hearing God

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”.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.