Acts 20:35 – Grits with Grace

friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, marriage, Scripture, thankful

A Good Laugh

Posted on November 1, 2024October 18, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

It made me laugh. I love a good joke. But I love bad jokes even more. My grandson James asked me, “Papa, what do you call a cow with no legs?” Well, I had heard this joke before but hey, why not one more time. I asked him “what?” And he said, “ground beef.” Ok, now tell me that isn’t good. Of course, I responded with, “What do you call a pig with no legs?” and he said he didn’t know. I told him, “A ground hog.” Ok, so you are now armed with two great jokes, but this story is about another one that I read in one of my devotions.

It goes like this, “A barber in a small town was busy cutting hair one day when the local policeman walked in for a haircut. The barber was feeling a bit generous, so he said to him, “Since you do such a good job protecting us, today’s haircut is free.” Well, the next day when the barber showed up at his shop, there were a dozen donuts waiting for him from the grateful policeman.

That same day the local florist came in for a haircut. Again, in a generous mood, the barber said to the florist, “Since you do so much to make this town look beautiful, today’s haircut is free.” The next day when the barber arrived at his shop, he was greeted by a dozen beautiful roses.

Later that day, in walked the local preacher. The barber, once again filled with generosity, said to the minister, “Since you work so hard to care for our souls, today’s haircut is free.” Well, the next day the barber showed up to find a dozen preachers waiting for a free haircut.” That is a great story and maybe partially true. I remember when I first started preaching forty years ago, I was told more than once to be on the outlook for the free perks of pastoring. I am glad to say that didn’t stick with me though I must admit I sure like a free lunch! Smile.

The big truth of this story is no joke—generosity should be a part of every believer’s DNA. Our Dearest Daddy is so, so generous to us. John 3:16 teaches us that He loved us so much He gave His only Son—to a cruel Roman cross. God is the greatest giver there is and we should strive to be just like Him. In Acts 20:35 Paul tells us, “In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” We don’t know when Jesus said these words but what we do know is that His life spoke to them every day. He always gave—every day and in every way.

Let me encourage you to be generous…not just with your physical resources but with your time, abilities, and love. Let me encourage you to be just like Jesus who was so willing to give Himself away. I’ll be honest enough to tell you that sometimes this is easier than others for me, but I can always go to my Dearest Daddy who will help me learn and remember, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Christmas, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful

Christmas in July

Posted on July 27, 2023July 26, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Christmas in July? The other day, I heard Christmas music seeping from the direction of my wife Judy’s home office. I wandered a little closer and discovered that what I thought I heard was indeed what I did hear—Christmas music. As it turns out, she was just in the mood. You see, Christmas music is so enjoyable, and she asked why save it for just a few weeks, once a year? Why indeed? So, she continued to play the music of “that most wonderful time of the year” and she enjoyed it and so did I.

After all, who said we could only celebrate Christmas in December. Why not July? It turns out that Christmas in July is not a new “thing.” For years a few things would pop up with the idea and theme of “Christmas in July.” In fact, tonight at the church where I pastor, we did something very Christmas like. We packed Operation Christmas Child boxes in preparation for them being shipped around the world to children in need in some of the neediest places there are.

The boxes have a few toiletry items like soap, a toothbrush, a comb, and a washcloth. Then there are always some school supplies and finally a few small toys. In fact, the boxes for the 10-14 boys tonight got some simple tools. Now here in America, the box would only garner a quick glance and a yawn but where these boxes are headed—well, it will be like our Christmas morning…no matter the date they arrive. And trust me…Operation Christmas Child is one of the most splendid things we can do for the others in this world who have so little.

So, let me encourage you to pack a shoebox…oh, definitely this November and December…but why not right now…in July? In fact, why not pack one every month? When you think of the excitement those kids will experience and then add to the fact that a local pastor will share the Good News of Christmas too, well it is quite the deal. So let me wish you a very Merry Christmas in July and let me remind you what the Christmas Child taught us…it is more blessed to give than to receive…whether it is July or December.

Christmas is God’s great idea…that His Son would come to earth, can you imagine that? God becoming a little baby, all for the purpose of showing His love for us. He cared enough that He provided a way for all of us who choose to repent and believe in Him, so that we can be a part of His family…having the right to call Him, “Dearest Daddy.” Having the right to know that no matter what, He will take care of us. Knowing that no matter what…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

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

Learning to Speak Love

Posted on June 28, 2022June 27, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b

It was, well, amazing. I like to receive presents. I love to receive presents. Some guy wrote a book about the five love languages and basically, he said that everyone has at least one love language. If you want to “ring someone’s bell” or “top off their love tank”, you do it by speaking their love language. Well, my two primary love languages are gifts and words of affirmation. Every time one of you leaves a kind comment about Grits, the nozzle goes in my love tank and fills it up. How about that?

Well, my other love language is this gift thing. When someone gives me something, it just rings my bell. Several years ago, a friend visited Gettysburg and brought me back a set of coasters. It was totally unexpected, and it just rang my bell. He probably thought, “What’s the deal, dude? It is only a set of coasters.” But no, it was more. It said, “I thought of you.” And, several years later it still brings a smile to my face. We have a couple of good friends that like to travel, and they often bring me a souvenir of their travels and it is always blesses me. Boom—a full love tank.

Well, something happened last year that was pretty awesome. We have a family who is part of our church family, and they are just a special group of people. It is hard to put a finger on it but words like authentic and caring come to mind. Well, after church one day, the mom in this family came up to me and was just beaming—and I mean beaming with joy and excitement. Her entire countenance said, “Something good had happened.” I wasn’t sure what it was, but I couldn’t wait to hear what it was. I was in for a surprise.

Here is what tumbled out of her mouth. “We bought you something and I couldn’t wait to tell you. I know I was supposed to wait but I just couldn’t. I saw this on Facebook and said, “We have to buy this for Bro. Dewayne.” She bubbled and bubbled, and I was in awe. The gift was the “Fingerprint” of God. It was a print in the shape of a fingerprint and the fingerprint was made from a scripture from each book in the Bible. It sounded amazing and when it came in and they gave it to me, it was. It will soon have a home in my church office, and it will have a story…this story.

You see, the gift really was amazing, but the unseen gift was equally so. What was the unseen gift? It was their—her—unbridled, unlimited joy and enthusiasm in not “getting” a gift but “giving” one. Her joy in giving this special print to me, her friend, and her pastor, touched me and taught me. It touched me that this special family made a sacrifice and bought me this gift. It taught me that just like Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I have heard that verse for many, many years and have seen it on display at different levels. But this time…this act of love taught me what it really means.

I have to wonder if this is what it is like when a person comes to follow Jesus for the first time. I mean the Bible says God throws a party. The Bible says that all heaven breaks loose when someone comes home. I can just imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when a person He loves and died for finally gets it and trusts Him. I bet it looks at least something like the face of this family and especially my friend who shared the news with me, “We bought you something.” We want to..wait for it…not get but give. Amazing.

Though I love to travel and try and go to Africa once a year, I have always struggled with learning a new language. But I wonder if that might need to change? Maybe today, maybe this week, maybe I, maybe you, need to learn a new language. No, I’m not talking Swahili—I’m talking about someone’s love language. Someone in your world, your spouse, your kids, your neighbor ,or maybe someone else. Learn what tops their love tank and do it.

The guy who wrote the book says the love languages are gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, and quality time. Why not learn and practice someone’s love language today? If you are like me and struggle with learning (I can barely speak English), just ask the Father for a little help. He will be more than glad to help you. He loves it when His kids can speak love. Yup…He’s got that too. Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Learning to Speak Love

Posted on April 6, 2021April 5, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b

Well, my other love language is this gift thing. When someone gives me something, it just rings my bell. Several years ago, a friend visited Gettysburg and brought me back a set of coasters. It was totally unexpected, and it just rang my bell. He probably thought, “What’s the deal, dude? It is only a set of coasters.” But no, it was more. It said, “I thought of you.” And, several years later it still brings a smile to my face. We have a couple of good friends that like to travel and they often bring me a souvenir of their travels and it is always blesses me. Boom—a full love tank.

Well, something happened recently that was pretty awesome. We have a family who is part of our church family and they are just a special group of people. It is hard to put a finger on it but words like authentic and caring come to mind. Well, a couple of weeks ago after our morning service, the mom in this family came up to me and was just beaming—and I mean beaming with joy and excitement. Her entire countenance said, “Something good had happened.” I wasn’t sure what it was, but I couldn’t wait to hear what it was. I was in for a surprise.