Month: December 2024

Posted in forgiveness, Grace, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture

Dare to Believe…to Love

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” John 13:35

Do you ever wonder why? You know, one of the most important, and dare I say essentials, in my life is my belief in God. I have written many times how I am a pretty simplistic guy and I guess that is one thing that makes it easy for me to believe in God. It seems that no matter where I look I see evidence for God. On the other side of the coin as hard as I look I just can’t find a good reason not to believe in Him. Which leads to my thought for today. Why is it so hard for so many to believe and trust in God?

Well, get ready for an ouch. I think it might be us. I am fearful that too often we are too inconsistent with the God stuff in our lives. Too often it seems were are saying one thing and living another. A saying from decades ago says, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” The saying comes from Walt Kelly, a cartoonist who worked as a Disney animator before launching “Pogo” in 1948. 

True historians may recognize it as a play on a famous quote by U.S. Navy Master Commandant Oliver Perry during the War of 1812, written in a letter to Major General William Henry Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

Both quotes hold powerful truths that we can and should have the courage to face. Yes, in many ways, we can be our own worst enemies—and that true in many ways and areas of lives.  It is definitely true in the church world. Jesus said that the world would know we were Jesus people by our love.  Ask yourself, “How evident is Jesus’ love in your life and in your church?” Jesus didn’t say loving was easy but as Bob Goff said in a devotion, He did say it would work. Nice.

So what do you do with the “not easy” part? Well, the quote from 1812 helps us here.  It says, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” What does that mean. Commandant Perry was saying that the battle had been fought and won. And when we put this battle, the battle to love like Jesus, in the hands of Jesus—we will win.

If you are one of those who are still struggling to buy into the God thing, if you are one of the ones who has simply seen to many inconsistencies to believe, here’s a thought.  Blaise Pascal, the famous French philosopher, physicist, and mathematician, said, “Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.”

Wow—I like that a lot. Believe—if it all proves false, you lose nothing. Choose not to believe and if it is true (and I totally believe it is) you will lose everything. Please don’t let the inconsistencies of Jesus followers keep you from believing. After all, none of us are perfect.

So whether you are on the verge of believing or whether you are a Jesus follower—remember this. The faith to believe and the strength to love like Jesus loved doesn’t come from us—it comes from Him.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in fear, life, prayer, school days, Scripture, Trials

Cross Country

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

 They called it a physical fitness test.  I called it Hades.  It happened every nine weeks. That was the length of the grading period at the high school I attended.  Every male who attended Nathan Bedford Forest High School and was breathing was required to take a physical fitness test at the end of the grading period.  It involved several things…pushups, pull-ups, and my personal favorite, throwing up.  What was ironic about this was for all the time before the test we didn’t train for it. We might play softball or volleyball or some other team sport, but we didn’t train for “the test.”  We also played something called battle ball where we gathered in the gym and played a sadistic form of dodge ball. There was a guy named Johnny who had abnormally long arms and could hurl the ball at incredible speeds.  The last thing on earth you wanted was to be the last victim on one side and Johnny on the other.  It wasn’t pretty.

Anyway, we were not prepared but that didn’t matter.  We had to take “the test.”  The worst part of this Gladiator style arena of horror was the cross-country run.  Let me see if I can set the stage.  Imagine you are in North Florida, and it is late May.  The temperatures regularly climb into the lower and upper nineties. The humidity is at ninety percent or higher.  Remember they call Florida the Sunshine State and that is for a reason…the sun is beating down unmercifully.  And, by luck of the draw, you have physical education (PE) class right after lunch. The day before, the coach announces that we would be running “cross country” tomorrow.  It was too late to train…it was too late for anything but a few prayers.

In an attempt not to throw-up, you eat a light lunch and then report to P.E.  You pray to stumble and break your leg on the way to class, but that prayer goes unanswered.  You change clothes and anxiously report outside.  They call the roll and then give the command to report to the starting line.  What lies ahead is two and a half miles of running in the heat of a hot day complete with “air you can wear.”  Like “sheep led to the slaughter” you line up waiting for the whistle.  Soon, too soon, it blows and off you go.

Now you really need to understand that cross country for those who have trained for it is a challenging, but somewhat enjoyable sport.  I’ve even heard reports of a runner’s high.  I never experienced that, but I did experience a runner’s low.  It happened about a hundred yards into the course when I realized that I was going to die—or wish I could.  I can still remember the course to this day.  It was two and a half times around the perimeter of the school property.  If you ever wonder what eternity is like talk to me…I ran it.  Actually, to say I ran might be a stretch. I sorta ran it.  Not soon enough and it was over. As you cross the finish line you hear people saying, “Don’t run toward the light…don’t run toward the light.” After about 15 minutes your heart rates goes below 600 and you can breathe again.  I hated that test.  A lot.

I never really understood the point of asking someone to do something and not preparing them for it.  We ran that distance and more in basic training in the Air Force, but we slowly prepared for it.  Again, it was challenging but doable because of the training. I think this is not just a lesson about running, but about life.  I’ve heard that life is a race and unless you are incredibly unfortunate, it is not a sprint but rather a marathon.  If you are going to succeed in life then you need to prepare, you must train and pace yourself.  Fail in that and you might well fail in everything you attempt.

Paul, a man from the Bible, wrote a letter to a bunch of Jesus followers in Corinth.  They had their own set of games and there were prizes to be won.  It was an open deal so anyone could sign up but if you were wise, you trained first and you ran with commitment.  In that letter to the church at Corinth he says, “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.” In other words,…train like you wanna win and run like you wanna win and do you know what?  You just might do it.  Regardless, you can finish the race knowing you gave it your very, best shot.

I went through three years of high school and had four nine-week periods per year.  If my math is right that equates to sixteen times that I had to line up to get ready to throw-up.  Guess how many times I trained?  That would be zero.  Sixteen times I knew it was coming and sixteen times I thought the next time would be different.  Hey, plant corn and you’re gonna get corn.  Every.Single.Time.  So why not start today to run for the gold—to live like no one else?  Why not start today to make the best of everyday and when race day comes…you’ll be ready.  There’s a great Coach who will help you train and run.  His name is Jesus, and He is on your side.  He’ll even run beside you…all the way, shouting words of encouragement.  Listen as He shouts, “You’ve got this, Dewayne.” “How?” I ask?  “Because I’ve got it for you,” He responds.  I like that.  Bro. Dewayne 

Posted in forgiveness, Grace, Scripture

The Scars Remain

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood.” Isaiah 54:4

Gnarled trees stood twisted and broken along the road.  Several years ago, Judy and I had to make a trip to Florida to participate in my aunt’s funeral.  She was my Daddy’s baby sister and the last of that generation.  It was a long trip but worth the journey.  I saw it as a way to honor my father while also honoring my aunt.  Like every person her life had its ups and downs and bumps and bruises.  And like every person there were a few scars left along the road.

It was while traveling West in Florida that I began seeing the gnarled trees.  Mile after mile of trees that were either broken in two, forever bent over or simply lifeless, like dead men standing. I knew the area had been brushed by a recent storm or two, but this damage was caused by something far worse—and not so recently.  Suddenly it occurred to me.  I had seen this before about two years ago.  It was the result of a storm, a terrible storm called Michael.

If you remember in 2018 a compact yet incredibly powerful storm came ashore at Mexico Beach, a small town on the Florida panhandle.  It was so devastating that it literally destroyed that small town and the path of the storm with its destruction moved well inland.  That is where we saw the scars.  When we were here a couple of months after the storm for miles and miles inland there was debris piled everywhere along the highway.  What wasn’t broken off or blown over, looked like it had been given a perm—twisted and turned.  That was years ago.  

The scars of that harsh and horrible day remain today and will remain for many years to come.  Only time is going to slowly erase the damage as trees regrow and underbrush hides what has fallen.  It looked devastating two years ago when I saw it and remains so today.  Sometimes the scars are almost as bad as the wounds.  Sometimes the memories are worse than what caused the pain.

Many of us have caused scars and most of us bear them.  Some are still healing while others, like the gnarled trees, will remain.  We are left to wonder what to do…how to heal.  The answer I believe lies with Creator God.  It is He who can give us the strength to forgive, and it is He who can lead us down the path to healing.  Like a good recipe, it will include a measure of grace, a measure of mercy, and a measure of choice.  Forgiveness is never about the one who caused the scar rather it is about the one who was hurt. When we forgive, we truly begin to heal.

Forgiveness also involves forgetting…but not the kind you are thinking.  This forgetting simply means that we choose to not allow the past to control our present.  We choose to let go, so we can be set free.  When we determine that the past won’t reach into our present…we find a freedom.  While the scar will remain, slowly but surely the pain eases and we are eventually left whole.

This, of course, is a faith path.  We must believe that God can and will heal us.  We must believe that God can forgive us if we were the one who caused the scar.  We have to believe either way that His grace is sufficient, and do you know what?  It is.  The scars I saw that day along the highway spoke of a devastating storm, but it also spoke of hope.  You see, at the base of the gnarled trees stood dozens and dozens of new growth trees.  One day, someday in the future, they will rise to overcome the past with its scars.  That is our hope.

As I stood before those gathered at my aunt’s funeral there was a mention of mistakes and regrets. I also spoke of forgiveness and grace which was and is a game changer.  No matter how difficult your past and no matter how uncertain your future, His grace will see you through.  I hope you will keep trusting Him day by day.  I hope you will look up for hope, look around to see that you aren’t by yourself and look down, yes down, but only to see the new life surrounding you.  Hey, you can trust Him, you can rest in Him because no matter how hard the wind blows or how long it howls…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful, Thanksgiving, travel, wisdom

Mash the Panic Button

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.” Psalm 18:6

 We lost our car in a sea of cars. Friday after Thanksgiving, the whole Taylor tribe decided to drive to Nashville and see all the Christmas decorations at the Opryland Hotel. You may or may not know but this place is massive and magnificent. We actually went Friday night to the mall there and then walked over to the hotel. When we got there we found out that we couldn’t get in due to crowd restrictions. So most of the tribe went back to the mall and my wife Judy and I went back to our hotel. Apparently we were the only ones with any common sense. I mean, you can imagine how many people were there. Remember it was Black Friday—enough said.

Well, the next day we had breakfast at our hotel and then loaded up to try our luck again with the Opryland Hotel decorations. So we got there about 10:30 in the morning so there was a whole lot less people and even in the daylight the decorations were still impressive. As an added bonus, we were able to park our car without much fanfare. In fact, it was so easy that we kinda forgot to notice where we parked. Well, have you ever noticed those people wandering around the parking lot looking for their car.  Judy and I decided to join that club. Here’s how it went.

After awhile, all the Taylor tribe but us left for home. We decided to hang around till dusk to see the lights when it was at least partially dark. We wandered around, drank hot chocolate, watched all the people and listened to all the music. Finally, we decided it was time to go back to our hotel. We began our journey to the parking lot and when we got out there, two things were obvious. First, it was dark. Second, those few hundred cars had turned into a few thousand cars. It was just about then that we realized we really had no idea where we had parked.

Well, we waded out into the fray, determined to find our car. We headed in the general direction we thought we had parked and of course mashed the lock and unlock button hoping to see our lights flash. That turned out to be a negative, nope, nada. Then I got another idea. I decided to mash the panic button—which by the way pretty much described the atmosphere at that time. So, I hit the button and way off in the distance, I thought I heard the frantic beep of a Volkswagen.  I waited a minute or two until the distant beeping stopped and repeated the button mashing thing—just to make sure it was ours. Sure enough—it started beeping again.

Well, to make a long story shorter in just a few minutes we stumbled onto the beeping Volkswagen and we were safe at last. Tada! So, there were two important lessons. First, always, always make a note of where you park your car. Second, if you do lose your car, mash the panic button and listen for the frantic sound of your horn beeping away. Oh, and when you do find it, act like you knew where it was all the time.

By the way, did you know all of that works in life too? Sure does. First, always know where you are—not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Second, remember you can always mash the panic button—not on your car remote but the one that connects you to your Dearest Daddy. Like panic it starts with a “p” but instead it is called prayer. If you call out, He will answer—maybe not in your way or time but always in His way and His time. So don’t panic. Remember, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, Scripture, Southern born, Trials, wisdom

Time for a Switch

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11

 I guess I just got bored.  When I was growing up in North Florida it was just easy to get bored.  It was a different time.  There was no internet, no satellite or cable television, and no electronic games.  Then, you have to add to that there just weren’t a lot of toys to play with.  While Daddy and Momma loaded us up at Christmas, by summer a lot of them had suffered from rough play. So, you had to get a little creative!  And that’s when I got into trouble.

One of my favorite things was to make rubber band guns.  It was really quite easy.  They were building houses across the street from where we lived (slowly our place in the country was becoming suburban). Like at any construction site there were lots of wedge shaped sticks sticking out of the ground.  I later learned they were surveyor sticks.  Oops. Anyway, they had lots and I needed one, every once in a while, so I would, uh, borrow one…or two.  Well, Momma had the local newspaper delivered to our house so we got a paper every day and it came wrapped with a rubber band.  You simply collect a few rubber bands (they were discarded in the yard), drive a nail in your stick and tada…you had a rubber band gun.  See…creative.

Well, that was bound to get old, so I came up with another idea.  In North Florida, the soil (at least where we lived) was very sandy.  I discovered that if you take a water hose and start forcing it against the sandy soil it will act like a drill.  As the water forced the sand away, the hose would slowly sink into the sand.  Well, it was fun. Before I knew it, the hose was a foot in the ground, then it was two, and then it was three and it was just about then I wondered how I would get it out.  So, I gave it a tug.  It didn’t budge.  I gave it a pull—nope, it didn’t give an inch.  I was in trouble.

What happened next is lost to time and history, but one of two things happened.  Number one.  I left the hose stuck in the ground.  Daddy came home and wanted to water his rose bushes.  He found the hose stuck in the ground, asked me and I told the truth, and I was sent to the bamboo bushes to get my own instrument of correction.  Think a thin bamboo switch.  It was effective…every time.  Number two.  I realized that the hose was stuck in the ground and I realized that Daddy would be coming home soon, and he would water his rose bushes.  So, I went in the house and got a knife and cut off the hose.  The end result was the same. He asked, I told, bamboo switch. By the way…another sign that times have changed.  I looked up switch and was told it turned electricity off and on and was an electronic game that kids play.  Mine was neither.

You know, I really didn’t intend to mess up the construction site across from my house and I really didn’t mean to get my Daddy’s hose stuck in the sand.  The truth was I was just naive.  But there is another truth.  My being naive didn’t change the fact that I shouldn’t have done what I did and in the case of my Daddy’s hose—it didn’t change the consequences.  You might be asking, “Did your Daddy really give you a “switching?”  And the answer is yes.  You might ask, “Do you think you deserved the “switching?”  The answer is yes.  Finally, you might ask, “Did you learn anything from the “switching?” And the answer is yes.

You see, I never, ever again, turned on the water and let the water hose get stuck in the ground.  I don’t believe I was ever even tempted to let the water hose get stuck in the ground. You see, the “switching” was not an act of anger or meanness, it was an act of love.  Daddy was teaching me about right and wrong and I am grateful for that.  Daddy had several ways to discipline and they were generally fair and not too harsh.  And I believe they worked because I’ve never been arrested or spent a night in jail—yet. Overall I am a compliant person but part of that might be because my Daddy (and Momma) cared enough to help me learn.

I never really bought into the thought that the “switching” hurt my Daddy more than me because I know it hurt pretty bad.  But I do know he didn’t enjoy it.  My Heavenly Father doesn’t enjoy it either and He loves me even more than my earthly Daddy. God’s Book, the Bible, says that no discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Well, that is the truth. But is also says that later on it yields a kind of fruit—the kind that teaches us right from wrong.  And that is profitable.

So, the lessons for today?  Don’t pull up surveyor sticks and don’t stick your Daddy’s hose in the dirt and above all…remember that your Father up in heaven loves you. In fact, He loves you enough to allow hard things in your life to help you learn right from wrong…to make better decisions with fewer consequences and regrets.  And don’t worry…He is loving and patient.  He never over reacts but rather responds in just the right way.  And as always, He’s got even this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, gratitude, loving others, missions, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

When Little Is Much

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:42-44

It was such a little fella. For the last ten years, my wife Judy and I have had the privilege of leading a team of folks to Atlanta, Georgia to work at the Operation Christmas Child (OCC) processing center. This ministry, one of the best I know of, encourages people to take a shoebox and fill it with items such as toys, hygiene items and the like. The boxes are then shipped to children all around the world…mostly to third-world countries. The big picture is with each box goes the Gospel of Jesus Christ and where there are churches OCC always works through the local church and pastor. No church…no problem. Many times a local group of Jesus followers come together to share the boxes and establish a church. Amazing!

In the early days of OCC, the shoeboxes were exactly that and of course came in every size and shape imaginable. Through the years, OCC began providing traditional shoebox size boxes. Along with a couple of other things, this really helped with shipping. So today, about ninety percent of the boxes are those provided by OCC and about ten percent are traditional boxes. Regardless…it all comes together, children are blessed and many meet and trust Jesus as their personal Savior.

When we worked our shift this year, one box caught my eye. It was a traditional shoebox but it was unique in a special way. It was the smallest box I have ever seen. The box, cute and attractive, was just about five by seven inches and maybe five inches deep.  Though compact in size, the person had filled it well but all of that couldn’t change the fact that it was small…very small. We all begin to try and find a way to fix this but because of the rules in place…the integrity of the box had to remain. We are allowed to add to boxes that might be a bit scarce but we can’t remove or remake the boxes.

Well, I was a little sad because I could just imagine all those kids and all those boxes and someone getting this tiny box. Somehow it just didn’t seem fair but then it happened. I reminded myself that time and again we had seen God’s hand on these boxes and somehow and someway He always made it work. I decided that what was true then would be true now. He would make it work. How? I’m not sure but I do know this. When something is placed in the hands of God—miracles happen. You see, little is much when God is in it. Remember the boy with a few fish and loaves? Remember the widow woman who gave all she had—a little over a penny? Remember what God did in both cases? Yup…amazing.

So I hope this will be an encouragement to you today. Don’t be disappointed when you have so little and someone else has so much more. Rather, just trust God to even every thing out. If He can multiply fish and loaves or take a widow’s penny and tell the world what a big gift it was—He can take care of you too. Remember…little is much when God is in it.  Oh, and remember, this too, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Military memories, Scripture, sovereignty of God, USA, wisdom

December 7th–Never Forget

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25

 This past Saturday was December 7th.  The battle cry after that day was, “Remember Pearl Harbor.” This year, as I checked my email, not one ministry or devotion mentioned Pearl Harbor. It made me afraid that we are allowing this important date to fade from our memories. So, every year, on or very near this date, I intentionally publish this story.  We must never forget what happened that day, the ones who gave their lives nor the powerful truths that still speak to us.  I hope you will read it again, with fresh eyes and an open heart. 

“December 7th.  A day that will live in infamy.” Though it was before my time I know the story well. It was a beautiful morning in Pearl Harbor.  Those who weren’t painting the ships or swabbing the decks of the powerful U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet were home enjoying a round of golf or a tropical breakfast.  And then, at 7:55 in the morning local time, without warning or provocation, bombers, fighters and torpedo bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy swept in.  They began to systematically destroy the American fleet and its supporting aircraft.  That morning thousands of sailors and civilians lost their lives and thousands more were wounded.  Over eleven hundred sailors died instantly when a single bomb hit the ammunition magazine on the battleship Arizona.

In an  hour and fifteen minutes the attack was over and the United States was drawn into a global war.  The nation had long been divided over what role the United States should take in the war that raged in Europe.  That was all settled when, after the attack, Japan declared war on America and Hitler as an ally of Japan did the same.  Like it or not, the United States was embroiled in a war that would last for almost four years and cost the lives of 407,316 Americans with another 671,278 wounded.  But by the grace of Almighty God, in the end, America and her Allies were victorious in defeating the tyranny of the fascist governments.

Thirty-eight percent of those who served were volunteers and sixty-one percent were drafted.  The average enlisted person was paid $71.00 per month while the average officer was paid $203.  Drafted or volunteer, officer or enlisted, they were all willing to put their lives on the line for the cause of freedom and the cause of defeating countries bent on oppressing those weaker than they.  Many valuable lessons were learned during that time—lessons that we must not forget.

First, is the power of unity.  Before the Pearl Harbor attack the nation was clearly divided over the war.  After the attack, the nation pulled together on a unified front to protect and defend—first the United States, and second, the millions of innocent people being oppressed by Germany, Japan, and Italy.  It is tragic that it took a Pearl Harbor to bring the nation together but if America had entered the war divided, the outcome would have been much different.  Today, we need to understand that it is time to come together again. Jesus said that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  Neither can families.  Neither can churches.  We must come together, or we will fall together.

Second, is the power of owning it.  As in any national tragedy, the event happens and almost immediately the finger pointing begins.  Pick the historical event and the pattern is sadly the name.  Political parties and even ordinary, everyday people will use a tragedy to promote their cause.  We have seen it on the national front.  We have seen it on the local front.  We have seen it in the churches.  It is never a time for blaming but rather a time to rise to help solve what is broken.  Eighty-three years ago today, December 7, America rose to the challenge.  I wonder if we will have the wisdom to do the same today.

Last, is the power of wisdom.  There is not much debate that storm clouds were gathering in the days leading up to December 7th.  Some would say that there was blatant evidence that an attack was coming.  Sadly, those warning signs were largely ignored, and the cost was horrendous.  Today, right now, there is something we need to remember.  There is one enemy, and it is not our neighbor, not our brother or sister in church, and not even the person who belongs to another political party.  The enemy is Satan, who wants nothing more than to destroy us. Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.”  It was true when He said it…it is true today.  The second part of that verse is filled with hope. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

You see, God is for us.  He is very aware of Satan’s tricks and schemes, and He wants us to be victorious over him.  That is what Christmas and Easter were all about.  God became flesh and lived among us and then ultimately and deliberately died on a Roman cross that all people, regardless of nationality, race, or economic station, could be forgiven and have eternal life.  With the wisdom of God, we don’t have to have a “spiritual” Pearl Harbor. With God’s help we can come together.  With God’s help we can be victorious.

You see, it’s not about religion.  It is about a relationship with the God who made it all. And with the relationship comes hope, comes peace, comes forgiveness, comes unity.  If we are wise enough to believe what God says, and act on what He teaches, our best days won’t be in the rearview mirror but rather ahead.  So, this Christmas season, let the Prince of Peace bring His peace into your world.  Rest in Him.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne.

Posted in Christmas, communication, Family, forgiveness, loving others, school days, Scripture

Gifts and Lizards

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5b

 It was a lizard but when you’re eight—it’s a dinosaur.  Growing up in North Florida, which is a somewhat, semi-tropical area, there were always all kinds of insects and reptiles to watch or capture.  One of these was a small lizard…a sort of dinosaur in miniature.  It seemed they were everywhere.  Sometimes they were brown and sometimes they were green but always they stirred my imagination and when that happened, they were always bigger and more vicious than they were in reality. But it is amazing what an eight-year-old mind can come up with when he has too much time on his hands. I know I captured more than a few…usually by grabbing them by their tail.  I was always amazed when their tail broke off and while he managed to scurry away, his tail remained…still wiggling.  I later learned that their tail would slowly grow back and I guess I’m glad they did.

As I grew older, it seems the lizards got smaller and soon became a sense of novelty and nothing more. Gone was the fear of what they could do to me as I realized what I could do to them.  I’ve found out that not only applies to lizards but memories from days gone by. About the time I was a chasing lizards and yet being a little fearful…something happened.  It was Christmas time and as the day approached, I knew I didn’t have anything to give to my Momma. Poking around the house, I discovered a plastic flower arrangement sitting in the corner of the breezeway that connected our house and a garage turned into a bedroom.  Partly out of desperation and party through the eyes of an eight-year-old, I decided I would wrap the well-worn and faded flowers and give them to my Momma for Christmas.  So, I put them in a box, wrapped it all up and put it under the tree.

Christmas morning came and as was tradition, we all gathered in the living room as the presents were handed out and I watched as Momma was handed the box and unwrapped it.  Probably speaking to no one in particular, I heard her say, “Well, these are those flowers from the porch.” I was devastated. I knew it wasn’t much but I was hoping that something ordinary would be magically transformed by Christmas.  Now, let’s be clear.  Momma wasn’t being mean or hurtful.  Her words that day were just a statement of fact, and she might probably was not aware I had heard them…but I had…and a scar was born.

For years and years, I carried those words in my heart…and with them came the rejection that only an insecure eight-year-old can feel.  A few words casually spoken left a wound that for years refused to heal.  Listen, I know my Momma and I know she loved me but sometimes the best of us can utter words that get stuck in our memories and like those lizards…seem to grow into monsters.  Probably all of us have them…probably all of us have said them…probably all of us regret saying them.

I can’t remember if I ever told Momma about that Christmas and those words, but I can tell you it is no longer a deal.  Yes, there is a small scar on my heart, but that scar reminds me of something important.  Scars are wounds that have healed.  As I grew older, I was able to let go of the hurt because I grew to understand that no matter what words she spoke that day, her actions over the years more than proved her love.  If nothing else, those words remind me that she wasn’t perfect…just like me, just like you and just like the last person who wounded us.

Remember this.   Christmas is about love and love is about forgiveness.  My favorite verse in 1 Corinthians 13 reminds me that “love keeps no record of wrongs.”  It turns out that love makes choices possible.  We get to choose what to do with the things that are tossed into our laps.  We get to choose what we do when someone else’s mess gets sloshed on us.  I’ve learned I can’t control others; I can’t always control the circumstances around me; but I can always control my response…and that is important.

So about sixty Christmas’s have come and gone.  Momma is long in heaven, and I am grateful that I can sit and click keys on my keyboard and smile at all the precious memories I treasure in my heart.  And some of those memories that used to be dragons are now simply little lizards.  In case you are wondering how that works…well once you’ve experienced God’s grace and His forgiveness…it is a no brainer.  After all, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful

Peanuts and Grace

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

I think you really don’t appreciate grace until you really need it. It was probably around 1984. I was a young pastor squeaking by on a salary of $12,000 a year and trust me that was lean times. There was no health insurance or any other benefits. With that said, my wife Judy and I decided to load our two kids up in our car and drive to Kansas City to the mall there. It was only about 45 minutes and would be a cheap outing—almost.

Well, we soon found ourselves in the Sears and Roebuck store at Independence Mall. We also found ourselves in the part of the store where they sell things that taste good and things that break. The taste good part was the candy department. For those of you who missed this great part of life, Sears actually had a place where you could buy candy by the pound.  They also happened to sale the best double-dipped chocolate covered peanuts you ever ate. Even on our budget that was tighter than a new pair of cheap shoes, we splurged and bought a half-pound or so. They were heavenly.

As I mentioned, the part of the store that had the candy counter also had things that break—things like table lamps—things like expensive table lamps. Now keep in mind we were not in that part of the store because we wanted a lamp rather we were there to eat our half-pound of the world’s best double-dipped chocolate covered peanuts.  Did I mention that already? Any way, we were munching away and we were so enraptured by the peanuts we sorta lost track of three year old Sarah. Well, Sarah was soon captivated by all those beautiful, big lamps and just could resist touching them. Oops.

As we munched, we suddenly heard a crash—a big crash. We took a couple of steps and there was Sarah and at her feet was one of the very expensive, big lamps. Just like Humpty Dumpty it had taken a big fall and also like Humpty Dumpty all the kings men was not going to put it together again. Thankfully Sarah was fine but I looked at Judy only to find her looking at me. We were in a financial crisis. We had no credit cards and no money in the bank—at least not the kind that it would take to buy an expensive broken lamp.

Just about then—grace showed up. A sales lady came over and saw the lamp. I explained how sorry we were and before I could explain we had no way to pay for it—she simply, gracefully said, “Don’t worry about the lamp. Accidents happen.” It might have been the desperation on our faces but more than likely it was Rebecca’s angelic smile. Regardless, grace saved the day. You know, Judy and I have never forgotten that day. The taste of the savory peanuts has long faded but not the grace that was extended to us that day.

The lady was right…accidents happen and by the way there weren’t any lectures about not being more mindful of the children.  There was just plain old grace. And that dear friends is just like our Dearest Daddy. When we find ourselves in the middle of our messes or when we step in something we should have avoided—there He is—ready and willing to extend His amazing grace to us. No matter what—He never stops loving us. No sin, no mess is bigger than His grace. So, yes, we should and need to be careful but we also should bask in His love. Go ahead and enjoy the world’s best double-dipped chocolate covered peanuts and rest knowing that—He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, life, Scripture, sovereignty of God, travel

There’s No Place Like Home

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.” Proverbs 21.31

Dorothy was right.  When I was a kid one of the highlights of the year was when the Wizard of Oz would show on television.  Normally I attended church on Sunday nights with my brother and his family. On that night, church took a back seat to Dorothy, the tornado and those annoying munchkins.  I have to admit I was partial to the part where the wicked witch got what was coming to her.  “I’m melting, I’m melting.” Too bad, wicked witch, too bad.

The whole thing started because Dorothy was driven by fear away from home.  Some mean old lady was going to do away with her dog and Dorothy goes on the run taking Toto with her.  The famous tornado shows up, she is knocked on the noggin and wakes up in Oz…or at least she thinks she does.  To make a long story short, in the end she misses home…a lot.  The good witch tells her the secret.  Just tap her ruby red slippers together and repeat, “There is no place like home.”  Next thing we know she is back in Kansas with all her family and friends and she tells everyone, “There is indeed no place like home.”  End of story, have a nice day.  Thanks for reading.

No, wait…I’m just kidding.  That may be the end of that story, but it is just the beginning of this one.  You see there are more than a few similarities between Dorothy’s trip to Oz and our journey through the COVID nightmare.  Like her, many found themselves in a place they never thought they would be…physically separated from their friends.  It might have been on the golf course, at the park, your favorite restaurant or maybe, and perhaps most significantly, at your church.  And like her, many were not be sure exactly how to come back together…to come back home.  Did you feel that way?  I understand.

For Dorothy it was as simple as tapping her shoes together and whispering a few words.  For some, maybe you, it just wasn’t that easy.  The justifiable fear might have had us isolated, separated from friends.  Like Dorothy you longed for home, but the circumstances that we lived in had you in its jaws. Though the COVID mess is in the rearview mirror, I stumbled onto a verse that just might help with today’s messes.  It is tucked away in Proverbs 21:31 and it says, “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.”  Nice…very nice.

The author is saying a good soldier will train and prepare his horse for the battle.  That is the common sense thing…the wise thing to do. But the author also knows a secret—and it is a big one.  Ultimately the victory does not come from a well-trained horse, but rather from an incredibly powerful God.  That was crucial in our return back to normalcy then and now—including our return to church.  We should always use good common sense…you know, take precautions that you feel are wise.  But never, ever forget that your health and safety rest in the hands of a very power, very sovereign God.  You are literally sheltered in the arms of God.  So, regardless if it is COVID or something else, be careful, be wise, but don’t be paralyzed.

By the way, General McArthur got it right too.  He was ordered from the Philippines and to Australia at the onslaught of World War II as the Japanese swept across the Pacific. He was forced to leave behind tens of thousands of troops…all about to be captured by a very fierce and merciless enemy.  As he left, he made a promise.  He boldly declared, “I shall return.”  At that particular point, he didn’t know exactly what that looked like, but he knew what it meant.  He was determined that his feet would once again walk on Philippine soil.  Well, it took almost four years, but he did indeed return and when he did, he changed the “shall” to “I have…I have returned.”  In the heat of the battle, he could be forced away, but nothing was going to keep him away forever.  Nothing.

So, what is your “I shall return” game plan?  Have you plotted your victorious return to normalcy…to a broken relationship, a fractured heart or maybe to worship and to church fellowship?   Like McArthur it could mean that the tide of war has changed enough so that you can win, you can return.

As you journey through your Oz, I hope, like Dorothy, that your faith in God and the hope of returning home will be greater than your fear.  Can it happen? Should it happen.  Absolutely is the answer to both questions. After all, the victory doesn’t rest in you, it rests in the hands of the Whisperer.  Listen carefully for His soft voice and you might hear Him saying, “There’s no place like home.”  Go ahead.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne