“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22

Yesterday afternoon I had completed my purchases at a local store and was headed to the exit. Seeing through the glass doors, I saw the manager confronting incoming customers,1 crying… “But I only need 1 item… I can be quick!” The temper of the manager was growing as people tried to force their way in. “Sorry,” didn’t work, so undeterred, he finally hollered out “PEOPLE… WE ARE CLOSED!“

“I was happy because I already had my stuff! I felt bad, in a way, because there had been no warning to say, “we will be closing in 20 minutes!” He just locked the door, leaving people trying to get storm supplies standing outside looking in. I had been blessed… and appreciated it! On the way out I tried to help the manager, who IS a good guy, by telling approaching people… “they’re closed!”

And thus it is today… 2000+ years after Jesus Himself exited Earth and headed back to Heaven with… “Behold… I will return! And SOON!” Everyone has heard it! Most just ignore or dismiss the warning. In light of an approaching Tropical Storm that MAY become a Hurricane… people are freaking out! But they ain’t seen NOTHIN’ YET! The Promise of His return is IMMINENT! Preparation is necessary!

I KNOW where I am going when I die. NO QUESTION! I heard the warning and yielded to the Gospel. Now, like that store manager, I cry out, but with warning… “GET READY… BE PREPARED! But that is the ONLY weapon I have against the onslaught of Hell. His Words have become MY words. And if you know Jesus Christ as Lord… so should yours! A Storm or Hurricane is NOTHING like the Lake of Fire!

Are you hollering?

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…” Colossians 1:21-22

I’m calling him ‘Jesus II!’ The diagnosis from Ryan, our Jesus Plumber, was that the Church’s septic tank was full and needed to be pumped out. It hadn’t been in the 43 years it existed! Calling Ryan’s recommended company, I was greeted 2 hours later by ‘a guy’ in a BIG pump truck. I like getting to know people, and what I discovered by talking to him made him MORE than an acquaintance.

His name was Vince and yes, he confirmed, he was a ‘Jesus Guy.’ So immediately we discovered we were brothers. As he dug around to find the cover to the tank, I went inside to do MY job. When I came back out to check on him, I couldn’t resist a picture of what I found. There Vince was, bare handed and elbow deep in poo juice, ripping out roots that clogged our septic system. WOW!

Talk about DEDICATION? He had been poking around while I was inside, then told me I had a problem. I NEVER would have expected him to take it so personally, but there he was, without being asked, digging around and getting his hands stinky dirty to fix what was stopping up the overflow poo juice to a drain-field that wasn’t HIS! One need not be a deep thinker to see the metaphor!

The sin in my life, which started from birth, had collected for years! Little did I know I was storing up wrath for myself, incident by incident, with NO hope of repair. As life got even messier, I got more stinky! Like a septic tank, there was NO way for me to clean myself out! I needed a savior! Enter Jesus. I didn’t ASK Him, and He didn’t bargain or try to convince me. He just jumped in and did it!

I remember the shock and unbelievable feeling when I realized that ‘perfectly clean God’ laid covered, disgustingly putrefied, by my own personal sin. I could not resist His Grace… the image remains in my head to this day. Jesus died for ME! How could I not receive His utterly indescribable gift? Now, I have another friend. One who loves Jesus and is willing to do what it takes for a brother!

Do YOU know the Savior? Are YOU dedicated to Jesus’ goal to eradicate the poo from the world and willing to jump in to serve Him… no matter HOW nasty the need?

“I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget your precepts.” Psalm 119:141 CSB

Having just purchased a new Smart ROKU TV, I received a request to complete a survey regarding their product. I don’t usually do surveys because they can take too much time, often putting me on someone a never ending email list. But liking the product, I clicked ‘Take the Survey.’ The first screen to pop up offered boxes to check for my age. 18-25. 26-35. 36-45. 46-55. 56-65. None of the Above!

I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw my age was of no significance! I busted out in uncontrollable laughter when, after selecting ‘None of the Above,’ The screen said, ‘Survey complete!’ I thought… ‘that’s IT??? You don’t even want to know my opinions or thoughts about your TV programming?’ My ‘thinking out loud’ turned into absolute silence as I answered my own question. “I guess not!”

It took a LOT of suffering, persistence, failure and come-backs to get where I am at 68! It was harder for me than some because, being stubborn, I was usually forced to learn things the hard way. Now, though I have a hard time sleeping, hearing, smelling and seeing, all those lessons are STILL there… from the tops of the mountains to walks through the valleys. From Marriage to child raising… worldly to Christ centered. I’ve learned a lot!

The world is moving along on the time-line predicted by Jesus Christ Himself. He said that the time of the end will be worse than ANYTIME in history. Having lived in a time when God and Country were at the center, the world is now wobbling under decisions made by the unwise and unlearned. Hard learned lessons of age are rarely sought, and ‘None of the Above’ is a class most prefer to skip!

But there IS a joyful learned perspective I have the privilege of seeing, as I approach this category of life. In light of His-story… I WOULD be insignificant, if it weren’t for Him. It is IN HIM that I rest my heart, souls and mind. In Him… I am NOT insignificant. I am God’s child and Christ’s ‘significant other.’ And HE is ALL I need to know and focus on to make this age ‘NOT insignificant!’ How ‘bout you?

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

It was a church dinner. Jesus (via the Church) was providing the sandwiches while the individual Church Members were asked to bring a side or dessert. It’s a formula that works because the MAIN thing is guaranteed to be there. I took it upon myself to order and pick up the sandwiches and some other items. I had picked up some coleslaw for my offering. Then… forgot to take it!

It’s been my experience that people today are more busy than ever, and time is not something that is easy to carve away. Church dinners USED to be called Pot-Luck dinners because people would bring what their favorite recipe happened to be. Mary was famous for Fried Chicken. Martha for meatloaf! Tables would be overflowing with main courses and fancy desserts. But fewer sides.

Over the years, as time became harder to find, main courses slowly disappeared and sides, made and purchased at a store, became the norm. A decision was made to have the Church provide the main dish (sandwiches, pizza, spaghetti etc.) and the attendees bring sides and desserts. Coleslaw was quick and easy. Since I had a lot to do to arrange getting the main things, I grabbed it! Easy right??!

Life was crazy for me the day of the dinner, and time was slipping by quickly. I’d already been to the church to turn on the AC so it would be cool. But time was approaching to get everything together and to pick up the sandwiches, ice and tea. It wasn’t until I got to the church that I realized I had forgotten the coleslaw at home! I felt horrible. My attempt at an offering… nadda!

I tell people one of the greatest lessons and blessings that I have learned in following Jesus over the years. “Give Jesus your time and your money, and HE will make sure YOU have plenty of time and money!” It’s a synopsis from several Bible verses, from which today’s verse is included. After the dinner, I felt a nudge that Jesus has some room to play with when it comes to giving!

The dinner was a success. The sandwiches were all gone and all that were left was sides. I realized that, in retrospect, my coleslaw would have made zero difference. But I was VERY content and pleased that the dinner went well. I even felt better when Jesus nudged me with the thought, “thanks for the gift of your time!

Are YOU giving God top priority in your life? Are you reaping His blessings in the form of ‘overflow’ as proof? Because Jesus’ way is a GREAT way to live!  

“If the Lord delights in the way of the man, he makes his steps firm. Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

When and where were already established. The what, how and who remained the only questions. Katie and I had the honor of meeting with an engaged couple seeking to be married. Just visiting here, they had a marriage license in hand AND a plan to have their ceremony on the beach this Saturday. They wanted to know if I would marry them. Our meeting would determine my answer.

As a pastor, I have had to politely refuse to marry ‘love birds’ several times over the years, a position that is uncomfortable, but very necessary. When a couple asks a Pastor to officiate, they are really asking God to be there. If someone dislikes baseball, it would be a shock to see them schedule their wedding at Yankee Stadium! We had to determine what KIND of marriage they wanted to have.

First things being first, I asked them about their relationship with Jesus Christ. Already knowing the key words I needed to hear in order to say yes, we were delighted and honored when we heard them. The conversation revealed that each knew Jesus Christ as their Savior AND that they wanted HIM at the center of their marriage. A good start! Next comes the follow through… at the beach!

Jesus tells the story of 2 different men who built houses. One on rock and 1 on sand. We know the conclusion when the storm hits. As long as no storms come, the beach is a BEAUTIFUL place to be. But in a storm, there is no place worse. I know of no place more filled with storms than in a marriage! In order for marriage to work, principles and intentions must be ROCK solid on Jesus!

Whether an individual, couple or group, the basis of, and the reason for any successful relationship, must be built upon the same ground. Today’s verse applies to EVERY individual, couple or group who has made Jesus Christ their choice of what, when, where, how and why. It is a promise He has NEVER failed to deliver. The question is… ‘Does The Lord delight in you and yours?’

“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” Genesis 6:5

Bzzzzzzzzz! I knew the sound they were making because I’d heard it many times. Not hearing like I used to, I just associated sound with sight as multiple mosquitoes flew around me in the dusk of the day. They were hungry! I knew my new found popularity came because THEY saw me as dinner! Since sucking my blood was grounds for capital punishment, I swatted. They kept coming!

It’s one of the universal questions that gets asked when mosquitoes invade groups of people. “Why did God make mosquitoes?” EVERYONE knows that the very idea of creating mosquitoes is ridiculous! Thus a presumption buzzes in the air, even asked by atheists to make their point. “If God created ALL things… why did He make mosquitoes? JUST WHAT WAS HE THINKING!??”

We had a family get-together the other day and 8 of my grandkids were here hanging out. I love these times because I don’t see them, or kids in general, on a daily basis. My Clan-kids are AMAZING, but even THEY have ‘occasional’ spats or fights, picking on each other and ratting each other out. Parents shared stories and experiences of raising these exceptional wonders of creation. My legacy!

The bubble gum machine I have for them was put to good use. After they left, I walked around and found several sticky blobs of goo on the pool pavers. Closer research revealed them to be wads of chewed gum. Someone in my legacy line had taken my gift of Bubble gum, enjoyed it, then had spit it out on the floor! I didn’t need to draw blood or do a DNA test because I pretty much know the who!

So there you have it! The answer to the big question. God didn’t make thorns, weeds, sweat and mosquitoes originally. They became the result AFTER man abused God’s gift of Life! Buzzing and bloodletting are the result of men choosing to be men, instead of His Legacy. Men are sinful and evil because men chose to be sinful and evil! Simply put… sin is in our blood! It’s what we do!

Adam and Eve had only 1 thing to avoid. Unfortunately, with the birth of sin, sin now comes in swarms! Now I wake up every morning to the buzzing swarms of evil choices just waiting to get a piece of me. But thank God that Jesus Christ gave HIS Blood so that I don’t have to ultimately pay… with mine! Is the Blood of Jesus YOUR sin repellent? Do you apply Him often?

“We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.“ 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Yesterday I had a plumbing disaster at my 50+ year old house. The drain pipes under the slab are not viewable. Therefore I do not really know their condition. I DO know that they are cast iron and, as we all know, cast iron rusts and deteriorates. After a flush of the toilet and the draining of a tub, a whole lot of nasty water backed up into my shower. I’d show a picture… but it’s too gross!

I know a great guy who is also a plumber. In cases of emergency, he usually accommodates me as soon as he can. When I texted him the picture, he called and said he’d be here in 3 hours! After about an hour of hot sweaty work, the line was cleared and I was left to clean up the mess. Noting several discussions over the last week, I was nudged by God to remember some other sewage issues.

There is no doubt that social media, the wagging of tongues and voicing of opinions are backing up and polluting our world. I was reminded that every time I join in any of those actions, I am polluting myself, and others around me. Like sewage in a shower, messes are difficult and no fun to clean up. Jus SEEING the mess is enough to stop me. When I found this verse, I took it personally.

I don’t watch the news or read the paper. But that doesn’t stop me from hearing things that people are quick to pass on… filtered through their own opinion. It takes time and effort to pay attention to social media and news. It does not take long to have its effect! As bad or discomforting opinion hits my ears, so goes my mood. My mood determines what I do next. If down and defeated… I mope!

What do YOU do with your time? Do you relish in the latest bad news or gossip? Are you quick to ‘pass it on?’ I am either glorifying and promoting God and His Word and Work… or I am being idly disruptive. SO now I have a NEW focus…. and I’m going to work on focusing on Him today. 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:10

“Beep, beep, beep…. URRRRRR… BANG.. GONE!” That was the sound I heard at 5:50 this morning. I knew what it was… and smiled. In the darkness, and with a light rain falling to create miserable conditions, the Waste Management guy was hauling away my junk! I was delighted!

I knew what he was doing, even though I never got out of bed. Yesterday I had asked my friend and neighbor to help me haul out a big couch and a loveseat to the curb. I had called the County and scheduled the pickup, but it was MY job to set the stuff out there! Those 2 items have been in this same house for 30 years! Katie FINALLY found a new set she likes. So… out with the old!

It took us YEARS to finally find something that she liked. It took and hour for me to get the stuff together, and with Rick’s help, out the door to the curb. It took the Waste Management guy about 3 minutes to hoist it up, up and away! Now it is gone FOREVER! I still have another couch and loveseat (both 32 years old) to get rid of before the new one arrives. But that’s next week!

The furniture was loved and well used for a LONG time. It’s still in usable condition! I never found a more comfortable couch in my life! The new one coming may not even be better! But comfort isn’t the golden rule when it comes to living room furniture. Setting out by the road, Katie said, “WOW we look like bums! Those were NASTY!” She was right. It was time for ‘New!”

I like my old way of life! It’s comfortable, well worn and suits me. I have my own hurts, habits, and hangups and I’m used to them. But many are no more than dirty, nasty, junk! Jesus tells me so. There are times when He says…. “that one’s GOT to go!” Sometimes I readily agree. Other times I argue for comfort. But the verse today tells me that Jesus isn’t in the recovering business!

Jesus lived to die so I could die to live! Think about that! He offers me BRAND NEW and BEAUTIFUL in EVERY area of my life! The crazy part is, time ticks away and there are STILL some old sofas lying around my life that are just too comfortable for me to take Him seriously. BUT… one day will be TOTAL TRASH DAY… and He’ll come and get rid of it… in the twinkling of an eye!

What soft sofas are YOU holding onto in your life? DO YOU need help in getting it to the curb? That is what the Church is for!

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

“THAT is the BEST RANCH DRESSING EVER!” I was holding the bottle of dressing in my hand, reading the label, when the voice came from behind me. I turned to see a woman with a big smile, standing there with her daughter. She went on to tell me a LOT more about the dressing than I could have read on the label. Her enthusiasm was contagious and conversation flowed to other subjects.

We hadn’t needed much from the store, but Ranch dressing had come up the day before. We didn’t have any and it is Katie’s favorite. Since I had to drive by Aldi anyway I thought, “I’ll just stop in and grab some.” As I reached for my keys, I saw a “Your Invited” card laying there. It’s a card we pass out to invite people to our church. I felt a nudge to grab it, but remembered I had one in my wallet.

Pulling into Aldi and exiting my truck I looked down and saw another one of those cards sitting on my consul, then felt another nudge with, “take that with you!” so I stuck it in my pocket. As I talked with ‘enthusiastic Ranch lady,’ we discussed many things… where she lived, where she was from, the hot weather, her daughter etc. When we started to part ways I felt the nudge… “give her the card!” So I did.

You’d have thought I had handed her a diamond! When I told her about the church and that I was the pastor, her joy was overwhelming. She said, “we just moved here and talked about looking for a church! This is just such a coincidence!” I smiled because… I don’t believe in coincidences. God smiled too because, I think He was worried I’d miss what He was trying to get me to do! WHEW!!

I have discovered that the longer I read His Word and walk with Jesus, the more opportunities I get to hear and act on His Heavenly Nudges. As I pay attention, good things happen. It just takes concerted effort and practice to hear that ‘still small voice.’ AND to ‘be prepared to give an answer from ‘The Hope’ that is in me from Christ Jesus. And all over a bottle of Ranch Dressing!!!! Hmmmmm!

Are YOU prepared?