sovereignty of God – Page 27

Family, friends, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel

Same Words, Different Melody

Posted on August 19, 2022August 18, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them.” Matthew 9:36a

It was familiar but not. One of the highlights of our recent trip to England was the opportunity to experience so many things that were similar to life in America but at the same time different. After all, we all spoke English, but our English and the English the Brits spoke was just a little different. More on that in another story. We both drive cars but on different sides of the road. They drive on the left (who knows why) and we drive on the right because…we are right. We like (love) ice in our drinks, and when we ask for ice, they look at you like, “What?” Crisps are potato chips and flats are apartments. Like I said..we both speak English but not quite the same.

Another thing I enjoyed while there was attending worship. I am a Christian who happens to be a Baptist. The church I attended there was Baptist too and while it was the same, it was different. They didn’t have offering plates…they used these little bag things with a pole attached. It was like a fish net but was made a cloth instead of netting. One of the things we really loved…and wished we could import…was the fellowship time at the end of the service. After the last prayer, instead of rushing out the door to the nearest restaurant or appointment, everyone, gathered at the back of the worship hall and just visited. There were some light refreshments but mostly people just talked. How novel.

One thing that was a little different was the songs that they sang. While some were familiar there were several that were totally new to us. So, I was glad when the song person said we were going to sing, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” That is a wondrous (pun intended) song and one of the older hymns that I enjoy singing. As the instruments, a piano, flute, and guitar began to plan the introduction…something wasn’t quite right…not familiar. And soon, very soon, I realized that while I knew the words, I certainly wasn’t familiar with the melody. How about that? Same song, same words, different melody.

So, I jumped right in and worked my way through the unfamiliar melody motivated by the beautiful familiar words. And even with the different melody, the words carried me into worship. And just about then it hit me. In life, church or no church, we can come together and do life. We may walk or dance to a different tune but still can be carried by the same message. Wouldn’t it be a better world if we realized that we are all created by the same God and the things that make us different are not a weakness but a strength? Wouldn’t it be a better world if we were not driven apart by skin color, or our heart language or the social economic station we are in life? Let me tell you. It.Would.Be.Better.

Of the thousand things that I love about Jesus, one of the best is that He loves people. Period. When He lived here, He just saw people as people. Some might have been more broken than others, but He loved them all the same. One time a bunch of people met Him on the shore as He got out of a boat. I’m sure there were all kinds of people there that day but all He saw was people and the Bible just says He had compassion on them. He loved them.

If you are a Jesus follower, or even if you are not, why not follow the example of this lowly man from an obscure part of the world. Why not set out today to see people as people…and love them regardless. Even if they look different, speak different, believe differently or, gulp, vote differently than you…why not just love them? If you happen to be a Jesus person, well, I’m sure that is something that would make Him smile…and if not well…He probably would smile anyway. Accepting people as people isn’t easy but with a little help from the One who made us…anything is possible. In other words, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, missions, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials

Miracles

Posted on August 12, 2022August 11, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

Well, there are miracles and then there are miracles. One of the great adventures that Judy and I have been privileged to be a part of are church mission trips. Specifically, mission trips to Africa. For the past 15 or 16 years, our church has been an active participant in mission adventures. At least once a year we try and send a team to Africa. We started in Niger and then had to move a little south to the country of Mali. We were privileged to serve there for several years.

I can’t explain how incredible it is to go on a mission adventure. I also can’t really explain the draw that so many feel to this place called Africa. Where this story begins was a pretty difficult place. We would stay in the bush often sleeping on the ground in tents. The temperature would hover over 100 degrees. I have one picture that showed a thermometer with a reading 125 degrees. The food, well, let’s just say it wasn’t McDonald’s. So, what is it that causes people to step way out of their comfort zones just to serve others. This story is part of that answer.

We were on a medical trip in Mali and the days were long and fruit was plentiful. We had a full team including two medical doctors and several nurses. They would treat the physically broken and we would try and share the truth of God’s love to the spiritually broken. We would tell stories of Jesus and how He would go and help people. We then would simply explain that we wanted to be like Him and help others. We explained that people who knew Jesus in America had bought and paid for the medicine that they were receiving. It was free to them because someone else paid the price. It was always a great lead into the gospel stories because Jesus did the same for us.

Well, it was the end of a long day. Most of us had wandered back to camp and were sitting around and chatting about the day’s activities. Suddenly someone ran into the camp and shouted that there was an emergency back at the clinic. We all rushed back over and what we found was grim…very grim. A little girl, about nine if I remember correctly, had been climbing a tree. She was about twenty-five feet up in the air when she slipped and fell—landing directly on her face. Her father had carried her on a Moto (a small motorcycle) about three or four miles. She was semi-conscious and unresponsive.

Two things happened simultaneously. First, the doctors when to work and the saints went to praying. Her pupils were unresponsive and though she was breathing, her respirations were rapid and shallow. About an hour later the doctors said it was probably only a matter of time, her brain injuries seemed very serious. I slipped into my pastor mode and wondered what an African funeral was like. The doctors took turns sitting with her through the night, and then took her to the nearest first aid station. This part is fuzzy, but it seems like at some point the father went ahead and took her back to her village.

The next day we went back to work with a somewhat heavy heart. And then something happened…we heard that the little girl had woken up. We then heard that she was speaking and walking around. We then heard that she was responding and acting almost completely normal. “What is this,” I wondered. Again, if I remember correctly either that day or the next the father brought his little girl back to the doctors and there she stood. A living, breathing, miracle. It can be described as nothing else. God had heard the prayers of His children and chosen to reach down from heaven and touch this little girl and give her back her life. It.Was.A.Miracle.

Many of us have been to Africa many times and we have seen more than one miracle. Sometimes it looked like this, sometimes it was God acting to avoid a terrible tragedy and sometimes it like a frog strangling rainstorm when it hadn’t rained for months and months. But each time it was obvious that God was still God, and He can do what He wants, when He wants. After all, He is God. For the skeptics out there, who think that God doesn’t do the miracle thing—that it died out in the old days—well, that little girl would beg to differ with you.

Tucked away in the book of Luke, incidentally, written by a physician in Jesus’ day, are some words that say it all. It says, “For nothing shall be impossible with God.” Nothing. Period. Seven words that can shake your world and this world. So, what is rocking your world today? COVID still keeping you up at night? Wondering about tomorrow or the next meal? Worried about our country? Well, I don’t know what God has planned—after all I’m in sales and not management—smile. But I do know that nothing is too big for Him to handle. Just like that little girl in Africa who discovered she could lay down and rest in Him—so can you. After all,…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Facing Down Mortality

Posted on August 10, 2022July 23, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Hi Grits Family! Hey, my wife Judy and I are going to be “out of pocket” aka “not available” to write for the next couple of weeks. During that time, we decided to send out some of our past stories. I hope you enjoy the ones we selected and look forward to some “fresh Grits” in a couple of weeks. God bless. Bro. Dewayne

Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

I look and see my mortality. Now don’t think for a moment this is one of those “Debbie Downer” stories. In fact, in a way, it might be the best news you will hear all day, all week, well, for always. So, I am sixty-eight years old. I know, I can’t believe it either. And all around me are signs that I am mortal. Remember that—all of us are mortal. I have been at my present position as a pastor for 22 years. I came to the church I serve in 2000 when I was 46 years old. I must have dozed off because just like that, 22 years of life have ticked off the calendar. My children are married, I have eight grandchildren and Judy and I have now been married 46 years. And the best part? It has been, and is, a great ride.

But then I did the math. When, and if, the next 20 years tick off the clock called life, I will be 88 years old. I find that astounding. We Taylor boys don’t have a real good track record when it comes to longevity. Three of my four brothers, all older than me, have already moved to heaven. Our clock is ticking, and we don’t know when the last tick will come. It is a sobering thought. But stay with me.

I live my life by the calendar. I speak to my church every Sunday and some Wednesdays. It seems I no more finish one message before it is time to deliver the next. The weeks fly by. Every first of the month I speak on the radio on a local program called “The Baptist Hour.” My tag line is, “Can you believe another month has come and gone?” And the answer each month is, “No, I really can’t.” I remember on the first of February, after a speedy January, I made a joke about it being Christmas before we know it. July is past which means over half of this new year is in the rearview mirror. Time flies by. It is a sobering thought. But stay with me.

Part of “The Baptist Hour” is the reading of the funeral arrangements of those who recently died. Invariably there are several, often more than a few. I’m learning that too often the names being read belong to people my age or younger. Recently an acquaintance in our small town suddenly died—a massive heart attack. He was younger than me. That really caused me to stop and ponder. It was a sobering thought. But stay with me.

Here’s what I am learning. Time is relative. We are eternal beings made and destined to spend forever somewhere. That destination doesn’t depend on good or bad, church or no church, religion or not. Does that surprise you? You see, heaven isn’t for good people and hell isn’t for bad people. No, where we spend eternity is about forgiveness of sin and that forgiveness is a free gift from God to anyone…anyone…who asks. I believe faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven. I know that sounds narrow but when you consider that God invites everyone to the party—well, it is really pretty broad. We read in the Bible that the payment for sin is death and radically Jesus came for one purpose—to willingly die and pay that price.

So, if we are eternal beings and if we place our trust, our faith in this one of a kind, God-man named Jesus, that means that when we die we can spend eternity in this place called heaven. When Jesus said that if anyone would believe in Him, they would never die—that’s what He meant. And then He closes with that all important question, “Do you believe this?”

With Jesus in the equation, death isn’t the end, it is a beginning. That might sound wacky to you. However, before you chuck it out, I challenge you to check it out. Get a copy of the Bible and read the four different accounts or stories about Jesus—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. You might find yourself intrigued and amazed.

I read a true story yesterday about a man’s perception of his morality. This guy happened to be a minister and he went to the doctor and got some sobering news. He was terminally ill with no chance of recovery. The doctor told him he had about a year to live. He left the doctor’s office and went to one of his favorite spots—you know, to kinda take it in. Now, allow me to let the man tell his story. “I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God’s own poetry to my soul. And I said, ‘I may not see you many more times, but mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and river, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea.’”

Wow…what wonderfully strong words. If this whole God story is true, and I honestly believe it is, then people who trust that Jesus is the path to God and heaven, will outlive the mountains and the rivers. We may change addresses, but we will live forever. I know this is probably a different kind of story than we usually share together, but I hope it will make us think about what happens next. For myself and so many others, it makes all the sense in the world—and beyond. I’m grateful for the eternal part but I also love the part of the story that says He is with me now—hot mess world and all. I can rest in Him and trust in Him because, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, gratitude, life, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful

Settled

Posted on August 4, 2022July 23, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Hi Grits Family! My wife Judy and I are going to be “out of pocket” aka “not available” to write for the next couple of weeks. During that time, we decided to send out some of our past stories. I hope you enjoy the ones we selected and look forward to some “fresh Grits” in a couple of weeks. God bless. Bro. Dewayne

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Well, the issue is finally settled. It is really a difficult thing to be the baby of the family especially when it is obvious that after seven previous tries mom and dad finally got it right. Yup…that was me. Number eight in a litter of eight. Sometimes, because I was the baby of eight, my other brothers and sisters got a little jealous.

One of the stories that I was raised with was the fact that I really wasn’t a natural born part of the family. In fact, they told me that mama and daddy had found me in a ditch in the poor part of town and felt sorry for me and brought me home. Now I understand how that story got started. I mean I was so much cuter and smarter than my brothers and sisters it seemed pretty apparent that I was an outsider. Yup, they would rag on me big time, but it didn’t bother me. I knew I was special.

I grew up and the story about me being “found” kind of faded away. I knew it was all a joke, but every once in a while, it gives me pause. Hmmm, what if, I wonder, could it be? Naw…I was pretty sure; it was not true. As time passed and technology grew, someone started a company that would allow you to check your DNA. The results would tell you where you were from and where your ancestors lived. One of my older brothers decided to spend the money and have his checked. The results were lack luster.

I always envisioned being related to William Wallace or some other great hero. But when his results came in it turned out that we were 83% plain ole Englishmen. Yup…right there in Northern Europe. I guess my ancestors got mad at the king or queen and took a ship to America. His results did show that we were 17% Scott Irish which meant there was about a one in five chance that I had an Irish brogue hidden somewhere in me. However, it wasn’t enough for me to go buy a kilt!

But then I thought, “Well, those are his results but are they, my results?” I mean if the “we found you in a ditch story” was true then his story couldn’t be mine. So, guess what? For Father’s Day, Judy spent the money, and I was able to spit in a tube and send my DNA off in the mail. It took several weeks but guess what? Yup, you guessed it. My results were exactly-the same as my brothers. What that really means is that we had the same father and mother, and I was the best looking and smartest because mom and dad finally got it right. Smile.

I’m just pulling your leg. I knew I was part of the family, there is a whole lot of family resemblance in me. I also knew that old story was just a joke, but I always enjoyed playing along. It made me feel kinda…special. As you have heard before…my brothers and sisters called me “precious”—mainly because I was. Smile. But I want you to know that you are special too. We all are. We are all wonderful creations of God. Like someone said, “God doesn’t make junk.”

I was born into the Taylor clan by an act of God’s grace. Period. I could have been born anywhere or at any time, but by His grace I was born to Alston and Leslie back in 1954. That wasn’t the only time I experienced His grace. I was born another time too, back on October 26, 1976. That was the day I was born again and adopted into the family of God. You see, each person who trusts Christ is in the family by a new birth (that’s where we get our spiritual DNA) but also by the power of adoption (that’s where we get all the rights and privileges of a full-grown son.). From the moment I believed in Jesus, I had all the rights of a person who has known Jesus for decades. Amazing.

So, I’m a Taylor down to my core…my DNA proves it. But I am also a “tailor-made” (I couldn’t resist) child of God. Born again by His grace and adopted into the family as His son. There is no higher privilege than that. And it is an open invitation. God invites each and every person into the family if they are willing to believe and trust in His Son. It is all a matter of faith and His grace. His Book says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

I know I use that verse often, but it just never grows old. I am a child of God, and He is my Dearest Daddy. Not because of who I am, but because of His love for me and His amazing grace. How about that?

If you should ever wonder who you really belong to, can I make a suggestion? Why not settle the issue and become a child of His? You will never wander or wonder again. He’s just waiting for you to come to Him and rest. He wants you to know He’s got this, for now and for all eternity. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Nothing is Impossible

Posted on July 27, 2022July 23, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:34-35, 37

It was almost unbelievable. My wife, Judy, runs an Airbnb. Airbnb was founded in California by a couple of guys who needed to make some cash. Since there was a shortage of places to stay in the city where they lived, they decided to rent a spare space they had as a nightly rental. They threw an air mattress on the floor and ran an ad. What happened next was just amazing. The room was booked all the time and well, the rest is history. Today it is a multi-billion-dollar corporation that works as a clearing house for people who have property they want to rent on a nightly basis. One of those is us.

We had a two-bedroom apartment over our garage that was sitting empty. Judy researched and worked hard, and now we have a business that is a supplement to our household income. As a side benefit, we get to meet a lot of people from all over the United States and sometimes from overseas. Judy loves to host people, so it is just a win all the way around.

As I said, we get to meet some pretty wonderful people. One of our favorites bordered on almost incredible. We’ve had lots of really good people stay with us and a lot of them are Christians. But the first fall we were renting, we had a younger couple stay with us and they began to tell us a bit of their story. I was chatting with the husband while Judy was chatting with the wife. I thought I heard the word “grandfather” and the name “Kenneth Taylor.” So, I pushed pause on my conversation with her husband and said, “Excuse me, did you say that Kenneth Taylor was your grandfather?” And she replied, “Yes.” We had read his children’s story books to our girls many times, so I had to know the story.

Kenneth Taylor was a regular walk around guy who loved Jesus—a lot. He really wanted his children to know God like he did. Sadly, there wasn’t a scripture translation available that they could understand. Back in those days it was the King James Version (KJV) and it was written on a grade level way too high for kids. He got the idea to paraphrase the Bible into a language that was easy to understand. He wanted his ten kids to understand God’s Word like he did. In 1954, he had to ride a commuter train about an hour each way to work in Chicago, so he came up with a plan to paraphrase the New Testament into modern English during his commute.

For seven years—seven years, he would put his Bible on the seat next to him and put a yellow tablet on his leg and he would literally read and then write—read and then write. He started with the gospels and went from there. When he got finished, he called his new paraphrase, Living Letters and it was released in 1962. Well, he quickly found out that the Christian world was not ready for that—they were still struggling with anything besides KJV. No one was interested in publishing Living Letters. So, do you know what he did?

He and his wife took their limited savings and begin publishing Living Letters. The Living Letters would later be called The Living Bible. Slowly, ever so slowly, he began selling this paraphrase of the Bible and then something happened. The Billy Graham Association called and asked if they could publish a special edition to give away at their crusades. They wanted something that they could give to new Christians when they became Jesus followers, and they thought the Living Bible would be just the thing. They ordered and purchased half a million copies. It was a huge success. Oh, and along the way he started a new publishing company. If you follow Christian publishing, you just might recognize it—Tyndale House Publishing. How amazing is that?

Just think—an ordinary, walk around guy who loved Jesus, decided to do something about something. He was very intelligent, and way committed, but really, he was just an ordinary man who loved Jesus. And the paraphrase of the Bible he created on a yellow tablet strapped to his leg has helped millions get to know Jesus or know Him better. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t fast, but he stuck with it and God used him in a big way.

So, what about you? What niggle do you have? What thing is there that God is maybe, just maybe, calling you, leading you, to do? What ministry does He want you to lead or birth? What way can you bring some light into this way too dark world? One of the greatest miracles in the world involved a young Jewish girl who was maybe as young as 14 or 15 years old. God chose her to give birth to His Son. She was just an ordinary, walk around girl who said yes to God. When she said, “How can this be since I’ve never been with a man?” God just said, “Hey, with Me anything is possible.” Anything is possible.

I know, in our day, everything seems impossible. We can’t seem to get anything right. But that’s only because we are excluding the One who can make it happen. Remember what God said…with Me anything is possible. When we choose to put God back in the mix of our lives, well, there’s just no telling what can happen. Hey, I’m writing stories and having the time of my life. I’ve always been too busy and God just sorta, kinda slowed the world down. There you go. I hope you will never forget Kenneth Taylor’s story and I hope you will never forget that God wants to use us to do something big for Him. Don’t let the unknown scare you—it’s just a new adventure about to start. You can rest in Him. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials, wisdom

Got Your Boots On?

Posted on July 25, 2022July 24, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Thank you, Ruby and Laura. I was preparing for a message that I was going to share at the church I pastor. I am always amazed how God brings to my mind different angles and ideas and illustrations to help make a truth stick. I learned a long time ago if we can’t remember what we hear, well, it can’t help us a lot. Stories help things to stick. They are like “duct tape” and I’ve learned that sermons need a lot of duct tape.

The message was about being ready…ready for whatever God has next in our lives. And for the record that can be just about anything. My wife, Judy, and I have had several God “whatevers” through the years. Some we saw coming and some we didn’t, but it was always exciting to know that God was and is on the move. Well, when I thought about being ready, I remembered part of a message that pastor John Piper taught. He was speaking in the year 2000 to a huge group of young people and he was making the point that they should make their lives matter. Well, let’s just say he did a good job.

As part of his message that day, he told the story of two women, Ruby and Laura. Ruby was a nurse who had committed her entire life to caring for the poor and broken of the world for the cause of Christ. She chose to remain single so she could devote everything…everything…to her mission. She was all in…one hundred percent. Laura was a medical doctor who took “early retirement” so she could do the same thing. She wanted to make a bigger difference, so she closed up shop and joined Ruby doing mission work.

So, they were loving God and loving people in Cameroon, East Africa. By the time the story was told, they were, well, older. Ruby was into her eighties and Laura was chasing her…she was in her very late seventies. As John Piper tells the story, these two incredible ladies were driving their jeep in the mountains when, without warning, their brakes went out and they sailed over a cliff and literally into eternity. Both ladies died in the crash and both ladies went out “with their boots on.” At a time when most would be at home rocking grandbabies, they were still making a difference.

I know, some would say what a tragedy it was that these two ladies died that day. Some would wonder why they just didn’t play it safe. I have a feeling that Ruby and Laura would tell us that they were playing it safe—because their lives were not held by circumstance or chance but rather by God. They would tell us they danced into eternity with the One they loved…Jesus and they would, of course, be right.

I find myself desiring to finish well. I know, I will not be a Ruby or a Laura, but I do want to go out “dancing” with the One who loves me most and best. I want to go out with my boots on. Sometimes we see our later years as years to relax but I wonder if we aren’t missing something. Maybe our later years are our best years to serve Him and them. Maybe our later years are intended to be the finest chapters of our lives.

Tomorrow, Judy and I will be getting on a plane and flying to Europe to minister to a group of folks from East Africa. They are in a poverty-stricken area and few, if any, know Jesus. It is going to challenging but it also is going to be a great adventure. I won’t be driving a jeep on dangerous mountain roads, so I won’t have to worry about my brakes giving out. Smile. But I do know that no matter what, our lives are in the hands of our Dearest Daddy and that is never a bad thing. In fact, there is nothing better.

Paul, the guy who wrote a chunk of the New Testament, knew about dangerous mountain roads and losing your brakes. He was an “all in” sorta guy and ultimately was martyred for his faith. Anyway, he wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In other words, if God chose to keep him here on earth…that was good. If God chose to call him heaven…that was good too. All that mattered was living “all in” and going out “with his boots on.”

So, no matter what, if you are a Jesus person let me encourage you to go “all in” and leave the details to the One who loves you most. If you haven’t discovered Jesus yet, let me encourage you to make that your pursuit starting now. It is a journey you won’t regret. Living “all in” and being willing to go out “with your boots on” can sound daunting. Truth is, it just doesn’t sound daunting…it is. The good news is the One who loves you most will always be right by your side, whispering softly, “Go ahead, don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

Good Job, Mister Sun

Posted on July 22, 2022July 21, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

Good job, Mister Sun. I love beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Everyone talks about the beautiful ones down on the Gulf of Mexico but hey…save the gas and enjoy the ones right here in Southern Illinois. It is common here in our neck of the woods to have both sunrises and sunsets that are just awesome. These masterpieces are enhanced by different things in the atmosphere but are created by the Masterpiece Maker…the God who made it all.

Well, yesterday morning, this Masterpiece Maker decided to show off. Let me explain. I get up long before sunrise but by the time I drink a couple of cups of coffee and have some time with Jesus, the sun is just about ready to say good morning. So yesterday, I opened the door of my office at home and paused at a table we have in our hallway. It has a window that faces east and that is where and when I saw it. There, peeking through the trees, was the most magnificent sunrise I have seen in years. The sun was just above the horizon, and it was a flaming ball of color…a combination of intense red and orange.

Try as I might, I can’t think of anything to compare it too. It simply took my breath away. I immediately went downstairs and spoke to Judy through an open the window. I told her, “You need to go and look at the sunrise. It is incredible.” She mentioned something about getting a camera and I told her, “No, go right now.” Well, she did, and she too was rewarded with this masterpiece. We could only see it in one particular spot and through the trees, but it was sweet…very sweet. And it didn’t last too long. In just a few minutes the color was not as intense, and it went from beyond words to just plain old beautiful. The truth is God had chosen that morning and that place to show off and we got to see it.

Well, in a few minutes, I had slipped on my walking clothes and headed to the cemetery for my morning walk. By now the sun was up higher in the sky…still beautiful and still magnificent in its everyday glory. But all that paled now because of what I had seen that morning. And that morning, that early morning, I knew I had discovered perhaps the true purpose of the sun.

I know no sun would mean no life. We would be a planet of cold and darkness like so many others, so I get the importance of the sun and its light. So, while all that is so very important, is it the true purpose of this heavenly light we call the sun? Maybe not. You see in the Old Testament part of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, there is a verse that says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands.” When I think of that verse and remember that sunrise, I think I know the true purpose of the sun…to declare the glory of God.

You see, God is so great, so good, so loving, so kind, so caring, so holy, so magnificent that He is really beyond words. So maybe, just maybe, He gives us sunrises like the one I saw that morning to help me, to help us understand just how awesome He is. The truth is there is no doubt in my mind that the God who made all of us and all of this is one incredible God. So beyond words He gives us sunrises, and full moons and a sky filled with stars just to declare His glory and to let us know just how great He is.

I’ve shared many times that I believe God sends us love notes every single day. Often those love notes tell us how much He loves us and cares for us. That includes sunrises and sunsets and beautiful mountains and flowers and even a precious newborn’s face. Common? Not hardly. Each one is a love note from the Father. So today take a moment and look at the splendor of creation. Go ahead and dare to be amazed at this God who loves us so much. And then marvel at the thought that as we journey, as we do this thing called life, He loves us and gently whisperers, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Integrity, life, loving others, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

Puff Graham

Posted on July 5, 2022July 4, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” Luke 16:10

Puff Graham. Those two words changed our world. Many of us have heard of and admired Billy Graham. He was a country boy who later became one of the world’s most renowned preachers. His passion and love for God and people drew millions of people to hear what he had to say. His message was simple—God loves you and he made it clear that if a person was willing to ask, God would forgive them and give them a home with Him in heaven.

Many books and plenty of documentaries have been written and made about Dr. Graham but one fact that amazes me is little known. It was 1949 and he was out in Los Angeles conducting a series of revival meetings. The crowds were good and the results incredible and the meetings when on for several weeks. Slowly, though, the meetings seemed to be losing momentum and I’m sure it crossed Billy Graham’s mind if it was time to move on. About that time something happened.

One evening, as he approached the tent where the meeting was being held, he was amazed to find the largest crowd ever. He wondered what had happened. Well, what had happened was a two-word directive from publisher William Randolph Hearst. The directive simply said, “Puff Graham.” The directive ordered all of Hearst’s vast media holdings to start promoting the young evangelist. Almost overnight, Billy Graham attained “celebrity” status.

I suppose it would have been tempting for Dr. Graham to use that to promote himself but no…he used it only to promote the One he loved. It is interesting that according to Dr. Graham, he really had no relationship with Hearst. There was no real reason for this to happen except for one…the providence and sovereignty of God. I believe God honored Billy Graham for his character and integrity. He knew He could trust the young evangelist with success. You see, the truth of the matter is riches are harder to handle than poverty and success is harder to handle than failure.

If we want God to bless us more then we need to be ready and able to handle those blessings. The One who made us knows if we are ready to be “puffed” or not. Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” The story is told of a young man applying for a job. After the interview, he and the man doing the interview went to the cafe for lunch. The young man was first in line and the other man watch as he got a pat of butter and slipped it under his napkin so he wouldn’t be charged for it. Well, he wasn’t charged, nor did he get the job.

“Puff Graham.” Two words that tell a big, big story. Let’s be sure and be the kind of people that God can do whatever He wants in our lives. Let’s live worthy of being “puffed” however that looks and whatever that means. But let’s also be the kind of people who are willing to promote others. Let’s look for opportunities to lift someone…even if it means not promoting ourselves. One thing is certain. We can trust God to do what is best for us and what is best for His Kingdom. We can rest assured that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, gratitude, July 4, life, loving others, Military memories, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, USA

July 4. 1972

Posted on July 4, 2022July 3, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

It was fifty years ago today. The summer of 1972 was unlike any other summer I had experienced. I had joined the Air Force and spent the summer at “camp” with about forty new friends. We shared one thing in common—we had taken an oath to “protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies…foreign and domestic.” We had also committed to obeying the orders of those appointed over us and at this point…that was everyone else but us. We were brand new, raw recruits who knew a lot about being a civilian and virtually nothing about being in the military. But we didn’t have to worry…our drill sergeant was taking care of that.

I arrived at Lackland Air Force Base in the early morning hours of June 13th…early as in about 2:00 am. This was intentional because the Air Force actually wanted you to be disorientated the first few days. I think it was supposed to make us more cooperative. Anyway, we quickly got into a routine sporting our new haircuts and green fatigue uniforms. They kept us going from before sunrise and put us to bed even before it was dark. That was ok too because we were wore out.

This was my first time away from home, but the schedule didn’t allow for home sickness. But all that changed one night in July. There wasn’t a lot of free time…whether it was a Tuesday, a Friday, or a Sunday…though they did allow time for church for anyone who wanted to go. Most of us wanted to go…not because we loved God but for a couple of hours, we could forget the grind of basic.

Back then the Air Force didn’t observe holidays either. Of course, the only one that occurred in my time in basic was—Independence Day. As I remember, we definitely did NOT get the day off, but I do think we got to do some extra marching…I think it was supposed to be patriotic. Anyway, it was soon time for lights out and then it happened. I was lying in my bunk; the skies had finally darkened, and I heard a familiar sound. It was the sound of exploding fireworks.

I eased out of bed and knelt down in front of the window. From there, I watched the fireworks display for the base explode and light up the sky. And as I watched, a wave of homesickness washed over me. I remembered all the times that we would go to downtown Jacksonville to the riverfront and watch the fireworks together as a family. I remembered the times we would go to a small neighborhood grocery store and sneak into the backroom where they sold illegal fireworks and load up. I remembered and as I did I knew that this was the first of many times that being a member of the military would mean separation…and sacrifice.

Before long the fireworks were over and I went back to my bunk and after too many minutes of loneliness, drifted off to sleep. The next morning it was back to business as usual. The summer of ’72 passed pretty quickly and before I knew it, I was done with basic and moved on to what was next…more training…and more new adventures. And what I discovered that night, kneeling at my window in basic, came true. There were many more days and holidays when family was far away. But also knew it was a small sacrifice to make to serve my country.

So today, be sure and remember those who are serving, who are sacrificing, that we can enjoy our freedoms. Remember freedom is never free and we should be thankful for those willing to make ours possible. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” That is so, so true. Look, we all know America is far from perfect, but she is still the best country on the planet—remember that today too. And if you are one of those separated from family to serve, thank you and know that the One who died for you, loves you and will never leave you. No matter what you are facing today, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Daddy’s Heart Attack

Posted on June 27, 2022June 26, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Thanks, Dad…for the heart attack. It was back in 1976, June 26th to be specific, that I married Judy Allen. She was a Georgia peach that was quite the catch. I met her when I walked into a strange, new church on a Wednesday night. I entered the side door and boom—there she was. Standing in a circle of ordinary young ladies, this young lady was anything but. Then, there was a phone call, a date and well, here we are forty-six years…she is still quite the catch, we are still in love, and we are still grateful for a God who has a plan.

I was talking with Judy the other day and said, “What if we had never met?” I honestly cannot fathom my life without her…but what if? It was really a strange set of circumstances that got us together. I was in the Air Force and my Daddy had a pretty major heart attack while I was home on leave. It sure changed our Christmas plans, but it also changed my life. My Momma, and don’t ask me how since this was way before the internet and smart phones, found out through the Red Cross that the Air Force would sometimes grant a “humanitarian reassignment” to airmen to the base nearest their home. The conditions were strict, and the odds were long, but we (Momma and I) decided we should give it a shot.

It required all kinds of statements from the doctors and a bunch of other stuff that I don’t even remember. At the time I was stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota and trust me that is a long way from home. Anyway, we applied and then one day I received a call from Base Personnel letting me know that my request had been approved and I was being reassigned to Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia. Soon, it was so long Minot and hello Moody. I arrived at my new base in April of 1973. I would drive home every weekend (about two hours) to see family and friends and come back Sunday evening.

Gratefully, God allowed my Daddy to live till midsummer of the next year when He decided heaven was better than here. Of course, his leaving changed everything. I think my Momma went to stay with one of my brothers or sisters for a while and suddenly there wasn’t as much reason to go home. I was a regular church goer, but it really wasn’t my desire to go to church that Wednesday night as much as it was…boredom. Valdosta wasn’t a big town and Moody wasn’t a big airbase, so I just needed something to do. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Which leads to my opening line…Daddy’s heart attack. If it hadn’t had been for that and my Momma’s persistence, well, I would have stayed in Minot and probably froze to death. Smile. I would have never met Judy, there would not have been our three precious daughters and hence no eight grandchildren. And, honestly, I probably wouldn’t be pastoring and wouldn’t be writing this today. But God is a God of infinite details and design. He tells us in the Bible that every day of our lives is planned before a single one of them is lived. I like that…a lot.

He also teaches us that for those who love Him and are called by Him, He can take anything and everything and bring good out of it. No, not everything is good…not even close and that isn’t what He said. He said He can bring good and in the case of my Daddy’s heart attack, my life path is part of that good. Have you ever thought of life that way? Can you think of a situation where God did that for you? I bet you can. You see, God is good, God is faithful, and God can be trusted.

One day I will see my Daddy again…in heaven. I’ll probably chat with him and ask if he ever thought about the good that God brought about because of his heart attack. And then, well, I’ll tell him all about Judy (if she isn’t there yet) and his great grandkids. It’s gonna be a great reunion. Till then, I hope I remember to trust my heavenly Dearest Daddy each day, and know that no matter what, no matter how big…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne