The Land Of Forgetfulness

Can anyone in the Land of Forgetfulness talk about your help? Psalm 88:12b

There it is! I knew there had to be a name for the place where many of us have taken up residence. The Land of Forgetfulness, right there in the Bible. I know this has to be a big place because I am always hearing people talk about how forgetful they are. I've lived there a long time. I may run for governor of the Land of Forgetfulness, that is if I don't forget to sign the...well I can't remember what it is you have to sign, but you know what I'm talking about. All of us have stories about forgetting a number of things that range from trivial to very important. Some are really funny, but others are a bit sad.

The question in this verse is a good one. Can anyone living in the Land of Forgetfulness forget about God's help? This has become a tragic story because it seems many today have forgotten the wonderful things God has done for them, and how he has helped them over and over. I think this is the story of our nation. We not only have forgotten about how God has abundantly blessed us every day, we have even forgotten God. America is no longer a thankful nation. Each of us who love God, and love our country must do our part to show the world that we have not forgotten the great things God has done for us even if we do live in the Land of Forgetfulness.

A Letter To The World

This is to the Christians in the 68 countries around the world who follow my blog, Early He Speaks. I am writing to you because I want to ask you to pray for America. Some of you may be unaware of the spiritual decline going on in our nation. Between 100 and 200 churches are closing every week. One would think that the reason for this statistic is due to external factors, but the sad truth is it is the noncommittal church members that are responsible. People who once attended church and served tirelessly have forsaken their first love and have given their love to the things of the world.

There are other reasons. Parent have stopped going to church so their children don’t go either. These children have never heard the biblical stores of the heroes of the Old Testament, and they have never heard about Jesus. A generation of Americans are illiterate when it come to knowledge of the Bible. The majority of adults in America have become world smart. Those who once were committed to the church and to God have studied the so called facts of the sciences which discredit God who Christians believe created the world and everything in it. These are men and women who have found false teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. They deny that there is a God who is in control of the universe. They think they are smarter than the God in whom many of us believe.

True Christians are outnumbered by people who claim to be atheist, those who have defied God’s sacred plan for the family and those who have perverted the beautiful act of the sexual relationship that God created for a man and a woman who are married. Too many have forsaken the church, and if they ever hear the gospel preached it is on television. Few if any are involved in serving others which is the way we serve Jesus. They never meet with other Christians to worship thus ignoring what the word of a God teaches. America has become a wicked nation because too many Christians are afraid to stand up to those who have made God into whatever they want him to be so that they can continue in their ungodly behavior without feeling guilty. They make excuses, but that is all they are, excuses with no foundation.

Please pray for America because we are in a mess. When the governor of one of our states signed into law a bill that allows an unborn baby to be aborted even minutes before its birth speaks loudly to the evil intent of millions of people in our nation. Thank you because I know you will lift us up to the God you love, the one you serve. I send my love to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. I am praying for you because I know that many of you suffer tribulation and some worship God at risk of being persecuted. May God bless you. Heaven will be our meeting place some day when God calls us home. What a glorious meeting that will be.

Making It Through TheTough Times

Our pastor’s teenage son is waiting for a kidney from a yet to be determined donor. He is on dialysis for ten hours a day. His dad was found to be a match and was going to give him a kidney, but it was found that he had something wrong with one of his kidneys and was turned down. Before his mother could be tested it was found that she had breast cancer. She would need surgery, chemo and radiation. This ruled her out of course not just because of her physical problems, but also because a person cannot donate an organ until five years after having radiation. So this fine young man waits while many people pray that a donor will be found. Needless to say this is a very tough time for this wonderful family. Our pastor remains strong even as he endures the emotional experience of watching his wife go through the pain and sickness of chemo and the stress of wondering when a donor will be found for his son. Despite these heart wrenching concerns he continues to preach powerful sermons. I think his sermons which are always excellent, have been more passionate and powerful the last few weeks.

Every day I see and hear about people who are hurting emotionally as well as physically. I know a man, another pastor, who just lost his daughter. I believe it was yesterday when he preached her funeral. I know he is hurting, yet because of his faith in God, and because he knows his daughter is with Jesus he was still able to proclaim the glorious word of God. I’m sure he knows what suffering is and he knows what God’s Word says about gaining strength through suffering and tribulation and trials.

I know parents whose children have drifted far from God. They are devastated because their child has turned against them and in some cases, as grandparents, they never see their grandchildren. Some are struggling with health issues brought on by cancer or other diseases. They face one battle after another. Marriages are broken, jobs are lost, financial troubles cause great loses, and loneliness, despair, hopelessness, and feelings that no one cares or loves them anymore convinces them that life is just not worth living. Many will go to bed tonight asking God why. Why O God is this happening to me? Please God take away my suffering! Do you hear me God? Perhaps a different kind of praying might give us comfort when we are suffering or going rough trials!

Lord, may I count it all joy when I fall into various trials, suffering, grief and the times when I don’t think I can take on one more horrible situation. I know God that this time in my life is a time in which you are of testing my faith. God I know that there are many times in my life that I am given more than I can handle, but with Jesus by my side I can make it. My suffering makes me stronger within my spirit. Yes God, you strengthen me through the toughest of times, and I will trust in you even if I may be in the final days of life. My Lord, my God I will live trusting you and I will die trusting you for you are my Salvation and my Rock. If I lose it all I know that because of my faith in Jesus you will give me everything in eternity. So God I thank you and rejoice in these difficult times. I praise you because you know what is best for me and what is best for this world. Amen

Read James 1:2-3

Using The Right Tool

My daddy once told me that I could tear up a crowbar. I think I've mentioned before that I am not good with tools. One or all of three things will probably happen. I will hurt myself, hurt someone else, or tear up something. The inability to operate a screwdriver, a hammer or a wrench runs in the Brady family. Basically, when it comes to fixing something we don't know what we are doing.

My brother, Mike, is definitely not a Mr. Fix It. He doesn't even know which tool he ought to use when he works on a project. Years ago, before my mother moved from our home place, she reluctantly asked Michael Lee if he could install a new commode seat for her. She had bought one of those padded seats. Mike said, "Oh sure, I can do that! That will be easy!" Why not? Anybody can remove two nuts, take off the old seat, and put the new one on. Right? Maybe not!

Here's what happened. Mike got a wrench and proceeded to unscrew the nuts. That old commode seat had been on the commode for many years. The nuts and bolts holding the seat had rusted, and Mike couldn't budge those stubborn nuts. Now I'm sure there is a way to loosen rusted nuts. With a little patience and know how that task can easily be accomplished. Unfortunately, Mike had neither. In his twisted, non mechanical mind he decided that he needed two more tools to get the job done. So he goes and gets a screwdriver and a hammer. Those of you who know how to select the right tool for a job are probably cringing by now. Let me continue.

Mike surmised that all he needed to do would be to place the tip of the screwdriver on the nut, and tap the top of the screwdriver with the hammer. In theory that simple procedure would loosen the rusted nut. I hate to say it, but if I had been there I would have probably agreed with his tool choices. Tap, tap, tap. Nothing moved. Maybe a little more forceful tap will do the trick. TAP! TAP! TAP! Those of you who know my brother well can mentally picture his aggressiveness, and his move forward, take the bull by the horns attitude. There was one tap too many. That final TAP sent the screwdriver right through the side of that fragile, porcelain commode. Pieces of porcelain covered the floor. Water went every where. And my poor mother was banging her head against the wall lamenting that in one of those brain freeze moments she had asked Mike that question, " Do you think you could install my new commode seat?"

The moral to the story. Life can work! Be patient. Take your time. Use the right tools. Allow the Master Builder, the Creator, to give you the tools and the ability to use them

Using The Right Tool

My daddy once told me that I could tear up a crowbar. I think I've mentioned before that I am not good with tools. One or all of three things will probably happen. I will hurt myself, hurt someone else, or tear up something. The inability to operate a screwdriver, a hammer or a wrench runs in the Brady family. Basically, when it comes to fixing something we don't know what we are doing.

My brother, Mike, is definitely not a Mr. Fix It. He doesn't even know which tool he ought to use when he works on a project. Years ago, before my mother moved from our home place, she reluctantly asked Michael Lee if he could install a new commode seat for her. She had bought one of those padded seats. Mike said, "Oh sure, I can do that! That will be easy!" Why not? Anybody can remove two nuts, take off the old seat, and put the new one on. Right? Maybe not!

Here's what happened. Mike got a wrench and proceeded to unscrew the nuts. That old commode seat had been on the commode for many years. The nuts and bolts holding the seat had rusted, and Mike couldn't budge those stubborn nuts. Now I'm sure there is a way to loosen rusted nuts. With a little patience and know how that task can easily be accomplished. Unfortunately, Mike had neither. In his twisted, non mechanical mind he decided that he needed two more tools to get the job done. So he goes and gets a screwdriver and a hammer. Those of you who know how to select the right tool for a job are probably cringing by now. Let me continue.

Mike surmised that all he needed to do would be to place the tip of the screwdriver on the nut, and tap the top of the screwdriver with the hammer. In theory that simple procedure would loosen the rusted nut. I hate to say it, but if I had been there I would have probably agreed with his tool choices. Tap, tap, tap. Nothing moved. Maybe a little more forceful tap will do the trick. TAP! TAP! TAP! Those of you who know my brother well can mentally picture his aggressiveness, and his move forward, take the bull by the horns attitude. There was one tap too many. That final TAP sent the screwdriver right through the side of that fragile, porcelain commode. Pieces of porcelain covered the floor. Water went every where. And my poor mother was banging her head against the wall lamenting that in one of those brain freeze moments she had asked Mike that question, " Do you think you could install my new commode seat?"

The moral to the story. Life can work! Be patient. Take your time. Use the right tools. Allow the Master Builder, the Creator, to give you the tools and the ability to use them

The World’s Birth Pains

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 

23 Whoever hates hates me Father hates my Father also.

25 But this is to fulfill what is written in the Law:  “They hated me without reason.”

John 15

Christians, do not be surprised that the evil things we see happening today are directed at you: the attacks on the family, the unborn child, God’s sacred plan for marriage, His perfect design that a man was made to be a man and a woman a woman, and His beautiful gift of the sexual relationship between a man and a woman only. God’s Word is being defiled by those who blatantly twist His teachings around to suite their own perverted life styles. 

What’s going on with this world? Max Lucado says that like a woman giving birth our world is in the third trimester when she is told to finally push to birth her child. What we see happening in our nation and in the world where Christians are being persecuted and killed is a sign that the coming of Jesus is near. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me”. Nature is pregnant with violent storms, destructive wild fires, earthquakes, famines, wars and rumors of wars, global conflicts, everything that we see going on is fulfilling the prophesy that Jesus’ return will be soon. 

But if we are disciple of Christ we need not worry. Those who hate us and want to harm us will not prevail. We must continue to lift Jesus up no matter what  they say about us or do to us. Just a push or two and we will be with Him for eternity. With Christ in us we can take anything that happens. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. 

The Greatest Offender

Very often offensive people are are those in positions of authority. Most of the time they don’t care who is offended by what they say or by what they do. Therefore they are not liked, and those they offend don’t want to be around them or have anything to do with them. Possibly the greatest offender in the history of mankind was Jesus Christ. In fact he continues to offend today.

Jesus said things that offended others. For example one day he said, “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them.” Sounds gross doesn’t it? That’s what the Pharisees thought, and the average Joe on the street. Even most of those who considered themselves to be his disciples were grossed out by what Jesus had said. Many of his disciple decided that his teachings were too hard and they dropped his class. They said, “We cannot accept it.”

Jesus was using imagery when spoke those words. He wasn’t  referring to cannibalism. The people didn’t understand that Jesus was teaching them that in his humanity, in his flesh, that he was going to suffer and die for them which was represented by the shedding of his blood. He knew the struggles of mankind up close and personal. Jesus was calling these sinful people to partake of his flesh and blood spiritually to make him and his teachings more than just an intellectual activity. Humanity’s only hope was and is to make Jesus the center of our lives.

From this time the scripture says that many of his disciples turned back and followed him no more. They rejected the one who offended them. This was a very disappointing moment for Jesus. He came to save them, and they turned their backs on him. In what I imagine was a very serious time of decision for the twelve disciple whom he had called Jesus said, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”

Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” And we know that all but Judas followed Jesus to the end. This was one of the most tender experiences in the scripture. How this must have blessed Jesus. I don’t know but there surly were a lot of tears after Peter made that wonderful declaration of love and commitment.

Others turned their backs on Jesus but not the eleven disciples. More and more people are turning their backs on Jesus. This has become the norm, the popular thing to do. We all know people who once followed Jesus, but have accepted the views of the world and no longer follow Jesus although they may indicate they do. The world needs more people who are not offended by Jesus and who will say, “Lord to whom shall we go?”. Our evil society needs more sweet tender moments when people confess that Jesus Christ truly has the words of eternal life.

Can’t Tell A Book By It’s Cover

This was written in December 2015.

Last night I fell down our steps. I fell hard, managing to hit every one of those hardwood steps with my behind from the top to the bottom (no pun intended). I was wearing a pair of bright psychedelic orange socks that I had bought a few days before. Sherri and I had gone Christmas shopping that afternoon. I put on a pair of jeans that hid those wild socks as long as I didn't sit down. I also wore a T shirt under a nice dress shirt. After we finished shopping we ate dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and came home.

I changed from my jeans into a pair of lounging pants that have become a little shorter after years of washings and dryings. I took my nice shirt off and settled down to watch a game still wearing my orange socks, my high water lounging pants and my T shirt that I had gotten on a cruise stop in the Cayman Islands that said, "Honey Badger don't care". After the game I got up and went down the first flight of stairs, to the first landing, took a left turn one step down to the second landing and then that is where I lost control.

Those orange socks started sliding. Before I could blink twice I found myself sprawled out on the living room floor moaning from excruciating the pain in my back and hip. I was afraid to move. Sherri called 911, and before long I was on a backboard with a brace securely fastened to my neck headed to the hospital in an ambulance. I was taken to the emergency room at the large WakeMed hospital in downtown Raleigh. I could see nothing but the ceiling as they wheeled me into a small triage room. This would be my home for the next three hours.

During that time I could hear many voices coming from what I imagined was a large waiting area. At times it sounded like a convention was being held by a bunch of angry people. From the conversations I could tell that some of the voices were coming from policemen and police women. One of the patients was a man who while running from the police had fallen over a cliff into a rock quarry. Another was a 32 year old woman who had received head lacerations from fighting another woman. The other woman refused medical help despite having a broken nose. She decided to not pass go and went directly to jail.

Finally, a doctor dropped by to examine me. He took the neck brace off and ordered a CT scan. Looking around I discovered that the place looked nothing like I had imagined. Outside the door of my room was a narrow hall. I can't understand how all of those people whose voices I had heard could have fit into that tiny hallway. Since my perspective now was focused on more than just a ceiling I could see the people being brought into the emergency room. I could tell that their pain went much deeper than the physical problems that they were experiencing. I could see it in their faces--hurt, despair, hopelessness, victims of violent living, so sad.

There I lay, my bright, psychedelic orange socks standing out like a neon sign, a two day old gray beard, high water faded lounging pants, and a T shirt that displayed a message that Honey Badgers don't give a care. At a little before six I was dismissed. Sherri and I went out and sat in the emergency room waiting area where we waited for our son-in-law, Clay, to pick us up. I noticed that the policeman who was patrolling the entrance kept looking at me. Finally, he walked over to where I was sitting. "You watin' for the bus?"

Reflecting on my experience last night-- those poor people, and the way I must have looked--I could not help but think of a saying that I have heard used many times. "But for the grace of God, there go I." Jesus came to this world on that first Christmas Day for people like these, for people like you and me. Jesus sees us all the same. We all need what he came to give us. This Christmas may our perspective be broadened to more than just the ceiling of our own personal desires. May we see others through the eyes of Jesus.

By the way, nothing was broken. I will be fine--just very sore for a few days. I pray that I don't ever have to spend another 8 hour night in an emergency room. So does poor Sherri.

Anticipation Is Keepin' Me Wattin'

In November 1971 Carly Simon released her new song, Anticipation. She says in her song that anticipation is keeping her waiting to be in the arms of her love. She knows that one day they will move on and be together no more, but she chooses to stay with him in what she refers to as "the good ole days". Life does change and will change. We must anticipate something more grand than this life, or any wonderful experience that we enjoy. We cannot let our desire to stay where we are keep us from moving on and anticipating a better life in a better world.

One thing that motivates us to keep going is the anticipation of an event or experience yet to come. We look forward to a vacation, the big game, a concert, or a special gathering with friends. Maybe we are motivated by an early morning walk, an afternoon cup of coffee, a good book or any number of daily experiences that we enjoy. Hopefully, we can find something each day that provides us with the incentive to live and appreciate life.

As wonderful as these events and experiences are there is something far greater to anticipate. The sad truth, however, is that many who believe the teachings of the Bible dread this coming event. Our love of what we own and what we enjoy doing as well as our lack of understanding of eternity causes us to fear the day when time shall be no more. The experience of living has taught us that our time on this earth will end; all of us will die. If we believe in Jesus we should know that someday he is coming back. His return will mark the end of this earth as we know it. But the end of what we have come to love and cherish is, in fact, the beginning of our eternal hope. The Bible tells us that we should anticipate Christ's return. All the things that we have ever looked forward to will pale in comparison to the second coming of Christ. In our anticipation of this glorious event we will find strength to endure the bad times that cause us pain and suffering, anxiety and fear. The good days are yet to come. Don't anticipate remaining in the good ole' days of this world.

Only In The South

Years ago there were cartoons which in this present day would have been considered sexist. I remember seeing those old cartoons about cavemen and cavewomen dressed like Fred and Wilma Flintstone. Sometimes there would be a young caveman who went out to find himself a cave lady to court in hopes that she would become his wife. He took along his club which happened to be the same weapon he used to hunt dinosaurs. His club was used also to hunt for a bride. She would always run from him and hide just like any creature being hunted. Eventually that young caveman would catch the young cavewoman, and he would knock her out with his club. Then he drug her by her hair to his home, and they would become husband and wife. Not a very good way to love your women!

Times sure have changed. Last night I was talking to my neighbor, Bob, about the ways and traditions of country life in southern Kentucky where I grew up.  I mentioned that much of our social life and courting, especially before a young man could drive, was done at church and through church activities. I also told him how, for fun growing up in the country, we ran through the hollars and woods playing fox and hounds, swung on grape vines, ran  through creeks, played and swam in ponds and rode horses? Bob asked me if boys hunted. I think most of us did hunt. I hunted and had a 20 gauge pump shotgun, but I really didn’t like to hunt that much. Remembering those days made me think about what happened to that gun. I shared with Bob how when I wanted to ask the love of my life to marry me I didn’t have any money to get her a ring. So I sold my very nice 20 gauge shotgun to get enough money to make a down payment on the ring I wanted to give my future wife.

At Christmas I popped the question, and placed the ring on Sherri Pitt’s finger after she said yes. I didn’t hit her in the head with a club, or drag her home by her hair. But I did bag the young lady whom I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, and as strange as it might sound I did it with my hunting weapon, my 20 gauge shotgun. Disclaimer: No young women were harmed in this real life event.

The Future: Not Ours To See

At the age of fifty-four my daddy died. Years later my friend Gary died at age fifty-four. No one wants to lose a dad, a friend or anyone close to them at any age, but at the young age of fifty-four that is especially true. My mother and my brother depended on my dad for their physical needs. Mike was nineteen, a freshman in college, and he depended on daddy for many things. I was twenty three, had been married for a little over a year, had finished college and was in my first year of teaching and coaching. There were so many things that I needed to learn from my dad at that stage of my life. I depended on his wise counsel.

I can think of one or two reasons why leaving this world and going to Paradise at that age in my dad’s life were best for him, but I know so many more reasons why living to be an old man would have been the better outcome for him. In less than a year of his passing the first of his five granddaughters was born. Susan, his first granddaughter, was born to Sherri and me. He never got to see any of his granddaughters. Oh how he would have loved those little girls. He missed seeing both Mike and me become preachers. He missed being at Mike’s wedding and knowing his wife, Lisa. He missed watching his godly daughter-in-laws minister and support their husbands. He missed being able to help Mike and me in the low times of our pastorates. And of course he missed all of the family gatherings and celebrations which for us were not quite complete because he wasn’t with us. I miss that hearty laugh of his. What a good time we all would have had!

But God had other plans for my dad. Daddy loved God so much. He loved the people in the community where he lived and those in his church. He wanted to sell his grocery store so that as he put it could, “Do more for his Lord.” I don’t have the plans of God written down on my calendar. I don’t always know what is best for me. So how could I possibly know what was best for my dad, my friend Gary or the other good friends of mine who have recently died? I suppose my list of reasons for why it would have been better for daddy to live to be an old man are selfish. So I praise God that his plans are perfect as are all his ways. I’ll have to accept the fact that something about our dad’s death at age fifty-four was best for him, and in some way for those of us who loved him so much.

When Life Knocks You Down

Matthew Henry, meditating on the theft of his wallet by a robber: “Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.

There were two friends who had become very close. They depended on each other for support, to encourage the one when the other one  was down, and to share life in the good times and the bad. One day one of the friends in anger verbally attacked his friend. He said some terrible things to his him and kicked him out of his house.

This happened to me years ago. I never knew what I did to cause my friend to do what he did. Many years later I got a letter of apology from my old friend. Although I was hurt I continued on my life’s journey with new friends and even after all these years no matter where I have lived God has given me new friends. I am thankful for the many friends that I have had and have to this very day. I am thankful for that old friend who told me to get out of his house, and for the good times we had. He was a neat guy,  and I’m sure he still is. Life brings disappointments, and hurts, and setbacks, and all kinds of things that may tear out hears out, but we can always move on with hope for the future, and look back with thankfulness to God for the good times. Rejoice and be glad always for God is good, and he cares for you. We can be thankful to Him every day for His abundant gifts and tender mercies.

All I Know About Cussin'

I got the most important part of my education growing up in rural Logan County Kentucky. Even as a little boy I could proudly tell strangers that I lived in the fork between the Coopertown Road and the Lewisburg Road. If they didn't understand I told them I lived at the beginning of Brady's Stretch coming out of Russellville.

I loved where I lived. I enjoyed our small farm, and I enjoyed the country folks that stopped to shop or loaf at my dad's store. Everybody knew Victor Brady; at least that's what I thought back in the fifties. My daddy worked hard running his store and doing a little farming. Therefore, it was mostly my mother, Louise, who instilled in me the difference between right and wrong. One of the first things I learned from her was that I should never drink beer or whiskey. I was certain that if I ever took a swig of whiskey or drank a can of beer I would go to hell. Another lesson I learned that was repeatedly drilled into my head has to do with the pool hall. Any time we drove by the pool hall in Russellville my mother would say, "John Paul! I had better never hear that you've been in that pool hall!" She said that with such conviction that I thought maybe I had already done something in which I needed to ask forgiveness. The third big moral "no no" that mom taught concerned the words that should never come out of my mouth. These were cuss words. The more correct way to refer to bad words in rural Logan County was "cussin".

Developing my cussin vocabulary took time. My mother never gave me a list of words I shouldn't say. That's where some of the country folk helped tremendously. In the winter farmers would come to the store to sit in front of the fire place to talk, play cards or checkers. I guess most of my cussin vocabulary was learned hanging around listening to the many stories that were told, and the occasional argument that resulted over a card game. Nobody had to tell me, "Now, that's a cuss word." I automatically surmised that I must never say certain words I heard from some of those farmers. One word I was never sure about though was the word "darn". I never said it just in case it was a cuss word

I also learned to tell the difference between the "really good" Christians, and those whose vocabulary was worthy of a good lye soap mouth washin'. They just needed to put a stop to all their cussin. A good Christian would respond when something went wrong with words or phrases like, "Dat nabit, Oh shoot or shoot fire, heck, dat blast it," and many others that bordered on cussin, but stopped just short, like "Well I'll be a...". Women in north Logan had words and phrases they used to avoid cussin, "Well glory be!" "Mercy me!" "Bless my soul!" "Oh lawdy!" If they were really upset they might add about three more lawdy's.

I got the best education a boy could get watching and listening to the good country folks who lived in rural Logan County. Since my parents are gone I don't get back there very often. I really do miss my Logan County home. I still have imbedded within me the warm pleasant memories of those wonderful people who taught me how to live by showing me what is really important in life. I learned that even though a person might do a little cussin or sip some whiskey every now and then they were special folk and God loved everyone of them. Country folks in rural Logan loved each other and took care of each other. Something we definitely need more of in our world today.

Forever Love Letters

There was an old hosiery box that my mother kept in her dresser drawer. The box was held tightly closed by a couple of rubber bands. I found it one day while looking for a pen. I was curious as to what might be inside so I opened it. I found some old air mail letters wrapped carefully in several sheets of pink tissue paper. I could tell my mother had gone to that box and retrieved those letters many times because the tissue paper was very wrinkled. The letters had been written to her by my dad while he was in Europe fighting in World War II. She and the love of her life planned to marry as soon as the war was over, and he returned home.

I am sure those letters were very special to her when she first read them, but when I finally read them I realized that they were special to her in a different way because my dad had been dead for almost thirty years. He was only 54 when he passed away; she was 56. Many years later when mom was in her early eighties she moved in with my wife and me. Our house had a private living area just right for someone who needed a little help. Unfortunately, she only lived with us for three days. My mother had cancer and had to undergo surgery. After surgery she went to rehab, and from there she went to a nursing home where she lived until she died at age 87. My mother lived for thirty-two years without the only man she ever loved.

Mom's belongings remained at our house until after she died. Occasionally I would see that hosiery box, and I wondered what my dad could have written? Even as an adult I couldn’t imagine my dad writing love letters. But I just couldn’t bring myself to open the box again and read them. I felt like I would be violating my parents privacy. Every time I ran across that box I thought of the love my parents had for each other. About ten years passed before I finally got the courage to read the words my dad wrote to my mom. I finally realized that I needed to do it, and I’m glad I did. My dad wrote the letters while in Germany, France, Austria, and probably other places he didn’t mention. I learned things about my dad that he never mentioned to my brother and me.

My dad hated the war, and he hated the Germans even more. He witnessed some terrible things. He told about two boys in his tank division who were killed. The other three in the tank surrendered only to be put in a ditch and shot by the Germans. My dad was a sergeant and the boys he mentioned were under him. But he really didn’t write much about the horrors of war. He wrote about how much he missed my mother, how he loved her and how he wished he was with her. He usually said, “How’s my little girl?”  She was five feet tall and tiny. He would continue, “I remember those wonderful nights when we were together. I wish I was with you tonight.” I could feel his loneliness while in that terrible dangerous place, seeing terrible things, away from friends and family, but most of all being away from the woman he loved fearing that he might never see her again.

Reading the letters I understood why she carefully wrapped them, cherishing them as a treasure. I can imagine her in her older years, once again away from him, reading them again and again as she did in her twenties reading them for the first time. The message was the same, but my dad was in a different place, a much better place. Mom would read anew, “How’s my little girl tonight? I still remember those wonderful nights we were together. I wish you were with me here tonight in this beautiful place. I’m waiting for you.”

Tonight as I write this I can imagine them together in heaven. Oh how wonderful the love of a man and a woman who both love Jesus! Glory be to God who brings one man and one woman together to form an unbreakable bond in marriage. That has always been God’s only plan for marriage and for the family.

This May Be Your Shining Year

Our world is blessed with talented people. I think everyone has the ability to do something outstanding. You are naturally gifted to sing, dance, play a musical instrument, create artistically, or build an amazing structure. Some are able to rebuild or repair things that were ready for the trash bin, or to put a seed in the ground and nurture it until it produces something of beauty, or take various ingredients and create a delicious meal. Some are outstanding athletes, wonderful speakers, or have a way of taking a pen and writing stories, poems or any number of pieces that inform or entertain. These are just a few of the talents that men and women have. There are many others.

There is a car dealership commercial on TV and the sales spokesman says, "Don't tell me what you won't do, tell me what you will do." Have you ever said, "I can't do anything?."  Then you list talents that you are not able to do. You may even say, "I don't have a talent. I don't do anything well." That is very unlikely. You are lying to yourself and selling God short, You may just be making an excuse not to do something. Possibly you are fulfilling the false prophecies that a parent, teacher or friend spoke about you. The Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God has given you talents, abilities and He has gifted you to do whatever He created you to do for His glory. Trust in Christ who gives you strength to do what God created you to do.  

 I have been guilty. Once I didn't think I could do anything. . Be honest. What can you do? What will you do? Make this new year the year that you develop your talents, use your abilities and you gifts. Let the world know what you can do. You owe it to God. You owe it to yourself. You are not getting any younger. Don't regret someday that you never used the talents that God gave you. What a wonderful blessing you will be to your family, friends and maybe the whole world! Just remember, don't tell the world what you can't do, show it what you can do!

Let’s Have A Party

Matthew tells about the day he met Jesus. He was sitting at his tax booth collecting taxes like he did every day when Jesus and his disciples came by.  Jesus walks up to him and says, “Follow me.” Matthew didn’t know why Jesus picked him, but there was something about his voice, or about his command that Matthew could not refuse. So he got up from his seat and went with Jesus. He left his tax booth, his livelihood and followed Jesus, resting his life upon whatever security came with those two words, “Follow me.” But that was enough for Matthew.

Not long after his calling Matthew wanted to introduce Jesus to his friends. Matthew didn’t have many friends because he had been a hated tax collector who had cheated the citizens of Capernum for many years. The only friends he had were tax collectors and sinners. Matthew thought that Jesus could do for his motley friends what he had done for him. He tells Jesus his plan, and to his surprise Jesus thinks it is a good idea. Matthew throws a big dinner party. Jesus, the other disciples and Matthew’s tax collector friends all show up. Those tax collectors were a rough bunch. Their language was a bit salty, but Jesus was not surprised. No doubt these men felt comfortable in the company of Jesus.

Before long some uninvited guests showed up. The Pharisees dropped by to see what Jesus is doing in the home of Matthew, the hated tax collector. Even worse they discovered that the house was full of many undesirable tax collectors and sinners. They questioned the disciples asking, “What’s going on here that your teacher is eating with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus knew what the Pharisees were up to so he answers their question. He said, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the ones who are sick.” He went on to tell them the reason he came to a sinful world. “I did not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners.”

Wasn't it too bad that the self righteous Pharisees did not consider themselves among the sinners? The story ends here, but I would like to believe that because of what those tax collectors saw and heard at Matthew’s dinner party a good many of them also became followers of Jesus. Matthew brought those men into the presence of the Savior, the one who came to save sinners like them and like us. We can do the same thing Matthew did. We can invite Jesus to occasions where our lost friends are. We can introduce them to Jesus. Jesus came to meet sinners right where they are in life. If we are Christians our task, the most important thing we can do, is to bring our lost friends to Jesus.

Snakes In The Church

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Not everyone wants to go to church. Most don’t go to church. In fact, there are a good many people who go to church every Sunday who don’t want to be there and can’t wait until the final amen. I was one of those people at one time, and I was the pastor. I looked forward to preaching, and I enjoyed the fellowship of most of the congregation, but I dreaded the way a small group of members treated my family and me. They wanted me gone, they made sure I knew they want me to leave, and after about a year of their abuse I did leave. What about it, can you say what King David said about his glad anticipation of going into the Lord’s house?

I left that church and did not go to any church for over a year. I was hurt. The next few years were the worst in my life. That experience just about destroyed everything in my life. I’m sure many others have been hurt by something that happened at church, and like me quit going and perhaps have never returned to a church. There are people in churches who are cruel, mean spirited, selfish, and unfortunately some of them are in leadership positions. They are not being guided by God’s Spirit, but by satan's demons. They are as dangerous as having a rattle snake in the church. At least you know when the rattle snake is around. They are bullies, and in many cases there is no one in the church body who will stand up to them.

I am glad that I did not let that one bad experience keep me from from getting back into a church. Eventually, I did find another church where God healed me spiritually through the love of some people whose hearts were guided by the Holy Spirit. God reminded me to not forget the purpose of why his children go to church in the first place. We are to come together as a local body of believers who love God and want to worship him because he sent Jesus to save us from sin. Going to church is really not about me; it is about God. He is all that matters. Those people who think the church can’t operate without them need to be told, “This church is not about you, and what you want. It’s about The Heavenly Father and bringing glory to his name.”

Yes, I am glad when I can go to church and worship God. I look forward to Sunday’s. It makes me glad to be with others who love God, who serve him, and who love others no matter who they are. There is nothing that encourages me more than watching others express God’s love to one another, treating each other with respect and dignity.

Psalms 122:1

Splat II

What did the bug say after he smashed into the windshield?

“If I had the guts I would do that again!”

There are occasions when a bird will fly into our patio door or into our large bay window. Sometimes the bird will fall to the ground, shake its head and fly off. There are others that are knocked out cold, but eventually they recover enough that they are able to fly away. Unfortunately, some hit the glass so hard that they die immediately, I suppose from a broken neck or major brain trauma. I’m not sure why these birds cannot see what is in front of them and avoid the danger. There is so much free space in which they can safely fly.

I was wondering about this, and it hit me that like these birds I have done the same thing many times. I didn’t run into a window, but I have flown into danger zones and have gone “splat”! I chased after unwise desires, hastily jumped into what seemed to be wonderful materialistic opportunities, and failed to weigh the cost.

The inexperience of youth explains why we have taken a nose dive into shallow waters. We were able to shake our heads, get up and move on. Hopefully, we learned a lesson and did not repeat the mistake again. Older adults are not exempt from flying into glass doors. This can be a tough time as we begin to see that goals we had set for ourselves are not going to be achieved. Youth is fleeting, and in an attempt to hold on tightly to it we make some very foolish mistakes that knock us out. Some of us eventually recover, others never do. Some lose everything.

There are many good pieces of advice to help us avoid the windows of destruction. But my favorite is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If we fly this course we are less likely to be like the bug that flew into the windshield, and those birds that went “Splat” into my patio door.

How Different Is The Man!

Men and women are different. Wives don’t seem to get as excited about some things as do their husbands. What is interesting and humorous to the husband is often boring and outlandishly silly to the wife. The problem is that more times than not the wife is in no mood to be bothered by the husband’s well meaning antics. Unfortunately, I am good at picking the wrong time to share with my wife things that I think she might like. Such was the case in this story I want to tell.

Years ago I was a middle school teacher.  I was enjoying my third day of summer break. My wife, Sherri,  was an elementary guidance counselor. She had two more weeks before she would begin her summer break. Being alone for three days was not a good thing for me. The problem was I needed structure, and I needed to be with people. I get restless if I don’t have something to do. By day four I had already done the yard work, cleaned out both garages, and unfortunately for my wife I had decided to do some house work, a bit of reorganizing. With but a few minutes for her to get home I had dusted and vacuumed, washed the clothes, the towels and put them away. I had almost finished reorganizing the pantry, placing every item in alphabetical order. I was placing a can of zucchini  on the bottom shelf when Sherri walked in.

I was so glad to see her. There had been no one for me to talk to all day. But! When Sherri gets home after working all day she wants to “re-enter” as she calls it. No talking, no questions, no voices, no phone calls, just silence, shoes off, feet propped up and a nice cup of coffee in her hand. After about thirty minutes of re-entering she becomes a really nice person. As soon as I saw her I said, “How was your day!” …”Very stressful!” Was her, dripping with disgust, reply.  ‘Wonder what happened,’ I thought.

She got her coffee and headed to the den. I picked up a couple of plates I had dirtied at lunch and walked over to the garbage disposal to discard what I hadn’t eaten. That’s when I noticed the most amazing phenomenon. There on the lip of the garbage disposal was a tiny question mark! It was perfect. The most skilled scribe could not have fashioned a more precise question mark.  Yet, I knew no human hand had created it. Some small piece of food, maybe from a peach peel, a sliver of some vegetable, or some tiny morsel from an egg had hung on the edge of the drain and a question mark had been formed. Just below that curved part of the question mark was a miniscule dot finely placed to put the final touch on that mark of punctuation which in my mind could have been created by God’s very own hand!

Well, having taught grammar for several years I was excited! I had to show someone, and I didn’t have a minute to waste!  I didn’t want to risk having this once in a lifetime sensation slide down the drain and miss having a witness. “Sherri, quick, come here, you’ve got to see this!”

Even from two rooms and a hallway between us I could sense her hesitation. She finally came into the kitchen and I could immediately read her mind...‘This had better be good’!

I nodded toward the sink, “Look in there! What do you see?”

“Some eggshells and coffee grounds?”

“No, No, look on the edge of the drain! It’s a question mark!”

I could tell she was not amused and not at all as excited as I was. “No! I don’t see a question mark!”

With that she returned to her  “re-entering” process.

I’ll have to say I was disappointed that my wife didn’t share my enthusiasm about that perfectly formed question mark. I could understand if it had been a comma, an exclamation point, or even a semi colon. But give me a break, how can you not at least say something like, “That’s amazing!” When you see a perfect question mark appear out of nowhere in your sink!

At dinner that night I said to her, “I guess when you were a little girl you’re didn’t lay on your back in the grass and see horses, dogs and other objects in the clouds?”

She thought a moment and with a smile replied, “Yes, I did, but I didn’t disturb the whole neighborhood telling everybody about it.” Then she added, “I don’t think I ever saw a single question mark in the clouds!”

O well, maybe it was just that my timing was off.

The World’s True Light

The darkness of night slowly disappears as the sun quietly approaches the horizon. Even before its full brilliance comes into view the sun’s return is announced by a growing parade of increasing light. Each morning I watch through the window as I meditate on the wonders of God’s abundant grace. The morning dawn is always on time even on a cloudy day. Although those gray clouds try to hide the sun’s presentation I know that it has arrived because the room is still filled even by its filtered light. How amazing that on the cloudless days the light comes in making itself at home easing down the hallway, around the corner and down the staircase providing light in places where it does not directly shine. It mysteriously visits every room with the message that a new day has begun, and the time for rejoicing in this day the Lord has made has begun.

The warmth and beauty of the sun's daily visits are not to be taken for granted. Every day is a gift from God. And so it is with His Son who wants to be the light of our souls. Unlike the sun the light of Jesus never leaves and never diminishes. He is the Light of the world that destroys the darkness of sin. He comes into a life filling every dark place. A new life of brilliant light is created shining through the cracks and scars left by the destructive work of the sin in our lives. One by one by one throughout the world those dying in sin come to the light because the Son’s light is powerfully evident through those God has called.

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

The King of Kings Is in Control Forever

Kings, rulers, presidents, politicians, and the wealthy influential men and women parade around all puffed up thinking they have all the answers, but their actions just make things worse for those under them. Their ways are self serving, and they do only what brings glory to themselves.. They do not honor the true God, nor do they give him the glory. People given over to their foolish ways are blinded to the truth of God’s Word and have fallen into all kinds of sinful living. They do not worship God because they have chosen to follow the false philosophies and teachings of the world. People have turned from the moral teaching of God. His perfect plan for the marriage bed has been destroyed in the lives of many. His perfect plan for the family has been redefined by those who disobey his commands. Sexual immorality is becoming so common that few are embarrassed by its bold presentation in the media and other outlets. Despite the seemingly hopeless plight of this world there is hope for those who have remained true the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, Jesus our Savior.

Please read thes following verses which describe what is going to hapoen to those who have followed their own way and to those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed (saved) people for God from every tribe, language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth. Revelation 5:9-10

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had born. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge and avenge our blood on these who dwell on earth?” They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be complete, who were killed as they themselves had been killed. Revelation 6:9-10

And he said to me , “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus). Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence...For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:14-17

And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7

For all the nation’s have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living. Revelation 18: 3

They will wage war against the Lamb (Jesus), but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers, (Those of us who have been redeemed by the Jesus) Revelation 17:14

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-13, 15-16

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:19-21

The Dog I Didn’t Know I Had

He has been around for almost thirty years, but I only noticed him a few weeks ago. I was sitting in one of our bedroom chairs putting on my socks when I first saw him. It just so happens that he has apparently been ingrained in the side of our chest of drawers which we have had for over half of our marriage. He looks like a dog. He is so real looking that I named him Woody. Woody seemed to appear from out of nowhere. I don’t know how we missed seeing him all these years. He has become quite a novelty, but he really is not an adequate replacement for a real live dog.

I have wanted another dog ever since we had to put down our little Maltese, Pogo. We had him for fourteen years. We got him when he was a puppy about three years before we said goodbye to Pepe, another Maltese. Pepe was sixteen when he died. We got Pepe when he was three years old. He was an alpha male, and had a pretty mean streak. It took me a while to convince him that I was the king of our house. I’m not sure he ever really understood that fact. Sherri and I loved Pepe, but Pogo was always extra special to us. He was the sweetest dog we ever had, it broke our hearts when Pepe died, but I have never gotten over losing Pogo.

Pogo and I had a special relationship. He was on my lap whenever I was sitting down. We had our own special games that we played that involved taking out the trash, me putting on my socks, or taking them off. Pogo wanted to be with me all the time, and he was for fourteen years. I miss him so much. Even after those few years since he has been gone I think about him, especially when I do certain things that stimulated game time in Pogo’s mind.  

As much as I want another Maltese I have to agree with Sherri, we don’t need to get one. We travel too much, and we have too many thing we are doing now that keep us running here and there. Maybe when we get too old to be as active as we are now we can get another dog. I guess that sounds weird coming from a guy that is seventy years old. Oh well, for now anyway I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with good old Woody!

The Epiphany

The Bible doesn’t say how many there were. One of the Christmas songs we sing mentions that there were three of them, wise men or Magi, who came to find Jesus after he was born. One of our nativity scenes depicts three wise men at the stable where Jesus was born. They are shown with the gifts they brought for him. Actually, on that night when Jesus was born only the shepherds came to the manger to see the Christ Child. There were no Magi present at the manger that night. The Magi did follow a star to Bethlehem about two years later, and they found Jesus and his parents living in a house, not a stable. This meeting which is called the Epiphany gives us a much different take on what this God planned event looked like.

When the wise men from the east showed up Jesus was a toddler, no longer a little baby. He would have been walking and talking a little by then. Like any toddler he would have been curious about almost every new thing that he saw, especially these wise men and their large entourage. I can image toddler Jesus walking up to these strange looking men holding up his hands for them to pick him up. He probably was fascinated by the bright colored robes they wore and possibly the shiny trinkets or necklaces and rings they had. I think he would have been able to examine the gifts they brought for himself. Most likely he laughed and jumped up and down with excitement as these men played with him. After all Jesus was a human baby, yet still God, Emmanuel. He was a toddler learning about this new world he had entered just like any other  two year old. Can’t you visualize these dignified men beaming with joy as they allowed themselves the opportunity to hold God in their arms and love on him like they would any small child?

As a toddler, Jesus, began to understand something about this sinful world, just as man began to learn about him. He was the manifestation of a divine being to a people who needed a Savior more than anything else this world could offer. He was God’s revelation of Himself demonstrated to these Magi and also to the whole world even unto this day. The Magi worshipped the little two year old Christ child. They were in awe of him, and as their visit reached its conclusion they returned home praising God for revealing to them the only One who could save sinners from their sins. January 6 was Epiphany, the celebration of the revelation of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. May every heart receive Him as did the Magi when they encountered that little two year old toddler, Jesus Christ!