Posts with the tag “pastor-jim-cecy”

As I reflect on these verses my mind rushes to a special memory of John Fischer, singing a song he wrote when we were both starting in the ministry. It is called the All-Day Song. Perhaps you remember...  Read More

I was in the Chicago area, teaching a community-wide conference. During one of the sessions, a distraught woman approached me and asked, “Dr. Cecy, can you recommend a book for me? My life is falling ...  Read More

 I once read, “He who smiles rather than rages is always stronger.” This became dramatically clear when, as a newlywed college student, I was working in the photo department of a popular drugstore.An ...  Read More

We homeschooled two of our children through high school. I took the time to teach one of my daughters Greek, the language of the New Testament. She did very well her first semester, easily earning an ...  Read More

I was blessed to have an apartment-dwelling mother who knew nothing about growing fruit and everything about enjoying it. So, it was not unusual for me, a week after her death, to plant an apple tree ...  Read More

While serving in the U.S. Navy, I embarked on a nine-month WestPac (Western Pacific) Cruise, ultimately to Vietnam. There was one grueling stretch of time during which we did not see land for fifty-se...  Read More

I have a large aquarium next to where I sit every morning reading my bible and praying. Most of my grandkids have picked their favorite of the two dozen fish. Every morning, those little creatures com...  Read More

I started out not being prepared—for anything, especially emergencies—that is, until I got married and had a family. My family and I going through some tough times certainly got my attention. For exam...  Read More

As our girls were growing up, I enjoyed pretending to be the “king of my castle.” I would sit on my throne (i.e., my easy chair) and bark orders to my “subjects.” One day I shouted to my pre-teen daug...  Read More

I was raised in a California coastal community called Santa Cruz, a town that was nicknamed Surf City U.S.A. (along with Huntington Beach). I spent many of my days, body surfing at the river mouth of ...  Read More

 Like many of my youthful peers, I had my share of visions of grandeur. I grew up wanting to become a famous this or a world-renowned that. Later in life, I met some people “at the top of the heap”—th...  Read More

June 8, 2023 is the 9th anniversary of our merge with Palm Avenue Community Church. Here is the story:Many years ago I became aware of a small local church in our area that was standing alone against ...  Read More

It is not uncommon for loved ones to save boxes of some of the most seemingly worthless things:A tattered baby blanket with the smooth edges worn off.Hand-crafted greeting cards with silhouettes of to...  Read More

Even as a child I struggled with the question, “Why am I here?” I remember one “dark night of the soul” at the age of nine when I was afraid I was going to die. I wept before God: “Lord, what do you w...  Read More

There was a time in my life when I thought I was surrounded by death: My father died young, one of many in his family.I was in a war zone at the age of twenty.Four of our babies died in miscarriages.A...  Read More

One rainy night, when I was a teenager, I was alone on the night shift at a fast-food restaurant. A customer rushed in and asked to use our restroom. I politely informed him we were not permitted to a...  Read More

What do you call three brothers, three sisters, one half-sister and one half-brother—all with the same father? A brood? Blood relatives? The Cecy family! Here are some of my personal observations of g...  Read More

As a young believer I was intrigued with a plaque on a pastor’s wall. It was a rubber kitchen glove. The words below read: “Beware of phony Christians.” Soon after I hear this same pastor say, “Don’t ...  Read More

This is my 72nd Easter celebration—my 32nd in Fresno. For many years we held sunrise services at Woodward Park in North Fresno. On some of those early morning services it was so cold that I could bare...  Read More

I am one of those people who, on most days, wakes up early without an alarm clock. But, then again, there are those days when I grumble, “Good Lord, it’s morning” rather than “Good morning, Lord.” I l...  Read More

My friend called to announce he was going to take me fishing. I reminded him that I am, in my opinion, the worst fisherman I know. He responded, “I know that, too but I’ve got you covered.” We drove t...  Read More

The high fever and convulsion came on quickly. In the emergency room I was admitted quickly and soon was in a room being cared for by a host of nurses and technicians. I was to learn that I had become...  Read More

As you walk into my office at the church, you are immediately faced with what is obviously a former sailor’s décor. A ship’s bell hangs by the door. Models of masted ships sit on shelves around the ro...  Read More

The day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day, a secular holiday celebrated in parts of the British Commonwealth, including Canada, the country of my birth. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for...  Read More

On November 17,1971 (exactly 51 years ago to the day) I prayed to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior. My prayer was simple and heart-felt: “Lord Jesus…come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.” ...  Read More

I grew up in a Roman Catholic home and attended Saint Matthew’s Church (as well as it’s elementary school through the 6th grade). I prayed often to Saint Christopher and a host of other “halo-ed” peop...  Read More

Although the word accountability has grown in popularity in recent years, I am told the first known use of the English word was in the later part of the 18th century. Having taught the subject through...  Read More

I was at the Los Angeles airport talking to the agent at the check-in counter. A tall gentleman behind me interrupted, “Are you Dr. Cecy?” I turned and responded, “Well, yes, I am.” He continued, “I r...  Read More

Permit me to share another reading that has changed my thinking over the years. I hope it helps you as much as it continues to help me. It is entitled: “Dying to Self”.• When you are forgiven or negle...  Read More

Rather than write a fresh devotional, I want to share with you something I read many years ago that quite literally changed my way of thinking. It still does:If God has called you to be really like Je...  Read More

How familiar the conversations among family and friends have been recently: What would you do if you won…or inherited…millions of dollars?” Their answers were no surprise: “Look what I could do…where ...  Read More

Sometimes God brings to my mind the writings of those whose lives have been deeply used to touch my heart. The following is one such prayer, written by Arthur Bennett as an introduction to his book, “...  Read More

I wish I could say it was easy for this life-long city boy to move to the agriculturally blessed San Joaquin Valley. I have since learned to deeply love the people and this city.  I am especially grat...  Read More

In Biblical Hebrew:הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים שֶׁבֶת אָחִים גַּם יַחַד'In Romanized Hebrew:Hinneh mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad.Translated into English:“Behold, how good and how pleasa...  Read More

Harvard University was founded in Massachusetts in 1638, just 18 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Like most Ivy league schools, Harvard was established primarily to train ministers of...  Read More

I am struck by the profound simplicity of the promise made by the LORD to His people:Isaiah 46:3-4  “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been borne...  Read More

Sin is so very deceitful. We need others to help us see it for what it is. I remind us  of what the writer to the Hebrews wrote: . . . let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good dee...  Read More

I am guessing most of us have an ignored end of our closets where we keep the clothes that no longer fit or are out of  style and the shoes we rarely wear. Who among us doesn’t have “a junk drawer” cl...  Read More

Magnum opus is Latin for what is viewed as the most important work of a person. It is the opposite of what some might see as a failure, a clunker, a debacle…even a bomb! After 72 years of life I have ...  Read More

Around 600 BC King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah and Coniah) was just eight years old when he became King of  Judah. Just eight years old! And he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. Jus...  Read More