MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

When man landed on the moon, that was big news. It was almost as if the whole world stopped to watch Neil Armstrong's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. But it is nothing compared to the news that God landed on the earth. Jesus Christ is God, and His birth is when God came to Earth.

The reality of Christmas was that Jesus Christ was a real man, flesh and blood, bones and hair. He was a real person -- not a myth, not a fable, not a nice story. The Bible says if you've seen Jesus, you've see God (John 1). If Jesus really is God and God came to Earth, then Christmas is the most relevant event in history.

It is our hope and prayer that this Christmas will be very special to you. Allow Him to be lord of your life by accepting Him as Savior. He did that one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind and died that you may live.

John Hensman

Senior Pastor - CDLMinistries

P.O. Box 341, Van, Texas 75790

972-467-7829

kingdomdrivers@gmail.com

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TRUCK DRIVER'S PRAYER from CDLM

Thank you, God, for this driver. Give him/her the special blessing they need today:

• PATIENCE - If he is running late for his next stop
• ALERTNESS - If he is weary and tired
• WISDOM - If he has a tough decision to make
• PEACE - If his heart is troubled
• STRENGHT - If he is facing a painful situation
• SAFETY - In these dangerous times

Remind him to call his wife if she is lonely. Give him a good load if their finances are tight. Lead him to a chapel if his need is spiritual. Lord, somehow give him a hug to let him know you love him.

John Hensman

Senior Pastor - CDLMinistries

P.O. Box 341, Van, Texas 75790

972-467-7829

kingdomdrivers@gmail.com

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GET WELL CARD

Get Well Card - Mark Bottje

We recently completed our 21-Days of Praise and Worship (under the tent) on 2-Nov-2019. Our theme for the 21 days was inspired by God - "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." It is found in two places in Scripture, but presented clearer in Matthew 9:37.

There were two reason for this theme: (1) CDLMinistries has seen a decrease of workers coming alongside our ministry to the truck drivers at Love's Truck Stop. We have had slow periods before and Scripture tells us to pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers; that is what we are doing. We have seen some movement as to others seeing our vision and praying about helping. (2) As some know from past postings, we have three drivers that make a point to do their "reset" (rest period from driving) at our location; especially when they know we are having an event or available on Sunday morning for a service. It is one driver, specifically, that we prayed for during each night of our 21 days -- Mark Bottje. 

Mark and his wife live in Grand Rapids, MI. He is a long-haul-driver (independent) driving for Mercer. Some 4 months ago he was in the hospital in Arlington Texas with Phlebitis in his left leg. It was so bad that he could not drive. After a week in ICU, the hospital kicked him out - stating they could not do anything more but offer some pain medicine. He drove from Arlington all the way back to Grand Rapids - still hurting.

After some additional test, his doctor cleared him to drive and off he went again. He had scheduled some additional tests, but not for a few weeks. Driving down to North Carolina, his truck broke down. They found metal in the oil. His wife had to drive down from Grand Rapids to retrieve him, but had to leave the truck there.

Well, you may think the story could not get any worse, but it did. The next set of tests found four block arteries in his heart at 90%. They had to operated on him to repair the damaged sections. The operation was a success, but he will not be able to drive until late January or February of 2020. Needless to say, they had to returned the truck to the company they purchase it from and will have to fill bankruptcy.

We at CSLMinistries dedicated all funds given during our 21 days to Mark and Sylvia. Along with this get-well-card shown above, we mailed a check to them. It will arrive Tuesday 12-Nov. 

I tell you all this for two reasons: (1) God is faithful to meet all our needs when we pray, and (2) He is still in control of every situation. We know the road ahead will still be hard on Mark and Sylvia, but God will give them the strength to get through each day.

If you would like to further help them during this time, please contact me. All funds received (100%) will go directly to them through our ministry. Please stand with us as we stand with them; and may God richly bless you for your gifts.

John Hensman

Senior Pastor - CDLMinistries

P.O. Box 341, Van, Texas 75790

972-467-7829

kingdomdrivers@gmail.com

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2019 Event_21-Days of Praise and Worship

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS

Twice a year CLMinistries devotes 21-Days under the BIG-TOP for all who come through our area. This fall it started on 13-Oct and will end on 2-Nov. We have been truly blessed by those stopping in for some music and a Word for God through more than 21 different churches involved.

Last Spring we received a extra blessing offered by a local man in Van and he again blessed us with a CROSS. It is an important feature of our revival; not only does it offer exposure to the truck parking lot, but places God at the very center of what we are trying to do -- Share Christ. 

Our fall event was centered around a specific theme -- "The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" found in several books in the Gospels (Matthew 9:37, Luke 10:2). Definition: The gathering of things planted, a natural time of reaping in joy what has been produced during the year in an agricultural community. Jesus reflects the Bible's theological viewpoint on harvest when He enjoins believers to ask the "Lord of the harvest" for laborers (Matthew 9:38). In addition to these two areas in Matthew and Luke, Scripture also reflects the theme of harvesting in Galatians 6:9, James 5:7, and 1 Corinthians 9:10. I just want to share these with you. [There are some 70 Bible verses about harvest]

• Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time will reap …" Throughout Scripture it speaks of sowing, reaping, and harvesting. Some sow - some plant - and yet others reap. CDLM is that kind of ministry; for we never know how and where the Word of God flows.
• James 5:7 "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming." Although we may not see the full cycle, we know God is still in control with those who hear.
• 1 Corinthians 9:10 "Surely he says this for us, doesn't he?" This reassurance offers that what we do will find a home in the heart's of others.

Jesus also was reflecting on a plentiful harvest, but limited workers. As in every ministry, workers can be few. We are at that point and praying - as directed in Scripture - for the Lord of the Harvest to bring more workers. 

Please consider how you can assist CDLM mission and let us know what God is telling you to do through our contact information below. May God richly bless you as you pray through and determine how to serve. 

In closing, we also wish to thank Lighthouse Gospel Center Ministries in Mineola, TX. Our tent was damaged, several years ago, by some weather that came through Van. The tent you see above is erected and removed by them free to our ministry. They are also repairing our tent free of charge. Thank you for your support and standing alongside CDLM each and every year. 

At the beginning of 2019 - we have a NEW WEBSITE that was developed through Trey Hernandez Media (free of charge). Needless to say - we are very proud and blessed by Trey (our grandson) who did all the formatting and drone work to produce this site.

The following will help you navigate to some important websites associated with us -- enjoy:

CDLMinistries site: https://cdlministries.wixsite.com/cdlm

• BlogSpot: http://kingdomdrivers.blogspot.com/
• FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1788947861342828/
• CDL Drivers Church: http://www.cdldriverschurchofdelivery.org/

Trey Hernandez Media: https://www.treyhernandezmedia.com/

If you have any questions about our ministry or other links offered OR would like to assist us financially OR come alongside as a worker, please contact me.

John Hensman

Senior Pastor - CDLMinistries

P.O. Box 341, Van Texas

972-467-7829

kingdomdrivers@gmail.com

PLEASE COME ALONGSIDE US AS WE SHARE CHRIST

TO THOSE WHO COME THROUGH OUR AREA

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH CDLM

On The Road Again

Life as a Truck Driver

You hear ads and see the billboards; smiling faces of people wearing cowboy hats and boots, offering thumbs-up suggesting "life couldn't get any better." But there is a real life behind being a truck driver that no one want to talk about. Living on the road can be troubling.

Typical Morning:

• Getting up before the sun after a very uncomfortable night's sleep sitting alongside other 18-wheeler on the truck parking lot. The noise and smell of diesel exhaust clinging to your cloths and everything you touch.
• You have to grab a quick shower before you day begins. After - it is time for pre-trip inspection and a fast food breakfast before leaving.
• Checking the road ahead for problems, you settle back for another long day of 10-13 hours. Today you feel lucky; for you are only pulling a 53' long trailer verses a tandem.
• Morning turns into afternoon and night; same as yesterday.

Typical Afternoon:

• Drop-and-hookup; drop-and-hookup over and over again.
• Live unloads increase wait times verses prearranged.
• 350-450 miles of driving seems to run together after awhile adding to the question -- what state am I in now?
• Some 500 miles a day is needed, which really tiers you out; translating into 7-1/2 hours.

Typical Evening:

• All truck stops look the same, but parking will always be a problem if you are not settled in by 7:00 p.m.
• Post-trip inspections becomes the norm once you find a place to park.
• And then there is paperwork and computer time to log in your progress.
• Free time is the worse; based on being stuck on a parking lot. No additional transportation a valuable and you certainly don’t want to lose your spot for the night. What to do – watch TV or a movie that you have seen 1,000 times before.

They say: "the life of a truck driver is ultimately what you make of it" but when you weigh the hours, weather conditions, and being along away from family months at a time -- is is really worth it?  

That is why we exist

We offer you a home away from home while you are on the road through people who love Christ and only wish to share Him with you. Love’s Truck Stop, Van, Texas 75790.

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21-Days of Praise and Worship

Nightly under the BIG-TOP

Twice a Year (Spring and Fall)

Truck Driver Gift Packets

Prayer and Fellowship

On Love's Parking Lot

during Holiday weekends

NO DRIVER SHOULD BE

ALONG DURING A HOLIDAY!

HOW TO BECOME PART OF OUR FAMILY?

CDLMinistries was launched in 2009 for the purpose of sharing Christ to those who are on the road and find themselves in Van TX as a resting point. Truckers, typically "reset" over night on one or two parking lot locations at Love's Truck Stop. The purpose of our ministry is to offer friendship and prayer in a family setting. We have several local churches involved.

Needs - Our theme for our 21-Days of Praise and Worship (13-Oct through 2-Nov) is "The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." We continue to pray for more workers to be more effective. 

This year we have adapted one truck driver who is currently experiencing a health issue in addition to equipment failure. We are collecting funds for this driver to help him during this time of need. Please pray about how you can help and contact us as to offer assistance.

Cell: 972-467-7829
kingdomdrivers@gmail.com
John Hensman
Pastor of CDLMinistries. 

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GOD'S BOX OF CRAYONS

In the late 19th century a small company in upstate New York manufactured industrial pigments for coloring and drying a wide range of products. Then, in 1903 Binney and Smith found a market niche and produced the first Crayola brand crayons. There were eight colors: black, blue, brown, green, red, yellow, and orange. In 1949 the standard selection increased in 48 colors. and in 1958 they introduced the 64 crayon box with a built-in sharper. We can still buy crayons in the little box with eight colors, but who wouldn't rather have the super gigantic assortment with 120 colors, including inchworm, wild blue yonder, and mango tango?

We all have crayon box; so private and personal, many of them are broken and we wish we could discard, but somehow we feel they are still useful to fill in the white spaces in our life. Colors of all sorts make up our life's tapestry of who we are, were we came from, and were we are going. There are, however, certain colors that we keep hidden, not willing to use or not wanting to share with others. 

Colors in the Bible have special meaning:

• Red is atonement - from the beginning red has been the color of atonement and this atonement is in the form of blood. God wants us to know that sin is costly; it costs the shedding of blood as far back as the Garden of Eden when God killed to first animal to cover Adam and his wife from their nakedness (Gen 3:21). Christ was that final sacrifice on the Cross for all our sins, but we need to acknowledge His gift and atone. 
• White as righteousness - white clearly represents the righteousness of God; specifically to Christ's righteousness on the Cross. Isaiah wrote: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though hey are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" (Isaiah 1:18). The Book of Revelation has more about the color white than any book in the New Testament and it most often refers to Christ or an attribute of His. 
• Purple is royalty - when Danie was placed as third in the kingdom of Babylon - "and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, the he should be the third ruler in the kingdom" (Dan 5:29). Royalty is also related to Christ as King. 
• Green as prosperity - prosperity is green, as in greenbacks, but I mean spiritually thriving as a plant does near a stream. David wrote: "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God" (Ps 52:8). God says of the righteous, "They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green" (Ps 92:13-14).
• Black is death - often the color black is associated with death and darkness (Lam 4:8) that it's hard to know where to begin when we cannot see the pathway. Since we know that God is light and goodness (John 1) then the absence of light is darkness and death as suggested by Micah: "Therefore, it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them" (Micah 3:6). Even the third horse of the Apocalypse was black and spells out bad news for the earth's inhabitants (Rev 6:5-6). Thanks to Christ Jesus, for He has given us the ability to walk in the light when we accept Him as our Savior.

Could it be possible to cover all of the colors with one color -- YES. Christ covers all previous broken crayons (sin) and makes them hole again through His blood (red) and makes us (white) as snow. His love, mercy, and grace takes away death (black) and gives us eternal life in Him.

You may have many broken crayons in your box, but Christ can and will make you hole again. We don't have to live with broke crayons and hope they will be enough to color the spaces in our life (gaps). 

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STAYING ON GOD'S HIGHWAY

There are many highways that we must travel down within our life time; some lead us into a higher relationship with Jesus Christ and yet others seem to point us in the wrong direction. Unlike our normal navigational devices, we don't have such within our spiritual life. There are some principles, however that do! 

1. Because God’s Word strengthens our faith in Christ, reading daily will guide our directional path. “ cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). 
2. Because God offers us strength through His word “… the word of truth”...we can grow. Truth, like any other word in our language Everywhere we turn on our journey, the concept of truth is questioned that or this and or are there any corroborating facts involved. God declares that His truth is absolute; something we can depend on and follow daily? 
3. So how can we understand God’s Will for our lives and how does His Will help? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We search and search for God’s Will, as if it was lost and in need of a discovery. His word is never the meanings behind many of what is offered. Scripture supports Scripture; therefore, never depend on one verse or phrase to support your directional path. Search out other locations to corroborate the intended means.  

Getting on God’s Highway of Life is the hardest. Belief / faith are required be the first step. Let’s look at the at the some steps along the way:

1. There is but one on-ramp. John 14:6 states: No one comes to the Father except through me who believe that this statement is too narrow and to accept such would specific on-ramp; not giving us the ability to search and accept other ideas. Although specific and narrow a path, it was done for a specific reason. Names define and identify groups or an individual based on and distinguished by to make it or a class level based on authority. If we stray from or try to alternate the name, it become a nickname / a fact-seminally / a copy. We hear this from other people groups that is just a language difference, but in fa copy is – they always try to change the meaning to fit an agenda. Be aware that John 14:6 direction – an on-ramp that much be taken if you are to move in the right direction to your desired final location. Anything else is just a detour.
2. Detours fall short on God’s Highway – distractions come and go throughout life; most will not disrupt a pathway, but some will take us down a road that will lead to a dead end. Truckers know, more than any of us, that once committed to a direction, dead ends where you cannot turn around are a problem. What do you do in this situation? Do you try to turn around or back up an 18-wheeler to a place where that is possible? Disruptions in life do occur when we are not fully aware of our surroundings or watchful as to the path we select.  Romans 2:23 suggests that we are proud; that we know what is good and bad for us, but still we go ahead down an untested path. "You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it." Every pathway has been tested fully by Him, but we still wish to explore new avenues and if they lead to a dead end, many times we blame others, conditions, circumstances, and or eve God for the outcome. Would it not be better to just trust God as our GPS?
3. Correction – no one finds it pleasant to say “I am sorry” or forgive me.” If we have gone down a certain road that has seemly been untested for many hours / days / months / years, saying I am sorry is difficult. Repentance is just that – a means of starting over and having a fresh start. If you are on that road that will come to a dead end in the not so distance future, would it not be logical to turn around at the first opportunity? Correctional path modifications hurt and can be difficult for us and those around us, but change is necessary and I am sorry is a start. Loosing weigh of sin gets rid of a load that we continuously are carrying. Even when we regain our direction compass through repentance, Satan likes to continuously bring our pass up as guilt. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Pathway alteration or correction of a direction is the beginning of a new and specific path that He has determined for your best. It is not a case that would restrict our life, but increases our potential for life in Him.
4. Hauling the Right Load – God uses the word “fruit” a great deal in the Bible, but what does that truly look like. In the trucking industry when your refrigeration gives out, the product requiring such a service doesn’t smell too good. If you are to haul the right load, you need to be prepared to have all the supporting equipment. God is the perfect dispatcher and will never allow you to leave the yard without having the right equipment, but we have to do our part – we need to continuously check on our load. In verse 30 of Matthew 11, Jesus describes the load He wants to dispatch. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” No need to be worried about the “chicken-coup” as to being overweight or not having the right equipment; for He doesn’t dispatch us unless we have on the full-armor-of-God in place. God’s Word makes it very clear that there is evil in the world today and we are in a battle. Revelation 12:12 says, “Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! HE is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” For this reason, Paul urges us to “put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes.” Hauling the right load and delivering it to the right place is a partnership – trust God to direct your path.
5. No mixing loads – the best way to not get onto the wrong path is to not mix loads. You would not put some items together – chemicals with food / cattle into a truck that is designed for frozen goods – the cattle would not like being cold while they are alive! “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:16-23). 
6. Reaching your final Destination – all of us like to get home to family / friends and other love ones. When Jesus went to heaven after enduring the Cross, He stated that He would return for us – for there we will be with Him for eternality. This is not our home, but just a terminal that we are passing through. Truckers operate out of distribution points (terminals) where materials and goods are off-loaded and loaded. They are transportation hubs that serve to exchange materials and not our final destination. Heave is! There may be bumps along the way – truck breakdowns / flat-tires / tickets / etc., but they all are just items that occur on our pathway home. Believe and trust that the pathway is a journey and in such needs to be traveled to get to where we are heading. Journeys take time and effort; not like Star Trek – beam be up Scottie! No that it will take time / energy / self-sacrifice of every kind to get us home. Also know that time is a concern – we maybe in God’s Weighing Room for a period of time. That doesn’t mean He has forgotten us, but just training us to take on the next assignment. Be patience, God knows what He is doing and will always have your back. Stay the course.
   

God waits patiently for us, wants us to change direction, and doesn't want us to get to the point of a dead end to ask.

The question is - how long are you willing to travel down the wrong road before altering your direction.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and ea with that person, and they with me."

(Revelation 3:20)

CDLMinistries

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SPRING 2019: 21-Days of Praise and Worship

It is that time again -- Spring -- and CDLMinistries has started our 21-Days of Praise and Worship "Under the Big Top." 

Note: to prepare for this event -- CLMinistries / CrossRoads Church of Tyler Tx is having a covered dish gathering on 6-April at 6:00 p.m. at CrossRoads (13730 TX-155 S, Tyler, TX 75703). Tough the address and you will get a map. Call me (John) if you have any questions.

Contact DeeAnn Brunson (903) 521-9394 or John Hensman (972) 467-7829 for details of open nights. As before, typically we have limited nights the longer you wait.

HAPPY EASTER 2019

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