Category: life

Posted in communication, food, life, missions, Scripture

The Life of the Firefly

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

I’m glad I wasn’t born a firefly. One of the joys of summer occurs either late May or early June. It is about that time that fireflies, or as I was raised to call them lightening bugs, make their appearance. Each evening as the sun sets, these fellows make their appearance and turn the evening from mundane to exciting. But you had better look fast because their act doesn’t act too long. It goes something like this.

Lightening bugs begin their journey as larva in the ground. In fact, they live there for two whole years. During that time they apparently dig around and eat grubs and things. Their whole existence is a time of preparation for what comes next. After about two years, something tells them its time to surface and they transform and emerge from the ground as lightening bugs. Now listen to this. First, they only live for about 20 to 25 days. That’s it. And the object of their whole existence above ground is to find a girl lightening bug and start a family. Once that is done…so are they. But wait…there is more.

Would you believe that when they emerge from the ground in their lightening bug bodies–they don’t eat. In fact, when their metamorphosis is done they don’t have a digestive tract and no way to eat or process food. Remember how I said those two years were all preparation for their next life? Well that apparently includes nutrition. So, no fried chicken or pecan pie for them. All they do is fly around, lighting up, trying to impress the girls. Imagine that…not eating. Ever.

I guess that means a lightening bug would be a really poor Baptist because everyone knows that a Baptist loves to eat. You give a Baptist a potluck dinner and it is party on. But not for Mister Lightening Bug–nope–and that is not only sad but hard to believe. Am I the only one who is trying to figure out why God created them that way? Well, it seems to me that God knew they might get side tracked if there were potlucks and the one thing that mattered wasn’t potlucking but rather starting a family.

Fortunately God didn’t think it necessary to try that trick with us. He has challenged us and trusted us with sharing the good news of the Gospel with the world around us. And truthfully…we do indeed get sidetracked. So how do we keep the main thing the main thing? We learn to listen to the Holy Spirit who lives in every person who believes in Christ. And then we listen to the heart of our Dearest Daddy as we read His word. When we pray, “Father help me to keep the main thing the main thing, His reply will always be, “Don’t worry…I’ve got that.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in forgiveness, Grace, life, Scripture, spiritual battles, Trials

Interest and Consequences

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

There’s a couple of things you ought to know. First, the devil is not your friend…ever. No matter what he says, no matter what he promises. Someone once said the only constant in this world is change. Check. And that is true in the physical world but in the spiritual world there are two constants–God is good and Satan is a liar. The second thing you ought to know is that sin is always a bad deal. No matter how good it sounds or how good it feels…it is a bad deal. Let me illustrate that for you.

So imagine you get your credit card bill in the mail. Imagine you had several large purchases that month. Even though you try and pay it off every single month…well this one is a little more than you can handle. Let’s say the bill is for $5,500.00. So as you are pondering what to do, you notice that the nice credit card people have a plan “B.” They say, “Instead of paying the card off (the very smart thing to do) you can make a minimum payment–just $113.00 a month. Wow…that would sure help…right? Wrong. You see, if you make just that minimum payment, it would take you…and get ready…seventeen years to pay the debt and with interest instead of paying $5,500, you would pay $15,515.00. What? Can that be right? Well it not only can be…it is. You see, the nice credit card company is going to charge you a whole lot of interest to use their money.

That nice credit card company isn’t so nice when you have to make payments and trust me they never were your friend to start with. Now Judy and I have two credit cards–we use one for gas (which pays us 5% for every dollar we spend) and the other credits us with travel miles for Delta. Both are paid in full each month and by the way when we can’t pay them off–out come the scissors.

So what is the point of this little financial lesson. It is all about sin. You see, like the debt became bigger and bigger because of interest so sin grows bigger and bigger. The old song says that sin will take you further than you want to go, make you pay more that you want to pay and stay longer than you want to stay. No matter how enticing sin seems–remember there is always a payment due and it can be big…real big.

God made a way through faith in His Son Jesus whereby our sins can be paid in full–forgiven. But the fact is we will still sin in this imperfect world and while God removes the penalty of that sin–the consequences–the interest if you will–remains. Satan will surely lie to you and try to convince you that a little sin never hurt anyone. Really? Well, once again remember that little sin nailed Jesus to the cross.

Be wise friend–both with your finances and with your sin. The bondage of debt and the guilt and shame of sin are two masters you don’t need. Don’t walk–run away–run to your Dearest Daddy who loved you too much to leave you in your sin and loves you too much to face that hot mess alone. He is waiting to help. Gratefully and always, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Grace, gratitude, Scripture, travel

New Every Morning

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:23-24

 ¡Hola! Soy una petunia mexicana. So on one of our recent journeys, my wife Judy made an essential stop at a local nursery to buy some plants for our yard. When we are in the south, whether it is as far south as Georgia or as close as Murray, Kentucky, we need to check out two things–what houses are for sale and what plants can we bring home. In this case, we were in Alabama at a Lowes and she brought home a petunia mexicana. In case you don’t speak Spanish (I don’t) the opening line says, “Hello! I am a Mexican petunia.”

So it turns out that our transplanted friend loves Southern Illinois–probably because it is southern. She carefully planted it in a large pot filled with Miracle Grow potting soil and the rest is history. In the few weeks that she has been in our backyard, she has just flourished. The greenery is green and lush but the best part are the blooms. Here’s how it goes. The day begins with it being covered with petite bluish purple blooms. They last the day and then they are done. By evening all that is left is the lush greenery. But there is a surprise coming.

You see, the next morning as the sunrises, new blooms appear. The whole plant is once again covered. It really is just beautiful. At the end of the day the whole process starts over again. But as sure as sunshine, the blooms are there and beautiful. It reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. You see, in Lamentations 3:23-24 we read, “Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” Did you see it?  Just like the Mexican petunia provides a fresh bouquet of flowers each day, so God in His marvelous grace provides a bouquet of mercy. How about that.

Just as He provided manna each morning for the children of Israel, so He provides His mercy for us each and everyday. He is always faithful and always right on time. The Hebrew even suggests that it isn’t just any old mercy…it is the mercy that we will need for that particular day. I find that so assuring and so amazing.

So if you want to come by 217 and check out our Mexican friend, feel free to. She is at her best in the morning–just like God’s mercies. God bless you today as you journey with Him. And always remember, “Recuerda que, pase lo que pase, ¡él puede con esto!” Oh, in case you are wondering that says, “Remember no matter what, He’s got this!” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, life, patience, prayer, Scripture, Trials

Hot Days, Flat Tires…and Grace

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18

OK, get your tissues out for a really, really sad story.  So, it was a Saturday afternoon and I was coming back from Marion.  It was hot…now I don’t mean unpleasantly warm or the kinda hot that may test your deodorant a little.  It was sweat through your shirt, man you stink hot. I was rounding a curve, tootling a long and minding my own business when I heard a funny “road” noise.  It only took about two seconds to recognize that sound–I had a FLAT tire.  I immediately whipped to the side of the load, stopped and said, “Well what are we going to do now?”  I mean I knew what to do but I also knew I didn’t want to do it.

So, I got out of the car, and yes, it was hot and starting looking at the tires.  Tire #1, good; tire #2, good; Tire #3, good; tire #4, flat–but only on one side.  So I went to the rear of the van, popped the tailgate and found the jack–the one that had never been used and held in place by a nut that had been torqued to the point of no return at the factory.  As I tried to loosen it, it soon wasn’t the only thing that was torqued.   

After much effort, I got the jack out, loosened the lug nuts and jacked the van up enough to locate the spare under the rear of the van.  It appeared to be held in place by a giant wing nut that hadn’t been loosened…ever.  I beat on it for about 15 minutes slowly turning it around and wishing the guy that designed it would have a massive kidney stone.

Finally I came to my senses and said, “Maybe, I should read the directions.”  Well, I did and I discovered the guy didn’t deserve a kidney stone after all.  You see, Ford had put a nut inside the van in the cargo area.  As you turned that nut with the lug wrench, it gently lowered the tire to the ground.  Hmmmm…how about that?

Well, I got the spare out and as I was jacking up the van the rest of way, God sent a young man to help me finish the job.  Thank you, Lord. So, while I still had a very flat tire, while I was drenched in sweat (and even jammed my thumb–this is where the tissues come in), and while I was still very, very hot…if I had just read the directions my experience would have been a whole lot less painful.  If only I had read the directions….

Do you think it is possible that our lives would be a whole lot less painful if we would read and follow the directions for life–God’s Word?  Let me answer my own question with a resounding YES.  There would still be bumps…and flat tires…but we would face them with a wisdom, knowledge and understanding that can only come from God–through His Word.  Now, notice that important word…follow.  It is not enough to just read, you have to do.  Imagine me reading the instruction book and then continuing to beat on that piece of metal under the van.  I thought I was right but guess what?  I was wrong.

So since it is a fact that we are going to have bumps and flats, why not turn to the one who knows all about flats and frustrations. Why not ask Him for some good, Godly advice? The good news is He is willing, He is able and He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in forgiveness, Grace, life, school days, Scripture

You Have Big Ears

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

“You have big ears.” Well, there it is. I was helping with the party trailer at Vacation Bible School the other day. I was in charge of boxing up the popcorn and then handing it to the kids. It’s always hard being the popcorn guy because we are competing against the snow cone people and the cotton candy people. Even a blind guy can see who is going to come in third in that deal. Art Linkletter used to have a television show that featured him interviewing kids. The show was called “Kids Say the Darnedest Things.” It was called that because, well, kids say the darnedest things. I looked up darnedest and found out that it was a colloquial American slang term used to describe something incredibly surprising, odd, or amazing. I guess that’s where my ears come in.

Now, back to being the popcorn guy. I already have rejection issues and this didn’t help. Some kids were kind when I offered them popcorn. And, actually more than a few accepted my offer. More than a few though looked at me like I was offering them a serving of roadkill. Like I said, what is popcorn compared to snow cones and cotton candy. So, we were down to waiting for the last group and that is when it happened.

I was sitting there talking with a couple of my buddies and this kid walked up. Actually, he had been kinda hanging around so I think he must have belonged to someone…I mean like someone on staff. Anyway, he gives me this kinda look and then he said the darnedest thing. He said, “You have big ears.” Well I was kinda taken a back so I said, “Say what?” He said it again, “You have big ears.” Well, I wasn’t sure what to say so I said, “Well, and I called his name, thank you for confirming what I thought I already knew.” Like I said, kids say the darnedest  things.

He was right of course. It all started in my childhood when two of my sisters (bless their hearts) would hold me down, tickle me and pull my ears. The bottom line is they did it enough that my ears got bigger and never retreated. I’ve looked at them in the mirror ever since and thought to myself, “Man I have big ears.” And the little kid just confirmed it for me. I did ask him who he thought gave me these ears and he said my Momma did. I told him he was right but who else? He thought about it but didn’t have another answer so I said, “God did.” I went on to explain that meant that they were exactly the ones that God wanted me to have.  It was a good answer but it didn’t solve the big ear dilemma.

Well, in the end I laughed it all off. After all, kids do say the darnedest things. But remember while that may sometimes excuse kids, it doesn’t excuse adults who also say the darnedest things. We can excuse the kids because maybe they don’t know better but we big people do. And, trust me, as a pastor I had my share of darnedest things said to me…though I’m not sure anyone ever comment on my ears. Weight–sure. Height–sure. Sermons–double sure. How I dressed–sure and double sure. Sometimes those darnedest things bounced off but sometimes they left scars.  So have you ever said a darnedest thing and wish you hadn’t.  Truth is we all have.

The Bible warns us to be careful about darnedest things and we would be wise to heed the call…especially if it involves ears. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a darnedest thing just remember this. Jesus loves you and He doesn’t care how big your ears are or how much you weigh.  After all, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in fear, food, life, Scripture, Trials, Uncategorized

Darkness and Flying Hotdogs

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12


It was dark…but I knew the way.  Before I discovered the wonder world of retirement, there was one of those days that I had either skipped lunch or had something light. Regardless, it was about 2:30 in the afternoon and I was hungry. One of the advantages of working at a church is there is usually a kitchen close by. So, I mentioned to the staff that I was heading down to the kitchen to try and find something to eat.  They told me there were some leftover hotdogs and baked beans in the refrigerator. Well, that sounded pretty good to me so off I went.

When I arrived, I opened the refrigerator door and looked. No dogs, no beans. Like the game show, “Let’s Make a Deal,” I decided to try door number two.  No dogs, no beans. My last chance was door number three and unfortunately…no dogs, no beans.  My stomach growled so I decided to try the freezer. I pulled open the door and while there weren’t any beans, there was one lonely, very frozen hotdog. In desperation I grabbed it and tossed it in the microwave for a fast defrost.  Sixty seconds later I had a mostly defrosted hotdog which I then smothered with mustard.  I even found a small bag of chips to round out the feast.

With food in hand, I headed through our dark fellowship hall heading to the door that led outside and then to my office.  The fellowship hall was dark because the lights were off, and I didn’t turn them on because there wasn’t a switch at that door. All of this wasn’t a problem because I had made this journey many times. There were several tables along the wall and like a blind man I ran my hand along the edge of the tables and when they ended, I knew it was a straight shot to the door.  It was a good plan…till it wasn’t.

Walking full speed and without reservation, I ran my hand down the table and sure enough it ended, and I just kept walking straight toward the door. I should have noticed that for some reason I couldn’t see the outline of the exit door. Too bad I didn’t because just about that time I crashed into something. My semi-defrosted hotdog smothered in mustard and chips went flying everywhere and I was left wondering what in the world just happened. Still in the darkness, I turned around and went to the light switch and flipped it on and there was the culprit. Someone had left the closet door that opened out instead of in standing open and I had ran straight into it.

Well, let’s be honest, with a mustard smothered hotdog and chips all over the floor I was one unhappy camper. Who in the world would leave the stinking door standing open? Don’t people know that you can’t see open doors in dark rooms? Well, I snorted and muttered for a couple of minutes, cleaned up the mess and headed to my office.

Floor or not I salvaged the hotdog and as I munched the dog a thought occurred to me. I had asked the wrong question.  It wasn’t who would leave a door open in a dark room rather it was who in the world would walk through a dark room?  The problem wasn’t the open door but the guy who thought he could safely navigate the darkness.  Hmmm.

Well, I do believe I learned a lesson that day. Lights have a switch for a reason—turn on the lights!  And then I had the thought that what is true about carrying mustard smothered hotdogs is also true in life.  It is simply not smart to try and navigate a dark world without the Light of the world.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Well, there you go. Walk with Jesus and you will walk in the light. The big truth is this…if you find yourself in a dark room carrying a mustard smothered hotdog, just remember to flip the switch. And, if you find yourself in a dark corner of the world with a heart smothered with burdens, just ask Jesus and He will be your light. Don’t worry…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, life, Scripture, spiritual battles

Unity

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!” Psalm 133:1

My memories of a place called Belfast were troubled. I was anxious to visit Belfast, Ireland mainly because it was part of my memories. I don’t remember much but I do know it often occupied a chunk of the CBS Evening News. Even back then there was plenty of news and unfortunately too much of it was difficult–most would call it bad. In the late sixties here in the States trouble was on every corner. There were riots, mainly about race and the Vietnam War and there were even assassinations. So, I guess what was happening in Ireland was only more of the same.

For years, the Catholic/nationalist minority in Northern Ireland faced unfair treatment, and these injustices finally erupted into civil rights protests in the late 1960s. This sparked a harsh response from Protestant/unionist groups, resulting in the British Army being sent in. The Irish Republican Army was resolute in their goal to drive the British out of Northern Ireland, and the violence they unleashed included bombings, shootings, and, unfortunately, assassinations in Northern Ireland, mainland Britain, and the Republic of Ireland. Sadly, over 3,500 lives were lost during this period.

The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 played a big role in resolving the conflict. This important political agreement created a government that shared power in Northern Ireland and included plans for the IRA to disarm. Because of these measures, the Provisional IRA officially stopped its armed activities in 2005.

So, like I said, my memories of the late sixties here in the States and what was happening over there were indeed troubling. Perhaps what was most troubling was the fact that like our civil war which raged from 1861 to 1865, brothers were fighting brothers and families were fighting families. I know you didn’t tune into Grits today for a history lesson but there is something to be learned from what you have read today

Conflict and division are so damaging…no matter where it occurs. Two of the most tragic battlefields are within the home and within the house of God. Once again, too often you see families members fighting each other and brothers and sisters in Christ spiritually and emotionally slugging it out. And while all of that is going on, the world watches and wonders if Jesus is so good why aren’t His people.

Two verses come to my mind as I write this. The first one is found in John 13:35 where Jesus tells us, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Remember, the proof of our faith is not the checks we write or how often we go to church. People will know that we are Jesus followers by our love. Underline it. Memorize it. Tattoo it on your arm if you have too.

The second verse is found in Psalm 133:1.  There we read, “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!” Our unity, our harmony is like a sweet smelling aroma to our Father. Remember this does not mean we agree on everything but it does mean that we simply will not allow our dogma and opinions to divide us. Our unity in Jesus should always win the day. If you find this too difficult, don’t worry. Our Dearest Daddy loves to help His children…especially when it comes to loving each other.  He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne 

Posted in Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, Trials

The Dark Side of the Moon

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

It felt like the dark side of the moon. Well, after several stories about our great adventure across the Atlantic and around Western Europe you probably know we had a great time. However, there was one thing that was going on that was anything but enjoyable. You see for the last year or so, I have been wrestling with my lower back. Can I have a witness? I know there are a lot of you out there that know all about lower back pain. Well, you probably also know that it sometimes shows itself not in the back but as a pain that makes your leg feel like it wants to fall off.  If you have had this before, please raise your hand. My hand is in the air.

Even while we prepared for our great adventure, my leg was messing with me but I could still do life. While it was painful it was more like a rock in your shoe…uncomfortable but manageable…even for a professional whiner like me. So we boarded the ship with the rock still in my shoe but like I said no big deal.  Then…well…it was. On the Monday after Easter, I woke up and realized that something had changed. The bottom line was every step I took was just down right painful. I was doing everything I could to manage the pain…stretching exercises and a hefty dose of Ibuprofen but nothing seemed to help. I even prayed. I asked God to please heal my leg or give me grace to endure. 

So our cruise was 25 days long with a three day stent in London at the end and I need to tell you that it was difficult. Everyday this pain was my constant companion. I prayed and prayed some more but the answer I wanted was not the one I got. I thought about Paul, the Bible guy, in 2 Corinthians when he prayed for a healing but God simply said no. He told him that His grace was sufficient–enough. And Paul, who was a way more spiritual than me said ok and when on with it. I took a different route…I tried whining.

Well, the bottom line was the pain continued and I called my doctor in Harrisburg from London and told him what was going on and he agreed to see me as soon as I got back. A couple of days later we met and he gave me a shot of something and a prescription for the pain. Well, in a couple of days the pain was greatly diminished and I could walk…almost pain free. And, gratefully, for the last couple of weeks with a couple of small exceptions, I have been able to keep walking. Yay.

Here’s the deal. God did it. He might have done it with the medicine or all by Himself but He did it. To me it doesn’t matter.  All that matters is…He did it. I have thanked Him a zillion times. But recently there was an addition to my prayer of gratitude. I thanked Him for the pain. Wait. What? Yup. You see if I had never experienced the pain then I could never experienced Him answering my prayer and healing my leg. He worked but it was in His way and in His time.

So if you are going through a difficult time you might want to consider this. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” I think that at least in part means that we can trust that no matter what, God is working, for us and with us. How about that. So now is a good time to be reminded that we can rest in full assurance that, “He’s got this.”  And…He does.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, gratitude, heaven, life, Scripture, thankful, travel

Timeless

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8

The captain of the Majestic Princess carefully guided the massive ship into a slip at the port that served Dublin, Ireland. On that day we had signed up to take a bus tour that would take us through Dublin and the surrounding countryside. My wife Judy and I both agreed that Ireland was everything we were expecting and then some more. The green beauty and the history of the place reminded us of the majestic majesty of our great God.

We went to one of the oldest shops in Ireland where they weaved wool into beautiful garments. They used the same machines that had been used for decades and centuries. It was amazing to watch as the individual strands of wool were woven into beautiful garments with beautiful colors. As I watched and as I touched and felt the finished products I was reminded how God can weave the fabrics of our lives and make a beautiful mosaic of textures and colors. Individually the threads were not that impressive but when woven together they became a work of art.

A little further down the road we stopped at a cemetery that held the ruins of an ancient monastery. The buildings there date back to AD 600. It was amazing to think that these stones and these ruins stood just six centuries after the life and death of Jesus. Here in America if something is a hundred years old, we call it old. In the land where we were walking they would say it was just getting started.

In the cemetery the people had built a small chapel also built in AD 600. Amazingly the building still stood. Yes, Amazing. Near the entrance of the cemetery was a stone leaning against the stone wall. It was large and it was old. It was part of the ancient monastery and it was called the sanctuary stone. They said that if you touched the stone it would make you happy. Well, since I didn’t take the opportunity to go and kiss the Blarney Stone, I decided to take this opportunity to kiss the sanctuary stone. I figured if touching it would make me happy, kissing it should make me plum giddy. Well, as it turns out, kiss or not, I was happy but I did get a special memory of a special day.

One of my big take-aways from my day in the Irish countryside was a deep appreciation for time and Jesus who left heaven which exists outside of time and chose to become one of us. One of the beauties of God’s view of time is that He is not bound by it and when we go to live with Him…we won’t be either. One day, as His children, we will go home to a place where time is no more and we will have what touching or kissing a stone can’t give…true and eternal happiness. I am grateful for my Dearest Daddy who loves me enough to invite me to live with Him forever. I am so grateful to the One who, no matter what, can assuredly say, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in food, Grace, Scripture, travel

Sticks and Scones

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

The title of today’s story makes no sense…but it is cute. So after leaving Southhampton, England we hit the road again…metaphorically speaking. Our next port was Falmouth but it is more commonly known as Cornwall. Cornwall is a county on England’s rugged southwestern tip and it forms a peninsula encompassing wild moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches and is home of Land’s End…the furtherest Western point in England. Step into the water there and the next stop is the New World. I have to admit I am partial to the name Falmouth since my favorite memory of this port involves food.

So we took a tour of this part of Southern England and heard that one of the things it is famous for are scones and clotted cream. Now in case you are wondering a scone is kinda like a biscuit that has been left on the kitchen counter for just a little too long. Well, that is the way this American would describe it. But it goes further. It is a big deal, especially in this part of England, to have scones and hot tea. Oh, and if you are wondering about hot tea it is like a weak cup of coffee with a twist. So part of our tour included a stop at a hotel for a afternoon break of scones and tea.

The way the tour guide described this British delicacy caused me to look forward to it with great anticipation. It is described like this. The scone is, well, a scone. Like I said earlier it is kinda like a day old biscuit. However, what comes next is somewhat redemptive. First, you have clotted cream. According to Google, clotted cream is a thick, rich, yellowish cream from the Cornwall region, made by heating full-fat cow’s milk and allowing the cream to rise and “clot” on top. It’s a staple for cream tea, served on scones with jam (Devon style: cream first, Cornwall style: jam first). It has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a dense, velvety texture, and can also be used on desserts, with fruit, or in recipes for fudge and ice cream. 

Sounds great doesn’t it? Well, here’s the bottom line. To me it was a whole lot like a cheap brand of margarine. It sure didn’t match the description in the previous paragraph. I’m not being critical but the truth is the truth. Now I will have to say the strawberry jam was quite tasty. And I also have to admit that when you put it all together is was, well, ok. I’ll still take one of Momma’s biscuits with butter and cane syrup.  Anyway, we paid for it so we ate it. But I learned, or relearned, a valuable lesson.

Sometimes the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. Sometimes it is just grass. And regardless of what the British say, a scone with jam and clotted cream is a far cry from Mamma’s biscuits. It may have been fun to try something new but my big takeaway was the fact that there’s no place like home…again metaphorically speaking anyway. Remember, before you leave where you are make sure where you’re going is better. It’s true with scones and biscuits and it is really true with our Dearest Daddy. Satan will try and convince you that what he has is better. Bluntly…it ain’t. Ask the devil is he can handle something and he will look at you like a “calf at a new gate.” Ask God that same question and He will just smile and say, “You know I’ve got this.” And He does.  Bro. Dewayne