“But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 MEV

Once again I found myself staring at the printer. I had just enough paper to make the copies I needed. Three pages, but pages 2 & 3 needed to be back to back for this job. Three pages on two. Being on the last page, I looked at the printer, set page 2 into the paper feeder and hit ‘Print!’ What came out was page 2 and 3… on the SAME PAGE! Here’s a thought… was I making copies?? Or just wasting paper?

If you have been a child, student, employee or a Christian, have you discovered that one of the most important lessons learned is that it isn’t WHAT you do.. but HOW you do it that matters? And that MOST of the time, WHY carries a lot of weight in the mistake process. Looking down at the paper feed, I noticed I had preciously placed an orange sticky note that read, “face up – top forward.” I hadn’t paid attention to my previous painful experience! Realistically … I was just wasting paper!

I have learned that God is usually not as critical of WHAT I do as He is with HOW and WHY I do it! Often times I use the excuse, ‘I didn’t know.’ This is the plea of ignorance! What does God think about that excuse? Well, looking at the root word for ignorance, it starts with ‘ignore.’ Not a good thing! We all have learned the saying, “ignorance of the law is NO excuse.” I tried using it on a Policeman once after being pulled over for speeding! He just shook his head!

The thought hit me, “I wonder if pain was involved in Jesus birth?” He was in Heaven looking down on EVERYTHING He had made. He knew EVERYTHING there is to know. And yet, He stepped off His throne and dove into the womb of a human… to ‘knowing NOTHING!’ I wonder if that hurt a bit? While I don’t know the answer, I DO know that human ignorance …is VERY painful indeed.

I have often heard folks say, ‘I don’t read the Bible because I don’t understand it, don’t like to read, or don’t have time.’ All excuses of WHAT they ‘don’t do.’ None of which are acceptable to God. While we were YET sinners… even before I was born… Christ made the decision to die for me! What, how and why are clearly spelled out because God is an ‘ACTION’ God. Being made in His image, I am expected to pay attention to my what’s, how’s and why’s concerning His action toward me.

This Christmas season is a PERFECT time to access my Faith in Christ. WHAT am I specifically doing for Him? HOW am I growing in my personal walk with my Savior as I try to copy His life in me? WHY do I choose one way over another? It is my job to ask those questions of myself …and Jesus sheep. Much of the time we ‘THINK’ we are copying Jesus… but in reality, aren’t we just wasting time?

HOW and WHY do YOU do WHAT you do? After all… Ignorance is NOT bliss!!

“Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.” Hebrews 6:17

The shrimp was already in the pan, sautéing with garlic, onions and spices, when the thought hit me… “am I doing this right?” Reaching for the creole seasoning, only to find we were out of it, I substituted cayenne pepper instead. The card called for red wine, and we didn’t have any of that either… but I found a can of beer in the back of the fridge, cracked it and poured some into the pan and the rest down the sink ( I hate beer). Setting down to eat with my wife, she made the comment, “it tastes different this time.” It ALWAYS does!

As a chef I make a great carpenter! Consistency it an issue in my culinary skills. That is why, when we have our men’s breakfast every other Saturday, we go to Perkins! I like Perkins. It meets all of our needs. It has room, a great atmosphere, good service, prices and FOOD CONSISTENCY! I order the same thing every time and every time it tastes the same! Which is EXACTLY what I count on.

When it comes to God, the Bible assures me that He NEVER changes. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” I have come to LOVE that about Him. Oh there have been times I have pressed, tested, pleaded and screamed for Him to break His consistency. ESPECIALLY in the area of discipline. But His love and actions toward me are ALWAYS in keeping with His loving promises.

1 John 4 repeatedly points to the fact that God is love. If you have spent any time with Him, testing and trying and growing, you know that His love is not a gushy, squishy feeling. But an action. He knows my sin, needs, wants and desires. And He never varies from His promised commitment to mold me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes thorough blessing… other times through discipline. But I can ALWAYS count on the fact that He will not change directions on me and will ALWAYS do what is best for my life.

Christ PROMISES me eternal life with Him in Heaven. But for NOW He promises to make me into a God-like person. I can count on that. So if you want GUARANTEED good shrimp and grits… don’t come to my house. If you want a guaranteed God you can count on… reach out to Jesus. He’s ready to make a masterpiece out of YOU. He NEVER fails. 

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

The stakes were high as we were playing for Scotland. My opponent had already lost Canada… twice, and we were now playing for a country that, in my mind, REALLY mattered. I counted my wins in my head. Two Canada’s, a chicken and a bag of nothin’. The opposing side had Paris and a goat. I was well ahead. But with Scotland, my homeland, at stake, I had to be VERY careful. I rolled…

The game was carpetball, which I had neither heard of nor played. I was spending time volunteering at the local youth center, my opponent was in 9^th grade, so Canada and Scotland were relatively safe. The ‘bag of nothin’ was really SOMETHING, because the planned time I was investing was more precious than gold. Evangelism and outreach are costly enterprises, as they take time, love and gentle care to pay off. FUN was just the icing on the cake.

I have often said that while Evangelism is a Spiritual gift (Billy Graham had it) it is also a requirement of ALL Believers. Just like reading and studying the Word. Not all are called to Teach or Preach. But ALL are commanded to read and learn. That means we have to be DELIBERATE in our study. And just as deliberate and careful in our evangelism. Because REAL LIVES are at stake!

It has been my experience that most people shy away from sharing the Gospel. MOSTLY because they don’t know how. In reality, it is because they are afraid or embarrassed that they will be rejected, or disliked, for doing it. Which is a HORRIBLE excuse, since the Master of our lives has commanded we do so. ‘Not and option,’ He says in His Word.

What do YOU deliberately DO to obey that command of your Savior? Have you formulated a plan or a goal? Are you working on your approach? Where have you tried and failed and are you reworking your technique? Where you have succeeded, have you sallied forth with confidence? It is a serious question because ONE day you will be judged on what you did today with Christ’s Life Saving Gospel. For now, YOUR world is up for grabs and the ball is in YOUR hand. Roll well my friend!

“Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

Being in a relaxed state on a Sunday afternoon, my wife said, “I’m going to go clean the front patio.” I should have seen it coming. Every year about this time we get out there to sweep away the crud that has blown in from elsewhere. Leaves, sand, and dirt make it unsightly. And since company is coming over, she likes to make it look better. Being married for 4+ decades, I know that ‘I’ means ‘we.’ So out ‘we’ went.

Please don’t get me wrong. She wasn’t ordering me to help. It’s just a thing WE do semi-annually… and it was time. Grabbing a broom I started sweeping away. When I got out to the end of the patio and turned back, I saw there was even MORE crud behind the stuff she had moved. The difference between a man and woman ‘cleaning’ is simple. Women add ‘rearranging’ to ‘clean’ as an adverb! It’s just part of the deal. I went to get the blower!

There must be a class on running a leaf blower, as I have seen MANY people use them effectively. Me? Not so much. As many hours as I have put behind this baby, I should be a pro. But when I looked back, a lot of the stuff I blew ahead somehow ended up BEHIND me! It took 3 more tries to get a C+ rating. But to me, it was ‘good enough!’

God is not interested in ‘good enough.’ He wants ’perfect!’ In sharing the Gospel with folks I often hear, ‘I’m a good person,’ And I cringe. When my kids were growing up, a C+ was not acceptable. And while they have survived the scars from my harping… the Bible tells me that there is NO way ‘I’ can survive the scars of my sin to meet God’s perfect standard of excellence!

The command to ‘put on the new self’ only comes AFTER a ‘new self’ is created … by Christ. Unlike a new suit, it starts with a new heart and proceeds from the inside out. And Jesus Chris is the ONLY expert at it’s application. My job is to simply co-operate… which is NOT so simple!

I thank God for His Grace. Even though I am supposed to be a ‘grown-up,’ I still have spats and fits with trying to clean myself up. When I make an attempt to ‘Whoosh’ away my own failure, I find it only leaves a dirty trail of guilt! WHY He keeps loving and working with me is ‘The wonder of His love!’ He NEVER STOPS LOVING ME!

I thank and praise God for the Gift of His PERFECT son Jesus Christ! Don’t you?

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

The doorbell rang so I answered it to a delivery man carrying a rather large package. He stated my name and I said, “yep… that’s me.” Then he sat it down and left me wondering… ‘did I order something? What was it? Maybe my wife did. But why is it in my name?’ After about 30 minutes it hit me. My daughter in law needed my help and asked if she could send some gifts that needed assembly for my grandkids. This was that! So the package really WAS for ME after all!

My kids are all grown up and have kids of their own. But one of my favorite things to do was to assemble toys for them. It made me feel an important part of the giving process… as I invested my time and abilities… not just money. I loved watching the kids enjoy something I had a part in. God’s Word tells me I don’t have to wait for any special delivery to deliver something special. He has given me the ability to do it all the time.

Before Jesus left for home from earth, He promised His followers the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was a gift that blessed the receiver … when the gift was passed on and given to someone else! It is a Gift that keeps on giving. It isn’t like a package that I can just hand off. There is ‘some assembly required.’

God made you and me SPECIAL. We each have our own reasons for being here that no one else can do. THAT is what makes us SPECIAL. The Holy Spirit gives you nudges and gifts to reach out to people in your world… AND His. He can move you in and around at will… but ONLY as we cooperate and pay attention. He PROMISES that by serving others with HIS special gift, as delivered by YOU… that YOU will receive WONDERFUL gifts personally made ESPECIALLY for YOU. It is a win-win gift!

If you have ever helped, or given to others, I don’t have to tell you that there is NO better feeling in the world. Giving is SO much more fun that just getting. Because when I do it, it spurs me on to so it even more. The gift just keeps going on and on. Are YOU a treasure to God AND to someone else? Because I think I just heard the doorbell ring…. it’s for you!   

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27

The lady at the counter greeted me and asked “How are YOU today?” Pointing to my hat I said… “I’m sure you saw this already, right?” Emblazoned across the top was scripted ‘Jesus Christ’… and on the brim – I love Jesus’. “She replied, “Yes I did!” “Well then, you probably already KNOW how I am!” I pronounced. She smiled and took my order for a cheeseburger … ‘mayo and pickle only please.’ We carried on our conversation as someone else made my burger. Little did I know I was about to enter the Martyrs Hall of Fame!

We talked about Jesus and Christmas. When the bag was handed to me, I bid all a ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ and left. Once in my truck, I opened it and took a BIG bite! Mayo & ketchup exploded all over my shirt, pants, chin and steering wheel! Humorously my mind jumped to heaven where I sat beside Isaiah in ‘The Martyrs Hall of Fame!’ He was sitting a little askew, having been sawn in half! He turned to me and asked, ” What are YOU in here for?” And I didn’t have the guts to answer him!

I have been determined to be more determined in sharing the Gospel. I am making it a point to pray for people to cross my path who need Jesus Christ. I wear Jesus hats, carry tracks and bracelets and am ready with questions and one liners in hopes of gaining an audience. But it hasn’t gone as well as I expected. So far I have had 2 deliberate messed up food orders, and twice now, people sitting near me in a restaurant, within earshot, have gotten up and left! But I think I’m onto something!

NO one has a baby without effort. Ask my youngest daughter, who is now as big as a house, expecting baby #2! Time, effort, pain, fatigue and frustration are just part of the price to parenting. And bearing SPIRITUAL children is no different! If ya want ‘em… ya gotta WORK for ‘em! And since Jesus COMMANDED us ALL to do just that, I’ve been taking Him seriously.

Jesus came to save PEOPLE. He has chosen ‘foolish people’’ to proclaim a ‘foolish Gospel!’ It is a story that simply makes no sense at all. Sinners deserving hell can get a free pass…if they will just choose to receive the Savior! Sound silly? Yup!!! But it WORKS! He even PROMISED us blessings if we ‘talked Him up!’ But sometimes….

If you think about it, sharing the Gospel ends in either a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ I am not judged by THEIR answer! Just my talking. But Jesus says that ‘I’ will score a blessing from HIM… EVERY TIME. Even if they say ‘NO’ (Luke 6:22-23)! Therefore, telling people the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a WIN-WIN proposition where I CAN’T LOSE!! I turn with a smirk and look right at Isaiah… with a chin full of ketchup and mayo… and ask… HUH?”

Will YOU please join me.

“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

Having had only a small bowl of cereal in the morning, and having missed lunch, I wanted SOMETHING… but faced an appointment. With just a few minutes to spare, I pulled into the store to grab a snack. It was right then and there that time sped up and ‘I’ met ‘me!’ The Black Hole of indecision and desire sucked me into a battle we have all faced at one time or another… “Sweet or salty?”

Seeing the donuts, then the cookies, eyes popped… but palate countered. Looking at chips or pretzels satisfied desire, but failed on appeal. Time ticked on… would I be late over such a silly predicament? I ran the aisles again, frantic now for the ultimate palate pacifier. Then settled on a can of cashews. The halves and pieces. Whole ones were too expensive!

Humans are so finicky!!! Don’t even ask me what I WANT for my birthday or Christmas. I have NO idea! Being rich in junk falling out of closets already, why add to the chaos? But the question remains… what do “I truly want?” What will absolutely satisfy me in the ‘here and now’ AND the ‘then and later?’ I was overjoyed to be led to this verse today. Maybe you will be too.

I LOVE God’s Word. Being a fleshy guy… AND a sanctified saint, it is tough to find something that satisfies both sides. I need HELP in moving me to the ‘Light Side,’ and something tangible to keep me there! A verse like this is just the ‘DOUGH-NUT’ I need. It is both sweet AND salty to my soul and spirit.

The first line might seemed shocking at first… ‘Sow righteousness for yourselves.’ It is the Old Testament version of Jesus own New Testament command, “lay up for YOURSELVES…. TREASURE!” (Matt 6:20). He even COMMANDS me to BE SELFISH! Even if I don’t feel like doing it for HIM… He tells me to do it for MYSELF! Loving others HIS way… reaps ‘unfailing love’ for myself! He then promises that one day, this battle of wills WILL end…. when He comes… WITH PRESENTS! It is awin-win for both of us! Desire and appeal have met their match!

Leaving the store, I went to meet my friend. As we started chatting, I reached down, grabbed the can, popped the metal top PSHHHHHHH… then offered some to him. I asked, “Nuts?” He had NO idea that it was a loaded question!!!

What do YOU want?

“The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”‘ Acts 8:29

Having visited one of our folks who lives in an assisted living facility, I was walking down the corridor to leave. I had passed a small billiard table andthen saw a man walking toward me carrying a small, long unique case. I said,”hi.” He said, “hello.” A few steps later, the Holy Spirit said, “turn around and go play pool with him.” ………………. So I did!

I’d like to say that I responded IMMEDIATELY. That within 1 or 2 steps I turned 180 degrees and obeyed. But it didn’t happen like that. I ‘wonder-walked’ for about 20 steps, arguing with myself and the Holy Spirit, as to whether that “turn around” command REALLY came from Him. Funny thing was, at about step 20, while I was still wondering, my feet automatically did an ‘about face!’ I was committed!

Since I own a 9 foot pool table, I figured he couldn’t beat me TOO bad! Besides, he was old!!! But He DID have a custom made pool cue! With Jim Croce’s, “Don’t mess around with Jim” buzzing in my head, I was certain that WINNING wasn’t really acriteria of the Holy Spirit. As I approached Him, I saw his name embroidered on his shirt and thought… “NOOO WAY!!!!” His name was JIM! “Hi Jim,” I said, “who are you playing pool with?” Surprised I knew his name, he answered…nobody! I then understood what God had in mind.

Playing pool by yourself is kind of like riding a NO-horse, open sleigh! The seat’s nice, but the scenery never changes. Jim graciously accepted my interruption and ‘racked-em.’ I suggested 1 game… but the conversation, I made sure, ended up about Jesus. So I asked, “how about best out of three?” As me, Jim and Jesus played pool, a gal came by and said, “you’ll never beat Jim…he’s good.” After she passed, I reminded Jim that according to “BIG J” in the room, NONE of usare good. Jim smiled at the remembrance. And I know Jesus did too! Jim knew Jesus!

The end result was kind of funny. Each of us had won 1 game and Jim was set up in game3 to sink the 8 ball… then ‘SCRATCHED!’ Smiling, I got real close to Jim and said, “remember to tell EVERYONE that you just lost a game of pool… to a ‘Preacher!’ I’ll be back!” We parted brothers!

Divine appointments are not just for ‘Preachers!’ They are for EVERY member of the body of Christ. The trick to making them it to keep life aligned with the Holy Spirit and towatch carefully for them. They are incredible, ‘Holy’ moments from the Divine, as He births and gathers His family together HERE on this planet. But know this….when we get to Heaven, these precious appointments will cease. Because everyone THERE… will already know Him!

What will The Holy Spirit ask of YOU today, as He gathers His people together. Are you ready and anticipating Him?

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Mark 16:15

The dark clouds grew thicker as the church clock on the wall ticked on. About 10 minutes before time the benediction, rain started to fall… each moment increasing intensity. As folks left, they had to make a decision. I always stand at the main exit to shake hands and say goodbye. But most folks decided to take the back exit, as it wasn’t as far of a walk to their car. That thought never even crossed the mind of my youngest grandson, Coast!

Looking right past me and out into the rain, Coast had only 1 mission…PLAY!!!! My daughter caught him by the hand and a small battle began to form. SHE wanted him to stay dry. My comment, “it’s only a little water!” did NOTHING to alleviate the tension in their tug of war. I left them to their battle of wills and prepared to leave. All was well, until I opened the door to a DOWNPOUR!! My words, “it’s only a little water!” did NOTHING to alleviate MY anxiety!

What is the difference between a young boy and a mature man? I think it’s priorities. What HE saw as adventure, I saw as an inconvenience. Mature folks can easily look upon the actions of youth and consider them silly…. or foolish. But how does OUR Heavenly Father see it?

I had been saved from the destructive storm of life by the mere words of ‘The Gospel.’ Someone dared tell me the story… and I believed! The excitement of Salvation immediately caused me to enthusiastically spread the Word to all. Sadly, I believe that now, in the mature years, I often do not EMBRACE the ‘foolishness’ of proclaiming His free gift, so enthusiastically! Can do something different!

At Christmas time, it is not hard to shout out… “Merry Christmas!” For now, the stigma of those words have been stymied and it’s O.K. But an idea has just hit me… what if?? Merry Christmas is a statement that might easily be considered a command. “HEY YOU…. HAVE A Merry Christmas!” What if I were to change my greeting to a question? What if I were to ASK, “Are you having a Merry Christmas?” Would that maybe open a door to a conversation to the Gospel?

It’s just a thought. But a good one, I think. It MAY be good enough to jar me from my dry, boring and safe maturity into an exciting adventure and opportunity for the King! But, as the storm of life blows hard against our darkened world, I shouldn’t NEED an excuse to trick me into talking about His Gift! Besides, He already GAVE ME His command a long time ago. “YOU…go into the world and tell them my story!”   Ahhhhh Adventure!!!!!

Are YOU having a Merry Christmas?