"Thanksgiving is for FAMILY"

Another Thanksgiving is here and we have much to be thank-FULL for: good friends; relatively good health; (depending on which relative we are talking about);a good church and church family; food & shelter and family. Well, the amazing thing is, that most of us grew up with families that didn't have a lot. But what we did have was lots of love, a Christian world view and a nurturing place to grow up. There was more innocence to the world then. More neighborliness if you will. Yes, we have become a global society in the world today, and actually, that has been to our children's and their children's disadvantage. Gone are the days kids could room the streets at play and explore the great outdoors free from worry. So when we look back, they were the, "Good 'ol Days!" We have much to look back on and give thanks for this Thanksgiving.

Let us all join together in prayer for a new year ahead of us, that perhaps by our next Thanksgiving, we will see a world where there is more sanity, safety, brotherly love and true "Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards man." A guy can HOPE at least, right?

Here is hoping you will be refreshed by God's grace.

"Happy Thanksgiving"

Wishing all my friends and family a very, "Happy Thanksgiving!"
You can measure wealth in dollars and cents, but "True Riches" 
are found in your Friends & Family!
 Discover your REAL wealth, spend time with those that matter most!...get refreshed in His amazing love.

"Better Days Are Coming"

I have always found myself saying, "Better Days Are Coming!" when things aren't going well. When they go bad, my wife and kids know what Dad will say..."Better Days Are Coming!" I  and many others received sad news tonight, but we as Americans can rise above this. More importantly, as Christians we are called to a deeper walk in prayer for the country and it's people. Many will try to second guess what Republicans could have done differently, and could Mitt Romney have done or said something to change to outcome. But, the truth remains the TRUTH; we are a divided country, the polls showed us that much, and that as a country we all need to put the election behind us, and choose to work together for a brighter future. That for me will take a lot of prayer and effort! I hope President Obama is up to the challenge to put party politics aside, and reach across the isle and bring all people to the table and have a fresh start at a new government , "of the people, by the people and for all people." That's my thoughts on tonight. By the way, Mitt gave a classy concession speech tonight and deserves our thanks and prayers for him and his family. May God truly bless him and his family. And, may God bless you, and may God bless America. Be refreshed and renewed. ~David

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our our sins and griefs to bare. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
 O' what peace we often forfeit, o' what needless pain we bare. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
 Are we weak and heavy laden, com board with a load of care. Jesus knows our every weakness, just take it to the Lord in prayer.
 Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share. Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to to the Lord in prayer." 
~A favorite hymn of mine. I hope you find hope, healing and help in Christ our loving Lord today and always ~David.

Invitation to Refresh Yourself

Here is a different blog for you...
"My soul rests in you Lord", who is my salvation, my help and my true JOY! My heart leans into you, my soul sings praise to the living God! In these troubled times, take time to Praise & Worship Him, an Awesome God! ~Your friend Dave.

Listen to Hillsong Live's newest album "Cornerstone":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHvkIboovDI&feature=share
http://youtu.be/AHvkIboovDI

Be refreshed my friend...

"Saying Good-Bye,Was Never This Hard!"

My "Best of Friends Forever", Ed Evanson, says good-bye for now, to his BEST FRIEND & Help-mate Kimi, as he, family and friends celebrate her life and give her back to our Heavenly Father, even our Lord Jesus Christ Saturday Sept. 15th 2012. He was my best man at my wedding and he reciprocated and I was his best man at he & Kimi's wedding. Kimi was an educator, a teacher to many children over the years. Fellow teachers, parents of the kids she taught as well as many of the very children she taught came to say, "Good -Bye" to the teacher and friend she was to so many. My last memories of Kimi, will be her hosting the family to a traditional Thanksgiving  dinner this year, where I was invited as part of the family to attend. She had scooted Ed & me out that morning so she could make a scrumptious  dinner indeed, so Ed and I went to visit another friend for the day. That early evening as we all gathered around the table, there were delightful smells from all your favorite foods culminating in a feast for the eyes, nose and palate, yummy! Better then the food, was the delightful way Kimi used our dinner to allow everyone to talk about the past year and expectations for a brighter and better new year ahead. Everyone enjoyed the food and the conversations and being a family together. No one could have known then that a tumor was growing on her brain, about the operation to come and the infection that would take her sweet life before another Thanksgiving. She was talented, strong, and had an infectious love for life and teaching. My prayers, thoughts are toward you and family this day, and week and I am sure for years to come! "Good-bye" for now Kimi, we love you and will miss you greatly! ~love, David & Dale

Some call me David Rails, others call me "Pastor David", while my friends call me Dave. My wife calls me hubby, my kids call me Dad. I call myself... 'a simple man' with a belief that all people have a story to tell, if we would only ... take time to listen! Take time to listen to people all around you. Each one has a unique story to tell, what's your's? Have a "Refreshing Day!" ~David

I know to many this sounds "old fashioned", but I love my country, America the beautiful, the USA. It's the home of the brave, and the land of the free! It was purchased by the blood & treasure of all those who came to these shores believing in a brighter tomorrow for their children and more religious freedom & tolerance for all! My father, his brother and my father-in-law all served this country during WWII and many other young men and women across this great nation, because it was the right thing to do. My classmates from La Quinta HS and my own brother Fred, joined or were drafted to serve in Viet Nam, and many including my brother Jim joined to serve in places like South Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan and other distant shoes for our freedom; many who paid the ultimate price...their very lives, all for our freedom! So, this fourth of July I fly my flag and say a special prayer of thanks and praise for these United States of America. May our loving and gracious Lord bless you and all your family today and always. ~David D. Rails, "a true believer." This 4th of July 2012.

In thinking about what to blog, I was thinking about, as churches, "How do we get the word out to the world?"

As a  Pastor and former broadcaster, I believe that the "Message" needs to be the focus: clear, straight forward, to the point and consistent!

Then ask...

• What are we trying to tell people?
• Why are we passionate about our message?
• Who are we trying to reach?
• Where can people go to get answers?

The answers should bring us to a sharper focus of refining and defining our "Message."

The problem comes about when the messenger gets in the way of the message, or the target audience can't see or hear the message clearly because of the many distractions that vie for our attention.
Remember..."Set your minds on things above" after all it is He who gave us this great message of His love, acceptance and forgiveness offered to us by His Grace.
Won't you help us "Keep the Message going?" Be refreshed today and always in Him. ~David

"It's Time For Truth In The Media."

It's hard to find "Truth" these days in the media. I am hoping that "True Journalists" will buck the tide and report TRUTH! Speak out and be "REAL" with yourself and the people/readers you are writing to. "We the people" wish you would and thank you for stepping up and making a difference. Be a refreshing to others.

"Birthdays Sneak up on you!"

I was just facebooking some old high school friends when a friend from college days wrote on my wall, "Happy Birthday to an old guy!" He knows my birthday because we share the same day. How did I go from H.S. days to being an "Old Guy?" I just woke up and BAM, the years have just flown by. Well friends, we are all getting older it's true, but somehow having good friends and sweet memories makes it seem like it's all been a great road to walk down. May God grant you all length of days till He comes again. Oh, and thank you all for your help and friendship alone this road. 

Maybe it sounds a bit Pollyannish to say, but I have found it so true, "If you look for the good in people you will find it!" Don't focus on peoples problems, look for their potential, and help them to achieve it. Just sayin'...

A pastor friend of mine wrote about mankind today, by reminding us of a scripture from Ecclesiastes 1: vs. 8 Sad that reads..."All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ears filled with hearing." How true of so many. I am so glad the there are a few, a remnant, that look for hope, remain hope-FULL. "My help comes from the Lord", and I look for Him to show up!In a world where so many are hope-Less and fear-Full, we need people to step up and be Hope-FULL and Fear-LESS, people who are Courageous about life. Just sayin'...

"Monkee Member and TV & Recording Star Davey Jones Dies at Age 66"

Copied from Gael Fashingbauer Cooper...
"Singer Davy Jones of The Monkees has died of a heart attack at 66, the medical examiner's office in Martin County, Fla., has confirmed to NBC News.
A statement issued by the medical examiner's office says that Jones complained Wednesday morning that he wasn't feeling well and was having trouble breathing. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No suspicious circumstances surrounded his death, and his family has been notified. He is survived by his wife. Jessica, and four daughters.
The news was originally reported by TMZ.
Jones was most famous for his role in the pop group The Monkees, which was put together in 1965 for the TV show of the same name. With such hits as "Daydream Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," and "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and the "Monkees" theme song, the group sold more than 50 million records.
In 2008, Yahoo Music named Jones the top teen idol of all time.

After "The Monkees" disbanded in 1971, Jones sang solo as well as with various reincarnations of the group.
He also acted on stage and screen, with his most famous TV appearance as himself on "The Brady Bunch," in an episode where Marcia Brady was the president of his fan club and tried to get the singer to appear at her school dance. He also played Fagin in "Oliver!" on Broadway.
Recently, he played himself on an episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants."
He released his final album in 2009."

Well, let me, David, jump in and say...
That is one of those, "How can that be, he wasn't that much older than me", things. He was a fun and vibrant singer & actor who along with his Monkee pals gave us music to sing to and a TV show that was very entertaining to watch. Loved the music and loved the TV series as well. We'll miss him. But through his TV and recordings, he lives on! ...and there they go, uh, huh, they're the Monkees.

"Movie Review & Recommendation...October Baby"

Dale and I got an opportunity to preview the up coming movie release of "October Baby" coming to theaters in March. Both Dale & I recommend this to all our friends, family and of course all our church family. Great story-line, (a must), great acting, (unbelievably good), and a timeless message of "Love, Acceptance & Forgiveness!" A must see picture with a unashamed pro-abstinence, pro-life and pro-Christian values, and a freshness you don't normally see in Hollywood released movies. My compliments to the director, actors, production crews and thanks to the producers and distributors, great work! Well, I hope you liked the review and of course,"See ya at the movies."