Trials – Page 35 – Grits with Grace

birthday, Christmas, Family, friends, gratitude, life, love, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

Keep What You Treasure

Posted on March 15, 2023March 13, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5

I was so excited…until I wasn’t. Every new, store-bought toy was cause for big excitement at 6008 Carlton Road. Like I’ve said before there were plenty of things laying around that a kid like me could turn into a toy. Sticks became guns and China berries became bullets. In my eight-year-old world, a trip into the woods was as good as a trip to Africa. But let’s be honest. Nothing could quite beat a store-bought toy.

New toys usually showed up two times a year. First, of course, was Christmas. I would anxiously wait for the wish books to show up in the mail so I could start wishing. Sometimes there were trips to the department stores downtown to window shop the trains and planes that were there on display. I remember letters to Santa, and to Momma and Daddy just in case he wasn’t available. I would state my case and then wait for the big morning and though we never got everything we want—what we got was more than enough.

The other time that store bought toys came to 6008 was on our birthdays. As I wrote those words, I am still amazed at how good my parents were to us…willing to do whatever it took to give us a Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday. I remember too that a lot of years there was a birthday party in the plans and that multiplied the gifts and the memories. It was just all good. In the days that followed Christmas and January 6 (my birthday and the original Christmas Day before some Pope changed it) I would play and play with those new toys…until I didn’t.

There always came a time when I got too rough and it broke, or I got bored as the newness wore off, or I just moved on to something else…but it always happened. The thing I thought I couldn’t live without became a discarded memory. One of my favorite Christmas toys was a Daisy double-barrel BB gun. I loved that gun and if I had taken care of it, today it would be very valuable. Well, I didn’t. I learned at my brother’s funeral that apparently his son and my nephew claimed it after I had discarded it. Where it went from there is anybody’s guess.

The truth is we are a fickle bunch. We soon enough grow tired of whatever is our current fancy and before long what was yesterday’s treasure is today’s trash. Rarely do we care for things the way we should. While it is true of toys, unfortunately, it is also true of the more important things in life. We give our word about something but find it only lasts while it is convenient. We make vows to love someone “till death do us part” and too often rewrite the deal to read, “till I change my mind.” We build our character and then trade it to save face. We often sell the truth so we can buy a lie for the same reason—convenience or pride.

It is amazing how quick we grow tired of the toys, people, and values in our life. We say we value this or that but as soon as this or that becomes difficult or inconvenient, well, what once mattered suddenly doesn’t anymore. So, what should we do? Good question. I believe the root of the answer lies in remembering. Someone once said before you quit you need to remember why you started in the first place. That’s good. And before we discard, something or someone, we need to remember what caused us to make the commitment in the first place.

In the book of the Revelation, near the end of the Bible, Jesus spoke and said this, “You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Those are powerful words…words that we should pay attention to. If we do, perhaps, we will be slower to throw away, to walk away, or run away from the things that matter…what we used to value. The really good news is that the God who created us never, ever grows tired of us. We are as precious to Him as the first day we met Him. He loves us so much and wants to help us. In other words, as always, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

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

Too Much Spaghetti

Posted on March 14, 2023March 13, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22

I cooked way too much spaghetti. Well, I guess it is all official. Things are back to normal. You see, I am a pastor/teacher/preacher. That means I have the privilege of serving with a bunch of people in a church and have the opportunity to share truth from the Bible…sometimes several times a week. It is something that I truly enjoy. When I am sharing something and see the expression on someone’s face change, as if to say, “I get it,” well, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Actually, pastoring is my second career. I spend twelve years in the Air Force and just loved it and then God came up with another idea. I separated from the Air Force and became a pastor. That was 40 years ago. Wow…that sounds like a long time but really it seems like yesterday. When I first starting preaching, my sermons were like 23 minutes long and sometimes that seemed like an eternity…for me and probably for them. Over the years, things have gotten, well, longer. Someone once said, “The longer you preach, the longer you preach.” I believe I can testify to that.

So, before the COVID thing happened, my sermons ran 40-45 minutes. People were kind and most were even grateful for the message but there’s another old saying that says, “Never speak longer than the audience’s seat can bear.” Well, let’s just same I probably reached and exceeded that limit. So, when COVID came along and we were on Facebook only, I made a concerted effort to preach a little shorter…usually about 35 minutes. I was so proud of myself…and then…one day, happened.

One day, I cooked too much spaghetti. Now that is “code” that I simply prepared too much material. Even before Sunday, I had cut about 20 percent of the material and I thought that would do it. It didn’t. The bottom line is that I preached, gulp, 45 minutes. Oh my. I don’t think I chased too many rabbits—it was just too much spaghetti. At the end of the service, I told the folks that I appreciated their patience. They are such a gracious group of people. I also smiled and told them that it was a great sign that things were definitely back to normal.

I always greet the people as they leave after the service, and something happened that particular day that still has me smiling. The mother of one of our members was in the service. I know her and well, she is a friend and a very special lady. Her husband had passed away and I was privileged to have a part in his service. As she shook my hand, she shared that because of having to care for her husband and for health reasons she hadn’t been in church for several years. Then she explained how each week she was sure to listen to our service, and me, on the radio. I smiled and said how grateful I was. And then she said, “You know, I sure enjoyed today but you know, at home, I can just turn the radio off when I am ready.” I laughed, she laughed, and everyone who was standing in earshot did too. It was a precious moment, and it made my day.

This story isn’t about sermons, long or short, but rather it is about the fact that life is back…not totally normal, but I believe something better than what it was. I’ve said it so many times, it won’t be the same and in some ways that is not bad. In fact, in some ways, it is just better. I believe the COVID experience has taught us to love God better and love people better. I believe the COVID year has taught us to appreciate the small things in life that make life better.

So, there you go. This week my goal is to preach a little shorter and laugh a little more. After all the Bible tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine and I just tend to believe what it says. We can laugh, even in our hot mess world, because ultimately, we are certain of one thing—He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, life, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Sigh…It Happened Again

Posted on March 13, 2023March 12, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8b

Sigh…it happened again. Well, twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, they do it. They are whoever is in charge and the what is messing with our clocks and minds. They call it “daylight savings time” or DST but they ought to call it “time to mess with your mind.” You know the drill. On the second Sunday of March they (whoever they are) tell us to set our clocks forward one hour. That means several things. First, it means no matter what you try and do you are going to lose an hour of sleep. It also means that just when sunrise was going to occur at a decent hour, it doesn’t. And finally, it also means that a bunch of people are either late for church or miss it entirely. Like I said, “Sigh.”

Part two of all of this occurs in the fall…in November. It used to be in October but to further confuse everyone they moved it to November. Now I must admit that coming off of DST is easier than going on. In the fall, we gain an hour of sleep though by this time we are so used to the new time, the old time seems more like a nasty neighbor than an old friend. I know, I know—we have more daylight in the evening with DST and besides all that—who gets up that early anyway? Pause. I’m raising my hand.

Oh, and then there is the other deal. I know I’m a bit different, but I have a zillion clocks in my house and each one must be reset when the time changes. Now this is when springing forward (that is supposed to make the losing an hour of sleep more fun) is better than falling back. The bottom line is it is easier to move the hands forward one hour than to stop each clock and then wait for the old time to catch up with the new. I think we might just be better if they would just make up their minds one way or the other and leave things alone.

I was watching the Weather Channel Saturday morning before “time to mess with your mind” day and they did a feature on what happens when you disrupt people’s sleep. Well, they had this expert lady on the show, and she flat out said all this clock changing is a bad idea. She said it can cause several kinds of social disruptions including car accidents and other end of the world scenarios. Well, she didn’t actually say that part, but I thought I would add it in. But I think we do need to make up our minds and let that sleeping dog lie. And speaking of sleeping dogs, I wonder if DST messes with them too. She did say it affected pets. Hmmm.

Well, there is a lesson mixed up in all of this. While it is true when changing the time on our clocks, it is definitely true in life too. Moving forward in life is always better than falling back…you know, falling back into bad habits…falling back into bad relationships…falling back into bad attitudes…well, you get the idea. As we do life, we need to intentionally choose to move forward. If you have one of those older clocks that still has hands, there is usually a small knob on the back. To move the hands forward, you simply turn that knob. To move life forward, we simply need to keep making the next right decision.

That also means to keep doing what we have been doing that was moving us in the right direction. That might include restarting good habits, reestablishing good relationships, and thinking about how we think. Minding our mind is one of the best habits we can have. Paul, the guy in the Bible, said so in a letter he wrote to the folks in Philippi. He said, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Boom…what great advice.

Well, since I am writing this on Sunday, the day we changed the time, I think I will probably go and take a nap and try to catch up on that hour of sleep. Now that the first “time to mess with your mind” day is over, I have 239 days till the next one. But, hey, who is counting? Smile. I’m sure glad my Dearest Daddy doesn’t do this “mess with your mind” thing. He is steady like clockwork—no pun intended. Don’t worry…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

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

My Simple Life

Posted on March 10, 2023March 9, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’” Matthew 6:31

It was just simpler back then. I got up this morning with a little (or maybe a lot) of coffee, a spot of the Weather Channel, and some Jesus. Then, I just sat and thought for a while. On the television was a channel from YouTube that shows live camera feeds from all over the Northeast, and I was just amazed how much it looked like Europe…another time and another place. Then, I thought about my day. I’m figuring out that each day is His day as He is the maker, the crafter of each one. I’m also learning that since He owns everything that makes me a steward of the next 24 hours and the events and circumstances He has planned.

Mainly, there is a sermon to polish for Sunday and a funeral to craft for Saturday. But mainly I’m just waiting to see what is on His mind and honestly, sometimes that is simple and sometimes it is complex. Regardless, I know it is His plan and it is one that He has determined that will bring good into my life and hopefully some glory to Him. With all that said, I have to admit there are times that I long for times when things were simpler as in less complex. While that has happened and surely will happen again, when I was about eight, it was the norm.

When I was eight, I was concerned about very little. Momma and Daddy were still healthy and every morning there was something for breakfast, something for lunch and something for supper. There were delicacies like fried potato sandwiches and peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches and if we were short on peanut butter we would just go with the mayonnaise. After breakfast though I would head out to the yard and just do…something. There were occasional chores like picking up the yard pulling weeds but generally the day was mine. I hadn’t figured the God part out yet.

Because toys, at least the kind you buy at a store, were in short supply, I would go into the junk room—a small room with its own outside entrance and filled with stuff—and see what caught my eye. There was always something that with a little imagination could become a source of entertainment. First, and one of my favorites, was a piece of chain, usually about six feet long. You see, our driveway wasn’t paved, that was something rich people had, so it was like a giant sand box. I found out you could take that piece of chain and drag it behind you, and it became a train. I would watch as the sand flowed in and around the links of the chain leaving a perfect track in the rear. A chain became a train—imagine that.

In certain times of the year, North Florida—well really the whole state, I guess—was inundated with “love bugs.” They were everywhere and would splat on windshields and clog radiators as cars zoomed down the highway. They also seemed to love a parked car. When I would go outside looking for that day’s adventure, they would be all over Daddy’s 1961, light blue, Plymouth station-wagon and whether they knew it or not—they were a target. I would search the yard and drawers in the kitchen for rubber bands discarded from newspapers, string them together and go hunting. Stretching them back, I would take aim and one by one pick them off of Daddy’s car. This could go on for a long while. I thought I was doing Daddy a favor but turns out the bug’s innards could eat a car’s paint right off. Oops.

While each day was different, each day was simple. Each day was consistent…little to worry about and an opportunity for fun. And while that kind of simplicity has long since passed there is another for today. Today too can be a day with little to worry about and dare I say it, an opportunity for fun. You see, if you are a Jesus follower, He really wants to take care of the worry part. In fact, He just flat-out tells us not to worry because if God can take care of the birds…He can take care of us too. How about that? And the fun part? Well, that is up to us. We simply need to learn, to remember what that means and how to do it. My wife Judy tells me frequently that we need to learn how to celebrate, and she is right, but we also need to relearn how to just have fun. It probably involves letting go and letting Him so our hands and hearts will be free to be free.

So, what are you worrying about today? What has you bound up like a too tight pair of shoes? What are you going to do today that is fun? Now don’t tell me you don’t have time (that is simply a matter of choice) or the money—chain and rubber bands are cheap—smile. Today, be brave enough to do something different—to make a change. Let it go and let Him. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

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

Taking Care of Family

Posted on March 6, 2023March 5, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!” Proverbs 19:17

I know I didn’t know them…but I felt I did. As a pastor I occasionally receive a call from either a funeral home or a family that has experienced the loss of a loved one and they don’t have a pastor that can help them. Well, that happened recently. A mother had died and her sister, on behalf of the family, contacted me. Could I help them? I agreed but I had a request. I try and make every service personal and special and since I didn’t know her or the family, I asked they provide some personal memories of their mom. Graciously they did, and in so doing they painted a picture.

She and her husband were blessed with five children—a challenge and a blessing. As they sent the comments to the sister and then to me, it became painfully apparent that life had been financially hard. Their mother had worked at a local manufacturing plant but was constantly being laid off. When she was, she worked as a cook at one of the local restaurants. It finally reached the point where the inconsistency of the one job made the other more attractive and she began working all the time at the restaurant.

She appreciated the consistency of the restaurant job, but it made for an even tighter budget at home. I was moved by the comments of each one of her children. They were so appreciative for a Momma that did everything possible to provide for them. They spoke of gratitude for a roof over their heads, food for their stomach, and heat in the winter. One spoke of the fact that regardless of the fact that Momma and the family were broke, somehow, someway, she made sure there were presents at Christmas and on their birthdays. That meant a lot to me.

At the service I rhetorically asked, “What does success mean?” It was one of those questions that I didn’t expect an answer…but I got one. Quietly, one of her sons said, “Being comfortably full.” When he said that it moved me…it still moves me. In a world where it seems everyone one has so much, in this family’s world abundance was a roof, some heat, food for their stomach and on a real good day, being comfortably full.

After hearing from her son, I went on to say that to me success is owning the things that money can’t buy…the things that don’t come from Walmart or some other store. Success is five kids who at their Momma’s funeral talk about the sacrifices she made, the hard work she did to make sure they had a roof over their head, some heat, and food in their stomachs. I then read a story paragraph that someone wrote about success. It said, “What is success? Success is living well, laughing often, and loving much. Success is gaining the respect of those who know us best; finding and living our purpose and leaving our world better than we found it.” I finished that service in deep appreciation of a 72-year-old mother who did that and so much more. She gave her five kids a home.

I’ve written several times that money was pretty thin when we were growing up, but I am sure we had more than this family and these kids. I’ve written before how much I appreciated the fact that Momma and Daddy always made Christmas and birthdays happen. It may have been courtesy of the local finance company, but it happened. Now I am reminded that there were and are plenty of people where even that would not have been an option but somehow—they make it happen.

So, I’m just writing to say thank-you to someone I never knew—but felt I did. I want to say thank-you to five grown up now kids who taught me to appreciate even more deeply what my Momma and Daddy did. They too made it happen whether it was a roof over our heads, or fuel oil in our kerosene tank or food on the table. Let me encourage you to take the opportunity to thank the ones who made it happen in your life—whether it was years ago or yesterday. Maybe take the time to whisper a prayer of gratitude for those in your family—or maybe even outside your family—that made it happen.

Maybe, just maybe, you can be one that helps make it happen. Maybe you know someone who could use a little help. Maybe God has given you a little more so you can share with those who have a little less. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!” I like that. When we share, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus and that is always a good thing. You may be the one that your Dearest Daddy uses to whisper in someone else’s ear—someone who is struggling to make it happen. And what is whispering? “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Corned Beef Hash

Posted on March 2, 2023March 1, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?” Luke 11:11

We were close friends from the start. Although I was too young to remember, I think it must be true. I think my very first word must have been…wait for it…”food”. Then I think my first sentence was, “I’m hungry.” I’m trying to say that food and I go way back and now I’m an expert on all things food. Well, wait, maybe not all things. You see I was raised on good, common food. Our menu included things like meatloaf and egg salad sandwiches (aka Easter egg salad sandwiches). There were some things that Momma cooked up, that to a kid, were kinda hard to swallow…no pun intended. One of those things was tripe (aka cow’s stomach). We called it the “eternal meat” because it was like chewing rubber. Take one big bite and two weeks later you swallowed. Definitely-not my favorite.

However, one of the best things that Mama cooked was something called corned beef hash. For that she would cook up some potatoes and then add some corned beef. I’m not sure why they call it corned beef but I don’t think it has anything to do with corn. At any rate…it was one of my favorites…well, sorta. You see, there was a trick to this corned beef thing and Momma knew it and…I knew it.

In the world of Momma’s corned beef there were really two kinds—and they were worlds apart. First there was fried corned beef hash and then there was boiled corned beef hash. The fried hash was just as it sounds. Momma would first fry up some home fried potatoes. These, friend, are what potatoes were made for…crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And if they happened to be fried in lard—well, that was even better. Then, she would add the corned beef and well, it was pretty much heaven. I always liked mine smothered in ketchup. But sometimes she would trick me. I would ask what was for supper and she would say, “corned beef hash” and for me that had to mean fried because that was the only way it was supposed to be. It’s kinda like grits—salt, pepper and butter are the only way grits can be grits.

But then, she had an ace up her sleeve. Sometimes, she made boiled corned beef hash. That involved boiling and (in my opinion) wasting a pot full of potatoes. She boiled them till they were almost like mush. Then she would add the corned beef to the pot and that was it and let me tell you all the ketchup in the world couldn’t redeem what water had done to what was meant to be fried. I’m still not sure why she fried most of the time but still boiled others. All I know I was always disappointed because when it comes to corned beef hash—fried always topped boiled.

With some things one way always tops another and that’s how it is with corned beef hash. And never is that truer than when it comes to God and religion. People today get confused. You see, God is God and religion is mankind’s frail attempt to reach God. Try as you like, the only way to know God is by knowing His Son Jesus. And that’s really cool because His way is a sure deal and man’s way is a sure failure. Chances are you know someone who was or is totally disappointed in religion and I suppose some folks would speak of their disappointment in God. But when we understand who He is and what He wants to do for us—that disappointment fades.

Like I said I was always disappointed when Momma boiled something that was clearly meant to be fried. And I’ve been around the church world long enough to know that religion always disappoints but God never does. I’m learning to trust Him and then believe Him even when that means things didn’t turn out the way I wanted or hoped. His way is the better way. If I don’t see it now…I will later.

One time Jesus was talking about prayer and said that a father would never give a snake to his son who asked for a piece of fish. Nope…not gonna happen. With God the fried things are always fried and even when we get boiled hash…well, we can trust that at the time, that is the best thing for us. I like that sacred assurance just like I know, I know, that no matter what, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

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

I’m Not Believing It

Posted on March 1, 2023February 28, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

In my opinion, it said more than it knew. After my enrollment in the program to send me down the path to a medicine and diabetes free future, they sent me a box full of treasurers. I wrote briefly about my treasure box in a previous blog titled, “Bread, Potatoes, and Pecan Pie.” If you missed that one, you might want to go to www.gritswithgrace.com and check it out. Anyway, the box was filled with gadgets that would monitor me, my body, and my health. Most of them I found helpful and even engaging but there was one…there was one that I did not like.

I am an Apple guy…well, not necessarily the kind you eat but the kind you use for work and information. I own an Apple computer, an Apple iPad, and an Apple Watch. One of the things I like about owning the same brand in my work and life tools is that they talk to one another. Well, when my box of treasures arrived, it included a Garmin activity tracker. It kinda, sorta does the same thing my Apple Watch does but with a different platform. It certainly is not an Apple Watch, but I figured I might as well give it a try. Not willing to give up my Apple friend on my right wrist, I strapped the Garmin on my left wrist.

I know, I know, that sounds a little wonky and honestly it probably is but the Garmin looks and works very differently from my Apple Watch, so most people don’t think I am wearing two watches. In fact, they probably don’t think anything about what’s on my wrist. While the Garmin the device itself is not much to talk about—it is small, hard to use and blah—the app it talks to on my phone is very cool. In fact, somehow it provides much of the same information as its big cousin.

One day I was going through the App, checking out the different screens and all the information it had gathered and analyzed. I was impressed…until I wasn’t. You see, there was a screen that listed about ten different areas and measurements—all about me and my body. Most were fine, most were informative but one—one was downright offensive. It is called, “VO2 Max.” According to the app, the VO2 Max is a direct indictor of my level of fitness and apparently my “body age.” How this wimp, too big for its britches, something that doesn’t even know me (you can tell by now that I was personally offended by this useless chunk of plastic), I am out of shape and, get this, physically almost a decade older than I really am.

That’s right folks, according to the Garmin I am physically in the bottom 30% of men for my age and my body age is not 69 but 78. Ok, I’m still mad and here’s why. This out of shape, “ten years older than I am” guy, on the day after the assessment, took a brisk (as in pretty fast) two mile walk, walked 11,419 steps, burned 2,451 calories, and climbed eight flights of stairs. Now from where I sit that isn’t too bad…certainly I am no couch potato. I mean what does this thing really know about me anyway? And just for the record, my Apple Watch has another opinion about me…and so does my Dearest Daddy.

When I read those words, I knew I was faced with a choice. I could believe what it said or believe what I know to be true. I could believe what some formula, probably written by some guy in a faraway land, or believe what my reality says. I am choosing the latter. Now let’s be honest…I’ve got lots of room for improvement, but I am not some physical loser. I just don’t believe it. The Garmin caused me to take a look, a close look, at where I am physically but it also caused me to take a look spiritually. It caused me to ask, “So what do you believe about you—what others say or what God says?”

On the surface, it is a no brainer—I choose to believe my Dearest Daddy. He calls me (and you) a masterpiece…no, really, He does. In Ephesians 2:10, His Book, the Bible, says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Now, how about that? Trust me on this one. There are plenty of people and plenty of things that are just waiting to tell you what you are or are not. But you remember this—there is only one opinion that matters and that comes from the One who made you. So, I my wear the Garmin but I don’t own its opinion of me…I’ll leave that with the One who loves me more and perfectly. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, friends, gratitude, life, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

Steak and Shake

Posted on February 28, 2023February 27, 2023 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

We met when I was just a kid. A long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away (think Star Wars) one of my favorite things to do in the summer was to go and visit my sister and brother-in-law in Daytona Beach. I lived in Jacksonville, and they were kind enough to invite me to spend a week with them. Trust me…it was like a different world. Our west Jacksonville neighborhood was half town and half country and the most exciting thing that ever happened was if there was a fire call, and we would chase the firetruck. I’ll write more on that one day.

Now compare that with Daytona Beach. Can someone say, “Night and day?” Daytona Beach was a happening place and there was always something to do. We would drive over to the beach, cruise the strip, and go out to eat. One of my favorite places to go was Steak and Shake. Back in the early and mid 60’s, it was not a new establishment, but it was still up and coming. They were famous for their steak burgers, skinny fries, and milkshakes. For a ten-year-old from the westside of Jacksonville, it was heaven.

Steak and Shake was different than most fast-food places. There, you could go inside, be seated and be served, and through the years that is how it has remained. When I grew up, it was only natural that Steak and Shake was one of my “go to” places to eat. Oh, it wasn’t an every-week event, but we did go about once a month. The routine was always the same. Park, go inside and be seated, order, eat, and leave. It worked well, but then something called COVID, and a broken economy changed things up. First, and at most locations, you can now only go through the drive-thru. But in now we have the new Steak and Shake.

Now at almost every location, when you walk in, there is not a hostess to seat you and no counter to order at. Instead, there are several kiosks (computer touchscreens) and from there you can order your food. Then…you just sit down…wherever you want. Feel free to go up and get your drinks from the drink station and finally someone would bellow out your order number and you would walk up and get your food. Boom—just like that burgers and fries were flying into hungry mouths washed down by delicious milkshakes. It was new, it was different, and I loved it.

I am sure the shortage of workers is at least partially responsible for their new system, but it also shows that not all the changes are going to be bad. At our church we are doing Wednesday nights totally different, and it is totally working. We have a men’s group called “Man Time” (how creative is that); a women’s Bible study (well, not creative but it works) and then something called “The Big A Club” for the kids. There are people everywhere. And get this—men are coming to church on a Wednesday night! What? And it all came about because of the pause that COVID caused.

Someone from ancient times (I’m not talking about 1950!) said the only thing constant is change and they were right. Some of the changes are not good. In fact, some of the cultural changes might be considered dangerous. But we need to work to accept the good and temper the others. It gives us a great opportunity to be the salt and light that Jesus talked to us about. People all around us have lots of questions which should lead to lots of opportunities to talk about faith…and Jesus.

Romans 8:28 remains one of the most popular verses in the Bibles. It says that for those who love God, He can bring good out of every situation. We sure like to quote that, but I wonder if we are willing to trust it? Hey, I’ve been writing three small words for almost three years and some of you have been here for that whole time— “He’s got this.” So, as things morph around us, let’s be courageous enough to address the dangerous, but flexible enough to embrace the other. It might not be easy but if He is in control and we trust Him…it’s gonna be fine. And, can I say it one more time? He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, food, gratitude, life, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Bread, Potatoes and Pecan Pie

Posted on February 27, 2023February 25, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b

It came in the mail. It was an advertisement, an offer really, to join a program that would not only help me control my diabetes but to reverse it. If everything went according to plan, I could come off both of my diabetic meds and lose the “I’m diabetic” label. There were two more things. First, thanks to my insurance program, it would be provided to me at absolutely no cost to me. I’m sure it is costing my insurance plenty, but the price for me was paid in full…hmmm, can someone else besides me see a parallel there. Can someone say, grace, mercy, and Jesus?

The second thing was that the program would provide several things they called sensors…I call them gadgets. First, there was one of those totally cool glucose monitors that you wear and through your smartphone it tells on the fly what your sugar level is. Second, was a Garmin activity tracker that tells you all kind of stuff…more on that in a later story. Third, was a scale that not only tells you your weight but also how much body fat you have. This one, for obvious reasons, was not one of my favorites. Number four on the list was a meter that tells me if I have too many ketones. I’m not sure what they do or what they are, but I know you don’t want too many of them. Finally, there was a blood pressure “taker thinger” and it does just what it says. What also made the cool list is the fact that all these things talk to an application on my phone and all that information is compiled and it tells me and them if I am failing or succeeding.

So, there you go. No diabetes, no cost, lots of gadgets and only one problem. When I talked to the nice lady on the phone, she told me there wouldn’t be a lot of weird food like tofu or jellyfish eggs. What she didn’t tell me was that there wouldn’t be any really good food on the program either. Well, to be fair, that is not totally true. In fact, there are a lot of foods that I can eat and some a southern boy like me even like but there was no bread, no potatoes, no anything that had carbohydrates in them—and that is about every good thing besides meat and eggs. Hmmm…we have a problem.

Now all this is made worse by the fact that I have my sugar 100% under control. I turned the sweets thing almost totally off and cut way back on the starchy stuff and my sugar quickly plummeted. Thank you, sir…mission accomplished…but not quite. You see, if you remember my new friends want me to get off medicine. However to get off the medicine, I have to give up a whole category of stuff that I love and have loved all my life. The problem is I am quite content to take a couple of pills if they will allow me to eat some of my favorites. I am quite willing to let the two, my self-control and my medicine, work together. Honestly, it would probably be better for me to ditch the medicines but no bread, no potatoes, and worst of all, no, none, never pecan pie. What?

I think this is just a human nature thing and as you know our human nature can get us in trouble. Another name for our human nature is our sinful nature and our sinful nature wants us to sin—maybe not a whole lot but at least some of our favorites. We usually think the price is worth it. So, we control this and control that but often refuse to take the giant leap into total surrender. I know there is a difference between indulging in bread and lust or potatoes and anger but the principle is the same. We want what we want—even if the price is high and it is.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do about this new thing I’m enrolled in. I think I am going to try and find a place somewhere in the middle. I know that isn’t the best solution but regardless that is probably where I will land. But hear me clearly—that does not work with sin. With sin the best thing you can do is run fast and hard in the opposite direction. Remember this…sin will always win, and it will take you further and cost you more than you think. That is why our Father sent His Son, that is why the Son died and resurrected and that is why we need Him to rescue and save us.

Listen, all the cool sin gadgets in the world aren’t worth what they cost in the end. It will cost you a whole lot more than a pile of mashed potatoes. Just remember, what you can’t do on your own, you can do with Him. 1 John 4:4b says, “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” In other words, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Southern born, thankful, travel, Trials

Snakes from Heaven

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

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father. James 1:17

Plop and there he was. When we made our last trip to the land of collards and grits, aka South Georgia, we of course had to make the rounds visiting the relatives. Mostly they were on the Allen side. There is my wife Judy’s oldest sister, a couple of old brothers (oops, I meant to say older), a somewhat, younger sister and a host of nieces, nephews and a few Cousin Eddie’s.

Well, one day, we were out in the country visiting her oldest brother Smitty and his wife Marie. A while back Smitty suffered a stroke and lost his ability to speak…well…he still talks up a storm and with passion, it’s just we can only understand a few words. Regardless…we always enjoy the visits. Smitty has always been quite the character and it would take more than a stroke to change that. So, we visited, and visited, and then we visited some more. Finally, it was time to move on to the next relative. When we stood to leave Marie said, “I’m gonna get this room cleaned out and y’all can stay with us next time.” The room was separate from the house with its own bathroom and entrance. I told her that sounded really good.

Before we could move on to the car and make the great escape, she said, “Well, let me show you this room.” She and I made our way to the door and with her leading the way, she opened the door and I followed. As she opened the door and walked through, I stepped into the doorway behind her, and just about then, a snake, yes-a real live snake, fell from the door-casing and landed not more than a foot from me. As it hit the floor it made a nice plopping sound. I made another kind of sound.

So, let me set this up, Marie is in the room, totally unaware of what has fallen right behind her, I am in the doorway fully aware of what has fallen right in front of me, and our new friend is looking at both of us with a real attitude. The snake had my full attention, so I got Marie’s attention and as we watched he set about trying to bite us—striking at her and striking at me. You’ve probably heard stories about how feisty a little chihuahua can be, well, this snake was part chihuahua. I realize he was only about twelve inches long, but for all intents and purposes, he was the size of an Amazon boa-constrictor. It was time for him to leave.

Marie, who is 100% South Georgia born and raised, went, and got a hoe and well, let’s just say Mr. Snake went to meet his maker. If you like snakes, sorry. But if you are like me and firmly believes that the only good snake is one that is not breathing…well, you understand. So, what is the moral of this short story? What is the big truth? Well, I’m pretty sure for me it involves not being surprised at what can plop down right in front of you when you least expect it. Things can change quickly. The really, really big lesson is about gratitude. You see, if Mr. Snake had waited just about five more seconds to plop…he would have plopped right on my head, fallen into my shirt and I would have died of a heart attack.

We could talk about why the snake fell in the first place, but I think I’ll spend my time thanking the good Lord for those five seconds. You see, time after time as we journey through life, there are dozens of little blessings. All we must do is look for them instead of staring at the circumstances. James, the half-brother of Jesus and a man that I am sure did not like snakes said, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father.” Well, this gift indeed did come down and sure enough it was good because it taught me not to complain about falling snakes but rather to be thankful for where it landed—or didn’t land. Now if it had landed on my head and slithered into my shirt, well I am sure my Dearest Daddy would still have said, “Don’t worry, son, I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne