ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Applying God’s Word

I lose sight of the above verse more often than I want to admit. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with me always. It is I who decide to journey without them. If I don’t start my day in God’s presence, I forget that God is present.

On January 1, 1996 I decided to adopt “Prayer Journaling” a love letter to God every morning after reading scripture. Afterall, the scriptures are God’s love letters to me, right? At the end of that year, I silently gave myself a standing ovation for not missing a day of journaling. Therefore, I quit journaling all of 1997. Fortunately, I missed it so much, I resumed my daily love letters to God January 1, 1998.

On January 1, 2026 I wrote a love letter in my 30^th prayer journal. The glory and standing ovation goes to God for His presence and for never failing to write me a love letter.

 Accounting of God’s Word

Have I considered writing a love letter to God each morning?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20

Applying God’s Word

A few days after Christmas, Louise and I went to lunch with our neighbors, Hector and Dora. While driving, Hector suddenly pulled over, jumped out of the car, and said, “Jack. Quick. Come with me.” We entered a bakery where he purchased a half dozen bakery items and separated them into three bags. Hector had spotted a few people on the street who needed a hug from Jesus.

We approached Peter, first. Hector handed him one of the bags of bakery items. I handed Peter some money and together we prayed with him. We walked about 20 feet further and did the same with a woman named Lucera and then with a man named Kevin. Peter and Kevin both smiled from ear to ear. Lucera sobbed tears of appreciation.

Hector’s spiritual antenna was fully extended. It allowed God’s incredible love to touch three strangers. His actions reminded me of a quote from Boniface Hicks. “Sorrow shared is half the sorrow and joy shared is twice the joy.”

It’s so easy for us to boast about loving God. It’s not that easy when God asks us to love a total stranger who is often prejudged by others.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Do I only love God in the easy things He asks of me, or do I also love God in the more difficult things He asks of me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7

Applying God’s Word

It was Christmas Eve the year 2003. My late wife Joanne and I had spent a lovely evening with our daughter, son-in-law and 19-month-old granddaughter, Alyssa. As we stepped outside to say goodbye, the front door closed locking us out. Alyssa was inside alone but fast asleep. A sense of urgency filled the air, and I began to pray that Alyssa would stay sleeping while we called for help.

Five locksmiths rejected our urgent plea for help. It made me think of the rejection that Joseph and Mary must have suffered while trying to find an inn for Mary and the baby Jesus. Finally, the fire department arrived. It was if the “Three Kings” and a handful of shepherds had arrived. Within five minutes, the firemen and the four of us were all huddled around Alyssa’s crib. She had slept through the whole ordeal. Answered prayer!

It happened in a flash, but the true meaning of Christmas had never been more real to me.  

Accounting of God’s Word

What is the true meaning of Christmas for Me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Applying God’s Word

I get excited about Jesus being born into the world and even more excited to think that He’s been born in you and me, too.  

The Christmas season is upon us and all over the world people will be sharing their excitement over material gifts. Unfortunately, many still don’t know that Jesus is patiently waiting to be born in them. Often, it’s because they have not recognized the love of Jesus in another person, so the true value of Christmas remains hidden from them.

On Christmas and every other day of the year, God gives you and I an opportunity to lovingly introduce His son to someone new. We don’t have to hold up a big sign with His name on it or quote scripture. We need only ask God to manifest Himself through us in ways that will surprise and please others. This Christmas season let’s find little ways that demonstrate the awesome “Love” Jesus has poured into our lives.

Accounting of God’s Word

Has anyone asked me if the source of my joy comes from knowing Jesus?

Absorbing God’s Word

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

Applying God’s Word

Lord, as I sat down to write this “Challenge” the presence of Your incredible Holy Spirit poured over me. It stopped me from writing and my eyes filled with tears of gratitude for You.

When I was 12, I was deeply touched by You at a Billy Graham Rally. You touched me again at St. Anthony’s Seminary when I was 16 and at a retreat with my dad and brother when I was 27. Then, at a married couples retreat when I was 32, and at a Christians In Commerce Men’s retreat when I was 40, you touched me deeply again.

You have been instructing and teaching me the way I should go for 79 years now, Lord. At times, I’ve wanted to throw in the towel or at least cut back, but You continued counseling me while keeping Your loving eyes on me. If You hadn’t, I would have disappeared into a dark hole. I love You tremendously, Lord. Thank You for not letting go!!

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I allowing God to instruct and teach me the way I should go? Do I appreciate that He always has His loving eyes on Me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Applying God’s Word

Jesus’ definition of meek is a person who has power and chooses to exercise it with gentleness, humility, and patience for the good of others and for God’s glory. Father Mike Schmitz, says, “Meekness is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”

Patience for the good of others isn’t always one of my strengths. It’s one of my weaknesses that annoy me the most. Growing up, I found myself getting impatient with my dad at times. My dad was a house painter. I begged him to let me paint, but he said, “Keep sanding, son. You’re an incredible sander.” “Dad. I want to paint.” “You will son. You will.” “When dad?” My dad wasn’t an educated man, but he taught me the importance of being patient and what it means to be a good support person. God’s empowerment to be supportive through patience has impacted every aspect of my own life and the lives of many that God has asked me to support. 

Accounting of God’s Word

“What annoys me most about some of my weaknesses? Am I inheriting the earth through meekness and for the Glory of God?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Applying God’s Word

As another Thanksgiving comes to a close, I want to thank all of you for your friendship and support of the weekly “Challenge”. I also want to share a “Thank You” note from Aloysius Mugisa who is back home in Uganda. At the beginning of November, I wrote a Challenge about him visiting with Louise and I. What an incredible blessing that week was.

Here’s his thank you note to all of us; Dear brethren, our US family. I’m writing this email on the plane back to Uganda. I’m glad to return home to rejoin my family. My wife and my daughters are coming to the airport to receive me. I want, from the bottom of my heart, to thank you brethren for loving me, loving Uganda. On behalf of my country, thank you so very much. I was very warmly welcomed and treated awesomely wherever I went. In the homes I stayed, I was accorded incredible hospitality. Many people pledged financial support for our ICIC ministry in Uganda, and others donated water wells. What love! God’s abundant blessings on you all, brethren.            Aloysius 

Here’s a link to ICIC’s webpage, if you want to subscribe or keep up with what’s going on in Fort Portal, Uganda. www.INTLCIC.Org

Accounting of God’s Word

What am I most thankful to God for right now?

Absorbing God’s Word

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”  Proverbs 13:22

Applying God’s Word

I’m posting this “Challenge” on November 22, the wedding anniversary of my grandparents (Johann and Julia). When they married in 1924, she was a dancer, and he was a baker. Grandma became a stay-at-home mom while grandpa continued a career in baking. My family lived with them when I was 4 years old, which gave me the opportunity to get to know them much better. 

My grandfather worked hard. When he died in 1955, there wasn’t much of an inheritance for his family. His death hit me hard. He was a quiet man, but his acts of kindness toward me are still very memorable. He worked nights and yet managed to stop every morning to bring me a donut. That doesn’t seem like much of an inheritance, but I paid that kindness forward to my daughter and granddaughter’s. If we left on time for school, we stopped for donuts.

Many times, the inheritance a person leaves behind isn’t monetary. Often it can be something memorable.

Accounting of God’s Word

What kind of inheritance has been most memorable to me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” Psalm 128:3

Applying God’s Word

Back on July 21^st, I wrote a “Challenge” about Mark and Eva Valencia. Eva was pregnant with life threatening complications for her and their soon to be little girl, Mary. They had to leave Idaho for Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City for the care Eva needed to deliver their baby. They flew their other four children to San Jose Ca. to stay with Eva’s parents. Miraculously, both Eva and Mary survived the grueling day in and day out treatments needed to save their lives.

With Mark and Eva both missing work the last four months, they are faced with a mountain of unpaid bills. They were able to rent a car to get them and Mary home but still need help to bring their four children back home from San Jose. I’m forwarding their request for help to some of you that may be able to assist. They need help financially, but they need your prayers even more.

Donate to Support Eva’s Life-Saving Pregnancy Needs, organized by Eva Valencia

Accounting of God’s Word

Both Mark and Eva are fruitful vines in their house and yes, their children will be like olive shoots around their table.”

Absorbing God’s Word

“And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Applying God’s Word

What will it really take for me to enter the kingdom of heaven? When I think about the innocence and purity of a child, the word “Purification” comes to my mind. Now let’s be real, I’m a sinner saved by God’s grace and the process of purification is impossible without His grace. In a perfect world I would have Jesus and the Holy Spirit present in my life 24/7. I’m far from perfect, though.

As I age, I do find myself sinning less, but I realize that I probably won’t be without sin when I die. The Lord knows this, right? So, what do I say when I come face to face with my Lord? He already knows the good, the bad and the ugly about me. If I’m able to speak at all, I hope to say, “Lord, you lived and died for me. I’ve tried my best to live and die for you.”

 Accounting of God’s Word

Have I begun the process of purification? What will I say when I come face to face with God?