“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:16

The time was 4:20pm. Katie, usually home from work by then, called to tell me she’d be late. We needed to eat before Bible Study so we wouldn’t be hungry, so I hatched a plan and ran it by her. An Aldi grocery store is about 1.5 minutes and NO red lights from our house. After disconnecting from Katie, I turned for the keys and headed toward the truck. I was at Adli’s front door in 1.2 minutes!

I knew what I wanted after our talk. I knew where to find it once I got into the store. Being a man on a mission, nothing stopped me from parking, going right through the open front door at Aldi and getting what we needed. I was prepared, having both cash and a credit card in my wallet. Within 10 minutes of our conversation, the oven was on and I was preparing dinner! BAMM!

That story may seem silly, simple and plain, but as simple as it is, it points out the problem most people are facing in today’s world. The USA may have started out great, but it is FAST becoming a horrible mess because of bad turns! People have lost the simple knowledge of WHERE to TURN for the help and resources necessary for sustaining ‘The Good Life.’ Things appear to be getting worse!

Ancient Israel had a steady problem as she continued to turn away from God and follow other nation’s lifestyles and gods! The REAL God did not appreciate that. The warnings God sent to them take up much of the Old Testament! When they ultimately lost their way, God chose to block their way, because HE didn’t want them back… anyway! Their story is a warning to Jesus’ Church.

Today, if you go to visit Israel’s Bible sites, you will find most of them filled with rocks! Rubble and broken buildings lie where previous places for communion with God USED to take place. America too, founded on The Bible and Christian Faith, is fast becoming a war zone for unbelief and idolatry. Sadly, the views and sympathies are now following political party lines, as we are being divided.

A recent poll showed that most Republicans support Israel, while the Democratic support for the Palestinians has been trending upward! As a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, I know WHY our country, and the world, is moving toward darkness. People have chosen to ‘grab a snack’ of somethin’ else, instead of turning to the storehouse of Faith to get Almighty God’s Abundant Life!

It takes a conscious effort and decision by an individual, when faced with sin, evil, bad consequences or even death, to TURN FROM those places and MOVE TOWARD The Lord. Only THEN will the veil of unbelief be lifted and Faith and Grace made home in heart. What are YOU looking at? Where do YOU TURN when life gets ugly? If you KNOW God…it’s time to SHARE God! He’s waiting… for now!

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Wha-da-ya-wanna watch tonight? Every night about 9pm, the question is asked by one of us. The day is done and we have a habit of sitting beside each other to watch a TV show before we go to bed. Having just signed up for a live TV service, the menu scrolled… leaving us stumped and overwhelmed! With world events happening quickly now with Israel, we picked a news channel!

Overwhelmed is not really a strong enough word. I logged a couple story leads into my brain, and later looked them up on my phone app to quickly verify them from another source. There, I found even MORE information that left me, not only overwhelmed… but SHOCKED! On top of the war in Israel, two different sources from the founders of AI said that soon… AI could take over the world!

Danger, concern, angst, wonder and worry seemed to pile in on my brain to a point where I just could not put all the pieces together. No human could make sense of it. It seemed like a battle was forming up from every side. Having lived with ‘overwhelming’ many times, I knew that the very next emotion to barge in, unless I ‘got a grip,’ was panic! So I closed my eyes… and talked to Jesus.

Diane is a Church friend who was heading on a long planned tour to Israel with her daughters… 2 days AFTER Israel was attacked. I’ve talked to her a couple times since, and she too was sadly overwhelmed. I’m thankful it was 2 days before and not 2 days AFTER! With new reports and concerns piling up hourly, I HAD to bow my head and humbly ask Jesus, “What do I do NOW?”

Looking up a Bible reference online, I saw a heading that pointed to some words… ‘Hold tight!’ Having recalled a verse to that end, I typed them into my browser, adding ‘Bible Verses.’ Comparing verses, translations and versions… today’s verse is what I got! And it’s PERFECT! So I’m passing it on. Because we don’t live in the past or future, we live NOW. Good WORDS Jesus!

Are YOU tempted to panic? Are YOU a wonderer or worrier? Jesus is giving words of comfort, along with instructions for our spirit, eyes, hands, mind and heart! Are you trusting Him and doing what He says?  WHATDAYOUGONNADO?

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7

“Uh-Oh… I know… I owe!” The words were as much an admission of guilt as they were an apology. It didn’t matter that it was an accident. Time had passed… I SHOULD have KNOWN. So there I was yesterday, calling a man who owns a company and who is also a Christian friend of mine. The conversation started with those words! Yes… I owed him money. But I owed him more than that!

Last month my credit card was declined at 4 locations. It was a sign that I needed to contact them, the burden being on ME. I had tried to purchase something their computers saw as ‘fishy,’ so until I cleared that up, my card was useless. Ultimately, we discovered a scammer had tried to use my card & reputation. A new card was issued. But it was MY job to notify my creditors of my new card info.

I honestly thought I had called all of them. But I kept getting phone calls from an unknown number… and didn’t answer. It’s been about a month, and it finally hit me. Our Gym membership must have been on that card! DUH! So I called my friend, apologized, and gave him my new information. At the exact same time, a lil demon showed up to turn the tables on me, hinting, ‘you don’t owe him that!’

We pay for gym time, which means we receive regular hits to our card… whether we show up or not! 3 years ago we made a commitment… “we want to join your gym” (I didn’t really) “and agree to your terms.” That demon thought followed with something like this… ‘well you didn’t REALLY use that gym THAT much… remember vacations and sick time off?’ Giving him the card # QUICKER, I hung up!

I’m smart and spiritually minded enough to know when a thought is foreign. I learned that as a kid. I once stole some bubble gum from a store that, later in the night, HORRIBLY ended up in my hair and all over my bed! I don’t steal! That little demon was recognized as foreign and quickly dismissed. But God! Thinking about thievery, I began to realize… I AM a THIEF! And I STEAL and OWE DAILY!

I pay my taxes and my debts because it’s the honorable thing to do! But The Spirit moved into that vacated demon spot and whispered… “What about Respect and Honor? How are you doing in THOSE departments!”  Suddenly I realized I had been WAY too quick to pat myself on the back! Because I’ve been stealing honor and respect from people… who may not even know they’ve been robbed!

Romans 13:10 goes on to say, ‘Love is the fulfillment of the Law.’ It doesn’t take a behavioral therapist for me to realize I’ve been holding back in some areas! So today I am being led to roll up my sleeves, put on my ‘Love Gloves,’ and get to work on doing better in that area because… I.O. GOD, AND all the people He created… some LOVE! What, how much, and to whom do YOU OWE?

“He replied: ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.'” Luke 21:8

“Hey Babe… YOU make that Destroyer look GOOD!” Last Saturday, Katie and I went to Tampa for the Navy’s Commissioning of its newest Destroyer, the Jack H Lucas. Personally, it was the most Patriotic event I ever attended. Both sons had a hand in getting the ship, and the ceremony there. My lovely wife stood for a quick-pic, and 15 minutes into the ceremony I received a text… “Israel is at War!”

It was hard trying to mentally focus on what that text meant! I didn’t know the story or how bad things were in Israel. Sitting beside my wife, able to see my son across the crowd, all the while gazing at the most powerful Naval Destroyer ever built, produced more of a ‘NO FEAR’ kind of feel to it. Knowing the Word of God was ‘icing on the cake,’ helping to make my experience a proud one.

This last weekend was full of surprises as nations, political parties, citizens and the news media ‘spun’ the story to highlight it to their own advantage. To make matters worse, we watched an updated story on the concern of ‘AI’s’ potential to “take over (the world),” from the man who invented it! Watching, I realized that practically everything I own or do… is registered with ‘THEM!’

But WAIT!!! Do NOT que the Scary Music! I’ve been here before! Starting Back in the 70’s when ‘The Late Great Planet Earth’ was written! Most all my life has been filled with the ‘fear’ of living in ‘The Last Days!’ I was easily hooked! That is until ‘My Father,’ the Heavenly One, with His Spirit, reminded me to NOT ‘focus on the hocus pocus! That He ‘has my back!’ I have nothing to fear!

This morning my eyes, heart and spirit rested upon one of my old address numbers… 111! There, I had an inspiring time as I boldly circled the supernatural, powerful and soothing characteristics of God Almighty! MY shield and MY protector! A cross-reference in my Bible, and a text from a friend, sent me to today’s Bible verse! As ‘Calm’ settled in, I knew EXACTLY what He wanted me to tell you.

“DO NOT FOCUS ON THE HOCUS POCUS” has been a saying God gave me years ago, when people I heard were ‘claiming’ things and ‘blaming’ things based upon their own personal Biblical interpretation. Praying and reading His Word, my Heavenly DAD’S commanded some advice!! ‘DON’T GO THERE! I want you to ‘FOCUS ON MY SON!’ Now, I work hard to do JUST THAT!

DO YOU need to read Psalm 111 and remind yourself that God ALWAYS has your back… and wins? Then please… Focus on HIM! YES! These ARE exciting times! But NOT as exciting as Heaven WILL BE! Focus on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to ‘destroy’ any fears or worries about the world, flesh, devil or the future!! And, even BETTER than my wife, JESUS will make ANY threat lose its focus!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

I hate the gym! Always have. So yesterday, as I was preparing to do my workout, my friend, fellow Christian and gym owner, who by the way has muscles from head to toe, gave me a pep talk. I told him, “I just don’t get a thrill out of lifting weights for no visible purpose. Cutting grass or wood at least produces a product!” He said that , “an old body that WORKS… IS your goal!”   Touche’!

There’s was a TV on the gym wall playing ‘Super-human’ TV. I watched it as a distraction, while pulling on a rowing machine, and found myself going through different emotions. When someone showed off their kicking skill with a soccer ball, or their ability to ride a skateboard down a railing I thought, “what a waste of time!” Bouncing a golf ball off a club isn’t that impressive!

But when I saw the skydivers doing aerobatics in the air, when a bike, dirt-biker or snowboarder did a multi-flip off of a giant leap…my thoughts went to “WHOA!!! THAT’S COOL!!” Then I kinda felt a heavenly nudge with (I think) God asking me, “so why is THAT cool… but the bodybuilder lifting a car isn’t?” Filtering my thoughts, I had to admit that my foolishness was NOT ‘cool!’

In EVERY instance, what ‘I’ thought was cool came from an area if interest of MINE! I have zero interest in bodybuilding my physic into a Hercules! I have ZERO desire to show off by telling people.. “hey.. look what ‘I’ can do! “ Jesus reminded me, “I CALLED you to be a bodybuilder for my Church.” AND that “You are not here to impress the world… just HIM!” And said further… “II Am watching!”

I apparently gave too much yesterday, and hardly slept last night because my legs and arm muscles HURT! Maybe Gym-Man’s speech pressed me ‘harder than I’m used to.’ But God OFTEN does that… just like He did with Paul. I’m just praying that God has somebody special in mind, someone He wants ME to show HIS ability to save them from hell!  Are YOU working out with Jesus in God’s Gym?

“…those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23

Time and Temperature! That’s how it’s done! Looking for something to eat this morning I saw, on a shelf, the bananas I had purchased 2 days ago. When I bought them, they were a beautiful, light yellow and green. Now, their color had changed to dark yellow and brown. In 2 days! Knowing what I know, I decided to learn more about bananas and hit the web for info.

We get our bananas locally from Dole. Dole gets them from places all over South America. When they are picked, they are dark green. It takes 1 to 3 weeks to ship them to stores around the world. Once they are placed in the open air at the store, they last about 4 days! I was perplexed! With the varying times for shipping, how do they keep them from spoiling?

You already know the answer because I just told you! Using those 2 controllable conditions, Bananas CAN be KEPT and PERFECTLY PLACED in their final location because, the banana people know a thing or 2, about a thing or 2, about bananas. This morning saw the evidence, and I am now a witness for the Banana thing! Do I sound bananas? Let me drive YOU there!

I am a Christian! I’ve been one for 56 years. My life, over time, has seen many storms and temperature changes. And just like with the banana I ate for breakfast this morning, I am a witness for Jesus Christ because of my experience. Now I’ve been eating bananas all my life! But I’ve never questioned how they ripen before. I find many Christians in that same boat.

Today’s promise is from Isaiah. I can claim it for me… TODAY, even though Isaiah wrote it 3,000 years ago! He wrote a LOT of other things that would happen in the future. Things that ALREADY happened… 2,000 years ago! And they are PROOF that Jesus Christ is God! How?? because 3,000 years ago, Isaiah wrote about Jesus dying FOR ME, about 700 years later!

You want proof in order to witness to YOUR people? Then take the time to look up, and mark these scriptures in Isaiah, share them with your skeptical ones and ask them, who do YOU think this is talking about? Isaiah 49:15-16, 50:4-10, 52:13 through all of chapter 53! Those are but a FEW of the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Now that you know, will YOU go be a witness?!

Can YOU witness that, because of placing your hope in Jesus Christ, over time and through difficulties, that today’s verse is true? If not, you might want to simply chill and give Him some more time! God IS working for your good (Romans 8:28).  And you are MUCH more valuable than a banana! Yes, YOU are BEING KEPT and WILL be placed in Glory, in time!

“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.'” Daniel 2:27-28a

Surfing through my Bible and focusing on Daniel brought back old feelings and remembrances, along with some new ones. Reflecting on what I read, I am asking myself, “Do I honestly like the way God does things!” Before you become outraged, I’m willing to bet that Daniel, and maybe YOU, aren’t either! Please allow me to explain.

I LOVE God. But ‘His ways (can be) past finding out’ (Romans 11:33). Talking with a friend last night we were discussing just ‘what the heck is going on in the story of OUR world?’ Though friends, we disagreed on fixes, but agreed that good People are emotionally exhausted over the increasing evil around us. Back to Daniel.

Daniel and his 3 friends were actually from the Royal Family of Judah (see Dan. 1:3). Though they proved to be more wise and handsome than a Valedictorian Quarterback, they didn’t seem to have much influence back home. Evil King Jehoiakim was responsible for bringing God’s Judgment and the subsequent Babylonian exile of Judah… seemingly without any warning from Dan and the boys.

Hadn’t they been praying? Had they been warning? Had they tried to influence at all? After being taken captive, tested and castrated, they were placed into a forced 3 year boot camp to ultimately become an influencing army as Nebuchadnezzar’s ‘Wise Guys!’ Yes I said ‘castrated!’ Maybe castration does something to motivate a fella’!

We talked about news and the USA, agreeing most parenting today needs to be back-graded. We remembered how some of us started warning parents to ‘get involved’ YEARS ago when the board made horrific decisions over our kids. But the majority of the public remained silent. Now, like Daniel, we find ourselves here! ALLOWING castration!

I have learned that God doesn’t simply ‘take out’ His enemies. He SEEMS to prefer to let them go on to dig deeper holes! AND to see if those who call Him God will DO THEIR part in His business. Unlike humans, He isn’t as immediately concerned about ‘castration-like’ abuse if His people aren’t! Which leaves me with a question… What is God Thinking?

“Do I honestly like the way God does things?” is probably not the right question! Looking at Daniel, I’m rethinking MY place in all this mess. Maybe MY question should be, “knowing what I know now, what does God expect ME (US)to DO about it!?” Will I (WE) OBEY Him? What do YOU think God wants us to DO?  Cuz unfortunately… they’re coming! 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

The guy with the beard is our son Clint. He is standing beside the Commanding Officer of a new, ready to be commissioned, Naval Destroyer. He is talking into his radio, giving commands to the tug boats to safely dock it in Tampa Bay. That 2 second picture was taken out of a 2 minute story on last night’s news. Harbor Pilot is what he DOES. But it’s NOT who he IS. Clint’s a God’s Guy.

Yeah, Yeah… I know… sounds like bragging and ‘Yes!’ I am proud. But the whole scene tells a MUCH bigger story than just docking a Navy ship. Because his GETTING there took over 40 YEARS of guidance, encouragement, study, trial and error, rebellion and valley walking… as God led him to live out today’s verse. But what he IS… is MUCH bigger and more valiant than what he DOES!

I am a proud father of 4 VERY exceptional children. Yes, I BEAM when I hear that Colt was invited to speak encouragement to members of the ‘Up and Comers Club.’ A group he is too old to join! My heart rejoices when Cori, a working mom, takes time out of her day to remodel our church. Or when Mommy Calah sends pictures of her kids laughing at play and learning to be Jesus’ kids!

But all those milestones are merely symbols of something MUCH greater going on. All those superhuman feats are only examples of what my kids DO. But it is NOT who they ARE! What they ALL ARE… is ‘Jesus’ People’ who belong to HIM! And if you look at today’s verse, it isn’t hard to see the connection between a 3000+ year old Verse, and the reality it brings for those who BE-live it!

Mike and Max on the Computer. Jason and Randy at teaching and JYC. Randy, Dan and Vic on Signs! And many others who, behind the scenes, take Jesus seriously enough to step up from DOING… to BEING! Doing can get old, tiring and make one want to quit. Many do. But BEING His is tougher. It’s a call to yield to the hard road, and lay aside YOUR stuff to take on Jesus’ load.

Discouragement, sorrow, temptation, exhaustion and worry, even though preached against by our Lord, are still very real. Valley walkers trust that soon there will be an exit path that will lead them out and UP to the TOP of the mountain. And that soon… The Master will lead us THERE! ‘BE-er’s walk on, knowing who’s they are, with a faith to be less concerned about what they DON’T see.

Are YOU His? Are you committed to follow Him even through the dark, lonely times? Does what you DO, reflect Whose you ARE? If so… your name and picture are already on display on His Heavenly refrigerator. Now go make Him proud by BEING what you are! 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18

The Event was a blast from the past! Yet it was all new! Holding remembrances of years gone by, it crackled with an even greater intensity than ever before. It was The Friday Night Football Game at Venice High School! And if you’d have been there, you would know WHY all those letters are capitalized! The excitement was fueled by reputation, hope, expectation and a ‘New Announcer!’

It was the Pre-Game, and the announcer had the crowd FIRED UP! Music was blaring, lights were flashing and the crowd was cheering as the Venice Indians were about to take the field! I was remembering what it was like when my sons played football and my daughters were cheerleaders on that very field. Now… My granddaughter was on the field as a Cheerleader. Then I saw it!

I really don’t know how I missed it as my first instinct. Maybe the past had taken over my mind, holding it captive. My oldest son was an ‘Indian’ Football Player, cutting the path for his siblings on that field. His brother was a starter on the first ‘State Champ’ team, while both sisters stood on the sidelines as VHS Cheerleaders. Remembering, my eyes must have drifted upward… then I saw God!

Look at the picture for yourself! While everyone was dressed in attire to reflect their team spirit, God’s Spirit invaded and out-shined everything else with a display all His own. Go ahead… use your hand to cover up the sky to see only the football field. It isn’t NEARLY as good… is it? There’s no doubt about it. Looking up and forward makes the past and present even better!

Today’s verse is the Old Testament version of an even more precise instruction in the New Testament:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Philippians 3:13-15

The new announcer was on fire, as we all found our ‘game spirit’ lifted by his encouraging remarks. Someone said He was the State Champ Coach for Girls Volleyball. Knowing who he was, I knew him ALSO to be a Believer! I thought, “VHS needs to sign him to a Football Announcing Contract before one of the TV Networks grabs him!” Then God reminded me. HIS job… is MY Job… for Jesus!

Too often I find myself looking back in the past, trying to remember the ‘good old days.’ Worse, I find myself dragged into the desperate conditions of the present when a news story comes across my radio to announce another horrible story. It takes determined words of encouragement from The Holy Spirit to remind me to LOOK UP AND FORWARD! Only THEN do I find real winning Joy!

Are YOU stuck in the past or depressed by the present? Then read The Word and put your eyes on Jesus! Let HIS work and will for your life remind you to be CHEER-FULL for the life that is ahead! And yes… just like you and Jesus… Venice WON!