The Day After

Have you ever shopped and stood on the outside of a store, just looking in through the window. For me suits always look better on mannequins than they do on me, but I like to look. People often allude to the statement that is easy to criticize, or coach, or lead, when you are on the outside looking in.

Today, the day after my birthday, I met a pastor at Applebees for lunch. The parking lot was unusually crowded for this time of the day, and then it hit me. Today is November 11th, Veteran's Day. I saw the commercial and they were blessing all Veteran's with a free lunch. It was wonderful! It was packed!

My dad did not have to serve and I haven't served, so sometimes I feel like the outsider looking in when we honor our vets.

I made my way to the table and we had a good meal, and as I scanned the room, there were older men and women, many with canes or walking aides. There were men my age, and a younger group as well, some in uniform. I was reminded once again that a price has been paid for our freedom, and for most, I don't even know their names.

I wanted to stand up and shout "Thank You, Thank you" to all of you and for those who gave their lives in battle.

I have done a number of funerals with military Honor Guards. There is nothing quite like it. It helps you understand the dignity and discipline of those who serve. I hope you have the privilege to witness this in your life.

The Bible likens us Christians to soldiers in God's army.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter.

Thank you to all of our men and women in uniform now, and for those who have bravely defended our country. To those who have given thier lives and to loved ones who never saw their family member come home, or perhaps saw a flag draped casket unloaded on American soil thank you. Every year on my birthday I will remember and not forget you on the day after.

Cats in the Cradle or Dog In The Manger

^{Psalm 94:1} The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. HCSB

This photo was recently sent to me and it preaches a message without words. A stray dog had gotten into the manger of the nativity and had fallen asleep at the feet of the Christ child.

I believe that this is what the Lord Jesus wants us to do.He wants us to come close to Him, and realize that He is our safety and our shield. He is a place of refuge. as the Psalmist repeatedly reminds us.

Psalm 27: ⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. NLT

Another interesting thing to note is that the dog is at the feet of Jesus. Isn't that where we need to be as a believer, learning to walk in obedience to Him?

How do we learn to walk in obedience? By studying His Word, being a person of prayer, and following the lead of the Holy spirit in our life.

With Christmas approaching, what will you look for in the manger this year?
Make sure it's Jesus.

Returning to Your First Love

Today, marks the anniversary of the first date Renee and I had 32 years ago. Little did we know that we would marry after five years, just celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary. We are getting ready to see our friends for our 30th High School Reunion. Where has time gone?

God has blessed me with a great wife, she is great mom, and wow...what a mamaw she is!!!!

While the years have changed us a little physically, I believe we love each other more today than we ever have. Our love for each other has grown, and if the Lord allows, we look forward to the days ahead and sharing it with our family, and serving the Lord's church together.

When you think about your love for Christ, remember when you became a christian? Go back to the time in your mind and in your heart when you surrendered your life to Jesus. Can you remember how hot for God you were at one time, and how important it was to be active and faithful in your local church?

Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2
² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

They were doing a lot of good things, yet they had drifted away from the most important thing and that was to keep the Lord first place in their lives, and in the life of a church.
If the Lord speaks to you about returning to your first love for Him, He wants to help you, not hurt you. Jesus is the answer!

You're Serious Aren't You?

^{Psalm 39:4}“LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

Recently in a devotion on Psalms by retired IMB President Jerry Rankin, Psalm 39 reminded me of how fragile and swift.....how short life really is. He shared that his thoughts were always focused on what was ahead of him and what he will do someday.

Aren't we all a little like that? Spiritually it can come in the form of putting off telling someone about Christ, or calling or visiting a person who has been on your mind. For me personally it can come in the form of fixing something or cleaning up something (such as the famous garage you have heard about.) One day; tomorrow; when I am on vacation; then I will will do it! You know what I mean, we all can fall into the slippery pit of "I get around to it later." I don't know about you, but I can live in that world sometimes and not think a thing about it.

Dr. Rankin goes on to say, that now that he is in retirement, he is not thinking so much about what is ahead of him, but that he has so little time left to do what he wants to do. It is that vapor that James 4:14 mentions, while Psalm 90:12 says to teach us to number our days that we may present to thee a heart of wisdom.

With another birthday you may be at that point where you suddenly realize that time is fleeting. I know I am. What have you been putting off that needs to happen today? Is it reconciliation with a family member or friend? It is trusting the Lord to help you share the gospel with a relative or neighbor. Let's try to finish our lives living with no regret and no missed opportunity.

You can begin today, go ahead , start now.

P.S. Disclaimer!! (The picture above is not my garage)

Three Dogs and Three Points

Today I saw an unusual sight driving home. It occurred as I drove by the dog pound in Eaton. They have an outside area that allows dogs to run and let off some energy. It is a place that you can take a prospective dog to interact with it outside, even perhaps taking it home with you.

There were two dogs that first got my attention as I drove by.

These two dogs were running from one corner to another having a great time. One was chasing and the other was being chased. As I watched them head into a corner they had to veer off quickly as a third dog, a larger, lab type dog was just sitting in the corner as if he/she were in a trance, focused on something else, almost looking up.

It may seem odd, but it reminds me of the christian life.

1 As Christian we are constantly being chased by the Devil. Listen, if you are doing anything for the Lord, the Devil will not be too far behind trying to discourage you or sway you from being obedient to your Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Some Christians are chasing the Devil. If you are a believer living in disobedience to Christ; if you a trying to live as close to the world as you can yet still claim to be a follower of Christ, decide to turn to the Lord now.

3. I want to be a believer who is focused, like that ole dog in the corner, looking unto the heavens seeking to please the Master. It is easy to get discouraged if you are constantly looking at everyone else and comparing yourself to them, but when I keep my eyes on the Lord, the other things seem to pale in comparison and importance.

How about you?

^{Phil. 3:17} Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Kool Aid , Cookies, and a Billfold

Do you remember your first Vacation Bible School? Can you remember how you anticipated that cup of kool aid and two cookies each night. Mom and dad kept in their garage for a long time, the frog I made out of busted up tile pieces.

I can still recall my young days at North Dayton Baptist Church with the pastor's wife, Lois as my teacher. I loved her. She had a heart for kids and taught us with a tender compassion. One of my more memorable events took place when she shared, that the first one to quote the books of the New Testament would receive a prize. I went home, and went though the books over and over, determined to be the first.

The moment of truth came, and by the Lord's grace, I raced through the New Testament successfully. The next day I received the gift. A billfold! I was so proud to receive the gift. I think it was her way of saying that all we have belongs to the Lord, so don't forget to tithe.

Another memory took place years earlier at the Northridge Baptist Church as we were allowed to fish in the baptistry. Not really, but if you brought a visitor, you could cast into the baptistry and reel in a prize. Your guest also could go fishing.

My prize. A wiffle ball! I loved it.

While many believe that innovation is a new thing in trying to reach kids with the gospel, I am grateful for those who taught me, and tried new things to motivate and encourage me as a young boy in church. Whether to learn a Scripture, quote the books, or simply to make a craft.

Pray for our teachers this week as we learn about Jesus at the Saddle Ridge Ranch Vacation Bible School. It takes special people to serve in this ministry, and I thank the Lord for a church full of special people.

So You Want to Be a Leader?

James 3:1 (New King James Version) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

In most churches, there are a lot of folks who want to be a leader, but the group really shrinks when you talk about paying the price to be a leader.

In a recent devotion by John Maxwell in his Leadership Bible, I came across these thoughts and believe they will encourage you in the area of leadership.

Many leaders want to climb the corporate ladder, hoping that freedom and power wait at the top. They don't realize that leadership really requires sacrifice. Leaders who want to rise must do more than take an occasional cut in pay; they have to give up their rights. That's true of every leader regardless of profession. Talk to any leader, and you will find he has made repeated sacrifices. The higher that the leader has climbed, the greater the sacrifices he usually has made. Effective leaders sacrifice much that is good in order to dedicate themselves to what is best. Leadership demands constant sacrifice. It is an ongoing process, not a one-time payment. The circumstances may change from person to person, but the principle doesn't: Leadership means sacrifice!

Do you still want to be a leader? Remember, you have got to count the cost!