The Edge!

Something happened at work last week that reminded me of the title of the Lita Ford album 'Dancing On The Edge.' We have an aisle at work that is used by both forklifts and pedestrians. There is a guard rail up for a short bit of said aisle. Then it is open for someone to walk out into forklift traffic.

This woman who has worked there for a very long time and knows about the traffic and forklifts was standing right on the edge of the aisle. So close that is she were to take one more step out, she could have gotten hit by a forklift.

The question in my mind was "why stand so close to something dangerous, when you don't have to?" She knew what the consequences could have been, but yet she decided to stand there. That is what got me to thinking about the title of Lita Ford album. 

I started thinking about other things that people do that are right on the edge of tragedy. I thought about the motorcycle riders who ride (in my mind) to close to the center line. To me, someone could be doing the same with their car and hit them with their mirror, or worse!

People who drive right behind semi-trucks. Claiming they are drifting off of the truck. All you are doing is playing Russian roulette with it. 

People who pull up to the line at traffic lights, or railroad crossings. They get so far past the line that is a dot to them. Why do you have to get so close to danger? If a car turns to sharp, your in an accident. I keep thinking about the train situation. If those cars were to derail, you'd never be able to get out of the way, because you are so close. 

I just don't get it. Death wish? Thrill seeker? 

Then I started thinking about Christians and the line that we try to walk between the world and Jesus. How close can we get without sinning. Toe the line, but as long as we don't cross it, we are good. If we are toeing that line, it could be very easy for us to stumble and fall right back into sin. We think that we are strong enough to hold the line, but that is wrong thinking.

Romans 6:2 New Living Translation

2 Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Jesus tells us to flee from sin. To not even entertain the thoughts. 

1 Peter 2:11 Living Bible

11 Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls.

Every step we take towards Jesus is two steps away from the evil one and his destructive nature. The enemy comes to destroy us. So why even try and walk that line? Why even flirt with that. Get away from him as far as possible. I want to be so far past that line, that it is a dot to me.

James 4:7 Amplified Bible

7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

So I encourage you, that if something comes up and it goes against God, don't even toe that line. Run the other direction. Run to the One who gives life! Jesus Christ!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Goals.

 What are your goals for this year? Do you aspire to do something different? Try something new? Something you have never done before?

I know this year I want to be more like God. To try and live more like Him, the best of my ability. I want to abandon everything that isn't of Him. I have been blessed in my life. There have been some mountain top moments for sure. There have also been some valleys. Some deeper than others, but valleys none the less.

No matter where I am at in life, I want to give all glory to God. Top, bottom, middle. He is there through it all. 

What are you chasing this year? Promotions at work? Are you chasing self promotion? Saying to the world "hey, look at me." "Look what I have done." Are you trying to keep with the Jones'? Being jealous of a neighbors new car? House, pool, whatever?

According to King Solomon, chasing all of the world has to offer is meaningless. 

Ecclesiastes 1:2 New Living Translation

2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What does he mean by this. You can chase fame, fortune, a higher place in society, houses, cars, jobs, etc. In the end, it's all meaningless. After all of this, you cannot take it with you. You work hard to achieve this and when you pass, someone else will get what you worked for, that they haven't lifted a finger for.

So that is why this year, I want to chase after God like never before. He is the only one that matters at the end. We can achieve all that we want, but when we are gone what will we be remembered for? How many clicks and likes that we got on our social media posts. Or will we be remembered for chasing God and living for and serving Him.

Galatians 1:10 New Living Translation

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

I want to please God, not people. When I go to work, I am working for The Lord. Of course I want to please my boss, but only because I am a servant of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:23 New Living Translation

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

So I encourage you today. Let's make 2026 my (your) best year for chasing after God! Let everything else come in second place after God!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Fatigue, Fatigued or Just Plain Tired!

 The word fatigue has been making it's way around society lately. With videos of certain actions taking place, people are claiming fatigue for such actions. I get it. Tired of seeing the same thing over and over, just different locations. Tired of seeing fights at airports, restaurants, ball games, where ever. People getting butt hurt over cold french fries, wanting to throw hands. Really??

While watching videos online the other day and listening to reports, I started to think, "what fatigue do I have?" "What am I tired of?" So I started reflecting.

Things that I have fatigue towards,

Trump fatigue. Tired of hearing about him, everyday. Tired of the name calling. What are we, in elementary school?

Political party fatigue! Left, Right. Democrat, Republican. Tired of hearing about both of them.

Political Leader fatigue! So many governors, mayors, Senators or House members. Tired of the blame game. Tired of the foul language they use on a consistent basis. Tired of the street language they use during meetings. You are an elected member of Congress. Act like it. Dress like it, talk like it.

Tired of the senseless violence that continues to happen almost everyday! Murder on a train. Being set on fire getting on a train. People walking down the street being punched out of nowhere. When did we lose our civility?

Things I'm not tired of:

Jesus. I never get tired of serving Him. Obeying Him. Living for Him. I never grow tired of thanking Him for all that He has done for me. His healing, His redeeming, His sacrifice. His peace. His blessings. His protection, provision. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 New Living Translation

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

I will never grow tired or fatigued about boasting about what God has done for me. May you never grow tired either. 

2 Corinthians 10:17 Living Bible

17 As the Scriptures say, “If anyone is going to boast, let him boast about what the Lord has done and not about himself

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Stop, Start!

 So today is the first day of the New Year. A day when people decide to make a new start. Start exercising, start dieting, start whatever. I have never understood this mentality. Why wait to start something. I'll start on January 1st. I'll start on Monday. I'll start on the first day of the month. Why not start now. 

When Jesus called His disciples, they didn't tell Him, lets wait till Monday, first of the year or month. They dropped what they were doing and followed Him immediately! Lets not hesitate when Jesus calls us. He wants an immediate response, not a pause or hesitation.

Luke 9:59 Living Bible

59 Another time, when he invited a man to come with him and to be his disciple, the man agreed—but wanted to wait until his father’s death.

Luke 9:61 Living Bible

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.”

So some things to do as we enter the New Year.

Stop looking back with regret. You cannot change what happened, but you can use what happened to change how you respond the next time something comes up.

Stop thinking that you cannot overcome something. An addiction or bad habit. God is the chain breaker. Jesus came to set us free.

Stop thinking that God doesn't care about you. Stop blaming yourself or others. Stop saying yes to everything. You are allowed to say no. Stop saying no. Stop doing to much or to little. 

Then stop what doing what you know you shouldn't be doing. You know right from wrong.

Start each day in prayer and Bible reading. Converse with God to start your day. Get into His word. What a way to start your day! Then as you proceed during the day, start showing more grace and forgiveness.

Start new habits. Start obeying Gods word. What The Bible says, put it into practice. If you have hurtful relationships, start trying to repair them.

Then most important, start to trust God! Everyday, every hour, minute and second! He never changes. The same yesterday, today and forever. He is the one constant.

Hebrews 13:8 New Living Translation

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So no matter what changes happen to you or around you, God is and will always be there! You can count on that!

Happy New Year & God bless.

Rev. Kev.