Tag: God

Posted in communication, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, spiritual battles, thankful, Trials, USA

Who’s In and Who’s Out

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

He controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” Daniel 2:21 (NLT)

He’s got this. For the past four and a half years, I have been clicking keys and writing stories. My wife Judy loves to say, “When I married Dewayne, I thought I was getting an Air Force Sergeant and instead got a preacher.” Little did we know the wonderful journey and adventure that God would send us on. As most of you know, part of that journey came to an end when I (with God’s approval) left the full-time vocational ministry and began seeking God’s next chapter for us. Occasionally people say, “So how is retirement?” Well, truthfully, we are still figuring it out but as always it is well when we try our best to do what God says do.

This Grits thing started one day when I wrote a paragraph of encouragement and posted it on Facebook. Now, four and a half years later I am still writing, and Judy is still designing graphics. As far as we can tell, God is still using Grits and that is a blessing. These days I don’t step into the pulpit every Sunday, but Judy and I can still share His goodness five days a week through Grits. I have written, it seems, about every topic you can imagine and yet God keeps sending ideas and stories. That too is a blessing.

Rarely do I write about anything controversial and I’m not going to start now! You see…I am a big fan of God and His sovereignty. I just believe that He is God, and we are not and that He is in control of all things. A week ago today, the country elected a new president, and the apprehension was high…as were the stakes. The new president would set the tone of the country for the next four years and I think everybody would agree that the two candidates had very different visions. Well, just like football, only one team can win the game. In every contest some people go home sad…and some go home glad. I know that was true in this election.

But get this. More important than my candidate winning or your candidate winning…more important than this party or that party is the truth that God and God alone was calling the shots. What prompted this Grits was not even the election—it was this incredible verse found in the book of Daniel.  It says, “He controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” Wow…how about that? To put it in modern language…God puts people in office and God takes people out. Period.

You see, God is the creator, planner and orchestrater of all things and His plan is the only plan that matters. If you are a Jesus follower, I want to encourage you to believe that and live that. If we can find a way forward in that, not only will our country be stronger and more unified—so will our churches and perhaps even our families. So, let’s move forward and pray for our leaders since the Bible says we are supposed to do that. Oh, and then let’s live and trust as if we truly believe that “He’s got this”…because He does.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, love, loving others, school days, Scripture, spiritual battles, thankful, Trials

My Amazing God

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love.” John 15:9

If He can’t, why am I surprised that I can’t? Do you know what still amazes me?  Creation…and not just part of it…all of it.  I’m amazed when I stop and look at the colors of the leaves in fall.  I’m amazed that the sun rises and sets day after day.  I’m amazed that my heart beats about 70 times a minute.  That is, wait for it, 100,800 times a day.  In case you are interested that is 36,792,000 times a year.  And, so far, it’s done well for 70 years.  Oh, and I’m amazed that out of all the galaxies, solar systems, and planets—zillions of them—only one can support life as we know it.  Earth.  And it is no accident.  It is an intentional act of creation.

God is really good at creating things.  He made us.  The Bible says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” In another place in the Bible He says we are His masterpieces.  Now granted some are Rembrandt’s and some are Picasso’s, but we are all masterpieces.  Handcrafted by the Creator of the universe—a “one of a kind” miracle. I know He made me with a few quirks and several warts and that is the point of this story…one of my quirky warts.

You see, from the time I was a little kid I have wanted people to like me.  I have craved approval from the time I can remember.  Whether it was from my Momma and Daddy, my brothers or sisters or the guy who picked up our garbage…I wanted approval.  Let me tell you if you are going to have a quirk…there are a lot better ones than this one.  The problem with “approval-itis,”the need for people’s approval is that it leads to a far worse disease—the passion, the drive to please people.  Now if I lived out in Montana where my nearest neighbor was 20 miles away, this wouldn’t be such a big problem.  But my life revolves around people—I was a pastor for goodness’ sake.  And to be honest, I wanted everyone to be happy and I wanted every one of them to like me. Sigh.

To be clear…the deal isn’t their deal…oh, no it lands right in my lap. The wart with all its bumps is right here.  For years I have been learning, or trying to learn, that I will not ever, never, please everyone.  But like an alcoholic craves the bottle—so we people pleasers crave approval.  And, by the way, I’ve gotten a little better.  Now, if I’m driving down the street and I wave at someone and they don’t wave back, I don’t write down their license plates and put a contract out on them. Smile.

If you can identify in any small way with “approval-itis” I have some good news that is sure to help you.  No, it is not seeking counseling and paying someone $200 dollars an hour to tell you that you can’t please everyone.  No, it is not moving to Montana…that wouldn’t work anyway because you would think the horse didn’t like you!  No, it is something that I read in one of my devotions one morning. It is a simple truth.  Are you ready?  Here it is, “You can’t please everybody.  Even God couldn’t please everybody.”  Now isn’t that just profound…and true.  I mean God is like all powerful, all wise, all knowing and can be everywhere at the same time and a majority of the world is always mad at him.  How about that?

Think about it.  If God couldn’t pull it off, then who am I to think that I can? I guess God could snap His celestial fingers and make everyone like Him, but He has this thing about free will.  He doesn’t want to make people love Him—He wants them to love Him because they want too.  Because.They.Want.To. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die on a Roman cross and He did it knowing that many…maybe most…would never even respond.  Amazing.

So, here’s the deal.  I understand that I will never please everyone…probably not even a fraction of the people I bump into.  I can’t do that, but I can do this.  I can love like Jesus loved. He said, “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.” He was saying, “Hey, when it comes to loving people…I’m all in. Sit back and enjoy it.”  I can give my best not because a person will respond like I want, but rather because that is what my Dearest Daddy wants me to do.  And guess what?  His approval is the only approval that matters.  We should live, love and long for the audience of One—Jesus.

Well, truth be told, I won’t get this one right in this lifetime because I probably won’t live that long—like a million years.  But with His help I can be more like Him, every day.  Love God, love people.  It’s that simple.  If you are “plum wore out” from “approval-itis,” well, why don’t you just take a rest.  You can, you know—because “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

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

A Good Laugh

Posted on 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

Posted in Family, fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, spiritual battles, thankful, Trials

Life’s Puzzles

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

It seems we have a new piece of furniture.  Awhile back we made a trip to northern Indiana to visit the Indiana Dunes National Park.  While we were there, we went to the park welcome center to get our “park passport” stamped, gather some info, and of course visit the gift shop.  While we were walking around the shop, my wife Judy picked up a puzzle.  Since we don’t do puzzles and since at least half of this team doesn’t even like puzzles I was somewhat surprised. Then I concluded that she was probably buying it for our Airbnb.

This puzzle wasn’t one of those for the faint of heart.  It was a 1,000-piece monster.  I smiled at the thought of guests going crazy trying to figure it out.  “Have fun,” I said to myself.  “Good luck,” I said to myself.  And then it happened.  As we got in the car the puzzle came up and Judy made the big reveal.  The puzzle wasn’t for the Airbnb…it was for…us.  I quickly explained that I didn’t do puzzles, didn’t like puzzles, and especially didn’t like puzzles with more than 10 pieces.  “No matter,” she said, “I’ll do it.”

After we got home, and not many days later, the puzzle made its appearance.  At first it found its way to the dining room table.  As she spread the 1,000-piece monster out on the table, it was quickly apparent that we needed a better solution.  So, we went down to our basement and brought up our card table.  Soon, she had the table up, the pieces spread out and we were the proud owners of a new piece of furniture—a puzzle table.  Well, for the first few days she would occasionally wander over and mess with the puzzle.  There was delight when a piece was found that fit another and then something happened.  The delight slowly began to wane as the next connecting piece became harder to find.

So there sat in our living room a puzzle table that didn’t hold much hope of completion.  I think Judy even said maybe she should have started with something less challenging.  I mentioned that Christmas was right around the corner and the table was sitting where the tree would go. I suspect that while the table will go back to the basement soon…the puzzle will find its way to the Airbnb awaiting its next victim.

That puzzle reminds me of life.  Sitting on the shelf in a store it seemed so benign.  Perhaps a challenge but certainly not something that is not conquerable but then the box is opened, the pieces spread out and it becomes something we can’t quite handle.  With puzzles you can just put it back in the box—no harm—no foul.  But with life…well, that is a different story.  You can’t just put away our life journey—our life circumstances, our life challenges—seek a solution, an answer, a completion.  And we are often left scratching our heads.

And that is where God comes in.  Talk to people who love puzzles, and they all have their ideas, plans and strategies…but what works for one may not work for another.  But with God what works with Him always works for us.  His wisdom, His strategy is never wrong and better than that…He is willing to help us put it all together.  He gently makes suggestions and whispers solutions. Sometimes He even guides our hands to the right answer for a question that demands an answer.  That’s just what He does.  Always helping, always loving, always there.

If you have a puzzle that has you stumped, you might consider putting it in your Airbnb.  If you don’t have one of those, try having a yard sale or using it as a repurposed Christmas gift…to someone you don’t particularly like.  Smile.  But if we are talking life, turn to the One who knows the answers to all the puzzles but remember…it is a matter of trusting and sometimes…waiting.  I like a promise tucked away in Isaiah 65:24—in the Old Testament part of the Bible. It says, “Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” I like that.  I can just see Him saying, “You might try that piece right over there.”  I listen and sure enough…it fits.  And of course…sometimes He might just whisper, “Don’t worry…I’ve got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

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

Don’t Wait

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” John 13:27

Who would have known? Sometimes a change of plans can be bigger than we think.  As you might remember through several Grits stories, several years ago my wife Judy and I made a couple of trips down to Ft. Myers and Marathon Key, Florida.  We had a great time.  We landed in Ft. Myers, rented a Mustang convertible, and then drove to the Keys.  After several days, we drove back to Ft. Myers and stayed at a really nice place called, “Lover’s Key.”  It overlooked a beautiful large bay and was just a few blocks from the beach.  We ate some incredible seafood at a couple of incredible restaurants.  Well, the bottom line is we had such a good time we knew we had to visit again.

A little later, we laid plans to do just that…visit again. We originally set the time for Labor Day weekend but later, because of the crowds, changed it to September 8-17. We booked a few days at Marathon Key, a few days at Lover’s Key, and the Mustang…well, that wasn’t going to happen.  Because of COVID, prices for rental cars, Mustang or not, had just about tripled.  Oh well, we could at least roll down the window.  We were excited…anticipating a repeat of last year.  And then…things went crazy with the airlines and the economy, and we knew we would have to cancel…and we did.

What we didn’t know, what we couldn’t know was a powerful hurricane named Ian was going to sweep into the Gulf of Mexico and literally destroy Ft. Myers.  Just eleven days after our planned dates, Ft. Myers as we knew it was gone.  The wonderful restaurants, the beautiful beaches at Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island—all gone.  Progress has been made toward recovery, but it will be a few more before it even begins to look like the old Ft. Myers and even then, there will be scars. And here’s what I now wonder.

What if, what if we had known that this beautiful place was going to be swept away, would we have made a greater effort to go?  If we had just known that the time we had planned might be the last time…would we have made a greater effort?  Honesty, would money, would price have mattered?  And the answer is—no. I honestly believe we would have made every effort to visit.  Knowing it was going to be perhaps the last time would have changed our effort and the value of the visit.  But alas, it is too late.

Like I said, it will eventually open back for people like me to visit but the scars of that terrible day in September will linger long after the last road is rebuilt.  And that made me think.  What is there in our lives that we are putting off? What is it in our lives that we think, we figure, we can do later?  What thing are we waiting to say, waiting to do, thinking, believing there will be enough time?  And you know what I know—we don’t know if there will be time or not.  That means, perhaps, just perhaps, we need to say and do what needs to be said and done—now not later.  We shouldn’t and perhaps can’t wait because things can and do change and later might be too late.

I call it my favorite “taken out of context” scripture.  It involves Jesus and Judas.  Jesus knows what Judas is about to do so He tells him, “Hurry and do what you are going to do.”  That whatever is his betrayal of Jesus to the authorities.  Like I said it is terribly taken out of context but still there are those glaring words…hurry and do whatever you are going to do. Judy and I have moved on to our next chapter in life.  We are both getting older, and we keep asking each other…and God, “What’s next?”  Well, we are not privy to all of that, but we do have today…we do have now.  The bottom line is we need to do what we can now and say what we want to say now for tomorrow may not come.

Do quickly. Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wish you would have…rather be glad that you did.  Remember, to be grateful for what you did is always so much better than regret.  I’m hoping writing this will spark this wisdom in my life. While we don’t know about tomorrow, fortunately we do know Someone who does.  To some He is just God but to some of us He is known as Dearest Daddy, and we know and believe that He knows our tomorrows. We also know and believe that “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, gratitude, heaven, life, Military memories, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, USA

Is This Heaven?

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

He asked, “Is this heaven?” The other night I was sitting around and accidentally caught the tail end of the movie, “Field of Dreams.” It is a fantasy movie about a guy who builds a baseball field, and a voice tells him that if he builds it—they will come. Well, he builds it and players from baseball past suddenly start appearing. It is a fun, feel-good movie—especially if you like baseball.

Well, amid all this feel-good stuff, a couple of the players from the past ask, “Is this heaven?” He assures them it is not but rather it is Iowa. To them the ability to play ball again well just felt like heaven. Obviously, they had never been because heaven is way beyond words. With all that said, the other night I fell into food heaven.  Let me explain.  Twenty years ago, some friends invited my wife Judy and I to go to Owensboro, Kentucky to have supper at a place called Moonlight BBQ. As my memory serves me it was somewhere before incredible and heavenly. We enjoyed the food and the company and promised ourselves we would have to make the journey again. Well…we never did.

Now, fast forward twenty years. On my retirement bucket list was to attend an airshow with the Blue Angels and/or the Thunderbirds. On a whim, I searched recently searched airshows only to discover that there was going to be one in Owensboro, Kentucky—just 89 miles from Harrisburg.  What is even more amazing is that Owensboro is a small town to be hosting such a major event.  Well, I told Judy we had to go so we booked a room and made our plans.

It turned out that the airshow, which is on Saturday and Sunday, had a Friday night deal too. At the airport they had several aircraft on display, and you could meet some of the pilots so with Judy’s blessing, I decided I would go to that part too. I went ahead and booked a hotel by the airport and off I went. Well, it turned out rain trashed a major part of the night, so I went ahead to the hotel. I saw a McDonald’s down the road but asked the clerk, “Are there any other restaurants nearby?” He said, “Do you like BBQ?” I said I sure did, and he told me there was a place down the road called…get ready…Moonlight BBQ.

Inadvertently I stumbled into food heaven again. So off I went and what happened next really was a foodie’s paradise. It was a mega BBQ buffet, and everything was just good. There was chopped brisket, ribs, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, fried fish all with all the trimmings you could imagine. Dessert? Yes sir—seven different kinds of pie with two kinds of cobbler and all with ice cream. It was just about then the analogy from “Field of Dreams” came to mind.  Is this heaven?

Well, of course I know that there is no way anything on this earth can compare to what God has in store for us. But I also know this.  Isn’t it awesome that God created this earth for His creation to enjoy. Take a joy ride though the galaxies and you won’t find anything like what He has prepared here for us. And all of this is just a teaser for the big show He has planned for us in eternity. So, enjoy this but also remember that the best is yet to come. He is the author of all things good because He is good. And because He is good, well, we know, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, friends, gratitude, heaven, life, loving others, Military memories, priorities, Scripture, spiritual battles, Trials, USA, wisdom

The Power of Remembering

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

It was a beautiful Sunday morning in December 1941…of course, almost every day in Hawaii is a beautiful day.  The skies were blue, the breeze was gentle, and it was the one day when at least some of the sailors and soldiers could sleep in.  Then, at 7:55 am Hawaii time, a swarm of Japanese aircraft attacked without warning killing 2,403 military and civilians.  In a brief moment in time the United States was at war with Japan and was thrown into World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt famously called December 7th, “a day that will live in infamy.” The battle cry throughout the Pacific War was “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

Fast forward with me sixty years.  It was a beautiful Tuesday morning in September 2001.  The sky was a deep blue without a cloud in the sky and then it happened.  Without warning, at 8:06 am EDT, a hijacked airliner crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A short time later, at 9:03 am EDT, the South Tower was also struck.  Unbelievably, a third airliner crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 am EDT, with a final airliner, most likely destined for Washington D.C., crashed into a Pennsylvania field at 10:03 am.  In all, these attacks killed 2,977 innocent people…more than the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The cry after September 11th or 9/11, was, “We will never forget.”

Though it is hard to believe, 23 years have come and gone since that horrific morning in September.  Most can remember exactly what they were doing that day as the events unfolded on national television.  In a brief moment in time, our world was changed forever.  As we observe what is now called Patriot Day, we must renew our vow to never forget those tragic minutes and the days, weeks, months and years that followed.

I well remember how for a brief moment in time our country stood united. While it didn’t last long, only a couple of days, it showed us, it taught us, the power and beauty of unity.  But then, as always, finger pointing and blame throwing ruled the day and unity slipped through our fingers like loosely held sand. And if we are not careful, time will further rob us of the reverence owed to so many and the honor for those who gave their lives trying to save others.  And that too would be a tragedy.

On this 23rd observance of 9/11, I hope you will join millions of others and make sure we never forget.  Take time to pause and reflect and remember.  I know these are difficult days and in so many ways we are frustrated and filled with doubt and fear.  But remember two things.  First and foremost, the God who created all of this is greater than any circumstance that we may face.  He knows our past and is willing to forgive.  And He knows the future and is willing to walk with us.  Don’t lose hope and don’t lose faith.  He is able and willing.

Let me also encourage you not to lose hope in America.  With all her warts and flaws she is still the best country in the world. Having visited a couple of dozen countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia, I can tell you there is no place like America.  Rare is the country where people are free to worship and live like we do. In the New Testament book called the Gospel of John, many people decided to no longer follow Jesus.  He looked at His followers and said, “Will you leave me too?”  One of them spoke up and said, “Where would we go?  You alone have the words of life.”   That is so true and before we throw America under the bus, be sure you know the answer to the question, “Where would you go.”  There is no place like home and no place like America.

So, let’s not forget.  Let’s show the world we are a people that remember so we can honor.  Let’s show the world that while we are not perfect, we do believe in our God and our country.  God made a promise to His people, and it is one that we can claim for ourselves.  He said, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sins and heal their land.”  It was true for them, and it is true for any people willing to put God first.  To sum it all up, it simply means…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture

When Bad News Meets Good News

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Some things were just better in the old days…like the weather report.  Back when the local weather was sponsored by one of the local oil brands and the weatherman wore a service station (that is a gas place where they pumped your gas, checked your oil and cleaned your windshield) uniform, things were so much simpler.  He would get his magic marker out and draw some symbols on his paper map and forecast the weather. It was easy.  If it was going to be hot…he would say it was going to be hot.  If it was going to be cold…he would say it was going to be cold.  If it was going to rain…he just laid it out in simple terms.  Yup…those were the days.

It kinda reminds me of my visit to a gift shop in the Smokey Mountains.  They had what they called a “Hillbilly Weather Station.”  It was a rock attached to a string.  It also had a card that went with it that said if the rock was hot, it was hot. If the rock was cold, it was cold. If the rock was wet, it was raining and finally, if the rock was swinging on the string, it was windy.  I like that and I think it’s probably accurate!  But today, they must give us a lot more information and most of the time I am grateful, except for this.

This is this.  Instead of simply saying it is going to be hot they must go a step further and give us what they call the “feel like temperature.”  In other words, if the temperature is going to be 90 degrees and there happens to be a bunch of humidity in the air, well, they let us know it is going to feel like 100 degrees and we are going to be extra miserable. And, if it is cold and there is a wind, well, just to make sure we know how miserable we really are, we have wind chill. Now I know their intent is good, but I just wish they wouldn’t go the extra mile in defining and describing my misery.

If that isn’t enough, the news folks seem to feel like they must top the weather folks.  They scrap up every bit of bad, discouraging, and disgusting news they can find and then read it to us with passion and glee.  It is almost like they want to say, “You only thought things were bad…just listen to this”.  And “this” is always about the awfulness of our broken world.  Yup, I think the weather and news people are in cahoots with one another to make sure we are miserable.

Well, if that isn’t enough, then there are some folks that we bump into in our world, and it seems they just can’t wait to slosh their negativity on someone else.  Like Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh stories, theirs is a “woe is me” world.  Eeyore once said, “I wish I could say yes…but I can’t.”  Well, the truth is we can.  In a world where some choices are limited, the choice of how we act, and think, is all ours.  We get to choose what stories our “newscast” is going to cast and what report our “weather reporter” is going to report.

One of the reasons I love God is that He is a positive thinker.  His book, the Bible, is a reality check but it is also a book of good news.  In fact, when describing the story of how much God loves us and how He sent His son into this broken world to pay the price for our sin…it is called “the” Good News or Gospel.  And if you allow that Good News to be your good news—well it changes everything.  So, if you need a change, if you need some Good News, why not try the Bible.  It will tell you the truth, but that truth includes God’s incredible love for me and for you.

In a part of the Bible called the New Testament, John, one of Jesus’ closest followers wrote, “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!” Wow…the God who made it all loves us enough to call us His own.  Now that is worth hearing about and the place to go to hear it is His Word.  So, when you are feeling down and things look hopeless, why not look up…to the God who wants to be your Dearest Daddy.  Imagine a world of Good News…with Someone who is waiting to whisper to you, “Don’t worry.  I’ve got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, missions, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials

Don’t Move

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Sing it, Willie, sing it.  It was around noon on a Tuesday in July when I could once again hear Willie’s words rolling around in my ears.  Yup, we were “on the road again” and this time we were going on a long and really big adventure.  My wife Judy and I, along with a couple of our friends, were going to England on a mission trip to love some folks from Africa who now live in England.  Africa has long held a special place in our hearts, so we were really excited about serving those special folks.

You probably have already figured out that we couldn’t drive to England, and you probably also know that these days anything to do with airports and planes can be just a little chaotic.  Well, this time was no different.  We got checked in, they were kind enough to relieve us of our luggage and then it was time to go through security.  I’ve done this enough to know the ropes. I wear pants that don’t require a belt and shoes that don’t have laces.  I put everything possible in my backpack, so my pockets are all empty…just the way the security people like it.  Check, check, and check. Not only was I on the road again but I was ready to roll through security.

Soon it was my turn to go through the security thingy.  There are two kinds of machines that they use.  First is the metal detector thingy and then there is the body scan thingy.  I drew the body scan thingy.  So, you step into this booth thing, put your feet on the two yellow shoe spots on the floor, raise your hands above your head and wait.  The person causally says, “Don’t move” and this thing takes a picture of your whole body and makes sure you don’t have anything that you shouldn’t.  Well, my rolling through security was about to hit a snag.  And it all started with me trying to do the right thing.

As I stepped into the booth and raised my hands, I quickly glanced down and noticed one of my feet was not on the yellow spot. So, I slid my foot over.  Unfortunately, that was just about the time that she mashed the magic button and, well, I failed the test.  She asked me to step out and told me, “You moved.”  So I said, “Well, let’s just do it again.”  “Oh no,” she said, “anyone who moves gets a special prize.  You get to have a full body search.  Please step over here.” Bewildered and wondering, I stepped over.

Soon, there was an officer, explaining and apologizing for what was about to happen.  There was no magic metal detecting wand, no, he had to check me out…carefully.  So, well, it wasn’t fun, it was embarrassing, and I learned an important lesson about those two words, “Don’t move.”  You see, in the end it didn’t matter that my intentions were good.  In the end it didn’t matter that I was trying to do the right thing.  The only thing that mattered is that I moved…I broke the rules and because of that there was a price to pay. Bummer.

Well, here is the deal.  That is true in airport security…trust me, I know.  But it is also true in life.  We often seem to think that the rules of life were meant for someone else.  Or often we just assume that we can get a “do over.”  Well, here is a news flash.  The rules of life apply to everyone…the rich and famous and the everyday Joe.  And very often, there is not a do over. There’s an old saying that says, “do the crime and you’ll do the time.” Well, I sure learned that applies to airport security. Smile.

One of the things I love to share is that when God gave us the Bible it wasn’t to hurt us…it was to help us.  It wasn’t a book to put us in shackles but rather a Book to set us free.  I know that when I pay attention to His Word, I have fewer regrets and smaller circumstances.  Trust me…it is true.  So, even if you aren’t a God person, you might want to check out the Bible.  It sure seems that life just goes better when we follow His rules and take His advice.

In the Bible it says that God’s Word is like a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. If you’ve ever walked in a dark room or down a dark path, you know the value of a flashlight.  Starting today, why not let the Word of God be your flashlight?  Better yet why not invite God to be your guide? After all, He knows the way, has never made a mistake, and is just waiting to help you. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, Trials

When Daisy was Goosed

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

Nobody saw it coming.  I have a friend who used to attend the church that I used to pastor. He moved and I retired, but we still manage to see each other when he visits town.  The thing about my friend is that he is extremely “goosy.”  Let me explain. When we want to have some fun, we would sneak up behind David and just touch him. Then you better watch out and “Katie Bar the Door.” He would jump in the air and come down with arms flailing. That’s why when you were going to “get him” you had to make sure the area was clear. It was and is just too fun to watch him in full blown “goose” mode.”

Well, the other day I had another opportunity to experience “goose mode” but it was not with David or any other human but a six-year-old mule.  Her name is Daisy Mae and we met when a good friend of mine invited me to go on a trail ride with him. He had his horse and I had Daisy. Now don’t get mules confused with donkeys.  Mules are a cross breed between a horse and a donkey and are about the size of their momma, the horse. While it takes more than a few years to train them they are worth the wait. Daisy was worth the wait—but I didn’t know she had some David in her. Let me explain.

There is a thing that goes under the tail of a horse or mule that keeps the saddle from riding forward toward the neck. I think it is called a tail Cooper and it is an important part of the saddle and tack. Well, somewhere along the way, way out in the wilderness, that part broke and came loose.  Apparently, it was dangling down near Daisy’s bottom, and she apparently thought it was a bee or something. Anyway, we stopped just for a moment, and it was in that moment that Daisy had her “goose” moment.  She got all fired up and decided that the “bee” had to go. She turned hard around to the left and started to go in a circle. My friend grabbed the rein, but it was too late. The saddle slid to the right, and I was promptly ejected from Daisy and to the ground. I fell hard, too hard for this seventy-year-old body.

When I came to my senses, I was just stunned. I had fallen on my right side and soon it became apparent that my right shoulder had taken the brunt of the force. It was a few minutes before I could stand, and it was a few more minutes when we decided I needed to walk awhile. Well, the more time passed, the sorer my arm and shoulder became. We were about an hour and half from the truck and trailer…one of the longest hour and a half of my life. We did make it but for now that is where the story will end.  Is there more? Oh yes, there is more but you will have to wait a couple of days for the rest.

One of the big truths about Daisy getting goosed is the fact that nobody was at fault—not Daisy, not my friend and not me. The truth is sometimes things happen.  We live in an imperfect world, but we have a perfect God who is always working on our behalf.  We literally were in a wilderness area and that fall could have been a whole lot worse and if it had been—well, there was no easy way out. But God was watching, and God protected me from that, but that’s not all. I don’t have the whole picture yet, but I do have the whole promise from Romans 8:28. There we read, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

What a great promise and don’t miss this.  God causes…not everything, for so much of what we endure is part of this imperfect world. What He causes is good to come from the difficult. I know there are plenty of lessons I am going to learn from all of this but one I know for sure is this.  No matter what, no matter how hard the fall, no matter how long the recovery, no matter the matter—He’s got this. Be sure and watch out for part two! Bro. Dewayne