“The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: Who have said, ‘With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?’” Psalm 12:3-4

My head hurts! Both the outside and inside! My dad has been gone now for about 18 years. But he is still memorable because of what occasionally creeps up in my life. He had bouts with pilar cysts on occasion, and that wonderful trait has been passed on to me. Yesterday I went to my favorite doctor and he cut two of them out of my scalp. NO!!! THIS is NOT a picture of MY head!

When I went to see my son last week, his wife told me was in a sore mood. HE had just had a big pilar cyst cut out of his scalp… and he was rather cranky! Apparently passing on the love continues. MAYBE next time we can get together for a family discount!!!!

The pain on the inside of my head is NOT from cyst removal. But the problem is no less inherited. My mind carries within it the propensity to think things that it should not. Inherited flesh sees to it that even at my best, I still carry with me the bent of stinkin’ thinkin’! And like those pesky cysts, which only grow larger when left alone… well those thoughts have ‘got to go’ because they are not good for me! What to do? I go to the GREAT Physician and His Word for eradication surgery.

I like my doctor. He is also a friend of mine. Truth be told, I’d rather spend time with him as my friend than as my doctor. But it’s nice to know that when doctoring needs done, a friend holds the scalpel! It is the same scenario with God. God is also my friend and He loves me. But LOVE is an ACTION that often goes where it is NOT exactly welcome! Just like my earthy physician gives me sound advice for a healthy life, so does my heavenly Doctor!

There is a TV show out now called ‘Dr. Pimple Popper.’ It is popular for a VERY weird reason. We ALL seem to react in the same way to the grotesque! Our first reaction is to repel and say “OOOOO GROSS!” But for SOME reason… we seem go back for a second or third look! It is the same with the sin of stinkin’ thinkin’. There is an inherited, grotesque fascination with it. THAT is why we need help in getting rid of it!

This verse today, when taken literally, portrays a picture of some cranky folks standing around with no lips! But it is a metaphor for judgment. Jesus said that HE ALONE was THE only ‘Truth’ in the Universe (John 14:6). Whether you think He is, or is lying, or just plain nuts… is YOUR decision. But for anyone claiming that ‘TRUTH’ title for themselves, this Psalm says they will be ‘cut off’ from God’s world. Their own opinions of themselves will not be welcome. Me? I’d rather get stinkin’ thinkin’ cut ‘out’ HERE… rather than let it fester to get cut ‘off’ THERE! Scalpel? 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

It was time to change the oil in my 13 year old truck. It is something I do myself and I have done it many times. It is ALWAYS a spiritual experience! This picture shows the actual access point of entry for removing and replacing the oil filter. The first few times I change the oil, I was at it for a LONG time and significantly increased my cussin’ and anger abilities. Then one day… it all changed!

Auto repair is the area I believe I have shed the most tears. I REFUSE to pay someone to do this for me. So one day, at my wits end, I paused and prayed, “Lord… this is gonna sound crazy.. but I can’t SEE where to screw on this filter, but if you guide my hand, I know WE can get this done together WITHOUT the drama… Thank You!” BAM!!! DONE!! So this time, as I reached up in that hole, I smiled and said, “Lord.. I’m ready when YOU are!” My oil change has become a church service!

In all my years I have never been satisfied with my own understanding, or others explanation, of Hebrews 11:1. Deep inside I sensed that there was something tangible in that foggy description of the BIG thing that pleases God. Now, to my liking, I believe I have discovered it!

When a soldier enlists in the army, He is GIVEN a weapon, TRAINED in how to use it, then SET FREE to fight. There is NOTHING magical about it. Using all of his senses, like seeing and hearing, he enters the war zone LOOKING and ANTICIPATING where he can utilize his weapon and skills to eliminate the enemy. Can it be that THAT is what God wants me to do with this Faith thing? I believe so!

Everyone likes the idea a being a super spy, like James Bond or Ethan Hunt. They are athletic and can fight, drive anything, shoot everything and even dance! They also look good in a Tux! They have a knack for getting out of any jam, even with limited resources. They are GOOD at what they do as they exercise their training and skills for the cause of freedom! Can I?

As I go through life I can SEE, HEAR and SENSE where the enemy resides. Being securely connected wirelessly to God’s home base, I can receive information and release His weapons into an area overrun by the enemy. I CAN expect VICTORY! While my weapons are spiritual, sizing up the situation is ALWAYS FIRST…physical! It STARTS with activating MY senses and SEEING my target. It ends with the release of His powerful, unseen force. The goal is to bring His freedom into hostile territory! But the FIRST weapon is my senses. With this explanation, there is really nothing mystical about Faith! It may never make sense in the physical world, but that is it’s power!

I realize that the oil change story is wacky. It makes no sense and may have even anger some people. “If God helped him with an oil change, why didn’t he heal my mom!” That sentence, while it MAY have merit, is full of mystery and error. All I know is, since I began giving the problem of my oil change to Him, cussin’ has not been an issue. Imagine what He can do when I turn that unsaved person I see… over to Him…and then follow up with the invisible action of FAITH!? Roger that?

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

While doing my morning routine and spending time with God and His Word, the back of my mind was planning on what I would DO afterward. I had to get some things at the store, make a couple visits, and get some things done at the church. But in what order? Having dedicated to writing letters to out of area politicians to encourage them to follow GOD’S path, I decided the post office was the first stop. It went pleasantly downhill from there.

I usually try to eat a healthy granola bar for breakfast. When unavailable, I eat cookies! I KNEW that the best price for granola bars was 3 miles north of me. I was heading south. After the Post Office, I’d planned to go next door to the grocery store where there was a sale on something else I wanted. While there, I walked by a display and noticed THEIR price for granola bars, on sale, was $1.00 less than the cheaper place north! I bought 2 boxes! This stop saved me $18.00! Coincidence?

If there was ever a confusing verse in the Bible for me, this is one stands out. Because of free will, I know God does NOT control my every move. I can make plans and decisions on my own WITHOUT Him. On the surface, this verse ALMOST seems God is saying, “go ahead and plan.. but I’ll make you go where I want you to go.” Which would immediately get my hackles up. Because I don’t like being FORCED to do ANYTHING. And neither do you. So what is the meaning?

One verse of Scripture can easily be taken out of context and turned the wrong way. For example, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not only wrong… it isn’t even in the Bible! So the question of this verse remains, does God MAKE me ‘step’ to do something contrary to my own will? To get the flavor of the verse, I read the whole chapter. And NO! That is NOT what it means.

God wants my whole life and everything in it. But it must be a free will offering to Him. The more I give Him, the more He can use. The more I am used, the more I learn, grow and gain other opportunities. Along the Way on HIS path, I have discovered unexpected blessings and joys I never would have experienced, had I gone my own way. Things I miss or take for granted just seem to pop up along the way. And like flowers and smells, bees and trees, God’s way is abundant with good things I never expected.

When I make my plans with GOD in mind… when I commit to walk WITH Him along my planned route, He often points out to me what I would never have experienced alone. Each step of MY plans, when placed within HIS plans, is a step in a blessed direction.

Did I really save $18 because of God? I don’t really know for sure. But then.. do I really NEED to? Because I KNOW my Father… and He is enough!

“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:2

I noticed I needed some clean socks, underwear, blue jeans and long sleeved shirts. I also noticed the hamper on my side of the room was overflowing… logically putting 2+2 together, I grabbed the hamper and threw it all into the washing machine. Since it wasn’t quite a full load I threw in a couple towels as well. No sense wasting good space right? Finding a packet of something that promised a ‘fresh smell for up to 12 weeks,’ I threw some of that in too. What could it hurt!?

My wife freaks at the way I do laundry. Many a time she has chastened and warned me to NOT throw HER stuff in with MINE. She fears discoloration and wrinkles. Me? Not so much. If my socks or underwear come out a little blue and wrinkly… who’s gonna notice? Being the mature one, I do not discriminate against HER way of doing laundry! I let her do MY dress shirts and pants!

As I was pulling out the laundry to throw it all into the dryer, a yucky smell hit my nose. Not being stupid, I instinctively knew that this should not be. After all, I used the scent beads! Investigating, I carefully looked at the rubber seal around the inside of the door. Pulling at it, I noticed that deep inside a rubber fold, black smelly crude had grown and collected. My cleaning machine actually needed cleaning! Who’da thunk?

My wife and I have different jobs in the house. You might say we discriminate. I CAN be a male chauvinist pig as I believe there are some things that are the man’s job… and there are some that are the woman’s. Cutting grass, working on the car, clearing drains and killing wildlife in the house are MY jobs. Cleaning the floor, washing the sheets, washing windows and dusting are hers. Cleaning smelly crud out of the washer CLEARLY fell under my jurisdiction! So I did!

When it comes to my Christian walk, Jesus and I are a team. And just like with my wife and I, there are things that only HE does.. and things that ‘I’ am responsible for doing. Happily… the disgusting, stinky, dirty area of sin falls under HIS expertise. But it appears I am not completely off the hook. Today’s verse reminded me that my body, soul and spirit can be washed clean by Him.  But it is MY job to BRING it to Him in the first place. ‘Draw near… SINCERELY!’

I admit that cleaning the of crud of my life is a nasty business. But I have learned that there are some areas where God does NOT want my help. In fact, my interference… interferes! I am called to sincerely show up with the dirty laundry… He then lovingly cleans. No role reversal is permitted. The meaning is obvious… If I smell, see or sense ANY crud in my life… and I DO have the senses to notice… I am required to deliver it to HIM. And THAT is how God does laundry EVERY time!

“you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10

Calling to confirm plans to visit my son and his family for dinner, I told him I was free and could come earlier if he had any projects needing my help. He snickered in the phone and said… “Oh, I got a project!” Anticipating, I smiled. Until he said, “I’m changing the brakes on my truck!” Immediately I was transported to a ‘not so happy’ experience years ago! I reluctantly agreed to help because I have learned that family trumps bad memories every time.

It was many years ago on a cold and snowy winter day when the old car we drove needed brakes. We were so poor that even the cheapest brakes put a dent into my wallet. But the job had to be done. After reading up on the ‘how-to,’ all went well until it was time to bleed the brake line. As I applied pressure to the bleeder valve, it snapped off from rust, resulting in one of the few times this grown man ever cried! Flashing back to the present, my son had just asked for my help… so I sucked it up and headed out.

On the way I reminded myself that it couldn’t be THAT bad. I fought to convince myself to look at the positives. I live in Florida now, so snow was out. It wasn’t going to cost ME anything but time, which I had. Monetary cost to me was out… because it was HIS truck! When I got there I was elated! He hadn’t just purchased the brakes.. but had gone ahead and bought ALL new rotors AND Calipers as well! That might not mean much to some… but the point is.. EVERYTHING was BRAND NEW! There was NO chance that old rust was going to be a factor!

While working, the occasion became even MORE joyous when my other son showed up to help.. then my daughter arrived. In-laws and a pack of grandkids congregated around as the guys worked. The GOOD news is, the job went off without a hitch. I suffered a brain burp when it came time to bleed the brakes!!! But it was not a problem at all! All that remained was the test drive! I was never so happy as to ‘almost be put through the windshield,’ in my life! It was a good day as I chocked up NEW and GOOD experiences in auto repair!

The verse today says that I no longer operate under the conditions of my old life, since it has passed away. Life is no longer cold and bleak, since Jesus Christ gave me a NEW life with NEW operating conditions. I am promised that the Holy Spirit is ALWAYS with me…so I am never alone. Because I have access to HIS mind and strength, I do not have to rely on my own. I also have a great loving Church family who encourages, supports and helps when difficulties arise. All in all, operating in this NEW life is MUCH better than operating in the old. I can STOP things even better than I used to.

Sometimes driving down memory lane can be a GOOD thing. Especially when it reminds me… I don’t HAVE to ‘go there’ anymore! But I have decided I will continue to avoid auto repair!

“For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted” Psalm 9:12

I didn’t wake up angry… but it didn’t take long for me to get there! It wasn’t my plan to experience sorrow so early in the day, but I knew what it was when it interrupted my devotions. Like a shot in the dark or a crash in the night, my day and mood immediately switched from the domination of His Spirit to that of obeying my emotions. Like oil and water, they didn’t seem to mix. Until I heard His still small voice and then… they did!

David wrote about politics… a LOT. The emotional mood of the nation is found throughout the Psalms. Right was right and wrong was wrong! One was either on God’s side and deserving of His mercy and grace, or on the other side, full of evil and deserving of judgment. Like David, I have a hard time keeping my cool. The subjects before me, blasted from my email and the internet, were festering a sore in me. And I didn’t’ know what to DO!

As government gets sophisticated in its manipulation, it can control response. I set my recycling out yesterday, and was reminded that it is a forced way for the county to make money from MY work and trash. But that’s OK, since I AM a part of the county! Likewise, congressmen and elected officials have a sneaky way to keep non-constituents from weighing in on major issues. If you don’t live in their area, they don’t accept your emails! My emotions, needing a vent, seemed stifled. Until I saw the envelope setting on my desk!

David took the time and materials to journal his feelings. Did he write about hiding in a cave while in there? Or later? In either case, God made sure He published the thoughts! I could feel God trying to tell me something. The envelope was the evidence! God wanted me to express His righteousness the old fashioned way! I looked up the address of the official on the internet, then wrote and letter and dropped it in the mail!!! “AHHHHHHH! Oil and water DO mix,” I thought!

What made me SO uncomfortable was ALSO what made me take action. As we are ALL ministers of His Gospel, we ALL are required to take action. Whether by voice or letter… in prayer or by physical action… WE ARE HIS CHURCH! And even in today’s technological age, there are SOME things that God still does the old fashioned way. What are YOUR emotions telling you to do? Because… It could just be God calling!

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

There has been a war going on in my house. A battle of wills! This morning, in the darkness, as the alarm clock went off, my wife asked…”will there be coffee?” Arising from the warm bed, my response was… “I believe!”

There has been trouble lately with the coffee pot and its cooperation. It is getting old and sometimes it hasn’t brewed the coffee in advance of our rising. There are SEVERAL things that can cause the problem. Age, loss of power, timer reset, failure to hit the ‘Auto’ button! Any one, or combination of thereof, can prohibit coffee from being there when we awake. Last night I went through ALL the possible scenarios and was confident it would work. If there was NO coffee… it would be time for a new machine! Going to the kitchen… I hit the JACKPOT!

The news in our country is getting more grotesque and horrific by the day. I deliberately do not watch live news as it just angers me. But closing a blind eye is not only foolish… it makes me, in effect, complicit with evil if I KNOW and don’t DO anything in my power to stand up to it. As a member of God’s creation, created to bring His light into the darkness, I am either DOING it or NOT DOING it.

The verse today lays out a promise from David to God. Four times he says, “I will!” He states that ‘I will give, tell, be, rejoice and sing.’ But SAYING isn’t DOING! It is all well and good to INTEND to carry out our God ordained activities. It is another thing to shutdown after the claim! It has been said that, ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ How true!

The state of Virginia elected a Governor who is proposing a bill that would allow a baby to be killed AFTER it is born. The mother and to doctor would have the right, and power, to make the decision and carry out murder… all by their lonesome! Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse! On another note, the Speaker of the House is proposing that “So help me God,” be taken out of the oath of office for members of Congress! Being a God guy I can say, “Yes.. there is a connection!”

My coffee pot either makes coffee as it was intended to do.. or it doesn’t. I either programmed it correctly… or I didn’t. Either I have coffee waiting when I awake…or I don’t. If I DON’T… there is only ONE explanation.. It is MY fault! When I stand before God and face Him, I will either hear, “Good Job,” or “You wicked, lazy servant.” Either way… His judgment depends COMPLETELY upon me! There will be NO surprises!

I have some choices to make today and like David… I’m shooting for ‘JACKPOT!’

“without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

It is getting close to that time of year where I need to be thinking about what I don’t want to think about. In my thinking, I have determined that the opposite of Faith… is Taxes! I have a super hatred of this time of year, not because I don’t’ like paying taxes. But because I HATE MATH! I realize that without taxes, I would not be able to enjoy a LOT of benefits I take for granted. But making me do math seems a little excessive.

I live in a house, drive a vehicle, walk among other people and even make a living because of taxes. Security, serenity and safety are conditions supplied by all of us mutually paying for services that our taxes support. Unfortunately I must keep receipts and records, and then report an accounting of my year to the government. Based upon that report, I will be accessed MY share of taxes. The more careful I am in recording and mathematics, the less I will have to pay… AND the more I can keep.

I do not have ALL of my receipts. Not being an organized person… and not caring to become one, I don’t bother saving them all. Which means, in essence, that I must pay for my refusal to keep track of my own expenditures! In reflecting about my Faith in God… it has hit me that God NEVER requires that I keep any record of my works of faith… since the Bible is clear… HE already DOES!

I don’t know which is worse, knowing that I am going to have to support my claims to the government, or not knowing what claims my God will require me to support! I DO know that the majority of earthlings do not give ‘The Judgment’ of God much thought! I ALSO think I’d rather face the IRS for my actions, or inactions… than an unhappy God!

God measures my life by what I DON’T see. He tells me that if I want a favorable ruling when I meet Him, that I MUST believe He exists RIGHT HERE and NOW! And that I am to invest time, money, gifts and service into HIS work… WITHOUT seeing the exact, immediate reward. But I am required to BELIEVE that it will be there! In essence.. I am to deliberately trust that He is trustworthy in my every action on earth. And not to worry about receipts… HE is keeping score!!!!! ‘I’ am NOT required to ‘do the math!’

How Faithful am I? I THINK I’m OK. I mean, maybe I’ll get a ‘C’. But I realize that even saying that is arrogant because of possible pride or humility. Scoring is not my job. DOING is. And the DOING is walking by Faith TODAY… RIGHT NOW! So…what am I doing, right this minute, that is pleasing to God? What will I do the REST of my day? My LIFE? I DO know this… Judgment Day.. like April 15… is coming! And doing NOTHING is a VERY bad option! It’s time to leap!

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

I received a call yesterday from an old friend from up north. Before I had time to think, I answered his question. He had asked “So how are you doing down there?” “COLD!” I responded. Immediately I knew I had made a mistake and knew what was coming. Tongue in cheek, he told me, “Yea, wind chill is -15 here today!” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that outside MY door… it was 50!

I spend a lot of time yesterday changing clothes. I remember living up north when I’d put my long johns underneath and that was what I wore all day. Here in Florida, I go from winter jacket, to sweatshirt, to short sleeves and back again all within an hour! I stood in the street and changed from short sleeves into a heavy riding jacket as I prepared to head home on my motorcycle. Put off – put on. It reminded me of what Paul had said in Ephesians… only on a more serious note!

Fooling people is not all that hard to do. Fooling yourself is a little tougher.. but possible. Fooling God? Impossible! Not even with the best planning! He KNOWS us INTIMATELY. And He has warned us that the dis-ease which we carry within us is TERMINAL! Our old flesh is not only going to die… WE are the ones who are supposed to help kill it off! Everything about out flesh… our heart and our deceitful desires, is to be put OFF! We are then called to PUT ON CHRIST with the NEW spiritual self.

I find that I spend WAY too much time changing clothes. But I can point to people who, it doesn’t even bother! But my tattle telling doesn’t impress God. He is dealing with ME and expects MY undivided attention. This is serious business, if I want life! And TRUE Life in Him does not look ANYTHING like DEAD life here on Earth. Living new and walking with Him WILL bring unfavorable attention from the rest of the world!

Living my teen years in the late 60’s and early 70’s was fun. I loved the clothes… HUGE bell bottoms, wide white belts, cool boots and shirts with puffy sleeves were just plain cool! But not anymore. I’ve found some similar clothing and worn it out in public… only to receive laughs and criticism. It is the same thing when I ‘put-on’ Jesus clothes. The world wants no part of it. But if I want God’s heart, I need to wear His outfit! REGARDLESS of the weather outside! It’s time for a change!