7-2-2024 – A Word to the Wise – My Enemies

I have never addressed this topic before, I am today since I have added a new name to the list of some 865.

Who makes up this list, someone may ask? Well first there are those who physically tried to murder me and the Lord my God protected me. All are or were in prison, there are seven and perhaps eight in this group.

The next group are those who physically, or emotionally abused me. There are a great number on this list, however many are now dead and to be honest there passing, I am tempted to say brings me joy, but not really.

Another group are those in one manner or another who betrayed me.

The last make up the largest number and were or are most difficult to forgive; those who gossip, lie, or make up stories not based in reality. This group is the most difficult to forgive, and they most certainly are not forgotten.

In contrast are those I have sinned against and there are so many that I cannot even number them, however the Lord does.

The lesson here is to acquire forgiveness, you must forgive sometimes neither is easy.

5-24-2024 – A Word to the Wise – How understanding the gifts can add a new dimension to your study of Scripture.

If you go back through my reviews and teaching on the gifts you will see patterns which help you understand people better. Now we will apply this understanding of the gifts to Scripture.

Elijah, the Old Testament prophet is obviously a Prophet. His outspoken behavior, challenging others regardless the position, even the showdown with Ahab on Mt. Carmel all fit the picture of a Prophet. Elijah was relentless in confronting evil, and was not concerned with what anyone thought of him.

So let’s try apply what we have learned to a New Testament passage. The only purpose here is to make the person and the situation come alive as we observe the character, looking at clues to what their gifts may be. This example is two simple verses yet look at what happens when we apply our insights.

Mark 1:30-31. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. And he came and took here by the hand and lifted her up and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”

The gift that stands out here is a Server. Notice how the first thing this woman does after being healed is to get up and serve them. She does not sit and listen to Jesus’ teaching or run off and tell everyone what He has done, rather she serves them. So, it is very likely she is a Server.

Now the traits of Server. They work tirelessly 12- 14 hours a day achieving a tremendous amount in a short time. They are exceptionally loyal to those who help them. They immediately see physical needs and act to help. On the negative side, they never feel what they have done is ever good enough. They do not like the help of others, preferring to do things themselves. They sometimes talk and do not make sense to other gifts.

Now you can see how knowing the characteristics of the gifts brings a two-dimensional Biblical character more alive. It helps you see them as a real person, and makes their actions more relatable.

I implore you to go to my website and download the positive and negative traits of the gifts, so you can begin to apply this information to Biblical characters. The outcome is not perfection or being totally correct, but rather to see the people and situations through a different lens, and for that to give you a new exciting tool for studying Scripture.

5-13-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Memory

I have wondered these days about my memory, does your memory ever bother you? I mean after all I find it difficult to remember things that I know I have forgotten. Does that happen to you? So, I ask the Lord, does he have a problem remembering?

Nope never. Don’t forget a thing.

But Lord there are a couple of things that I did years ago the memory of which even today I cringe and wonder how I could do that I wish you would forget them as well.

Tell me son what are you referring to? Surely Lord you remember when I was 16 and was waiting on your table passing out communion and when it came to taking up collection taking $20 from the collection plate so I could go to the Fair. Remember?

Sorry son, the memory of that event eludes me. But Lord what about this sin and that sin, Lord being guilty of those things Lord surely your book of remembrance has the grave details of those sins? Sorry son there just is no record I suggest you live as if they never occurred, I do.

5-4-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Some calls never leave the memory of a police officer, it was mid-summer we had answered a couple of disturbance call. I have just finished the reports. “341 you have a missing child 3200 Minco” “341 in route” This is the kind of call you really do not want to get. Most often it’s a runaway or the child did not make it home and was with friends.

“341 put us out.” About then this frantic mother ran up to the car. “My daughter never does this something has happened. Can you give us a full description, how old is she, what is she wearing who are her friends. “Mam, we will keep you advised, please call if she shows up.”

“341 put us out on this nine-year-old black female wearing a bright yellow dress, about 4’5, 80 pounds.

This means we will be out the rest of the evening looking for the child. We will not be able to answer any other calls until she is found.

So, we began to look in all the possible places a nine-year-old would go. Two hours go by. Let’s try down by the railroad track maybe she if playing there. No child.

It gets weary stopping and asking people if they have seen her, but none have. ‘Lord, we need you to lead us to the child.

Twenty minutes later we pass an overgrown area with grass and weeds. I happened to look over and see a bit of yellow. For some reason it caught my attention. Stop John, let me go check this out.

About twenty yards half hidden in the grass is the little girl. She is weeping and moaning. I look down and she has no panties but is bleeding virginally and out of her rectum. “John call for an ambulance, hurry. I stooped down to comfort her. John tells me no one is available and that it will be 30 minutes before one is free. I shook my head, let’s take her to Baylor.

I picked up the frail child and hurried to the squad car. Got in the front seat and John shuts the door.

We are off in a rush, “341 request code three to Baylor” “341 your authorized code three and we are notifying Baylor you’re on the way. The siren cries moanfully as we fly down the narrow streets, light reflecting off the other vehicles and store windows.

The little child continues to moan softly. We pull into the service bay and doctors and nurses are waiting. I handed her over, this frail blood-soaked little child.

Later, that evening striping off the blood-soaked uniform, I cried.

4-30-2024 – A Word to the Wise – The Faith of a Canaanite Woman Mt. 15.21

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

This incident in the ministry of Jesus seems to have occurred 18 months into his work here on earth. Perhaps mid-April 32 A.D. For Jesus it’s time to get away from the crowds who gave him no peace and the constant harassment of his enemies.

So, Jesus and his disciples leave and journey about 40 miles West to the areas of Tyre and Sidon. We remember from the Old Testament that this was the area that Elijah went to during the famine of his day. On this occasion Elijah provided for the family for nearly two years.

On arrival in Tyre Jesus finds the home of someone who knows him and his disciple and is offered a place to stay. There is no announcement of his arrival. Nothing in the newspaper, or radio, or even television Jesus needs peace and quiet.

However, his presence is quickly discovered. Immediately a Canaanite woman, a Gentile, from Syrophoenician, hears of his presence and makes a beeline to the house. She has a daughter, probably a youth who is harassed by demons.

Evidently, she cried out numerous times for the disciples want to get rid of her However, Jesus, did not reply. In much the manner of John 8 when they brought the woman taken in adultery. He just ignored the situation.

Why may one ask? I suspect Jesus had traveled 40 miles just for the purpose of rescuing this child. But it was important to bring out the faith of the mother.

This story has special meaning to me. A couple of years ago my son was diagnosed with ALS. I knew what that meant.

I begged the Lord continuously to heal him. I ask the Lord to exchange my life for his. No prayer, or request, was listened to in fact he brought to mind Ezekiel 14.14 even if these 3 men ask, he would not listen.

I did not understand for almost from my birth death was close at hand. Numerous men had sought my life and the Lord rescued me. But he would not answer this one prayer.

So, I understand how desperately this woman is when she sought Jesus and prostrated herself before him.

I must say in Timothy’s case instead of lengthening his life, for the average age is 2 years with this disease, some lived 20 years, but not here a simple 5 months from diagnosis to death. So just the reverse of what I was asking occurred.

So, the question we find ourselves asking so often is why.

4-26-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Have you ever wondered what the pearl of great price is that Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:45? Jesus says that it is something for which a man will sell everything that he owns to purchase.

I have pondered for many years the answer Jesus hides in this parable. The parable just before it speaks of a man finding a treasure in a field and going and buying that field with all that he had.

There are not many things in life worth selling all one owns to buy it, or are there? I know many a soul who sell all they own and much not owned to buy drugs, alcohol, sex, or a host of other things. Cheap things without any true value. When purchased they bring no satisfaction, nor peace or joy.

Yet Jesus, says that there is something worth selling all one’s worldly possessions, what is it?

I have no doubt that the Pearl of Great Price that for which I would sell everything is friendship with the Lord.

Do you have any idea what it would be like to be considered a friend of the Lord.

Yet, the reward makes the price a small matter. Many think of heaven or even the grace of the Lord as a great prize, and it is yet this matter of friendship, the Lord having affection for us. Not just love. But to think that when He hears our voice, or beholds are presence, it brings the Lord great satisfaction.

This admiration is reflected in the reply the Lord gives to Satan when He says; “have you considered my servant Job…”

What feelings do you think were aroused in Job when he is writing his story down for posterity, as Job pens the words that reflect the heavenly conversation? “Have you considered my servant Job”?

True, a person may consider many things priceless, yet for a few, friendship with the Lord is the pearl of great price.

Sometimes questions can be very foolish. Have you noticed how children can ask the most inane questions? Even as adults how often have you sat in a classroom and experienced others making ridiculous statements or asking questions which reveal no depth on the part of the asker?

On the other hand, every once in a while, a question and its answer can shake you to your very foundation. I experienced that this morning when the question came to mind that touched my soul and left me breathless.

“Jedidiah ( that is His name for me) how is it that I won your heart? Why do you love Me?

Why? Lord I will tell you why. When I was a year old, I lay close to death. In fact, I did not know it till much later, the doctors told my mother that I would not make it through the night.

I remember still laying in her arms in that squeaky old rocking chair and her singing that beautiful hymn over and over. “I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses and the voice I hear, calling my ear…. I am sure you remember it, “the Son of God discloses.” “And He walks with me and He talks with me, and most assuredly He has. I loved Him then and I love Him now.

That Lord is why I love you most of all. At times I have wondered why or how you could love me at all then I remember that I am your precious possession, and one does not discard precious possessions even if they are scratched and scarred.

A second follow up question goes even deeper. Are there not those whom the Lord has affection for? Not just love, but affection.

The Lord loved both Mary and Joseph but had affection for Mary. Or he loved the twelve but had affection for Peter, James and John. Perhaps as one looks at scripture one may see that he loved Abraham and Sara but had affection for Abraham. Daniel, Elijah and David all of these among others, it would seem by tone and manner, God had affection for.

He told me that He had affection for me. I was startled and it completely surprised me. He thinks of me affectionately! What a wondrous thought. Then I wondered why and when that started. He brought to mind the incident while in the Air Force where I walked all night to go to church.

The idea stirs such deep feelings, it is difficult to grasp. The Lord has affection for me! How wondrous. He in fact looks with great affection on my mother and her family. Friendship of the Lord is the Pearl of great price. So how does one become a member of this group?

Some thoughts come to me yet it is not like there is a list of things to do. Rather an attitude.

It has to be like one’s desire to walk with Jesus through the miracles and parables, or the individual encounters of scripture. It is sitting with Him as He is in the garden yearning to bear His pain knowing that you cannot do that but wanting to.

It is wanting to give instead of receive. It is not just to please. For to please implies getting something in return, perhaps approval. And of course, you will get that but the unselfish desire to generously worship, adore. It’s and infatuation with the Lord and His ways.

4-23-2024 – A Word to the Wise – The unborn child and the gifts

What I want to present are some qualities that might be observable or apparent in the unborn child. These traits may be seen or experienced by the mother as early as 12 weeks or in 4 or 5 D sonograms.

I am limited in vocabulary here in the sense that these are adult terms applied to infant behavior. So how does one use this information?

The more quickly one interacts with their child born or unborn according to their gift the more quickly one establishes communication, obedience, acceptance, and authority.

I am limited by space, but it is my hope to provide a more in-depth discussion in the future on my website. If you have experiences with your unborn child, please share it and I will contact you for more details. My contact information is available on my website.

Prophet

Quick to identify good and evil

Senses insincerity and usually reacts harshly

Distressed over wrong-doing

Mercy

Senses the spiritual and emotional atmosphere

Empathizes with those who are hurting and senses their emotions

Tends to be slow and does not like to be rushed

Giver

Able to discern wise investments

Very industrious and tends to be successful

Tends to be secretive

Exhorter

Loves to encourage others

Desires a visible response when teaching or speaking

Prefers to work with people rather than things

Teacher

Loves to study and do research

Intellectually sharp

Emotionally self-controlled

Server

Recognizes practical needs

A detail person with a good memory

Feels joy in being helpful

Organizer

Has a great deal of zeal and enthusiasm

Removes himself from distracting details focusing on goal

Highly motivated to organize

4-22-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Sift Like Wheat

Some refer to the experience when Satan tries his best to destroy us as the dark night of the soul. Jesus referred to it as’ Satan desires to sift like wheat’. I refer to it as terror of the soul. One biblical example would be when Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him like wheat. Another example had to do with Job, and Satan’s attempt to destroy him.

Another is Daniel in the lion’s den. Perhaps his three friends facing the fiery furnace. Nor was the Son of God exempt think about his first temptation. However, I consider Jesus in the garden prior to his trial the real dark night of the soul.

I suspect that as with Peter, for the godly, there is some type of dreadful warning given by the holy one before it begins.

The ultimate purpose is not to kill for Satan does not like a dead martyr rather to decimate the soul of man. If Satan can cause the person to kill another or out of shame to off one’s selves well, he will settle for that as well. It is always a harrowing experience and rarely without sin.

The terror of the soul is always a life-changing experience. The attack comes at your most vulnerable usually with something you have struggled with most of your life.

However, take note these times are not from the Lord. James tells us that God tempts no man, Jesus in the Lord ’s Prayer teaches us to ask God to deliver us from such trials. Ultimately, we see that the path to survival is found in a strong foundation rooted in the Fear of the Lord, humility, and God’s grace.

A caveat: some may wonder why some never seem to go through such trials. My mother has a unique answer for this; some are of no threat to the kingdom of Satan thus he leaves them alone.

4-2-2024 – A Word to the Wise – I assume that most reading this post are Christians and therefore familiar with Scripture and seeking greater insight. There are many different ways to approach Scripture: linguistically, through differing translations, through word study, or through cultural study. What I am doing is perhaps odd in that there is no way to confirm what took place in the events of John 5, but it is fascinating to consider.

Think for a moment, how did Jesus end up in Bethesda? In some respects, it would be like going to a foreign temple. It was a place known for idol worship. It was the habitat of Aeschylus, the god of healing.

What on earth was Jesus doing there? I suspect he came looking for this specific person. Jesus had a list of things to do – like the conversation two thousand years earlier with Abraham, when He stated that He’s going to go down to check on the rumors about Sodom.

In this circumstance Jesus knew this man, where to find him, and what he was going to do. It was no accident. Jesus may have loved the man, but he did not like him. Sometimes I wonder if the same may be true of us, Jesus may not like us but most certainly he loves us.

This man was depending on idolatry for healing. He excused the fact that it had never happened by blaming it on his physical inability.

However, personality wise – we see some serious problems with him. He does not greet Jesus, he immediately makes excuses for his useless situation. Everything is about him. He is quite self-centered. He blames others for his situation, and in 38 years he has not made one friend who could help. This is despite the fact that someone was bringing him here- picking him up and providing or him.

Please note the outstanding traits apparent in the short passage.

How about all the sick people Jesus walked by to get to him?

Jesus says he knew the man had been there 38 years. How?

In spite of Jesus’ reputation no one reached out their hand in faith, to ask for healing here in this place of much suffering.

Thirty- eight years the main is- here which is the same amount of time the rebellious people of Israel spent in the wilderness for disobedience- see how both have the same rebellious attitude.

This man never confessed Jesus or belief in him.

This man never expressed gratitude.

This man had made no friends in 38 years.

Jesus, on this one occasion, finds the man a 2nd time. This does not happen with others He healed.

Jesus warns the man the illness has something to do with his sin in the past and could revisit him.

I suspect we have here a rare case of a personality disorder.

The situation here is different from other healings of Jesus. I wonder sometimes if our lack of healing has something in common with this situation?

Escort

On June 19, 1999 The Stars win the Stanley Cup. As one may imagine Dallas went wild with emotions. On Monday, June 21 Dallas put on a huge parade to celebrate the event. Estimates place the crowds at nearly 200,000. I was assigned to the parade route and escort duty afterwards. Lisa my daughter came along as an observer. She is crazy about the Stars.

This is the first time that Lisa had ever been in a police vehicle and by the time the day was over it most certainly made a huge impression.

She was able to see close up all of her favorite players.

When the parade ended, I was assigned with three other officers the duty of escorting the multiple vehicle player group to their headquarters in Frisco.

For some reason the lead vehicle that was supposed to set a slow pace immediately increased speed right after we started maintaining at least 50 mph through heavy traffic which was leaving the parade.

This forced the escort elements to keep up and to in fact constantly get ahead to block traffic at the approaching intersections.

Because of this we were constantly speeding, stopping at intersection, and going to the next intersections. The siren was blaring, and the lights lit up the oncoming traffic.

My own speed exceeded 90 mph several times going from intersection to intersection to block traffic. The brakes were so hot they were literally smoking.

After the group arrived at the headquarters, we broke off to go home. Lisa said nothing about the escort trip.

However, she never went with me again as an observer. Nor will she allow me to drive when we are going anywhere together, in our private vehicle. When I received my ‘Forty Year Save Driving Award’ from the Police Department, five years ago she laughed out loud. I thought I heard her say under her breath, ‘you have got to be kidding.’