“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

This past weekend had us spending time with some of our kids and grandkids. Being an affectionate bunch, greetings and hugs are a standard. When a grandchild comes through the door I don’t just holler, “hey!” from across the room. I get up, walk to the door, bend down and give them a big hug and an excited “WELL HELLO! And HOW are YOU doing? I’ve MISSED seeing YOU!” They KNOW they are loved and welcome here. Then they run to the toys!

Usually, there will come a time in their visit when I will ask them the question…”Hey… who loves you?” It is a simple and fun way to remind them of my heart towards them. More often than not, I will get, in response, “Gigi!” their pet name for my wife! It’s a game we both know very well, because what happens next is EXACTLY what they expect!

The laughter starts when I chase them, which is what they want. When I catch them I ask again.. “who loves you?” If they started the game, they will say again…”Gigi!” Which is a signal for the tickling to begin! After a short while, and while they are giddy, I’ll ask them the question again and get… “Papa!” MAYBE! And here is where I have to be VERY discerning!

We have all been tickled and laughed while enjoying the game. We have all experienced that point where tickling becomes torture! There have been OODLES of article written on the subject that any discerning parent should know. ‘Fun’ can easily become ‘fury’ when the line of ‘force’ is crossed. Fun can easily become rebellion. It is a fact that God knows all too well.

It is easy to coerce a verbal response out of someone weaker. Push them past the point of comfort and their WORDS may change. But the inner heart of a child is precious and tender. Pressed too far, rage and rebellion can easily become an unwelcome response. God, being infinitely strong, could EASILY FORCE us to bow to His demands… if He wanted to. But the response would be the opposite of what He really desires.

God wants me to love Him voluntarily. He wants me to GIVE Him my heart, and REFUSES to TAKE it if I don’t. Even God knows where the line is drawn. That is why I felt drawn to today’s verse when it dropped into my spirit. It was as if God was asking me… “HEYYYY…Who loves ya?” I realize after all these years that He is asking for the both of us! It is my honor to respond with my life!

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

A fellow Jesus guy and I were discussing our favorite hobby of target shooting when the idea hit… “why not start a group shoot?” The idea made me smile because in today’s world, a certain group of people want the eradication of guns. SO, like it or not, we naturally considered the politics of our hobby and if it was practical for a Christian group. It took 2 minutes to decide! Our first gathering at the new indoor gun range was last night! 11 people showed!

I had invited a High School student who was in JROTC. He had just graduated and I knew he would have a blast. He brought a friend! Another church member, brought a neighbor I had never met. Together, we all registered, made our way to the range and, in groups of 2 to a lane, started the fun. Even though our group didn’t have a name, we were a group!

Shooting is different than bowling or golf. In those groups, emphasis is mostly on scores…even when scoring against oneself. Shooting has that same kind of thing, but with an addition. A LOT of talk and show is about the equipment. “Hey… what are YOU shooting?” This question is most generally followed by a reveal… with the words,” let me show you…” and then… “Would YOU like to shoot it?” Sharing is big in this kind of group.

Tom’s friend was at the end and I HEARD what HE was shooting. If you shoot pistols, you probably already know. This .50 caliber cannon of a pistol is BIG…. LOUD and costs $1.00 just to pull the trigger. He let me take a shot and even recorded me on video.. Yes… it was a big deal!

The Bible, or Word of God, is sometimes referred to as a sword. It is the weapon of our warfare against evil. To wield it correctly means one has to KNOW it, spend time with it, practice using it and then execute it properly. It saves, protects, comforts and keeps us. God’s Word is also the name for His Son (John 1). It is both a tool AND a person!

Believers in Christ are called to unite ‘together’ with The Word as our center. The Word is NOT a toy or an icon. The Word is LIFE. After shooting I went to a fast food restaurant to get a sandwich. I asked the guy behind the counter, “so how are YOU doing?” He didn’t hesitate… “well you know… life!” My reply was from God… “As a matter of fact I am a MASTER at it! Why… are you a Jesus guy?” He said, “no… I meant life… like it’s ups and downs.” My reply was, “exactly!”

It is important to understand that life is a war. He knew it and so did I. The difference between he and I was, I had THE weapon… he did not!. I wanted to share mine! You know… show him, let him take a try to see if he might love it as much as I. He changed the subject. As I left, I could almost hear demons laughing at my loss in the conflict. But I know my similes.. AND my Master. So like the Terminator.. I made a promise… “I’ll be BACCCCCK!”

What weapon do YOU carry?

“Whoever has ears, let them hear – Jesus” Matthew 11:15

I have an earworm and it’s driving me crazy! You know… a song that gets stuck in your head, continually playing over and over? It recently became one for me when my wife came home a few months ago and said, “Hey.. did you ever hear the song, ‘Can He, Could He, Would He?’” I hadn’t… then I did…and now I cannot get it out of my head. I decided to pass on the love!

Last night at choir practice, I unveiled the song for Sunday! I carefully watched everyone as ‘the worm’ did its job! It was HILARIOUS! When ears heard, eyes opened and then rolled in needless rejection! Yup!!! That was the first stage when ‘I’ had heard it too. Then the jokes started! “You’re kidding right? This sounds like a hick song from the hills!” I agreed! So far so good! Then I passed out the music!

True to form, the ear worm had babies, as even the complainers were toe tapping and smiling after a couple times through! Not one person said, “I am NOT singing that song!” If anyone wakes up and recovers from the incident they might write an article on, “HOW to Get Rid of an Earworm!” Oh wait!!! That’s already been done! And it doesn’t work!

After considerable thought, I have concluded that Jesus is the author of ear worms. In fact, with the verse today, I believe He actually encourages them! “If you have ears… HEAR!“ Then He gets specific with truth that hits home!! If it sticks… it’s meant to!

Life carries with it LOTS of things that drive us crazy… and WORSE! I heard it said that the difference between a Christian and non-Christian is that the Christian KNOWS life is tragic! We are stuck in a horrific story that we KNOW was not meant to be. And we ALL search for ways to cope… many of us becoming ‘stuck’ or ‘addicted’ to the worms of this world. But Jesus!

I have tried many things.. some of which still haunt me to this day. But I have NEVER EVER been let down or disappointed by Jesus Christ or the Words that He said. And if you have ears to hear… hear THIS earworm from years ago, which could have come straight from Jesus Mouth… “Don’t stop Believing!” GOTCHA!!!

Oh… and try this for fun…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfnoo9pFfw

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 NKJV

I love to people watch! What different people do, how they do it, what they wear and the mannerisms displayed while doing things is fascinating. And so it was, as we sat in the restaurant, that I watched people ordering and eating their Mexican entrees. While all the adults displayed different techniques, wore different clothing and conveyed differing expressions… EVERYONE I saw knew HOW to eat!

Mexican fast food is pretty much all the same stuff… in a different order. Meat, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, salsa, tortilla! The order you place the items, and the particular tortilla you choose, determines whether you are eating a taco, burrito or a nacho. Additional items only serve to ‘kick it up a notch.’ But eating a nacho vs a burrito requires a different style of eating. I noted everyone had mastered the various techniques of getting the food into their mouths. Some just had more style!

I’ve learned learning to eat is a basic requirement that MUST me mastered to survive. God bless the moms who teach it with patience, because it can be a LONG process. But by the time a child is walking, talking and using the bathroom, it is pretty much a conclusion that they know how to eat as well. But for people who call themselves believers in Jesus Christ, the basics can go without being mastered, for very long time. Sometimes NEVER being mastered!

Belief or Faith is the basic building block of Salvation. We do not know or get saved based upon what we see, but by faith in the unseen! Meeting God personally at that level is generally a miraculous event generally remembered. But to grow on and learn to WALK by Faith requires practice. Unlike eating, no one physically DIES if they don’t learn how to Walk by Faith. And maybe that is the problem! Humans generally don’t DO what we don’t HAVE to!

We were created by God to do His Work and Will on this earth. Learning HOW to see and hear Him ‘instruct and deliver’ requires paying attention and practice! Maturity in the Faith cannot be reached until that lesson is learned. It starts with paying attention to HIM. To look out at the world with SPIRITUAL eyes means we must BELIEVE before we CAN see! It is much like learning to eat. Only in a different order!

I have learned that mastering seeing things, The Master see’s them, requires the DESIRE to see them in the first place. Once I focus on HIS focus, I can practice focusing WITH HIS focus. It’s a learned art that He REALLY wants us to master! Lord, here I am! PLEASE send and teach ME how to be YOUR hands, feet, heart and voice in a VERY hungry world. No matter HOW or what you order!

“The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.” Psalm 104:12

Walking past the our side glass door where we have plants, trees and a bird bath, movement caught my eyes. There was a male cardinal, 2 other little birds (I don’t know what they are because I am not a bird expert) and a squirrel. The birds seemed to be taking turns in the bath.. which I thought was interesting. “Are they smart like that?” I thought. The consideration vanished when one of them took a drink… “NOPE! Definitely not!”

Looking on, the scene was peaceful and serene, causing me to just stop and watch. There was no worrying on their part. They seemed completely contented as thy chirped, rinsed and fluffed. The squirrel, never taking his eyes of the ground, could have cared less. He was digging around looking for a place to hide something which he will never again find! And all was right with the world!

It seems like a silly thing to think about or to ponder upon. That is, if it weren’t for the creator of the Universe making a big deal of it Himself. There is no way that finding this Bible verse 2 days later was an accident. The moment of sight, and the moment of remembrance were brought to me, deliberately, by the Lord of the Universe. Do I think He is trying to tell me something????

Birds were created by Jesus. Jesus even refers to them in His parable, using them as an illustration about not carrying for their own needs, since His Father supplies them without their even asking. He reminds me that I am MUCH more important to God than THEM! Take THAT lil birdie! I noted a peace and quiet inside my own spirit. As I watched God caring for them… I felt His hand upon me as a reminder that I am in His care too!

I didn’t ask for the scene. I wasn’t begging for a sign or looking for any confirmations. God simply reached in and blessed me with His presence. Lately I HAVE been diligently working on paying more attention to Him though. Which caused me to wonder… how many of these special moments have I missed because I hadn’t been paying attention!

Yes… He really WAS telling me something!  

“We are instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Grand-kid performances are not a rare… especially when you have a bunch of ‘em. This week we had been invited to several. Last night was a different ‘talent show’ and our dancing grand-daughter had chosen to perform. Since our schedule was open, we chose to go. Now while there is no doubt my 4^th grade G-kid was a hit, I was also amazed by the singing performance of a girl in 1^st grade. I closed my eyes and heard ‘Disney!’

Little kids are usually shy when they go on stage. She wasn’t. They also don’t really sound that good either. She did! They also tend to strain and forget words to songs. She made it look easy! Some folks would say, “she’s a natural!” And I’d agree! In thinking about what God has been focusing on in my life and in the church, I don’t think it was a coincidence that this Bible verse fluttered before my eyes the first thing this morning.

There was no prize or ‘First Place’ winner at the talent show. Kids were offered a chance to perform and they chose to do so. Piano players didn’t dance and actors didn’t sing. They chose to use the talent they felt most natural in displaying. ALL of them prepared and ALL were ‘special!’ Thank goodness for Cell phones! Every parent had cameras rolling… no doubt… saving forever their children’s growing up years for future remembrance. I am reminded…God has a camera too!

YOU are SPECIAL! God knows EVERYTHING about you. Where you were born, the family and times, the successes and trials, the hardships and pain! You are UNIQUE! And since there is NO ONE LIKE YOU, God, in His plan of love, has chosen YOU to be an instrument of delivery for His mission and plan for the Earth. He has given YOU talents, likes and capabilities, that when merged with YOUR story, fits ‘hand-in-glove’ into His. He asks me today… “What are your plans for a performance? I want to see!” A CHOICE has been handed to ME… and I can do with it what I want!

Sadly, some of us choose to pick up the booze instead of the guitar. To become bitter instead of better at dancing, singing or playing. With SO many people and SO many choices… the combinations for God’s outreach is impressively complex. NO talent is too small and the ONLY thing He asks of us is… “will you use your talent and heart for ME today?”

I have heard that the hardest thing to hear is God’s voice. Someone asked, “Is that God talking or just a voice in my head?” I have discovered the answer is… “Yes!” God does NOT need the supernatural to do the impossible. He created YOU! The natural voice, impulse, urge or desire to help, reach, give or serve… is HIS! All He is asking of you and me to simply.. “DANCE!”

To me, there was nothing more frustrating than when one of my kids would refuse to do something because they felt stupid or embarrassed! If they liked going to dance class, why would they be embarrassed to dance for family, church or ANY gathering of people? But we all refuse at times.

God gave me talents and he wants to use them for His best good. The choice is mine alone!

I hope you see me dancing? But please don’t judge…I’m doing it for my Father… and HE is recording!

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5

Church visitors are a source of encouragement to me. When someone visits, a bag of goodies, carefully prepared in advance, is presented along with a card requesting their information. Following up with visitors can be interesting. One of the questions on the card asks, ‘Would you like the pastor to contact you Y/N?’ Most often, the ‘N’ is circled. After a couple weeks, I call them anyway. I mean… WHY the ‘N?’

The last few conversations I had with people about church were disconcerting. One person gave a detailed list of churches they had visited in the area. Everyone of which, “turned me off!” I never understood ‘WHY’ because it was never clearly explained. A non-attender told me that churches have a superior attitude and that, “everybody thinks they are better than me.” I told them it wasn’t true in our church. Since I KNEW that Jesus had chosen me… “because I was a chief Dirtbag!” I got a laugh… but not a visit!

Inside churches across America, there is a Laodicean attitude that has people pewed in. It is the attitude of lethargic apathy. As the news in the world gets worse, droopy eyes and dropped heads indicate slumber… not prayerful concern. In The Revelation… it was predicted. Sadly, successful churches often fill the gap with entertainment and low expectation.

All of this should be alarming to any Believer because it is COMPLETELY the opposite of what we have been called to. It indicates how well satan does his job when hard working and caring family members stop working and caring. If we believe the Bible to be TRUE, our ineffectiveness comes at great expense as lost ones increase and found one’s future rewards decrease. satan has stolen our reason for being because… we let him!

A number of years ago, there was a study published that surveyed 2100 pastors throughout the United States who had been fired or quit their churches. The conductors of this study asked these pastors and their churches, “What was the reason this pastor left?” You might expect to hear that these pastors were preaching heresy or that the churches they led weren’t Bible-believing churches. But the study found that more than any other reason – 58% of the time – these pastors were forced out or left because of personality differences with the members. The pastor called ‘zig’… and the majority wanted ‘zag.’ Sadly… what the Architect and Master of ‘The Church’ wanted was rarely even considered!

I believe that church problems might be remedied if people would be willing to simply follow the Leader… and move in direction FROM which THEY had been called. We ALL know what sin is, its cost and how blessed the remedy. But we forget that no matter WHAT position we fill, it is one of humble Servant-hood! Just like Jesus.

It’s my prayer that the people of God today would be willing to step up and kneel down. To play the Game of ‘Follow the Leader’ in humility, joy and concern for the lost and the weak ones. It is NOT a new idea, but simply a call to the original.

If we would seek, pray and focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing, and filter all of our energies through His call to the Great Commission of Discipleship, our Master promises that we will find unimaginable Joy and Peace in the coming storm. But first He asks, “do you care?”

“We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2b-3

Our grandson was going to be performing in a talent show and we already knew it was going to be a rush to get there. The trip takes over an hour and we needed to leave in time. We ALSO needed to take my truck, since Katie’s car needs an appointment for new tires. One problem… MY truck is MY truck, so it resembles MY personality type. NOT my hers! I had some work to do!

NO one rides in my truck but me. Running from 1 place to another, it is the perfect vehicle to simply throw and go! From cutting grass to hauling tools, to moving items from one place to another, I can almost tell what I have done over time by the remnants of what’s lying on the seat or floor! If my bride is going to fit in there, AND be JOYFUL about it, I had some cleaning to do.

I used to have a saying at my job… “Some people work… other people clean!” I was THRILLED when I saw a picture of Einsteins desk just hours after he had died. He and I shared the same thing in common with Mark Twain and Steve Jobs! Could it be that a cluttered work space really IS a sign of a genius? Regardless, my wife would NEVER fall for that line. So I cleaned, sanitized and Fabreezed my truck’s interior.

It is ABSOLUTELY true that I was COMPLETELY forgiven and cleansed from sin, ‘once and for all,’ at Calvary. While many people have a hard time with that concept, I know and rejoice at that fact. Anything less would would ultimately fail to save. But I ALSO know that ‘willful sinning because I can’ is a concept that can cause a severe breakdown of Christ’s Vessel! Translation? If Jesus resides in my life… a clean ride is a SMOOTH ride… for BOTH of us!

It doesn’t matter if a truck is clean or dirty when getting a job done, or when getting from one place to another. As long as the engine is running fine, the truck has no complaints. Nor do I! As long as it gets the job done, I find there are OTHER things that are more important for my time. But when I stop to consider my passenger, it makes a BIG difference in our relationship. Jesus and my wife BOTH deserve better!

When Katie got home early, we hurried to the truck and I opened the door for her… and SHE NOTICED!! “WOW… you cleaned your TRUCK!” It’s BEAUTIFUL!” she said. Reminding her to NEVER use that word for a man’s stuff, I was nonetheless pleased that she was pleased. Our grandson was the star of the show, we got to see family and the ride was MUCH more enjoyable. Could realizing that concept make me a genius????? Haaaa! See how easy it is to start another mess?  

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

One more time I was reminded as my wife said, “did you see the avocado tree? Its leaves are turning brown at the ends!” The answer was ‘Yes, I saw.” I had just noticed it the day before myself. In fact… I am SICK of noticing. That stupid tree is nothing but a big disappointment to the both of us. I wish we didn’t even have it!

We are growers of weeds. I have written about this so many times it is now a joke. But my wife likes plants and flowers… so she buys, or receives them from others…we plant them… they get diseases, bugs or die. If they could, they would unite and flee from our yard. In fact, I wish they would. If a plant has any value at all, and if it had a mouth, it would be SCREAMING, “NO…. DON’T PLANT ME THERE!!!!!!” If they COULD talk, they could TELL me what they needed to thrive.

Lots of people have LOTS of advice for how to grow plants. UNLIMITED advice can be found on the internet… I know, I look. But I am convinced that the majority of advice is just personal opinion. Because when applied, it either doesn’t work or it makes the situation worse. The SAME problem can be applied to ME. But in my case… I CAN talk!

There are areas in my life that produce brown tipped leaves and no fruit. I have invented, sought and tried opinionated advice from others at times, only to find that it only made MY situation WORSE. Truth be told, I have ALSO found that when I am heeding opinions, it is because I have not planted my roots near the stream of Jesus Christ. But I also have to admit… sometimes I LIKE it that way!

I have had conversations with folks lately that have opened up my eyes and made me look at myself. Richard Bach wrote, “argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours!” If I take the time to really look at the fruit of my life, there are areas that SCREAM out to God, “NO…. DON’T PLANT ME THERE!!!!!!” Unfortunately then… He doesn’t!

The Bible verse today spoke VOLUMES to me. I CAN get PLANTED beside His Stream… BY Him… but only AFTER I have placed my trust and confidence IN HIM. Would you not agree that the person required to make to first move toward fruit-bearing has to be ME? OUCH! There is that Free-will thing that keeps coming up! And to change, I have to speak up AND be willing to be moved! Or I can just stay planted where I am!