Trials – Grits with Grace

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, Memorial Day, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials, USA

Freedom

Posted on May 31, 2023May 30, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

I know Memorial Day is the in rearview mirror but this needs to be said and read…again. It all started one Thursday night and we had gone to one of our favorite eating places in Marion…a town not far from where we live. We did our Sam’s Club thing and then decided to call it a night. So, we headed for 217 back in Harrisburg. As we were driving down the highway, on a whim, we made a right turn at a familiar intersection. We had driven by it so many times but this time we turned.

The sign said it went to Creal Springs, but I found out it went somewhere else—to something else. We were cruising along just enjoying the ride when I thought I saw one of those “brown signs.” These signs usually indicate a place of special interest. As I went by, I thought I saw the words cemetery and Revolutionary War. I went down the road a ways and then told Judy I saw a sign for a cemetery…perhaps an old one. I turned around.

Back down the road, there was indeed a sign. We pulled off the road and it said, “Ellis Family Cemetery and Revolutionary War gravesite. I really couldn’t believe that it was true. I mean, out East you would find those kinds of gravesites everywhere, but here in Southern Illinois? We decided we had to investigate. It turned out there was no road, just a driveway. Well, after trying to decide if we were going to get shot for trespassing, we decided to give it a try. As it turned out, the driveway went between two houses which led to a pasture. Way at the back of the pasture we could see a small cemetery. There wasn’t a road, but I could see where a car had gone before, so off we went.

When we got there, we found the gravesite of John Ellis. He was born in 1754 and died in 1850. He lived for 96 years, which is incredible, but even more amazing…he fought in the American Revolutionary War. He had two monuments. One was much newer, one much older. The older one simply said, “For Military Merit” and someone had painted his name on it. I was overwhelmed. Here in Southern Illinois was the grave of a man, a hero, who fought for the birth of our country.

This man was there, on the battlefield, when a group of men and women declared our freedom from England. This.man.was.there. He put it all on the line for a cause greater than himself. And for the last 247 years that is what freedom loving American heroes have done. Through conflicts great and small they have served, they have bled, and many have died. I value the saying, “All gave some, some gave all.” I value the sacrifice of all these freedom fighters through the centuries and decades. I also love what they fought for.

I know these are difficult times for our nation, but we have seen difficult times before. At his first inauguration on March 4, 1933, Franklin Roosevelt said this. “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive, and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Don’t rush past those words. They are powerful and they are worth believing.

I believe in this country. I believe that even with all its warts and imperfections it is still the best country in the world. Having visited well over twenty other countries, I’ve seen the competition and America wins hands down. I spent an Independence Day in basic training for the Air Force in 1972. Lights-out was about 8:00 pm and I was lying in my bunk when the fireworks starting going off. I crept out of bed and went to the window and watched as the fireworks exploded in the Texas sky. Two emotions came over me. One, I missed family. Somewhere in Florida they were celebrating freedom. The other though, was more personal. I was becoming an American airman serving my country. I was one of her defenders and I was proud…proud to serve and proud to be an American.

The Book says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” That is so true. As a nation when we choose God, when we choose to make Him ours, we do better. When we don’t, we don’t. It is just that simple. The second part of that verse is equally important. God is still inviting, calling people to be His. Skin color doesn’t matter, economic status doesn’t matter, creed doesn’t matter. He simply invites every man, woman, and child to be His. The invitation is open, and the decision is personal…individual.

So, God bless America. If you are a God follower, a God believer, why not start today with a whispered prayer of thanks for this great country. And then, pause, be still and listen for surely the Whisperer will whisper. He may speak through His Word, He may speak through another person, or a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Regardless, He will whisper, “You can rest in Me. I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Stinking Rock

Posted on May 30, 2023May 29, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19

Ok…it just hurt. I grew up down South and there and especially then things were just a bit different. Back in those days before Nintendo and Game Boys, we played…I mean we just played. Even though we had television, and yes, it was black and white, it was rarely on…especially during the day. When school was over for the day, we would go outside and run the neighborhood and…the woods.

We lived in a small country neighborhood that was surrounded by woods. We played army, built forts, and played every game you could imagine. We had a large Chinaberry tree in our backyard, and we would load our pockets with the small berries and then chase one another trying our best to “ping” someone with the berries. As you can imagine we ran…a lot. And the best running shoes then were no shoes at all. We ran and played barefoot most of the time. There were times of regret, like when we would stub our toe on a big old pine root, but most of the time we did just fine. Of course, all that “barefoot-ness” toughened our feet up till the soles were leather tough.

Well, things change, and we all grew up and started wearing shoes. With the shoes, we lost our toughness but not our love to occasionally go barefoot. There’s still just something about the feel of grass and soft sand on the bottom of your foot. Yup…what good memories…that is until I stepped on a stupid rock. It all started when I went outside early in the morning, as the sun was still yawning, to have a cup of coffee with Judy. Of course, I wasn’t wearing shoes. We have a paved driveway and patio so no deal…right? Not so fast.

I walked out to the patio, visited for a while, and then decided it was time to head back into the house to get ready for the day. Our patio is a foot or so higher than our driveway and we have a small step there to make things easier. So, I stepped down onto the step and then on down to the driveway. Not thinking, nor thinking to look, right where I stepped was a nice, small rock. Now this wasn’t the smooth stone kind of rock but the kind that you find in an unpaved alley. Anyway, I stepped, and stepped hard and landed right on that stinking rock. Ouch.

As things would happen, it was in the middle of my heel, and it just hurt. I muttered something about stupid rocks, picked the rock up and chucked it back into the alley where it belonged. It really was a “no harm, no foul” deal. I mean, it wasn’t like it hurt all day and it wasn’t like I had to go to the doctor, but for those few moments…it just hurt and for those few moments…I was mad at the rock. Mad.At.The.Rock.

Wait…later I decided there was something wrong with that. I am sure that rock didn’t wake up that morning (do rocks wakeup?) and decide to be in the exact wrong spot. In fact, I am sure the rock had nothing to do with it at all. I am sure that I am the one who chose not to wear shoes that morning, who didn’t look to see if there was a rock in the way, and who wasted my emotional energy by getting mad at a rock. It sounds like this one is on me.

The bottom line is when you do life, you will occasionally step on a rock, and it may cause some pain. But like the Disney song says, maybe we should just, “let it go.” The Bible gives us some even greater counsel. It says that we are to remember that God is our strength, and we should ask Him to guide our feet as sure as a mountain deer. In other words,…to help us watch where we step…whether it is off our patio or into a questionable decision.

Well, I know, and you know it wasn’t the rock’s fault that day and really, in the scope of things, it wasn’t mine either. It was just one of those things. Oh, and this morning, I went out barefoot again but before I stepped off the patio, I looked and that means, I may have learned and that is always valuable. So be sure and look before you step and remember, even if things don’t go exactly like you plan today…He’s still got this. Bro. Dewayne

Oh wait…I thought that was the end of the story, but it wasn’t. So, the same day I wrote this, at lunch I went home to eat and kicked my shoes off. As I was walking across the kitchen floor, I stepped on a…get ready…rock. Yup, right there in the kitchen. I guess you just never know.

fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Integrity, life, love, loving others, Memorial Day, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials, USA

Heroes

Posted on May 29, 2023May 28, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

Years later, it still tugs at my heart. I’m not sure how I found my way there, but I was grateful. During my assignment in Sembach, Germany we had the opportunity to see so much. From Hitler’s hideaway called “The Eagle’s Nest” in Berchtesgaden to the windmills of Holland to the Alps of Switzerland we were constantly amazed at what was all around us. But nothing prepared me for Luxembourg.

We had some friends that we had known in our days at Moody Air Force Base in South Georgia. They received orders to Germany several months before we did. They were only a couple of hours from us, so we saw each other pretty frequently. It must have been during one of our forays that we came to it—Luxembourg American Cemetery. It was one of the most hallowed sights I have ever seen.

There, in the cemetery, are 5,075 white Lasa marble crosses and stars of David. Row after row of headstones that mark the final resting place of American heroes. Each one made the ultimate sacrifice for us, for you and me, that we can live in freedom. General George Patton is buried there. Two Medal of Honor recipients are also buried there: David G. Turner and William D. McGee. Twenty-two sets of brothers lay buried side by side throughout the cemetery. Some, 371 in fact, were never found. They are simply listed as missing in action. 102 are just unknown.

This place of honor was established on December 29, 1944. Many of the soldiers died during the Battle of the Bulge…Hitler’s last push to turn the tide of the war in Germany’s favor. It failed but it came at great cost to the Allied forces. It was a harsh winter and because of the urgency of the times many were sent to fight with little or no winter gear. The desperate Germans showed little mercy to those taken prisoner. And all this occurred just nine months, nine months, before the war ended. So many had survived D-Day and countless days of combat only to make the ultimate sacrifice months before the grand reunion with family.

Heroes. It is a word we throw around lightly these days. In a world where everyone gets a trophy, we are in danger of losing the value of this incredible word. Hero. Dictionary.com defines it as “a person noted for courageous acts.” Oxford says it is a person who is admired or idealized for courage. Webster defines it as an illustrious warrior or one who shows great courage. Another place said it is a person who at great danger to themselves puts others first.

I went to Toys-R-Us one time and there they had several aisles of superhero stuff. As I turned the corner a sign caught my eye. It simply said, “Real Heroes.” Along that aisle were the soldiers and sailor figures as well as police, firemen, and other emergency responders. If I went to that aisle today it would have to include doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Real heroes…real people putting others first at peril to themselves.

But there would be one missing. Jesus Christ, the Hero of Heaven, who willingly, who bravely, gave Himself to a Roman cross that men, women, and children could be free. The cross was so horrible it was called the death of deaths. It was so horrible it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen. And yet…He went. Why? He loved me. He loved you.

Amazingly it was not for some of us but all of us. Skin color, economic station, language, nationality, capacity to be bad or good doesn’t matter. The Bible simply says, “He came to seek and save that which was lost.” It simply says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It simply says He is not willing for any to perish but all to come home. Anyone—I like anyone. Anyone who acknowledges their need for a rescue will find one in Jesus. And this Hero not only does a meet and greet, He invites you to join His family. How about that!

So, when you hear the national anthem, place your hand over your heart as a salute to those who paid the price for our freedom. When you see a veteran, thank them for his or her service and sacrifice. When you walk through a cemetery with your kids, point out the graves of the men and women who served and tell them why they are so special. And when you talk to the Hero of Heaven next time, thank Him for forgiving your sin. Thank Him for always being there. Thank Him for giving you a place to rest. And, thank Him for having this….because He does. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Nip it in the Bud

Posted on May 24, 2023May 23, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4

Leave it to Barney. Some of you might remember Barney Fife from the old television show, “The Andy Griffith Show.” He was one of the iconic characters and played the town deputy under Sheriff Andy Taylor. Barney was a little off-center most of the time. One of my favorite memories was that they only trusted him with one bullet, and he had to keep it in his pocket. He may have been a bit off-center but every once-on-a-while he would come up with something insightful. One of those was his saying that we should “nip it, nip it in the bud.”

He knew (at least every once in a while) that an ounce of prevention was better than a pound of cure. Now he didn’t always follow his own good advice but who does? Truth is we would all be better off we did, “nip it, nip it in the bud.” The other day I went to the skin doctor for my semi-annual skin check. Twice a year I have them look and make sure something isn’t growing on my skin that shouldn’t be. Some of that skin stuff can get pretty nasty. Like I’ve said before I’m ok with dying…I just don’t want to die stupid.

So usually, I am an A+ patient. Besides the usual assortment of old people stuff, she always tells me I have good skin. Well, that didn’t quite happen this time. As she checked my forehead, she found two spots that were kinda rough and she said, “Dewayne, these might be pre-cancers so it would be best if we burned them off.” So, she wasn’t sure if they were but, in her opinion, it was better to be safe than sorry—and I agreed with her. Let’s “nip it, nip it in the bud”. So, she got out her handy burner-off thing and just like that they were frozen.

“Wait,” you say, “I thought you she was burning them off?” Yup that’s right but she burns them off by hitting them with something so cold it literally burns them off. Ever heard of, “freezer burn?” Same sort of idea. Anyway, it was all over after a little bit of stinging and a few days of everyone asking, “What happened to your forehead?” And guess what? Because we nipped it in the bud, I don’t have to worry about it turning into something a little nastier.

This “nip it, nip it in the bud” thing is good advice. Imagine how many regrets a little nipping could save us! And what about when we nip a “pre-sin” in the bud before it becomes a disaster in our lives? Yup, the more I think about it the more I am sure we owe old Barney a debt of gratitude. So, let me suggest a semi-annual visit to the skin doctor and a daily visit with the Great Physician just to check and see if there needs to be a little nipping on those nasty “pre-sins.” It might sting a little but hey, don’t worry, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Ignored

Posted on May 23, 2023May 22, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk. John 5:8-9

No matter how hard I tried…he ignored me. So, I am a walker…sometimes more consistent than others but generally I walk several days a week. The habit person in me likes the consistency of taking the same route over and over. The adventure person in me likes to vary the routes that I take. The bottom line…it is a coin toss every time I walk. Regardless of which route I take; I see him frequently.

Who is he? He is one of the homeless guys here in our small town. Actually, I am only assuming he is homeless. Like I said, frequently and no matter how early, I see him riding his bike, pushing his bike, and sitting somewhere, anywhere holding onto his bike. When I stroll by, I try to be friendly. I walk by and give him a wave and a smile with a “good morning,” attached. He doesn’t respond. If you remember the story of Brier Rabbit and Tar Baby, you know when Tar Baby didn’t respond to Brier Rabbit—he got more than a little upset. Well, I think Brier Rabbit and I might be distant cousins. My thought was, “What’s up with this? Why is he ignoring me?”

Well, there were many attempts after that attempt, and it wasn’t just with him. I would try to wave, be friendly, and give a “Good morning” if we were in voice range. Almost without exception…there was nothing just a blank stare. Well, earlier this week it was the same song, same verse but this time something occurred to me…or more accurately maybe Someone spoke to me. The thought, the inner voice was this, “Dewayne, he is ignoring you because that is all he knows.” A bell went off in my head and in my heart.

I realized in that moment that to most people, these folks who live in the streets are ignored because they become invisible. Most people don’t even see them, much less acknowledge them. And, I think, that once you have been ignored for so long…when you are invisible to the world around you…you stop seeing and feeling too. It becomes easy to just look, to stare until the world around disappears. And, you need to know, that it isn’t always homeless people…it can be just everyday walk-around people who have been bruised and hurt one too many times. They go to work, they function, but in reality, they stare into nothingness just trying to get by.

What are we to do? Well, first we don’t stop trying to reach out and touch those around us. Jesus was so good at seeing the invisible and loving the unlovable and do you know what? He never gave up. A story is told about a lame man who laid by a pool forever…or, at least, it seemed forever…38 years to be exact. The rumor was if you could be the first in the pool when the waters stirred, you would be healed. It wasn’t true and it really didn’t matter because he could never be first. And then…Jesus showed up.

Jesus saw him, spoke to him, and asked this question, “Do you want to be well?” The man gave him the story about him and the waters. Jesus didn’t quit. He just said, “Pick up your mat and walk.” Well, the guy took the gamble, obeyed, and…he was healed…just like that. Amazing. Thirty-eight years of suffering ended abruptly. I guess we can’t offer the broken around us that kind of deal, but we can see, we can speak, and we can pray and when we do that…who knows what God will do?

Let me encourage you…and me for that matter…to start seeing again, to start loving again, to start making a difference, no matter how small, again. If you see someone obviously broken and you are a Jesus follower, just remember how broken you were when you met the Healer and He whispered, “I love you…I forgive you.” And as you remember, take that moment to reach out and let that person know how much God loves them and longs to forgive them. Oh, and let them also know that “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials

His World–Their World

Posted on May 19, 2023May 18, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love.” 1 John 4:16

It’s like traveling around the world. I never cease to be amazed at the world that God has created for us. My wife Judy and I love to travel, and I have found a way to kinda, sorta travel while sitting right in my living room chair. It all happens courtesy of YouTube. I’m not sure why or how but one day, I stumbled upon a video of sorts that would take a part of the world and set pictures of it to relaxing music. It may be England or Africa or Germany or maybe Utah. Regardless, it is amazing and marvelous. I truly enjoy it and perhaps you should try it. And then…it got better.

So, while I was trying to pick a place to visit, I found a feature that showed live webcams from all over the world. Every few seconds, a different live video of a different part of the world would appear along with the current weather for that location. Ok…this is way cool. Imagine all these different places, all being shown live. People are walking, visiting, or perhaps sleeping. Cars are driving up and down the streets and trucks are making deliveries. It might be raining or snowing, warm or cold, sunny, or cloudy. It is a world tour of the…world.

Recently, I was watching, and a video showed up showing early morning Philadelphia. The sky was blue, and it was a beautiful spring morning. God was showing off. And then, just like that, I found myself looking at a place high in the Austrian Alps and even though it was mid-May it was snowing to beat the band. For all intents and purposes, it was still midwinter. And it was just about then that it hit me.

All those videos were just like snapshots of our lives…each one different and each one unique. As we look around some folks’ lives are like a beautiful spring morning—things couldn’t be better. Look over there and there is someone enduring the beating rain of a severe storm and finally, glance over there and someone is locked in the midst of winter. We sometimes forget that our lives, our experience may not be the experience of the person standing next to us. While our lives are neat and orderly, theirs might be filled with gale force winds and pounding hail. For us things couldn’t be better—for them things couldn’t be worse.

Can I encourage us to remember that? Can I encourage us to be sensitive to the fact that our world may not be someone else’s? Can I encourage us to be more understanding when someone seems to be rude and huffy when perhaps, just perhaps, they are doing everything they can just to stay afloat. Jesus was so good at this. He could read someone and respond and it wasn’t just because He was God in the flesh but also because He was determined to love others. We can, and should, do the same thing.

So, if you do the computer thing, check out YouTube and search for relaxing music or videos and enjoy and as you are, remember that those places are places where people are living and maybe struggling. Then, determine to be like Jesus, who managed to love each person no matter what. A song says that Jesus loves the little children, all the little children, and if He does…we should too. 1 John 4:16 says, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love.” We have come to know and believe that no matter what…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Tic-Toc

Posted on May 18, 2023May 17, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17

It was one of those defining moments. We have lots of clocks in our home. Now I’m speaking of the clocks that you need to wind, and they go “tic-toc-tic-toc.” I have always prided myself on my good eyesight and hearing. So, when I turned 40 it was bye-bye good eyesight and hello reading glasses. About five years ago, it was my hearing’s turn.

I enjoy sitting in our house and listening to our clocks go tic-toc. I know, I don’t get out much–no pun intended. I would distinctly hear each clock ticking in the room. Over here was the grandfather clock, over there was the regulator and over there was the mickey mouse clock–just kidding. Then one day it happened. I was a bit sleepy, so I leaned my head to one side using my right hand to cover my right ear and bam. No more clocks ticking. “What is wrong with the clocks?” I said. Uh, it wasn’t the clocks.

Well, I got up and stuck my finger in my right ear and suddenly I felt like I was living Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “The Sounds of Silence.” So, I stuck my finger in my left ear and things were ticking just fine. I’m no ear doctor and that was not a definitive test by I discovered something wasn’t working in my left ear. Can someone say, “What did you say?”

Yup, that’s right. So, I made an appointment with an ear doctor, and he confirmed what I knew. I had significant hearing loss in my left ear but fortunately just a little in my right. I’m sure I know what caused it. I cut firewood every weekend for about 15 years without ear protection. Not a good idea.

Here is the interesting part of the story. In what is now officially known as my “bad” ear, I am almost totally deaf to certain frequencies but can hear others perfectly fine. Most music is ok, but when it comes to clocks ticking–nothing. I can put my ear up to the clock and plug my good ear “old faithful” and I can’t hear a thing. Amazingly that is also true with my wife’s voice. How odd.

Well, fortunately, no hearing aids yet, but there are a few “whats” and “what did you say.” If I look at you funny when we are speaking, it probably means that your voice is the same frequency of a ticking clock. Since hearing clocks tick is not a life essential, I’m good. But then what about other things? What about other frequencies?

I wonder sometimes if God’s voice is like the ticking clock? I wonder if He speaks and all I get is “the sounds of silence?” Of course, the worst fear is what if I have developed selective hearing. I’m sure Judy’s voice is not the frequency of a ticking clock but strangely she speaks, and sometimes I don’t hear. Or better put–I don’t listen.

I’m not the only man to think that–I’m just the only one crazy enough to write it down. But this God thing—now that’s another matter. What if He speaks and I don’t listen? If there is one voice, I need to hear–it is His. I mean missing Judy’s voice might mean missing supper. Missing God’s voice can mean consequences–big consequences. Fortunately, God does have an incredible hearing aid and it comes in the form of His Word.

Romans 10:17 says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” You see, faith is essential every day, but especially these days. We gain faith not just from hearing but hearing the Word of God. Here’s the big part–hearing isn’t hearing–it is comprehending. Our faith grows when we READ the Word, comprehend the Word and apply the Word. It’s not about ears, it is about hearts. Receiving Hearts. Our hearts.

So, if you can’t hear your clock ticking, go see the tic-tic ear doc. But in this crazy busy world if you are having trouble hearing God, get alone, get quiet, and start reading the Word. Take your time, savor every word of the Word, and don’t be surprised as you find yourself resting in Him. Don’t be surprised when you find your believing–really believing, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Here Comes Niagara Falls

Posted on May 17, 2023May 16, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.” Psalm 121:5

I had always wanted to see it—but not here and not then. So, the other night we had one of those “Oh no” moments. Part of the Taylor tribe that normally lives somewhere else was staying with us. They have three boys who are absolutely 100% all boys. Accordingly, it is important, very important, that they shower every night. So, my wife Judy, AKA MaMa, gave them their marching orders, “Hit the shower.”

Slowly and somewhat reluctantly, they did. Well, Judy and I were upstairs and suddenly there came a very loud commotion from downstairs. Above the din we heard the voice of grandson number 2 hollering, “MaMa, come downstairs NOW!” Well, she scurried down the stairs and I was right behind her. What was the cause of the commotion? Niagara Falls had come to Southern Illinois—217 W. Poplar Street to be exact. When we arrived downstairs, from the light fixture in her home office, water was pouring. Now it wasn’t dripping, it wasn’t sprinkling, it was pouring.

As it turned out it wasn’t a broken pipe—it was grandson number 1 who had forgotten to put the shower curtain inside the shower. So, if you forget to put the shower curtain inside the shower, all the water runs down the shower curtain and straight on the floor and from there—right through the ceiling and into MaMa’s office. Holy Moley. Now to add to this story, this all happened on Saturday night at 9:00 pm. You know, the night before the Papa preacher is supposed to preach on Sunday morning. You know, 9:00 pm when people are supposed to be winding down and not winding up.

Well, because of the quick thinking of the father of grandson 1 and 2, we were able to contain the water pretty quickly. It took several dozen towels (ok, that’s an exaggeration) but it was several and the quick removal of a rug and the moving of a desk. Well, in a matter of minutes, the worst was over except I had some confessing to do to my Dearest Daddy about patience and not losing “it.” But wait, there is a pretty bow in this story.

You see, for whatever reason, the water only came through the ceiling where the fan and light were located. The ceiling was not hurt at all—not a bit. And, believe it or not, even with all the water flowing in and through it, the light and fan still worked. Can someone say, “God moment?” I think it was another of those times when God was just watching over us. In this case we didn’t avoid the commotion, but we did avoid the catastrophe.

Tucked away in the Psalms is this verse, “The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.” I believe that is absolutely true and it is true even if the commotion grows into a catastrophe! No matter what, He watches and as always, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Gratitude: Leader of the Pack

Posted on May 16, 2023May 15, 2023 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 sixties 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 was 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 Ramber 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 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 bonddo filler in the body. It was powered by a straight line 6 cylinder, 195 cube 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 a 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. So we work longer hours, carry way to 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. And he wrote that 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 is a catch. You kinda have to understand that yourself before you can teach them. Tell you what. Sometime today why don’t 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. Bro. Dewayne

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

God’s Perspective

Posted on May 15, 2023May 14, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (CSB)

They were all heading straight for disaster, and they didn’t have a clue. So, I was walking on our local bike path the other day. It was early morning but not so early that the day wasn’t already warm. Worse than that—it was dry. As I was walking, I looked down and saw several, no many, earthworms on the bike trail. They were trying to make it across.

I know, you’re thinking, “Why did the earthworm cross the bike path?” The answer is “I don’t know but it sure wasn’t going well.” Some had already bit the bullet and others were in the struggle of their wormy lives. Most were squirming…doing everything they could to make it to the other side. The only thing is I could see what they could not. They were a long way from home.

I can just imagine one of the worms with the gift of leadership shouting to his friends, “Keep going guys. You can make it. Just a little further.” The trouble is he just didn’t have the whole picture…the view from above. From his perspective the end was right over there. From his perspective just a few more inches and they would be home free. Perspectives from ground level are often like that. That is why we need someone with a better view.

One of the things I love about believing in God is knowing that He has a higher, better view. He can see things that you just can’t see at ground level. And when He speaks…He speaks true encouragement because He knows what is around the bend or a few days down the road. God is really good at helping His kids do life. If only we would learn to listen. If only…

See, I talked to some of the earthworms as I walked. I would say things like, “It’s not looking good, partner.” Or maybe, “Dude, you’re not gonna make it squirming like that.” Then, “Hey, why are you crossing the bike path anyway?” I just had to ask. Well, no one listened and on they squirmed. It was going to be a hard day for most of them.

And then, and this is the truth, I would sometimes stop and actually pitch one or two of them into the cool, wet grass. It was a random thing I would do. I would stop, pick one out, and chuck them to the side. While not one of them said “thanks” it was enough for me to save him or her from the dreaded concrete desert. It just felt good to save a life—even if it was just an earthworm. I just hope it wasn’t his cousin I put on a hook last week.

When I thought about this whole perspective and rescue thing I just naturally thought about God. Along with His great perspective, He cares enough to rescue us. He wants to rescue every person from an eternity without Him. I mean He loves us so much…and He loved us before we even thought about loving Him. The Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us. He saw all our warts, all our imperfections, all our bad choices and chose to love us anyway. He loved us before we even promised to try and do things right. A promise, by the way, that we could never keep anyway.

Sometimes, I would pick an earthworm to save for no apparent reason. I just picked one. God said, “That will never do.” And do you know what, He loved the whole world…everybody…everyone. Now we still must choose to repent, choose to follow, choose to believe. But when we do…well, the welcome sign is out. Welcome home, son. Welcome home, daughter. And this is the best part. Should we wander back onto the concrete desert, He doesn’t say, “Good grief or good luck.” No, He just reaches out, takes us by the hand and pulls us back into the cool, green grass called His presence. You gotta love that.

Well, I don’t know if you will ever feel compelled to rescue an earthworm or not. But the next time you see one on the sidewalk on a hot day, just remember the time He rescued you. Remember the time He didn’t leave you out in the heat to become a crispy critter. No, He reached down and picked you up. Isn’t it great to have a God that cares? That you can rest in. A Father that’s got this? Yup…I know it’s so. Bro. Dewayne