Humor really is the best medicine

It’s been a sad few days around here, and I’m in desperate need of a laugh, so here goes:

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales and said that Jonah had been swallowed by one.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl reiterated that Jonah was definitely swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher said again that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher barked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

Aaaaah. I feel better.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

In Memorium

Bubba was remembered at my church tonight. You can tell how many lives someone has touched by going to their funeral. Bubba had apparently touched a lot of lives, there looked to be about 500 people there.

People got up and talked about Bubba. Their stories were funny, some were sad, most were uplifting, all were heartfelt. You could tell everyone in that room was going to miss Bubba. I’ll miss Bubba.

There was a common theme to what everyone said: Bubba loves Jesus. He had been changed into a new person when he gave his life to Christ, and everything he did was to glorify Him. People admired Bubba for that, but he couldn’t understand what the fuss was about, in his mind that’s how everyone should act.

Following Christ wasn’t something he felt he had to do. It was something he couldn’t stop himself from doing. That’s what having a real relationship with Jesus is all about. Going to church on Sunday and reading your Bible every day might get you into heaven, maybe. But you have to ask yourself, what have you done to seek out others who need Jesus’ grace? Is Christ really living in you or are you just playing religion?

Having a personal relationship with Jesus isn’t hard. It’s not rocket science or complicated. It’s simply letting Him in, like Bubba did, 110%.

“God, give Bubba’s family and friends strength this week as they lay him to rest. It’s a sad day down here, but I know it’s a great day in heaven with Bubba up there, showing the Angels how to ride a Harley.”

Bubba

We lost one of our own today. Bubba Pruett, a brother in Christ and my friend, passed away today after a motorcycle accident two nights ago. Bubba’s story is one of transformation and the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood. Bubba was into a lot of bad things in years past that led him to prison. He found something there he wasn’t expecting: salvation.

Bubba was a true Christ follower. A big, barrel chested man who rode a Harley and could scare the stripes off a skunk if you didn’t know he had a saved heart. He always had a big bear hug for me when I saw him at church because we were both bike riders and probably the only two Houston Texans fans in this city.

He was an inspiration to me, as well as everyone around him. He preached at church one day. He began his sermon by riding his Harley from the parking lot into the Sanctuary and up to the stage. He wasn’t burdened by ego; he just loved Jesus and never hesitated to tell people about it. And after he had said everything he wanted to say in his sermon he simply looked at the congregation and said “That’s all God wanted me to say”, and he walked off.

My heart is sad that I won’t see him at church any more, but even in my grief I’m happy that Bubba knew Jesus as his Savior and he is with Him now.

“God, I pray for those that have a giant hole in their heart where Bubba used to be. Give us strength in this time of pain as we are reminded that life on this Earth is short, and that there is a new life waiting for us when we pass from this one thanks to the sacrifice of your Son. Amen.”

“Oh, and say hi to Bubba for me. Thanks.”

An Unblurred Life

I’m a motorcycle rider. It’s the best form of transportation ever invented, in my opinion. I love the breeze blowing around me as I thunder down the road with nothing in-between me and nature. No windows, no roof, nothing.

Bikers are a different breed. They know it takes a special kind of person to drive a vehicle that affords no safety in an accident. They show their respect for one another by giving each other a small wave as they pass by another biker. I’ve always thought this was pretty cool, this camaraderie of the 2 wheeled family.

I’ve gotten pretty good at handling a motorcycle over the years. There’s just one thing that continues to be a problem: changing lanes without running over the little reflector bumps in the road.

It’s true, ask any biker. Even though the reflectors are only 4 inches square, and about 10 feet apart, it’s almost impossible to change lanes without running over these things!

The reason is focus. I keep running over the reflectors because I’m staring at them trying to avoid them, but where ever I’m looking is exactly where I end up going.

It’s the same with our relationship with God. We should take time to analyze where we’re placing our focus. Are we focusing on God, or have we let that connection blur?

Matthew 14:23-32 tells us about Jesus walking on water. In this account, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water with Jesus until he took his focus off of Him, then he sank. But as soon as his focus was placed back on Jesus he rose out of the water and walked on it again.

This is a pretty clear indication of what happens when we let our focus become blurred. Luckily for Peter he regained his focus before he drowned.

Focusing is important, and we hear references about it all the time. Take baseball for instance. How many times have you heard the phrase “keep your eye on the ball”? It means wherever you’re looking is where your bat will go when you swing. It’s the same in life.

I’ve found that when I’m focused on God, when I’m praying and reading my Bible and talking to God all day long, I’m happy, patient, and kinder towards others. I feel better about my life.

It’s all about focus. If you focus on this world, that’s where your life will go. But if you truly focus on God, you will see what living an unblurred life is really like.

Where is your focus today? On God, or the bumps in the road?

“God, sometimes I let the things of this world blur my sight of You. Help me to be stronger. Stronger for me and for my family, so my focus will always be on You, and not the trappings of this world.”

Oh say, can you see?

I’ve been retired from the military for 4½ years now. I live far enough away from the local Air Force base that I don’t ever go there. However, I recently decided to go back to college and I chose one that just happens to hold classes on the base. So once a week I go to class and I get to see military life once again.

Today I got to class early and was sitting in my truck when I heard a trumpet blowing over the base’s public address system. It was the same sound that plays on every Air Force base in the world at 5PM every week day. The ditty played by the trumpet signals the end of the duty day, and right after it finishes the National Anthem is played.

What happens then is something everyone should see. The base stops. Literally, everything stops. Every person outside snaps to attention and faces the music. Those in uniform present a sharp salute while the music plays. Civilian clad people put their right hand over the heart. Every vehicle pulls over to the side of the road and the passengers sit at attention.

It's incredible to witness.

It’s a daily ritual for those who live and work on base. But for someone like me who hasn’t seen this in many years it was a reminder of the love our service men and women have for this country. Their reverence for our National Anthem is nothing compared to their willingness to defend the freedoms we all enjoy every day.

It’s not a game to them, or a political statement. It’s defending the Constitution of the United States and the principles it sets forth. They are willing to die for this country because they know our way of life hangs in the balance, and if they didn’t do what they do, America would be a very different country.

Good or bad, for better or worse, the United States of America is truly the greatest, smartest, bravest bunch of people on planet Earth. And the reason we’re so blessed is because we founded this country on Biblical principles, and as we see those principles slowly removed from our schools and legal system and television and movies, we can only expect the greatness of this country to slowly go away with them.

“God, thanks for blessing this country so much. Please help those of us who are still working to keep it great, and protect those who are fighting to keep it safe. Amen.”