Are You For Real?

Homeschoolers NEVER get a day off! Due to the Hurricane Gustav evacuation, Benjy had a couple of unscheduled days off from work, and he made good use of them by catching up on some automobile maintenance. McKenzie and I were happy to invoke our favorite homeschooling rule … if Dad is off work, WE are off school. It just works better that way! The rule only applies to books and worksheets, though, because reading assignments and worksheets can get very boring, but hands-on opportunities like this really add to the homeschooling experience.

Since Benjy had to change the spark plugs, belts, and pulleys in his little truck, he used it as a teaching moment. Actually, it was a teaching afternoon because it took a long while to finish the job, but McKenzie seemed to enjoy taking a break from the books, so it turned out well. She really likes hands-on learning … even if it leaves a little grease under her nails!

Keeping it real,

Sunrise at Okatibbee Lake

Two weeks ago we were setting up camp in preparation for the “Tag Team Preaching” at Antioch Baptist Church near Meridian, MS. We had already parked the camper in the beautiful lakeside slot that Antioch had provided for us at Okatibee Lake, and we were making a practice run from the camper to the church. It has always been part of our set-up plan to get an exact measure of time needed to drive from the camper to the church, so that we don’t run into troubles on the first service of the revival. No one wants to be lost or late or in an ‘ill mood’ because of the time situation on Sunday morning. I’m sure you know what I mean … there’s nothing like starting a revival in an ‘ill mood’! Anyway, THIS was the revival where those plans REALLY paid off!

Okatibbee Lake Campsite

We had googled the directions to the church before we left, so we felt quite prepared. It looked to be about 30 minutes away from our campsite, but TWO hours and many, many twisting, winding roads later, I finally got tired of riding and insisted that Benjy call the pastor for directions. WHY do men resist this one thing so much?!

One quick conversation later, we learned that Google had the church indexed wrong and it had sent us to the center of the neighboring town … we weren’t EVEN in the right town! That’s when it was decided that we were buying a GPS navigational system to help with our traveling.

Good directions are key to a journey that ends well. The same is true with our spiritual journey too, isn’t it? There’s a popular belief today that says most roads lead to no where. But God’s Word is clear, ALL ROADS lead to destruction, except for one … the way to peace with God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ. If we don’t make preparations beforehand, if we spend our lives sleeping through the instructions and ignoring the warning signs, we will find that our road has lead us to an eternity that is without rest, an eternity of torment. But good directions are available … trustworthy instructions to equip us for every decision we will ever face.

The Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15b-17 NKJV)

The Holy Scriptures are FILLED with directions … directions that are 100% accurate … directions that will never lead us down a road of destruction.

Keeping it real,

A life filled with thanksgiving is a life filled with peace … that’s why we should be thankful! God’s Word commands us to devote ourselves to prayer and to be watchful and thankful.¹ This means we are to be LOOKING for the blessings of God and thanking Him for them when we recognize them.

Several years ago, I started asking God to make me more aware of His presence as He worked in me and through and around me. Praying this way has had a profound result in my life. I have become increasingly more aware of God’s provisions, and because of that I have become a person who is FILLED with thanksgiving. At first I was surprised at how often I recognized God at work in my world, but now I have come to expect it! If I don’t see God’s blessings and provisions in a situation, I KNOW something is not right. And the flip side of that truth is that I know things ARE right when I do see God blessing. When He is blessing, I have peace … and I am encouraged to stay the course. I’m not inclined to go looking for something else to make me feel good, and in that regard my heart and mind are protected. Isn’t that exactly what the following passage says will happen?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

I LOVE it when I recognize the truths of God’s Word at work in my life! I’m so thankful He taught me this lesson, and I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to share it with YOU!

¹ Col 4:2 NIV

Keeping it real,