Monday Musings

August 31, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 8 Comments

In 2019, I’d never have guessed I’d have face masks hanging from my shower wall awaiting to dry.

In 2019, I’d never have thought of driving into our favorite North Georgia mountain town to find one great restaurant after another either closed early, have outdoor seating only, take-out only or have such dismal cleaning abilities that you’d not want to eat there.

In 2018, I never once worried about whom I could hug on a Sunday morning or whom I couldn’t, unless she was a visitor and then, I’d give it pause to not seem too much.

In 2018, I never once thought about how many people across the nation were dealing questions of, “Should I go or stay?”

In 2017, we had concerns around the world about sickness, desolation and fear; yet, we faced it together. We faced it with purpose.

In 2017, we glanced through the hour glass of time, wondering what the future might hold; yet, we glanced with hope, with promise for a better tomorrow.

In 2016, we had disagreements and didn’t see eye-to-eye; yet, that was a “normal” with which almost all of us could live. It was ok to disagree. It was ok to be at odds.

Life just went on.

I wonder how much has to change in 2020 to wake us up from our slumber.

I wonder how many have to be lost before we realize “that normal” is no more and “this normal” is here to stay.

We have to quit “glorifying yesterday” in order to live for tomorrow and be present in today.

We have to quit pointing the fingers and finding the blame in order to live determines and strong.

If we are to not simply survive…

If we are to choose to THRIVE, then, it starts with you and me…

It starts today…

And it must start now.

“Almost universally, when people look back on their lives while on their deathbed […] they wish they had spent more time with the people and activities they truly loved and less time worrying about aspects of life that, upon deeper examination, really don’t matter at all that much. Imagining yourself at your own funeral allows you to look back at your life while you still have the chance to make some important changes.” — Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff

Where Do You Rest Your Eyes?

June 10, 2020 / The WheatandTares

Going through the recent pandemic experience, I have noticed something about human nature. I’ve always known this to be true, but throughout this season, I have seen the evidence portrayed more vividly than ever before.

Where you rest your eyes in life will determine where you end up.

Just as, if while walking along a path, when you never once glance down, you may trip over a tree root or sidewalk, you will trip up in life if you constantly hold your head up in pride and never kneel down in humility.

Just as, if while running along the road, when you never look up, you may run into a tree or get run over by a car, you will run into a wall of anxiety and get run over by an avalanche of fear if you constantly keep your head down and never look beyond your problems.

Just as, if while climbing a mountain, when you refuse to persevere, you’ll never see the beautiful sunset in the horizon, you will be blinded by life’s circumstances if you consistently give up before you achieve the end goal.

Where your eyes search, there you will remain.

Where your eyes reside, there is where you will find your heart.

Take courage to seek peace.

Take courage to seek truth.

Take courage to seek faith.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33

What COVID-19 Has Taught Me Now

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

It has amazed me throughout this pandemic how loud the media has shouted and how quiet the church has remained.

It’s been eerily quiet, except for shouts, concerns and finger-points of who should do what, when and how.

It has amazed me how quickly the whole world has given up their freedom and personal rights, even here in America, under the guise of health, security and even “common decency.”

It has been eerily obvious, except for the shouts, concerns and warning signs thrown up by those who recognize this is not what the Constitution nor our Declaration of Independence provides.

Maybe you’ve not read that part recently.

Let me refresh your memory… (Declaration of Independence)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”

Who gave you the right to remove my rights? Who gave you the approval to dictate to me where I can go, what I can buy, who I can see and where I can eat?

This happens in Communist countries day after day.

This happens in Socialist countries when a crisis arises.

Because the people are dependent upon a higher power to provide.

No matter your political persuasion, if you call yourself an American, don’t get mad and move on.

No matter your religious integration, if you call yourself a Christian, don’t get offended and scroll past.

Please, stay with me here.

It has amazed me how quickly businesses shut down, the economy faltered, and the wallets closed for trade all over the world.

It has been eerily hasty, except for the small businessman who just altered his delivery of food, except for the churches who simply worked a new vantage point to proclaim the gospel, except for the volunteers who said, “Not on my watch, will you struggle and falter alone.”

It has amazed me how quickly many of God’s people shut their doors, curtained their windows, and shielded their mouths.

It was eerily fervent, except for those who cried out for mercy, except for those who swung wide the welcome for shelter, except those who ran to the needy to provide and proclaim a message of freedom.

It has amazed me how quickly many of God’s people walked in fear rather than faith, claiming to rely on the educated, the enlightened, those “in the know.”

It was eerily evident, except for those who called in God’s Name for deliverance, protection and wisdom, except for those who proclaimed His peace, His hope, His love, despite the storm or the outlook, except for those who stepped forward in cautious optimism to say, “He can save. Look up! The Best is yet to come!”

I write this today, not to stir debate, not to bring condemnation, and by no means to try to trivialize the sickness nor glorify a rebellion.

I only write to stir your heart to prayer, to bring conviction where there has been terror and to proclaim His victory over a he darkness.

If we call ourselves Americans, we should never relent our freedom so easily, no matter the declared crisis.

If we call ourselves Christians, we should never surrender our faith and our fight so easily, no matter the size of the giant.

To slay the giant, never proclaim the intricate details of your foe until you have proclaimed the meticulous victories, promises and testimonies of your God!!

2 Samual 17 … read it again, and become like David, not like the Israelites. Walk in courage rather than fear. Ask about the spoils for the triumph. Declare the victory is God’s not yours…nor theirs!