“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:23

Surfing through phone contacts I came across a VERY special name I hadn’t talked to in a very long time. Just seeing the name made me smile. The last time I tried to dial the number…it rang…but no one answered. Not even voicemail. But as I said, this name was special. So I hit dial…and THIS time…she answered!

I met her when she was the leading lady for our U.S. Senator at the time. She was in charge of all U.S. Service Academy appointments, and since my son Clint was applying, our paths crossed. Because she took such an interest in my son, I fell in love with her immediately. Later, when my other son Colt applied, our journey continued. When problems came up, one call to her was all it took to fix. Next to God, SHE is the reason my sons are where they are.

I recognized her voice IMMEDIATELY when she said hello. After catching her up to date on each of our kids, we got around to talking about the MAIN thing that made our friendship so special…JESUS! It was then that her voice dropped a little and an underlying groan could be heard. I perceived it, because I share it with her.

Her husband has passed on and is “in heaven waiting for her,” she said. She is looking FORWARD to the trip, her reason being the same as mine. We just can’t believe what has happened to this world. Like me she doesn’t watch the news because deliberate ignorance has, at least, SOME bliss. She made me laugh when she said, “If Jesus doesn’t come back soon, He’s going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!” Did I tell you she has a feisty side?

If you are a grandparent you probably qualify. Being older means seeing things through a foggy lens that cracked a long time ago. Older people, and I am one, SEE that evil is on the rise and that righteousness is under attack, and not doing well! I have fought to keep evil at bay, but it just seems to keep coming…stronger than ever. I groan in community! Sadly, and like my friend, I sometimes feel that God just isn’t paying attention! But He knew I would!

Groaning is not a sin! In fact, Jesus groaned (John 11:33)! The Bible ALSO says that even JESUS doesn’t know when this ridiculousness is going to end (Matthew 24:36)! Which means that somehow, Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, is as ignorant and upset about the same thing my friend and I are! (and before you get upset at me calling Jesus ignorant… go look up the word!)

So here’s the question of the day…does the rise of evil upset YOU and make YOU groan? If not… WHY NOT? This is an invitation to come join God’s favorite son Jesus, my friend and me in The Groaning Club! After all, groaning IS Biblical and we could use some ideas for a name for it!  

“My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.” Jeremiah 16:17

Our Church ‘Evangelists’ were standing at the busy intersection as usual. And as usual, we had paired up in couples to talk while we held up Gospel signs. A man came by to talk with me and I had my back turned when I heard a sound. Turning around, I only saw a semi-truck heading southbound. All of us went on talking. We had missed it!

It wasn’t but for a couple minutes that someone said, “HEY, DO YOU SEE THAT CAR IN THE DITCH ACROSS THE ROAD?” By then, a couple guys had gathered and were seemingly talking to someone in a car, the roof of which was the only thing we could see. So I ran!

When I got across the street there was a lil ol’ lady in a VERY nice Mustang Convertible, sitting behind the wheel texting and talking on a computer tablet. She was unhurt but a little shaken, so I asked her how she was. “Did YOU see that guy run me off the road?” was all she asked. She seemed a very nice lady, but I couldn’t testify to something I hadn’t seen. Making sure she was fine, I waited until the Sheriff’s Deputy arrived.

When I got back to the corner I asked EVERYONE what they had seen. This time, unlike when we experienced the female flasher, no one had seen a thing! I started to think about how justice might be found for the lady with no witnesses! Reading this Bible verse kind of made me cringe a little… because when “I” do something wrong… there is ALWAYS a witness!

God is more talented than Santa because He DOES see EVERYTHING! And sin makes Him VERY unhappy! But He ALSO has something BIGGER than an entire toy factory run by elves! He has a heart FULL and OVERFLOWING with the kind of LOVE that only HE can address. So He addressed it!

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came under cover to live, die and live again to PAY the penalty for my own infractions against me. God cannot lie, and won’t! He KNOWS! And being perfect in justice, the penalty MUST be paid! So His BIG HEART PAID IT! NOW… there is NO excuse for continuing to do what I always did. NOW… sinners sin, and suffer the penalty, because they CHOOSE TO!

God has an inheritance for me. Jeremiah 17:4 says that my inheritance CAN be LOST. But if it is, it is ALL MY FAULT! I have charges against me with SERIOUS consequences. And I have both a witness against me, AND FOR me! I am NOT a dummy… I chose Jesus!

In the face of LOVE….what is YOUR choice??

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19

Katie mentioned to me that we were out of Diet Coke. We had 3 different kinds of flavored water, milk, coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper and even water out of the faucet or in the bottle. But no Diet Coke! Since I make it a goal to try to please my wife, I was standing in the grocery store staring at the labels… doing what I don’t like. Head math!

I was in a conundrum! “Get a case of Diet Coke” was the goal. But saving money ALWAYS overrides ANY purchase. Not considering myself cheap, I DO choose to be frugal! The price on a special sticker below notified me that I could buy 2 and get one FREE! With an opportunity like that, how could I pass? Then I did what I don’t do well… head math!

There are people MUCH smarter than me who have figured every possible angle to sell as much of their product as possible. From shelf location on to the wording on the labels, companies have made it their business to get more business. And sometimes deception works. I remembered seeing a sign once that read, “2 for the price of 3!” Naturally, it was a joke. But ONLY if one took the time to process the label! I don’t process math fast enough to simply read and compute! It takes me TIME to figure! Reading God’s Word does too.

Being saved from the penalty of sin is the first thing that a Christian experiences. For some of us, that part is fun and freeing! But it doesn’t take long to learn that after making Jesus my Savior, I am also called to make Him my LORD! THAT takes some figurin! And because none of us are the same or carry the same issues, each of us is called to change the way we think and do things.

I am a Believer in Jesus Christ. I KNOW where I’m going when I die! But the process of living with that knowledge requires me to have secondary thoughts on HOW to live HERE until I go THERE! Today’s verse is like buying Diet Coke. I don’t just go pick it up! I take time to figure out where, when and how much it REALLY costs. Taking OTHER’S peace and edification into consideration ALWAYS affects the ultimate price. And Jesus EXPECTS me to pay it in full!

Have you figured out how much effort following Jesus costs YOU?

There are times when I read something that really impacts me and feel the importance of passing on.  I liked this lesson and am sharing it with you.  It’s a tough but serious question Jesus asks ALL of us.

Do you Want to Get Well? by Ray Stedman Ministries

“Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8b-9a

Notice that the first thing Jesus says to do is what the man could not do, what he had tried for 38 years to do. On what basis does Jesus say these words to him? Somehow this man senses what that basis was. Perhaps he was thinking, If this man tells me to rise (and I cannot rise), it must mean that he intends to do something to make it possible. Thus his faith is transferred from his own efforts to Jesus: He must do it. I can’t. The man must also have reasoned somewhat along these lines, If this man is going to help me then I have got to decide to do what he tells me to do.

That is a critical clue many miss when they are looking for help from God. There is always something God tells them to believe, and do, and act on. This is a word of action. Jesus does not say, Try to build up faith in your mind. Try to fasten your thoughts on this or that. He tells them to do something: Rise! Stand up! Obviously it was Jesus’ will that this man should do what he told him to do, and the moment the man’s will agreed with the Lord’s will the power was there. I don’t know whether he felt anything or not. All I know is that strength came into his bones and into his muscles and he could stand.

Then what? The Lord did not merely say, Rise, he said, take up your pallet and walk. G. Campbell Morgan states that Jesus said this, in order to make no provision for a relapse. The man might have said to himself, I’m healed, but I had better leave my bed here; I may need it tomorrow. If he had said that, he would have been back in it the next day. But he did not. Jesus said, Take up your pallet, and the idea was to get rid of it. In those words he is saying something very important to people who need to be healed: do not make any provision to go back on what you have done. Many people fail right here. Burn your bridges behind you. Cut off any possibility of going back. Let somebody know the new stand you have taken so that he will help hold you to it. That is so important. Many individuals have been touched by God, delivered from some inner attitude, a bitter spirit or whatever, but then he has allowed the past to come back in again and he finds himself back where he was. Our Lord knows what he is talking about—take up your pallet.

And then he tells him to walk. Do not expect to be carried—walk. Many people want to be carried after they are healed. They expect everybody to gather around them and keep them going—a common area of failure. But if Jesus gives you the power to rise, Jesus is the One who can give you the power to walk every day, to keep going. That is an important thing to see—you and the Lord. Keep your eyes not on your friends or on yourself, but your eyes on him.

Lord Jesus, I am like so many others, lying by the pool of Bethesda, waiting to be healed; trying various ways and means, hoping somebody will help. I have not yet listened to that wonderful voice that says to me in the inner heart, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. Grant that I will do so from this moment forward.

Life Application

Do we want to be healed from whatever impediments limit our spiritual health and fulfillment? Are we settling for dysfunctional and unfruitful lives when Jesus calls us to get up and walk in the power of His Presence?

Content provided by Ray Stedman – for more information please visit www.raystedman.org

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Time was what we wanted to save. AND we wanted something quick to eat. Going into the local fast food joint fit the criteria, so while Katie went to select a place to sit, I ordered our food at the counter. I didn’t realize my next move would create such a big issue. But it did!

Going to the drink station, I poured 2 drinks and took them to the table where Katie sat. Because there had been someone both before and after me in line, AND because the Drive Thru was running, I knew I had time. So I sat down to ask her a question. Bad move!

Walking back up to the counter, I watched as 2 servers placed MY order into a bag, having just asked the man in line after me, “for here or to go?” The tickets in front of the servers were in correct order… but they weren’t looking at them. When I finally said, “I think you may have our orders mixed up,” my statement made it worse! They had no idea what to do next!

I get it! Having graduated from Whopper Jr. College back in 1976, I remembered how hectic things could get and how just 1 little thing could throw my system off. One of the big lessons in life is to learn HOW to get back on track and NOT ‘stand there looking like a deer in the headlights’ for TOO long. Lately, I’ve had to remind myself of that lesson.

I have a weakness for distractions like I do with a box of vanilla wafers. Without realizing it, I can hit the bottom with only, “What have I done?” to show for it! Hunger, lack of time, disinterest and a host of other things can set me looking for a way out that is only temporary… and not good. Thank God for today’s verse.

Sin, imperfection and failure are companions that I’d rather NOT have in my boat. But I have to be honest, I DON’T have it all together, DON’T always do the right things and far too often find myself behind the 8 ball of life because of my failure to pay attention. But strangely, it is in those confusing times that Jesus turns out to be my very best friend!

This verse tells me that JESUS marks out the race FOR me, pioneer’s my faith, and then guarantees it will hold me until the end to ensure my victory! I wish I could say that my response in any confusing situation is to look to Him IMMEDIATELY. But that would not be the truth. Sometimes, and far too often, I choose to take the distraction. Jesus never does and ALWAYS points me forward.

So… what’s got YOUR attention?

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7 ESV

This year, our annual ‘McChristmas’ Celebration was delayed until January. Last year, we didn’t get to do it at ALL! So this year was planned RIGHT! A huge house was rented for all 20 of the K.C. & Katie McCay Clan and Disney World Tickets were even purchased. Last Thursday, we all arrived to enjoy 4 days together! It was on Saturday night that I was given a very real ‘glimpse’ into what Heaven will be like!

Katie and I spent our Honeymoon at Disney World in 1977, and through the years we have

been there MANY times. It was fun riding the rides with our grandchildren and to watch their eyes and faces light up. Their reactions even made ‘It’s a Small World” tolerable, as we made it through the whole day without any meltdowns! About 8pm they herded people in front of the Castle. ‘The Show’ was about to start!

Though I kind of knew what to expect because I’d seen it in the past, I wasn’t prepared for this! Lights signaled for the music to start, and as rich sounds pounded through us, explosions of light from fireworks shot through the sky and began to build. I’ve never personally seen such a dazzling show! But when the singing started, the words brought me down. It was then… that Jesus took over!

The first thought Jesus shot through my brain was, “THIS is the best that man can do!” I HAD to admit it WAS rather amazing! But sad reality hit me when the words “You are the Magic!” were sung. Why? Because I KNOW there is NOTHING magically good inside me, or ANY human! It was as if man’s greatest crescendo had just given way to the reality of GOD’S Truth! HE is perfect! I am not! Jesus had my full attention!

When Jesus enters my thoughts, depression doesn’t hang around for long. When Jesus showed up among the lights and sounds of man’s greatest show… I was NOT disappointed! The words of Revelation 19, which describe the future ‘Wedding Supper of the Lamb,’ suddenly became VERY real. Because there in front of me, looking to the sky and taking it all in, was my whole family! I could almost hear Jesus whisper, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

Now I don’t know that Jesus would abuse the English language by using the word ‘ain’t’ or by dropping His g’s! But His point was made. In MY FUTURE, I WILL be attending JESUS’ Wedding ceremony! And better than any Bridegroom ever has, HE will arrange the show, the lights, the food and the entertainment! And EVERY ONE OF OUR 20 MEMBER McCay Clan will BE THERE! AS HIS BRIDE!!!!!!!! With that thought…there are no more words because I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT BIG! But I’ll BE THERE!

Will YOU?

If you want to see a little of what we saw, here is the Disney New Years Eve show

“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 15:50

First let me say that I abhor horror movies! Being a child of the light, darkness and gore does not draw me to it for leisurely worthless activity… which is what the Latin word for ‘entertainment’ actually means! But we wanted to kill some time and drain our brains on something DIFFERENT! 

When the ad came up for the movie, ‘Dark Shadows,’ we were intrigued. Katie used to watch the soap opera when she was in Jr. High School, and I had already laughed at the humorous clips! So I hit ‘PLAY!’ True to form, it was…entertaining!  Itch Itch!

Death is a part of life! When it comes, it is usually never welcome. In this movie, there were some intriguing, and even comical moments, where the creators made the meeting between life and death funny and creative (though by even moronic standards, impossible). But that was part of the entertainment! As I read this verse in a book ‘Falling in Love with the Prince of Life,’ something made me shudder!

The final scene of the movie shows Depp (spoiler alert…he’s a vampire) leaping off a cliff to intercept and bite his true love before she dies on the rocks below. As darkness and waves crash over both bodies, a twitch, then a change takes place. BOTH come back to life, to live life forever together… in DARKNESS! Now WAIT A MINUTE!!! I had to at least give credit to the creator for ripping off Jesus!

I am created and born from dust. I have ZERO spiritual life, OR the ability to get it. The best I can do it run around with a dead heart demanding my own way for things that can entertain me until my FINAL chapter! And we wonder why the world is such a mess??? Enter Jesus Christ…who leaps onto earth, takes death for me and resurrects me to new Life in HIM! The creators of Dark Shadows should be sued by Jesus for Plagiarism… but God has bigger plans!

I don’t recommend the movie or genre (horror) for anyone… especially for kids. Why open oneself to spiritual darkness to enter. But being BORN AGAIN, and knowing and Loving Jesus as I do, I have the ability to see that the only success satan can have is to try to copy appealing ideas from Jesus! For me personally…. I like to stick to the real thing!

Do YOU possess REAL LIFE?

“…put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

This week officially started Christmas vacation for Katie and I. Realizing that we LIVE in paradise and have access to what millions of people come here for, we decided to become Florida Tourists for the day. Katie remembered visiting a quaint little town with a friend a few years ago, and remembered the enjoyment of the experience. That memory bubbled up into her brain and she blurted out… “Let’s go see Matlacha!” Responding that I didn’t know there was a boy band and town, she explained it was a little town near Cape Coral. So off we went!

When I met Katie, I had no love or interest in art, plays, museums or ANYTHING that wreaked culture. But because I loved her, and SHE loved that stuff, I went along to see that stuff WITH her. Along the way, I picked up a love for much of it myself! Matlacha was simply like overdosing on Art with Hippies! We had a ball!

At the first store we went to, she zipped ahead and was done before I got around the first corner, “I’m done… let’s go!” she said. “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA MISSY!” I exclaimed. “I haven’t even STARTED!” And I wasn’t kidding! I think she was rushing to make ME feel better. But having acquired an appreciation for that stuff, she didn’t need to worry. So we slowed down and enjoyed everything…together!

I got to thinking that my life with Jesus Christ has a similarity. Having been born a piggy sinner, I really didn’t appreciate perfect love and joy. Being a master at being miserable, things began to change when I met Jesus! As I walked along with Him, HIS loves began to become MY loves. As my love for HIM grew, so did my love for Life. And it all came about rather naturally.

There are Biblical demands, rules and commands that can lead one to believe that ‘LOVE’ can be demanded, ruled or commanded! Look at the 1st of the 10 commandments! But those rules aren’t written down to actually MAKE us do ANYTHING. I believe they were written to show what life will look like when we fall in love with God! It just kind of comes natural!

I am not perfect and don’t LOVE EVERYTHING Katie loves. I will cringe at the thought of going to the Opera or the Ballet like she cringes at my road rage! But love changes things. When I accept God’s invitation to love Him, I actually begin to enjoy and take on HIS character as we roll on through life together. I have found His love is more like a journey than a destination!

What have you discovered that YOU love about Jesus?  

“Be angry, and do not sin” Ephesians 4:26 NKJV

No… I wasn’t in a hurry, had no urgent place to be and really didn’t NEED to take the short cut. But I did. So did the guy in front of me…driving a truck…pulling a trailer. I came up behind him as we approached a 4-way stop. He sat there! And sat there……and sat there! He only moved when I tried to go around him. That’s when I saw him in his own mirror… texting!

Naturally I was furious! Anger is in my nature because it’s in ALL of us! “Be considerate of others” was hammered into me all my life. It’s even a BIBLE verse (Phil 2:4)! Growing up it was taught to EVERYONE! But as we all know by now, that is NOT the lesson for the 21^st century! For the selfishly entitled… being considerate is not even in the sub notes! And that angers me!

I ran into a friend who enthusiastically recommended a book on what is wrong in this country. Saying he couldn’t put it down, something inside of me screamed, “don’t pick it up!” And I knew why! In the words of Clint Eastwood as ‘Dirty Harry,’ “A man’s GOT to know his limitations!” I KNEW the book would just make me MORE angry. So I’ll avoid it like the news!

The Bible NEVER says to NOT be angry! In fact, there are several versions of the Bible that get their translation wrong by trying to MAKE the verse SAY what it doesn’t. There is EVIL in the world. God tells us to ‘HATE EVIL’ over 35 times in the Bible. When evil jumps…anger SHOULD be natural. BUT… anger comes with conditions! Sin is not one of them!

I KNOW my limitations and I hate them in me. I get angry at myself when I don’t have patience, forgiveness or compassion. But I also HATE STUPID! When stupid raises it’s head, I lose mine. And I know why! It’s because, like a hard shelled independent clam… ‘I’ am SHELLFISH!

I‘ve been to AA and Al-anon meetings to check them out for ministry purposes. No…I am NOT an alcoholic! But I AM an ICK! And because I HATE being an ICK… Jesus is encouraging me to work on today’s Bible verse. And it’s HARD! I literally have to find ways to train myself to NOT lose my head when I see selfishness in others, or when I see stupid in action! Katie is helping me!

As a Believer and front line soldier in God’s Army, I am called to a higher standard. Training and RE-certification by my Lord is ALWAYS ongoing, and as much as I’d like it to just come naturally as a gift from Him, He doesn’t work that way! So I set here at my computer texting God for answers…all the while the world is bleeping me from behind! I think I’ll be here a while!

What makes YOU angry and what are YOU doing about it?