“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:8

“Catch that chicken and you win an egg!” For the second time this summer I found myself at a farm. In comparison, BOTH places had animals and barns, but this one was very different. It was a ranch set up to farm FUN not food! The occasion was a celebration party for 2 of my grandkids with birth dates in August. Even though the weather was hot, most didn’t notice much.

Games and activities were centered around the goal of making kids HAPPY. Chasing and catching chickens was a big highlight. There were separate pens for petting bunnies, riding horses and painting ponies! A barn with picnic tables and fans was set up for eating cake while horses looked on. A separate building was used as an air conditioned disco where we all ended the celebration with ‘The Chicken Dance!’ It was a blast! Then I made an offensive statement to the owner!

Though I know a little bit about farming, I am not a farmer. Hearing a noise behind me I turned to face a big, fat miniature hog! He was so fat, his stomach dragged the ground when he walked! Turning to the owner, I simply said “that one looks ready for bacon!” The look on his face was all I needed to see to know I had committed the Fun Farm faux pas! “We don’t eat our animals,” was his reply! Then silence!

I have friends that are farmers. In fact, their sons just took their steers, which they have lovingly raised all year, to the fair. They were washed, leashed and then paraded before a crowd of on-lookers who bid to buy them based upon comments like, “THIS Angus will produce some GREAT tasting steaks!” NO one was offended! Not even the boys who owned them. What was the difference? Very simply… goals!

EVERY believer who trusts Jesus Christ for salvation is called to devote themselves to ‘doing good.’ Things that are ‘excellent and profitable’ in “GOD’S” eyes. That means we are called to talk, teach, preach and model the things that are important to God. ALL of us are called to let the world know the Good News of Salvation in Christ and to teach Godly living. It IS possible that some of us can be called good, even when we aren’t doing the serious work of our master.

What are YOU farming and for whom?

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

There are 2 lamps in the house that are only used by me. One is in my office and the other is beside my bed. The odds of both of those lights going out at the same time are extremely low. So I was shocked this week when they actually DID! And silly me… I KEPT getting shocked all week!

When the lights went out I didn’t immediately change the bulbs… since I didn’t need the light from those bulbs in the daytime AND I had another light overhead I could use. But that didn’t stop me from naturally hitting the switch when I walked into the room. But each time I automatically hit the switch, my mental response was the same… “HUH??? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE LIGHT?” Then I’d laugh at myself! But some things aren’t always funny!

Some of the most telling conversations I have are those that have never taken place! When I try to call, visit, email or text someone, my general and automatic instinct is to get a response. I mean it is only common courtesy to respond to a request, one way or the other… right? I often forget that in my role as a pastor, and if I am doing my job, I should EXPECT to get ‘nothin’ much of the time!

Jesus Christ is offensive! That is a FACT! He said of Himself, “I am THE WAY… THE TRUTH… and THE LIFE!” Then He added that without HIM, NO one has gets even a FLICKER of heaven! If someone is relying on their OWN way, truth and life’s direction, their natural reaction to Jesus Christ is NOT going to be instantly favorable. When I send or leave a message, I generally expect a response. Silly me!

Isaiah 41 finds God in a mock argument with Israel. WAY back in the beginning of the Bible God lays out promises and warnings. In essence He said, ‘follow me and all will be well. If you don’t… it won’t!’ Israel not only failed to follow, they went as far as manufacturing their own ‘hand-made’ idols. In verse 22 God invites those idols to ‘speak up’ and ‘tell us what is going to happen!’ All He got was silence! Which should NOT be a shock!

EVERYBODY trusts their lives to SOMETHING! Whether knowing or unknowingly, that SOMETHING will either work… or it won’t! One would think that after flipping a switch and getting no result for such a long time, that they would finally ‘see the light’ and switch to something that WILL. But alas… we are silly creatures.

The sin that chains one to Hell can ONLY be broken HERE by Jesus Christ. When the light of one’s life goes out, what was trusted HERE will either save, or condemn. The result will either be True Light.. or darkness. Jesus advises we look CLOSELY at what we trust. Then He repeats the promise AGAIN, to encouraging everyone to switch to Him for TRUE Light and Life… “I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Is YOUR light broken?

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

All women like candles. I like candles. Therefore, I am a woman! The combination of these statements are an example of an illogical statement with a false conclusion. One tipping point lies in the word ‘all!’ All ladies do NOT like candles. Furthermore, making a dogmatic statement applicable to a particular group does not ALWAYS apply. Sometimes the logic stinks!

Most of our folks at church like smelly candles. Their glow and scent can provide a welcome, cozy feel. But yesterday I felt a little silly at the candle place, talking scents, with the sales gal. She was describing combinations of various smells in terms foreign to me. “‘Hawaiian Christmas’ carries the softness of pine with the warmth of tropical fruit!’” All I could say was, “uh…I’ll take one!” Which MAY become contrary to my mission! Let me explain.

Visiting my daughter 2 days before was what prompted my visit to the candle store. Someone had given her a candle that, when lighted, gave her a headache! She doesn’t want a headache… so she gave the candle to ME! Well, not to ME… to my wife THROUGH me. It was hers, now it was mine, I gave it to my wife… with an addendum! “Don’t get TOO thrilled… this one MAY give me a headache!” An hour later I asked her to please blow it out. Her response? “I’ll take it to work.”

In today’s ‘me’ generation, (which in my opinion includes everyone from WW II to today) the personal idea of ‘I can do what I want’ has slipped from opinion to law. Abortion, illegal immigration, trans-gender and socialist ideas are being radically forced upon the many… for the benefit of the few. Unfortunately, once those candles of thought are lighted, the results can easily give the rest of us quite a headache. Fortunately, God has something to say about the subject. “You are not your own!”

“I don’t belong to me,” will sound like an offensive lie to the majority… a smelly stench to those who think they can do as they please. If there was no God, they might have a good point! But sometimes, even those of us who KNOW God snort at the smell of this particular truth. Since ALL of us want things to be, or work out, our own way. MOST of us have been guilty of trying to force our wills on others. Admittedly, even ‘I’ have been known to try to tell GOD what to do! A stinky business at best!

LOVE is NOT a feeling. It is a decision! An ‘Act’ to DO something, that is usually contrary to the will of the self. It is NOT a request… but a COMMAND by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We know it when we do it. We stink when we don’t! Jesus said that Believers are ‘The Light of the World.’ I believe He also implied… “as much as possible… try hard not to ‘stink’ in the process!” It is a way that just makes scents!

“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” Nehemiah 4:20

“Either God doesn’t like me, I’ve done something horrible or He simply wants me to quit!” Those are thoughts I have had lately! Yesterday was starting out under the same banner! Last week our church transformer was struck by lightning. We lost our air conditioning, internet and phone! As I was waiting for the internet guy to show up, I went to change the messages on our LED sign. The message I got was…”not connected!” I deflated even further and whispered, ‘WHY God?” Which is really dumb of me… because I already KNOW!

YEARS ago I got sick and tired of finding myself sick and tired. I decided to take a trip down that path of ‘suffering’ to see if I could FIND ‘Mr. Why’ and give him a piece of my mind. After years of searching, I discovered that there really is ‘no such person!’ It was very stupid for ME to be searching for something that, I KNOW, does not exist! So I sucked it up and ‘phoned a friend!’

I like to say, “heaven is like a good government job… is isn’t what you do but who you KNOW!” I am blessed to KNOW Jesus Christ as my Savior. I am ALSO blessed to have friends who are experts in their field. I got ‘em on SPEED DIAL! A few minutes later, and about the time the internet came up, the sign was diagnosed and repair plan engaged. Take THAT Mr. Why!

Years ago I heard a preacher say that God NEVER answers the question ‘WHY!’ Because when someone asks ‘WHY,’ they don’t want an answer… they want an ARGUMENT. God REFUSES to be drawn into an argument! I often get upset at people who think or blame God for everything. From sickness to death… failure to loss… God gets pointed at FAR too frequently. How sad is that? You MIGHT want to ask HIM!

When I was lost, and before I was even born, God bore my sin and death on His own shoulders. That fact is the ONLY ‘WHY’ that deserves to be asked. Yet still, He never answers. Instead, He is ALWAYS there.. waiting, loving, encouraging, disciplining… POINTING to Himself in hopes that I will stop whining long enough to pay HIM attention.

Nehemiah rebuilt the broken wall around Jerusalem among threats of death, squabbling and discouragement. His plan of action is today’s verse! While we don’t have trumpet blasts.. we DO have clocks! The Church, Gods support group, meets tonight at 7pm! If you don’t JOIN us, you cant watch God fight FOR us! And THAT is the only response to the ‘WHY’ of life that you need! Got Church?

P.S.   God is NOT Santa Claus!

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalm 119:71 NLT

I had my day planned and hit it with excited anticipation. The first couple parts went well. Then the phone rang! The septic tank at the house, where my Daughter and family are temporarily staying, had backed up and overflowed into the bathroom!! While I might have shown sympathy and gone on with my day, that septic system actually belongs to ME! Therefore… while it was an inconvenience to THEM… the problem was still MINE!

I have talked about this before. Last year when it happened my personal plumber, who loves me very much, told me that the pipe running underground between the house and the septic system needed to be replaced. We haggled about him doing it but had never set a firm commitment. He graciously showed up, reminded me of the problem, cleaned it out AGAIN…then handed me the bill and some advice…‘Hi Ho SILVER!!! replace that pipe!” When I balked at his repeated diagnosis… he laughed at me and said, “I thought you had fixed this problem it yourself! But because I like you, I promise to come back every time you call!”

Overflow from a septic system can be related to sin in one’s heart. It can ALSO be used as a symbol of suffering, hardship, grief or any number of other things that we do not like to see in our lives. The first couple times this happened was exploratory and evaluation. After discovery, it became a reminder of something not done. In my busyness, I had subconsciously decided to ignore the problem. Apparently I hoped it might go away with a wish…or a prayer! Haaaaa! Not so!

One of my visits yesterday had ended in conversation about God and His ways. While it is true that He can miraculously heal, repair, bless and rise us above our difficulties, His NORMAL method of operation is to give us direction and courage to face our problems and tackle them head on, HIS way and in HIS strength. A method not quite as convenient to the suffering.

Right now there are about a half dozen families in our church facing physical, mental and spiritually demanding issues more serious than a backed up septic system. As I speak with them I recognize the enormity of their pain and empathize with the struggle that is still forthcoming. While I pray for a miracle, I recognize the odds are on the slower process of healing that comes when we lean on Him and go THROUGH the yuck of life. Suffering has value!

It is good for me to be reminded that God is building us (and me) up to become HIS servant warrior. In retrospect, this ain’t no vacation and God ain’t my pool boy! It’s time to get out the shovel!

“I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Revelation 2:23

After a week of rain we found ourselves riding the Goldwing on a remote road further south of us. We were lollygagging along when my wife placed her hand on my shoulder. Katie is never 100% relaxed when riding on the motorcycle. So I knew her hand on my shoulder was NOT a sign of affection. I responded… “Yes?” She said, “There’s a car coming up behind us that wants to pass!” Having already seen it, I simply responded, “I know.”

There HAVE times when the back seat alerted me to something I HADN’T seen… yet. Out of fear, she’s pretty ‘quick on the draw’ when ANY sort of danger pops up. I really don’t mind at all and have to admit that I DO drive a bit more carefully when she is with me. Keeping her as comfortable as possible is the ONLY way to guarantee she will ride with me in the future. So when her hand moves, I always respond.

The very first sentence of today’s verse is from the mouth of God! If it causes you shock… it is supposed to. If you are offended… too bad! Jesus is the Master and HE is warning of significant danger ahead. Failure to yield to His warning is going to be catastrophic! It comes with being a parent. If there is a chance that something I do might get my children killed, I WILL pay MORE attention than if it was just me. Pastor’s too, have ‘built in’ warning devices that are meant to ‘sound off’ when sheep begin to stray. Let me just say this…”my bells have been going off!”

Years ago there was a bumper sticker that read, “God is my co-pilot.” A later one came out, “If God is your co-pilot… change seats.” The longer I serve Him the more I see that the first one nails it! “I” am the driver of our relationship. I mean, let’s face it! If HE were driving, I wouldn’t have to be warned or informed! This verse WARNS me that what is up ahead is NOT a fender bender!

It is amazing the excuses I get from people who consistently do not show up to Church or adjust their lives according to Biblical principles. After multiple warnings, time increases awkwardness until finally, no excuse is even given! Reminders that are ignored are VERY dangerous signs. The final thoughts, “you don’t HAVE to go to Church or read the Bible to be a Christian,” lights up the dash with flashes and bells on full alert! And Jesus, who whispers behind His servant… finally goes silent!

What goes through my mind and heart is continually being evaluated by The Master. His final words should strike fear and action on the part of any true sheep. “I will repay you according to your deeds.” It is a final warning meant to elicit a real response. We are all on the VERY short trip called life. Our Master and Creator desires us to get where HE wants us to go. These dangerous days find Him SCREAMING warnings into our ears, minds and hearts. The only question left is… will we respond?

“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’” Joshua 1:13

I was a bad boy yesterday! At least that’s how I felt! Coming off what I felt was a good Wednesday night church… I was spent. I awoke Thursday to a dark and dreary morning. It is rainy season here and… it’s raining! It felt like I was back up north on a cold, gray winter’s morning! I was ‘up…’ but certainly wasn’t ‘at ‘em!’ My ‘get‘ up and go’ had ‘got up and went!’ So I went back to bed, knowing full well that a lot of folks in my church HAD to get up and GO GO GO! But lo… even my own GUILT failed as a motivator!

The word ‘lethargic’ means sluggish and apathetic. Looking up the definition, one site used it in a sentence adding… ‘We are often in this state!” I don’t like this state! It makes me feel like a failure! Added to my curse was my lovely wife! She is like the ‘Energizer Bunny! ‘zing, zing, zing!’ I wanted to kill her! Which took the word ‘apathetic’ to an even DARKER corner than where I lay! I was in a place I didn’t WANT to be, but was CHOOSING to STAY THERE! Just like Gad!

The Bible verse today, when read by itself, looks like a good one. Until we read verse 12 before it. God was leading the Children of Israel to ‘The Promised Land!’ Along the way, the tribe of Gad, along with 2 others, looked around at where they were, called a meeting and proclaimed, “good enough! We wanna stay here!” Sadly, and maybe because they were in that state of mind, God couldn’t really get them to care enough to move on! So He let them live there!

The Old Testament is like a picture book. It paints bold pictures of deep truths later found in the New Testament. This particular story has many chapters. “Grow up! Don’t settle! Faith not works! Trust and obey!” are just a few. If I wasn’t lethargic I could probably make a longer list! But alas… ‘Oh Victory in Jesus,’ has succumbed to ‘Jesus I Am Resting, Resting!’

There is a very good chance that YOU are familiar with this particular devotion! But like in the definition… I don’t care! This is all about ME! The novel phrase, “any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental,” applies! I SHOULD have been singing, rejoicing and break-dancin’ for Jesus. Instead, having morphed from “war-ship’ to ‘dinghy,’ I simply floated where the waves took me! My problem NOW is this… It’s FRIDAY and it’s still raining!

It is true that I am beating myself up! But sometimes it does become necessary. Stringing a few days like this together can EASILY become a lifestyle CHOICE. Just like the one Gad and the boys made. It is unreasonable to expect NO days spent in the ‘Land of Lethargy.’ It is UNACCEPTABLE to choose to LIVE there! Therefore, guilt CAN become a very good motivator. I think that is why God gave it to us! I must remember that SETTLING for ANYTHING that God did not intend for me to have… is DANGEROUS!      I’m awake now!

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

I was looking forward to the appointment scheduled with my Audiologist. The hearing devices I have are top notch! They actually have the ability to sync with my cell phone where a program lies at my fingertips to adjust my ‘ears’ to any given situation! Like the other day when I was around a pack of screaming kids. I was irritated only as long as it took to open my app! With a touch of a button I immediately tuned all that noise out! Pretty cool huh? Oh… and my ‘ears’ can do other things as well!

When I got my ‘ears’ I was told that there is a program written for the Apple iPhone that allows phone calls to be heard directly through them. Furthermore, when syncing by way of Bluetooth, I can play my favorite music right into my ‘ears’ from my iPhone. The problem is, I don’t own an iPhone! I have an Android! BUT… there is an extra gizmo I can get to make it work with my Android. Thus my excitement to see my Doctor.

There was a learning curve to the new device, but we finally had it working. I attached the enclosed lanyard and hung the new device around my neck and left for home HOPING someone would soon call me. When I got home, I took it off and showed my wife, explaining what it could do. We got to talking about HER day when it finally happened. My phone rang! But I couldn’t find my gizmo! Within 5 minutes I had laid it down… and LOST it!

I have written about this very passage before. It is one of my favorites. The ‘Lord of the Universe’ showed up, in person, among the religious elite in an attempt to clearly spell out God’s agenda. The noise from their protests forced Jesus to shout out the message in a God infused 1 liner… “the Son of Man came to seek and to save THE LOST!” He created a stir!

The word ‘lost’ here does NOT mean misplaced. It means destroyed, ruined or broken beyond repair! In looking at a picture of someone lost in a darkened woodland, there is still hope. For mankind, the situation was more like being a crushed turtle, under truck tires, on hot pavement! NO HOPE! THAT is the picture Jesus was portraying here. The extent of the word ‘LOST’ gets lost in translation!

You and I are NOT some cool ‘gizmo’ that God finds cute and wants to have around. I carry within me the DNA of the ‘Lord of the Universe!’ And He wants me BACK! He will go to ANY length necessary to seek, find and attempt a restoration rescue. But in EVERY case where His hand reaches, it stops before the hand He finds. The NEXT 6 inches, and grasp, must be made by the choice of the potentially rescued!

Jesus Christ is calling YOU… DON’T be a gizmo!

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” Psalm 66:16

Yesterday, as I was getting dressed, I grabbed a pair of shorts that I hadn’t worn is quite a while. Pulling them on I tried to button them. After sucking in my stomach I succeeded, only to feel very uncomfortable. I had to admit that there was NO way that this was going to work! Facing reality, I resolved to DO something about it and, without hesitation, I boldly ‘cut off’ the button and headed to my wife’s sewing drawer!

In 64 years I have attempted sewing on a button all of about 3 times. I felt strangely exhilarated! I was going to try something NEW! I found needle and thread and got started. Exhilaration soon slid beside frustration as 64 year old eyes, WITH reading glasses ,attempted to thread the needle. 5 minutes later.. success! Now it was time to sew!

When I was a kid my mom bought a ‘Ronco Buttoneer.’ It was a fine gadget that inserted a plastic fastener to anything needing a button. I remembered the excitement as I ran around asking, “who needs a button?” Current research revealed that the ‘Buttoneer,’ as a product, no longer exists! Feeling strangely sad, I ‘harrumphed’ and continued to sew by hand thinking, ‘what is this world coming to?’

When my wife got home, like a little kid, I told her what I had done, about the disappointment in not finding the ‘Ronco’ tool and then I showed her the shorts. Examining my work, she rolled her eyes and said, “You HAVE a ‘Buttoneer!’ It’s ME! Next time ASK…fatty!” HAAAAA she is SO cute!

There are some things best left to people who know what they are doing. Seamstresses sew, teachers teach, preachers spread the Good News… right? Not really!! This golden nugget today illustrates that EVERYONE who knows God should be a PROFESSIONAL in speaking about what God has done for THEM! If Jesus Christ has saved and now lives in YOU, it should be easy and exhilarating to share your experience with others. After all, YOU are an EXPERT in your own experience.

Telling others about what God has done for you requires no special tools and requires no expertise. It is simply an act of the will. And ANYONE can be a storyteller. All it takes is a touch from the Master’s hand and VOILA!!!… we have the ability to sing His praises. But sometimes folks allow their own comfort to cloud their own routine. How sad!

When I got back to reality, I looked inside those same shorts and read the tag… ‘Size 32!’ I haven’t worn a ‘size 32’ in 15 years! I SHOULD have simply thrown them away! Instead, I tried too hard to ‘improve’ something that doesn’t fit ME. When it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, all I need to do is simply tell MY story! After all… MY story is the one that fits ME the best!