So there I was with Sally, punching in the directions to our destination in my GPS.  Sally turns to me and says that she knows how to get there.  As directionally challenged male, I do what we all do; I smiled and told her to just trust the Tom-Tom. Needless to say our thirty minute trip turned into a two day journey.  Well, not really two days, but the atmosphere in the car seemed to slow time, and not even the calm voice of John Cleese could break the tension.
            After a brief discussion of how my lack of faith had cost us time and almost ruined the day, I realized that Sally was more on target than I had ever imagined.  I began to think of all the times I had plugged in an address to go to a business meeting, or meet friends at a restaurant, never doubting that my GPS would get me there, on time. However, when it came to my relationship with God, I was willing to go it alone, not even looking at the map He had provided.
            I had often joked that people had more faith in their GPSs than the Bible, and Sally pointed out that it wasn’t just people, it was me.  It is funny how when my GPS told me to turn on a street, that turned out to be a driveway or a dead end road, I’d laugh; turn around and head on down the road. Yet in my life, when things were going bad, I’d stop grumble and ask God for a short cut.  As I learned from reading Proverbs 20:24, “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, How can then anyone understand their own way?”
            The problem I was having is that I’d sit at my computer, update my GPS, study the route and be prepared.  Ah, if only I could say I did the same thing with my personal and spiritual life.  There was a time when my life was spinning out of control, and each road I took lead to a dead end, or a long painful journey of self-discovery.  By not properly preparing myself, I was driving in circles, running out of gas, and forever lost on life’s highways.
            Although I had heard, but never experienced this, it seems that most guys won’t ask for directions, preferring to pretend they know where they are going no matter how long it takes to get there.  Or ask their significant other to get the directions for them.  For whatever reason, we fear asking for help.  Fortunately with Sally as my co-pilot, I was able to tune into God’s GPS signal and the road map for my life, the Bible.  If we are willing to trust satellites circling the Earth to guide us to our destinations, we can trust the Creator of the heavens to lead us to our final destination in Paradise. “The Lord is good, a refuge for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
            Don’t wander around in circles, hoping your spiritual GPS can guide you to the Promised Land.  Listen to the voice of Jesus, and trust Him to lead you where you are meant to be.

“I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now…”-Bob Dylan

            I had sat down to write a world changing sermon on the current condition of society, and what I had learned and observed over a lifetime. I had an outline, well a rant, listing everything that ails us. It was detailed, it was deep, it was disastrously long, and boring. The Lord spoke to me, and said that the message is simple, and I should not worry about changing the world, but changing hearts.

Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. Job 22:21

            We live in a world that is now more connected than ever in the history of man, yet we seem more lonely, and isolated than ever. It almost seems that we have created modern Tower of Babel and our pride in our accomplishments seeks to diminish the importance of God in our world.  We base our lives and value on the number of Facebook friends we have, or followers on Twitter. I was part of that, especially on Twitter. I had over 6,000 followers, but really, what difference was I making in their lives? None really. I closed that account; opened another and now proudly have 36 followers.

            We spend much of our time seeking value based on another person’s opinion of us. We are constantly looking to fill a hole in ourselves that no job, promotion, team, sporting event, amount of money, or material possession can fill. Often in our relationships with friends, family, or spouses, we still feel a need for something else. 

            The answer, while quite simple, is difficult to accept. The hole you are seeking to fill, cannot be filled by the things of this world. Peace, real peace, in this world can only be gained with a relationship with Jesus Christ. He will never leave you, even in your darkest and most desperate moments, He will stand beside you, or carry you through.

            Becoming a Christian does not guarantee an easy life, but it does provide for an inner peace, and calm in times of trial and tribulation. My prayer is that you will take that step of faith, ask for the forgiveness of your sins, and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Only then will you feel a wholeness and peace.

            God Bless.
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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
 
 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
 
            Life is funny.  Well it has to be, as sometimes it hurts too much to live it.  When looking at life we have two choices; carry on or get carried out.  No matter how bad things get I figure it is always better to carry on.
 
            I am at a time in my life that I am getting squeezed by so many outside forces that I look and feel like a stress doll.  I'm not complaining, well maybe I am, but the reality is I just laugh about it. I have no money, and by no money, I mean NO money.  The last time I had two pennies to rub together Lincoln was still warm.  I am preparing for bad news from my doctor this week, eating bread sandwiches, scraping gas money together so I can get to work, and preparing to go back to stripping to pay the rent.
 
            Now lesser souls would throw in the towel, hang their heads and cry.  Not me, that's what they want.  I say when life gives you lemons, throw them back at life, and laugh.  I mean who wants that much lemonade?  There is no point getting down, after all, I'm already there, so I just decide to take a look at the absurdity of my life and laugh.  I look at each day as an adventure.
 
            Example? Sure, one night, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to sleep in my car.  It's funny how before the situation arises you really don't think about it.  The park closes at midnight and the cops kick you out, sleeping in a Walmart parking lot isn't that appealing, and sleeping on the side of the road is just not an option.  So what does a homeless, but car rich person do? 
 
            First, I go to Eat n Park for some cheap food, coffee, and a restroom break.  After getting that out of the way, you find an apartment complex, grab your emergency blanket and pillow, and climb in the back seat of the car, covering yourself so the car itself looks empty to the casual observer.  Don't laugh, this is a true story. 
 
            When you wake up, a little stiff, it is time to get ready for work.  Now you can head into the park.  I would suggest finding a shelter off the beaten path.  I have two that I have used.  These are great places to put on my work clothes, brush my teeth and wash my hair.  What? I hear you say.  Yes I have done this.  It is important to carry at least two gallons of water with you to take care of hygiene issues.  A towel is also a great thing to have with you, as well.  There is nothing quite like sitting shirtless, hair dripping, on a picnic bench watching deer, squirrels, and nature in general on a crisp September morning.  Of course, the occasional dude walking his dog can make it weird, but such is life.
 
            After cleaning and dressing, it is time to head back to Eat n Park for a cheap breakfast, coffee and bathroom break.  Now I would never wash my hair, self, brush my teeth or shave in a restroom.  As hard as it is for some of you to believe right now, I do have standards, and a rechargeable razor. 
 
            In closing folks, there may be times when I am down, but I am not out.  Being homeless once in a while is no big deal, in fact it's a character builder, and proves that I can survive.  Also, I am luckier than others who don't have somewhere to stay 365 days a year.  I look at my circumstances, accept them, and enjoy them for what they are, a chance to live the adventure that is life.  Whatever life throws at you, remember to either duck or catch it, and keep moving forward.  Irritate the people that want to see you fail by smiling and enjoying the life you are living. 
 
            Keep calm and carry on!
 
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

Hate6/12/2019
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"I've decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear."
Martin Luther King

            Hate is a useless emotion that is the one most often expressed.  I have found that hate is draining, and too much work.  Think about it if you hate someone, chances are they dominate your thoughts, and through no fault of their own, ruin your day.  Their good news is your bad news. You spend days and nights wondering how that person can keep getting off the hook for their actions.

            Prayers are prayed asking God to teach them a lesson, not a fatal or permanent one, just a life changing one.  Of course the lesson we want taught is a bad one, one that brings them down, or ruins their lives, but in a way that teaches them something, we want them to learn.  

            It's always nice to know, that God needs our help designing His lesson plan.

            May I humbly suggest trying something different? Love your enemies, or at least let them go, and don't think about them.  Life is too short to focus on those we don't like for whatever reason. Our time would be better served loving the ones that love us, and showing God's love to others. Hate will destroy you, and what will you have accomplished? Nothing.

            Work at building God's kingdom, not destroying others.
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            Luke 6:27-36
      “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

            What is success? How do we measure it? To some it is great wealth; to others it is a 401k that will guarantee some comfort when they retire. There are those that consider a big house, a big career, or a fancy car. We seem to measure success based on material things.

            Using that standard, Jesus, would not be considered a success. Born in a manger, worked for a brief period as a carpenter, then hit the road with a gang of guys. He had no home, no wealth, had to borrow transportation, He wasn’t very popular, died poor, and was buried in a donated tomb. Hardly a success story.

            We spend so much time chasing success, but we can’t define it. In a way chasing success is like chasing the wind; you never really catch it. There is always a newer car, bigger house or promotion that we need to feel more successful. There is something in us that longs to be complete, a success, a respected individual, and satisfied. The problem is, we are looking for the wrong things to fill the hole in our lives that no amount of success can fill.

            Jesus told us, “Do not lay for yourselves treasurers on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For here your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

            The difficulty in living a Christian life in a secular would, is we struggle with the present, and how others perceive our success. No one wants to be seen as a doormat, or a loser; and it is very difficult to remember our time here is short, and our rewards wait for us in heaven. Like everyone else, we want some now; we don’t want the struggle, we want the easier life. That is when faith and trust must kick in. The focus of our success must be Christ centered, not self-centered.

            Friends, family, and the world will judge your success by man’s standard and may abandon you when tough times come. Jesus, however, will not leave you, or turn His back on you. Others will block your messages, not answer the phone, and duck across the street when they see you coming; Jesus is there, always. He will listen, and comfort.

            You may not understand why something has happened, if things will work out, or how they could possibly work out. Remember, life is a mystery. If it wasn’t it would be boring, and we wouldn’t need Jesus to lean on in times of trouble.  
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“He alone is my rock and my salvation; my fortress where I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:6

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

            There is no reference to the United States of America in the Book of Revelation. Why? Did the USA fall victim to a war, or did it just fall apart?

            I believe, we are seeing the end of the United States of America. The unfettered illegal immigration, political parties with their hands in their pockets as the country becomes more and more lawless, and lack of a social standards has put our nation on the edge of extinction. We live in a time, in which, men are transitioning to women, women to men, and babies are not assigned a gender at birth, so they can determine at a later date, what gender they declare themselves.

            This, of course, would depend on whether or not, the baby survives inside, or outside the womb. Legislation has been considered, or passed, that would allow a baby that survives an abortion, to be killed outside the womb, after being made comfortable. Can a nation that has killed millions of unborn babies, and now, abortion survivors, be long for this world? Not only do we openly kill the newborn, we now allow shadowy euthanasia for the elderly.

            We have become not just a culture of death, but a nation that embraces death. Assisted suicide, and suicide in general, no longer shocks us, and  has become an acceptable solution to life’s problems. There is no outrage as the murder rate rises around the country. Witness won’t testify, or come forward, and the legal system may, or may not, punish the killer.

           We place no value on life, and we are now reaping what we have sewn. The United States will not have a role in the “End Times,” because it turned from God, and He withdrew His protective hands, and we willingly destroyed ourselves, from within.
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Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;
Jeremiah 1:5