“For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:28

Today we vote!  That means YOU!

You get in your mode of transportation, get to the voting booth and cast your vote for the people and positions that are most God like.  By now you have done your research and know what & who that is.

Then I ask you to PRAY!  HARD for this exceptional country founded on God’s Word.  She needs a Holy boost and it is YOUR turn to see to it that she gets it!

Sand Up For Jesus Christ!

Love in Him

K.C.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

Getting into my attic is a process much like opening a combination lock. Every step has to be done – in order. So when I had to get something from up there, I got started and followed the process from memory. Get ladder, lean it against the refrigerator, walk up 2 steps to unlatch and open hinged door, climb down, move ladder and re-position, climb up, climb down and reverse process! I was at the ‘re-position’ step when I got into trouble!

I was in a hurry when I set the ladder. Since I could see what I wanted.. right there at the edge of the attic… I knew I didn’t need to climb ALL the way up, only about 4 steps was needed. When I hit the 3rd step, the ladder started to shuffle. I stopped! Like an automatic reflex, my memory engaged as I ‘remembered’ the time I DIDN’T stop… and ended up on the floor! Accidents like that are excellent teachers. I got down, re-positioned the ladder so it was sturdy on its foundation and then proceeded.

The Bible verse today has a puzzle within itself. The name that Jesus used, ‘Peter’ sounds similar to the word ‘stone.’ If this verse is read out of order or context, it SOUNDS like Jesus is saying that ‘Peter’ is the foundation stone upon which Jesus will build His Church! Being part of ‘The Church,’ and given Peter’s unreliability toward most things reasonable, it makes me nervous that ‘open mouth insert foot’ PETER would become THE foundation for Christ’s Bride.

The Bible tells us that ‘The Church’ would be built upon Himself… He being the Chief Cornerstone and the FOUNDATION of her existence. Therefore, the verse could be read like this; “You are Peter (a little stone) but upon ME (The BIG Rock) I will build my church (see Corinthians 3:11). I love that! Christ clearly affirms that HE is the firm foundation upon which I must place my little, rocky life. And that only HE can hold me up.

I have had a LOT of accidents along the way of life. Like Peter, I can get into trouble without even trying. But I have a rather LARGE MEMORY BANK that continues to grow. It affirms and reminds me that the best thing I can do, when running through my life unbalanced, is to turn my stony life over to Jesus Christ and re-position my center upon HIM. He promises that if I do, that I WON’T fall, or that He will ultimately ‘catch me’ if I do!

“Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.” Psalm 119:53 ESV

Setting at the red light behind a ‘snowbird,’ I was growing indignant. ‘The bird’ was paying more attention to a cell phone than to the traffic. She could have clearly gone right on red, but blocked traffic by breaking the law our cell phone use. When she pulled out… slowly, The big diesel truck from behind cut me off on the left, belching smoke while giving ‘the bird’… the bird! I experienced… ‘Hot indignation!’

Indignation is a fancy word. It means feeling or showing anger, or annoyance, at what is perceived as considered illegal, unjust, offensive or insulting. From a Christian standpoint, may I suggest that there is simply not enough of it going around these days?! Are you shocked… Literally? Then you may get my point!

EVERY human alive knows what is right and what is wrong. It is in our Conscience. God expects, at the very least, that we DO what is right and NOT DO what we know is wrong. Welcome to the 21^st Century where ‘the individual’ is king and where ‘absolute Truth’ is considered offensive!

In the above scenario, I was indignant that a foreign human would willfully and illegally block traffic. I became MORE indignant as the guy behind me blocked my way because of his indigence. I am even MORE indignant now…because 20 minutes ago my computer crashed and I have to retype half of this message!

Does what breaks God’s heart break yours? Are you nauseated at your own willful and God insulting wrongs, and do you seek to do HIS will for restoration? Because if my own sin doesn’t offend me, I really have no way to accurately become indignant at societies ills. God fixes the ‘man’ before He can fix the ‘nation!’

We are living in an age ripe for the trappings of a tyrant. It could be the beginning of the end, as so many people fight for control of what societies norms should be. But before I can righteously sort out the externals, I must start with my own internals. And it starts with an inward look and an upward prayer… “Lord… show me YOUR way.” Which is EXACTLY what Psalm 119 is all about!

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Matthew 20:25-26

Yesterday I discovered what it must be like to be the woman of the house! Now that I have your attention!!

Last week, in lieu of a Memorial Service where there would be many visitors, I felt the urge to wax the church floor. As Pastor, that is not typically in my job description. But I am not that kind of pastor. When Jesus wants the floor waxed and He tells ME… I know He MEANS ME! So I set to work. Not for MY glory or image, but His. That was until last night!

When I walked into the Church before Bible Study last night, I was appalled! The floors were an absolute MESS, as sticky spots competed with ground in food stains. I made a comment to my wife, who reminded me that we had about 50 people eating in that room after the service on Sunday! Strangely, I had forgotten… but now it made sense. Then I thought, “BUT WHAT ABOUT MY NICE SHINY FLOOR!!!!” It was then that the Holy Spirit interrupted…. “WHO’S FLOOR?”

I picked clip art that some will find offensive. It is of an old, black, unhappy, servant woman mopping a floor. Pretty stereotypical huh? A long time ago that was the picture of reality. Age, race, attitude and position were just the norm for that particular task. As society changed, we learned to NOT make mention of ANY of those stereotypes, lest we be labeled something unacceptable in return. BUT.. it still does not settle the need of the day. If everybody is trying to raise their image, WHO is going to clean God’s floor?

The simple definition of the word ‘deacon’ is table waiter. Elders are typically placed above the deacons in ruling authority in a church. Too often, I believe, elders can forget that to become an elder, they FIRST must learn to SERVE! Any upward position from there requires an increased servants heart. Dying to self is a difficult, but necessary, daily requirement.

I deliberately picked and placed the 2^nd picture for a reason. It is a picture of what Jesus wants to see in me as I serve Him and His. He demands a child-like, joyous spirit of service and sacrifice in every task He lays before me… no matter how small or mundane. It takes a lot of effort to lower myself to His elevation!

The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” I am SO glad and HONORED that He chose ME to serve HIM. If He wants me to weed His Garden, I am required, and will, do it with a smile. And I am reminded to clean HIS floor as efficiently and beauteous as if HE was coming to visit. Because, as I was just reminded…He is!