JUST SOCKS

Wanda and I were having lunch yesterday, and I got a text from Jennifer in Puerto Rico. She said that she was getting a pair of socks out of her sock drawer and found a pair of her mother's socks that Kristy had given her. It was another jolting moment of loss, and Jennifer again asked, "Why?"

I responded, "Trust Jesus. I don't have the answer, but your Mom trusted Him and we will too."

Today is Jim's, Wanda's first husband, birthday. It is still a tender time for her. He was a great man and is missed too.

But we have learned to trust and go forward. God is helping us and our families, but we still have some touching moments.

Sometimes the moment is just socks.

A Great Scripture For Today

A verse in Isaiah really caught my attention. It reads:

Isa. 33

⁶ He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

Uncertain times make people question, but there is a sure foundation for our times. When the economy, morality, government, and life in general are all being challenged, there is a place of surety that will not fail. That surety is found in the awe, reverence, and respect for the Lord.

Mark this verse, and put it in your heart.

I suspect we will need it more in these uncertain times.

RIDING NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Saturday, Wanda and I rode our Goldwing to Yulee, FL, and participated in a motorcycle ride sponsored by Celebration Assembly of God in Yulee. It is a small church that needs some renovation. There were some 15 motorcycles or so and we enjoyed a 71 mile ride from Yulee up to Kings Ferry, over to Hilliard, and looped around back to Callahan and back to Yulee. We took the back roads and saw lots of sights. God's creation is beautiful!

How many armadillos did I see?

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To show the armadillo how to do it.

Ha!

Well, I saw more and smelled more armadillos than I wanted, but the ride was fun and we had a great time.

Jim and Judy, long distance Goldwing riders, went with us and we had a great time with them. They always have some good pointers for Wanda and me that sharpens our riding abilities.

This was our first group ride, but it went well. You have to space properly and keep good distance between riders while not letting the group get separated. It was fun getting to meet other riders, talk motorcycle talk, share about the Lord, enjoy good food, and help a small church.

Oh, by the way, I won a drawing for a gift certificate at Chili's. That made the day too.

RIDE SAFE

I am enjoying riding my Goldwing immensely. It is a needed outlet that helps refresh my mind and is a hobby of sort. Yet, I know it comes with risk.

To be plainly honest about it, I never, ever, ever expected to ride a motorcycle. The thought of it scared me and I didn't plan on risking my neck to simply get a little "fresh air." But things change, and our attitudes and feelings about things change. So here I am riding a motorcycle in the "big" city. I even scoffed at those I knew who rode, and boy, have I eaten those words. There is a lesson on not ridiculing others in this short story too.

Here is the goal. I ride for enjoyment, within the speed limit, not pushing any threshold of thrill seeking danger, within my skill level, and giving continuous attention to caution. Prudence is the better part of wisdom and that carries over into motorcycling. I know some would say the to be prudent would mean staying off the bike, but that is no fun.

From the first when I purchased my Goldwing, I rode and rode in a church parking lot for several weeks to increase my skill level before I ventured out on the road. Then, I rode in my neighborhood for another period of weeks before getting out on the open rode. Then I took it slow and easy in short runs away from traffic.

Actually, I laid the Goldwing over the first day I rode in the church parking lot. I came to one of those wobbly stops that new motorcyclist do and the weight of it got away from me. It went over on its side, all 800 pounds of it. I almost cried because I thought I had ruined my just purchased Goldwing. I was such a novice that I didn't realize that it had pegs on each side that kept the motorcycle from getting damaged when it lays over. Whew! Was I ever thankful!

Accidents happen in life in many and various forms, but precaution before riding and continuous caution while riding minimizes the possibilities of having an accident. Oh, and lots of prayer helps too.

BETTER COMMUNICATIONS

Wanda and my daughters gave me headsets for our new helmets for our Goldwing motorcycle. With the headsets, Wanda and I can talk easily while riding without having to holler at each other. Most of the time we cannot communicate at all so Wanda sits on the back praying. At least that is what she said she did.

The three primary problems in marriage boil down to sexual issues, communication issues, and financial issues. After years of counseling, I have come to the conclusion that communication is the biggest problem couples face. There have been times I have rated financial issues as the top issues and at other times I have placed sexual problems as the primary problem.

However, poor communication or no communication complicates sexual or financial problems and now, at least in mind mind, seems to be the biggest dilemma in marriage.

What causes poor communication?

There are many causes but it really boils down to talking and listening. I know that seems to be the obvious, but if no one talks or no one listens then there cannot be communication. Honest, kind, frank, and loving discussions are vital and necessary for good communication. Too many couples assume they are being understood or are understanding. Assumed communications can be dangerous communications.

Talking and listening are the beginning of great communication. Wanda and I now have a clear line of communication on our Goldwing. Thankfully, we have an even better line of communication in life. We have a established clear line where we talk and listen. Sometimes what we hear is not necessarily what is being said. We need to listen and ask questions if we are not sure what is being said. That makes everything go better.

JUST PRAY

When you feel the nudging of the Lord to pray, just pray.

Sunday I shared a sermon encouraging people to partner with God to see miracles. A miracle is a supernatural intervention of God into the daily affairs of humans. God works miracles today and He wants us to partner with Him. That was the main essence of my sermon.

After church, a family stood with tears and shared God's mercy this week in their lives. The grandmother had felt a strong impression to pray for her daughter and grandson before she left for the day. She prayed for their protection and God's covering over their lives. Later the little grandson, a good little guy, but a busy active little guy, got their extender saw and lifted it into the air in the back yard where a major power lines runs up in the air across the yard. It connected with the power line. Miraculously, amazingly he was not electrocuted or shocked even though sparks and smoke flew. The mother was spared trying to help.

What is the lesson? Just pray.

When you feel impressed and nudged by the Holy Spirit, just pray. The grandparents stood with tears and still shaking somewhat at this near fatal accident. God heard her prayer for protection for her grandson and daughter. The grandmother was so thankful that she had obeyed the prompting of God to intercede for her family.

Now what is the lesson?

Just pray.

NOT OVER THE HILL, JUST CLIMBING

Earlier this week I celebrated by 60 birthday. So many of you sent kind birthday greetings and blessings. Thank you for remembering me and blessing me.

So, what does 60 mean?

To me, it means a full life of serving the Lord and trying my best to honor Him. I accepted Christ into my life some time between the ages of 5-6. My mother led me to Jesus and I prayed and He came into my life. I have walked with Him all my days.

No, I haven't been perfect, but He has kept my from the major pits of sin and blessed me immensely. I cannot begin to comprehend all of His kindness to me.

All of my adult life from college on has been spent in His service. I was lead pastor of a church by the time I was 23 and other than overseeing church planting in Pen Fl for 9 years, I have been a pastor all these years. It is an interesting and rewarding calling.

Wanda made my 60 birthday special. She planned two parties in my honor. One was with my family and the other with church staff. It is nice when people fuss over you. Wanda went way above the call of duty to bless me.

Also, my daughters and grands made a blog for me to check to get pictures and writings from the grands. Now that was a neat idea. I love it.

I got lots of cards and nice gifts, but I am really excited about getting a intercom system for Wanda and I to use on the Goldwing motorcycle. It is built into the motorcycle but we needed the mic and earphones for the helmets. They are expensive, but Wanda got them for me. Now we won't have to holler at each other.

My wish, and more importantly my prayer, for my birthday is that the next years will be the most productive in my ministry for Jesus. I have asked the Lord to bless Wanda and me as we complete our life's journey and that our children and grands will be blessed.

I am not over the hill. I have found some new mountains to climb and plan on reaching the top.