The Easiest Thing to Find Is Trouble

I did not get up that morning with any notion of getting into trouble. In fact my thought was that it was going to be a wonderful day, this the first day of summer vacation. I was about fourteen years old, and the only plans I had were to eat breakfast and go outside to shoot some baskets on my basketball goal. That is exactly what I did. It had been a while since I played any basketball on my court so I didn’t know that some limbs on the tree my goal was nail to were hanging down too low for me to shoot my long shots. I decided I would just climb up in the tree and cut off those invasive limbs.

I went to the shed, got a ladder, and a saw and came back to the tree. After climbing up into the tree I positioned myself so that I would be able to reach the limbs. It didn’t take very long to do the job, and as I was getting down I looked into a hollow place over which I had been sitting and noticed a big chicken snake looking up at me. I quickly got down out of the tree not wanting to disturb the snake any more than I already had. Then I got to thinking, ‘I don’t want that snake hanging around my goal when I’m trying to play basketball. Maybe I need to kill it.’

I still was not intending to get into any trouble, but this is actually where my trouble began. I figured there was only one way to get the snake out of that hollow in the tree. I would have to pour hot water on it to get it to come out. Isn’t that what anyone would do? I went in the house, got my rifle, and a pan of hot water. I loaded my rifle, set it on the ground beside the ladder and carefully climbed back up in the tree while carrying that pan of hot water.

Something I had not thought about was how close to the snake I had to get to drench it with the water. Do you know how fast a snake can come out of a hollow tree when somebody has doused it with a pan of hot water? Do you know how fast a fourteen year old boy can hit the ground from fifteen feet up in a tree after a big snake has jumped on him after having a pan of hot water poured on him? I can tell you. Both happened at just about the same amount of time!

I don't know how I kept from killing myself or at least breaking something. I hit the ground and immediately grabbed my rifle and shot that snake. That did not go exactly as I had planned, but I still had not gotten into trouble. That old snake was dead, but it was twisting and turning like it was alive. That was pretty neat. I began thinking what I could do with a dead snake like that. I had in my possession a big dead snake that was still moving. It didn’t take me long to figure out what to do with my perfectly good, dead snake. I would take it over to my dad’s grocery store/gas station and try to scare somebody.

By the time I got across the road I had my plan figured out. I took the snake to the back of the store and laid it on the loading dock. Then I went back around the store and walked in the front door. My dad’s first cousin, Earl, worked for us. I happened to know that Earl was afraid of snakes. This would be perfect I thought. I said, “Earl, someone is out back wanting five gallons of kerosine.” Earl was such a wonderful guy. “Ok, I’ll take care of it.” He walked over to the back of the store, opened the door and walked out onto that loading dock.

It was about that time that I realized that I had made a huge mistake, and that I was in big trouble. I don’t think I had ever heard a man make a noise like Earl made. Everybody in the store ran to the back door thinking that something terrible had happened to Earl. When I finally saw Earl he was holding his hand was over his heart, he was breathing hard and sweat was rolling down his face. He sat down in a chair while someone fanned him, and my mother had gotten a wet towel to put on the back of his neck.

Sometimes a boy knows that his dad is going to just about beat him to death, which he did. My dad wasn’t happy. He was very upset with me. It was supposed to be a nice day. I just planned to eat breakfast and shoot some baskets. I had no plans to get in trouble. Sometimes a boy gets in trouble before he knows it. I wouldn’t have had it not been for that terrible  snake. They seem to get a lot of people in more trouble than they thought they ever could. Snakes and trouble have been partners for a long, long time.

Stop Your Bellyaching

Someone is hurting today. Their hearts are aching. A number of things cause us to hurt. The pain for  some is beyond their control.  Very often the torment that afflicts us is because of our sins. We have different ways that we address our hurts. Sometimes we make the pain worse by the way we react. What should we do when we are experiencing something that has broken our hearts?

The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah during or after Judah and Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. God had allowed this because Judah had disobeyed Him and had turned to idol worship. They had completely ignored God and had become as sinful as the pagan nations around them. Jeremiah refers to Jerusalem as if she were a woman crying out because she had lost everything, and there was no one who cared or who would help. Jeremiah says she has become unclean. Following is a few verses that express Jerusalem’s lament.

“Look, Lord, and consider, for I am despised...The Lord is Righteous, yet I rebelled against his command...See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious...My groans are many, and my heart is faint.”

I believe there are many people whose lives are tormented, disturbed, and are weak because of unconfessed sin. They have rebelled against God, they feel despised by him, and perhaps by their friends. Their groans are many. These people are never satisfied and never happy. They have conflict after conflict with family and friends. Unfortunately, much of the time they do not handle their troubles as they should.

Very often the way we try to handle our sin, our conflicts, is to lash out at others. In our attempt to get back at those whom we think are responsible for our pain we try to make them look bad and try to get people to feel sorry for us. That is wrong, wrong, wrong and, it doesn’t work! It only makes us look worse, and it will never solve the problem. When we do that we will not get any sympathy from others. We will only make ourselves look childish, and weak. Don’t broadcast your conflicts for the world to read. Nobody wants to hear that kind of childish garbage, and they really will not care.

When we are experiencing conflicting relations, even if we are not at fault, the best way to handle it is to first go privately to God. As Jeremiah explained, Jerusalem came before God and poured out her heart, confessing her sin, and telling him how she felt. If you read all of chapter one you will see that she knew that her past friends didn’t care, and she knew she would not get any help from anyone. God is the only one that we can truly depend on to help us.

The second thing we should do is to seek wise counsel. It’s fine to tell others that your heart is heavy, and you are hurting. Ask them to pray for you. You don’t have to give them all the gory details. If they are to be trusted, and if they care about you they will not need to hear the details. All you need from them is their prayers and their love.

The third thing to do is to forgive those who you think have hurt you. Most importantly, though, you should ask God to show you your sin. Ask him to forgive you, and then go to the person with whom you are having conflict and apologize, and ask them to forgive you. There is no reason for any of us to go through life at odds with a family member or a friend. We don’t have to live our lives constantly lamenting over broken relationships. If we seek God we will be able to find a solution to any problem.

Doing the Impossible

I just watched a guy do a handstand using only the pointer fingers on each hand. I saw a boy kick a basketball from about 30 yards into a basketball goal. Another young man riding a skateboard into an oncoming car leaped over the car and landed safely on the skateboard that had rolled under the car as it passed.

I love watching videos of people doing tricks that seem impossible. As I watch I wonder who would even think that they could successfully do these  things. Some of the tricks that these people do are very dangerous. Why would they risk their lives to perform tricks that have them skiing off cliffs, falling sixty or seventy feet into a pool of water, or jumping from the top of a building to another on a bicycle? I think some people are wired to attempt to do the impossible. Some who are young and think they are invincible just like to take chances. That's why a teenage boy will get behind the wheel of a car and drive it as fast as it will go.  Most of us have done some dangerous things in our youth.

In the many attempts to do the impossible man has discovered that he can do more than anyone thought could be done. However, there are always limits. Some things are impossible for man. Staying young, strong and overcoming death are impossible for man. We will never be smart enough, or skilled enough to escape death.

Hopefully, mankind will come to understand that there is One in whom all things are possible. Our God who created us can do anything. Jesus proved many times that he could restore life to those who had died. He resurrected Lazarus from the tomb.  Jesus told the disciples that he came to give life. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." This life he gives is much greater than the life we live here in this world. The life that Jesus gives is eternal life. The best thing about eternal life is that it is a life lived in the presence of our Lord. God allows us to do some pretty amazing things, but none of us can come close to doing the marvelous things that He can do. With God all things are possible.

Cuddles Melt the Heart

When grandchildren come to visit, grandparents had better be prepared. It’s easy to forget what a Herculean task lies ahead. Preparation must be done with the precision of a military strategist.

Stock the house with the necessary items for survival. It will be important to have a potty seat, bathtub toys, a booster seat, sippy cups and plastic plates with pictures of a cartoon or action figure. The only food needed will be corndogs, peanut butter, jelly, bread and fruit drinks. Cereal such as Cocoa Pebbles, and Frosted Flakes should be on hand. Grandchildren will not eat bran flakes. A baby doll and carriage, a good pirate sword, action figures, puzzles and toys with billions of pieces may come in handy. Within an hour of the little darlings arrival the house will look like a tornado whirled through.

If grandparents are keeping toddlers, they need to learn how to speak another language, “toddlerbonics”. One morning as I was shaving, enjoying a rare moment of quiet solitude, a sweet little voice broke the silence.

“Pa, you nakin?” (Translation: Pa, are you naked?”)

I was clothed except I wasn’t wearing a shirt.

I laughed and said, “No Holly, Pa took off his shirt to shave.”

As I turned to look at her I heard a loud ear piercing shout that can only be made by a two year old. She was standing at the top of the steps.

“Bady, Pa’s nakin!”

She was yelling down to her brother, Brady. The timing of her announcement wasn’t good. Brady was at the bottom of the steps standing at the front door talking to a neighbor lady that we barely knew. I just hope she didn’t understand “toddlerbonics”.

Grandparents must have the ability to keep their sanity while performing many repetitive activities. Small children enjoy doing the same things over again and again and again. Holly carried around a little quilt most of the time and at any given moment would say, “Hi seek my cover.” (Translation: Let’s play hide and seek. You cover me with this quilt and then see if you can find me.”)

So we played “hi seek my cover” at least a hundred times.

Grandparents need a bunch of patience. My wife, who is affectionately called “Sasha” by the grandchildren, was putting them to bed. It had been a long day, and we were tired.

I had settled down to watch the last of the deciding game of the Giants-Marlins division series. The Giants were ahead. Just as the Marlins were mounting a threat to tie the game or even to take the lead, Sasha wearily entered the room and said, “I can’t get Brady to lie down and go to sleep. Will you see if you can get him to go to bed?”

Reluctantly I got up and marched into Brady’s room.

“Hi Pa! May I have another glass of water?”

Another important thing for grandparents to understand is that grandkids have the ability to consume all eight daily recommended glasses of water at bedtime.

“No, you can’t have anymore water,” I snapped. “You get in that bed, and I don’t want to hear another word out of you,“ I commanded.

Without hesitation Brady jumped in the bed and got under the cover. I kissed him and turned out the lights. As I was leaving the room, anxious to get back to the game, a pitiful, little voice called out, “Pa, could you cuddle with me and tell me a story?”

My heart melted. With that one request my grandson taught me a lesson in patience. I lay down beside Brady, and he snuggled up close to me. My mind still on baseball, I began telling him a story about a baseball team that had not won a championship since 1908. I hadn’t gotten very far into my story when he stopped me and began telling me a story about pirates. He finally finished the story. I told him good night again and started out the door to return to my game.

“Pa, why did God make night?”

He couldn’t fool me --Just another “stall tactic” trying to get me to debate him on the creation theory, I thought. I’ve been to seminary; I can answer this question. “God made night so that little boys can sleep, so they can grow up to be big strong boys. God knows you need rest, and He wants you to go to sleep right now. Good night. See you in the morning.”

I hurried back to see how the game was going. As I sat down in my recliner at last, I noticed that the Marlins were celebrating an exciting come-from-behind victory.

Grandchildren certainly change our lives when they come to visit-- in fact they control our lives. They upset our routines. They interfere with our plans. They make a mess, and they test our patience. They also bring a lot of love into our houses. They are simply a joy, and their visits are always “priceless”.

Can Do and Will Do, the Good Guys

My wife was an elementary guidance counselor. One of her responsibilities was to go into the classrooms and have  guidance sessions with her students. She presented lessons for the purpose of helping students develop positive academic, and personal life skills. Theses lessons were meant to build the student's confidence, develop their self worth, and to encourage them to do the best they could do.

Sometimes my wife would use two hand puppets when working with younger children. The puppets were twins, and their names were Can Do and Will Do. Can Do encouraged the students to believe that they were capable of accomplishing the tasks that they were asked to do. Will Do encouraged them to  "take the bull by the horns" and work as hard as they could. Will Do tried to motivate the students. It is very interesting how these two little puppets held the answer to the question, "Why do I fail?"

All too often people fail because they decide at the outset that they are not capable of doing something that they would like to do. People are good at thinking of reasons why they can't: can't do math, can't make the team, can't get that degree, can't start that business. People fail because they convince themselves that they can't. Yet, sometimes the problem is not that they can't. In fact, we know we can. We just choose not to.

When I was in the fifth grade I had a friend who was very talented musically. He was taking piano lessons and loved being able to play the songs he had learned. He was an exceptional student. Unfortunately, his friends teased him and called him a sissy because he was pursuing his desire to play the piano. Eventually this young boy decided to give up his dream of playing the piano and devoted his time to sports. He knew that he could play the piano and do well, but in the end he said, "I won't"!

The Bible teaches us that we can do anything God wants us to do, anything He has gifted us to do and anything He has empowered us to do. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13  Can Do and Will Do have two evil cousins. Their names are Can't Do and Won't Do. Too many people have listened to these guys. They cause us to fail, becoming less than what God created us to be. Can’t Do and Won’t Do send those who listen to them into the sad land of Many Regrets. Can Do and Will Do are our friends. They are the good guys. When we listen to them we will accomplish great things for the glory of God. May we always listen to them.

The Gambler

There is an addiction that has devastated the lives of thousands of individuals. This addiction even causes heartache and  great pain for many innocent people. There are gamblers who have lost everything because of their terrible habit. These people think they are going to hit it big, and when they do all their worries and troubles will disappear. But the sad truth is they never win the big pot of gold that they think is going to change their lives and make things better..

Some people gamble away their money, their possessions, and most always their trust and reputation. But there are people who gamble away much more than what they own. Countless numbers are willing to put the most valuable thing they have in the pot—their souls. These people are betting that there is no hell, no heaven, and no God. Some are betting that if there is a heaven they will go there when they die regardless of what they have done in this world. They are willing to forego a Savior named Jesus, the church, any moral restraints, and especially anything the Bible has to say.

What if they are wrong? What if everything in the Bible is true? What if there is a loving God who provided the way to heaven by allowing his son Jesus to die on a cross to take away our sins and redeem us? What if Jesus was raised from the dead so that one day, because we believed in him, we will be resurrected as he was? What if all of this is really true? What does that mean for the gambler of the soul?

What about those of us who have chosen to trust in God’s promise  to save sinful man because of his everlasting love for us? What about those who believe in Jesus Christ, have faith in him, and have committed their lives to follow him? What about those who have sought the savior, and have heard and responded to his call to them?

“God’s distant call flares in the night, so long expected, so longed for, and all my life, Christ called my name, and now at last, I’ll answer Him.” His Light in Us, by Euan Tait.

The decision to answer Him is no gamble. The reward is great both in this world and the world to come.

Does God Arrange Our Meetings

Those who know me know how shy I am. For me to simply go up to a stranger and start a conversation is very unlikely. But on our recent visit to Ft. Worth Texas I did exactly that. The Stinson’s, Sherri and I were at Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth. We were trying to find a place to get some coffee and something sweet to eat.

David, Christi, and Sherri were looking at one of those large maps posted in the square. I was standing off to myself just watching the people traffic when I noticed a young policeman. He too was watching the pedestrian traffic, but for a different reason than me. A group of tourist passed by on Segways. After he watched them go by I walked over to him and said, “That’s what you need for patrolling this area.” He replied, “We’ve got some of them, but I use a bicycle. It’s a lot better for what I do.” I mentioned how much the downtown had changed since I lived there in the 1980’s. We hadn’t talked very long before I realized he was a Believer. In fact, he had just finished seminary at Southwestern, the same seminary I attended.

His name is Mark. Mark and I had much more in common. He wants to be a pastor, and is now serving in a small church plant in Ft. Worth. He doesn’t get paid at the church, so besides working as a policeman he does security work for the Bass Brothers Corporation. He works in the same buildings I worked in when I was employed in the Bass mailroom. As we continued to talk I found out that before moving to Ft. Worth he had lived in a small town outside of Raleigh not too far from where I live. He had married a girl from South Carolina, and she worked in the Raleigh area. Finally, Mark and I discovered that we both grew up in Kentucky. He was from Barboursville.

I am always excited to meet someone from Kentucky. Even if they don’t live close to my hometown of Russellville, I feel like I’ve met somebody from home. Mark seemed excited when I told him where I was from. I don’t know, but I think my meeting with my new policeman friend was encouraging to him. He asked me what I was doing in retirement. I said, “I guess you can call me a writer.” I mentioned my blog, and told him about my book. He wanted to know the name of my book, and said he would like to look it up. I got his address so that I could send him a copy which I did this morning. Maybe my book will help him in some way as he is beginning his ministry.

I enjoyed meeting and talking to Mark. I don’t know for sure, but somehow I think God planned that little meeting between one old Kentuckian and one young Kentuckian. I will probably never see Mark again in this world, but when I see him in heaven we will have something to talk about, and maybe I will learn why God wanted us to meet at Sundance Square in Ft. Worth Texas.

Choose the Light Over Darkness

There have been amazing discoveries over the past century that have made life easier and more convenient for us. One of those discoveries has to do with light. Just think how the light bulb has evolved. We now have light bulbs which are supposed to last twenty years or more. If that is so, I have light bulbs in my house that will outlive me. I’m not sure I like that –it’s a bit unsettling. Think of the many things that we can do today because of the advancement of lighting technology. Man is able to work on just about any project twenty four hours a day. Not long ago I drove through a road paving project in the mountains of West Virginia late at night. Large construction lights lit up that area as though it was  the middle of the day. We can be in the light anywhere and anytime if we choose.

One simple truth is that you and I can recognize the darkness, and understand when we need to turn on the light. Rather profound don’t you think–maybe not. A truth that is not quite as simple is this; millions of people in the world today are stumbling around in spiritual darkness and don’t know it. Now that is profound and tragic. It is tragic because the light is available to them, and they are not coming to the Light, not seeking the Light, and many are rejecting the Light.

Jesus told a crowd of people one day right after he had predicted his death, “You are going to have the Light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the Light while you have the Light, so that you may become children of the Light.” Jesus is the light of the world, the spiritual light. Later Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Why do people turn from the light and reject Jesus? They reject Jesus because they love the darkness. They love the things the world offers. Therefore, their eyes have been blinded, and their hearts have been hardened. They love the praises and applause of people more than the humility of servant-hood. People love this physical world more than they desire life eternal with Jesus, the One who came and died to give them light.

Darkness is all around us. We can see the results of this hellish darkness everywhere in the world. However, we are not to lose hope. We who know Jesus are in the light. We are the light of the world. We shine everyday. Because we are in the light we are to remain strong despite the presence of darkness. We are not to fear and give up. The ultimate victory is ours through Jesus Christ who is the source of our light.

I thank God that he showed me the light and gave me the opportunity to receive the Light. I am grateful that I no longer have to stumble around in darkness. I praise God that those of us who know the Light will someday see Him face to face. That twenty year light bulb may outlast me here on earth. But one day it will burn out, and I will continue to shine like the noon day sun, forever, in my heavenly home.

Just Add Water

The soup is too thick. The coffee is too strong. The Bible is too harsh. Hell is too hot. God has too much control, and he expects too much from man. What is the answer? How can society solve these problems?

Add some water to the soup, and Goldilocks will be happy. Add more water to the coffee, and it will become weaker. Water down the Word of God, and sinners will feel good about themselves no matter what they do. Water down Hell or extinguish it altogether from the pulpits, then everyone can live as they wish and still go to heaven. Water down the character and nature of God. Shrink him so that he will fit into our little boxes then we can control him and make him what we want him to be.

What happens when people do not agree with the sound teaching, the godly teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ?

They become conceited and understand nothing.
They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between people of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth, and who think godliness is a means to financial gain.  I Timothy 6:3-5

I don’t believe I have read anything that better describes what is going on in our nation today. This is a perfect description of our leaders, both Democrats and Republicans. As Jeremiah 37:2 says, “Neither Zedekiah nor his attendants, nor the people of the land  paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.”

We are adding too much water to the truths of God.

Burned Toast Is Not That Bad

When I was growing up on Brady’s Stretch my mom fixed me fried eggs over easy, bacon, and toast buttered and toasted in the oven for breakfast every morning.  I thought that was what everybody ate for breakfast. Unfortunately, my mom spoiled me. So when I got married I expected  the eggs to be runny, the bacon crisp, and the toast buttered and toasted in the oven. I also liked strawberry preserves.

My wife, Sherri, didn’t seem to mind fixing fried eggs over easy, crisp bacon, and toast buttered and toasted in the oven. She likes that as well, except for the over easy eggs. She likes hers scrambled hard. Occasionally, Sherri would let the toast get a little over done. When that happened she would just make more toast. There was a time in our marriage when those occasions happened a bit too frequently as far as I was concerned. That’s when I learned a hard lesson by making a big mistake.
We
I don’t remember exactly what I said. Sherri probably could tell what I said if anyone wanted to know. Maybe I said something like, “My mom never burned my toast.” Or maybe I said,  “I believe I can make toast better than that.” I remember I made some statement similar to these two. Anyway I do remember what Sherri said. She said, “Well, John Paul Brady, you can just start making your own breakfast from now on if you don’t like the way I do it!”

The lovely breakfast setting you see in the accompanying photo is evidence of many breakfasts I have prepared over many, many years. When she asks, I even fix breakfast for my dear, sweet wife. A word to the wise, be careful what you say about burned toast.

Open the Door

One of the most tragic occurrences today is the broken relationship. A mother or a father who has disowned a child and will not speak to them. An adult who doesn’t want to have anything to do with mom or dad. A sibling who has turned against his brother or sister. This happens all too often, and it is a terrible thing, a very childish, self centered thing to do.

There is one thing that is much more tragic. That is when a child of God has shut their Heavenly Father out of his or her life. This happens all the time. A person experiences a great loss, and they blame that loss on God. They have lost a spouse, a child, a job, or something very dear to them, and they no longer want to acknowledge God or have anything to do with him. These people stop praying, stop studying their Bible, stop going to church, and most of the time stop having anything to do with other followers of Jesus. In this they destroy many wonderful relationships.

A good relationship with the Heavenly Father hinges on praying to him, worshipping and praising him, reading his word, and listening to him speak by meditating every day. There are people who have shut God out of their lives, and they don’t even know it. They may pray when things in their life aren’t so good. They may go to church now and then. At Christmas they may even read the story of Jesus birth from the Bible. If a person is to have a meaningful relationship with God they must want to spend time seeking him every day by doing all the things listed in the first sentence of this paragraph.

                                                                       

God desires to have a close relationship with you. Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” When you have a good relationship with your friends one thing you like to do is get together and go out to eat. You like to have a meal together, talk and laugh with each other. Jesus is saying, “Hey, let’s get together for a meal. I want to hear from you. I have some things I want to say to you. I love being with you because I love you.” Revelation 3:20 is the best invitation you will ever get. It is so tragic when day after day we shut Jesus out by not opening the door to let him in.The most important thing any of us can do is to accept that offer, and do a meal with Jesus.

Shut My Mouth

Sometimes others say things that hurt us very much. They speak without thinking about our situation, sometimes on purpose, in anger, hate or sometimes they speak words that hurt us just because they are stupid.

Maybe all of us are guilty of speaking out of turn and for the wrong reason. Here is a little verse all of us should memorize and think about before we speak. This should be our prayer every day.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, and keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Beasts and Birds Know What They Need

Yesterday Sherri, Christi, David, and I traveled down to Waco Texas mainly to go to the Magnolia shop. Chip and Joanna Gaines, hosts of a TV show, recently opened their new store. The place was crowded, the prices were high, and I was ready to leave 5 minutes after I got there. Not so with Sherri. We stayed quite a while before we left. As we walked down the side of the store I happened to notice a black bird sticking his beak in a pipe coming out of the building. Looking closer I could see he was drinking water that was draining from inside the store. People were walking by, but he just kept drinking. He was thirsty,  and nothing was going to stop him from quenching his thirst.

This bird was determined to get what he needed. He figured out where he could get water, and he drank until he was satisfied. He was just a dumb bird, yet he was smart enough to take care of his needs. Isn’t it tragic how men and women fail to understand what they need the most. They thirst, but they seek that which will satisfy their thirst in the wrong places. They drink from the sources that will destroy them. Jesus said that he would give us water that will quench our thirst. If God takes care of the thirst of animals how much more will he take care of our thirst, our spiritual thirst. “They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.” Psalm 104:11.

Men and women need to be like the little black bird, and go after the spiritual water that Jesus gives like their life depends on it, for it really does.

Rich and Wealthy or Poor and Wealthy

These two buildings are the D.R. Horton tower and the Wells Fargo Tower. When I lived in Ft. Worth from 1983-1986 these buildings were owned by the Bass family. A couple of years ago they had a net worth of just under 5 billion dollars. Perry Bass was the father and there were 4 sons, a niece, and a brother. Robert is the oldest son at age 69, my age. I am not worth 5 billion dollars.

I mention this because I worked for them while I was in Ft. Worth going to seminary. I worked in these two buildings. My title was the assistant to the head of the mail room. He was a great guy to work for. I delivered mail all over these buildings. My boss and I had to be ready to drop anything we were doing and report to any of the Bass boys when they called, which most of the time was several times a day. Several times I would have to deliver things to their mansions. These homes were hidden behind locked gates with security men with guns guarding the grounds. They were always expecting me, and would open the gate so I could drive up to the house to deliver the package, envelop or whatever it might be.

In this job I got to see a bit of how extremely wealthy people live. It was amazing how much these people had that I don’t even think they knew they had. On the ground floor of one of these buildings there was a huge storage area. Behind large heavy wire enclosures all kinds of valuable things were kept. There was an area of nothing but expensive wines and liquors. There was a place when very valuable paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces were stored. You name it and the best that money could buy was there in a place where it was not used or seen by anyone but security people my boss and me. Oh, occasionally we would be asked to bring some item to one of the brothers, but most of the time when we went down there it was to take something they had bought or had been given. Once we took a giant Mickey Mouse there that they received after investing in Disney.

The Bass brothers were very nice to me and they apparently trusted me. I never knew much about them. I do know they were and still are noted philanthropist. But when I think about their mansions, and the large storage area in the bottom of one of those buildings I think about the parable that Jesus told concerning the man who had so much that he tore down his barns and built larger barns. His mantra was to keep it all for himself, enjoy life, and continue to get more and more. He was a selfish man, and God called him a fool and said that he would die that very night.

The Bass brothers may not be like this man at all. Just because someone is wealthy does not mean that they are selfish. People who have very little can be selfish. Anyone can be a fool because of the way they use their possessions. God wants us to be generous with what we have. We are to be giving people whether we are rich or poor. When we learn to do that our blessings will be greater, and our joy will grow. We are wise to be giving people.

Flying High Perspective

Flying at 34,000 feet, being above the clouds, provides one with a perspective unlike any that can be obtained from a ground level vantage point. Yesterday as we were traveling from Raleigh to Ft. Worth there were what seemed like thousands of fluffy white cumulus clouds below casting their shadows on the ground below. Those shadows took on the shape of their cloud creator. That shape cannot be seen by those on the ground. As we walk in that shadow we look up at the cloud and say, “The sun has gone behind the cloud.” Flying above the cloud we can tell that is not what has happened. It is the cloud that has moved to a point so that the sun has been blotted from that particular point on the earth, therefore, causing the shadow.

The sun and the airplane are higher than the clouds. Those in the airplane can see what those on the ground cannot see. They see hundreds of clouds and hundreds of shadows. They can even see the movement of the clouds, and see where the shadow is headed, the area that will soon be in the shadow. We who are down below cannot tell what is going to happen. We cannot know for sure where the cloud is going or who the shadow will cover.

God is higher than the earth, the clouds and the sun. The Bible says, “The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the one who sits enthroned high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth.” Psalm 113. God is higher than the nations and the heavens. He know our days perfectly, the days that the sun will shine on us, and the days when shadows will overcome us. There is nothing he does not know or cannot handle. Regardless of our bright times or our dark times God’s love for us remains the same. We can always trust him to blow those dark clouds away to remove the shadows from our lives.

The Candy Bomber

My wife and I are flying from Raleigh to Ft. Worth Texas tomorrow. Of course that means going through security. Sometimes that can be quite a hassle. Wearing an insulin pump can present a problem depending on who happens to be at the screening post. Whenever I go through security I always think about something that my brother experienced on his way to visit a friend on the mission field.

My brother, Mike, and his wife Lisa, were flying to Kenya, I think. It may have been somewhere else. A couple from their church had gone as missionaries to wherever it was. Mike had promised the friend that he would bring him his favorite candy bars. On the way to the airport Mike happened to remember that he hadn’t gotten the candy. So he quickly pulled into a Speedway to buy the candy. The problem was that the only thing they had was the very large squares of that particular candy; something like by 4 by 6 inches. Mike bought all they had and stuck the candy in his carryon.

He and Lisa got to the airport and proceeded to go through security. Mike laid his backpack with the candy on the conveyer, and continued on through the line. When he went to get his backpack two TSA’s stopped Mike and ushered him back to a room. One carried the backpack. I’m not sure exactly what they did in the room, but I think it involved a bright light, handcuffs and threats of waterboarding.  Those large candy bars stacked on top of each other apparently looked like a bomb. Luckily for Mike he was able to convince his interrogators that the candy contained nothing that would explode. He was released and even got to keep his candy.

For several weeks my brother was known as the Candy Bomber.  His picture is still posted at airports in Kentucky. I just wish they had cleaned the chocolate off his face before they took his picture.

So What If It’s My Birthday

Today is my birthday. I usually get depressed around birthday time. I don’t know why. I guess I am more aware of my mortality as I realize I am another year closer to the end of my life on earth.  For years I have had a tendency to struggle with depression. Medication keeps it checked, but sometimes even those pills don’t seem to help. Having a birthday is one of those occasions.  So far I am doing well this year; no depression yet. Sherri has been reminding me that I’m doing really well. She is right, I feel good, and as far as I know I’m in good shape. I remember the first time a doctor told me I was in good shape after giving me a physical, then he added, “For a man your age.” I didn’t like that. I was only 54. That was the age of my dad when he died.

The Brady men, historically, have not been blessed with long life. I’ve done research on the Brady family tree, and have traced our line back to my seventh great grandfather. His name was William Brady, and he died at age 53. The average life expectancy for these nine Brady men in my tree was 65 and a half years. Today I am 69 years old. I’m really surprised I’m not really depressed.

How old you are when you die is not what is important. What is important is what you have done with the years you were given. The important thing is who you have allowed to guide you during those years. Have you been the guide or have you allowed God to be the guide? Proverbs 6:3 says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.” We have a choice as to the path we follow in those years we are given.

Some don’t want to acknowledge God, nor do they want him in their lives. They live the way they want to live, and don’t care what anyone thinks. The Bible says, “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” Proverbs 4.  Those who stumble in darkness  have chosen to live in wickedness. The sad truth is that they don’t understand. As long as they refuse to let God guide them they walk on the path that leads to darkness. These people think life is great, but if they would look toward the end of the path they would see nothing but darkness.

Those who acknowledge God in all they do will walk the straight path that leads to the light. They live in righteousness. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  1 John 1:5. A short life lived in the light should be more desired than a long life lived in the wickedness of darkness. If we have chosen to let God guide our lives we will look down that path we have been traveling, and we will see the brilliant light of His glory at the end.

Happy birthday to me! I’m just a little closer to seeing that glorious light at the end of my path.

Commitment and Trust

Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in him...

What does this mean? Commitment and trusting? These two are serious, intentional decisions. They come from inside, from a deep love driven desire of the heart. Commitment is a bond, a promise, that once made must never be broken.

Trusting is the total giving of ones self, ones life to the One who will protect, provide for all needs, and be faithful to keep every promise made. Commitment and trusting require the willingness to forsake everything and everyone who would interfere with the loving relationship between the two who have sealed this sacred bond with their love.

What does committing our ways to the Lord and trusting in him do for us? Here is what God has promised to do, “He will make your Righteous reward shine like the dawn, and your vindication like the noonday sun.” I think the righteous reward is Jesus, who is the Light of the world. Our Reward is to become light in us. We will shine.  We will shine, and our countenance will glow all because we have been vindicated, found not guilty of our crimes of sin. We will be pardoned. We will be free because we have the Righteous Reward given to us by the Father whom we trust. The Holy Spirit is a constant reminder that we have his Seal of approval, the One in whom we have committed ourselves.

Commit you ways to the Lord, trust in him, and he will do this; He will make your Righteous reward shine like the Dawn; your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6

The Penny

All of us have seen him lying on the sidewalk or beside our cars on the pavement in the parking lot. He is such a lonely little feller. Very few of us will bend over and pick him up. Most of us hardly notice him. We hurry on past him not giving him a second thought. I understand; he's not worth much. The Penny, more of a nuisance than anything as he takes up space in our pockets or purses causing us to shuffle him around to find the nickel, the dime or a quarter. After all what can we buy with the insignificant, worthless penny?

There was a day, however,  when a single penny could buy something very amazing and extremely valuable. I rarely hear anyone offer the penny anymore for the priceless commodity that all of us have. “A penny for your thoughts”, someone would say to a friend, a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse as they gazed off into space.

Profound ideas of great men like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell have blossomed into wonderful, useful inventions which have made life more simple and comfortable for us. Brilliant life changing thoughts from people like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King have contributed to a better quality of life for people all over the world. These well known innovators and humanitarians were not afraid to turn their thoughts and ideas into realities which have transformed lives for ages. All of us are capable of having thoughts that can change hundreds of lives for the better. Our actions are born out of our thoughts. For instance, positive thoughts may translate into an act that will motivate someone to not give up. Wholesome, beautiful thoughts can become a catalyst that will brighten the life of a person who is lost in a dark fog. The thoughts of men and women who were inspired by God’s Spirit have literally altered the wayward course of nations saving many from eternal destrustruction.

A penny for your thoughts my friend. What are you thinking about? The Apostle Paul gives us a few suggestions.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.”

The next time you see a penny lying on the ground remember what it can buy. It can buy priceless life changing thoughts. Bend over and pick it up, and thank God for the good thoughts he puts in that mind of yours. Then go out and be a positive life changer!

Finding Peace

In Raleigh from 4pm until 7pm there are approximately 10 hours of news on the local TV stations. That is not counting all the 24 hour news channels. Most of the local news is about political turmoil, robberies, shootings, murders, tragic accidents, scandals, deception, and on and on, nothing but bad news. Much of it is repeated every half hour, and if there is not enough bad local news they will tell about bad news in California, Florida, Kentucky or some other state. Why do people in Raleigh need to know about a man killed in Orlando Florida? Is that what people want to hear? Nothing but bad news?

When a person sits and watches that garbage they may become insensitive to the pain and heartache of others. They may get depressed. Maybe some people become angry, and stressed. Can anything good come from watching the news? How can any person be at peace after seeing and hearing about lives that are being disrupted by horrible events.

I don’t have to watch any of the news broadcasts to know what the news is. In these days when the end of the age appears to be near, the general news is this, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places... you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:6-7, 9-12, 14

This is not very specific, but it is still bad news; bad news for those who do not know Jesus. What about for those who are followers of Christ? Well, for those who are hearing about the bad news, but they are living the good news it is different. It doesn't matter what is happening in the world, those who have received the good news will have peace. Think about this. Soon after that  most horrible, cruel, execution of Jesus, after the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus appeared before the disciples and he said, “Peace be with you.” The Prince of Peace gave his Peace to those who at the time had not one ounce of peace.

I find it most interesting that it was Jesus' painful death on the cross that made it possible for us to live in peace when the world is experiencing nothing but the terribly bad news of wars, death, destruction, and all manner of actions guided by evil.

If you are tired of bad news, and if you are looking for the good news that brings peace do this. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Trees

Large oak trees covered the landscape around our house. They were magnificent trees. The house was shaded and protected from the heat of the summer by those wonderful trees. With windows open and box fans blowing, we kept very comfortable. I loved the way our house smelled and felt as the warm summer breeze flowed through the rooms. We spent a lot of time sitting outside in the two swings on our front porch. My cousins, my friends and many of our neighbors enjoyed this special place which was surrounded by the lovely oak trees.

One of my most vivid memories of my Granddad Brady was from the vantage point of our porch. My granddad was the only grandparent I ever saw.  I was very young when he died so I don’t remember much about him. There is one thing that clearly sticks out in my memory.   On one of those hot southern Kentucky summer evenings as the sun was setting, thousands of noisy black birds flew in from the south, and headed toward the oak trees in our yard. Those birds flew as one, moving together back and forth forming what resembled a dark cloud not sure where it was going. Such an amazing sight it was! The giant oaks stood strong, arm in arm, unfazed by the onslaught of these feathered intruders.

Granddad sat watching until the last bird landed on its roost. The noise was deafening — every bird singing off key so it seemed. Granddad got up and went inside. Soon he returned with his 12 gauge, double barreled, shotgun. He walked out into the yard, a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth, and his old felt hat on his head. He always wore that hat cocked to one side. Mom said he wore it like that to impress the ladies.

With shotgun in hand granddad walked quietly to a place under the oak trees. Slowly he raised his gun and took careful aim. I don’t know what he could have possibly seen as he looked up into the dark canopy. He picked his spot, fired his first shot, then immediately the second. I saw the fire flame from each barrel, and jumped, startled by the loud booms although I knew they were coming. Granddad ran back toward the house as he fired the last shot to avoid what seemed like hundreds of blackbirds from falling on him. As quickly and as noisily as the birds had flown in, they retreated back out into the darkness.

Finally, silence returned to the Brady homestead. Granddad walked back up onto the porch, broke down both barrels of his gun, took out the spent shells and handed them to me. It has been over sixty years and I can still remember the smell of that burned gunpowder. In some strange way I was very proud of my grandfather. In what was one of those special, priceless moments my granddad had expressed his love for me. That was the way men did that back then I suppose.

On the back side of our farm near our pond huge acorns dropped from the oak trees. Pretending the acorns were hand grenades I hurled them at the lazy, enemy, German frogs swimming in my make believe Atlantic Ocean.  Large dragon flies glided just above the water dipping for a drink ever so often. Turtles would raise their heads to watch the bombardment of acorns, or so I imagined. Salamanders and crawdads sometimes were my playmates, willing or not. This was a great place for a young boy to spend time alone.

The oak trees were the playground and home for squirrels that I hunted in our woods. Overlooking the pond a large oak tree sheltered a mossy knoll where I spent hours thinking, pretending and enjoying time alone. I think it was at this sacred place where I first heard God speak to me.

There were some days when the limbs of those oak trees ascended like stair steps, higher and higher daring my friends and me to climb further than the other. We climbed carefully and very often higher than we should not wanting to be labeled sissy's for being afraid. We surprised ourselves at the heights we reached, not realizing that someday we would be challenged as adults to climb even higher than we ever imagined we could climb, and for reasons much more important.

Every day God puts trees in our path and he says, “Climb, climb as high as you can go!” We can climb with confidence not fearing the dark clouds that descend on us, nor backing down when the task seems far too hard. We can achieve any goal that God wants us to accomplish. Like the majestic oaks which symbolically raise their arms toward God, we must focus our eyes on Him,  lifting our arms to pray, always thanking him for the simple blessings that come because of His grace that costs us nothing.

Two Brothers

You could very well say that his brother embarrassed him very, very much. Even when they were boys growing up together that older brother was a bit weird. He said things and did things that no other young boy would even think of saying or doing. Unlike most other siblings the two of them never fought. They didn’t even argue. Big brother was so nice and helpful. He would do anything for all of his brothers and sisters. He proved to them every day that he truly loved them.

But the older the two of them got, the more embarrassed James was of his brother, especially when he was with him in the public setting. James saw his brother do some amazing things; acts he could not explain. He enjoyed watching his brother do what many called miracles, but what really embarrassed him were the claims he made, and the way he talked to the religious leaders. James was worried that if his brother kept saying these preposterous things about himself, and defying the sacred laws he would be arrested or maybe worse.

The religious leaders called him a heretic, and accused him of blasphemy. They didn’t believe what he was saying about himself, and for that matter James didn’t believe it either. All of this worried James very much because he loved his brother, and didn’t want anything bad to happen to him even if he did embarrass the dickens out of him.

There were times that James and his other brothers teased big brother. They thought maybe that would cause him to stop all of that nonsense he was saying about God being his Father. But he would just smile and say, “I must be obedient to my Father.” James knew that he was referring to God. That really bothered James.

Jesus healed people, turned water into wine, gave life to some who had died, delivered people from demons, and those 12 guys that followed him everywhere he went said he even walked on water. But James would not believe that he was the Messiah, the Son of God. James the brother of Jesus did not believe the most important truth about his big brother, Jesus. Many did, but not James.

Yet, James wrote one of the books in the New Testament.  How could that be? James, the brother of Jesus, was the author of the book of James. In his book James said, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” There we see that James is calling his big brother Lord Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory!

What happened to change James’ mind about Jesus? The thing that happened to change his mind and his life was the greatest event ever, and has changed many lives for over two thousand years. It was the resurrection! James saw his brother die a horrible death on the cross. He saw him placed in that tomb. Then three days later his brother is alive. He saw him and talked to him. Many saw Jesus, talked to him and even ate with him. Many saw him ascend to heaven. That is what changed James. There is no denying the resurrection of our Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

If we believe in the resurrection of Jesus it is so important that we tell others so that, like James, they will also believe in his  resurrection . The Resurrection was the greatest life changing event the world has ever known.

Try a Little Kindness

I spent a great part of my life in the 1950’s in a little country store.  It was my home the first three years of my life. In that store on Brady’s stretch I learned many wonderful lessons about this world and about people. One of the earliest lessons that I remember occurred in late summer of 1954 when I was five years old. The day was extremely hot. My mom, dad, little baby brother and I had just finished eating lunch when we heard a horrific noise. We ran outside to see what it was, and in the distance we could see an old black flatbed truck making it's way slowly up the road from the north. As it got closer we could see that the noise was coming from the wheel on the left front side of the truck. The driver had a flat and had driven until the tire was completely worn away. The rim was grinding against the rocks and pavement of the road.

When the truck finally pulled into our parking lot I noticed immediately that the occupants were unlike anyone I had ever seen. In the back of the truck was a litttle girl and a boy each holding onto crude racks on the bed of the truck. There was also what probably were the few belongings that this family owned. In the truck's cab was a man, a woman and a tiny baby about the age of my baby brother. It was obvious to me that these people were not from Logan County or even Kentucky. The man got out of the truck, walked over to my dad and began talking to him. He had a very heavy accent, but somehow my dad was able to understand what he was saying.

The two of them walked around toward the back of the store and began looking through some old discarded tires. The children in the back of the truck climbed down and walked over to where I was standing. I was drinking one of those small Coca Colas. Their mother got out of the truck and walked inside the store with my mother. The little girl looked to be about my age and was wearing a little, dingy white dress. Her hair was jet black and very long. She had the darkest eyes I had ever seen. I think she was the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. Her brother was wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt. Neither of them were wearing shoes. I didn't have any shoes on either, and all I was wearing was a pair of shorts. As far as I could tell the only real difference between them and me was that I had a coke, and they didn't. I could tell they wanted a coke even though we had not spoken  a word. We just stood and looked at each other. The little girl turned and ran over to her dad who had returned to the truck and was busy removing the wheel . I did not understand what she said, but I think she was asking him if she and her brother could get a coke. Whatever she said did not please her father. She ran back and stood by her brother. I could tell she was disappointed.

I can't explain why, but I felt disappointed and sad for my new friends.  For some reason at that moment it was clear to me that these children needed a coke more than anything, and I knew what I had to do. I went inside the store to the cash register, stretched on my tip toes, and felt around until I found what I thought was a dime. There was always some change lying around on top of the cash register. I didn't understand much about money at the time, but I did know that one dime would be enough to buy two cokes. I took the dime, walked out to where the two children were still standing and held the dime so they could see it. We still did not say a word. I laid the dime down on the ground and walked back inside the store. I watched out the window to see what they would do. Finally, the little girl picked up the dime and ran over to her father. She said something to him, and he nodded his head. I was so happy when I saw my new friends with big smiles on their faces as they drank their Coca Colas. All was right with the world.

My mom had made some sandwiches for our guests. An old used tire that would fit had been found and put on the wheel. After the sandwiches had been eaten the family loaded up and continued their journey south. My dad said they were gypsies. They were on their way to the south end of the county near the Tennessee line where it was about time to harvest dark fired tobacco. The children's dad was hoping to find three or four weeks of work on the large tobacco farms.

Kindness was the lesson I learned that day. My mom and dad were so kind to these strange people. They were poor people trying to survive. My dad didn't charge the man anything for the tire or the tire tube that they needed. My mom was very nice to the lady and to her family by preparing the sandwiches for them. The little girl and I never spoke a word to each other, but we communicated just the same. I only knew her for a couple of hours. We waved at each other as the truck rolled out of the parking lot and onto the road. Her big bright smile made me feel good. Yes, all was right with the world.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

The Pick Off Play

The summer between my junior and senior year of high school I was playing American Legion baseball. I was having one of my best seasons in what was the toughest league I had ever played. I remember one night a left hander was on the mound for the opposing team. In my first at bat I singled with the bases empty. I was a pretty good hitter, but stealing bases was not something that anyone expected me to do. My high school coach used to say that I could run all day in a shoe box. When on base I didn't get much of a lead because I was afraid I might get picked off. To make an out on a pick off-play is very humiliating. I was on first taking a short lead, the pitcher went into his stretch and made his move to what I thought was home plate. In that split second I started leaning toward second base. However, that sneaky southpaw tossed the ball to first instead of home. I was caught dead in my tracks. The pitcher had fooled me with his crafty moved. There was nothing I could do. The pick off play worked and my base hit had been for naught.

Sometimes life is like the pick-off play. The season is going great. Everything seems to be falling into place with no rainouts, only clear skies. Work is good, school is good, life is good and God is great. If life was a baseball game you would be batting 1000. Feeling wonderful about how well you are doing you edge a little further away from God than you should. You are confident in your ability to lean closer and closer on your own to the next base on your path. Then it happens. That crafty serpent, your enemy, catches you not paying attention. He knows exactly when you have stepped too far away from the One who keeps you safe. Quicker than you can blink your eyes the enemy picks you off, and you find yourself sitting on the bench humiliated by your lack attentiveness.

I have been picked off in the game of baseball by a crafty lefty. I have also been been gunned down by the crafty moves of Satan. Peter refers to this as being devoured by the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion. As Christians we have the power to avoid Satan's pick-off plays. Peter say, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith..."  James says practically the same thing, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We have to have a gameplan to avoid being picked off by that crafty serpent. It is really very simple. Submit to God and resist the devil. Begin each day in submission to the Father. Depend on Him to keep you safe as you resist the devil's sly moves. Do this and you will send Satan to the showers every day.

Genesis 3:1a Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.

From my book: Preachers, Teacher and Other Sinners

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Love Letters

On April 1, 1942 Victor heeded the call of his country to enlist in the army. He went to Louisville Kentucky where he join up to fight in World War II. For most of the next four years Victor found himself on the battlefields somewhere in the various countries of Europe fighting under the command of General George Patton. He drove an army tank, I guess, thousands of miles. At the end of the Great War his tank rolled across Normandy, through northern France, and into Germany. The mission for him and his comrades was to find allied prisoners of war and set them free.

After the war was over, and he had returned home he found out that one of the soldiers he and his men had rescued was someone he knew. Joe Lloyd Smotherman, his boyhood friend from down on Cooperstown Road, had been captured by the Germans, tortured and left locked up to die along with many other young men. They were left with nothing to eat, and were near death when they were found. That was about the only thing I heard my dad, Victor Brady, talk about relating to his war experiences.

The only thing I know about what my dad went through was what I read in the letters he sent to my mother, Louise. In those letters he spoke of some of the horrible conditions he lived under, as well as some of the horrible things he saw. He spoke of the brutality of war, especially that of the enemy. I could tell, even as I read the letters some 50 years later, how home sick my dad had been, and how he had longed to be home with the girl he loved so much.

My mother kept those letters as long as she lived. After she died I found them hidden away with other items that were dear to her. I had the letters several years before I would read them. Somehow it just didn’t seem right, but finally I decided to go ahead and read them. The letters were in a box, and they had been carefully wrapped in tissue paper. They were neatly tied together with a ribbon. It was obvious they had been read many times, and I’m sure there must have been a lot of my mother's tears spilled on them.

My dad died in 1972 at the age of 54. Thirty-two years later my mother passed away. She never wanted another man. My dad was the only man she ever loved. She missed him very much, and never got over my dad's death. I think those letters from my dad's days in Europe were probably read over and over by my mother years after he died. I know they were very special to her.

My mom and dad were together as husband and wife for only a little over 25 years. My mother died when she was 87; was only married for 25 of those years. But she had another love that saw her through. Her other Love was Jesus. Jesus sent her love letters, and she read them every day. My mother was living proof that Jesus is all any of us need.

Many marriages fail today, and the first thing people do is to try to find someone else. Today some men and women want to seek perverted love and forbidden love in places they should never go, and with those whom God told us never to love in that way. They should read their love letters from Jesus, and understand that he is the only lover they need. His love will satisfy, always! His love is the only love that will complete us and make us whole.

Evil Strikes Las Vegas

Since the creation of the world God’s eminence has been revealed to man. The truth about who God is has never been hidden. No one has an excuse for not knowing God. We are constantly witnessing his supreme qualities. If we look for him we will find him. All around us we can get a glimpse of what heaven is like. Those who really know God understand that his love is greater and more powerful than the evil which causes so much destruction, pain and grief.

Just as heaven's glory shines on us, very often our eyes are directed to look into the pit of hell. The tragic shooting in Las Vegas was one of those times. Evil was demonstrated so vividly as Satan orchestrated his horrific work through the demented mind of one of his disciples. The question echoed by many since the shooting is, “How could this man do such an evil senseless act?” Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul answered this question.

This man “...neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but his thinking became futile, and his foolish heart was darkened...just as he did not think it worthwhile to retain knowledge of God, so God gave him over to a depraved mind so that he would do what ought not to be done. He was filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.” Romans 1: 30ff

Evil takes over an individual’s mind when he or she refuses to acknowledge the Lord as God. To be controlled by the evil ways of Satan is dangerous. The scripture teaches that, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” The shooter killed at least 59 innocent people, and then he destroyed his own life. That is what evil does, it destroys. Satan’s message is, “Follow me, listen to me, and I will destroy you.” That is the picture of what happened the night evil struck Las Vegas.

Hot Shot the Cat

I suppose every animal lover has had that one pet that was dearly loved, but perhaps at times that ornery critter caused such a catastrophe that there was consideration of giving it away. We had a cat like that many years ago. His name was Hot Shot. This name pretty much described how he felt about himself. 

Hot Shot became part of our family 1984 when we lived in Ft. Worth Texas. My daughters found a stray kitten and brought him home. They were so excited when they asked me if they could keep him. I was not a cat person, and didn't want a cat, but against my better judgement I agreed to let Leigh who was 7, and Susan who was 11 keep that tiny, cute, innocent kitten.

There were many times during the ten years we had Hot Shot that I wanted to get rid of him, but he and I had developed such a love, hate relationship I would have never given him away. He made me laugh, and I think in some strange way he liked me. Hot Shot grew to be a very large cat, about 15 pounds. He was a good mouser. He liked to catch lizards and occasionally a snake. Once he caught a squirrel. Hot Shot had gained the utmost respect of the neighborhood dogs. Several of them learned how sharp his claws were, and they kept their distance from that big Texas cat.

Unfortunately, I experienced, up close and personal, a couple of times just how dangerous Hot Shot’s claws were. I had come home from the church for lunch one day. Hot Shot was on the carport enjoying the shade on a very hot summer day. As usual he ignored me when I walked by him to go into the house. A few minutes later when I was in the kitchen making a sandwich for lunch I heard what sounded like a cat fight. I wasn't  that concerned knowing Hot Shot’s ability to defend himself, but did go to the door to see what trouble had found him this time.

I couldn't believe what I saw. My wife, Sherri, had just gotten home from grocery shopping. I saw the front passenger side wheel of her car sitting on Hot Shot’s back legs and his tail.  She had driven into the carport, and Hot Shot had refused to get out of her way. Just as he had ignored me, he had ignored Sherri even though she was in a car.

Sherri said she saw him, and thought he would move. She slowly inched the car into the carport, but Hot Shot wasn't about to move. “I was here first. Park somewhere else. I'm not moving.” That was the way that stubborn cat looked at life. But from the way he was squalling I think he knew he should have moved. The problem was that Sherri didn't know the car was sitting on him. I yelled, “Sherri, backup! The car is on Hot Shot!” My mistake was that I rushed over to help Hot Shot. As Sherri was easing the car off him, I reached down to pick him up too soon. That frightened 15 pound cat shredded my arms with his claws. In no more than five seconds blood was dripping down my arms.

As soon as he was free from that wheel Hot Shot jumped up and headed to a wooded area behind our house. I couldn't believe it. How can a cat run like that after having a three thousand pound car sit on his legs and tail? Well, my daughters were upset fearing for poor Hot Shot. Sherri was shaken as well fearing what she may have done to that feline. “John Paul, you better go check on Hot Shot.” I'm thinking, ‘Does anybody notice that I'm bleeding to death?’

I found Hot Shot at the edge of the woods. He was meowing pitifully like someone had treated him horribly. He walked over to me. I picked him up and carried him back to the house. When I got there the groceries had been taken in the house, and my three ladies were waiting to rush Hot Shot to the vet. “He doesn't need to go to the vet. He's fine”, I said.

“I think we better take him anyway to make sure nothing is broken. Maybe you should go to the doctor. Your arms look terrible! We’ll see you later.” That was all the sympathy I got from those three.

I went to the doctor. He gave me a tetanus shot, some antibiotic for my arms, and a lot of kidding from the him and the nurses for being stupid enough for trying to rescue a cat with a car still sitting on him. I can't believe they thought it was so funny.

When I got home everyone was making over poor Hot Shot. Even some of the neighbors had dropped by to see how he was. The funny thing was that the vet had shaved both of his legs about halfway up and most of his tail up to the very tip. He looked like a poodle wearing shorts. Such a humbling time for a very proud stubborn cat. I was humbled as well. After having been home for several minutes one of the girls finally said, "Oh dad, what did the doctor say about your arm?"

“He said THEY would be OK! It was both arms in case you didn't notice!” That was one day I would have gladly given that cat away if I could have found somebody who would have taken him. I didn't even mention the expense from the two medical emergencies. Oh well, at least it's a good story to tell.

The Contrast

Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible. This chapter explains why there are so many horrible things going on in our society today. It has to do with what is on the minds of people, the way they think. But it tell the Good News, and how it changes how we think. In this chapter we see the contrast between the good and the bad.

The Bad News

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh... For to set the mind on the flesh is death... For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8: 5a - 8

The Very Bad News

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8: 9b

The a Best News Ever:

Romans 8:1-2, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8: 1-2

More Good News

... but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit...to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8: 5b - 6b

Awesome New If You Know Jesus, If You Truly Know Him:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.
But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8: 9-11

Be thankful today for The Good News