“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3

I have determined this year that Mother’s Day at our house is the first day of swimming season. Up until that time, the pool is too chilly and there have not been many reasons to get in. After church yesterday, we started getting phone calls from our kids telling us they were coming over. Before long, the pool area was flooded with people, toys and activity.

It has been a busy week and neither of us had anticipated a gathering. The house was a mess and the pool area had not been used since last fall. Soon old toys, deflated floaties and miscellaneous stuff was being used by kids as they played together in and around the cement pond! Swimming pool games like ‘Colors’ and ‘Marco Polo’ got dads into the water, as moms sat around and chatted. When night fell and the noise died, we looked around and saw the evidence that something HAD just happened here!

Mother’s Day is usually busy day, as kids gather around to honor the one who brought them into the world. It brings blessing, joy and ultimately WORK…as we meet needs, and afterward return things back to orderly and clean. But truth be told, families are almost NEVER orderly and clean. Wherever there are ‘people’ there is disorder, noise and need. It is to such a condition that God calls us to serve.

Not everybody likes the same food, drinks, games or activities. Ordering pizza for 12 is a long process of suggestion and compromise….”NO ANCHOVIES” seemed the only universal agreement. Kids play, fight, laugh and cry… and leave messes. At the end of the day, we are left with only 1 real question… “was it worth it?” Which is really no question at all.

Though I get tired at times, I am reminded that God loves PEOPLE. So much so, that no matter HOW many people happen to be together in one place, God is ALWAYS pushing for MORE! ‘Go get them and bring them in,’ He says over and over in His Word. Implied is the command to go, care, invest, give, reach, love and then do it again tomorrow. He ALWAYS calls us to be just like Him.

The more I yield my life to Him, the more God reveals to me that He is in the PEOPLE business. Praying for, or doing anything that is not an investment in people is simply a selfish waste of time. Which is TOUGH for people who like order, quiet, peace or their own way! The more we love His people, the more He will increase His reward of MORE of them to our fold. And isn’t that His point?

Lord… please send me to reach out to people who need YOU! No matter the cost!

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40

Growing up in the family I did, shooting and guns have always been a hobby. Some people golf, play tennis or any number of things. I shoot. So it was with great anticipation that I went, with a fellow shooter, to the brand new indoor gun range in town. As soon as we entered the door, the sound and smell made me smile. This was going to be fun.

I don’t shoot that often, but enough. I have been having a problem with the site on my favorite target pistol, and have tried to adjust it myself… with no success. Since I was hitting the target with a pattern abut the size of a large coffee can at 21 feet… I didn’t see the site problem as that big of a deal. As we were about to leave, the gun shop owner asked about our experience.

When I told him HIS range was perfect, but that MY pistol site had to be off, he said, ”let me take a look at it,” I placed the pistol into his hands and he took it back to his shop where I could see him working on the issue. After a few minutes he returned it saying, “it wasn’t your site, it was your rail. I tightened it for you… no charge!” I was gratefully shocked.

I didn’t expect the rail to be a problem at all, so I had missed diagnosing the real problem myself. Furthermore, I do not expect an expert to do something for me for free. Overjoyed, I left the range the same way I came in… with a smile! Because the whole experience was enjoyable AND I had made a friend, I will return and bring friends with me.

It is a fact that the biggest problem I have in my life… is ME! I do NOT need ANY help in messing things up. I can do it all by myself. RARE is the time that I can actually, and permanently, FIX something that is a problem in my life. With MY eyes in MY head… the sites of MY life are usually focused on ME. It is when things go badly that I am forced to return to the one who KNOWS me and has MY best interests at heart. My God, being blessed by my admission that I am my own problem, can then do the detail work to set me straight. In my gratefulness, His response is like that of the range owner… “No charge! Please keep coming!”

To God, where I place my focus is ALWAYS a big deal. I don’t think I’ll wait so long to go to Him with my site-work next time.  

I read a couple things today that were too important not to pass on. The latest report from Open Doors shows that 245 million Christians around the world are being persecuted for their faith. Last year 4,136 people were murdered for being a Christian.  That’s 11 people a DAY! Sadly… In America… Jesus battles a different enemy. Please read below…

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:5

YOUR BODY PARTS are getting together for a meeting. The chairperson, your hand, gripping a gavel, calls the meeting to order. In a surprise first piece of business, your big toes step to the podium and say, “We quit.”

“What are you talking about, Toes?” growls your belly.

“We’re tired of getting stepped on,” your big toes moan together.

“You are low guys on the totem pole,” injects the funny bone. Hand raps the gavel. “Order, please!”

“Order? Cheeseburger, please!” the funny bone howls. Hand motions to the ser¬geant-at-arms, who promptly twists the distracting member behind your back.

“I don’t like the sound of this, Toes,” the ears say. “How do you think you can get along without the rest of us?”

“We’ll run away,” Toes reply. “We can wriggle to wherever we want.”

“You won’t be able to see where you’re going,” observe the eyes.

“We’ll get by,” one toe insists. “We might even take some of our other toe friends with us. In fact, the feet feel the same way we do. They’ll probably hoof off with us too.”

The forehead wrinkles. Then your mouth speaks up. “Maybe you can get along without us, Toes, but we won’t make it without you. We count on you to keep us bal¬anced.”

“Because of you,” say the hands, “we can put our best feet forward.”

The toes wiggle at the outpouring of attention. “We do get a kick out of hanging out with the rest of you. Maybe we need each other more than we realized.”

“And that’s what I’ve been thinking all along,” the brain concludes.

Twentieth-century songsters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sang these immortal words written by Simon: “I am a rock, I am an island.” You probably have moments when that defiant strain of self-sufficiency wells to the surface. But seventeenth ¬century English poet John Donne wrote these wise words that better reflect reality:  “No man is an island, entire of itself.”

As much as you might try, you can never be completely independent. Even Jesus wanted fellowship, friendship, and prayer with his peers. Part of living sacrificially is admitting you need others and allowing others to need you.

You can’t love Jesus and be a quitter at the same time!  Adolescent teens are opting out of Church in greater numbers than ever before because parents are teaching and leading them by their example. Where do YOU stand?

Don’t be a quitter! i

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26

My wife shuddered and said, “I know we don’t have kids in this house anymore, but having this thing on the table freaks me out!” The ‘thing’ she was referring to is an old guillotine style paper cutter. Working on a project, I had brought it out and set it there in the open. She shuddered… I didn’t! And here is why.

Katie works in a preschool. Everyday her room is filled with little children. And if you know ANYTHING about little children, you know that a guillotine style paper cutter would only be an incredible play thing in their eyes. A ‘shudder’ is a natural response AFTER a horrific event has taken place. It is her primary job to keep kids safe by looking out for danger they might not see. To do her job well (and she does) she has to see potentially dangerous things through THEIR eyes in order to both protect and instruct.

Knives, razor blades, guns, staplers and swimming pools are examples of THINGS. By themselves, they are tools for work or enjoyment and pose no threat to anyone. It is when the ignorant (little knowing) see them without a ‘shudder’ that they can become horrific tools of destruction. A parent, teacher, counselor or pastor’s job is to try to impart the ‘shudder’ before any destruction takes place. Sadly, NOTHING causes a shudder like experience.

As I look at my life I am a product of pain. So are you. Having experienced hardship and pain makes me an EXPERT in that area. And while it may SEEM strange, God uses hurt people as teachers of His Truth. Teachers get to participate in the joys of His heart when someone receives His instruction. But they also experience His pain when His Way is rejected and destruction occurs. It is a fact that joy and pain are partners in any kind of ministry.

Everyday my wife comes home from work and we have a pow-wow. Dealing with over 75 kids during the day is both joyous and traumatic. I sit and listen as she unwinds by talking. After she is done, I take my turn. Being in ministry is like being a parent or teacher as well, so there is a lot to talk about. But metaphorically, the paper cutter is ALWAYS in the room!

God is ALWAYS God. He is never OFF duty. He calls, warns, reaches, yells, disciplines and dies… every day. That is what Love does! But the ONE thing we can always count on from Him is that he NEVER QUITS! He is ALWAYS looking into the darkness with the full intention of sending His Light into it. I have to remind myself that no matter the pain or difficulty, ‘I’ am His light He sends. And so are you.

Every morning I set before Him and remind myself of His love and care for me AND for those around me. I make it my mission to set my heart and eyes on HIM so that HIS heart becomes MY heart. Sometimes the best way to do that is to see the paper cutter in the room. Looking into the darkness in order to bring light is a serious business.

What do YOU see?

“The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.” Psalm 89:5

Spring has sprung here in Florida and that means the weather is heating up. I just started noticing folks saying, “man it’s HOT out there!” So the countdown to October 15^th, when it will start to cool again,begins! Going out on the front patio where Katie has flowers that take the full assault of the sun’s rays, I noticed that a few of her plants were bowing … I mean WILTING! I gave them a drink. This morning they have perked up with praise quite nicely.

I got to thinking about the differences between plants, animals and other created things. They were created by God to show off His glory… naturally! The sun doesn’t have to prepare anything special for today’s reveal. It just does what it does and VOILA! Flowers will wave their beauty without any extra effort. It is what they do. That is, unless we humans stick them in a pot and fail to care for them. But I am no flower!

Humans are unique beyond all other created things. We have been given a very special character trait that they do not experience. That is the CHOICE to rise and shine for their creator. Humans have been given the ability to reflect, or NOT reflect, God’s Glory. And each life does what it CHOOSES to do in regard to their Creator. Looking from the outside, it becomes apparent what choice each specimen has made.

In all of creation, there is NOTHING like mankind. Men and women have the ability to CHOOSE what they will do about their creator. Some choose to praise and reflect His life outwardly. Others have gone so far as to even DENY that there is a creator in the first place. But one thing is for sure. There is NOTHING in ALL of creation that God loves to hear from more than men and women who love to Glorify Him. NOTHING! Not even the Angels!

Today our family has a particular special interest and request of our Creator. He alone has the ability to grant our petition. Everything has been done that WE can do, now we sit and prayerfully praise and await His response. It is NOT the first time… and it certainly will NOT be the last. As the old patriarch of the family (that’s even funny to write) I am MOST pleased that EVERYONE of our family is committed to trusting and Glorying God… REGARDLESS of His answer!

There is NOTHING more Glorifying to God than total and joyful submission to His Will. ALL of us want the same thing… but ALL of us will accept and serve God REGARDLESS of the outcome. To arrive at THAT island of life is a HUGE blessing to both God AND our own lives. Now try THAT Mr. Potted Plant!

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Walking out into the dark garage last night, I opened the door and felt something fall onto my head… then onto my back. It wasn’t large enough to scare me, but it made me curious. When I looked on the floor I saw a rather large palmetto bug (roach to you northerners) crawling away under the refrigerator. The way it walked told me its future.

Bugs are just a way of life. Exterminators make a living by getting rid of unwanted pests. Living in Florida, and having seemingly more pests than most other areas, an extermination plan is necessary to KEEP the pesky pests out. There is a spray that I use that lasts up to 6 months. And since this wasn’t the first bug I’d seen in the last week, apparently it was time to apply it!

Being a human, I have lots of hopes, ideas and plans. Lately, since I haven’t been feeling well, I noticed a habit of becoming more critical of myself. Measuring myself against myself is not a good thing, since I am measuring MY OWN actionable achievements. But I am RE-learning that God generally sees MY WORKS as pests that have to go! He wants my HEART first… not my legs.

It has been explained to me that the spray commonly used for bugs leaves a residue that, to a bug, is like walking on razor-blades. Since bug blood does not have the ability to clot, it literally bleeds out onto the floor. Disgusting…. but effective! God has a way of establishing my life direction in a similar way when my direction is not according to HIS plan for me. It is best applied to the pathway of my life through prayer!

It may seem strange that God can, and does, use EVERYTHING. The evil that men do ultimately gets used to glorify God in His justice. When my direction, way or plan unravels in apparent failure or loss, God often uses those experiences to get my attention, forcing me to put my focus upon HIM. When I hit that razor bladed path, I have learned to cry out to Him for His hand and to WAIT upon Him. He can then direct my steps in the course that will be best for my life and ultimately bring Glory to Himself.

One of the greatest realizations I discover when I am flat on my back, kicking and screaming, is that there truly IS a loving God… and I am not Him! I rediscover HIS patience, love and Grace toward me and trust that His directions for my life will be the best path to follow.

It is not fun to be in a position where I am sick, discouraged, sad or melancholy. But like a big bug falling on my head in the dark, it CAN and SHOULD cause me to become curious. It is at those difficult, but precise times, that God is calling me to pause and cry out…”it’s time to sPRAY!”

Are YOU sPRAYED UP?

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Twice in the same day I heard these words, “I will call you back tomorrow,” from 2 different people. One was my son. The other was an official in the local government. The clock has done what the clock does… tick tick tick… and 36 hours have passed. Neither one did what they had said they would do. But I am ONLY upset at ONE of them. And no… it is not my son!

Having had 4 kids myself I COMPLETELY appreciate being busy with family. I had called my son while he was in the middle of a busy weekend family event. I understood that “I’ll call you tomorrow,” was simply a way of saying, “I can’t talk now.” The Government Official represents me and was going to call on an important matter that only HE can rectify. He gets paid from the coffers into which I pay taxes, so in essence… he WORKS for me. But this time… he didn’t!

There is a fancy word that God uses to describe all believers in Christ. The word ”ekklesia” is a combination of 2 words that means “called out.” The word ‘chosen’ replaces it in the NIV version of the Bible, but it does not change the meaning. If you are a ‘called out’ member of God’s Family by being ‘Born Again,’ you ARE a part of ‘The Chosen’ or the ‘Called Out’ ones!’ And yes… you may ‘carefully’ puff out your chest at the honor! But the title ”ekklesia” comes with a responsibility.

Through the years the word ”ekklesia” has come to mean ‘assembly’ or ‘church.’ In that confusion, it would be easy to associate oneself with a group of people that happen to meet at a certain address at a certain time. The problem with that definition of CHURCH is, when problems arise within her, sometimes attendees choose, or feel free, to ‘no longer participate!’ A BIG no-no from God!

Being a special possession of God requires reflecting His Light! Being ‘chosen, holy and royal’ demands that we serve HIS interests HIS way,…ALL the time! The New Testament provides LOTS of requirements for members of this elite calling. Expectations of love, service, forgiveness and dedication are just a few. Staying home is never an option, since being a PART of a body requires BEING a part of a body. The title comes with the expectation that EVERYONE who is a part will work to MAKE ‘the body’ WONDERFUL!

Too often ‘Church’ gets a bad rap because the world can never understand the HIGH calling of God. The title alone guarantees that God’s arch-enemy, satan, has painted a target on her back. If YOU are one of ‘The Called,’ you can assume that satan has his sights on you too. The ONLY way to keep from being attacked like a straggling sheep is to stick together. The key word being ‘together!’

If you are sitting home on a Sunday morning instead of going to ‘The Meeting’ of the ‘Called Out’ ones, the Bible, being God’s Word, should have you asking yourself if you really ARE one of ‘The Called!”

There is NO such a thing as a sniper for Jesus! God is calling YOU! And that makes you SPECIAL! Noblesse oblige.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Yesterday I received 2 notices I had not anticipated. Only 1 of them cost me money… though I was HAPPY to pay! The first one came as a text from an unknown phone number which simply asked, “Hey is this Kenneth?” The next one was from my insurance company reminding me that my premiums are now due. After paying almost $2000, I breathed a sigh of relief!

The only thing WORSE than NOT getting a call from my insurance agent… is NOT getting a call from my insurance agent! I don’t pay a lot of attention to the date my premiums are due, so I have an agreement with my agent that if I miss a notice, they will call me. I was grateful for the reminder because I MAY have missed the cut off date. It doesn’t bother me that the ONLY time I hear from my agent is when money is due. As for that text… and since I NEVER go by that name, ‘no…this is not him!’

The Bible is FULL of important NOTICES! Having concluded a Bible study last night on Moses with the CONDITIONS Israel had to fulfill IF they wanted to have a relationship with God, I asked if there were any such conditions on Christians? “Go search for the if’s!” I suggested. In today’s verse, there are 2. For the ‘once saved always saved’ club members, of which I am a lifetime member, ‘IF’ CAN be a scary sign. The ‘NOTICE’ implies, and expects, just that kind of emotion.

Walking with God is meant to be just that… a walk! It is a journey that starts with repentance and receiving His New Life… but continues on THROUGH the rest of my life. When lived correctly, arrival in Heaven is not a surprise but an expectation. Along the way, God, through His Word, leaves notices that help us to affirm we are on the right track… AND His notices point us in the continued right direction. A Believer will ultimately be GRATEFUL when they see a NOTICE! Even if it first points out a danger.

The Bible Notice I just read today forces me to evaluate my life. Am I living it to please my flesh or my spirit? Like the sign, “Bridge Out,” it is MEANT to stop me on purpose. It isn’t pointing out that every little detail of my life is to be perfect. It is simply a road marker verifying if I am on the right course. If most of my thoughts and actions concern my own pleasure and selfishness, then I am put on Notice that I am in BIG trouble!

I remember years ago when I received my drivers license. I was never really nervous at the wheel… UNLESS one of my parents was sitting in the passenger seat! When they were, I carefully and cautiously watched EVERY detail of what I was doing. When I signed up with ‘Team Jesus,’ He PERMANENTLY moved into that very seat. The question I have to consider is this, ‘am I bothered that He is ALWAYS there?’

Let’s ride!!!! 

“Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? “Matthew 9:4

I finally had it yesterday! I simply could not do one more day like the previous 5. Having caught a nasty virus or bug, I was absolutely SICK of being sick! I needed to get out… to DO something. I was not at full capacity, but hanging out in a dark room had taken its toll. I needed to get out into the sunshine and at least feel like I accomplished something. So I did!

Thankfully I live in the Sunshine State. When I had felt REALLY bad, I didn’t even WANT to SEE the sun. Looking outside actually made me FEEL bad on the inside. Since my disposition was NOT bright, I preferred the darkness. This was changing… which I knew was a good sign! I got a trash can and headed to the yard to sit in the grass in the sunshine. My yard has been full of weeds, a minor matter that suddenly seemed to REALLY matter, since I usually HATE pulling weeds!

I rarely ever do work without listening to music. Depending on the mood, I will listen to country, Top 40, oldies or Elvis (yes he is a choice by himself). Yesterday, my dark mood on full display. It was a day when I REALLY needed a touch from Jesus. So I set my Ipod on ‘Favorite Christian’ and sat down in hope. I needed to spend time IN the sun…WITH The Son. Just Jesus and me! As I pulled weeds, the songs of His Truth poured into my heart and mind… leaving traces down my cheeks. Jesus was at work too when finally, the Light went on!

Depending on the situation, the heart and mind will compete for top dog. I personally believe that my mind is FAR too easily pleased. It will settle on a piece of candy just to satisfy the nag. The heart though, it seems to me, needs more evidence. But whether for good or evil, when the mind and heart become 1, big things happen. Sometimes with devastating results.

I notice when my body is sick, my mind joins in. Soon, the heart is influenced and there seems little that can be done… except to be miserable. Unless something happens to bring hope or light into the darkness, darkness remains. For me, missing the Light was enough. Joy found its way into my heart and my mind followed.

This Bible verse comes from the story of the paralytic healing. After his friends got him to Jesus through the roof, Jesus said, “Take heart son, your sins are forgiven.” A clear indication that sin and sickness are close partners. But not everyone in the crowd loved the message. After Jesus chided the discontent, He sent the man out the door, WALKING to his HOME. His body, mind and heart were all one from the ‘Son’shine!

Are you down, discontent, sick, sinful or living in the dark? Know that the Son is always ready to show you a brighter today. Even if it has to get dark first! What are you setting YOUR mind and heart on??