Tag: Creator God

Posted in Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel

Truly Vast

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

It was amazing. The next chapter for us started on June 1st of 2024. After a slow start to the great adventure, we finally planned and went on a pretty big trip in September. We boarded a plane, climbed on a train, rented a car, and finally boarded a ferry to British Colombia. Our destination was one of our favorite places in these United States—the Pacific Northwest.  After arriving by train and renting a car we drove south to Oregon and stayed at a small hotel called “Sailor Jack’s.” This was our third time staying there and the main attraction was the view of the Pacific Ocean. The living room had a large window that filled the whole wall. Since we were right on the beach, all you could see was the ocean.

To me the Pacific Ocean is unlike any large body of water I have ever seen. In Uganda we rode in an open boat on a lake named Victoria that was so large from the middle you couldn’t see the shores. Of course, then there is the Gulf of Mexico. Stand on the west side of Florida and it seems large—and it is but not compared to the Atlantic Ocean. We have flown across the Atlantic more than a few times and it is certainly big enough, but then there is the Pacific. Strike out from the Oregon shore and for thousands and thousands of miles you will find nothing but open water and an occasional whale.  Eventually you will bump into Asia, but it is one long journey.

As I stood looking out the window from my third-floor condo, I was overcome with the wildness and vastness of this great body of water. There is a beauty in how the wind causes the water to roll onto the shore with sometimes larger than life waves. Then I realize that this huge vast body is but a “drop in the bucket” when compared to the great vastness of God. Whether you choose to think of the vastness of His love, the vastness of His grace and mercy, the vastness of His power or perhaps the vastness of His wisdom, the mighty Pacific simply seems almost insignificant. Remember that the vastness of the Creator will always vastly outweigh the things He creates.

The Bibles tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God and that is absolutely true. In fact, if you will just take a moment to look around, you will quickly see that all of nature shouts the validity of God. From the vast Pacific Ocean to the smallest yet most beautiful flower they all preach the same message: Nothing compares to our God. So, I am very grateful for all that God has created but I always remember that it is nothing compared to Him. One day all of this will be gone but He will still be there in all His magnificent splendor. So, take a moment and look and see the wonder and vastness of nature and then remember that the Creator is always so much greater than the creation. And remember that this wonderful Creator is more than capable of handling whatever comes our way.  Rest assured…He’s got this! Bro. Dewayne

Photo credit:  Judy Taylor at Sailor Jack’s, Lincoln City, Oregon

Posted in Family, food, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, wisdom

Makin’ Grits

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  Jesus in John 10:10b

It was time for some grits.  Well, after two weeks on the road traveling and doing God stuff it was so good to be home.  Dorothy (the one from the Wizard of Oz) said it best…there is no place like home…and she was right.  Over the last two weeks we did different things and slept in different beds and ate a lot of different foods. But for now, it was time for something familiar. It was time for grits.

When I woke up and had breakfast in this place called home, I wanted something that was normal…something that would remind me I was indeed home.  It shouldn’t surprise you that I turned to grits.  For me, if there is something that says home, it is grits.  Grits are more than food.  Grits are part of my heritage.  Grits are wholesome.  Grits are…grits.  This morning’s grits started with a bowl of “cheater” grits cooked in the microwave.  Trust me…grits on the stove or grits in the microwave are still stinking good.  So, in the bowl went the grits, an amount of water that varies from day to day, a good shaking of salt and pepper, a small handful of bacon bits and finally, a wedge of Laughing Cow Light Swiss cheese.  Can someone say, “Hallelujah?”  Well, from the first bite till I scraped the bowl clean…it was heaven…it was good…it said, “Home.”

While I love grits, I also am honest enough to admit that just plain grits are well…plain.  But when you add the good stuff, well, all I can say is “Shoot that thing.”  The good stuff can make something plain…sing.  It is true with grits, and it is true with life.  You see, life can be just life but when you add the good stuff, life sings like a happy opera singer.  What makes life sing is different for each person but for me the list is short and sweet.  First, you add God to the mix and not just any god but Jehovah God…the One who made it all.  The trees, the flowers, the mountains, and the rivers are just a few of His works.  Look up and the stars and the planets all sing of His greatness. You know, Jesus once said that He had come to give us life and not only that but a life worth living…and I believe He did. Now don’t confuse God and religion.  God is always good and religion by itself is just like plain grits…tasteless.

Another thing that makes my life sing is family and friends.  You see, I don’t believe grits were made to be eaten plain.  Grits are the foundation just waiting for the good stuff.  We were never created to be loners on a desert island.  No, we were made for each other.  Again, each life is different, but each life should include others…the kind that enrich and fulfill us.  For some it is a big family and for others it might be a family of one.  It might be ten close friends or only one or two, but we all need others.  Why not invite someone into your world today?  I know for me that can sometimes be difficult, but it is worth the effort.

The third thing that we need to make our life sing is a trio of treats.  They are love, gratitude, and contentment.  Just like the cheese, bacon bits, and salt and pepper bring my bowl of grits to life, so do these three powerful life ingredients.  Love is as essential as the air that we breathe and gratitude, being thankful for all we have instead of grumpy about what we don’t, is too. Oh, and when we are grateful…we are usually content.  Throw all of this together and you have a life that sings…a life that is worth getting up to everyday.

You see, to have a full life, a life that is as sweet as the sweetest love song, doesn’t require titles, dollars, and stuff.  No…a life that sings is so much more than that.  All we must do is be willing to start.  This morning’s breakfast of grits wasn’t hard…I mean that is one thing that even I can prepare.  But it did require a start…it did require a beginning.  So, today, let’s take that first step.  Let’s pour in the bowl of our life a big dose of faith, love, gratitude, and contentment and then let’s sit down to the table of life and feast. Don’t know where or how to start? Why not ask God, the one many call “Father?”  You will find Him there ready and willing to help. You can rest assured that, “He’s got this.”

Posted in Family, friends, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Better than Alexa, Better than Eufy

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

I live with three women. Now don’t panic. I can explain. Back in the old days, I was the only guy in the house. It was four females and one female dog to one male.  There was, of course, my wife Judy, my three daughters, Rebecca, Jennifer and Sarah and finally there was Sam dog who was also a girl. This caused some issues because everything in the house had some sort of connection with the world of girls.  Even our movie selection was tainted female. I’ve watched more romantic comedies than any man should.  Oh, and it came at a price. Take me to the movies and trust me, I’m the first one whose eyes start to leak.

Well, slowly things changed. The daughters all got married and Sam dog went to doggie heaven and that left me and Judy. Finally, the odds were even but then we invited a couple of ladies into the house.  First there was Alexa. She served as our assistant and frankly I like having her around. Just like a real female person, ask her a question and she has the answer and she, of course, is never wrong. She talks, listens and occasionally even tells me what to do. Judy tells me that like any good wife, Alexa is always listening, so I really need to be careful what I say.

Well, while Alexa is old hat (don’t tell her I said that) about six or seven months ago, Judy invited another lady to come live with me. I think she must be German or something else European because her name is Eufy. I don’t even know how to pronounce it, so I usually just say, “Hey, you!”  Now Eufy, like Alexa, is quite handy.  You see, she is a robotic vacuum cleaner. In other words, give the word, and she takes off and begins to vacuum the house all by herself. Like a human female, I have no idea how she works…I just know that she does. She zips around the room and seems to know exactly where she is going. It really is quite amazing. She does sometimes get in a bind but with a little help she is soon “Back on the road again.”

The amazing thing about Eufy is, because of her slender size, she can go where other vacuums can’t.  Day after day and time after time, Judy and I are just amazed at how much stuff she finds to pick up. When Judy invited her to come live with us, I was very skeptical. I figured it was a waste of more than a few dollars, but I was wrong. She saves us time and turns out she has made our life more than a little better.

And guess what?  I met Someone far more important, far more valuable than Eufy, and unlike her, this Someone never gets it wrong.  This Someone knows it all, past, present and future, and even adds elements like grace, mercy, love and compassion.  And like Eufy, who cleans up my messes, this someone cleans them all and never grows weary doing so.  Oh, and one more thing.  Eufy must go in for a recharge but this Someone never does.  Who is this Someone?  He is the one who made it all…Creator God or as I like to call Him, my Dearest Daddy.

So, if your house is a little messy you might want to invite Eufy to come live with you but if your life is a mess (and isn’t everyone’s?) then why not invite God to come and change it? It is a decision that you will never regret. I know, because I did a long time ago and He has never, ever failed me.  I’ve learned that no matter what, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, gratitude, life, loving others, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, wisdom

Look Up

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them” Psalm 69:34

All I had to do was look up. I like our neighbors and I know not everyone can say that. We have been living at 217 W. Poplar Street for just about twenty-four years. Over the years all of our original neighbors have moved on to eternity and one day we looked around and realized that we were the sole survivors of those who called our block home. While some houses have only had one new owner, a couple have had more than that and the house to the East of us was one of those.

I’m not sure how long our Easterly neighbors have been our neighbors, but it has been a few years…long enough to watch their kids grow up a little and long enough for us to become good friends. Well, the other day, my neighbor and I were sitting in the backyard talking about life and tires for my car. It was a beautiful day and I personally thought it was one of my Dearest Daddy’s best. The sky was blue and cloudless, and the temperature was just right—not too cold and not too hot. As we sat and solved the world’s problems (and my tire problems) I just happened to look up and that is when things went from ordinary to extraordinary.

As I looked up, I saw a bird, a large bird, soaring over our houses. His wings, large and majestic, allowed him to soar on the warm spring currents. Just about that time I noticed that this was no ordinary bird.  As my eyes focused more clearly, I could clearly see a white head and a white tail.  It was an American Bald Eagle. Well, I love eagles because they are a symbol of our great country and because of their majesty.

Well, I instantly told my neighbor to look up and, in a moment, we were both transfixed by this moment of natural majesty. He too is an eagle fan.  He immediately got on his phone to call his father-in-law who also is an eagle fan and began to give him a play-by-play of what was happening.  Well, all too soon our eagle soared toward the West and from our sight but for that time and those minutes—he managed, by his mere presence, to change the ordinary to majestic.

I think what makes all of this so amazing is the amazing God who made the eagle in the first place. And as for the eagle, he simply was doing exactly what he was created to do—soar. My neighbor and I were probably doing what we should have been doing too—pausing and admiring the handiwork of our creator God. I think the big truth here is that we live in a pretty amazing world and majesty surrounds us…if we will just pause and look. It might be a mother deer with her fawn, a flock of turkeys strutting their stuff or a golden finch feeding at the feeder.  Whatever and whenever, we need to learn to stop, look and yes, even listen.  “Listen you say?” And I would say, “Yes, listen.” For in the sound of the gentle breeze or the song of a songbird you might just hear your Dearest Daddy telling you, “I’ve got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, spring, thankful, Trials

Singing before the Sunrise

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

It happens every year…just about this time.  One of the amazing things about God’s creation is the preciseness of it all.  You can predict the time of the sunrise a hundred years from today within seconds.  The seasons come and go with precise assuredness, and it is not an accident.  Oh no, it is by intentional design.  The Creator God of it all is the God of details and He doesn’t miss one.  Just a couple of years ago here in Southern Illinois we were freezing and had a dose of snow, sleet, and ice.   Then the following Monday it was just over seventy degrees, the grass was greening, and the limbs of the trees were swelling with anticipation. They all know it is time.  Even late snow won’t upset the apple cart.

I know sometimes we worry about some things and sometimes we worry about everything, but nature just doesn’t seem to have that problem.  Sometimes I long for that.  When things around me seem so confusing and threatening, when it seems that the new normal isn’t normal at all…I just tend to worry.  But nature doesn’t miss a beat.  A few mornings ago, I got up at my somewhat usual 5:30 am (don’t ask me why) and began my day with a cup of coffee and some time with Jesus.  It works well.  The coffee wakes me up and my time with Jesus sets me up for a brand-new day. 

At 5:30 am the sun is still sleeping so the skies and the countryside are still dark…very dark.  But something happens every year…just about this time.  Somewhere in my yard, somewhere outside my window a songbird starts to sing.  I’m sure it is a different bird every year and it might even be a different bird every day but long before daylight, he or she decides to sing.  I find it very…refreshing.  Though it is dark, the songbird sings in anticipation of what is coming.  Somehow, they know that the darkness of night is just about over, and the sun is going to rise.  They seem to know that the darkness cannot last forever…it must give way to the power of light.

By faith, the songbird sings its celebration of Spring and of a new day.  And do you know what?  Sure enough, in about thirty or forty minutes, the dawn begins to break, and God honors their faith.  Day in and day out the songbird sings and day in and day out God is faithful.  I think there is a lesson there for us. Actually, there are two lessons to learn.  First, is the lesson of our faithfulness.  The songbird sings not because it sees the light but because it believes the light is coming.  Tucked away in a letter that Paul wrote to the church located in Corinth are these words, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  We.Walk.By.Faith.

The songbird sings by faith and God calls us to walk by faith.  Walking by faith believes that what God has said will come to pass.  And the second lesson?  It is the lesson of His faithfulness.  Our faithfulness is based on a faithful One.  We have all lived long enough to know that put your faith in the wrong thing and you’re toast.  But put your faith in the One who is faithful, and it is the sanest, most logical thing that you can do. In 2020 it was difficult to find sure footing.  Everywhere you stepped it was shifting sand and honestly, 2021 wasn’t much better. The one exception to that was God.  The God who was God in March of 2020 when we started that COVID mess is the same faithful God today, four years later.  He does not change. You can take that to the bank.

So tomorrow morning, even if it’s out of the range of my hearing, a songbird will begin to sing in the darkness.  It will be announcing, by faith, that a new day is coming—daylight is coming. And Lord willing, most of us will awaken from a night of rest.  For some it may be dark and for others quite light, but for all of us we have the opportunity to take our first steps in the new day.  I hope they will be steps of faith…faith in a Dearest Daddy who loves us enough to guide us, to help us and to lead us.  All we must do is believe…in Him…in who He is and what He said.  He has never failed, you know.  It is totally foreign to Him.  He can and will come through…not matter what.  So, go ahead and peer out into the darkness as the songbird sings and know, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

More than a Chunk of Rock

Posted on 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

Day after day, it laid there. In the Florence, Italy cathedral courtyard, a massive chunk of beautiful marble rested for nearly a century. Now wait—think about that. Not a few months or even several years, but for ten long decades. Amazing. It turns out a sculptor had been commissioned to create something and had made a mistake leaving the stone deemed unusable.  Surely over those years, hundreds of people walked by the piece of marble seeing nothing useful. “What a waste,” they would say.  And then, one day it happened.

In 1505, a young sculptor named Michelangelo (does that name ring a bell?) discovered the neglected piece and saw something that no one else saw—potential.  While others saw its flaws—he saw a masterpiece. Over the course of three years, he diligently worked to transform the marble.  He worked to bring out a masterpiece—an impressive 18-foot-tall sculpture of the young shepherd boy David.  That single statue not only defined his career then, but five hundred years later, it remains one of the world’s greatest masterpieces. Many people even visit Florence, Italy to view it in person.

That is an amazing story, isn’t it?  But think about this. Much like Michelangelo with his marble, God too sees potential—not in a chuck of stone but in people—people like you and me.  Where others see waste and failure, God sees more.  He sees a masterpiece. I love what Paul wrote in the New Testament letter to the church of Ephesus.  He wrote, “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.” On my—isn’t that marvelous.  And just to think—you thought you were a mistake.  You thought you were junk.  You thought you were destined to lie in the rubble of life because someone told you that you could never be anything more.  You just listened to the wrong voice.

The right voice is the voice of Creator God.  Some call Him, “Dearest Daddy.”  He encounters us in our brokenness, lost and in need of refinement. When we place our faith in Christ, God begins the process of sculpting us, methodically chipping away at our imperfections to shape us into the image He envisions.

How about that?  Now remember, this process is rarely comfortable or easy, but it is always worth it. If you ever wonder what in the world God is doing in your life, I can tell you the answer.  He is making you like His Son, Jesus. Someone said God doesn’t always make us happy, but He is always working to make us holy.  So, let me encourage you to trust the masterpiece maker.  Let me encourage you to allow Him to work and bring development to the masterpiece that you are.  The job of the marble is simply to be available to the Sculptor…who does a mighty work with His skillful hands. You can do that you know because, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

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Posted in Family, food, friends, gratitude, Integrity, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Oh, Sweet Gravy

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

My eyes said “gravy”, but my mouth said “sweet.” I’m just not much of a cook.  In fact, if cook was a bigger word, I probably wouldn’t even be able to spell it. With that said, every once in a while, I am forced to venture into the kitchen. I do manage to cook my own breakfast but occasionally I even manage to mess that up. Such was the case a couple of weeks ago.

It was Saturday and My wife Judy had a teaching thing in a town about an hour away, so I was on my own. She had cooked some sausage gravy the day before, so I looked in the refrigerator to see if there was any left.  There was some sausage but no gravy.  I did find a small container that looked like the milk and flour beginnings of gravy, so I grabbed that and poured it into the frying pan.

After a few moments, I realized whatever this was needed some help. Despite my best efforts, it simply wasn’t becoming gravy. I went to the pantry and found seasoned flour and shoveled in several tablespoons.  Well, that did the trick, in fact so much, that I had to add some milk to loosen it up some. Before long it at least looked like gravy.  Well, about that time a piece of sausage went over the side of pan and onto the stove. I picked it up and, being the frugal guy that I am, popped it in my mouth.  “Hmmm, not bad, but sweet.  How strange” I said out loud to myself.

Well, I put the gravy in a bowl and, since we were out of bread, got a spoon and proceeded to dig in.  To my surprise, the “gravy” was indeed sweet and yes, I did go ahead and eat it.  How strange indeed. Well, I pondered and pondered how I ended up with sweet gravy and I finally figured it out.  You see, Judy had put some of her Italian sweet cream creamer into a container to take on our trip to Georgia.  She had forgotten to take it and the container was still in the refrigerator. It turns out that what I thought was the makings of gravy was in fact coffee creamer.

You know, it sure looked right and it even kind of cooked right, but the bottom line was regardless of how it looked or cooked—it was not what I thought it was. And I learned that coffee creamer just doesn’t make gravy.  I’m not sure what it makes—but it doesn’t make gravy. I learned there and then to make sure I knew what was going in the pan before I started cooking.

That is a great lesson for making gravy and it is a great lesson for doing life with God. There are some things in this world that can look like God.  Religion is one of them. And there are plenty of things that can take the place of God and in the process become a god. So, it is important we make sure we are loving and serving Creator God and not some sort of substitute.  And remember, nothing, and I mean nothing, can take the place of the real deal. Whether it is in the kitchen or on the streets—make sure you have what is real. If you find yourself a little confused, don’t worry, just ask Him and He will let you know what’s real and what’s not.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, food, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Change or Not?

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!” 1 John 3:1

It was a food adventure.  Judy and I love adventures.  Sometimes that means a new place to visit, or it might be as simple as a new place to eat.  Well, one of the things that Judy and I enjoy doing together is dining out at a restaurant. We have several favorites that we go to regularly.  We have our favorite here in the ‘burg, favorites in Marion, favorites in Paducah and even a couple in Evansville.  Then we have favorite meals at each place.  At one we have a steak, at another grilled shrimp, at another a hamburger–and that is a seafood place…go figure.

But do you know what happens occasionally?  We decide to go “rogue.”  We decide to go to a new place or try something new at a familiar place. That is how we discovered the “Pork Belly, Pimento Cheese, Fried Green Tomato, wonder of wonders”.  It still makes me drool. Regardless, the new adventure is always refreshing and usually quite good.  Every once in a while, it flops, —every once in a while, we leave saying, “well, that didn’t work.”

A while back we were in Paducah and on a whim tried a Chinese place.  Everything said, “don’t” but we did.  Weeds in the parking lot, trash in the parking lot and a front door that looked like a herd of kids with dirty hands had just passed through all said, “get back in the car.”  Well, we didn’t, and boy was it a bad experience.  But even so here’s what we have discovered—the sense of change—the sense of adventure is worth the risk of the occasional failure. Change can be challenging but it is also refreshing.

Someone once said that a rut is a grave with the ends knocked out.  By and large, I am a creature of habit.  I have the same thing for breakfast almost every day.  I drive the same way to work every day. But even if I like sameness, I also like change.  Isn’t that weird?  There is a reason. We need change to keep life fresh.   We need variety to make life interesting. I think that is one of the things the pandemic forced our hand on.  We have to do some things differently—willing or not. While that is true in our personal journey, it is also true in our spiritual journey.

There is one thing that gives me a confident assurance that nothing is new to God.  He is never surprised and never caught off guard.  He never says, “Boy, I sure didn’t see that one coming!” It is great to belong to a God who is big enough to have everything under control. I love that in this world of constant change, He is a constant—He never changes.  That means no matter where you go in the past—He was there, and He was the same.  That means no matter where you go today—He is there, and He is the same.  And that means no matter where the future takes you and no matter what it holds—He will be there, and He will be the same.  He.Is.The.Same.

Like I said, I enjoy a little variety—a little change adds spice to life.  But when it comes to my Dearest Father, well, I like the sameness that He brings.  My circumstances, my mess-ups, even my fickleness doesn’t faze Him.  He is always the same.  And that sameness, well, it is just the best.  A guy named John in the New Testament wrote and said that it is just amazing, this love that God has for us…a love that extends out and allows us to be called His.

Let me suggest you occasionally try a new restaurant and or a new item on the menu. And if it has pork belly and pimento cheese on it—well, it’s got to be a winner.  But when it comes to choosing what god you will serve—there’s only one choice and that is Creator God.  Bigger than it all—ready and willing to handle our biggest problems and always ready to extend His grace our way—there’s no need to look any further.  Oh, and of course, as always, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, heaven, life, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful

Poud and Pouder

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17

What in the world is a “Poud?” In my Grits storying I often talk about my wife Judy.  A while back I mentioned her nickname and someone asked, “What is the story there?”  Well, I am glad you asked.  Admittedly, it is a rather unusual nickname. It goes something like this.  A long, long time ago, before I was around and when Judy was young, one of her brothers stated calling her “Judy Poudy.”  Since she was the last of nine siblings, maybe they ran out of creativity? Anyway, I am assuming it was because it rhymed.  Sometime later, the family shortened the name and started calling her “Poud.”

As the years rolled by, she was “Poud” this and “Poud” that.  Well, finally, in the fulness of time (you know, like the Bible), I showed up on the stage of her life.  After we met at church it was soon time to meet parents and finally her extended family. There probably aren’t enough letters in the alphabet or adjectives in the English language to describe this crazy bunch of South Georgians. Let it be enough to say that they believed in having fun and telling tall tales.  Oh, the things one learns from sitting around their table at family gatherings and just watching and listening! Get them in a room together and the tales would start and wrapped up in those tales would be the occasional “Poud” this and “Poud” that.

Well, that could be the end of the story, but it isn’t.  You see, this crazy bunch of South Georgians knew how to make a guy feel right at home and before long I was the object of several stories, some true and some not…. and some of those stories caused me to end up with my own nickname, “Pouder.”  Now I’ll leave it to your imagination how that came about, but the new couple in the Allen clan had a new name—“Poud” and “Pouder.”  Finally, after years of marriage, we decided to make it easier by simply calling each other “Poud.”  It goes something like this, “Hey Poud?”  And the other would simply reply with “Yes, Poud.”  It doesn’t matter much now, but when we get old, it should at least be convenient.

It’s funny (no pun intended) how “Judy” became a “Judy Poudy” and together we became “Poud” and “Pouder.”  New relationships sometimes generate a new name and that is just what God does for us.  When we join His family, whatever we once were slips away and we become something new—one of His children…His son or daughter.

In the Bible, there was a woman who had an unclean issue of blood. Basically, that meant she wasn’t welcome anywhere…especially at church and because of her sickness she only knew the scorn and harshness of those around her.  But one day she met Jesus and He healed her and gave her a new name—daughter.  And when we meet Jesus…well, whatever the world and those around us used to called us, no matter how condemning, that all changes and He calls us His. I love that.

There is a scripture in the last Book in the Bible, the Revelation, and it says that one day God will give us a new name.  It says there, “I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.”  I don’t know what all that means but I do know it will be special.  To be called His son is amazing enough but to know that He has a special name for me, for us…well, that is incredible.

I hope you have made the decision to be called His child.  It’s not just church, it’s certainly not religion—it is a relationship with Creator God.  And that unknown and special name…well, we will just have to wait and see what that is all about.  One thing is certain—it will be special, and He’s got it reserved just for me and just for you.  Until then we will just have to wait and trust that…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, gratitude, heaven, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful, travel

And They Sang

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2

I think He was just showing off.  In one of our more creative moments, either my wife Judy or I thought it would be a great idea to take a little overnighter for Valentine’s Day.  So, we did.  There is place called Camp Ondessonk about 24 miles from our house.  They have a great cabin there and we decided to rent it for Friday night.  Now when I say cabin don’t think like rustic and primitive…think nice…like nicer than a Holiday Inn.  Well, we made a day of it.  First, we drove a couple of hours to a very special restaurant and had a great lunch.  Then we drove up to Paducah for a quick visit with one of the kids and their kids.  It was a great time.

Finally, it was time head to the camp and our cabin.  I have to admit I was a bit reluctant at first because it was a little pricy and I said to myself, “Self, it can’t be that nice.”  Well, once again, I was wrong because it really was…nice. We settled in and watched a little television.  Yes, they even had internet and television…I was just hoping for running water and indoor plumbing.  After a while, Judy said she was going to go out and check out the stars.  It was already below freezing and at first, I thought she had dropped a couple of her marbles.  Mark it down…wrong twice.

In a few minutes, she came back in and said, “Dewayne, you have to come outside and see this.  The stars are brighter than Africa.”  Now, I realize you probably haven’t been to Africa and looked up at the stars on a clear night.  They are so amazing I figured there was at least a possibility that she was exaggerating…just a little bit.  I slipped on my shoes and joined her on the deck.  She was right.  Without much light pollution, the stars were literally breathtaking. Imagine a field of diamonds, of every color of white and blue and all of different caret sizes. Now, imagine again and again and again. It was wonderful.

Well, we finally went back inside but before bedtime we wandered out one more time.  It seemed we couldn’t get enough of God’s wonder show.  Finally, it was bedtime and since we were in the middle of nowhere, Judy suggested we raise the blinds in the bedroom.  We did and lying there in bed we had a front row seat to the show all over again.  I just knew we were going to see a falling star or two but we didn’t but that was ok because the razzle, dazzle of the stars was more than enough.  All through the night, when I woke up to roll over, there they were shouting, singing, and showing the glory of God.

I know I might overuse this verse in Grits but this time, well, it is just so appropriate not to.  In the Old Testament part of the Bible, Psalms19:1-2, it says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.” I have long loved that verse but after Friday I not only love it, but I also more fully understand it.  There before my eyes was part of God’s creation and their job was simply to proclaim His glory and they did it well…very well.

Judy and I are already planning another trip to one of our new favorite places. I sure hope when we go the skies are once again clear so God’s starry sky can once again proclaim His glory.  Lee Ann Womack sings a song about creation and God.  In that song she sings, “There is a God, there is a God, there is a God…how much proof do you need?  Well, I don’t know about you, but Friday night was enough for me.  Let me encourage you to go and find a good dark place the next time the skies are crystal clear.  Then…look up.  And if the world is dark enough you will see the choir singing about Him and then do two things.  First, remember He who made that made you and loves you immensely.  Second, remember and never forget that no matter what we are facing, He is bigger, and He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne