“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39

Florida in the winter time is interesting. It is not uncommon to turn the ‘heat’ on in the evening, only to flip the switch to ‘air conditioning’ in the early afternoon. Looking out the window, it can LOOK beautiful, warm and sunny, but FEEL chilly. But yesterday, from our front patio, it felt beautiful AND warm. Since we had some time on our hands, I asked my wife if she would like to go kayaking. So we did.

Paddling out to the end of the canal, we could go left or right. It was easy to see that the tide was going out, but HAD been for a while, since the water was low. We took a right and allowed the water to move us along. I figured it wouldn’t be long before the current would stop or change for our return. It was perfect. Until we reversed course and it wasn’t.

We really hadn’t noticed that there was a gusting wind that followed with the current… that is until we turned around. When the wind hit us, small whitecaps splashed against our bows. Not only were we going to have to REALLY WORK to get back, we were going to get wet as well. We hadn’t expected THOSE conditions! It reminded me of the story when the disciples hadn’t either!

It’s all there in Mark 4. Jesus had a desire to go to the other side of the lake, left the navigational issues to his team…then took a nap! Soon, rough turned to dangerous, and Jesus wasn’t even awake to notice. So His disciples woke Him to give the fearful news. FIRST he rebuked the wind… THEN He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. It is hard to determine whether it was the wind or His ire that caused them to fear the most.

Like Florida in the winter, the Christian Life can be really interesting at times. Sometimes life can become difficult. On the water we had choices. We could blame God for causing the problem in the first place. I could shout at the wind in the Name of Jesus, “Peace, be still!” Or I could look to and thank God for the strength to row, row, row my boat!

I have learned that blaming and screaming don’t really get me very far. But trusting and relying on Christ to be there with me in the storm seems to get me where I need to go. When it was all said and done, we actually got a workout and had fun doing it. I could actually sense that because of our faith, Jesus was smiling right along with us!

“When He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Now (Let’s) go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'” Luke 5:4 NLT

Yesterday I did something that is extremely RARE. At 64, I drove my 39 year old son to have shoulder surgery. It wasn’t MAJOR surgery, but…ANY surgery is major. His last time was when his tonsils were removed at age 5. He’s a tough guy, but knowing that, I asked AND listened to his answers to my questions. I recognized he hadn’t really given this surgery much thought. With the scalpel only about 25 feet away, I thought it might be a good time that he did.

It is a ‘Jesus Principal’ that we count the cost BEFORE we act. It is a fact that a repaired shoulder’s effectiveness is determined by the obedience and follow through of rehabilitation. ‘Blowing it off’ could actually make matters worse. So just before he ‘went under’ I switched to pastor mode and told him, “this I more serious than you may be thinking.” I could tell he was listening.

Peter had been listening. He heard of Jesus from his brother and was intrigued. Jesus went to Pete’s town, then to his house and even healed his mother in law! But now, Jesus wanted Peter. Knowing Peter was a boat guy, he got into Peter’s boat and made it a pulpit! As Peter looked over the crowd from behind Him, he HAD to feel some kind of awe that it was just him and Jesus in the boat. But then… Jesus turned!

It strikes me that Jesus was never a crowd pleaser. Knowing how Jesus works with ME, I believe Jesus was using the huge crowd as bait to catch only ONE BIG fish! And His cast and presentation were PERFECT for His audience of 1. Like a fish to a lure, Peter didn’t even see it coming…”Let’s go out deeper and do some fishing,” ‘The Hook’ was all but set!

Jesus calls people 1 at a time. That’s how He got to me! Over the years, I have often come to places that I hadn’t taken seriously… or had taken for granted. When I DID catch His eye and the seriousness of His call, I was privileged to have caught more than just fish. I have come to treasure those times when He turned to ‘me’ and gently whispered… “Let’s go deeper,” They are the crossroads of my life.

Jesus calls us all to ‘Go Deeper!’ Maybe we haven’t taken Him seriously enough or given His call much thought. But His call is ALWAYS private and ALWAYS to The Deep. He wants ME to be His one-on-one ship mate where HE is the Captain. I have learned that NOTHING happens until I respond to His call with…”Yes master!”

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

What a remarkable picture! It hardly needs any exposition. Suddenly, after a great time of trouble, the nation will realize that this glorious King, their Messiah, once came as a little child: to us a child is born. He who was for eternity the Son of God was given to them as a little Baby in Bethlehem. They recognize at last, after centuries of rejection, that this One rightly deserves divine titles. This is Immanuel, God with us.

The four titles Isaiah lists represent that: Wonderful Counselor. Did anyone ever fulfill that more fully than Jesus? He unveils to us secrets about ourselves, counsels us how to avoid the heartaches and problems that otherwise would beset us, showing the way of deliverance from the taint and pollution of sin.

Mighty God. That unquestionably divine title can only describe God. He is the Mighty One, and in 10:21 the same term is used of God unmistakably.

The next title is more than simply Everlasting Father. It is actually Father of Eternity. This is surely a reference to the fact that Jesus alone can give eternal life; he is its father for it originates with him. As many as believe in him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. (John 1:12)

No one contests the last title, Prince of Peace. He stated himself, My peace I give unto you, (John 14:27). Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. This phrase captures the universal character of the Messiah’s reign and its extension at last to the whole created cosmos.

The key, of course, is in these words, to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Even though these events, both in Isaiah and in the gospels, took place thousands of years ago, when a nation (or an individual) first comes into personal contact with the Lord of Glory it seems as though he is the recipient for the first time of this wonderful gift. That is why we describe that we found the Lord, and how he came to us, because it is so real in our own experience. It is to us that he came, to us he is born. He is God with us, to strengthen and guide us, to meet our needs, to solve our problems.

A woman told me of her struggle with a sense of being abandoned, left without guidance, needing his presence. And thankfully I could point her back to these marvelous promises. The Lord IS with us. Father, thank you for not just sending but giving your son to us. He is the most wonderful gift of all!

“Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'” Nehemiah 8:10

I had a nagging feeling that I was missing something. You know how that is, right? Searching the brain for something I was supposed to do or get. It was obviously important because the nagging just wouldn’t let up. Checking my ‘to-do’ list, it wasn’t there. I was driving myself crazy! That is until I drove past the Automobile Service Center. Then it hit me… “Check your oil!”

I’d like to say that I checked my oil as soon as I got home. But I didn’t! I didn’t write it on my ‘to-do’ list either, because, since I remembered it, I didn’t need the reminder! Then… I forgot again! FINALLY opportunity and memory converged and I got ‘it’ done. My oil level was down a little, but not critical. I made a mental note to check it again soon.

This morning I had that “I’m missing something” urge again. It actually came AFTER I read a devotional on ‘JOY!’ That ‘my wife’ sent it to me should have been a clue! The next devotion I picked up, not so strangely, had a similar theme. The Bible verse today came from a 3^rd devotional. It became obvious that the “Check Engine” light for my soul was flashing. And it was God who was sending the personal reminder…. by way of the Oil of His Holy Spirit!

Because we are all flesh we ALL get grumpy. Fears, hurts, failures and rejection can put a sour puss on ANYONE’S face. But because Jesus Christ is my SAVIOR, I am spiritually NOT PERMITTED to KEEP hold on a sour mood. By His Spirit I am required to ‘BE JOYFUL!’

The occasion of this Bible verse actually comes from a chiding by God to His people after, having not heard God’s Word for a long time, HEARD it.. and WEPT! They RECOGNIZED that they had failed Him and were sinners. Their ‘Check Engine’ lights were flashing like a disco ball at an old High School dance! Which is a great initial response. BUT… once recognized, God issued the following command which, in essence said, ‘now that you remember…come party WITH ME!’

It is easy to forget that Jesus came to give me ABUNDANT LIFE (John 10:10)! Too often I let people places and things get me down. Thank God He doesn’t WANT me to STAY, broken down on the side of the road. And thankfully, His parental command to ‘turn that frown upside down’ comes WITH His power to do just that! So… how YOU doin’?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I felt like an archaeologist as I sorted through my disgusting garbage. A question had been nagging my mind and slowly graduated into “but I just gotta know!” So there I was digging through coffee grounds, vegetable peelings and stuff I could not even explain, all to get to an answer that has plagued parents for generations!

My daughter and hubby were going to a friends baby shower, which left us watching our grandsons. Coast is 2+ years old and at the perfect ‘fun age.’ I KNEW where he would go when he got to the house… and he did! Running straight to my big colorful bubble gum machine. Turning to me with big eyes, he asked, “can I have gum papa?” I replied, “son, you can have all the gum you want here… and you don’t have to ask!” Now you now the question which had me face deep in garbage!

“How much gum will an unrestrained 2 year old chew in 4 hours?” The only RULE was that he had to spit the old (Already Been Chewed) gum into the garbage before getting another. The first number that came to mind as a guess was 28! The only person I had to use as a gauge was ME! And I thought that as a kid, ‘I’d’ chew that much… at LEAST! After all, isn’t bubble gum kind of like sin? And Isn’t desire for it like a heart that is never satisfied? I’d soon see!

When it was all said and done, and after trying to account for how many gumballs might be ‘in THAT big piece…’ It looked like ‘28’ came fairly close. But then…I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit to take a closer look at my findings!

I know some might be appalled at allowing a 2 year old free access to bubble gum. I am proud to say that Coast is alive and well AND… that he REALLY LOVES coming to MY house! Katie and I learned that the clicking sound of the Bubble Gum machine actually brought joy to our hearts. Coast was enjoying abundance and we all had a great time together… chewing gum, building blocks and playing cars. It was an afternoon of love we won’t soon forget.

In the end I had to throw out my scientific study due to faulty data. Just when my parental instincts started to gravitate toward proof that indulgence produces sin, that ‘prodding’ in my spirit made me ‘look again!’ 1 Corinthians 13, the definition of LOVE, came to mind as I got the chance to see God at work…loving ME! I am absolutely SURE that my Heavenly Father smiled REALLY BIG when I realized, at his nudging, that the bigger pieces… were actually MINE!

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:5-6

My favorite football team was in the Super Bowl… just not THIS year! But ‘regardless,’ I made plans with family and friends to watch it anyway! Before I even sat down in front of the TV, with folks I love and with some favorite food, I KNEW what was coming. But I went ahead and watched…’regardless!’

The Super Bowl has become a National Festival. Weeks ago I heard suggestions that people write their employers asking them to make Super Bowl Monday a national Holiday… with pay! The Mayor of the winning team called for a WHOLE WEEK of celebration and a parade! Even people who don’t normally watch football tuned in just watch the special commercials and halftime show. It was truly a celebration of our ‘earthly nature!’ Now, I have to admit that I had given THAT thought NO regard!

The Super Bowl Halftime Show has turned into a national abscess. This year I saw scantily clad women gyrating and singling lyrics I wouldn’t want young children to even HEAR. In the past it was men doing the same thing. Sadly, I kept rolling my eyes and shaking my head… until ALMOST at the end, I came to myself and walked out of the room. I felt foolish and dirty for watching “in hopes” that it would get better!!

I listen to myself and read my own writing. I HAVE admit that I am ‘agathokakological,’ a person consisting of both good and evil. It is true that I hate that about myself, just like Paul did HIM-self in Romans 7. It is also true that I have a VERY hard time NOT being hypocritical, since I can EASILY point to ‘everyone else’ in an attempt to make my bad parts SEEM, well…NOT so bad! But God ain’t buyin’ it! And honestly, neither can I!

The Bible is CLEAR that all those things I DIS-regarded are harmful, dangerous and… even the CAUSE of His wrath that WILL be coming. ‘Indulging myself,’ for ANY reason, in ungodly activities will NEVER make me good, better or God-like. I have constantly remind myself that living my life in a bowl, waving a banner and singing a song with everyone else will NEVER make me SUPER! And that there will never be a ‘commercial’ promoting God’s champions. Well…at least HERE there won’t!!

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2

We went out for dinner and were quite surprised when not 1, but 2 servers came to our table. It turned out that one was in training and the other was the trainer. Not wanting to delay or cut into their training and profit making time, and since we already knew everything we wanted, we quickly ordered. It didn’t take long to realize we weren’t really ‘cutting in’ on ANYTHING!

Looking back on the experience, I realize I should have figured service would take longer than normal, because if each step had to be explained, it would take time to do so. And since we weren’t in any real hurry, it really didn’t matter. Until it did!

After finishing the meal, we stacked all of our stuff together to make it easier to ‘bus’ the table. My wife and kids had all been restaurant servers, so the kind gesture simply became habit. Having been a ‘commission only’ salesperson most of my life, ‘my’ part, was coming up. All I needed was the bill… … … …!

After about 5 minutes I started looking for the servers. I finally saw them in the back of the restaurant… talking. Several minutes later, they were STILL talking. Me, being me, and being in ministry, I had to remind myself of this Bible verse because, having lost sight of ‘their’ goal, I HAD to stay focused on mine! I was irritate because they were facing us… with their backs!

French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Last night, I almost forgot that lesson. It is an easy one to forget when I lose focus of the ‘main thing.’ I have found that the length of my ‘forgetfulness’ is directly proportional to my own ‘selfishness.’

I have to laugh at the thought, that in Old Testament times, the sacrificial lamb had to be brought to the alter, slain and placed there to atone for sin. The lamb had NO say in the matter. Now, in New Testament times, and because of the ‘Lamb of God’s’ voluntary sacrifice, “I” am required to drag MYSELF to the alter and climb up on it! Anything LESS is a sign of losing focus! In an age of growing selfishness, I have to remind myself daily! I am trying to make it my goal to keep my life in check… and to NEVER keep my back ‘turned’ toward ‘The Savior! ‘  Please take this as a tip from a guy who knows how to blow it!

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

What started off as a good idea really became one. I had something I wanted to give to someone else and needed a means of transport. Going to the garage, I opened the drawer where my wife keeps all the plastic grocery bags and pulled… nothin.’ I pulled again… only harder. As the drawer slowly opened, plastic bags belched forth like a clogged sewer! It was only THEN I realized… we have a problem.

It’s funny how time changes things. Growing up all we had was paper bags or boxes. One of the rituals of grocery shopping was folding the bags when we were done and sticking them beside the wall and refrigerator. That evolved into, “paper or plastic?” Apparently someone thought that lightweight plastic bags took up less room, and the game changed. Since then, another bright idea has come to pass. And now…it has become personal.

I wasn’t PLANNING a change. It was an issue that I cared nothing about. Honestly, until I discovered that ‘I’ am a ‘Bag Man’ with FAR too much wealth, I never gave it a thought. But now I realize I COULD have thought about it sooner. I used to find bags filled with bags in a corner of the garage. I would just throw them into the recycling bin. Now, THEY don’t want ‘em either!

People were created in God’s image for a reason. Animals do not have a spirit, and therefore do not face decisions about recycling, transportation, swimming pool maintenance… or Heaven! Humans do! But mankind generally doesn’t make positive changes in their lives until ‘inconveniently’ affected by negatives. The erupting ‘Bag Drawer’ is just an example.

The Word of God was NOT written by God to inconvenience us. He didn’t sit down and classify all the fun stuff as ‘prohibitive sin’ just to mess with us. He genuinely LOVES us and wants our BEST. Unfortunately, man thinks he is smarter and would rather fight. Only time and unwelcome consequences have a habit of forcing us to DEAL with our own ‘SCHTUFF!’

My wife was shocked when I told her, “I think I am going to work on making a change,” because being stubborn, I rarely do! I said, “I think I am going to take some of these reusable cloth grocery bags and put them in my truck,” yielded a shock of disbelief! But I KNOW it’s a good move! Even though I must continually WORK on it to make ‘the change’ effective! Reading and applying God’s Word to the areas in my life does the same thing, making the present more pleasant, to receiving an eternal reward. What unpleasant situation has God been using to try to teach YOU? Maybe it’s time to just make the change and ‘DO IT!’

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

My wife has a birdbath…BUT! Over the years Katie has arranged, designed, planted and accessorized the side of the house to make it her own personal sanctuary. In the morning she spends her quiet God time listening to the fountain while looking at her plants and an occasional bird or squirrel. Yesterday morning, I sat in her chair and was seemingly chewed out…by a BIRD!

It was in the afternoon, as I walked by her chair, that I must have been drawn to the scenery, because I plopped down into it. Scattered movement immediately caught my eye as a bird, the type I do not know, landed in the birdbath, did a little dance, then hopped up on the bath’s edge and looked straight at me… again and again and again! I became shocked and offended!!

It took a little time but it seemed that the bird was trying to communicate its disgust with ME. The birdbath was dry as a bone and it SEEMED that the bird wanted a BATH! It looked at me AGAIN and shook it head as if to say… “WHERE’S the WATER, deadbeat!?“ Imagine MY surprised when I heard myself YELL at the bird… “it’s NOT MY JOB!” But bird was NOT deterred and… danced AGAIN!

My WIFE may have designed it, but ‘I’ set the bath and birdhouse and built the gazebo. SHE wanted it… I built it… because according to God’s marriage plan, we are ONE! If she wants it… supposedly so do ‘I.’ And the bird seemed to know that being FULLY committed to my wife meant that it was also MY job to FILL THE BIRDBATH! I finally got the message!

This morning I was shaken deep inside when this Bible verse came up in a devotional. When I forwarded it to Katie, she said out loud what ‘I’ had been thinking…”Oh.. that verse scares me! Is MY heart FULLY committed to Him EVERY MINUTE of EVERY DAY?” I could feel the Holy Spirit doing a dance in front of my eyes to get my attention! Because it’s a good question! And God already knows the answer!

O.K… I admit I am not an expert at bird-comms. AND, it is HIGHLY suspect that bird was trying to tell me something. BUT…I have a sense the Bible verse that landed in the dry spot of my spirit was from the Holy Spirit…trying to get my attention! What’s hers IS mine. And what’s mine IS His. And if there’s some filling that needs to be done… it IS MY JOB to see that it gets done!   Tweet-tweet!