“Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed– Mount Zion, where you dwelt.” Psalm 74:2

A while back Katie and I were in Walmart heading toward the check out when our eyes met the eyes of some folks we hadn’t seen in YEARS! It didn’t take long to realize that we needed to move off to the side, as we were blocking people from the self scanning ‘check out’ lines. After talking for about 10 minutes, I gave one of them a card with my cell number and asked if they would be in touch.

You know how things go these days. You’re never really SURE if they will call… or email.. or text… or Facebook, Instagram or Tweet! In 2020 we have more ways to get in touch with people than ever before. But opportunity does NOT guarantee a touch. I am happy to say that yesterday I was blessed in the present, with another connection from the past, of a promise for tomorrow!

It was crowded when I was running around the church yesterday. I only got to say hello to a few folks when I looked out the window saw them coming up the sidewalk. I was INSTANTLY elated! Only 1 other person in the place shared the joy of the reunion because, our relationship is unique and goes back over 44 years! We were ALL smiling!

I was driving the other day when suddenly… I remembered my grandfather! His face is still vividly etched into my brain. No one in my whole town would know him if he were to cross their path. But “I” would! And I think this Bible verse today is just right for what, I think, God is trying to tell me.

There is mystery surrounding “Mt. Zion” in the Bible. A dispute as to where is it, was, or its history. But not to me. Years ago my dad told me that, while Mt. Zion is a real place in Jerusalem, it isn’t really REAL… YET! It is the name given to the City of God where Christ returns and when His Saints gather together. A place were we (God’s People) will congregate and be together… FOREVER! I can hardly wait!

It really isn’t silly for this Psalm to ask God to ‘remember’ His people. After all, it is impossible for God to forget! But the word really means to “bring to the front of the mind.” “To put up in front and first.” I know EXACTLY how that word feels… and so do you! I was reminded again yesterday… of our mutual tomorrow… when all the people I have known and loved because of Jesus Christ are united in 1 single place. Because of yesterday, my heart cannot help but YEARN for that Day… and for HIM! And I don’t mind saying as I am getting older, hopefully sooner than later! What about you?

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

I didn’t really understand the question. I had copied some files for a church member onto their own flash drive and handed it back. The following week she brought the flash drive back to me, along with her MP3 player, saying she couldn’t get it to work. I took it home and a few days later handed everything back to her with a, “here ya go!” Her baffling question to me was, “how did you DO that?”

Last night at Bible Study, we were covering the technical aspects and current applications of ‘The Feasts’ in the Old Testament. Afterward, someone came with a question and then added, “how do you KNOW all this stuff?” Again, I didn’t understand the question enough to give an answer.

Years ago, before the IBM PC, I went into computer sales and I was required to learn 3 different operating systems AND programs for 3 different computers. Learning was long, hard and grueling. Today, with Windows, it is a lot easier process…but it CAN get technical if someone doesn’t know HOW to copy or transfer a files. To learn takes time, study and perseverance. It is the same for learning the Word of God.

I was blessed to have a pastor for a father. One who loved to learn the Bible and its applications. From the age of 5 he taught and drilled it into me. When I got older, I learned how to find answers to my own deep questions because of the training I had previous. It’s not that I am smarter, I just may have more time and experience at it. But the MAIN motivator that brought me along was ‘desire!’

Back in the day, I HAD to find a good job because I had a wife, 2 little kids and a mortgage. My DESIRE to provide pressed me forward to learn hard stuff that I wouldn’t normally need, or care, to learn. The difficulties I had faced in life led me to the Word of God because I had learned that the answers are IN THERE… if I would just take the time and desire to FIND THEM.

I discovered that the real answer to the flash drive question would require me teaching a class on “How to use Windows.’ At both her and my stage of life, neither of us really desires that. I simply said, “when you need something copied, I’ll just do it for you.” The answer to the Bible question is not as easy.

I like the King James Version of this verse better. It says “YOU (implied) STUDY!” Most of the other versions say, “Do your best!” Having discovered that if ‘MY DESIRE’ to learn something is not there, ‘MY BEST’ will be tiny. What it takes to get close to God is simply the ‘WANT’ to! After that, it is simply showing up every day with desire, and putting your face in His Book and His Church! The BEST is just ahead! I guess the best answer to “how do you know this stuff,” can be answered with another question. “How badly do you REALLY WANT to know?

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

It was MY fault really. Having taken too much time to write out my lesson plan, I had run out of it… time that is. But I had JUST enough of it to send it to the printer. I hit print and… it didn’t! THIS was NOT part of the plan!

We have several computers in the house but only 1 printer. When we bought it we were happy to have joined the new fangled world of ‘wireless printing.’ Since no cables were needed, we would be able to print from anywhere in the house! Which was AWESOME… until it wasn’t!

Back in my old computer sales days, technicians had to wire up special printer cables if they hooked up to a serial printer. Each wire, or ‘pin,’ had a specific job. I remember asking and being told, “that one is the ‘clear to send’ pin.” Which was kind of like a batter in the box saying… ‘I’m ready… pitch it!’ All the other pins did something similar and, working together, they were able to get the signal from the computer. It’s the same today.. but different!

The computer has to contain that particular printer’s ‘drivers’ for it to work. If another computer, hooked up to it previously, had not finished it’s task, the printer wouldn’t even CONSIDER MY instructions. And when I get impatient and hit the print button a bunch of times, the robotic brains of both components goes insane and shuts down…confused by too many instructions! It is the same with Christ’s Church!

The purpose of God’s salvation is to make us into the “image of His Son”…Jesus Christ. Though each page from a printer may be different, they are ALL supposed to have the same clear image as was directed from Daddy God. If only that were ALWAYS the case!

As an individual, I have my own microprocessor (brain) that often get in the way of God’s intent. When that happens, “God wants” gets replaced with “I want, I need, I won’t, I can’t etc!” Unfortunately, a human operating in human mode can NEVER effectively display what ‘God’ wants. It takes a reboot, or reset, to get hooked up, online and ready. And ONLY the human can reset itself.

Because of His love, Christ gave Himself up as a sacrifice FOR ME! I get embarrassed when I realize I have been operating in K.C. mode. Then, when I don’t sacrifice MY stuff to receive HIS stuff, I STINK… and am FAR from being a fragrant to Him. When that happens, it doesn’t matter what time it is or how much I have. It is up to ME to yield and get back online with Him. And THAT is how I, you and me… work!

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10

The place was PACKED, but since we had a rewards card and weren’t in and REAL hurry, we chose to stay and wait. After being seated, the waitress came and asked us the standard question, “What can I get you to drink?” Being prepared, I immediately declined her offer… and made a counter offer! “We know WHAT we want, we’re fast, and good tippers too.” The gleam in her eye proved she liked MY offer better.

It was fun to watch her countenance change, as she turned to my wife and said, “ya gotta love this guy, right?” It was ‘game on!’ We quickly gave her our menu INCLUDING food, and she scurried off… all because of my WORDS. The food came fast, proving HER commitment to our deal. When we were done eating, I thanked her and requested the check. Her response was, “you weren’t lying when you said you were fast.” To which, according to our agreement, I then asked, “Soooooo…what ELSE did I say?”

In her response to my last question, she did not blink or hesitate, She verified what SHE wanted when she said, “you are a good tipper!” The ball then was in my court to PROVE what kind of a person I was. Pulling out $20 for a $30 bill, I handed it to her. Then, with the agreement completed, and she smiled. But I wasn’t done! Because of MY Promise to Him, I simply HAD to go further… signing my name to verify my promise to the restaurant that my bank would promise to pay. Then I wrote, “John 14:6 and left a Gospel Tract.

My credit card came to me years ago because of an offer and a promise. The company OFFERED to ADVANCE me money… as long as I PROMISED to pay them back… with interest of course. It’s been a rather good benefit! After proving faithful to my commitment over the years, MY bank as Awarded me with higher credit limit AND given me “reward points” that even help pay for some of my meals! ALL because of an offer made and a promise kept.

LONG before I had a credit card, I discovered Jesus. The Gospel was presented to me and His offer was made clear. Because I agreed to HIS terms, he has both ‘awarded’ AND ‘rewarded’ my faithfulness to HIS commitment. Because I gave Him MY life, He has given me HIS. And because of His great benefits, I CANNOT withhold the ‘Good News’ that Jesus Christ MAKES and KEEPS His promises! ALWAYS! My signature, tip and tract simply proved out those facts.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Christmas is over and it was time to take down all the decorations. It took time to decorate, so it takes time to UN-decorate. Fortunately, when it comes to my outside Christmas lights, I created a quick and easy system meant to save time. And EVERY YEAR it goes well… UNTIL! This year was no exception.

Instead of using nails or screws to hold up my lights, I inserted screw hooks under the fascia board. Putting up the lights requires a step ladder AND an extension ladder to hook the string of lights into place. To REMOVE them, I take a long stick and simply lift the string of lights out of the hook from the ground. NO ladders needed! Well that’s the plan anyway!

There are 40 hooks around my house. Yesterday I easily unhooked ALL of them with a stick from the ground. Except for old #25! You can see from the picture where that one is located! Yup… right at the top of the peak of my gable. What does that mean to me? Well, to unhook my sting of lights from #25, I have to go get, extend, climb, unhook, un-climb, un-extend and put away my big ladder. Which takes longer to do than unhooking all 39 other hooks… combined! It’s troubling!

Jesus made it CLEAR that there would be trouble in this life. Since He didn’t qualify what kind, I just lump EVERY kind into the mix. #25 is just a tiny one! I have the same problem with rope, string and cords that ALWAYS get tangled when I touch them. It’s like a curse, and it may sound silly… but inanimate objects can easily bring out the real beast in me! Lately I have been forced to try a new system.

Inevitable trouble has a way of bringing inevitable anger and frustration that are NOT inanimate! It has taken me DECADES to learn this… but I have seen a connection that can’t be coincidence! In fact, I have come to believe that a little demon just watches to see if I am heading toward a cord or string… and then laughs hysterically as he pulls mine! You laugh? But using that mentality, I have come up with a solution to MY ‘string theory!’

When ol #25, a string or cord come into view, I have learned to be prepared for it. In my head I have PRE-determined that TROUBLE IS COMING (Jesus said so)! At the very second the tangle or snag hits… instead of getting angry and saying bad stuff, I am practicing smiling and saying… “Praise the Lord!” Hey… since trouble is coming… I may as well use it to Glorify the one who warned me… Jesus. Which… silly as it may sound… is EXACTLY the point of the verse!

You think that’s silly? What demon follows YOU? You may want to try out my string theory! It’s free!

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

O.K… I admit it. I HATE even the IDEA of working out, exercise or physical training for ANY reason. I have never done it for very long and when I tried, I was repulsed! So I quit! I think it may be because athletics never really called my name as a kid. And since, unlike with my kids, ‘working out’ never became a habit to me, I just don’t have it on my list of to-do’s.

My wife exercises. She got one of those ‘FitBit’ things a couple years ago and monitors her progress of steps like an EKG! I’ve seen her get in crazy in competitions with other family members because “they got more steps than me!” All I can think is.. so? They beat me EVERY DAY and I am not bothered! But SHE presses on and watches her FitBit daily! That is… until she lost it!

You’d a thought the world had come to an end! She tore our place apart looking for it. When I saw her level of passion, it spurred me on to help her look! When we didn’t find it, I manned up and ordered her a new one. But SURPRISE…. as soon as it arrived… she found the old one! THEN… for some CRAZY reason… I decided to see what the fuss was all about and strapped it on MYSELF! BAD move!

I SHOULD have seen it coming! At the end of a usual day for me, she fired of “The Question!” “So… how many steps did you get today?” The earth stopped! Playing a game, I ’made up’ some number! She scowled and cried out, “NO WAY!” She then gave me excuses as to WHY she didn’t get as many as me. It was REALLY funny because… deep inside… I didn’t care!

I never cared for today’s Bible verse either. I mean… the very MENTION of ‘athletic strict training’ turns me off. And since ‘working out’ isn’t in my DNA, I usually blow by it in a hurry. That is until I started to write this story. I discovered I have been ALL wrong!

I THOUGHT the verse dealt with working harder at ‘buffing up’ my Christian life. I was SHOCKED to discover it is NOT! The ESV Bible version clarifies when it says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” So…it has NOTHING to do with DOING MORE! It has EVERYTHING to do with doing LESS… since ‘self-control’ is the point. Which is STILL frustrating because I’m not prone to THAT EITHER!

So I guess ‘my’ FitBit is having an affect on me. I have found I walk a LOT more than I thought did, sleep less than need, and that my Biblical exegesis is not always perfect. How LONG I wear it remains to be seen, since self-control is a sore subject. But I DO realize I need to walk even MORE steps WITH Jesus to get to where HE wants me to be. Which isn’t really a bad thing after all! So…. who are YOU walking with?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8-9

I have a friend who has a specialized vehicle that his caretaker uses to drive him around. They depend upon that vehicle. I received a message that the ‘check engine light’ was on and the vehicle was acting funny. Being a snowbird and only here in the winter, she asked if I might have a suggestion. My answer? “No worries… I KNOW people!”

You MAY have noticed I didn’t say I know how to ‘repair vehicles.’ But I DO know PEOPLE. And THOSE people, know people who DO! I dialed my favorite connection and followed his instructions. I drove to my friend’s house, picked up the vehicle and then drove it to my connection. My connection guy called a guy HE knew who came over and looked at it…then told me to take it to another guy who specializes in this kind of thing. I did!

Driving only a half mile to THAT place, I had been told by the guy who knows my connection that it MAY still be under the factory warranty! When I got there, I met Bob. We got to talking and it turns out Bob personally KNOWS MY main guy… JESUS! As soon as I mentioned Jesus, Bob perked up with a smile and we turned our conversation to our mutual God. As we did, Bob ran his scanner on the engine! 15 minutes later… it was fixed! For FREE! Turns out It HAD been under warranty all along!

In my vocation I run into a LOT of BROKEN people. Some more severely than others. Interestingly enough, MOST people, and I include myself, default to the idea that we are BROKEN because of what we have DONE! And that SOMETHING has to be DONE to get it right again. When I see that problem, I LOVE pointing to the person I KNOW!

“Heaven is like a good government job… it’s not what you DO but who you KNOW!” is one of my favorite sayings. Being ‘born again’ by my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ, I have a warranty under the hood of my heart. I must confess I get off track when I forget that… then try to DO something instead of asking the one I KNOW!

I am NOT valuable to God because of my actions or deeds. I am valuable to Him because I love His Son! I don’t EARN His blessing, I HAVE it. I don’t add or give ANYTHING to Him by my ‘doing’s,’ but because I ALWAYS call on Him when ‘I am done!’ He is ALWAYS there when I ask…GUARANTEED and for FREE!

Who do YOU know?

“Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:20  NKJV

2 Corvettes and 2 Mustangs converge on a highway. Which one wins?

Coming home last night I approached the red light. Wanting to grab the open left lane to get ahead of the pack, I was quickly cut off by a Corvette. But I wasn’t bothered, since THAT guy was in the right car and position. THEN I noticed that the car in the middle lane was a High Performance Mustang! And beside him was ANOTHER Mustang. THIS… was going to be interesting!

The light turned red and the 3 cars paced beside one another for about 15 yards. Then the Corvette, an older one, hit the gas. Not as to be TOO challenging… but it was enough! The Mustang driver beside him would have NONE of it, as I heard him down shift and hit the gas! It was on! Naturally I tromped on my truck just to see what would happen. As the Mustang in the far right lane pealed off on a ramp, it left the 2 muscle cars… and me, to ourselves! Then… sadly, the Corvette backed off!

I was whoopin and a hollerin’ at the show when suddenly, merging onto the third lane was a brand NEW Corvette. And he was FLYING! Again, the Mustang would have none of it! He tromped it and BRRRRRRRR…blew past the newer Corvette as well.

O.K. It was a male thing! But those guys bought those cars for a REASON. To them, driving slow is ridiculous! They PAID for that power… and it showed! But what about you and me? Jesus… the God of the Universe, created me for the VERY SERIOUS business of disrupting, and ultimately destroying, satan’s work (1 John 3:8)! The deliberate FRUIT of that power either shows up in MY every day life… or it doesn’t!

A follower of Jesus Christ is called to live an INTENTIONAL life. Hiding or pretending is NOT part of the standard package. I am SAVED and HIS. I have PURPOSE for my life. But am I LIVING like it? Do I boldly display to the world that, “I am a rightful SON OF GOD?” Or am I just playing?

The person who won that little drag race last night was NOT necessarily the one with the fastest car! It was the one who WANTED it the most! So how about you? How much are YOU willing to display that power of Jesus Christ in your life? Because the world, the flesh and the devil are calling you out! You and I are sitting at the red light side by side… and the light just turned green! What‘cha got under that hood?