The Devil Is Real

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

In High School – there were several High School teams we got up for above all the rest. They were our rivals – so to speak. Severna Park and Arundel were those teams (I attended Annapolis High School). There was no South River and no Broadneck High Schools in those days and Southern rarely gave us a scare in football (basketball yes – but not football).

In High School – whole schools get up for that week’s opponent – that week’s enemy. School colors were/are all over the stadium – pep rallies – and other events often precede contests with the number one foe. You don’t need to tell a High School student which schools are the arch rivals! They know it. They’ve heard about the rivalry well before they arrived at High School.

Growing Closer to Jesus

John 3:30

He must become greater; I must become less.

I cannot believe that we are ready to enter September – already. Football season is upon us. I learned a lot from football as a teenager.

It was in football – in High School – that I learned – that practice doesn’t make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect. Our football coach told us that – he used to say it often. It wasn’t going through the motions in practice that would make us a better football team – but rather it was doing things right – over and over again – that would make us better. Through perfect practice – we would soon be able to do the right things without even thinking about it. It would become natural and would flow from our actions and reactions.

Salvation is a free gift from God – for those who receive what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary – who received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—.

Once we have salvation – we are called to walk out our faith in such a way that God is glorified. Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. We are to let our light – the light of Christ in us – shine so that others see Jesus and give Him glory.

Rejoice in the Lord! Always!

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

My dad had Parkinson’s – and it impacted his quality of life. It slowly (at times) increased as his quality of life decreased. Yet – my dad always had that twinkle in his eye and always had the joy of the Lord in his heart and life.

A few years ago – I had heart surgery. As I awaited the surgery – I must say I was a bit anxious. I was praying that my upcoming heart surgery would go well and that I would have improved heart efficiency and a more regular heartbeat. I have a good friend that had major shoulder surgery around the same time. I hoped that my heart and his shoulder surgeries would allow us to play golf for many years to come. So far – it has. But during that time – our joy for the Lord never waned. When I went in for the surgery – I was secure in the Lord and my joy was complete.

How has your week gone? How’s life treating you? I know some marriages that are in trouble – I’m praying for them. I know some people who have just been placed on Hospice care – and I am praying for them and their families. I know some folks who are waiting for their first child. I know some folks that are waiting to get married. I know some that are trying to find a home to buy. Others – ready to graduate college or high school this spring. Some are looking for work. Still others are still trying to rebound from the pandemic. Ups and downs hit us all. Good times and bad times will fall on us all. Yet Paul calls us to rejoice always.

Loving Our Neighbors – Merry Christmas – One and All!

Mark 12:31

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment outsiders greater than these.”

Several years ago – I was at the home of a farmer in South County (SoCo). His mom was nearing the end of her life on earth. As we sat and talked – names were mentioned that I remember from my time living and serving in SoCo. We talked about folks that I have known my whole life. Names that ring true in Southern Anne Arundel County lore. It was good to talk about them – some now with Jesus and some still with us. Many of them were my neighbors at one time or attended the church I served or simply lived in SoCo – when I did.

Neighbors – at least old school neighbors – in SoCo – would be there and some still are – whatever comes our way. I’ve seen farmers harvest crops for a neighbor when health or personal concerns impacted their ability to do it themselves. I’ve seen brothers working side-by-side. I’ve seen three and four generations working a farm together. I’ve witnessed neighbors that didn’t really know one another come to the aid of one another. I remember the way it used to be – and in some ways – in some circles – it is still. I remember talking to some old-timers – some 40 years ago – about how life changed in SoCo when the new bridge was built. I think it was completed in 1982 or 83 (39-40 years ago). South County changed when it was easier to get to the beaches and farmland below the South River Bridge – just miles from Annapolis (the original bridge was two lanes and narrow – built in the early 1930’s).

The Older I Get

Psalm 90:4

A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

The older I get – the more I realize how fleeting life is and seems. The person who said that time seems to go fast the older we get – knew it didn’t go faster – but – it only seems like it. When we are younger – we can’t wait for Christmas – birthdays – driver’s license – dating – marriage – etc. It seems like it is so far off! We still have things to look forward to – as older persons – but – they seem to come so quickly.

The older I get – the more I think of how fast time goes by. Am I alone – when I think I was just in High School a few years ago (it will be 50 years come 2023)? Or that I was married just a few years ago (it was 42 years this past August)? Or that I’m not really that old (68 will be my next birthday in March)? Even closer to current life – wasn’t it just yesterday that summer began – yet here we are in fall already and we had our first frost yesterday!