I should have paid closer attention to the signs...

The house this morning is full of a "unique" set of powerful smells...wet dog - tomato juice - bathroom spray - and SKUNK. 

I should have paid closer attention to the signs.... 

·        A 4am wakeup call by a very excited Chihuahua.

·        No back porch light on (an open invitation to nocturnal critters)

·        An unusual black object in the back yard...under the bird feeder.

·        A recent report of a "skunk-sighting" in the neighborhood. 

By the time my groggy noggin added up all the "signs" it was too late. 

I don’t know if tomato juice baths really help or not but our little white mongrel has a "pink hue" that would make the “cancer awareness” ladies proud.  I wish I had paid closer attention to the signs.

The “preacher” in me can’t help but see a spiritual lesson here. The Bible speaks about signs both as “warning” and “proof”.  In either scenario the “signs” are offered as an “invitation”…to “trust”. 

“…many people noticed the signs he (Jesus) was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him.  John 2:23 (MSG)

God’s signs are all around us…He loves us…we don’t need to fear…bad things happen – but He stands by our side…He can be trusted.

Paying closer attention to the signs can help you avoid problems…but not always.  What WILL ALWAYS be true is this…paying attention to His signs enables you to realize that even when life stinks...You are loved. 

Rev. Harold Davis was the first pastor I "officially" worked under. The first Sunday Vicki and I returned from our Honeymoon I began my ministry as the Youth Pastor in Choctaw Oklahoma.

Bro. Davis attempted to make a good pastor out of me and one of the first things he taught me was how important it was to "communicate" with your people.  It was before cell phones, email, texting or blogging.  Everyday he got up early - and hand wrote letters to individuals that needed contact from their pastor...everyday. 

He also put out a weekly "snail-mail" newsletter entitled..."It Happened This Way...". Nothing fancy - not a lot of "theologizing"...he simply chatted with...bragged on...and encouraged his people.  It was as if you were sitting down with an old friend over a cup of steaming hot coffee sharing about what had happened just the day before.  It wasn't that it was all that profound...just a part of the weekly routine that you missed if it wasn't there. 

Several years ago Bro. Davis went in to surgery for a "simple procedure" and woke up in Heaven.  This attempt at "blogging" is in part a tribute to his memory...and an attempt on my part to be..."a good pastor".

Some time ago I started a Facebook column entitled "It Happened This Way...".  My intent was to keep the members of the OFCNazarene FB Group updated with comments about what had happened on the previous Sunday. 

I have not been very consistent with that column...who knows I may not with this either (smile)...but I am going to try. This time I will write for those who want to follow "a blog" and not have to join FB or our church group. I haven't had a blog before...tried to build a site...never got very far...things are easier now - so here goes.

My blog will be about ALL of my observations...church...family...general faith...community...culture...etc.  Mostly it will be about "connecting"...and sharing...because we are friends.  I hope you will join me.