“(Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

Traffic flow has been impeded in several small towns linked together by U.S. 41. This road has been under construction for a long time, with slow results. Heading any distance, north or south, will be met with frustration and delays, as merging traffic into 1 lane increases travel time and irritation upon drivers. ESPECIALLY during ‘The Merge!’

I am not a fan of bullies! Growing up a preacher’s kid, it was common for me to be pushed around. As I got older, I chose to stick up for the underdog, having been rescued several times by people looking out for ME! Yesterday, with this merging situation on the rise, I decided to right the wrong of merging bullies, who speed ahead to cut in front of everyone else at the merge point. This morning, after some research, I found out ‘I’ was the one who was WRONG!”

Apparently the “Zipper Merge’ is the PROPER method of merging in those situations. It was designed to SPEED traffic flow, as traffic comes together at the point of the merge. The article I read stated, “Because of folks who merge early and get frustrated, road rage becomes a major factor here. Unfortunately it’s misdirected and, in most cases, the individuals getting frustrated are the ones truly at fault.” simply put…I was WRONG!

I am a Jesus Guy. Because I have been one for a long time I carry with me certain standards that I hold as TRUE! As I read the Word and see what is happening in our great country, I am beginning to wonder if some of the ‘TRUTHS’ I hold…really are! And Jesus isn’t helping me by stirring up the mess I call my mind! As He sharpens and teaches me, He cannot move a NEW thought in unless an OLD one is first questioned, tossed, and then replaced!

I have found that being a FOLLOWER of Jesus and a LOT harder than simply being a BELIEVER! In His ever moving, constantly teaching, gentle style, He is ALWAYS hounding me about 1 thing or another. There are times when even His silence is deafening! But He has 1 goal for me, and I’d REALLY like to obey. But it is SO HARD sometimes… because He simply says, “FOLLOW ME!”

UGHHHHHHHH!!!! I’m coming to realize why I so often sit alongside the road of life with my hood up and smoke pouring out! Not merging with HIS plan in HIS way tends to leave me stuck! But I hear admitting and agreeing with Him is the first step to getting where He wants me to go! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I need to THINK about that one!

THE ZIPPER MERGE!!!

http://txdotsanantonio.blogspot.com/2016/10/is-zipper-merge-rude.html

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1

Occasionally Katie and I will ‘go to karaoke.’ Which is a strange statement, since karaoke is not a PLACE to GO but a thing to DO. But we both understand what the term means. Having not been for a while, we combined dinner, karaoke and a visit with our friends, Gil and Rhonda, who RUN Karaoke. Another confusing statement we understand.

Katie doesn’t like to ‘sing karaoke!’ Which is kind of strange because she’s better than a lot of folks at it. Having suggested a song to her a while back, I was surprised when she started practicing. She practiced, putting in time and effort, in hopes of doing a good job. Which is ALSO confusing because, the only person that needed to be SATISFIED with her performance, was HER!

It was great fun! I sat and clapped at her performance as she sang Dua Lipa’s, “Don’t Start Now!” A song she hardly knew. I was SOOOO proud of her for doing what didn’t come natural…overcoming fear in the process! As Katie walked of the stage, an insensitive lady suggested she ‘practice more!’

It’s Thanksgiving week! I have been relaxing a little more. Since Katie doesn’t work this week, we have taken to sleeping in a little longer. Which is a treat we rarely get to enjoy. But ‘sleeping in’ can also make me feel GUILTY! Like Katie’s Karaoke episode, I carry an ‘expectation of performance’ which is higher than what others demand. And it comes with a price!

This Isaiah verse has a term that is confusing as well. “You who have no money, come, BUY and eat.” How does someone BUY something without money? Especially when that ‘something’ is typically more extravagant and expensive! As with karaoke, this verse is clear that it isn’t about the participant’s performance or ability. It’s about the transaction!

I am hungry and thirsty for something that ordinary food cannot satisfy. What I ‘desire’ is not even available to me here on earth…at ANY price! But ‘The Master’ gives me heart clues that it IS available. AND that ‘something’ must take place before my ‘extravagant desire’ can be acquired.

The word ‘BUY’ in Hebrew is ‘shabar.’ It kinda means to ‘make a transaction.’ Something that has to happen before something else does. What God is saying here, and Jesus emphasizes later on, is that HIS extravagant resources ARE acquirable! But not in the ordinary way. Though it doesn’t cost money…it DOES require, from me, EVERYTHING I am!

Happy Thanksgiving Week. A time when it isn’t about my ‘performance’ or ‘resources,’ but an attitude of gratefully receiving from an EXTRAVAGANT GIVER!. A complete exchange of what I am, for what, and who, HE is! And I don’t even have to practice!

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

My finger hurts. I mean is REALLY hurts. My head feels better now. But my finger? Not so much! Yesterday I was doing yard work, wondering if it will EVER be done when, in a quick move on my part, I smashed my finger! Having just hit my head on a tree branch, it was the incident that sent me over the edge! I threw my hat and started speaking in tongues!

Even in pain, it didn’t take long to come to my senses. I suddenly realized that, even though alone, there were people in the neighborhood who could possibly see and hear me! Most everyone knows who I am and what I do! Which inconveniently, tends to put me on display. Especially when I’m not paying attention or thinking correctly! I knew I was looking and sounding ridiculous!

In sharing my faith in Christ, the word ‘Free’ comes up often. “Heaven is a ‘’free gift” I say. Then quote the Bible verse in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The incident with my head and finger suddenly brought this verse to my attention. I was startled by the Spirit to consider that the word ‘FREE’ is never mentioned! I was paying a cost even as the thought hit me…literally!

Christianity is kind of a ‘learn as you grow’ kind of thing! It doesn’t come all at once! Like learning to walk, I take a step or 2 and then fall. With the brain God gave me, it goes without saying that stringing a bunch of falls together gives way to a magnificent education! I should have at least 40 PhD’s by now!

But God loves people! When I came to the realization of His love for me, It produced a new life inside. A life that doesn’t live by worldly rules, but by bigger things than I can actually see! One of things that comes along with that new life happens to be a rule of association. When folks know I am associated with Jesus Christ, they have a tendency to judge my Savior by MY actions. Which doesn’t seem fair!

‘Fair’ is another word that you’d think was Biblical. After all, humans use it all the time! The Holy Spirit laughs at THAT thought a lot. I was reminded that ‘Life is Fair’ is found NO WHERE in Scripture! I must have been a spectral to Him TOO, thrashing around yelling like I was! Then the reality hit!

I am the Child of The King! All day…24/7…ALL the time! He EXPECTS me to ACT like it! ALWAYS! Nuff said!

PLEASE PRAY FOR WANDA… SHE’S BEEN SICK TOO LONG!   Thank you!

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

It was a BEAUTIFUL day yesterday and I couldn’t have had more fun. My Doctor friend set my disabled Ranger friend Galen, up with a hog hunt. As an added bonus, I was invited along. My hog huntin’ education began at Swampbilly Outdoor Adventures in south Florida. Gary and Lane were our guides and they wove together stories and learnin’ like an expert quilt maker. After all…EVERYTHING has it’s rules!

I listened hard as they mesmerized me into a world I had never visited. Ranger Galen couldn’t help but add to the fun with his humor… “How many bullets you NEED?” “You want me to shoot yours for ya?” And “Hog’s ain’t scared a NOTHIN’…so be careful!” It’s hard to tell truth from fiction when entering the world of a Florida ‘Cracker!’

Soon enough I was staring down 2 hogs that were PERFECTLY in sync and side by side with one another. I couldn’t get a clean shot, but stared through my scope for over 30 minutes just waiting for an opportunity! Just as I was about to shoot, a little buck deer came moseying into the area. Those 2 hogs took off so fast, you’d a thought satan himself had just arrived! My guide, feigning a hollow sincerity, simply said, “Well I ain’t never seen THAT before!” We just laughed!

Hunting follows a series of predictable patterns. If you study and learn the habits of a species, anyone can sneak in and ‘take captive most any other critter on earth. Especially MAN! I can attest to it because I have been ‘taken’ MANY times! Even when I have tried to ‘be careful!’  At Bible Study we’re focusing on other religions of the world. When examined side by side, it is easy to see patterns and traditions that cross over and blend each together. Though common in belief, they actually prove successful traps that can EASILY take down ANY so called ‘tough guy!’ Paul summarizes that truth in today’s verse.

“Be good…listen…focus…work hard…be nice…love…give…sacrifice” are all nice sounding words so common to ‘religions’ of the world. But they aren’t primarily useful in saving their believers when satan shows up to claim his territory. For THAT you need the ‘Real Deal…’ The ‘Savior!’ And His name is Jesus Christ! I have banked on that knowledge and trust Him implicitly! So should YOU!

So if you want to hunt critters, look up Swampbilly Outdoor Adventures. But if you are looking to save your own soul… you better put your trust in Jesus Christ!

Man….are you payin’ attention???

“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

My son Clint was going to be ‘Batchin’ it with his 2 sons last weekend, as his wife was going out of town. Batchin’ was my father’s term and means wifeless and motherless…like being a bachelor. It USUALLY meant more candy and soda pop! Clint invited us up to spend the night as His brother Colt, and family, were coming over for a Barbecue as well! PARTY!!!!!!!

Clint had told me he’d like to surprise his wife with a shoe shelf, for when she got home, and asked if I could help. I was thrilled at the opportunity. When Saturday afternoon arrived, and with sons eating junk food and watching TV, we got busy. Grandson Duncan came out to see what we were doing, and stuck around for about 10 minutes, even handing us some boards in the assembly stage.

Angela was going to be getting home last night so I asked Clint if he thought she’d be happy with her surprise. “Well,” he said. “It isn’t a surprise now! She talked to Duncan on the phone and he blurted out, ‘hey mommy…we built you a shoe shelf!’” Clint had forgotten to clue his own son in on ‘the surprise’ part!

Looking back, I could see how Duncan came to his conclusion, and his excitement to reveal the secret to his mom. I had marked the lines and held the boards in place while my son screwed and assembled the piece together. Duncan handed us some boards…so…He DID help. SO…He had every right to share in making the gift! AND in sharing some Glory from Mom!

I, like Paul, am a Glory hog. Because I am a son, I get to share in the blessings of my Heavenly Father. God laid out the work of Salvation to be done, His son Jesus did the hard part, and now ‘I’ get to share in His blessings. Simply because of the opportunity to ‘HELP!’ Even if only a little bit! You see, Daddy God is ALL TOO PLEASED to share! And He ENCOURAGES it!

Sharing the Good News of the Free Gift of Salvation by Faith in Christ’s accomplished work is MY ONLY part in the HUGE work of Grace. Sadly, I find God forced to mostly become ‘my cheerleader’ as I often sit on the sidelines not doing my little part. It helps and encourages me to realize that ‘I’ CAN’T get blessed if ‘I’ don’t at least put in ‘MY’ few minutes sharing Christ with the Lost. And neither can ‘THEY!’

Today I am dedicating myself to actively stealing some Glory. After all, and after reading this Bible verse, Jesus’ favorite pets seem to have been ‘Glory Hogs!’  Right Paul?????

“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:17

This weekend, my grandson got hit in the face with a baseball! Though I wasn’t there, I was told about it and now have the evidence! It doesn’t’ take a lot of imagination to see the evidence on his face…AND that he wasn’t just hit with a baseball…he was HIT with a baseball! So hard, in fact, the laces of the baseball left a marked imprint on his face!

Now I’ve got to admit, this is a pretty cool picture! Isaac is a pitcher, and when the batter hit the line drive straight at him, his reaction didn’t keep up with the speed! Oh… He’s OK now! I talked to him after the event and he assures me he is fine. Besides…he has a GREAT FOREVER STORY to tell.. with pictures to back it up! I mean…how blessed can 1 guy get!!!??

As the story goes, he was knocked down…and apparently out! I was told that my son Colt, Isaac’s dad, was freaked out when he saw Isaac lying there! Now he knows how it feels! Colt still carries the head scar from an incident with a shot-put at about Isaac’s same age! PROOF that love comes with a cost! And you can ask God for verification of that fact!

Jesus carries scars! In fact, He’ll be the ONLY one in heaven outwardly showing them off! Because He will be the ONLY one in heaven WORTHY of God’s evidence of love! Because there was a day…a point in time…when God put EVERYTHING on the line and into His Son’s hand’s. It was the day the Son went down! It is ‘The Day’ we still talk about!

Scars tell stories. HIS-STORY continues to impress people around the world. So much so, that His mark spilled over into MY life as well. When I get close, and draw closer to Him, the Word tells me that people can actually SEE His imprint on my life! And it gets even better! Jesus’ marks on my life are SO IMPRESSIVE, that when God looks at me, all He can see is His Son!

The story of Isaac continues. He went on to pitch the rest of the inning…and to a NO HITTER! It is my hope that your reading this will help YOU see the impression Jesus can make on simple people like us…and desire to join His team! After all, your price has been paid! And once you’re in and marked, you simply cannot ever lose!

Thanks Isaac…for taking 1 for the team!

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

Yesterday’s weather was unpredictable and frustrating. One minute it was sunny. The next it was pouring down rain. It continued all day. Having to go outside several time, I noticed the entryway into the house was filthy from all the leaves and debris I had picked up on my shoes and tracked into the house. I had a decision to make!

I’ll be honest and tell you that it really didn’t bother ME that much. On my own, I can be quite a slob! But my better half is better than me at the tidy thing. I know SHE would be bothered by it if she came home and saw the mess ‘I’ had made. Under her non-present presence, I got out the broom and dustpan!

Now don’t get me wrong. She wouldn’t scream, complain or hit me!! She’d just see it…and be bothered. Remembering my vow, “for better or worse,” I opted to make it better! As I was sweeping, I started thinking about what I’d be doing if I didn’t have her influence over me. I mean, would I turn into a filthy pig or something? The thought made me cringe!

The Holy Spirit is a Gift from Jesus to me to make me better. He confirms Christ’s Words to me, leads and guides my thoughts with an influence to please my Lord. He is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS guiding and speaking. Even when I don’t sense His presence! Listening and DOING…well that is 100% up to ME!

I DO have a ‘Pig Alarm!’ It has been honed over the years and I am a better man for it! Now, it only takes about 25% slop for it to go off and get me moving into cleanup mode. Which is GOOD! I’m better because I have learned to listen. But I know LOTS of people who don’t… and it scares me!

Now please don’t get me wrong. I am NOT saying I am better than anyone. Just that I know what might happen if I lost that quiet, but efficient and prodding voice…if it were gone! Since my base ‘flesh’ is so pig-like, I cringe thinking how quickly I might revert if I lost it for ANY length of time. I am blessed to be ABLE to hear, serve and follow.

What mess is the Holy Spirit trying to get YOU to clean up? And…are you listening?  

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

The day had been pre-planned, marked down in my calendar and I was prepared. But then last night I received a cancellation notice! Looking back, the event wasn’t one that was going to be exciting or fun and joy. In fact, it wasn’t going to be about or for me at all. I was asked to give and pass on something I already had! I made contingency plans.

I have a dear friend, and if you are a regular at our Church, so do you! Howie has been coming down to Florida from Connecticut, as a snowbird, for decades. We all look forward to seeing him, AND Shirley his wife, when they do! Howie informed me a couple weeks ago that today, he will be going in for heart surgery. I was honored when he asked me to join his wife in the waiting room to help her through the waiting ordeal. But due to fear over Covid, no visitors are allowed. Enter plan ‘B!’

The verse today just seemed to pop out at me, and it took some prayerful guidance from God to get His point! Howie, and ALL Believers, HAVE BEEN GIVEN an “eternal encouragement and good hope.” Because of that gift, none of us need worry about where we will spend eternity. We already know and look forward to the transition. BUT….What about NOW??!

Today I am asking you to join in prayer for Howie and Shirley that they will receive, RIGHT NOW, courage and strength for what lies ahead in the IMMEDIATE future called ‘TODAY.’ Most of you know what they are feeling because you have been there yourself, in one way or another. It is our blessing to pass on hope and encouragement, so that THEY will then pass them on to others through ‘their’ words and actions!

It is impossible to give what you don’t have! It becomes eternally criminal when one passes…on what was passed on… so that they might pass it on! Howie has always been a giver. Today is a day he needs to receive. Thank you or your prayers and encouragement and hope.

There’s a name for this kind of thing! It’s called ‘Church!’

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

The truck was at the truck doctor’s office, which required that Katie and I share her vehicle. But this provided an EXCELLENT opportunity to show off my love for my wife. If I REALLY loved her, I would go pick her up from work and bring her back home! An excellent, ‘win-win’ plan! But I almost missed the opportunity!

Heading south on U.S. 41, the major 6 lane highway that seems ALWAYS under construction, I was in a hurry. I did NOT WANT to be late. Hugging the far right lane to prepare for a right turn, I was going only a LITTLE over the speed limit. Traffic was flowing well, when suddenly my lack of attention suddenly came to attention! A car shot across the 3 lanes of traffic and was in my path! RIGHT NOW!

It was too quick for me to be scared or even angry. Stomping the brakes and veering left, my guardian angel may have helped me miss smacking that drivers rear end by only inches! By the time I had time to emotionally react with a judgmental horn honk or a raising of my fist, it was long over! I actually thought, “it’s too late for that now anyway!”

The other driver’s move was foolish and filled with poor judgment. As I released the desire to in some way, ‘get even’ with a stupid gesture, I was convicted of the next thought…”you’ve done stupid like that yourself…PLENTY of times!” I was immediatly humbled.

I had left my phone at home accidentally because I was in a hurry. Had I been in an accident I would not have had the opportunity to even notify my wife. Rather than go back into the house to get it, I subconsciously thought, “Oh.. nothing’s going to happen anyway!” So in the matter of about 7 minutes of going to prove my love to my wife, I MOSTLY proved I was MOSTLY FOOLISH!

I was created to follow and Glorify God. NOT lead and ACT like I’m Him! Sin was once and for all defeated at the cross, but this bag-o-flesh still contains the residual smell of its former contents. Because of that, God’s Word is FULL of advice instructing me how to live, act and behave! Which can EASILY become a problem! Especially when YOU don’t do what I WANT you to do and get in my way!!!!!! haaaaaaaa! OOPS!!!! I almost just had another collision!!!