PLEASE HEAR THIS

      

         To all my readers of this blog:  I have good news.  I realize this blog has not been very regular.  Sometimes I would not write anything here for a long time.  That is not a way to benefit anyone.  I am going to bring this blog site to a close, but that is only so I can do something better. 
        At the end of December, 2015 I became fully retired.  I had been the Pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana.  I was part time, which was why I only had the one church.  The decision had been made by the state Conference Organization to move to only having full time Pastors.  So my retirement became effective December 31.
        Since I will be 66 next month, I was feeling my age and the stress of a church was telling me this was a blessing from God.  I must say my mind has been clearer than ever as I read the Bible.  The Word speaks to me now with a clarity and plainness that it did not do before.  I don't know if it is less stress, or if the Lord is showing me that writing and sharing the insights He gives me is the plan He has for me now.  But I am really enjoying this new chapter.  
        Oh how I want to exalt the Lord both in my life and in the articles I share!  The times we are living in demand a new and growing dedication to God from each one of us.  So how to I plan to close this blog and still write and share the word of the Lord?   I have been putting a lot of work into the website I have had for a few years.  It too has not had much attention except to post the sermons I preached, and an occasional article.  So I ask you to go to the website for Apple Tree Ministries.  My last name, Manzano, means apple tree in Spanish, so that is where the name comes from.
        I invite you to go to:  www.appletreeministries.com  where you can sign up to receive my blog.  On our site you can hear some of my sermons, read articles, sign up for the Blog/Newsletter, or get our daily devotional.  I plan to keep working to make the site better, but for now I especially urge you to sign up for the blog and tell your friends and get them to sign up also.  On the sign up page you will need to check the block that asks you to subscribe to the blog. 
        Let us get serious about preparing ourselves and as many as we can around us for the coming of Jesus.  Character development is absolutely essential to being ready when Jesus returns.  That is the purpose of everything I write and teach.  Please join me in this work of preparation.