“Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 (Berean Standard Bible)

Today is the first day of School for Katie. It’s the day parents come to school WITH their kids to ‘Meet the Teachers’… and vice versa. She’s excited! For the last week especially, she has been getting prepared to make a good impression on everyone. Me? I’d been watching and waiting to see if she needed my help, and then made her coffee.

On the way out the door she reminded me that today is gym day. Four years ago we were told that, at our age, if we didn’t start working out, our kids would be pushing us around in wheelchairs and spoon feeding us. That was enough to sell us on the gym idea. We’ve been going ever since. Today’s verse is similar in tone, but brainy!

With a local county election coming up on August 20^th, and a national one for President on November 5^th, the news has been pushing propaganda. It’s all meant to sway people to DO something. With so much at risk, I have been amazed at the number of people who really aren’t sure what they should do! To ALL of us, God says… PAY ATTENTION!

It was God who started the whole ball rolling long ago with Adam and Eve. He gave explicit instructions of what He expected from His creation, then stepped back. All it took was outside influence to tempt them away from doing His will, to doing their own. In a world of turmoil and chaos, humans still don’t seem to comprehend reality!

1 Peter is a teaching chapter that sounds like a Teacher loudly clapping hands to get attention! ‘The End’ is in sight, Jesus will return, and the choices to sit back, be lazy and do our own things (or His) will be rewarded accordingly. Trouble, suffering and grief are simply markers God uses to check our position on the journey. Rewards are pending!

So how is YOUR journey, education and position going? Are you paying attention to Rabbi Jesus and doing what He expects from you? Because the Class Bell is about to ring! Are you focusing on Jesus and your relationship, or sitting on the couch?

“The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.” Psalm 143:3-6

Our Grandson got this bunny. Named him ‘Bun Bun.’ Reasonable I guess. But they were going out of town for a week and didn’t know what to do with ‘Bun Bun.’ I’m still not sure if the threat to let ‘Bun Bun’ go into the wild was a setup, but the next thing I knew, we were lugging house, cage, food and ‘Bun Bun’ to stay with us for a while!

How do I say it other than, ‘things are different now!’ It’s been Katie and I in this house, alone, for over 2 decades. We didn’t have to think about where we stepped, or provide food or care to anything other than ourselves. Long ago, kids had pet dogs, but we are remembering the routine of closing doors so ‘Bun Bun’ can’t get out! Interesting!

Since Duncan kept it outside, we did too. That is until Hurricane Debby flooded outside. Then Katie, moved by pity, moved her. Lightning, thunder, darkness and anthropomorphism (attributing human attributes to animals) forced Katie to bring ‘Bun Bun’ into the garage. Caring got serious when cuteness moved her inside the house!

I’m not a big pet guy. In reality, the Bible looks at animals as tomatoes with fur. There are no instructions or commands from God on pets. A complaint is that too many people treat pets better than people. God doesn’t like that. Accepting ‘Bun Bun’ came with a level of responsibility. Duncan is our Grandson and ‘Bun Bun’ is his. We love Duncan.

So we have a rabbit for less than a week. Though just a playful, temporary assignment, I’m reminded that life… isn’t! I have a responsibility to my Creator and Provider, as He does with me. I expect nothing out of ‘Bun Bun.’ But in this dark stormy world, where an enemy pursues, God HAS expectations from me. They are not temporary or trivial.

Today’s verses remind me that the enemy is relentless. I need to recognize that. Sitting in a cage, safe and sound, protected and secure is NOT God’s method of care. This is battle! And God expects me to pay attention. My response to God is to remember, meditate, consider, praise and thirst for  Him who made me to be His… forever!

Are YOU thirsty for God?  

“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.” Luke 8:24-25

I’ve seen many storms in my life! That’s not a complaint, just a fact! Some storms come with rain and floods. Some with distress and sorrow. I’m learning that trying to presume what a storm will bring can be deceptive! 2 nights ago… heavy rains came, the power went out, and the wind howled. I hadn’t expected ANYTHING like what we got!

The time I begin to consider storm preparation is when I hear the word ‘category’ before the word ‘hurricane.’ if it isn’t a category 3, I give it no mind. ‘Tropical Storm’ sounds to me like the first day of kindergarten. “Pshaw!” I muttered, and did NOTHING different. Yesterday morning I awoke, still had no power, and my street was flooded!

It was an opportunity to find out what I am in the habit of doing. Though it was daytime, it was dark in the house. Every time I entered a room I hit the light switch. Silly me! I started to make coffee, but realized there was no power. Opening the refrigerator, there was no light to see. I then dug out a flashlight and the generator.

Coffee in hand, I picked up my Bible to do what I normally do, which was to read His Word and relax with my Savior. Today, the sun is shining and the high water is gone, almost as if nothing had happened! Looking up ‘Storm’ in my concordance, I found this and Psalm 107. Did you know God sometimes SENDS storms to get our attention?

What has God been trying to tell YOU lately? Have you been observant?  Or inattentive? You may want to read Psalm 107. God appears to be in the habit of using storms to get attention. Just look at Job 38:1! So… where is YOUR faith? And are you giving Him thanks in everything?

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew 12:34

“Watch out!! Rattlesnakes are EVERYWHERE!” It’s a common saying when we hit the mountains. The truth is, rattlesnakes can’t be EVERYWHERE… or there would be nothing else but! But knowing that they COULD be ANYwhere is the only real way to WALK everywhere. It is always wise to walk cautiously and with discerning wisdom.

I appreciate a good rattlesnake. I’ve the mind that as a potential killer, he has a rather kind streak running along that tubular body. That it rattles at all provides warning that I am getting too close. Most of the time, the rattlesnake sees ME before I see him. His rattle alerts me to stop and back off… like it doesn’t WANT to bite me.

For some people, the sound of a rattler draws them in. Instead of moving away, some folks will move in for a closer look! Others even wear special clothes and carry tools in order to CATCH them. To them, facing danger and confronting it to capture or control it provides a thrill! Having been bitten by dangerous things before. I prefer to back off.

It isn’t hard to see that evil, like a rattlesnake, is a very dangerous thing to play with. Jesus goes on to say that good people store up good things INSIDE them, and spread that good around. Evil people spread evil… mostly through their words. I have found what comes out of my mouth, is usually what is in my heart! I want a good heart!

Jesus supply’s a rattle of His own at the end of today’s verse by declaring that when this life is over, I will be judged based upon what comes out of my heart and mouth. His is a kind warning of possible danger, if I do not answer His call to join Him in speaking His words to the world. Are YOU rattling for Jesus? Or are you too ‘worldly’ curious?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Wanting to sleep, I couldn’t. It seemed a dozen thoughts rolled randomly through my brain, with no rhyme or reason for any of them. So I got up, deciding to read my Bible to calm myself down. A question came to mind and I googled a Bible commentary through my phone. Up came a distracting news article about the latest political poll!

It only took a suggestion, but soon I was led to an ad that promised better fishing results! Needless to say, it doesn’t take much for my mind to unfocus off… of what I want to focus on. I’ve found intentionally good thoughts can be easily swayed or diverted from the serious, to the ridiculous and wasteful or even perverse! AHHHHH!

I remember an ad campaign back in 1972 that stated “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Yet here I am doing just that! I’d been feeling bad about my wandering thought life and ran across a book that proved satan the former owner of my mind… since it was his before I willingly offered it to God. But that offer was not a one and done deal!

Today’s verse, along with many others, highlights the importance of determining, and keeping, our thoughts on Godly things. While I have been redeemed, my mind is proof that I am not out of the woods yet! God wants my thoughts as satan manipulates my thoughts, and often, I am not even thoughtful about the battle that NEVER EVER stops!

This verse is one of Katie’s favorites because it helps to push the mind in a forward, Godly way of thinking. When I find myself drawn away or enticed to think about things wasteful or evil, this verse gives me the needed focus to set my mind on ‘Jesus’ first! I realize it is up to ME to take my thoughts captive for Him (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

So… WHADAYATHINKIN’?

“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24

The instruction to “hold still” was given by a person holding a fly swatter. The goal was to swat and kill any black fly that was perched on the bare flesh of someone else… just prior to biting them! Sure! The strike from the fly swatter would sting… but NOT as bad as the bite from one of those nasty black flies. When I was the target, I held REAL still!

Some years, when we go to ‘the cabin,’ the flies are not there. Other times, they’re everywhere! Their bite not only hurts, it leaves a stinging mark that can itch for days! So naturally, a swat from a caring relative was welcome! But cooperation was also critical, Any movement prior to ‘the swat’ would warn the fly in time to ‘get away!’

Swatting flies is one way to prevent getting stung, but there are others. If flies are outside, I could choose to just stay inside! But then I’d miss the mountain experience! Insect repellents generally keep the flies from biting, as they don’t like biting stinky, repellent flesh. But they still land! I don’t like to wait to see if I missed a spot!

Today’s Bible verse is a very serious ‘Hold Still’ command by Jesus. Being born again, and therefore a child of God, is no guarantee that I will not be stung by the world, the flesh or the devil. If anything, being ‘His’ makes me an even tastier target by God’s enemies! As usual, God’s repellent is His Word. But ONLY if I APPLY and REMAIN in it!

Seeing a red, swollen, stinging bite on a family member, when we went to the creek, only proved that they’d been outside, did not use repellent, or did not have a fly swatter present. But sometimes, those nasty flies found a way to get INSIDE the cabin. UGH! It was a constant and never ending battle. Just like being a Believer in this world.

This life is a war. And until Jesus returns, it will not get better. My enemies never tire and they always outnumber me. The Word tells me that it is MY responsibility to read and apply His Word continually. AND to make sure that I avoid areas of temptation, thought and weakness, that could easily get me bit! Are YOU “remaining in Him?”

‘Hold Still’ is God’s WORD for today!   Read up!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30

Getting back from vacation is kind of a rough thing. Especially when I’ve been to a different time zone! Now technically, Pennsylvania is in the exact same time zone as Florida. But what I did with the time I had was COMPLETELY different than what I am doing, now that I’m home. Going away to rest, I came home exhausted!

When I’m away on vacation I do different things that I do at home. In many ways, I physically worked harder on vacation! Being released from a burden of external responsibility, the only thing I needed to concern myself with was my very tiny world. Not having internet or cell service, I didn’t even learn things that had happened.

Back home, life just kind of hits back in it’s reality. ‘Normal’ brings with it a daily watch over things and people that need cared for.  Last night, we did something we haven’t done, even while on vacation. We slept for 12 hours! I guess we were tired and needed the rest! Jesus comes to me KNOWING I’m tired, and makes me an offer.

I have to face the facts. I need serviced. We ALL do. I don’t know a person that isn’t usually weary and burdened with cares of this life. And if I find I’m not, all I have to do is just give it a little time. Time has a way of burdening me with trials, tribulations and feelings that are so overwhelming, I just can’t seem to lift them. Jesus goes radical!

He didn’t say He would HELP me. That is NOT His offer. He said he would TAKE my burden and actually give me HIS EASIER one! But I have to be willing to swap and leave MINE in His hands. And then ACCEPT and LIVE in HIS Rest! That’s the deal. So today… Im burden swapping with Jesus! Are and will YOU?

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecc 3:1

Ahhhh! If every day were to bring a word with it, “Ahhhh” would be the word for today. After much planning and anticipation, it is good to say that we accomplished exactly what we wanted… and needed. Cramming in over 2 weeks in the UK, then another few at our mountain cabin, seeing new places… and relaxing from last year’s work… has been done!

This year marked the 50th anniversary of my father’s purchase of a closed church in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Those mountains have seen me grow, marry, have kids, and now grand-kids. We’ve made new friends… and visited old ones. Stepping out to take a break to renew perspective is Biblical! It’s included in ‘everything’ in today’s verse!

Ecclesiastes 3 is a perfect reflection on life… from God’s point of view. Since God became my life well over 60 years ago, I’ve threaded my way through nearly every one of the scenarios God had old Solomon write in that list of 8 verses. One thing that I don’t see on the list is ‘a time to go… and a time to return!’ Last night… we returned home!

Getting home after dark we couldn’t see much. This morning, as we both took time to stare out the windows, we saw plants that are taller. There seem to be more flowers than before we left. While we were gone, friends and family looked after our stuff. Now that we are home, we will carry on. That is… until it’s REALLY time to go Home.

Wherever I go, there I am. And wherever I am, Jesus is there as well. I can honestly say I carry ‘Home’ with me everywhere I go! Because for me, ‘Home’ is more heart than location. As I rode around and looked over mountains and valleys, the beauty I saw became more of a calling than a place to see. As I live, I look even MORE forward to ‘Home.’

I yearn for the days when TV and news will no longer invade my space. I look for The Day when Jesus and I will spend time together doing what He intended from the beginning… being together with His WHOLE FAMILY of loved ones. The older I get, the more I yearn for that Home.  What about YOU?   Are YOU looking forward to YOUR Heavenly Home and family?  Think about that!

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus John 8:12

People love to watch fireworks. Last night, as we sat inside watching fireworks displays on the TV from around the country, I could hear the booming sounds of local fireworks being shot off outside around our neighborhood. From the sounds, some of them were pretty good too! But I didn’t bother going outside. The TV Fireworks were OK by me.

As a young boy I was naturally drawn to the fizz, flash and bang of fireworks. While they were ‘illegal’ in our state, some folks had a way of turning up with some, even going out of state to get them. My parents knew they were out there, and cautioned me against ever playing with them. “You’ll get burned or put your eye out for sure!”

Those words, like the Old Testament Law, only made me want to give firecrackers a try. “Don’t” was just too much of an enticing motivator! One day, I managed to talk a friend into giving me a couple. My anticipation was high, but being no dummy, I wasn’t about to light them off around the house. I waited until I was out in the woods… alone!

When I lit the fuse, the experience was NOT what I had expected. For some reason, there was almost no delay and it exploded immediately. The warning of my parents took on a new kind of ‘real life’ experience! With burned fingers, I suddenly learned the hard way… ’leave fireworks to experts.’ Today’s Bible verse comes with a like warning.

Jesus clearly tells us that we are ALL living in Darkness. Most folks don’t really believe that. But it is true. Jesus also goes on to say that if I follow HIM, I will never walk in darkness again! Obviously there must be some kind of ‘boom’ to transfer from walking in darkness to walking in Light! And there is. When I took Jesus’ offer. Light Boomed!

The biggest difference I can easily see today, now that I see and have Him, is that I KNOW when I am in the light, or when I am leaning toward the darkness! It is no secret anymore. Knowing Jesus lights up my life and keeps darkness… where it belongs. Have you taken Jesus up on His offer of life and light? You won’t be disappointed!