Conversation With A Trucker!

 I work on a shipping/receiving dock. I deal with truck drivers all day. In the nine years that I have been at my job, I have gotten to know a few of them pretty well. As they have me. If you know me, I like to talk to people and get to know them and their stories. There is a person on the other end of the paperwork that they are handing me.

I was talking with one of my regular drivers this week and we were talking about attitudes. He told me that I am the most pleasant person that he deals with on a regular basis. Then he continued and included our whole team from both locations in that statement. That all of their drivers really like to come to our company because they know they will be dealt with kindness, respect and able to get them unloaded without an issue. I thanked him and said that we try. He told me that we are doing very well.

He knows that I am a Christian, so I told him that Jesus makes all the difference in the way that I walk and talk to people. He knew what I was saying but still said that I was doing it the right way.

There is a line from one of my favorite Christian metal bands. The band's name is Bride and the song is "Rise Above". They have lyrics in there that are some of my favorites from any song that I listen to. "Christ Lives In Me." They repeat it two or three times. But I love it, because it is true. Christ lives in me. He makes me what I am today. 

Galatians 2:20 Amplified Bible

20 I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

My driver friend said the word pleasant to deal with. That means not only my actions but my words. The way that I speak to him and others it just as important. We are to lift each other up, not tear down. Words have a way of doing that, unfortunately. I want to speak kindly to people. Encourage them with what I say. So many people are so mean and hateful towards each other. He told me that I wouldn't have any idea on many people he deals with like that. I can imagine.

Ephesians 4:29 Amplified Bible

29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

So my prayer tonight is this. That whomever of you that I encounter in public. Whether it be a restaurant, grocery store, clothing store, wherever, that I speak words of love, affirmation, & encouragement to you. May you feel the love of The Lord in my words and actions.

God bless you all.

Rocks!

I have a walking stick that I take with me every once in a while when I go hiking. I went to Starved Rock yesterday for some alone time with me and Jesus. The beautiful trails, canyons & trees. It was a beautiful day to go for a hike. One on of the trails I came upon some children and their moms going the opposite direction. I stood to the side to let them pass. One of the young girls said to me, "hey, nice staff." I thanked her, then thought "wow, my stick has just been promoted to a staff." I happened to be walking on a rocky part of the trail, so of course I thought of Moses and him striking the rock to make water come out. I took my newly appointed staff and hit a rock on the trail. Nothing. I tried a couple of more rocks, still nothing. I thought that my staff was broken. (LOL) It didn't work because God didn't tell me to strike the rock like He told Moses!

Numbers 20:10-11 New Living Translation

10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

So after that little bit of fun that I had thanks to that young girl I continued on. I was praying and thanking God for His marvelous creation and beauty. I walked into one of the many canyons there and was surrounded by stone walls. I started praising Him for such a creation and how long it  must have taken to cut out it's shape. While I was walking around touching the walls and praising, The Lord brought another scripture to mind. It was the one where the rocks cry out if you're silent.

Luke 19:40 The Passion Translation

40 Jesus responded, “Listen to me. If my followers were silenced, the very stones would break forth with praises!”

Well, being where I was at that moment. The stones were not going to cry out because I was silent. No I was praising, thanking and worshipping The Almighty God. The Creator of all things. Including this magnificent canyon that I was standing in.

So I encourage you today. If you ever need to get alone with God, a hike is a good place to start. Marvel in His creation. Look at the trees, listen to the birds and the animals scurrying around on the ground.  Listen to the waterfall. Take it all in. Breathe it all in. Give thanks and praise to our God, who deserves it all.

Checked At The Door.

 Have you ever gone some place and then feel like Jesus checked Himself at the door when you got there? I have. Usually at work. He goes with me from the time that I wake up, all the way to the front door of the building. Then once we get the the entrance He is like, "okay, Keven. You'll be on your own from here." And then I enter and punch in and start work. I know this isn't the case. He is with me and has been with me the whole time. He has proven that over and over again with the way that things have gone. When I enter with a good attitude and feeling good about work, the workplace immediately starts to beat me down. Work load, schedules, drivers, other employees. The list goes on and on. It's those days that I feel Jesus had checked Himself at the door. 

It's like He is saying "Okay Keven, go in and get beaten up and roughed up and then come back and I'll be here waiting for you." I picture this scenario like a parent taking their kid to their first day of school. Mom or Dad can only take you so far, then you have to go it alone. "Don't be afraid little Tommy." "It'll be alright." "Just go in, I'll be waiting for you when you get out."

It's like Jesus is using those moments for me to trust Him more. He is with me, but I feel alone. A test possibly. To see how I react to certain situations that arise. Let me tell you. I fail miserably. Every time! I let the work place get the best of me. I get angry, frustrated and upset. It just shows me that I need Jesus. Always! Everywhere!

There are days when I feel like quitting. Who am I kidding. I feel like quitting everyday. But then I think about Jesus. He didn't quit. Even when faced with the scourging and beating that He knew was going to happen, He still followed The Fathers plan. I know He has a plan for me at work. He has shown it time and time again.

Colossians 3:17 The Message

17 Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way

So on those days when I feel like Jesus checked Himself at the door. I need to act, speak and work like He is right there with me, because He is. If I feel alone, it's because I moved, not Jesus!

I pray that every word out of my mouth and every action that I do, it glorifies God and points people His way! Whether I feel like He checked Himself at the door or came in with me!

God Bless.

Reduced Down, Raised Up.

 My mom and dad have both passed away. Mom almost two years ago, dad ten years ago. Upon reflecting recently about their lives, they both had a way about them. They say that opposites attract. Well it makes perfect sense on why my mom and dad got divorced. They had very similar personalities. They both liked to laugh and have a good time. They were loved by everyone that knew them, except themselves.

They both were full of life. My dad loved to play pranks and joke around with people to get a laugh. My mom just loved having a good time and laughing with whom ever was around.

Then in 2011 my dad got sick. In and out of the hospital until one day he didn't come home. He went home to be with Jesus. His final years of his life, he lived in a veterans home. A very small bedroom with very few personal items. When he passed, my brother and I went to the home to pick up a picture of him to use for his obituary. When I entered his room, I noticed for the first time how small it was. I thought about how he lived prior to that. He lived in a double wide with nice furniture and things. In the room I noticed that he had been reduced down to a picture on the wall, and a few things sitting on his dresser. Then from that room he was reduced to the size of a coffin. And finally reduced to a six foot hole in the ground.

2019 my mom got sick. The same as my dad, she was in out of the hospital for a few months until we got the call one night that she thought that she was coming to the end. She passed away close to eight hours after receiving that call. Being with her those last few hours, I looked around at the hospital room and it seemed quite cold. Except for family being around her, that was the closest thing that she had that resembled home. At home she pictures of everyone on her fridge. Grandkids, kids, family, friends. If you meant something to her, you were on the fridge. Just like my dad. I noticed how she had been reduced down to this hospital room. Then when she passed, she to was put into a coffin. Then after service were finished, she was reduced even further to an urn. Then finally to a small hole in the ground when she was finally buried.

I think back on both of my parents. So full of life. Their minds were still intact, their bodies just gave out. Their race had finished. God called them home to him!

1 Corinthians 15:53 New Living Translation

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

Now and for eternity, they will never again experience pain, suffering, tears, disease. They are made whole by Jesus. How do I know this you may ask. I know that both my mom and dad were saved in their later years. I know that they are in heaven. I will see them again.

So for my dad who had been reduced down to a six foot hole and my mom an urn and probably a three foot hole, they have been raised up to live in eternity with Jesus. Their humble little earthly homes have now become Heavenly homes.

John 14:2-3 The Passion Translation

2 My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am.

I cannot wait till that day!

God bless.

Neither one lived an exorbitant life. They both worked and lived in small humble homes. My dad lived in a double wide and my mom in a two bedroom house.

Short Staffed!!

How many of us have seen this type of sign whenever we go out to eat? It seem like these signs are everywhere now a days. No  matter if it's fast food. Sit down. Everyone is having this issue. What I have discovered over the last few weeks or so, is that the people in the food industry i.e. Host/hostess, servers, managers, cooks, dishwashers, etc. etc. are starving for or longing for customers to treat them with kindness, patience and respect. They can't control the other workers who decided not to show up.

That's why we need to be kind and patient with them. Respect them for showing up to their job, even though they know some of the customers are going to be rude, inpatient and disrespectful towards them. Like I said before. It's not their fault the restaurant is short staffed. I have read stories about the police being called because of a drive-thru line taking to long to fill orders. Really! Seriously! Your going to waste more time by calling the police. What are they going to do? Issue a ticket for making the food to slow? I mean really!

My wife and I have been repeatedly thanked by the wait staff for being patient with them. We always say no problem and thank them for being there to wait on us. The look on their face when we compliment them for just showing up for work. The smile that we get. They thank us and thank us repeatedly for saying that. I tell them that all customers should be kind to the wait staff. One server told me that it is very few and far between when people are actually kind to her. She very much appreciated us telling her that, as she was the only server working the whole restaurant.

I'm not saying this to say, "wow, look how good we are". Not at all. We are just trying to show Jesus to people. If we are rude to the staff, what does that say about our witness? Kind of punches a whole in it! You know them Christians. Acting just like the world. Getting bent out of shape just because their meal took a little longer than usual. Haven't they noticed that I am the only one working the floor?

2 Timothy 2:24 Amplified Bible

24 The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone.

So I implore you as you go out tonight or any night for dinner someplace. Be patient, kind and respectful to the staff. You have no idea what they are going through. They might be doing two or three different jobs because someone else decided not to show up. Be loving to them as well. Tip them well. Even more than you usually would. They need to know that they are appreciated.

Ephesians 4:2 The Passion Translation

2 With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another.

So 'Bon Appetit' 

God bless!

Black & White & A Baseball Game.

 A friend of mine invited my wife and I to go see the Chicago Cubs play the St. Louis Cardinals. He is a Cubs fan, we are Cardinals fans. The game was played at Wrigley Field. We arrived at the stadium, made our way to our seats, and were ready for the start of the game. We had four seats kind of in the middle of the row. I sat on the outside seat of our group. Just before the game began, an African-American gentleman proceeded up the stairs and into our row and sat down beside me. First thing he did was introduce himself and asked for my name in return. We fist bumped each other and settled in. I'm not sure settled is a good word. If you've ever sat in those upper deck seats. They are really small. So you are always trying to adjust to get comfortable in them. So your not really "settled" per se.

As the game started and progressed, he and I talked. We talked strategy. We talked about mistakes both teams were making. Discussed passed balls that got by the catchers. He lamented that back in the day, that just didn't happen. He was an old school baseball fan. We talked about catchers like Johnny Bench. Thurman Munson. Carlton Fisk. The ball very rarely made it passed those catchers. I told him that today's catchers are to focused on their offense now, not defense. Unless you are Yadi Molina. He is in a whole different league.

The reason I bring all of this up is this. If you listen to the media now a days, this gentleman and I should not have been sitting next to each other or even talking with each other. The media seems like they are trying to divide the races into black and white. We can't intermix or interact with each other. According to them.

Well, not only did we break the mold of that kind of thinking, we totally shattered it. We sat by each other for the whole game. Talked with each other for the whole game. Enjoyed each others company. Every time we had to adjust to get comfortable in our seats, we jostled each other. Each one of us always apologized for doing that. We kept telling each that they were good. No worries! That we are all in this together.

The only differences between he and I were, he was black, I am white. He was a Cub fan, I am a Cardinals fan. We had a few similarities. We were both tall, bald and male.

If you know me very well at all, you know that I really don't see color. He was just a fan sitting next to me rooting for his team while I rooted for mine.

Mark 12:31 The Passion Translation

31 And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.”

This gentleman and I were neighbors for over three hours and nine innings of baseball. We both cared about what happened to each other as the game went along. We made sure to do the best that we could to make sure each other was as comfortable as possible.

When it was all over and the Cardinals had won their 15th game in a row. He got up and not only shook my hand, but also my wife's and my friends as well. He bid us farewell and he disappeared into the sea of people.

So, take that you naysayers!! We can and will get along just fine! God Bless!

The Debate Continues.

 A year and a half later, the mask debate has not died down. Not even close. We're told to wear masks here and not there. Inside yes, outside no. On and on it goes. People are still on both sides of the debate. Some say they work, while others say they don't. Me, I'm not sure. I know I have not gotten covid since wearing a mask. Who said I would have gotten it without a mask? I have to wear it at least 8 hours a day at work because my employer requires it. Do I enjoy it? Not really. Kind of bothersome. A bit harder to breathe not going to lie. But if they are paying me and require it, then I'll wear it. Just like every other kind of PPE they require.

Want to know what else I don't really like to wear or use? Seat belts. Steel toe boots, hard helmets, sunscreen. The list goes on and on. Just like seat belts don't stop car accidents, or steel toe boots don't stop your foot from getting smashed. Same with a hard helmet. If something heavy enough falls on your head, it's going to get crushed. Sun screen doesn't prevent you from getting sunburn. It will lessen the effects, but you could still get it. That's how the mask works. It's not meant to or supposed to stop the virus. It is just supposed to slow down the spread of it. It makes it harder for someone to breathe directly on you, or you on them.

Like I said earlier. I'm not really sure of the effectiveness of the mask. All I know is that me and my family have not had covid, and we have all worn a mask when required.

I am not for or against wearing a mask. I don't agree with it being forced on people. To me it is a personal decision. Wear it fine. Don't wear it, fine. Just don't judge me or others for what we are doing or not doing. We are doing what we believe is right for ourselves and families. 

Just like driving a car without a seat belt and getting into an accident. Or not wearing sun screen and get a sun burn. You know the consequences of those actions. But it's still your choice.

The same with the vaccine. Get it, don't get it. Personal choice, right? Well unfortunately that debate rages on as well. Again, if me and my family get the shot, we are doing what we think is best for our families. Same goes if we don't get the shot. We chose to not get it and that's what we think is best for our families.

I'm just tired of everyone trying to force their opinion on others. I have seen other Christians and even some pastors who mock and criticize people who do either of the acts. To me, that's not what being a Christian is. Doesn't Jesus call us to love one another? Regardless of our vaxed or un-vaxed status? You did or did not get the vaccine. Not for me to worry about. Same goes for me. If I got it or didn't get it. What concern is it of yours? Again, it's our choice and what we believe is best for ourselves, our families and our situations.

Philippians 2:3 The Passion Translation

3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.

Christ calls us to be in unity. Not a divided people. This is exactly what this virus/pandemic is doing to us. Causing a mass divide amongst His people. People who should be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.

Ephesians 4:29 Amplified Bible

29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

So I urge you today to respect other peoples opinions on this mask/no mask, vaccine/ no vaccine debate.

May God bless you on whatever decision you make!