Scripture – Page 136 – Grits with Grace

Family, fear, life, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Goose-Land, Part 2 “I Quit”

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goose-Land, Part 1

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

There is news from goose-land. Well, for those of you who read regularly you know that I walk for exercise five or six times a week. You also remember that I have different routes that I take and one of those leads me around the pond in the city park. That is also known as goose-land. Today I chose to walk in the park. Let me tell you with the warm temperatures and high humidity a walk in the park is no walk in the park.

I left the house this morning before sunrise trying to catch the coolest part of the day. When I got to the park the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. I was all alone beside the ducks and the geese. You will be glad to know the mama duck has managed to raise almost all of her ducklings. You go, girl. But then I noticed something different with the geese.

A couple of months ago I wrote and told you about an unusual yet beautiful thing with the geese. A family of brown geese had adopted one of the white geese and one of the white geese, I named him Bubba, had taken up with the brown geese. He was kinda like an Uncle Vinny…you know a protector and bouncer all rolled up in one. He was good at it too. He could let out a hiss that sent a clear message, “You mess with my family and I will mess with you.” It was all cool. Color and creed were all laid aside.

But then there was today. I hadn’t walked in the park for a couple of weeks and while I was gone something happened. The white goose that had been adopted left his brown family and joined the white geese. But that’s not all. Bubba, well Bubba had abandoned his brown family and had too rejoined the other group. It is eerily familiar and seemingly sad.

I’m not sure what caused the change. It could have been just time, it could have been peer pressure. I just don’t know. But I do know something that was unique and special was lost in the mix or rather unmixing. The baby now adult white goose seemed quite comfortable in his new environment. But Bubba just wasn’t the same. As I walked past the gaggle of geese there was one that stood out and I’m pretty sure it was Bubba.

This fellow who used to be so proud, his eyes filled with the fire of purpose, now stared with empty eyes. There was no hiss, no sound of passion, no hint of protection. Simply put, Bubba was now just one of the guys. He was just another goose waddling around. What made him different was gone. Bubba had lost his identity.

We need to realize that what happened to Bubba can easily happen to us as Jesus followers. If it was peer pressure, if it was a cultural shift, what happened to him can and will happen to us. That is why Paul wrote, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” If we are not careful the culture around us will pressure and push us to be just like them.

See, there were and are several white geese down at the park. There was not a shortage of white geese but there was only one Bubba—only one who was willing to take a stand and protect those even different from himself. The world needs some people who are willing to stand and be different. The world needs some Jesus people who will live, act and love just like Him. It’s not so we can be better than anybody. It is so we can show them Someone who can help them be better—in fact, be made new.

If that is going to happen, we Jesus people have got to lay aside our differences, our prejudices, our soapboxes and just be like Him. We have got to resist the pressure to become just another “goose in the gaggle.” We have got to be light in a dark, damaged world. Jesus said in Matthew 6:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Someone said, “These days, they are a changing” and the truth is, they are. But we serve, we follow, the changeless one, Jesus the Christ. And, if you are going to follow someone, that is the Someone to follow. He is for you, He loves this world, and He is greater than any and all. We can rest in Him because…He’s got this.

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

Faith and the Next Step

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Heard Him Before I Saw Him

Posted on July 17, 2020July 16, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. You are with me.” Psalm 23:4

I heard him before I saw him. Last week I was walking in the city park. It wasn’t the casual walk but the exercising kind. I do about 2.5 miles in about 35 minutes. That day the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the trees were doing their “leafing out” thing and it was a good day. Then, like I said, I heard him before I saw him.

I was alone in the park till then. As I crossed the bridge on the north end of the park there was a man in his forties or fifties. He was dressed normally–whatever that means but that was where normalcy ended. At first, I thought he had one of those things in his ear that enabled him to talk on his cell phone. The closer I got the more I could see and hear.

He was angry. He was shouting. He was cursing. Then he began to pick up rocks and throw them violently in one direction and then another. I realized he was fighting a battle with someone I could not see but he could. To him it was real–very real. He felt threatened and hurt by an enemy only he could see.

I prayed. I asked God to deliver him from the invisible demon that was haunting him. I asked God for His peace to come upon this peace-less man. Later I saw him leaving the park, no longer angry, no longer violent, no longer cursing. It seemed from where I was that a moment of calm had come to his storm wrecked mind. I was grateful and told God so.

I thought about that day several times and I realized that in these days there are a lot of folks fighting and fearful of enemies–enemies that don’t have or need a face to wreck their lives. The covid-19 virus, the loss of a job or business, the fear of losing someone they love, the fear that things will never be the same, the fear that this fear will own them–consume them.

My mind goes back to Psalm 23:4. David, chased by a crazed king consumed with jealousy, chased by too many memories of too many failures writes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. You are with me.” He was wise enough to know that as he walked through this valley it wasn’t filled with real monsters–only monster “wanna-be’s.”

You see, the valley became a roadway and not a residence. Death, because of his faith in a “bigger-than-anything” God, was reduced to a shadow. Shadows can frighten but can cause no real damage or harm. How did that happen? Somewhere along the way David chose to believe in his “bigger-than-anything” God and he found peace. He said, “I don’t need to fear evil, no matter what it looks like, because You are with me.” You are with me. Today as you journey, remember all around us are people who fight battles with enemies only they can see. Be sure and swift not to judge but to pray. That day in the park I got it right but trust me I don’t always do that. It’s then that I pray a different prayer–one for forgiveness. And if you are fighting those invisible enemies today–just a word or two. God loves you. Rest in Him. He’s got this.

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

Ain’t No Sunshine

Posted on July 16, 2020July 15, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51

Bartimaeus, or Bart as his friends called him, was blind. Along with the blindness came the usual social stigmas of being an outcast and the usual career choice–begging. He had landed a good stretch of the highway to beg. There was a lot of traffic but as always–a lot of darkness. But all that was about to change.

One day he heard a crowd passing by and asked what was happening. The fact that anyone even acknowledged him was a miracle. Someone said, “Jesus was passing by.” Bart had heard of this young Rabbi and he had also heard stories, rumors really, that He could heal people like him. Three words flashed into his mind–now or never.

He began to shout, to beg, to scream “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Over and over he shouted. The crowd quickly became annoyed and demanded that he shut it down or they would shut him up. But desperation and hope wouldn’t allow that. “Jesus, Son of David, please, have mercy on me.” Right at the point when his ears told him the noise was fading he heard it. Jesus was saying something, “call him.” Amazingly the same crowd that tried to shut him down now helped pick him up.

“What do you want me to do for you?” the unseen Rabbi asked. It might seem like a strange question to ask a blind guy but Jesus wanted to be sure Bart knew his need. Perhaps a small contribution. Maybe a walking stick or a seeing eye camel. Jesus was asking, “Do you want a better life or a new life?” Bart was ready for something new.

Mark 10:51 gives us his reply. “Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” His five words are loaded with meaning. First, the word “Rabboni” was master and it was a term of surrender. He was saying, “I haven’t experienced what I need but I will trust You for it anyway.” That’s faith. Second, “I want to see.” He wasn’t asking for a band aide he was wanting something new, something life changing. Faith and the wisdom to ask for the right thing was a game changer for Bart.

Wait, Jesus is speaking again and what He says is amazing. “Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Your faith has saved you. Amazing. And do you know what? Mark puts it very plainly in the rest of verse 52. “Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.” Immediately his world exploded into light and color. Instantly the darkness was forced to flee as the Light of world flooded in. Amazing.

Well, Jesus had told him to go and do you know where he went. Right with Jesus. He followed him. I mean, where else would he go but to follow the One who gave him light, who gave him life. I can imagine the smile on his lips and chatter from his tongue as he shared what Jesus had done. “I once was blind, but now I see” he would say. We added the “amazing grace” part later. So how about you? Does your life seem pretty dark right now? You’ve seen the list over and over. Fear. Corona virus. Unemployment. Unknowns. Whatever it is, Jesus is passing by and He has an invitation just for you. He invites you to come and when you get there don’t ask for a seeing eye camel or walking stick. He’s got something bigger for you. He has peace and He has hope. He has a new life of light and color. You’ll find a friend who will never leave or abandon you. Go ahead, get up. He’s waiting. You can trust him. Rest in Him. He’s got this.

fear, Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Do You Have A Pencil?

Posted on July 15, 2020July 14, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

“Do you have a pencil?” he asked. Realizing there were plenty of kinds of pencils he added, “You know, the old-fashioned kind?” I’m not sure what he needed it for but I rummaged through my desk drawer and found one. I think he needed one with lead on one end and an eraser on the other. The kind where you use one end to write a story or make a mark and the other you use to remove our “oops.” Today we are more likely to use the delete key on a keyboard. Erasers were my friends. Delete keys are my new friend. It makes my oops disappear. I have a lot of oops.

My delete key changes things. I mentioned recently that I did something that I had done only once before. I opened the church calendar on my computer and started deleting things. Evening service. Delete. Youth Impact. Delete. KLICK and Women’s Bible Study. Delete. Wednesday services. Delete. Choir Practice. Delete. Delete, delete, delete. When I was done the calendar looked, well, mostly empty. Mostly empty.

Then it hit me. Like an artist I was staring at a blank canvas and I realized what had been planned was gone. The space that was cleared left plenty of room–room for God to write a new story. A different story. A better story. Several weeks ago, I began writing. With more white on the page there was more time to write. Without God orchestrating the delete button, the stories would still be in my head and heart but not on the page. The thing I resisted led to the freedom to do it.

I wonder what would happen if we started concentrating on the ways God can use this hot mess we are in to rewrite stories? What if we started to freely, to openly, invite Him to use the delete button and rewrite the stories of our lives? I wonder what opportunities, what adventures would suddenly fill our pages. A walk to the park becomes a safari. Homemade pizza night becomes an edible art gallery. The dining room table is cleared and we drag out the family games that have stayed in the closet too long.

Then there are cards to write, and calls to make, and stories to share. Imagine the kids’ faces as they hear again how you met each other or how you met Jesus. Imagine sharing how things are really, really hard right now but how you are trusting God to help. Imagine faith leaping off the page of the Bible and right onto the pages of your life. Then, imagine them saying, “Mom, Dad this bad time has been the best time because we got to be together.” Just imagine.

Yes, these are really challenging times. Financially. Emotionally. Spiritually. Yes–but what if God is writing a new story that in the end is the stuff of legends? What if in a few years these days are some of the best memories? And it was all possible because we said, “Ok God–go ahead and use the delete key. I’m trusting that Your story is better than my story. I’m trusting You.” You see, God’s best use of the delete key is when He applies His grace to our sins, our mistakes, our misguided decisions, our oops. New pasts and new futures are His specialty and they are often written in crazy days like these. So, go ahead, press that delete key. Rest in Him. He’s got this.

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

Z-Pack

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Funeral at Nain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annie

Posted on July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Her life was pretty hard…pretty dark. A perky young redhead with an optimistic attitude in a pessimistic world. Others mocked her and those charged to care for her emotionally abused her. So, what was Annie’s response? Well, it goes something like this.

“The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun! Just thinking about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow till there’s none!

When I’m stuck in a day that’s gray, and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, “Oh the sun will come out tomorrow. So ya gotta hang on till tomorrow…come what may. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away.”

So guess what? The sun does come out. She is rescued by Daddy Warbucks and her life is changed forever. Are there still problems? Yup. Are there still bad guys lurking to hurt her–steal her away? Yup. Does the story have a great ending? Yup and three big lessons emerge. One, the sun will come out. Two. Don’t mess with Daddy Warbucks. Three, don’t underestimate a nine-year-old redhead.

So, doesn’t it seem we are stuck in a day that’s gray, and lonely? Doesn’t it seem this whole corona virus thing is one perpetual, cloudy day? Doesn’t it seem like this is the new forever normal? Well, it is not. The sun is going to come out.

I try and walk every morning–usually on the treadmill. I climb on and at 4 mph work feverously to go nowhere. Well, yesterday, the temps were warm and the sun was out and walked at the city park–and it was like a cool drink of water in a hot dry desert. I mean I just exploded in gratitude for a God who loved me enough to let the sun come out.

I read on the internet that the phrase, “And it came to pass…” appears 396 times in the Bible. Each time it is saying that the current situation didn’t come to stay…it came to pass. That this isn’t a new normal…it is a temporary circumstance.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Paul writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Right on Paul. Right on.

So remember this. One, the sun will come out–guaranteed. It may be here or it may be there but the future for a child of God is filled with “Son-shine.” Second, remember who our Father is. He isn’t just rich like Daddy Warbucks–He owns it all and is in total control. And no one…and I mean no one…messes with our Father. Last, you may not be a perky young redhead like Annie but don’t underestimate yourself. You dear friend, if you have trusted Christ, are a prince or princess of the King. Your home is heaven and your Father calls you His. Can someone say, “Son-shine?” God bless you today. The forecast says clouds but I’m feeling pretty “Son-ny.” After all, I can rest in Him. He’s got this.

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

Gratitude

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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