“Take away the stone,” Jesus John 11:39

While on vacation my refrigerator broke. Then a few days ago, while cutting the grass, the lawnmower broke. I used it to write a story about my ‘self-propulsion problem,’ then forced the thing to a spot on my porch! It was broken, so it didn’t deserve a place in the garage out of the rain! For days my mind grappled with the ugly reality that I would have to spend $3-400 for a new mower. Something I did NOT want to do! Last night I had an epiphany! “Why not try to FIX it?!”

Out of necessity, I have learned to be handy. When the mower broke LAST year, I ended up rebuilding the whole front end. It was a long and tedious project that I did NOT want to repeat. Throwing the thing away seemed a better ‘long term’ option. The pain of the COST is what held me back. Until I remembered YouTube!

Whatever did we do before ‘ YouTube?” I mean, even as I wrote that word, the word processor highlighted it as misspelled! Clicking on it showed that the ‘T’ in ‘tube’ is supposed to be capitalized! ‘YouTube’ is now an official word in the dictionary! I have fixed all kinds of things by watching a YouTube video. I had doubted a ‘self propelled lawnmower repair’ video was there, but was surprised to find SEVERAL! I got downright giddy!

The best video was the first one. A guy actually recorded himself saying, “I am not very handy but wanted to see if I could fix this myself!” My kind of guy! I watched, got some clues, got my tools, propped my lawnmower up on a cement block and got started. MY problem could have been even MORE serious than HIS. He had an ‘easy access’ door to the gear housing. MINE would require a major overhaul! So I started with the simplest thing first. Removing the front wheel I found a nail had locked up the whole works. 2 minutes and $400 richer, she was running like a top! Or… a MOWER!

I have been broken for a while now. It would not be right to not tell about it. The Joy of Jesus, the Power of His Presence and the Cause of His Call have been eluding me for a while. Problems and people have just gotten me stuck to a point where I just didn’t want to ‘GO’ anymore. Looking over my journal, if I can call it that, I see that God has been sitting back waiting for me to freeze up! And then I did!

What a blessing it is to know Jesus. I should have remembered that He runs the biggest repair shop in the universe. I’ve successfully come out of it many times before. But somehow, my life just kind of took on a life of its own. Running ahead I found myself running behind… then broken down…going ‘no where!’ What was a ‘BIG DEAL’ to ME… was nothing more than a ‘quick and gentle fix’ for Him. I had forgotten!

When seemingly ‘nothing’ is happening for SO LONG… it is easy to do the human thing and MAKE it happen! ‘DO something’ became the goal. But I have never been good at inventing things that work well. And God is NOT in the Kool-Aid (oops.. capital ‘A’) business! AGAIN I have learned that He will NOT honor something DONE in His Name if it wasn’t first BORN from His heart! Somewhere along the line I had reversed the order and expected Jesus to ‘Follow ME!” He never does!

I rejoice that my God is in the repair and ‘stone’ removal business! Even when I don’t deserve it! ‘What a Savior!”

“May the favor[beauty] of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

his face is on a dime.

You can count a pile of them

10 at a time!

It is called ‘The Dime Song.’ I know this because my wife composed it. And you ought to hear the tune because, it’s quite catchy! Especially when she sings it while playing the ukulele! Though you may have never heard it before, that song is a big hit with her crowd! You see, she is a pre-school teacher. Her audience is composed of well…PRE-schoolers. My wife is COOL!

Years ago she mentioned she might like to take up an instrument. Being rather quirky, she was asked “which one?” When she mentioned the ukulele out loud, our son bought her a nice one. She quickly mastered about 5 chords and set out to become an entertainer! Though she is no Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, her legend is growing.

There are entertainers, speakers and comedians who work hard for YEARS to be able to capture and hold their audience’s attention. Katie has mastered the technique with 2 unique natural qualities. 1. She loves kids and 2. She loves to teach. Combining those 2 loves, there is NOTHING that she can’t use to creatively press knowledge into a child’s brain! A ukulele is just 1 of many mastered tools in her hands. ‘The Dime Song’ and ‘A nickle is Worth 5 Cents,” are songs to teach kids about money values. Because they are quirky, they work! And God uses her… MIGHTILY!

The Bible verse today is her favorite. Every single Believer in Jesus Christ has been given the gift of ABUNDANT Grace and Eternal Life. The gift ALSO comes with a call…”Go and tell others about what YOU have received!” And while Christendom is FILLED with people FILLED with what God has to offer, most people don’t willingly set out to fulFILL the Great Commission call! This verse promises us that if we were to do a simple honest survey of our hearts, ANYONE can find a quality or 2 that God can energize and use for His Purpose! If we would only offer them!

People need Jesus. Little people, big people, rich people, poor people, witchy people and itchy people alike! NO one has been created who is not meant to be a container for the Joy of God. God’s way is simple… He gives to us.. and simply wants us to pass it on! How easy should THAT be? ANY effort will be blessed and used by God for HIS Glory. When you combine what YOU love with HIS love, you are GUARANTEED to be FAMOUS… to HIM!

The other day she was practicing when I just smiled, rolled my eyes and shook my head! “Yer crazy,” I said! She went to school and told her fans what I said! They responded… “We LOVE you miss Katie, You’re so COOL! Now put on your sunglasses and play ‘The Dime Song’ for us!” Now how can I POSSIBLY compete with someone so famous? Well THAT… my friends, is the EXACT same question GOD asks of ALL of us!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5

I was invited to attend a Pastor’s training conference with a friend of mine… which STILL makes me giggle inside. I mean… who am ‘I’ that I should be picked by God to do ANYTHING for Him. I gladly accepted and we headed on to the event. Arriving, we were seated at the ‘speakers table’ directly in front of the podium. I didn’t immediately grasp what that meant, but took the seat pointed out for me. Then… I recognized the movie star across from me and REALLY felt out of place!

When someone from a national ministry began to set at our table saying, ‘I think I’m supposed to sit here,’ I thought nothing of it. “Welcome!” I said. But when she was told she had to move elsewhere I became embarrassed and replied, “you can have MY seat… I’m not sure ‘I’M’ supposed to be here!” The director then asked me, ”Are you here with Kevin?” When I said “Yes,” He factually stated… “Then THAT is YOUR seat!” I stayed right were I was, as ordered!

I can be a slob and my manners can slip to hillbilly level (no offense to hillbillies). But I HAVE been TAUGHT manners and KNEW what I was SUPPOSED to do in a setting like that. I placed my napkin in my lap, ate carefully and paid attention with my body language so as not to offend. Mid-speech, I had an itch to go get more shrimp before the line closed! But I KNEW not to stand up because that action would take the eyes of the room off the speaker and place them on ME! I SAT CAREFULLY, in fear that someone might focus their attention on me instead of the messenger’s message! And THAT is EXACTLY what I was SUPPOSED to do.

If you are reading this, YOU sat right there with me! If you have ANY part in this church, then YOU were right there WITH me. What ‘I’ did… YOU did! Because you are associated with me. LOTS of churches had been invited. But the number of attendees was much lower than the invites. That ‘I’ was there, was an honor. My friend, being more important than even ‘I’ had thought, was there for the same reason ‘You and I’ were! God EXPECTS something from us. It is apparent He has faith that we will DO what He will ask!

The world is becoming more and more hostile to Jesus Christ. Our ‘Good News’ message is increasingly perceived as hostile and unwelcome. But His call does not change. Our churches, communities and Nation are setting on a dangerous ‘’fault line.’ And the earth is rumbling! Being picked out from the masses, set at a table before the enemy and anointed by the King Himself MIGHT produce arrogance in some. But if you know that Master like I do… YOU and I are not called to be the focus! We are called to pay attention to what is coming from our Host!

The King is choosing us for action. But even if, like me, you feel yourself an ugly duckling among the swans… my advice is to “sit down.. shut up.. and pay attention! Because it is about to get interesting! WE are being invited to the King’s Table…for a REASON!

“You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.” Psalm 119:73 NLT

I have a self-propulsion problem! I was cutting my lawn and got 90% of it done. This is the point where I can sense the finish line. It’s hot and I’m soaked in sweat but… ‘I’m almost done!’ Then, my self propelled lawnmower decided differently… and froze! The engine was running like a top! But the wheels refused to turn! After numerous attempts to get it to work, then KICKING at it… I shut it down and quit.

My last lawnmower pulled this ‘not propelling’ thing too. I had ordered parts and tried to fix it. But it was only temporary. When the ‘self-propulsion’ system failed again I could at least ‘push it’ the old fashioned way. Eventually I just got tired and bought a new one. This model and breakdown is different. The wheels are ‘locked’ and I can’t even PUSH it! It is useless to me.

Speaking to a church member who was going in for serious surgery, I sat down in the empty chair between him and a man awaiting admittance for a hip replacement. We all chatted and joked. Jokes are a good distraction when facing serious stuff. When my guy went into pre-op, I went in with him. Once inside, we got serious in the Word and I prayed… HARD! I could tell that my guy’s motor was running just fine. When leaving, I found the other guy still sitting in the waiting room. So I took a seat beside him… again.

When facing surgery, EVERYONE gets nervous. Having joked before, I just did what I usually do and asked my inevitable question… “So… are you a Jesus guy?” That is a direct and ‘to the point’ question intended to find out what propels someone. His smile faded into a quizzical expression as he said, “I believe in a higher power.” I probed again, “But do you know His NAME?” His face continued downward into a scowl as he replied… “Don’t gimmie that crap… I’m good!” My diagnosis was… he had a self-propulsion’ problem!

When my lawnmower quit running, it would have been great to have its designer standing right there beside me. No doubt, he could have told me what and why HIS mower froze. He could have quickly fixed the problem because, being the designer, he would know what parts had failed. He would NOT have appreciated me pushing and kicking the thing to try to get it moving! But I was alone!

I am designed BY and belong TO… All-mighty God! I was NEVER created to be self-propelled! My inner workings are intricate and complex and it does not take much for me to ‘freeze up’ and stop. It DOES take going to my designer and placing my trouble into HIS hands for diagnosis and repair. My designer requires MY cooperation! Lord.. PLEASE give me the ‘SENSE’ to read and follow your command when I freeze. I do NOT want to be self-propelled.

What propels YOU?

“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:8

“Catch that chicken and you win an egg!” For the second time this summer I found myself at a farm. In comparison, BOTH places had animals and barns, but this one was very different. It was a ranch set up to farm FUN not food! The occasion was a celebration party for 2 of my grandkids with birth dates in August. Even though the weather was hot, most didn’t notice much.

Games and activities were centered around the goal of making kids HAPPY. Chasing and catching chickens was a big highlight. There were separate pens for petting bunnies, riding horses and painting ponies! A barn with picnic tables and fans was set up for eating cake while horses looked on. A separate building was used as an air conditioned disco where we all ended the celebration with ‘The Chicken Dance!’ It was a blast! Then I made an offensive statement to the owner!

Though I know a little bit about farming, I am not a farmer. Hearing a noise behind me I turned to face a big, fat miniature hog! He was so fat, his stomach dragged the ground when he walked! Turning to the owner, I simply said “that one looks ready for bacon!” The look on his face was all I needed to see to know I had committed the Fun Farm faux pas! “We don’t eat our animals,” was his reply! Then silence!

I have friends that are farmers. In fact, their sons just took their steers, which they have lovingly raised all year, to the fair. They were washed, leashed and then paraded before a crowd of on-lookers who bid to buy them based upon comments like, “THIS Angus will produce some GREAT tasting steaks!” NO one was offended! Not even the boys who owned them. What was the difference? Very simply… goals!

EVERY believer who trusts Jesus Christ for salvation is called to devote themselves to ‘doing good.’ Things that are ‘excellent and profitable’ in “GOD’S” eyes. That means we are called to talk, teach, preach and model the things that are important to God. ALL of us are called to let the world know the Good News of Salvation in Christ and to teach Godly living. It IS possible that some of us can be called good, even when we aren’t doing the serious work of our master.

What are YOU farming and for whom?

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

There are 2 lamps in the house that are only used by me. One is in my office and the other is beside my bed. The odds of both of those lights going out at the same time are extremely low. So I was shocked this week when they actually DID! And silly me… I KEPT getting shocked all week!

When the lights went out I didn’t immediately change the bulbs… since I didn’t need the light from those bulbs in the daytime AND I had another light overhead I could use. But that didn’t stop me from naturally hitting the switch when I walked into the room. But each time I automatically hit the switch, my mental response was the same… “HUH??? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE LIGHT?” Then I’d laugh at myself! But some things aren’t always funny!

Some of the most telling conversations I have are those that have never taken place! When I try to call, visit, email or text someone, my general and automatic instinct is to get a response. I mean it is only common courtesy to respond to a request, one way or the other… right? I often forget that in my role as a pastor, and if I am doing my job, I should EXPECT to get ‘nothin’ much of the time!

Jesus Christ is offensive! That is a FACT! He said of Himself, “I am THE WAY… THE TRUTH… and THE LIFE!” Then He added that without HIM, NO one has gets even a FLICKER of heaven! If someone is relying on their OWN way, truth and life’s direction, their natural reaction to Jesus Christ is NOT going to be instantly favorable. When I send or leave a message, I generally expect a response. Silly me!

Isaiah 41 finds God in a mock argument with Israel. WAY back in the beginning of the Bible God lays out promises and warnings. In essence He said, ‘follow me and all will be well. If you don’t… it won’t!’ Israel not only failed to follow, they went as far as manufacturing their own ‘hand-made’ idols. In verse 22 God invites those idols to ‘speak up’ and ‘tell us what is going to happen!’ All He got was silence! Which should NOT be a shock!

EVERYBODY trusts their lives to SOMETHING! Whether knowing or unknowingly, that SOMETHING will either work… or it won’t! One would think that after flipping a switch and getting no result for such a long time, that they would finally ‘see the light’ and switch to something that WILL. But alas… we are silly creatures.

The sin that chains one to Hell can ONLY be broken HERE by Jesus Christ. When the light of one’s life goes out, what was trusted HERE will either save, or condemn. The result will either be True Light.. or darkness. Jesus advises we look CLOSELY at what we trust. Then He repeats the promise AGAIN, to encouraging everyone to switch to Him for TRUE Light and Life… “I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Is YOUR light broken?

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

All women like candles. I like candles. Therefore, I am a woman! The combination of these statements are an example of an illogical statement with a false conclusion. One tipping point lies in the word ‘all!’ All ladies do NOT like candles. Furthermore, making a dogmatic statement applicable to a particular group does not ALWAYS apply. Sometimes the logic stinks!

Most of our folks at church like smelly candles. Their glow and scent can provide a welcome, cozy feel. But yesterday I felt a little silly at the candle place, talking scents, with the sales gal. She was describing combinations of various smells in terms foreign to me. “‘Hawaiian Christmas’ carries the softness of pine with the warmth of tropical fruit!’” All I could say was, “uh…I’ll take one!” Which MAY become contrary to my mission! Let me explain.

Visiting my daughter 2 days before was what prompted my visit to the candle store. Someone had given her a candle that, when lighted, gave her a headache! She doesn’t want a headache… so she gave the candle to ME! Well, not to ME… to my wife THROUGH me. It was hers, now it was mine, I gave it to my wife… with an addendum! “Don’t get TOO thrilled… this one MAY give me a headache!” An hour later I asked her to please blow it out. Her response? “I’ll take it to work.”

In today’s ‘me’ generation, (which in my opinion includes everyone from WW II to today) the personal idea of ‘I can do what I want’ has slipped from opinion to law. Abortion, illegal immigration, trans-gender and socialist ideas are being radically forced upon the many… for the benefit of the few. Unfortunately, once those candles of thought are lighted, the results can easily give the rest of us quite a headache. Fortunately, God has something to say about the subject. “You are not your own!”

“I don’t belong to me,” will sound like an offensive lie to the majority… a smelly stench to those who think they can do as they please. If there was no God, they might have a good point! But sometimes, even those of us who KNOW God snort at the smell of this particular truth. Since ALL of us want things to be, or work out, our own way. MOST of us have been guilty of trying to force our wills on others. Admittedly, even ‘I’ have been known to try to tell GOD what to do! A stinky business at best!

LOVE is NOT a feeling. It is a decision! An ‘Act’ to DO something, that is usually contrary to the will of the self. It is NOT a request… but a COMMAND by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We know it when we do it. We stink when we don’t! Jesus said that Believers are ‘The Light of the World.’ I believe He also implied… “as much as possible… try hard not to ‘stink’ in the process!” It is a way that just makes scents!

“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” Nehemiah 4:20

“Either God doesn’t like me, I’ve done something horrible or He simply wants me to quit!” Those are thoughts I have had lately! Yesterday was starting out under the same banner! Last week our church transformer was struck by lightning. We lost our air conditioning, internet and phone! As I was waiting for the internet guy to show up, I went to change the messages on our LED sign. The message I got was…”not connected!” I deflated even further and whispered, ‘WHY God?” Which is really dumb of me… because I already KNOW!

YEARS ago I got sick and tired of finding myself sick and tired. I decided to take a trip down that path of ‘suffering’ to see if I could FIND ‘Mr. Why’ and give him a piece of my mind. After years of searching, I discovered that there really is ‘no such person!’ It was very stupid for ME to be searching for something that, I KNOW, does not exist! So I sucked it up and ‘phoned a friend!’

I like to say, “heaven is like a good government job… is isn’t what you do but who you KNOW!” I am blessed to KNOW Jesus Christ as my Savior. I am ALSO blessed to have friends who are experts in their field. I got ‘em on SPEED DIAL! A few minutes later, and about the time the internet came up, the sign was diagnosed and repair plan engaged. Take THAT Mr. Why!

Years ago I heard a preacher say that God NEVER answers the question ‘WHY!’ Because when someone asks ‘WHY,’ they don’t want an answer… they want an ARGUMENT. God REFUSES to be drawn into an argument! I often get upset at people who think or blame God for everything. From sickness to death… failure to loss… God gets pointed at FAR too frequently. How sad is that? You MIGHT want to ask HIM!

When I was lost, and before I was even born, God bore my sin and death on His own shoulders. That fact is the ONLY ‘WHY’ that deserves to be asked. Yet still, He never answers. Instead, He is ALWAYS there.. waiting, loving, encouraging, disciplining… POINTING to Himself in hopes that I will stop whining long enough to pay HIM attention.

Nehemiah rebuilt the broken wall around Jerusalem among threats of death, squabbling and discouragement. His plan of action is today’s verse! While we don’t have trumpet blasts.. we DO have clocks! The Church, Gods support group, meets tonight at 7pm! If you don’t JOIN us, you cant watch God fight FOR us! And THAT is the only response to the ‘WHY’ of life that you need! Got Church?

P.S.   God is NOT Santa Claus!

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalm 119:71 NLT

I had my day planned and hit it with excited anticipation. The first couple parts went well. Then the phone rang! The septic tank at the house, where my Daughter and family are temporarily staying, had backed up and overflowed into the bathroom!! While I might have shown sympathy and gone on with my day, that septic system actually belongs to ME! Therefore… while it was an inconvenience to THEM… the problem was still MINE!

I have talked about this before. Last year when it happened my personal plumber, who loves me very much, told me that the pipe running underground between the house and the septic system needed to be replaced. We haggled about him doing it but had never set a firm commitment. He graciously showed up, reminded me of the problem, cleaned it out AGAIN…then handed me the bill and some advice…‘Hi Ho SILVER!!! replace that pipe!” When I balked at his repeated diagnosis… he laughed at me and said, “I thought you had fixed this problem it yourself! But because I like you, I promise to come back every time you call!”

Overflow from a septic system can be related to sin in one’s heart. It can ALSO be used as a symbol of suffering, hardship, grief or any number of other things that we do not like to see in our lives. The first couple times this happened was exploratory and evaluation. After discovery, it became a reminder of something not done. In my busyness, I had subconsciously decided to ignore the problem. Apparently I hoped it might go away with a wish…or a prayer! Haaaaa! Not so!

One of my visits yesterday had ended in conversation about God and His ways. While it is true that He can miraculously heal, repair, bless and rise us above our difficulties, His NORMAL method of operation is to give us direction and courage to face our problems and tackle them head on, HIS way and in HIS strength. A method not quite as convenient to the suffering.

Right now there are about a half dozen families in our church facing physical, mental and spiritually demanding issues more serious than a backed up septic system. As I speak with them I recognize the enormity of their pain and empathize with the struggle that is still forthcoming. While I pray for a miracle, I recognize the odds are on the slower process of healing that comes when we lean on Him and go THROUGH the yuck of life. Suffering has value!

It is good for me to be reminded that God is building us (and me) up to become HIS servant warrior. In retrospect, this ain’t no vacation and God ain’t my pool boy! It’s time to get out the shovel!