“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” Luke 3:4

Our immediate family is rather big. With 19 of us, all busy and running in different directions, it isn’t often we can all get together. Some old family friends were in town visiting, and I thought it’d be great to put out an invitation for everyone to come together on Sunday afternoon…if it was convenient. Sometime around midnight on Saturday, my oldest daughter fired a flare!

Flare guns are meant to pinpoint a location where a possible emergency exists. Having all gotten together at Christmas 2 months ago, each family had to weigh out the importance of what they had planned against the invitation to get together as a family. It wasn’t actually critical to be there…until we all saw the flare!

I’m writing this AFTER the get together to say that we had a BLAST! And yes…everyone came! As the subject of the coercive flame shot came up, we all laughed and gave our own side of what happened. My daughter took it all in stride, while sitting there with a smile on her face. She ended the conversation with…”but you’re all here aren’t you?” She had made her point!

There was a time in History when God fired a flare! After centuries of invitations, calls, cajoling, guilt and even threats of persecution, God’s last ditch effort to get the attention of His Family was to fire a flare. His name was John the Baptist! And man…did HE ever get attention!? But toward the end, it wasn’t the kind of attention he was looking for. It cost him his head!

Sin and its independent lifestyle had taken everyone’s eyes off Father God. In fact, the religious leaders were so off base, they invented rules to secure that their lifestyles would remain. That is…until the flare! Suddenly, being part of God’s REAL family made all the sense in the world! And to the chagrin of those with other plans, God’s family came together to form ‘The Church!’

I am pleased and proud that there was a 100% response rate to the flare from my daughter. No one questioned WHY she fired it. THAT was not what was important! Just like God’s flare that He continues to fire in these crazy mixed up days, the only importance was the response of The Family. In all our time together, she has never fired that flare even once. Until now! And I’m glad she did. It gave us a chance to verify just how important we are to each other!

How are YOU responding to God’s signals?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthews 5:8

Being a faith Guy, I had little faith that this week’s Bible Study was going to be spectacular. With too much on my mind and too many things to do, I was frazzled. Coming up with an interesting topic of discussion was like trying to stuff a 13^th can into a 12 can container. So I asked some of my ‘street preaching men’ for help…“If you can come up with any interesting questions, I’d love the help tonight.”

Every week, we start Bible Study with questions. “What have you been wondering, or what would you ask God if you had 5 minutes with Him?” If no questions come, ‘I’ throw out a topic. This week, I didn’t think my subject was all that interesting. When it got quiet, my friend Dan said, “Alright…here’s one…will there be Hope in Heaven?” And with that…we were OFF!!

The subject wound its way around every part of the Bible. It touched off other questions, which led to clarification of misunderstood Bible verses. Having ALL the items I like to see in a great Bible Study, it was a BLAST! When someone asked Dan, “did you get your answer,” He smiled and said, “I personally didn’t really have a question!” Dan had just rescued us all from boring!

I like learning a LITTLE about Physics. If I had to sit down with a teacher for any length of time with pen, paper and formulas, I wouldn’t! I like dabbling in the mystical ‘what if’s,’ just not real deep ‘proofs!’ The people in our Bible Study are awesome. They don’t just want to HEAR about God, they want to KNOW Him! I guess we could literally call them ‘Pure in Heart!’

Today is the first day of Purim. This Holy day comes to us from the Book of Esther and alludes to this concept of being ‘pure in heart.’ Esther had Jewish roots, but they weren’t really very deep. Her involvement in saving the Jewish race went from casual observer to active participant when she learned that HER fate, and her peoples, was literally determined upon HER next move!

I’m thinking that ‘pure in heart’ has little to do with how perfect or sinless I am and EVERYTHING to do with how close I want to get to The Savior! The closer I get to Him, the more I have to lose of myself! Becoming like Jesus and making Him my Master is kind of like that 13^th can thing. He isn’t going to fit unless something else goes! The question is, ‘how serious am I in really wanting to know and SEE Him in the first place!!!???     Literally??!

NO one gets to heaven, or gets to see God, on a wish!

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17

It had been tucked away for about 14 years…the glass pane that would one day POSSIBLY save me some money and time. If ever one of my house windows broke, all I would have to do is unscrew the frame and screw this one in its place. I’d probably save about $12 and a couple hours of time! In a rush, I was moving some large objects around when I heard the ‘crashing’ evidence that ‘tucked away’ wasn’t tucked enough!

O.K., so it’s confession time! About 5 years ago I was using a weedeater when it kicked up a stone and hurled a perfect, quarter sized circle right through one of my glass window panes. I KNEW I had that replacement and COULD have changed it. But I was in a hurry. I took a piece of clear tape and ‘Voila!’ Good enough! I never got around to replacing it. Now that I can’t, it doesn’t really matter. The tape is still working…just fine!

Much of my life is spent looking for stuff after forgetting where I put it! I’ve already told my kids that I’m going to leave them all my drawers of tools and spare parts to sort through. My wise son simply replied, “I’m backing up a dumpster and it’’ll a be gone!” Sniff!!! Now where’s the sentiment in THAT?

We all KNOW that this world is broken…that we were made for something better. Along the way I have collected and tucked away pictures, stuff and memories of the good times to help me get through rough patches. And there they sit! Perfectly incapable of affecting any real, long-lasting improvement through a crash! Instinctively, I KNOW there’s GOT to be a better way!

I have met the Creator and Sustainer of the world. I know Him PERSONALLY…and very well I might add. When I go to Him for comfort, he doesn’t point me to some trinket of my past for condolence. In fact, I can almost see Him smile, with a twinkle in His eye, as He repeats this verse from His Word. It reminds me that He didn’t come here to CLEAN or FIX ANYTHING!!

As I set here thinking about His plan, I love it more and more! Jesus doesn’t FIX my old refrigerator heart! He REPLACES it with HIS PERFECT one. That old stove with the broken burner is NOT part of HIS-Story! Because GOD’S fire burns quite well…right where He intended it from the start! In MY HEART! Which leads me to a dilemma!

What do I do with the spares, the parts, the tape and all that tucked away stuff in the corner? I think my son’s idea mirrors Jesus’ quite well. Because I can’t start NEW until I get rid of the OLD! If I listen carefully, I can hear Him ‘crashing in’ on a regular basis!! “HEY Jesus!!!   BE CAREFUL WITH THAT!!!!  THAT’S my favorite… oh….forget about it!”

and Jesus replied…”exactly!”

“just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,..” Hebrews 9:27

My truck is in the hospital, and being down to 1 vehicle, I have been taking my wife to work each morning. Since her work is not far from the Beach, I headed there to just spend a little time with God and to think. Far across the parking lot, I saw a man setting on a bench…smoking. What happened next made me think!

A woman, maybe in her late 50’s, came jogging by carrying a bottle of water. I watched as she, staying on the path, came upon the man. As she dodged as far as she could from him, I watched her head as she gave a quick ‘ick’ nod in disgust. It was OBVIOUS she not only didn’t approve, but judged the man’s behavior to be disgusting! Which made me think about, what THEY were thinking about!

Today’s verse is one that is easily misinterpreted. Sometimes it is used as a kind of an appointment prediction! When news of a death comes, some say, “it must have been his ‘time.’” As if God sits in Heaven with a stopwatch and a finger on a death button! When I saw the 2 people in front of me, this verse came to mind. Which was kind of funny to me because…I wondered if EITHER of them had even given ‘death’ a thought!

EVERYBODY DIES! It’s a statistical fact that is indisputable, yet rarely considered. Death has a 100% success ratio. Which SHOULD be rather convincing to EVERYONE. With such an evil winning streak, you’d think people would be thinking about it a LOT! But no! Getting into the woman’s head, I could almost hear her thinking, “that guy’s stupid, unhealthy and killing himself!” All the while she must have been thinking SHE was outrunning Dr. Death herself!

Yesterday, I spoke to a man who HAD been a Church guy for years. Being who I am, I brought up my favorite person…Jesus! When I questioned him about HIS ultimate destination after death, He replied, “I don’t want to talk about it!” There must be something in the air, because he was the 2^nd elderly person I met this week who held a grudge against Jesus, simply because of the way ‘CHURCH PEOPLE’ had mistreated them. In BOTH cases, stinkin’ thinkin’ was CLEARLY the winner!

It is the Lenten season. As we approach Easter, the subject and thought of everyone should CLEARLY be about DEATH! It was not only a major topic of discussion for Jesus, it was the REASON He CAME HERE in the first place…to DIE so that I could LIVE. Sadly, most don’t give as much thought as they should to the subject of termination and ‘what then?”

Eternity is a LONGGGGGG time. In fact, 50, 60, 70 or 80 years is a tick of a clock when compared to it! To be honest, whether I use that time to jog or smoke doesn’t really matter. In the end, Death wins. Unless one has Jesus, that is. Me? I just smiled and enjoyed the morning. Because I don’t care! You see, I know Jesus. He is right here with me making me think! And He will be there when I go! No sweat!

“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” James 1:14

Wanting a little quiet time in the morning, I went to a familiar place on a little backwater canal. When I got there and sat on the bank, I noticed some Ibises just standing on the far end of the canal. After a while I saw them start to move along the water’s edge. And just like that…the game had begun!

As the birds waded deeper into the water, I saw its surface begin to display little splashes, followed by bigger ones…BAIT-FISH! Smaller fish, or possibly shrimp, were corralled in the end of the canal, and the birds simply had to grab them with their long beaks. UNDER the water, larger fish were drawn to the bait as they began to pluck them from below. Soon, other birds came from every direction to get their fill!

I have to admit wishing I had a fishing pole so I could join in the feast. Returning to that same spot on another occasion was a thought. But it would be useless, unless ‘the bait-fish’ joined in the visit as well! Because BAIT was the cause of the action. It was a beautiful, peaceful Florida scene for every blood carrying creature there…except for the bait-fish!

We ALL have appetites and desires. Each one of us is different though, and for whatever reason, is drawn to fulfill those desires by our own special appetites. Unfortunately, Jesus isn’t the ONLY one fishing for men. Satan is a PROFESSIONAL at it! All he had to do was simply wait, watch and take notes. But that investment paid off because, men are just as dumb as bait-fish in showing up to what baits THEM. It’s easy pickings, if you just pay a little attention.

I think of the things that I’ve fallen for over the years. As I matured, so did my desires. Enticing me seemed to become a great spot for my own flesh and satan! Having fallen into traps far too many times, I have paid dearly and often. And it is embarrassing! Because ‘I’ handed satan the bait myself.

THANK GOD for JESUS CHRIST! Need I say more than that? When sin and death were overwhelming to me, He came and did the unthinkable. HE volunteered to get swallowed up in MY place! And then offered me the peace and serenity of a life where bait just doesn’t matter! Even though I fail occasionally, it isn’t catastrophic. Now.. I just like setting and getting to know JESUS better as we fish together for MEN! 

“But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.” Romans 7:8

It’s that time of year again! FUNDRAISER TIME! With it comes the offer of a trade from my granddaughter, who is raising money for her dance lessons and competitions. For every dollar I give her, she will give ME 1 candy bar of my choosing! It is a TERRIBLE dilemma!

She is family! She is required to sell candy or her parents (MY daughter) will have to pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses out of her own pocket. Naturally, they go for the easier sale…family and friends! Because I LOVE her, I was compelled by a bigger urge to buy. But I was embarrassed when I was told that other people spent a LOT more than my $15! Like I said…a TERRIBLE dilemma!

I LOVE Chocolate. But for these last 6 months, I have been cutting back on the sugar to try to keep my weight down. And it’s been working…KINDA! When I don’t have candy or cookies around, its easier to not eat the stuff. But then another problem arises…DESIRE! If I don’t have cookies…I WANT cookies. Which becomes a passionate fight until I give in and BUY cookies. And the whole vicious cycle continues.

The Law of Human Nature says that if someone tells me I can’t HAVE something…that prohibition actually PRODUCES MY DESIRE FOR IT. The ‘giving in’ produces guilt, which then produces a further desire for the very thing I feel guilty about…because I need comforted over my guilt! And EVERYONE is guilty! ANOTHER excuse!

The Old Testament Law, while factual and true, actually PRODUCES the very sin it prohibits! That is the point of Romans Chapter 7! Tell me “don’t speed,’ and I want to go fast! “Set still,” and I get wiggly! “Don’t Touch,” and I’m all fingers! Hearing, “Don’t Eat the Candy,” compels me to EAT IT! The excuse comes after I’ve eaten… “But it’s for a good cause and she’s FAMILY!”

The only words I can say are, “Oh Wretched man that I am, who can deliver me?” Which is precisely what Paul said at the end of Chapter 7. But Romans 8:1 does provide a solution! But OH what a Terrible Dilemma!

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

Years ago I had a draining problem in my pool area. When it rained, the water rose until it threatened to come into the house! Drilling through a concrete wall, I laid a pipe to drain away that water. This week I had reason to check out that drain and found out I was heading for a problem. It wasn’t a drain problem YET…but it was potentially even worse!

Somehow that pipe had cracked underground and a tree root, searching for water, grew alongside the pipe. When it discovered the crack, it did what roots do…it kept rooting. Once inside the easy path of the open pipe, it got bigger and bigger. Had I not discovered it, the whole pipe would have eventually filled and choked shut. An even MORE difficult and expensive problem down the road. Telling the hardware guy, he told me of a banyan root once he saw that filled a 3 story tall pipe!

I’m a once saved, always saved guy! But Bible verses like this one cause me to carefully inspect my own condition. According to this verse, it IS possible to FALL SHORT of God’s Grace! Since this letter to the Hebrews is written to believers, it makes me want to find out what is really hidden in this message.

Roots are not the purpose of a tree. They are the means of supplying water and nutrients to the tree so that it can bear fruit. I know Jesus has a LOT to say about FRUIT…both good and bad! I think this verse parallels the Old Testament command of not taking the Lord’s name in vain. They think they are keeping it by NOT putting 2 words together! The same principle can apply to bitter roots that can produce bitter fruit!

I read that 65% of the U.S.A.’s population identify as Christian! Yep! My eyebrow raised too! But in speaking with people about the Gospel, I have found people who really believe they ARE Christians! To them, everything is just fine. The root to bad fruit has grown for so long, they actually believe it! When I try to dig deep to go further…resistance, rock and rubble prohibit any means to discover how big their problem really is!

This warning is from God. And He wants me to be CLEAR about where I am and HONEST with Him to allow correction and change. Just because I THINK everything is fine doesn’t mean it really is. Just like my physical body needs a periodic checkup, so does my spiritual body.

SO what kind of fruit rootin’ is going on in YOUR life?  

Lately everything has been breaking down, needing repaired or replaced.  From my roof, pool screen, pavers, truck transmission to our garage door…and just when I thought the worst was over, this morning when I was about to hit ‘SEND’ on the daily Words of the Day…my main computer just quit.  So at the last minute.. here I am in a rush to git-r-dun!.

Today is Fat Tuesday  If you lived in New Orleans, you’d be partying!  Why?  Because, according to tradition, it’s the last day before the Lenten season. A time for holiness, sacrifice, praying and fasting.  So get your party on NOW before you miss your last chance for a while!  If it sounds ridiculous…it is!

I love Jesus Christ!   If you do too, you know the struggle.  The spirit and the flesh battle constantly, with the flesh winning a large part of the time.  Until I learned the HARD way… that winning at partying isn’t a win at all!  As I approach the time to remember Jesus’ life and sacrifice, I find it more peaceful to walk with Him every day!  Together…everyday is a joy.  Even when things go wrong or bad!   

What are YOU going to do today?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

While pumping gas, I noticed the wind whipping up from the south, clouds coming with it. A rainstorm was on the way! Flags at several storefronts were straight out…fiercely waving with the wind. Then I heard it…Brawwk! Looking up, I saw 5 birds on overhead several wires. Some facing the wind, others parallel to it. As a gust hit, another one spoke up…Brawwk! At least that is what I THINK they were saying!

Now I’m not sure a bird can even MAKE the ‘R’ sound with it’s beak! But I was intrigued and watched. With the wind literally whipping up a storm, they balanced there, clamped to the swaying wires by their little birdy feet! Their feathers and heads counterbalanced the waves of wind as if they had not a care in the world! I wondered…why are they doing that??? Brawwk! Was all I got!

I thought of some possible scenarios if I were a bird. I could fly into the wind…but eventually collide with the storm. Or fly away WITH the wind…ultimately facing the same result when the storm eventually caught up. The birds didn’t seem to be pondering ANYTHING. They simply clung there in the wind, saying little, seemingly quite content! Silly birds!

While there is a reference to some people mounting up as eagles, the Bible refers me to a sheep and Jesus as The Great Shepherd. Remembering Psalm 23, I noted God supposedly led David beside still waters! As I watched the birds, I couldn’t help but wonder.

Psalm 23 is the Old Testament, much of it with David running for his life! I quickly hashed through verses in the New Testament and remembered that, in this world, it promises me everything BUT stillness. Things like persecution, trouble, hatred, tribulation, possibly a sword…but definitely a cross to carry…if I want to follow Him that is! I heard it again! Brawwk! It was then I think I got the message He was trying to tell me!

Those birds had no care in the world because they were BIRDS! If they got blown off, they had wings and could FLY! At best it would be fun. At worst they’d get a little work out. But nothing around them was of any great concern because they were ABOVE their environment! And so it is with me! Peace doesn’t come from the environment I live in, but from the Savior who lives in me! To that I can only say in agreement…Brawwk!

What do YOU say?