Family – Page 116 – Grits with Grace

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Chucking Rocks

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

I should have listened. I was a pretty good kid when I was young but let’s be honest. Pretty good doesn’t mean perfect and pretty good doesn’t mean not mischievous. I think it means I was somewhere close to normal. The only thing is, normal can still get you into trouble.

One day I was with the family and I’m pretty sure we were at a laundromat. Apparently the washing machine had broken down and we had to do the wash at the mat. My daddy and I were out in the parking lot while mama was washing the clothes. I was about nine and bored and that is not a good combination. The parking lot was gravel and all those rocks just seemed to be saying, “Throw me.” So, I obliged.

At first it was a little toss here and there but the more I threw, the more I wanted to throw. First it was here and there but then I started taking aim. Several things were lying along the edge of the parking lot and they made great targets but then I got an idea. If hitting a can was good, imagine hitting a moving target. So I started chucking the rocks in the direction of the road and at the cars passing by. Bad idea.

Now, if you are going to chuck rocks at a car, every nine year old rock chucker knows you don’t just chuck your rock with obvious intention. You ease into it. Well, I started easing into it and before long my rocks were landing dangerously close to cars passing by. My Daddy thought it was kinda accidental and it garnered a “Dewayne, be careful to not hit the cars.” He hadn’t caught onto my real plan to “ping a hub cap.” Anyway, I kept chucking so he upped the warning.

“Dewayne, listen, don’t throw rocks at the cars.” He had finally caught on and I should have quit while I was ahead. I finally got close enough so that we entered “Final Jeopardy.” “Question—what happens if you hit a car? Answer—I’m gonna give you a spanking.” Yeah, well, you can probably guess where this is going. I chucked a rock and hit a car going by and it was “Final Jeopardy.” Daddy got mad, the driver got mad and I got in trouble.

Well, Daddy was able to talk to the driver and he promised him the “grapes of wrath” would fall when we got home. As he drove off, daddy explained about the “grapes of wrath.” Translated, it meant I was gonna get a spanking when we got home and it wasn’t gonna be a little one. So, as soon as we pulled into our driveway, I ran into the house and hid under the dining room table. Soon, I heard Daddy’s voice, “Where are you, Dewayne?” I felt like Adam and Eve in the garden after they had chucked rocks at God and decided to sin. God was looking for them and they were hiding too.

And that’s where things get fuzzy. I don’t remember the spanking which means I probably got grace instead. It probably means that Daddy and I had a long talk about chucking rocks at cars and how that was not a good thing to do. It must have worked because I don’t think I ever chucked another rock at a car…at least one that was moving. That day I learned about obedience and how it has a lot less consequences than disobedience. I also learned about grace. Grace is when you deserve a spanking but instead you get a talking. But I also learned about rock chucking. I learned that it was ok to chuck rocks at things like stumps and cans, but it is not ok to chuck rocks at things like cars. When you do there are consequences…big ones.

Now, there’s another kind of rock chucking that I’m still learning about and that is chucking rocks at people. I’m not talking about waylaying someone with a stone but rather waylaying them with our judgmental acts and words. It’s what we do when we see someone fail and we decide to make ourselves feel better by knocking them down.

Jesus ran into this when some religious people found a woman sinning big. They dragged her into the middle of a crowd and wanted to stone her. They asked Jesus what He would do. He told them that the person that had never sinned should chuck the first rock. Well, slowly they all walked away because they had all messed up. “Where are your accusers?” Jesus asked the woman. She replied that they had left…and indeed they had.

The only two left were her, the sinner and Him, the One who had never sinned. He could have chucked rocks but instead He loved her and forgave her. She deserved the rocks but He gave her grace. I like that. A lot. He dismissed her a smile and a word of “now don’t go on sinning” and the rocks stayed on the ground…right where they belong. So, I am grateful for grace…and you should be too. If we have experienced grace we should extend some too. You see, rocks make great parking lots and driveways but are terrible weapons. They need to stay in the quarry or on the ground. My daddy showed grace then and my Dearest Daddy shows it every day. We should too. However, it’s good to know when we are hiding under the dining room table and He calls, we can come out and sit in His lap and learn about the consequences of sin but also the wonders of grace. So, come on out from your hiding place. We can rest in Him because, “He’s got this.”

Family, fear, life, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Goose-Land, Part 2 “I Quit”

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14

“I Quit.” I could almost hear the words coming from his beak. Yesterday was “walk in the park day” and the ducks and geese were doing their thing. If you haven’t made a trip to the park to just watch the geese and ducks you really should. It is so interesting to see how they interact with one another. There are a couple of stories at gritswithgrace.com if you would like to go back and read them.

Yesterday I was in lap two of three and I saw something that really caught my attention and captured my heart. You probably know that geese like to hang together. They will be “gaggling” together and suddenly, it is as if someone, the gaggle leader will give a nod or a honk and everyone will burst into flight. They rise from the ground or the water as one, like a flight of aircraft from a military flight. They quickly take formation and off they go into the wild blue yonder.

As I was walking across the stone bridge at the park the order was given and about seven geese took off. I was pretty close and it was pretty impressive. With a flush of honking and flapping, they rose into the sky as one. Goose One, the flight leader carefully led the group over the bridge and down to the far end of the pond. They took off as one and they flew as one all except…one.

As they flew by at full power I happened to notice one of the group still on the ground. He was a young adult goose but definitely old enough to take to the air. His body was well groomed, every feather in place. From where I stood he looked like he could…he should be airworthy. But as his friends took flight…he took a look around. There they went and there he sat. It was what happened next that was so unusual. He suddenly started to run. Paralleling the edge of the pond he started running as fast as his little legs would carry him. It seemed he was sayings, “Hey guys, wait for me.”

He ran for about fifteen yards and then he stopped and went down the bank into the water, paddling furiously, heading for where he thought his friends and family had gone. The last time I saw him he was still paddling away shouting, “Hey, wait for me.” After getting over the amusement of watching him waddle and paddle, my heart was captured. I found myself asking the obvious question, “Why?”

Why waddle when you can soar? Why paddle when you can fly? Why get left behind when you could be in the middle of the party? I am not an expert in goose anatomy but he had all the equipment to fly and all the equipment seemed to be working. I really don’t know, but it seemed I heard him muttering as he waddled with all his might. Although I’m not fluent in goose, it seemed he was saying, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.” And then, right before he went into the water he said, “I quit.” How sad.

He was made to fly. He was made to soar, but he chose, he settled, for waddling and paddling. He chose for second best. You see, you can be the best waddler in the world and that is fine…unless you were made to soar. The view from the ground is never as magnificent as the view from the sky. If his equipment was broken, if it was just a matter of a few more flight lessons well, that would be a different story. But what if it was just a matter of not believing—in himself and the One who made him?

If you look around, and maybe as close as the bathroom mirror, you might see someone who stopping believing. You might see someone who has tried and failed enough that they no longer believe anything is possible. You might see someone who stopped believing that God makes masterpieces and started believing that God made a mess. Well, let me tell you something. God doesn’t make junk and He doesn’t make messes. The Psalmist said it right, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Fearfully and wonderfully made. That is you and that is me. If you find yourself on the shore, waddling when you designed to soar…start believing again. Start believing in you, start believing in Him and start believing that with Him…all things are possible. Don’t let the circumstances around you right now—the division, the virus, the uncertainty keep you on the ground. You were made to fly, to soar! Why not crawl up into the lap of your Dearest Father, rest in Him and just believe? Believe the truth…that He’s got this.

Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Faith and the Next Step

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

There’s hard…and there is really hard. You know, sometimes faith is easy. The way is clear, the path is obvious and you just do it. Sometimes, it just isn’t that way. Sometimes, all the time, faith requires…faith. So back in 2000, my family and I were living in Cobden where I was pastoring at Cobden First Baptist. We had been there over 14 years and it was one of those pastor/church relationships that don’t happen too often. We were in love with each other. It wasn’t a job…it was family. And then the phone rang.

It was a call from Don Billman wanting to know if I would be interested in pastoring in Harrisburg at Dorrisville Baptist. I had received calls like this before and the answer was always, “No thank you. We are really happy here.” This time, though, for some reason I said I would think about it—pray about it. It was almost frightening but I could hear the Whisperer whispering and I was pretty sure He was calling us to step out on faith. I tried to dismiss it, I tried to ignore it, but He kept whispering until I finally knew that it was a choice to obey or disobey.

After several weeks we arranged a date to go and preach a message, meet the folks at Dorrisville and to see if we should join our lives together. I had asked God for a pretty big favor. If this was in fact His will would He give me a 100% vote. Now in case you don’t know that was a pretty big deal, especially since we were talking about a couple of hundred people. Well, we met each other and they voted. It was 100%. I was taken aback as I realized it was time to step out on faith.

Pastors usually leave churches in one of two ways: readily or reluctantly. I was a reluctant prophet. I knew going was the right thing, but it wasn’t the easy thing. It was probably one of the HARDEST things I have ever done. We were excited about Dorrisville, but I knew I was leaving family in the process. Were there doubts? Yes. Were there assurances? Yes. And that is the point of this story.

A week or so after the vote and in the middle of the process of saying goodbye to Cobden, I was sitting outside of Target in Marion. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was having a talk with God that included two questions. “God, is this really you?” “God, what have I done?” There I sat with those two questions rolling around in my head. And then they showed up. It wasn’t two angels named Micheal or Gabriel but it was a couple of messengers from my Dearest Daddy. Their names were Tom and Leanne.

Tom and Leanne were members at Dorrisville—my new family. They walked up to the bench outside of Target and politely introduced themselves. “Hi we are Tom and LeAnne. We are members at Dorrisville and when we saw you sitting here we just HAD to stop and tell you how glad we are that you are coming to Dorrisville. We can’t wait for you to come.” I can’t tell you the emotion of that moment. It was a clear and confident assurance from the Whisperer. From that moment on I knew I was right where God wanted me and that was what mattered.

So we finished saying goodbye to our Cobden family and said hello to our new family at Dorrisville. On July 16, 2000 we had our first service there. I wish I could tell you how marvelously I led and how confidently I took the field but the truth is this rookie fumbled the ball a few times. But gratefully my new family was gracious and patient and suddenly here we are twenty years later. It has been a wonderful journey for me of learning and growing, serving, and sharing. Over the past two decades we have had so many times of celebration together. We have learned grace together. Someday, one day, the Whisperer will whisper again but until that time I am having the time of my life.

So if you find yourself at the edge of a cliff and you are not sure what to do next. If all the light is gone from your world and you are stuck…go ahead and take the next step. As Patrick Overton wrote, “When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.” Whether it is the uncertainly of the corona virus, the unrest of our Country or the upcoming elections this Fall…we can rest in Him…for He surely has this.

Family, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Z-Pack

Posted on July 14, 2020July 13, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

They call it a z-pack. It is called that because nobody can pronounce azithromycin. Whatever it is called it–it works. You know the story. You are humming along, life is good and then you throat feels a little scratchy, your nose is a little stuffy and before long you feel awful.

Now let me explain awful. If you are a man that means it is pretty much terminal. It is a matter of minutes before the end comes. Someone call 911. If you are a woman it means that life just became a little more challenging but hey people are counting on you, so you will push through.

Man or woman–terminal or not–you will probably call and make an appointment to see the doctor. He will determine, much to the man’s surprise, that it is not terminal. It is an upper respiratory infection. Then he may prescribe our friend azithromycin or a z-pack.

A z-pack is a course of five pills, often two taken the first day and one per day for the next three. If you are a man, you take the first two and go to bed. If you are woman, and in in particular a mother, you take the first two and go on with life. The good news everybody generally survives.

I find too often in life this happens to me on another level. I am humming along and life is good. The mild speed bumps and occasional pot holes of life are navigated with little or no trouble. But then it happens. The smallest of infractions and I find myself going off–losing it. Something doesn’t go just according to plan and I am seething. I don’t get my way and so everyone better stay out of my way. I’ve been infected.

No doctor is needed for this one. It is called inselfishitis. Let me say that again…in-selfish–itis. Yup…for some reason it all becomes about me–or you. While it’s caused by several things it often find’s it source in a little virus called “why me.” I mean I understand why the neighbor deserves bad things he doesn’t even go to church. And my brother-in-law hasn’t worked for months. Of course, then there is cousin Eddie, never mind, we won’t even go there.

Well, the good news is there’s a z-pack for it and it is fast and effective. Take three “pills” and before long you will be humming again. The z-pack is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and consists of three powerful truths that will kick the “inselfishitis” bug in no time. Here’s the z-pack. “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.” There you go–be joyful, pray always and be thankful.” Bye-bye blues and hello cancel the 911 call. Three simple truths, three simple practices.

A while back I got ahold of a great definition for Biblical joy. It is “a deep sense of inner well-being based on faith in God and trust in His sovereign will.” Now that’s powerful. Boom. It is what we close everyday with, “rest in Him…He’s got this.” It’s true and He does.

Praying always is simply like breathing. It becomes second nature and an essential part of life. You don’t even need your knees to pray. You don’t need to close your eyes–especially if you are driving. It is a whisper to God as needed, when needed. And it works.

The last one is gratitude. It is learning to be thankful for the smallest detail in your life. News flash–God is a God of the details. That little deal you are concerned about is not little to Him. He loves His kids and wants them to know He will be there. Now that doesn’t mean you get every toy in the toy store. It does mean that He will be there whenever, forever.

The last part of verse 18 is huge. It says, “For this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” He wants you to do this not for three days but every day. He wants you to be fulfilled and at rest and these simple truths will put you on the right road. So, men, put on your big boy socks and push on. Ladies–remember we men struggle with the small things so be sure and show a little mercy when we are terminal–or at least think we are. God does and He does it not only for the men but for all of us. He invites us to crawl up in His lap and rest in Him. And listen close, He’s whispering, “I’ve got this.”

Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful

Funeral at Nain

Posted on July 13, 2020July 9, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 10:25-26

It was an ordinary day. Jesus was on the move traveling from one small village to another doing what He did–making a difference. As He was approaching Nain, a stop in the road, He ran into a funeral procession. We recognize funeral processions by the flashing lights on the hearse followed by cars with headlights on. He recognized it by the mourning–the funeral wail. The closer He got, the louder it got. It was the sound of broken hearts and lives.

In Luke 7:12, we get the details. It says, “Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her.” What a tragedy. A mother had lost her only son to death. And, according to scripture, he was young. The cause isn’t listed nor does it matter. Death comes in many forms and is no respecter of persons. But it was her only son and he died too young. It gets worse.

Luke also shares that she is a widow. She is facing this dark time alone. There is no husband to share the grief–it is all hers. And when the grieving is over she faces a very difficult world. No source of income, no safety net, no unemployment, no social security–nothing. It’s a bad deal from top to bottom. And then it happens.

Jesus sees the situation and orders the mourning column of brokenness to stop. Why? He has compassion on her. He knows her story before He is told and He tells her, “Don’t weep.” It could be an unkind statement akin to “hey, get over it” or “it will be better tomorrow.” Instead it was a statement of power–the kind of power to change everything.

He walks over and touches the coffin–a big no, no in that culture but Jesus didn’t let rules stop Him from loving, from acting. He says, “Party’s over death…you’re done.” Ok, He really said, “young man, I tell you get up.” And boom–just like that he did. Now let me tell you when you are at a funeral and the dead person sits up and is alive, the funeral is over and the party begins. Break out the fried chicken because death is done and Jesus is King.

I love this story…I really do. I see it played out day, after day, after day. No…not exactly like this but I, we, see God bringing spiritual dead people to life every day. And when that happens John 10:25-26 becomes a reality. There Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. 26. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Wow what power–what assurance. But is all hinges on the last four words, “do you believe this?” “Do we believe this?”

Ok, so these are difficult days. You might feel like the widow of Nain. It may feel like your world is imploding around you with all the safety nets gone. Well, there’s One that will never leave you and His name is Jesus. Oh, and knowing Him is a game changer. The future that matters–the eternal one–is a guaranteed better day. In a word, it is heaven. So, as we journey these uncharted waters together remember we never have to be alone–ever. Jesus wants us to experience His compassion and His salvation. And listen, when Jesus shows up things change. He is bigger than anything so rest in Him. He’s got this.

Family, fear, life, prayer, wisdom

A Word of Encouragement

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

The story is told of a Christian lady who had cancer. Her pastor went to see, encourage and pray with her. Towards the end of the visit, her pastor asked if he could pray with and for her. Her response was, “yes, of course.” That wasn’t surprising. What happened next was.

When he asked how he should pray, her response was totally unexpected. He assumed it would be for healing but instead she said, “Pastor, pray that I would not waste this suffering.” Waste this suffering.

She was wise enough to know that the God she believed in was sovereign, was in control and was a kind, merciful and loving God. She also knew that He was wise and that this had been allowed into her life for a purpose–His purpose.

God’s word says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I admit I’m baffled by a lot of what is happening around me. Just when I think I can’t be surprised…I am. But I’m not baffled about God. He is working in our circumstances to bring glory to His name and strengthen our faith.

So God has this. He isn’t asking us to understand…He is only asking us to trust Him. And believe me…He has a track record of always getting it right. God bless you today…trust Him…He’s got this.

Family, gratitude, life, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, wisdom

Gratitude

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13

I was the leader of the pack. When I was growing up in the 60’s, things were just a little bit different. In my school there were a zillion kids and in my church youth group I was one or two years older than most of the other kids. That became important when I turned sixteen and was eligible to get a driver’s license. I remember I got my license before I attended driver’s education and I got a car before anyone else at church. I was the leader of the pack.

Today, whenever I drive by the local school and look in the parking lot I am always saddened. The lot is filled with fancy cars and trucks the likes that were never seen in my 1970 world. A few kids did have nice cars, but most were leftovers and hand-me-downs. Oh, I’m glad for the kids but I just hate they are not going to experience the joy of owning a 1960 Rambler.

Unlike today, it was not an automatic deal to get a car when you turned sixteen. Get a license and you get a car is the general rule today. When I turned sixteen you got the right to ask dad to borrow the family car…occasionally. Only the coolest kids got to actually own a car—and I was about to get cool. My sister and brother-in-law lived in Daytona Beach and he had a car that he drove back and forth to work. When he upgraded, rather than sell his old one, they told my mom and dad that they were willing to give it to me.

Then, and even more now, I realize just how generous that was. It wasn’t necessarily the value of the car as it was them thinking how that just might increase my standing in the world. Dewayne Taylor…car owner. Oh, yes, things were about to get better…much better. So one day, they drove the car up to Jacksonville and pulled in the driveway. There she was. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to me she was beautiful.

She was a 1960 Rambler Deluxe. Now in case you don’t know, Rambler was a division of American Motors which of course is now a part of car history. This beautiful hunk of metal was…well…unique. It was hand-painted (as in with a brush) a deep royal blue color. The brush marks only added to it’s uniqueness. Right down the middle of the body was a bold yellow racing stripe. Having lived most of its life near the ocean it probably had an equal amount of metal and Bondo filler in the body. It was powered by a straight line 6 cylinder, 195 cubic inch monster producing 127 horsepower with a very pronounced rod knocking. Anything over 35 miles per hour and the engine sounded like a professional drummer going wild on a trap set. She boasted a three speed manual on the column. It wasn’t exactly a muscle car but she was mine.

One of the first things my dad and I did was go to Sears and buy a set of seat-covers. This was 1970 so we bought navy blue covers plastered with bright red and yellow flowers. To enhance its racing car mystic, I even installed a tachometer on the dash. I was ready. My job bagging groceries at Food Fair provided gas money and I was the indeed the leader of the pack. I became the “go to” guy for social events. “Hey, wanna go horseback riding on Saturday? Great, I’ll pick you up.” “Wanna go to the movies Friday night? Be at your house at 6:00.” Yup, life was good.

The old Rambler lasted somewhere over a year and the old engine just kept on knocking. It was the clutch that finally gave out. Dad decided it wasn’t worth fixing so it eventually found its way to the junk yard. No, there wasn’t a big, fancy replacement. It was back to borrowing when I could. But for those months…I was the leader of the pack and I was grateful.

One of the things we have lost over the years is gratitude. Somewhere we have almost lost the fine art of being grateful for the little and big things that come our way. We stopped being thankful and instead become jealous of what others have. It leads to a vicious cycle of keeping up with the Jones. In case you don’t know, they are the couple down the street that always seem to have more than you. We work longer hours, carry way too much debt and still have the gnawing feeling that we need, we deserve, more. We believe the commercial line, “we deserve a break today” only it isn’t for a burger built our way.

The Book has a lot to say about gratitude and commitment. Paul, one of the New Testament writers, said he had learned the secret of being content with whatever, whenever. Do you know where he was when he wrote those words? He was sitting in a Roman prison waiting for them to decide when they were going to kill him. Incredible. The secret? Faith in Jesus Christ. He went on to say, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” He was saying his faith in God was enough. Everything else was gravy. I’m not saying every car in the lot needs to be a Rambler but I am saying one of the best gifts you can give your kids is the gift of gratitude…teaching them to be thankful for simple things…the little things…things like an old Rambler with more Bondo filler than metal. Teach them to be content. Of course there’s a catch. You kinda have to understand that yourself before you can teach them. Tell you what. Sometime today why don’t you take time and talk to your Heavenly Father about contentment. He’ll probably whisper, “I’m enough. Rest in Me. I’ve got this.” He is, we should, and He does.

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, Military memories, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

“Foot in Mouth” Disease

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

I just shouldn’t have said it. We all have said things that we wish we hadn’t. I learned a lesson about that the hard way. I had two bumps in Air Force basic training. One involved singing…you can check that one out on my blog www.gritswithgrace.com (https://gritswithgrace.com/2020/06/01/i-said-sing/). The other one also involved my mouth…I wonder if there is trend there.

In basic guys were assigned to a flight (group) and each flight had a dorm chief. He was someone, a peer of sorts, the flight chief selected from within or outside the flight. Ours was selected from outside. He had a weight issue so was put in a special group that helped men get down to a weight level that was acceptable. That of course meant they had to stay longer in basic. Well, our guy, whose name was Guy, was one of those guys. Because of his longer tenure in basic he was named our dorm chief.

Now it could have been a little jealousy on my side or it could have been that I was a little judgmental or maybe I had a momentary case of the stupids but I said something to one of the guys about this guy. The words are lost to time but it was probably something like, “Who does this guy think he is? He’s not a leader…he is a loser.” Well, anyway, something like that. I said it and forgot it assuming it just died away. It did not.

So, apparently either that guy told another guy who told another guy who told the guy named Guy. The guy named Guy told the guy named Sergeant Catchings who was the same guy that caught me singing. Well, things were about to go south. There was a lesson that needed to be taught and I was the object of that lesson.

Sergeant Catchings gathered the flight outside his office and leaving the door open sat down at his desk. We all were like, “What’s this about?” I quickly found out it was about me. Soon a booming, “you’re in deep weeds son” voice said, “Airman Taylor, get in here.” I got up and went in the office and he instructed me to close the door. I stood smartly at attention in front of the desk. Sergeant Catchings harshly invited me to take a seat. There was no chair.

He had me place my hands flat on his desk and then squat by bending my knees till my arms were parallel with the top of his desk. Three things immediately came to my mind. One, what in the world have I done? Two, this is very uncomfortable. Three, I’m going to die. Well in about one minute I found out that Dorm Chief Guy had told him I was mouthing off. I had broken a cardinal rule…don’t mouth off about those in leadership above you.

Sergeant Catchings, jumped to his feet and began to lecture me about respect for leadership and how I should never, ever disrespect those put in authority over me. Now don’t forget. One, I still “sitting” in the invisible chair with my hands on his desk. Two, the entire flight is outside the door. And by now he is screaming at the top of his voice. For added effect, he would occasionally walk over to the door and kick it or slap it making it sound like I was dying. I was.

Finally, after about ten or so minutes he opens the door and says two words, “Get out.” Imagine 27 guys looking in the office and seeing me squatting with my hands on the desk. I can’t move. I am locked in place. My muscles leg and arm muscles were frozen. He said it again, LOUDER, “I said get out.” So, I fell over and managed to crawl, yes I said crawl, out of his office. I was in agony and the rest of guys were in shock and we all learned a lesson about gossip and respect for authority.

The lesson that day was very valuable. I wish I could tell you that I learned it so well I never had the “stupids” again but that wouldn’t be true. But I can tell you this. There is a reason the Bible talks so much about the tongue and the mouth. It isn’t a matter of finding a verse…it is a matter of choosing a verse. We can start with a little nugget found in Proverbs 21:23, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,

and you will stay out of trouble.” I wish I had remembered that one before I uttered the words that prompted my visit to Sergeant Catchings office.

But the one that probably says it best is this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Imagine how less complicated our lives, our families, our marriages would be if we mastered that one. Imagine how our work lives and even our worship lives would change. A pastor once said that if we knew we would have to personally apologize to every person we slandered or gossiped about, we probably would hit “pause” a lot more often. Oh well, I’m sure glad we have a graceful God. I have learned over the years to deeply value his patience with me and His mercy for me. There have been too times I’ve had to go to my dearest Daddy and have a chat about “foot in mouth” disease. I’m glad He graciously invited me to come sit close beside Him. He has always heard my confession and honored my repentance. I find rest right there…next to Him. Because He’s got this.

Family, Grace, life, loving others, Scripture, thankful

Sacred Cows

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!” 1 John 3:1

That can’t be good. The noise came from the church sanctuary and it sounded like trouble—with a capital “T.” Being a pastor is one of the most challenging and interesting vocations there is. I have been walking this path for the past 38 years and there is nothing like it. I’ve experienced the lowest of valleys and the highest mountain peaks and that’s just on Monday morning! Of course, if you think being a pastor is challenging, you should be a “PK” or pastor’s kid.

PK’s grow up in a fishbowl world. Many people expect them to be perfect. They are held to standards that are unfair but that can lead to some pretty good stories. And you know I love a good story. So one evening, my wife and a couple of the ladies from our church were working in the children’s department. I believe they were painting and papering. We had been at the church long enough to build some great relationships but not quite long enough to guarantee survival of “the big one.”

“The big one” is a variety of things that you don’t mess with in a church. They are also called “sacred cows.” Now these things don’t moo or eat grass. I think the phrase must refer back to India where cows are worshipped. Mess with a cow in India and someone is going to mess with you. One of the jobs of a pastor is to learn what and where the cows are for a church and then avoid them. It is also the job of the pastor to keep his kids from messing with one. And that’s where the trouble started.

Judy and the ladies were working hard that evening and not paying much attention to the girls. My two girls were there as well as the daughter of one of the ladies. The moms were working hard and the kids were playing. Life was good. People were happy…and then. I’m not sure exactly in what order these two events happened but they were very close together. The first was the sound of kids playing. It was the sound of kids playing in a swimming pool. However, First Baptist didn’t have a swimming pool. But it did have a baptistry…the kind big enough to swim in.

The second sound was not a happy sound. The second sound was the sound someone makes when a sacred cow is being touched. The second sound was the sound that pastor’s really, really, don’t like to hear. This one sounded something like this, “WHO is PLAYING in the baptistry?” Apparently one of the trustees (who was a good friend) had come into the sanctuary and discovered what the moms had also just discovered. What they discovered …was that the kids had discovered …that the church had a built-in swimming pool. It was not a pretty scene.

Friend or not, he was really, really upset. The pastor’s kids were swimming in the baptistry and that was definitely a no-no. I could hear the cow mooing loud and clear. The moms were traumatized (only later would they laugh), and me, I was just trying to still be the pastor the next day. But it turns out we had an ace in the hole. Now an “ace in the hole” is a bit of information or a resource held back until the proper time. It was time. Just about then…the trustee’s five-year old granddaughter stuck her head up from the baptistry and smiled at her grandfather. Now it still wasn’t pretty. The kids were still messing with a cow, however, the relationship one of swimmers had with the trustee changed everything.

The bottom line is the kids had a nice swim but never had another one in the indoor poor. My friend, the trustee, showed grace but I’m sure only after a lecture about indoor swimming pools in Baptist churches. And me…I got to keep being the pastor. It really turned out to be a great story and over time it just got more and more humorous. Several years later it was my privilege to officiate at my friend’s funeral. We had many wonderful memories to share that day but I do believe the story of the baptistry topped them all. Grace and relationships have a way of doing that. It works when kids touch sacred cows and it works when we sin.

You see, when it comes to us and God, we do far worse than touch the sacred…we violate His law and trample His holiness. It is an ugly scene but then He does the amazing. He offers forgiveness, He offers grace, unmerited favor, to any person willing to put their faith not in themselves but in His Son Jesus. That faith results in this incredible relationship where we can call Him Father and He calls us His kids. The Bible says it like this, “See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!” How about that? He is willing and able to forgive any sin—even swimming in the baptistry—if we believe. Amazing. So when you find yourself in a hot mess with God, just remember the big truth about grace and relationships. The first makes the second possible. And when you get the second you get everything you need. A place to crawl up and rest and a dearest Daddy that is big enough to conquer your biggest fear and forgive your biggest sin. After all, He’s got this.

Family, Grace, gratitude, July 4, life, Military memories, Scripture, thankful

John Ellis Believed

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

I couldn’t believe it. Last night Judy and I decided to go out to eat. We do that a lot on Thursday nights. We went to one of our favorite restaurants (dining inside, thank-you) and then visited Sam’s Club to see if we needed to buy something that we didn’t need. Then we headed for 217 back in Harrisburg. As we were driving down the highway, Willie started singing in my head again, “On the road again, that’s where I long to be, on the road again.” So it was time for a spur of the moment adventure.

As we approached an intersection we had passed a hundred times before, I asked Judy, “Where does this road go?” It said Creal Springs so we just turned and decided to take a little side trip. We were driving along just enjoying the lush greenness of the warm summer evening and I thought I saw one of those “brown signs.” These signs usually indicate a place of special interest. As I went by I thought I saw the words cemetery and Revolutionary War. I went down the road just a ways and then told Judy I saw a sign for a cemetery…perhaps an old one. I turned around.

Back down the road, there was indeed a sign. We pulled off the road and it said, “Ellis Family Cemetery and Revolutionary War gravesite. What? Can’t be! The crazy part was there was no road just a driveway. Well, after a bit of hesitation, we decided to give it a try. Sure enough, the driveway went between two houses which led to a pasture. Way at the back of the pasture we could see a small cemetery. There wasn’t a road but I could see where a car had gone before. Off we went.

When we got there, we found the gravesite of John Ellis. He was born in 1754 and died in 1850. He lived for 96 years and he fought in the American Revolutionary War. He had two monuments. One was much newer, one much older. The older one simply said, “For Military Merit” and someone had painted his name on it. I was overwhelmed. Here in Southern Illinois was the grave of a man, a hero, who fought for the birth of our country. Amazing.

This man was there; this man was on the battlefield when a group of men and women declared our freedom from England. This.man.was.there. He put it all on the line for a cause greater than himself. And for the last 244 years that is what freedom loving American heroes have done. Through conflicts great and small they have served, they have bled and many have died. I value the saying, “All gave some, some gave all.” I value the sacrifice of all these freedom fighters through the centuries and decades. I also love what they fought for.

Right now is a difficult time for our nation but we have seen difficult times before. At his first inauguration on March 4, 1933, Franklin Roosevelt said this. “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Don’t rush past those words. They are powerful and they are worth believing.

I believe in this country. I believe even with all its warts and imperfections it is still the best country in the world. Having visited well over twenty other countries I’ve seen the competition and America wins hands down. I spent an Independence Day in basic training for the Air Force in 1972. Lights-out was about 8:00 pm and I was lying in my bunk when the fireworks starting going off. I crept out of bed and went to the window and watched as the fireworks exploded in the Texas sky. Two emotions came over me. One, I missed family. Somewhere in Florida they were celebrating freedom. The other though was more personal. I was becoming an American airman serving my country. I was one of her defenders and I was proud…proud to serve and proud to be an American.

So, please, don’t blow past Independence Day tomorrow and certainly don’t give up on America. We have weathered many storms and we can weather this one…if we do what we have done in the past and that is trust God. It is no accident that we have fought and won, it is no accident that we have survived and even thrived for the past 244 years. It was more than American determination…it was and is the grace of God.

The Book says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” That is so true. As a nation when we choose God, when we choose to make Him ours, we do better. When we don’t, we don’t. It is just that simple. It isn’t politically correct these days but the bottom line is…its true. The second part of that verse is equally important. God is still inviting, calling people to be His. Skin color doesn’t matter, economic status doesn’t matter, creed doesn’t matter. He simply invites every man, woman, and child to be His. The decision is individual. So, God bless America. If you are a God follower, a God believer, start the day tomorrow with a whispered prayer of thanks for this great country. And then, pause, be still and listen for surely the Whisperer will whisper. He may speak through His Word, He may speak through another person or a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Regardless, He will whisper, “You can rest in Me. I’ve got this.”