Category: Integrity

Posted in communication, Integrity, life, money, priorities, Scripture

Watch the Small Print

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Throw all your anxiety onto Him, because He cares about you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

Just pay a separate fee.  I’m a big fan of the infomercials on television that you see all the time.  Oh, I’m not interested in the products and I don’t like the way they interrupt my viewing times.  No…I like them because they are funny.  As you watch them, it is as if they were the first on the planet to discover the fountain of youth and it is always something that I just can’t live without.  And, it is like they are my very best friend.  They like me so much they are offering a deal that is just for me.

Sometimes it’s a garden hose that expands like crazy when connected or shrinks up like a snake when it is isn’t.  Or maybe it is some miracle herbal supplement that is guaranteed to make me lose weight, or gain weight, or grow hair or remove hair from where you don’t want it.  Regardless—they all carry a money back guarantee.  If you don’t like it…just send it back—minus shipping and handling and your first born.

My favorites are the ones that offer you two instead of one. That’s right folks because we like you so much, we are going to send you two of these amazing products—just let us know—and, of course, pay a separate fee. Wait. What?  If I am paying a separate fee isn’t that like walking into a donut shop and asking for two donuts and paying for both?  Or maybe going into Best Buy and them saying we are not going to sell you one television today but two. All you have to do is pay a separate fee. That is called two for the price of two.

Then of course there is the small print.  On most screens there are like fifteen lines of extremely small print.  We are going to send you a two-week supply of this amazing product that will cause you to grow six inches overnight—and it is free.  What you can’t read is the small print that says if you don’t cancel in five minutes and speak fluent Swahili then the deal is off.  I remember we were driving back from somewhere on a trip listening to a radio show that I trusted.  They were offering a two-week supply of this amazing herbal deal that would help me lose weight.  Well, I needed to lose weight and there was no risk, right?  Well, a month later I was fighting a $69.99 charge on my credit card.  Oh, the small print.

I saw a commercial recently for those amazing HD Tactical Sunglasses on television.  They made them sound like they would cause the blind to see. Oh well, I bought some at a local store and they didn’t exactly live up to all the hype.  In fact they were so dark I couldn’t see anything—in HD, SD or any other D. They are in the car waiting for a return trip to the store.  The bottom line is if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is.  And it seems the more the hype—the greater the chance that it is full of hot air and not so true promises…except one.

The exception to this rule is one you won’t find on television.  That one exception is God. Here’s the deal.  He never makes a promise He won’t keep and He’s not big on the small print.  He lays it all out and there is no separate fee.  In fact, His gift of love and forgiveness comes prepaid—no shipping and no handling. I need to be honest and tell you that sometimes folks speaking for God like to make promises on His dime and then God gets the bad rap.  But there’s an answer for that too.  Just get a copy of His Word and check it out for yourself.  Like I said…He lays it out and it is a deal you just shouldn’t pass up.

Here’s some more great advice.  First, record your favorite shows on the DVR and watch them later when you can fast forward through the commercials.  You can save yourself a chunk of time and, in fact, if you are tempted by those outrageous claims in the commercials, a few bucks too. Second, tune in to God.  He’s good, He’s faithful and He can be trusted.  Notice, by the way, that I didn’t say religion—I said God.  He has a great no extra fee offer.  He says, “Throw all your anxiety onto me, because I care about you.” And do you know what?  He really does.  There is nothing that He and you are going to face that He can’t handle.  Rest assured, “He’s got this.”   Bro. Dewayne

Posted in friends, Integrity, life, Scripture, Trials, wisdom

Stinky Feet

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

I smelled it as soon as I opened the door.  When God made us, He did a really good job.  In one place His Word says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  In another it says that we are made just a little lower than the angels.  And then at the beginning He says that we are made in His image. Wow…that is all pretty impressive. When God was working on our blueprint, He decided to give us five senses—five ways to interact with the world around us.  Those five senses are touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste.  All five of them are incredible and it is almost impossible to pick one over the other.  For a foodie like me, it would seem that taste would be my number one, but I’m just not sure.

If smell isn’t number one, it certainly is a close second.  Smell enhances our taste and can trigger so many different emotions. Smell can change what is going on in a whole room.  Many years ago, I went through a period when I had—oh, I hate to admit it—stinky feet.  It was bad.  To this day, I am in the habit of taking off my shoes when I am in the house.  I think it is a throwback to my Southern genes.  Anyway, when I would go to someone’s house, I would kick my shoes off and what was in the shoes suddenly spread throughout the room.  It wasn’t pretty.  I’m trying to say, it was really bad.

Within minutes, perhaps seconds, moans and groans filled the air along with the atrocious odor. There was an immediate rebellion and demands to stuff my stinky feet back into my shoes.  I had no choice.  The good news is that it turns out there was something about my walk-around, everyday shoes that caused the odor.  When I changed shoes, the offensive odor went with them.  But to this day, I (and maybe you) should be aware that certain things can cause certain reactions—and they are not always good.  But, fortunately sometimes they are.

Enter Bath and Body “Leaves” candles.  You probably know that Bath and Body is famous for several things but their three wick candles are—well, wicked.  And one of our favorite scents is “Leaves.”  It is just the essence of fall.  During this time of the year I can walk into my house after a long day and as soon as I open the door a sense of calm and “all-things-good” just washes over me.  I love it. Try as I may, I can’t describe it—it is just good.  And then it happens.

Slowly, the longer I stay in the area where the candle is, the rich aroma of fall suddenly disappears.  That smell that made me feel so relaxed seems to mysteriously disappear. But wait—don’t lose hope.  If I go back outside, if I go upstairs and come back—it comes back.  Once again, the rich aroma of fall invades my senses and I am changed.  This cycle goes on hour after hour and day after day.  In the mornings, I like another candle in my home office.  It is called Teakwood Mahogany.  It is a man candle. After a few minutes…I smell nothing.  Judy opens the door and comes into my office and is instantly overwhelmed—almost offended—by the strong smell.  Amazing.

The truth is, it can be dangerous.  It isn’t dangerous if it is the scent of a candle, but what if it is the scent of love in your marriage?  What if it is the scent of faith in your Dearest Daddy?  What if it is the scent of contentment—in all things being well? If and when that happens—it becomes dangerous.  When the aroma of life becomes like stinky feet or as bland as an unscented candle—well, it can and will lead down paths that we don’t want or need to take.  Marriages go south, faith drowns in fear, and discontentment creeps into every corner of our lives.  At best we become unhappy, but worse, we began to throw away the things most precious to us. 

I think, like leaving the room refreshes the aroma, we need to keep moving.  We must avoid becoming stagnate.  You know what happens to a stream that stops flowing don’t you?  It becomes a slimy pit.  So, we need to find ways to keep our marriages, our faith, our contentment, fresh, by stirring our lives with His grace—with His presence. We have to make sure the aroma we are giving off is pleasant and not “stinky feet.”

Paul, one of the Bible writer guys, says, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” Well said, Paul, well said. What kind of aroma are you sharing with your family, your church, your workplace, your neighborhood?  Is it the sweet smell of love, faith and contentment, or is it the atrocious odor of self and sin?  I know one of the best things I ever did was ditch those shoes.  Bye, bye stinky feet.  What do we need to get rid of so we won’t be offensive but rather be welcoming?  Nothing smells as sweet in our lives like the aroma of Jesus.  So, sit down, pull off your shoes and rest with Him.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, friends, Integrity, life, priorities, Scripture

Nip It in the Bud!

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4 

  

Leave it to Barney.  Some of you might remember Barney Fife from the old television show, “The Andy Griffith Show.” He was one of the iconic characters and played the town deputy under Sheriff Andy Taylor.  Barney was a little off-center most of the time.  One of my favorite memories was that they only trusted him with one bullet, and he had to keep it in his pocket. He may have been a bit off-center but every once-on-a-while he would come up with something insightful.  One of those was his saying that we should “nip it, nip it in the bud.”

He knew (at least every once in a while) that an ounce of prevention was better than a pound of cure. Now he didn’t always follow his own good advice but who does? Truth is we would all be better off if we did, “nip it, nip it in the bud.”  A while back I went to the skin doctor for my semi-annual skin check.  Twice a year I have them look and make sure something isn’t growing on my skin that shouldn’t be. Some of that skin stuff can get pretty nasty.  Like I’ve said before I’m ok with dying…I just don’t want to die stupid.

So usually, I am an A+ patient. Besides the usual assortment of old people stuff, she always tells me I have good skin.  Well, that didn’t quite happen this time. As she checked my forehead, she found two spots that were kinda rough and she said, “Dewayne, these might be pre-cancers so it would be best if we burned them off.”  So, she wasn’t sure if they were but, in her opinion, it was better to be safe than sorry—and I agreed with her.  Let’s “nip it, nip it in the bud”. So, she got out her handy burner-off thing and just like that they were frozen.

“Wait,” you say, “I thought you she was burning them off?”  Yup that’s right but she burns them off by hitting them with something so cold it literally burns them off.  Ever heard of, “freezer burn?”  Same sort of idea.  Anyway, it was all over after a little bit of stinging and a few days of everyone asking, “What happened to your forehead?”  And guess what?  Because we nipped it in the bud, I don’t have to worry about it turning into something a little nastier.

This “nip it, nip it in the bud” thing is good advice. Imagine how many regrets a little nipping could save us! And what about when we nip a “pre-sin” in the bud before it becomes a disaster in our lives? Yup, the more I think about it the more I am sure we owe old Barney a debt of gratitude.  So, let me suggest a semi-annual visit to the skin doctor and a daily visit with the Great Physician just to check and see if there needs to be a little nipping on those nasty “pre-sins.” It might sting a little but hey, don’t worry, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Integrity, life, loving others, Scripture, thankful

God’s VIP!

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.”1 Corinthians 12:18-22

It was in March 1981, President Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest presidents of our modern era, was shot as he was walking toward the presidential limousine. It was a very difficult time for our country. At first, they didn’t think the President had even been hit but that quickly changed. In fact, the wound was life threatening. President Reagan spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from the injuries he sustained in the shooting. Gratefully he made a full recovery. Now think about this. Because of the safe guards put into place, the government was able to continue functioning. And although he was the nation’s chief executive, his hospitalization had very little impact on the daily lives of Americans.

Now think about this. Not too long after that tragic event, the garbage collectors in a major city went on a three-week strike. The result was a mess and in fact resulted in a major health hazard for the citizens–bringing the city to a near halt. While most people were grateful when the president was released from the hospital, the entire city celebrated the end of the strike by the garbage collectors.

I find that so interesting. We had weeks without the President and also weeks without garbage collectors. The absence of the president actually had very little impact on that major city. However the absence of the garbage collectors in that city clearly caused more harm. The point is sometimes the absence of those in lessor positions have more impact than the absence of the main leader. This is true in most organizations…a company or a university can function without its CEO or chancellor but neither can function without its staff and workers.

Now what about the church, our church, your church? While a church can and does function without a pastor, it cannot function without the every Sunday, in the trenches, volunteers. In other words, the seemingly insignificant members are often the ones are that are most urgently needed. If you don’t believe me, imagine how your church would function without nursery workers, teachers, greeters, ushers and other volunteers.

Churches needs people who will volunteer for the everyday, seemingly insignificant jobs. We need to remember that these jobs are not insignificant at all. In fact–they are vital for the church and its kingdom work. Looking back on forty-two years of pastoring, I realize we should and could have done a much better job recognizing these incredibly important people. And let me say this. If you are one of those volunteers serving quietly in the trenches, please don’t ever feel like you aren’t needed–because you are. No matter what role you play, you have a crucial part in the Kingdom of God. Your skills and talents are needed.

I have to admit it is different every time I show up at church these days. When I was the pastor people wanted to know where I was. If I wasn’t there they wanted to know why. Now, as an ordinary member, well that has changed. But one thing hasn’t changed. In the eyes of our Dearest Daddy, we all matter, me, you and the person sitting next to you. When you are feeling under appreciated, just remember that the one who matters the most loves you the most. And no matter what–He’s got you!  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in gratitude, Integrity, life, Military memories, Scripture, thankful

The Longest Day

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26

It was more than the title for a movie.  One by one they are slipping away.  Who?  That generation newsman and author Tom Brokaw called the greatest generation.  This generation was born and lived through the Great Depression.  Their words and testimonies fill pages and pages of books and blogs.  Words like, “we were poor but didn’t know it” or like “we had nothing but each other…and that was more than enough” ring of their wisdom and courage.

But it would seem that living and surviving the great depression was just a warmup for their finest hour…that would begin with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That day, the day that President Franklin Roosevelt said, “would live in infamy,” marked the start of our country’s direct involvement in World War II.  Before it was all over, almost four years later, America would see 1,076,245 causalities.  That number includes 291,557 combat dead, 113,842 who died from other causes and 670,840 wounded.

One Memorial Day I heard a phrase I had heard before but this time it seemed to shout at me.  It simply said, “Freedom isn’t free.”  As I listened that day, I was freshly amazed at this generation of men and women, 16.7 million of them, who served during World War II. They marched off, self-forgotten, to strange lands and places and many of them would never come home.  Like I said, I was amazed.

Today, June 6th, 2025, is the 81th anniversary of what has been called, “The Longest Day.” It was the day that thousands of soldiers, airmen and sailors, with thousands of ships and planes invaded Normandy, France to begin the retaking of Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers.  The courage of those men who stormed those beaches is legendary.  Imagine with me small boats, called Higgins boats, riding the waves towards Normandy with shells exploding all around.  Imagine with me seeing many, too many, of these boats literally disappearing after taking a direct hit from enemy shells. Imagine knowing that each of these boats carried several dozen men.  Sacrifice. Courage. Amazing.

There probably are not words that can describe that day.  Films like, “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan” have tried to tell the story but though their efforts are valiant they always fall short.  That day, 6,603 Americans were killed, missing, or wounded. Imagine again, as officers knocked on doors and telegrams arrived, “The Defense Department regrets to inform you…” Freedom truly isn’t free.  I know we know but I only hope we won’t forget.  Yet in most minds, this observance of “The Longest Day” won’t garner a passing thought.

When the children of Israel of Old Testament fame were crossing over into the Promised Land, they were told to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River.  The sole purpose of these stones was to remind them of the miracle and the day.  That way when years later and their memories were foggy, they had the stones to remind them.  I’m not sure what stone of reminder we need but it might be as simple as a visit to the cemetery and taking the time to READ the markers and stones of those who served.  It might be as simple as taking your kids with you to show them and teach them about sacrifice and courage.  Unfortunately, it may not be taught any place else.

December 7, 1941. June 6, 1944. These are only two dates of many that are worthy of remembrance…but they are a start. Jesus knew we would need help remembering about the things of God.  That is why He said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” And who knows, perhaps that same Holy Spirit will help us remember to be grateful for the sacrifice others have made on our behalf.  In fact, I’m sure He will help because that is what He does best…help. Like everything else, I’m sure, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Easter, fear, forgiveness, Grace, Integrity, school days, Scripture

Sinning Starts Early

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9

I used to think I was a pretty good kid. As I have shared with you from my past, certain memories come to life. Some are humorous, some are serious, some are painful, and some are, well, criminal. I still think the crime of the century was when I decided to rob the little world bank that my Momma brought home from church…for safekeeping. But there was at least one more thing that I did that proved for certain I was, and still am, a sinner.

I was probably eight years old.  While there wasn’t a WalMart to be found there were other stores that were the forerunners of today’s retail mega-giant.  Ours was called Atlantic Mills and it was the place to go for good deals for just about anything you could imagine.  I remember it well because that is where we bought our Easter outfits.  We would go either Friday or Saturday before Easter (depending on Daddy’s payday, of course) and the girls would get their patent leather shoes and frilly dresses and I would get a shirt and tie.  Even then it was quite the event.

Easter wasn’t the only time we went to Atlantic Mills.  We would occasionally go just to shop around.  Of course, at my young age, I equated shopping with buying. I still do.  Why go to a store if you aren’t going to buy something? That’s like going to a restaurant with no intention of eating.  What? Really? So, anyway, one time we went, and it was one of those times when we weren’t buying—we were looking.  Well, that just didn’t work for me, so I started begging Momma for a dollar.  Now, keep in mind, a dollar in 1962 was the equivalent of the entire economy of a third world country.

Momma said no. Period, nada, ain’t gonna happen.  Well, I kept begging. (I was pretty good at it.  Give me enough time and I could wear anyone down.) Finally, out of shear desperation, she reached in her purse and pulled out—a quarter.  Was I grateful?  Of course not.  Even then a quarter just didn’t have a lot of buying power.  I finally gave up and took my quarter to look for a treasure.  Two things happened in the next few minutes. First, I started feeling guilty for hassling my Momma and decided I should spend the quarter to buy something for her.  Someone say, “Awww.”

The second thing was I realized that besides candy, there wasn’t a lot in Atlantic Mills for a quarter. Well, I looked around and found a pretty scarf that I just knew my Momma would like.  The problem was it was something like $1.49.  So, my young sinner/criminal mind began cooking something up.  I wasn’t about to outright steal it.  That could get you hard time.  So, I decided that I would switch the price tags.  I looked around and found something for a quarter, found a place where no one could see me, and carefully removed that price tag and put it on the scarf.  There. Done deal.  No one would ever know the difference.  Oops.

I went to the checkout counter and found out two things.  First, did you know even then there was a code on the price tag indicating what department it came from.  I found out too late that they didn’t sell scarfs in hardware.  Second, the checkout lady was not a newcomer to the checkout business, and she quickly realized that this scarf was worth more than a quarter.  Bottom line—she nailed me.  She looked down at my frightened face and into my tearing eyes and said, “Did you switch this price tag?”  Well, I “spilled my guts” and I believe I even told her why.  She didn’t turn me in…she didn’t have too. Her words were enough punishment.  I walked away a mess with my quarter still in my hand. As far as I remember I didn’t buy anything that day and I guess I gave the quarter back to Momma. It was a total disaster.

Now, before you act as the States Attorney and put me on trial, the stature of limitations has expired on this.  And besides that, I was just doing what sinners do—sin. And since we are all sinners, all of us can probably identify with this sin thing. It didn’t matter that I was eight—I was old enough to know better.  I don’t know if I told Momma or not but that didn’t matter because God knew, and He is even more important than Momma. It is things like this, and a lot more, that make me a big fan of God.  The way He extends His grace to sinners like me is just amazing.  It is so amazing they wrote a song about it.

I well remember the guilt and shame I felt that day which probably means I did confess to God and probably to Momma too.  I’m sure both forgave me.  A guy named John, who was a BFF (best friend forever) of Jesus and who wrote some of the New Testament said that if we are willing to confess our sins, God is more than willing to forgive us.  That is good news. And the best part?  There are no limitations. His love and grace go longer and further than the “Energizer bunny.” No matter what, if we come to Him in sincerity, He will sincerely forgive us.  He can handle my eight-year-old sins and my sins today.  And, as always, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Integrity, life, pride, school days, Scripture

Patrol Boy

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

 It was a dream come true.  Growing up when I did was a blast.  I was born in 1954 (and yes, that was a long time ago) and things were just different.  Life was slower, people mattered more, things mattered less, and respect was a big deal.  I was raised to call people older than me, sir and ma’am.  It’s kinda humorous, but now I am the senior adult and I still call everybody and their brother, “sir or ma’am.”  It was just ingrained in me from my earliest memories.

Back in those days, when you were in the sixth grade you were the king of the mountain.  You see in Florida in the early sixties elementary school went from first thru sixth grade.  There was no kindergarten.  Part of being the king of the mountain was the prospect of being selected to be a “patrol boy.”  Now, the first thing you need to know is the term “patrol boy” was a term of respect.  Today I think they still have crossing guards but back then…patrol boys were the state police of the day.  They had a belt with a badge that went around their waist and over their shoulder and of course, the flag.  It was a two-piece design that was about five foot long when put together.  Oh, I almost forgot.  They had a safety helmet too.  They definitely looked the part.

At the end of each school day, these brave traffic warriors would be dismissed from class a little early to go and man their assigned post. They would put on their belt and helmet, grab their flag, and head out for duty.  Now this was the real deal.  A teacher or aide didn’t accompany them.  The lives of their peers were in their hands—and they were granted authority to stop traffic.  Again, it was an honor and a dream to get that belt, badge, helmet, and flag.  The selection process was done at the end of the school year of our fifth grade.  I’m not sure what the criteria was, but I do know not everyone got selected.

Ok, let’s be honest.  I wanted…I really wanted to be a patrol boy.  It was like I was born for it.  It was my destiny.  I could tell you that I wanted to help save lives.  I could tell you that the safety of every kid who crossed at my post was what drove me but that wouldn’t be true.  No, I’m afraid it wasn’t quite that noble.  I’m afraid it had nothing to do with safety…it had to do with…the belt, the badge, the helmet, and the flag.  Now don’t laugh, it was a big deal. The uniform has led a lot of guys to sign up for the Marines.  I was no different.  I wanted people to look at me and say, “There goes a patrol boy.  Leader of peers and a hero to boot.”

Well, it happened.  I was selected and honestly, it was just about everything I thought it was going to be—at least through my eyes.  No one ever called me a hero, nor did I outright save anyone’s life, but there was something about the way it made me…feel. Looking back, I think there is a word for it…pride.  You know there is a good pride…the kind that lets you know you did your best.  There is also the kind that says, “I’’m a patrol boy and you’re not.”  It’s closely related to the kind that says, “I have power and you don’t. You have to listen to me…obey me.”  Bummer.

As far as I know, at least from the outside, I did a pretty good job.  I received and proudly wore my little pin, which I got to keep at the end of the year that marked my service.  No one got ran over on my watch and I think I only got in trouble once.  That happened when one of my fellow patrol boys, a friend no less, made me mad and I whacked him with my flag.  It certainly wasn’t very hero like and trust me it wasn’t as pretty.  Something on the inside—that should have stayed on the inside—oozed out. I realize now that all of us have a tendency to play that game—pretty good on the outside and pretty dingy on the inside.  Someone once said you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time.

There should be another saying that says, “You can’t fool God any of the time.”  You see, God’s got this “vision thing” that allows Him to see right past the skin and right into our heart.  He sees our real thoughts, our real motives, our real selves.  It’s been kind of a “go to” verse for me recently but here’s what it says, “The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at Eliab’s appearance or stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” Wow…that is one scary thought.  God sees what matters.  We need to remember that.

Well, I enjoyed my year as a patrol boy.  The next year I went to junior high and went from the top of the heap to the bottom.  In fact, there were a couple of guys who did their best to make junior high hard for me.  Today we call it bullying.  I wonder if it was payback for some misused authority.  Hmmmm.  What goes around…comes around.  Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have just a “patrol boy” watching over me.  Nope, I have the King of Kings and that’s pretty awesome!  I don’t have a thing to worry about because “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Integrity, life, priorities, Scripture, travel

Lawbreaker

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

“If you love Me, obey My commandments.” John 14:15 

Can someone say, “lawbreaker?” Now, by and large I have always considered a person who generally follows the rules. Well, something happened on our trip to Florida that sorta gave me a new perspective. First, I was not a speeder. Oh, I might go one or two over the speed limit but that was it. In fact, for the last year or so, I would set the speed control right at, or under, the speed limit. It was just something I did. Well, here’s the confession. On our last trip south I found myself going a full five to seven miles per hour over the interstate speed limit. I know—I can’t believe it either.

I think it started on our last trip to Atlanta for Operation Christmas Child. I was supposed to follow someone and they were doing around 75 to 77. Well, I felt like I needed to keep up so I did too. To my surprise the world didn’t come to an end…in fact, in some ways it was easier because that was the speed that it seemed everyone else was traveling. I discovered that doing what others are doing can be…easier. So our next trip was the one to Florida and not surprisingly I found it very easy to just keep doing what I had done. You see, often when you cross a line it becomes easier and easier to keep right on crossing it. Hmmm.

I know, and you probably know, that lawbreaking is like that. When we break the law, if we don’t get caught, we eventually convince ourselves that we won’t get caught…ever. Now I know, and you probably know, that is simply not true. If you mess around with breaking the law, and especially God’s law, you will eventually pay the price. Lawbreaking and sin both carry penalties. Now I didn’t get pulled over so I didn’t get a ticket but something in me was reenforced that is very important. If I had, or if I do, well, I will fully deserve it. And guess what? If and when it happens, and whether it is two miles per hour over the speed limit or ten—I will be just as guilty. I became a lawbreaker when I went one mile per hour over the limit and that made me—guilty.

This really came home to me the other day. I was driving on a four lane road near our town and suddenly someone I knew passed me. My first judgement thought was, “Hmmm, they shouldn’t be speeding.” That worked until I looked down and discovered that I too was speeding—I too was a lawbreaker. I quickly realized that I had no right to judge them…period. Now this story is not about speeding or breaking any traffic law for that matter. Really, this is about God and His law and the fact that we should remember that breaking the law is breaking the law. There aren’t big sins and little sins—only big and little consequences. There aren’t little lies and big lies—a lie is a lie. We just need to be as holy as we can be. We need to remember that God gives us rules for a purpose…one of which is to make our lives better.

Jesus said that if we really loved Him we would keep His commands. So what do you say…let’s make holiness a priority. Let’s remember that once we are comfortable with being a lawbreaker—well, it can take us places we don’t want to go. Do you need a refresher course in spiritual driving (sorry couldn’t resist the analogy), just go to God’s driver’s ed course. First thing you learn is…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, Integrity, life, Military memories, pride, Scripture

It Was a Dippity-Do-Dah Day

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.”  1 John 1:6

Dippity-do dah, dippy day, my oh my, what a wonderful day.  I joined the Air Force back in 1972 and in so many ways it was a different world.  At that time longer hair was still very much in vogue.  It seemed the only guys with shorter haircuts were either born in the 1920’s or in the military.  I was the latter.

It was also a different day in the way people viewed the military.  The country was coming out of the Vietnam era and sadly many saw veterans and the active military in a dark light.  I can well remember walking around town and getting the “one of those” looks.  While I was never ashamed of being in the military, in fact, I was proud to serve, I did want to be cool—part of the in-crowd and short hair just wasn’t in.  But you know the old saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”  Hello Dippity-do.

It’s funny, I don’t remember anyone else doing it nor do I remember how I started.  I found this hair stuff called, “Dippity-do.”  It was a gel-like product and depending on how much you applied, it would make your hair stay where you put it.  So I bought a jar and slowly I let the hair on the top of my head and sides grow out.  I would wakeup in the morning and put this stuff, in fact a lot of this stuff, in my hair.  I would comb it kinda on top of my head and toward the back.  The effect was—well, effective. The funny part is when this stuff dried out it made my hair as solid as a rock.  Of course, my mom always said I had a hard head.

I found that I could have the required white-wall around my ears and have all this hair glued down to the top of my head.  When I got off work, I would go take a shower, wash this stuff out and believe it or not have enough hair to totally cover my ears.  I looked like any other guy in the early 1970’s.  Even as I write this I’m saying, “What?”  But believe me it worked.  I looked like a military guy during the day and a regular off-the-street guy at night.  Looking back, it was weird.

Even stranger I worked in the command section of my squadron and to show how effective my ruse was, no one said anything.  It looked, and I guess was, regulation.  I remember one day walking in the local mall and coming straight toward me was my squadron commander, Major Hobbs.  We passed within five feet of each other and he didn’t even recognize me. Yup—G.I. Joe by day and a 70’s hipster at night. Looking back there probably was a word for it.  It was probably pretty hypocritical.

The word hypocrite means to “play the part” or to “wear the mask.”  It was used to describe actors in ancient Greece who were one thing on stage and another off the stage.  The one thing I remember is that I always felt a certain amount of fear while doing this.  There was always the “what if I get called in and don’t have time to plaster my hair down” thing.  What if my commander and my first sergeant saw me and did recognize me?  I knew they respected me and what would happen to that respect?  It’s the feeling you get when you are one thing one time and another thing later. 

Well, finally I figured it wasn’t worth it and I’ll tell you that story another time, but the bottom line is I went and got a regular haircut.  Two things happened almost immediately.  First, I felt free.  The fear of the wrong person seeing me at the wrong time was suddenly gone.  It was like a weight was taken off my shoulders.  The second thing that happened was I discovered that in spite of what the culture said, I was proud to be in the Air Force and that haircut identified me as part of a special family and team.  It wasn’t something to be ashamed of…it was something to be proud of.  And the best part, the girl I was dating, who I later married, thought I was even cuter.  Now for the funny part. I have been out of the military now for 41 years and I never, not even once, grew my hair out.  I decided I like shorter hair.  More than that…I decided I like being real.

So, what about you?  What is it in your life where you “wear the mask?”  What is it in your life where you have decided to pretend—to be something you aren’t?  While we find that in every aspect of life, sadly it’s also common in the Jesus follower world.  People say one thing and do another—people who act one way on Sunday and another the rest of week.  If I learned anything from my Dippity-do world is that authenticity beats a plastic mask every time.  

John, one of the guys who followed Jesus in the Bible, said it pretty well.  He said, “If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.”  In other words, if we say we are one thing and really are another—we are just living a lie.  It is better to be real than fake.  It is better to be authentic than counterfeit.  I may have fooled my commander that day but I never fool God when I choose to be one thing in public and another in private.  But the one thing I love about God is that He never rejects me.  He is never ashamed to call me His child. I can always rest in Him and more than that, He can handle who I am—Dippity-do and all.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Integrity, life, Military memories, Scripture, Trials

Mr. B

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

So, here’s the story. A long time ago, my wife and I were living in Warrensburg, Missouri, renting a house in a neighborhood that was still being built. We had just come back from three years in Germany with the Air Force, and we were still getting used to married life—only four years in. We had this big dream of owning our own home, but it wasn’t exactly a great time for buying. Interest rates were sky-high at around 18%, and inflation was crazy. But then, a little opportunity came along.

The guy behind the neighborhood development was a rough-around-the-edges contractor named Mr. B. We ran into him a few times as he was working on building the homes, and he brought up this government program that could help us build a house. They’d pay half the interest, which, honestly, sounded amazing compared to that 18%. So, long story short, we ended up getting approved, and soon we had a piece of land on Hilltop Drive with our names on it. We even added a few upgrades like a bay window and a fireplace in the basement. It cost a little extra, but they were worth it.

Looking back, I’m not sure if it was the smartest financial move for us, but it worked out in the end (that’s another story). It did cause some financial stress though, so to help, Mr. B suggested I do some “work equity.” He said I could do some of the labor for the house in exchange for a reduced price. Let me tell you, that was no easy task. I ended up doing all the painting and staining—inside and out. For a guy who’d never done anything like that, it was a big challenge.

But there was another way I could help ease the financial strain. Mr. B told me I could work for him on Saturdays, doing basic labor, and he’d pay me $15 an hour. Now, back in 1983, that was pretty good money, so I said yes. At the time, I was working in the Air Force full-time, pastoring a small church for $50 a week, and now I was going to work for Mr. B on Saturdays. Definitely stepping way out of my comfort zone.

Saturday came, and the job site was just down the street from our rental house. We were putting up heavy metal forms to pour the basement for a new house. We had to lift these things into place and hammer pins to hold them together. I was pretty nervous, but aside from dropping my hammer once, it went alright. We finished up around 4:00 PM, just in time for me to get home and start working on a sermon for the next day. Exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it—I’m sure that sermon was a little on the short side!

The next week, I ran into Mr. B and he handed me my check. I had worked eight hours, so based on the $15 an hour he promised, I was expecting a check for about $120. But when I opened it, I found a check for only $40 and some change. I was pretty shocked. I asked him, “Mr. B, is this right?” He assured me it was. I said, “But you said $15 an hour…” He chuckled and replied, “Oh, I was just kidding about that. We actually pay $5 an hour.” Yeah, I wasn’t laughing. Honestly, I felt pretty betrayed. He promised one thing, and then gave me something totally different. That was the last Saturday I worked for Mr. B.

Have you ever felt that way? Like you’ve been promised something, and then it didn’t happen? Ever feel that way about God? It’s tough when people let us down, right? But it’s even harder when it feels like God doesn’t keep His promises. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years. When we feel betrayed by God or like He’s not coming through, it’s usually because we’ve misunderstood or misapplied His Word. The Bible is full of promises, but not all of them are for us. For example, the promises made to Abraham are not promises made to me. A lot of times, people—preachers, teachers, even regular folks—make promises on God’s behalf that He never actually made. And when those promises don’t come true, we end up blaming God, and that’s not right.

I’ve been following Jesus for over 50 years now, and I can tell you one thing: He has never let me down. Sure, things haven’t always gone the way I wanted, or the way I expected, but He’s never broken His promises to me. He is faithful and trustworthy. I can say that with confidence—He is a good God, and He’s good at being God. You can trust Him.

So, while Mr. B’s “little joke” was a tough lesson, it taught me something valuable. His heart was good, but his sense of humor? Not so much. But I’m so grateful that my Father God has a perfect heart, and His plans for me are perfect. No matter what I face, I know it’s for my good and His glory—and that’s enough for me. I can face today knowing, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne