“resolve (set in your heart, make up your mind, take it to heart, take seriously the need) to honor my name,” GOD Malachi 2:2

I’ve had a lot of doctor appointments lately. Over the years I’ve deliberately made it ‘a thing’ to show appreciation to the people entrusted to take care of me. So before I go to an appointment, I stop off at the store to pick up some candy for the nursing and office staff. Often I’ll take a gift to the doctor as well. I have found a way to make candles serve as a double gift! Here’ an example.

Yesterday I was going to see my urologist. So I took him a Christmas candle. Now men are not particularly fond of getting candles from other men, but when handing it to him, I explained that it was NOT for him. What I wanted was for HIM to use the candle to be seen as a loving heroic husband and to give that candle to his wife and say, “I ran across this gift today and thought of you!”

Something interesting has happened EVERY time I’ve asked a man to give their wives the gift and not mention me at all! The common reply is, “she’ll know it wasn’t from me!” Which for me, is both a sad, but good, response. Sad in that the husband hasn’t set his heart on making sure his chosen bride KNOWS that he still loves her. GOOD in that NOW, a seed has been planted to start!

YEARS ago one of my special pastoral mentors started hammering me on the importance of loving my wife! In fact, he’d end every departure with those words, “love your wife.” And when I’d see him the the next time, he’d ask, “how are you and Katie doing?” At first I found it annoying. But soon I realized what he was trying to instill in me. LOVING someone should NOT be a surprise!

Malachi is kind of a pre Dear John letter from God to Israel. They had not been showing Him love, and He was getting pretty sick and tired of it. He laid out some expectations, warnings and even a love dare to His chosen people. His ultimate warning is today’s Bible verse. There is absolutely zero evidence that we in the Church Age, as the Bride of Christ, get any pass on this requirement.

The law of sowing and reaping starts with God to us. HE loves us SO much, that to ignore the facts of what He has given and done for us, are limitless. Because He gave His son in love, he EXPECTS to receive our honor and love in return. When I don’t show Him my love in time, gifts and service, my life just doesn’t go very well. The deep constant gnawing in my heart that something is missing just grows louder. SAYING it then grows into ‘PROVING it!’ And I DO!

Have YOU set your heart on loving and honoring God in all things in your life? Are you 100% satisfied that God KNOWS you do? How can you show HIM you love him?  It’s simple, share His love with your spouse, family or friends! Don’t let HIS or YOUR LOVE be a surprise!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Yea… 10 O’clock news! It’ll be on!” One of my friends had let me know that a special news story about ‘Harbor Pilots in Tampa Bay’ was going to air. I thought it funny coming from him and not my own son… who IS a Tampa Bay Harbor Pilot. Naturally I texted my son to verify. “Yup! 10Pm,” was all he said. Katie and I were bursting with pride and anticipation, then stayed up to watch.

My Harbor Pilot son has no real schedule. He goes when and where called. That said, he sleeps when he can, an art he has learned over the years. There are times I’ve called him in the afternoon and I can tell by his voice that I had just woken him up. While ‘I’ had been sleeping, HE had brought a ship, longer than a football field, safely into harbor! I hadn’t known. But THAT was the point!

This morning I woke to a text from my son with HIS comment on the job. Happy his face hadn’t made the news story he wrote, “Anonymity is our super power.” The comment sparked a smile from me and a remembrance of this Bible verse. The only way my son could become famous at what he does, is by failing! Because then, the news would have his picture plastered all over the screen.

‘God exists’ and ‘Jesus works,’ are 2 truly very important facts that the world should certainly know. Unfortunately, the world grows further into disbelief in those statements… by choice. And while it is completely possible for God to put on an outrageous display to show and prove His power and Glory, He doesn’t! Instead, He does something completely opposite. For proof… He sends ME!

Lost, sinful, broken, hurt people need God. Unfortunately, just as dirty Cinderella would cringe at coming into the presence of a princess, so people would fall back in shock and fear, were they to find themselves in the presence of perfect Almighty God Himself. Because of God’s nature, he saves them embarrassment by introducing Himself through anonymous, saved, dirt-bags like me! I am living proof!

God calls me to be His witness and to testify to His love and Grace. My purpose is NOT to make ME look good, but that what I do shines out HIS Glory, heart and power. And If YOU have experienced the wonderful Savior as well, then anonymity is YOUR super power as well!

Are YOU shining for Jesus? Do you give HIM the credit for everything good and boast about Him to those in your world? If not.. why not go and be non-famous for Him!

“Thou shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

It was lunchtime, and the craving hit right on time. Now I love a good tube-steak, but unless it has chili on it, Katie doesn’t eat them. Entering the store that sold hot-dogs, my desire triggered the next events. The only question on my mind was, shall I have 1 or 2? Seeing only 3 dogs on the rotisserie, I began to prepare 2 buns. Halfway, 2 men came in looking for the same thing as me!

One man expressed a desire for 2 dogs to his friend, who deferred. But I had already put the mustard and ketchup on the 2 buns so I couldn’t yield one of mine, if he wanted different condiments. I realized if I threw a bun away I would be stealing from the store, so I simply said, “Hey bro, I’m so sorry, I already have these 2 buns ready!” “O.K.,“ he said, then made a decision!

Reaching in, 1 man grabbed the last dog, placed it in a bun, and to my and his friend’s shock, simply walked out the door! My brain was overloaded with what to do about what I had seen! Walking to the counter, I told the manager that they were out of hot-dogs. Then let her know that the last one had been stolen! She surprised me by saying, “I know, I saw him and know who he is!”

The whole surreal scene left me in a conundrum because I didn’t know what to do. Though I felt like there was something! Should I have kept my mouth shut? I offered to pay for the hot-dog, but the manager was already overloaded herself. It seemed more personal to her than to me, and my $2 wasn’t going to help! She just wanted to get back to work and let the offense go… for now.

One thing I have learned in life is that at SOME point, EVERYBODY steals! I’ve also learned that EVERYBODY KNOWS it is wrong! Which should give the clue that ALL are sinners in need of a Savior. Which should make MY job as a Preacher of Good News, VERY easy! Unfortunately, as they say, denial is not just a river in Egypt! But Hot-Dog!! I’m glad He sent The Savior!

Have YOU been convicted of your sin and checked out with the Savior for forgiveness? Because… He sees everything!

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:24-25

And ‘just like that,’ I became a murderer! Recovering from minor surgery proved a little more major than planned. Low activity and no physical labor had left me bored. Since running to the store fit neither category, I went. Halfway there a snowbird, in a Cadillac from Ohio, slid in front of me! We slowed just in time for the traffic light to turn yellow. His taillights turned red. And so did I!

Lying around for a few days, as instructed, had put ‘fleshy self’ into a quiet non-existence. Napping and reading gave no reason to dig him up so, dormant he went. That is until ‘Mr. Ohio’ broke me before a caution light! In reality, I should have exercised caution and seen it coming long before Mr. Ohio made his move. But passionate Mr. Flesh dies hard… and he NEVER dies on this side of death!

Looking back on the scene I thank God for His Holy Spirit. I should have been grateful for not needing an ambulance, but God knew I needed ‘Life-Support!’ And He sent it! As SOON as I swore and became a murderer, God stepped in and reminded me otherwise. Shocked back into His Truth like a defibrillator, I could hear His correction. “You are NOT a MURDERER! You are MY SON!”

While no official obituary was ever posted, Fleshy K.C. died sometime around 1966. Here in 2022, like Elvis sightings of old, there is evidence and rumor that he might still be ‘alive’ after all this time! While that may not impress the rest of the world, it DOES have a tendency to impress ME! And THAT is a HUGE problem. Since Jesus substitutionally died to save me, who am I to question His work?

As long as the world, flesh and the devil can cut in front and get me to believe that I am a liar, murderer, thief or cheat, they can influence my behavior AND my ability to be God’s witness in this world. Long ago a teacher told me that the best way to ACT like a son of God, is to remember that I AM! After that, beating the yellow need not even be a concern!

How do YOU see you? Do things you do in the flesh alter your perception of who you are in Christ? What does the Bible say about YOU? How might words like ‘justified,’ sanctified’ and ‘forgiven’ help you slow down your transformation into fleshy activity?   

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2

“O.K. class… put your books away!” meant only 1 thing… ‘pop quiz!’ When I was a kid in school, I HATED pop quizzes! Unannounced tests of how well I had been ‘paying attention’ in class were unwelcome because I usually hadn’t been! This would be proof! As both a student and teacher of God’s Word, I have learned that God LOVES to give pop quizzes! I received one last night!

Checking out of the cold grocery store proved to be a test, as the little ol lady in front of us moved slowly and chatted to the cashier about things in general. I was surprised to see cases of coke and a big turkey because they looked much too heavy for her to be lugging. That’s when I heard the call of The Master! Taking mental note, we finally got through. I found her standing beside her car, right next to mine.

At my age and in my vocation, tests don’t bother me as much as they used to. I learned to expect them… DAILY! “Excuse me ma’am, but may I help you load those things?” It wasn’t a big deal for me and KNEW it was a pop quiz when I heard her reply, “Oh God bless you!” Smiling at the verification that this was indeed a God quiz, I replied, “Oh He does ma’am!” He does!”

God’s pop quizzes have become a welcome sight to me. Receiving an ‘A’ on a test that involves time or money is not really a problem. God ‘tested’ those out of me long ago. But the hardest tests I face now deal with ATTITUDE! Admittedly, I carry a ‘C- average’ for those, and have for some time. It’s proof that Jesus owns ‘all my STUFF,’ but that ‘all my heart’ area needs work!

“Needs improvement’ after a test doesn’t discourage me because I KNOW that He loves me. If He didn’t He wouldn’t bother with the testing in the first place. Holding onto lessons learned the hard way gives me reason to keep learning, since living in blessing is MUCH more fun than living in fear or doubt. Right now Jesus and I seem to have a different opinion on the definition of ‘FUN!’

When the store lady over-praised me for helping I got embarrassed. “I am a pastor,” I said, crediting God. “Do YOU go to Church anywhere?” Having passed MY test, I inwardly smiled that the tables had turned. Now it was HER time for a quiz! Under conviction, I watched HER squirm to the negative, then invited her to MY church remembering, it’s GOD’s job to grade the quiz!

In what areas of life is God testing YOU? How are you doing in your studies? What grade would you give yourself? What grade would HE give you? Are you generously and joyfully learning? Are you growing in the hard areas? Because He loves you and wants a witness, the tests will keep coming!

“In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit.” Genesis 15:16

“Oh my God,” was all I could think or say! Katie is always the one interested in watching the early returns from any election, so the TV was on and the human commentary was trying hard to impress! As I listened I could not put a word to my feelings. Mad? Sad? Confused? Disappointed? They were ALL there pointing to the basic Biblical principle, ‘we reap what we sow!’ And ‘Harvest’ is coming!

Living in America for 67 years, I have seen it at its best and worst. Being a democracy, both of those adjectives bear fruit ONLY after the nation has voted to take it into a certain direction. The PEOPLE have a say, and the Ship of State steers in the direction of the majority. It was not hard, even in the early results, to determine that America is headed in a very precarious and dangerous direction!

The story of Abram in Genesis 15 has always intrigued me. There is far more to it than can be covered here, but the ‘sin of the Amortites’ is notable because THEIR sin, the collective wrongs of that nation, were the same ones that America has been dabbling in for far too long. Sin breeds sin, and as the children of evil increase and grow, evil simply becomes the norm. The Godly diminishes.

The Amorite people worshiped the moon (satan and created things) as their God. Sacrificing infants to that god became standard practice. Sexual deviancy increased because, lust fulfilled only leads to the need for something bigger and more deviant to satisfy. With the environment being held like a god, demands for abortion ‘rights,’ along with the LGBTQ+ agenda, America is looking FAR too Amorite like!

“The difficulty in life is the choice,” is one of my favorite sayings. That phrase, coined by Irish novelist George Moore around 1900, has proven itself true over and over again in my life, as well in the collective life of both Church and State. Bad choices reap bad results, which can lead to even worse outcomes so that the fate of the chooser(s) can almost become predictable! That is… almost!

I am a Child of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. He called me… I answered. That makes me special! YOU TOO, if you have chosen to follow His call. What that means is, I am NOT to be shaken by what I SEE. But instead, I am called to represent and speak about the one I KNOW! That makes ME a Light meant to shine out in the darkness. And as darkness grows, God expects my light to only grow brighter!

Are YOU a being light, shining brightly in an ever darkening world? If so, why would or should darkness scare you?   SHINE ON you LIGHT BEING you!

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

“AHHHH!” I heard the scream from the other room and IMMEDIATELY knew the cause. Katie had walked into the other bathroom, only to be met by a scene that ALWAYS causes this reaction. I also knew what was coming next, “Did you see this?” Snickering to myself I replied, “Yea… but I knew it wasn’t going anywhere.” And then the natural, “is it dead?” So I said, “I don’t know… touch it!”

Living in Florida does have some disadvantages, one being Palmetto Bugs. If you have a house here, you WILL see an occasional Palmetto Bug. I use a spray that insures that if they walk over it, they will eventually die… just not right away! If you grab at them in the early stage of their ‘going on to eternity’ phase, they will ‘will’ themselves to RUN! I choose to just leave them alone for a while.

Writing carries bugs of it’s own. Yesterday’s ‘Words of the Day’ invoked 2 corrections for errors I had made. 1 was theological and 1 was grammatical. THANKFULLY I appreciate having friends who will tell me when I make a mistake so I can learn from them. I’d rather be told my errors than walk around feeling dumb and totally clueless. Some people take correction personal, get mad and cry ‘UH-AH!’

No one needs to tell me I am a dirt-bag and a pig. I already know! In fact, the condition was so apparent that even after receiving the FREE GIFT GIFT God offered me through His Son Jesus Christ, it often remains my default position. FEELING bad for DOING bad makes me THINK I AM bad. And like my bride’s reaction to a ‘not yet dead’ bug, God hates it! HE says, “K.C.’s dead! You are my SON!”

Before starting this writing, I received an email from someone I haven’t heard from in a very long time. It was to the point…”take me off your email list, I am not interested.” I must admit a slight tinge of hurt from K.C. the pig, but after quickly swatting it to death, all I could feel was sorrow. Not from a rejected writer, but because I know this person is in VERY GREAT NEED of KNOWING God’s Grace.

I have the choice to believe what I want to believe. Agreeing with today’s scripture is not hard. But neither is wallowing in it. NOT going on to read and know how God sees me now is the biggest crime in the history of crimes. When I received Christ’s call to “Come to me,” I had to take the responsibility of learning to see myself as GOD sees me. Not dead in sin, but alive in Christ!

How do YOU see You? Have you been touched by the Master’s hand and are you ‘living proof’ of His Life?

“Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,’Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'” John 7:37

“Gotcha!” After seeing the anole about to scoot under the couch, I planned and timed my movement quickly! Successfully grabbing the critter, I then opened the front door and threw it out into the yard… out into an environment where it was ‘created to survive. Remembering the tragic event of that morning, the thought hit, “Oh how I wish it was that easy with people!

Leaving the hospital with another member of our flock, I was told that the lady, wearing the mask, and socially distancing, was going to go down the elevator ALONE since, “she was special.” When I asked, “and what makes you special,” her response, “I have cancer,” didn’t really do anything to endear me to her. I responded, “that’s interesting because so do I!” It went downhill from there!

Using standard powers of observation, it was obvious she was older than me. Her hair was short, not because it was cut that way, but because of either chemo or radiation. She was thin. The mask she wore indicated she truly believed wearing it would buy her more time, indicating to me that she thought life was precious. So I felt qualified when I asked her, “Do you know my Jesus?”

The 2 creatures I encountered in 1 day were similar in many ways. Both were living, yet both were dying as well. Similarly, both had an encounter with me, which presented each of them with a chance and a choice. Unfortunately, using information BOTH believed to be true, they chose to simply flee from my presence. Fortunately for the anole, MY will was able to overpower his!

Lizard-like anoles are dumb creatures having neither a soul, nor the ability to reason. Since the Garden of Eden, they have been programmed to flee from people who were created in God’s image WITH a reasoning soul. Not knowing any better, the anole did what it was programmed to do. I don’t know WHY I felt bad for the little guy, but I didn’t want to see it die of thirst, so I set it free.

Maybe a secret as to the failure to impress the dying lady lies in that last sentence. 1 sentence that sounds SO noble and caring, yet contains the word “I” in it 4 times! When left to itself, free will can get SO complicated. The ‘I’ at the Hospital, had already elevated herself to the position of her own God, and sensed danger when the name of Jesus was mentioned. And rightly so! He is dangerous!

The Anole had no choice in the matter of it’s salvation. The lady, by her own choice, MAY not be so lucky. Instead of choosing eternal life, she has already chosen eternal death. My feeling bad has nothing to do with her salvation, except that it caused me to speak life to her. Maybe that will give her pause to consider just how thirsty for life she really is. But first, she’ll have to take off the mask!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“We finally got our new doors!” That’s what the texted message said. It came along with this picture. I was out of town at the time, so I was sent the important news, for which our church  has been waiting months! The news also included some very personal information for me alone. Since I am the preacher, and since I am at the Church more than anyone else, I needed a key to get in!

Keys are important because they are necessary to enter or utilize something that normally would be locked or prohibited from use by the general population. When Katie got her new car we received 2 sets of special electronic keys. I say special because, even though I don’t have to insert it into a keyhole, ‘The Key’ MUST be present for the smart electronics to work and allow passage.

Recently I went to the gym and saw a man with a shirt that had Hemingway’s comment, “There is no hunting like the hunting of man.” Assuming he was military I just couldn’t resist the door to see if it might open! “So… you’ve hunted men? That’s incredible because I’M a man-hunter too!” He looked at me like I was crazy and I said, “I hunt and fish for men for Jesus! Do you know Him?”

The biggest and baddest door that EVERY person on earth faces is the door of death. Since death has a 100% success rate and EVERYBODY dies, you’d think that people would be clamoring to find the key to beating it. But being in the Jesus business, I have found that these days, most folks don’t even consider the options. Even though man’s Creator made the ‘The Key’ free to ALL!

‘I AM’ is God’s name. Jesus said it, and then added that if ANYONE wants ‘The Way’ to beat death, all they have to do is come to HIM! And Truth? He made it clear that ‘Truth’ ain’t a THING… but HIM! And Life is what is freely offered as a benefit HERE as well as THERE in Heaven. The KEY to all life is simply and easily offered and acquired… by Jesus Christ!

Do YOU know Him? Are YOU spreading ‘The Good News’ about the Key!