“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“Oh No!” I thought. “Katie’s sunflower is falling over!” She always likes the idea of having sunflowers in the backyard. She’s planted them several times. But between bugs, bunnies and bad seeds (or farming), it rarely works out. This sunflower was bent over at about a 45 degree angle when I woke up. It was leaning against a sign 2 feet away, both telling a story.

I am not a farmer. But I realize that, left alone, that sunflower is soon to be a gonner. So I went outside and zip-tied it to a stake… giving it more time in the upright position. I don’t know if it’s the soil, the strength of the plant or just plain old time. But it is fair to say that this sunflower is almost done. With this writing, maybe it is serving it’s designed purpose.

When I see stuff like this I get reflective. Knowing Jesus and His love and Grace so long, I KNOW that according to God’s law, I SHOULD have been consumed long ago. But I too have received MANY a steady helping hand from Him. Enough to say that I have witnessed His compassionate hand in my life. And honestly, they are MORE than new every morning. PTL

I thought it artistically beautiful that a REAL sunflower leaned over to accompany a picture, with a saying that is very appropriate. I too am real, and sometimes need a reminder that I was created to live life with Christ… IN FULL BLOOM. This morning I am grateful for this timely reminder. What about YOU? Are YOU living with Christ… in full bloom? He’s calling!

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28

Last night a few of us went out to see John Crist, the Christian Comedian. It was a great time, as he had us roaring in laughter at our own thoughts and failures… like when it comes to the Bible and actual application. At one point, he expanded the thought of WHEN he is actually GUILTY of something. If today’s verse is true… well… it could mean trouble for all of us!

He uses a few scenarios where someone cheated him and he thought about some awful payback in his head… but didn’t carry it out. We all laughed. But then… I had an actual experience! The show had JUST started, and people were both walking in late AND… walking out to go to the bathroom! One lady did it THREE TIMES! I murdered her!

OK… I didn’t murder her in reality… but according to Jesus I did. Her making an entire row of people stand up so she could walk out pretty much guaranteed that I was not the only one doing the killing! It also proved the point John was trying to make. We are ALL guilty of sin in our hearts. Whether Jesus actually applies that sin to the final total of ‘committed’ or ‘forgiven’ is really up to our personal relationship with Him. If we have received Him as Savior and Lord, we might heart-fully murder away and laugh all day long! In theory right?

The point I was able to take away last night is that I too am a great offender. I am sure lots of people have things against me that I don’t even know or remember what I did. Likewise, I know I carry a lot of critical judgment within me that Christ has forgiven me for that should never have been thought of in the first place. What about you? Funny person… How is YOUR heart?

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Revelation 3:15

April 29^th! That’s the date this year. And while every year has a date, it is generally different each year. The date is the day I jump into the pool after winter’s chill down of the water. I’d been working and sweating, and even though I knew it was going to be a shock, I jumped in anyway. After… as I expected, it felt wonderful. Oh it was shocking at first… but wonderful.

I admit it. I like my swimming water different than Jesus likes His drinking water. He wants either ice cold, or really hot! The example of today’s verse represents the faith of each individual. When it comes to faith, Jesus wants folks to either be all in (hot) or all out (cold). Unfortunately, I have the propensity to waver in different kinds of situations.

When I can clearly see what is going on and know what to do, my faith rises to roar like that of a lion. Yet when tough times or trials come into view, I have a tendency to shrivel up into a shivering ball of worry or concern. Being human has its downfalls. Thankfully, Jesus is ALWAYS fired up when it comes to His love for me. His temperature setting remains high!

Soon, because of warmer and longer days, the pool temperature will adjust to become a more comfortable temperature and I won’t have to suck in my breath to endure the impact. But until then, I try to remember an old McCay saying that comes along with cold swimming water… ‘it ALWAYS feels good… once you get in!” What about YOU? Are YOU all in with Jesus? 

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV

I have been challenged to a duel by a GIRL! And an OLDER one at THAT! It started yesterday when I went to shoot with my instructor Dan. He told me that the target I was shooting at was created for an Easter shooting contest, which just so happened to be won by Patti… a new lady coming to our Church. When I asked Patti about it, she simply challenged ME!

This duel is not like the 1804 Hamilton-Burr fight to the death. It is simply a contest to see who is the better shooter. It’s all in fun, though I seriously expect to lose! Until that event is over I expect there will be a lot of kidding and chiding along the way. But the challenge stands until the contest is ended and satisfaction has been won at the one time event!

Today’s verse marks out a principle that, as long as I am here on Earth, will and should NEVER END! That principle is ‘to aim to please God’ with my life’s actions, choices and decisions. Being a Believer and receiver of the gift of Salvation, made available by His Son Jesus Christ, it is the daily target I am called to aim for with every breath of my being.

There are some things I need to do to get ready to face my formidable foe. I must determine what will best help me aim and shoot better. I must make it a point to practice as well. When it comes to my life in Jesus Christ, those principles are no less important. So what is it that YOU can do that would make Jesus smile with pleasure… in you? Are you thinking and aiming to do them? It will be FUN!

“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

We collect water from our air conditioning unit in a bucket and use it to water our plants. In summer, we can collect as much as 10 gallons of water a day! The other day I looked in the half full bucket, and there, lying on top of the water, was a lizard (anoli) … destined to die. Placing my hand in the bucket, it immediately grabbed onto my finger. Smart lizard!

This was interesting because when they get into the house, trying to catch them is almost impossible. Grandkids love to outsmart them all the time. But this little guy wasn’t running from me at all. In fact, at the speed with which it grabbed onto my finger, its reaction was more instinctive than thoughtful. Dropping it onto the ground, it looked to be in shock!

The speed with which it grabbed onto my finger, a finger it would normally resist, made me think about MY decisions. I too find myself shocked at the speed with which I choose to do what God considers good… or evil. Being saved and born again does NOT rid my life of the Old Nature that still considers some sin… fun! I’ve been thinking of that ever since.

Oh how I wish I didn’t have to fight myself all the time. One minute I’m praising the Lord and rejoicing in my salvation. The next, I’m doing something stupid and outside of His will. I’m like Paul who, even when doing good, evil is present! Oh how I’d love to get to the point of no thinking at all. Just grabbing onto God. But… until I get home, I’m called to practice and test everything.

How are YOU doing with today’s verse?

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

Katie found them first… in the bathroom. Little tiny black bugs. Katie doesn’t like bugs. But they were so small and so few in number that I wasn’t really bothered. That is until they started to multiply. Wanting to know what they were, I got my phone camera, took a magnified picture, then looked them up online. I’d never heard of a rice weevil before!

Back in the COVID days, and being a prepper of sorts, I thought stocking up on some basic items was essential. Who knew what was going to happen. But eating was one thing that HAD to continue. So I bought several 20 LB bags of rice. Double wrapping them in plastic was added security. Once I read rice, I went and found 50 lbs of rice infested with these little guys.

The article I read said that, in most cases, the weevils come WITH the rice. They were there before I bought it. I just provided them a home. The article said they are harmless, even if I eat them. Katie didn’t think so… so my garbage can is 50 lbs heavier this week. The process made me think of sin and the world and today’s verse proclaimed by Jesus. It is a Promicey!

I explained in church that a ‘promicey,’ my made up word incorporates a prophetical inspired word with a future promise. Jesus COMMANDED that Believers DO THIS VERSE! If we do, we are promised that our ETERNAL TREASURE will remain secure. Even against Rice Weevils, or anything else we can’t see or know. Afterward, our hearts move to where our treasure lies!

Where have YOU stored YOUR treasure? If it is with Jesus in Heaven, you need not be too concerned about the world. It’s a Future Promise! A ‘Promisey!’

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19

It started with an invitation… my son Clint asking if I’d like to go fishing with him. Now that he has a boat, he can make invitations like that. Obviously I said yes, and yesterday morning found me driving in the darkness to meet up with him. Soon, we found ourselves gazing at a fish-finder, and out over the water, looking for signs of fish. We moved around a lot.

The only common thing that we found at every place we went was that fish were not biting. Maybe it was the time, or the tide or even the mood of the fish. Both live and artificial bait were used, but nothing seemed to work. Until it did! And then BAMM! Clint hooked onto a huge Redfish. It was a fight to get it in… but he managed. It was the only keeper we got.

Fishing is a sport of hope. Taking a piece of hooked bait and throwing it out into a world that we can’t really see or truly know and the long hours of doing it only prove that it MUST be HOPE that keeps a fisherman fishing. The anticipation of a huge fish taking the bait is a fisherman’s hope. This big one didn’t just bite at the bait… it swallowed the whole thing!

It was no accident that Jesus approached fishermen to start His ministry. To give hope, it’s best to use people who look for and want to have it! One day, years ago, I was just living in the world. Then I discovered something REALLY attractive… Jesus… and swallowed Him hook line and sinker! Now I too am a fisher of men. You? What side of the hook are YOU on?

If you have taken Jesus bait, are you making invitations to others to get hooked?

“Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8

She wanted some plants, and needed some dirt. So there I was buying, then presenting her with, a bag of dark potting soil and some milkweed. The bag said it was ‘Organic’ and promised ‘bigger plants.’ It was also $1 cheaper than the other brands, a feature that ‘I’ happened to like. For what she was shooting for, it wouldn’t make a difference. So I got it.

Humus is that portion of the soil formed by the decomposition of animal or vegetable matter. It is a valuable constituent of soil… dirt. The darker it is the more decomposed matter it contains. Ya can’t really eat it or wear it, but without it, life would be impossible. We plant seeds or re-pot plants in dirt because the dark dead matter feeds and grows life.

From the dead darkness comes a variety of plants. In our case… milkweed. Katie likes milkweed. Not because it tastes good… but because it draws butterflies. Katie REALLY loves butterflies. I do too. But not as much as I love her. So I work to make it possible for her to have what she enjoys to live joyfully. From caterpillar to butterfly, the process is beautiful.

Death returns live things back to soil. Soil grows life. It is a constant cycle. My life constantly consists of living and dying things… from hopes and dreams to situations and people. God uses dirty things to make and grow life. Even when I thought I was dead, He called. And like dirty Apostle Paul, I pass on life. What about YOU? After all… YOU were made from dirt!

Are you spreading life… or dying?

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:18

I see it all the time. But as often as it’s been seen and heard, I’ve never been able to understand or comprehend it. Having just preached an evangelistic sermon on what it takes to be rescued from hell and eternal death, the message was deliberately made simple and plain. So much so, I was unprepared for what I was about the hear after the service.

Easter has its visitors. But I happen to love visitors ANY time. The chance to share the ‘Good-News’ of the free gift of eternal life in Christ has yielded some marvelous wonders of grace and peace. I’ve seen people’s lives completely change at the understanding and receiving of that Good News. But I have also seen quite the opposite. Sunday was like that.

As a visitor came out, I was excited to ask, “Are you a Jesus person?” I guess my anticipation should have been muted. When the answer came back… “well.. not really,” my eyes popped open, and shock registered on my face. I tried for clarity, but none came. The person looked as if I was speaking Latin! They were ignorant… by choice! Their heart was hard! So sad.

What about YOU? Do You live in The Light… full of God’s Life because of the knowledge and understanding that come from willfully opening your heart to God’s invitation to join Him? Or are you just willfully ignorant? The difficulty in life… is the choice!