“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

It’s dry again! The Bird Bath. Lately I’ve noticed it goes dry every day. I’ll go out and fill it with water. But before the end of the day, it’s dry again. I don’t really have to look at the water level to determine its status. Because there are simply no birds! When the water is there, so are the birds. Fact! Thirsty birds go where there is water… to satisfy their thirst!

We’ve had that bird bath for a long time. It was a plain old thing when we got it. But Katie didn’t want plain. So taking parts of broken cups and bowls she had been collecting, she decorated it to look pretty. When done, my job became maintenance. Over time, mold, algae and the sealer deteriorate to make it impossible to hold water. Now… it’s fix time!

I don’t HAVE to do ANYTHING. We live in Florida… a tropical forest. Birds are everywhere! I don’t NEED them to come visit the side of my house, and there is no law that says it’s my job to provide them water. They don’t really need me to provide water, since God does that in many ways. But birds bring joy to my wife when they come. And she… brings joy to me!

Righteousness, like birdy visits, are not a requirement for living on this planet. But The One who created us all, created us FOR His righteousness. We were made for Him and His pleasure. This is HIS Garden and I am here for His purposes. I can come and take advantage of all the goodness He has to offer, and be completely satisfied. Or I can do my own thing!

But doing my own thing is highly overrated! What little temporary ‘happy fix’ I might receive is NOTHING compared to what HE has to offer. And even if fully received HERE and NOW, His Glory is only a GLIMPSE of what He has to offer into eternity. So this ‘bird bath life’ I live is more like a little ‘show up’ test. Do I WANT what He has to offer? Or will I flit on by?

What about YOU? Do YOU really THIRST of Jesus and his Righteousness? Do you sing His praises when He fills you? What is it you want to quench your thirst?

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

“THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!” was all I could say! I can’t tell you to whom I said it. And I can’t tell you why. To do so might cause complications for their act of kindness. And that could be a problem. I have learned the statement is true, ‘No good deed goes unpunished!’ But I was blown away by the kindness of someone who didn’t HAVE to do what she did!

Her kindness, plus an added fluke along the way, caused the professional blessing she was giving me to expand into even more time and effort. And I knew it. Embarrassed, I thanked her again, as we talked about Jesus. I smiled because MOST things done with and through Jesus, cost more than originally expected. That’s just like a rule with Him. But that’s OK.

‘The extra effort’ isn’t in any clause of Jesus’ verbal contract with me. It just IS. In thinking about it, I really can’t see any other way to determine if my action to love, help or serve… is truly out of selflessness and love for ‘The Master.’ Helping someone load a TV into a car takes me away from my own, causing me to show compassion, and have a conversation first!

But Jesus is watching. More so than Santa! Jesus REALLY DOES have a list, and He checks it, not just twice… but REGULARLY! I gladly received His sacrifice of death and New Life, and committed my nasty life to Him in return. It was the LEAST I could do. Now, He expects ME to lay down MY life… for HIM. I’m how HE reaches others! So either I serve Him… or I don’t!

Each day finds me with options that can be divided into only 2 categories. Do I live for myself, doing what ‘I’ want?’ Or do I do what ‘HE’ wants me to do. I must be sincere! Because He lives in my heart, He can see my motivations VERY clearly and cannot be fooled. What about YOU? Are YOU, right now… doing what Jesus is wanting and expecting from you? Honestly?

Dear Child of God… you MAY want to read today’s verse again… a few times!

“Therefore (you) put on the full armor of God, so that when (not if) the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

“It’s OK! It’s OK!” Those were the words my granddaughter hollered out onto the basketball court to her sister (also my granddaughter), after she just missed a file shot in a brutal game that looked more like a wrestling match than basketball! I asked Bailey, “What do you mean it’s OK… SHE MISSED the goal!?” She responded, “I’m just trying to encourage her!”

Last night, on Monday night football, the LA Rams wore shirts and hats that read “LAFD.” the talk was all about the first responders and their heroism in fighting the apocalyptic fires in LA County. The backstory praised their effort to control the fire to limit the horrific loss. It was the NFL screaming out… “It’s OK! It’s OK!” My gut reaction was… ‘No, it’s not!’

We’ve all now heard the truth of the politics, waste, mismanagement and inaction that led to this catastrophic disaster. It’s far from over, but the spin of deflecting blame and responsibility is just getting started! I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of hearing spin. But what am ‘I’ supposed to do? Well, The Bible, today’s verse… is completely clear!

Please note the underline marks in the verse above. I put them there for me. If they help YOU… so much the better. They point out to me that Jesus is NOT going to tolerate my excuses, or swallow my spins on failure. Especially after He’d pointed out, and deliberately TOLD me what His expectations were from my life. Jesus doesn’t give out ‘nice try’ medals!

God is constantly trying to tell me something. Whether I listen and obey, or not, is MY choice. I’ve been around long enough to know that when God tells me what He wants, and I agree to do something about what He says, I WILL be held accountable for the results. Where do You stand on spin?

What is God trying to tell YOU… and are YOU doing what He says? When you see evil, failure, greed, spin and lies, should you keep quiet or point it out? What kind of difference might YOU make by standing up for Jesus to ‘The Spin?’

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

I had finally gotten around to cleaning off my desk. Now, as I sat there, I could at least SEE the desktop, which honestly made me a little proud! Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to some stuff I had stacked upright at the BACK of the desk. If the stuff on the top had been my ‘GET TO’ pile, THIS area had become my ‘DON’T EVER FORGET’ collection. As I gazed at one particular envelope, something in the back of my mind sent an alarm to the front… and I freaked!!!

I held in my hand a bill that was SUPPOSED to have been paid a MONTH ago! In the 30 years I have lived in this house it only happened 2 other times. Once, we came home to no electricity. Another time… no water! BOTH times I felt like a fool trying to EXPLAIN myself to the people in charge of collections. Even as I tried to excuse my failure over the phone, I could sense them rolling their eyes and thinking, “yea, yea Mr. Loser… I’ve heard that one before!” Regardless of the excuse, I had become an ‘infractor!’

I clearly remembered paying this month’s bills WEEKS ago. But for some reason I had ‘held off’ on this one. OOPS! And SILLY! Because with online banking, paying bills in 2025 is rather simple. When the bill comes, I can easily ‘log on’ to my account, enter the amount and hit ‘Pay!’ I can do it from my phone, and for MOST accounts, I can even set up ‘Auto-pay’ so I don’t have to SEE a bill to worry about forgetting. Then my thoughts turned to goats!

In the Old Testament, payment for sin came like my utility bills… varying and often! One sin may require the blood of a dove… another a goat… or even a bull! One thing was for certain, no matter how much blood you paid, you were guaranteed MORE would be required… and SOON! My silly mind tried to figure out how the Israelites might have worked out ‘Auto-pay’ for goat sacrifices… which became too gruesome… even for me! Then I thought of Jesus!

When Jesus Christ died on the cross over 2000 years ago He “Paid In Full” ALL of my debts! Past, present and future! Which takes ‘Auto-pay’ to a whole new level! Did you get that? Jesus paid ‘ALL of my debts,’ except ONE! As I wrote that, my head dropped in sorrow because, ‘loving YOU’ is an outstanding debt that I too often forget to pay! But as quickly as sorrow came… it went! Because my loving Lord assured me that there will be NO ‘Past Due’ notice with this debt. 

His love to me, and THROUGH me will NEVER be shut off! It’s as if He hands me His credit Card and says… “Let me help you with this!” And friends… that is one card you NEVER want to ‘leave home without!’  So… what do YOU owe?

“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

My smile could NOT have gotten bigger, nor could the love and appreciation I felt toward God! After not feeling very well, I was headed out to a doctor appointment. Running a little behind, I had spent some quiet time doing research for Sunday’s service. A link opened to a full concert… then to 1 song. Listening to the song, I was drawn back in time… remembering.

Heading out onto US 41, I noticed a turkey buzzard flying in the air. A usual sight. Buzzards have a tendency to flock together like family, just for a sense of community. When they do, it’s called a ‘harem.’ Shortly after seeing that buzzard, another flew directly toward me.  When the sun caught its wings I noticed it was a Bald Eagle. It then flew directly above me, then circled!

My immediate reaction was to not only smile.. but to SHOUT OUT thanks and praise to God for His glorious gift! This is NOT Biblical! But it Is… personal. Over the seasons of my life, God has used Eagles and Rainbows as personal hugs to me. Sometimes when I have followed through on tough assignments, or after being down… and sometimes for no other reason than His Love.

In the words of a song, “this is my God, this is who He is… He LOVES us (me). Many years ago, back when all there was to sing were hymns out of a hymnbook at church, God took the time to reveal Himself and call ME. I have NEVER regretted saying ‘yes!’ Over time, He has taken me though many mountain tops… and valleys… sometimes with eagles and rainbows along the way!

I’ve learned that God doesn’t call GROUPS to Himself. He births each and every Believer, personally and individually. Each one of us has OUR story. Where I may see an Eagle, you may see a sunset.. or whatever! But God is PERSONAL. Our relationships to Him are like fingerprints… still a finger.. but uniquely personal. Like an appreciated hug from a father.

I don’t know what God does for you at special times. But He does it. Those touches may come often, or they can be rare. But He stamps His name on my heart when He chooses. So… what does He do for YOU? How are you searching for and growing closer to know? Are you pursuing Him as much as He pursues you? Why not spend some special time with Him today and start to discover?

Here’s a good song we just sang Sunday. May it bless you as much as it did me…  i’m feeling better today! 🙂

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

“Uh Oh!” I knew I was in trouble when the response to my password AGAIN came back, ‘Password not found!” But I had a backup plan. I have a special place where I store those passwords to protect me from… ME! Going to my hideout, I looked it up, typed it in and… “Password not found!” “WHOA BOY! What do I do NOW?” Then… I thought about Heaven!

For just an instant, in the back of my mind, the scenario of standing before God came into view. What if this same response came from those managing the Pearly Gates? Dare I try a few more passwords to hopefully stumble onto the right one? If those didn’t work, could I demand to see a supervisor who might have some ‘pull’ with The Big Guy? Then… I smiled.

In reading and discovering polling answers from people, when asked what they believe and where they will spend eternity, it is sad to see that the VAST majority, upwards to 90% of them, cannot tell for sure where they will go when they die! When pressed on the matter, the common response is to offer guesses or excuses. But could that ever work for God?

I thank God that I KNOW for CERTAIN where I will go when I die. No “if’s, and’s or but’s.” And there will not be any need for guessing either! I know the password EXACTLY. It is the #1 Priority of my life. I get great peace and solace from knowing that MY name is written in ‘God’s Eternal Book Of Life.’ What about YOU? Is YOUR name there? Are YOU CERTAIN?

“Do your best (Study) to present yourself to God as one approved, a WORKer who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles (applies) the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

The parts are lying in a box… the box is beside the back door. It’s been there for about 2 weeks now. I have had every intention of ‘getting to it,’ but haven’t! The parts are for my swimming pool where there’s a valve that’s needed attention for a long time. Motivated about a month ago, I called the company’s name on the part and was totally shocked!

We’ve lived in this house for 36 years now, and the pool valve was here when I bought the place. It’s been working… kinda… but it leaks. The company rep told me, “that valve has a lifetime warranty.” My question back was, “who’s lifetime?” He said, “the valve’s.” So he sent me parts… FREE! They’re sitting by the back door. I’m not swimming now… so… why rush?

Priorities! The house and the pool are mine so, it’s really up to ME as to whether it gets fixed, and by whom and when… or not! But hey… I’m in no rush! The water’s cold and I’m not jumping in anytime soon so… no play… no work. Which is kind of the opposite of what today’s Bible verse has to say about my King’s thoughts on my priorities. He wants workers!

This has been the single most difficult part of my job as pastor. My mentor was my dad. And while I didn’t get started as a child, the process of reading and studying my Bible did finally kick in gear when life started to get rough at about 19 years old. I’ve been going ever since. Finding myself in a field of people in rough stuff, I try to pass on this most important lesson.

The King James says ‘STUDY’ to show yourself approved by God… a WORKMAN! It doesn’t say, “put off stuff and have fun like a Playboy!” Life indeed has problems. After all, this life is WAR! But the mentality and effort required to fight a war is different than just simply playing around and enjoying life! In fact, ‘enjoying life’ is not really God’s goal for me. It’s this verse!

I do not belong to me and do not have the right to set my own priorities, Since I traded lives with Jesus, I’m His… He’s mine. HE has the right to tell me what, when, and how to do EVERYTHING. LETTING Him is another matter. But that doesn’t change the rules. God wants me to focus, read, study and apply His Word to my life. Are you leakin’, playin’, or Workin’? 

“…they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Isaiah 66:3b-4

“Baby it’s cold outside,” isn’t just a song. Right now, in Florida, it’s gearing up for chilly future reality, and we’ve gotten a taste. The weather forecast calls for temperatures to drop to the 40’s around here, a ‘thing’ we Floridians do not appreciate! Thankfully, smart people before me invented ways to make the uncomfortable… comfortable!

Our living room holds a piece of furniture that looks nice all year round. It’s an electric, simulated fireplace that is there ‘for show!’ In summer, we can turn it on and choose from a variety of flames and simulations to make the room look cozy and comfy. When it gets cold, the press of a button produces electric heat to warm the room. AHHHH!

But a tricky situation arises when that button is pressed for heat. Katie and I have differing comfort levels that can change. Sometimes she gets too hot, other times I do. We each have to DECIDE what to do about our individual conditions. Adding or subtracting a blanket or sweater can help us accommodate each other’s likes.

Today’s verse takes us to the prophetic ‘end times’ where things get hot real fast! Jesus is very clear when it comes to sin, HE does NOT accommodate HIS likes… to OURS. His is 100% ‘MY way or the BYE-way.’ End time judgment will sweep away those who like doing things ‘their own evil way!’ And Jesus has control of the furnace!

Every day brings challenges, choices, opportunities and even temptations to do things that please Jesus and can make us comfy. But some things He can’t stand! MY choice is to either accommodate my ways to His… or suffer His displeasure or judgment. It is MY job to simply keep my fingers off ‘The Hot Button!’ 

Now what about YOU? Do YOUR choices ‘displease Jesus?’

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2

“Honey, would you ring my phone? I can’t seem to find it!” She did… but it didn’t help! The phone MAY have rung, but the sound was not being heard by my ears. It wasn’t until later, when I found the phone outside on a table, that I understood WHY I couldn’t hear it. It rang where I wasn’t! Sender and receiver weren’t able to communicate! It’s been like that awhile!

The Christmas Season is always a favorite. With lots to do, there’s also lots to enjoy. Unfortunately this year, several viruses had settled in among the festivities, making my season NOT so sunny and bright! With congestion and fatigue, my get up and go… got up and went! Being so earthly and physically minded, I became no heavenly or spiritually good!

There is not a person in this world I have ever met who enjoyed being sick! Sickness is simply not normal! EVERYTHING in my being cried out that the sick state I’m in, is NOT the way life is SUPPOSED to BE! Then I got grumpy! After being grumpy for so long, I realized that, like sickness, grumpy didn’t provide any relief either! Then I did something stupid!

It was a rough day and night. I couldn’t breath, and I knew I had to get up early to preach. Suddenly it just came out… and I grumped at God! I won’t say what I said… but it definitely got HIS attention! Because… unlike the ring of my phone… HE HEARD ME! There seemed to come some heavenly lightning bolt that split the spiritual and the earthly. Then I heard HIM!

There’s an old saying, “he’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good.” I’ve never had that problem! But I HAVE been ‘so earthly minded that I was no HEAVENLY good.’ Finding myself disconnected with God… I rang His phone REALLY loud! But thank God for Grace! It seems… He’d been trying to reach ME all along! Are YOU regularly connected with God? He’s trying to reach you!