Tag: Paul

Posted in Family, fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, sovereignty of God, spring, thankful

Larry, Barry, Harry, Terry, Ralph, and Bubba

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.” (1 Corinthians 12:17-18)

The geese in our city park and I are occasionally on a first name basis. There are two kinds of geese in the park.  Almost all of them are standard, brownish geese.  Then there are also four or five white snow geese.  Now trust me on this.  In the past the snow geese and the regular geese just didn’t like each other.  But something must have happened.

Let me tell you what happened one day. First, there were several of the standard brownish geese families.  They were teaching the kids about swimming, eating, how to potty on the walking path…you know the standard things.  But then there was something else happening.  There were four white geese and they had like five babies, and they were one big happy family. I’m sure there was a mom and a dad but there was also at least an aunt and an uncle.  They were all doing their family thing.  But hang on.

There was also a pair of standard brownish geese, and they had babies.  What was different was they had two brown babies and a baby that obviously came from the snow geese. No really.  I’m thinking they adopted one.  And you know what?  They treated him just like the rest.  But that wasn’t quite the end of the story either.  So, there was a pair of standard brownish geese, and they had five brown babies.  They were so cute.  I think their names were probably like Larry, Barry, Harry, Terry, and Ralph.  Anyway, there’s one more thing.

There was one of the big snow geese in the family mix.  He obviously had to be a distant, and I mean distant, relative.  But he was one tough dude.  The little babies were on the sidewalk and mom and dad were standing there.  Usually, when I would walk by a family, the dad would hiss at me, and I would act afraid.  I wasn’t but I was hoping it would make him feel better.  Anyway, mom and dad were casual—no deal.

But then there was the snow goose named Bubba.  I mean when I got close, he puffed his chest out, stretched his neck, glared at me and gave me his best manly hiss.  You know the kind those big cobra snakes do in India. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and on my arms and I kept moving.  I don’t know who Bubba was, but he likes his family—brown or not—a lot.

You know, the more I thought about it…the more I thought it wasn’t weird at all.  I thought maybe that’s exactly how it is supposed to be.  The geese, regardless of their feather color, came together, formed a family and a community and were doing life.  Everyone seemed happy to me.  Well, all except Bubba.  He had an attitude, but I think even that was because he loved and cared for the others.

Someone once said it takes a village to raise a child.  It takes all kinds of people to make life work.  And do you know what?  It takes all kinds to make God’s family work too. If you go to church, you know sometimes it can get just a little bumpy. Someone doesn’t like this or doesn’t like that.  Someone wears the wrong thing or not enough of the right thing.  Someone thinks things are too loud or too soft or too hot or too cold. Well, I think we need to take a lesson from the guys and gals at the park.

In the Bible Paul wrote that things would be weird if a body was one giant ear or one giant eye.  If we were all the same, we would just be in a hot mess.  It takes every part—every person—being themselves and doing what God designed them to do.  And do you know what else it says?  It says in 1 Corinthians 12:18 “But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as He wanted.”  As.He.wanted.  That means that the person that you just love at church was put there by God.  And it also means the person who irritates you the most was put there too.  And perhaps they are there just for you.

Of all God’s creations, the church, His body, is one of His most beautiful.  A flower garden is made beautiful not in its sameness but in its variety. The body of Christ is made beautiful the very same way.  So, in these trying days, these crazy days, these days when it is so important that the church be the church, be sure and remember that the body is a bouquet of people and personalities selected and arranged by God himself.  We need the Bubbas, and we need Larry, Barry, Harry, Terry, and Ralph too.  We need the younger and we need the older.  We need each other.  Sound too difficult? Sound a little overwhelming?  Don’t worry about it.  God’s good at helping His rowdy, sometimes difficult kids grow.  So, take a rest in Him. He’s got this. Just ask Bubba. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Can You Believe It?

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

“Can you believe another month has come and gone?”  For the last twenty-four years on the first of every month that has been my tag line for the “Baptist Hour.” And now, that part of my ministry life is ending. I’m not sure what I will do now at 7:00 am on the first of every month!

So, some of you are asking, what is the Baptist Hour? Well, it is supposed to be the longest continuously running religious radio program in the world.  Our church sponsors that program on the first of every month. So, every first of the month that’s where you will find me at 7:00 am.  And it all began for me one summer morning.

I came as pastor for Dorrisville Baptist Church in July 2000.  We were one week out from Vacation Bible School.  I was moving in, getting settled and wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into.  I believe it was a Wednesday the week of Vacation Bible School and my new friend Ben Sisk found me somewhere in the Preschool Department.  Ben was the chairman of our deacons, old enough to know Noah personally and was just a great guy. He tapped me on the shoulder and said these words, “Has anyone told you that you are on the radio tomorrow morning at 7:00 am?”  That loud thud was the sound was my jaw hitting the floor.

“What?” I asked.  It wasn’t that we weren’t both speaking English it was just it caught me totally off-guard.  I had nothing prepared (obviously), I had never spoken on the radio, never talked to a microphone in an empty room and finally, I was drowning in the “new kid on the block” waters.  Well, all that didn’t matter because it was my deal.  So, another pastor agreed to accompany me for moral support and off I went.  I survived.

I don’t remember too much about it all, I just remember getting through it.  “Whew…glad that is over.” I said under my breath. And do you know what happened? In 31 extremely short days it was time to do it again.  It was like the movie “Ground Hog Day” except in that movie it was every 24 hours life started over. So, I got to the station, got behind the microphone again and said, “Can you believe another month has come and gone?” And the rest is history.  It’s all old hat now.  I enjoy the opportunity to share, and I love saying, “Can you believe another month has come and gone?”

The first is coming again in just a week and a half but I won’t be going to the station.  I will be at a pastor’s conference which means someone will be speaking in my place. But wait, since my “next chapter” begins June 1st, I guess I am done with my first of the month date with the Baptist Hour.  But whether I am at the station or not, I’m sure I will still be befuddled that another month has come and gone.  It will be May which means we are starting month number five this year.  It means that we are seven months away from Christmas and it means that time is going by very quickly.  And, before we know it, this season, and this year will be gone.  When you are treading water like so many of us are, it is easy to zone out and just try and make it.  God has a better idea.

In Psalm 90:10, Moses writes to us and says, “Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly, and we fly away.” I woke up earlier this year and realized that I was 70 years old.  Where did the time go?  They are indeed passing quickly and one day, each of us will, “fly away.”  But until the day we launch into eternity Moses has one more piece of advice.  He says in verse 12, “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” In other words, we must make each day matter—each day count.

I know in my life, and I can imagine in yours, we are both wishing time away.  We are saying, “I’ll be glad when all this is over.”  It’s akin to saying on Monday, “I’ll be glad when Friday comes.”  Wait a second before you press the “do not disturb” button or go into standby mode.  There is too much to do—too many opportunities to grab, too many blessings to live and too many adventures to launch into.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15-16 “Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time because the days are evil.”  Making the most of the time—even suffering time, even corona virus time, even this time.

One of my favorite verses to use out of context is when Jesus was speaking to Judas.  In John 13:27 He says, “What you’re doing, do quickly.” So, whatever you need to do, are wanting to do—do quickly—don’t put it off.  Today is the day and now is the time to do life right.  Love someone, encourage someone, be kind to someone—give your spouse and kids a hug.  Laugh.  Smile. Oh, and take some time to rest in Him.  And most of all? Remember, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, Trials

Saying No to the Pie

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

It is something we know to be true, but boy, do we wrestle with it.  Unless you are one of those incredibly blessed people with a metabolism that operates at warp speed, you know what I am about to write is true. If you eat more calories than you burn, you are going to gain weight. That’s just a fact of life.  Next is the real bummer.  Long after the sweet, wonderful taste of that pecan pie (not a slice—the whole thing) is gone, the weight sticks around.  All my life I have fought the “battle of the bulge” and too often lost. And every time the culprit is the fact that for that moment, taste outweighs (no pun intended) my common sense. I know that if I eat too much of this or that—I will pay the price and the price is always more than the worth of that momentary pleasure. Crazy.

It can all be summed up in a few words—the weight outlasts the dessert. Yup, it is just true and if we are talking just about weight, it is somewhat serious but not disastrous.  Now…instead of weight and dessert let’s talk sin and consequences.  You see just like the weight outlasts the taste, so the guilt and shame of sin lingers long after any sinful pleasure that we may have felt.  I know and you know people today who are still carrying guilt and shame for a poor decision years ago. And sometimes, well, it is more than guilt and shame, it is wounds that haven’t healed and scars that never go away.

The big truth is this…count the cost before you take the bite.  If it is pie…count the cost but if it is the kind of decision that ends marriages and kills careers and character…really, really count the cost. One of the best things we can do is to recognize bad decisions in the windshield and not the rearview mirror.  Put another way—learn to say no and avoid the “oh no.”

One of the great scriptures in the New Testament is found in a letter that Paul had written to the church at Corinth.  You might know that they weren’t known for making good decisions, so it probably is no surprise that Paul gave them this good advice and great truth.  Here it is, “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” In other words, you are not the first person to be tempted and you won’t be the last.  And, it gets better, God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to resist, and the bonus round is that He always provides a way of escape.

With that truth, we know we can say no to the whole pie, say no to a dangerous relationship and say no to whatever Satan throws your way.  We can win because we are winners.  Isn’t that great news? Sometimes the best thing we can do is talk with someone who can help us with our struggles. Well, I know someone who is more than willing to help and that is our Heavenly Father.  Sit down for chat…He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, food, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Integrity, life, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Food for Thought

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6

Sometimes the main thing gets lost.  I am one of those people that likes things with my things. You know, I like a few French fries with my ketchup.  I am fond of a little pie with my ice cream and of course I prefer a little lettuce with my bleu cheese dressing. Oh, and I like a little taco with my cheese too. Yup, I do like things with my things but there is one thing that I like just the way it is…and that is my coffee.

You see, I learned a long time ago that for me black coffee is the only way to drink it.  I like my coffee black, rich, and strong. It is hard to put my finger on it but there is just something about hot, black coffee that warms the soul.  I know a lot of people would beg to disagree.  They, like me with several of my food groups, prefer a little coffee with their sugar and or cream.  While sugar is generally sugar, the choices of creams are as varied as flowers in a garden. I know my wife Judy’s favorite is “Sweet Italian Cream” and with a name like that…who couldn’t, wouldn’t like it!

The problem, at least from my perspective, is that amid all that sugar and flavoring, the coffee gets lost. Often people find out they don’t really like coffee, they like all the stuff that goes in it.  You might say, the main thing just gets lost, and I guess if that works for you…that’s ok.  But now what about Jesus’ stuff?

When it comes to Jesus’ stuff, His teaching, and writings, it is a must that we keep the main thing the main thing.  We are great at doing a whole bunch of religious stuff and forgetting or ignoring the most important.  Paul wrote a few words about this in Galatians 5:6 the last part when he said, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” In other words, all those made-up rules and traditions pale when compared to the love of Christ.  Two things stand out—he was right, and it is true.

In the first part of that verse Paul says, “For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised.” In other words, when we get Jesus, it is time for the religious fluff to fly and the Jesus stuff to stick and stick tight.  Well, anyway, how you do your coffee is all about personal preference but how we live out our relationship with Jesus, well, that is a different matter.  If you need some insight, might I suggest spending some time with the One that matters and in His Word.  He would be glad to meet with you.  You can always trust Him…He’s got this.

Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

What’s in a Name?

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1

What’s in a name anyway?  If you are a somewhat regular Grits reader you know that my name is Dewayne.  You might not know that my middle name is Eugene.  Dewayne Eugene.  While I suppose in the world of names it is not totally unusual, but it is in the Taylor tribe.  You see, there are not any other Dewayne’s and apparently only one other Eugene and all indicators are that I was not named after him.  So where in the world did my name come from?

Well, you might already know that my Momma and Daddy had eight children and I am the last one—the youngest.  In some circles inside my family, I am known as Precious because I guess I was.  You know, the whole “baby of the family” thing.  I know where that one came from and whether or not, it was earned depends on who you talk to and what day of the week it is.  But what about this Dewayne thing?  Who in the world was Eugene?  Well, the truth is maybe by kid number eight Momma and Daddy had just run out of ideas for names.  Who knows?

There was a guy in the New Testament part of the Bible that had a good and solid name. His name was Saul. Almost certainly he was named by his parents after the first king of Israel—King Saul and once again, at least in some circles, it was name of honor.  King Saul was tall and strong and very kingly…at least until he wasn’t.  So, the New Testament Saul proudly bore the name of the first king of Israel.

Saul was a zealot for the Jewish faith and when this young Rabbi named Jesus came along and shook things up, Saul became a Jesus hater and that included all His followers.  Well, one day Saul was traveling to go to another town to whip people who followed Jesus into shape, and he bumped into the now resurrected Jesus.  Well, it is an understatement but that encounter radically changed Saul who then became a Jesus lover and follower.  The change was unbelievable and total.

Because of that it probably isn’t surprising that Saul started using another name.  You see, while Saul was his Hebrew name, there was a Roman equivalent that had a whole different meaning.  It was then that Saul, named after the first king, became Paul and guess what Paul means?  This is big—it means little.  You see Saul realized that to follow Jesus he had to get small so Jesus could be made bigger. How about that? He just figured his name should match what he knew he should be!

This is a great lesson for all of us Jesus followers to remember.  You see, far more important is that our name is His name.  We should be all about making Him big and us small.  No matter what titles and letters we have before and after our name, we all need to remember that there is one name that matters—His. And maybe the most important name we can bear is “Jesus follower.” Let’s make it our goal for people to know us as a person who follows the Man who died for us and defeated sin and death.  Changing what we are known as can be a challenge. Change your legal name and you will probably need a lawyer.  But if you want to be known by the name you are known by in another realm, just ask your Heavenly Father.  He’ll be glad to help you with it.  He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Trials

God’s Keen on You

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Yet You made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:5

I was never good at it.  I’m not sure where it all started.  My wife Judy will occasionally ask me, “So where did it come from?”  And, my answer, is always the same, “I just don’t know.”  That thing, that “it”, is the issue of low self-esteem.  Now, in a world where too many people think too much of themselves, you might think that is a virtue…but it’s not.  In a world that could use a healthy dose of humility, you might think that is something to be valued…but it’s not. In fact, someone once said whether you are thinking too much of yourself or too little…you are still thinking of yourself and that is called pride.

But the real problem with a low view of ourselves is that we find it is in direct conflict with God’s view.  Now don’t let this go to your head…but He is keen on you.  He thought so much of you and so desired a relationship with you, that He sent His Son on a mission to die for the sins of the whole world—including you.  Now that is amazing.  So even though I often doubt myself—God never does.  Even though I often think I can’t, He believes I can. And even though I was always the last chosen for the team, He picks me every time…and not last.

A guy named Matt Tullos wrote a story about all the reasons that God could have used not to choose us…and there are a lot.  But it is comforting to know that most everyone He used in the Bible was broken, flawed, or scarred.  I mean, I know we all are, but some of these folks were real, excuse me, losers. Look at this list from Matt’s story.

“There are many reasons why God shouldn’t have called you to be His child.  But don’t worry.  You’re in good company.  Moses stuttered.  David was too small, and his armor didn’t fit.  John Mark was a quitter and was rejected by Paul.  Timothy had ulcers.  Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.  Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.  Jacob was a liar.  David had an affair.

Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old.  David was too young.  Peter was afraid of death.  Lazarus was dead.  John was self-righteous.  Naomi was a widow.  Paul was a murderer.  So was Moses.  Jonah ran from God.  Miriam was a gossip.  Gideon and Thomas both doubted.  Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.  Elijah was burned out.  John the Baptist was a loudmouth.  Martha was a worrywart.  Mary was lazy.  Samson had long hair.  Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?  So did Peter, Paul–well, lots of folks did.

But God doesn’t require a job interview.  He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses because He’s more our Father than our Boss.  He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss.  He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God’s gifts are free.  We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be….wonderful.  Satan says, “You’re not worthy.”  Jesus says, “So what?  I am.”  Satan looks back and sees our mistakes.  God looks back and sees the cross.  He doesn’t calculate what you did in ‘78.  It’s not even on the record.”

I like that a lot.  Matt’s got one more thing to say. He says, “Sure.  There are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t call us to be His child…to serve.  But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us, in spite of who we are, where we’ve been, or what we look like.  Whether we are pastors, missionaries, teachers, deacons, ushers, or nursery workers, we should step out of our limitations into the limitless nature of who God is.  Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate Him will make mincemeat of our limitations.”

How incredible is all of that.  Let me shock you with what God’s word says about you. It says of us, “Yet You [God] made them [that would be us] only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” Wow! So today, let’s tackle the day like we believe what God believes about us. Let’s charge forward like the starting quarterback that God says we are.  No, we are not perfect, not even close, but we do have a King who is.  And if are Jesus followers, well, our Dearest Daddy longs to whisper in our ears, “I love you, I believe in you and no matter what, I’ve 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

If you receive the email version, there’s more! To view this post with the graphic included, go to http://www.gritswithgrace.com.

Posted in Christmas, Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, Integrity, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Jesus Jars

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

And just like that—it was over. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are so exciting.  When I was a kid, it was almost unbearable. We’ve all heard the saying, “slower than Christmas.” Well, that was certainly true then, but as an adult who has seen a bunch of Christmases, they seem to come not only regularly but quickly. It seems we kick off the New Year and suddenly we are popping firecrackers in July and then getting ready for another Christmas. Amazing.

While Christmas comes quickly, it also seems to go just as quickly.  It seems just yesterday it was Christmas…oh wait…it was. Smile. But with all the anticipation, the last few days before almost seemed like hours.  Easy come and quickly go.  While there are many things I enjoy about Christmas, (not least being the food…can someone say, “ho, ho, ho) you must appreciate the kinder and gentler spirit most people express. If we are honest, most of us are usually just a little softer than we are the rest of the year. We smile a little more, laugh a little more, and show kindness a little more. That Christmas kindness can sure brighten an overcast sky or heart.  But as quickly the day itself comes and goes, so does that Christmas spirit.

A guy named Harlan Miller said, “I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” Well, Harlan, I’ve got some good news—we can.  You see Paul, the guy in the Bible, writing about Jesus followers says, “Now we have this treasure in clay jars.” Wow, we are literally jars of Jesus just waiting to be opened. And when a Jesus jar is opened guess what should come out?  You guessed it—Jesus! He is the treasure inside us. And the Christmas spirit is just the aroma of Jesus wafting through the season.

That same verse goes on to say, “so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” In other words, we have the power to be like Jesus not just at Christmas, but each and every day.  It starts with Him and not with us. So let me encourage you on this day after THE day to go ahead and crack the lid and let some Jesus slosh on the people around you.  Who knows, it just might cause them to break into an out of season chorus of “Jingle Bells.” And remember, it’s not something we have to create, it is something we simply need to release and if you need a little help getting that lid off, just ask your Dearest Daddy for a little help. He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful

Christmas All Day, Everyday

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

I said it yesterday…Christmas is just six days away…and the time is quickly passing. If things go according to plan, it will be something like this.  It will begin with Christmas Eve service at our church.  This is one of the best things we do all year and yet it really isn’t anything we do.  Families come and fill the worship center. We have some wonderful Christmas worship and reading from the Word of God.  It is my privilege to share something from the Bible and from my heart.  We end the service by sharing “the light of Christmas” with one another…a simple candle lit and shared with everyone across the room as we sing “Silent Night.”  It always lasts just about an hour and then with anticipation, everyone goes their own way.

For Judy and me and the rest of the Taylor tribe that means gathering at one of our homes where we enjoy family, food, and fellowship.  Everyone gets a new pair of Christmas pajamas as we share some wonderful food.  Soon, too soon, our family disperses to their various homes.  The only exception is Judy and I spend the night with our oldest daughter and her family and get to wake up Christmas morning as the family opens presents and just enjoy being family.  Later in the day some of the family come back and we have Christmas lunch together with more laughter and more fellowship.  Soon, too soon, the day ends, and we go our separate ways, our hearts filled with gratitude for a day well lived.

It is sometimes hard to see the day end.  After weeks of anticipation and excitement, as the sun sets the reality is that we must go back to our routines.  Soon the Christmas music will be pushed to the end of our playlist and the decorations will be packed away for another year and all of us will soon be doing life as before…or will we?  I believe that we can and should carry some of Christmas with us right into the New Year.  I believe that is what Mary and Joseph did.  They didn’t leave Bethlehem the same way they arrived.  They left carrying the hope of the world in Mary’s arms and under the watching eye of Joseph.  They left with new purpose and new insight to care for and love the Baby placed in their care. Life wasn’t easy and neither she nor him knew all the curves and potholes this new road would have.  They simply decided to trust God for the day after Christmas…and the day after that.

It would be easy for us to slip into what is called the “post-Christmas blues.”  But I think we do have a choice.  While we do have to move on, we can carry Christmas with us.  You see Christmas isn’t just the music, the decorations, and the traditions.  No Christmas is a celebration of God becoming man and dwelling with us and among us and in fact…in us. Christmas is a celebration of Christ and that isn’t, nor should it be about a day or season on a calendar.  It is about the power of God’s love for this world…a love so great He gave His Son…the same one born on Christmas…for us.  How about that?

So today, why not go ahead and break into a chorus or two of “Joy to the World.”  After all, the good news of His coming is the best good news.  Why not do today what you did a couple of days ago when you chose to show a little kindness?  After all, there are no seasonal limits on kindness or love.  That is something we can and should do every day.  I think we can all agree, Christian or not, that the world could use a little more of each.  I know that is what Jesus did. He went around doing good…not in honor of His birthday but because that was who He was and what He did.

Paul, the guy who wrote a bunch of the New Testament part of the Bible said, “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.” Now that is enough to make it Christmas every day!  Sounds a little challenging.  Don’t worry, the God who made all of this is just waiting to help you.  In fact, if you listen close you will hear Him whispering, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Christmas, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, missions, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful

My Christmas Santa

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Santa Claus came to town.  I cannot describe the excitement that filled my small world as Christmas grew near.  I wish I could tell you it was all about Jesus, but in my boyhood world it was about presents and presents meant one thing—Santa Claus.  Just like we have now, we had an attic in our World War II barracks turned into a house.  And every year we would go into this magical place where special things lived and bring down the decorations.  We would start early and stay late.  While a white Christmas in Florida was never in the offing, a fun time was.

There were certain decorations that were staples in my world—I can see them in my mind’s eye like it was yesterday.  One of those was Santa Claus.  Now, we didn’t have the whole body but what we did have was his face.  Yup!  Our Santa face was about two feet tall and about 18 inches wide.  It was made from molded plastic, so it was three dimensional and to me—it was real.  When I got just a little older, I got to climb up on the roof (carefully for you concerned moms) and using some wire I would hang our Santa face on the front side of our chimney. But wait, it gets better!  Our Santa face had a light bulb inside and would light up at night for all the world (at least so I thought) to see.  It was magical.

I remember the vibrant colors—the red hat falling on one side of his peachy face, his full white beard, rosy cheeks, and his eyes.  His eyes were bright blue and right in the middle of each pupil was a small hole so that brilliant white light could come peek out giving the illusion of just the right amount of twinkle.  It was as if I could hear his hearty “ho, ho, ho.”  It was more than a plastic face—for me it was the center of my Christmas world.

I’m not sure what happened to Santa.  By the time Momma moved out of the house, I was in the Air Force.  I’m hoping he is still living in someone’s attic, but probably he found his way to the trash pile…the victim of some relative that stopped believing.  But he will always live in my mind.  But in my grownup world, I stopped to question.  Why did Santa look just like me?  Why was his skin so peachy and his eyes so blue?  If he loved all the kids around the whole world, it didn’t seem quite right that my Santa looked so…white. What about the African American kids, or the Asian kids, or the Hispanic kids?  What about all the other kids?   It didn’t occur to me so much back then but looking back…it does.

Well, having a peachy faced, blue-eyed Santa is one thing but what about a peachy faced, blue-eyed Jesus?  It’s so funny that when I look at a nativity set, there’s a fair skinned, often blue-eyed Jesus.  When I see a painting of Jesus in a church, (keeping in mind we don’t know what He looked like), He usually does have brown hair and eyes, but His skin is unusually fair for a Middle Eastern man.  Honestly, perhaps this doesn’t matter too much unless we begin to think that Jesus is partial to us…no matter who “us” is.  You see, just like the kids’ song says, “Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world.”  Color never mattered to Him, or the side of town you lived in, or how rich or poor you were.  He just loves people.

I loved the Santa that hung on my chimney just the way He was.  He wasn’t making a statement…he was just saying, “Ho, ho, ho…Merry Christmas.”  But let’s make sure our Jesus, or at least how we perceive Him, isn’t making an unintended statement either.  There is a whole world out there who God loves and who Jesus died for. Paul, one of the guys who God used to write the New Testament, said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” So, if we are a Jesus follower, let’s get the message out that Jesus loves people…period.  And just as important…let’s make sure we get the message out that because He loves people…we love people.

The mission for every Jesus follower is the same—love God, love people. That’s what the Bible teaches, and I figure if we are going to follow Him, we should follow it.  It’s not always easy to love people…especially in these crazy days but guess what?  With Him nothing is impossible.  That’s what the angel told the young, virgin Mary.  God can pull anything off—including helping us love others.  It’s just good to know that “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne