“The Word Became Flesh”

By now the decorations are up, perhaps some (if not all) of the gifts have been purchased, wrapped, and are under the trees, the music of the season is on the radio and in the stores, and you are finally beginning to get into the mood. Three weeks from tomorrow it will be Christmas Day.  And many will gather again with family and friends for parties and dinners and other celebrations.

            In the next three weeks my wife and I will go to a concert in Jacksonville, the Christmas show at the Savannah Theatre, a couple of Sunday School class parties, and we will host an Open House for our church family and neighbors. And of course we will spend Christmas Day with family. We will eat great food and exchange gifts.  And we will be filled with joy.

            I know that you get this reminder from preachers and others every year, but it bears repeating. Please don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas that you forget its true meaning.  Don’t become so tense and agitated by all that you have to do that the joy of the season passes you by. 

            The temptation is certainly there.  This time of year can become overwhelming. And it is even more difficult when this is the first Christmas season without a special loved one.  It can be hard.

            But the point of Christmas is simple. God, because of His great love for us, became one of us (“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”).  He lived a perfect sinless life, and then gave that life as a sacrifice for our sins that we might live with Him forever. That kind of love is difficult to fathom. But oh how grateful I am for that love.

            I pray that you will find true joy this Christmas. Celebrate the goodness and the grace of the Lord. Worship Him. Love Him. Serve Him. Jesus truly is the reason for the season. 

Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving! Tomorrow is the day we celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done. I once read in an actual school textbook that we celebrate Thanksgiving as a reminder of the time the Pilgrims threw a party to give thanks to the Native Americans who had shown them great hospitality.

            Now, let me be clear on this issue. There were Native Americans who were kind and helpful to the new settlers on this continent. But the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Lord for His providence and care over their lives. They left the old country to come here in pursuit of religious liberties. They lost many of their kin and their friends along the way. When they paused to give thanks it was to the Lord who had sustained them in their journey.

            I look forward to gathering with my family tomorrow.  We are expecting both sons, our daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters to join us for dinner.  We will laugh and tell stories. We will watch parades and football on TV.  We will almost certainly (weather permitting) go outside to walk or ride bikes. And we will eat. My goodness will we eat.

            You may not be aware, but I hit the jackpot for cooks when I married. That was not the reason I fell in love with her, but it is certainly a bonus. I will fry the turkey, but Tina will cook the dressing, the sweet potato souffle, the green beans, the mashed potatoes and gravy. And then there will be the desserts. I will say no more.

            While we will do all of these things as a family, there will also be a time when we stop and give thanks. God has been good to us. He has walked with my wife and me as we were unable to have children, and placed two sons in our lives through adoption. He spared one of those sons through an accident that should have taken his life. He has given us a wonderful daughter through marriage, and three of the most precious girls who call us Papa and Gramma. And we are thankful.

            The Bible says, “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I don’t know what is going on in your life. It may be hard time right now. But I want you to remember that the Lord is with you. He has not forsaken you. He is watching over you. You can trust Him for that. And then, you can give thanks.  I pray you will do just that. 

“The Fool Says . . .”

I know that I have mentioned in this column before that the Fall season is my favorite time of year.  There are so many reasons.  College football is in full swing. College and high school basketball is about to start. It’s prime fishing season in our part of the world. And it is also a wonderful time to be out on the golf course.  Not too hot, not too cold. As Goldilocks would say, “It’s just right.”

            There is beauty all around us as well.  Yes, I know that most of the trees and plants bud and bloom in the Spring. But even as the grass grows dormant, the leaves on the trees are bursting with color. I will admit that the fall colors are more prominent in the mountains than on the coast, but still there are trees with reds and yellows and oranges even here.

            As I consider the beaty of a sunset or sunrise over the marsh I am amazed again at the wonder and the majesty of God.  It boggles my mind that there are those who remain convinced that this universe is a cosmic accident with no intelligent design behind it. I’ve even heard avowed atheists say, “Yes, our universe appears to have been designed, but we know that not to be the case.”

Can I just say it? That is stubbornness to the core. But it is exactly what the apostle Paul wrote about in Romans 1. He tells us that there is more than enough evidence for the reality of God, but that people choose to ignore it.  And most of the time they choose to ignore it for one reason. They don’t want to answer to a higher power. So they simply deny His existence.

            Here’s the thing. You can ignore, and even deny, that God is. But the Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”  Can’t be much more blunt than that.  But it is true. God is, and one day we will stand before Him. I pray that you will be ready for that day.

Inclusive and Exclusive

We are right in the middle of the “pumpkin spice” season.  I saw a sign locally that read, “Limited Time Only: Pumpkin Spice Insurance.” That’s pretty clever.  After all, it is all the rage.

            I have to admit to you that I agree with my Dad on this issue. He once said to me, “I think I might like pumpkin flavored stuff if it just didn’t taste like pumpkin.”  I remember the look on his face at a family reunion years ago when he thought he had a slice of sweet potato pie only to discover that it was actually pumpkin.  The one bite was his only bite. Yeah. Me, too.

            But it’s pretty clear that a lot of folks disagree with me. Pumpkin spiced flavoring wouldn’t be all over the place if someone wasn’t eating or drinking it.  So, to each his own.  You can have mine. What tastes good is merely an opinion.

            Unfortunately, many people want to take their religious beliefs on the basis of what “tastes good” to them.  “I’ll have a little of this, and a little of that, and when I blend them it will fit me just perfectly.”  That works at the local buffet. But not in matters of faith.

            I know it doesn’t fit the narrative of our day, but Jesus was clear on this issue. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” He declared. “No one comes to the Father except by me.” And there are those who are highly offended by those words. I understand.  It is a difficult saying for many to accept.

            The Christian faith is highly inclusive, in that it is offered to all. But it is exclusive in that it teaches that Jesus is the truth, and that we must come to God through Him.  I’m going to continue to proclaim this biblical truth, and I pray that many will come to accept it.  Jesus is the answer for the world today.

Thankfulness List

You probably don’t want to hear this, but I must offer you a warning. By the end of the week you will hear Christmas music, and there will be decorations all over the place. I know it’s too early!  Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just trying to prepare you.  I don’t want you to be shocked.

            I’m going to tell you a secret. I love the holidays.  I’m just big kid when it comes to the parties, the celebrations, and yes, the decorations and music. But I wish to get all that started on the day after Thanksgiving.  While some are out early seeking Black Friday deals, I will utilize that day to put up our tree with Nat King Cole singing in the background. I will not buy my first gift, no matter the temptation, until after that.

            So, why am I telling you this the last week of October?  I want to start a revolution.  I want us to spend the next four weeks giving thanks.  I know that we will celebrate that day with turkey and parades and football.  But I don’t want to wait that long.  I want to make November the most thankful month of the year.

            So here is what I propose. Every day for the next four weeks, before your feet hit the floor, give thanks. You are alive and breathing!  You have a new day!  You have a reason for thankfulness!

            And then, all through the day, whenever anything good comes to mind, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, and then do one more thing.  Write down your reason for thankfulness.  See how long the list grows. 

            I have an idea.  I think, if we take this seriously and really follow through, that we may need multiple pieces of paper to keep track.  At the end of this time I am going to tally the total on my paper.  How many reasons will I have to give thanks?  I’m not sure. But I’m betting on this.  If I take the time to remember and record all of my blessings, my complaints list will shrink accordingly.

            Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Let’s do just that starting now.

Change Your Destiny

Last week I briefly mentioned the law of gravity.  This law simply tells us, “What goes up must come down.”  I’ve believed in the law of gravity ever since I learned it in elementary school science. And then I moved to Shellman Bluff and started playing golf at Sapelo Hammock Golf Course.  And more than once I have watched balls fly into trees on that course and never come down.  I’m not kidding. They get caught up in the Spanish Moss and do not fall to the ground.  For the uniformed, that means a one stroke penalty with a dropped ball.  Like I said. I used to believe gravity was always true.

            Recently I was shown a video of a young lady (sorry, but it was a woman) who said, and I quote, “I believe we would be just as well off if Isaac Newton had never invented gravity.  After all, do we really need gravity? I believe we could live without it.”

            Your first response is likely to laugh. But then you stop. When you think about it with care you realize that this person is eligible to vote, likely drives on the street, and may even have a child one day.  And you wonder to yourself, “Are we all doomed?”

            The truth is that all of us have said or done something that we are very grateful was not recorded and posted to social media.  I shudder to think that every deed I’ve done or every word I’ve said would be available for anyone to see or read.

            But then I stop and remember this. God sees and hears and knows it all.  He does not need a phone camera, doesn’t have to look on Facebook, and He still knows all that I say and do. And He loves me anyway.  How grateful I am for the marvelous and wonderful love of God.  Without it I would be doomed. With it I have hope for all eternity. I hope that you know the precious love of God. It will change your life. It will change your destiny.

Famous Biblical Quotes?

It’s funny the things that people believe.  I am often amazed, amused, and alarmed at what some people believe the Bible teaches.  For instance, “God helps those who help themselves.”  Not found in the Bible. Not a biblical concept.  In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. God helps those who realize that they are helpless, and that they need a Savior. 

            I’ve heard many other statements attributed to the Bible. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”  And then there is my all-time favorite. “Let your conscience be your guide.”

            I know many people who quote Jiminy Crickets’ line to say that they will listen to their conscience and follow their heart. Yes, that’s correct. That quote does not come from the Bible, but from the lips of Jiminy Crickets.  A fun story, but not a source of true theology.

            In fact, this line is far removed from what the Bible says.  Consider the words from Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”  Do you get that?  The prophet says that we cannot trust our hearts. Our hearts will lead us astray. Our consciences can be seared to the point that we will justify all kinds of behavior.

            We are living in a time when a philosophy known as “relativism” has taken center stage in so many lives. You confront that philosophy when you hear someone say, “Well, that may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.”  No. The fact is if something is true, it is true.

            We believe that in science.  The law of gravity is always true.  Other laws of physics always apply. But the fact is that God’s moral laws do not change either.  Don’t let your conscience be your guide. It will lead you astray. Rather, let God’s Word guide you. It will always take you where you need to go.

Homecoming

This past Sunday our church celebrated Homecoming.  I know that not all churches do that, so I’ll try to explain.  Homecoming is an annual event filled with worship and fellowship.  We sang for a longer period in the worship service, and then we had a pitch-in dinner immediately following worship.  We sent invitations to members who have moved away and also made a concerted effort to invite folks to join us for the day. 

            For our church this year marked our 79th anniversary. Since 1946 folks have been gathering here on the bluff for worship and fellowship.  What a privilege to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us.

            There are two negative tendencies that can hamper a church if they are not careful. The first is to live in the past. Only think about the glory days gone by, and long for their return. The truth is that time goes on, and we will never recapture the glory of those days.

            But the other tendency is to forget the past, and think that we have built the church to where it is on our own.  That is simply false. The book of Hebrews reminds us that we are surrounded by a host of witnesses.  There have been faithful men and women who have gone before us and paved the way for any successes that we may be enjoying.

I have had the privilege of meeting one of the former pastors at Shellman Bluff, my direct predecessor, Harry Coursey and an earlier Pastor, Dempsey Golden. I am thankful for Brother Harry’s friendship. Most of the others who have preached there have passed on to their reward. But they all had a part in preparing the church for the good things that God is doing in our midst today.

            I encourage you not to live in the past.  But don’t forget it either. God has used the past to prepare us for the next steps. And if the Lord tarries, He will use our ministry to help the next generation.  I pray that we will be like Paul and, “fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith.”

“Rest for Your Soul:

As I write this morning, I am sitting on the balcony of the second floor of the Chatuge Lodge in Hiawassee, Georgia.  The sun is coming up over the Chatuge Lake which is the border between North Carolina and Georgia.  It is a beautiful sight.  In the distance I see several docks, and I have been listening as boats have been leaving the nearby marina all morning.

            It took us more than six hours to drive up here yesterday.  It will be a similar drive on Saturday when we return home.  Have I mentioned that I don’t enjoy driving nearly as much as I once did?  No, the drive yesterday was tiresome, and I’m certain it will be the same at the end of the week.

            And yet, the view alone is worth it. Later today we will visit an orchard, we plan to do some hiking, I am certain that I will play at least one round of mountain golf, and I might even have the opportunity to throw a line in the water to see if there are any hungry bass lurking around.  We’re don’t have a specific agenda.  It is our intention to rest and relax.

            I’ve known a few folks in my lifetime who would never take a vacation.  “You have to work,” was the mantra. And don’t get me wrong. I know that work is necessary. God intends for us to work. But God also gave us a marvelous example when He rested on the seventh day.

            Please know this. God was not tired. He did not need to rest. But He did so to remind us that we would need to rest. You need rest for your body. You need rest for your soul. That is another reason that worship is so important. When we worship we find rest for our souls.

            I hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to worship this coming Sunday. Find a church and join with them as they sing, pray, read the Scripture and meet with God and each other.  You will be glad that you did.

The Blame Game

Regular season baseball comes to an end this weekend.  The playoffs begin next Tuesday. For the first time since 2017 my favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, will not be in the postseason.  To read the comments of so-called Braves’ fans online you would think that this team is the worst team in the history of professional sports.  Never mind that the Colorado Rockies are probably not going to win 50 games this year. Three NFL teams have gone winless. And the Philadelphia 76ers once won only 9 of 82 games in a season. 

            The truth is that Braves fans have been spoiled through the last 35 years.  They have been in the playoffs 24 times, the World Series six times, and they have won it all twice.  When you consider that, prior to that, they had been in the playoffs five times in their previous history (including when in Boston and Milwaukee), and had won the World Series only two times, they have been on a remarkable streak.

            And this year’s team has plenty of reasons for their demise, the major one being injuries.  All of their starting pitchers, without exception, have spent considerable time on the injured list.  When all six of your starters have missed more than 50 games each, it is going to be hard to win.

            Still, most of the players and coaches would say that they don’t want to talk about excuses. They hold themselves accountable. They are dissatisfied with the season, and they certainly hope to do better next year.

            Do you make excuses for your failures to obey the Lord? Do you blame others? If you will remember, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent for their sin.  And we tend to do the same.  The truth is that the Lord has said to us, “If we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

            God wants us to be accountable. He wants us to confess our need for Him. He stands ready to forgive. Don’t blame others when you fall. Admit your need, and trust in the Lord. His grace is enough. 

Keep Praying

Our church has a prayer list. It is published weekly, and there are copies made available at the church. It is also sent electronically to anyone who asks to receive our emails and is mailed to a handful of folks who “don’t do computers.” 

            Our prayer list has several categories. There is a column for our “Church Family” and another for “Family and Friends.”  These two columns change frequently. There are still others that are labeled, “On-Going” and “Cancer Concerns.” These will often remain the same for weeks at a time as we keep the names of these folks in our minds.  Finally, there is a column for, “Other Concerns.” 

            I know many of our church members keep the latest copy of the prayer list in their Bibles for the entire week. They refer to them daily as they read the Bible and pray.  I am so grateful for their faithfulness to do so.

            The Bible reminds us, “Pray without ceasing.” Does this mean that we are to quit our jobs, never turn on the TV, quit doing anything else and pray all day every day?  No. God clearly intends for us to work, to spend time with family and to do other things. We go shopping, we rest and relax, we visit with friends. 

            To “pray without ceasing” means that we seek to be in a constant state of friendship with God. It means that we can call on Him at any moment. And it means that we never quit praying. We never give up on God.

            When you don’t feel like praying, pray anyway. When it seems your prayers are not being heard, pray anyway. When praying gets harder and harder, pray anyway. 

            Jesus modeled this kind of praying for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.  How He longed for the cup of death to pass by, and yet He declared, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done,” and then He obeyed His Father. 

            I pray that you will keep praying. I don’t know what you are facing, but God is bigger still than anything in your life. He loves you and is listening. The Bible says that He “inclines His ear toward us.” What a source of comfort to know that God hears my prayers!  Keep praying. He is listening. 

Walk and Don’t Fall

In my younger days I was quite trim. In fact, my mother would buy me slim pants and have to take them up just a bit. Even when I reached high school, I could not gain weight.  I would consume more than 3000 calories a day, but I would burn them off at basketball or baseball practice. The day I graduated from high school I stood six feet, two and a quarter (don’t forget the ¼) inches, and I weighed in at just under 150 pounds.  In the words of Barney Fife, I was wiry.

            I wouldn’t be considered obese today, but 150 pounds is way in the rearview mirror.  I love to eat, and the truth is there is no telling how much I might weigh if I did not exercise.  I ride a bike, I have a rowing machine that I use occasionally, I lift light weights, and I walk.  Notice I did not say that I run. If you see me running, please call for help. I’m in some kind of trouble.

            But I walk frequently. I walk my dogs. I walk the neighborhood alone. And I walk the golf course when it is under 90 degrees.  I’ve always taken walking for granted. Just put one foot in front of the other. Keep moving.  But as I age, I have to be a bit more careful. Recently on the golf course I tripped over a root.  Have you ever taken 30 feet and 10 seconds actually to fall? I tried to stay upright. But I stumbled and tripped and flung my arms around before I finally simply went to the ground. Only thing I hurt was my pride. 

            But I am aware that falling is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to us as we age. We need to be careful as we walk.

            The Christian life is often compared to a walk.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best of the time, because the days are evil.”  That is advice we need to follow. No one ever plans to fall, either physically or spiritually.  But when we do not take care, it can happen to quickly. 

            I urge you to look carefully how you walk. Keep your eyes on Jesus and follow Him.  He is our only hope.

I Love the Mountains

It’s not strong yet. But you can sense it.  There is the slightest hint of Fall in the air.  Not quite as steamy and hot.  I came off the golf course last week and I was not soaked all the way through my clothes. And the simple fact is that it feels good.

            Fall is my favorite time of year.  I know that the seasons are not quite as pronounced here in coastal Georgia as in other places that I have lived, but it is still an enjoyable time. Golf, fishing, yard work, bike rides and just walking the dog are all much more pleasurable. 

            Later this month my wife and I will spend a few short days in the north Georgia mountains. I hope that the leaves will have started to turn. I hope to hit a golf ball while there, and very well may take a rod and reel to see if I can stir up a large mouth bass. But for the most part I plan to sit on the balcony overlooking a lake, to read, and to cruise around the mountain roads seeing the sites along the way.

            God has given us such variety in the world in which we live.  There are people of all shapes and sizes and colors and creeds. And there is such a variety of places. I often say that I love the mountains. Usually, I am referring to the Smokies of north Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

            But there are wonderful mountains in New England. There are the Rockies out west.  I’ve seen both of these. But there are mountains all over the world that I’ve not seen. And each mountain is unique in its own way. Just as each of the oceans and continents are different.  And God made them all for our enjoyment. 

            As I travel later this month I hope that I will continue to see the matchless work of God in the beauty of His creation. I hope that I will give Him thanks, and that I will be humbled at what He has done for us. He truly is worthy of all praise.

Reunion

Several years ago, this month I attended a family reunion.  My mother’s side.  It was good to see folks I usually only see at funerals, but I have to say this. All of my cousins looked old!  I’m not sure why.  I hadn’t aged a bit.

            I was able to take my dad to the reunion.  He was quite sick at the time. He had just stopped taking treatments for cancer. The illness would eventually take his life. But he felt up to going on this day.  He was one of only two of his generation in our family still living.  One of my mother’s sisters was there, and dad was the only remaining in-law. 

            I know I’m biased, but my dad, “Uncle Junior” to my cousins, was truly one of the good ones.  Since Granny lived in a trailer on our property, they got to see him frequently. He often joined in the basketball games we played in my front yard.  He taught more than one of my cousins how to swim and a couple how to drive.

            I watched several of the girls walk away from him in tears as they realized it might be the last time they would see him.  The guys mostly suppressed the tears, but there was much sadness when we left the party.

            But I know the good news.  Dad’s days on this earth were numbered, though He actually lived two years beyond this. But we often forget that the same is true for all of us. The death rate for living is 100%.   My Dad had made a reservation for a place called heaven.  I am as confident of that as I am of anything I have ever written.

            The Bible says about God, “You have placed eternity in our hearts.” Job was simply saying that there is a longing in every human heart for more than we can see in this world, and it is there because God put it there.  We can and will live forever with Him if we have placed our trust in Him.

            More than any other thing, you need to trust the Lord.  He made you and He knows what is best for you.  You can trust Him for now and for eternity.

Plans

This summer has been extremely busy for me.  Our church had Vacation Bible School.  I went to two camps with children and students, each a week long. We took a three-day vacation to see my sister and her family. And then my wife and I went out west for almost two weeks.  Because of all of the travel, I had to plan my preaching carefully. In fact, I was writing and preparing two or three weeks in advance, knowing that I would not be able to prepare while away from home.

We all make plans.  We make plans for home, work, school, and many other areas of life. There is nothing wrong with making plans.  As the old saying goes, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.”

            Yet, we must realize that our plans are always subject to things outside of our control.  We may have to adjust our plans.  And even more important, our plans may fall outside of God’s plans for us.  The Lord has ways of making us change directions when we are going the wrong way.

            In his short book, James writes of those who say, “’Today we will go into such and such a town’…Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”  Such a subtle change in wording, but a powerful change in attitude!

            I think a good summary statement could be as follows.  “All of our plans should be submitted to the Lord for review and approval.”  How many of you have to submit your plans to a boss, or a manager?  There are times when the plans you thought were perfect are edited and altered. 

            God is in a better place to see the whole picture than we are. He is trustworthy and true, and will never lead us astray.  His plans are always best for us.

            We may not want to say it this way, but when we refuse to allow God to tweak our plans, we are in effect saying that we know better than He does what is best.  We are claiming to be wiser than He is.

            I have plans.  I’ve prayed about them. But I want to submit all of my plans to the Lord for His approval.  He knows what is best for me.  I need to trust Him.

Focus

I got a new phone recently.  I-Phone 16 Plus.  My old phone wouldn’t keep a charge.  It was dropping calls.  And it took forever to get to the ESPN page so that I could check on the scores from the West Coast.  I didn’t want to do it.  I was afraid there would be too much to learn. But I had very little choice.

            I miss the days when the phone hung on the wall in the kitchen. I could leave it behind while I went fishing or to the golf course, and no one was upset that they could not get in touch with me. If something was urgent they left a message on the answering machine, and I would return the call as soon as I got home.

            Computers, tablets, phones and the like are supposed to make our lives easier, and often they do.  If I can remember only a portion of a Bible verse, but I can’t remember where it is in the Bible, all I do is type in the words I do recall in the search box, and within seconds the entire verse and reference appear. 

            Indeed, there are many conveniences to having these electronics in our lives. I can lay in my bed and watch a ballgame on a four-inch screen.  I can speak to someone around the world.  I have all the information I will ever need at the tip of my fingers.

            And yet, computers can also be very frustrating. I’ve told people I prefer a laptop to a desktop because I get better distance with the laptop when I’m mad at it.  I’ve also wondered if I should have been born in 1859 rather than 1959, except I do really enjoy air- conditioning. 

            The truth is that all of our machines can help us, but they also distract us. They grab our attention when we need to be focused on the things that matter most.  God wants us to put Him first in our lives.  He wants us to follow Him, to serve Him, to love Him, and to share His grace with others.  I struggle with that at times, and I imagine you do, too.  Still, there is the call. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. He will never lead you astray.

Obligations

School is back in session as of today.  Some kindergarteners will be taking those first steps in their journey. There will be timid ninth graders walking into the high school for the first time. Everyone is a bit excited, and a bit nervous. That includes the teachers.

            For years my life revolved around the school calendar.  First I was in school, from kindergarten (I started in the Fall of 1964) until I received my master’s degree in May of 1984. For twenty consecutive years I went to school, and if that wasn’t enough I started again in 1994 and stuffed a three-year program into five, graduating again in May 1999.

            Of course, I’m married to a teacher, and then we had sons.  We followed the school year for all of our activities.  We want on vacations in the summer, and visited family over the Christmas break.  Both of my boys were out of school by 2008, but Tina did not retire until 2020.  So, the school year controlled my calendar from 1964 to 2020. 

            Today I am aware of the school calendar. I do have granddaughters, so I know their schedules. But we’re free to plan things that we could never plan before. We are hoping to take a trip to the mountains in September.  And if we choose to go somewhere else during the school year that will not be a problem. As I said, we’re free.

            And yet, I still have a calendar I need to follow.  As a pastor I would never take a vacation that would have me away from my church on Easter, Mother’s Day, or the Sunday before Christmas.  I want to be present for those events. The truth is we all have obligations we must keep.

            Our first and most important obligation is simple. Love the Lord. And then, love each other. Jesus made it clear that these two commands stand above all others. And Paul says that we do all manner of things, but if we do not love, it is simply loud noise.

            I pray that I will practice love as I should. I pray the same for you. Our world could use a little more Christian love.

Get Ready

Well, while you were sleeping I had another birthday.  I don’t look forward to them as much as I once did. I remember the anticipation leading up to my 16th birthday! I already had a car, a 1966 Ford Fairlane I bought from my cousin for $400. Turning 16 meant I could drive it alone! Man, such sweet freedom!

            It’s been 50 years since that momentous event. Like I said, I’m not as excited about birthdays as I once was, but I’m not ashamed of the number. I’ve earned every gray hair in my head. Some were caused by two rambunctious sons.  Dare I say some were caused by church members in various places. And I have to admit that some were caused by my own foolish decisions. 

            I’ll share this with you.  I am one year from the age when my mom passed away. That is a sobering thought.  I feel good. I’m still quite healthy. The folks in Cooper’s Point see me out on my bike three or four times a week, I walk the golf course at least once, and I walk a three-mile stretch the other days. I am trying to maintain my health. I would love to live many more years and enjoy watching my three beautiful granddaughters grow up.

            But just like you, I have no idea as to the time I have left on this earth. The Bible says, “Man knows not his time.”  It also says, “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this, the judgment.”  The truth is that the death rate for living is 100%, and it is a bridge that we will all cross one day.

            The point of this life is to get ready.  God has made Himself known to us through the Bible and through His Son. He calls us to turn to Him by faith, and then to follow Him. And He has promised us a reward in a place called heaven. 

            I want to say one day with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  In other words, I want to finish well, and I pray the same thing for you. I pray God will grant us the grace to follow Him wherever He leads, and that we will be faithful to Him in all we do.  

God of All

While you are reading these words, my wife and I are on vacation.  Really it is more of an adventure. We have flown to New Mexico, rented a car, and are making our way back home. Along the way we will visit 11 states, five of which will be new to us. Following this trip I will have visited 40 of the 50 states in our nation.

            I am amazed by the beauty and the variety of the geography and the people in the United States.  We have the mountains of New England, the Great Smoky Mountains in the southeast, and Rockies out west.  They are alike, and yet different at the same time. 

            And then there are the people. Southerners like to say that we are the friendliest folks, but I’ve been privileged to encounter good people all around this nation. And I’ve met a few southern folk I would prefer to avoid, too.

            And then there’s the food. While on this trip I plan to eat green chili sauce in New Mexico, brisket in Texas, a steak in Iowa, and ribs in Kansas City.  I want to try all of the local cuisine, just like I had crab cakes in Baltimore, lobster in Maine, and wings in Buffalo. 

            Every time I travel I like to indulge in the local foods.  Even when I have travelled abroad. I only spent one night in London, but ate fish and chips. In Haiti, I enjoyed the Caribbean dishes, and I loved the cabbage soup in Russia and Ukraine. 

            Last week I spoke of the diversity of weather, just in our nation. Today I have highlighted the geography, and the foods enjoyed around the world. And I believe that the Lord has provided it all for our joy and benefit. 

            Around us is an abundance of seafood delights.  I’m so glad that I am not allergic to shellfish. And we have the beauty of the saltwater rivers and the marshes and all that entails. The God of the marshes is the God of the mountain. And He longs to be the God of your life.

            Do you know this God? I pray that you will seek Him, because the Bible says, “You will find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” 

Heat and Humidity

We find ourselves dead center in the middle of summer at this time of year. Where we live it is extremely hot and humid. I remember when I first moved to a suburb of Detroit, Michigan having someone say to me, “I hope you can stand the humidity here.  Our temps are not extremely high, but the humidity is terrible.” They simply did not understand.

            Conversely, it was a while back that I was on the golf course playing with the men’s group at Sapelo Hammock.  I was paired with someone who had recently moved from the north, and midway through the round we got a brief, but intense rain shower. We took cover for thirty minutes, and then resumed our round. The gentleman said to me, “Well, at least the rain will cool things down a bit for us.” He had no idea of the steamy situation that was about to envelope him.

            It’s funny how our expectations about the weather change based on where we live.  I’ve had the opportunity to live in Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana and Michigan, and I have travelled around our country as well as a few places around the world.  I think the two hottest places I have experienced, one you would expect, and the other might surprise.

            Haiti in July. The temperature in the room we where we slept was 96 at 10 p.m. What a miserable night of sleep. But then, in the city of Donetsk in Ukraine I went to a worship service. I was wearing the expected coat and tie, and we were in a home. The room was perhaps 15 by 15 feet, and some thirty people were crowded in to hear me preach.  I thought I was going to pass out.  It was miserable.

             Well, what is my point?  Simple really.  God has given us great diversity in weather, depending on where we live. We had the snowstorm of the century here earlier this year, surprising us all.  There can be heatwaves in the north.  But through the heat, the rain, the cold, and the sunshine, God is with us every step of the way.  “He gives rain to the just and the unjust.” And we should give thanks through it all.