J Mike Wills

The Old Rugged Cross

A few years ago, we started this latest EP for those who like our music. This latest compilation is made up mostly of “Hymns From My Youth” and is entitled “I Love To Tell The Story”. I have been publishing the songs as I have them completed here on my website, but I will have a final edited and mastered CD / EP printed when I am done with all the songs. I decided to add a song that Don Hightower – a friend of mine – and I wrote a few years back titled “His Everlasting Love”. It’s a fun song that gets your motor goin’! I’ll save that for last.

But for now, I have added the song “The Old Rugged Cross” written by George Bennard in 1912 and published the next year. There is a great deal of information on the backstory of this song on the music page of this site. I added a little guitar interlude and created a bridge that goes well with the song. I hope you will like this version..

Updated Version to be published soon!

God is good – ALL the time..

“God is good all the time and all the time God is good!” Don Moen

That is the first line of a very popular song that many of us have sung many times. Yet every time I sing or play it I find such peace in that truth knowing that God is in control and that He is so good!

The first verse says: “If you’re walking through the valley and there are shadows all around. Do not fear, He will guide you He will keep you safe and sound. He has promised to never leave you Nor forsake you, and His word is true”!

As the whole world deals with the seriousness of this deadly virus, COVID-19, we as Christians can take solace in a these words as we sing them out to Him. The lyrics the author used came strait from God’s Word – and His word is TRUE!

In my own career, I’ve been here many times. I’ve been through furloughs, layoffs, strikes, pay cuts and companies just going out of business as the result of the economy or some other issue. One thing that has been constant is that God has been faithful through it all. My wife and I had dedicated ourselves to trusting Him no matter what, and He never failed us – EVER. I remember one time when my airline failed that I had to get a job doing something. We had 2 small children and a mortgage to pay along with all the other bills associated with being responsible adults. I had no other skill other than to be a pilot, and there were a LOT of those looking for work then. We held on for several months until I took a part time job delivering pizzas. Even getting that job was hard to do. I’ll never forget leaving my house in my beat up pickup truck with a 1/4 tank of gas and maybe $3 left to my name – that was it. I came home that night with a full tank of gas, $100 from tips and 3 pizzas. Through it all, God was good. God was faithful. God was large and in charge. God showed His love for us and led us through that phase in our lives. I will never stop testifying of His goodness, mercy and grace that He gives freely to all who love Him!

Yes my friends, God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!

Giving Thanks!

Today marks another day in our year where we stop and remember what we are to be thankful and grateful for in our lives. Thankful for what we have had, currently have and what we to look forward to in our lives.

But I would say that as a Christian – a follower of the One, The King of Kings and my Savior – the greatest thing that I could ever be thankful for is the gift of salvation that He gives freely to all who call on Him. (Rom 10:13)

So I echo the song that Don Moen sang “Give Thanks”.

The opening lines read: “Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son”. As a believer and servant of Christ, I cherish the opportunity to thank Him. My heart cries out with deep appreciation to give Him the praise and glory for who He is and His great love for me.

In a recent study through the book of Psalms with my awesome wife, we saw all throughout the books how God is given praise and we see the thankfulness of those who penned the words!

Psalm 66:1-4 reads “1 Shout for joy to God, all earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah

As you sit down with family and friends to eat a delicious huge meal, or if you are alone and eating warmed up food in a hotel room somewhere, remember to take a few minutes to reflect on what He has really given you – salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you have not received this free gift of salvation, or if you’re not sure; I encourage you to reach out to me or any believer for a better understanding of how to receive God’s gift.

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!

We are to acquire wisdom and understanding!

How we relate to God’s commands and promises will grow our lives in Him

Scripture: Proverbs 4:5-8, 13

Lately in my studies I have desired to learn more about God’s wisdom for my life. There is an interesting passage that I came across recently which presents a perspective I have not thought about regarding gaining wisdom and understanding. That scripture is found in Proverbs 4:5-8, 13.

Proverbs 4:5-8, 13 (NASB) 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

“Aquire Wisdom, Get Understanding” Obey His ways

There are 6 commands in this passage that I believe that we as Christians are taught to follow that will bring us closer to acquiring wisdom and gaining knowledge:

1: Do not Forget her (v5)
2: Do not Forsake her (v6)
3: Love her (v6)
4: Prize her (v7)
5: Embrace her (v8)
6: Guard her (v13)

Do not forget her!
The interpretation can be read as *”It is so important to remember that of all things remember God’s ways.” We need also to keep in mind the promises He has made to those who remember His ways and obey them.

Do not Forsake her!
The translation appears to mean *”Do not leave behind.” Solomon is reminding us of the critical importance to always remember God’s teachings. He is reminding us to stay on the path God has set for us. Don’t turn left or right, but stay on the straight path. Most importantly, do not abandon His truth and His ways.*Strongs Concordance H7911

Love her!
We need to Love God’s teachings and His ways. We are to *”Desire, Breathe after and be so inclined for His ways.” I believe it calls us to a higher level of passion for Him and His Word. Just as “The Deer pants for water so my soul longs after you, O God” (Psalm 42:1), we too should have a deep longing for His words. If we love Him, He will watch over us. We are His children and He longs to protect and care for us!
*Strongs Concordance H157

Prize her!
We are to revere her, *”literally to exalt, esteem highly.” His Word should be so valuable that nothing is more important. If we obey God’s ways, wisdom will “cause to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up” (Polel) God shows His tender mercies to raise His children and mature them. Oh that we would listen and grow in Him! *Strongs Concordance H5549

Embrace Her!
We are to desire it so much that we *”clasp and hold firmly in our arms.” Just as we hold our loved ones so tightly, we are to hold on to the teachings that wisdom provides to us. I remember when my oldest son graduated from US Army Boot Camp grabbing him and holding on to him so tightly. I didn’t want to let go. That same way is how I believe I am to treasure and hold on to God’s ways. *Strongs Concordance H2263

Guard her!
The Hebrew word is *Natsar. The Greek is Kustodia or “custodian”. The impression that many scholars and theologians seem to consider in this tense is to “To receive and take charge of and guard even to the point of danger”. God’s ways are to be held to the highest level and to be followed at all costs as it is that important to our lives! “Guard her for she is your life.” (V13)

*Strongs Concordance H5341

I also cherish the promises God gives to us if we follow these few commands!

He will:

Guard You
Watch Over You
Give You Understanding
Exalt and honor you

“For she is your life” – She meaning the wisdom of God.

As I read this passage and apply it to my life, I am in awe of Him beyond measure of His love for me. But this gift and the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ is available for all mankind. (Rom 10:8-13)

I hope that in my life I will never forget, not forsake and always love His ways. I pray that I will be able to prize, embrace and guard those teachings in my life and that I will allow Him to grow my life – all to the glory of Him and Him alone.

Will you commit to obeying these commands and allowing Him to give you wisdom and knowledge?

Joint Web Page Created

In the past, I’ve been able to use my Ministry weblog to share my music, thoughts and experiences with y’all. Unfortunately, that blog had a lot of unwanted and – to some extent – inappropriate advertising ads. Also, the blog was only intended for my ministry and I chose not to include other things that would be interesting to some.

I’ve long wanted to go ahead and add other areas of my life that would have pictures, videos and other areas such as my aviation trips and maybe a pic or two of my family life. So I added a site with no advertising on it and decided to put it all under 1 roof. It’s free of ads and has a title that is easier to remember and use.

As the days go forward, I look forward to sharing more with you!