“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19

Behold the Hard Head! If you come to our Church, you know this guy! John is a man in… let’s say… ‘transition!’ He’s a big boy! And while ‘big’ has a lot to do with genetics, in HIS case, as is so many of our physical, mental and spiritual lives, that BIGness came with a price! A LOT of what John is going through right now stems from His willingness to pay a HIGH cost for LOW quality of goods.

John is a Florida boy born and raised. He loves His barbecue and vittles. The majority of us can move through life and only hear the, “ya gotta stop doing _____,” AFTER we’ve gotten away with it for a long time. Sugar and cholesterol are things my doctor has told ME that I need to watch! It never bothered me before… until now! Now those items are possible bullets that could kill me! Ugh-Oh!

John had to have radical surgery to remove a rather large tumor in his brain. It’s the 2^nd one in his lifetime. He had to go back in for further surgery because he started leaking. Not being happy about that, he grumbled. Setting John beside Galen, it is obvious that we have a pair of twins in our church! Galen had the same problem with HIS leg surgery. After insisting on going out, he leaked!

O.K., O.K… I may be picking at small matters here. But then again, maybe not! Both of these Florida boys have a difficulty in following orders. MOST of us do! I CAN write about them because they both already KNOW that is their weakness. Growling dogs growl! I did again last night, and had to apologize for my own attitude as my wife sat and heard me complain about the traffic. Hard heads!

God has a special place in His being for hard-headed people. Stiff-necked people too! I believe the reason is that, once He’s saved a hard headed person, that person will be a hard head FOR God the rest of His life. If you don’t believe it, look at most of God’s most famous prophets, priests, kings… and even His disciples! Look at Peter ‘the rock!’ But hard headedness alone gets no points!

It is absolutely true and wonderful that we are saved by our Grace through Faith alone. But today’s verse shows us that THAT doesn’t eliminate ‘The Rules!’ God STILL expects us to change and obey. Not raise His banner… then rebel! The Spiritual Gifts are rooted in love and kindness. Not war and fighting. It is still possible for us to get to heaven and be called… ‘The Least!’

John and Galen are doing well. John even led his roommate in the hospital to the Lord! And Galen seems to follow Paula’s orders a little more than usual. Both GOOD signs that God expects us to change and get with HIS program. SO how hard is YOUR head and how much surgery is He going to have to do on YOU before you get with His program?

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 1 John 1:4

Well there he is! And what a picture he makes… standing there with mom and dad, fresh out of Coast Guard Boot Camp. It wasn’t that long ago we watched the boy come to our Bible Study (FLAP) and ask questions. We watched as before our very eyes He received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he was determined.

Watching Zach wrestle with decisions of when and when, what and how reminds me of my own experiences. With my journey being long and hard, it just kind of happened, as 1 thing failed and another try was forced. When it came to raising my kids I was determined that, as much as I could help it, I’d try to help make their transition to adulthood a little easier. I’m not sure I succeeded!

Moments like Zach’s become wall pictures for a reason. Our hallway is lined with pictures like this one, Graduations, weddings, babies… all events that mark the milestones of life and give us a smile. When we are facing difficulties, we can look and remember, and carry on with hope. Remembrances remind us of victories won, encouraging us to keep going in the face of difficulty.

One picture that hangs before God’s eyes at ALL times, is the one that, if you look closely, hangs around Jon’s neck. It is a picture of The Cross! A symbol of horrific circumstances that overcame incredibly evil odds but, by which purchased eternal joy for those who embrace it, and then make it their compass. Seeing this picture gives me a HUGE reason to keep hanging in there with Jesus.

We prayed for Zach as his parents worried for him. But we all KNEW he would be ok. Now the boy has become a man, with purpose and direction… and a Savior who will give Him every ounce of Spirit needed to make it to the next wall picture. And even beyond. We continue to pray for Keri as she battles cancer, and for the whole Allen Family. We pray too for others in our Church Family.

Are YOU keeping your eyes on Jesus and trusting God to grow you, use you and then get you home?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

“I’m so tired of this,” Katie said to me yesterday. It’s been almost 3 weeks since the eye doctor said to stop wearing her hard contact lenses and use glasses… “until you see a specialist.” She’s got a cyst in the corner of her eye that requires her to wear only glasses for now. For most of her life, her day started with popping in her contact lenses. Now… seeing means looking for her glasses!

The other day I picked up her prescription sunglasses. I was in a hurry and saw the black frames. Thinking they were mine, I put them on and WHOAH!!!!! EVERYTHING was a blurrrr! I’d say she’s blind as a bat without glasses, but even bats can see better! To make matters more difficult, she has 1 lens for seeing things far away… and 1 lens for things close! She’s a visionary nightmare!

Years ago she told me of her first experience with glasses at 10 years old. Whether it was from running into things, or not seeing the nose in front of her face, her mom took her to the eye doctor. When she got the ‘cat eye’ shaped glasses, it was like her whole world changed… “I saw LEAVES,” she said. Adolescence brought braces too. Even now, we all laugh at her pictures from 8^th grade!

Katie is beautiful and, as I said to a lady the other day, “she’s even MORE beautiful on the INSIDE.” There’s a reason for that. Every morning she puts on her glasses and focuses on God’s Word, making studying more of a ‘Beauty Treatment’ than a regimen. ‘Through the eyes, to the heart and out the Life,’ is God’s way. And she has mastered it. Her diligence proves today’s verse works!

I learned 2 Timothy 2:15 as a kid when my dad made it a point… “God’s Word is LIFE! “ Memorizing it in the King James, I have a problem hearing it from any other version. The Greek word means ‘to hasten’ or ‘be diligent.’ Some even interpret it, ‘do your best!’ But personally, I don’t prefer those versions. To me, attitude verbs don’t make it as clear as ‘STUDY!’ MANY folks need to hear that!

“What book in the Bible are you reading? What devotional(s) do you subscribe to? Read any good Christian Books lately? How often do you spend time with Jesus and His Word?” And for how long?” These are questions I ask because of my VOCATION. My Biblical job description says that if I DON’T ask them, I get DOUBLE judgment! So I ask… even to the point of being gruff!! Too bad!

Are YOU studying, learning and applying God’s Word daily? How clearly do YOU see God’s hand in your life because you do? What is He trying to teach you? Are you co-operating with Him? Do you share His Word and lessons with those in your world? These are Important questions because ‘God’s Word is LIFE and DILIGENTLY STUDYING is His COMMAND! You’ve just been told! Wink wink!

“His intent was that now, through ‘the church,’ the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10-11

“I hate people!” Yup… that’s what the man said! Then, to sharpen his point, he added, “that’s why I don’t even care if people like me… or not!” My natural response was to lower my head in wonder and give a little chuckle. NOT because his words were so shocking, but because MOST people have his same attitude and, #1 either wont admit it, or #2 will feign shock and horror when they do!

I’ve known the guy for years and KNOW that he doesn’t really HATE people like he says. In fact, He’s a Believer in Jesus Christ… though by most accounts and at best, a back row follower. But I KNOW I could count on him to have my back and help in a crisis. Of course he’d complain the whole time… but he’d be there! Which is more than I can say of some who follow Jesus closer!

Gruff and Grumbly is an attitude lots of people carry. In fact, I hold an office in the club myself. Knowing his life situation, I can see and feel that a lot of what he says comes from having to carry around a broken heart. He’s been burned, hurt, disappointed, used and sacrificed. That kind of experience can lead to building walls and hiding. Why go and get hurt when one can easily hide?

Traveling from mad to sad is a short journey. It starts by being willing to pull my own head out of my own rear end! To see that this life, world and universe are NOT about me… is a major step in the process of becoming ‘like Christ.’ I was CREATED by God Almighty to both make, and prove, a point to God’s enemies! How sad is it that ‘the created’ often chooses to side with the enemy!

Of the 8 billion people on the planet, the number of Believers is statistically low! This makes ‘The Point’ of God even MORE fantastic. To be 1 in a million in God’s hand is like waking to up wearing a cape and with a big ‘J’ on a brightly colored spandex suit! God is limiting His proof to RIDICULOUSLY small numbers in the face of the enemy. It’s how He works! That ‘I’ am His just overwhelms my soul.

I don’t have to look far to find a perfect example of how to do what God is asking of me. Having been abused, hurt, let-down, abandoned and sacrificed myself, I SHOULD clearly see my Hero and mentor… because NO ONE has been victimized more than Jesus Christ, God’s Son! But in HIS victim-hood, He chose to FORGIVE and LOVE. That ‘I’ SHOULD likewise, stand out among the masses… is His call!

“Dear Lord, may I have your wisdom and strength to see my whiny, selfish attitude like you do? Will you please give me the training, experience and ability to react to those around me with your same heart? I know I’m asking for something BIG here Lord… but this being 1 in a million thing is pretty tough. Honestly… I need your help in not hating those who don’t see things MY way! TY”

“And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

I was very careful. Failing to mail a check, and having it received and posted, came with consequences. Going to my desk I retrieved an inexpensive envelope, I carefully wrote both addresses on the face. Once accomplished, and I was satisfied that they were clearly legible, I inserted the check, sealed the envelope and, only then, applied the stamp and placed it in the box.

Handwriting has never been my forte. Learning to write in cursive brings uncomfortable remembrances to this day. By the time I could choose to write without someone correcting me, I chose to print in upper case, block letters only. In the age of computers, I rarely even do THAT! Thus, without much practice, my handwriting isn’t the best. So being frugal, I save the stamp until last!

Learning from mistakes is common and universally accepted as the best way to remember. Years ago I recalled having stamped an envelope, then after doing so, proceeded to illegibly scribble the addresses. My mistake cost me the cost of a stamp! So I learned to carefully address, seal and THEN stamp my outgoing mail. ‘Clear and precise’ is the only way to ensure critical correspondence!

There is a part of the mailing process that is just as critical, but one I don’t see. It is the stamp by the Postal Service that verifies my letter has been received, canceling the stamp for any further use. Today’s verse confirms that this process is also God’s way of handling the transaction of my sin and salvation! Intentional deliberate confession receives a like response from Him. Thus… SALVATION!

The seriousness of The Lake of Fire requires the seriousness of my correspondence with God. NOBODY gets ‘saved’ by accident. The seriousness of Christ’s crucifixion from my sin deserves my serious, deliberate response… AND God’s deliberate canceling of my debt. The verified transaction requires my continued commitment to validate our agreement, since salvation is serious business!

God received and stamped His verification on my soul over 55 years ago. I carry that ‘Stamp of Approval’ with me wherever I go. Being His possession carries the responsibility of carefulness in everything I do… since elsewhere in the Bible, I am called His ‘letter to the world!’ Do YOU carry God’s seal of approval and are YOU daily living, working and acting according to your contract?

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“AAAAhhh… my feet!” I was looking down at my metatarsals while 2 bright red splotches were staring back at me. Katie and I had gone kayaking the day before and I was prepared. Spraying sunscreen all over my exposed flesh, we rowed out onto the water, where I kicked off my Crocs! Evidence of my NOT thinking things through thoroughly, could NOT be hidden. I was burned!

Living in Florida for a decades, when it comes to springtime activity in the sun, I’ve witnessed the price of both ignorance AND stupidity. Cool breezes may give a false sense of safety, but they cannot impede the burning UV rays of Mr. Sun! Neither ‘innocent ignorance’ nor ‘arrogant stupidity’ get a pass. Sadly, the effects of both don’t begin to show until after sundown!

Oh how wonderful it would be if both ‘innocent ignorance’ and ‘arrogant stupidity’ only showed themselves at the beach! They’d produce nothing that a little calamine lotion and time couldn’t heal. But alas… they seem to pervade EVERYTHING. And nothing more catastrophic than God’s reason for humanity! We humans have quite the habit of making it all about us… while hell rages.

Being a Jesus Guy… I ponder! A LOT! I’m convinced that there are only 2 reasons why I was put here in the first place. And in reality, the 2^nd one doesn’t even count! Man (I) was placed here to destroy the devil’s work in his rebellion against God! Fashioned dirt, infused by God, is the tool God chose to do so. Number 2, making me into His image and then His bride, comes AFTER #1!

The moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, every moment thereafter is infused with choice. I can choose to glorify Him and do things HIS way… or my own. With only 2 choices, the results are purchased by my own decisions. Wrong choices produced sin. And sin, like the Sun, BURNS! Deep down EVERYONE knows they need coverage! It is evident, EVERYONE has missed more than a spot!

When He didn’t have to, God sent His Son to be MORE than just an atoning ‘sonscreen’ sacrifice for my sin. He went farther and REMOVED my rebellion, offering me His abundant grace! NOW He tells me, in today’s verse, that I have EVERYTHING I NEED to Glorify HIM in EVERYTHING I do! I think I’m going to put my Sonscreen on! How about you?

“If you love me, keep my commands.” Jesus John 14:15

“Just found out I passed,” was what the mass email to family members said. The text was from Clint, my Tampa Bay Deputy Harbor Pilot son who, for the last year and a half, has been working to gain Full Florida State Pilot Status through testing and training. He’s been doing that since 2017! This week, his final test was on what they call, “The Rules of the Road!” And yes… they’re SHIPS!

There were hundreds of questions on the test and he had to get a 90 to pass! Interestingly enough, Clint is the smartest of my 4 kids… and everyone knows it! But he is also the most rebellious! So I find it rather ironic that He selected a job that would require his EXPERTISE on knowing and, ha-ha, obeying RULES! Though I try, I’ll never get over God’s amazing and oxymoron-like sense of humor!

“What degree of angle should be the adjustment to the bow when winds gust 16 knots in the aft section of the starboard side while approaching The Skyway?” It’s an impressive question that leaves anyone with the thought, “WOW… that guy HAS to be, and MUST be SMART to have to know all that stuff!” Knowing the Rules of the Road are CRITICAL to not crashing into a bridge!

Clint’s been driving ships in and out of Tampa Bay by himself almost since he started training. This one was 1100’, or over 3 ½ football fields long. Time and money being the 2 most precious commodities among people, he had to prove he was capable of piloting it before they gave him the rights to drive that expensive cargo. His permission was limited when it came to driving PEOPLE!

Wrapping up his training, Clint must prove he can move people without incident or danger. Now, when he pilots a cruise ship, he has to have a fully authorized Harbor Pilot beside him watching his every move. He’s already proven he KNOWS the rules, so after he’s proven he can follow them perfectly, he’ll be given the right to pilot the masses of people on a cruise ship… unattended.

Jesus is my Harbor Master. When it comes to His sheep and His Bride ‘The Church,’ He calls me to DO AS HE COMMANDS. That means every one of His rules are important AND are required knowledge for His followers. Reading God’s Word, along with practice, helps me become an expert. Sadly, LOTS of people like to make up their own rules and THINK they know God’s stuff.

Oh.. that question about ‘degree of angle’ is NOT a real question. I made it up to sound impressive for a purpose. Some people may SOUND smart, but beware! Usually Jesus doesn’t ask us to do hard things we aren’t capable of doing with Him as our Captain. Are you reading, practicing and following Him into the world of people? And are you getting better at driving people to Jesus?

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

“AAAAAAHH!” Was the first word I heard, followed by my name. By the time the name was mentioned, I already knew what was going on and was on the way. My lovely wife was getting ready for work in the bedroom and it was obvious a palmetto bug had interrupted her routine. Living in Florida, its happened before, so I already have this routine – get up… go… kill… dispose!

Flipping a bug into a room full of trans athletes could immediately help determine birth gender! Being the man, I am “The Eradicator!” Usually, palmetto bugs move slowly because I ‘spray’ on a regular basis. This one was VERY lively, crawling on her clothes laid out on the bed! Righteous indignation rose within me, so I didn’t take the time to get a weapon and snatched it barehanded!

Disposal of palmetto bugs may vary, but I like to flush them. There is a certain gratification that comes from watching them swirl away into oblivion. Gone from view forever, it gives me the sense of a ‘win!’ Katie told me they’ve been reading the storybook of ‘Maybelle’ the cockroach in school. Then said, “But there’s a difference between reading a cute story and experiencing the real thing!”

She went on to suggest how funny it is that inward knowledge doesn’t change outward experience. Just yesterday, she was speaking to the kids about how ‘cute’ Maybelle was! The ‘feeling’ from the story did not transform reality. We ended up talking about how satan works… trying to make the idea of sin and abandonment of God OK. Only to ‘freak out’ when the reality of repercussions hit!

I’ve learned over the years that satan is a bug guy. He loves to throw little ones into my life and watch me freak. But his favorite, most successful place he likes to show up is among groups, like families and Churches! A little ‘conflict crawl,’ the wiggling antennae of attention, outrageous opinion and the frightfulness of fighting can quickly cause discomfort, disunity and dissension.

God doesn’t WANT me to get used to satan’s creepy schemes. He wants me to ‘spray’ in advance by asking me to ‘PRAY’ for His eradication of bad ‘bugs.’ Bugs that would love to cause me to scream and run from Him. Are YOU PRAYed up and hanging with others who are as well?

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5

Happy Birthday! In my thinking, it is the only thing absolutely guaranteed that EVERY ONE of the 8 Billion people on earth share… and are guaranteed to share! Since I am a believer in Jesus Christ, I read that He will come back someday and rapture, or snatch away, all the Believers from the face of the earth. Which means NOT EVERYONE is guaranteed a Death-day! Which is a good thing!

Yesterday was my Daughter’s birthday, which Cori shared with about 15 million other people around the planet. Katie and I usually call our kids early in the morning and sing a goofy version of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song. Cori, not being a morning person, we decided to forgo that experience… as a gift. I called and sang it as a solo later on. She laughed and we enjoyed our conversation together.

One sign we use in our Church’s Highway Ministry says, “Born once, die twice! Born twice, die once.” It is a testament to the command of God that if ANY individual wants to see Heaven, and not the Lake of Fire, as their eternal address, one “Must be born again (John 3:3)!” It is interesting that if one HAS been born again, they KNOW it. If they haven’t, they usually don’t. Cori has been & does!

Yesterday we celebrated with Austin and Elizabeth on the birth of their son Abel. Abel now shares a day with Cori! And while Cori has had 2 birthdays, all the work and effort of Abel’s family is to see to it that HE enjoys 2 Birthdays as well. IT’S the purpose of God’s creating us in the first place, that we humans would be born to Glorify God and stick it to the devil! It’s fun stuff with parties to come!

Cori was created by God for a REASON. Unique and different, she MAY share qualities and characteristics (like eyes, nose, mouth and being kind) but is unique in the combination in one package. Like fingerprints, NO one is like her and she has no twin. God designed us all that way. But how many of us appreciate that fact, and look for the 1 special purpose for which God made us?

Are YOU being like a Birthday Candle and letting your Light Shine to the world for Jesus? I can promise there is someone out there in your world who is looking for a heavenly light and the gift of Eternal Life! And you’re the one to share it! So go Shine and light up their world with Jesus!!