life'n stuff

Demon of Drugs

2009-05-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

We recently took part in a revival in Desha, AR. It was a great time and made a strong and lasting impact on our ministry. First Baptist Desha is like a home church for me as I have been there with four different groups and gotten to know everyone like family.

One of the strongest moments our time there was a lunch spent with Pastor Troy and a man from the church that had an amazing testimony of deliverance from meth amphetamines. He shared how his addiction had robbed him of a successful career, wealthy life style and almost destroyed his family. As he shared his life I sat in amazement at how this addiction was able to completely destroy his powers of judgment, making him oblivious to the loss and pain he was causing in the lives around him.

I had heard stories in the past about the effects of this drug and its disease. But never have I sat face to face with its leftovers. Fortunately in this situation there is a happy ending in that this man was miraculously healed of his addiction and is able to use his healing to help others. Little did I know as I sat there that it would only be a matter of weeks before this drug would lash out and effect my family.

Within the last two weeks I have found out that a relative has been arrested and jailed waiting trial on charges for Meth and a myriad of other charges. Everything they are charged with is a direct result of this drug and they are facing the probability of years in prison.

The effects of this addiction are far reaching and in some cases the full effect will never be known. Lives are thrown down the tube, families are torn apart, careers are ruined and the list goes on and on.

I am not sure why I felt the need to write about this except to say that we are in a war that many are not aware of. This drug, its manufacturing, sale, use and addiction are so rampant the fight against it seems like a hopeless battle at times. Of all the undermining forces destroying our society this one is right near the top of the list.

This may be a topic that has never touched some of you. If this is the case you need to count your blessings. Maybe you have never even thought about it. Well it is time to think about it. If someone in your life is involved with this demon don’t wait for them to come to their own end as this very well may be TOO LATE.

Most importantly we must pray for a mighty move of God to fight this truly evil force.

HHHHHHHmmmmmmmm

2009-05-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine contacted me the other day and wanted my opinion on some things. Ok that was her first mistake. My Opinion? Really?? She said someone had emailed her and voiced complaints and unhappiness with some artists in gospel music. The fact that this person was disheartened came from several factors, most of which could be traced back to rumors. This person wanted to know what to do about artists that she had "heard" were not living right. Artists that they had "heard" had fallen somehow.

Some may not agree with my response and that is your right. This however is how I feel and what I believe. For those of you that may think this a bit strong....I'll let you know this is the revised version where I took out direct quotes and some of my more hard nosed and direct responses. Not that anything I had written was foul or anything like that. It was just a little stronger and even more direct than these words. See what you think.

I know that many people think it is their place to be God's policeman but I have news for them. I to was a person for many years that sat in "biblical” judgment of others. Here's the catch, in the last few years I have gone through many of the things I judged others for. I myself have gone through yet another horrid bout with my depression and a myriad of personal trials and failings. There are many things I will not go into but needless to say I have fallen FAR short of the glory of God.

I say all of this to say the judgment seat is horribly dangerous ground. I have learned that to LOVE as Christ would love means to LOVE period. This does not mean that a persons short comings or sinful lifestyle is OK in God's eyes but it does mean NONE of us is above failure. Therefore we need to be very careful where and how we voice judgment, or even hold it in our hearts. No one knows what another person is going through in their heart, mind and soul. I have learned from personal experience that the words of "well meaning" judgment can turn a thorn in the side into a knife that viciously gouges at the very heart of a person. Amazingly this usually happens at the weakest and most vulnerable time of their life. How fantastically Christ like!!

I truly believe that personal battles or thorns in the flesh and many other topics should remain between a person and their Savior. Unless it is a confession, public knowledge or airing of a ministers failings only serves to feed the fire of public attacks on our faith.

That all being said, do I feel that there should be a system of accountability and or a "safe" place for ministers to share and get help? YES I have been saying for years that we need to create a "ministry to ministers." A place where people in the "industry" can share, challenge and be accountable with no fear of disclosure. A place where we can work together to become the best ministers we can be. A place to get help in shedding and recovering from the sins and shortcomings in our lives. Will this ever happen? I don't know. Perhaps this is a part of the calling I am in the process of answering. I have been fighting the call to preach and lead in ministry for a long time. Lately God has been moving and I believe preparing me like crazy so who knows what the future holds.

I believe it is one thing to say I "battle" with something even openly and remain in a position of ministry. It is another to say that something the Bible condemns is OK and continue in ministry. I have friends that I know battle different things and still sing or preach. This is not he same as them saying God has told me this is ok and I have resigned myself to living this way.

It is time for people to start cleaning their own houses. Believe me no matter who you are if you pick up the spiritual broom and start honestly sweeping the job will NEVER be done. Being busy cleaning your own house won't leave you with the free time to be a peeping Tom. Some may disagree with me but all I can say is I don't have time to pick up the phone to hear them cause I need BOTH hands on my own broom!!

As to your emailer, if they don't like or trust the artist don't go to their concerts or buy their product. No matter who it is they have a problem with pastor, singer, relative congregant, take the complaint TO THAT PERSON. That's what the Bible says. I don't recall a verse that says if you have ought with your brother be sure to share it in Christian love with everyone that will listen.

Friendship, Fun and Faith in Action

2009-04-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

Well we just got back from a great week in Myrtle Beach, SC with two of our dearest friends. For the sake of anonymity we will call them Harry and Sally……not the most original I know but it works. It was a week full of eating, shopping, eating, shows, eating, concerts and oh ya did I mention eating. Believe me when I say that I am DESPERATELY looking for clothes that fit for the revival in AR this week.

As for where we stayed, we looked around online and found an RV park called Pirate Land. We recommend it highly. They got us a space right at the edge of the beach. The view from our living room windows was like something out of a movie when they show the little dune with the saw grass and fence leading to the beach. Really I don’t think we could have asked for more.

Like I said we saw some great shows on Mon and Tues night but Wed and Thurs we went to the concerts at Singing in the Sun. These were amazing nights of singing and preaching. It’s not often we get to just go and be ministered to and it was much needed. The focus of both evenings was very much on ministry and not entertainment and that was different than most “commercial singings” it was a real blessing.

Now let me get to the point of this particular post……. As many of you heard there was a large wildfire in Myrtle Beach while we were there. Because of the wind it was a very real threat and at last count had taken over 250 homes. The day that it started we all went to lunch together as usual. The plan was to head to a specific restaurant but when we got there let’s just say that their hygiene left something to be desired, so we moved on to another place we had really never heard of but it looked worth a try.

Once we were seated a waitress came to take our orders and when we asked what the soup and or special of the day was she said very curtly “I don’t know, they just called me in early and I haven’t had time to find that out yet.” Well as one would imagine when she walked away there were several comments as to the status of her tip.

A few minutes later she came back with the information we needed but we could tell she was very upset and not JUST because she had been called in early. Our Sally asked her if she was ok and we soon found out the reason for her “mood.” She said the she had just gotten a phone call saying the fire was headed toward her neighborhood and she was being told to evacuate. Her mother had to get her four year old from day care and get her to safety. Then came the words….what do you take….in the time I have what can I save…how do you decide what is the most valuable?

Well we all felt terrible for our lack of understanding earlier, our assumption that this girl was just having a “bad day” and taking it out on us. But here is where the most important moment of out trip comes in for me.

Sally looked at the girl and said I am so sorry, I wish there was something we could do but we will keep you in our prayers. Then without a moments’ hesitation and like it was the most natural thing in the world to her Sally took the girls hand said, is it alright if we pray with you right now? The girl said yes and as we all joined hands Sally prayed one of the most powerful and compassionate prayers I have ever heard.

Now we all know that there have been those times in a public place when we wished the person praying would bring the volume down just a notch or two, admit it you know I’m right. But there in that moment the Spirit of God descended and Sally could have been yelling from the rooftops for all I cared. All that mattered was that this girl was in a moment of real need and Sally was truly being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When the prayer was done the girl looked at Sally with tear filled eyes and said thank you. There was no awkward silence or look of embarrassment just thanks you from a heart you could tell meant it.

Once the girl was gone Harry looked at us and said is it any wonder Sally is the head of the prayer ministry at our church? There was no wonder in my mind.

I sat there convicted and broken by the fact that I knew I would never have had the courage to do what Sally did. Would you?? The thing is we should all have that same boldness. Since that day and that moment I have been praying that God would give me the strength and confidence in Him to do as Sally did.

I don’t know if that girl was saved or not but I do know that she has seen faith in action and no matter what, I believe from now on when she thinks of Christians she will remember the petite mild mannered lady that took her hand and led her before the throne with amazing power and faith.

Thank you Sally

In Everyting Give Thanks

2009-03-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

OK am without a doubt one of the worst people in the world at giving credit where it is due. It is not that I am not a thankful person but I can’t tell you how often I forget to verbalize it. I am often embarrassed by the fact that someone else (usually my wife Liz) will beat me to the punch saying thank you when someone has provided us a meal or done something to bless us. I’m afraid Liz can be the least thanked person I know at times. You should see the look of shock that comes over her face from time to time when I do say thank you in a timely fashion. This is a habit I am trying to change in my every day life. To say thank you no matter how big or small the situation.

I have made this confession because I want to say thank you and praise the Lord for a report I just got on a friend’s health. I’m not going to name this friend but I will say that when we met it was professional. He is a promoter and we were working with him. Over time he has become a true friend and these days that is rare.

He has been suffering with exhaustion for several months now and they have been running endless tests with the best guesses all leaning toward cancer of some sort. He just found out that it is an auto immune system malfunction and that it is treatable with short term steroids.

For this answer to prayer I am thankful, grateful and blessed. Blessed to know that I serve the God that really does answer prayer and blessed to know my friend will be alright.

The word of God says in everything give thanks. I know that refers to being thankful in the good times and the bad. Somewhere in my heart I think I’ve got that concept but today I am more determined than ever to make my thanks and praises known in a real way….OUT LOUD!!

Forgiveness, noun or verb??

2009-03-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

More and more this word comes to mind. The very idea of it and what it really means. Is it a noun? A thing that can be handed to someone or a verb, a valuable gift that must be extended in action. I truly believe it is the latter.

I got a chance to catch up with an old friend lately and we had a long discussion on the subject. The thing is it started with a simple statement. I told her I was sorry and she said “oh that has been forgiven long ago.”

Years ago there was a situation where my youth and idealistic mindset caused me to hurt this person and her family very deeply. For years I felt completely justified in my actions and believed I had been right to say and do the things I did. However the older I get, the more I realize just how great and vast the love, forgiveness and mercy of our heavenly Father is. I’ve seen how guilty I’ve been of judging those around me and how it has hurt and even ended valuable friendships such as this one.

This person went on to tell me how over the years both her and her family had been hurt by people and even church families where they were on staff. She told me that at times it had been a process of crying out to God in the middle of a dark and tear filled hour for Him to let them truly forgive the person or situation, but that He had been faithful to grant it. That eventually, in every situation there had been an apology. And that in every situation the response had been the same. “That was forgiven long ago.”

This is what makes forgiveness a verb. It is an action, a motive and condition of the heart that allows someone to extend it before they are ever asked. It is a thing that can be hard to do at times but is a necessary “action” for a successful and peaceful life.

This situation just served as a powerful reminder to me that I should never wait for someone to say “I’m sorry.” That even when it is painful and I doubt that there will ever be an apology I must forgive.

It made me think of Jesus. Not the sweet pictures of Him with the children, or holding a lamp knocking at our hearts door. No, it made me think of the torn and shattered body of a savior that hung on a cross. What if he had said “I am going to wait for an apology before I finish this act, before I forgive.” I am so grateful that He didn’t do that. I am so grateful that when we finally do ask Him forgiveness He says “That was forgiven long ago.” What a gift, what completely undeserved mercy and what a lesson.

To my friend, thank you. Thank you for your forgiveness even before I ever asked. Thank you for believing God had a purpose for us reuniting. Thank you for the reminder that forgiveness is a VERB.

Blessings in disguise

2009-03-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well we are in Woodburn, OR after a week and a half of traveling. It has been a long trip already but a great one. We have had a series of learning experiences and will take much more away from this than just a “west coast tour.”

It never ceases to amaze me the way God comes through right on time. I like to say that instead of just in time because His timing is the right timing. This time it took the form of a motor home for this trip that we got the day we were leaving. We had looked at the rig several weeks before and without telling Liz I had put a fleece before the Lord. On the very day we were leaving we got the answer and God provided both of the conditions of the fleece.

When we went to pick up the coach, the seller who knew we were planning a trip to the west coast asked when it was. I said we are leaving in ten hours…..he was shocked to say the least. A few minutes later a friend that had gone to look at it with us asked when we were leaving and I told him the same thing. He said you are crazy! I said no I asked God for an answer and He gave it to me. Do you really think He would say yes only to watch us fail?

So after a day of constant running, licensing, packing and loading we were off and running in what has affectionately become known as the “Tune Buggy.” Liz and I were overwhelmed as we left Nashville realizing that we were no longer in a Ford Explorer and now had a vehicle with enough room to change our minds. We couldn’t get over the blessing.

We picked Josh up in St Louis and started the long haul. As we traveled we all kept saying how great it was to have room. What a difference it made in our total outlook on the trip.

Our concerts were going great and so was the traveling until Saturday night when we found ourselves in terrible winds. Suddenly we heard a loud sound on the side of the coach. We stopped to check and realized the awning had been pulled lose by the wind. Josh and I worked on it at three different stops and finally made it to the church. In the morning service I made mention of the awning and after the service several men from the church had it rewound and secured before I could even get outside. Once again we were on our way.

Not sure how many of you have traveled through Kansas but wind is their state anthem. About two thirds of the way across the state BANG and there went the awning again. We stopped in what had suddenly become freezing weather and climbed on top of the Buggy to fix it. Realizing the canvass was dry rotted and would have to be replaced anyway Josh started cutting and I got on the ground and started pulling. In five minutes…….the awning was gone. On we went with NO more awning trouble.

Since that time we have had a brake issue (due to someone, me letting them get too hot) and a clogged fuel filter. Praise God we purchased a Good Sam membership the day we bought the Buggy and it has paid for itself four times over.

We have also had an issue with the generator which Josh and I remedied with several hours up to our elbows in grease. When we were done Genny had new oil, fuel filter, spark plugs, and finally fuel pump. Apparently the last of these was the real problem and the thing that made her the happiest because she has been running like a champ since.

I titled this “Blessings in Disguise” because each time we have had a problem, the mechanic on scene has let us know what a good coach this is and how whatever system or area he was working on was actually in great condition. That the overall reason for the situation was lack of use and that once we get past the beginning kinks we should be good to go. Their inspections and diagnosis have done a lot to put my mind to rest about my original “inspection.” They have also shown me once again how God can take a seemingly bad situation and turn it around to become a blessing. Of course each time we have had to call Good Sam we have been praying for a minor it to be a minor situation with an easy fix. Believe me when I say He DOES answer prayer.

Weddings, water and wiring OH MY!!!

2009-03-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday we gathered in Clearwater Beach, FL for my brother in laws wedding. We always love these times because in addition to the celebration we get to see family members from across the country and catch up on happenings in each others lives. Lives that are all to quickly flying by leaving memories in place of events and life experience where dreams once dwelled.

The wedding was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. An ocean side beach wedding rivaling anything ever seen in one of those dream wedding magazines. With the ocean for a backdrop my brother in law and his new bride took their vows.

Now let me just say that my new sister in law Ashley is much more of a comedian than I would ever have dreamed. She started the event with a spin as she walked down the isle and continued with laughter all through the ceremony. My wife said every time she started to cry all she had to do was look at Ashley and it would bring a smile.

My brother in law David did an amazing job of singing “The Broken Road.” I have been singing for a long time but I can tell you there is no way I would have EVER made it through that song under those circumstances. My hat is TOTALLY off to you Bro.

There were so many amazing and special things planned and they all seemed to go off without a hitch. Lots of things that had special meaning to David and Ashley and some that were just for fun and tradition. From the fireworks to the comedic dance between Ashley and her brother Dan it was all a blast.

Of course the only thing to go wrong was the on thing they asked me to do. I have said for years that there is a demon that dwells in sound equipment and my theory was proven yet again on this occasion.

Everything was fine for the duration of the ceremony but during the transition to the reception it was like I had dared the evil spirit of sound to show me his worst. For the rest of the evening it was a matter of constant stress. To anyone that tried to speak to me during this trying time I apologize here and now for the person I became. I promise it was only because I wanted the best for the bride and groom. Look at that I can always come up with a good reason for a bad attitude. J

In the end, try as the “sound spirit” may there was no dimming the beauty, class and elegance of the occasion. The night will go down in all of our memories as an amazing time of celebration marked with a place of warmth in our hearts.

Congratulations to you both and Ashley we are thrilled and blessed to have you as a part of our family. Trust me as one who was one in your shoes, you couldn’t ask for a better one to join.

Baggage

2009-02-27T20:39:00.000-08:00

Before I start this one I need to make the confession that I am a brief case and luggage freak. I can’t tell you how many times the clerk at Tumi has had to deal with me just visiting my set of burnt orange bags that are close to my heart but well out of my budgetary ability. And if you look in my storage closet you will find at least ten computer bags or briefcases I have collected over the years. Of course I just can’t bear to get rid of them.

Ok so I’m standing in baggage claim watching the carousel bring luggage from the magic hole in the wall. As the bags go by I am noticing the vast array represented and try to guess who goes with which one before they grasp the handle and lug it away.

There are cases that look like this is definitely their first trip. They are still shiny and all but have a price tag left on them. I assume they were a wedding gift to the honeymoon couple who just can’t stop giggling and kissing. And there ya go, the third time around they realize theirs have arrived.

There are also bags that you can tell are holding on to their last thread of hope, depending solely on the strips of grey tape wrapped round and round them for survival. I think about how whoever they belong to worried more about spending more money on a good vacation than taking a short trip with fabulous luggage.

Then there is the Louis Vuitton (I know, sad that I know that) coming around and I figure the chauffeur standing to the side was looking for them and…wait for it…wait for it….yup I was right!! Man I’m good

About half way through I get my bag but this is too fun and I have the time so I watch till the last bag is gone. It’s then I notice the obligatory lost luggage lady complaining and asking what she was going to do with no clothes to wear on her four day stay. I can sympathize as I have had this happen one time before. It’s not a good feeling.

As I am leaving the thought crosses my mind that no matter what kind of bag it was, new, old, cheap or indulgently expensive they all had one thing in common. They were all full of stuff. All different kinds of stuff, but still just stuff.

I don’t know if you re like me but when I pack for a trip I start with the best of intentions to pack light. However without fail I find myself having to scale back so as not to be over the weight limit for the airlines. There are always things I think I “need” to take with me. Things I just “can’t live without.” Looking at it now I realize these things are all MY stuff.

All of this got me to thinking about the baggage we all carry in our lives. I know I have plenty and no it’s not Tumi. Everyone takes the stuff in or lives and continuously shoves it into baggage that we insist on dragging along as we try to make our way.

Some people manage to make their bags look really nice and well put together like say LV. But they are still heavy, loaded with stuff. Some have pain and destruction in their life that is more visible. Using everything they can find to try and hold together the pieces of their lives….grey tape?? Even little children carry hurts; they are just hidden by youth and seeming innocence. They, like new luggage merely do not show obvious damage.

What if we could or would reverse the luggage carousel? Take the things we drag through life, lay them on the machine and breathe deeply in relief as they disappear through the “magic whole.” Well here’s the deal, WE CAN.

We don’t have to maintain that death grip on the baggage that is our past. It’s sad because most people including myself take far too long to learn how much easier and sweeter it is to live in forgiveness and mercy. A place where one lets go of the past and learns to forgive others as well as themselves. Where each new day is just that and not merely another number of waking hours filled with reminders of our failures or shame.

How do we let go??? Forgive and be forgiven. As humans, forgiving is a process no matter how much we would like it to be otherwise. But once we truly experience the immediateness and fullness of God’s forgiveness, we want to forgive others and let go of the hurt of our past that is our stuff, our baggage.

Like I said in the beginning I have a bad habit of collecting baggage. This has been true on an emotional and spiritual level for me as well. The last few years have been a real time of learning, healing and letting go for me. Life would have been a whole lot easier if I would have learned long ago to pack light, carry only the essentials and let all the unnecessary and unimportant STUFF go.

Woe to me

2009-02-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

Well this one is a matter of complaint. I was going to try to get away with claiming it as a disgruntled observation………no it’s complaining.

As you can imagine with the travel I do I spend a lot of time in hotels. Lately a little more than normal since I have been driving bus for Stellar Kart for a two week trip. Of course this subject is only magnified when I am driving at night and sleeping during the day.

The thing is this, does no one know how to behave in a hotel or have an ounce of manners anymore. It seems that every other day there is a child or group of children or youth that are running the halls like a herd of cattle. Of course they also have to slam doors repeatedly. We all know that doors CANNOT close and latch without being slammed.

On one occasion a few months ago I thought the noise I had dealt with all day was enough, but NO. Upon leaving I found that the hotel was filled with youth going to a conference and concert at a college that shall remain nameless. ORU really wanting me to tell you where it was? Oooops, I guess I let that one slip. I also found that there was not a dry floor to be had in the building. These kids had run ruff shod in and out of the pool and managed to spread water all the way to my floor #7.

As I was leaving I asked the lady at the desk how long they had known about this event. She told me oh they have been warning us about this for months. I thought for a moment then said as kindly as I could, “you need to be warning others customers as well, so they know to bring earplugs and wetsuits.” She smiled, I didn’t.

Just yesterday I had another run in with a thundering herd that lasted most of the afternoon. I was just about to get up and go up to the next floor armed with my standard line of “is that really necessary” when the noise stopped. That is until just after I drifted off to sleep, then they were off and runnin again.

Here’s the question or observation. Why aren’t parents, coaches and yes even youth pastors mortified at the thought of their charges being a public nuisance? And not just in hotels but in grocery stores, shopping malls and oh ya……CHURCH.

I realize that I was a child in another century, literally, but the day that I would have behaved like that would have been a “life lesson” for me. You know, act like that and you’re taking your life in your hands. Seriously I would never dreamed of such behavior, nor would any of my friends from the 20th century.

I know things are different today but I would really appreciate it if someone could explain to me when it became acceptable to behave with complete disregaurd to those around us. At what point did allowing a child to have fun or be creative become a TOTAL loss of control and discipline?

Alright I have had my moment. Let’s see how today’s hotel goes……

What’s in a name??

2009-02-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

It seems like I have spent my entire life trying to fit into a name that was placed on me at birth. When I was little it was Jimmy. Then came third grade where I felt that James would make me so much more grown. Hated that when seventh grade came and suddenly I was Jim.(I totally sympathize with my parents for all the confusion.)This name held it’s place for several years until I turned 30 ugggg. I then decided that for now and ever more it would be Jimmy cause you know that made me and kept me younger.

I say all of this to say that for years I let my name define me. I let it determine who I was and how I felt about the person I was. I am finally learning that is not the truth. And that a birth name is nothing more than a luggage tag. It doesn’t tell you what is in the bag or where it will goin it’s life or what it can or will do. Most importantly it doesn’t say who you are in God’s eyes or what He has done in your life. This very thought is where I came up with my name on myspace.

Tattooed with grace says where I am in life. Truly realizing the act of grace that brought me where I am today. That it is not a temporary thing, but an indelible mark of God’s love and mercy on my life. The act of tattooing is slow, artistic and at times painful, So it has been in my journey with my Savior.

I wish that I had realized long ago that my name is far less important than who I am. Especially who I am in Christ. I love the idea of chosing names that describe who we really are and where we are in life. Names that are based on us rather than us trying to fit our name. At this point in time in my heart of hearts I truly feel I am "Tattooed with grace." Let me just ask you this question.....what is your name????

Why Life'n stuf?

2009-02-19T15:27:00.001-08:00

Well I guess because that's what it's about, life and all the other stuff that comes with it. This is my first time delving into the world of the blogosphere. I can't say for sure why now was the right time for me to begin a blog but today's the day. There are so may things that happen in a day, so many thoughts to cross our minds and so many acts of God that touch us in a million ways. I guess my main reason for doing this is to share thoughts, make note of events, give God credit for moving in my life and maybe just maybe encourage someone else in this journey we call life.

Please let me know if something hits home. Oh and tell me if you don't like something, I promise I can take it.

The shorter road is not always best!

2009-02-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

I am on a trip to the west coast right now driving a coach for some friends of mine. It has been quite the journey so far filled with crazy freezing temps, snow and just about any kind of weather you can name. Several of the drives have been pretty long but that is expected in on a trip like this. In the last week we have been to MN, ND, MT, IA and tonight we are in Spokane, WA. We drive mostly at night so sight seeing is not really an option or the object. It is merely to get from one city to the next in the most efficient way possible both financially and time wise.

Cut to last night:

As we were leaving Boise after the concert I was really happy that we were getting away ahead of the other three groups. I was thinking how great it would be to just have a nice smooth drive and be waiting at the venue this morning when everyone else on the tour showed up. Well that plan was going real well till I listened to Lola a few miles down the road. Lola as I so fondly call her is my GPS. She has the best of intentions but as I found out last night you cannot trust her instincts.

As I was cruising down the interstate at a nice clip suddenly Lola told me that I wanted to exit and take a state road to the north. So pulled off the road got out the "old fashioned navigation device" otherwise known as the map and took a look at things. I saw that the interstate was going to take me what looked to be a long way out of the way. I also saw that the road Lola was suggesting seemed to take a much more direct course to my destination and from the looks of it seemed to be a pretty well traveled road. So off I went on the "shorter road."

Things went well for the first twenty miles or so when I started to notice more curves, rougher pavement and a string of stop lights. I said to myself....self I think that you have gone too far to turn back now. WRONG I should have popped a U'y and drove like I'd stolen that bus cause things only went down hill from there. After about forty miles the curves were getting worse and I realised I was climbing fairly rapidly in elevation. Um ya you guessed it my shorter road went directly through a mountain range rather than going around it as the self respecting interstate did.

So there I was two lanes, hairpin curves, small towns and so on to deal with. This is when I began to notice the snow all around and next the fog. A few miles into the fog there was a friendly warning sign saying limited visibility. HHHHmmmmm nothing like stating the obvious huh?

As I was cruising along at a breakneck speed of 20 and 30 mph I saw another sign coming and wouldn't you know it was a warning for deer for like the next oh who knows how many miles. I sort of started to laugh at it all because I knew better than to take this chance and now I was remembering why.

About the time I was finishing with my little chuckle you guessed it lo and behold anther sign ....... watch for falling rocks. Ha ha ha ha ha oh um well not really. As I drove trying to watch for all these things, manage the curves, the hills and ice patches and try not to wake the guys up I found myself praying. As frustrating as all of these things were I tried to pray positively. The only one I could come up with was "well Lord, that covers just about everything." It was in that moment of peace and resolution that I saw something I have NEVER seen in my life, yup another sign. This one read "open range watch for CATTLE!!!!" OK REALLY??

While all these things were adding up I kept watching Lola as she so graciously computed and recomputed my arrival time. Well really all I saw her do was add minutes. Needless to say my shortcut added almost two hours when it was all said and done. We were the last bus to pull in and to top it off I had to explain my act of genius to everyone. OUCH

I have tried to tell this story with humor so as not to start crying over it all over again. But as I have thought it today it has reminded me of a real truth in life. We are faced with opportunities and choices every day. Many times there is a road that seems to be easier or a shortcut to whatever goal we are striving for, seldom is that the right road. Patience, wisdom, persistence and a view of the destination are the best ways to chose which road we should take. Most importantly a prayer to ask for guidance before is always better than the prayer for deliverance in the middle of a mistake.

Just a thought.........