Lord was with us, right beside us throughout the day?

News flash. He is.

For those who have accepted the work Christ completed when He willingly gave His life for ours, He sticks closer than a brother. He will guide us throughout our entire journey…if we ask.

Do we fear the Lord? Do we desire to be pleasing in His sight.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". Words of Jesus quoted in John 16:33.

Reverence the Lord and you will experience joy and happiness in this life and the life to come.

That is our prayer for you. That you, me too, that we would fear the Lord.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

who do we seek after

The lord's gonna get me there

the other type of fear

9/23/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - Scriptures tell us to seek, knock and we will find. Just having returned from Elk hunting where we spent several days seeking. For me I did not find. Find any Elk that is.

As I sat under the trees hopefully hidden, I did spend time reading God’s word. Along the way I was searching for sign. Tracks on the forest floor, tracks on old trails, rubs on trees where Elk had been polishing their horns. Looking for sign that told me I was in the right area.

Jesus in John 5:39 tells us to, "search the scriptures". After healing a man who had an infirmity thirty-eight years on the Sabbath, the Jews sought to persecute Jesus. And the more so when Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto. and I work". John 5:17

Jesus was declaring He and the Father were the same. In verse 39 Jesus is admonishing the Jews to read God’s Word and see if what I am saying is true or not. Jesus was declaring that it is not what was written of Him that brings eternal life, but it is He Himself that brings eternal life. We can read the scriptures we can read commentaries; we can read books written about Jesus.

Those things are great but if we do not believe in the person of Christ we have no life in us. Confess with your mouth is part one, part two is believe in your heart. Do you believe Jesus Christ is Lord of your life? Only you can answer that question. How do we know that we believe? Where or rather in whom do we put our trust, who do we seek after, who is it we turn to in good times and bad?

1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath eternal life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life".

Do we have the Son of God dwelling within us?

Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether these things were so."

When we look for Jesus, we will find Him. When we find Him, we should spend time getting to know Him. When we get to know His loveliness, we will desire to be more like Him.

Keep on seeking, keep on knocking,

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8.

Blessings,
Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

The lord's gonna get me there

9/16/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - After spending a week or so at home, I'm on the road again.

Our lives are sorta like traveling down the highway. Some of us are nearing our destination, others have barely started. We that have been on the road have much to share with those who are just getting started. Unfortunately, I have found that those just starting out aren't too interested in hearing about what to watch for in their travels.

For those who are almost there, we have learned that the best in our lives has occurred when we left the driving to the Lord. We all know that the Spirit of God dwells within each of us that believe. No matter if we are well on our journey or just starting out, the sure way to reach our final destination is to follow the leading of the Spirit of God. The Lord will take the wheel if we ask Him.

Already He is in control of everything. The very best we can do is to allow Him to be our guide. Our God is sovereign.

For me, maybe you too, the question is how can I be sure His way is best for me? Did you know He knows each of us as if we were the only one He created. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows when a sparrow falls.

How do we know these things, because He tells us so through His Word.

Matthew 10:29-30 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Psalm 139:2 “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off.” (Read all of Psalm 139.)

When we ask the Lord to take control, we are saying we have full confidence in His ability to get us to where we long to be. Psalm 84:2 “My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh doth cry out for the living God.”

2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

As one who has traveled a long road, I have discovered that the Lord is gonna get me there. I have placed my total trust in Him. When I see dark clouds on the horizon I know there is sunshine on the other side. The more I read God’s word the better I get to know Him. The more I am able to grasp how much He loves us.

The very thought that He became a man solely for the purpose of being betrayed, beaten and crucified is so incredible to wrap my mind around. It was His plan, His design before the beginning of creation. All He asks from us is to believe. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.

As we are passengers on this long journey I suggest we stop being backseat drivers and sit back relax and enjoy the journey. Along the way we should be, we need to be those who willingly allow Him to be our guide. The instructions for us are written in His Word.

There are many wonderful benefits for those who believe in and follow Christ. Psalm 103:2-6 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not His benefits: who forgiveth all thine inequities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfied thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord executeth righteousness judgement for all that are oppressed.”

Why should we follow the Lord’s directions for our lives?

Psalm 1:1-4 explains it this way: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

When we follow the way of wisdom, we reap better experiences, and those better experiences produce rewards such as material provision, relational benefits, and mental and emotional health. Those are God’s rewards for people who follow His instruction.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

jesus is telling it like it is

worship the creator not creation

9/9/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - It has been eight Sundays since I started my summer run. I have shared thoughts from several different places.

We have seen some of God’s greatest handiwork. Wonders to behold for certain. Dorthy after her exploits to Oz said it best, "there is no place like home". Home is truly where the heart is.

Where is your heart today?

Are you truly, in the innermost part of your being satisfied with your surroundings?

Does there seem to be something missing?

I suggest that yearning down deep inside is because we aren't home yet.

As I mentioned last week all this wonderfulness is in a state of decay.

If you don't believe me, take a look in the mirror.

Here's the deal. Jesus has gone ahead of us. "Let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also". John 14:1-4.

Jesus is telling us like it is.

For those who believe and follow His commands a mansion awaits us.

A place that Jesus has with His own hands created for you and me.

A place where there is joy forever more.

If you find yourself following the "yellow brick road" stop…turn around, that road leads only to falsehoods and disappointment.

Follow the path that leads to true contentment.

Jesus will lead us home.

Jesus is coming back today and if not today tomorrow.

Let us be those who with anticipation look for His return.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

worship the creator not creation

9/2/26

Looking back from Lakeview - “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1.

For the last two weeks we have been in awe of the handiwork of Almighty God our Heavenly Father. Granite peaks that almost reach the heavens. Water that gushes forth under mighty pressure created by the heat beneath.

Wonderous beauty to behold. Around the next corner there is beauty that outdoes the previous. What causes me to stop in my tracks is that as beautiful as all this, nothing compares to what lays in store for those who love Jesus Christ and have put their trust in Him.

All this I stand in awe of is in a state of decay. It is all going to pass away.

Gang, "Heaven is a wonderful place filled with glory and grace I want to see my Saviors face heaven is a wonderful place I wanna go there." (Remember that song?)

Have we put our sights on heaven?

There are those who spend incredible amounts of time and resources worshipping the creation. Their belief is the earth must be saved at all costs.

This might sound a bit out there, but it seems to me that by “worshipping” the creation is quite parallel to worshipping the ruler of this world. This ought not to be. We are to give all glory to the One who created everything for our enjoyment. His creativity is beyond compare. We should enjoy His handiwork and appreciate what He has done. Worship the Creator not the creation. Soon all this will be rolled up like a scroll and a new heaven and earth will be revealed. Only those who have put their trust in Christ Jesus will be allowed to inhabit this new heaven and earth.

Sometimes I seem to doubt.

I believe but help my unbelief.

It is natural to doubt.

I have discovered that when doubt creeps in all I need to do is remember that which is written in God’s Holy Book referring to prophesies that has come to pass then my doubts disappear. Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand”.

Take the time invest in your future.

Read God’s Word you will be encouraged.

Your soul will be satisfied.

“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips”. Psalm 63:5.

“My son, forget not My law; but let thine heart keep My commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee”. Proverbs 3:1-2.

Here is to fullness of days.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

surrender to God's calling

worship the creator not creation

surrender to God's calling

8/26/26

Dan & Lauralee are traveling to Yellow Stone – "This Lord's day we are near the Bighorn River. SonRise Ranch on Grass Creek staying in the original homesteaders cabin."

Grumblings along Grass Creek - “Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of A-mit-tai saying, Arise go to Nin'-e-veh that great city, and cry against it: for their wickedness is come before Me.” Jonah 1:1-2.

Jonah had been summoned by God to deliver a message of redemption to a wayward people. When was the last time the Lord caused a stirring in your heart to share the gospel with someone who is like you once were? We, those who have given our lives to the Lord, changed direction and accepted the work He completed on the Cross of Calvary were in a state of wickedness and decay just as these folks were.

What did Jonah do when called by the Lord?

What was your response.

What was my response?

Did we stop and give them a call?

Did I make a detour?

Did we make that visit? Perhaps we responded as Jonah did.

Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tar'-shish from the presence of the Lord...”

Are we fleeing from our responsibility to speak the truth? Are we fleeing from speaking the truth to ourselves?

Many now say it is loving to go along with what God’s Word declares is disobedient.

Is it loving to allow a person to continue in sin that will end in complete destruction and cause them to be cast into outer darkness?

Maybe the Lord has been speaking to you about this type of situation. God became a man and took the punishment we deserve to show His love toward us. There must be a choice made to follow Jesus or not. The end result is for all eternity. Eternity could start at the moment this is read or it might be sometime in the future, only God knows.

You know Jonah's story. If not take a few minutes and read the book of Jonah, two pages, four chapters.

Jonah goes through a terrible ordeal before being puked up on the shore of the place God had asked him to go. Will it take a great stinky ordeal for us to be delivered to a place where God desires us to be? Maybe God is asking you to change direction in your life. His desire is that none should perish. Hear the voice of the Lord. Allow Him to do the work He desires to do in your life mine too.

Surrender to His calling.

Jonah paid a fare to go in the opposite direction God intended.

The fare was a miserable journey. Don't make that same mistake. It is more loving to tell a person they are headed in the wrong direction than it is to let them drown in a sea of sorrow.

Each one of us have a choice to trust and obey the voice of the Lord or not. Don't make the same mistake Jonah did.

Psalm 95:7-8, “For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart, as in the day of provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”

Blessings,
Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

a daily struggle

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

a daily struggle

8/19/26

Today we are along the Snake River in Idaho. Twin Falls, Idaho Canyon

Sojourning Along the Snake River.

This morning my thoughts turned to Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His Temple.”

David penned this Psalm after battling the Philistines. David was having a tough time...2 Samuel 21:15 recounts the struggle. "Moreover, the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.”

How is it going with the battle against the giants in your life?

For me it is a daily struggle.

The fiery darts of my enemy are like the spears spoken of in 2 Samuel; 21:16, “And Ish'-bi-be'-nob which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass, (nearly 8 pounds) and he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.”

Our enemy is hurling heavy stuff at us day and night. His promise is that we will be happy, we will be satisfied. His promises are empty lies. His fiery darts of compromise leave us empty and disappointed. He comes at us again with more enticing words.

We fall into his trap. Over and over, we sink into despair having believed his lies.

David completes Psalm 27:13-14 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord.”

There it is gang, wait on the Lord.

He will equip you, me too.

He will equip us to defeat our foe, when we wait on Him.

He is our Commander in Chief He has already defeated our enemy. He has conquered the thing that most fear. Almighty God defeated our enemy when Jesus was hung on the cross and died for you and me. Defeat came when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Stand strong and see the salvation of the Lord.

You watch.

You wait.

We'll see.

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall be afraid?”

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

...If We believe

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

a daily struggle

8/12/26

Ramblings from the Rogue - "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went on his way." John 4:50a

This man's son was near death.

Jesus spoke the words, "thy son liveth".

We don't know much about this man. What we do know is that he believed the words of Jesus. This man's belief in the words Jesus spoke restored his nearly dead son back to health.

How many of us believe the words that Jesus speaks.

Jesus restores those who are at the point of death.

Do you believe in His words or not. You, me, those other folks can be restored to life if we only believe in the Son of God who gave His life for ours. He took the penalty we deserve upon Himself.

We have been restored if we believe.

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

8/5/26

Illustration from Iliamna - Previously I sent out this picture. Perhaps you viewed it. The instruction was to ask yourself who am I in this picture.

Perhaps you took the time, maybe not.

Gang this is serious business.

Storms start with a stirring of the wind.

Then gradually they increase and before we know it, we are in the midst of a raging storm. You see the enemy will hurl darts one after another until he finds a soft spot then a full barrage is let loose. I suggest that at the first moment you feel an increase in wind pressure seek shelter. Seek shelter beneath the covering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These guys waited until they were afraid for their lives, they were about to perish, then they decided they should go to the Master Jesus Christ. "Lord save us" they cried. He heard their cry and the storm was calmed.

Storms will come; we can determine ahead of time how they will affect us. The storms in our lives are battles. How are we protected during a battle? We have at our disposal, "the whole armor of God".

Ephesians 5:10, “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.”

Where will ya be when the storm, the battle rages on?

Blessings, Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

8/4/26

Illustration from Iliamna -Take some time look at each person on the boat.

Which one will I be?

Something to consider.

Most of you are somewhat familiar with Jesus’ teaching,

Luke 8:22 "Now it came to pass on a certain day, that He went into a ship with His disciples: and said unto them, 'Let us go over to the other side of the lake.' But as they sailed. He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And He said to them, where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of Man is this! for He commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey Him."

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

His word has found a home

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

7/29/26

Illustrations from Iliamna - Jesus spoke many parables. He taught in this fashion so that the point He was trying to convey could be easily understood and applied. Jesus used parables to reveal truth. Take for example the parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-15. Here He speaks about sowing seeds.

His examples are for us to consider what do we do with the seeds that are sown in our life. That is to say when we hear God’s Word, does it penetrate our heart or does it fall by the way.

He gives examples of seeds being sown in rocky soil. Ground that has mostly rock and little soil. Sure, it sprouts for a moment then it quickly dies as there is little to keep it thriving. Some fell on soil that had weed seeds already there.

The weed seeds being more prolific out competed the good seeds for moisture and nutrients quickly choked out the good seeds. Weeds are the cares of the world. Other seeds fell on good ground, sprouted, matured and produced good fruit.

We know from this story that the seed is God’s Word, the Bible, and the ground or soil is our heart. The important question is to which ground do you compare your heart to? Which ground do I compare my heart to? Most of us who read this parable have hearts that hear or read God’s Word, and it finds a place in the heart. It makes sense; sometimes we have a change in the way we think about something and how we respond to a situation.

We may even alter our lives. Then after a while we slip back into our old ways. Then there are those who hear and it sinks deep and becomes part of who we are, how we think and how we respond. His Word has found a home inside of us.

Which soil represents your heart or my heart?

If your heart is not good fertile soil, ask the Lord to cleanse it. He is more than able, and He desires our heart to be like His. Our hearts are cleansed by His Word. Let His Word find a place in your heart where it will grow and produce good fruit.

No matter how far we have drifted away from Him, He is near to us reaching down with His nail-pierced hands waiting for us to extend our hand toward His. When we do, He is faithful to grasp our hand and lift us out of the miry clay, the cares of this world. When we do, He will restore completely.

Gang He loves us, oh how He loves us.

Blessings,
Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

there is a remedy

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

there is a remedy

7/22/26

Illustrations from the Iliamna - "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body so also is Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12

Here Paul is reminding us that we all have an important part to play in the Body of Christ.

We who have become believers in Christ Jesus, we who have accepted His work here on earth, that God became a man and dwelt among us, that He became the sacrifice for our sins, that He died and rose from the dead.

Through His, life, death and resurrection we are saved from an eternity where “the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:48

As we are now "members", we have an important part to play. Paul here reminds us that each part works together in harmony.

We go merrily along for a while until part of the body becomes broken.

Sin has entered in, and the body then is broken.

Unable to perform properly.

If the sin is not dealt with the body begins to decay.

We must therefore examine ourselves.

Have we become infected?

If we have, how is this affecting those around us.

Paul concludes this thought. "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it..."

1 Corinthians 12:26a

Am I, are we causing the body to suffer?

If so, there is a remedy. We need to go to the "Great Physician" and ask for forgiveness. Turn from our wicked way. We will be forgiven if we ask. He is faithful to forgive.

The return of the Lord is near.

When the trumpet sounds where will we be found?

Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

What things, all things that we have need of. If we need forgiveness so the body can function as intended, He will be faithful to provide.

Don't find yourself enjoying a sinful lifestyle when the trumpet sounds as it will not end well.

Today could be that day.

Are we ready.

Blessings,
Dan

Dan Patterson

Pastor 55-Live Senior Group

Applegate Christian Fellowship

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

Iliamna Lodge in Alaska

why do i continue to...

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

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

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?

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...

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

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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?

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

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

https://www.applegatefellowship.org/

Dan's Devotions

Where do you run

Early Is the Clue

Where do you run

When the world is crashing,

The sky is falling,

You are being swallowed up

By the cares of the world?

He is the Rock of Salvation

Protection

He is the High Ground

He is your Father

Climb up into His lap

The view changes immediately

“From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

share your gifts

Early Is the Clue

Where do you run

Share your gifts with others

Not expecting anything in return

Jesus said to give a little child

A cup of cold water.

In those days cold water

Was hard to come by--

Cold water is so refreshing.

A child cannot return the favor

Your kindness will go unnoticed

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Early Is the Clue

“Then Elisha said: ‘Hear the Word of the LORD’.” 2 Kings 7:1

How’s that working for you?

Are you hearing “The Word of the LORD.”

In this day and age with all that is going around us,

“How can I?”

You might ask

Here’s how…

“Early will I seek You.” Psalm 63:1

That’s it!

Early we’re to seek the Lord

Early in the day

Early in the situation

Early in the difficulty

Early is the clue for us

“Early will I seek You.” Psalm 63:1

Just a reminder for all of us: Seek God early.

He’s waiting on us, Gang.

He is right there beside you.

Reach out to Him.

I don’t think there is anything that brings the LORD more pleasure when we stop what we are doing to spend time with Him.

After all we owe Him everything. How about a few minutes early in the morning: after all every moment is a gift from The Father.

Dan's devotions

Carrying A Grudge?

His Glory Is Revealed

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:13

Are there people

Who have wronged you?

Are you carrying a grudge?

Do you find yourself

Going out of the way

To avoid them?

Does Jesus turn His back

On you…

Of course, not

Do ye likewise

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

His Glory Is Revealed

That while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Take a look around

His Glory is revealed

To you this very day

Since last fall the plants

Have been storing up

Energy so they can break

Forth in beauty

And splendor in praise

To their Creator

The Lord God Almighty

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of host: The whole earth is full of His Glory!” Isaiah 6:3

God Rested

His Glory Is Revealed

God Rested

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” Genesis 2:2

God rested

Because nothing was left

Undone of all He created

In this process of creation

Every problem that would

Ever occur throughout time

Had been dealt with

No matter what

Your situation

He has already dealt with it

He rested

So, should we

Dan's devotions

Let’s Be a Blessing

This Should Be a Daily Prayer

When God Commands

Take a moment…

Think on the many gifts God has given you

Do you have a car?

Take someone for a ride

Can you fix something?

Is there something broken?

Can you read?

Share a Bible story

With a youngster or an oldster

Who is no longer able

To hold the scriptures

God has blessed us

Let’s be a blessing to others

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

When God Commands

This Should Be a Daily Prayer

When God Commands

When God commands you

He will provide all

That is necessary

To carry out the task

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

This Should Be a Daily Prayer

“Father, keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 12:32

This should be a daily prayer

We need to stay

As close as we can

To our Heavenly Father

Our Creator

walkingbyfaith.us In the Sunset of Our Lives Yet On the Dawn of Eternity

rogue river

STARTING WITH CURRENT DEVOTIONS - CHECK THE DATES ON 2-3 PART DEVOTIONS TO GET IN RIGHT ORDER

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

choices

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

when we give into...

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE

when we give into...

the other type of fear

The lord's gonna get me there

the other type of fear

who do we seek after

The lord's gonna get me there

the other type of fear

The lord's gonna get me there

The lord's gonna get me there

The lord's gonna get me there

jesus is telling it like it is

worship the creator not creation

worship the creator not creation

worship the creator not creation

worship the creator not creation

worship the creator not creation

surrender to God's calling

worship the creator not creation

surrender to God's calling

a daily struggle

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

a daily struggle

...If We believe

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

a daily struggle

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 2

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

His word has found a home

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

there is a remedy

In the Midst of a Raging Storm Pt 1

there is a remedy

why do i continue to...

jesus will set us free if we ask

jesus will set us free if we ask

jesus will set us free if we ask

jesus will set us free if we ask

jesus will set us free if we ask

ABSOLUTELY FREE TO US

jesus will set us free if we ask

ABSOLUTELY FREE TO US

stay close to the lord

Another Storm He Saw Me Through

stay close to the lord

heed his word

Another Storm He Saw Me Through

stay close to the lord

Another Storm He Saw Me Through

Another Storm He Saw Me Through

Another Storm He Saw Me Through

forgiven much - loves much

forgiven much - loves much

forgiven much - loves much

what is your battle?

forgiven much - loves much

forgiven much - loves much

we will be glad

forgiven much - loves much

we will be glad

Pleasing in his sight!

Who are we going to believe?

Pleasing in his sight!

Listen to his heart

Who are we going to believe?