Turning Eyes Ministries

Birthdays and Life

Howard Lull — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:19:11 +0000

Today is my birthday and I find myself reminiscing about my life and finding myself so thankful for the life God has granted me. I am so thankful for the people he has allowed me to have contact with and those who are my friends. I realize the years are passing by quickly and I want to be relevant in ministering to those who are hurting and those who need hope and encouragement. I often find myself needing that same encouragement so I desire to sow it in others lives. I am not interested in being known as the healthcare worker, the author, the singer-songwriter or anything else. I hope it is said of me that, “He Cared.” God sent his son because he cared. Jesus obeyed his Father because he cared. The Holy Spirit is still on the earth because the Father and son cared. If you want to give me a birthday wish; my request is that you too will care for someone who can’t repay you. Just love on someone who is discouraged and down. Pray for rest on those who are tired and weary. If that is you, email me and I will pray for you! I appreciate you and I am glad you are in my life. I pray and thank the Lord for Psalm 103: 2, “Praise the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits-” It is beneficial to serve the Lord and allow him to love on you. Thank You for listening to me reminisce today! After all it is the day the Lord allowed me to take a breath on this earth he created! The scripture states he knew us in our mothers womb! Jeremiah 29:11 says he has plans for us..plans for good and not evil to give a future and a hope! Happy Birthday to all of you!

Psalms 37:23-24

Howard Lull — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:03:10 +0000

I was approached by a friend today who told me about how the Lord prevented him from being in a car crash that ended with the person in front of him dead. He stated how his wife was awakened in the middle of the night before to pray for safety for thier family and some of the details of her dream were eerily seen in his travels. That is how much God loves us…the thief comes to steal kill and destroy but God has plans for good and not for evil and is looking out for us BEFORE things happen! Psalms 37-23-24 states , ” The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. HE DELIGHTS IN EVERY DETAIL OF THIER LIVES. (EMPASIS MINE!) 24″ Though they stumble they willnever fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Why is it hard at times for us to beleive that God is interested in “every detail” of our lives when he says that even the hairs on our head are numbered? I have often times found myself NOT praying for things because it hadn’t occurred to me that God would be interested in the smallest detail of something I felt I may be able to take care of on my own without involving the Lord. However according to Psalm 37, God is interested in everything about my life…every detail…! I picture it like this; We are God’s children no matter what our age. Now a human parent such as a Mother of Father of a child is interested in every detail of thier childs life…such as do they look presentable in public…hair combed…clean underwear (HA!) etc…u get the picture. So you see God is just as interested in us as well. He loves us with a love thats hard for me to comprehend. He watched as we nailed his son to a tree and shed Gods own blood! His own blood but yet he so loved us he gave! Today my friends join me in allowing God to help us grow as we share every detail of our lives with him. Every detail of how your heart may be hurting, may be joyful, may have financial and personal needs etc. Lets go to him with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts and share with him the most intimate fearful hurts and needs and allow him to love on us! I can’t wait to see how he answers in your life and mine! Please share it with me!

Thank You-Stay Connected!

Howard Lull — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:01:36 +0000

As most of you know I have been wrapped up in a full time job and then spending time recording and writing and promoting my cd and music and books! It’s a lot to do but in God’s grace i do all things while he is strengthening me! Which brings me to a point to speak about. I have learned it doesn’t matter how much music I write, how many books I write or sell if I don’t stay connected to one who gives me the wellspring of life. Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his word he meditates day and night.” My life, my joy , my strength are all found in him! Sounds simple I know-It’s walking it out that seems to be the hard part at times! God is not waiting for me to save the world.He is waiting for me to engage in the relationship with him! I love the word of God, I love the presence of the Holy Spirit and I love to see my brothers and sisters doing well in the Lord! Please stay connected daily with the Lord and please stay connected with me! Let me know whats on your heart and mind. I love praying for you all! Talk to you soon!

The Lord Looks to Strengthen Us

Howard Lull — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:18:53 +0000

This is one of those mornings where I woke up feeling overwhelmed with what life has thrown at me. Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t whining and I will be the first to tell you I am a blessed man living in a blessed time serving a blessed Lord. I pray Psalm 103 aloud, “forgetting not all his benefits.” You know as well as I do even when we walk with the Lord and we are taking ground in our lives that the opposition does all it can to stifle us and discourage us. If you don’t recognize that perhaps you aren’t in the fight. Many times opposition signifies we are making some sort of progress. But the encouraging thing is found in 2 Chronicles 16:9 (New International Version)
9 “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Our Lord is a good Father who daily cares for his family and looks to strengthen us when he finds us down or possibly struggling. He doesn’t walk by and say something like “Oh well that’s their problem,” Our Father actually looks for us and looks to see if we need to be strengthened. That is very encouraging. Our heavenly Father hasn’t left us to be devoured by sin, sickness, disease, or opposition. He is right where he said he would be; Looking for us.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people rely on a strength that’s not their own.

Become Renewed

Howard Lull — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:45:00 +0000

Psalm 51:10 (New International Version) 10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” I have been reading a great book by Jentezen Franklin titled, “Fasting.” Anyone who knows of Jentezen and his ministry knows he is a firm believer in fasting and often talks of the benefits both spiritual and physical. I like the fact that he emphasizes that it isn’t an easy thing to do and he has such a practical approach to fasting. Well you probably guessed it. I see so many of us who seem to need a renewal and sanctification of motives, desires, attitudes, our flesh, and frankly a right spirit. We all know David’s story of failure with Bathsheba but I’m focusing on Our God’s forgiving and restoration desire and power for us. In the Old Testament God didn’t leave David on his own. In the New Testament he didn’t leave you and I alone either. I am sensing a season of of forgiving restoration power for anyone who wants to grab it. I was speaking to a friend of mine last night and I find very often that the reason we don’t gain more ground for God and solidify more of God’s ways in our lives is because we don’t want to pay the price that it takes to get past the things that we struggle with. We become comfortable with them and some sin can be like an old friend waiting to make us feel good for a moment and then feel terrible for a month! I’m not necessarily focusing on sin but lets say you and I want more power and more of God’s movement in our lives than just the daily prayers and salutations. Then speaking for me and some of you we are going to have to pay a bigger price. You have heard it said that the most expensive things in life cost the most. That’s no different spiritually. We want the best; we have to pay the price. God sent his son Jesus so we could have access to him and his ways, but it is up to you and I to tap into them. So here I go…Time to pay the price. I am encouraged though, I believe it will be well worth it! I can miss a meal or two and spend more time in prayer! It isn’t going to hurt me. Read Isaiah 58 and 59 see the benefits of fasting and paying the price. I will write more as I walk this road. Your prayers are appreciated.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people pay the price required by scripture to get where they desire to go.

The Lord Watches Over Us

Howard Lull — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Psalm 33:18 (New Living Translation)18 “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.” Our heavenly Father is a loving God who is trustworthy and just in all things. I am taking comfort in the fact that God is truly watching over me and my family. He isn’t an innocent bystander just glancing here and there and not engaged. He is actively watching over and protecting and guiding his people who rely on his unfailing love. How do I rely on his unfailing love? Just as I wrote that our Heavenly Father isn’t idly standing by; we shouldn’t be either. I have to remind myself at times, that I have to be engaged and actively reading the word, praying the word and believing the word. God isn’t going to do that for me. There are so many promises I may not even know pertain to me just because I ha vent read it and prayed it in his word. The scripture states that God is no respecter of persons. it also states that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore i should be able to have what his word says i can have. The Holy Spirit is watching over you and I and longing to engage us in conversation and worship. The Lord is watching over us. That doesn’t mean that nothing bad, hard or wrong cannot enter our lives today. It does mean that he is right along side of us, loving us, and holding us up when the good or bad decides to come along. Thank your heavenly father today for all his loving watching eye on you.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people develop an awareness of the goodness of God.

Praise and Don’t Forget

Howard Lull — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:46:00 +0000

Psalm 103:2 (New International Version)2 “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” I find that during the hard seasons of life I tend to focus on the issue at hand or problem and not always on what I should be focused on. The problem always seems to stay forefront in my mind. So I made a conscious decision to do something about that. Throughout my recent weeks I have been opening my bible and out loud I voice and pray Psalm 103. I declare to God that he alone forgives all my sins, heals my diseases, redeems my life from the pit, crowns me with love and compassion, satisfies my life with good things, renews my youth like the eagles, works righteousness and justice on my behalf when i am oppressed, makes his ways and deeds known, is compassionate and gracious, Is slow to anger and abounding in love, does not treat me according to my sins, has removed my transgressions as far as the east is from the west, and has compassion on me like a father with his very own child. All of that just from Psalm 103! There are many many more reasons to praise the Lord, but i have to admit that is a pretty good start. So today if you find yourself under attack and feeling less appreciated and thinking life has passed you by; refocus on the Father and Praise him for who he is and thank him for all his benefits. Even if I never got to experience any of his benefits here on earth (which I have by the way) I still have been granted salvation by his son Jesus obedience on the cross.
So today I will Praise and not forget.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people remind themselves of God’s goodness and benefits.

Turning Eyes Toward the Father

Howard Lull — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Luke 6:22-23 (New International Version)22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.” 23″Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.” I will be the first to admit I am not the most righteous of people. I am still growing in the Lord and I have my faults and failures just like any other human being on the face of the earth. It may be hard for some of you to believe the emails I receive can be quite rude, blaming and downright unloving. They range from some of my thoughts to some of my links on the links page etc. So here is my thought on the matter. Lets say that perhaps i have a link that you find “offensive” because of what “little” you have seen of the person on TV or heard them on radio. Lets even go so far to say that you are right and I am wrong. I saw God clean his house in the 1980′s with televangelist that were in sin; I saw him clean his house of the wrongs some catholic priest were doing in the 1990′s-2000′s. If some of who are on my links are deceiving me and others; then i trust God will clean his house of those too. But here is my rub; don’t blame me for having them on my links page. I vouch for those I personally do know and others will come to light. If you are going to write me have the courage to tell me your name and also be “nice.” If it makes you that angry. Then just go away! My goal is to turn eyes toward the Father, not men or man. God uses people and he uses people who fail and at times had wrong motives. I place links as resources to help the body of Christ. I am sure I will regret a few in my lifetime. Big deal. I too will move on. I pray Idon’t have anyone on my list who is “conning” anyone. But if I do i trust God to reveal it to me and to move things along. There have been a few who like in Luke 6 have decided i have no credibility and have insulted me etc. To them I say; if you are offended practice the word and forgive me and then go read a lesson or two on love. It doesn’t matter what is said if the person you said it to cant receive it because of the way you said it. No matter how truthful it is. I find we often hate what we don’t understand or perceive as different. Don’t get me wrong I do like input from all of you and value it and take it all very seriously. I just prefer it come to me in the form of love and not an attack.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people learn to deal with brother and sisters in the Lord with Love.

God can work all things for good….if we let him

Howard Lull — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Romans 8:28 (New International Version) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
According to some manuscripts they state “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” “Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who.” I have pondered and meditated on that scripture because I hear many people misquote it or quote it to fit their philosophy and to keep God in their box of who he is. I work in an Emergency Department and as I watch tragedies unfold in peoples lives and drama unfold upon others lives, I pondered Romans 8:28. I was asking myself How do I tell the lady who just lost her baby that all things work together for good for those love God and have been called according to their purpose? I have seen people who have had hard times and tragedies and are still committed to the Lord and his ways and I have seen others drop off like a flea that was just swatted and give in to hard heartedness and bitterness and walk away from the Lord. So my conclusion has been that we have to allow God to work good in our life. That as the New International version states that “In all things God works for Good..” Psychiatrist and Psychologist with better minds than mine can tell you why people interpret and quote scripture to fit their belief rather than to seek what it truly does say. Today I hope you look at this scripture differently than you previously have and allow God to work good in all things in your life.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people allow God to work in their life even during the most difficult of times.

Continue in God’s Grace

Howard Lull — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Acts 13:43 (New International Version)43″When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” I have to remind myself that I have God’s grace on me to live the life he has for me and fulfill my assignment on this earth. I have also come to realize that when I live my life differently from the “norm” of others that I am walking and living under a special grace that others may or may not understand. I am sure some of you know what I speak of. God’s grace gives us a peace that passes all understanding and helps us to remain calm when we see others cracking under the stress of life. Don’t get me wrong there are days I seem to be cracking under the stress of life but the difference is I close the door and pray for God’s grace and wisdom to manifest itself in my spirit and life. It’s true I have failed and fail but I keep pursuing Jesus and his word and he gives me the grace I need. Aren’t you glad and comforted by the fact we have a God who is engaged in our life and has given us his Holy Spirit to remain with us on this earth as our comforter. Hebrews 4:16 (New International Version)16″Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Today is a good day to boldly approach the throne of grace and receive the grace to help you deal with whatever your going through. We serve a loving God.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people learn to walk in the grace God provides.