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 “O Lord, our Lord, Your greatness is seen in all the world! Your praise reaches up to the heavens; it is sung by children and babies.” Psalm 8:2

Well, the guy who wrote Psalms was right. I know it, you know it, but the truth is the Bible knew it first.  Sometimes kids just say the best things in the best way. More than once in my forty-two years as a pastor I was amazed at the truth and profoundness of what kids say. In the old days, well, especially in the old days, kids were expected to be seen and not heard and occasionally they weren’t even supposed to be just seen. Well, according to our scripture today, kids can be sources of wisdom—and worship.  Surprised? Honestly, sometimes me too.

It turns out that there is always something new to learn from unexpected sources. What if I told you that a machine that we have in our house has also been teaching me something?  Well, it is true. I told you about my wife Judy’s mystical and magical robot vacuum cleaner a while ago. This thing maps out and remembers the floor plan of our house and really does an amazing job cleaning. Because of her (Judy decided it had to be a woman because it is so intuitive) it is a rare day when we have to drag out the good old vacuum cleaner.  

The other day, I paid close attention while it was talking. It has several messages it speaks out loud on different occasions. If it gets stuck, she lets you know. If she’s not happy about something, she lets you know.  Hmmm…maybe Judy is right about her being a female.  Well, I had heard something more than a few times but this time it stuck—in my brain and in my heart. You see, when her battery is getting low, she says, “Battery low—heading home.” Wait. What? Yup, she knows when it is time for a recharge, and she also knows that means it time to go—home. She turns off the cleaning thingies and devotes all her energy to making it home where she can be recharged and restored.

Ok, so am I the only guy in the room who thinks this is pretty cool—and pretty profound? I mean what if we could be smart enough to know when we are about to run out of emotional and spiritual juice and need to go home? What a game changer that would be. And by the way, she knows there is only one home, and knows exactly where to find it. She goes straight to it and parks.  She knows there is no place like home. How life changing would it be if we remembered that there is only one place for us to go when we need recharging? No, it’s not the recliner or the lounger—it is right at the feet of Jesus.  Mary, Martha’s sister, knew that and guess what?  That is where you would regularly find her.

Our vacuum friend knows there is no place like home and we should remember the same lesson. An old saying says, “home is where the heart is” and that is especially true when our heart belongs to our Dearest Daddy. So, when you find yourself feeling a little burned out and out of juice…say to yourself, “battery low—heading home” and then go. Park next to Him and relax knowing that He can and will recharge and renew you. He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

 ^“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13b

Baggage…it is a fact of travel and a fact of life.  A couple of years ago we were leaving for a great adventure—a mission trip to England to work with Africans—go figure. Our team of four checked in at the airport and gladly gave our baggage to the agent at the desk.  One by one, our bags, as varied as the people who packed them, were weighed, and given up.  And honestly, we were glad to do so.  With our baggage handed over, our journey, our travel experience was a lot easier.  When you give your luggage up, you always wonder if you will see it again.  Recently, the airline (at least the one we flew with) sent us a text letting us know everything was safe onboard our plane.  Nice.

Well, we landed in Atlanta and waited just a while and soon it was time to board the plane for our final leg of our journey…the one that would take us all the way to England.  Sure enough, a message let us know our bags were onboard and would make the journey with us.  That is always a good feeling.  A little over seven hours later, it was time to land and sure enough our bags were there, and we took an Uber to the hotel.  Well, the next leg of our journey was by train, so we had to walk a little and take the tube (the British word for the subway—not the sandwich shop) to the train station.  As we left our hotel, we had our first personal experience with our luggage.

You see, this time there was no one to take our luggage—except us. Some of us had smaller bags, someone had a bag so large we nick named it “the beast.”  There was a variety of smaller backpacks and whether all of them had wheels or not, they were a necessary hassle.  If it wasn’t for the fact that it is a common sight in London…I’m sure we would have looked quite comical. But we pushed and pulled, lifted, and dragged, squeezed through tight tube gates and balanced all of this on the narrow steps of several escalators.  Oh yes…it was fun.

Well, the good news is, we made it.  We made it all the way to our destination and when the time came, we made it all the way back home…well almost.  Turns out “the beast” got left by the airline in London, but it did arrive several days later.  Because I am a person who likes to prepare, I watched several travel videos to learn about England and how to travel there.  The guy in the video made one point very clear. When you pack, remember that everything you decide to take with you, you will have to push, pull, drag, and carry along the way.  And you know what…he was exactly right.  I was very glad that my bag was one of the smaller and lighter ones (32 pounds, thank you) and my backpack was too. I was glad that at the last minute I did indeed determine I didn’t need the kitchen sink after all!

Well, we all know that baggage is part of the travel deal, but baggage is also part of this journey called life.  Along the way, we pick up things, some of our fault, and some are no fault of our own at all, and we find ourselves dragging them through life.  A difficult childhood, a broken heart, a bad financial decision, or romance decision and on and on it goes.  Baggage…we all have our fair share.  But here is the good news.  It turns out that even if we can’t totally ditch all this unwanted baggage, we can at least lighten the load.  And often, it begins with two small words—letting go.

You see, we can’t undo what others have done to us and short of a miracle we can’t forget either but there is something we can do.  We can choose to refuse to allow the baggage to weigh us down.  We can determine to what extent we give the person or the event space in our lives today.  We can let it go…we can mostly leave it behind.  It will probably involve some forgiveness—whether it be someone else—or yourself. I really love the place in the Bible where Paul, who had tons of baggage, some he made and some others gave him, simply says he chose to forget.

Just for the record he wasn’t talking about actually forgetting, but rather choosing not to allow the baggage of the past to control his today. That was something he could do and something we can do.  And when we do…we are going to find out that life is a lot easier when we are not weighed down with yesterday’s baggage.  So, what do you say? Why not let today be the day we drop the bags of the past and sprint toward what lies before?  On our journey, we would sometimes help another person with their bags, and I am glad I can tell you that God is just waiting to help us with our baggage too.  Don’t you worry. He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

 “When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them.”  Matthew 9:36

It was the week before Memorial Day a couple of years ago. I had started exercising again.  For the last six weeks, I have been walking a couple of miles five times a week. To keep it interesting, I try and walk different routes.  So, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, I decided to walk in our local cemetery.  It is quite large and I had a route picked out that was about nine tenths of a mile long.  I would do two laps and then part of another to get my two miles in.

I like walking in the cemetery because of all the stories that are told on the various headstones. It is almost like walking through a large library with each headstone representing the book of a person’s life.  The length of life and the things they valued are often shown. Some have many details and others leave that up to the living to figure it out. However, on that particular Thursday, I noticed that many of the graves were marked with an American flag…the symbol of our great country.  These were largely on the graves of those who had served their country.  There were dozens and dozens, and I found my eyes drawn to them…and what they represented.

It was then that I noticed something.  While many of the flags were pointed straight to the sky above…others were not.  Some were bumped and haphazardly pointed someplace besides up.  They had been hit by something…whether a careless foot or lawnmower.  Others had been knocked completely down and lay in the grass and dirt…someplace they were never intended to be and then some had become victims of the mower’s blade and lay tattered. As I walked something began to stir in me.  It occurred to me that someone should do something.  It just wasn’t right.  And then it also occurred that that someone was me.

So, as I walked, I began straightening some, replanting others and gathering the shredded remains of others.  Yes, it did require some time, it did require some detours, but it was worth every minute.  It simply was the right thing to do.  On Saturday, I found myself again back at the cemetery and once again straightening, replanting and gathering shreds to be property disposed of later.  It was right and it felt right.  When I once again entered the cemetery that Memorial Day Monday, I looked at the flags and felt a good sense of pride that I had made a difference…not to all but to some.  And then it hit me.

In a moment of time, I didn’t see flags but I saw people. I realized that all around me were people that had been bumped, bruised, and battered.  And I began to wonder what could I do to help them?  I know that often there isn’t a fix…certainly not one as easy as picking up or straightening up a flag in a cemetery but maybe – just maybe, a kind word or action could help the wounded, the bruised, and the bumped have a better day.

So, today I write a story, but I am also writing a reminder to me, to you, to all of us.  The reminder is to look around with seeing eyes and look for the wounded and the hurting and extend a hand, a hug, or a heart.  And who knows, another day when you see that person you may see their step is a little lighter and their smile a little brighter…because you took the time to straighten the bumped, replant the bruised, and maybe help pick up the pieces of a broken life.  It is probably risky, and may be costly, but trust me it will be worth it.

Jesus was so good at this.  One time He was coming ashore after a ride across a lake, and he was greeted by a whole crowd of bumped, bruised, and battered people and the Bible simply says, “When He saw the people, He had compassion on them.” He loved them, touched them, and sometimes even served them lunch.  He simply couldn’t leave them the way they were…love wouldn’t allow it.  If you are a Jesus follower…and even if you are not…love demands that we act. Love demands that we show a little kindness.  Sound challenging?  It is but know this…that God you believe in or at least want to believe in is just waiting to help.  Trust me…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

 “Give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

 

He was there…hiding in the relative darkness. The other day my conscience got the best of me. I was sitting on the patio…watching the bird’s flitter and flutter around eating the bird seed I so generously provided for them. It was just about then that I remembered it had been a while since I filled the feeders so I figured it was about time to do the deed.  So, I got up and walked over to the feeder in the backyard.

Now this is no ordinary feeder. This is one of those super-duper feeders that are designed to keep the squirrels from eating the bird food…and this one works. It is a rare day indeed when a squirrel gets my expensive as gold black oil sunflower seeds. To fill the hopper, you have to lift it away from the housing. It is not too difficult, but it can be a bit…drumroll…dangerous.  When I last attempted to fill the feeder I wasp flew out when I removed the hopper. I figured he was trying to build a nest up and inside but since I am a “live and let live” kind of guy…I let him go. He didn’t mess with me, so I didn’t mess with him. That was then but this was now.

That day, as I reached up to remove the hopper…before it moved an inch…a wasp flew out from inside the feeder and popped me on the hand. Out of pure reflex, the hopper went to the ground and what seed was left, left the hopper. It was a “shoot that thing” moment and then about six of his buddies flew out of the feeder and joined him in swarming the area. It turns out he had gathered reinforcements so I…ran. Well, the hopper was on the ground, the seed was on the ground, and I was just about mad. I carefully took a peek inside and discovered there was a pretty good nest up in the feeder…they had been very busy. They may have won the battle, but the war was mine.

My wife Judy keeps a can of wasp spray in the door of her car just in case some dude tries to mess with her.  I went to the car, got the spray, walked back to the nest and let ‘em have it. It was all over in about three seconds. And when the dust settled all the wasps were…stone cold dead. Revenge was so sweet…but I wasn’t done. I took the feeder down, scraped the nest off and laughed with glee as it fell to the driveway. I kept laughing as I stomped it to pieces. Don’t mess with Mr. T or you will pay the price.

In case you are wondering I didn’t and don’t feel any remorse. They got what they deserved.  Just ask my right hand…which hurt for several days. Now today’s big truth is not about bird feeders, wasps or sunflower seed.  The big truth is to remember that there are often things hiding in the dark…things like wasps and things like Satan. The wasp was just waiting for some dude like me to come along and when I did…bam…he got me. I didn’t know he was there and didn’t know he was coming until he had done his deed.

Now listen, Satan is much more dangerous than a wasp but he is just as tricky…or more so. He often lies away just waiting to pop some innocent (or no so innocent) bystander. And trust me the consequences of falling prey to him are much worse than a wasp bite. So be wise…play it safe.  Be sure and invite the Heavenly Father along to fill your feeders or whatever else you do. Regardless, it is always good to have Him along…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne 

 “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31

They say that outlook is everything. Some people are always asking, “Is the glass half full or half empty?” I just want to know what’s in the glass. I remember a great story about two salesmen. One was sent to the wilds of Africa to sell shoes. He arrived and pretty quickly sent this message to the company headquarters: “Bring me home immediately. No opportunity. No one here wears shoes. Waste of time.” So they brought the guy home. Not wanting to give up, they sent another salesman. This guy arrived on the scene and also quickly sent a message to the company headquarters. It read, “Please respond as quick as you can. Opportunities abound everywhere. Everyone is barefoot and need shoes. Send all that you have…what a future.” Well I guess they are right. It all depends on your outlook.

Like many folks, Judy and I have a treadmill in our home. It sits downstairs where Judy has her office. The treadmill and I on occasion have been very good friends, however, we just don’t see eye to eye. He wants me to get on and walk ferociously and go absolutely nowhere. I prefer to walk outside and actually move. Now if it is pouring down rain or ten degrees below freezing that is fine—we are buds. But on a normal day, well, we just agree to disagree. He thinks we should get together every day. I’m thinking more like only when absolutely necessary. Frankly, and don’t tell him I said this, our relationship was always kinda painful. He sees himself as a path to being healthy…my new BFF. I see him as someone out of one of those torture movies where some guy named Egor is always tightening the screws.

We have a three grandchildren who absolutely adore the treadmill! Often when they visit, one of their constant questions is, “Papa, can we use the treadmill?” It’s like they’re always asking, and I’m not sure why. I try to avoid it, but they seem to embrace it. One day, I asked Judy, “What’s the deal with the treadmill—why do Taylor, Will and Grayson love it so much?” Her idea was that the “no” factor was the reason. Since they often got turned down, they kept asking. Maybe it’s the “thrill” factor, too—the excitement of it all. Or maybe it’s something completely different.

My theory is that instead of seeing it as a device for torture, they see it like a toy—something fun. They’ll turn it down slowly and let it carry them from the front to the back. They’ll see how fast they can go without getting ejected and sometimes, they just walk. Honestly, they don’t use it for its intended purpose (which, by the way, is torture) but as something they can jump on or off, ride (though not for long)—maybe an adventure.

I’m probably stretching it here, but I just wonder if I changed my attitude about my friend the treadmill, would we enjoy our times together more? What if I saw him as a partner and convenience, not the enemy? It probably doesn’t matter much to him since he’s just an inanimate object getting walked on, but it would definitely be good for me. I’m pretty consistent with my exercise, but on those hot summer mornings ahead, my friend could help me stay healthy. He fulfills his purpose (which, by the way, is not to hang clothes on), and I make Judy happy by walking even more. How about that?

How we look at things can really make a difference. When we focus on the good side instead of the bad, it can not only change how we feel but also help us grow as people. It might even change how we see God. Too often, we think of Him as someone who wants to hurt us, but He’s actually there to save us, to help us, and to bless us. The Bible says, “What should we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Can you imagine? The God who made everything wants to be your best friend forever. Like our friend the treadmill, He’s just waiting for us to make time for Him. When we do, we’ll find out that He wants to help us become better versions of ourselves. Give Him a chance. Take a break from the “going nowhere” rat race and trust Him. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

It’s was my new favorite! It was a long time ago, but I can still remember my first visit to Cracker Barrel. We were driving back from a trip to the holy land (Georgia), and we were somewhere north of Atlanta when we saw a sign that said, “Cracker Barrel.” We didn’t have a clue about what they served but it sure sounded good, so we pulled in and like they say, “The rest is history.” While I like a lot of what “the Barrel” serves, their breakfast is still one of my favorites. Number one used to be the standard eggs, grits (no sugar), bacon, biscuits, gravy with the crown jewel of pancakes covered with butter, syrup with fried apples and whipped cream.  Whew—I almost need a nap just typing all that.  But like I said that used to be number one.  Well, at least for a while there was a new kid in town.

A couple of years ago I was having breakfast with my good friend Jeremy and was just checking out the menu before I ordered just to make sure I wasn’t missing something.  Turns out I was.  As my eyes went from left to right and up and down the page I saw, “Bacon N’ Egg Hashbrown Casserole.” “Hmmm” I thought and read the ingredients.  It said, “Our scratch-made Hashbrown Casserole, hot off the grill and layered with pieces of crispy bacon, farm-fresh scrambled eggs, melted Colby cheese, fried onions, and fresh diced tomatoes. Served with Buttermilk Biscuits.”

Well, shoot that thing! I thought that sounded tasty.  So, I customized it a bit (limp bacon instead of crispy and eggs sunny side up instead of scrambled) and waited for this masterpiece to come.  Soon enough it arrived, and one bite transported me into hog heaven. You see while some folks like their food all separate, I am a food mixer and for me that made this a winner. When that spoonful of hashbrown casserole, Colby cheese, egg yolk, bacon, fried onion and diced tomatoes hit my taste buds it was like the Fourth of July all over again and a new Cracker Barrel favorite was named.

So, what made that happen? Well, I like all those different things individually but for me, and I am speaking for me, when all those flavors and different textures came together it really was awesome.  You see, with food, it is when things come together that winners are born. Let’s be honest. I’m not a big fan of flour until it lands in a biscuit. I’m not a big fan of butter until it is slathered on a biscuit—and on and on it goes.  When food things come together, Katie, bar-the-door.  But that’s not all.

You see God knew that a long, long time before Cracker Barrel. He knew that when His kids come together with Him, even the impossible becomes possible. That is why He tells us not to stop coming together, meeting together, as some people do.  When we are together on the same page big things can happen. Now don’t forget that—because I promise you Satan wants us to.  He knows apart we will have a come apart. He knows divided from each other and separated from God we are in deep weeds.  We need to stay together and close to our Dearest Daddy.  So, instead of staying home from church and staying away from God, why not do the opposite.  Do you find some people just too hard to hang with?  Well, just talk to God about it.  After all, He’s got that too.” Bro. Dewayne

 “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Happy birthday, America! Tomorrow we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  That was the time when brave patriots, and not just the ones who signed the document itself, said, “enough is enough.” It was the time when they dared to dream of something bigger and better than the life they had. It was the time when they wished something more not only for themselves but also for the generations to come.  They wished for something more for us.

Tomorrow is July 4th and I will go to my closet and pull out one of my favorite shirts. It is an explosion of patriotism–a celebration of the stars and stripes that make up our great flag. The shirt is a full-blown declaration of love for this great country.  It is colored with the colors of our country…red for the blood that has been shed that we could be free…white for the purity of the motive of those who have served…and died for this great country…and blue for their loyalty to the American ideals—such as we are all created equal. I know we are still working on that one but regardless it is a standard worth working for.

Before I walk out the door, I will grab my favorite veterans cap.  It is old and a bit floppy, but I love it too.  It carries the emblem of the Air Force on the front and the letters U.S.A.F on the bill and the back.  Finally, also across the back, it says “above all.” When I joined the Air Force, I raised my right hand and took an oath to “protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies…foreign and domestic.”  I also committed to obey the orders of those appointed over me. Because of that oath, those words on that cap are a testament of this veteran and every Air Force veteran that our service and willingness to sacrifice could and should be second only to our sacrifice and service to God.

I love America. I am proud that, by God’s grace, I was born an American. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to serve America in her Armed Forces. The tragedy today is that too many have come to the conclusion that because she is not perfect, that she hasn’t lived up to all her ideals, that somehow that makes her less than.  Well, the truth is America is like us because America is us. And like us she never will be perfect but that doesn’t mean we should walk away from her. If America is her people, then perhaps we should complain less and step up to make her more.

My prayer would be that God would continue to bless this great land…not because we deserve it, because we don’t, but rather as an act of His amazing grace. The song says it best, “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!” The second verse continues, “O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress, A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!”

Let me suggest that we make a prayer for our country a daily matter of prayer.  After all, the One who made us is the One who can fix us.  Don’t forget, even in and especially in matters of our country, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

It was on my bucket list.  I confess…I am a pretty big fan of America. I mean, even with all of its warts, and there are plenty, with all its flaws, surely a bucket full, it is the best place to call home.  Over the years I have visited over twenty-nine countries—some in Europe, some in Asia and some in Africa.  Some were affluent, some were poor, and some were somewhere in between. All had something to offer but none could match this land I call home.  While some of my visits were brief, my wife Judy and I lived three years in Germany and the final word was…wait for it…home is better…there is and was no place like home.

I think the secret to learning to appreciate where you live is to learn to look for the good and not bad, the whole and not the broken.  The way we look at things can vastly change how we experience things.  A while back, I mentioned a quote from a movie that I had watched which, by the way, was based on a true story.  The guy said, “There are two ways to live—either nothing is a miracle, or everything is a miracle.” He opted for the latter and I think I will too.

A few years ago we were out west on a trip with part of our tribe.  The main, but not only, destination was to see Mount Rushmore.  I’ve seen a chunk of America, but I hadn’t seen that…and yes, it was on my bucket list.  So, the day came. As we drove toward the monument, suddenly, around a curve we were face to face, if you will, with Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson and Lincoln and it was amazing.  We parked the car and frankly, the closer we got, the more amazing it became.

This great tribute to America (no, it wasn’t just a tribute to four men) took over fourteen years to build.  As you keep in mind it was about ninety years ago, you begin to appreciate the vision, work, and skill that it took to turn a mountain into a monument.  I was amazed to learn that many of the workers, who often had 12 hours days, were paid about $14 dollars…a week.  Those were hard times, and they were grateful to have a job.  But for many…the job became a passion…a mission…a cause to believe in.

Somewhere along the journey, they stopped seeing a mountain and began to see presidents.  Somewhere along the journey they began to see what Gutzon Borglum saw. While the project wasn’t his idea (that belongs to a guy named Doane Robinson) he was the one that chose that mountain.  The quality of the stone led him there and, honestly, where others saw just a mountain, he saw presidents. He.Saw.Presidents.

So, perhaps, just perhaps, it does matter what we see around us.  Perhaps if we choose to see miracles…or like Borglum to see monuments where others see just a block of stone, perhaps we can help make this world a better place.  Perhaps our lives, regardless of our messy circumstances, will take on a deeper meaning and a deeper purpose.  Perhaps if we learn that it is not about us but about others…things will change…for the better.

One of the writers in the Old Testament part of the Bible said that when people don’t have a vision, when they choose to see desolation rather than miracles, well, they perish.  It is true individually and it is true corporately.  If we are going to see a better world, two things need to happen.  First, we need to learn not to just see a mountain but what that mountain can become.  Secondly, and this one is for God followers, we need to believe again that with God nothing is impossible.  Even in these times of great change, let’s choose to believe again.  And why stop there?  Why don’t we determine to see presidents where others see mountains and believe that “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne 

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

It is a beautiful song. Music has long played a major part in my life. Oh, it’s not that I am way talented and can play multiple instruments—it more that I just love music. There are only a few types of music that cause me to push away…most seem to draw me in…move my soul. And trust me…I count it as a gift. I can stomp my foot with the best at a good country song and marvel at the harmony of a gifted bluegrass group. I love the blending of voices of southern gospel and barbershop. Music can cause my memories to soar as when John Denver belts out Rocky Mountain High and another pair sings about laughter in the rain.

Even as I write this I’m smiling. During my one winter in Minot, North Dakota (courtesy of the United States Air Force) only one guy had a car. We would stuff it full every two weeks on payday and drive the twenty miles into town for two cheeseburgers, a fry, and a coke at McDonald’s. Two things were gimmes on the trip.  We would play “freeze out—rolling down all the windows with the thermometer hovering at ten degrees to see how long we could stand it. The other was all of us singing at the top of our lungs the hits of the day—especially John Denver singing about country roads that one day would take us home.

Take.Us.Home. Nothing stirs my soul more than songs about a God who loves me more than any words can express and Who one day will take me home. I’ve come to realize that music is often the best language to encourage a broken heart and a longing soul. I was at a conference and bumped into one of those game changing songs.  The worship team sang a song called, “Abide.” It is a mellow but hopeful song about God and how He watches over us in our day by day walk about life. One of the many key thoughts is based on what Jesus said in John 15:5. The songwriter put it this way, “You’re the Way, the Truth and the Life, You’re the well that never runs dry, I’m the branch and You are the Vine, draw me close and teach me to abide.” How lovely…how thoughtful…how moving.

I love to go to YouTube and watch and listen as Aaron Williams passionately sings these words. In the room with him is a guy playing keyboards. I watch as his fingers dance over the keys. Also in the room is a woman playing the cello. Oh my, at her command the rich tones fill the room and cause me to worship. Finally, there is Aaron playing the guitar and artfully singing the beautiful lyrics.  All of this comes together and soothes my heart. This is a song I shared with my sister who was battling cancer and a dear friend who is also doing the same. She loved it, he loves it, and I love it too.

One of my favorite lines in the song says, “When I pass through death, as I enter rest, I depend on You, I depend on You. For eternal life to be raised with Christ…I depend on You, I depend on You.” What wonderful words of promise. We will all face death one day but each one of us who knows Jesus will not stay there…we will pass through…depending on Him. So, I hope you too will discover or rediscover the world of music…especially the wonder of worship.  Allow it to teach you, fresh and renew, the truth that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Abide (with lyrics)  https://youtu.be/BLDEt9KP2O0

Abide (live video) https://youtu.be/BA-Wi4fdcVE