“‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!’” Acts 1:11 NLT

The hype was absolutely over the top, and was what immediately caught our attention. Dubbed “The Return,” the event was played up as the football game of the year. Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Bucs Quarterback) was going BACK to New England to BATTLE his old team and former coach. And EVERY commentator had SEVERAL insights as to how it would go. Katie and I made plans to watch!

Katie likes watching football even more than I do. There’s just something about the sound. Our boys played it all through school and our girls were cheerleaders. To us, there’s just something about the sound and season that brings us joy. Fall, the anticipation of the coming Holidays and cooler temperatures, make it my favorite time of year. “The Return” was just a bonus!

There is no doubt that politics has invaded the football world. I know lots of people who won’t even watch sports anymore. Even casual interest can spark controversy like, “what should Christian parents do on Halloween?” But Katie and I are adults and can see past the political attempts to sway and change people’s views of things. Our focus on “THE REAL Return” has made it easy!

Mention Tom Brady’s ‘return’ and people’s strong opinions erupt to the surface. If you’ve ever mentioned Jesus Christ and HIS return, you probably weren’t surprised to see evidence of what ‘unbelievable’ really means. Scowls, eye rolls and subject changes are the lateral moves the world seems to take when considering the coming of God’s Son to earth… to victoriously right all wrongs and to rule and reign the planet! It just sounds too far-fetched! Or is it?

I’ve never met anyone who didn’t realize this world is a mess! Inside all hearts, even unbelievers KNOW that we were not made for this. And that right, fair, love, joy and perfect relations among people and God HAVE to exist. And while NO human has provided a lasting answer for ANY of it, we ALL just KNOW that there HAS to be ONE who DOES! Enter Jesus!

And that’s it! Enter Jesus… PLEASE! It is my mantra and ultimate Hope. Maranatha…’even so come’ Lord Jesus! And HURRY! Cuz it’s getting pretty messy down here and I’m getting tired of the games!!

Are YOU Ready?

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25

Looking at tires is not a normal thing for me. So I don’t know how I actually noticed that Katie’s tire was so low as to almost be un-drivable. Since we had to go right back out, I fired up my 40 year old used, rebuilt compressor and pumped ‘er up! Occasionally and over 2 days, I’d give it a quick glance. It APPEARED to be ok. Yesterday, after 2 days, it wasn’t looking very pumped.

I KNEW simply pumping it up was probably not going to last. Tires just don’t simply leak air unless something is wrong. So last night, I pulled out my tire patch kit and proceeded. Now I’ve patched many a tire in my day. But it wasn’t going so well. So I called my friend, who also happens to be a top mechanic, and asked, “if I can’t get the reamer to go into the hole, can I use a drill?”

I was laughing when I asked the question, because I already assumed the answer. “WHAAAAAAAA? Ya gotta make it go in the same direction as the nail.” Right then I knew that, even if I didn’t get the tire patched, I had a topic for the ‘Words of the Day.’

This Bible verse today is found in Proverbs… TWICE! So, like Katie’s tire needing air, it MUST be an obvious truth. But for me and my brain, it wasn’t. Lately EVERYTHING has been difficult. What should be easy, seems hard. Simple things go wrong so easily. I changed my broken cell phone case this morning and got jabbed…leaving a bloody thumb as a consolation prize. 3 pens in a row simply quit writing! And I WANT to SCREAM!

Ya’ll, screaming doesn’t help. I SEEMS like it SHOULD. But it only releases built up pressure and then seals off for another build up. As Katie heard me hissing, she paid attention and listened. Then suggested I sing to the Lord and praise Him in SPITE of my leak. Words I have said to SO many people…SO OFTEN! Now ‘I’ need a fill up!

This morning I reluctantly took a look at the tire and it held up. So going in the right direction was good advice. Now, I’m going to apply that same lesson to the leak in my spirit. And thanks for your prayers too!

R U Pumped?