"Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while." ~ Kin Hubbard, American humorist, (1868-1930)

We are now in the midst of the hot weather we typically get this time of year. It had been hiding behind some wonderfully refreshing clouds and showers over the past several weeks but it is now very busy doing its job. That involves making every breath difficult. It's the combo routine. Temperature plus humidity and next thing you know you are sporting a feels like of 110°. I know we should be used to it by now since it has been a part of our lives for these many years, but it still tends to take one's breath away especially when the whole world seems to be distorted by those moving heat wave thingies. Hot, bothered, but thankful, and with that current weather forecast I bid you a most wonderful day and a welcome to this edition here on this Wednesday, July 23, 2014. During that cool front that hit last week I was keeping an eye on the national low temperature map. One little spot in Idaho hit 36° one morning. Imagine that. Before we all pack up and move, I'm sure they have their set of issues just like we do. They may be a part of that huge drought that's ravaging so much of our western states. They may have the potential for destructive wildfires. But 36 is a beautiful number to contemplate when the 110 comes rolling down the tracks. It reminds me of that verse from the Bible. The sheepherder called to be a Prophet and Preacher by the Lord, Amos, had this to say in the Old Testament Book that bears his name: "As when a man flees from a lion And a bear meets him, Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall And a snake bites him." (Chapter 5, Verse 19) The only true safe place is our trust in the Lord God of heaven. Amen.

Last early Saturday morning my wife called me from Del Rio. I could tell she was excited. They had been out in a park Friday evening inviting children to come to their Vacation Bible School (VBS). The kids she was talking to came and the dad did also. He ended up giving his heart to Jesus. His wife later did the same thing. My wife didn't directly lead him to the Lord, another fellow with our group did, but, she saw firsthand what it means to be a part of the Lord's harvesting process. She invited the children and was able to witness mom and dad being saved and on their way to heaven. Jesus explained this to His disciples: "Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.'” (Gospel of John, Chapter 4, Verses 34-37) Some plant, some water, and some are there at the time of harvest, but, all who work in the vineyard of the Lord share equally in the outcomes. And lest we forget, the Apostle Paul made clear how the increase comes: "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." (I Corinthians 3:7) No wonder she was excited!

I'm glad that our Great God made it a whole lot simpler than we often appreciate. Sometimes the theologians can take the most simple of Bible passages and explain them in ways that tend to obscure rather than illuminate the simple truth being heralded. A tremendous Bible scholar and radio Bible teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, (1904-1988), used this construct as his goal in teaching God's Word: "Put the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them." I have listened to his radio teaching more times than I can remember over the years and have been impressed to do my best, with God's help, to present God's truth with that same goal in mind. It did take me a while to grasp this approach. I can tell you, it is easy to get wrapped up in great technical theological discussions. And, I enjoy those. However, God provided His Book to men, women, boys and girls. He made the message simple and clear reflecting everyone's need and His provision of salvation through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. It's so clear that a daddy can be saved by attending children's VBS. Now here's what I have to say about that: Amen and Hallelujah! We all need to be reminded that it is the Message and the indwelling power in the Message, not the messenger. Have a great day and may God be with us all. Amen.   ...More later.