Bible

Send Someone Else (part 1)

By: Denny-

It was a bitterly cold winter that day in 1988 with wind chills well below zero. I was hauling a trailer load of grapefruit which I had picked up the day before in Pharr, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley on the Mexican border. I was headed back home to Iowa with my destination and delivery point being the Fareway Foods grocery warehouse in Boone, Iowa. I ran hard yesterday and made it north of Dallas before pulling into a truck stop and crawling into the sleeper bunk to catch a few hours of sleep. I hit the road early in the morning and stopped at Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to have breakfast and refuel. As I was pulling back onto the I-35 on-ramp, a young man was standing there in the freezing cold holding a sign that simply said, “Iowa”. I wasn’t in the habit of picking up hitchhikers, and many companies don’t allow riders for liability and insurance reasons, but things were different back then. By appearances he didn’t strike me as one who would pose any kind of threat or danger, but still one must exercise caution. I usually will ask God yes or no, in this case I sensed He was saying yes, so I stopped and told the kid to climb aboard. He was thankful to get out of the cold having been standing there quite a while. As we traveled, I learned he was low on funds and was trying to get back home to Iowa for the holidays. We crossed the border into Kansas shortly before noon. At that point I-35 becomes the Kansas Turnpike and the exits are fewer and farther apart. About 5 miles north of the toll booth I spotted a car on the shoulder and about 1/4 mile down the road and walking was a young couple with a little girl. They were obviously in need of help, so without hesitation I pulled over and picked them up also. The only room I had was in the sleeper bunk, and they squeezed back there, happy to be in the warm truck. They were freezing cold and only wearing light coats, so I cranked up the sleeper bunk heater. The man told me their car either broke down or they ran out of gas. They sat in the car hoping someone would stop, but when nobody did and it was getting cold, they decided to walk. He said even then nobody would stop, but just blew right past them. It’s unbelievable that people could be so indifferent, self-absorbed, calloused, and uncaring; especially seeing they had a little girl. The next exit was 20 miles down the road, and I took them to a truck stop where they could get help. I left the other kid in Des Moines and wished him well with spending Christmas with his family. It felt good to have helped those people, a blessing I would have missed had I not stopped.

Stopping a loaded 18-wheeler within a short distance to help someone on the side of the road is not always easy or practical, but there are dire situations when in good conscience you must. In those instances when I couldn’t stop, I would pray and ask God to send someone else that would be able to help those in need. Of course nowadays nearly everyone has a cell phone, so help is only a phone call away, but it doesn’t take much time to stop and ask if they need help anyway.  I wonder how often people these days pass by opportunities to help someone else in need, and not just on the highway. It seems they are so focused on their own needs and desires that they are oblivious to those of others. Perhaps wavering from their schedules or agendas would be too much of a hassle, sacrifice, or require giving up their own precious time. Maybe their hearts are so hardened that they choose to ignore the pleas of others, because as the Bible says, “Having  eyes they don’t see, and having ears they don’t hear.” It also says that in the Last Days the love of many will grow cold. Worse yet is when people judge others and point to their bad decisions or lack of planning that brought about their current desperate situation. How willing would you be to help someone of a different race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, ideology, or a complete stranger not part of your own group? Actions speak louder than words, so basically what people say by their inaction is, “Send Someone Else”. What if you are that someone else that God is trying to send? Will you ignore Him also? God, forgive us all for those missed opportunities and times we’ve failed to help someone in need that has crossed our path. We may be the one who is in need down life’s road another time.

In Luke 10:29-37 Jesus told this parable of the good Samaritan to a man who asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (my words added in parenthesis) One day as a Jewish man (Christian) was walking along the road, thieves attacked and robbed him leaving him half dead on the road. A priest (or pastor) came by and seeing the man passed by on the other side of the road. A Levite (church leader) came by and did the same.  A Samaritan (unbeliever), who the Jews shunned, stopped and seeing the man had compassion, bandaged his wounds, put him on his animal (car), took him to an inn (motel) and took care of him. The next day when he departed, he gave the inn keeper money and told him to take care of the man, and upon his return he would cover any additional expenses. In verse 36 Jesus asked, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” The man answered, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  I think Jesus is telling us to do the same thing.  1 John 3:17  But whoever has this world’s goods, and seeing his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? Reading Matthew 25:31-46 should be a wake-up call to us all and should shake us to the very core of our souls, especially verses 40 and 45.

Through Adam sin entered the world and all of mankind to this present day find themselves lost, broken, destitute, without hope, standing on the side of the road as it were, needing to be rescued and saved. God gave his commandments and laws to Moses. They stopped to give aid, but could not save us. They only served to make us realize the pitiful state of our condition and inability to measure up to God’s holy standards. “Send Someone Else” Next, good works and religion pulled over and tried to convince many that they could rescue themselves by trying harder to be better. That always fails miserably! “Send Someone Else” Many others such as false religions, humanism, idle worship, picked up some only to drop them off a little further down the road on the shoulder in their same lost condition. “Send Someone Else”, but there was no one else – until Jesus. He alone is the only “Someone Else” that God sent to save us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave (sent) his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners (laying broken on the shoulder of life’s highway), Christ died for us. Jesus didn’t say, “Send Someone Else”, but instead said, “I will go rescue and save them, send Me”.

Are you willing to be sent by God to meet the need of another, or will your attitude and excuse be like the one who passes by saying, “Send Someone Else”.

Stir the Coffee

By: Denny-

It has been nearly midnight when we’ve crawled into bed the last four nights. We have watched the entire RNC convention every night. It was like a breath of fresh air to listen to all the various speakers and to see the excitement, enthusiasm, and unity of the delegates and crowd. Finally, the voice and views of “We the People” were expressed by a newly inspired and united Republican Party, who overwhelmingly nominated Donald J Trump and JD Vance to be the ticket to defeat the Democrats in November. We witnessed speaker after speaker giving tribute and testimony to Donald Trump, and reveal unknown positive attributes about his true character. Things you won’t hear from the news media, nor do they want you to know. So here it is Friday 6:30 AM and I’m about to sit down and enjoy my morning coffee, the best cup of the day. I filled the cup to within an inch of the top with coffee, then I got the hazelnut creamer from the fridge and poured in a good dose. Of course, the coffee being hot, and the creamer cold, the sweet creamer went to the bottom of the cup and settled there, according to the law of physics. The coffee still looked dark black until I stirred it with a spoon and suddenly the dormant creamer on the bottom seemed to come to life. What was dark was transformed into a golden light brown which emitted the aroma of hazelnut. Aaahhh. I went to the dining room and opened the windows to let in the cool morning air. As I sat and sipped my coffee, I began to ponder the events of the RNC convention which seemed to replay in my mind. There were many needed changes and goals spelled out as part of the platform, which mostly involved undoing and turning back the disastrous policies of previous liberal administrations. I think the most urgent was that we need to build the wall and close our southern border, to protect us and to stop the flow of illegal aliens, drugs, gangs, and terrorists from entering the United States. President Trump in his speech promised he would do that and many other things quickly, very quickly, saying, “You’ll be amazed how quickly things get done.” We all  know there is sure to be opposition. Nevertheless, it is time to stir the coffee and transform America from the darkness all around us, so that the aroma of prosperity, security, and freedom will rise up from the bottom and “Make America Great Again”.

That analogy motivated me to open my Bible and read the book of Nehemiah. It’s the recounting of how the Jews had turned away from following God and became a nation much like America is today. I encourage you to read the first six chapters for yourself to fully understand the details involved in this analogy. Many times God sent His prophets to warn them to turn them from their wickedness, but they refused, and their hearts became hardened and indifferent towards Him. God saw that, so He caused the Babylonian army to invade them. They completely decimated Jerusalem by setting it on fire and tearing down the wall that protected them. (need I mention Sept. 11, 2001) They took the nation captive and carried them away to Babylon, leaving only a small remnant of Jews behind. Nehemiah was one of those who was taken captive. He became cupbearer to the king and God had given him favor with him. Years later Nehemiah learned the condition of his homeland and the suffering of his fellow Jews living there. The king granted him permission to go back to Jerusalem and to rebuild. He gave him finances, written letters giving him passage, as well as an armed guard to protect him. When he arrived in Jerusalem, Nehemiah told nobody about his intentions until he had surveyed the situation at night undercover. He then gathered together the leaders and spoke to them about his intentions to rebuild the wall and restore Jerusalem. MJGA–Make Jerusalem Great Again. The task seemed overwhelming and impossible, but the people said, “Let us rise up and build.” (Nehemiah2:18) The opposition came immediately from the ruling non-Jewish officials, namely Sanballat and Tobiah. Nevertheless, the work began as told throughout chapter 3. This is key to notice: Each one built and made repairs to the wall in front of their own house. The responsibility was put on each individual and family, not on Nehemiah alone, even though he was out front leading and overseeing. They all worked together in unity, being of the same mind and vision. Chapters 4-6 go into detail how Sanballat opposed Nehemiah and the work through ridicule, threat of attack, discouragement, extortion, compromise, slander, and outright treachery in which they plotted to kill him. (that sounds familiar) By the way, if you take the middle letters [ball] out of the name Sanballat and insert the remaining [at] after the S, you spell Satan. Going further, if you put a hyphen between the [n] and the [b] and replace the last [a] with an [o] you have San-ballot. The dictionary says ‘sans’ means; deprived, without, or destitute of. Do you suppose there could be any connection, correlation, or stretch of the imagination between that and the possibility of rigged elections and ballot tampering? You decide. There are two verses that really stand out and should empower the vision, goals, and commitment of every American patriot to reelect Donald Trump to implement the promises he’s made to Make America Great Again. Nehemiah 4:14-15 And I (Nehemiah speaking) looked, and rose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and FIGHT for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses. And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their counsel to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was finished on the 25th day of the month of Elul, in 52 days. (It is amazing how quickly it got done, isn’t it?) And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.  

I see President Trump as a modern-day Nehemiah. If not him, then who? If not now, then when? It’s no coincidence that after the failed attempted assassination of President Trump, that he stood up with blood running down his face, raised his fist and shouted, “Fight!”, “Fight!”, “Fight!”. Yes, it’s time to bring back to the top the values, freedoms, and God-given rights, that our nation was founded upon, because they have become cold and settled to the bottom of the cup. The future of our nation is at stake. Are you ready and willing to grab a spoon and help stir the coffee? It starts with voting for the Republican candidates in every election this November.

Updates Available

By: Denny

If you have a cell phone, iPad, computer, smart TV, or other electronic communications device, you have probably received this notification: “Updates Available”. You may also get alerts that you are running an older version and need to install the latest upgraded version. Sometimes your device is so outdated it can’t be upgraded to a newer version because there isn’t enough memory, or the newer version isn’t compatible with your old device. Technology is ever changing and doesn’t remain stagnant. You need to go with the flow in order to keep up with the latest and newest innovations. It seems they’re always wanting you to upgrade to a new and improved model. When they mandated TV stations to broadcast programs digitally, the good old analog TVs were worthless, except to watch movies on using your also obsolete VHS player. When ResMed cancelled their 3G network and upgraded to 5G, my perfectly good CPAP 10 machine which worked wonderfully could no longer communicate with the app. I couldn’t monitor or print my sleep history. I had to upgrade to a new 5G machine, which in my opinion is not as good as my old one. Even cars these days have become so computerized that the average do-it-yourself weekend mechanic can’t work on them.

Using the basic template I just mentioned concerning updates and applying them to the Bible, helps us to understand God’s word and His Kingdom. For instance, in John 3:3-7 Jesus was telling Nicodemus that one must be born again, otherwise you can’t see or enter the Kingdom of God. In computer terminology, the old version of ritualistic religious ceremonies and sacrifices was no longer acceptable to God, nor could it forgive sins. When Jesus died on the cross his sacrifice of giving his body and shedding his blood, was the instant the new covenant (version) became available and was in effect. It was like switching from analog to digital spiritually. Over and over Jesus tried to explain this through his teachings and use of parables. Many believed, and in a manner of speaking, they downloaded and installed the new version, not on a device, but in their hearts. Others were like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus, being so set in their worthless traditions. God was upgrading to 5G, and they were quite resolute in keeping their 3G thinking it was better, but not knowing it was no longer useful, adequate, or acceptable to God. In Luke 5:37-39 this is exactly what Jesus was saying when telling the parable of the wineskins. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; For he says, “The old is better.” The whole system of do-it-yourself religious works was obsolete and incompatible with the new version upgrade God was offering, but they liked the old better to their own detriment.

God’s plan of salvation does not and will not change, neither does the operating system of His Kingdom principles. Jesus Christ is the only true way to God. Sadly, many people are coming up with so-called new versions of Jesus these days. Once downloaded and installed into your life, they are like a malicious malware virus that wreaks havoc, because they aren’t based on truth. I mentioned previously how technology is ever changing and does not remain stagnant, and so it is with God. He is ever doing wondrous works in the world and inviting people to partner with him. However, you must be using the newest version and update it daily through prayer and reading His word to know what He’s doing. There is an interesting portion of scripture in Ezekiel 47:1-12. It talks about a river which flows from the temple. It has measured depths symbolic of the Holy Spirit and your personal walk and relationship with God in various stages. The river gives life and healing wherever it flows, but the swamps and marshes will not be healed or give life. Swamps and marshes are places where the river once flowed, but the river changed directions leaving behind water now stagnant and dead. Such is the sad condition of many churches and the people who attend them. Does that statement offend you? Maybe you need to check your heart and verify that you’re running the true gospel version. If not, you need to install it by accepting Christ as your savior and remain current on updates that are available.  

“I Do”

By: Denny

Our church has this thing called the “Chocolate Club”. It’s comprised of couples; a man, and a woman (it’s sad that because of the times we are living that I even need to make that clarification), who have been married at least 25 years. Every year on the Sunday closest to their anniversary, the couple is asked to stand during the service while Pastor Adam announces how many years they’ve been married, starting from 25 years and upwards. He then hands a gift bag containing a card and chocolates to another person who takes it to the couple. The congregation applauds, and if there are more couples, they are honored and congratulated in the same manner. May 1st was our 31st anniversary and they gave us a whole bag of Hershey’s mini candy bars variety pack. Sometimes Pastor asks the couple to give a short statement about their secret or reason their marriage has lasted. The answers range from a comical quip, usually from the man, saying something like: “Happy wife, happy life”, which usually results in everyone laughing. Other comments are more practical such as: “Never go to sleep angry at each other”, “Not every argument is worth winning”, “Love and serve your mate”, “Pray together”, “Make Jesus the center of your marriage”. Laying aside jesting, I believe all those are important and should be present in a lasting marriage. There never will be a perfect marriage, because of the sinful condition we were all born with. Nevertheless, God has and will bless every marriage that puts him in the center. One might assume that if two people who individually have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, that it would automatically translate into Him being the center of their marriage. Maybe in theory, but harder to live out on a daily basis. It often takes laying down your own will, patience, and overlooking your spouse’s faults because you have many yourself. The walk down the aisle and saying “I do” is easy, the challenges begin when the realities and trials of life smack you upside the head. However, now there are two of you to face and overcome them together. Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. (Vs 12): Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. If Jesus Christ is that third strand in your marriage cord, your chances of overcoming life’s problems and having a lasting marriage are vastly improved. You may even get to be a lifetime member of the “Chocolate Club”.

Far too many marriages are ending in divorce these days because they were built on a bad, weak, or wrong foundation. Bluntly speaking from experience: good sex doesn’t make for a great marriage, but a great God centered marriage results in good sex. My first marriage failed miserably because of a flawed foundation. Someone needs to hear this. It used to be called “shacking up” which carried a connotation of wrongful behavior, guilt, and shame. But that’s too judgmental so now it’s called cohabiting or living together, which somehow makes it more palatable and socially acceptable. Lust is not love. Make no mistake, God calls it sin and sinful behavior is always the wrong foundation to build a marriage upon. You can and should get married, which is an honorable thing to do, but you’re still building on an old foundation that will eventually crumble. Someday you’ll wake up next to that once beautiful woman or once handsome man that you thought you couldn’t live without and think, “What have I gotten myself into?” Any love that may have been there is vanished leaving only emptiness. Rather than turn to God, many opt for a dime-store divorce and move on to the next relationship. Sadly the percentage of people who call themselves Christians are increasingly falling into this category. Just because you both sit side by side in church on Sunday doesn’t mean Christ is the center of your marriage. Following your religious traditions and ceremonies is as worthless as a plunger in an outhouse, if it doesn’t bring conviction followed by repentance. Repentance, simply stated, is agreeing with God that His word the Bible is true and making the necessary changes in your life and marriage to line up with it. Amos 3:3 (NKJ) Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Living Bible Paraphrased) “For how can we walk together with your sins between us?” The correct and only answer is you can’t. You can’t change your past, so maybe the time has come for you to turn to God and agree with Him. If you walk in agreement with God, it will amaze you how often you and your spouse will agree with each other on just about everything. That’s what putting Christ at the center of your marriage looks like.

Many couples choose to opt out of traditional marriage vows and write their own vows. I’m okay with that as long as they reflect Biblical truth and values. What causes me to raise an eyebrow is when the vows are reduced to a simple contract-like agreement between what seems like two business partners. It’s almost like they write into them a provision for them to bail out if the other person doesn’t hold up their end of the deal. The last wedding we attended both my wife and I looked at each other while the couple was reciting their vows wondering where they came up with that milk toast feel good dribble. Together we prayerfully wrote our own vows according to and referencing scripture. There was no surprise on our wedding day as to what we were promising as we recited them to each other. Both our vows end with this same sentence: “With God’s help, I covenant to do and keep these promises to you, as long as we both shall live.” We don’t hear the word covenant used frequently. It implies a deeper commitment than a simple agreement or contract. A covenant says, regardless of your behavior, I will keep my word. That also is what putting Christ at the center of your marriage looks like. God is a covenant making God as seen throughout the Bible. It should be a fearful thing and not taken lightly to include God in your covenant vows, because you aren’t just making them to your mate, but also to God. I remember what my father-in-law said to me on our wedding day. He said, “ If you don’t take care of my daughter or harm her in any way, I’m coming after you!” My reply was, “I’m not afraid of you, but don’t worry, if I don’t treat her right God is coming after me and that makes me really fearful.” Even in a covenant marriage there will be times of conflict, anger, selfishness, disagreements, silence, weeping, and bad behaviors. There will be moments when you like the other person, and times when they aggravate you. Covenant is not based on “Like”, but on “Love”. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity , but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

If you were to ask me the reason our marriage has lasted so long my reply would be, “It’s really no secret, we are in covenant.” I can’t imagine loving or being married to anyone but Lucy, and my “I do” hasn’t changed in 31 years neither do I think it will in the future, as long as we both shall live. I just wish she hadn’t hidden the Hershey’s candy bars so I couldn’t have them at will. Maybe that’s why she hid them and rations them out only two at a time. She knows me so well!

It Just Died

By: Denny

I built an HO scale train layout in one room in my basement several years ago. As of this writing I have acquired 27 diesel locomotive train engines and 110 cars. I don’t have room for all of the locomotives on the layout, so a few are packed away in their original boxes. I also don’t need that many engines, and I’m in the process of selling those I’m not using. I bought many of my locomotives pretty cheap as projects, converting them from the old-style Analog/DC and upgrading them to DCC so I could run them on my layout. It’s complicated to explain, but every DCC locomotive has a small computer module called the “decoder” that receives radio type wave signals from the handheld controller. Every engine is given its own unique electronic identity called a “long  address”, which makes it possible to run multiple trains at the same time at different speeds and directions providing you have more than one main line track, which I have two. I also have 7 separate locomotive sidings where I can park them when not being used. I try to run each one on a rotating basis from time-to-time. My favorite ones are equipped with factory sound decoders and small speakers that emit realistic locomotive sounds such as engine turbos, horns, bells, squealing brakes, dispatch radio communications, and other sounds. I have a separate track hooked to a computer with a program that enables me to adjust the various sound levels, as well as speed and lighting effects. Every decoder, even those without sound must first be programmed before they can be run.

The other day I had been running #632 a Great Northern GP7 locomotive pulling a 20-car hopper train. I decided to switch engines and fired up #2524 a U28 locomotive which is sound equipped. I let it idle on a sidetrack while unhooking #632 and parked it on another siding. #2524 has great sound effects. The turbo whistled loudly as the motor revs increased. The horn blared to announce its movement in the yard while the bell rang continuously. The couplers locked as the engine hooked to the lead car. I reversed direction and pushed the button to increase the forward speed and it just died. I mean there was no sound, the lights went out, and it wouldn’t move at all. I tried resetting the decoder and reprogramming the address, but it wouldn’t respond at all. As computers sometimes do, the decoder had crashed and was fried. In other words, the locomotive was useless unless I installed a new decoder. Good sound decoders are expensive ranging from $100 upwards. An original factory replacement decoder for this U28 was no longer available, and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money installing another brand of sound decoder. For $21.00 I could install a basic non-sound decoder and the engine would be back in operation, but it’s not that simple. The old decoder first had to be removed, which was the easy part. Once the outside body was off all I had to do was unplug the 7 wired socket connections and unscrew 4 tiny screws which hold it in place. This might be boring and too technical, but stay with me because I’m leading up to a point. I ordered a new decoder which would take several days to arrive. It comes with a color coded 7-wire plug which can be removed from the decoder while installing it. I had an extra wired plug on hand, so I was able to connect the wires where they needed to go. All the wires are very tiny and needed to be cut to the right length and the ends stripped back about 1/4 inch by removing the plastic outside sheathing from the wires, which is easily done with fingernails. Every connection had to be soldered and covered with heat shrink tubing. I also replaced the old lights with new brighter LED’s requiring soldering in tiny resistors. With everything in place and wired correctly, when the new decoder arrived the only thing I would have to do is plug it in, program the decoder, and power up the locomotive,  giving new life to an engine that just died.

New decoder

Old decoder before removal

New decoder installed

 Ephesians 2:1 “And you he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Here is my point: We all are like that dead engine on life’s railroad. As a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin entered the soul of mankind and we just died spiritually. We were condemned to a hopeless eternity separated from God. Our decoders and relationship with God had crashed and fried. We needed a new decoder. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus is that new decoder that can make you spiritually alive again. You only need to believe and receive him. Allow God to do a complete heart change by removing the old dead decoder that separates you from him. There are things in your life that need to be stripped away and laid open much like a wire so you can be soldered to him. He will give you new lights that shine brightly. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.” Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in  Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Wouldn’t you rather be doing and being what God created you for, than sitting on some abandoned railroad siding of life rusting away with no life, no hope, no joy, no peace, and no useful eternal purpose. You can if you surrender your life to Jesus and allow him to bring you new life. Jesus is the decoder, and the Holy Spirit interprets and opens your heart to receive the signal God is sending to you, through his word the Bible. Even though you may have a new decoder, namely Jesus, you still need to be reprogrammed with a new identity. Revelation 2:17b “And I will give him a white stone, and on this stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Jesus is coming back again, and it may be sooner than we think. The train of opportunity to accept Christ as your savior is waiting at the station and the Holy Spirit is calling “All Aboard!” Once Jesus returns the train will pull out and never return. Will today be the day you get on board? What are you waiting for? The fare was paid for you by Jesus at the cross of Calvary.

The Declassifying of Morality

By: Denny

I was listening to American Family Radio based in Tupelo, Ms. on my way home from running some errands the other day. It is a Christian station, and they give the news you won’t hear from the slanted, biased, one bubble off level, secular left media. It seems that there is a proposal by the New York State legislature to make adultery legal. I suppose I should have been shocked, but nothing these Woke puppets manipulated by unseen evil powers surprises me anymore. It’s just one more attack on the family and traditional moral values, but isn’t that what they always do. They declassify and rename sinful behaviors and make them legal to appease a godless society that has left the path of decency, having no common sense or the conscience to discern good from evil, right from wrong, and moral from immoral. The only reason they would want to make adultery legal is to open the door wider so those already engaged in it can do so freely without consequences, just like they did with marijuana, abortion, gay marriage, and a host of other things. Aren’t there enough broken families and lives already without creating more? I guess not. It’s the same strategy out of the same old playbook they’ve used forever. They write and pass laws to promote their agendas, and do the same against those who disagree and oppose them. How dare we speak out against their lawless deeds. Why, we’re just a bunch of self-righteous, bigoted morons engaging in hate speech, so they write hate speech laws to silence us. If they can’t pass their laws through the legislative process, no problem, they just issue an executive order, get some liberal judge to rule in their favor, or weaponize the FBI or IRS to come after you. They think nothing of ignoring or enforcing existing laws they don’t like. We are currently being invaded by millions of free-loading illegal aliens breaking our laws by crossing our borders expecting us to foot the bill and support them. Oh, excuse me, I misspoke, they have now been declassified as emigrants. I thought emigrants had to have passports. We aren’t stupid, changing the language doesn’t change the reality.

There is a reason God said, “You shall not”, because he knows the sinfulness of the human condition and the propensity of people to follow the destructive depths of depravity. Somehow, these deceived elite have become so enlightened that they know what’s better for us than our creator. In their minds, God’s moral standards have become archaic and out of touch, so let’s just rename and declassify them. They call abortion “women’s health”, and murder “choice”. God says that the LGBTQ lifestyle is an abomination to him (Lev. 18:22), but it has now been declassified as normal and even desirable. Parents, you don’t have a right to know if your kid wants a sex change, because the liberals say so. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to speak freely. Even that basic right has been declassified from “stand up and speak up” to “shut up and sit down”. This so-called separation of church and state mantra has been used to silence many churches and individuals who stand for truth and morality. Far too many churches have succumbed to their rhetoric and political duress allowing their misguided and immoral values to infiltrate and define them, instead of following the truth in God’s word the Bible. It seems that they can dictate the rules of and desecrate our playground, but don’t you even think about setting foot on their terf, lest they release their minions to beat you up in a court of law.

Genesis 6:5-6 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart.

Can you imagine God being sorry and grieved that he made mankind? It seems to me that we are on a fast track of once again becoming like that generation which He destroyed by a flood. Grieving over sin is a lost and foreign concept these days. Ask someone to define the word “blush” and they might tell you it’s the makeup a man puts on before he dresses himself as a woman and proudly parades himself in public. Mine and previous generations could not have imagined we’d live to see what America has become. If you can change the language, then you can change the law. If you can change the law, then you can declassify morality. If you can declassify morality, then you can destroy a nation. Do what you will, but the moral Laws of God will stand unchanged for eternity. You may have heard the expression, “Things could be worse”. I find little comfort or consolation in that, knowing that they inevitably will be given our current administration. If you have a Bible, take a moment to read 2 Timothy 3:1-5 which parallels with Romans 1:28-32 as follows:

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Donald Trump often comes off as being sarcastic, blunt, and harsh. He isn’t known for his eloquent speaking, and he cuts through all the rhetoric without mincing words and gets to the heart of the issues. You either like him or hate him, as so many of his opponents on the left do. Nevertheless, whether or not you like him as a person, it is undeniable that we were a better nation under his policies as President than we are today. Trump made this statement at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) International Christian Media Convention in Nashville. “How any Christian can vote for a Democrat, Christian or person of faith, how you can vote for a Democrat is crazy. It’s crazy.” Boy did that ruffle some feathers, and of course the media instantly jumped on that coming back with a bunch of reasons why if you’re a Christian, you can’t vote for Trump. However, none of those were based on his policies, but focused solely on his personal faults and failures. As Jesus said to those who brought to Him the woman caught in adultery (John 8:7 -which their law said she must be stoned to death), “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  Isn’t it ironic that all of a sudden, the ungodly on the left can quote scripture and lecture us as to what defines a Christian. I suppose if we were electing a National Pastor (which we aren’t) nobody could fit that mold, including our current president and all those who came before. Adultery is no greater sin than lying. Think about this: Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Are you paying more for food, gas, services, taxes, tuition, utilities, rent, interest? Are you living a more limited lifestyle and not able to put away some savings? Who is forcing you to accept all this Woke nonsense? Who is taking away your rights as a parent to raise your kids the way you see fit? Who opened the flood gate of our borders? Who has depleted our military and police putting at risk our national security? Who lied about Covid and executed mandates which limited your freedoms to live a normal life? Who has shut down businesses and cost thousands of lost jobs in the name of climate change? Which political party spends money that we don’t have and has raised the national debt into the trillions with no end in sight? Who has cried wolf so many times about the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund, all the while having their hand in the till? Who always presents an overloaded unrealistic national budget at the 11th hour before a government shutdown, forcing the acceptance of it? Who is in bed with China and allows them to buy up our land? Are you prepared to spend twice as much on an electric car that you don’t want and will only get you 300 miles? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the America your kids and grandkids will live in? If you don’t know the answers to these and many other questions, you aren’t paying attention, but I think you’re smarter than that.

Scroll back up and read the verses in Romans again. Which political party’s agenda most closely aligns itself and even defends and approves of those who practice such things? Draw your own conclusions. One could also conclude that if you vote for them, you also approve by association. Will we be remembered as the generation that turned things around and stopped the Declassifying of Morality, or continued to accept it as the new normal.

Passing Off The Baton

By: Denny

No doubt we’ve all seen running relay races. There are 4 runners on a team competing against other teams. The race is run on an oval track in 4 stages called legs with each runner traversing the same distance, which is usually one lap. The first runner starts off running the first lap carrying the baton. The baton is a short stick-like object which they must carry the whole distance around the track and pass it off to the next runner, who will be  waiting to receive it before they can begin their leg of the race. The transition, passing off the baton, is critical and the timing must be perfect and without a hitch. The way this is accomplished is as the runner carrying the baton approaches the end of their leg, the next runner starts running beside them to match their speed. Without looking back they run with their receiving arm behind them and an open hand. The runner passing the baton places it in their hand and releases it as the next runner simultaneously grabs it and takes off on the next leg. The process is repeated with each successive runner. The last runner finishes the race for the team. The coach has a strategy as to what runners they position in each of  the 4 legs. They would put the runner who has the ability to get out in the lead quickly, to start the race. The two middle runners must have the stamina to continue and even increase their pace. The last runner must likewise pace themselves reserving enough energy to pour it on towards the finish in order to win the race. I don’t claim to be an expert and know all the rules of relay races, but I’m able to make some general observations. The baton, though just a stick, represents the team as a whole. Each member of the team is responsible for carrying it while it is in their possession. It doesn’t belong to just one person who runs the entire race by themselves. Once the race starts, they don’t lollygag around the track. They run with focused purpose. There is a time for releasing it and a time to grab the baton. The start/finish line marks that spot during the race where it must be passed. The runner isn’t supposed to keep the baton beyond their appointed leg. Once passed, the race is over for that runner, and they cheer on the next runner. The baton must not be dropped while carrying it or during the transitioning from one runner to the next. To do so could cost precious time, causing the team to lose the race. If a runner does drop it, they quickly pick it up and get back in the race. They don’t quit and walk off the track. To do so would deprive the other remaining runners of their opportunity to do their part and would nullify the efforts made by the previous runners. The other team members don’t criticize them either, realizing it could happen to them also. Though encouraged by the fans in the bleachers, a runner’s motivation isn’t to please them, but only to do their part for the team and the satisfaction of knowing they have given their best.

Our pastors, Will and Joyce, having given their best, passed the baton last Sunday to the next runner, Assistant Pastors Adam and Katie. Will and Joyce didn’t start the church, but have been running faithfully for the last 35 years carrying the baton that was placed in their hands. They knew their leg of the race was coming to an end and expressed it many times in previous years. Every pastor has been given their own specific calling with the corresponding anointing to fulfill it. Some pastors may start a church, some pastors bring growth and increase, while others run with a burst of energy in their leg. That burst of energy usually involves and requires a change of pace, which can be uncomfortable for some in the congregation. Pastor Adam has been running alongside and keeping pace with Will for the last few years, so when it became his time for the baton to be placed in his hand, he was prepared and ready to grab and run with “It” (IT being the church). I have never witnessed a smoother transition of leadership passing the baton than what took place in our church. On Saturday, two receptions, one public and one by invitation, were given for Will and Joyce on their passing off the baton. It was a time of rejoicing and yet sorrow as tears were shed on both accounts. There was nary a dry eye in the Sunday service as Will preached and said goodbye. They think or say they are retiring, which in a sense they are. They are no longer pastors. As true followers of Christ, do any of us really retire. Oh, we may leave a job we’ve had for years, but in our serving the Lord we move from one phase to the next, releasing one and picking up the next baton he places in our hand. We are wise to recognize when one phase ends and another begins, Will and Joyce have done that. During our lives of serving Jesus and His Church, we may receive or pass on several batons, while running on different tracks, different races, different paces, with different teammates. One of the most touching moments for me was when Will stood before the congregation and told us that he no longer was to be called Pastor Will, but simply friend. Jesus told his disciples (John 15:15) “I now call you friend.” To me that expresses a closer relationship beyond Master or Pastor. Going a step further, Will pointed to Adam and Katie saying, “These two are your pastors now, and you will address them as Pastor Adam and Katie.” He called everyone there to hold him accountable for ever meddling in the church going forward, which he promised never, never, never to do. He also gave a strict exhortation to those who would come to him with any criticism or complaint against the church or the new pastors, whether right or wrong, he didn’t want to hear about it and would always side with Pastors Adam and Katie. Talk about a clean baton pass and release not many other pastors would be willing to do, thereby proving himself to be the man of integrity we’ve known him to be, and who we love and respect.

In my lifetime I have received and passed some batons, but none in a running relay race. If you have read any of my previous blog writings, you know that I have retired from a 50-year career of truck driving. My father was a truck driver and together we were a two-man team for two years when I first started. He passed on to me the baton of his years of knowledge and experience in driving and released me to run with it on my own, which I did. Sadly, I wasn’t able to pass it on to my two sons because trucking wasn’t their thing, and that’s okay. However, they were raised in the instruction and fear of God founded on Biblical truths. That was the baton I passed on to them. Nobody can literally pass their own personal faith baton to another. We can point them in the right direction, but each person must discover, and come to their own faith, and run with it. My wife and I were called to and did Children’s Church for many years and carried that baton with us to the churches we attended. We came to a point that we recognized that both our age and methods were obstacles that hindered us from reaching a generation raised in a digital world. We had to release and pass the baton to those who God was calling to grab and run with it, and get out of the way. One of the things that causes a church to remain static and hinders it from moving forward, is when someone claims possession and ownership of a ministry, position, or function that they’ve held forever. Just as tragic is when people try to grab a baton that hasn’t been extended to them, and which they aren’t called and/or qualified to receive. The Bible records a few such instances as examples for us.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were Levites. God had appointed the Levites alone to carry the Ark of the Covenant and do the work of the tabernacle. Similarly, Aaron and his sons were appointed by God to minister exclusively as priests before the Lord in offering sacrifices in the Holy Place. Korah and his buddies rebelled against Moses and his authority presuming they could also be priests. They were trying to grab a baton that was not meant for them, and the earth opened up and swallowed them, their families, and all their belongings alive and they perished. (Numbers 16) God handed the baton to Moses choosing him to deliver His people from their bondage in Egypt. Joshua ran alongside Moses and received the baton to lead them into the promised land.  God stripped the baton from King Saul because he was not faithful in carrying it, and gave it to David who was. Even though David dropped the baton several times, he picked it up and got back in the race. The Apostle Paul, in writing 2 Timothy, states that the leg of the race he has run is near completion and he exhorts and encourages Timothy to get ready to receive the baton from him. Jesus knew that the purpose He was sent on earth to accomplish was nearing fulfillment. He had hand-picked the twelve who ran alongside Him, and now eleven would be receiving the baton. Judas disqualified himself and left the race through his betrayal of Jesus. It is God’s desire that the baton be passed smoothly and not dropped, whether it comes directly from Him or passed from one person to another person. May we never become baton twirlers who do all kinds of acrobatics playing with their batons out in front and drawing attention to themselves as if leading a parade. Neither should we be like a maestro who conducts and directs an orchestra with his baton, controlling every movement and never letting go of it. Let us be found to be good stewards of what He’s handed us and run our leg of the race with all diligence, receiving the prize that awaits all who do. For some, and you know who you are, it may be time for you to stop being just a fan in the bleachers and get in the race. God has a leg for you to run and baton for you to carry, but it begins with you getting up to speed and running alongside Him. Perhaps you’ve dropped the baton so many times, and the devil is telling you to just leave the race. Not only is he shouting that you’re not good enough, but he criticizes and accuses you before God. The reply to him from God is the same as what Will said, “I don’t even want to hear about it!” It’s encouraging to know that our Father always sides with His children. Are you His? Remember this, It’s not so important that we finish first, but that we finish right. Are you right, with God? Don’t linger, because this could be one thing you will regret later if you drop the baton of opportunity He’s extending to you today.

Searching For Significance

By: Denny

I do not have a degree in Psychology or anything else, nor have I read any books on child development. I’m not a so-called expert on this subject as so many are or claim to be. I’m just an old, road-weary, worn-down, retired truck driver expressing my thoughts on what I have observed and experienced in my life of 71 years. I believe there is a God-placed longing and desire in the soul of every person that their life matters and counts for something, and it begins when we are born. Granted, a baby knows nothing of the elusive search for significance nor can they. They only cry when hungry and need their diaper changed, but the most important need they have is to know they are loved and accepted. Those first few formative bonding years establishes the foundation that will determine where their search for significance will take them. They must first be rooted and grounded firmly in that their significance is found in who they are and not what they can do or what others say or think of them. The three greatest things a parent can give their children is their love, acceptance, and approval. If the parents don’t give it, the kids will find it elsewhere. Sadly, their search for significance may lead them down the wrong path. Far too many parents these days fail miserably from the very beginning. They neglect their responsibility and assume that without Godly moral guidance the kid will find their proper significance on their own. In other words, they don’t want to interfere but just want to be their friend and let them be and do whatever they want to. Worse yet is when they allow others, who are so mixed up in who they are, to input their values into their children. Parents must actively affirm early on that their boys are boys, and their girls are girls. If in doubt, check their plumbing again, but don’t allow them or anyone else to change it. If kids were more confident and secure in who they are, we wouldn’t have or be dealing with all this sexual gender identity crisis and nonsense going on today. Thanks to public schools, our government, and news media, we are forced to accept the lies they are promoting, approving, and propagating. However, you can’t make us all believe or bow down to your twisted idyllic agenda. The following is an excerpt from a previous post I wrote entitled: School Can Be Cruel – Kids learn quickly where they fit in and often experience teasing, bullying, and rejection for the first time. This can have a devastating effect. Kids will single out others who may not be athletic, dress differently, have a learning or physical special need, any number of differences in appearance, social status, or personalities. That’s when clicks begin to form. It’s hurtful when no one wants you on their team or you’re always the last one chosen. As if rejection wasn’t bad enough, they usually attach a label to you to go along with it that can possibly follow you through high school and beyond. Is it any wonder then that teen suicide and school shootings are on the increase as a result of kids feeling insignificant, that no one cares, and their lives don’t matter. Their misguided and often unguided search for significance has led many to a literal “Dead End”, and with parents waking up to the fact that they didn’t have a clue what was going on in their own kid’s lives.

Acceptance + Approval = Significance. Wherever and from whoever it comes from absolutely matters, be it from good or bad influences. Young person and teenager; if your acceptance and approval comes from the friends you hang with, the way you look and dress, how popular you are and the number of likes and followers you have on Facebook, Instagram or other social media, how tough and cool you look with that cigarette or vape in your hand, or the foul language that comes out of your mouth; then your search for significance will end in disappointment. Likewise, many adults find and base their significance in a job, accumulating wealth and possessions, a certain social status, a relationship, hobbies, their talents, and a host of other things they can do. Everyone enjoys being noticed and likes to hear and be given an “Atta-a-Boy” pat on the back, but that shouldn’t be the fuel that determines and drives your significance. That is a trap that so many people can be and are unknowingly caught and ensnared by. I should know, because lately I’ve given place to those thoughts.

I began my writing in 1985 starting with poems and  plays for church. I’ve written and preached numerous sermons. My wife and I often wrote our own material for children’s church which we did every Sunday for years. In 2014 I felt the Lord impressed me to start a blog and post my writings and thoughts online. It is my way of presenting the Gospel and Biblical truths that I have experienced in a way that people could relate to in their daily living. I named it, The Straight and Narrow Highway – Discovering Jesus in Everyday Life. I posted one blog that year and got twenty-six views and only one “Like” (from my daughter-in-law). For the next five years I wrote sporadically and only published eight blogs and received no “Likes”. In 2020 I wrote seven blogs, but it wasn’t until I retired in 2021 that I poured myself into what I felt God was calling me to do. To date I have written seventy-seven blog posts not including this one, and 2,792 people from 30 nations have visited my website with 4,380 views which have garnered only 38 all-time “Likes” and 5 comments. In hopes of expanding my audience and exposure, I started a Facebook page on a trial basis. I had hoped that more people would hear the Gospel message as I posted my writings, and as my so-called Facebook friends would share them. The results were dismal with few who even “Shared” or “Liked”. I deleted my Facebook after one year. I got tired of seeing all the insignificant stupid things people shared and liked. I added a “Subscribe To” option on my website where people could receive via e-mail my new posts as I published them. Eighteen people have signed up so far, and I say thank you to them. Lately, I have questioned whether my writings have had any significant impact on those who read my blogs, especially when I see other bloggers who have millions of followers and likes. I’ve honestly questioned myself wondering if I’m doing something wrong or perhaps people just aren’t interested in what I have to say. I’m sensing the trap of insignificance wanting to ensnare me, but I won’t let it.

I was born-again on September 30th, 1983, as a result of accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, and I surrendered my life to him. As my Lord, he now owns me, and whatever significance small or great I may have once had doesn’t even compare to the significance I’ve found in knowing him personally. My significance isn’t based on what I can do, but who I am. I am a child of God. Jeremiah 9: 23 to 24a, Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me. As true children of God one way we know that He is our Father is when He takes us to the woodshed for a needed attitude adjustment (Heb 12:6-8). As a result of Him doing so, it has motivated me to write this particular blog and share what the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I believe there is a lesson to be heard and learned by all of us, especially those who claim Jesus as their Lord, no matter what your ministry or calling is.

If you indeed believe that I am your Lord, and that I have gifted and called you to write, why do you seek the approval of others. Is not my acceptance and approval enough? If you write what I give you, what does it matter what others think or like? Do you now desire the praise of men above my praise? All I require is that you faithfully obey and allow me to direct those to the website who need to hear my words. I am not concerned with numbers, but only with changed hearts and lives. Plant seeds and leave the gathering of fruit to me and to those I’ve called to that purpose.

As I meditate on those words, I think firstly about Jesus. He was secure in knowing He was the Son of God. He didn’t need the affirmation, acceptance, or approval of men to give Him significance. He knew what His purpose was and fulfilled it. At the age of twelve His parents had gone to Jerusalem with others to celebrate the Passover Feast. Upon leaving they had gone a day’s journey when they realized Jesus wasn’t with the group. Returning to Jerusalem they found Him after three days, teaching in the temple. Questioning Him He replied, ”Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) Many times the religious leaders confronted Him challenging His identity, but He didn’t waver, being confident in who He was and where He came from. Some secretly believed, but did not confess Him openly, being fearful of being put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praises of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:43) I also think of the Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament being in prison or house arrest by the Romans. And what of Peter, James, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John who was exiled to the island of Patmos. I’m sure they didn’t write to see how many “Likes” they could get, nor could they even fathom that what they wrote would affect people centuries later even to this day. They all fulfilled their purpose having first found their significance in Jesus Christ. How is your searching for significance going? Will you find both it and your purpose in Jesus? In the final analysis when everything is said and done and your life comes to an end, nothing else will matter.

Lost or Misplaced

By: Denny

The conversation goes something like this: “I lost my ______, have you seen it?” The reply usually comes in the very helpful and deeply thought-out answer, “Where did you have it last?” or “It’s probably right where you left it.” You then replay the video in your mind trying to retrace your steps and deduce where it could be. If that fails, then you end up tearing the house apart frantically searching everywhere. It’s ironically amusing when you discover things that were previously lost, and you couldn’t find before. You think, “Now how did that get here.” Even more frustrating is when you can’t find something you were just using. It could be a tool, a pen, kitchen utensil, or anything you had in your hand a minute ago. Those things aren’t lost, they are simply misplaced and usually end up being in plain sight. My wife gets mildly aggravated when I empty the dishwasher and put stuff away. I’m getting better, but sometimes I put something in the wrong place not knowing where it’s supposed to go, so I think like a man and guess. Not a good idea. Inevitably she will be in the middle of cooking and needing a certain item and can’t find it. If I remember where I put it, I retrieve it, then she shows me where it belongs. Not lost, just misplaced.

“A place for everything and everything in its place.” Many of life’s problems could and would be solved or made a whole lot easier by following that simple rule. That applies not only to physical objects, but equally and possibly more importantly to other things, such as trust. Trust: assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something: to place confidence, depend on, hope in, to commit or place in one’s care or keeping. Nearly every commercial you see on TV is designed to gain your trust in their product or service. You put your money in a bank or trust fund because you trust it will be safe. Take a moment to reflect on the physical objects that you put your trust in on a daily basis. What do you do when you no longer trust them, or they have lost their integrity to fulfill their intended purpose? That thing you purchased trusting it would do what you expected was a piece of junk that you ended up returning or discarding. The size, value, and importance of the item determines if it’s a big deal or not. You’re probably not likely to buy another car from a dealer who sold you a lemon, or rehire a contractor who did poor work. You wouldn’t let someone borrow your things if they have a history of not returning them. Simply put, you no longer trust them, but they are the ones who lost your trust, not you. It’s very difficult to recover trust once it is lost. As the saying goes, “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.” To trust someone after that trust has been lost is misplaced trust on your part. However, lost trust can be redeemed, but trust has a high price to regain it. The flip side of that coin is that you never give the other person a chance to regain that trust, it’s easier to just write them off and discard them like a bad product.

Speaking of coins, the words IN GOD WE TRUST are stamped or printed on all of our currency, but do we really trust God, or has it simply become a cliche. Many people say they trust God, but write Him off when trials come, or He doesn’t do what they think He should or give them what they want when they want it. The very Word of God itself separates those who trust Him from those who don’t, when it becomes hard for them to accept and obey. So if you don’t trust God, who do you trust? Many have misplaced their trust in themselves, other people, material possessions, political and social causes, or other  things that are unreliable and will eventually fail. The Bible has much to say about who and what we should trust in. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 28: 25b-26a He who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall. Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. This year of 2024 is an election year. We will be electing leaders who we trust will honor and defend the Constitution and uphold our laws, not pandering to special interest groups. Our nation is a mess because we have misplaced our trust in many past leaders with their own agendas. They have lost any integrity they ever had, and now, we are reaping the consequences. We have thumbed our noses at God, and resorted to electing officials expecting them to solve our problems, but they have continued to mislead and lie for their own benefit, profit, and power. Yet in ignorance, codependent people are stuck in the cycle of voting for them time after time expecting things to get better, but they haven’t, and they won’t. So, before you enter the voting booth ask yourself: Based on past performance, do I have assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of this person? Can I be confident, depend on, hope in, commit, or place into the care and keeping, my trust in the person I am voting for. The choices we make and the people we trust is going to determine what kind of future we and our posterity will have, and the future will tell if trust will be lost or has been misplaced.

Speaking of the future, where will you spend eternity? There are only two options: Heaven or Hell. Guess which one requires trust to enter and which one doesn’t. Very good, you all said Heaven. Hell requires no effort to enter, but requires trust to avoid or escape from. The Bible says that all of mankind past, present, and future fell out of fellowship with God the moment sin entered the world through Adam. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin displaced mankind from God’s presence sentencing us to spend an eternal condemnation in Hell. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death. Sin demands payment, but sinful man cannot redeem himself, he needs a savior. Enter God’s wonderful plan to save us Himself through His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus took our sin to the cross where He died in our place, and God wiped out our debt marking it paid in full. This is the love of God. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. We love that part and can quote it verbatim, but how many know what verse 18 says; He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The key word is believed. The Bible records several instances where Jesus was casting out demons and they cried out, “We know who you are, you are the Christ, the Holy Son of God!” Likewise in Acts 19:14-15 there were seven sons of a chief priest who presumed to cast out a demon using the name of Jesus, whereupon the demon answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” The man with the demon then beat the tar out of them. So you see, believing involves more than just reciting His name or a mental acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God, because even the demons know that. To escape the path of Hell and condemnation a person must put their total trust (as defined earlier) in Jesus Christ to save them. Anything less than that is misplaced trust and won’t get you into God’s heaven. Jesus came down hard on the religious Pharisees because of their hypocrisies and self-serving religious traditions. They appeared so pious externally, but Jesus called them a brood of vipers saying, “How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” The key ingredient to believing is trust, and trust must be based upon truth, and truth is the Word of God, not your misguided opinions, religious ceremonies, or even good works.

Jeremiah was a prophet who was sent by God to deliver His message of judgment upon and to a rebellious nation who had turned away from God, much like the United States has today. The corruption has even infiltrated the church and religious leaders. Jeremiah 7:8-11 (The Amplified Bible) Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot benefit – so that you do not profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then dare to come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, [by the discharge of this religious formality] we are set free! – only to go on with this wickedness and these abominations? Has this house which is called by My name become a den of robbers in your eyes [a place of retreat for you between acts of violence]? Behold, I Myself have seen it, says the Lord. We may not literally burn incense to Baal, but that doesn’t excuse us, because we have sacrificed millions of babies on the altar of abortion. As far as other gods, it can be any object, cause, job, relationship, hobby, social media, political agenda, or anything else that becomes an idol and consumes all our time and takes the place of God.

I often wonder how much further down the slippery slope of moral depravity and self-destruction we have to go before God says it is enough and comes back for His church; those who truly trust and believe. On the other hand, I know there are so many who have yet to come to faith in Christ and trust Him as their Savior. We, as believers, have the wonderful privilege and responsibility to proclaim the good news of the gospel to them. God has placed His trust in us to do our part. He never misplaces anything, so let us not lose it for Him either.

The Secret Place

By: Denny

I was sorting through some old files the other day and came across this writing that was given to me in the mid 1980’s. I do not know the author as it was listed as anonymous. It was written by a person who was given this vision by the Lord. Though it was given some thirty-five years ago, I believe the message is timely and just as relevant or even more so for us today. It was originally titled The Harness of the Lord.

     On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in gold and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by 6 large chestnut horses; two in the lead, two in the middle, and two in the rear. They were not moving, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage lying on his back on the ground just behind the last two horses’ heels. He was working on something between the front wheels on the carriage. I thought, “My, he is in a dangerous place, because if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him. On the other hand, if they were spooked and ran forward the carriage would run right over him.” He didn’t seem to be afraid for he knew that the horses were disciplined and would not move until he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet, the bells were not tinkling, and the pom-poms on their heads were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of their Master.

     As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the field. They approached the carriage and seemed to say to the other horses, “Come play with us. We have many fine games. We will race with you. Come catch us!” With that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. When they looked back, they saw the horses were not following them, and they were puzzled. They knew nothing of the harness, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play, so they called to them. “Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have the strength to run? You are much too solemn. You need more joy in life.” The horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads, but they stood quiet and still, waiting for the voice of their Master. Again the colts called to them, “Why do you stand in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is. You must be hungry, come and feed with us. It is so green and good. You look thirsty, come and drink from one of our many streams of cool clear water.” The horses answered them not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the Master.

     Then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts. They were led off to the Master’s corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the green fields disappeared and they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, but found they were confined to this place of training. Next, the trainer began to work on them with his whip and bridle. It seemed like death for they had all their lives been accustomed to so much freedom. They could not understand the reason for this torture and terrible discipline. What crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to discipline, finished their training, and learned to perfectly obey the Master. All they knew was that his processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

     One of the colts rebelled under training and said, “This is not for me I like my freedom, my green hills, and my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training.” So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. I was astonished that the Master let him go, and didn’t go after him, but devoted his attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. The training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of his voice. And I saw that had there been no training or testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. In the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, but when brought to the place of testing, training, and discipline; then was made manifest the obedience of the one and the rebellion of the other. Though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline, because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of the Master’s glory. Finally this period of training was over for the second colt. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no! A greater confinement than ever now took place as a harness was dropped about his shoulders. Now he found that there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral. In the harness, he could only move where his Master spoke, and until the Master spoke, he stood still.

     The scene changed and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill nibbling at some grass, when across the fields and down the road came the Master’s carriage drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master’s stable. The colt saw the pom-poms shaking in the wind, and noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother. He heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet, and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself, “Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet and pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling his carriage, nor put about me the gold harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?” By the Holy Spirit, the answer came back to me as I watched. “Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled; thus one has been chosen and the other set aside.”

     Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown, and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt and I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature as he ran here and there across the fields, looking for fresh streams and green pastures, but finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to eat to satisfy his hunger, but there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be found. One day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs wondering where to go to find food, and how to get strength to go. It seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly, he saw the Master’s carriage coming down the road pulled by 6 great horses. Again, he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful from much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out, “My brother, where do you find food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me please, for I must know!” The answer came back from his brother with a voice filled with victory and praise, “In my Master’s house there is a secret place in the confining limitation of his stables where he feeds me by his own hand. His granaries never run empty and his well never runs dry.”

   Thus the vision ended, and the Lord made me to know that people will be weak and famished in their spirits, because of the spiritual famine. However, those who have lost their own will and have come into the secret place of the Most High, and into the utter confinement of his perfect will, shall have plenty of “Corn of Heaven”, and a never-ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. “So do not faint Saints of God, for it is the Lord that brings you into confinement, and not your enemy. It is for your good and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He has counted you worthy to share in His glory! Do not fear His rod for it is not to punish you, but to correct and train you that you would come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that hour. Rejoice in your trials and in all your tribulations. Glory in His cross and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He has chosen you and has taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping you strong and well fed. Lean on Him and trust not in your own ability and understanding, so you will be fed. His hand will be upon you and His glory will overshadow you, and will flow through you as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord! He is wonderful! Let Him be your Master and Lord and do not complain about that which He brings to pass in your life.”

Matthew 20:16 Jesus says, “For many are called, but few chosen.”  This is hard to understand. In the vision both young colts were called by the Master. However, the one fled and the other stayed. Later, it seemed unfair to the rebellious colt that his brother was chosen to pull the Master’s carriage. God does not play favorites, so one could conclude that “being chosen” is in direct relationship to you laying down your own will in submission and surrender to His. Which will you choose to be, one of the Many or Few? Make your choice today while the Lord is still calling, because when the hard times come, you will be well fed in The Secret Place.

The Old Fiddle

By: Denny

We have a daily 4” x 5” inch devotional flip calendar on our table that we read while having breakfast. It is by Billy Graham and each day contains a short inspirational message and a thought to meditate on. January 1st was about an old sheep herder who lived alone out West tending his sheep. He had an old fiddle which was out of tune, and he had no way of tuning it. He had the idea to write to a radio station and asked them to play the tone of A440 at a certain hour on a certain day. They granted his request and once he had the A string tuned, he could octave tune the other strings from it. I know firsthand how the old man felt. It is frustrating to not be able to play a fiddle when it is not tuned properly. My great grandpa played the fiddle. He passed it on to my grandpa, who stored it away on a closet shelf where it sat for years. When grandpa died, my dad found it and offered it to anyone of us kids who wanted it and would learn to play it. I always liked to listen to fiddle music, so I took it. It was a mess! The strings were broken, the neck was loose, the back had separated in places, the bridge was gone, and the bow needed to be rehaired. It looked hopeless that it would ever play again, but I was willing to give it a chance. I took it to a music store which did repairs and asked them to do what they could to make it playable. They said they would do their best, but weren’t promising anything. Several weeks later they called and said it was finished and I could pick it up. I was amazed and impressed that it looked so good, but how would it sound? I bought a beginner’s book on playing the fiddle and was determined to find out. I could read music as a result of playing the clarinet in grade school, but this was a whole different instrument. Without frets it was a challenge and a learning experience to know the finger positions, notwithstanding how to run the bow across the strings with the right amount of pressure so it didn’t sound like a catfight. I was persistent and determined and with much practice was able to eke out a simple fiddle tune. That was 45 years ago. I gradually got better with the help of some lessons I took from another fiddler. Needless to say, I never hit the big time or moved to Nashville. I just always enjoyed playing my great grandpa’s fiddle and making it sing again after all those years of wasting away in the closet. For me it is difficult to get the strings in tune with each other and at the right pitch. A fiddle doesn’t need to be tuned to perfect A440 in order to play it. If you don’t have a tuner, you can set the A string to where you want it, then octave tune the other strings based on it. It’s called tuning the fiddle to itself. It works fine if all you do is play alone, but you need to retune it to the A440 standard in order to play with other instruments. A few years back I had surgery on my left hand and great grandpa’s fiddle has been sitting idle. My hand recovered and is doing fine. I guess I lost interest, and as it happens, other things took precedence. Over time I have acquired three other fiddles, one of which has a built-in electric pickup and was custom built and handcrafted by Sam Forbes, a neighbor who himself was a master fiddler and had a collection of over 50. All four now hang on display in our living room along with a framed picture of the words to the song.

   Great Grandpa’s fiddle is on the far left

  The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Well it was battered and scared, And the auctioneer felt it was hardly worth his while, To waste much time on the old violin but he held it up with a smile, Well it sure aint much but it’s all we got left I guess we ought to sell it too, Oh, now who’ll start the bid on this old violin? Just one more and we’ll be through.

And then he cried, “One give me one dollar who’ll make it two? Only two dollars, who’ll make it three? Three dollars twice, now that’s a good price, but who’s got a bid for me? Raise up your hand and don’t wait any longer, the auction’s about to end. Who’s got four, just one dollar more, to bid on this old violin?”

Well the air was hot, and the people stood around as the sun was setting low. From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man came forward, picked up the bow. He wiped the dust from the old violin, and he tightened up the strings. Then he played out a melody pure and sweet, sweet as the angels sing. And then the music stopped, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, he said, “What is my bid for this old violin?”, then he held it up with the bow.

And then he cried out, “One give me one thousand, who’ll make it two? Only two thousand, who’ll make it three? Three thousand twice, now that’s a good price, but who’s got a bid for me?” The people called out, “What made the change? We don’t understand.” Then the auctioneer stopped, and he said with a smile, “It was the touch of the master’s hand.”

Now you know many a man with his life out of tune is battered and scarred with sin, and he’s auctioned cheap to a thankless world, much like the old violin. Then the Master comes, and the foolish crowd, they never understand the worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought just by the touch of the Master’s hand.

Again he cried out, “One give me one thousand, who’ll make it two? Only two thousand, who’ll make it three? Three thousand twice, now that’s a good price, but who’s got a bid for me?” The people called out, “What made the change? We don’t understand.” Then the auctioneer stopped, and he said with a smile, “It was the touch of the master’s hand.” “It was the touch of the master’s hand. It was the touch of the master’s hand.”

I once asked Sam what the difference was between a violin and a fiddle. He said they are the same instrument except that a fiddle will have steel strings while a violin used in an orchestra will have gut strings. The bridge is also lower and less rounded at the top so it’s easier to play two strings together, which gives the fiddle its unique country sound. He also said a fiddle is made to play fiddle music. By comparison we are made in the image of God so that we can have relationship with him. Sin has left us battered, scarred, and broken with pieces missing much like the old fiddle. We needed a complete restoration, which Jesus accomplished when He took our sin upon himself and was nailed to the cross dying in our place. He rose from the dead so that we could be whole again and have His resurrected life dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many are those who are sold cheap by sin and remain in the darkness of the closet. They need to be rescued by hearing the good news of the gospel and be restored in the truth that God loves them, and they are useful when touched by His hand. Others are like the fiddle tuned to itself. They have tuned their lives to what they want, and that which sounds and feels good according to their own standards. They live and play for their enjoyment only. They cannot have fellowship with God because they aren’t in tune with His perfect A440 standard, His word. They are much like the sheep herder who needed to hear the A440 tune. But how will they hear it? Christian, you are called to sound it out. Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! If you’ve heard it and you know it, then proclaim it. There are many who need to hear what you have heard and know what you know. You could be the very instrument in God’s hand who He uses so others too can experience the Touch of the Masters Hand.

There is a nice music video featuring “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” by Wayne Watson. If you click on this link it will take you to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Ud34hc_l0

If God Sent a Christmas Card

By: Denny

It’s that time of year when organizations do their fundraisers. I think they plan it that way, because people are more in a giving mood between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Salvation Army kettles and ringers have taken up their positions in various locations. Shareathons and telethons are on the radio and TV as well as commercials asking for donations towards a worthy and worthwhile cause. Some days all I get in the mail lately are flyers from political candidates criticizing the others and asking for support and money, which all end up in File 13. (trash) Many schools and churches do fundraising also to support their events. It’s hard to say “No thank you” when a cute little kid knocks on your door and asks you to buy something from a list or booklet of stuff which you hadn’t planned on or wouldn’t otherwise buy. The Girl Scouts used to go door to door taking orders for their cookies, but I don’t know if they do that anymore. When I was in Cub Scouts we sold boxed sets of greeting, occasional, and Christmas cards. That seems to be a thing of the past as many people don’t send cards as much as they used to. If they do, they just go buy a few cards from Walmart or Dollar Tree. Some people, and you know who you are, will still write the annual family autobiography letter detailing events from the past year and include it in a Christmas card or mail it by itself. Lately the trend is to send a postcard imprinted with a family photo and a line saying Merry Christmas or similar greeting. Facebook and other social media make it even easier, and you don’t even need to buy stamps. Within minutes you could post a picture and write your greeting and send it to all your friends, family, and anyone else who can see your Facebook page will get it with only one click of the mouse. Please don’t think that I’m belittling or not appreciative of receiving a Christmas or other special occasion cards. However, I consider it really thoughtful and personal when someone takes the time to write a short note to express their feelings and sentiments. That is what I look forward to seeing first, because it means so much to hear it from them, and it takes precedence over what’s preprinted on the card that somebody else got paid to write. Those are the words that warm my heart and that I will remember. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, but my wife will tell you how I will often comment, “All they did was sign the card and didn’t write anything.” I may keep the card for a while, just so I don’t feel guilty about putting it in File 13 right away. We get one such card every year at Christmas from a family member who hasn’t spoken to me for 13 years. There was a breakdown in our relationship over what now doesn’t even matter and seems so insignificant, but remains a rift and a deal breaker for them. My attempt to reconcile the situation years ago was met with silence except for the annual “Merry Christmas” card which is empty of meaning and substance.

If God sent a Christmas card, what would it look like and what would He say?  Perhaps it would have a picture or artistic rendering of a Currier and Ives-like snow scene, kids pulling sleds, snowmen, sleigh rides, Santa Claus, reindeer, carolers, trees all decorated surrounded by presents piled high, people warming themselves by a fireplace, or shoppers looking through brightly decorated store windows. More appropriately it would surely depict a manger scene with a glowing Jesus surrounded by angels, shepherds, wise men, animals, and a star in the sky casting a heavenly light on everything.  All these images in their own way give us a special sentimental feeling and attachment to how we see, view, and enjoy Christmas. We also  busy ourselves with shopping to find the perfect gifts. We give in to our cravings to overeat and indulge our palates with all kinds of sweet desserts laden and smothered with chocolate. Christmas lights adorn our houses casting colorful prisms in the night sky. Christmas music is played and heard everywhere you go. As kids we were in Christmas plays at church that told the birth of Jesus which was fun. Even if we forgot our lines everyone in the audience knew the story and had a good time. It was especially embarrassing for parents if their kid waved and yelled, “Hi mom” from the stage when they were supposed to be a quiet sheep. Of course, that was some other kid, I would never do that. I was an angel. (Right now, I have 3 sisters who are laughing when they read this.)

If God sent a Christmas card, I imagine it to be quite simple. It would have a picture of the actual stable Jesus was born in which would look quite different from the picture we have in our minds. It would have a scratch and sniff area for added effect. Jesus would be laying in a very crude feed trough. At the top of the card would be written,  IT BEGINS. At the bottom would be the words, I gave the best gift I could. As you opened the card, on the left half would be one word in large letters at the top, MYSELF. Underneath that would be a picture of Jesus on the cross. Printed below it are the words, IT IS FINISHED. On the right half would be printed, I so loved you, (your name), that I gave my only Son, that if you believe in Him, you will not perish but have everlasting life. For I myself was in Jesus reconciling you to me. It would be a very large thick card because God’s word and personal letter to you, the Bible, would be included. He would simply sign it, I AM, which appears to be in red ink, but was written with the blood of Jesus. Admittedly, a card like that wouldn’t give you a warm fuzzy feeling, but God really isn’t into warm and fuzzy. He wants everyone to know that Christmas isn’t about what we’ve made it to be. At the very core of Christmas is God’s provision for us to be reconciled to Him. The 4th line in the song, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, is: God and sinners reconciled. The provision and pathway was made by God, being completed in Jesus, but it’s up to each individual to accept it and appropriate it for themselves. In other words, the gift really isn’t yours until you open it, and you open it by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ, the accomplished Son, not the babe in the manger.

In many ways the way we celebrate Christmas, and the condition of our hearts, is like sending God a Christmas card. We say and write the same cliched phrases like, Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, God bless you, Jesus is the Reason for the Season, Warm Christmas Wishes, and so on. Those in themselves aren’t bad and really do have special meaning and sincerity for those whose hearts are right with God. Offering our prayers, songs, and thanksgiving with joy, touches the heart of God. It must be to Him like getting a Christmas card with a personal added note. On the other hand, many are those who speak the same words and sing the same songs, but have never been reconciled to God. They are still holding on to the broken relationship which was caused by Adam and Eve when they sinned. You would never know it by looking at them, but God sees their hearts. How disappointing it must be to God to get the annual Christmas card with just a signature, and nothing else the rest of the year. Jesus was quoting Isaiah 29:13 when he spoke these words in Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Likewise, it must be equally disappointing to God when people aren’t reconciled to each other, especially those who claim to be Christians. Does God need to send you a Christmas card for you to know that?

I invite you to scroll through the titles in my menu and read the one called “The Gift”. It relates to Christmas and may touch your heart.

Shifting Gears

By: Denny

There were many things I learned early on from my dad about being a professional truck driver. Firstly, he said you must be able to back up in a straight line by only using the outside mirrors. I’ve seen many drivers roll down their window or open their door to look backwards. No offense to farmers, but dad always said, “We are truckers, not farmers.” It’s almost humorous to watch as drivers will over-correct their steering while backing and the front of their truck sways from left to right as they rapidly turn the steering wheel this way and that. They may eventually get the trailer to the dock, but their truck is so crooked, and half-cocked that it makes it difficult for another truck to back in beside them. Secondly, and those who can’t do it would debate me on this. You need to learn to shift the transmission without using the clutch. That’s easy to say but harder to do for those who haven’t understood the concept and definition of this word: synchronous – working, moving, or occurring together at the same rate, proper time, and instant. Trucks are different than cars in that they accelerate and decelerate at a slower rate. Diesel engines also operate at lower RPM’s and require a multi gear manual transmission to get up to highway speed. An automatic transmission takes no skill or effort to operate. Some engines work well with a 9 or 10 speed transmission, while others do better with a 13 or 15 speed transmission. The gear ratio of the rear axle also plays a part when selecting a transmission. Not so popular these days is the 4×4 or 5×4 setup. It was actually two transmissions with two gear shifts, one being for the main transmission and the other for the auxiliary transmission. You needed to be fast in shifting them both in the proper sequence. Usually there will be a dash plate showing the type of transmission with the gear pattern and it is also on the gear stick knob. It’s important that you memorize and know it and not have to look at it when shifting. Of course, the clutch is needed to initially put the truck in gear and to get it moving, and for coming to a stop. Once the truck is rolling, the principle of synchronization comes into play. Let’s say your engine’s peak performance RPM range is 1200 to 1800. You would accelerate up to 1800 then almost simultaneously let up on the accelerator while shifting up to the next gear. Sometimes you need to pause in neutral for a second to allow the engine RPMs to decrease. There is an exact instant when the engine RPMs will be In Sync with your speed and the next gear, and the shifting goes as smooth as silk. When downshifting you would slightly accelerate and raise your RPMs to shift into the lower gear. Every engine and transmission are different, but the concept is the same and once the technique is mastered, a good driver can shift any truck without using the clutch. That said, even if you are one who must use the clutch, if the engine RPMs and transmission are not synchronous, you will grind the gears trying to force it. It won’t help to double clutch it either. Being able to shift without the clutch should be commonplace and nothing to brag about, because it has practical application also. I recall a situation I experienced many years ago. It was 1:00 AM and I had just unloaded at Reedsburg, WI and headed for Portage, WI 32 miles away for my next load to Burnsville, MN. Suddenly my clutch plate came apart and I had no clutch at all. I was able to continue driving, picked up my load, and drove another 245 miles to our terminal in Burnsville without a clutch. I had called ahead and alerted them to my situation and intentions. It was a natural thing and no big deal to me, but the head mechanic didn’t think I could do it and was surprised when I pulled into the terminal. Another time I and one of our drivers were unloading at the same location when the hydraulic line to his clutch began leaking fluid profusely. He was going to call a mechanic to come on a service call, which would have been expensive. We were 125 miles from our own shop, so I told him to just drive it home without the clutch. He said he had never done that and was afraid to try. We ended up switching trucks and I drove his truck home saving the company a bunch of money on repairs and downtime.

Now that you understand synchronous and how it relates to shifting gears, let me transition and apply it to God and His word, His will, and His ways. It being the season, I invite you to read the Christmas story as told in Matthew 1:18 through 2:23 and Luke chapter 2. As you read both accounts, filter the events through the words synchronous and synchronization. The story actually begins when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would give birth to the Son of God and his name was to be called Jesus. Even though she didn’t understand she didn’t doubt. Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he wanted to secretly break it off. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid and to take Mary as his wife for the child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Upon awakening from sleep Joseph obeyed and did as the Lord commanded. The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy. The trip to Bethlehem could not have been easy and comfortable for Mary, but that’s where Christ was to be born. And what about the shepherds who left their flocks, leaving them all alone to go see what was told to them by an angel. They would never have done that under normal circumstances. Manger scenes often depict the three wise men being present that night Jesus was born, but they weren’t. They had seen his star in their own eastern country and had followed it and sought diligently to find the King of the Jews. Their journey may have taken up to two years. Then there was Simeon, who had been waiting with expectation to see the Lord’s Christ, and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die until he had. He was led by the Spirit to the temple at the exact time Mary and Joseph came, as was Anna the prophetess.

The whole account of the birth of Jesus and the events before and after would have been recorded much differently had everyone involved not been synchronous with God. In fact, the whole Bible is filled with the stories of men and women who at times were In Sync with God and times they weren’t. The religious Pharisees in particular were totally out of synchronization with God because of their traditions, and they missed the new thing he was doing. God does not change His word, His will, or His ways. We need to synchronize our lives with him. Though God doesn’t change, He also doesn’t remain static either. He is constantly moving in ways that only those who are synchronous with Him by way of the Holy Spirit can understand or comprehend. What steps do you need to take in order to be In Sync with God? A good place to start is by simply believing his word without doubting. Mary believed and submitted herself to God’s will, in what seemed impossible to her. Joseph obeyed God without delay, whereas we often will procrastinate. Mary and Joseph suffered much. The long trip to Bethlehem, no room in the inn, Jesus being born in a smelly stable, King Herod trying to kill Jesus, and then they had to quickly flee to Egypt. What have you suffered to be synchronous with God? What effort are you making to seek Him diligently and have you left some things behind? Finally, both Simeon and Anna were waiting and in the right place when God showed up. Where will you be when he returns, and will your actions and life be synchronous with him, or sound like and resemble grinding gears? If the things of this world you’ve been clutching have been so important that they hold you back, then it’s time to release them and shift gears, because being synchronous with God isn’t an automatic.

A House Divided

By: Denny

In my last blog post entitled “Holy Ground” I wrote about the war memorial to our local veterans and those who gave their lives fighting for and defending our freedoms. I posted a picture of the memorial. However, there was one small item I didn’t mention. It seemed so insignificant at the time until I began to think about it. It was a white rock that someone had painted on it a flag along with the words, “Land that I Love”. I’m sure it was in one piece when they placed it next to one of the tall marble slabs, but when I saw it, it was split down the middle in two pieces. Hence the title of this blog posting, “A House Divided”.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Growing up as a “Baby Boomer”, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day in class in elementary school. I can’t say that I fully understood its total meaning at the time, but it instilled in me a sense of honor, pride, love, respect, and loyalty for our country. It was in 1954 under President Eisenhower that the phrase “Under God” was added. There was a prevailing presence and attitude that we were a united Christian nation blessed by and recognizing that our sovereignty and our liberties were founded on Godly principles and morals. In the 1960’s there began a cultural shift, and some would call it a revolution, that ever so slowly chipped away at those foundations. Gradually and subtly, we were becoming more “me” centered and less “God” centered. God was kicked out of the schools and the public forum. Churches were basically told to shut up and mind their own business. ”If it feels good, do it” became the mantra and driving force of a misguided generation headed down the dark path of perversion. In 1973 legalized abortion became the holy grail that we dared not touch, and the pivotal turning point and evidence of a society in decline: sentencing millions of unborn children to death since then and even to this day. So, as we’ve continued downward on the spiral staircase, each step has brought us a new amoral socialistic decadence and perversion. The latest being all this Woke nonsense and LGBTQ  gender orientation tripe of that great image and idol we must all bow down to. People think it’s okay to mock God and those who are His all they want to, but let someone speak out against abortion and this new-found false religion called Woke, and all hell will literally come against them. Politicians and preachers alike cower in fear of lawsuits if they dare oppose it. Few are those who have the spirit and anointing of David to face off against this giant and defeat it, or have the uncompromising tenacity to speak out as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did in defying Nebuchadnezzar by proclaiming, “We do not serve your gods, nor will we bow down and worship the gold image which you have set up”. (Daniel 3:18) I recently received a video clip on my Facebook of Billy Graham preaching on this very issue. When He speaks there is power that the printed word doesn’t fully express.  I copied the text as follows:  

“You can mock God’s standards of sex and marriage and divorce and ethics and social justice and all the rest of it and make fun of the whole thing if you want to, but I want to tell you if I’m the only one left in the whole world I’m going to accept God’s standards. The 10 commandments and the Sermon on the Mount in which he lays out his moral standards. And God is not excusing us because we live in a permissive generation. He’s not excusing us anymore than he excused Sodom and Gomorrah or Babylon or any of the nations of the past that have perished because of sin or individuals that have perished because of sin. The wages of sin is death. The soul that sins shall die, the scripture says. What about you? Do you mock at sin? The Bible says be sure your sins will find you out.”

There have always been those issues in the political, social, and economic realm that were mostly differences of opinions in many cases, but we were able to resolve them through intelligent discourse. The First Amendment guarantees everyone freedom of speech, but it has gone way beyond that to where now people demand special privileges and protection under the law not afforded to others. There is no longer any discourse. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but no one has the right to tell others what their opinions must conform to. Now, if you don’t address someone using the pronoun that they desire it is considered hate speech. For instance, if a man thinks he’s a woman and you address him as Mr., Sir, or any other reference to his obvious gender of being male, you are guilty of a hate crime and can be prosecuted. The same holds true for a woman who identifies as a man. It used to be a spade was a spade, but not anymore. God does not honor, respect, or rejoice at the man-given rights of the wicked to do evil. In fact, the scripture says He sits in Heaven and laughs. Psalm 37:12-13 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming. He will not bless a person, a city, a state, or ultimately a nation whose attitude is anything goes because it’s my right, and you dare not offend me or speak against it. They ignore and mock the grace, goodness, and mercy of God designed to bring them to repentance, and continue headlong in their own ungodly ways. The fear of God is not in them. They are descending deeper into depravity, having rejected the truth and believed the lies. They thumb their noses at God thinking he does not see the shameful things done by them in secret and now paraded openly. In their arrogant condescending pride, they walk blindly and precariously on the tightrope of the judgment of God. Sadly, there are many spectators seated in the crowd below who in the so-called name of love and grace applaud their sinful ignorance, not knowing that when the breath of God blows down the circus tent, it will come crashing down on them also. (Romans 1:32)

The words “one nation under God, indivisible” in the Pledge of Allegiance almost seems out of place these days. We have become “A House Divided”. The great divide today is a battle between good vs. evil, and truth vs. lies. Subliminally, it’s always been that except now the lines are clearly seen and defined as evil pushes the envelope further and further. The real fight is between God and the devil. This is a blatant outright in your face from the devil to God and those who are his.  Revelation chapter 12 describes the war that is taking place in heaven and on earth. Verse 12 says, the devil has come down to you having great wrath because he knows that he has a short time, which goes along with 2 Timothy 2:26 saying, the devil has ensnared people and has taken them captive to do his will. Conversely, the prayers of those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, releases the angels to fight in the unseen spiritual realm on our behalf as we contend for the faith here on earth. In reading Proverbs 6:16-19 you will find a short list of seven things that God hates as follows: These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Notice carefully that these are things that God hates not people. However, when people embrace these things, they will find themselves opposing God. Not a good place to be in because you will always lose.

As written in John 10:10 The devil’s main purpose is to steal to kill and to destroy. He knows that if he can divide a nation, he can destroy it. He’s not satisfied with just dividing a nation. He wants to divide the church and families and destroy them also, which is the very basic unit of any God-fearing society. He will use any means possible not considering for a moment the lives he has to use , manipulate, and destroy to accomplish his purpose. The overwhelming tragedy is that people don’t realize they are being used as one of his pawns. He doesn’t just use the ungodly who belong to him, but delights even more to use undiscerning self-proclaimed Christians who are led by their own feelings and desires and not by the Spirit of God and His Word. As I mentioned earlier, the battle is between good vs. evil and the truth vs. lies. The devil is a liar and has been from the beginning and that’s all he knows. He has deceived many people by using a mixture of truth and lies, as he did with Adam and Eve. He tried it on Jesus with the three temptations as recorded in Matthew 4: 1-11, whereby Jesus defeated him soundly by using the very Word of God that the devil had tried to twist.  

In mathematical fractions there is a numerator on top and a denominator on the bottom. To reduce the fraction, you need to find the lowest common denominator. So, it is with a divided nation. Reduced to the lowest common denominator, you will find it’s a matter of the heart of each individual. In 1 Kings 18: 21 Elijah stood before the people whose hearts were divided between serving God or Baal and said, “If the Lord is God, then follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. The solution for “A House Divided” is for everyone to answer two questions. Where is my heart? Who am I following? The correct answer is only found in Jesus Christ.

Holy Ground

By: Denny

This morning, July 7th, I rode my bike from home to Central Park in the center of downtown Mason City, a distance of 2 ½  miles. With my Bible in the rear basket, my intention was to first ride the sidewalk perimeter of the park while praying then sit on a bench, read some scriptures, and pray some more. As I rode along an old chorus, Great and Mighty is the Lord our God, came to mind and I began to softly sing it. Softly, so as not to draw attention to myself, but mostly because I was out of breath from the uphill ride. The city workers were emptying trash cans and cleaning up the park from the 4th of July event, so I didn’t want to get in their way. After one lap around the park, I found a bench at the War Memorial to sit on. I’ve driven by it countless times, but this was the first time I visited it. As I sat there resting from my ride, the Holy Spirit said, “Don’t pray and don’t read your Bible. I have some things I want to say and show you.” Suddenly, I felt like I was sitting in a holy place on sacred ground. I observed the 12 large 4’ by 8’ granite slabs with the names forever set in stone of those who gave their lives fighting for and defending our freedom. The Holy Spirit said, “Count them”, which I proceeded to do. There are 3,741 names engraved there. I felt very humbled almost to the point of tears even though I didn’t recognize anyone I knew. As I counted, I wondered how many volunteered or were drafted. The Holy Spirit said, “They all shared one thing in common; they rose to the occasion and engaged the enemy on foreign soil. They didn’t wait for the fight to come to them. They left the comfort and pleasures of their own lives, homes, and borders, to serve, fight for, defend, and bring liberty and freedom to those who were oppressed, knowing full well it could cost them their very lives.” That sounded so much like what Jesus did when he left his heavenly home and proclaimed in Luke 4:18. “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” By the way, the monument is called Mason City Area Veterans Monument. This writing isn’t about the political or moral rightness or wrongness of any past war. So please place those opinions aside. The Holy Spirit then asked me to find the monument of those who refused to fight, fled, or remained indifferent. Under my breath I whispered quietly, “There isn’t one.” He said, “That’s right. The blood of those men and women whose names are written here still cries out and I remember their sacrifice. That’s what makes this place holy and sacred.” He said no more, and after that I remained in silent awe.

There is a gay pride event scheduled for July 15th in this very park. I’m not giving any details, but with minimal effort you can find out what their planned perverted agenda is. I know the Holy Spirit is grieved, but I wonder how many professing Christians will be also. This is a spiritual and moral battle, that like it or not, has come to the entire Mason City area. If you think it doesn’t affect you, then the analogy is like they say when advertising a newly released movie, “Coming soon to a theater near you.” It cannot be fought or won by physical means. As it says in Ephesians 6: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The armor of God as described in the following verses 13 through 17 is for every believer to put on. You may be called to the front lines to proclaim the truth of God’s word with grace if given opportunity. You may be called to pray and fast. Prayer knows no city limits or is hindered by physical distance, so all can pray wherever you are. There is also much to be said about the power of praise and worship. In 2 Chronicles 20, God instructed Jehoshaphat to put the singers out in front of the army. I encourage you to read the whole chapter for yourself and see how that ended up. We don’t sing the warfare songs anymore like we did in the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s. Songs like: Mighty Warrior, There’s a Great and Mighty Army, Yes Lord We’ll Ride With You, and many others that I wish I could remember. The bottom line is this: The objective should be to save souls, not to start, win, or partake in any contentious arguments. No one who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord in my opinion is called to sit on the sidelines and do nothing,  rather to say, “Here am I Lord, use me.”

Getting back to the names of those on the monument. They died for freedom. Freedom to live in a country that allows free speech, and to be whoever and whatever you want to be. However, the values that previous generations fought hard to defend have shifted. Good is now called evil, and evil is now called good, as referenced in Isaiah 5:20. Here is something to think about: If those who gave their lives so courageously were to somehow appear in Central Park on July 15th, what would they say, and what would they do? Hmm

When I returned home Lucy jokingly asked me if I rode around the park seven times and honked the horn on my bike continuously on the last lap. Maybe I should try that. NOT!

Since you are here on my web page, I invite you to scroll through the titles and read one of my previous posts entitled, Either Fight or Stay Home, which I originally wrote in August of 2022. It goes along with the theme of this one.

Enter The Ark Now

By: Denny

It’s monsoon season in Iowa, or so it seems. It recently rained every day for four days. There were downpours that lasted for hours and other times when it just rained steady all day. After the first day my rain gauge showed well over two inches. The ground is saturated, and the grass is growing tall because it’s too wet to mow. However, the best indicator for me that we’ve had a lot of rain are my basement sump pumps. I have three inside basement pumps and one on the outside of the house. Two of the inside pumps have been kicking in at steady intervals from every fifteen minutes to an hour. The third inside pump is located on the side of the basement where the ground has a greater slope away from the house. Normally, it doesn’t run that much, but I’ve even heard it pumping occasionally. When we bought this house in 1997, the basement was unfinished. Mostly since when it rained the water would come in everywhere. It was built in 1952. The floor and walls are poured concrete. The water would seep through in several places in the edges where the walls intersect with the floor. We wanted a finished basement that we could use, but we needed to deal with the water issue first. After considering our options and our finances, I took the do-it-yourself route. Since water will take the path of least resistance, I decided the best locations for the three pumps. I then cut holes in the floor three feet deep to accommodate the sump well baskets. Next, I used my skill saw with a diamond concrete blade and cut an eight-inch-wide channel in the floor eight inches from the wall around the inside perimeter. I busted up the concrete by hand with a sledgehammer. I dug the trench to a depth of two to three feet with enough fall to drain towards each sump well, and paid our young son and his friend twenty-five cents a bucket to carry the chunks of concrete and dirt upstairs and outside. I threw in a base of pea rock and laid perforated plastic drain tile followed by more rock, sand, and finished with eight inches of concrete to smooth out the channels even with the floor. Our water problem was solved, but I sure was sore from working on my knees to run the saw, and my arms and back ached from busting up the old concrete and mixing and pouring the new. Lucy and I framed and insulated the walls and finished off the basement with sheet-rock. We hired a friend to lay the carpet.

Everything was great until many years later when we had an absolute deluge of rain that the ground couldn’t absorb the water fast enough to reach the basement pump. The water was filling up two window wells and pouring in through the window edges. What a mess! A word of advice; don’t ever build a basement with the windows below ground level. You’re only asking for trouble. To make matters worse, the ground on that side slopes slightly toward the house. I couldn’t add more fill dirt as a remedy because there is a sidewalk there. I’m not one to easily give in to defeat, so that’s when I sunk the fourth pump on the outside between the house and sidewalk as a first line of defense against overwhelming downpours. I also trenched in another line of tile the whole length of that side of the house with a drain fitting and connected it to the sump well. As an extra measure to help the water drain down faster to the basement pumps, I dug vertical shafts with my post hole digger as far down as I could go in every window well. I inserted the tile with a top cap and back-filled with pea rock. I also installed battery backup auxiliary pumps in each of the three inside sump wells. I figured all that work would be for nothing if the power goes out during a storm. It was over twenty years ago when I first took on and finished this project. My point is this: At the age of seventy, I am not physically able and could not do it again if I had to. I’m glad I did it when I was younger so that now I have peace and confidence when the storms come. My hard work has paid off.

There are many things that are beneficial, and one should do while they are young, because when you get old it becomes difficult and harder to do. Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books in the Bible, and chapter twelve sums up the previous eleven and talks about when you grow old in years and “the difficult days” come. NKJ version (The words in parenthesis are mine)

Vs 1-7:  Remember (seek, pursue, get right with) now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”. While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain (every day and night seem the same). In the day when the keepers of the house tremble (shakiness of hands and loss of grip strength), and the strong men bow down (walk bent over); When the grinders (teeth) cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim (poor eyesight); When the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low (hearing loss); When one rises up at the sound of a bird (unable to distinguish, comprehend or easily aroused or frightened by normal sounds), and all the daughters of music are brought low (voice gets lower, can’t hit the high notes anymore); Also when they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way (fear of falling or tripping over things); When the almond tree blossoms (hair turns gray), The grasshopper is a burden (little things irritate and disturb you), and desire fails (lose your excitement for life). For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets (funeral procession). Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well (can’t do the simple tasks and are no longer productive). Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.  Romans 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Here’s the deal: Find God in your youth and serve Him all your days. Life holds many avenues that can be pursued, but don’t allow any of them to become more important than pursuing and knowing God your Creator. When you are old and all those things you thought were so important have disappeared, what will you have left if you don’t have a relationship with God. If you did the hard work of finding God in your younger years; you’ll have peace and confidence later in life when the difficult days come, and they surely will come. Not only will it be harder due to physical and mental complications, but you may also not have much time left. God instructed Noah to build an ark to save his family and the animals that entered it from the coming storm that would destroy all living things on the outside of the ark. That was a shadow, a type, and symbolic of what God the Father did when he sent Jesus Christ His only son to die for all mankind and save them from their sin condition. Just as there was only one ark, there is only one Jesus, and He is the only way to be saved today and from the impending coming storm. Don’t wait until you’re old, or you’re not mentally sound and capable. Even if you are advanced in years, it’s never too late to accept Christ as your savior, if you never have. Young person, enter the ark (JESUS) now and give your life to Him today. Deal with the sin issue first before moving on in finishing your life. Many are those who have regrets later in life who didn’t and wasted so much time that could’ve been spent serving Him. Do-it-yourself might work for home repairs and other things, but it’s worthless in obtaining forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Ephesians 3:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

The Horse That Wouldn’t Work

By: Denny

There once was a young couple who bought a small acreage. They had always dreamed of moving to the country and living off the land. The husband had a day job in town which provided just enough income to meet their meager lifestyle. After work and on weekends, they enjoyed working in their small organic garden, raising their own food. One day they got the idea that with the land they had that was just sitting fallow, they could plow it up and start a small farm. They could plant fruit trees, grow vegetables, and raise other crops. To start with they could set up a roadside stand and possibly expand to grocery stores. Of course, this meant the husband would have to quit his job and devote all his time to farming. The little bit of savings they had would carry them through until the crops started coming in. They were excited about the possibilities of their new adventure, but where would they begin? Well, there was that little barn, they thought, “We should buy a horse and use him to pull a plow and a wagon.” “That would save us a lot of work and also be environmentally friendly.” It was November when they began their search for the perfect horse. One day as they were driving around the countryside, they spotted a sign, “HORSE FOR SALE”. They stopped and made inquiry. The horse was advanced in years, but the price was right and included delivery, some free hay, straw, and oats to boot. What a bargain! The couple had a nice comfortable stall all ready for the horse on the day he arrived. It would be several months until spring planting which would give them plenty of time to establish a relationship with the horse. In the meantime, they began to paint signs and advertise their new business. There were seeds to buy and they were able to acquire a used harness, a plow, and a wagon. Finally, the big day arrived. They harnessed the horse, led him to the field, and hitched him to the plow. With great anticipation, a big beaming smile, and reins in hand; the man confidently told the horse, “Giddy-up!” Nothing happened. Again, the man repeated the command, but the horse just stood there. Puzzled and becoming frustrated the farmer slapped the reins and issued other commands with a louder voice. The wife tried tugging on the halter at the same time with equal results, the horse wouldn’t budge. After about thirty minutes, they unhitched him and led the horse back to the barn. Realizing their efforts had failed in getting the horse to pull the plow, they decided to call the guy they bought him from. When they told him of their plight, he laughed and said, “Old Joe hasn’t worked a day in his life, much less pull a plow!” “All he wants  is to be fed, act like he owns the place, make piles of messes that need cleaning up, and demands lots of attention.” The couple had invested their hopes, dreams, finances, and future success in a horse that wouldn’t work for them.   

They had become so attached to the horse that getting rid of him was not an option. They sat down and began to discuss what to do to get the farm up and going. They decided to buy a small tractor to pull the plow and wagon in place of the horse that wouldn’t work. They were able to get the ground plowed and planted much faster, and their first crop was a huge success. All this time they had been buying hay and feed for the horse that wouldn’t work and having someone deliver it. “This is expensive and ridiculous”, they thought. “Why not grow our own hay and oats.” So, they went out and borrowed the money to buy a seeder, a baler, a mower, and a rake to pull behind the tractor, which they had already bought in place of the horse that wouldn’t work. These new debts put a strain on their budget, which was of no relevance or concern to the horse that wouldn’t work. After all, he had everything he wanted. The next year’s crop was even better. Word had gotten out and advertising had paid off to the point they were supplying produce to several grocery stores. Up until now the tractor and implements had to sit outside in the weather which wasn’t good for them. They decided to borrow more money to build a shed for their machinery, pulled by the tractor, which they needed to grow the hay to feed the horse that wouldn’t work. Sadly, the next year there was a drought and no harvest. To make up for the loss of income they decided they would both have to get jobs in town, which required purchasing another vehicle. They used up what little savings they had left and had to borrow the rest and bought a pickup. They both worked hard to pay off the loans for the truck, the shed, the machinery, and the tractor, which they needed to grow the hay and oats to feed the horse that wouldn’t work, who was now eating and requiring more feed than ever. They soon found that they were having less time and energy to run the farm. This began to put a strain on their relationship as well. They were constantly arguing as they fell increasingly behind on paying their debts. The man began to stop at bars after work and drank heavily to relieve the stress. The farm was becoming overgrown with unwanted weeds that had come from the neighbor’s field. The bank repossessed the truck, the machinery, and the tractor. All they had left was an old excuse of a horse named Joe that wouldn’t work, yet they just couldn’t part with him.

Moral of the story: Next time you buy a horse make sure he has an actual history of working and can pull a plow. Otherwise, he may cause you to lose everything. Also, if he isn’t doing his job, put him out to pasture and let him graze on the foreign weeds which are there because he wouldn’t work. Better yet, sell him to the dog food or glue factory. Wait a minute, I think they both closed due to government regulations and fines for having a high carbon footprint.

I Corinthians 3: 13

Each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Proverbs 29:2 

When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

A Second Touch

By: Denny

Mark 8:22-25 (NKJV) Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand an led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.

The account of Jesus healing this particular blind man is only recorded by Mark in his gospel. I’ve often wondered why the man wasn’t healed completely when Jesus touched him the first time, as was the case with others, and He needed to touch him twice. Was Jesus tired from long days of walking and ministering healings and deliverance to the masses that His power had drained a little. Absolutely not! God’s power is never weakened or diminished by any means or circumstances, and neither was Jesus’ ability to instantly heal. In fact, He only needs to speak one word and people are healed, demons flee, and the dead are raised. The very creation itself must obey as when He calmed the sea or made all those fish appear on the right side of Peter’s boat. When they came to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane that night, He didn’t resist them saying, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) One legion was somewhere around 7,000. When they said they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth, the very words He replied, “I am He”, had such power that they all fell to the ground backwards. (John 18:4-6) It wasn’t the nails that held Him to the cross either. It was the greater purpose that He knew He was accomplishing and fulfilling all that the scriptures foretold, and that He would be the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sin of mankind. When and if Jesus limits His power, it’s because there is always a greater purpose. Think about this: God could’ve delivered His people from Egypt with only one plague had he chosen to do so. With each of the ten plagues His glory and power were being displayed in greater measure, for the benefit of Israel that they would believe, and for the defeat of Pharoah. Also, why wasn’t Naaman healed of his leprosy after the first dip in the Jordan River instead of having to dip seven times as instructed by Elijah? (2 Kings 5:10-14) Likewise, why did God command Joshua to walk around Jericho seven times before the walls came down when He could have just as easily destroyed it like He did Sodom and Gomorrah? (Joshua 6) And why did Elijah have to send his servant to look seven times until the rain cloud appeared and ended the drought which Elijah himself previously spoke into being? (1 Kings 19:43) I think in the above examples God was testing to see if they first would obey and secondly if they would persist until the healing, victory, or answer came. In the case of the blind man, I found it interesting that Jesus touched him then asked him what he saw. His reply was, “ I see men like trees walking.” I suppose for someone who had been blind that would be a good description of what he saw for the first time, as opposed to saying everything was blurry, having previously not known or experienced what clear vision even was. After Jesus touched him the second time, the man saw everything clearly.

In the previous verses of Mark 8:14-16, Jesus and His disciples had yet to reach Bethsaida. While still in the boat Jesus warned them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. They totally missed it thinking He was talking about bread when He was referring to the false doctrines of the self-proclaimed religious elite as well as those of the political arena that would bring mixture and taint the truth. Vs. 17-18 “You do not perceive or understand because your hearts are still hardened. Having eyes, you do not see, and having ears, you do not hear.” In essence they had been with Jesus for some time now and He had no doubt touched their lives. However, they still lacked understanding and needed a second touch so they could see clearly. That second touch came after His resurrection on the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised He would send. Their spiritual eyes were opened, and they understood and saw everything clearly that was written in the scriptures. Perhaps Jesus healing the blind man as He did was to reinforce or demonstrate to His disciples their need also for a second touch.

I said all that as a prelude to make this statement and point: According to a poll by George Barna, president of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, 69% of US adults self-identify as being Christian in their faith. Unbelievably, 58% contend the Holy spirit is not a real living being, and many don’t acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Savior. 57% embrace the concept of Karma while sadly only 6% possess a biblically based world view and look to the Bible for moral guidance, understanding, and absolute truth. Say what! The leaven of false doctrines that Jesus warned about has so infiltrated the “Church” that many professing Christians have rejected the foundational truths of scripture. They base their beliefs more on feelings and experiences and have become like the blind man stumbling about, or having been once touched by Jesus they’re still not seeing clearly. They claim and espouse love and compassion, yet they see people as trees or objects to promote their self-serving Woke ideologies and agendas. As if that weren’t bad enough, they’ve also allowed the leaven of Herod to skew any sense of discernment they may have ever had, by bowing down to the socialistic political idols of the day. Tune in to any news broadcast and you can’t help but conclude that America is on a downward spiral of chaos, corruption, confusion, and moral decline much like that of ancient Rome. It seems like those in this current administration  love to have it so, and they have become the blind leading the blind and the half seeing. America needs restoration. Her only hope is a second touch from Jesus, and it begins with those who ask and seek it. May that be your heart’s desire and earnest prayer.

Let It Go

By: Denny

It’s finally Spring in Iowa! The daffodils in our flower bed are in full bloom. The grass is becoming greener. Last week we had three days of eighty-degree temperatures which seemed to wake up everything. It was refreshing to open all the windows in the house and let the new air in and the old air out. I even hung out some laundry on the clothesline. I rented a power rake and dethatched the yard of old dead grass and followed it up with fertilizer in leu of expected rain. I fired up the motor home, drove it off the 5” x 24” x 24” wood pads, and did some minor repairs to the awning support arm. I got out my leaf blower/vac and cleaned up some leaves left over from last Fall that the wind blew against our fence from the neighbor’s yard. I know my own dead leaves, just saying. I emptied the storage shed and rearranged everything, making room for the snowblower and kerosene heater which I won’t need until next winter. We have a pellet stove in our living room. Walmart had a close-out sale on their wood pellets at $3.00 a 40# bag. The regular price was $7.49. I bought the whole pallet of 26 bags and hauled them home and stacked them in the shed for use next heating season. I went to bed each night tired and sore. It’s Sunday morning and the temperature dropped to thirty-one with a wind chill near zero and it’s snowing! You may have heard the saying that if you don’t like the weather just wait five minutes and it will change, and I think Iowa invented it. I’m thankful the ground is warm enough because the snow isn’t sticking. On the way to church, my wife Lucy commented that there were trees that had dead leaves on them from last Fall. How odd that they held on despite the heavy snows, cold temps, and blizzard-like winds we had this winter. Most all the other trees were shooting forth new buds and leaves, and here were some trees still holding on to dry, dead, and ugly leaves. Lucy then said, “You know, a lot of people are like those trees holding on to the dead leaves of their past.” “They just need to let go of some things to allow God to do something new.” My reply was, “You’re absolutely right and that’ll preach!” Oh, how often we desire that God would move in our lives and speak plainly to us, yet we overlook the simple and quiet ways that He does.

Our emotions can be like the Iowa weather changing every five minutes. One minute we’re up and having a great day, then the next minute something from the past will pull us down. Maybe it’s a memory of how someone did you wrong or hurt you and you’re struggling with bitterness, unforgiveness, and you’re still holding a grudge leaf. Perhaps you made some bad decisions in the past and the would’ves, should’ves, and could’ves leaves keep kicking you in the pants and won’t let go. Still, maybe you’re in your “Golden Years” and you can’t physically or mentally do the things you once could with ease, and your body rebels when you try. You find yourself recalling and holding on to the leaves of “the good old days”. Given the current social, economic, and political environment these days, I can’t fault you for that. At least us old folks can be thankful that we have the good old days and can remember them, sometimes. Another dead leaf can be that you’ve never gotten past the loss of a loved one. It’s normal to mourn and grieve for a season, but there comes a time when you need to “let it go” and move on to allow new life to blossom in you. That’s not to say we can’t reflect on the fond memories and life experiences we shared with them. I suppose if we each took a good look at our own tree (life), we may discover a few dead leaves that we need to let go of. You may say, “That’s easy for you to say” and you’re right. Some leaves are easy to let go of, while others have been on our tree so long, they hang on and refuse to fall.

God miraculously delivered the children of Israel from their slavery in Egypt, and was doing a new thing.  Even so, they struggled in letting go of the past and many desired to go back when the going got tough in the wilderness. The Apostle Paul had many dead leaves on his tree, but he gives us a great example to follow in dealing with ours. Philippians 3:13 “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” He was a man just like us in that his tree (life) was full of dead leaves (sin). One day the resurrected Lord Jesus so shook him that it literally caused him to fall along with all his dead leaves, so to speak, and then new life began to bud and blossom in him. Jesus wants to do the same new work in your life too, and all you need to do is ask and be willing to let go of everything and let Him have control. Matthew 16:25 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Are your old dead leaves really all that worth saving and holding unto? God will take you the easiest way you’ll come. He prefers you’d let go of your dead leaves and surrender your life to Him before He must shake your tree. He’s calling to you in simple quiet ways today. Look and listen and you’ll hear Him.

Pet Peeves

By: Denny

Everybody has at least one or two. It’s that thing, action or situation that presents itself and it annoys, irritates, and bugs you every time. After having survived and retired from a 50-year truck driving career, my big pet peeve is bad drivers. With well over 2 million safe driving miles logged, I’ve seen and experienced a lot of otherwise good and intelligent people driving badly. (I wanted to say like idiots, but I won’t) I don’t know, maybe it’s a gift, or perhaps I’ve just been conditioned over time to look for and notice things others don’t. I don’t mean to be critical, but I can’t help vocalizing and calling out potential hazards or bad driving incidents when I see them as I’m driving. I think sometimes it bothers my wife, which may be one of her pet peeves, but she’s never come right out and told me, yet. She probably will now after reading this. Truthfully, if we think about it, we have many pet peeves. Those little buggers can multiply like rabbits if we let them. Some peeves grow rather quickly while others progress over time. I guess it all depends on how well and often they are fed as to how long they live. But where do they come from? After giving it much thought and contemplation, I may have discovered their source. It’s you and it’s me and they come from our desire or thinking that if everyone did things the same way we do, the world would be a better place. Seriously, stop and think about it. If everyone measured up to your standards and ways you wouldn’t have any pet peeves, would you? Therefore, the honest conclusion must be that peeves are born out of our own self-centeredness. Of course, we often soft pedal them as personal preferences which makes them a little more justifiable in our minds to own them as pets. Nevertheless, we would and sometimes do want to impose our peeves on others. We love it and can talk forever it seems when we encounter someone with the same pet peeves, because that’s what pet owners do. There are many different breeds of peeves. Some are large but the most common ones really are rather small and insignificant in the whole scheme of life, yet we spend so much time and energy coddling and fussing over them. Consider this: If you excel at doing something, do you have less tolerance for those who do the same thing only half-heartedly with shabby results and they don’t seem to care. You could be dealing with a potentially nasty little peeve. I firmly believe in doing everything well and the best you can, but be careful as pride can be an open door for a peeve to sneak in unawares. I think people who tend to be perfectionists are more susceptible to be targeted by peeves. The biggest danger or mistake we all make in dealing with peeves is the inability to separate a person from their actions. We shouldn’t allow other people to become our pet peeve. It just gets way too messy.

Does God have pet peeves? Not in the sense or terminology as we do in calling it a “pet peeve”. His big pet peeve, if I can make the analogy, is SIN. However, it goes way beyond something that annoys, irritates, or simply bugs Him. With God there are no big or small sins as He treats them all the same. He hates sin in the fact that it keeps us from His presence. Sin in its simplest definition is, “not measuring up to God’s standards of righteousness and holiness”. We all fall infinitely short of that mark, otherwise the world would be perfect and without sin as it was when God created it and us. God hates sin, but He loves people. Unlike us at times, He can separate one from the other. As it says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” God sent His son Jesus in the form of a man to be the perfect expression of His thoughts and ways, and to reveal His character and love to and for all mankind. As Jesus often said, “If you’ve seen, heard, and known Me; you’ve seen, heard, and known My father in Heaven.” Jesus also came to break the power of sin by freely giving Himself as the sacrifice for sin by dying on the cross in our place. He alone paid our sin debt with His own blood. He offers forgiveness, grace, mercy, and eternal life to those who by faith accept Him as their Lord and Savior. If He did all that for us, do we have the right to own sin or pet peeves against others. Maybe it is time to give them both to Jesus. It costs you nothing to surrender them, but could cost you everything to keep them. If God were to have a pet peeve it might be that after He’s done all the above and so much more, yet people continue to reject him. Don’t allow your sin or pet peeves to keep you from the opportunity to be free from them both today. All you must do is invite Him to have complete control of your life. Who knows, it may be your last chance. If you miss it, then you may end up peeved forever.

Mountains, Tunnels, Caves, Valleys

By: Denny

I’ve always enjoyed mountains. Over the course of my 50-year truck driving career, I’ve seen and driven over many of them. From Canada to Mexico there isn’t any major pass in the U.S. Rocky Mountain range that I haven’t been over. Not only are they beautiful, but they are filled with history. It amazes me how the pioneers navigated them when forging their way west. There were no roads, maps, or GPS to guide them. They just kept pushing onward driven by the hope and desire of a better life which they heard about from those who had gone before them. Many lost their lives as was the case of the Donner Party wagon train that was stranded in the mountains in winter. Donner Pass, named after them, is a tribute and memorial to their tenacity. Some passes have had songs that mentioned them, such as the Grapevine which is between Bakersfield and Los Angeles and Feather River Canyon north of Reno on highway 70 into California. C.W. McCall wrote a humorous song about Wolf Creek Pass on Highway 160 heading westbound in Colorado. That is one killer mountain and no laughing matter. The whole dynamic changes when you’re driving a fully loaded 80,000# semi versus a car. The going up can be slow, and you may be down to a crawl when you reach the summit, but it’s the going down that is the most dangerous part. One of the steepest climbs I remember is the grade on Highway 95 heading north out of Lewiston, Idaho at the Snake River. Out of 10 gears I was down to 3rd gear when I reached the top. There are certain rules that I’ve learned to observe, some by experience and others by listening to the “Old Timers”. Most passes have a pull off area at the summit. Stop, let the motor cool off, get out and walk around, enjoy the scenery, check your tires, brake adjustments, and pray before heading down. Always start down in the same last gear you were in coming up. Keep a slow steady pace and don’t pump the brakes. Let the motor hold you back along with minimal brake pressure. Don’t try to keep up with those going faster. Gradually pick up speed near the bottom but don’t turn it loose and let it roll out too soon, because that’s when most drivers get in trouble. Navigating mountains may take longer when you’re underpowered and heavily loaded, but don’t ever lose respect for them. It’s the overconfident and foolish drivers that crash and burn.

Heading west out of Denver on I70 is Loveland Pass at nearly 12,000 ft elevation. It’s a steady climb for 60 miles. At 11,000 ft you enter the Eisenhower Tunnel. It was built in the early 1970’s and at that time was the highest/longest tunnel in the world. My first experience with it was in July 1974. It was a beautiful sunny day when I entered the east portal. Tunnels can be deceiving and freak you out, and this one is the worst in my opinion. If it wasn’t for the drag on the engine, you wouldn’t know you were still going uphill. All you can see are four box-like sides that extend ahead of you for 1.7 miles. The temperature drop is felt immediately, and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. As I neared the end at 11,150 ft my thought was, “Finally that’s over with.” I could see white light ahead, but it wasn’t the white light I had expected. Seriously, get real, a near blizzard in July! The highway was covered with snow, and it was coming down hard. A 7% grade is bad enough without adding snow to it. What a difference there was from one side of the mountain to the other.

Photo taken in 1974 at Cave Sound in Independence, Mo after I unloaded inside

Caves are a different breed of cat. They are like tunnels as I described above except that you enter and exit at the same opening. Many people may not know this, but Kansas City is full of huge man-made underground caves that house many warehouses and cold storage facilities, as do Carthage and Springfield, MO. It’s like entering a whole new world with paved roads, trucks, docks, and cars everywhere. You better know where you’re going and follow the signs because a wrong turn could get you lost and find yourself on a dead-end with not much room to turn around. It’s lit with lights and your eyes adjust quickly to the darker ambience. However, when exiting the cave, I suggest you have on sunglasses because the natural light is almost blinding. Isn’t it amazing how quickly we get acclimated to the darkness. Think about that and read on.

Without mountains there would be no valleys. Everything would be level. Valleys are the lowest points between two mountains or a mountain range and the ocean. They often follow the path of a river. Valleys are unique in so many ways. The San Joaquin valley in central California encompasses eight counties and is known for the many types of produce grown there. Further north is the Napa Valley which is in the heart of wine country. The Willamette Valley of Oregon was a sought-after destination by early settlers. Most valleys are productive with a few exceptions. Once you enter the Salt Flats in Utah on I80, there is absolutely nothing but salt. You can see the mountains at Wendover, NV and they look so near but are 60 miles away. The lowest point in the United States is in Death Valley, CA. At 282 ft below sea level, it is also one of the hottest places on earth in the summer often reaching over 120 degrees. No, thank you.

Symbolically speaking, our lives are composed of mountains, tunnels, caves, and valleys. If you were to categorize your life at this moment in time, which of those four would best describe your current physical, mental, or spiritual situation. Perhaps you feel like you are in Death Valley and are at the lowest point in your life, and the intense heat has consumed everything you once thought was worth living for. Young or old, maybe you feel like nobody cares. You feel forgotten, lonely, misunderstood, and abandoned. You secretly just wish you could die and end it all. The demonic voice of suicide whispers, “Just do it.” Tragically, far too many see that as the only way out. The Bible in Psalm 23 talks about the Valley of the Shadow of Death which we all will eventually face. For the believer in Jesus Christ, it is comforting to know that He leads us safely through and it passes like a shadow. Why would anyone choose to make it their eternal home, but such is the case of those who reject Christ. Many valleys are mentioned by name in the Bible and far too many to list here. Most valleys have rich soil that provide a source of income. It’s where homes are built, families are raised, day to day living happens, and battles are fought and won or lost. It can be a place of blessing and hardship, rain or drought, wealth and poverty, plenty and leanness, happiness and grief, sickness and health. It’s where dreams are fashioned and realized, and where whys are asked but not always answered. It’s the place where God calls you to come to Him on the mountain.

Many times, Jesus left the disciples and went up the mountain alone to pray. It was on the mountain that His glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. It was on the mountain that Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac until God stopped him and blessed him for his obedience. Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days in the presence of God receiving the commandments of God. It was on Mount Carmel that God demonstrated His power when the prophet Elijah built an alter and called upon His name. It was on a hill called Mount Calvary where Jesus was crucified and laid down His life for our sin. His disciples witnessed His ascension into Heaven from Mount Olivet. Climbing the many mountains of life is often a struggle, but when you reach the top, the valleys take on a whole new perspective and meaning. Many whys of the valleys are answered on the mountain tops. Problems become smaller and God shows and proves himself to be greater than them all. Your tunnel vision is eliminated and the distractions of the valley pale as your view of life is expanded. The voice of victory and thanksgiving shout from the mountain with echoes resounding down to the valleys past, present, and those to come. A word of advice: Enjoy the mountain tops, learn, and understand what they show you as they prepare you for the next valley. A word of caution: Come down slowly and don’t allow pride and overconfidence in yourself cause you to crash.

Life was not meant to be lived in a dark cave. Though we were all born in the darkness of sin, Jesus came to set us free that we might live an abundant life in His light. People live in caves by there own choice as it says in John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Some who have known the light have let sin pull them back into the cave of darkness. The only way out is by the way they entered. Jesus said that His followers are to be light and salt. Light exposes and expels darkness and salt gives flavor. When they hide their light and loose their flavor (ability and desire to influence and change the culture through the truth of the gospel) they become like the Salt Flats. Their hearts become hard, nothing grows there, and people drive over them. (reference Matthew 5:13-15)

The Old Testament book of Joel is a prophesy about the Day of the Lord which is yet to happen. Jesus also spoke clearly about the terrible events that would take place upon the earth. It will be a day of wrath and judgement by God. The only way of escape is through Jesus Christ, by repenting of your sin, turning to Him and by faith receiving Him as your savior. Joel 3:32, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Nobody knows when that day will happen or when death will knock on your door. Today, and now, is the time to make the decision to accept Christ, because later may be too late. Joel 3:14 speaks about “multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Decision”. Jesus is the light at the end of your tunnel. He’s calling you to come out of the dark cave of sin. Don’t look back as did Lot’s wife, desiring the things of the world, and was turned into a pillar of salt. Jesus wants to meet with you on the mountain top and walk with you through all life’s valleys. What will you decide?

School Can Be Cruel

By: Denny

Lisa, our daughter-in-law, sent us a picture of Ava our three-year-old granddaughter’s first day of pre-preschool. There was no such thing in my generation. Formal education started with kindergarten at the age of five or six. Nowadays more mothers have been forced to work outside the home for various reasons, thereby necessitating the need for daycares and preschools. In many cases the extra money a mother earns barely offsets the fees charged. Sadly, it’s a “catch 22” for many families, but that’s beside the point and a bunny trail. Having six kids, I think it was a relief for mom when each of us started school. I was excited to go away from home, but mom was always there when I returned. She wanted to know how my day went, what I was learning, and if I had fun. If I had a bad day, she was there to console me. If I misbehaved, I didn’t want her to know, though she was sure to find out. Mothers talked to teachers back then, and there was that dreaded note you were expected to give to your parents. Schools taught the fundamentals which were required and age appropriate. Unlike today when little kids are taught and indoctrinated with things not fitting and way beyond their level of comprehension, but that’s yet another bunny trail. Ava looked so cute in her outfit with her lunch box and backpack from the movie “Frozen”. Lisa said another girl took her hand and Ava was chosen to be Line Leader. That’s a big deal when you’re a little kid. Being befriended and accepted goes a long way in calming your fears, especially on the first day of school. It’s crucial that parents instill godly values in their children and continually affirm their love for them way before that big day. They need to be rooted and grounded in self-esteem and confidence in who they are and know that their worth, value, and significance doesn’t come from what others say or think, because school can be cruel. These are the formative years that will influence their thinking as they walk life’s pathway. It doesn’t take long before a “pecking order” begins to take shape, and much of that starts on the playground. Kids learn quickly where they fit in and often experience teasing, bullying, and rejection for the first time. This can have a devastating effect. Kids will single out others who may not be athletic, dress different, have a learning or physical special need, any number of differences in appearance, social status, or personalities. That’s when clicks begin to form. It’s hurtful when no one wants you on their team or you’re always the last one chosen. As if rejection wasn’t bad enough, they usually attach a label to you to go along with it that can possibly follow you through high school and beyond. If you doubt what I’m saying, then you’ve never been to a class reunion. I’m writing this from my perspective, personal observations, and experiences growing up. Obviously, things have changed over the years and sadly not for the better. Lucy has worked in the public schools for nearly twelve years, and I just shake my head in disbelief at what she tells me goes on there unchecked. Living with rejection is painful because of the feelings of discouragement, hopelessness, and victimization attached to it. Suicide among teens has increased as many see that as a way out of their suffering. It is neither normal nor healthy for a child to keep to themselves. There is a reason behind it which should send up red flags to both teachers and parents. If not investigated, you may be unknowingly cultivating a future school shooter. That’s a phrase that wasn’t even in anyone’s vocabulary when I was a kid. Of course, the politically correct and socially accepted thing these days is to blame it on guns, and some with that viewpoint may reject me. Whatever, but if you choose to go down that bunny trail, I’m not following.

Rejection takes on many forms and for various reasons, because life is like a cruel school playground. You may feel rejection if overlooked for the promotion you worked so hard for and deserved, but they gave it to someone else. You applied for a job, but they said you didn’t meet their qualifications. You asked a popular girl to the homecoming dance, and she turned you down. You are a door-to-door salesman and all you get are “no thanks” or slammed doors. You’re a good waitress but notice that the prettier girls get more tips. Something happened and now a relationship is severed and your once close friend or relative hasn’t spoken to you in years. Your spouse left you for someone else. Perhaps you planned an event and sent out invitations and nobody showed up as in Luke 14:16-19. People who feel rejected can often adopt a sense that there is something inherently wrong with them, but that’s not true. As I mentioned, many who experience rejection see themselves as victims. I also think nothing could be further from the truth. Often those who do the rejecting have a bigger problem. They are insecure, motivated by their needing to be in control, driven by their self-centeredness, and immersed in pride. 

Jesus was and is no stranger to rejection. Nearly 700 years before His birth Isaiah prophesied that He would be despised and rejected. (Isaiah 53:3) As Jesus began His earthly ministry of teaching and proclaiming truths of the Kingdom of God, many rejected Him. They only saw Him as the son of Joseph and Mary. Even His brothers, sisters, and the people in the town where He grew up doubted His claims to be the Son of God. Many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah because of the many miracles He performed and the words He spoke. Crowds followed Him everywhere. The Pharisees were enraged as they saw that their power over people was being threatened. They had become guided by traditions and religious rules of their own making, and Jesus called them out for their hypocrisy. The Pharisees and religious leaders not only rejected Him but sought to kill Him. Jesus wasn’t the least bit intimidated or distracted from His purpose by their name calling and bullying tactics, because He was firm in His identity as God’s son. At every turn He put them to shame by the words of truth He spoke, and they were left dumbfounded and silenced. I think that Jesus gives us the perfect example of how to deal with rejection. The Bible says that He often went to a secluded place away from everyone to pray. As a man the physical demands of ministering to the masses must have been tiring to say the least and He needed a break from it to rest. I also think He needed to be refreshed in the presence of His heavenly father. There is much that can be said about being in the presence of God that brings peace, security, comfort, joy, strength, emotional healing, confidence in who you are, and His unconditional love and acceptance. Your life’s purpose becomes clearer and the rejection from people pales in comparison to knowing Him. For the person who is wholly committed to the Lord and their lives show it, rejection should be expected and come as no surprise. Jesus said His true followers would be treated the same way they treated Him. Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

In my opinion there are two types of rejection: aggressive and passive. I think everyone knows aggressive rejection and has felt it at some point. Passive rejection on the other is harder to recognize or often interpreted as something else. The Bible gives reference to Jesus weeping two times. The first is the account of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem which we celebrate as Palm Sunday and found in Luke 19:41-44. There was much excitement and fanfare as the multitudes rejoiced. In just a few short hours many of the same people would call for His crucifixion. Now that’s aggressive rejection. As Jesus drew near the city, He wept over it because many were caught up in the moment and wanted to see Him because of the miracles He performed. Others didn’t truly believe in Him and were not aware of the prophecies concerning Him that were coming to pass right before their eyes. Jesus spoke about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and caps it off by saying, “You did not know the time of your visitation.”  Ignorance and unbelief lead to passive rejection as Jesus declared, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” The second time Jesus wept was recorded in John 11 with the account of the death of Lazarus. Lazarus along with his two sisters Mary and Martha were close friends of Jesus who lived in Bethany. Upon hearing of Lazarus dying, Jesus seems unconcerned and stays in the place he was for two more days. Afterwards he tells his disciples, “Let us go.” When He arrived in Bethany two days later, Lazarus was already in the tomb. Both Mary and Martha tell Jesus in tears that if only He had been there, their brother wouldn’t have died. There were many others present and everyone was crying. Some said, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Verse 33 says that Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled and wept. Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead before He even left for Bethany, so He wasn’t crying out of grief. He wept because of their unbelief, which in a sense was passive rejection.

I think if Jesus weeps today, it would be over those who through unbelief are rejecting Him and the sacrifice of Himself on the cross that He accomplished for them. He not only offers forgiveness of sins, but the promise of eternal life. In this life you may experience rejection, pain, and suffering. Don’t let that keep you from coming to Jesus who not only knows what you’re going through but can raise you out of that grave of rejection and give you new life.

12-9-86

by: Denny

This blog post is the last in a series of four. To get the most benefit from it I highly suggest you scoll down and read the three previous posts in this order: Just Do What He Tells You, Follow The Leader, Though None Go With Me

December 9, 1986: I had left Rogers, Ark. with a load of Tyson frozen chicken products that morning. I had five drops in Chicago then on to Racine, WI with a final in Stevens Point. It was a gloomy rainy day which didn’t help that I was already feeling down and discouraged. The divorce had been finalized three weeks earlier, and I was missing my son. She hadn’t allowed me to see or talk to him for months. I pulled into a truck stop off I-44 in Missouri to check the temperature on the load and grab a bite to eat. As usual I read my Bible while eating. When I opened it Jeremiah 29:11 caught my attention. It reads: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” That was exactly what I needed to hear at that point in my life. God had spoken to me through His Word, so I simply wrote 12-9-86 in the margin next to that verse. There are times when God will answer prayers immediately with specific instructions to follow as I mentioned in two previous blog posts. Then there are other times when you wait for months or years to see His plan unfold and come to pass. In the meantime, keep serving Him and allow Him to fit all the pieces together. Don’t get ahead of God by trying to make something happen on your own. For the next seven years my faith grew as He continued to do great things too numerous to mention. In 1991 I took a job driving for Ruan Transport hauling bulk cement out of the two cement plants in Mason City to locations in IA, MN, SD, ND, WI, and NB. I had driven for them previously for four years in the late 1970’s, and they hired me on the spot. This allowed me to be home every day. I became more involved in my church, began to preach, was inspired to write many poems, plays, and participated in many short-term mission trips to Mexico.

March 16,1993: Demand for cement slows down in the winter months, and because I was low on the seniority list, I got laid off from December until April. I had established a friendship with the missionary to Mexico (Sam) that my church supported. I had decided that I would spend one whole month working with him to which he replied, “Come on down!” He knew my desire was to find a Godly wife and jokingly said he could introduce me to several women. I headed for his house near San Antonio where we met and then proceeded to the border. He explained that he had a friend, Jake, on the Texas side where we would be staying and using as a base, and he had a single daughter named Lucy. We arrived at their place on Friday afternoon. Introductions were made and the four of us sat around and talked for a while, then Sam and I unloaded our stuff into the spare bedroom. Afterward we crossed the border and visited some of Sam’s contacts to set up our agenda. It was late at night when we returned. Lucy and I started sharing our life experiences. She had recently left Mexico having lived there for ten years as a self-supporting missionary. Sam and Jake left us alone to talk and it seemed like time stood still, but we suddenly realized it was 5AM. I got a few hours’ sleep and after Lucy cooked a fabulous breakfast, Sam and I spent the entire day in Reynosa, Mexico. Once again it was late when we returned, and Lucy and I talked until 1AM. The next day was Sunday, and the plan was to go to church. We met up with some other missionaries and we all sat together. Lucy was standing next to me, and during the singing with my eyes closed, I reached for her hand. She grabbed mine and immediately the Lord said, “Do you know you’re holding your wife’s hand.” Tears began to flow down my face. Little did I know until later that the minute she met me on Friday the Lord told her, “There’s your husband.” She had asked the Lord, “But how can I marry a man I just met and don’t love?” His reply was, “When you touch you will feel the love.”, and we certainly did! Later after lunch we compared notes and realized God had been orchestrating the details for years to establish His plan for both of us. I proposed, and she said yes. Her father was outside and busy getting the garbage together for pickup with his back to us when we returned. I remarked, “Pretty busy huh Jake.” Without turning around he said Yaa. “Well, I guess you’re too busy to ask you if I can marry Lucy.” Previously Lucy had shared with him what the Lord had told her concerning me, but she instructed him to not say a word and see what God would do. It was a special moment when he said yes, tears flowed, and we had a group hug. Sam wasn’t really upset when I told him the missions work with him was canceled. Lucy and I were married 40 days later, and our 29th anniversary will be May 1st. I had to leave out many more details due to space about the miraculous way God brought us together. I can’t remember exactly when it happened or when I realized it, but as I was reading the book of Jeremiah one day, I came across the date 12-9-86 written in the margin, and I remembered the promise God spoke to me years earlier. It is no coincidence that Lucy’s birthday is December 9th, and she grew up and was living in Springfield, MO not far from the truck stop at the time God spoke His promise to me. God truly does speak to people today!

It is my hope that by sharing my personal experiences with the Living God someone will be stirred to believing in Him. He is not far away from anyone if you look for Him in everyday life events. I’m not some great evangelist, preacher, or teacher with a degree. I’m just an old truck driver who had a life changing encounter with Jesus one day 38 years ago in Turlock, CA. while sitting in my truck. I’ve had some wonderful pastors, especially Jim and Sandi Nunes, who though they had no children treat me as a son. They taught me much firsthand, things you don’t learn in a Bible school, just as my dad had taught me firsthand how to drive a truck. I don’t have a huge group of followers with these blogs posts, but if only one person gives their life to Jesus Christ it was worth my time and effort.

Another reason I write is to keep alive the memories in my mind, because as I get older in life, I don’t want to forget what God has done for me. I don’t get to see my grandkids much and I may not be around to see them become adults. Maybe someday when they’re older and read these blogs, it will give them an insight to the kind of man their grandpa was. Like King David I was not without my faults and failures, but my heart was for God and my desire was to please Him and live according to His Word. I want to pass on my heritage and legacy to them in hopes they will all come to faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him. My advice to them would be to give Jesus Christ first place in their lives. Seek Him and He will guide you into all truth because there are many who live by their own truths based on their feelings. Don’t be in a hurry to find a husband or wife but pray and ask the Lord to bring that person into your life. Make absolutely sure they are the one and your value systems and beliefs line up with Biblical truth.

I think I may post some of my poems in future blogs. Please like, share, comment, or subscribe if you are encouraged by these writings.

If the Shoe Fits . . . .

By: Denny

From the mid to late 1960’s my parents owned and operated a shoe store and repair shop.  Mom generally took care of the sales while dad repaired shoes. It was a huge transition for our whole family as dad had previously been a truck driver. He wasn’t gone a lot because he drove locally, but now he was home all the time. We had moved from Cedar Rapids and relocated to Guttenberg. More shoes were made from leather back then, plus dad had a lot of leather stock in the repair shop. We lived above the store, and I still remember loving the smell of leather. Dad never had training in shoe repair except for some limited time spent with the guy they bought the business from, but he picked it up quickly. He did a lot of heels, soles, stitching, zippers, eyelets and whatever else could be done to a shoe. Occasionally a customer would buy a pair of shoes that didn’t quite fit so dad would custom stretch them. If a woman had a pair of shoes or high heels that she really liked but wanted the color changed, he could dye them to whatever color she wanted. Most shoes were made in America and could be repaired several times to extend their life. Nowadays these cheap Chinese shoes can’t be or aren’t worth repairing, so you just write them off, throw them out and buy a new pair. After about a year and a half we moved to Osage, shoe business included. There already was a shoe store and repair shop there. My parents worked hard to make a go of it, but the competition was well-established. To make ends meet dad took a job driving for a small local freight delivery company, which he soon owned. All five of us kids each helped as best we could. My older brother did a lot of the shoe repairs after school and on weekends, while I did the same working on the freight dock unloading and reloading trucks. Our youngest brother was born during this time and mom would take him to the store and had a bed set up for him in a small side room. If he started to cry while she was busy with a customer, another one might ask to pick him up and hold him. My three younger sisters helped in the same way taking care of him after school and on weekends along with the cooking and other household chores. Having a good work ethic and being accountable was part of our parents training us to become responsible adults.

We weren’t the perfect family, and mom and dad had their hands full keeping us in line making sure we all got along. We were taught to respect them and suffered the consequences for back talking. Telling our parents “No” would’ve been a regretful thing to do. Us kids were expected to settle our differences and arguments quickly or they would do it for us, and that wasn’t pretty. Sometimes they just stood back and let us have at it but intervened when it became physical. However, I remember one time my brother and I got into an argument and dad put the boxing gloves on us and we went at each other. Nothing like a good healthy fight. (LOL) I think both my parents’ flunked math because I never heard either of them count to three. Strange as it may sound, none of the rooms in our house had corners, at least that I became familiar with. Knowing my siblings, I don’t think any of us enjoy or seek conflicts as adults. On the other hand, we don’t run from them and know when to stand up for ourselves if found in the middle of one.

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t peace usually come after a conflict? Not every conflict or disagreement has to escalate into a knock down drag out fight to be resolved and bring peace and reconciliation. “As much as depends on you” expresses the idea that there is only so much that can be done by you if the other party refuses to engage and do their part. Unfortunately, that’s the heart of why most conflicts never get resolved, because each side thinks the other should move first or owes them an apology before they will even come to the table. Where did the idea that we must avoid conflict at any cost come from? Avoiding a conflict does not automatically equate to peace. Blowing up and telling someone off or shunning them solves nothing either, but just sweeps the dirt under the rug. Unresolved conflicts and their issues can last for years due to just plain stubbornness, pride, and not having gotten your way. The longer you let things go unresolved the harder it becomes to make peace and it gives the devil opportunity to build the wall of division higher. That’s exactly what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians 4:26-27, “If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry – get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil.” (The Living Bible) “Discovering Jesus in everyday life” is the theme of my blog. This is the first time I couldn’t come up with a more positive uplifting analogy, because He never acted in the way I just described above. You might say, “Oh yeah, didn’t Jesus call the Pharisees hypocrites, fools, snakes, blind guides and sons of hell?” He did indeed because He spoke the truth, but like so many today, they just didn’t want to hear or see that about themselves. “Well, didn’t He get angry and upset the tables of the money changers in the temple driving them out with a whip? What about that?” Yes, again He did, but His anger was righteous without sin not vengeful and self-centered. Many people have a one-sided template of Jesus. He’s always loving, kind, gentle and never confrontational. However, the moment you speak a word of truth that applies to them and steps on their toes, they lash out and act completely opposite, just like the Pharisees. So, on their part it’s “My way or the highway”, and they never stop to consider that their way may not be God’s way. How easy it is for some to write off a long friendship or relationship and cast it aside like a cheap pair of Chinese shoes, rather than repair it, recognizing its value past, present, and future.

. . . Wear It.

The Last of the Last at Last

By: Denny

Me getting onboard for the last time.

After 50 years of being a truck driver, I retired on June 1st, 2021. I never thought I would make it this long when I first started driving, because I wasn’t looking that far ahead. I was just excited to be living my dream, seeing the country, and enjoying the moment. In the back of my mind there was always a thought that an accident could happen at any given moment or mile that could end my career or my life. I never would’ve made it this far if I allowed myself to dwell on that. I just kept pressing on mile after mile doing what I loved to do. I have so many safe driving and other awards that I don’t have room to display them. I still have every logbook I’ve ever filled out packed away in boxes. Before the implementation of onboard electronic logs, I had driven over 1 ½ million miles. I’m sure I passed the 2-million-mile mark, but I don’t have paper logs to prove it. For me, it never was about the miles or awards. It was about being and doing my best and returning home safe, and for that I’m thankful that the Lord protected me. My dad was also a truck driver and I surpassed him both in miles and years driving. I learned a lot on my own through experience, but I never forgot or ignored the fundamentals of truck driving he instilled in me during the years we drove together as a 2-man team. My success as a truck driver can be accredited to practicing those fundamentals every mile of every trip. I always wondered what, where, and when my last mile would be like and how I would feel. I can honestly say it was no different than the millions before it. My last employer was Rost Transport in Marshfield, MO. I drove the truck down there, parked it in the lot, shut the door for the last time, and handed them the keys. I looked back once to say goodbye to 50 years of a job well done and knowing my dad would’ve been proud of me. People have asked me in recent years when was I going to retire. My reply has jokingly been that when I get in my truck and fire up that diesel and I don’t get a rush of adrenaline as diesel fuel flows through my veins, then it’s time to quit. I never wanted trucking to be just another job that I had to do to earn a paycheck. Looking back, I must admit that the early years were more exciting than these last years. Partially because I’m older now, but also due to the way people drive these days. Truck drivers used to be respected and they also showed respect to others on the highway, but drivers these days are a different breed of cats. It seems that they drive any way they want to and ignore the rules. People drive too fast, follow too close, don’t signal, don’t look past their hoods, and get angry so quickly. (and that’s just on the street I live, LOL) They have an “It’s all about me, get out of my way” attitude. Lately, I don’t even like driving across town, let alone taking a trip. So yeah, it was time to hang it up and call it a day.

In comparison, the Bible has much to say about the Last Days. Jesus foretold the conditions on earth before His return and for those who know His Word and are paying attention to current events, we may be closer than we realize. The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy (2 Timothy 3) goes into detail about the condition of people’s hearts and attitudes in the Last Days. Compare what he wrote to any daily news reporting and it’s not hard to conclude that we are living in the last of the Last Days. Yet, despite all that Paul exhorts Timothy to fight the good fight by sticking to the fundamentals as the means to overcome and endure to the end. He told Timothy to beware of those who would turn away from Biblical truth to follow their own desires, not enduring sound doctrine. He could very easily be referring to many Christians and churches today who have rejected or exchanged truth in favor of social justice, political correctness, and liberal ideology.

There have been many times over the years that I have had to ask people for directions. For instance, I would call a shipper ahead of my arrival so I would get a good idea where I was headed. It isn’t easy to turn a semi around if you make a wrong turn. It amazed me that people who drive the same route to work every day can’t tell you how to get there. I would often ask for specifics such as: street names, highway #s, number of miles or blocks, or what lane I needed to be in. Most importantly I wanted landmarks like railroad crossings, rivers, bridges, parks, underpasses (especially in Chicago), water towers, etc. Those things are easy to identify from a distance and don’t change or can’t be moved. Of course, now a days everyone uses a GPS app which can really get you lost. I wonder how many Christians who attend church every Sunday, couldn’t tell an unbeliever how to get to Heaven if they were asked. That’s something to think about. Proverbs 22:28 says: “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set”. In a recent session of Congress, Gregory Steube (R) Florida simply read from the Bible about what God’s will is on the subject of all this sexual identity agenda we are being forced to accept. He was interrupted by Jerry Nadler (D) who stated, “God’s will is of no concern to this congress”. So that’s where we are in America today. The landmarks of Biblical values and morality this nation was founded upon have been moved or obliterated by a political party and their voters who have rejected truth and sound doctrine. I knew that my last mile of truck driving had come, but Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour of His return, and many in that day will be surprised to find Heaven’s door closed to them.  As I mentioned above, it isn’t easy to turn a semi around after making a wrong turn. Likewise, it won’t be easy to turn this nation back to God. The responsibility lies with every individual who professes and confesses that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior to engage in this spiritual battle. Our job is not to win an argument, but rather win souls, for in so doing we change the heart of a nation that has lost it’s way. It isn’t enough to identify or complain about the situation, but as it says in James 1:22 “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”. Yes, God desires the United States to turn back to Him, but more importantly He wants broken lives to be healed, sinners coming to a knowledge of God, and lost people saved. When the church arises to it’s purpose and calling, God will move and revival will come.

If my dad were alive today, he would congratulate me on making it to 50 years of truck driving. However, at the end of my life’s journey in serving the Lord, the words I want to hear Jesus say are, “Well done good and faithful servant.” How about you?

What is a Sprue?

by Denny

Most people would get it wrong if this was a multiple-choice question. Well, it’s not a rare bird that lives in the Rain Forest, and it’s not a nocturnal rodent. It’s not something that cowboys wear on the heels of their boots. It’s not the latest coffee concoction from Starbucks, nor is it the tool that was once used by women to tighten their high-top boot laces. In fact, it’s none of the above, but it’s simply a piece of plastic. More specifically, it’s the plastic that holds the pieces of a “Do It Yourself” model kit. Sprues are usually round solid piping and can be various sizes and colors depending on the kit. In the process of making a model, hot molten plastic is injected into the mold. When the plastic cools it hardens, and the mold is opened revealing the detailed parts. The sprue which now holds them was the channel that the plastic flowed through to fill the mold. I would not have known this if it wasn’t for the fact that I’ve been putting together some plastic building kits for the model railroad layout I’m building, and the instructions refer to them as “Sprues”. Don’t bother looking it up in the dictionary, because you won’t find it. I already tried.

When you get a model kit you see the picture on the outside of the box, and it looks so real. You think, “This looks easy, I can do this”, until you open the box and see all the sprues and parts. Your next thought is: “Where do I start?” Fact is, you wouldn’t know if they hadn’t provided an instruction sheet. There is a proper order and sequence in building a model and that’s why they say, “Read the instructions before starting!” The instructions will list the parts by number and that number is also imprinted on the sprue. It’s important to identify and familiarize yourself with the parts before starting. The manufacturer knows the step-by-step procedures needed, and they make it plain and understandable with pictures showing exploded views of how each part fits. They also tell you what tools and other things you will need to complete the kit. I have learned from experience that if any detail parts need painting to paint them while they are still attached to the sprue. Also, remove them with a sharp craft knife, because if you twist or pull them off you can damage them. Even after removing them they may need some trimming to get a good fit.

Recently, I started a grain elevator model kit with an in-track loading bay. I got the main big parts glued together and painted the detailed parts on their sprues. However, I lost interest and set it aside to finish laying track. This week, about a month later, I got to a point where I had to finish the elevator. I opened the box with the remaining parts, but the instruction sheet wasn’t there. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it. Thinking it may have gotten thrown away in the trash, I emptied it all and it wasn’t there either. Alas, I’m sitting here with all these parts and pieces and don’t have a clue where they fit or where to even start. If I tried to begin on my own, I was sure to mess up and the result would be a cobbled-up model with unused parts. All those small parts may seem insignificant, but they are what’s needed to add realism and make the model come alive. The next day I found a bag with some PVC parts that I was planning to glue together to make some extra silos. There, in the bag, were the instructions I’d been looking for. I was able to finish the elevator with no extra unused remaining parts, and it looks pretty good if I do say so myself. One thing I’m learning; building a model train layout and doing it right is a process that requires a lot of time and patience, but it’s worth it. Lucy bought a Drive-In Theater kit for me as a Christmas present. She told me to make room on the layout but wouldn’t tell me exactly how much room or what it was. I convinced her to let me open it early so I could keep working and make it blend with the rest of the buildings. I put it together and it looks cool. It’s unique in that it’s made so Lucy’s small Kindle Fire fits into the screen and real movies can be shown via Bluetooth connection to the internet. I rate it 5 stars!

Speaking of connection, in retrospect I think all of us would give the year 2020 a one star rating. The COVID virus has so affected every aspect of the way we’ve done life in the past. I don’t mean to minimize the seriousness of the virus, but I think the fear of it has done more damage than the virus itself. Last year if you walked into a bank wearing one of those “Gator” masks, they may have feared you were going to rob them. Now, you can’t even enter a bank without any type of mask. The greatest impact I believe is the loss of personal connection with others. Whether it’s social distancing, quarantine, shelter in place or whatever; the result has been isolation. The cesspools of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram along with others have taken the place of personal face-to-face interaction. Restaurants and other businesses where people gathered or shopped were forced to close. Schools were closed and many have gone to virtual classes. Mass gatherings have been prohibited, though the Marxist radical politically correct rioters were allowed to continue their lawless destruction. Churches were shut down and many reverted to online services. Families were told not to gather, whether it was for a celebration or funeral. Some elite self serving politicians exempted themselves as usual. You know it’s pretty bad when even the Hollywood liberals have had to revert to virtual TV audiences. I almost fell on the floor laughing while watching an NFL game. They played the fake audio of crowd noise that implied a full stadium of fans, but as the camera panned you could see it was empty.  Some stadiums went so far as to have cardboard cut-outs of fans in the stands. What a joke! Truth is this is not a laughing matter for those who are struggling emotionally and financially. Violence, abuse, alcoholism, murder and suicide are on the increase as a result of this pandemic. Jobs and freedoms have been lost. People’s lives have been shattered because those things they thought would always be there have been limited or taken away. The inability to make it happen on their own is a reality many are facing. Just like me when holding the pieces of that model elevator, I didn’t know where to start on my own to make the pieces fit. It looked hopeless, until I found the instruction sheet.

Before COVID many people were quite content and happy with their “Do It Yourself” life without God. Their faith was in themselves and their resources to make life happen. Much of that is gone for them, and the only answer I have is to read God’s instruction sheet, the Bible, and follow its directions. It isn’t lost, you are. Things haven’t been working out for you so far in either ignoring or blaming God, so why not turn to Him in sincerity asking for His help. He understands your situation and wants to move on your behalf. However, His greatest desire is that you know Him, not just what He can do for you. I believe God allows things to happen so people will turn to Him, who otherwise wouldn’t when things are going smoothly and they are in control. He alone can reveal how all the large, small, good, and bad pieces of your life fit together perfectly. He wants to intervene so your life will have meaning, purpose, significance and to be all He created you to be. Even for those who already know Him as Lord and Savior, we need to continue trusting in His faithfulness to see us through these uncertain times. Isolation has the devastating ability to make a person feel like they are forgotten and their lives are insignificant. You may feel like just a small part, but realize it’s the small detailed parts of a model that bring it to life. God has not forgotten you! Let the life of Christ in you continue to give light to those around you living in darkness. Be patient and allow God time to complete that which He has started, because in the end it will be worth it! I want to reference these familiar Bible verses and encourage you to read them.  

Matthew 6: 31-34   Jeremiah 29: 11-13    Romans 8: 28,31,35,38,39    

Say You’re Sorry

                                                              By: Denny

The year was 1965 and I was in 7th grade. I was looking forward to Friday night, because it was to be my first school dance. I had a crush on a girl named Susan, and we had planned on dancing together. She was about the prettiest girl I’d ever seen up until then. She had shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, and a smile that would melt an ice cream cone before you got the first lick in. She always used a special perfume which lingered in my senses all day. That night she wore a pink mohair sweater and a light blue dress. Most of the guys were just sitting around on the sidelines too shy to ask a girl to dance, so I wasn’t worried about them cutting in on me. The girls were either dancing with each other or waiting to be asked by a boy. The chaperones were two women teachers; a Math teacher and an English teacher. The English teacher was a strict old bitty which none of us kids liked. It was during a break, while a bunch of us were enjoying refreshments, that the English teacher came toward us escorting Karen. She looked straight at me and told me to dance with Karen. Karen was probably the smartest girl in 7th grade. The term “geek” hadn’t been invented yet, but she was one. She had short red hair, freckles, and wore horn rimmed glasses. Although it had never been proven, she could’ve stopped a freight train dead in its tracks. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the picture. Anyway, I told the teacher I didn’t want to dance with her and that she should force one of the other guys who were just standing around doing nothing. Fast forward to Monday. I was in Math class when the teacher told me to follow her to the office. When we got there the English teacher was also there with Karen. I don’t remember the exact words spoken in that lecture session, but they made me apologize and say I was sorry to Karen for not dancing with her. I’m sure those two teachers felt justified in that they had righted some terrible wrong, but I wasn’t sorry. When I told my dad what happened, he almost went to school to give those teachers the “what for”. I’ll never forget what he told me; “Don’t ever let anyone force you to apologize for anything you’re not sorry for unless you honestly mean it, and don’t ever be sorry for doing the right thing.” Then came the day in English class not long thereafter when she was teaching us vocabulary. The word was retaliation. After explaining the meaning (to return like for like; to get revenge), she asked Robert to put his hands on the top of his desk. Upon doing so she promptly hit them with a ruler, put her hands on his desk and said, “Robert, retaliate.” Robert shirked back and did nothing. She went to a girl and did the same with no response from her either. Alas for her, she made the fateful mistake of coming to my desk. I don’t remember the ruler hurting, but I’m sure she didn’t forget my fist coming down on her hand. Her only reply was that I understood the meaning of the word “retaliate” and walked away. I wasn’t sorry for doing the right thing.

There were six kids in our family, and we were taught right from wrong growing up. Sometimes the wrong was enforced by the sting of a belt or mom’s infamous slap box. (don’t ask) If you weren’t truly sorry before, you would be afterwards. Sadly today, many people believe there are no absolutes, therefore in their minds there isn’t any right, wrong, or need to be or say, “I’m sorry”. It’s like it says in Judges 21:25 “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” I guess we’ve all done or said wrong things that at the time we felt were right. Emotions caused us to react without considering the effect it would have on others. Saying, “I’m sorry, I was wrong”, is hard for some people to do, because they are too prideful to admit it. There are some situations where you can apologize for someone else’s actions. For instance, a parent may apologize for a young child’s misbehavior up to a certain age, after that they are accountable for their own actions. Many parents will make their kids say they’re sorry but fail to teach them good morals and explain why they should be sorry. A forced apology is no apology because it doesn’t originate from the heart, and it usually doesn’t result in a lasting change of behavior. This is what is called worldly sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:8-10. King Saul was a perfect example. He disobeyed the Lord and the prophet Samuel called him out for it. Right away the king started making excuses but was sorrier that he got caught. On the other hand, godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation. For instance, when Peter three times denied that he knew Jesus, he later wept bitterly with godly sorrow for so doing. We can have a conversation about right and wrong, but the Bible cuts to the chase and calls it what it is with words like: good and evil, sin, sorrow, reconciliation, repentance, and restoration.

There is so much outcry today for this generation to apologize and make amends for the generation that brought slavery to this nation. I agree it was wrong, but how does my apology make things right or change what was done hundreds of years ago? It’s all symbolism with no substance. The Bible says in Ezekiel 18:20, “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father the guilt of the son.” All these people who are rioting want to make us guilty and pay for the sins of the past or a policeman’s actions, yet they don’t apologize or feel sorry for their current sinfulness. They shout for justice but have taken matters into their own hands outside of the law. They seek vengeance and retaliation and put themselves in the place of God who alone reserves that right for himself. Romans 12:19 “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. God doesn’t right every wrong the instant it happens, but there is coming a time that He will. Someday everyone will stand before him and must give an account for the things they did in this life. For those who have repented of their sins with godly sorrow, accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and received His salvation and forgiveness; there will be much joy. There will also be much sorrow expressed by those who rejected God, thought just being a good person was enough to get by, or that He didn’t take notice of their evil ways. Jesus said on that day there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Saying you’re sorry then will be too late.

Perhaps as you’ve read this a situation or event that happened in your life comes to mind. Things were said or done by you or another that caused hurt, separation, unforgiveness and bitterness. Maybe you did say you were sorry, but it wasn’t received, and the other person still holds a grudge. If the person who wronged you has died, forgive them and move on. Maybe you’re the one who needs to let go of your pride and “Say You’re Sorry”.

PS – I’m not sorry if this offends you because it’s the truth