“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

“Joyfully worn out,” is my current condition. I sit here bringing up memories to pacify my aches and pains, because I have plenty of both! Last week we had the pleasure of spending 4 days with all of our kids and grandkids. All 21 of us… ages 1 to old fart! My body may be in rebellion, but the heart and mind are ready to go again! I have no doubt that Heaven will be just like this – minus the aches!

We rented a big house in Miami, the house having been built for fun. One of the main attractions was a Pickleball Court, something I had heard about but never experienced. Thankfully, some of our kids knew the rules and quickly had everyone pickled in fun. The sport, a smaller version of tennis, allowed the older folks and little kids a chance to participate. Interestingly enough, EVERYONE did!

To say my whole family is competitive is an understatement. Watching the older folks hit the ball, the little ones grabbed extra paddles and walked out onto the court to play. It was a joy to see them want to join us. When someone brought up the idea of a tournament to produce a Championship team, that mentality changed! I noticed when seriousness grew, the little ones became obstacles.

Memories flooded back to my childhood when my parents and grandparents got together and played pool or croquet. When I saw the fun they were having and wanted to jump in, “Hey… get outta the way,” was as nice as it got. Since running and swinging paddles is not safe with little ones randomly walking around, creative interaction and special games were made to help our kids learn and play.

Jesus LOVES little Children. The verse today is proof. The whole ‘Church’ concept, which He created, INCLUDES children. Far too often, kids are looked at as hindrances instead of ‘the point!’ It becomes far too easy for grownups to make everything about them, instead of using the children’s youthful enthusiasm to train and teach THEM about the Savior. Jesus NEVER sees kids as a hindrance.

My kids are all grown up now and have kids of their own. All of them were in competitive sports and contests where championships were on the line. All of them tasted victory. What a joy it was to watch my kids coach THEIR kids on how to play life. It was even more deliciously relevant that 3 of my GRANDkids won the Championship, leaving parents exhausted. Done well… the pickle passes on!

Are you learning about Jesus with the enthusiasm of a little child? Are you teaching kids, especially yours, how to enjoy and love The Savior? Is His Family growing because of your participation?

“…give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9

“hey…HEY!!!” At least that’s what I THINK the guy was yelling from down on my front patio. But I couldn’t hear him because, pressure washing my roof, I had headphones on and was listening to music. My pressure washer was also making a racket. Making a sign like I couldn’t hear him, He wouldn’t stop yelling, so I figured I’d better take a break and go down to find out what he wanted.

When I got down and turned the engine off, he immediately started telling me his need. At first I was confused, because I couldn’t understand why a stranger would interrupt my work to tell me about HIS place. Then it hit me. He had a job that needed done on HIS house, and he was wanting me to come and give him a price! He got really embarrassed when I told him I was the OWNER this house.

This has happened to me before. While working on my own house, people have assumed I was either an employee, or the owner of a maintenance company. Having a need themselves, they sought to hire me to work on THEIR house. Knowing a man in my church who DOES that kind of work, I asked him to wait while I got Rob’s contact information. Then used the time to speak to God.

Lately I have been asking God to send people to me to share the Gospel. Many times I have dropped seeds on the paths of people’s lives, only to watch the enemy immediately come and steal them away. I don’t want to waste time, thus my prayer. Looking for Rob’s number, I asked God if THIS guy was THE guy I had been praying for. Returning, I asked, “Are you a Jesus guy?” He was the one baffled!

The answer I received from this older gentleman was typical, “well I grew up in the church and my uncle was a pastor…” “But do you go to church anywhere now?” “No,” he replied. I went on, ”so if you were to die today, would you know FOR CERTAIN you were going to Heaven. His answer to that one was standard too, “Well I HOPE so.” Giving him a 60 second Gospel presentation, he left.

I am praying and asking God what to do next. I would LOVE for the man to call my friend Rob to do the work, because Rob is a Jesus guy and TALKS about it. But experience tells me that there is a much greater chance that he WON’T call Rob. Why? Because in our discussion, the man seriously believes he has a ROOF… NOT a HEART problem. Today’s verse says God only satisfies the hungry and thirsty!

Are you actively engaged in God’s business of working the field of souls? Are you brave enough to ask God to send you where there is a need? Are you prepared or preparing?

“Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.“ Leviticus 24:16

“Cuckoo… Cuckoo”! At least that is what is USED to say! Now, it doesn’t say or DO ANYTHING! Having purchased this Cuckoo Clock for my wife for our 18^th Anniversary, it has faithfully kept time over time… Kinda! There’s a little thing with temperature and humidity that makes me have to occasionally adjust the pendulum, but it’s been accurate for the most part. Until it isn’t!

Recently I noticed that the pendulum wasn’t swinging, so I pushed it to get it going again, only to watch it stop… again. This had happened once before, about 15 years ago, when I took it to an old clock master who specialized in lubing and cleaning. He was old then so I’m sure he’s not even around! So I YouTubed how to clean and oil a Cuckoo Clock… gave it a try and then… NADA!

I actually have 2 Cuckoo clocks. The other one doesn’t work either. We had purchased it for one of our kids for their wedding and I guess they didn’t like the Cuckoo or pulling the chain, so we ended up getting it back. A few years ago I slid the lever to stop the Cuckoo sound when sleep became harder to come by and it kept waking me up. Now I don’t know what to do with 2 broken clocks!

How far should sentiment over priority really go anyway? It’s a question I see in this verse today. Taking God’s name in vain in the form of blasphemy, or even speaking the word for God’s name “Jehovah,” under the Law, was to receive Corporate Punishment… CORPORATELY! Everyone in the Church, or Temple, was to pick up a stone and let ‘er fly until the offender Cuckoo-ed no more!

These days I find that, while there is ZERO penalty for blaspheming God, it’s getting to the point where siding with Him may very well get one silenced… or canceled. God’s Word describes these times very clearly and warns that His people need to stay with chains pulled and swinging together.. Cuckooing like crazy for Jesus! Are you?

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

“You missed it!” Had that statement come from anyone else but God, I maybe wouldn’t have felt so bad. But I clearly heard the words and knew EXACTLY what He meant. Having earnestly prayed for an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone yesterday, the opportunity came, and went, without me playing my part. Because while working on a good thing, I had missed the best thing!

After dropping Katie’s car off for service, we needed to eat. A project was waiting at home so I preferred to be quick. Turning down a busy restaurant, we opted for a slower place not as frequented. I had forgotten that the last time we were there, service took over an hour! As we sat at the bar, clock ticking, I was working on my patience when a man came and sat down right beside me!

Hunger, fatigue and time wasted are proven distractors. We chose to sit at the bar for speed, which didn’t work out. When conversation with the man started, I wasn’t really paying attention like I should have been. Being irritated at the horrible service, I debated simply leaving. So conversation with the man became trivial. As he was leaving, I got the call from Above! ‘YOU MISSED!’

I’m experienced at this enough to know that my NOT talking to the man about his Eternal Life doesn’t make for the possibility of his possible residence in the Lake of Fire. God grants many opportunities to everyone. But like tests in school, tests are meant to prepare me for the REAL world. I had flunked this one by paying more attention to behaving than evangelizing! 2 lessons in 1 experience!

I constantly have to remind myself that “THIS WORLD IS A WAR ZONE!” And that ‘I’ am His soldier. I realize how uncomfortable those statements can make people feel. Most, including satan, would prefer a quiet, easy, unspectacular arrangement. Heaven and Hell, life or death, can so easily be exaggerated or taken too seriously. I too prefer, “Oh well,” to “I’m ashamed of myself I missed!”

But as days tick by, turning into years, missing the point of my life and doing what God created me for, is up to ME to evaluate. I either am serious and getting better, or I’m winging it on a hope and a wish for more mercy. God reminded me this morning, in this verse, that if I want to serve Him, I’d better suit up and pay more careful attention. Distractions are simply weapons of the enemy.

Are YOU living with purpose and asking God to use you TODAY? What distracts you from that work? Are you learning, from the tests, how to be focused and successful for the real thing God is setting before you? Today, do you look forward to the opportunity God is setting up for you? Are you ready and willing to show up for Jesus and help or possibly take someone from the hand’s of the bad guys?

“If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.” Malachi 2:2

“Is that MINE… or does that belong to Jesus?” I asked it, shuffling through the tool room at the church and seeing a couple tools that I could have sworn came from MY toolbox. I had to force myself to remember if I had brought it from home and mentally GIVEN it to the church, or just accidentally left it there. Thinking, “THIS is not a common problem,” I sensed God saying, “Really?”

Being the pastor, and one of a few guys available for jobs needing done, I will often take my tools to the Church. Sometimes I see the tool as something Jesus could use and I’ll leave it. Other times I just forget to pick it up. When I see it later, I go through a long mental process to try to determine what happened and why. Why? Because, it seems to me, Malachi’s ‘honor-warning’ is really quite serious!

Now I know that Malachi was written in the Old Testament to the Jewish nation. I also know that this particular section is talking DIRECTLY to the Priests! They had been waffling on the rules of sacrifice, giving blind and blemished animals to God for their sin… keeping the best for themselves! God noticed! What ‘I’ might think of as a MINOR problem, GOD saw as a MAJOR CRIME… and cursed!

Sin is not a sin because it breaks a rule. God didn’t just decide to make all the fun stuff illegal to prove my loyalty! Sin is a sin because it breaks God’s HEART! I was CREATED to be God’s residence! My hands, mouth, brain, time and resources ALL come FROM Him. They are supposed to reflect my appreciation and service BACK to Him! Time and Resources are the 2 biggest God-Heart indicators!

During my search through the Church tool room, I recognized an extension cord that looked like one I had in MY garage for YEARS! It’s not like I need more cords. But as the thought, ‘that’s mine’ hit me, I KNEW came from the pit of hell. But I couldn’t remember how that cord got there, I decided I’d rather just give it to Jesus. Cuz if he gets that upset over a blind cow… well! OK, I’M KIDDING! Maybe!

Are you SERIOUSLY giving God His due? If you belong to Him, do you KNOW when He is asking you to step up and be faithful? Will you? What are you holding onto that SHOULD go to God? Are you faithful to God in YOUR time and resources… ALWAYS? What do you have that belongs to HIM? Have you ever experienced what might seem like a curse or withdrawal of God’s favor in areas of your life?  What are you going to DO about it?
 

“But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22

“How may I help you?” were the first words the gal spoke as 4 of us sat down for dinner at a VERY busy, local restaurant. I thought maybe she was the hostess, since she was at our table so fast. Looking, she wasn’t the prettiest waitress I have ever seen. Her arms, hands and other parts of her body were all tattooed. She also wore 2 nose rings and a smile! “What can I do for you?” she asked.

While the hustle and bustle of the entire restaurant was buzzing like a bee, I made a comment about how busy it was. She replied smiling, “Well I’m not too busy, so what would you like to drink?” A friendly banter began between her and our host, and she gave as well as she received. Then she was off like a shot. Her quick return with the drinks and request for further assistance was surprising!

All throughout dinner she was in and out, continually asking, “how does the food taste? Can I get you anything else?” She knew when she could jump in, and served us like we were her only customers. In a world where care and service seem to becoming a dying art, she was a breath of fresh air. When she came to the table, she immediately had all of our attention. And NOT by force!

I must admit that I don’t understand the whole tattoo – piercing thing. Growing up, it was hammered in my brain that the Old Testament clearly prohibits tattoos, and that nose piercing was meant to be a sign of permanent servant-hood. And while I don’t hate them, I admit to having a learned bias that I must intentionally put away… just like OTHER biases. Wrestling with the matter is God’s classroom.

When the meal was done I wanted to reach in my wallet and throw her extra TIP money. But Katie and I were invited by another Christian couple to dinner, and doing that would have been rude. So I reached in my wallet and pulled out a Gospel Card and left it for her, noting our host had already been generous in his tip. I read this verse this morning and realized that a pierced Savior served me!

‘He was pierced for our iniquity’ and ‘By His stripes we are healed!’ are just 2 statements from Isaiah 53 describing my Savior. His act of love was literally the Greatest Sacrifice in the history of mankind. I remember when He came to me and offered to serve my needs! It was before I even knew I HAD any. Now, as a marked servant myself, I marvel at the many ways I can serve Him as I serve others!

Is the Love of Jesus Christ tattooed on YOUR heart? Do you actively look for ways to serve Him in the world? Are you insistent in trying to help and sacrificially serving the lost without being too much of a pest or rude? Does the world see you as His Server, pierced to the heart, by His generous love?

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

“BANG!” And like a misfire of a gun… the tongue went off, shooting me in the foot! If it WERE a gun, it would have been considered an accidental discharge, the result being 1 and done. But this tongue-shot was FAR worse because, not only did I shoot myself in the foot, I continued to shoot! To demons, my attitudinal discharge must’ve made me look like Swiss cheese! They just laughed!

Having been around guns all my life, I have had it drilled into me over and over to where I NEVER ‘Accidentally’ point a gun toward ANYONE. The second I touch one, my mind goes on high alert to keep me aware of my surroundings, averting any ‘accidents.’ Oh how I wish it were the same with my loaded tongue. God has been convicting me that attitudinal discharges are NEVER accidental!

Being in my vocation, I sometimes feel like I should get a pass. Years of discharging and appealing have not gotten me any brownie points to that end. Instead of a pass, I can almost GUARANTEE a run-in with either an idiot, or circumstantial hindrances in the form of a yellow light or heavy traffic. Yesterday, it was the ol lady driving 15 under the speed limit in the left lane! I unloaded!

One would think I’d tire of the incidents and just DO what ‘The Boss’ tells me! But a man’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness. And expounding Truth is my forte! The lady’s driving included weaving, proving she SHOULD have her license revoked! But God used her to let me know that I should have my tongue carved out… down to the HEART! So I’m in God’s traffic school!

In the verse today, the first 3 directives for a Believer are not really a problem for me. But that last one is a DOOZY! Some say that until I get this one down, God won’t let me die! If so, I may live forever! Truth be told, attitudinal discharges, even in the privacy of my own vehicle, are ALWAYS harmful AND intentional. The victim never changes because it’s always ME! Dear Lord… will You help!!??

Based upon your traffic record, what doozy of a problem is YOURS? How long have you been living with it? Is God putting it on HIS hit list to finally kill it off? Are you co-operating with Him?  

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

Before we married my son in law, I rode a dirt bike. When Todd came along he seemed to have an affinity for MUD! The idea of anything with wheels going non-stop thorough muck just seemed to draw him. His kids have picked up the bug because kids often follow their parents. Now I ride a new ATV with my grandson in nasty mud, trying not to sink it! The problem though, comes with cleanup!

The last time I went riding with them, I took my 4 wheeler to the car wash… one of those pay and spray kind. After choosing ‘soapy wash’ I had the pressure up and the whole quad looking like it was covered in snow. Hitting rinse, I pressure washed EVERYTHING to make it look just like new, then put it away. When I pulled it out, I was surprised to see dirty spots all over the black parts! ICK!

I didn’t think they were that big of an issue, so after I muddied it up again this last time, I ran it through the car wash, then took a wash cloth and rubbed over where the spots had formed before. Sitting in the sun, it didn’t take long before those dirty little spots and streaks reappeared… all over again! Now the issue wasn’t a dirty ATV… it became MY failure and inability to get MY stuff clean!

Yesterday I was shocked when one of our teachers started off the JYC middle School Ministry lesson by writing 3 words on the board… Justification, Sanctification and Glorification! I like to call those ‘The Big Three’ of God’s gift to all who take Jesus on as Lord and Savior. I was shocked, because he was going to try to EXPLAIN those 3 powerful mud-maneuvering words… to kids… in about an hour!

I’d like to say that my efforts in utilizing special cleaning agents and elbow grease succeeded in removing those spots and stains once and for all. Furthermore, I’d love to tell you that those kids walked away with a clear understanding of those 3 powerful words. But I can’t! Some things are just not humanly possible. Which makes what God does even MORE amazing when I see him moving.

Are YOU amazed by the Grace and gifts of God? Have YOU received the clean that washes whiter than snow? Are YOU grateful to be Justified and Sanctified in Jesus Christ?  Are YOU trying to clean what only God can?