Category: prayer

Posted in Family, fear, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials

Praying Mantis

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3a

He was coming after me.  Over the years, my wife Judy and I have made many trips to Africa.  We have spent time in Niger, Mali, and Uganda.  All were unique in their own way, and all were very special.  Our time in Mali was especially so.  We were working with one of our favorite missionaries.  She is the real deal kind—the kind that if you were to stick her finger…she would bleed Jesus.  Those trips were also highlighted because we worked with a group of One-Story girls.  These college age young ladies gave up the comforts of home to spend a couple of years living in the African bush telling people about Jesus.  They were incredible.

So, on one of these trips the team had one of those especially good days.  We were able to minister and share with a lot of folks.  We would start early and go the entire day.  We would do mostly medical missions and storytelling and encouraging.  When we got back to wherever we were staying we would have supper together.  Then, when the African sun had finally called it a day, we would gather under a large open air bamboo….uh, thing.  We would sing, share stories, and have a brief devotion before joining the sun and calling it a day too.

These team times were very special moments.  As the days passed, we as a team became closer and closer together.  There were about twelve or fourteen of us…so not too large.  Of course, that didn’t include other guests.  Sometimes Africans from where we were staying would join us, and of course some or all the interpreters.  And then there were the other guests.  Their names would make you think they were members of the team…but they weren’t.  Praying may have been part of their name but, it wasn’t on their agenda.  They were…praying mantis.

These large insects—about the size of a small eagle—would be drawn to the light as we sang and shared.  Slowly they would start circling, choosing their targets.  Now, I don’t know if they intended to bite someone—I don’t think so, or if they intended to carry someone off to their secret lair.  Regardless, it was just a little spooky.  Finally, and who knows why, I was picked by one of them.  Repeatedly, this fellow would dive and try to land on me—particularly my face. Ok…it was weird.  I was grateful when the prayer time was over. I confess I cheated and kept one eye open looking out for my newly found friend.

Judy and I headed back to our hut and prepared for bed.  We had a mosquito net over our bed to keep out those pesky insects and their friends. Soon it was lights out and off to sleep.  Sometime later, we were awakened by the sound of something larger than a mosquito.  Lion? No. Tiger? No? Elephant? No. It was the…praying mantis.  Apparently, he followed me home and waited for the lights to go out before once again taunting me.  It turns out there was a small hole in the top of our mosquito net, and he found his way in and then…it happened.

As Judy and I lay in the African night, from out of the darkness (no electricity) the praying mantis landed square on my face.  Now what happened next can’t be written because it goes beyond the 26 letters in the English alphabet. I jumped up and started clawing in the darkness trying to find my stalking insect.  I finally grabbed him (gross), wrestled him to the bed (remember they are the size of eagles…smile), raised the net and chucked him outside somewhere, anywhere but where he was.  And then I did some praying of my own.  “Lord, please don’t let him find the hole again.”  Thankfully, he didn’t, and thankfully that was the last I saw of him.

Well, the next night I had a testimony to share at story time.  We all had a good laugh (and by the way…they really aren’t as big as …eagles but it sure seemed that way.) I remember telling my teammates how grateful I was for answered prayer…and honestly, I was.  Until you’ve had something like that land on your face, in the dark, in Africa—well you just can’t appreciate a God who answers unusual prayers. But you know, that’s the kind of God that He is.  Nothing is too big…and nothing is too small for this Dearest Daddy who calls us His own.

One time God was talking to Israel through the prophet Isaiah and He said no matter what we face…when we are over our head in trouble, or maybe between a rock and a hard place or even the occasional fiery furnace—He will be with us. Why?  Because He is our Savior, our Lord, our God. Wow…what a great scripture and I can add to that list “face eating praying mantis.”  God is always there with us and for us and no matter what, He’s got this.  Take that, Mr. Mantis.  Bro. Dewayne

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Posted in birthday, Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, heaven, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Living at Mach 1

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” Job 14:5

No one really knew what was going to happen.  As men developed aircraft that continuously went faster and higher, an invisible wall stood in the way—the sound barrier.  Determining the speed of sound is a little tricky because several factors determine it.  The bottom line is the speed of sound at sea level and 68 degrees is 767 miles per hour. Like most Baptists, the aviation world doesn’t respond to well to the unknown.  And truth be told, no one knew what would happen when this event happened.  As it turned out, it was largely very uneventful.  It went like this.

On October 14, 1947, U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager piloted his experiential aircraft to the speed of Mach 1.06 or just over the speed of sound. Early attempts had confronted severe buffeting but this time the flight went smoothly. Despite all the fears, the transition to supersonic flight was remarkably uneventful.  Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” and He was right. It reminds me of the big scare in the year 2000 when many predicted that the world’s computers would all crash because they weren’t programmed to go beyond 1999.  Again, largely nothing happened. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Well, this past Saturday, January 6, 2024, I broke a “sound barrier” of my own. On that day I turned 70—seven decades old.  As this milestone approached, it kinda messed with my head. Oh, I know that age is just a number, but this number was getting high and coming pretty fast.  For a long time, in my way of thinking, 70 was the threshold to being genuinely old. If it wasn’t old, you could certainly see it from there. I wondered what would happen and the answer was—nothing.  It turns out age really is just a number and while seventy qualifies you as a senior adult it was not the end of the world as we know it.

All this reminded me that it really is God who holds our birthdays in His hand.  It is God who numbers our days and even plans them.  I think I’m learning that my responsibility is to trust Him and to live each day to its fullest.  Right now, and I know today doesn’t necessarily predict tomorrow, but right now I am grateful that I don’t feel—70.  I feel a bit older but that nasty age barrier, like the sound barrier, turned out to be not much of a barrier at all.  So, wherever you are in this birthday thing, just remember that if we are having birthdays, we are still breathing.  Oh, and if that should stop and you know Jesus, it simply means the best is yet to come. When your special day rolls around, remember to thank God for it and every day.  Don’t let that barrier or any barrier keep you from believing that “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

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Happy Birthday

This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Saturday was my birthday.  Now wait.  That isn’t a hint for a gift.  It isn’t an invitation for a bunch of comments.  It is a statement of fact—and fascination.  You see, 70 years ago I was born.  I don’t say that because I remember, I say it because I am here…now.  I am amazed that over seven decades have come and gone since Leslie, my Momma, said to Alston, my Daddy, “It’s time.”  She had already done this birthing thing seven times, so I suppose it was just another day at the office by then.

Since the day I was born, I have been alive 25,567 days.  That means that 25,567 times the sun came up in the morning and went to bed at night.  It means 25,567 times God faithfully gave me a wakeup call.  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is the one that says this is the day that the Lord has made, so we should find joy in it and be glad for the opportunity.  25,567 times.  25,567 love notes from God that said He thinks life should go on.

Now there are a bunch of those days that I don’t remember.  In fact, these days I don’t remember what happened yesterday. I find some humor that as a pastor I have to pause and think about what I spoke about last week.  Sometimes it just slips my mind.  Oh course, the good news is that most people can’t remember what I said either.  One day all I will need is one sermon.  Together we will just hit the replay button.  But that day is not today.

As I look back, I am so filled with gratitude with the incredible journey that God has allowed to play out in my life.  Not every day has been that good.  I mean, the days I woke up with the stomach flu didn’t make the top 1,000.  But it has been a great journey.  My childhood, or at least the part I remember, often causes me to smile.  The more I think of my Momma and Daddy, the more I appreciate them.  They were ordinary folks but at the same time they were just extraordinary.

I think about the night in 1974 when I walked into that church in Valdosta, Georgia and saw “the girl” and I am grateful.  I have shared almost 48 of my 70 years with her and boy am I glad I decided to go to that church that night.  Our journey has been and is one adventure after another.  I’m hoping God decides to let us grow old together—it’s gonna be a hoot for sure.  Throw in the mix the kids (including the ones who stole our daughter’s hearts) and the grandkids and, well, it is awesome.  Perfect? No.  But who said life must be perfect to be amazing?

And, then there are the everyday people I have met and bumped into, especially as a teacher/pastor. If life was a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream and people were the toppings, it would be one fantastic, multi-flavored, rainbow-colored sundae.  You know those things kids love to sprinkle on ice cream—all the different colors and flavors mixed?  Well, that’s life and that’s people and that’s what makes it wonderfully unique.  Yep, it’s been a good ride.

It seems that life is like a long stint in school.  Someone said all they needed to learn they learned in kindergarten.  I think that really is life—one big, long day in kindergarten—learning, playing, living—with a few skinned knees along the way.  I know this and yet I am still learning this.  Life is not a destination—it is a journey.  There is not some magic place we are going to arrive at one day and feel all warm and fuzzy and complete—well, unless you count heaven.  No, the joy of life is the journey.

There it is. That is why we need to wake up every day, thank God for another love note, another opportunity to make an impact and be impacted.  That is why every day, regardless of how it plays out, is a gift.  The hard days are opportunities to learn those hard, but very valuable, lessons.  The good days when things just go amazingly well are like recess—or lunch.  The trick is learning to be grateful for both, because both are valuable.

At any rate—I’m grateful that at t-minus nine months Alston and Leslie decided one more couldn’t hurt.  I’m grateful that they decided I was a keeper—even if the table was a little full.  And if it isn’t your birthday today, go ahead and celebrate anyway.  Today is God’s decision that life should go on.  Today is His way of saying I love you.  Today, regardless of the circumstances, is an opportunity to believe that He is good, that He is faithful and that He can be trusted.  It is just one more opportunity to believe, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

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Posted in Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, prayer, pride, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Wrong Pew–Wrong Girl

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

It was an oops…a big oops.  I was in my early twenties and life was good.  I was enjoying my first enlistment in the Air Force, I was stationed not far from my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida but more importantly, smack-dab in the middle of the land of grits.  I was engaged to the prettiest girl in town, and we were both Jesus followers and involved in a local church.  And that’s where it happened.

I have always loved music, and most would say that I have a pretty good singing voice. Starting when my Momma forced my oldest sister to let me sing “I Love You, Truly” at her wedding, I have had multiple opportunities to sing publicly—at least in my limited world.  Later I would be a part of a couple of singing groups and so it probably isn’t surprising that I would provide special music at our church.  So, here’s how it played out.  Things are always predictable in the services of Baptist churches.  There would an opening song, someone would give a welcome and make some announcements, we would sing two more songs, take the offering (and sometimes the word “take” was very literal), there would be a special song and then the preacher would preach.  After he got done (which could take a while) there would be a closing song and prayer. These things were so set in stone they were printed every Sunday in the bulletin.  You didn’t mess with the “order of worship.” If it wasn’t in there—we didn’t do it.

A couple of times a month I would be the one who sang right before the message.  I was usually comfortable in front of people and that turned out to be a good thing because later I would become the guy who talked for a long while.  Now even though I was comfortable singing in front of people, each time it was a little nerve racking. While I could be the life of the party, I sure didn’t want to embarrass myself in from of a couple of hundred people.  Well, one day I did…but not like you think.

On that Sunday, at the appropriate time, I went up to the stage and sang my song. I don’t remember the name of the song, but I do know it went well.  I know because it was one of those times, I left the stage smiling.  The people enjoyed the presentation, and I enjoyed presenting it.  All was well.  So, off the stage I bounded. Truth be known, I was probably feeling just a little cocky.  I should have remembered that the Bible says, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  But I didn’t.

My fiancée Judy and I always sat over by the wall and about halfway back in the pews. We were as predictable as the sunrise. So that is where I headed.  It was a “zippy do dah” moment and when I got to the place, I sat right down and threw my arm around the girl I loved.  Only it wasn’t. I sat there for about four seconds and realized something didn’t feel just right.  I glanced over to my right expecting to see the face of my fiancée but instead I saw the face of the preacher’s daughter. Her face was doing two things at once.  First, she was smiling and second it said, “Why are you here and why do you have your arm around me.”  Oops. I had missed my landing zone by one pew.  There’s an old saying, “Right church, wrong pew.”  It means you had the right general area but not the right exact spot. Well, in my case I had the wrong row and the wrong girl. I sheepishly stood and moved back one row.  Right row, right girl.

Are you wondering what happened? Well, gratefully Judy wasn’t mad.  I mean she could have given me the “what for” but she didn’t.  The crowd, well, as you can imagine they were laughing and if I remember correctly, it all warranted a comment from the pastor who happened to be the father of the girl. Well, it all turned out fine, but it was definitely one of those times you don’t forget.  As I think about it—I have had lots of those moments which means I have had lots of learning opportunities.

The lesson that day was, “be sure you know where you are supposed to land.”  In my “zippy-do-dah” moment I had landed at the wrong airport.  It was no deal because it was an honest mistake.  No harm—no foul.  But that’s not always the case.  Sometimes our oops, especially the intentional or semi-intentional ones, can leave a mark or two.  When you are the life of the party kind of guy it is too easy to have a laugh at someone’s expense.  I’ve learned that in life it is easy to do something on the spur of a moment that can have a long lasting “oops”.  Can someone say, “I bought a new car.”  Can someone say, “Seven years of payments.” Smile.

Well, Judy and I have been married coming up on forty-eight years and when she reads this she will remember, and odds are she will smile.  I am grateful we have lots of days that cause us to smile and far fewer of the kind that cause us to wince in pain.  That is called grace—extended and received.  So, as you navigate through life and you’re preparing to land at your selected airport—make sure it is the right one.  You might want to contact “the tower” and confirm His opinion of your intended landing site.  It might save you some embarrassment and pain.  You can always count on Him…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful

Tick Tock, Clack, Clack

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unbelievable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (CSB)

The clock is ticking loudly.  As I sit in my home office writing I am amazed at something. I have a wall clock hanging on the wall (where else, right?) and it is making its presence known quite loudly.  The television is off, the internet music isn’t playing and in the quietness of the moment there are two obvious sounds.  The ticking of the clock and clacking of the keys on the keyboard.  Both are obvious…not because they are particularly loud but because of the silence.  The absence of noise makes them very easy to hear. Clack, clack, tick-tock.

I’m thinking that if there is something I want to hear, perhaps the best way to do so is to lower the volume of everything else.  Likewise, if I don’t want to hear them then all I must do is turn the noise up.  For example, if my wife Judy is speaking from the kitchen, telling me, asking me to take out the trash I might be tempted to turn the television up just a bit. While I still might eventually have to take the trash out, it might at least buy me some time.

Here’s scenario number two. I am still in the living room with the television doing it mindless talky thing.  I heard Judy talking to me from the kitchen but this time I turned the television down. I want to hear her. Why? Because I know what she has been doing.  She has been baking an apple pie.  I also happen to know it is just about time for that pie to be done. I reason therefore that she most likely is telling me, “Dewayne, the pie is ready” and that is a message I want to hear so I make sure I can hear.  What do I do?  I turn the television down and remove any obstacle that might keep me from hearing her and having a slice of pie.

The main difference is that the first is something I wanted to avoid and the second is something I wanted to embrace. And when it comes to hearing or not hearing, that just might be a game changer.  All of this and that made me wonder.  How often when I know God is trying to get my attention do I turn the noise up?  How often do I make the conscious decision, the conscious choice to “not hear?”  The answer, for me and for you, is probably too often.

The confusing part is this. I’ve been a God follower for a long time…long enough to know He is an “apple pie God.”  When He’s talking I, we, should be listening—for two reasons. First, He is always a bearer of “apple pie news.” In other words, He is a good news messenger.  Now that doesn’t mean it is always easy to receive, it just means that it is always for my good and His glory.  The second reason I should be listening is because, well, He is God.  There was an old commercial that said, “When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” Well, I don’t know about that, but I do know this—when God talks, we should definitely turn up our hearing aids.

So let me suggest this year that we learn to turn the noise down—especially when we know God is talking to us.  Remember, He is the bearer of good news and everything He says is important.  So be sure and find the mute button on your noise makers and cock your ear so you can hear.  After all, He just might be telling you to stop worrying and start trusting because “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, food, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, Military memories, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials, USA

Three Days and a Wake Up

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” Psalm 126:1-2a

We were finally coming home.  From August 1977 to August 1980, we lived in Germany while serving in the United States Air Force.  Our time there was incredible.  We saw windmills in Holland, the alps of Switzerland, the famous horse-fountain in Salzburg, and ate real pizza in Italy.  Where we lived was much like living in the middle of the Shawnee Forest—large rolling hills and lush green forest, but with more snow.  We loved it.

Some hard times happened while we were there too.  Those were the days of no internet, no cell phone, and no overnight delivery from Amazon prime.  Landline phone calls were rare and expensive and snail mail was all there was.  I remember Judy receiving a letter that opened, “I guess you heard about your dad’s heart attack.” Turns out right after we left for Germany, he had a massive heart attack and almost died.  Another night in our second year at about midnight or so, a knock came at our apartment door.  It was an officer from my squadron.  He said I needed to call the Red Cross immediately.  My mother was dying.  They connected me to my sister-in-law in Florida.  Her words were simple and direct, “If you want to see your Momma alive you have to come now.”  We made it home the day before she died.

So, our time in Germany was divine but difficult.  The bottom line is at the end of three years we were more than ready to come home.  As the time neared and preparations were underway for our leaving and returning, we started counting down.  Everyone did. We would say, “25 days and a wake up. 13 days and a wake up. Three days and a wake up.” Finally, we woke up, got on a plane, and came home.  There was no place like home. There is no place like home.

I can remember picking our VW van at the airport (we had shipped it home) and driving.  It was marvelous.  We could read the signs and we could understand the people.  Instead of four dollars for a gallon of gas it was 69 cents.  I stopped at a market and got a fried apple pie.  I can still almost taste it.  For lunch we stopped at McDonald’s.  No big deal, right?  Not at all unless you had spent the last three years explaining a cheeseburger and fries to someone who didn’t speak English.  And, instead of a few dollars you paid almost twenty.  As I ordered at the counter, speaking English, and being understood…I wept. I apologized to the young lady and explained we had been away for three years.  And I explained…there is no place like home.

Then many years later, all too well, I remember those ten weeks when we were on Covid shutdown in our town. Finally, after too many weeks away, our church family had the opportunity to come home.  The long-awaited Sunday arrived, and we gathered as a corporate body to sing, pray and preach.  What did we learn?  Well one thing is for sure—there is no place like home.  My time in Germany taught me several things and one of them is you appreciate the simple things.  A fried apple pie and a McDonald’s cheeseburger never tasted so good.  My family never looked so good.  Driving on the roads of America never felt so good.  Reading the billboards never seemed so interesting.  By the way, did they ever find out who shot J.R.?  Smile. Somethings were different but it was still…home.

Like those things, going back to church was like coming home and I was almost giddy. When the Israelites realized they were coming home after 70 years in Babylon they were just a little more than giddy.  Here’s what one of their songwriters wrote, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” In those words, you can almost feel their excitement. Things were going to be different when they got there but that didn’t matter.  They were going home.

This weekend, and every weekend after, when you walk into your place of worship remember how it felt that day to come home. Remember that and the small things that bug you probably won’t. When “Bob” irritates you at church, just pause and remember how good it was to be with others that first time back.  When the sermon seems too long, and the music too loud and the room too warm…yup…just remember how good it was…how good it is, to be home.  And, when something fearful pops up or something rubs you wrong…just remember the time He brought you home, when you rested in Him, when you realized He’s got this.  And dream. And sing. Be like the ones who knew the Lord turned our captivity. Because He has.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in fear, life, prayer, pride, priorities, Scripture, Trials

Staying Off the Lunch Menu

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Years before the devastating attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, a young French daredevil captivated the world’s attention by walking a tightrope between the two towering buildings. The tightrope was suspended 1,350 feet above the ground. Unbelievably the man effortlessly traversed from one tower to the next while spectators below stood open mouthed staring at his daring feat.

Now advance the clock several months later. While practicing on a comparatively low wire in St. Petersburg, Florida, the same man experienced a fall of 30 feet and suffered multiple injuries. As he lay on the ground in pain and awaiting help, he pounded his fist, exclaiming, “I can’t believe it! I never fall!!!” I.Never.Fall.

Believe it or not, our most significant mistakes and failures occur not when we venture outside our comfort zone but when we are in a comfortable place. That might be why the Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” The bottom line is that when we believe something could never happen to us or we become so accustomed to a certain thing, we tend to become complacent or sloppy, or both.  We lower our guard and leave the door open or perhaps cracked allowing carelessness to lead us into falling, failing or stumbling.

This is why the truth in 1 Peter 5:8 is so vitally important.  Peter encourages us to, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Here’s the big truth—we are definitely on Satan’s lunch menu.  He is just waiting for us to get complacent, or sloppy or both (yup…I wrote it twice on purpose) so he can gobble us up.  When our guard goes down—the risk goes up—and he launches his attack.

Peter accurately portrays Satan as a lion. Lions don’t target animals prepared to run or fight; instead, they go after the unsuspecting and weak. Write this one down—don’t allow Satan to catch you off guard through carelessness. Remain vigilant in the Christian life, and you’ll be prepared to face challenges head-on. And that is a great way to begin a New Year—on guard, on alert and off the lunch menu.  Need a little help with that?  Well, your Dearest Daddy is a great lion hunter and He will be right by your side.  Remember, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, heaven, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

Donut Heaven

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Two things you need to know. First, stepping into Ralph’s was like stepping into a donut paradise. Second, it has been too long since our last visit. A while back, Judy and I decided to take a trip to middle Tennessee for some hiking and to marvel at God’s creation. We chose Cookeville, a small city about an hour east of Nashville, as our base. Although we had driven by it numerous times on our way to other destinations, we had never stopped. This time, however, it became our destination, and it turned out to be a wonderful decision.

Within a short drive, we encountered some of the most stunning waterfalls, including Fall Creek Falls, the tallest east of the Rockies, standing at 256 feet. Burgess Falls, with its three separate falls, each more spectacular than the last, and the cascading waterfalls at Rock Island State Park left us in awe. Amidst all this natural beauty, we stumbled upon Ralph’s.

When staying at an Airbnb, we always explore the host’s literature to enhance our visit. The guest book mentioned Ralph’s, a mom-and-pop donut shop in downtown Cookeville, recommended by three previous guests. It became a must-visit for us. Unfortunately, on Monday morning, we discovered they were closed. Our anticipation had to wait another day.

On Tuesday morning, after planning our hikes, we headed to Ralph’s Donut Shop to fuel up with calories for our journey. Established in 1962, Ralph’s had been delighting customers with donuts for 58 years. As we opened the door, we were greeted by a sight that truly resembled donut heaven.

The interior was simple, with a horseshoe-shaped counter filled with locals enjoying coffee and pastries. A long glass case and a wall adorned with pastries and donuts tempted us. The enthusiastic donut salesman welcomed us and shared the highlights of Ralph’s menu. The fried apple fritter, a massive treat covered in glaze with a delicious apple filling, was our first choice. Then, he introduced us to the butter twist, voted the number one donut in Tennessee, brushed with butter before frying. We ordered two of those. For Judy’s chocolate craving, a butter twist with chocolate frosting was the perfect choice. Finally, he threw in a broken spice bar for free, describing it as a blend of Little Debbie and gingerbread. I couldn’t resist.

Ralph’s surprised us further with its operating hours – three shifts of bakers kept the shop open from 5:00 am to 11:30 pm. They were thriving, listed among the top 20 donut bakeries in the entire United States. It truly felt like “holey” ground.

The dedication at Ralph’s was evident. They believed in their product, knew it well, and wanted to share it with everyone. As followers of Jesus, we could learn a lesson from Ralph’s. We possess the best news in creation – the good news of Jesus Christ, who can make us holy. Unlike donuts, Jesus can make us holy enough to call God our Father and holy enough for eternal life. While Ralph’s had been making donuts for 58 years, God has been loving us since before the foundation of the world.

Considering how incredible God is, our response should be to be “all in” too. We should live as if we truly believe and share the Word about Him passionately. Leaving Ralph’s, I felt compelled to tell people about this amazing place. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we should wake up every morning eager to share the good news.

On this first day of the New Year, let’s figuratively get behind the counter, not to sell donuts, but to share the life-changing news that God, in His incredible love, gave His Son for us. This is the best news ever, and it comes with the assurance that, no matter what this year brings, He’s got it. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Post-Christmas Blues

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

There is a blue Christmas and then there are the post-Christmas blues.  Elvis made the first one famous with his smooth, crooning voice.  It spoke of someone who had lost their sweetie and all the lights, music, and decorations in the world couldn’t overcome their blue world.  In reality, there are lots of things that can make Christmas a little blue, in fact just a glance at the calendar can bring on the post-Christmas blues.  This is a real deal.  It is that feeling that you have when you wake up the day after Christmas and realize the thing you had looked forward to for weeks is fading fast in the rearview mirror.

I was sitting on the couch with one of my grandsons and he made a comment about the fact that he was going to be sad tomorrow (the day after Christmas).  So, of course, I had to ask him why.  He told me it was because it was going to be such a long time till Christmas came back again.  Well, with all my Papa wisdom, I tried to explain how time seemed to go by faster when you get older, so it seemed that Christmas came all the time.  I’m pretty sure he gave me one of those, “you’ve got to be kidding me” looks. At any rate, I know one thing.  The post-Christmas blues aren’t as severe the older you get.

I can well remember when I was younger, and our kids were younger and the hype for Christmas was somewhere off the scale and the day after Christmas was almost tragic.  Well, actually it probably didn’t kick in for a day or two later because you had the excitement of returning all the things that “didn’t work.”  That usually included clothes from loved ones who obviously didn’t know how much you weigh.  But sooner or later, the blues would come.

One of the newest rages in outdoor Christmas decorating says it best.  You have probably seen the giant blowup characters that people put in their yards these days.  There is every kind of blowup you can imagine.  Giant Santas, reindeer, elves, candy canes, snow globes, and everything in between will fill the yards in the neighborhood. But have you ever noticed those same decorations in the daylight?  To save energy and extend the life of the decorations, most of them are on a timer.  So, what is so brightly lit and full of life (ok, air) during the night is deflated and lying on the ground. Deflated and flat.

Well, that is sometimes how the post-Christmas blues feel.  But there is an answer. So, what if we concentrate on what Christmas is really about?  What if instead of focusing on what is going to the attic, we focus on what doesn’t?  Things like family.  The same family you loved on December 24th or 25th will still need your love in the days that follow.  The same things that made you smile before Christmas may give you a reason to smile later.  The beautiful lights may be gone but what about that beautiful sunset last night? Sounds like a fair trade to me!  In fact, God says in His Book, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Sounds good to me.

And, if you just happen to be a Jesus follower, well, the same Jesus that you celebrated Christmas Day is still going to be there.  The same church service that made you feel so warm on Christmas Eve will happen in one form or another in the weeks to come.  You see, if you think about it, the parts we love best about Christmas don’t need to go to the attic.  They can live on in our lives today and every day.  It all has to do with perspective. As we journey in the days to come, make it a point to look and to see, for so many of the things all around us seem to say, “Joy to the world, the Lord has some.” Oh, to be sure, there are plenty of things around that can deflate you faster than pulling the plug on one of those yard decorations.  But we get to choose what we focus on.

One year, at our Christmas Eve service, I said that we get to choose which bells we are going to listen to—the tolling bells of despair or the pealing bells of joy.  While we don’t get to choose our circumstances, we do get to choose how we respond to them. As we leave this Christmas in the rearview mirror, let’s get ready for the hope of what’s ahead. Like William Carey said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.”  After all, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, Integrity, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Jesus Jars

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

And just like that—it was over. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are so exciting.  When I was a kid, it was almost unbearable. We’ve all heard the saying, “slower than Christmas.” Well, that was certainly true then, but as an adult who has seen a bunch of Christmases, they seem to come not only regularly but quickly. It seems we kick off the New Year and suddenly we are popping firecrackers in July and then getting ready for another Christmas. Amazing.

While Christmas comes quickly, it also seems to go just as quickly.  It seems just yesterday it was Christmas…oh wait…it was. Smile. But with all the anticipation, the last few days before almost seemed like hours.  Easy come and quickly go.  While there are many things I enjoy about Christmas, (not least being the food…can someone say, “ho, ho, ho) you must appreciate the kinder and gentler spirit most people express. If we are honest, most of us are usually just a little softer than we are the rest of the year. We smile a little more, laugh a little more, and show kindness a little more. That Christmas kindness can sure brighten an overcast sky or heart.  But as quickly the day itself comes and goes, so does that Christmas spirit.

A guy named Harlan Miller said, “I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” Well, Harlan, I’ve got some good news—we can.  You see Paul, the guy in the Bible, writing about Jesus followers says, “Now we have this treasure in clay jars.” Wow, we are literally jars of Jesus just waiting to be opened. And when a Jesus jar is opened guess what should come out?  You guessed it—Jesus! He is the treasure inside us. And the Christmas spirit is just the aroma of Jesus wafting through the season.

That same verse goes on to say, “so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” In other words, we have the power to be like Jesus not just at Christmas, but each and every day.  It starts with Him and not with us. So let me encourage you on this day after THE day to go ahead and crack the lid and let some Jesus slosh on the people around you.  Who knows, it just might cause them to break into an out of season chorus of “Jingle Bells.” And remember, it’s not something we have to create, it is something we simply need to release and if you need a little help getting that lid off, just ask your Dearest Daddy for a little help. He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne