RSS Feed facebook digg this Friday, June 19 2009 in Blog | 4 Comment(s)

Many people say that when you have children, you can really start to experience and understand the “father-heart” of God. I am merely nineteen years old, and though I have no children, the Lord has shown me a huge part of His heart through my father, Ben Ferrell.

Like most children in their adolescence, I have not always been appreciative of the fact that “Father knows best.” However, my dad has continued to exhibit his love to me. I never fully understood this type of love until I was older. I certainly have had my share of rebellious moments growing up; though never completely monumental, I know they were painful to witness. I remember one time in particular when I was about fourteen; I knew I wanted to date this boy that I was completely head over heels “in love with.” My dad, wise as he is, knew it was not a good idea. Despite what he thought, I still would not listen. I could tell that I hurt my dad, and something inside me, much like what happens when I disobey the Lord, was empty. As most of these stories go, I ended up getting burned. However, the sweetest moment I can remember having with my dad, is coming back to him, humbled, heartbroken, and distraught. I remember him holding me as I cried. He forgave me instantly, and was only focused on healing my heart. This is the essence of the Father’s love. It does not matter how many times we try to run away, or do what we want to do, God will forgive us no matter what. Our heavenly Father will always bring us back, hold us in His arms, and tell us how much He loves us. Many times our own minds and human stubbornness hold us back from the greatest love in the world. Our own stubbornness brings us crashing right back down to earth. Be encouraged today. Remember that regardless of how many times you mess up, how many ways you feel you do not deserve this life changing love, He is there. Take joy in the Lord today, He is your heavenly Father.

One of my favorite songs of my dad’s is “Father’s Love,” which is on his Sacrifice of Praise album. The song communicates so wonderfully about this love I have described. Enter into the presence of the Lord! I suggest you order Sacrifice of Praise today. You will surely be blessed.

RSS Feed facebook digg this Wednesday, June 17 2009 in Podcasts | 0 Comment(s)

The greatest and most powerful thing that we have going for us in our lives is the Father’s love. Praising Him, adoring Him, and constantly being grateful for the goodness of God are the three ways to experience His love; however, sometimes we hit a ‘snag’.

Listen below or download the file here.

RSS Feed facebook digg this Wednesday, June 10 2009 in Podcasts | 1 Comment(s)

Every day is a good day when you are walking with your heavenly Father…He IS your Father. He loves you and is concerned about every detail of your life.

Listen below or download the file here.

RSS Feed facebook digg this Friday, March 13 2009 in Blog | 2 Comment(s)

Recently I went on a mission to Haiti, to sing and do some humanitarian work with Bobby and Sherry Burnett. Their ministry, Love a Child, has made an enormous impact on the country. Having been there for over twenty years, the Burnett’s have helped save countless children’s lives and have built a complex featuring an orphanage, a school, a warehouse for food, clothing, and toiletries items that they give away continuously by the 1,000s of pounds. They have also built a radio station on the grounds that transmit the gospel throughout Haiti 24 hours a day. The Burnett’s are some of my favorite people who I have met in ministry.

Once a year they have a tent revival on the grounds, and Haitians come from all over the country to attend. I sang in each service, both morning and evening. One person walked 12 miles just to catch a bus to get there. As a result of the distance many traveled, they ALL stayed on the grounds for the four days of revival. Bobby and Sherri made sure they were fed and most slept on concrete floors each night in the various buildings.

I was inspired at how musical these people are. I was awakened each morning to drums, singing, and praising God. It was usually around 6:00am.

Haitian poverty is among the worst in the world. We were taken to a village by a lake where people were living in such abject poverty, it broke my heart. In five of the lean-to-thatched homes, lay people who were ill and near death. There was no doctor, no medicine, and no help. These homes are about 10’x10’, and as many as six children sleep with their parents in this tiny space. Most of the children had no clothes to wear.

All I can say is thank God for Love a Child…they are making a difference in so many lives. It was truly a joy to be with them and so much fun singing in their revival.

You can find out more at Love A Child

RSS Feed facebook digg this Thursday, September 18 2008 in Blog | 0 Comment(s)

Love Must Be In Your Giving

Many have taught for years that if you sow a financial seed into a ministry, you will reap a harvest from that seed. This is from the popular scripture in 2 Corinthians 9:6: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Many ministries have used this passage in receiving an offering whether in person, or via direct mail, television, radio or some other form of media. However, I have seen a whole new insight to this concept.

If I was to sow a seed in another man’s field, like we do when we give to a ministry, who reaps the harvest? Do I go into this man’s field when the seed has been transformed into precious fruit and take the produce? Of course not! If I sow into another man’s field (a ministry), then the ministry reaps the harvest. In the spiritual sense, the harvest should be souls being saved, healed and taught God’s word. I don’t harvest that seed whatsoever. It is the ministry’s seed and so is the harvest— Just like if I sowed into another farmer’s field, that farmer would benefit, not me.

The benefit to me comes from Jesus’ words in Luke 6:38, “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

My friend, Jim Richards, points out that this scripture refers to judging people, not money. (Look at the preceding passage…”judge not and you will not be judged.”) However, this is a principle of God’s kingdom.

So my point is this: there must be love in your giving. Why? Because the one to whom you give will reap the benefit. If we sow in love, then we are so happy to see someone else receive the fruit of our gift. We will be pleased beyond measure because of the love we have for the recipient of the fruit! Certainly, we will receive eternal benefit from the good the ministry does with our seed.

Love, not money, is the currency of God’s Kingdom. Money is worthless to God; albeit, He provides it to us for our subsistence.

When our Heavenly Father sees our heart is full of love when we give, THEN He knows we have really given something. Therefore, what do “men give unto our bosom” when we give….LOVE. We receive a reciprocal blessing of love from men, pressed down, shaken together and running over; men will give love unto our bosom! WOW, now we are talking BENEFIT.

Of course, our Father has promised to meet our material needs, but when we have love in abundance “in our bosom” this means relationship equity. When this happens, we are truly rich.

“heart” graphic from Creativity103.com