Category: travel

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

There’s No Place Like Home

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Family, gratitude, priorities, Southern born, travel, wisdom

Watch Your Step

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” – Ephesians 5:16

 There are times in life when you really need to watch your step—like when you’re walking through a cow pasture. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, here are two things to keep in mind. First, make sure it’s actually a cow pasture and not a bull pasture. If you see bulls, head for the fence immediately. Bulls are called bulls for a reason—they can be real bullies. Second, watch out for cow patties. Trust me, they’re everywhere, and stepping in one is never fun.

But there are plenty of other situations where it’s important to watch where you step. I had one of those moments one time while hiking at Bell Smith Springs. My wife, Judy, and I love hiking. It’s great exercise, and a perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. So one day we set out for the Sentry Ridge Trail, a beautiful three-mile loop that follows a ridge and looks down on a canyon with a creek. The views are amazing, but that’s also the problem.

You see, parts of the trail are rocky. Some sections are paved with large stone slabs, but other parts are just a jumbled mess of rocks scattered all over the place. Most of them are firmly embedded in the ground, but they’re still uneven, which means you’ve got to watch where you’re stepping. Otherwise, one of three things will happen: 1) you’ll twist an ankle, 2) you’ll fall and hurt yourself, or 3) you might find yourself sliding down a steep cliff.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. As we were hiking, Judy and I had a bit of a difference in our approach. You see, one of us is all about reaching the destination—getting it done, checking off the box. The other one is all about enjoying the journey. Guess who’s who? Yep, I’m the one focused on finishing the hike and moving on to the next thing. Judy, on the other hand, stops to take pictures of every tree, every rock, and sometimes, even every bug. She’s constantly saying, “Look, Dewayne…” And as a “conqueror,” I’m more like, “Let’s just get this done already.”

But here’s the problem I’ve realized: When you’re focused on the destination, you miss the beauty around you. You can’t be looking up at the trees and down at the rocks at the same time. So, even though I’m in “conqueror mode,” I’m learning to slow down and appreciate the journey—and the scenery. Judy’s got the right idea. The joy is in the journey, not just the finish line.

That doesn’t mean I need to take a picture of every single rock or tree, but I do need to pause and appreciate what’s around me. I mean, who am I to rush through the amazing world God created? We all need to hit pause every once in a while and take in the view—then hit play and keep going.

If you don’t, you’re going to miss out on some of the best parts of life. Take the full moon a couple of nights ago.  It’s was called a “Beaver Moon” (not sure why, but hey, sounds cool). Earlier, while driving, Judy said, “Dewayne, look…” And I actually listened this time. I sneaked a glance at the moon, and it was magnificent. I could’ve made an excuse about driving, but you can actually sneak a quick look at the moon and keep your eyes on the road. The same goes for life—you can enjoy the sights around you and keep moving forward.

Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, told us to make the most of our time. That means working hard and doing life, but it also means taking time to enjoy the journey. And I’m really glad I’m married to someone who knows how to do that. Does it drive me a little nuts sometimes? Sure. But that’s part of the fun. So, be careful where you step, but don’t forget to take a few moments to enjoy life around you. You can do it. With God’s help, we all can. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, communication, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, Military memories, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Thanksgiving, travel, Trials, wisdom

Black Friday Sale

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5

We stumbled into Black Friday.  It was 1980.  We had just returned from a three-year tour in Germany while serving in the United States Air Force.  It is amazing how things can change in three short years.  We enjoyed our time in Germany immensely, but it was so good to get back to the greatest country in the world…the USA. We were assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri.  No, I am not kidding.  We quickly settled into this new chapter of our life excited to see what was next!

We arrived back in the USA in August and before we knew it, Thanksgiving was just around the corner.  I don’t remember anything about Thanksgiving Day, but I do remember the day after.  I was off on Friday and since Kansas City was only about 45 minutes away, we decided to drive into the city and go shopping.  It sounded like a great idea.  It probably was a great idea before we left for Germany in 1977, but things had changed.  There was a new normal that we were totally unaware of.

We got up on Friday, ate, and headed into the city.  Visions of good deals and the excitement of the Christmas season were dancing in our heads.  We picked our mall—there were several to choose from—and off we went.  As we drove down the highway and neared the exit and the mall, much to our surprise there was heavy traffic…everywhere.  The exit was jam-packed and once we got into the parking lot, we realized it was stuffed to the gills.  We kept saying over and over again, “What in the world is going on?”

Well, I can’t remember if we gave up on that mall or not.  I don’t remember finding a parking spot, but I may have blocked it from my memory.  We tend to do that with nightmares!  Anyway, we headed to mall number two.  It was much larger, with a large parking lot and by now the initial rush was slowing down some.  After circling the area several times, we did manage to find a parking spot.  Hey, what if it was ten miles from the mall?  Smile.

We hiked to the mall and joined a sea of people as they weaved through the stores.  About that time, we finally asked someone, “So what is the deal (no pun intended) with all the people?  Why is everyone here?”  It sounds almost humorous now, but we were sincerely in the dark.  The clerk looked at us like we had just returned from the moon or something and I guess in that instance, we had.  While we were in Germany this thing called “Black Friday” was either born or exploded.  We had walked into a feeding frenzy of holiday madness. Since that time, it has taken on a life of its own.  Stores open at crazy hours and people storm the doors and fight for the right to get a good deal.

But now it is a bit different. One of the good things (and there are only a few) that came from the COVID era was a new approach to Thanksgiving shopping. You see, many stores that were open on Thanksgiving in the past are now closed.  Employees who in years past had to work will now have time with their families.  Now, in the days and weeks leading up to Black Friday, stores are promising and offering their Black Friday pricing. Perhaps todays Black Friday morning will look more humane and not so much like the Allied troops storming the beaches at Normandy.

I know it is hard to find good things in bad days but maybe just maybe, if we look hard enough, we might find good in the bad. I know that whole COVID thing was kinda like a forced Sabbath. God tells us in His Word to rest in Him alone because all our hope should come from Him. It was like He said, “Enough is enough of this madness we call life. Slow down, already.”  And, we did…and to some degree…we have.  Maybe now we will rediscover the blessings all around us. Maybe, we will rediscover the wonder of a Baby born in a feeding trough to save the world from the madness of sin.  Maybe we will rediscover the value of family, of others, of generosity, of love.  I hope so.

After my initial baptism into the fires of Black Friday, I have not been much of a fan.  I’ve never stood in line at the door, I’ve never fought someone for a deal, and I’ve never gotten up at 2:00 am to go shopping. But I have rushed through the holidays like a bull running the streets of Spain.  Maybe it is time for all of us just to slow down and enjoy the holidays. Sound challenging?  It is.  But pressing the pause button is not a bad idea…especially if it causes us to rest next to our Dearest Daddy.  And especially if it causes us to realize…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, food, friends, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Thanksgiving, travel, Trials

Worth Every Mile

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

It was crazy but worth every mile.  For years my side of our Taylor tribe held a family reunion. It all started after the death of both of our parents and just seemed like the right thing to do.  Fortunately for all of us, we had some very committed and caring siblings that made sure it happened.  While the date bounced around, for a while we held it on Thanksgiving weekend.  I know for us that was a good time.  Being a pastor, each year was a more of a maybe than a definite yes or no, so we didn’t make every one…but every one we did make was, well, special.

I remember one year someone in the church family had died and I needed to stay and officiate at their service.  To me honoring life after death is not an obligation but an honor so if I can I try to be there, both for the one who has slipped into eternity and especially for those left behind. That meant on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that year, we had a service and rather than leave town on Tuesday, we stayed and held the service and left as soon as it was over…about noon.

Now everyone knows that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest, the busiest, the craziest travel day of the year and that year—the Taylor tribe from Illinois discovered that truth firsthand.  We had no more gotten on the interstate highway—less than an hour from our home— and we ran into heavy traffic.  That song about “over the river and through the woods” was more than a song.  It seemed that everyone in the world, or at least the Midwest, was going to grandmother’s house and apparently, she lived down by Atlanta.

There was not a time that there wasn’t traffic and a couple of times there was just one of those standstills.  That is when, for no apparent reason, in the middle of nowhere traffic just stops. There was not an intersection, there was not an accident or a broken-down vehicle—it was like people just decided to press pause.  Now if you know anything about me, you know I don’t do traffic well but this time, well, I did better than average.  As the day pressed on, as the traffic got heavier, as day turned to night, as the clock ticked off the minutes and hours, as we got more and more tired…well, average disappeared.

By the time we were outside of Atlanta on Interstate 20 heading west, it was about 1:30 am.  1:30 am…think about that. I can still remember the fact that the interstate, every lane, was packed with traffic…bumper to bumper…at 70 miles per hour.  I didn’t believe it then and as my fingers press the keys…I can’t believe it now.  Where in the world were all these people going at that time of the night…uh, make that morning?  Of course…they were going to grandmother’s house.

Well, we finally arrived at John Tanner State Park at about 2:30 am.  We were tired.  We were exhausted but all that didn’t matter.  We were there.  We opened the car doors and stumbled out of the car and into the lodge. Waiting for us was a was a beautiful moment of clarity.  There in the “living room” of the lodge was a big chunk of the Taylor tribe.  Instead of going to bed, they had waited up to greet us and it was at that moment it was worth it all.  Just then I had an epiphany…this, this was family. While they couldn’t drive the miles for us they could be there and greet us and simply say “we are glad you made the drive.”

Well, we all quickly went to bed and woke up a little later the next day.  The morning was spent preparing the feast and what a feast it was.  We told stories, we laughed, we shared and we ate…a lot.  And I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt it was worth every minute in the car and every mile in traffic.  Well, that was many years ago and the family reunions don’t occur that way anymore.  And, too many—and even one is too many—of our family have changed their address from this world to the next. And while I wish I had more of those memories, I am so grateful for each and every one that I have.

While this Thanksgiving will be different than those and for many, different even from last year, let’s strive to make this one worth remembering too.  Let’s remember the key word in the holiday—thanks.  Paul, the guy in the Bible, said, “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  As always, he was spot on.  Like Bing Crosby sings in the movie, “Holiday Inn,” let’s remember we have plenty to be thankful for…because we do.  And, if you are struggling in the gratitude department, just take a look around and count your blessings, and then remember that no matter what, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, friends, gratitude, heaven, life, marriage, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, spiritual battles, travel

Cruising With the Captain

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1

Her name was Radiance of the Sea. Several years ago, I did something that I didn’t think I would ever do…take a cruise.  The thought of being on a boat, a ship, a vessel with several thousand people that I didn’t even know was anything but enticing. I could only imagine me threading my way through crowds of people with four words continuously coming from my mouth! Excuse me. Pardon me. No, from the safety of the shore it just didn’t sound like something I wanted to do.  And then, somehow, someway, we did it.  And then we did it again and now we did it again.

A while back we drove down to New Orleans and boarded the Radiance of the Sea.  As cruise ships go, she wasn’t the biggest, she wasn’t the newest.  Now that I think about it, though, she might have been like the bed in the story of the three bears…just right. If you have never cruised, let me share with you about our experience.  So, you buy your ticket, and you board the ship.  From the moment you step on, they attempt to make each person feel important, valuable.  They try to make sure your every need is met. It is like a small city that you call home for a few days or so.

The purpose of the ship is to take you and bring you back home.  That involves sailing over some deep waters—like, 8,500 feet deep. But even knowing that, you feel safe…every precaution has been made to keep you safe.  As every cruiser knows, it really is about the food. I mean three meals a day with snacks in-between and while it might not always taste like your momma’s cooking…it is pretty close. And the variety is incredible…allowing you to try new things…different things.  It makes it all interesting.  But there is more.

If you get sick, there is a doctor and several nurses. If you get bored, there is a cruise director who acts like he has had way too much coffee.  There are all kinds of venues, or places, to listen to all kinds of music.  That is one of our favorites.  Oh, and there is someone who comes in to make our bed and clean our room…not once like a hotel but several times each day. There are noisy places if that is your thing and there are quiet places if that is your thing.  And then, there are a couple of stops along the way for you to get off and see a new part of the world.

Now that is just a sampling, but I think you get the picture.  And guess what?  There is a captain up on the bridge (that’s what you call the place where they steer the ship) and he always knows where we are going and when we will get there. I don’t have to worry about a thing. Not.A.Thing. And that is why this whole experience, on a smaller scale, reminds me of my Father in heaven.  Every need met. Ever watching and caring. Ever leading us to…home.

One of the most beautiful songs in the Hebrew hymnbook is what we call the 23rd Psalm and the first verse, the first few words, describe the Great Captain’s care for us as we cruise here…and into eternity.  Are you ready?  Here is it.  “The Lord is my Shepherd…I shall not want.”  Don’t run past that.  When we become part of the family of God by faith in Jesus, God is our Captain and He takes responsibility for us.  Responsibility.For.Us.  We don’t need to worry, we don’t need to fret because He is in control and His storeroom of supplies never, never, runs out.  How about that?

So, why not just think about today, tomorrow and the next and then think about the fact that you don’t have to worry because the Captain of your life has everything under control.  Now to be fair and truthful, we did have one day that was rough due to some high winds.  But never, ever did we feel in danger.  And you will have some rough weather in life too, but you don’t have to worry because the Captain knows the way, knows the storm.  You can have a meal, have a rest and lay your head down on your pillow knowing that “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Thanksgiving, travel

How Thoughtful

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

It was a memorable Thanksgiving.  My wife Judy and I have a treasure chest full of good memories and stories.  That is one reason I like Grits so much.  It gives me the opportunity to remember and share just some of those treasures.  A lot of the memories and stories were written during our fourteen years at Cobden First Baptist.  During those years, we were slowly wedded into what can only be described as family.  Our children grew up there…and one, baby Sarah, was born there.  We laughed together, we cried together and well, we did life together.

As our tenth anniversary approached, the church planned a big surprise.  They decided to raise the money for Judy and me to visit the Holy Land.  It was about a year later that the funds were in place, the plans were made, and the tickets bought.  We were to see Greece, Israel and Egypt.  We would visit many of the sites of ancient Greece, walk where Jesus walked and see where the Pharaohs lived and died. It was an incredible journey that we can never forget and there was something that happened after the trip that remains one of our most special memories.

You see, the way the trip was planned meant that we would be gone from our girls over Thanksgiving.  It was a hard call for us but once again the church made it easier.  One of the families agreed to move into our house while we were gone and ride herd over the three Taylor girls. While we would miss Thanksgiving with them, they had Thanksgiving there with our good friends.  I can well remember Thanksgiving in Egypt.  Of course, there it was just another day. The only way you would have known it was Thanksgiving was that the American Embassy announced on the English-speaking channel that they would be closed that day.  We found it hard to believe that the rest of the world just went about their way as America celebrated the goodness of God.

Well, a few days after that day, we were back home.  I remember we got back home at about 3:30 am and it was a Sunday.  We set the alarm and later I fumbled through some sort of message.  I am sure it was not one of my better ones but once the church was kind enough to act like it was.  Now for the surprise—now for a very special Thanksgiving memory.  Are you ready?  Well, we drove home after church, ready for a nap and wondering what we were going to eat for lunch.  We walked in the back door and into the kitchen and there, waiting for us, was a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.  As we walked into the dining room, we found the table set with our finest china…just like it would have been had we been there for Thanksgiving Day.

Can you feel it? Can you imagine it?  I know for us it was one of those memories that will burn in our hearts and minds till the last heartbeat.  And, as you can guess, it wasn’t just the meal, it wasn’t just the table—it was the thoughtfulness of it all.  And that is the big truth I want you to remember. While this particular memory was so generous and amazing…it was the thoughtfulness of it all that writes it on our hearts in permanent ink.  You see, we all can make that impact…rich or poor…because thoughtfulness doesn’t have to be expensive…at least not in the sense of dollar bills and coins.  Thoughtfulness is something that the poorest or richest can do.

Paul writes in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” It’s special that he wrote that, but it is even more special when we realize this.  Not every memory of his time in Philippi was good…after all, he got beat up and thrown in jail for doing nothing but helping a young girl. No…what caused him to write that was the thoughtfulness of his friends there.  More than once they were friends when no one else would be.  I’ve pastored four churches in my forty-two year pastoring journey and along the way we have met so many wonderful, thoughtful people. From Quarles…my first church, to Dorrisville, my last church, our hearts have been touched with thoughtful people.

This week before Thanksgiving, be sure and do what anyone can do but so many won’t remember to do…be thoughtful toward someone who needs a little lift, a little love, a little kindness. After all, our Dearest Father has been so thoughtful to us.  If you need a little guidance along the way, just remember that your thoughtful Father thought about that too. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, spiritual battles, thankful, travel

Perfectly Amazing

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.” Psalm 139:14

Great lessons can often be found just about anywhere. I saw this one recently when we were pulling into town after our last great adventure. The first stop was to buy some gas for our red Mustang convertible. She went with us on our journey to Florida and Georgia and I must admit it was like walking with the cutest girl in town. I was in traffic waiting to get on the Navy base in Pensacola, Florida to go to the museum when I heard a voice. No, it wasn’t God. It was the guy driving the big delivery truck right next to me. He said, “Hey, you want to trade rides.” I told him no and just smiled from ear to ear. Our little redhead got an amazing 34 miles to the gallon, but she was thirsty, so we stopped at Walmart to fill up.

From there we headed toward home. There are several ways to get to our house, so I decided to hang a right on Church Street. It confused our GPS but sometimes something different is good…and profitable. As we passed the Intermediate School, also known as East Side School, I saw something on their digital sign that caught my eye. Here is what it said. Are you ready?  It said, “You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.” The message, though simple, was quite profound. So much so that I asked Judy, “Did you see that?”  She didn’t so I repeated the message and not surprisingly…she agreed.

You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. How about that? Often, we are so wrapped up in our culture of perfectionism that we spend our lives trying to be someone we aren’t. You see, and you need to remember this, no one except one, was, is or will ever be perfect. That one was the One—Jesus. But our culture is busily selling us the idea that perfection is just a shot, a diet, a career change away. But trust me—you weren’t made perfect but wait—there is more. You weren’t made perfect, but you were made amazing.

The Bible tells us that God made us—not some of us, but all of us—fearfully and wonderfully. In other words, God made us—amazing. And guess what—that has nothing to do with being perfect—but it does have everything to do with understanding what God says matters so much more than what culture says and sells. So if you struggle with what you see in the mirror, if you struggle because someone thinks they were placed on earth to keep you in your place, if you struggle trying to keep up with the Jones—give it up. The only thing that matters is the opinion of the One who made you. The.One.Who.Made.You.

Someone might think you are crazy (but we just learned that doesn’t matter) but the next time you are feeling a little beaten up or someone has made you feel a little less than, just remember this serving of Grits, get before the mirror, and speak this truth out loud—I am not perfect but I am amazing because God said so and He is always right. And then be sure and remember this. No matter what and no matter what others say—He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, spiritual battles, travel, Trials

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.” John 12:46

There’s light at the end of the tunnel.  I have heard that saying all my life (well, at least a chunk of it).  But the truth is the light at the end of the tunnel just might not be enough.  You see, about 20 miles from where we live, there is a bike trail with a tunnel that is 543 feet long.  It’s located in beautiful Southern Illinois.  Oh, I know, I say beautiful and Illinois in the same sentence and all people can think of is flat corn fields and Chicago.  But tucked away in what we call the “real” Southern Illinois are many trails with beautiful hills and rock bluffs in the Shawnee National Forest.

Tunnel Hill Trail is a gem in our area and perhaps the highpoint of the trail is its tunnel. For several years, our church had an annual bike ride that began at the tunnel.  At its peak we would have over a hundred riders—big and little, young, and old. What makes it even better, the small town of Vienna (where we had our picnic) was only ten miles or so from the tunnel and that part of the trail is either flat or slightly downhill.  I told the church riders that, but I’m sure after riding it they thought I might have stretched the truth.  Well, maybe a little.  But the truth is—ten miles on a bike seat is still ten miles on a bike seat.

I have learned over the years to respect every foot of the tunnel there.   As you enter the tunnel, two things are apparent.  One, there is plenty of light so it is easy to assume that there will be plenty of light all the way through.  That would be a mistake.  Second, you might assume that since you can see the “light at the end of tunnel” that would be enough to get you through.  Uh, that would be a mistake too.  Let me describe it…though words really can’t do the job.  You must experience it.

Whether you are riding your bike or walking, as you enter the tunnel you really do think, “Oh, this isn’t too bad.”  There is plenty of light and of course, you can clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Slowly, very slowly, almost without noticing, the light fades away and suddenly, just shy of halfway, you find yourself in a total, eerie, darkness.  What seemed so easy now seems increasingly difficult.  Even with the light at the end of the tunnel, you can’t tell where you are going.  You think you are in the middle of the trail when in fact you can easily be heading straight for the walls.  Over the years, everyone who has ridden with our group has made it through the tunnel.  It’s just that some of them came out with a few bruises and scrapes…courtesy of “the walls.”

Well, after about a hundred feet, light slowly starts appearing around you and before long the light pouring in from the end of the tunnel envelopes you…and you are glad. I’ve even ridden in the tunnel with a flashlight, and it still seems difficult.  You see, light at the end of the tunnel or not, darkness is difficult.  You simply lose all sense of where you are.  That is true in tunnels…and it is true in life.  Too often we are faced with choices and decide that we can handle what our common sense tells us is a bad idea.  We enter the tunnel with plenty of light and assume we have escaped the blight of our choice.  Only later do we see what we couldn’t see—the consequences of our decision.  Only when we “hit the wall” do we understand the pain of our decision.  It is only after we emerge back into the light that we can see the wounds from the walls and realize the scars that we will bear.

Life will have its valleys and not all tunnels in life are caused by our misguided choices, but the good news is regardless—we can find help.  Imagine what it would be like to take sunlight with us into the valleys—into the tunnels of life. What if the deepest valley and the darkest tunnel could be lit as noon is on a sunny day?  Well, it can.  You see, there is a light that defies darkness and is brighter than the sun—in fact, it is the Son.  Two thousand years ago a Man was born that claimed…and proved…that He was the Son of God and His name is Jesus.  Have you ever wondered why this simple carpenter from an obscure village in the Middle East commands center stage on the stage of history?  The reason why?  He is the real deal. The Bible describes Him as the Light of the world…and He is.  And when a person follows Him, he walks in His light.

Jesus said, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.” That is a claim, a promise, worth checking out.  When we were kids a lot of us were afraid of the dark. As adults most of us have outgrown that fear, but we still have reason to fear the phantoms of the dark…things that are bigger than us.  Jesus drives the darkness and phantoms away when we chose to follow Him.  He’s waiting right now to bring light into your life…your tunnels.  When we find ourselves in our darkest moment, you will hear the Whisperer whisper, “Fear not…I’ve got this.  And He does.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, fear, food, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, marriage, prayer, pride, Scripture, thankful, travel

Food for Bridges

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

Say that again? Well, if everything goes according to plan, on November 4th I will be getting a set of hearing aids. Truth be known I have probably been needing them for a while, but pride and my bank account weren’t quite willing. Well, I think I am ready to swallow my pride and the Veteran’s Administration is taking care of the cost. I have been going to an ear, nose and throat specialist for several years so none of this was a surprise. I have two ears (no surprise there) and one is pretty good and the other one is pretty bad. My doctor would always say, “Are you ready for hearing aids yet?” I would always respond with no for the two reasons I mentioned above but not anymore.

This became obvious on a recent flight from Seattle to Chicago. We got off the ground and it was time for the flight attendants to start their attending thing. From experience, I knew they would come along with their cart and offer a snack and something to drink. Well, she came to our row and paused. She said something, something I assumed was, “Would you like something to drink?” I responded with, “Coffee, please.” but that wasn’t what she said. So, she repeated it, and I thought I heard her say something about, “Food for bridges.” Well, that certainly didn’t make any sense, so I responded with a questioning, “Ma’am?” to which she responded with her food for bridges line. Wait! What? All of this made no sense because I couldn’t understand what food had to do with bridges. Then my wife Judy helped.

Judy leaned over and gave me the correct interpretation.  Judy said, “She has food for purchase.” Boy did I miss that one. I quickly told her “No thank-you.” After all a free cup of coffee is one thing but a nine-dollar sandwich is another. My misunderstanding and inability to hear what was being said almost set me back nine bucks! Holy moly. I am glad that Judy, my “hearing aid” for the minute was there and trust me—that is not the only time she has saved the day.

Our Heavenly Father knows that all of us sometimes struggle with our hearing. Too often, He is talking and either we aren’t listening, or we aren’t hearing.  His “hearing aid” for us doesn’t fit in our ear, rather He lives in our heart. It is the Holy Spirit. You see, when we become Christ followers, our Dearest Daddy, gives us His Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit helps us to hear and understand the Son and the Father. He helps when we allow the noise of life to interfere when the Father is trying to speak to us. He helps when our busyness keeps us from concentrating and grasp the Word. He helps when the preacher is preaching, and our mind wants to wander to the lunch menu.  Make no mistake, the Holy Spirit is our Helper—our hearing aid.

The hearing doctor has already told me that for these hearing aids to help me I have to wear them—they do little good just sitting in the charger. And do you know what? I think the same is true of the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to allow Him to work in our lives and when we do—life is better and our ability to hear from God is clearer.  How about that? If we are willing, you can believe that He is willing, and we can know that “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, friends, life, marriage, Scripture, thankful, travel

Wrong Kind of Dump

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.” James 5:12

We were just tootling along somewhere in Washington state. Not familiar with the term tootling? Well, you are probably more familiar than you think.  The word means to go or travel in a leisurely way.  For example, remember last week when you were going somewhere and the couple in front of you was driving fifteen miles an hour under the speed limit.  Yup…they were tootling.  Or maybe you were leaving a big event and the person in front of you was walking like they couldn’t? Yup…they were tootling.  Sometimes we call it being “out for a Sunday drive” or “strolling in the park” but the bottom line is, it’s tootling.

Well, we weren’t driving fifteen miles per hour under the speed limit but at the same time we weren’t in a hurry either. I was casually looking around and so was Judy. We would occasionally comment about this thing or that thing but mostly we were just enjoying the day and the drive.  We were tootling.  The area we were in had multiple campsites and RV parks.  It was a beautiful to tootle. As we tootled, we came upon an RV camp on my side of the road. We knew it was an RV park because it had one of those two sided signs—two boards hinged together that made a sorta tent.

Here is what it said, “RV Park. Dump. $5.  Well, I didn’t think too much about it because I knew it was letting people know that it was an RV Park and if it was time to dump your sewage or grey water you could do it there for five dollars. Well, just a few seconds after we drove past the sign, Judy spoke up and said, “That must really be a poor place since they called it a dump and it only cost five dollars. Well, I let it ride for just about a minute and then I explained it wasn’t talking about the condition of the park but rather the fact that you could dump your stuff there for five bucks. And then—best as I tried to avoid it—I laughed at her misinterpretation of the sign, and she laughed too.

I knew right away buried in there somewhere was a Grits story about communication. You see, I knew what they were saying but since Judy didn’t, she got a whole different meaning. To me they were advertising a service and a bargain, and she thought that the owners were so desperate they were willing to let anybody stay for just five bucks. Now stop for a minute and think just how often what we say or what we do is totally misunderstood. If we are honest, it is more than we want to admit. I know during my preaching years it was common for me to be unclear in what I was trying to say. Mostly it was just funny but a couple of times it was painful.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, said in the book he wrote in the Bible, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.” In other words, be careful what you say, when you say it, and even how you say it. If our “misspeaks” end in a laugh that isn’t too bad but when it hurts—well, it hurts. Momma always told me to mind my manners and that included what I said. Well, our Dearest Daddy wants us to mind our mouths. The best part is He is always willing to help us do that.  You might say, “He’s got that” and you would be right. Bro. Dewayne